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KMT and TPP vote to reject all nominees to lead Control Yuan

The new legislative session kicked off on Tuesday, and already it’s off to a turbulent start. The legislature was set to vote on the nominees put forward by the Presidential Office to lead the Control Yuan. But once again the KMT and TPP joined forces to reject every single one of them. The Presidential Office, expressed regret, with Secretary-General Pan Men-an saying he had tried to arrange meetings with the opposition to no avail. Let’s hear more.

Lai Shyh-bao
Lawmaker (KMT)
The Control Yuan is just for show now anyway. I voted against all the nominees.

Hung Yu-hsiang
TPP Caucus
Despite the higher budget, the efficiency and speed at which complaints are handled is still terrible. We unanimously voted against all nominees.

Chen Pei-yu
DPP Caucus
Many of the cases handled by the Control Yuan affect people’s lives directly, for example through the National Human Rights Commission. There are also complaints, corrective actions and impeachments at local governments and government agencies. Completely shutting out the Control Yuan nominees is essentially denying people their right to seek redress.

Pan Men-an
Presidential Office
Long before the long weekend, on Sept. 14, we proposed that the party caucuses meet the nominees on Sept. 23 and 24. But we didn’t receive a positive response. We then called each of the party caucuses individually on Sept. 22, but the responses were more… maybe everyone was busy.

The DPP has slammed the opposition, saying that by shutting down the Control Yuan, there would be no agency left to handle complaints from the public. The lack of leadership has also brought impeachment and corrective procedures to a halt. The Presidential Office says it hopes the Control Yuan will be able to resume normal operations as soon as possible.

#controlyuan #politics #taiwan #impeachment #democracy

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Time：2026-09-29

最新消息 Latest News

Chiang Wan-an angers temple after leaving behind their gift

Over the long weekend, Mayor Chiang Wan-an attended a banquet at Fude Temple in Zhongshan District. There, he received a festive and impressive sugarcane as a gift from the temple’s chairman. But much to the horror of temple representatives, he forgot to take it home. DPP Mayoral candidate, Puma Shen, on the contrary, placed the sugarcane at his campaign headquarters, hoping for continued prosperity.

- Thank you Mayor, we will certainly take this home.

Chiang Wan-an visited the Public Works Committee of the City Council, and faced ridicule from the councilors because of an incident the previous Saturday evening. Chiang had attended a dinner at Fude Temple in Zhongshan District where he received a sugarcane from Temple Chairman Lin Chun-yu. But amid the ruckus, he forgot the gift at the temple.

Lin Chun-yu (Sept. 28)
Fude Temple Chairman
When I saw him, I was quite angry about whether the sugar cane was left or thrown here.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei City Mayor
I am extremely sorry, when I realized yesterday, I immediately called Chairman Lin and apologized.

Despite profuse apologies, the first person to notice and take responsibility was a neighborhood chief who said it may have been the volunteers who had forgotten the sugarcane. But, there are many parties to point fingers at. The Civil Affairs Commissioner, Chen Yung-te, the RDEC chairperson, Yin-wei, spokespeople, bodyguards, all trailed behind Chiang Wan-an completely forgetting the sugarcane.

Hung Chien-yi
Taipei City Councilor (DPP)
The neighborhood chief speaking out is what we call “saving face,” and giving Chiang Wan-an a way out. Personally, I think that everyone involved in this matter, including the Civil Affairs Commissioner, Yin-wei, his secretary, all of them, should receive three major demerits.

Puma Shen also received a festive sugarcane, but he actually took it back to his office to put on display.

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
We’ve placed the sugarcane at the campaign headquarters. We’re studying how to display it properly to boost its symbolism of prosperity. If we really cannot decide, then we will probably also go to consult the gods.

At first, the sugarcane was displayed like a sword, and then adjusted to stand upright as a symbol for continued progress. This sugarcane incident is becoming a topic of comparison between the candidates and an evaluation of their crisis management strategy.

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#pumashen #taipeimayor #taiwanpolitics #taiwanelections #dpp #bamboo #沈伯洋

2026-09-29

TSMC rumored to be considering second US site with 6 fabs in Texas

Could TSMC be preparing to expand to Texas? As it builds new facilities in Taiwan, Japan, Germany and the US, market rumors have emerged about an extra project in the US. The rumors claim that TSMC is considering a second manufacturing site with up to six fabs in Texas. Analysts say the plan seems unlikely, as a Texas expansion may be looking too far ahead. TSMC has yet to comment on the report.

