■ JUSTICE
Court annuls election win
The Yunlin District Court yesterday annulled the election victory of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chang Sho-wen (張碩文) in the first trial of the case. The verdict is not final. The case began when Chang’s rival, Democratic Progressive Party legislative candidate Liu Chien-kuo (劉建國), filed a lawsuit in January to annul Chang’s victory on bribery allegations. Chang sent reporters text messages later yesterday saying that he respected the court’s decision, but that he would appeal. Chang went on to say that he would continue to focus most of his energy on serving the people in his electoral district, supervising the government and protecting the rights of the people.
■ EDUCATION
NTU won’t strip Lee’s status
National Taiwan University (NTU) secretary-general Liao Hsien-hao (廖咸浩) denied yesterday that the school was considering stripping renowned constitutional expert Lee Hung-hsi’s (李鴻禧) honorary professor status over Lee’s remarks during a rally in support of former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁). At a rally on Saturday last week, Lee said: “I want to curse the whole families of those judges and prosecutors who acted recklessly [in the investigation into corruption allegations against Chen.]” Liao told reporters that the school had received many angry phone calls as a result of Lee’s remarks and that it had held meetings to discuss the matter. “NTU felt shocked and regretted Professor Lee’s remarks, but since Lee is retired, he should take full responsibility for his comments,” Liao said. “We hope Professor Lee will not make controversial remarks as an NTU honorary professor again.”
■ SPORTS
Tai chi competition to open
An international Tai chi boxing competition is scheduled to open in Kaohsiung City today with practitioners from 13 countries taking part. A total of 127 practitioners from Hong Kong, South Africa, Japan, Uruguay, Bangladesh, Nepal, Peru, Germany, Spain, Italy, Malaysia, the US and Taiwan will compete in three categories over a period of two days, the Kuoshu Wushu Federation said.
■ EVENTS
Activists plan vigil
As part of a globally coordinated event to commemorate the first official abolition of the death penalty in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany on Nov. 30, 1786, anti-death penalty activists in Taipei will organize a candlelit vigil and a small “Cities for Life” concert tomorrow in front of the Chinan Presbyterian Church on the corner of Jinan Road (濟南路) and Zhongshan S Road (中山南路) in Taipei. From 6pm to 8pm, Aboriginal singers Panay and Nabu will also perform.
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