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Heavy rain expected as weakening Typhoon Champi approaches Taiwan

Typhoon Champi continues to approach Taiwan from the east. Though the storm is gradually weakening, the storm circle remains intact. The Central Weather Administration expects to issue a land warning at some point during Thursday night. The storm will be closest to Taiwan on Friday, so be sure to make all the necessary preparations ahead of time. Let’s hear from a meteorologist.

Chang Cheng-chuan
Central Weather Administration
We expect the storm to reach waters off the east coast of Taiwan on Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, it will veer north in waters off the northeast coast. The projected path has been adjusted westward a bit in comparison with the predictions earlier today. That means its shift north will be a bit slower. The point at which the change in direction happens will impact how close it will get to Taiwan.

The combined forces of the storm and northeasterly winds are set to bring rainy weather to the north and east coast of Taiwan on Thursday. Stormy conditions will be felt on Friday, when Champi will be closest to the island. Northestern Taiwan could see extremely heavy rains of more than 300mm. Precipitation won’t let up until Saturday afternoon, when Champi continues its way toward Japan.

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

#typhoon #storm #champi #rain #winds

Time：2026-10-21

最新消息 Latest News

Taipei mayoral candidates share vastly different visions for Taipei

What will Taipei look like 20 years from now? Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an hopes the city will have a vast green park where Songshan Airport stands today. Meanwhile, DPP’s mayoral candidate Puma Shen hopes the capital will be a city where young people can afford to live and build their futures. The vastly different opinions have prompted plenty of debate both online and offline.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
I hope that 20 years from now, Taipei can be like this. Just imagine going to Songshan Airport, and finding it’s a huge green space with dense canopies.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an spoke about his vision for Taipei on a TV program. He hopes that 20 years in the future, lush foliage will cover the area where Songshan Airport is today.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
You’ll see self-driving vehicles on the road, all of them using key chips made in Taiwan. The city is full of vitality and innovation.

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
My daughter is 6 years old now. In 20 years, she’ll be 26, freshly graduated from university, or rather, from her master’s program. We hope that this future Taipei will have jobs that aren’t a struggle to land. By then I hope we’ll have a city fund that provides each child NT$500,000 when they grow into adults. I hope that my daughter can live in Taipei, at affordable housing, or at a rental not for sale.

When the DPP’s mayoral candidate for Taipei, Puma Shen, was asked a similar question, his answer considered the needs of different age groups, such as employment, childrearing and retirement. Netizens quickly slammed Chiang’s response in the comments: “Didn’t he want to build an AI park?” “You cut down trees left and right yet you want greenery?” “Chiang when he reads from a script vs. Chiang when he speaks his mind” “Is Chiang competing in an elementary school speech contest?”

Chien Shu-pei
Taipei City Councilor (DPP)
Would shutting down Songshan meet the needs of any age group? Chiang is a master of answering questions without actually answering them. Both candidates have weighed in on this important issue, and I believe the citizens of Taipei are smart enough to make the right choice.

Both candidates have different ideas about what the capital should look like in the future. With Election Day drawing closer, it remains to be seen who will sway voters.

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

#taipei #election #songshanairport #housing #retiree

2026-10-21

Fair Trade Commission blocks Grab’s acquisition of foodpanda

Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission has said "no" to Grab’s acquisition of foodpanda in Taiwan. The proposal was announced back in March, with Singaporean delivery giant Grab set to buy foodpanda for nearly NT$20 billion. Ultimately the merger was blocked after a majority of commissioners determined that it would weaken competition in the industry. Let’s hear more.

Hsin Chih-chung
Fair Trade Commission
The merger would have seen Grab take over foodpanda’s delivery business in Taiwan. But Uber, the parent company of Uber Eats, holds a 13.1% stake in Grab, and the two companies have close business ties in other markets. After evaluating Grab’s proposal to acquire foodpanda, the majority of commissioners said it should be stopped.

Su Po-hao
Delivery Industry Rights Alliacne
We would like to thank the Fair Trade Commission for making the right decision. Foodpanda is the market leader in Taiwan. When has anyone ever seen the top company in any industry pull out of a market? If it actually does come down to that, we’ll ask the Commission to consider implementing the relevant measures.