TSMC’s production facility in the US state of Arizona continues to grow as steel beams can now be spotted at the site of Fab 3. Market rumors say TSMC has even bigger ambitions, to build a six-fab hub in Texas.

Nobunaga Chai
Cloud Express
Even though TSMC is making a lot of money, it’s not enough to support projects in both Arizona and Texas. The US facilities are still a very long way from completion. And in Taiwan, there’s the 1.4nm fab in Taichung and the 2nm fab in Kaohsiung.

An analyst says the great expansion is unlikely, as TSMC is spending a lot of money to ramp up production in Taiwan and to build facilities in Arizona, where costs are higher.

C.C. Wei (July 17)
TSMC CEO
We would like to announce an additional US$100 billion investment in Arizona.

TSMC initially committed US$65 billion to Arizona. Then, in 2025, the project expanded with plans to add three more fabs, two advanced packaging facilities and an R&D center. The project grew again with an investment of US$100 billion to build four more fabs and advanced packaging facilities. This totals to an investment of US$265 billion.

Nobunaga Chai
Cloud Express
The capacity should be enough to meet demand already. If you then add a site in Texas, that would go overboard. I don’t think there’s a high chance of any of that happening between 2030 and 2035. With Samsung’s Taylor facility and Intel’s capacity expansion, there isn’t really a need for more.

As of press time, TSMC had not responded to the reports. An analyst says that among the many factors to consider for an expansion at this scale would be that TSMC needs need firm commitments from clients before taking action.

#tsmc #tech #chips #semiconductor #tech

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2026-09-29

Comedy club feces attack linked back to Chinese Communist Party

Apparently, some people can’t take a joke. Back in May, a comedy club in Taipei, was vandalized with white paint and human feces by a 35-year-old man surnamed Kuo. The incident happened during a stand-up routine about Chinese leader Xi Jinping performed by comedian Huang Yi-hao. The perpetrator initially claimed he did it because he couldn’t get tickets to the show, but police later found that he got paid NT$50,000 for the spectacle.

Mr. Kuo eventually admitted that he had received instructions from a 33-year-old man surnamed Liu, who was himself acting on orders linked back to the Chinese Communist Party. The Mainland Affairs Council has confirmed that the incident could be traced back to Beijing. Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh梁文傑 stated that the two suspects could only be charged with property damage, and nothing more severe. He also called for more support for further amendments to Taiwan’s National Security and Anti-Infiltration Act.

#comedy #standupcomedy #lol #xijinping #comedyclub

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2026-09-29

Taiwan gears up for exotic fireworks display and to celebrate National Day

With the mid-Autumn Festival long weekend just ending, Taiwan is now gearing up for the Double Ten National Day long weekend that begins on Friday Oct. 9. This year, the National Day Gala will be held on Friday Oct. 9 and for the first time will be held in New Taipei City. Meanwhile the holiday’s annual firework’s display will be held in Taitung County for the first time in nine years. Let’s find out more.

Dazzling fireworks explode in the night sky, including spherical and plum flower-shaped fireworks as well as fireworks in the shape of “double ten” characters, adding vibrant color to Taitung’s night sky.

With National Day approaching, the official gala will be held for the first time in New Taipei City on October 9th at Banqiao First Stadium. A total of eight performances are planned to showcase the rich cultural landscape of Taiwan.

Hou Yu-ih
New Taipei City Mayor
To my knowledge, it seems that from the Taipei County era to the New Taipei City era, there has never been a National Day Gala here. This is our first time, and this is my last year in office. I can actually use my position as mayor to organize this National Day celebration for our country. Happy birthday, ROC!

The National Day fireworks display will be held in Taitung County, making use of Taitung’s mountain and sea landscapes and reflecting the characteristics of Austronesian culture. It will last for about 30 minutes with more than 19,000 fireworks.

Yao Ching-ling
Taitung County Commissioner
The last time we hosted a National Day fireworks display was in 2017. After nine years, we are extremely happy to have the opportunity to host the National Day fireworks again. We will have snacks on site, and there are many other ways to watch the fireworks. You can also watch the fireworks from the sea. The venue can accommodate 300,000 people, and rest assured, the entire city of Taitung is your viewing spot.

A National Day-themed gift box has also been launched. Connecting Taitung and New Taipei City, the box features a selection of representative local products from both places as a symbolic blessing from the cities. Beyond visual and auditory experiences, it allows people to get to know local specialties through taste.

