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Taiex surges 1,227 points as US and Iran reaches tentative peace deal

Taiwan shares surged on the first trading day of the week, closing up 1,227 points for 45,396 points, with a transaction volume of NT$1.06 trillion. The surge was mainly driven by leading semiconductor, AI and finance-related stocks, such as TSMC, MediaTek and Hon Hai.

According to an analyst, markets across Asia rallied thanks to a tentatative peace deal between the US and Iran, as well as a US rally driven by the SpaceX IPO. Japan’s Nikkei Index also reached a historic high on Monday, with an intraday gain of 3,600 points; while South Korean stocks also grew by more than 5%.

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#stocks #investment #finance #international #getrich

Time：2026-06-15

最新消息 Latest News

Debris avalanches halt traffic in Nantou amid persistent rain

Persistent heavy rain over the weekend has now caused severe landslides in the mountainous Renai Township in Nantou. Debris avalanches have descended upon the 18.2km and 36.5km marks of Nantou County Road No. 89 on Sunday, obstructing traffic. Drivers passing by had had to turn back in haste. The township mayor said that as of Monday, the 36.5km mark has been cleared. However, the public is urged to refrain from traveling in the mountains before the rain stops.

There seems to be no end to the heavy rain, and neither to the debris avalanche it caused.

- It’s probably becoming a dead end in a second.

Drivers rush to turn back as the landslide comes rushing toward the road surface.

- Scary. The landslide is still sliding.

The passer-by exclaims in shock at the sight. Past 2 p.m. Sunday, a debris avalanche descended upon the 18.2km mark of Nantou County Road No. 89 in Renai Township, obstructing traffic. The same happened at another segment of the road.

Voice of Chiang Tzu-hsin
Renai Township Mayor
The 36.5km and 18.2km marks got covered in landslide yesterday in the afternoon and the evening, which obstructed traffic. They’re being cleared as quickly as possible at the moment.

Renai Township had the highest 24-hour accumulated rainfall in Nantou this rainy spell, which was caused by a lingering front. Many roads in the mountainous area had fallen rocks and trees. The obstruction was the heaviest on Nantou County Road No. 89, also known as Lixing Industry Road.

Voice of Chiang Tzu-hsin
Renai Township Mayor
The 36.5km mark has been cleared. The 18.2km mark is more heavily obstructed. We’ve asked the county government’s contractor to report back, and they said it’ll only be cleared at around noon.

Because the head scarp of the landslide on the 18.2km mark was higher, plus it’s still raining, clearing can only begin when the rain becomes lighter. The Renai Township office urges drivers to take a detour and avoid heading into the mountains.

The township office also says that the 36.5km mark has been cleared, but urges travelers away from the mountains before the rain stops.

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#rain #weather #landslide #naturaldisaster #taiwan

2026-06-15

Yilan residents spooked by aircrafts conducting land surveys

Local residents in Yilan have been panicking over the sight of aircrafts hovering close to the ground recently. More precisely, at less than 300m above ground. Some people even joked that the aircrafts may have been carrying out a reconnaissance mission. On Monday, the county government clarified, after consulting with the central government, that the aircrafts were conducting land surveys.

Two lightweight aircrafts hover in the air, their loud noises attracting Yilan locals’ attention. It’s a curious sight indeed, in a town without an airport. What’s more, it’s flying quite close to the ground, at around 200m to 300m above, over Dongshan, Luodong and Jiaoxi, making onlookers nervous.

- Aircrafts must fly above a certain limit from the ground. If it’s flying too close, the public may worry that it might crash.
- Even more so in crowded areas.
- Yes, it would make people nervous.

Member of public
Local resident
It’s rare to see this kind of lightweight aircraft. There isn’t an airport in Yilan, so it’s quite surprising to see a lightweight aircraft. It’s really not flying high above the ground.

The planes have caught the attention of netizens online. One commented that they’re ultralight aircrafts, while another joked that the aircrafts are on a reconnaissance mission. One knowledgeable commenter identified the aircrafts as the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, which the government deploys for aeriel photography, 3D topographic laser scanning, and GIS data capture.

Huang Chih-liang
Yilan County Transportation Department
We’ve confirmed with the transport ministry’s Civil Aviation Administration that the aircrafts are operated by RealWorld Aviation Corporation, which is commissioned to conduct national land surveying and mapping. Subsequently, we’ve asked the Civil Aviation Administration and other central government agencies to give local governments an early notice should they plan to conduct such missions, so that local governments could communicate with residents accordingly.

