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Taiwan puts wartime readiness to the test in urban resilience drill

Taiwan is putting its emergency preparedness to the test. The 2026 Urban Resilience Exercises got underway in Northern Taiwan Thursday, simulating everything from the distribution of essential supplies to wartime medical operations. President Lai Ching-te and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih inspected the drills, which also drew representatives from the US, Israel and Canada. The exercises are aimed at ensuring that even in a crisis, essential government and public services can keep running.

She scans the ID card and checks the list, before putting the supplies in a bag. It’s quick and easy. Northern Taiwan held its urban resilience drill on Thursday, which included an inspection of a supermarket distribution station by President Lai Ching-te and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih. This year’s exercises are being closely watched by the international community. At the scene was de facto US ambassador Raymond Greene, as well as diplomats from Israel and Canada.

Lai Ching-te
President
Virtue never stands alone. It is bound to have neighbors. We are not alone in facing regional geopolitical challenges. The international community is with us. But we cannot afford to be unprepared. We cannot afford to rely only on outsiders. Each exercise we hold is a boost to our resilience.

Hou Yu-ih
New Taipei Mayor
It’s best to be over-prepared for 100 years without calamity, than to be caught unprepared a single day. Being ready is extremely important.

Officials from the central and local governments learned about civilian supply distribution procedures and oversaw drills to scale back medical services and transfer medical operations underground.

The oncology department on the second basement of Shuang Ho Hospital was turned into a wartime command center, with dedicated areas for pharmacy, surgery and childbirth. Hospital beds were set up in the parking lot one floor below, in case the ground floor is unsafe or if curfew has been imposed.

A blood donation area and a hemodialysis area were set up near the drive aisle, to be used in emergencies. Staff played the role of patients to create a lifelike drill with real patients, objects, sites and scenarios.

Shih Chung-liang
Minister of Health and Welfare
Shuang Ho Hospital is the benchmark. We want to replicate the model here in every hospital in Taiwan.

Local preparedness drills help ensure essential government services can endure wartime and emergencies, making national defense more than just a slogan.

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

#military #drills #civilians #supermarket #groceries #taiwan #invasion

Time：2026-08-13

最新消息 Latest News

MOFA minister Lin Chia-lung speaks to big group of youth ambassadors

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung carved time out of his schedule to speak to a special group of young people, who are either in this year’s class of International Youth Ambassadors or part of the TaiwanICDF’s first ever group of Campus Youth Ambassadors. These diplomats of tomorrow are about to head abroad to Taiwanese allies, where they’ll get first-hand experiences of diplomacy in action.

Through song and dance, this group of youth ambassadors are demonstrating the vitality of youth.

These musicians playing traditional instruments and singing Hakka hill songs will be going to visit diplomatic allies; also going abroad are TaiwanICDF campus youth ambassadors, who seem to be quite excited about the opportunity.

Yu Ting-hsuan
Campus Youth Ambassador
I started to understand that this opportunity is not only just about going abroad; it’s about meeting people, listening to their stories, understanding their cultures, and seeing how Taiwan and Saint Lucia can connect with one another.

Tsai Wan-yin
Campus Youth Ambassador
To be able to become a campus youth ambassador, representing the TaiwanICDF and going to a diplomatic ally, I feel that this is truly an incredible honor. For me right now, I’m really excited and looking forward to creating brilliant things with the locals there.

This year is a two-part mission, with Palau being the destination of the first batch, who are the first group of Taiwanese youth ambassadors to include experts in drone technology. The second group will be going to Caribbean countries, including Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung waved the Taiwanese flag and presided over the ceremony in which the youth ambassadors were conferred their certificates.

Lin Chia-lung
Foreign minister
First, be confident when you go abroad. You represent Taiwan: a free, democratic, innovative, and open society. Second, be humble: listen carefully, respect different cultures, and learn from the people you meet.

Lin Chia-lung called on the youth ambassadors to exude a spirit in which anyone can be a diplomat, and to showcase the democracy and resilience 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

#allies #diplomacyinaction #MOFA #LinChia-lung #TaiwanICDF #youthambassadors

2026-08-13

Brother drills ceiling hole in bizarre escalation of 20-year feud

A 20-year family feud that started because of a leaky ceiling has literally broken through the floor and escalated into a bizarre war between neighbors. The principal factions are led by two brothers living on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the same apartment building in New Taipei. The older brother says a huge hole recently appeared on his ceiling, after his little brother living upstairs grabbed an electric drill and punched through his own floor. The upstairs brother now uses the hole to flush out water from his unit, sending a murky waterfall splashing down in the second floor every now and then. Let’s hear more.