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#Taiwanholidays #Taiwannationalday #Newtaipeicity #Taitung #Taiwanfireworks #Taitungtourism

2026-09-29

Father arrested after taking daughter out on humiliation parade in Sanchong

A girl in Sanchong was being publicly humiliated by her father until a brave bystander stepped in on Sunday afternoon in New Taipei’s Sanchong District. The disturbing incident involved the girl wearing a string of signs around her neck containing insulting language that presented her as a “thief” and a “beast.” Police were called to the scene and arrested the father, who is suspected of violating a protective order.

Voice of witness (anonymized)
Saw the humiliation
The girl had a sign hanging from her body that said “This person is a thief” and something about her being a beast. She wasn’t even crying. She just looked at the ground and walked without saying anything. She seemed really scared.

Hsu Chih-chi
New Taipei Domestic Violence Prevention Center
In June 2025, we received a report about excessive discipline. The city government issued a protective order for the girl, and the court ordered 12 weeks of counseling and educational guidance. Social workers were dispatched right after we received the new report, and emergency placement was arranged for the girl.

Security camera footage shows the girl being paraded along a major road with the signs hanging around the neck. She reportedly also had some visible injuries. Her father followed closely behind, while her brother recorded the disturbing scenes on his phone. New Taipei City Education Department says that both the girl and her brother are continuing to attend school normally. The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Center has also intervened and is assisting with the girl’s ongoing placement and care.

#humiliation #badparenting #newtaipei #sanchong #三重

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2026-09-29

Thrill-seeking men set off big fireworks in parking lot

Several men in Pingtung City set off fireworks at each other in a parking lot without permission on Monday evening, sending fireworks in all directions. Onlookers were concerned that the men could be injured in the crossfire. This begs the question whether the festival spirit blurs the line between celebrating and being reckless?

Several men have set off fireworks in a parking lot, and to make matters interesting, are shooting at each other.

The men clearly find some delight in this while disregarding the beloved parked cars around them.

Voice of local resident
Witnessed the incident
They are setting off fireworks, but also shooting at each other. After waiting for some time, I asked them whether they feared damaging other peoples’ cars. Then one of the men said, they are shooting upwards, so there wouldn’t be any accidents. Still, this is dangerous; at times cars can leak gasoline which could have set off an explosion from the fireworks.

The location was a parking lot in Pingtung City where locals had parked their cars. Seeing the fireworks, many were left fearing that fireworks would hit them, or damage their cars. The reckless men shot fireworks at each other too without any protective gear as if they were adrenaline junkies.

Nearby locals
Witnessed the incident
From 9:30 to 10pm, they started SHOO SHOO SHOO, setting off fireworks, the big kind too not the small sparklers.

Nearby locals
Witnessed the incident
Others have cars there, if I parked there, I would also be against it.

At the parking lot in the morning, the ground was littered with waste from the fireworks, including ash, debris, and trash.

Staff member
Parking Lot
Residents said that someone set off fireworks in the parking lot, we will see how the company handles this.

Wang Yi-hsuan
Pingtung County Environmental Protection Bureau
From 10pm to 7am of the following morning, the setting off of fireworks that are flying, ascending, or making loud noises was prohibited. Violators will be fined between NT$30,000 to NT$150,000.

Turning an average parking lot into your playground can easily become a very expensive leisure activity, especially if your toys are fireworks. In this case, the Environmental Protection Bureau was not notified, but the parking lot operator will inspect for damage and seek compensation.

#midautumnfestival #fireworks #pingtung #crossfire #firecrackers

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2026-09-29

Health minister outlines “Health Token” rewards program in FTV exclusive

Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang marked his first year in office by giving an exclusive interview to FTV, where he elaborated on his “Health Token” policy that rewards the public for getting medical checks and vaccinations. Shih also talked about his traumatic experiences working as an emergency physician at NTU Hospital during the SARS outbreak where he watched an infected colleague collapse. Let’s find out more.

- The loss of any one of them is, in my opinion, our responsibility.

The memory of working as an emergency physician at National Taiwan University Hospital during the SARS outbreak—watching a colleague get infected and collapse—is deeply etched in the mind of Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang. That painful memory has now become nourishment, enabling Shih to make more well-rounded and flexible choices in his decision-making. This has led to the launch of the ’Health Token’ policy, which encourages the public to get health screenings and vaccinations

Shih Chung-liang
Minister of Health and Welfare
The higher the difficulty, the more tokens we award. For instance, a breast cancer screening earns 1,000 tokens. But with colorectal cancer screening, past data shows that among those who test positive during initial health checks, only around 80% actually go on to get a colonoscopy. Not everyone returns for it because the procedure is more demanding—so we offer 1,350 tokens for that.