Turns out the aircrafts are for land surveying, only the local Yilan government wasn’t notified. The county government urges central authorities to notify locals in advance, to prevent public panic.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#cartography #GIS #3Dmodeling #maps #survey

2026-06-15

Joss paper piles up at Tainan incinerator

Spirit money has piled up at a Tainan incinerator after the Qingming Festival. These offerings are commonly burned during festivals to honor ancestors, but incinerators are struggling to keep up with the city government’s centralized burning policy. City councilors said supporting measures have fallen short, but the Tainan Environmental Protection Bureau said over 60% of the paper money has already been burned, and they expect to finish by the end of June.

Spirit money is piled all the way up to the ceiling, completely blocking the wall. On the other side of the facility, there are two more mountains.

On top of the mountains, there are burlap sacks full of even more joss paper. This is an incinerator in Tainan’s Annan District which collected massive amounts of spirit money over the Lunar New Year and Qingming Festival, when people burn them as offerings to ancestors. But this paper is still sitting here, yet to be burned.

Member of public
Finds it unreasonable
I think it’s unreasonable. It makes more sense to burn it within a week.

Member of public
Considering situation
The money from the Qingming Festival is left until Lunar New Year, and we don’t know how to explain this to our ancestors.

Lin Yen-chu
Tainan City Councilor (KMT)
We burn about 2,000 tons a year. Now Ghost Month is coming, and our brothers are only out for a month, but they won’t even have any money when they go back.

The Environmental Protection Bureau said the massive amount of joss paper has caused delays in burning it all. In addition to reducing the amount, the bureau said it would promote constructing incinerators at major temples to decentralize processing.

Huang Jen-wei
Environmental Protection Bureau official
During the Qingming Festival, about 373 tons of paper money were collected and sent to dedicated incinerators. More than 60% has already been processed. The bureau’s incinerator still has about 150 tons in storage, and it’s expected to be fully incinerated by the end of June.

With the Ghost Festival approaching, authorities are reminding people that sincerity is most important in worship. People can burn less joss paper and donate the equivalent value instead, which would reduce air pollution and ease pressure on incineration facilities, while still honoring traditional beliefs.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#papermoney #QingmingFestival #LunarNewYear #GhostMonth #tradition #worship #ancestors #offerings #pollution #environment

2026-06-15

Famous ‘Palace’ unit sells for NT$650m after 9 years

After nine long years on the market, Taipei’s most infamous unit in “The Palace” has finally sold! After turning up empty-handed across multiple listing cycles, a buyer has finally stepped forward, paying down NT$650 million in cash for the property. But who has this kind of purchasing power? Let’s find out...

Chen Meng-hsuan
FTV reporter
The iconic “Palace” mansion on Renai Road is home to celebrity host Dee Hsu, along with many other political and business elites. The unit on the 21st floor of Building D, known as the “legendary Palace unit,” has finally found a new owner after nine years on the market.

Formerly the most expensive unit in the complex, the property boasts a huge living room that easily accommodates three sofas with space left over for a grand piano. The dining room has a 10-person table, while in the master suite, the walk-in closet alone is 10 ping. Formed by joining two units and with four parking spaces, the floor area is a massive 316 ping, or 1,045 square meters. It was finally sold to a private individual from Hualien surnamed Hsieh for NT$650 million.

Huang Shu-wei
Real-estate expert
The orientation is excellent, right at the center. Both the layout and finishes are top-of-the-line. But since luxury home mortgages in Taiwan are capped at 30% financing, any prospective buyer would need a lot of leverage, so the turnover for this property was low compared to the broader market.

Even though it closed for NT$120 million less than the previous owner, it’s still a premium over other luxury properties. The latest filings show that this 20-year-old unit, which underwent extensive renovations by the previous owner, socialite Lu Sheng-wen, officially transferred ownership in May. And the buyer didn’t take out a mortgage, choosing instead to pay in cash.

Huang Shu-wei
Real-estate expert
The individuals who buy luxury properties are either planning to live there, or are diversifying their assets. Therefore, they have strong pools of liquid capital and don’t have much need for a loan.

