Logo
  • Home

頭條新聞 Headline News

CEC Chair warns against putting all referendums on a single ballot

The Nov. 28 local elections are just three months away, but KMT and TPP lawmakers are poised to make last minute changes that could complicate the entire voting process. Previously, opposition politicians pushed for holding the national referendums on the same day as the local elections this year. And now they also want the three referendums to be placed on the same ballot. Chairman of the Central Election Commission You Ying-Lung worries that these last-minute changes could lead to ballots being counted well past midnight.

You Ying-Lung
Chairman of Central Election Commission
There’s less than 100 days to the election, and now you’re going to push forward these amendments to the Referendum Act. What on Earth is the meaning of this?

You Ying-Lung, Chairman of the Central Election Commission, is shaking his head and sighing, all because of amendments to the Referendum Act that are the brainchildren of KMT and TPP politicians, who also pushed to have the referendum vote occur on the same day as the Nov. 28 local elections. Saving time is the primary goal of having the national referendum take place on Nov. 28 as well as having three referendums on a single ballot, yet You warned these changes will be counterproductive.

You Ying-Lung
Chairman of Central Election Commission
When pushing for these amendments, there’s no need to deliberate carefully; so being impulsive like this is the way to go? It sounds as if it’s just a change to the voting method, but, in reality, it’s completely revamping the voting system. The idea is to put all the referendums on a single ballot, but if we use our imaginations the advantages are hollow, yet the resulting disadvantages will be palpable; the bad will outweigh the good. Under no circumstances should we, in such a rush, implement these changes, as the repercussions could be disastrous.

Along with other lawmakers who proposed the amendments, KMT legislator Lai Shyh-bao believes that placing all the referendums on a single ballot would simplify the voting process, lower election costs, and speed up vote counting. The CEC has warned multiple times that the proposed changes to Taiwan’s voting system would need to be complemented by additional measures, because, currently, elections involve paper ballots that are filled out by hand and then later on votes are read out loud and tallied. If new measures are introduced, vote counting might not wrap up until late into the night, possibly even later than the 2018 election, which ended at 3 am.

Lai Shyh-bao
Legislator (KMT)
They’re denying the people the right to exercise direct democracy. The amount of referendums was reduced to just three, so is that still too difficult for you to handle? Are we creating some sort of technical problem? And what’s the problem with counting votes until midnight? If that’s the case, then just count until midnight.

You Ying-Lung
Chairman of Central Election Commission
Putting all the referendums on a single ballot doesn’t settle the issue, and this is not just a technical issue. During counting, a single ballot can’t be sorted into two piles at the same time, so that means the ballot will need to be counted multiple times, which damages the transparency of our ballot monitoring system. We can’t just do whatever you legislators think is fit, because the voters are the core purpose of an election.

The proposed amendments have already been advanced to a second reading. On Aug. 27 or Aug. 28 the KMT and TPP can use their majority to pass these voting process changes, which means the Nov. 28 local elections might not be settled until the morning of Nov. 29.

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 #TPP #DPP #referendum #voting #election #ballot #transparency #CEC

Time：2026-08-26

最新消息 Latest News

China-born ex-lawmaker expelled from TPP to run for Zhubei mayor

Li Chen-hsiu, a China-born politician who was expelled from the Taiwan People’s Party, has made a bombshell announcement. Li has revealed plans to run for mayor of Zhubei, in Hsinchu County, in a move seen as a challenge to the TPP-backed candidate Chiu Chen-yuan. Li’s campaign has prompted immediate criticism from the TPP, which questioned whether Li is even legally eligible to run in the race. Let’s hear more.

Li Chen-hsiu
Former TPP member
I will register as a candidate on the first day. When the time comes, I’ll be the first woman to be elected as Mayor of Zhubei.

Chiang Ho-shu
Taichung City Councilor (TPP)
It can’t be real. She wants to run for Zhubei mayor? Oh my god. Is she even eligible? Whether the CEC allows her or not is the key issue here. Maybe she’s just trying to generate publicity.

Chen Gau-tzu
Legislator (TPP)
Can she register as a candidate? Back then, she wasn’t able to prove that she had relinquished her household registration in China. I believe that hasn’t changed.

You Ying-lung
CEC Chair
Eligibility is reviewed by the local election commission. That’s all that’s needed, unless there are special circumstances which require intervention from the CEC. My position remains unchanged, it all depends on whether she’s only held Taiwan household registration for at least 10 years.

Li previously served as a legislator, a position that put her under much scrutiny regarding her nationality and household registration. After a series of controversies, she was expelled from the TPP, which caused the loss of her seat in the legislature. Now that Li is planning a comeback into Taiwan’s political arena, the Zhubei mayoral election is shaping up to be a focus of public attention.