Faced with the dual challenges of a declining birth rate and an aging society, Shih’s top priority is to transform the healthcare system.

Shih Chung-liang
Minister of Health and Welfare
For the elderly, our first priority is to shorten the period of life spent in poor health. The second thing is whether our system can be used more intelligently and flexibly."

In the interview, Shih spoke candidly and with confidence, expressing his hope to enhance the resilience of Taiwan’s healthcare system during his term.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Taiwanhealth #Taiwanminister #Taiwanhealthminister #Taiwanhealthpolicies #superagingsocieties #Healthtokens #healthtokenpolicy

2026-09-29

Ex-inmate makes new life selling grandmother’s rice soup

A food stand from Yunlin is bringing the old-fashioned taste of Donggang all around Taiwan. Behind the stand’s bowl of rice soup is an inspiring story of second chances. The owner went to prison young, and after he got out, he and his wife used NT$100,000 in savings and a small truck to turn a family recipe into a fresh start in life.

A long line of people wait at a food stand, all for this remarkable dish.

The chef adds a generous amount of shrimp, scallops, squid, and oysters to the boiling pot. The layer of red oil on top is natural shrimp oil from Pingtung’s Donggang, and the scallions, fried in port fat, add a distinct flavor to this traditional seafood rice soup from Pingtung.

Member of public
Likes the food
It smells so great. I watched from there and saw him put a lot of ingredients in. I’ve never seen it made fresh like this. It’s really rare.

This nourishing soup, which is convenient to take away, was a traditional dish for farmers during the rice harvest. The stand’s owner, Watermelon, travels all over Taiwan. He sets up his stand rain or shine, because a little rain is nothing to him.

Watermelon
Food stand owner
I’m a former inmate and when I was getting out, my grandmother passed away. It’s tough when you get out of prison. You don’t know what to do and feel like society has changed so much that you can’t keep up. I actually hated rice soup when I was growing up, but now it’s saved me.

Watermelon was imprisoned twice when he was younger and missed saying goodbye to his grandmother. After his release, he struggled to reintegrate with society. Now it’s his grandmother’s rice soup that is giving him a second chance.

Watermelon
Food stand owner
When I was young, rice soup was the only thing I knew how to make. I didn’t really have any other skills. So I decided to keep my grandmother’s recipe alive. It was even harder when I first started out because no one came. People didn’t know me.

Watermelon drives his food stand around Taiwan, sourcing quality ingredients and impressing countless customers with his grandmother’s dish.

Watermelon
Food stand owner
The goal is for every person in Taiwan to taste my family’s rice soup.

For his customers, this bowl of rice soup is a warm, delicious meal. For Watermelon, it’s the taste of his childhood and savior of his adulthood.

#foodstand #ricesoup #seafood #seafoodsoup #Pingtung #Donggang #redemption #secondchance

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2026-09-29

Obese dog? This weight loss clinic in Kaohsiung can help

The Kaohsiung City Government has opened up a weight loss clinic for obese dogs. These pampered pooches are often overfed by their owners and don’t get enough exercise. The process is often more about training the owners than the dogs, with vets recommending that they put their dogs on a high-fiber, high-protein diet low in calories that feature vegetables, among other measures. Let’s find out more.

This is a Chihuahua and it weighs a whopping 9 kg!

This black American Bully is even more astonishing. It weighs a massive 21kg. Pampering from owners have caused these dogs’ weight to spiral out of control, forcing owners to enroll them in a weight loss program.

Owner
Has fat pet
Because it’s a short-muzzled dog, if it gets too fat, it puts a lot of strain on its knee joints and makes it pant too much, which isn’t good for its health. We adopted it three years ago; it weighed 15.5 kg then and now it weighs 22 kg. It also doesn’t like to walk.

Owner
Has fat pet
I’ve bought weight-loss dog food before, but it doesn’t seem to be working. The more it eats, the more it gains weight. I’ve also taken them for walks, but they seem to eat even more afterward.

Vets warn that if dogs are so obese that they lose their necks, this can not only cause joint problems, but also make it difficult to breathe. They suggest a diet low in calories featuring vegetables can be used to sneakily replace their usual fare.

