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Matai’an Bridge northbound lanes slated to reopen to traffic this year

Guangfu Township in Hualien was devastated last year by a deadly flood caused by the collapse of a barrier lake in the Matai’an River. One of the critical pieces of infrastructure destroyed was the Matai’an Bridge, which has been under reconstruction since then. The good news is progress is proceeding ahead of schedule, and the two sides of the bridge were connected on Wednesday. Transport Minister Chen Shih-kai headed to the east coast to witness the engineering feat, and said the northbound lanes could open to traffic before the end of the year. Let’s hear more.

- Thanks to the hard work from everyone of the team, who’ve been sweating it out on the front lines, we’ve reached this important milestone. Let’s give them all a big round of applause.

Chen Shih-kai
Transport Minister
It’s incredibly moving and exciting. Today, we’re celebrating the connection of the two ends of the bridge. We’ll work hard to wrap up construction on the northbound lanes by the end of this year. So, the people in Hualien and Taitung will have a permanent structure to cross the Matai’an River by year’s end.

Lin Ching-shui
Guangfu Township Head
We can really see how close Matai’an Bridge is to completion. Very soon, the bridge will be done, and we can all get some peace of mind.

The construction team has been hard at work day and night, to link up the connection of the two riverbanks by the end of the year. The connection of the northbound lanes marks an important milestone in the reconstruction of the bridge, with completion expected at the end of the year. The southbound lanes were initially slated for completion in late 2027, but considering how smoothly construction is going, they could be completed as early as June or July of next year.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#guangfu #hualien #bridgebuilder #bridge #engineering


Time：2026-10-07

最新消息 Latest News

Lost egret gives Kaohsiung cops a run for their money

There’s never a rest day for the Taiwanese police. Yesterday evening, an egret was spotted hopping through traffic in the busy streets of Kaohsiung. Police officers put on their birdhunting hats as they chased the bird off the road. Luckily, they managed to bring the lost egret back to safety. Experts believe the bird may have been injured which is why it wandered onto the streets. The Great White Egret will be released back into the wild after treatment.

A large white egret was seen standing in the middle of the road in Kaohsiung City.

The egret strolled around smack in the middle of the road leading to locals reporting the incident.

Sensing police officers approaching, the egret started to nervously flap its wings and meander through traffic, promptly starting a birdhunt.

A small egret gave some cops a hard time proving harder to catch than a criminal. They chased the bird all the way to the sidewalk. The two police officers surrounded the bird, but worried they might hurt the bird. Finally the egret hid outside a barbecue restaurant, and the police carefully used a large black trash bag to contain it.

- You should first report the situation is under control
- It was on the road,
that’s why locals reported it.
- Can you open the car door for me?
No one’s opening the door

Staff
From nearby store
There were cops at the front of my store, they held a large black trash bag and carried the egret away.

Chang Ko-lun
FTV Reporter
An egret was seen following cars on Kaohsiung’s Zhongshan First Road, due to injuries it couldn’t fly higher, which is why it’s so dangerous for it to be navigating traffic.

Member of public
Awestruck by bird
It’s rare to see them in the city, and also it’s dangerous for those who try to go catch it, they could get hit by a car.

Egrets normally live near water, near streams or swamps, how did it end up in a place like this?

Voice of Huang Shu-ting
Formosa Wild Bird Conservation Association
This bird is a small white egret, it was probably injured, and accidentally wandered here, it must not know how to fly back home.

Experts believe the egret may have flown from nearby Xingfu Canal. The officers notified the Animal Protection department, who took the bird in for treatment and care. Once recovered, it will be reunited with its family.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#egret #heron #formosabirds #lostbird #injuredbird #animalsafety #kaohsiung

2026-10-07

‘Handsome firefighters’ help free cat with head stuck in carrier

And while police proved they could catch a bird in Kaohsiung, firefighters in Yilan proved they could save a cat. A British shorthair that had just gotten spayed at the vet was so traumatized that she got her head stuck in a small slit of her carrier on the way home. In a panic, the owner rushed her beloved cat to the fire station for help. Let’s hear more.

Voice of Ms. Chen
Cat got head stuck in carrier
I think she was feeling uneasy as the anesthetic started wearing off. She must have shaken her head around and tried to get out of the carrier through the gap. I don’t know what she did, but after poking her head through, she got completely stuck.