After going on the market many times over the past decade, the unit has finally found a new owner. But since the closing price was revised downward, its cost has slipped from a high of NT$2.9 million per ping, to NT$2.2 million, proving that “The Palace” isn’t what it used to be.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#ThePalace #luxuryapartment #property #realestate #Taipei #housing #highnetworth

2026-06-15

Taiwan, Korea eye 4m visitor goal at Kenting tourism conference

The charm of Korean dramas attracts no small number of tourists from Taiwan, but what are Taiwan’s charms to attract Korean visitors? Figuring out how to balance the scales is an important question for Taiwan’s tourism industry. The 39th Taiwan-Korea Tourism Exchange Conference was held recently in Kenting, bringing together 200 tourism industry leaders from both sides. They also visited major attractions, hoping to boost two-way visitor numbers to a balanced 4 million.

At the 39th Taiwan-Korea Tourism Exchange Conference, Tourism Administration Deputy Director-General Huang Shih-fang and Taiwan Visitors’ Association chair Chien Yu-yen exchanged views with industry, government, and academic leaders from South Korea.

Huang Shih-fang
Tourism Administration deputy director-general
In Taipei, you can see South Korean visitors everywhere. By hosting the conference in Pingtung this time, we hope to draw tourism to the south. I believe Pingtung has many local features that are unique from our urban areas.

Chou Chun-mi
Pingtung County Commissioner
In the past few years, the number of visitors between Taiwan and Korea has hit new highs. Many of our friends from Korea love Taiwan’s vibe. In Pingtung, they appreciate the maritime and Indigenous cultures.

While Korean culture has swept the globe in recent years, Taiwan has become a favored destination for Korean tourists. In 2025, mutual visits between Taiwan and Korea reached 2.85 million, with over 1.01 million Koreans coming to Taiwan. This year, they hope to exceed the 3 million mark, and are setting their sights on 4 million next year.

Chien Yu-yen
Taiwan Visitors’ Association chair
We want more of our Korean friends to experience Taiwan’s nature and small towns. They love the vibe of Taiwan’s small alleys. Last night, we took the participants to Kenting’s main street and ran into some Korean tourists. Some people are even already eyeing the goal of 4 million mutual visits.

In addition to sitting in seminars, the participants also got to visit some of Pingtung’s attractions like the aquarium and Eluanbi lighthouse. Both sides hope that their continued cooperation will keep pushing tourism numbers to historic highs.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#tourism #TaiwanKorea #Pingtung #Kenting #travelindustry #internationalexchange #Koreantourists

2026-06-15

Diver retrieves phone from ocean, still working after day underwater

A diving business in Penghu recently retrieved a call from a distressed tourist who dropped their phone in the ocean. The instructor immediately put on his wetsuit and went out to find it, successfully retrieving it from the muddy ocean floor. But what’s most surprising is that even after being submerged for a day, it was still working like normal.

A fully equipped diver searches through the murky seabed. Before long, they find what they’re looking for.

An iPhone 15 lies right there in the mud at the bottom of the ocean. The diver lets out a gasp as he picks up the phone, then exclaims in surprise as the screen lights up like normal.

The phone’s owner was a tourist who came to Penghu’s Caiyuan Harbor to fish. When they went out to sea a few days ago, they accidentally dropped their phone into the water. But they didn’t give up hope, and contacted a local diving business for help. The instructor figured it wouldn’t be difficult to find, as the ocean isn’t very deep in that area. But to his surprise, the visibility was so bad he could barely see his own hand.

Yen Chi-tien
Diving instructor
The depth was about 5 meters and visibility was around 0.2 meters. I looked for nearly 10 minutes. It was nearby, but still took 10 minutes of searching.

He did eventually find the phone. Considering it had been submerged for over a day, it was lucky he found it in the first place. Even luckier still, it was completely undamaged.

Member of public
I think it’s crazy, but also pretty amazing. It was down there a whole day and still works.

Chen Ko-chieh
Phone repairman
If it’s still turning on when you pick it up, don’t mess with it. If you can turn it off, turn it off first. Then take it apart to see if there’s any water remaining inside.

The iPhone 15 has an IP68 water resistance rating, meaning it can last for up to 30 minutes in water up to 6 meters deep. But surviving an entire day on the muddy ocean floor is another matter entirely, amazing even the professionals.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#iPhone #scubadiving #Penghu #lostphone #lostandfound #durable

2026-06-15

Train in Hualien got delayed after trainmaster got bitten by centipede

A train in Hualien was delayed on Sunday evening for the unlikeliest reason: a centipede bite. A 20cm-long Chinese red-headed centipede bit the ankle of the 32-year-old trainmaster surnamed Hsu, which immediately caused swelling and great pain. The Tze-chiang Express No. 241 got delayed for 13 minutes as a result of this incident, which the stationmaster said was a first. Let’s hear more.