Ho Chu-yuan
Veterinarian
If he becomes obese, his breathing efficiency will decrease, making him more prone to heatstroke. His joint and spinal degeneration will also occur faster and more severely than other older dogs. We recommend a high-protein, high-fiber diet. If he’s still hungry, boiled broccoli, carrots or zucchini are things dogs readily eat.

Losing weight doesn’t have to mean spending money at a training center. The Kaohsiung Animal Protection Office is teaching owners to hide food inside old cardboard boxes or containers. This forces chubby dogs-who usually do nothing but eat and sleep-to work a little harder for their meals.

Kuo Ming-chin
Kaohsiung Animal Protection Office
With proper guidance from the owner, and by secretly hiding a little food among these toys, the pet not only gets exercise, but also, importantly, engages its mind.

Studies show that dogs have a 70% success rate when they lose weight. The key lies with the owner. Spending more time with your furry friend, engaging in mental and physical activities, will help your beloved dog stay healthy and with you for longer.

#furryfriend #mansbestfriend #dog #fatdog #doggo

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2026-09-29

Key drone hub in Chiayi’s Minxiong begins operations

In a step forward for Taiwan’s nascent drone industry, a section of the Minxiong Aerospace and UAV Industrial Park formally began operations on Monday following three years of construction. President Lai Ching-te paid a special trip to Chiayi to witness the official opening. He said Taiwan’s development of the drone industry was practically complete and it needed the legislature as part of a final push to support an additional budget from the Ministry of National Defense. Let’s find out more.

A drone system integration and testing facility located in Minxiong, Chiayi, officially begins operations. President Lai Ching-te is in Taiwan’s South on a special trip to witness this.

The global drone industry is developing rapidly. The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has spent three years building an international-level drone hub in Minxiong, Chiayi, to provide research, development, manufacturing, and simulation testing for various types of military-grade drones.

Weng Chang-liang
Chiayi County Commissioner
Chiayi County began developing and planning for drones in 2020. Former president Tsai Ing-wen and President Lai Ching-te have repeatedly declared that the comprehensive development of drones is a major industry for the future of the nation.

The Phase 1 East Campus hangar at the Minxiong Aerospace and UAV Industrial Park has officially opened, while ground was simultaneously broken for the Phase 2 West Campus.

Lai Ching-te
President
With a central government investment of nearly NT$6.9 billion, construction is expected to be completed in 2028. It will include production facilities, experimental equipment, a flight test field, and research and development areas. Taiwan’s development of the drone industry is practically ready; all that’s missing is the final push—and that push must come from the Legislative Yuan. Please support the additional budget proposed by the Ministry of National Defense.

Drones are considered Taiwan’s most strategically valuable emerging industry after semiconductors. As Taiwan builds its “national drone team,” establishing this key base in Minxiong will scale up the drone industry. By showcasing its technological capabilities, Taiwan aims to become Asia’s central drone hub.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Minxiong #Chiayi #Taiwandrones #Taiwandefense #crossstrait #TaiwanChina

2026-09-28

High jumper Fu Chao-hsuan makes history with 2.25m leap

Fu Chao-hsuan, a 23-year-old Taiwanese high jumper, has won gold at the Asian Games in Nagoya. It was a leap 2.25 meters high that will make it into the history books. It wasn’t only the first time for Taiwan to win gold in this event, but also Taiwan’s first gold medal in men’s track-and-field athletics in 60 years. Fu’s gold medal means he’ll be getting a NT$4.5 million reward from the government, which he says will be spent on his parents. Let’s hear more.

Fu Chao-hsuan
Asian Games High Jump Gold Medalist
I feel so honored and happy that a day like this has come, and I am able to represent my team and win this gold medal. I’m also a little moved. I never dared to imagine this before the competition. It’s actually happening right before my eyes, and I find it incredible. My family and friends are watching the competition for the first time. Fortunately, I performed quite well, and thankfully, my mother and family saw my best side. I haven’t thought about the prize money yet. Right now, I’ll probably spend some of it on my parents and then think about how best to use it later.