Had the merger gone forward, Grab would have become Uber Eats’ main competitor. But the close ties between Uber Eats’ parent company, Uber and Grab, raised concerns that could impact fair competition. Regulators said both companies would have shared interests and neither would be motivated to lower prices. There could be a risk of coordination to maintain the status quo, which would also make it harder for new competitors to enter the market. During the review, Grab suggested several steps to minimize concerns, such as diluting Uber’s shareholding and placing limitations on board appointments. But the FTC says the measures would be difficult to implement, unless Uber completely divested its stake in Grab.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#uber #foodpanda #ubereats #delivery #taiwan

2026-10-21

Dog locks self in car after owner gets out to help woman in wheelchair

In an unfortunate turn of events, a woman recently got out of her car to help another woman in wheelchair, only to return to a locked vehicle courtesy of her anxious dog! After helping the wheelchair user clear a road near Zhongshan Station in Taipei, she was shocked to find her three-year-old puppy had accidentally hit the lock button. Firefighters had to come break the window to rescue him.

This driver was about to turn right when she noticed a wheelchair user struggling to move. She got out to help them, but when she got back to her car, you can see the disbelief set in. All four doors were locked, with her dog trapped inside. What could she do?

With the car trapped in the middle of the road, traffic behind came to a standstill. And with the dog still inside, firefighters had to come to the rescue. They broke the rear window to free the pup. But how did it mysteriously lock itself in the first place? Turned out it was the dog’s doing.

Dina
Driver
I thought I’d get out to help move her wheelchair, but when I turned back, I found my car was locked with my keys, phone, and dog all still inside. Since he’s super clingy with me, as soon as I got out of the car, he probably wanted to follow me and stepped on the lock button.

Anxious seeing his owner walk away, three-year-old Oreo stood on the armrest to see where she went and accidentally stepped on the door lock. It proved to be an expensive mistake.

Dina
Driver
I was still holding out hope he would help me unlock it, so before the fire department got here, I tried playing with him through the glass. But it didn’t work. It definitely sucked having to break the window, but as long as everyone was OK and my dog wasn’t hurt, that’s what matters most.

The aesthetic consultant and avid sports fan shared the incident with her over 17,000 followers online, who joined her in laughing over this unfortunate accident.

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

#Taipei #goodsamaritan #petrescue #firefighters #dog #lockedin #driver

2026-10-21

17cm painted sidewalk gets pedestrians walking tightrope

The residents in a Taichung neighborhood are training to become tightrope walkers, but not by their own choice. That’s because a road in Daya District has a painted sidewalk so narrow, that there’s barely enough space to set your feet down. At 17cm wide, strolling down the sidewalk at Yahuan Road is not for the faint of heart, especially when there are also electrical boxes and poles to navigate along the way. Let’s hear from some locals.

Member of public
Wants something to be done
It should be widened, or the items blocking the way should be removed.

Member of public
Unhappy about pavement
Sometimes the painted pavement is… look over there, how are you supposed to walk on that?

Member of public
Finds pavement too narrow
It’s too narrow. It’s not at all like a proper sidewalk. They might as well not have painted it. Nobody goes there to walk on it.

A project is underway in Taichung to improve the infrastructure for pedestrians along this road, 1,700m of sidewalk have been painted green for people to walk on. While it sounds good on paper, some sections are so narrow, you’d have to walk in the actual road with other vehicles. The situation is especially challenging for parents with strollers or for wheelchair users, who can’t fit within the sidewalk. The city government says the sidewalk will be repainted this week, and all the obstacles removed.

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

#sidewalk #balance #pavement #urbandesign #urbanplanning

2026-10-21

An elder man was sued for dragging a girl by her neck

On Tuesday evening, a young girl in Chiayi was standing outside her family’s restaurant, when all of a sudden, an older man came up and put her in a chokehold. As the man tried to drag her away, he said, "No one will know if I take you away." Luckily the family intervened in time, and saved the girl. The man, a friend of the girl’s grandfather, claimed he was just playing with her. However, given the frightened state of the child, the family decided to file a police report. The police have referred him to the prosecutor’s office on charges of coercion.

- What are you doing?

An 11-year old girl was standing on the pavement when a sturdy man hooked his arm around her neck and started to drag her away. The girl tried to resist but her small body was nothing against the might of the man.

Luckily, the young girl’s grandmother noticed the child being pulled away and rushed after them.

- You’re going too far!
Don’t try us.
Pulling our child away

One family member chased after them and started cursing. Only then did the man release the girl. This terrifying incident occurred on Chiayi’s Yushan Road, where the young girl’s grandparents run a small restaurant, in the evening, while the family was busy closing up. The little girl was standing at the entrance of the shop when the man, her grandfather’s friend, saw her alone and started to pull her away.

Girl’s Grandfather
Disappointed in friend
He was eating here; he wanted to borrow money from me. I said that I didn’t have money to lend him. He just left and started to play with the girl and started to pull her away, dragging her more than 150 meters away over there. He is a good friend, but even good friends can’t do this.

