Tiger Woods arrested after rollover crashAPTiger Woods’ arrest on Friday for a car crash in Florida was at least the fourth auto-related incident involving the golfer and the second in which he was charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Neither Woods nor the person in the other vehicle were injured, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said. Woods was charged on Friday with driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, both misdemeanor charges. Tiger Woods was arrested following a rollover crash in Jupiter Beach, Florida, on Friday. In February 2021, Woods survived a rollover crash in which his SUV ran off a coastal road in Los Angeles County at a high speed, leading to multiple leg and ankle injuries, and nearly costing him the leg.

Photo: Huang Shu-li, Taipei TimesStudents should plan to obtain “dual specialties,” adding special-needs dentistry to another area, he said. “Two years ago, only NTUH trained new specialists in special-needs dentistry, while nobody signed up for courses at other hospitals,” he said. Most students are unlikely to limit their specialty training to a special-needs qualification, Chiang said. Chiang said that she has specialist qualifications in oral pathology, pediatric dentistry and special-needs dentistry. Hopefully, Taiwan can introduce more incentives and create a better environment for dentists willing to work in special-needs care, which would help retain talent, she said.

Houthis enter war as Iran strikes disrupt shippingAFP, TEHRANYemen’s Houthi rebels yesterday announced their entry into the Middle East war by launching a ballistic missile toward Israel, as the world struggles to contain the economic damage of a conflict now entering its second month. The intervention of Iran’s Yemeni allies into Tehran’s conflict with Israel and the US would spark concern about disruption to Red Sea shipping, with trade from the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz already choked off. The war began when the US and Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across Iran, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, engulfing the Middle East in conflict and triggering global economic pain by sending oil and gas prices soaring. Israeli security forces examine the site of an Iranian missile strike in Eshtaol yesterday. Saudi Arabia has diverted a large proportion of its oil exports to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran says it has closed to shipping from hostile powers — driving up energy prices worldwide.

NFL players give flag football a tossSPEED vs. POWER: The US might have the best (or only) football players in the world, but flag football is an entirely different game to themAPTeam USA does not need NFL players to help it go for the gold when flag football debuts at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. US National Flag team’s Tyler Davis misses a catch against the Wildcats FFC during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on March 21 in Los Angeles. Flag football and tackle football are not the same game. It was clear that NFL players and coaches were not prepared for the round-robin tournament after only a couple practices. Flag football is built on finesse, so being bigger and more powerful can work against players.

KMT caucus voices support for the TPP’s Ko rallyStaff writer, with CNAThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus yesterday voiced support for a Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) rally today, saying the judiciary “must not become a tool for political reckoning” and warned against what it described as selective enforcement of the law to target opposition figures. The KMT made the comment after the TPP called on its supporters to rally in Taipei today in protest against the guilty verdict that sentenced former TPP chairman and Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) to 17 years in prison for corruption. A poster for the Taiwan People’s Party’s rally in Taipei today. The TPP said the ruling Democratic Progressive Party was undermining judicial independence and that the system had become a political tool. Separately yesterday, KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) did not respond to questions about whether she would join the rally to support Ko.

NTU looking to bring in outside talentTALENT SCOUTING: The university is investing substantial funds in its future to bring in the kind of researchers that would keep the college internationally competitive National Taiwan University (NTU) plans to invest NT$2 billion (US$62.6 million) to launch two programs aimed at attracting and retaining top research talent, university president Chen Wen-chang (陳文章) said yesterday. The funding would support the “Palm Grove Scholars Project,” which targets academics aged 40 to 55. Up to 20 scholars would be selected, each receiving as much as NT$10 million annually, Chen said. The initiative is designed to attract leading researchers to Taiwan and strengthen NTU’s global competitiveness by fostering a more research-friendly environment and expanding international collaboration, he said. NTU is also introducing a “Hong Hu” chair grant, which would provide PalmBy Rachel Lin and Jake Chung

Ex-Ma Ying-jeou foundation officials to be investigatedBy Liu Wan-lin and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Ma Ying-jeou Foundation’s board of directors yesterday authorized a probe into alleged financial misconduct by former CEO Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) and former deputy CEO Wang Kuang-tzu (王光慈). The meeting came amid speculations that accusations of financial malfeasance were a pretext for an internal power struggle. Ma Ying-jeou Foundation board member Lee De-wei, center, speaks to reporters in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei TimesHsiao, Presidential Office deputy secretary-general during president Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) time in office, had been the CEO at Ma’s foundation until last month. Ma had announced Hsiao’s and Wang’s departure from his foundation on social media, accusing them of financial improprieties.

Nantou farmers protest outside Executive YuanBy Esme Yeh / Staff reporterFarmer fron Nantou County yesterday protested in front of the Executive Yuan in Taipei calling for the appropriation of 7.5 hectares of farmland for a controversial incinerator construction project proposed by the Nantou County Government to be canceled. Farmland in Nantou County’s Mingjian Township is pictured in an undated photograph. Government Watch Alliance executive director Hsu Hsin-hsin (許心欣) said that the National Property Administration has appropriated farmland to the county government for use by the project without prior approval from the Executive Yuan and the Ministry of Agriculture. The Executive Yuan should cancel the appropriation of the farmland, especially as the farmland was appropriated without land-use conversion, which contravenes the National Property Act (國有財產法), she said. A separate news conference was held at the legislature in Taipei, urging the county government to reselect the project site and respect local farmers’ right to participate in the project’s review meetings.