Standing at 196 cm tall, Fu comes from a family of athletes; his father is also a high jumper, while his mother is a volleyball player. In recent years, he has shone brightly on the international stage, winning silver medals at both the 2023 Chengdu Universiade and the 2025 Summer World University Games in Germany’s Rhine-Ruhr region. After winning gold at the Asian Games, Fu hopes to continue breaking his personal best: next up is qualifying for the World Athletics Championships.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Taiwangold #Taiwanhighjump #highjump #Asiangames #Fuchaohsuan #Taiwansports

2026-09-28

Candidates begin deploying their cute kids to gain votes

The nine-in-one local elections are fiercely competitive. Candidates pull out all the stops and employ adorable campaign assistants. Kaohsiung City Councilor candidate, Chang Yi-li, did exactly this when he brought out his 3 year-old and 5 year-old sons while canvassing markets. His sons’ cute campaigning methods were well-received by the older generation. One candidate for Pingtung County Council similarly recruited his grandson to film his campaign video, the content was so candid and hilarious that it quickly grew viral.

- The election is coming up, my grandpa told me to gather votes

Perhaps the world’s youngest campaign assistant is online, talking about his grandpa, who wants to run for Pingtung County Councilor.

- This is where my grandpa will sleep later.
- This is my grandpa’s service area.
- This is my grandpa’s guava garden, and also where I pee.

To the viewers’ amusement, he solemnly showcased the columbarium where his grandpa will one day rest. All with the proper respect.

- This was brought by my grandfather, a fire truck and an ambulance.

This very adorable kid is the grandson of Chiang Chia-huang, an independent Pingtung County Council candidate.

Chiang Chia-huang
Pingting County Councilor candidate
He learned Taigi, speaks fluently. I have no problem with the columbarium. His ideas are innocent, we just laugh it off.

- Do you think the film will receive 1,000 likes?
- Yes it has 30,000
- Wow, that’s impressive

The hilarious, heartwarming video has won the hearts of countless people; the Grandpa must also stay true to his words.

- If this video gets 1,000 likes, my grandpa will gift me a limited edition robot.

In Kaohsiung, Chang Yi-li, a candidate for County Councilor is also using adorable campaign tactics.

- Please, support my dad.
- OK, no problem

At the vegetable market, they posted promotional posters and loudly called for voters to support them. These 5 year-old and 3 year-old sons of the candidate are entirely unafraid.

- Chang Yi-li was a member of the previous city government team and also served as Youth Bureau Chief.

The kids’ cute, outgoing characters are adored by the elderly.

Chang Yi-li
Kaohsiung County Councilor candidat
They are very active, and lively and fun. But it turns out that taking them out to canvass is more tiring for me.

With the election approaching, candidates are turning to vote-collection methods that melt the hearts of their supporters.

-Please support my father, Chang Yi-li.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#taiwanelections #countycouncil #kaohsiung #pingtung

2026-09-28

Expert debunks late luggage check-in, quick pickup theory

One of the most agonizing parts of international travel is standing in front of the luggage carousel after arrival, waiting for your bags to arrive. A rumor online says that the earlier you check your luggage, the longer you’ll have to wait. But is it true? Let’s find out...

Fearing traffic jams and long lines, many airline travelers like to arrive early to drop their bags and browse the duty-free shops at their leisure. But how come oftentimes, even when you drop your bag early, it takes ages to show up at baggage claim? Does checking in earlier mean a longer wait on the other side?

Traveler
Waits for baggage
I’ve heard that, but it doesn’t really matter. I get it late every time.

Traveler
Waits for baggage
I think that’s how it works. I put my bag on the belt before the person in front of me, but they got theirs first.

Traveler
Thinks rumor is true
It’s true, if you check in last, you’ll get your luggage first.

Responding to a discussion on social media about whether the phenomena is real, an airport insider said not necessarily. After it’s dropped, the luggage still needs to pass security before being scanned and routed to the handling area for the corresponding flight. From there, they’re sorted by priority, such as elite status, transit baggage, and standard checked bags.

Voice of 943
Travel writer
So it actually depends on the ground crew’s workflow and task allocation. For instance, priority tags for frequent flyers, business class, or first class passengers usually go onto the carousel first. Connecting transit luggage is also processed with the priority bags.

When your bags come out depends on sorting and operational workflow. Simply speaking, for most passengers, when you get your bag is mostly a matter of pure luck.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#travel #luggage #baggageclaim #airports #travelmyth #traveltips

2026-09-28

Passenger finds 3-day-old corpse riding bus in Xindian

Imagine hopping on a bus in the early morning, only to find a 3-day-old dead body curled up on a seat. That’s a scene that happened on a bus in New Taipei’s Xindian District on Sunday. It turns out, the body was that of a 60-year-old man who had died while riding the bus three days earlier, on Thursday. That day, the driver failed to notice that one of his passengers had passed away on board, and continued carrying passengers until he parked the bus at the depot without checking the seats. When he got back to work on Sunday, it took a whole eight stops until a passenger discovered the corpse and alerted the driver.