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 #lichenhsiu #china #taiwan #householdregistration #zhubei #hsinchu #election

2026-08-26

Taipei commuters criticize lack of seats, handrails in streamlined MRT redesign

To ease congestion during rush hour, the Taipei MRT has redesigned some of its cars to optimize interior space. The new layout has done away with some seats and the central poles, and added a family zone to give people with strollers, wheelchairs, and luggage more room. But after these cars were rolled out, passengers began to complain. Some say the hanging straps are hard to use. Parents also say that while there may be more space for strollers, there’s now nowhere for them to sit.

The MRT is crammed with commuters every morning, crushed against each other during rush hour as more people hunt for gaps to board. To give more space, the Taipei Metro introduced a more spacious redesign that does away with some seating and the center poles. But after it was rolled out, many riders found it didn’t make things any easier.

MRT rider
Prefers having center pole
I want it to stay like it was. I don’t think it’s a good idea to remove the center pole.

MRT rider
Doesn’t mind the change
I don’t think it makes much of a difference if a few more people stand. I actually don’t like the hanging straps and prefer to hold onto the side rail.

Riders said the original center pole could be held by many people at once. But the new hanging straps are more difficult to use for shorter passengers who have to keep their arm raised, posing a danger if they lose their balance and fall.

Lin Yi-yun
FTV reporter
Some of the carriages now have these family zones. But riders have complained that this area that used to fit three standing and three sitting passengers now only fits three standing riders. It may better accommodate strollers, but there’s nowhere for the parents to sit.

MRT rider
Doesn’t like the change
I don’t think it’s good. When your child gets fussy, it’s harder to handle them. And kids don’t have a way to keep themselves stable, so they end up swaying around.

The space-optimized carriages were introduced last October with their fewer central posts, adjusted seating, new stroller area, and more horizontal handrails. In response to the criticism, the Taipei Metro said that through train scheduling, station management, and space optimization, it aims to keep expanding capacity and enhancing service quality during peak hours. Some people prefer more standing room, while others need more handrails and seats. Finding common ground will remain a challenge as the metro seeks to keep improving for everyone.

#TaipeiMRT #publictransit #metro #trains #metrodesign #traindesign #MRT #spaceoptimization #rushhour #commute

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

2026-08-26

Donggang-Liuqiu ferry with 141 passengers runs aground

Ferry services between Donggang and Liuqiu Island have finally resumed, after three days of being suspended due to strong southwesterly winds. But the resumption was far from smooth sailing. Just a few hours after services restarted, a ferry operated by Leuco Sapphire Shipping ran aground at the harbor entrance right as it was leaving Donggang. The vessel was carrying 141 passengers and five crew members. It turns out the heavy rains over the past few days had caused sediment to pile up in the channel leading out to sea.

The operator dispatched a small boat to deliver lunch boxes to the stranded passengers. They also tried to dislodge the ferry, by having another vessel tow it with a rope. Unfortunately, the rope snapped. What’s worse is that in its recoil, it struck the ferry’s automatic emergency smoke signal system, which sent large clouds of orange smoke emanating from the vessel. After three hours of rescue attempts, the ferry was finally freed and returned to Donggang.

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

#ferry #seatravel #journey #odyssey #donggang #liuqiu #taiwantravel

2026-08-26

Water buffalo help dispose of agricultural waste

As peanuts in Yunlin enter the harvest season, farmers not only face losses from the heavy rains this year, they also need to deal with large amounts of vines from the crop that are left behind. After the rain stops and the sun comes out, bacteria easily breed in the fields. In the past, farmers would burn the agricultural waste before replanting, which caused air pollution. Lin Chia-liang, head of the Tuku Water Buffalo Shelter, has come up with a win-win solution: Using agricultural waste as feed for water buffalo, letting the animals to dispose of the agricultural waste.

From the air, one can see that this entire field has been set on fire. Another field nearby is shrouded in thick smoke. This is the result of farmers burning their agricultural waste. But they didn’t have to burn it like that. They could have simply gone to this guy for help.

Working under the blazing sun, Lin Chia-liang, who runs the Tuku Water Buffalo Shelter, is collecting dried peanut vines. They’ll be fed to water buffalo.

- Do buffalo like to eat this?
- Yes, they love dried vines.

In Yunlin, after the peanut harvest, farmers are always troubled by the large amounts of peanut vines that are left behind.

Mr. Chang
Peanut farmer
It’s more convenient to burn it, but you might receive a fine. Plowing it into the soil takes time, and it might breed bacteria. Feeding it to water buffalo is better; you can adjust their diet accordingly.

- So how long does it take for them to eat all that?
- About an hour.
- They can finish all that in just an hour?!

Converting agricultural waste into feed can not only reduce air pollution but also cut down the expenses on feed. Sugarcane leaves, corn leaves, and other agricultural waste can all be used as feed for water buffalo.