Girl’s Grandmother
Concerned for child
She came back crying, she said her neck was locked and she couldn’t scream.

The family accused the man of telling the little girl that he would take her away and no one would find out. The girl was frightened and couldn’t stop crying when she went home. The man said on Facebook that he was just playing around with the kid and asked her to call him uncle, but this incident has left the girl traumatized driving her family to sue the man.

Family Friend
Disapproves of man’s actions
It’s very inappropriate behavior. We will take her to have her spirit cleansed and calmed.

Wu Chao-yi
Police officer
The case has been reported to the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office for investigation under the Criminal Code’s charge of coercion.

Even though the man was considered a friend, dragging a child away is unacceptable. Given the girl’s wishes the police arrested the man and will deal with the case according to the law.

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

#childabuse #predator #publicsafety #sexualharassment #chiayi

2026-10-21

Child runs after father on scooter as a punishment

Locals in Taipei’s Songshan District were alarmed at a harsh punishment meted out by a father on Tuesday. The man abandoned his child on the sidewalk and drove off on his scooter. As the father moved away, the boy ran after him, calling out and crying loudly. There was a lot of traffic in the area, and the child kept running for several blocks, narrowly escaping a tragic fate.

A child was running and crying, yelling out for his father, but his father continued to drive away without stopping.

With much difficulty it seems, the father finally stopped, but he didn’t let the boy get on. The boy then continued to run behind him for several blocks

Voice of member of public
Horrified at father’s actions
He was very loud, so everyone on the roads could hear him. The father just sped away and the child kept chasing him.

Chang Ching-han
FTV reporter
Here at the site of the incident, you can see there is an intersection where three lanes converge and there are no traffic signals set up. If the child was running across and a car didn’t stop in time, it could have ended badly.

The boy’s father purposely tossed him off the scooter in the midst of traffic as a punishment. The poor boy ran after his father sobbing which made some onlookers break out in cold sweat.

Lee En-chi
Domestic violence prevention center
Inappropriate disciplinary methods for children and adolescents are a form of violence, we must never allow a moment of carelessness to cause them physical or mental harm.

Although this was a moment of anger, the parent left the child exposed and helpless in a dangerous environment, which may leave a lifelong scar in the child’s mind.

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

#childabuse #domesticviolence #113 #psychology #parenting

2026-10-21

Homeowner calls police on giant iguana trying to enter

At a house along Yanhai Road in Kaohsiung’s Linyuan District, a green iguana measuring an impressive 1.5 meters long recently lingered at the front door for a half an hour, knocking as though asking to be let in. The terrified homeowner called the police, but as they were waiting for animal control to arrive, the reptile leapt into some nearby bushes and vanished.

A man steps outside to investigate a noise outside the door. He looks down at the ground for a few seconds before an uninvited guest suddenly appears, leaving him paralyzed. He takes a few steps back to double-check before picking up a broom to try and chase it away.

Swinging the broom around gets the iguana to run next door. But the massive reptile kept hanging around the row of houses until the neighbors came outside to see what all the commotion was about.

- It ran up to the door and bumped into it.
- I’ve never seen anything like it before. It was scary.
- Never seen one before. It was startling.

- There weren’t any before.
- How big was it?
- About 1.5 meters or so. It was huge.

This iguana scare happened at a residence along Yanhai Road in Kaohsiung’s Linyuan District. The huge iguana stayed there for a half hour, repeatedly bumping into the door until the resident called the police.

After the officers arrived, they found the iguana still waiting at the door, completely motionless. Not wanting to take any chances, they notified animal control. But as they were waiting for them to arrive, the iguana suddenly bolted into some nearby bushes and vanished.

Linyuan resident
Scared by iguana
When I tried getting close to it, the police told me to stay back. It’s really frustrating. If you see one this big, there are bound to be small ones, too.

Iguana sightings are becoming more frequent in southern Taiwan, but Linyuan residents say they’ve never seen one around their area before. Fearing that the nearby farmland might be affected, residents called on the authorities to find a solution. In response, the Kaohsiung Agriculture Bureau said it has only received one report of an iguana sighting on Yanhai Road in the past three months. It reminded the public that there’s no need to panic if you encounter one, and to refrain from capturing it yourself. Instead, call the 1999 citizen service hotline and the city will send someone to take care of it.

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

#iguana #Kaohsiung #animalencounter #greeniguana

2026-10-21

Car mistakes scooter turn box for parking space

A rare traffic hazard recently occurred in Chiayi when a driver parked his car in a box that was designated for scooters to make a left turn. The driver carefully parked his car into the box at an intersection, then got out and walked away, apparently mistaking the box for a parking space. Police said they would issue a ticket for obstructing traffic.