Tsai Shang-cheng
Hualien County Fire Department
When we arrived on the scene, the patient told us that he was bitten by a 20cm-long centipede. The patient was conscious. We assisted in getting him to Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital. He’s doing well at the moment.

Lu Tai-yu
Taiwan Railway Hualien Stationmaster
This is the first time something like this has ever happened. Centipedes are quite active in summer. We’ll have the sanitation contractor more thoroughly clean and disinfect our facilities.

The trainmaster has been ejected from the hospital and is recovering at home. Although train delays are not unheard of, the cause being a centipede bite was a first for Hualien Train Station. After the incident, the station has ordered a more thoroughly cleaning of facilities to prevent another painful centipede bite to staff members.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#taiwan #traintravel #centipede #worms #hualien

2026-06-15

Volunteers build bridge in Chiayi without disrupting water supply to key businesses

Well-known for its good deeds, the Chiayi Charitable Organization mobilizes hundreds of volunteers on the weekends to repair bridges and pave roads. They arrive on packed tour buses from around the country, working together to improve community infrastructure. This time, they built a bridge in Chiayi’s Shuishang. Since it runs over the vital Chianan Canal, to avoid interfering with the Chiayi Science Park, for the first time, they used a significantly more difficult method that doesn’t disrupt the flow of water.

Workers pour concrete from an excavator, while scores of volunteers work together to haul dirt and rocks. This time, the renowned Chiayi Charitable Organization has brought over 200 volunteers to Chiayi’s Shuishang to build a new bridge.

Volunteer
Building bridge
We’re here to build a bridge! We’re great friends. If he goes, I go. We’ve been doing this from the very beginning until now. Don’t think about what you’ll get out of it. As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.

Volunteer
Building bridge
It’s fun! It’s like we’re benefiting from the good deeds of the charity, getting to travel around and see nice places.

Some of the volunteers are nearly 90 years old, yet still show up to help out. For this project, the bridge goes over the Chianan Canal. To make repairs in the past, they had to stop the flow of water. But this time, to avoid disrupting operations at the Chiayi Science Park and construction of a new TSMC fab, for the first time, the organization tried out a much more difficult method.

Tsai Kun-chang
Chiayi Charitable Organization director
Stopping the flow would mean companies like TSMC and Formosa Chemicals wouldn’t have any water to use, resulting in huge losses. So this time, we did our best to avoid that.

Cheng Hsiu-yu
Chiayi Charitable Organization chair
We usually work on the weekends, but since the Labor Standards Act now says you can’t ship materials on Sundays, we’ve switched to Saturdays.

Whether donating money or getting their hands dirty, these volunteers will traipse across the country to pave the way forward for Taiwan’s small communities.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#charity #volunteering #Chiayi #bridge #construction #ChiananCanal #civilengineering #communityspirit

2026-06-15

Pingtung resident donates property to protect viral ‘Moai statue’ tree

In Pingtung’s Jiadong Township, there’s a century-old bishop wood tree that has become popular as a photo spot for its resemblance to an Easter Island Moai statue. One Kaohsiung local was so enchanted by the tree that they bought the home right next to it. But since the surrounding roads are narrow, it’s been hit twice by motorists. To protect the tree, the homeowner agreed to move their wall back by a meter to straighten out the road, protecting both the tree and drivers.

In the small village of Shiguangjian in Pingtung’s Jiadong Township stands a century-old bishop wood tree. It’s not just a landmark for the locals, who have grown up alongside this iconic tree. Now it’s also a popular photo destination, since it looks just like an Easter Island Moai statue.

- The nose is very similar, don’t you think? And the eyes.

One person from Kaohsiung was so taken with the tree that she bought the house right next door to be her neighbor in retirement. But since the road surrounding the tree was less than 3 meters wide, it was hit twice by passing motorists. To protect it, the homeowner decided to donate some of her land.

- It used to be here, around here. She moved it back here. The road is wide now. There shouldn’t be as many accidents.

Voice of Ms. Yang
Homeowner
The road is meant for people to use. If it makes things easier on everyone else, it’s easier for me too. Besides, if someone hits the tree and it needs to be replanted, it wouldn’t grow back the same.

The road around the tree sees a lot of traffic since it’s near the local swimming pool. By volunteering to move her wall back by a meter, Ms. Yang gave up her own property to straighten the path. Now it’s about 4.5 meters wide, protecting both the tree and motorists.

