Sports lottery rep who criticized Olympian apologizes after backlash

2026-07-08

And the spat between the head of a sports lottery association and the Ministry of Sports has come to an end. In a recent social media post, Ho Yu-chi had criticized the leadership of Sports Minister Lee Yang, who had advocated for reforms to the sports lottery system. Ho took the potential change as an affront, saying that Lee had painted the sports lottery industry as an obstacle to reform with vested interests. After public backlash for the criticism, Ho made a new post, apologizing to the sports minister and announcing he would leave the industry forever. Let’s hear from him.

Ho Yu-chi
Sports lottery industry representative
I would like to offer a deep bow in apology to Lee Yang, who brought glory to Taiwan. I am sorry. I didn’t know the ministry was working with schools to address the shortage of badminton shuttlecocks. In the rush of the moment, I vented my opinions on Facebook. That was unrelated to the efforts by the Ministry of Sports to reform various sports associations. As a leader in the industry, I am deeply saddened by the development. The government doesn’t care. And I am getting flamed online. So I might as well give back my sports lottery license. I mean what I say. Once again, my apologies to Lee Yang. I hope the controversy ends with me.

Ho said that his intention with the post was for the Sports Ministry to listen to the voices of the grassroots. But now that public opinion has turned against him, he says he will give back his sports lottery dealer license in September. In addition, he will withdraw from the business and no longer engage with lottery-related industries.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#sportslottery #lottery #drama #controversy #sports

"重批李洋"引發爭議運彩公會理事長致歉:退出經營

2026-07-08

中華民國運彩公會理事長何昱奇，日前針對運動部長李洋和體育改革議題發表看法，強調改革從來不是二分法，還說改革並非把舊的人打成既得利益者，結果反倒遭網友炎上，何昱奇今日(8日)向李洋致歉，並且將退出運彩經營。

[[中華民國運彩公會理事長何昱奇]]
“為我們台灣爭光的李洋來深深一鞠躬，李洋，不好意思。我沒有見到運動部相關單位，有針對各學校在缺羽毛球這塊有做任何的一個溝通。所以我心急，所以我發表臉書的看法，這在跟各單項協會他要改革，是完全不相干的事情。我當一個領頭羊，都對這個產業這麼傷心了，那你政府還不關心、還炎上我，那我自己繳回(運彩)執照，我說到做到，我跟李洋道歉，紛爭就止於我。”

何昱奇澄清，他的初衷，是希望運動部傾聽基層心聲，如今遭受輿論撻伐，決定從9月份開始，繳回運彩經銷商執照，退出運彩經營行列，不再從事任何運彩相關產業。

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Massive sinkhole causes gas leak Taipei’s busy Dunhua North Road

2026-07-08

Experts and officials from16 countries attend International Ocean Forum

Top officials and think tank experts from 16 countries congregated in Taipei on Wednesday for the opening day of year’s edition of the Taiwan International Ocean Forum. This year, the event focused on maritime affairs related to economic resilience, strategic stability and international cooperation. At the opening ceremony, Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling delivered a speech that addressed China’s launch of coast guard patrols into waters off the east coast of Taiwan. She urged for cooperation among democracies to counter Beijing’s increased gray-zone provocations. Let’s hear from her.

Kuan Bi-ling
Ocean Affairs Council
When an isolated incident happens, it doesn’t trigger an international crisis. When tensions escalate, we don’t consider it the start of war. But cumulatively, these constant incidents give rise to a new normal. As democratic partners, we must effectively and jointly prepare and coordinate response mechanisms.

Raymond Sung
Ocean Affairs Council
I think that China is pursuing expansionism under the guise of law enforcement. If that is the case, and China is doing so illegally, then the critical issue would be to formulate a joint response as part of the international community and as allies. China’s so-called law enforcement is actually just expansionism.

Tammy Duckworth
US Senator
China is trying to establish new norms that are not in compliance with what the international order has agreed to and ratified on a global basis. And we cannot allow them to do that because they will continue to push forward.

Also condemning China’s actions at the event was US Senator Tammy Duckworth, an outspoken supporter of Taiwan. Besides slamming China’s expansionist strategies, she called for deeper strategic cooperation among democratic partners to build a resilient and solid chain to safeguard peace in the Indo-Pacific.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#marine #maritime #peace #indopacific #internationallaw

2026-07-08

Leisure farm, beekeeper keep their animals safe before Typhoon Bavi

Typhoon Bavi is becoming more powerful by the moment on its approach to Taiwan, as it moves slower and grows in size. Bavi is expected to be closest to Taiwan on Friday and Saturday, and the Central Weather Administration says there is a chance it could make landfall in Taiwan’s Northeast Coast. As the storm draws nearer, a beekeeper in the mountains of Keelung is moving his 120-plus bee boxes downhill, while a leisure farm in Yilan is making preparations to keep its animals safe and prevent flooding.

As Typhoon Bavi approaches Taiwan, staff at Yilan Animal Kingdom are hard at work, digging ditches to prevent flooding. They will also put away all the canopy tents outdoor, so the animal kingdom doesn’t get blown away by the gales.

Chao Fei
Yilan Animal Kingdom
This time we’re adding reinforced steel before covering the exterior with wooden planks. It’s to prevent the wooden planks from getting blown away when the typhoon comes. The most important thing is drainage. We have about 20 to 30 dry wells and ditches to tend to before the typhoon. We’ve gotten around to half of them now, and we’ll continue with the rest tomorrow.