Lin Chia-liang
Tuku Water Buffalo Shelter
Whether it’s sugarcane, corn, or peanuts, we can help farmers process their agricultural waste year-round. One water buffalo can eat about 60 kg a day, so three water buffalo can polish off 180 kg. This agricultural waste is just supplementary food for them. Hay is their staple.

To effectively address the issue of agricultural waste disposal, Lin plans to set up demonstration sites to show farmers an alternative way to dispose of agricultural waste. He believes that putting agricultural surplus to good use is putting circular agriculture and environmental sustainability into practice.

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

#buffalo #agriculture #animal #farm #sustainability

2026-08-26

Minister of Sports calls on CTBA to follow conventional tourney rules

In a normal international sports tournament, a place in the semi-finals is earned by winning many more games than you lose, but at the 45th edition of the William Jones Cup, all Chinese Taipei Blue had to do was… well, be the host team. A new rule for this year’s tournament guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals to Chinese Taipei Blue, which lost five of its six group games, yet somehow it still ended up as the third place team in an eight-team tournament.

- If you aren’t even halfway through a 40-minute game and the other team already has 51 points, you really do have some issues on the defensive end.

It’s not even half-time, but Chinese Taipei Blue is being man-handled by Strong Group Athletics, a team from the Philippines that’s participating in Taiwan’s William Jones Cup. After suffering a 43-point defeat, Chinese Taipei Blue was at the bottom of its group, as it lost five of its six games, yet, it still advanced to the final four because of a tournament rule that guaranteed a semi-final place to Chinese Taipei Blue, the host team. This team from the Philippines was left fuming about not advancing to the semi-finals despite winning five of its six games at the group stage.

-Wow. Is Agee closing his eyes as he shoots this free throw?

By closing his eyes as he shoots from the charity line, is Tajuan Agee, an American on the Philippines’ team, making a statement about the tournament’s design being unfair? On its Instagram page, Strong Group Athletics posted that its dream of winning three straight titles at the William Jones Cup was crushed by a rule that they hadn’t even heard about until they’d landed in Taiwan. The Chinese Taipei Basketball Association emphasized that it had informed the teams in advance about the new rules, but the CTBA’s words did little to calm the ire of the international basketball community.

Lee Yang
Minister of Sports
I’ve been communicating back and forth with the CTBA for the past few days. As for what I think about the changing of the rules for this edition, well, I still would prefer to have the CTBA not go against established norms for an international invitational tournament like this one. We believe that the CTBA will, going forward, commit itself to progress.

Held for the first time in 1977, the William Jones Cup’s 45th edition had a new rule that guaranteed a semi-final spot to Chinese Taipei Blue. A magazine revealed the reason for the strange change was due to pressure involving ticket sales, as the CTBA is dealing with a deficit of NT$50 million.

Lee Yang
Minister of Sports
When it comes to the funds of a few of our sports associations, I think that they all have room for improvement. Every association’s accounting practices need to be clearer and more accurate. I ask every association chairperson and secretary general to control the amount of debt they take on. The Ministry of Sports absolutely will commit itself to following up on these issues, and we’ll be providing guidance to each association.

The Ministry of Sports stated that it had already begun investigating the issue, yet the tournament is just one problem of the CTBA, which is embroiled in controversy.

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

#TaiwanNo.1 #Philippines #ChineseTaipei #CTBA #basketball #WilliamJonesCup

2026-08-26

Changhua mayor furious after office claims weeding is taboo

Is removing weeds taboo during Ghost Month? With so many activities forbidden during this period, it doesn’t seem completely implausible, but it also sounds like a lousy excuse for slacking off. That’s the crux of a debate that’s been ripping through Changhua lately. It all started when a concerned citizen notified a local councilor about an overgrown parking lot that could be infested with snakes. The councilor informed the Changhua City Office, but got a reply that left him speechless. The office claimed that weeding was taboo during Ghost Month, and, as such, nothing could be done until the month is over. The mayor of Changhua eventually learned about the exchange and said the so-called taboo was a sham. Let’s hear more.

Voice of public servant
District Office in Changhua
If people come and tell us that there are taboos that must be observed during the Ghost Month, we must respect them. Otherwise bad things could happen.

Member of public
Not superstitious
Of course it’s silly. If you can’t remove weeds during the Ghost Month, can you do anything at all?

Wu Wei-ta
Changhua County Councilor (TPP)
We respect people having their own superstitions and taboos, but the tall weeds should be dealt with proactively.

Lin Shih-hsien
Changhua Mayor
I think it’s highly inappropriate. We will take disciplinary action against those responsible. Who ever heard of such a thing? They made it up. Someone should be dispatched to clear the weeds immediately.

So who’s right and who’s wrong? Is removing weeds from an overgrown field on the long list of Ghost Month taboos? A folklore expert did not provide a conclusive answer, but advised against removing weeds in case it disturbs the wandering ghosts that roam the earth during this period. The Mayor of Changhua is having none of it. He says that the parking lot must be weeded regardless, and that government workers should do their job.