Lai Wen-yi
Jiadong Township Mayor
We moved the utility poles to the opposite side and laid a fresh layer of asphalt thanks to the efforts of everyone here.

Local resident
Jiadong
It’s great. Protecting the tree like this is wonderful. It has history. We shouldn’t let it be destroyed.

The township office is currently drafting plans to promote the tree along with other nearby tourist attractions. Thanks to the generous neighbor who recognized the benefit to donating her land, this story proves that a little community spirit can go a long way.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Pingtung #Moai #Moaitree #communityspirit #trees #historictree #roadsafety #photospot #viral #EasterIsland #selfless

2026-06-15

Pingtung Science Park breaks ground on chip supply chain zone

Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is expanding further south. President Lai Ching-te and TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei traveled to Pingtung today to break ground on a new semiconductor supply chain zone at the Pingtung Science Park. The project is expected to attract seven suppliers and establish a major high-tech industry cluster in the county. Even heavy rain and thunderstorms couldn’t dampen spirits, as officials hailed the development as a major milestone for Pingtung’s economic future.

President Lai Ching-te and TSMC CEO C.C. Wei joined other guests in shoveling golden soil, for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Semiconductor Supply Chain Zone at the Pingtung Science Park.

The Pingtung Science Park has designated a 28-hectare semiconductor supply chain zone, with TSMC overseeing the overall planning of the project. Seven suppliers are expected to establish operations there, marking the official arrival of a semiconductor industry cluster in Pingtung.

Lai Ching-te
President
Pingtung now possesses more than just a stock certificate. It has companies in the semiconductor industry, TSMC, and an entire industrial supply chain. Pingtung’s future is looking promising. Congratulations!

TSMC’s expansion to Pingtung is a major milestone. The company’s CEO was due to travel to the US, and would’ve been absent from the event, had it not been for an invitation by Lai. It was a dramatic start for the project, with heavy rains and roaring thunder throughout the ceremony.

C.C. Wei
TSMC CEO
This heavy downpour makes me so happy. Just last month I was wondering how we would sort out our water supply, and whether we’d end up needing water trucks. We were prepared to take action. When I heard the thunder, I thought it was fireworks arranged by the organizers. I didn’t realize pyrotechnic technology had come so advanced and loud!

The thunderstorm created puddles of water that were quickly swept away by staff. Despite the disruption, attendees chose to see the rain as a sign of good fortune, and a blessing for the future of Pingtung’s high tech industry.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#pingtung #technology #tsmc #thunder #downpour #ccwei #laichingte

2026-06-12

Somaliland relocates representative office to Tianmu’s ‘diplomatic quarter’

The Republic of Somaliland has relocated to a new site in Taiwan, in Tianmu’s so-called “diplomatic quarter.” Previously its office was in Neihu. Though Taiwan and Somaliland do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, the two countries established representative offices in each other’s territories in 2020. The close exchanges make Somaliland one of Taiwan’s most important democratic partners in East Africa.

Somaliland’s de facto ambassador said the new office location will help facilitate closer diplomatic and professional exchanges. He noted that the deepening relationship between Somaliland and Taiwan reflects the high level of trust and cooperation shared by both sides, built upon common values including respect, democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. The diplomat added that Somaliland looks forward to further strengthening exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan in the future.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#somaliland #taiwan #asia #africa #diplomacy

2026-06-12

F:F:F Formosa:Finland:Fest brings food and music to Finland

Taiwan is set to make a big splash in Finland with a festival covering everything from Taiwanese music, to food and, of course, bubble tea. The F:F:F Formosa:Finland:Fest will take place on July 11 in Finland, with musical acts such as Amazing Show, Lilium and DJ Dungi Sapor. Organized by the National Cultural Association of Taiwan, the festival will also feature a market in hopes of introducing Finnish audiences to delicacies such as pineapple cakes, tea and other Taiwanese favorites.

Fresh from their 10th anniversary concert back in their hometown Chiayi last month, rock band Amazing Show had more news to celebrate.

Ting-wen
Amazing Show bassist
We’re taking all the energy we’ve charged up with here, and the nourishment it has given us to launch into the galaxy and make as statement on the international stage.

On July 11, the band will join rock band Lilium, DJ Dungi Sapor and foodie YouTuber Play with Shen at the “F:F:F Formosa:Finland:Fest” in Finland, organized by the National Cultural Association of Taiwan.