There’s a car stopped at the front of this intersection, with no driver inside. They may have mistaken the white box outlined in the road for a parking space.

- Is this a scooter turning box or a parking space?
- It’s a left-turn box.

- Would people mistake this for a parking space?
- I don’t think so. It’s a box for scooters turning left.

- Did you know this area is for turning scooters?
- Yeah, I know.

This incident happened on Section 1 of Jianguo Road in Chiayi’s Minxiong Township. Most people know that the box in front of the zebra crossing is for scooters to turn left, but one driver mistook it for a parking space, carefully parking inside the lines before leaving their car.

Voice of resident
Driving critic
Yeah, lots of people do this. These days, lots of people can’t tell the difference. There are plenty of terrible drivers who have no idea how to drive.

Tsao Sheng-tai
Police officer
The driver violated Article 56 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act by parking in a prohibited area. Our precinct will step up enforcement.

Police said they would fine the driver NT$600 to NT$1,200 according to the law. Hopefully this driver will not mistake a scooter turn box for a parking space again.

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

#driver #driving #scooter #parking #illegalparking #Chiayi #scooterturnbox #mistake #fine

2026-10-21

Iranian daf musician forms multicultural ensemble blending Eastern sounds

Iranian daf player Mona settled in Tamsui after moving to Taiwan with her husband in 2018. To introduce more people to Iranian culture, she founded a musical ensemble combining traditional Persian instruments like the daf and oud [ood] with the Taiwanese erhu to create a unique cross-cultural sound. In her adopted home, she uses rhythm to chart out a brand-new musical path.

Simple taps can convey a rhythm rich in emotion. This is the daf, a type of Persian drum. The performer, Mona, is currently the only person in Taiwan who teaches the instrument professionally.

The daf binds Mona to her homeland. She moved to Taiwan in 2018 with her husband and brought her music along with. The enthusiasm of her students has transcended language barriers, and became her reason to stay.

Mona
Daf musician
And some Taiwanese also that were professional musicians, professional percussionists in Taiwan, they were really interested to learn about daf too. Their passion and dedication really impressed me.

To fulfill her dream of introducing Persian culture to people in Taiwan, Mona founded a musical ensemble in 2020, seeking out local musicians to collaborate on a unique blend of Eastern sounds.

Mona
Daf musician
Because there’s a family tie between Iranian and Chinese musical instruments, so I thought, maybe this would be a good combination to put them together in one band, and be the voice of the East from Iran to Taiwan to reform this music again and play in a different genre together.

Tamsui was the starting point of her nearly eight years in Taiwan. She says its vibrant old street always reminds her of home.

Mona
Daf musician
I love crowds. That makes me more excited. That makes me more feel that this city is alive.

What was once an unfamiliar island has now become her second home. Now, daf in hand, she continues her journey playing to the beat of her own drum.

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

#Iran #immigrant #musician #daf #Persianculture #Persianmusic #Tamsui #multicultural #drum

2026-10-21

Poll puts Puma Shen in lead for Taipei 17 points ahead of Chiang

DPP Candidate Puma Shen has overtaken his KMT opponent by a mindboggling 17 percentage points the latest poll by the Taipei Trust in Democracy Association. The poll puts support rating for Shen at 50.3%, in contrast with 33.3% for Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an. In comparison with the previous poll by the association, Shen’s support shot up by 9.8 points, while Chiang’s crumbled by 8.4 points. Let’s hear more.

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
The poll may say one thing, but victory depends on the ballots, on how everyone actually votes on Nov. 28. There’s still 39 days to go until Election Day, so public opinion may still rise and fall. We take very seriously whether our policies resonate with the public. That’s the most important thing for us.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
I would like to call on all Taipei citizens who’ve seen all we’ve achieved over the past four years, to show their support for our administration by coming out to vote on Nov. 28.

Chuang Jui-hsiung
DPP Caucus
Everything that Puma has achieved to this day is really impressive already, and we have very high expectations for him. His approach of engaging with citizens through dialogue will only win more and more people over with time.

Tai Li-an
Designed poll
The polls show an extremely strong response. One of the factors is the O’Shen wave that’s sweeping over Taipei, with huge support from pan-green voters.

Analysts say the skyrocketing popularity of Shen in recent weeks may have encouraged more responders to express their support for the DPP candidate. On the other hand, some others who perhaps supported Chiang preferred to keep quiet. Based on the current figures the Taipei Trust in Democracy Association estimates that Shen will walk away with 49.2% to 52.9% of the vote on Election Day, while Chiang could get between 46.9% and 49.9% of vote. With an overlap of just 0.7 percentage points, the margin between the two could be as wide as 6 percentage points.