Chuang Ting-cheng
Firefighter
We usually just rescue humans, but if we can help, we’ll do whatever we can to help. We took a look at what tools we had, and tried to break it open. All the while, someone was consoling the cat and protecting its head. We didn’t want to scare it when the plastic finally snapped.

Lee Meng-hsi
Firefighter
I’m a cat owner too, so I knew she would be really nervous not knowing how to get help.

A firefighter used an electric shear to cut open the carrier, while another one held the lid in place and comforted the cat. The feline was ultimately freed, and the grateful female owner brought drinks to the fire station to thank the "handsome" firefighters for their help. The 6-month-old cat is called Yi-yi Mei-mei, meaning "100-Million-Dollar Sister." But after her case went viral online, people have given her a new memorable nickname, Ka Tou Cat, meaning "Head-stuck cat."

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#卡頭貓 #cat #cute #Britishshorthair #wholesome

2026-10-07

Super Junior members thrill local fans by wearing high-school uniforms

Leeteuk and Heechul of the South Korean boy band Super Junior recently performed at the Kaohsiung Music Center. During the show, for their exit, and even at a hot pot restaurant afterward, the duo delighted local fans by sporting jackets from Kaohsiung Industrial High School and Feng-Shan Senior High. The uniform shop owner realized who his customers were after seeing footage of the concert. Later that evening, orders from fans came pouring in.

At a recent concert in Kaohsiung, Super Junior members Leeteuk and Heechul played an interactive game with their fans while wearing high-school tracksuits.

They even kept the blue and green jackets on during their farewell, and for the afterparty at a hot pot restaurant. Eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed that the uniforms were familiar.

Tseng Hung-wen
FTV reporter
The tracksuits worn by these two K-pop superstars are the PE uniforms for Kaohsiung Industrial High School and Feng-Shan Senior High. They quickly went viral after footage from the concert was released.

Voice of shopkeeper
Sold uniforms to K-pop stars
They asked us to embroider names on them, Heechul and Leeteuk. I thought to myself, aren’t those K-pop stars? But I didn’t think too much about it at the time.

The owner of a long-standing school uniform store in Kaohsiung said he received a call, likely from event organizers, ordering six tracksuits. It wasn’t until he saw clips from the concert that he realized they were for the Super Junior members themselves. Fans started placing orders immediately after the concert finished, with some requesting their idol’s name embroidered on it. Feng-Shan Senior High students were especially thrilled.

Feng-Shan Senior High student
Super Junior fan
I’m so happy! Now I own the exact same outfit as my idol without doing anything.

Feng-Shan Senior High alumnus
Fashion fan
Young people really wear them differently these days. I admire that!

These K-pop stars seamlessly integrated into Kaohsiung while also sparking a fashion trend, elevating these everyday school tracksuits into an overnight sensation. The event gave attendees an unforgettable night, while also evoking cherished school memories for their legions of Kaohsiung fans.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#SuperJunior #Kpop #fashion #schooluniform #Kaohsiung #Leeteuk #Heechul

2026-10-07

Man steers e-moped with one hand while holding child with the other

A reckless balancing act on an electric moped turned heads in Kaohsiung in the evening rush hour. A man was spotted with one hand steering the vehicle, while holding a young child with the other. Onlookers were horrified to see the moped zip through the heavy traffic. Let’s hear more.

Kuo Pei-chi
FTV reporter
The man weaved through the heavy evening traffic with one hand on the handlebar and the other holding a young child. It looked everything but safe.

Member of public
Outraged at recklessness
It’s so dangerous. If you want to carry a child that young, you could put them on a child carrier. That way you wouldn’t have one hand busy holding the child. What if you suddenly have to brake?

Member of public
Outraged at recklessness
How reckless! Your balance is off center, and if anything happens you only have one hand holding the handlebars!

Member of public
Outraged at recklessness
When cars pass by, their wind can make you wobble. I would stay away from him, cause if you accidentally hit him, he would easily fall over. And who’d be held responsible for that?

Lu Ming-lung
Police officer
Mini electric two-wheelers cannot carry any passengers by law. Fines go from NT$300 to NT$600.