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

#ghost #taboo #paranormal #changhua #superstition #funny #weedremoval

2026-08-26

Man in flip-flops climbs Penghu Great Bridge arch in reckless stunt

A hair-raising climbing stunt left tourists in Penghu breathless, as a man wearing flip-flops crawled up the arch of the famous Penghu Great Bridge. The man made his way up on one side, and once he reached a suitable height, he sat on the edge and let his feet dangle off the side, as he posed for a photo in which he made a peace sign. But while he looks happy in the picture, he may not be so cheery when he receives a ticket in the mail that could set him back NT$2 million.

A man bent double crawls up the side of the big arch at the entrance to the Penghu Great Bridge.

- So scary!
- He’s doing it for the photos.
- He looks like a monkey.
- Everyone’s taking pics of the monkey!

He lets his feet hang from the side of the arch; it turns out he climbed up wearing just flip-fops. Acting as if his reckless stunt were nothing, he’s all smiles as he poses for the camera, flashing the peace sign. But at two-stories above the ground and with strong winds blowing, the people down below were alarmed to say the least.

Member of public
Against arch climbing
It’s insane. Why would anyone want to climb up there, to the top of the arch? Simply baffling.

Member of public
Against arch climbing
It’s so dangerous. Plus, it’s a landmark, so you could damage public property. He was wrong to do that, it’s crazy.

The Penghu Great Bridge arch is a must-see for many tourists in Penghu, who come in droves to take a picture under the landmark. But it’s more than just a photo backdrop. In 2003, it was listed as a historic site.

Hung Chin-ye
Penghu Cultural Affairs Bureau
By law, his actions are punishable with a fine of between NT$300,000 and NT$2 million. We hope all tourists will respect our culture and heritage.

An investigation is underway to track down the perpetrator. With the summer holidays drawing to a close, don’t spoil it all in the last moment by taking a picture for the Instagram likes. Stunts like that could result in serious injury or death, or worse, a fine of up to NT$2 million.

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

#arch #flipflops #omg #viral #fyp #funny #penghu #travel #masstourism #澎湖

2026-08-26

Anglers in New Taipei City treated to whale shark sighting

A pair of whale sharks recently made an appearance at Bitou Cape! Fishermen at this fishing spot in New Taipei’s Ruifang District spotted a mother and calf frolicking by the rocky shore. After seeing footage of this rare encounter, some snorkelers rushed to the spot to try and see the pair for themselves, but they were already long gone.

From the deep blue, two massive shadows surface, kicking up waves as they swim slowly along the rocky shore. These gentle giants have distinctive spots along their bodies, exposing them as a pair of whale sharks.

Mr. Chen
Local business owner
Some fishers spotted two of them a little past noon—a mother and calf.

- Did you come by here because you saw someone post about whale sharks?
- Yeah.
- Did you see any?
- No, there was nothing!

About 40 anglers were fishing at this rocky outcropping along the Bitou coast in New Taipei’s Ruifang District, when they were surprised by a mother whale shark and her calf swimming by. Some snorkelers rushed over after seeing the footage online, hoping for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but they were long gone by the time they arrived. It’s unusual for whale sharks to come this close to shore.

Chen Li-shu
National Museum of Marine Science and Technology
Water temperatures this year have been a little odd, although it’s hard to say whether that’s what caused them to swim so close to the coast. But they really did swim remarkably close to the reef. It exposes them to injury, so it’s truly quite abnormal.

As whale sharks usually keep to the open water, it’s very rare to see them near the coast like this. Experts advised keeping a safe distance and not chasing after them if they happen to be treated to another encounter.

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

#whaleshark #marinelife #NewTaipei #BitouCape #fishing #snorkeling #rareencounter

2026-08-26

President Lai visits flood-stricken areas in Southern Taiwan

President Lai Ching-te headed to Southern Taiwan on Tuesday to visit areas ravaged by flooding over the past few days. Lai visited hard-hit areas such as Kaohsiung’s Gangshan and Yong’an districts, as well as Kun Shan University in Tainan. He also addressed criticism from the opposition, who claim that the central government’s massive investment in flood control projects did not prevent flooding.

Lai said the key area that was prioritized in the projects was the Greater Taipei area, which received billions of NT dollars in funding. He said that, as such, criticizing Central and Southern Taiwan over their flood-prevention measures was “unfair.” Meanwhile, Premier Cho Jung-tai announced that the subsidies for agriculture losses and food damage will be handed out as quickly, and generously, as possible.