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

#poll #taipei #election #pumashen #chiangwanan #oshenwave

2026-10-20

Puma Shen madness spreads as other cities claim him for mayor

The O’Shen wave is taking over Taiwan. Singer and Golden Melody Award winner, Hsieh Ming-yu was performing on stage in Tainan when he suddenly called out, “Our mayor…” and didn’t expect to hear “Puma Shen,” shouted back from the audience. This urged the singer to respond and say, “We are in Tainan, so it’s Chen Ting-fei.” It seems Shen’s popularity has surpassed the borders of Taipei, spreading across all DPP campaigns. Some locals even printed out and distributed banners with Shen’s designs, drawing long queues.

Golden Melody Award winner, Hsieh Ming-yu was performing on stage when he suddenly blurted out something.

- Our mayor
- Puma Shen
- It’s Chen Ting-fei, this is Tainan.

Puma Shen is running for Taipei Mayor, but it seems that wherever you go, the phrase that comes after the chant, “Our mayor…,” is always followed by “Puma Shen!”

Hsieh Ming-yu
Golden Melody Award winner
I just wanted to test it out, to see if the O’Shen movement really is spreading, when I said, “Our mayor…” I was certain that I would say “Chen Ting-fei,” but I didn’t think that the audience below would in unison say, “Puma Shen.”

At first, the singer simply wanted to test out the power of the O’Shen wave, he didn’t realize that locals would join in and urge him to clarify. In fact, this clip has gone viral and even caught the attention of Chen Ting-fei herself, who replied saying, “This is Tainan,” with a question mark.

Chen Ting-fei
Tainan Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
While the O’Shen wave battles it out at sea, I, Chen Ting-fei, am fei-lying into the sky to battle it out up in the air. Land and sea unite.

Not only are the slogans catchy, but the O’Shen ribbons have become popular merch in Taiwan. Some stores in Tainan even printed their own and announced them online, they didn’t expect dozens of people to be eager to line up.

- I’ll tie this on my backpack, I’ve wanted this for so long!

- Vote for Shen to save Chiang.

- We will choose Chen Ting-fei, but I want to support Puma Shen

Taipei’s mayoral candidates have driven locals in the South into frenzy, as other candidates ride the bandwagon for popularity.

Hung Wei-chu
Head of marketing agency
I didn’t think today would be like this, we didn’t print enough. Those who came to pick them up can follow us on Instagram to support us.

The DPP caucus says the O’Shen Wave is lifting the support ratings for DPP candidates islandwide by 6%. The party says it’s hopeful for a turnaround in close races such as Keelung and Taichung. Meanwhile, races in Taitung, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu are heating up. With just a month left to elections, some officials discouraged Shen from travelling across Taiwan and instead urge candidates from other counties and cities to come to Taipei creating a unique crossover.

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

#沈伯洋 #OshenWave #洋流 #OshenWave #PumaShen #Tainan

2026-10-20

Aide tacks on campaign sticker on funeral guestbook

There’s a time and a place for campaigning, and a funeral service, is not it. With the local elections fast approaching, politicians are scrambling for exposure sometimes forget about good etiquette. A social media user whose grandmother recently passed away says that several candidates showed up to the funeral parlor to pay their respects. But one of them crossed the line. A campaign member of Cheng Chun-hung, who is running to represent Zhubei City, stuck a campaign sticker on the guestbook. Most unfortunately, his campaign slogan is “Please save us!” That infuriated her grieving grandchild, who scathingly slammed Cheng, saying their grandma couldn’t be saved anymore. Let’s hear more.

Member of public
Finds sticker inappropriate
It’s disrespectful to the grieving family. They’re holding a funeral, everyone is mourning, and you go and stick a campaign sticker saying “Please save us”? That’s really inappropriate.

Member of public
Finds sticker inappropriate
It’s rude. Someone passed away, and you still put on the sticker saying “please save us.” That’s not nice.

Cheng Chun-hung
Zhubei candidate (KMT)
My assistant went to pay respects on my behalf, but didn’t have enough business cards. They had one of my campaign stickers on hand, so they put that on instead. It’s their first time helping with my campaign, and they weren’t familiar with the etiquette. It’s my responsibility to make sure my assistant understands these rules. I’d like to apologize to everyone.

Cheng Chun-hung posted a video to Facebook bowing to apologize for the sticker incident. But surprisingly, this isn’t the first time a candidate has been accused of campaigning at a funeral. Previously, an aide to KMT Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en was caught handing out business cards at a funeral, with a political donation account on the back. The move drew criticism, with some accusing the campaign team of being so money-hungry that they forgot about decorum.