Voice of relative
Lives on 2nd floor
He really grabbed a drill and bit by bit it came crumbling down. Now there really is a hole in my ceiling, and he’s started bucketing water down. It all started when I told them they should help us deal with a leak. But he did nothing! We even asked the local borough warden for help to no avail. A few years later, they got a leak in their ceiling, and they told us to do something about it.

Voice of younger brother
Lives on 3rd floor
I’m all down to help and to talk things out. If we have to fix it all, so be it. I said we can start from the very top, and then fix our way down to the 2nd floor. We could all do the repairs together and split the cost. But they don’t want to.

And the feud extends outside the home. The two brothers co-own a shop with another four siblings. The elder brother claims that his little brother refuses to pay rent whenever they have a falling-out. From drippy ceilings to rental debt, the older brother has ultimately decided to take the argument to court in hopes that a judge will put this drawn-out family drama to rest.

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

#familyfeud #feud #funny #neighbor #neighborsfromhell #aita

2026-08-13

Yilan youth band performs in US, charms expats with classic song

The M&Ocean Youth Band from Yilan’s Yue-Ming Elementary and Junior High School consists of 17 young musicians. After raising travel funds through their own performances to go perform in the US, they finally fulfilled their dream in late July by embarking on a 12-day exchange trip to California. When they performed the classic song Longing for the Spring Breeze, three to four hundred overseas Taiwanese came just to see them, and many were moved to tears.

Donning Taiwan baseball jerseys to showcase Taiwanese baseball culture, the M&Ocean Youth Band of 17 students from Yilan’s Yue-Ming Elementary and Junior High School traveled all the way to California to deliver brilliant performances.

By wearing school uniforms and caps while performing national health calisthenics, they awakened childhood memories for many. But the most touching moment was when they performed this song.

Tender voices singing Longing for the Spring Breeze brought three to four hundred attending expats to tears. Established in 2020, the M&Ocean Band saw students independently rehearse and design their own stage setups, starting from local markets in Yilan and eventually progressing to Taipei 101, government agencies, and major ticketed stages. Accumulating experience and travel funds along the way, they finally made their dream come true this summer by performing in the United States.

Pan Hou-sheng
M&Ocean member
Being on stage, I love performing so much! I hope I’ll have even more opportunities to perform in the future.

Lin Ko-ching
M&Ocean member
We served local Taiwanese snacks to the elderly folks over there. When performing on stage, seeing the smiles on the audience’s faces brings us joy.

The group also performed at senior centers and city councils in California, receiving official commendations. Across their 12-day journey, they delivered eight performances to overwhelming acclaim.

Huang Chien-jung
Yue-Ming principal
They worked hard toward their dream and also managed to bring joy to so many people.

Wang Ching-ju
Parent
Some people even drove two or three hours just to see these kids perform. They’ve actually seen quite a lot of performances over there, but the vast majority were groups from China. What these Taiwanese kids brought had a completely different character.

Emotional connections spanning across the Pacific deeply touched California’s overseas Taiwanese community. Some even expressed willingness to sponsor them in the future, hoping the kids will visit again and bring authentic Taiwanese performances back to the US.

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

#Wangchunfeng #choir #YueMingElementary #Yilan #California #MOceanBand #expats #exchange

2026-08-13

Man with 500 turtles pleads government to take som

How many pets is too many pets? For a turtle owner in Yilan, the answer is more than 500. Mr. Lin has been breeding yellow pond turtles for years. He has a permit to keep them, as they are a Class I protected species. But the problem is, that the turtles have bred far too quickly, producing more than 160 hatchlings. Mr. Lin says he has run out of space and wants to give some away, but the Yilan County Government says he should surrender all 500+ turtles in his possession. Let’s hear more.

Mr. Lin
Has too many turtles
I can’t keep them anymore. I don’t have enough space. I want to give them to the government, so they can take care of them. The big turtles pick on the younger ones. If you keep them together, they don’t last longer than three days.

Lee Chian-chiang
Yilan County Government
Our goal is to process all of them together, and release them into the wild eventually. If he keeps any, they might keep breeding.

Mr. Lin has so many turtles that they all end up piled one on top of another, crammed up in a small space. The Yilan government says they want him to surrender every turtle in order to prevent them from breeding. But Mr. Lin says that his mother, at 94 years old, would be heartbroken to be separated from her turtle family. But with no agreement in sight, the baby turtles are stuck in limbo with nowhere to go.

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

#turtle #iliketurtles #pets #hatchling #supermom #bigfamily


2026-08-13

Trash collector faces jail after taking discarded pots home

One man’s trash can be another man’s prison sentence. A garbage collector in Taichung has been indicted for corruption, after taking discarded pots and pans home to use in the kitchen and to turn into art. The waste disposal worker had turned himself into the Agency Against Corruption, and his ill-gotten goods were estimated to have a value of just over NT$4. That’s right, NT$4.