#flooding #taiwan #kaohsiung #tainan #agriculture #rain #extremeweather

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

2026-08-25

Fire spreads through famous temple on mountain near Taipei Zoo

On Monday, a fire quickly spread through Zhinan Temple in Taipei, a landmark religious site located on the mountain bordering Taipei Zoo. From the outside, the damage to the exterior may look severe, but, structurally, the building is in good shape, meaning the temple’s 60th anniversary likely won’t be its last.

The flames have spread across the main hall of the temple. Staff members are doing everything they can with fire extinguishers, but they’re no match for the roaring inferno.

As the fire continues to rage, first responders arrive at the scene. They get the hoses ready and douse the temple with water, trying to salvage as much of the historic building as they can. To find the cause of the fire, they use a drone with a thermal imaging camera; they’re doing everything they can to put out this fire.

The next morning, the main hall has been burnt to a crisp: tables, chairs, religious art figurines… so many items have been reduced to ashes. Compared to its impressive appearance in the past, in its current state the renowned temple must be a difficult image to stomach for worshippers.

On Aug. 24 at a little after 8 pm, Zhinan Temple’s fire alarm rang. The flames are believed to have started inside the Taipei temple’s main hall, and then the blaze quickly spread towards the building’s exterior. The temple is located in Wenshan District’s mountains, making it difficult to access water. Another problematic aspect is the building’s large amount of wood, which was a reason the flames spread so quickly. Not being put out until after midnight, the fire destroyed 1,500 square meters.

Yeh Chun-hsing
First responder
Because the structure was built with an immense amount of wood, and then the flames deeper inside continued to spread inwards. So that’s why there was a situation in which the flames multiplied so quickly.

Built in 1966, the 6-story Lingxiao Hall was celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The temple’s burnt hall is the first Jade Emperor hall in Taiwan to use modern building materials like reinforced concrete. It may appear as if Zhinan Temple’s highest hall on the mountain has been destroyed by the flames, but structurally the fire has caused little damage.

Hsu Mao-chin
Civil engineer
Only some pillars in the stairwell were affected, as well as a small amount of cracks in the cement finish, but this won’t affect the safety of our building’s structure.

Early in the morning Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an arrived at the site of Zhinan Temple, one of his city’s landmark temples. Chiang promised that the city government will set up a project in order to help the temple be restored and rebuilt. As for what caused the fire, an investigation is still on-going.

#Taipei #Maokong #temple #Zhinan #onfire #elfuego #fire #ChiangWan-an

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

2026-08-25

Loyal biscuit fans from Japan start fund raiser for fire-ravaged company

A legion of devoted Japanese biscuit enjoyers is trying to help out a local biscuit making company in Nantou that was devastated by a fire last week. The Japanese cracker enthusiasts launched a fund-raiser, afraid that the flavors they so much enjoy would not be available after the blaze. Company representatives say they are extremely grateful for the passion for their products, but clarified that there is no need to make donations. Let’s hear more.

Mr. Wu
Jih Hsiang Food Products
We haven’t done an inventory check on how much stock is on the market, but we’ll definitely be short on some items eventually. We’re extremely grateful for the help offered, but after a discussion with the board, we decided to turn down the offer from our loyal friends in Japan who love our products. We have a new factory under construction and we plan to adjust our production lines over the next six months.

The fire happened in peak biscuit buying season in Taiwan, with orders pouring in for Ghost Month offerings and for Mid-Autumn Festival gift exchanges. If you want to get a hold on any of the goods from this Nantou company, you better act fast, as the only inventory left is already in the retail market, and it’s hard to tell how long their products will still be in stock. With people desperate to snap up classics such as the bamboo shoot biscuits, the maker urged foodie fans to be patient and wait for the new factory to be finished.

#biscuit #cracker #bambooshoot #factory #company #nantou #japanese

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

2026-08-25

Public picks up slack from cancelled Presidential Office gift box orders

Budget cuts from opposition party politicians have left the Presidential Office so cash-strapped that it ended up cancelling an order of 15,000 gift boxes that would’ve been full of tasty Mid-Autumn Festival treats. The cancelation was devastating news to the 37 sheltered workshops that were set to benefit from this big order. But, where there’s a will there’s a way, as members of the public have stepped up by placing gift box orders with disadvantaged groups.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival occurring on Sept. 25 this year, many people and companies are gearing up for the holiday by buying gift boxes with mooncakes and other tasty treats.

A company famed for its biscuit gift boxes, Yu Jan Shin, recently received an apologetic message from a client. It said “We are deeply sorry to inform you that our company has decided to cancel its original order with you to instead place an order with a sheltered workshop.” It turns out, that the Presidential Office had originally ordered 15,000 Mid-Autumn Festival gift boxes made by 37 sheltered workshops in Taiwan. However, this big order was ultimately cancelled due to the Presidential Office’s state affairs budget being slashed. That’s why everyday citizens and companies have stepped in to pick up the gift box orders from disadvantaged groups instead of regular shops.