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

#politics #bizarre #funeral #guestbook #campaign

2026-10-20

Taoyuan beef noodle shop criticized for giving firefighters free meals

A beef noodle restaurant in Taichung has offered free meals to firefighters since a factory fire in 2015 claimed the lives of six of their colleagues. The shop has given away hundreds of meals over the past decade. But one customer recently criticized the owner for favoring a particular profession. The comment upset the owner, who said that firefighters save lives and it’s their choice to support them.

A waiter serves a hot bowl of beef noodle soup, made fresh to order. It has large chunks of beef, as well as an egg, vegetables, and plenty of spring onion.

This beef noodle restaurant in Taichung’s West District is highly rated, but one review recently made the owner furious. He reposted the comment, saying: “Come read this garbage and see what kind of people society is raising.” The review said: “If there are discounts for certain professions, most people won’t want to buy it.” The owner fired back, saying: “This is my choice. Firefighters risk their lives to save you in an emergency. Offering them free meals is my business, and none of yours.” Others commented that people these days even get criticized for doing good deeds, while another said the person was just bitter.

Beef noodle restaurant owner
Firefighter supporter
I was upset when I saw the comment, more upset than seeing a one-star review. The deal for firefighters started after the 2015 fire in Xinwu District which claimed the lives of six young firefighters. I was a full-time dad caring for my one-year-old daughter then, so seeing that news made me very sad.

The owner promised to support firefighters after the six died saving lives in a 2015 fire. He can’t afford to donate a fire truck, but he could treat them to a bowl of noodles every once in a while.

Beef noodle restaurant owner
Firefighter supporter
Firefighters only need to show their badge, and I will treat them to a bowl of noodles. Sometimes the whole team comes.

Chou Chin-cheng
Taichung firefighter
Firefighters who have visited the restaurant with their IDs shared their experiences with their colleagues and gave the restaurant very positive feedback.

Firefighters thanked the restaurant for offering them free noodles. The owner has given away countless meals over the past 11 years. Despite the recent criticism, he said he would continue treating them as long as the restaurant remains open, so they know people appreciate their sacrifice.

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

#beefnoodles #Taoyuan #restaurant #firefighter #fire #deal #altruism #giveback

2026-10-20

Workers told to pay NT$6,000 and use annual leave for company trip

Many workers appreciate it when their companies organize trips for staff to mingle away from the workplace. But it’s anything but fun when the outing comes with conditions. One social media user says that their company organized a two-day trip to Hualien that was riddled with problems. First, the itinerary was nothing to write home about, but more importantly, each employee had to pay NT$6,000 out of pocket to attend. Those who didn’t attend were forced to take annual leave anyway, and those who had used up their PTO had to get unpaid time off. It sounds unfair, but is it legal? Let’s hear more.

Member of public
Thinks company should pay
- I think company trips should be paid for by the company.

Member of public
Doesn’t agree with conditions
- Two days one night in Hualien.
- Is it compulsory?
- If you don’t, you still have to request leave.
- That’s a little unreasonable.

Voice of Wang Chin-jung
Ministry of Labor
Article 38 of the Labor Standards Act states that the dates of annual leave are to be arranged by the employee. Employers cannot unilaterally schedule annual leave or force employees to take leave. If an employer violates these regulations, employees can file a complaint with their local city or county labor affairs bureau, or call the Ministry of Labor’s 1955 hotline to protect their rights. If the violation is confirmed, the employer can face a fine of up to NT$1 million.

Netizens criticized the lousy itinerary. The activities on Day 1 included: looking at the sea, going to a night market and sleeping at a hotel in the city. Day 2 was even more underwhelming, with the return home scheduled for after lunch. Altogether, the price for accommodation, transport and tickets to the sights was already close to NT$6,000 meaning savings were pretty low anyway. No wonder netizens said the company should at least foot the bill.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#trip #hualien #work #holiday #travel

2026-10-20

TaiwanICDF campus youth ambassadors return home

Taiwan is turning to its younger generation to help promote public diplomacy. Six university students selected as campus ambassadors by TaiwanICDF traveled to diplomatic allies Eswatini in Africa and St. Lucia in the Caribbean to witness Taiwan’s overseas aid efforts firsthand. Armed with cameras, they documented how international cooperation is making a difference in local communities, learning that aid is not just about giving, but creating a virtuous circle.

- Fish ponds have evolved into aquaculture farms. We’ve seen first-hand how locals have gradually introduced technology into their daily lives.