Over the course of 8 months, starting in March 2024, the man took 12 pots and pans, one metal rack, one spatula, one ladle and one metal tray home. Weighing in at a total of 12.4kg, and calculating at a rate of NT$0.33 per kilogram, the discarded cookware has a recyclable value of NT$4.092. The trash collector had been working in the team for eight years, and has since been removed from his position. Prosecutors charged him with misappropriating public property, but are asking the court to either exempt him from punishment or grant a suspended sentence. He says he regrets his actions, and says he won’t do it 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

#pots #pans #kitchenware #cookware #cooking #disposal #recycling #upcycling

2026-08-13

Australian padawan steals lightsaber, embracing dark side

Star Wars enthusiast Makoto Tsai has been making realistic-looking lightsabers for over two decades, but recently he met a Sith lord for the first time. Tsai had lent a friend in Australia a red lightsaber to be used by a group of Star Wars enthusiasts, but one Australian national ended up stealing the lightsaber. The man even broke the Jedi code when he bragged about his act on social media, saying, “Reels blowing up right now, feeling pretty blessed.”

Over in Australia, these two force-sensitive men are swinging and spinning their lightsabers. This scintillating duel features a Jedi versus a Sith lord, who’s the one holding the red lightsaber. After borrowing the laser sword, the blond-haired man refused to give it back and even told famous lightsaber maker Makoto Tsai to send him a private message. The man’s reply to Tsai showed that he’d already embraced the dark side.

The Australian national blocked Tsai and even sent an insidious photo of him giving the middle finger. Tsai is still having a hard time accepting the fate of the stolen lightsaber, which cost NT$11,000 to make.

Makoto Tsai
Famous lightsaber maker
Geez. It’s ridiculous. How can somebody like this even exist? I lent that lightsaber to that group, for anyone there to use. But then, during a gathering, he ended up slyly stealing it, or you could say borrowed it without asking. And then he ends up never coming back. So my friend wanted to get that saber back, and that’s when we realized his lightsaber was taken, that the man insisted on not giving it back.

The social media accounts of the Sith lord with sticky hands got slammed by negative messages, yet the man has clearly embraced the dark side. On Instagram the man wrote, “Reels blowing up right now, feeling pretty blessed,” which clearly broke the Jedi code.

Makoto Tsai
Famous lightsaber maker
He dug in his heels, telling my friend in Australia “Why do I have to give it back to you? You gave it to me.” But this is ridiculous. He even posted a story, in which he said “when you yell at me it makes me happy, because it just increases my reach.” Geez. I’ve never met somebody this shameless.

Tim
Friend of Makoto Tsai
He was an apprentice that I felt had a lot of potential. And he never behaved like that in the past, so all of us had a lot of trust in him.

Makoto Tsai, whose government name is Tsai Jung-chou, is so passionate about the Star Wars universe that he developed a way to make lightsabers that look just like those in the beloved sci-fi series. Star Wars enthusiasts around the world love his lightsabers, which can be customized. They’re also entirely made by hand in a process that takes at least 10 hours. The attention to detail might explain why many of his lightsabers are owned by entertainers, such as Fast & Furious actor Sung Kang, a friend of Tsai who came to Taiwan for Tsai’s marriage registration. But not all lightsaber enthusiasts can resist the dark side, including this Sith lord from Down Under.

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

#StarWars #lightsaber #darkside #notcoolbro #stickyhands #buydontborrow

2026-08-13

Angry at speeding fines, man takes a grinder to a speed camera pole

A 60-year-old man surnamed Yang took a handheld grinder to a speed camera pole on a road in Hsinchu. Then, in a fit of rage, he hacked away at it in the dead of the night. He was allegedly afraid of being caught speeding and angry at all the other speeding tickets he had already accumulated. Police arrived at the scene on Provincial Highway No. 3 after the incident was reported. The man initially claimed he was sawing a tree, but eventually confessed. He’s now facing potential criminal charges. Let’s find out more.

Sparks suddenly fly on the side of the road late at night. Then, a man enters the picture. Upon closer inspection, it turns out that he’s sawing through a speed camera pole. Terrified pedestrians say it’s just too scary.

- What is this?
- A speed camera.
- That’s terrifying!

Police rushed to the scene after receiving a report that someone was suspected of tampering with a speed camera. The speed camera pole had been sawed, with obvious cutting marks. The police then expanded their search and found the culprit, a man surnamed Yang, about 300m away. When questioned by the police, he went as far as to claim-- in deadly earnest -- that he had been sawing a tree.

- I tell you: I was just sawing a tree.
- You were using this saw?
- Yeah, to saw a tree.
- You can use this to saw trees?
- Yes, you can.
- You can use this to saw trees? Trees are so big, is an angle grinder enough?