Member of public
Upset at budget cut
The budget shouldn’t have been cut. To be honest, life is really quite difficult for disadvantaged groups; and then when you cancel orders you had placed with regular businesses, then that makes things difficult for them as well.

Member of public
Wouldn’t change plans
I wouldn’t cancel my order, because say if I were to first place an order with a store, then I wouldn’t go ahead and cancel my original order.

Member of public
Would change plans
Let the politicians play politics. At the end of the day, disadvantaged groups need support. I would cancel my original order. If I needed to place an order this year, then I would buy directly from disadvantaged groups.

Yu Jan Shin publicly voiced support for people who had cancelled orders with them, saying that they are fully behind people who have switched to sheltered workshops to help disadvantaged groups. The Presidential Office’s original order would’ve accounted for around half of these disadvantaged groups’ sales, meaning these groups wouldn’t have been able to offset this suddenly cancelled order.

Yan Chiu-wen
St. Coletta Catholic Training Center for Special Needs
In all honesty, after the Presidential Office cancelled their order, it truly gave us a lot of pressure when it comes to this year’s operations. Each order recognizes and is an important show of support for people with mental or physical disabilities.

Sheltered workshops employ disabled people who want to work but would struggle to find gainful employment. The cancelled order from the Presidential Office may’ve been a temporary blow, yet all these sudden orders from everyday people show that society wants to support disadvantaged groups.

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

#charity #shelteredworkshop #budget #budgetcuts #PresidentialOffice

2026-08-25

Flu-related medical visits hit 10-year high for August

Seasonal flu is not yet easing its grip on Taiwan this summer. Over the past week, medical institutions in Taiwan recorded some 94,000 flu-related visits to doctors or emergency services. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the number of medical visits every week this month have reached a 10-year high for the period. Let’s hear from CDC Head Philip Lo.

Philip Lo
CDC
The school year hasn’t started yet, but the number of medical visits made for flu-like symptoms has hit a 10-year high for the period. We expect the number to increase after school is back. COVID infections are plateauing, and will remain at around the same level into September. We’re offering the latest flu and COVID vaccines. We’ve bought 200,000 doses of the latest and most advanced flu shots. Older adults living in long-term care facilities will be prioritized in the vaccination plans. These shots offer better protection.

Last week, the number of outpatient medical visits dropped from the week before. But still, the flu took 15 lives, and caused severe symptoms in 64 people. The CDC expects medical visits will increase after school resumes in September. The situation could be further fueled by the start of flu season, meaning infections could stay constant until October. And it’s not just the flu to watch out for: COVID and enterovirus are also spreading. Families with young children and older adults are advised to have them get their shots and get protected to keep the worst of the diseases at bay.

#covid #flu #vaccines #visits #medicine #cdc

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

2026-08-25

Taiwan Ceramics Biennale opens with works from top global artists

The 2026 Taiwan Ceramics Biennale had its grand opening in the Yingge Ceramics Museum in New Taipei City. With a theme of “When Humans Meet the Earth,” it brings together 59 top artists from 21 countries, showcasing 85 extraordinary ceramic masterpieces. It’s not just an artistic event, but also a step forward for New Taipei City’s cultural diplomacy. Let’s find out more.

Visitors slow their pace and lean in closer to admire the ceramic art, unable to pull their eyes away from these truly unique pieces.

The biennial Taiwan Ceramics Biennale opened with grand spectacle at New Taipei City’s Yingge Ceramics Museum. Bringing together 59 top artists from 21 countries, it creates a profound dialogue on the theme "When Humans Meet the Earth" through 85 extraordinary ceramic masterpieces.

Daicho Tomohiro
Curator
We will explore themes such as “The Earth – Landscape,” “Cycle of Life – Life, Fertility and Death,” “The Spiritual World – Myths and Tales,” and “Artificial – Urbanism and Civilization” in four sections, reflecting on how humanity can unleash its rich imaginative power to create art when interacting with the earth.

Through hand-shaping clay and setting it in high temperatures in kilns, each piece exudes a unique appeal. The exhibition helps viewers to find calm and rediscover the earth, which is familiar yet overflowing with the marks of life.

Hou Yu-ih
New Taipei City Mayor
Now, people from all over the world are coming to Yingge and visiting our ceramics museum, so we feel very proud. New Taipei City continues to have friendly exchanges with the entire world and is constantly sharing with everyone through ceramic art.

Clay nourishes humanity in every corner of the world, but Yingge remains the heart and soul of Taiwanese ceramics. Through this exhibition and the exchanges it brings, Taiwan is visible once more in the international community.