From aquaculture farms, fisheries, and women’s entrepreneurship in Eswatini…

- Some protect the health of the community, while others apply knowledge into their daily lives.

…to chronic disease prevention and digital technology training in St. Lucia. Six Taiwanese students became Campus Youth Ambassadors at two of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies. Now back in Taiwan, they shared their experiences on the ground.

Tsai Wan-yin
Eswatini Campus Youth Ambassador
The point of international cooperation is not just about providing assistance. It’s about the virtuous circle that is created when they pick up new skills.

Fan Chiang Tzu-chi
Eswatini Campus Youth Ambassador
I had no idea what pap was, but when we were there we saw it was a kind of corn porridge. We followed the local custom and ate with our hands.

These young ambassadors have evolved into newer selves, and their families all noticed. Especially Fan Chiang Tzu-chi’s mother, who recorded a video that brought her daughter to tears. The heads of the groups abroad even made a surprise conference call with the participants.

Yu Ting-hsuan
St. Lucia Campus Youth Ambassador
Real diplomacy and real exchanges don’t just happen in formal settings. Chatting and hanging out with locals is a form of international exchange in itself. Sometimes, you have to gather courage and step out of your comfort zone, try new things. The world is a bigger place than you might think.

Chen Ming-chi
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
The more important thing is working together with our partners to solve problems and cultivate local talents, so that the solutions are long lasting. As we say in our ministry, “Taiwan can help. Our partners can lead.”

Stephen Lee
TaiwanICDF Deputy Secretary General
Besides the 30th-anniversary events, we hope that when you return to your schools, you can share with everyone about the broader impact of Taiwan’s international cooperation efforts overseas.

Young people are using the power of storytelling to bring Taiwan’s overseas aid achievements into the public spotlight. Youth representatives from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, who are set to visit Taiwan soon, also attended to show their support, ushering in a new chapter for public diplomacy.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#icdf #diplomacy #taiwan #eswatini #stlucia

2026-10-20

Old woman in wheelchair turns mountain road into racetrack

Some Keelung locals captured photos of a rather shocking sight n Zhonghe Road: an elderly woman racing down the mountain road on an electric wheelchair. The woman zigzagged through the middle of the road and even crossed over the double yellow lines. Not only was the road going downhill but it also had incredibly sharp turns, but this old lady expertly steered through it all without slowing down causing the vehicles around her to recoil in fear.

As vehicles drove along a mountain road, an electric wheelchair carrying an elderly woman suddenly appears. She drives unsteadily in the middle of the road and even on the double yellow lines.

This electric wheelchair navigated oncoming cars and motorcycles with ease and grace, but it caused traffic behind it to become cautious and fearful. Not only is this particular stretch of the road going downhill, it also has sharp turns. The old woman fearlessly drove without slowing down which made cars behind her slow down fearing a collision.

Member of public
Wary of older drivers
So dangerous. The speed of older drivers is unpredictable, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. If there are cars near them, they get nervous and don’t see.

Member of public
Disproves the driver
Is she not paying attention to cars behind her? She is just driving her own way, sometimes speeding up and crossing the road.

Although approved medical electric wheelchair and mobility scooters can be used on roads with relevant regulations, users are considered as pedestrians and must still abide by pedestrian traffic rules. They cannot drive in the middle of the lane and compete with cars and scooters for road space.

Lin Yen-hua
Chief of Fourth Precinct, Keelung City Police Bureau
Users of electric wheelchairs still must comply with relevant laws and regulations. They must use appropriate passage spaces according to regulations and not drive illegally on the road, which affects the safety of others on the road.

Although they can move fast, electric wheelchairs are not racecars and roads are not racetracks. According to regulations, violating the rules by riding an electric wheelchair will result in a fine of NT$500. This serves as a reminder to those who ride electric wheelchairs, that convenience must never come secondary to safety. Recklessly accelerating could endanger yourself and others on the road.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#racing #f1 #seniorcitizen #olddriver #keelung #taiwan

2026-10-20

Miaoli researchers breed disease-resistant honeybees

Climate change, pests, and diseases are threatening bee populations, and honey production is declining annually. But after five years of selective breeding, researchers in Miaoli have developed a new strain of bee that is resistant to disease and great at collecting nectar. These new and improved bees are better at keeping their hive clean and produce 30% more honey.

A beekeeper takes a frame out of the hive, covered in busy bees. Beekeepers harvest the honey they make, but with few flowers that produce nectar in the summer, they feed their bees sugar to keep them alive.

Beekeepers need healthy and strong bees. The Miaoli District Agricultural Research and Extension Station spent five years developing a super-bee by crossbreeding a colony with great hygiene with one that excels at collecting nectar. The resulting bees were both disease resistant and great at making honey.