Police found no external injuries on the man and have initially ruled out homicide, but an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. The 27-year-old driver, surnamed Chen, said he did notice a strange smell, but did not think much of it. His company, Xindian Bus says he did not fulfill his duties to check the bus from front to back before returning to the depot. The company has been fined NT$30,000 for failing to properly fulfill its management responsibilities. The bus involved will also undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfection.

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#bus #publictransport #commute #discovery #scary

2026-09-28

Elevator with 7 occupants plunges down 3 floors in Keelung high rise

A terrifying elevator accident trapped a family of seven inside a building in Keelung on Sunday afternoon. The family was riding up to the 26th floor of a hotel when the elevator suddenly plunged downward, not once, not twice, but three times, before finally stopping between the eighth and ninth floors. They were trapped for nearly an hour before firefighters arrived, cut the power, and rescued all seven passengers. Let’s hear more.

- Is anyone feeling unwell?
- Me. I can’t breathe well.

Lu Yu-nan
Fire fighter
We worked with staff to shut the power and then used the elevator locks to keep the inner and outer doors open while we freed all seven occupants.

Shih Wei-cheng
Keelung City Councilor (DPP)
The government should properly check the inspection records of elevators at high rises. It should also closely monitor maintenance companies and check their work piece by piece. The city should also make sure our firefighters have adequate equipment for rescues at tall buildings.

The elevator cabin was stuck about 2m below the 9th floor, making for a challenging rescue operation. They had to put plastic chairs inside the cabin, so that the passengers could be hoisted up onto the floor one by one. The building’s management gave each occupant NT$600 in compensation, but they still took the matter to a local city councilor. The councilor urged the government to do more to strengthen elevator safety, and to provide specialized equipment so that firefighters can carry out rescues.

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#elevator #stuck #keelung #firefighter #lift

2026-09-28

EXO’s Baekhyun drives fans wild with perfect Mandarin JJ Lin duet

EXO’s Baekhyun had fans screaming in Taipei, as the K-pop star showed off his impressive Mandarin in a surprise duet with JJ Lin, a Singaporean singer who rose to fame back in the 2000s. And that was just part of Day 2 of the KRAZY Music Festival Taipei. ITZY brought their signature synchronized choreography and eight high-energy songs to the stage, sending the crowd into a frenzy for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Baekhyun from South Korea’s ever-popular band EXO wowed the crowd singing in perfect Mandarin, as he joined JJ Lin, a singer from the 2000s, on Day 2 of the KRAZY Music Festival Taipei.

After their duet, the two artists shared a one-arm man-hug. JJ stayed onstage, showing off his ageless singing skills.

The live performance held fans rapt.

Lin also took his Taiwanese fans to China, with a rendition of his song from the historical C-drama Pursuit of Jade.

Then, the crowd woke it up for South Korea’s super-popular girl group, ITZY, who drove everyone wild with their signature tight choreos.

The stage burst with energy for eight songs in a row. Though the idols had performed at the Taipei Arena just 22 days ago, their fans were delighted to see them again for an unforgettable Mid-Autumn Festival.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#itzy #jjlin #baekhyun #exo #kpop

2026-09-28

Farmer breeds peanut variety that stays fresh for almost a year

Peanuts are both nutritious and a very common snack. However, ordinary ones can’t be stored for very long or else they go rancid. Now, a young farmer from Citong Township in Yunlin has successfully cultivated “red-skinned, high-oleic acid" peanuts, which extend their shelf life for a whopping ten months at room temperature. It’s the result of a three-year collaboration with the Tainan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station. Let’s find out more:

One after another, each peanut is plump, glossy, and vibrant red, bringing a cheerful, festive touch. They are an improved variety: red-skinned, high-oleic peanuts.

Lee Shou-ching
Young farmer
It’s high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which is why it’s called “high oleic.” That also makes it much less prone to going rancid

Lee Shou-ching took over his family farm 15 years ago. He also went on to study at a biotechnology research institute, wanting to upgrade his family’s agricultural products. He found that traditional peanuts tend to develop a rancid oil taste shortly after high-temperature processing. He collaborated with the Tainan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station for three years and successfully cultivated a new variety.

Lee Shou-ching
Young farmer
It has a subtle nutty aroma with complex layers, giving it a completely different flavor from traditional peanuts.