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

#Taiwanceramics # Taiwanceramicsbienalle #Yinggeceramics #ceramicsmuseum

2026-08-25

Thousands of lights illuminate Keelung’s Ghost Month nights

Bright lights and dazzling fireworks lit up the night sky in Keelung on Monday evening, to mark the start of one of the most famous Ghost Month events in Taiwan. The festivities kicked off with the lighting of the main altar at Zhongzheng Park, which elicited gasps of awe from worshippers. Over the next few days, parades will take to the streets, mass offerings will be held and water lanterns will be set off at sea, that is if the weather permits.

The countdown reaches zero, marking the start of one of Keelung’s most important Ghost Month festival rituals: the lighting of the main altar.

Thousands of lanterns lit up Zhongzheng Park with a festive glow on Monday evening, as fireworks sparkled in the night sky.

The festival is in its 172nd edition. The light ceremony symbolizes the linking of the world of the living and the dead. Wandering spirits are given this grand welcome to help themselves to offerings, as well as bring good weather and peace to Taiwan.

Before the illumination ceremony, worshippers were treated to spectacular performances. Also in attendance were Mayor George Hsieh and other city officials, who joined this year’s hosts in a purification ritual before switching the display on.

George Hsieh
Keelung Mayor
Everyone involved has put their heart into this, to preserve and pass down Taiwan’s and Keelung’s most important Ghost Month festival, now in its 172nd year.

The grand light-up ceremony went ahead without a hitch, but with a typhoon approaching Taiwan, other events such as parades, the water lanterns ceremony or the mass offering rite could be affected. For now, everything is set to proceed as planned.

Liu Wei-hsun
Liu-Tang-Du clan association
We’re sure Laoda Gong will protect us, so that everything goes ahead smoothly. We shouldn’t worry too much, there’s no need. We’ll ramp up safety measures and everything should be fine.

Chiang Ting-mei
Keelung Culture and Tourism Bureau
We’ll have the parade move a little faster, so that it can be all over a little quicker. If the waves are too big, we’ll burn the lanterns on shore, instead of setting them on the sea, to prevent any accidents.

The bright lights coming from the festive altar light up Keelung’s evening now, keeping the tradition alive for its 172nd year, and attracting hordes of tourists undeterred by the weather.

#culture #festival #tradition #keelung #festive #ritual

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

2026-08-25

AI deepfake scam steals voice and images of top Taiwanese farmer

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners for centuries have used the plant astragalus. Now it is the subject of an AI deepfake scam. An online ad falsely claimed that one of Taiwan’s top farmers in Yunlin had created a concoction of black beans and astragalus to lower blood pressure, illegally using his voice and image. In fact, Yunlin County has seen many farmers’ voices and images illegally appropriated and used in advertising scams. Let’s find out more.

This social media video claims to be from a black bean farmer in Yunlin who has developed a black bean with astragalus blend. The video sounds very convincing, but it is actually a fraudulent advertisement. The voice and image being used in the scam is that of Chi Shen-chieh, one of Taiwan’s Top 100 young farmers.

Chi Shen-chieh
Top 100 young farmers
I myself am a victim. I grow soybeans, and one day a friend said to me: Have you invented a new product that can lower blood pressure and blood lipids, something like astragalus and black beans? I replied: There’s no such thing!

Images and audio were all used fraudulently, and many supporters were actually deceived into placing orders. In recent years, with the rapid development of AI, many local farmers’ associations and farmers in Yunlin County have seen their names stolen and published in ads on one-single-page landing websites that sell agricultural products of unknown origin.

Chi Shen-chieh
Top 100 young farmers
We’re in the AI era now, and making these kinds of things is even easier, so these kinds of phenomena will definitely pop up more and more, and more consumers will be scammed. Therefore, I think we really need to find a way to solve this problem.

To curb fraud, the Yunlin County Government has introduced an AI-based anti-fraud system, using AI to combat AI-powered scams.

Yang Chih-sheng
Yunlin County Police Bureau
By establishing a fraud prevention workflow that integrates AI-driven detection, risk analysis, police review, platform notification, and rapid takedown, we are shifting from a reactive model reliant on victim reports to proactively blocking fraudulent ads before the public ever sees them.

Since launching in June, the AI anti-fraud system detected over 400 high-risk ads and more than 100 suspicious fan pages through the end of July, successfully taking them down within 24 hours to stem the spread of digital fraud.

#AIdeepfakes #AIscams #YunlinCounty #Taiwanfarmers #Taiwanscams

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

2026-08-25

Award-winning farmer cultivates gorgeous new flower varieties

Wu Cheng-yeh, a flower farmer in Taoyuan, was named one of Taiwan’s Top 100 young farmers in 2024, after years and years of hard work. Now he has further cemented his place in the world of flower farming by winning the highest honor in a nationwide agricultural contest. He uses high tech and smart agriculture to streamline farming and has bred gorgeous new varieties of poinsettias, Christmas kalanchoes, and hydrangeas. Let’s find out more.