Hospitals implementing contingency measuresPLASTIC PRODUCTS: NTUH has established a rapid response mechanism in the face of potential medical supply shortages due to the conflict in the Middle EastBy Hou Chia-yu, Lin Chih-yi and Esme Yeh / Staff reporters, with staff writerHospitals say that they have initiated contingency measures in response to the impact of the Middle East conflict on medical supplies and electricity prices. Photo: Chung Li-hua, Taipei TimesWhile the problem is compounded by delays in delivery and a potential supply shortage, many large domestic hospitals have initiated contingency measures to ensure continuity in clinical services. Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Ching-yi (林靜儀) said the ministry has been examining the scope of the impact from the Middle East conflict on medical supplies. Taiwan College of Healthcare Executives president Hung Tzu-jen (洪子仁) said that prices of some medical supplies have already increased 5 percent to 20 percent, or been delayed by two weeks to a month. An early warning system for medical supply shortages should be implemented, while the feasibility of subsidies or a price buffer mechanism should also be explored, he said.

China cannot ‘lecture’ a democracy: MACBy Hollie Younger and Jason Pan / Staff writers, with CNAChina has “no right” to criticize Taiwan’s democracy regarding the sentencing of former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. It is an authoritarian regime, and therefore cannot lecture the nation, a vibrant democracy governed by the rule of law, where judicial authorities conduct independent trials, he said. The Taipei District Court on Thursday found Ko guilty of accepting millions in bribes related to the Core Pacific City redevelopment project during his term as Taipei mayor from 2018 to 2022. Former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je speaks at a news conference in Taipei on Thursday. Separately yesterday, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said that anyone who believes the ruling party can manipulate the judiciary was be unqualified to become part of such a party.

OTN workplace bullying allegations to be probedDEEPER PROBLEM: Yen Huai-shing’s family rejected the service medal, instead calling for reforms, and the creation of a system to train and retain trade negotiatorsBy Chen Cheng-yu, Chung Li-hua and Jake Chung / Staff reporters, with staff writerA fully independent panel would lead an investigation into alleged workplace bullying reported by late deputy trade representative Yen Huai-shing (顏慧欣), Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday. After participating in the work of the Executive Yuan’s Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN), Yen grew increasingly concerned, media quoted the letter as saying. The Executive Yuan would examine whether issues raised in Yen’s resignation letter contravened the Public Servants’ Safety and Health Protection Act (公務人員安全及衛生防護辦法), he said. “We hope to provide clear answers to Yen’s family and maintain public trust,” he said. Yen’s family has declined the government’s First-Class Meritorious Service Medal and related compensation.

NTU looking to bring in outside talentTALENT SCOUTING: The university is investing substantial funds in its future to bring in the kind of researchers that would keep the college internationally competitive National Taiwan University (NTU) plans to invest NT$2 billion (US$62.6 million) to launch two programs aimed at attracting and retaining top research talent, university president Chen Wen-chang (陳文章) said yesterday. The funding would support the “Palm Grove Scholars Project,” which targets academics aged 40 to 55. Up to 20 scholars would be selected, each receiving as much as NT$10 million annually, Chen said. The initiative is designed to attract leading researchers to Taiwan and strengthen NTU’s global competitiveness by fostering a more research-friendly environment and expanding international collaboration, he said. NTU is also introducing a “Hong Hu” chair grant, which would provide PalmBy Rachel Lin and Jake Chung

FEATURE: Johan Cheng discusses her papercut artBy Esme Yeh / Staff reporterVibrant street life and urban scenes familiar with locals carved in black paper, backlit by yellowish light, are telling the story of Taiwan and its people at a solo exhibition by papercut artist Johan Cheng (成若涵). Papercut artist Johan Cheng and her exhibition at the Huashan 1914 Creative Park in Taipei. While Cheng’s parents were supportive of her following her passion to build a lifetime career, British papercut artist Rob Ryan’s creations also inspired her. “He made me realize that papercut art can go beyond the red, symmetric patterns of traditional papercut window decorations,” she said. “We interviewed six local community elders and asked them to draw what their life looks like living there,” Cheng said.

No disciplinary action or expulsion for Ko, TPP saysStaff writer, with CNAThe Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) said the case involving party founder Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) was “political prosecution,” so there would be no expulsion or disciplinary action against Ko, TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) said yesterday. The Taipei District Court on Thursday sentenced Ko to 17 years in prison for multiple corruption offenses in the Core Pacific City (京華城) case and three other cases. Asked whether Ko would withdraw from the party — as former Hsinchu mayor Ann Kao (高虹安) did after receiving a prison sentence — or face disciplinary action, Huang said the party has made its position clear: Ko was being politically targeted and persecuted by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang speaks at a press conference in Taipei yesterday. “Therefore, there is, of course, no reason for expulsion from the party or internal disciplinary action,” Huang said, referring to Ko.

Taipei Floral Picnic to feature exclusive ‘Pokemon Go’ eventANNUAL EVENT: Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in Daan Park, with an event zone operating from 10am to 6pmBy Sun Wei-jung and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writerThis year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park today and tomorrow, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a themed food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said yesterday. Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm, it said. A poster promoting this year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is pictured in an undated photograph. A giant inflatable Pikachu stands at Daan Park in Taipei ahead of an event this weekend. The Paws and Play Meadow is to feature interactive bubble and balloon shows, and family and children dress-up shows, it said.