Police seized an angle grinder from the under-seat storage of his scooter on the spot. Faced with the undeniable evidence, the man had no choice but to confess. Police investigations revealed that the man was from Taoyuan. After borrowing a friend’s heavy motorcycle he then suspected it had been snapped by a speed camera.Fearing the license plate would be suspended and feeling the weight of his own accumulated speeding fines that totaled over NT$100,000, he was pushed over the edge. He borrowed his wife’s scooter, removed the license plate, bought an angle grinder, and, figuring he might as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb, sawed down the hated speed camera to vent his frustration.

Liu Jo-min
Police chief
The entire case will be transferred to the Taiwan Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office for investigation on suspicion of damaging public property. Regarding the property losses caused by the equipment damage, the equipment manufacturer is currently assessing the situation. Once the actual amount is confirmed, this precinct will seek compensation from the party involved in accordance with the law.

Maintenance workers arrived early in the morning to carry out repairs. What started out as an attempt to dodge a speeding ticket ended up with the man getting caught red handed by the police for sawing the speed camera. His impulsive act not only failed to quell his anger, but he may also have to pay compensation and face legal trouble.

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

#Roadrage #speeding #Taiwanesetraffic #vandalism #Hsinchutraffic

2026-08-13

Miaoli dessert shop offers enormous shaved ice

A dessert shop in Miaoli’s Gongguan District is offering an enormous portion of shaved ice served in a huge bowl, complete with syrup and a whopping 16 toppings. The promotion has proven incredibly popular, with some customers even bringing their own pots to take the massive serving home.

Shaved ice pours from a machine to fill a huge metal bowl. It’s an enormous portion, piled with delicious toppings and fit for a whole family. A desert shop in Miaoli’s Gongguan Township is offering this special deal to thank its customers for a decade of support.

- There’s tapioca, sweet rice balls, red beans, taro balls, Oreo…
- Wow, there’re more than 10 toppings.
- My toppings were doubled.

- Seems like you really enjoyed it.
- It made me so happy!

- You can choose 16 toppings. I just had some. There were five of us and we couldn’t finish it.

The shaved ice is generously topped with red beans, grass jelly, tapioca, sweet rice balls, taro balls, and more. And the best part—it’s only NT$150.

Lai Mei-jung
Dessert shop owner
It’s our 10-year anniversary, so we wanted to do something new. We thought to use a pot so that friends and family can come enjoy a big serving of shaved ice together.

Some customers brought the biggest pot they have to take the massive serving home. No matter how big the pot, the owner always fills it to the brim. Even the township mayor didn’t miss out, bringing two giant bowls to take away.

Ho Tsai-hsin
Gongguan Township mayor
We got two servings to share among 80 or so people. This is a four-foot bowl.

Sharing a huge portion like this is definitely satisfying, but the owner reminded people not to eat too much at once to avoid indigestion and discomfort.

#shavedice #Miaoli #portion #bigportion #deal #dessert #ice #promotion

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

2026-08-13

People try pan-frying Hakka brown sugar cake

Hakka brown sugar cake can be enjoyed at room temperature, but some people like eating it hot. Recently, another way of eating it has gotten popular: pan-frying it to make the outside crispy while keeping the inside soft. The cake has also caught on in Hong Kong, with some people offering to pay four times its normal price.

These brown sugar cakes were nearly sold out within an hour after being restocked. Customers grabbed the last couple as they passed by.

- Seeing it made me want it, so I bought it.

Hakka brown sugar cake has become extremely popular for its soft texture and rich flavor. Recently, people have found some creative ways to prepare it, too.

This person cut it up into small pieces and pan-fried it until the outside was a dark brown.

- It looks like firm tofu.
- But it’s actually cake.
- What an idea! Some people don’t like eating soft things. Frying it will make it harder.

Adding butter to the pan gives the cake even more flavor, and somehow even makes it smell like beef. People online can’t stop talking about this new technique.

Member of public
Likes the cake
It makes it crispier while the inside stays just as soft. But it’s pretty high in calories.

Member of public
Likes the cake
It’s crispy on the outside and the inside is soft and spongy.

Member of public
Likes the cake
Frying it makes it more fragrant and brings out its aroma. Anyone who hasn’t tried it before will want to give it a go.

The cake has even become popular in Hong Kong, with people online asking for help to buy it and even offering to pay up to four times the original price.

#cake #Hakka #brownsugarcake #brownsugar #Hakkacuisine #popular #dessert #fried

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

2026-08-13

KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi has missed 5 straight budget meetings

The government’s general budget was supposed to be approved at the end of last year, but now, eight months later, this year’s budget has yet to be approved. This explains why many, including Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu, are pointing the finger of blame at KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi, who has missed five budget negotiation meetings in a row. During a recent verbal outburst, Speaker Han, who belongs to the KMT, called out Fu for his poor attendance record. Fu responded by calling on the KMT to remain united, yet this could become increasingly difficult with the election just a few months away.

KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi is being pursued by reporters, who want to know why he has missed 5 consecutive budget negotiations. Even Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu, also of the KMT, has had enough of Fu’s poor attendance record.

Han Kuo-yu (Aug. 11)
Legislative Speaker
What do your Legislative Yuan Speaker, and your party caucus, even mean to you? Just go ahead and resign as caucus whip; wouldn’t that make things a bit easier for you?

On top of regularly missing budget negotiation sessions, Fu also did not authorize Caucus Secretary-General Jonathan Lin to make decisions on his behalf.

Han Kuo-yu (Aug. 11)
Legislative Speaker
Mr. Jonathan Lin, you have the very important position of KMT Caucus Secretary-General. Yet when it comes to meetings, your party’s caucus whip misses meeting after meeting; meanwhile you’re being very responsible by delivering reports. But does your signature, your consent, have any validity?

Jonathan Lin (Aug. 11)
KMT Caucus Secretary-General
If our caucus whip doesn’t sign his name, then my signature still cannot represent the will of the party caucus.

Han Kuo-yu (Aug. 11)
Legislative Speaker
Is your caucus whip playing Mahjong as we speak? If Mr. Fu’s using his right hand to hold the tiles, then can he use his left to sign his name, yes or no? The state of the Legislative Yuan is getting worse. It’s awful! Doing everything remotely! To you, how important are your Legislative Yuan Speaker and party caucus? This is ridiculous! You’re playing around with us like monkeys at a circus, am I right or not? The Legislative Yuan is being controlled by dark forces.

The Legislative Speaker calling out his party’s biggest leader, the caucus whip, got the attention of leaders on both sides of the political aisle.

Tsai Chi-chang
DPP caucus whip
When the Legislative Yuan Speaker calls for a negotiation, the process might take a few hours. But, in the end, when a caucus party whip doesn’t come, it makes these 2 to 3 hours, or 3 to 4 hours, a waste of time, because he didn’t attend and he didn’t authorize someone to act on his behalf. Isn’t this communicating that those in attendance are a bunch of fools? This, actually, has already happened many times, so the Legislative Speaker has likely gotten to the point where he thinks it’d be more enjoyable to be the KMT’s caucus whip than being the Speaker.

Fu Kun-chi
KMT caucus whip
It’s said “if the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper” and “silence speaks louder than words.” Speaker Han thank you for all your hard work; the KMT must remain united.

Fu sent out a long statement pushing the blame onto the DPP. He accused the Executive Yuan’s persistent unwillingness to pass the third reading of the bill as being the reason for the budget being postponed.

Weng Hsiao-ling
Lawmaker (KMT)
Providing checks and balances to the branches of government is our most important duty. I anticipate that Speaker Han will defend the dignity of the Legislative Yuan by giving more formal and stern warnings to the Executive Yuan and President Lai Ching-te.

Fan Yun
DPP Caucus Secretary-General
The KMT is always putting the cart before the horse, which everyone around the nation has clearly seen. One of the Legislative Yuan’s most important powers is to investigate the budget, not helping the Executive Yuan to compile the budget.

The ruling party has called on the opposition party to not shirk their responsibility, and the Executive Yuan has thanked Han Kuo-yu for holding budget negotiations. Yet with this year’s budget being delayed for nearly a year by this point, and with next year’s budget to be sent to the Legislative Yuan next week, people and politicians are hoping this year’s budget won’t become next year’s budget.

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

#KMT #caucuswhip #HanKuo-yu #infighting #budget #whiplash

2026-08-12

Oil spill deathtrap causes 7 scooter crashes in just 1 hour

As if Taiwan’s roads weren’t dangerous enough already, an oil spill at a busy Taipei intersection made things worse on Tuesday evening. Seven scooters took a spill on the slippery surface within just one hour, at the intersection of Chengde and Zhongzheng Road in Shilin. Let’s hear more.

Lu Chao-ting
Police officer
Seven scooter riders were injured after their scooters slipped and came crashing to the ground. We’re reviewing security camera footage to determine the origin of the oil spill.

Chang Ching-han
FTV reporter
Traffic is very heavy at the intersection, even though it’s not rush hour right now. That’s why the oil spill caused seven scooter crashes in less than an hour.

Fortunately, the scooter riders only sustained minor abrasions, and none were in life-threatening condition. As for the oil leak, police are reviewing surveillance footage to identify the responsible driver, who could face a fine between NT$3,000 and NT$18,000. Given how busy that intersection is, it was fortunate that none of the victims ended up under another vehicle, or the crashes could have ended much worse.