Lee Hou-ching
National Cultural Association of Taiwan
Lilium’s music incorporates elements of Taiwanese Beiguan music, which is often described as Taiwan’s own version of heavy metal. This musical exchange is sure to set off sparks.

And it’s not just music. The festival hopes to also forge cultural connections through food. An international market will treat revelers to Taiwanese specialties such as pineapple cakes, red bean cakes, bubble tea, dried fruits and more.

Lee Hou-ching
National Cultural Association of Taiwan
If you capture their taste buds, you capture their heart. Besides bubble tea, there will also be tea from one of Taiwan’s century-old tea producers. We hope to make friends through tea.

The festival aims to let the world hear Taiwan’s fantastic music, and leave visitors from all over the world with a lasting taste of Taiwan.

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

#taiwan #music #heavymetal #rock #food #tea #boba #bubbletea

2026-06-12

Farmers compete for New Taipei bamboo shoot championship

During the peak season for harvesting bamboo shoots from May to July, New Taipei City holds its annual bamboo shoot championship. This year, 100 farmers from 16 districts competed to see whose shoots are the best. The city also invited top chefs to use bamboo shoots in specialty dishes, including Italian-style pizza and tom yum soup.

This pizza is a unique combination of tomatoes, basil, and bamboo shoots, baked to bring out their sweetness. The next dish is inspired by a Japanese biscuit, pairing bamboo shoots with mullet roe for a sweet and savory treat. The shoots are even used in Thai tom yum soup for a sweet and sour combination.

Chen Hsi-hui
New Taipei Agriculture Bureau director
Bamboo shoots are New Taipei’s chief agricultural product and the one that generates the most value. Annual output is around 12,000 tons. This year the quality is as good as previous years, and in fact the sweetness level has reached 6.4 or higher.

New Taipei produces the most bamboo shoots of any area in Taiwan. The city holds an annual bamboo shoot competition, and this year, 100 farmers from 16 districts participated. A farmer from Sanxia District won the championship.

Chang Yung-chu
Sanxia Farmer’s Association director
Because Sanxia is at the foothills of the Xueshan mountain range, the soil is mostly sandy loam, which is great for farming. Sanxia has the largest bamboo shoot-growing area in New Taipei, comparable to Wugu at about 400 hectares. Thanks to its great soil, the bamboo shoots grown there are said to taste like pears.

Bamboo shoot season in New Taipei runs from May to July. When selecting bamboo shoots, ones that are short, thick, and slightly curved tend to have the best flavor.

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

#bambooshoot #bamboo #bambooshootseason #bambooseason #NewTaipei #competition #agriculture #farming #farmer


2026-06-12

Dozens of stingrays appear overnight in Kaohsiung pond

Locals in Kaohsiung were shocked after dozens of stingrays appeared overnight at a pond next to the famous Chengcing Lake. The fish arrived so suddenly and in such large numbers, that it is suspected they were dumped by a breeder. Kaohsiung says the stingrays will be removed, and the culprit fined up to NT$150,000 if found. Let’s hear more.

Member of public
Saw the stingrays
I saw them early in the morning. There were so many. I never saw any before, even when the water level was much lower.

Member of public
Conjecturing about stingrays
It must have been a breeder who dumped them here at night. They used to be very expensive, but now there’s no sales at all. The water is stagnant. If you release them here, they’ll die, because there’s no oxygen.

Huang Chi-yang
National Taiwan Ocean University
I assume they were raised in a farm, or artificially bred and then abandoned. They have undergone a long period of adaptation and evolution, so they’ve become true freshwater fish.

Kuo Ming-chin
Kaohsiung Animal Protection Office
The relevant authorities are handling the removal and the subsequent investigation. If it is found that someone released the animals, they could face a fine of up to NT$150,000.

Experts believe the fish may be hybrids of pearl stingrays and tricolor stingrays, which can live up to 15 years in captivity, much longer than wild stingrays, which typically survive between 6 and 9 years. Their size can range from 35 to 90 centimeters and more importantly, they have large appetites. Since they prey on native fish species, their presence could disrupt the local ecosystem. Authorities are continuing to monitor water quality, and if the stingrays are found to have been illegally released, officials will track down the culprits and impose fines.