Amidst a profusion of flowers, he meticulously prunes the branches. Meet Wu Cheng-yeh, a local flower farmer from Taoyuan, who recently beat out top talent from across Taiwan to take top honors in a nationwide agricultural competition this year.

Wu Cheng-yeh
Award-winning flower farmer
For us, who are engaged in agriculture, this is a huge affirmation. I hope to become a model for the flower industry.

Wu Cheng-yeh, 32, is dedicated to flower variety innovation and smart agriculture. He uses technological equipment to stabilize yields and reduce manual labor. Through the development of a systemized App for remote operation and real-time management, he has achieved water savings of 85%, pesticide savings of 70%, improved product yield rates and increased operational efficiency by more than 20%.

Wu Cheng-yeh
Award-winning flower farmer
Taiwan’s flower varieties actually rely entirely on imported seedlings; there aren’t any locally-bred varieties. We hope to play a role in cultivation to boost Taiwan’s flower varieties and to select and breed more varieties that are adapted to Taiwan’s climate.

Wu Cheng-yeh has bred new varieties of poinsettias, Christmas kalanchoes, and hydrangeas, earning nine plant variety rights. He aims to free Taiwan’s flower industry from its reliance on foreign seedlings—because variety independence is industry sovereignty.

Chen Kuan-i
Taoyuan Department of Agriculture
He not only utilized smart agriculture to improve overall production efficiency, but also invested in the research and development of new varieties and cultivation work, fully demonstrating the innovative strength of young farmers in Taoyuan.

Through continuous innovation and improvement, Wu Cheng-yeh, a young farmer, hopes to lead the flower industry to upgrade and achieve new milestones.

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

#Taiwanflowers #flowerfarmers #smartagriculture #Taiwantalents

2026-08-25

Bowling ball driller serves niche market nonstop for 30 years

Bowling is more than just a sport—there’s also significant expertise behind the ball itself! There’s a pro shop in Taoyuan that specializes in selling bowling balls and providing precise drilling services. The owner has worked nonstop for 30 years, drilling custom holes based on each customer’s hand shape and bowling style to improve their game. Now he’s passing his knowledge along to the next generation to keep the art alive.

Lin Yen-jung measures a customer’s hand circumference and finger span before drilling holes to create a fully customized bowling ball. Once a bowling coach, Lin went to the US to earn a professional ball drilling license. By this point, he’s amassed over 30 years of experience.

Lin Yen-jung
Bowling ball driller
The build and hand shape of people in Asia is entirely different than in the West. We make specific adjustments tailored to the hand shape of each individual customer.

- This one is from Japan’s ABS Mercury series. It has a built-in core. It’s the world’s first ball with an shifting centerofgravity.

Alongside drilling services, the shop also sells imported bowling balls. Every ball’s material, core, weight, and surface finish are meticulously engineered. The materials vary in hardness to increase friction. Those with a core can accelerate spin, while those without need flat weight blocks. Weights range from 6 to 16 pounds. This pro shop in Taoyuan has been around for over 30 years. The owner’s three children are all expert bowlers who also know how to drill.

Lin Han-yu
Lin Yen-jung’s son
Having a steady job to put food on the table and give me financial stability allows me to keep supporting this sport while also working.

Lin Han-wei
Lin Yen-jung’s son
Ever since we were little, whenever my dad got too busy, he’d call me or my brother to come help. So naturally, all three of us picked up the skill.

The sport of bowling has drastically shrunk from its peak in the 1980s when there were over 600 bowling alleys, to fewer than 50 today. But thanks to the internet and word-of-mouth recommendations, business is booming for the Lin family.

Lin Yen-jung
Bowling ball driller
We used this ebb and period of decline to refine our techniques, ensuring that customers stay with us because of our service and expertise while also continuing to find new clients.

Now, Lin is preparing to retire and hand the reins over to his children. The family will remain a staple in the bowling community, while also hoping to bring more people into the sport.

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

#bowling #bowlingballdriller #Taoyuan #familybusiness #sports #craftsmanship

2026-08-25

Rains to ease in Southern Taiwan on Monday night

Heavy rains have battered Taiwan over the past few days, as a broad low-pressure system and strong southwesterly winds bring instability. Widespread flooding has been reported in Southern and Eastern Taiwan amid the constant heavy downpours. Good news is that the rainfall could gradually ease in the south on Monday night, as the tropical depression to the southwest of Taiwan moves away.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Saudel continues approaching Taiwan from the east. The Central Weather Administration says the typhoon will be closest to Taiwan on Thursday and Friday, delivering heavy rains to Northern Taiwan. There are another two active named storms in the Pacific. One of them is Tropical Storm Narra, which is near Vietnam and is not expected to have any impact on Taiwan. The other is Tropical Storm Atsani, which is unlikely to strengthen and could end up being absorbed by Typhoon Saudel.

#typhoon #weather #weatherwarning #rain #wind #wet #flooding #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

2026-08-24