The new bees’ hive-cleaning ability has improved from 70% to 90%, making them more resistant to disease, and they produce 30% more honey. The new strain is already working in two apiaries in Taichung and Tainan.

Huang Tzu-hao
Miaoli agricultural researcher
I hope this healthier strain of bee will be easier for keepers to raise and will prevent more diseases and pests.

Beekeepers are excited to try raising this new bee.

Hsu Chen-sen
Miaoli beekeeper
The success or failure of a hive, whether it does well or not, depends on the queen’s leadership. I also really hope to obtain the strain developed by the research station so we can try raising it.

Climate change has made it harder to raise bees, which has impacted honey production. Hopefully this new strain of disease-resistant bee bred by Miaoli researchers can help beekeepers keep their hives healthy and produce more honey.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#beekeeper #bees #honey #Miaoli #research #breeding #superbee #climatechange #disease #pests

2026-10-20

New sail-themed street art puzzles Lukang residents

A strange sight appeared recently over the streets of Lukang in Changhua County. Bright yellow triangles were strung up over Xinsheng Street, sparking some wild interpretations online. Some said they look like a row of shark fins drying in the sun, while others said they look like Doritos. The township office stepped in to clarify, saying they’re meant to symbolize “a thousand sails entering the port” from Lukang’s glory days. It’s just that the installation went viral before it was finished.

Rows of triangular yellow objects gently sway in the breeze, drawing attention from afar. As onlookers became more curious, people online started guessing what they could possibly be.

Lukang resident
Baffled by installation
I think they look like shark fins. It adds to the whole seafaring vibe here in Lukang.

Lukang resident
Baffled by installation
Shark fins? A bit like fish fins maybe.

Lukang resident
Baffled by installation
It’s a bit like eating noodles upside-down. It has that upside-down shape.

Imaginations are running wild as the locals bring in a touch of humor. One woman even said it looks like how people from Lukang eat noodle paste tipped out of a plastic bag. Others thought the curved shape and color make them look like shark fins or that famous triangular tortilla chip.

Lukang resident
Baffled by installation
It seems to me like the sail on a sailboat.

Lukang resident
Baffled by installation
Out-of-towners will think this is a cool spot, good for taking pictures.

Cheng Wei-chia
Lukang construction section chief
People have had so many creative interpretations of the design. It’s actually been pretty fun to see.

So how did this whole row of yellow triangles appear out of nowhere over a street in Lukang? It turns out they’re part of the township office’s light installation project. Each triangle is decorated with wave, sail, and seagull motifs.

Cheng Wei-chia
Lukang construction section chief
The initial design was based on a sailboat. We wanted to harken back to Lukang’s early days until now with “a thousand sails entering the port,” as the saying goes.

Since Lukang has historically been a thriving port town, the office used sail shapes to symbolize its glory days when the harbor was bustling with traffic. Crews are currently rushing to finish the installation to complete the scene. They never imagined it would go viral before it was even done!

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Lukang #Changhua #streetart #installation #sailboats #porttown #creative #viral

2026-10-20

Lee Yang pulls out from Asian Para Games event after badge downgrade

A credential downgrade has prompted Sports Minister Lee Yang to pull out of all official events at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in Japan. Lee had initially been issued a badge that referred to him by his official title, Sports Minister. But he was later informed that it would be changed to “Guest.” The incident follows a controversy last month, in which event officials tried to exclude him from another ceremony at the Asian Games. Let’s hear more.

Xavier Chang
Executive Yuan Secretary-General
The Ministry of Sports has lodged a stern protest with the organizers. I hope that ruling and opposition lawmakers, as well as the general public will offer their support to Sports Minister Lee Yang, for looking out for all our athletes on the ground.

Chen Pei-yu
Legislator (DPP)
Could this downgrade open the door for further downgrades down the line? We hope that more international competitions will restore Taiwan’s rightful identity.

Fan Yun
Legislator (DPP)
It’s not the first time that the CCP has tried to obstruct us at sporting events in other countries. We will continue to fight for Taiwan’s right to take part in international competitions with the respect we deserve.

The Ministry of Sports has issued a four-point statement to protest the credential downgrade, and the lack of explanation and consultations. It also lodged a complaint with the Asian Paralympic Committee, urging organizers to keep sports free from external interference. At the incident last month, Lee was heading to the opening ceremony for the athletes’ village when he was blocked from entering the venue. He was ultimately let in, but only after more than one hour of negotiations.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#taiwan #japan #asiangames #asianparagames #sports

2026-10-19