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 #oil #slippery #messy #mess #taiwannews

2026-08-12

Yuck! Freeloaders put half-eaten beef sushi back on sample tray

Picky eaters left a sushi chef heartbroken, after they helped themselves to sushi samples, and then put their half-eaten sushi pieces back on the tray. The incident happened at a Japanese food festival at a shopping center in Taoyuan. The sushi vendor was so distraught by what he saw, that he shared the story online. Netizens could not believe the entitlement, and condemned the inconsiderate freeloaders.

A generous slice of beef covers the ball of vinegar rice below. Kissed with a torch and garnished with spring onions… Simply mouthwatering!

A shopping center in Taoyuan is celebrating Japanese cuisine with more than 30 brands and about a dozen chefs cooking up fresh food. Surely nobody would spoil the party, right?

Chen Yen-lin
FTV reporter
A participating shop serving up free torched beef sushi samples was assailed by a picky diner who did not seem to like rice.

Chef
Beef sushi stand
Just think of all the people who have nothing to eat. But this customer just placed all of the rice back. So unhygienic! He didn’t bother to put it to the side. He just put it back on the sample tray! It’s unsanitary and such a waste.

Let’s check the facts. This is what the sample tray looked like, with one dish containing just rice and no beef. The stand operator posted the photo online, saying “My heart was truly broken seeing the tray looking like this… Someone ate the torched beef on top. If it hadn’t been for another customer who pointed it out to us... Not in our wildest dreams would we have imagined something like this would happen.” The rice, made with love, was discarded without a second thought, leaving the inconsolable vendor lost for words. Sadly, it didn’t just happen once.

Voice of Tseng Yi-ching
Sushi shop operator
We were very worried about hygiene. After all, it’s the leftovers someone ate. We don’t know if they are sick, or if they have something you could catch. Several people did the same thing.

Member of public
Would eat whole thing
I would eat the whole thing. If not, then don’t take it. Don’t waste food.

Member of public
Would confront perpetrator
Who would even eat the leftovers when someone already ate half of it? I would’ve called them out. So inconsiderate!

People at the event were indignant at the incident. But the sushi vendor has come up with a solution so that only those who truly treasure food can get a bite. Until Aug. 19, the beef sushi samples will still be free, but they won’t be put on a platter for anyone to grab and go. Instead, staff will hand them out one by one so food wasters back off.

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

#sushi #beef #japanese #food #sample #inconsiderate #classlesss #mindyourmanners

2026-08-12

Cleaner finds bag stuffed with NT$1 million cash in HSR toilet

Did you lose a bag with NT$1 million on the high speed rail? That was the question everyone was asking at the central standing committee meeting the DPP held in Kaohsiung on Wednesday. A bag full of cash was discovered by cleaning staff inside the restroom of a train that arrived in Kaohsiung at 9:20 p.m. on Monday. Rumors are swirling that the cash belongs to a politician from Southern Taiwan.

The politician allegedly inquired about the money after it went missing, but so far, nobody has actually claimed it. For now, the NT$1 million has been put in a safe. If nobody goes to pick it up within a year, it will become property of the Taiwan High Speed Rail.

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

#lost #lostandfound #money #cash #traintravel #oops

2026-08-12

Invasive giant snakehead fish eats own kind at Sun Moon Lake

The hot summer months are breeding season for giant snakeheads, an invasive fish in Sun Moon Lake. One fisherman was surprised to discover that larger giant snakeheads were attacking and eating smaller ones. But like the proverbial snake trying to swallow an elephant, the larger fish were unable to eat the smaller ones whole and ended up choking to death.

This school of fish moving beneath the water’s surface are giant snakehead fry. When a fisher scooped up an entire group, he was stunned to discover that some of the larger ones had eaten the smaller ones.

- Lots of the big ones ate the smaller ones. But look, they choked to death.

Mr. Lee
Fisherman
I caught a school of fry and put them in a bucket, then about an hour later I discovered something strange. The bigger fish, ones about 15 centimeters long, had eaten smaller ones that were 6 or 7 centimeters. But they couldn’t spit it out or swallow it, so they choked to death.

The fish are still juveniles themselves at only 15 centimeters, but they still attack and eat the smaller fry, even though it’s deadly to them.

Mr. Lee
Fisherman
Species like the giant snakehead are so aggressive that they don’t even spare their own kind. If they’re left to grow up in Sun Moon Lake, the harm they’ll cause our native fish is unimaginable.

Giant snakeheads have even attacked groupers, which weigh several kilograms, leaving behind only the fish’s head. Pearl grouper, giant snakeheads, and red devil cichlids are three invasive species considered major threats to Sun Moon Lake’s ecosystem.