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

#stingray #pet #fish #dumping #pond #kaohsiung

2026-06-12

Puli sanitation team transforms excavator into mattress dismantling machine

The sanitation department in Nantou’s Puli Township deals with lots of discarded mattresses, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive to dismantle. To tackle this problem, they modified a small excavator, equipping it with hooks and a clamp. The machine can now easily tear open a mattress’ outer layer, making it much easier to dismantle.

This sanitation department developed its own tool to dismantle discarded mattresses.

Large silver hooks secure the mattress in place, while a blue clamp removes the outer fabric.

This is Puli Township’s recycling department in Nantou. They deal with a lot of discarded mattresses. Dismantling them used to take a lot of time and labor, leaving many workers with blistered hands.

- Is it tiring to do this by hand?

Wang Shih-ming
Sanitation worker
Yes, your hand will definitely get blisters. It takes effort to pull it apart. It takes at least four to six people for one mattress.

Dismantling a mattress used to take five people, and it was impressive if they could dismantle 10 in one morning. But after modifying the excavator to attach hooks and clamps, it only takes two people, and they can do the same work in just an hour.

Wang Shih-ming
Sanitation worker
We saw something similar on TV before and had an idea, so we decided to give it a try.

Chen Chun-hung
Sanitation director
Dismantling them by hand is labor-intensive and physically demanding. Altering this excavator can reduce the need for physical labor and prevent our workers from getting hurt.

The sanitation department transformed an excavator into a tool specifically designed to dismantle mattresses. Now they can complete this work much more efficiently and without exhausting themselves.

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

#sanitation #recycle #mattress #trash #excavator #efficient #Puli #Nantou

2026-06-12

Tainan doctors practice dragon boat rowing in hospital with makeshift paddles

It’s not only professional athletes who compete in the annual dragon boat races. At the Liouying Chi Mei Medical Center in Tainan, enough staff were interested to form two entire teams. After work, these professionals swap out their test tubes and stethoscopes for makeshift paddles, heading to a spare room to practice with all their might. Even the team members admit that seeing a bunch of doctors rowing on land is pretty hilarious.

Rallied by the steady beat of the drum, a dragon boat team rows furiously to the rhythm.

Their movements are in perfect unison, but instead of jerseys, they’re wearing doctor’s coats, and instead of wooden paddles, they’re holding cardboard and PVC pipes. Instead of the open water, they’re in a hospital.

Chiang Wei-fan
Liouying Chi Mei Hospital secretary
Liouying Chi Mei Hospital has always emphasized our staff’s well-being, both their physiological and mental health. We assembled two volunteer dragon boat teams entirely composed of our staff.

Dragon Boat Festival is fast approaching. To encourage their employees to get more exercise, nurses and staff in the clinical pathology department joined forces to form two teams. Led by the hospital’s superintendent and vice superintendent, the teams signed up for the Dongshih Dragon Boat Race in Chiayi, gearing up to battle a field of formidable opponents. They’re making use of their off-work hours to grind out some practice.

Hospital staff
Rowing
Usually we’re holding test tubes or patient samples, staring at cold hard data all day long. It’s great getting to use our off-duty hours to join this kind of healthy activity. We can do super precise tasks, but we can also handle the heavy lifting!

Hospital staff
Rowing
We’re usually holding syringes to draw blood, but now we’re holding big paddles like we’re drawing blood from the air. I feel like I’m about to fall apart.

Swapping their test tubes for paddles is quite the charming contrast. Their low-budget air paddling in a spare conference room has even gotten the attention of the hospital management.

Hospital staff
Rowing
The vice superintendent usually spends his days worrying about patient safety and quality of care, but now he only cares about whether we’re putting our all into rowing!

That’s no joke! Don’t underestimate these physicians—they’re determined to bring home the gold.

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

#dragonboat #DragonBoatFestival #boatrace #hospital #Tainan #healthcareworkers #healthyworkplace #teambuilding

2026-06-12

Umbrella repairman sustains business in ‘city of rain’ for 35 years

Most people these days throw away their umbrella when it breaks rather than fixing it, meaning that the art of umbrella repair is slowly fading away. But in the “rainy city” of Keelung, one repairman has stayed in business for 35 years and counting, although he only works on rainy days. While he could have retired long ago, he stays in business for his loyal customers. After all, he’s not just fixing umbrellas—he’s keeping a Keelung pastime alive.

This repairman barely had time to finish parking before his loyal customers showed up to buy umbrellas. Whenever he has a moment, he works on repairs.

Peering through his glasses, he carefully strips the ribs and rivets from an old umbrella and replaces them with new ones, giving new life to an item destined for the trash.