High-oleic peanuts contain up to 80% monounsaturated fatty acids, can be stored at room temperature for up to 10 months, and exhibit stable disease resistance, representing another breakthrough in agricultural technology in Citong Township in Yunlin.

Liu Chien-kuo
Legislator (DPP)
Citong Township has given strong support to local agriculture in recent years and with the help of the Agriculture and Food Agency, we are here today to promote this extensively.

Red-skinned, high-oleic peanuts are currently grown across 87 hectares through contract farming, involving 32 local farmers. With production and sales traceability certification already secured, efforts are underway to expand promotion and make them a nationwide favorite.

#peanutvarieties #healthyfats #Taiwanpeanuts #Taiwanfood

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2026-09-28

Yilan business wins five international awards for ‘smart’ insole invention

A local Yilan business has designed a unique insole that not only makes shoes more comfortable, but has also performed spectacularly at international invention competitions, winning a total of five gold and silver medals. Integrating AI and medical knowledge, the tiny insole increases arch support while dispersing pressure. Even athletes trust these specialized insoles to protect their feet in the most demanding of situations.

It may look like an ordinary shoe insole, but its effect is far from ordinary. Made from green carbon fiber, it’s eco-friendly while being lighter than most insoles. The design incorporates principles of biomechanics to reduce pressure on the bottom of the feet, making walking more effortless for the wearer.

Lin Wei-chang
Insole inventor
It supports effortless propulsion while running. By providing arch support, it stabilizes the ankle to prevent risk of sprains. What’s more, the inner arch absorbs shock and reduce pressure, while the outer arch keep balance.

The creator uses a smart AI-driven system that analyzes foot and shoe data, incorporating medical and sports science to design the perfect insole tailored to each customer’s foot shape and athletic habits.

Lin Wei-chang
Insole inventor
People in the medical and sports fields can use our AI foot shape assessment to automatically fit users for better protection while walking and playing sports.

This local insole maker from Yilan has been in business for 24 years. His new model won gold at Taiwan’s invention awards, as well as five international medals: two gold at the iENA Nuremberg International Trade Fair in Germany and the Silicon Valley International Invention Festival in the US, plus a gold and a silver at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. He also partners with professional basketball teams, whose athletic trainers stress that a quality insole is vital for athletes.

Peng Li-chen
Taoyuan Pauian Pilots athletic trainer
By testing foot pressure and structure, I can very easily and clearly understand players’ discomfort and use insoles to help prevent further injury.

This local business that’s been operating in Yilan for decades has fully embraced new technologies to keep improving their product and keep up with global trends, allowing Taiwan’s “smart” insoles to shine on the world stage.

#insoles #shoedesign #Yilan #inventionawards #sportsscience #AI #prideofTaiwan #smartinsoles

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2026-09-28

ITRI is spawning new tech that reduces labor for mushroom farmers

Growing traditional log-cultivated shitake mushrooms in Taiwan once took up a lot of labor and time. Farmers would have to drill holes in a log, one by one, and inoculate mushroom spawn. Now the Industrial Technology Research Institute, otherwise known as ITRI, has come up with new technologies that make the process much more efficient. The work of three traditional mushroom farmers now being done by one person. Let’s find out more.

Mushroom farmers use machinery to drill holes in logs and then tap tools to inoculate the spawn. Traditionally, growing "log-cultivated shiitake mushrooms" is time-consuming and labor-intensive, taking more than half an hour to process one log. However, ITRI has developed labor-saving equipment that allows one mushroom farmer to perform the work of three.

Hsia Wen-chien
Mushroom farmer
It significantly reduces manpower. Previously, lifting, flipping, and handling each log took about ten minutes. Now, that’s unnecessary; it can be done in a flash. The entire process can be done in just one or two minutes.

The cut wood is placed on an iron frame, and then its wheels can roll left and right, and back and forth, making it convenient for mushroom farmers to drill in the holes. It is equipped with hanging rollers and a rebound mechanism to reduce the effort required to bore holes.

The newly designed inoculation machine can automatically insert the spawn. In response to extreme weather conditions, ITRI has also developed a "smart spray system" that automatically activates to regulate temperatures when they exceed 28°C or when humidity is below 80%.

Lee Shih-chi
ITRI Central Region Campus director
Our original intention was to make our technological tools easy for local people to use.

By introducing technology, ITRI not only improves efficiency and saves costs and labor, but also creates higher output value and competitiveness for local mushroom farmers.

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#Taiwanmushrooms #mushroomfarming #laborsaving #shitakemushrooms #ITRI

2026-09-28