- This was such a big pearl grouper.
- It wasn’t released, it’s wild.
- It’s wild, from Sun Moon Lake.

The giant snakehead is a highly aggressive, invasive species that poses a serious threat to the ecosystem. During their breeding season, fishers try to remove the fry using electric fishing equipment to help protect Sun Moon Lake.

#SunMoonLake #giantsnakehead #fish #invasivespecies #ecosystem #conservation #threat

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2026-08-12

Temple makes unprecedented change to ceremony due to drills

A temple in Keelung has been forced to make changes to a traditional Ghost Month ceremony due to Taiwan’s military exercises. This Thursday is the first day of the Seventh Month of the Chinese calendar, which this year coincides with the urban resilience drills in Northern Taiwan. Every year, the Laoda Gong Temple attracts large crowds of worshippers to attend a ceremony leading up to the opening of its shrine doors at 2 p.m. But since the military drills will require everyone to clear the streets starting at 2:30, the temple will, for the first time, hold the ceremony 10 minutes earlier. Let’s hear more.

Hsu Kuo-chun
Keelung Laoda Gong Temple
The air raid drill is scheduled to last from 2:30 to 3:00 in the afternoon. Our ritual requires that the shrine door be opened before 2:00. So, we’ll start the worship ceremony 10 minutes earlier. The whole event will start at 1:25 so that the door can be opened before 2:00.

Cheng Ting-ching
Keelung Culture Official
After the ceremony is over, people will still have 20 to 25 minutes to clear the venue. If they don’t make it out in time, they’ll have to wait the drill out, sheltering at the temple.

In Taiwan, the start of the Ghost Month marks the opening of the gates of hell, allowing wandering spirits to roam the human realm for a month. At the Laoda Gong temple, the annual shrine-opening ceremony represents the symbolic opening of the gates, receiving the spirits with offerings of incense. The ceremony has been held without fail every year, even during typhoons, so this year’s early start marks an unprecedented change.

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#ghostmonth #ghost #taiwan #temple #religion #keelung #culture #religion

2026-08-12

PX Mart gets clicks and comments for AI video depicting ghosts

AI videos of people? Nothing new. But AI videos of immortal spirits in a Ghost Month commercial for a supermarket chain? Well, for PX Mart it was an original concept that involved a team of real people and nearly 40 actors. While many praised the commercial for its creative use of AI, others criticized it. Some said the video looked uncanny and artificial, with others believing the video combines elements of Ghost Month and Tomb Sweeping Day, which took place four months ago.

- In Taiwanese, train sounds like “heading home.”
Click-clack, click-clack.
We’re off, we’re off.

These ghostly spirits are starting out on an arduous journey that mere mortals cannot see with their eyes, yet a PX Mart commercial that incorporates AI has brought life to what was once invisible.

- All of our stories
happen here

Traveling by paper planes, sitting on flying wheelchairs, and riding dolphins, this commercial, with its virtual world and comforting narration, has “heading home” as its theme. Yet many netizens feel that the video is mixing elements of Ghost Month and Tomb Sweeping Day.

Liu Hung-cheng
PX Mart Marketing Dept.
We often talk positively about ghosts, about how some ghosts have no home to return to because they don’t have living descendants to pray for them. But because, in general, Taiwanese, like Buddhists with their incredibly kind hearts, pray for these ghosts, which has turned Taiwan into an island of joy. So, we felt like we could use this way of thinking to help these spirits return to this land, just like as if they were to return home.

The company responsible for making the video used a lot of Generative AI techniques as well as AI visual effects, causing both praise and criticism from the general public. The creative director posted videos on social media that showed the filming process; the post also stated that the project, including the script, was the work of a team of real people and that the actors are real people.

Liu Hung-cheng
PX Mart Marketing Dept.
In terms of the production process, in total we hired around 36 actors, who, with green screen technology, were filmed doing normal scenes, so the make-up, the characters themselves, and even the costumes, it was all real people being filmed. Production costs exceeded NT$4 million, so the video isn’t something that could be done with a typical video production budget.

Starting Aug. 13 and ending Sept. 10 this year, the Ghost Festival is here once again, but some prefer their uncanny experiences to be free from AI.

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#AI #PXMart #ghosts #spirits #realpeople

2026-08-12

Sun Moon Lake is cultivating ride leaders to lead cycling tours

Cycling around Sun Moon Lake in Central Taiwan is always a joy. Now, to enhance cyclists’ experience, the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration is training ride leaders to act as tour guides for groups rides. They will lead tourists cycling on five different scenic routes to help give them an appreciation of the natural beauty and indigenous cultures of Sun Moon Lake. Let’s find out more.