This is umbrella repairman Chang Chin-chang. He’s been in the trade for 35 years. From classic local brands to expensive imports, nothing is too difficult for him. Since he spent a decade working at an umbrella factory, after a failed business venture, he fell back on selling and fixing umbrellas for a living.

Chang Chin-chang
Umbrella repairman
Since my business failed, I felt a lot of pressure.

He managed to carve out a niche for himself, with his wife acting as a capable assistant. He gradually built a reputation within local markets and night markets, earning a loyal following. Although he’s well past retirement age, he keeps working to make sure his regulars have someone to go to. But his hours are unique: He only works on rainy days.

Chang Chin-chang
Umbrella repairman
If seniors over 70 or 80 come to me for a repair, I’ll do it for free. I turn the fabric into bags and save the other parts as spares. I try to keep the waste to a minimum.

Chang fixes what can be saved and recycles whatever can’t, turning this dying craft into a hallmark of Taiwan’s rainy city. He proves that in Keelung, the community spirit is the one thing that will never wash away.

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

#Keelung #umbrellas #repairman #recycle #rain #rainycity #zerowaste #sustainability #localtradition #umbrellarepair

2026-06-12

Chiayi bento restaurant offers complimentary chicken soup

As inflation continues to drive up prices, people who often eat out are always looking for the best deal. A new bento box restaurant in Chiayi has caught their attention, because it includes free chicken soup with the meal. The restaurant makes a big batch of soup with eight whole chickens and lots of Chinese herbs, and customers can have as much as they want. People stay to have their fill and even take it to-go.

- We use eight chickens per pot for each dining period. If it’s not enough, we’ll make more.

The chef puts the chicken into a pot full of Chinese herbs, making a delicious mushroom chicken soup chock full of nutritious ingredients.

Voice of manager
Restaurant
We fill it up with ingredients like tofu and other things. For those who don’t want to have chicken and want a lighter meal, there’s tofu inside as well.

Just one ladle of the soup has chicken, mushrooms, tofu, and Chinese herbs. Packed with ingredients, the soup alone is enough to make a full meal.

Voice of manager
Restaurant
After we open at 10:30, some people come and eat until 2 and even take more to go.

This bento restaurant in Chiayi includes grilled pork and pork ribs for a generous portion of protein, served with vegetables on the side. To stand out in the competitive lunchbox market, it also offers complimentary chicken soup with a meal, normally sold for more than NT$100 a bowl. Whether dining in or ordering takeout, customers can enjoy unlimited refills.

Manager
Restaurant
There are eight chickens in the pot. Customers can have as much as they want, as long as they can finish it.

As inflation continues to drive up meal prices, this restaurant’s complimentary chicken soup with unlimited refills has drawn a lot of loyal customers.


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

#restaurant #mealdeal #deal #bentobox #soup #chickensoup #freesoup #Chiayi

2026-06-12

Tainan pool cordons off half of pool due to understaffing

Summer is here, and pools are open. But one pool in Tainan is only half-open, due to a shortage of lifeguards. The public swimming pool in Shanhua District has opened its doors, but the deep-water section in the actual pool is off-limits, forcing swimmers to turn back halfway through their laps. Buoys and ropes have cut the pool in half, and even the spa area with warm water is not operational. The head of the district says it’s a real pity, as the pool’s excellent facilities are sitting idle.

Member of public
Not happy about measures
It’s not satisfying to have to turn back halfway through.

Chen Chun-yu
Lifeguard
We only have two lifeguards, so we can only let people use one half of the pool, just 25m.

Tan Nai-cheng
Shanhua District head
The bathing facilities are excellent. There are massage pools and spa beds. You’d be hard pressed to find a better spa pool anywhere else in Tainan. But as a public facility, hires follow government employment regulations, which do not allow certified lifeguards working here to take on side jobs. You have more flexibility in the private sector. So it’s quite a sacrifice to work here.

When fully operational, swimmers can enjoy 50m of uninterrupted swimming on eight lanes. At 1,400 square meters, the pool requires four nationally-certified lifeguards on duty, but has only been able to hire two. Officials say that qualified lifeguards are drawn away by higher-paying jobs in the tech sector, and requirements to renew lifeguard certifications regularly have discouraged professionals from remaining in the field. Local authorities are continuing their recruitment efforts in hopes of hiring enough staff and fully opening the facilities.

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

#pool #summer #tainan #heat #swim #ridiculous

2026-06-12