Staff at the leisure farm are making preparations to avoid flooding, before the typhoon hits, making sure that every precaution is taken. The farm will also arrange for staff members to stand guard when the typhoon arrives, for the animals’ safety.

Chao Fei
Yilan Animal Kingdom
Speaking of the animals, indoor animals will stay indoors, naturally, and there will be staff on duty. As for outdoor animals, of course, they’ll go indoors during a typhoon, and staff on duty will watch over them.

The farm says that even though their architecture are designed to withstand Force 17 winds, they still get worried every time there’s a typhoon. Meanwhile, over in Keelung’s Qidu Township, a beekeeper up in Malingjian is also rushing to move more than 120 bee boxes. Because honey is only collected once a year, the beekeeper is taking no chances.

Chang Ching-po
Beekeeper
I keep my boxes on terraced fields. I place about three to five boxes on each step. The worse to happen during a typhoon is for the boxes to get blown away. We’re at the mercy of the weather. Every time there’s news that there’ll be a typhoon, I’ll move the bee boxes to the lowest level. They must be fastened securely on both the front and back, and stabilized with a large rock on top.

The beekeeper carries each 40kg box downhill, before fastening them shut with a wire and adding weight on the lid with a large block. He’s taking no chances with the strongest typhoon so far this year.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#typhoon #weather #typhoonbavi #stormalert #巴威颱風

2026-07-08

ITRI develops AI-powered precision fish feeding software

Raising fish in aquaculture isn’t as simple as just feeding them. Giving too much feed doesn’t just incur waste—it also pollutes the ponds. Luckily, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI has a solution. With input from farmers, ITRI has developed an AI-powered precision feeding software that feeds the fish just enough, for bigger and better yields while saving on production costs. Let’s check it out.

Pingtung’s Fangliao Township is the country’s grouper kingdom. Farmers all wish that their prized dragon-tiger groupers will grow as quickly as possible. It used to be hard to tell whether the fish is well-fed, but not anymore, thanks to a new AI software.

Chen Jhih-ren
ITRI Smart Sensing & Systems Technology Center
With smart sensing, we can determine whether the fish has eaten enough. Our feeding mechanism, which is automated and AI-powered, can feed the fish just enough.

Chiang Kun-lung
Fish farm owner
In the past, I’d had to check on the fish every now and then. I also needed people on every shift, all that stuff. Now, all I have to do is check my phone and take a look at the data.

The farm can be monitored in real-time with a smartphone, thanks to an AI-powered precision fish-feeding software developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI.

Chen Jhih-ren
ITRI Smart Sensing & Systems Technology Center
Fish feed roughly accounts for at least 50% of the cost of fish farming. Our smart feeding software prevents feed waste. We’re mentoring farmers of five main economic fish breeds.

Chiang Kun-lung
Fish farm owner
It allows higher density of fish and lowers our costs, which shows the importance of precise data for us.

ITRI has trained and developed an AI software with input from fish farmers, allowing them to save on feed consumption and labor costs, while increasing yield of better quality. It has been tested in several fish farms so far, benefitting farmers and showcasing the success of precision aquaculture.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#aquaculture #fishfarms #grouper #seafood #fish

2026-07-08

72-year-old woman alive after crash sets leaky scooter on fire

A 72-year-old scooter driver made a miraculous escape from a terrifying traffic accident in New Taipei on Tuesday morning. The scooter crashed into a big truck that was making a right turn. It fell to the ground and caught fire within seconds, likely due to a ruptured fuel tank. People quickly rushed to the rescue to pull the driver out of the blaze, and even the truck driver put out the fire with an extinguisher. The scooter driver sustained burns on many parts of her body, but was fortunately alive.

The lorry is turning right at the light when… Bang! A scooter crashes straight into its side, sending the driver to the ground. Within seconds, the scooter is ablaze. What’s worse is that the driver, a woman in her 70s, is pinned under the vehicle inside the fireball.

A traffic warden and a volunteer rush to the rescue, while the truck driver himself runs over with a large extinguisher to put out the blaze. The foam and smoke engulf the entire road.

Hung Chiao-hsuan
FTV reporter
The accident took place at a main thoroughfare near a popular American retailer. This place is always busy with commuters and truck drivers, making it a crash hotspot.

Member of public
Concerned about crash
I often see accidents here. At rush hour, it’s always jam-packed, and everyone is in a time crunch. There’s tons of cars and motorbikes.

Member of public
Concerned about crash
If you’re driving a car, it could take you half an hour to get over here from the Oriental Science Park. You’re stuck in traffic for 20, 30 minutes.

The crash happened past 7 on Tuesday morning, at Xintaiwu Road in Xizhi District. Police believe the cause was failure to account for the turning radius of the truck, and the scooter’s location in a blind spot. As the truck driver, Mr. Su, turned right onto the highway, his vehicle collided with the scooter rider Ms. Wu, aged 72. The scooter’s fuel tank ruptured and caught fire as it scraped against the ground. Ms. Wu sustained burns on her face, torso and legs, but was conscious when rescued.

Chang Chih-wei
Police officer
Our staff rushed over to pull out the rider, who was trapped under the burning scooter.

Fortunately, thanks to everyone’s quick thinking, the fire was put out, and the driver made it out of the crash alive.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#traffic #scooter #fire #fuel #leak

2026-07-08

Sports lottery rep who criticized Olympian apologizes after backlash