Cycling under the shade of trees with the beautiful scenery of Sun Moon Lake next to you is pure bliss. But do you really know the safest way to cycle?

- If you press the front brake with your right hand, it will tumble and flip over.

If you don’t brake properly, you’ll fall off and get injured. And what you might easily overlook is that getting on and off the bike also requires skill.

- When you need to dismountwhen riding, stand up as if you’re walking upstairs, slow down and dismount slowly.

They are not just cyclists; they will be ride leaders—guides trained by the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration to help fellow riders complete the course safely!

Chu Ying-chang
Sun Moon Lake ride leader coach
While ensuring safety, making participants feel respected and having a pleasant experience, we also want to help our local area by promoting tourism industries.

In addition, the ride leaders will also guide tourists to have a deeper understanding of the natural landscape, share local stories and showcase the tourist attractions of Sun Moon Lake.

Trainee
Sun Moon Lake ride leader training program
This training for ride leaders will equip us with some specialized safety and technical knowledge, so we can provide tourists with a better travel experience.

The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration will launch bicycle tours guided by these ride leaders. They will take tourists to explore beautiful scenery along five routes. Through these professional ride leaders, tourists can discover hidden gems of Sun Moon Lake and savor them in detail.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Taiwancycling #Taiwantourism #Sunmoonlake #Nantou #centralTaiwan #Taiwanscenery

2026-08-12

Driver in Changhua nearly hits goat crossing the road

A car salesperson was driving through Yongjing Township in Changhua County when a goat suddenly crossed the road, forcing her to slam on the brakes. She later posted online, saying the goat nearly caused an accident. It turns out someone close by raises goats, but they’re only let out of their enclosure to graze occasionally. One goat apparently took the opportunity to wander onto the road.

A driver crosses an intersection when a figure suddenly appears on the left side of the road, forcing them to slow down and move to the side. This goat nearly caused an accident, but thankfully, the driver noticed it and avoided disaster.

- Some might wander onto the road.
- Are you scared?
- No, I just worry it would get hit by a car.

Locals are used to seeing goats here in Changhua County’s Yongjing Township, but they might be endangered by passing vehicles. This particular goat came from a small farm nearby that raises chickens as well—a normal part of rural life in Changhua.

- Do you worry that they’ll go onto the road?
- Is it a big problem?
- Yeah, that’s why I keep them in there, because they tend to go to the road.

The owner usually keeps the goats fenced in so they stay off the road. But when they were out grazing, one wandered off and nearly caused an accident.

Hsiao Liao-shun
Police officer
The goat is believed to belong to a nearby resident and had escaped its enclosure, running along the Jiufen Road section in Yongjing Township and nearly colliding with a passing vehicle.

Police warned that owners who allow animals to roam on the road can be fined NT$300 to NT$600 and may face criminal liability if the animal causes an accident, urging people to properly care for their animals.

#goat #Changhua #animalcrossing #road #roadsafety #farm #fence

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2026-08-12

Kaohsiung vendor sells football-sized rice balls

There’s a food stand near Fongsi Elementary School in Kaohsiung that sells traditional rice balls so huge they’ve sure to leave you in a food coma. The owner doesn’t skimp on the fillings at all, with one rice ball easily enough for two people to consume. People online have resorted to hyperbole to describe them, saying they’re as big as an American football.

Steaming white rice is spread out flat and covered with a generous handful of fish flakes before adding egg, pickled vegetables, an entire fried dough stick, and even a hot dog. It’s no small effort to roll it all up.

This stand near Fongsi Elementary in Kaohsiung sells rice balls in three sizes, the largest of which is longer than 20cm. Due to its massive size, people online have taken to calling it a “football fantuan.”

- I’ve been coming here about seven years. The large one’s about this big. The size of a football. Even if you take all day, you can’t finish it.

- I’ve been coming here a few years. They used to be on the other side and moved over here.
- What’s the longest you’ve had to wait?
- A little over an hour.

- It’s huge. Just looking at it makes me feel full. A guy would probably be full after finishing it.
- What about a girl?
- Probably would take two people.

The stand opens at 7am and usually sells out by 9 with the line never getting any shorter. The owner, who took the business over from his parents, said they’ve been selling for over 20 years. Since appetites vary, they offer three different sizes.

Owner
Rice ball stand
We’ve been in business 25 or 26 years. Since the prices vary, the more expensive ones are naturally a bit bigger.

These massive rice balls are so big that even a full-grown man has trouble holding it in one hand. A solid cohort of regulars keeps the stand in business, along with new customers who’ve heard about the generous portions. Thanks to the insane value for the money, long lines in front of this small stand have become a regular sight in Fengshan.

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#riceball #foodcoma #Kaohsiung #streetfood #Taiwanesebreakfast #fantuan #hugeportions

2026-08-12