The man in the video was riding a small electric vehicle, commonly known as an electric bicycle and officially classified as a "light electric two-wheeler." No driver’s license is required, and riders must be at least 14 years old. However, helmets are mandatory, and carrying passengers is prohibited, as the vehicle is for one person only. It goes without saying that riding one-handed is already dangerous, but holding a child with the other hand is downright reckless.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#taiwan #scooter #electric #child #circus

2026-10-07

Arizona attends Taiwan representative office ceremony despite China warning

A new chapter in Taiwan-US relations is opening in Phoenix, Arizona. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung joined Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to officially unveil Taiwan’s new representative office in the state capital, despite reported pressure from China opposing its establishment. The new office comes as Taiwan continues to deepen its economic ties with the southwestern US state, and TSMC’s massive semiconductor investment is turning Phoenix into a key hub for Taiwan-US cooperation.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs unveil the plaque for the future Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Phoenix.

Lin Chia-lung
Minister of Foreign Affairs
This is an important milestone in the Taiwan-US symbiotic partnership. Taiwanese investment in Arizona continues to grow creating stronger connections between our economies.

Preparations for Taiwan’s mission in Phoenix started six months ago. According to US media outlets, China was not happy about the development and sent two letters to Hobbs from China’s consulate in Los Angeles, asking her to oppose the establishing of the office. The letter called on her to “stop any political gimmicks to harm the friendship and cooperation between China and the State of Arizona.” Hobbs rejected the warnings, and attended the plaque-unveiling ceremony herself.

Katie Hobbs
Arizona Governor
Thank you to every elected official who did the right thing, put partisan politics to the side by voting to support it. Every Arizona elected official should show the courage necessary to support the partnership between Arizona and Taiwan and the jobs this has created.

Lin Chia-lung
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Through two-way investment, we can connect our advances in technology, capital talent and market and further deepen the Taiwan-US symbiotic partnership.

Taiwan-US ties continue deepening by the day, and semiconductors are at the center of it all. Phoenix is the state capital of Arizona, and is a major hub for TSMC’s investments in the US, which have now reached US$265 billion. That’s the largest foreign direct investment project ever in the US.

Lin Chia-lung
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In the first quarter of this year alone, its business operations generated nearly US$600 million in profits, already more than it made in the entire year of 2025. And as these connections create shared value, they move Taiwan and the US from being stakeholders to becoming shareholders.

The Arizona mission will be Taiwan’s 14th representative office in the US, marking a new milestone in bilateral ties.

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

#arizona #phoenix #tsmc #semiconductor #taiwan

2026-10-07

NTUT engineering students deliver electric, futuristic racecar

Taiwanese students are hitting major milestones in engineering! Established just 12 years ago, the Taipei Tech Racing team at National Taipei University of Technology unveiled their 9th-generation all-electric race car, the "TTR9". Constructed by 40 students over the span of two years, the new car exchanges the traditional steel tube frame for a one-piece molded "aluminum alloy monocoque chassis." And the motor power has doubled in capacity to 80 kilowatts. It will be heading to Australia at the end of the year to compete in the International Student Formula League.

The TTR9’s high-efficiency motor burst forth instantly, its low, electrical hum vibrates off the racetrack. The newly optimized chassis suspension delivers incredible grip allowing for agile cornering without deforming.

40 incredible students at NTUT built the 9th gen electric racecar “TTR9”. The new car is 25% lighter and its biggest breakthrough is abandoning the traditional steel tube frame and taking on the challenge of a one-piece aluminum alloy chassis for the first time.

Voice of Lin Che-yu
NTUT Taipei Tech Racing PR Officer
The previous generation used a steel tube frame, but by using a single aluminum alloy shell, we can effectively improve torsional stiffness.

Power output has made considerable progress as well, with motor capacity doubling from 40 kilowatts to 80 kilowatts. The team addressed the challenge with high temperatures by developing a “high-efficiency thermal management system,” that uses water cooling technology to reduce temperatures quickly.

Fan Shao-chieh
NTUT Taipei Tech Racing Captain
Regarding thermal management, this time, we used a heat dissipation device technology. We’ve designed a water channel to dissipate heat from the side of the battery. Our goal is to reach Australia and compete in the Formula SAE-Australasia Competition and achieve a better ranking than last time.

From design, fundraising, and securing sponsorships to actual processing and manufacturing, students transform classroom theory into practical skills with limited resources, making it the best launch pad to connect with top foreign companies.

Chiang Hsin-han
Associate Professor, NTUT
Many things are not in textbooks. Students accumulate experience through continuous learning, referencing the technology of domestic and international racing teams, and then coming up with their own ideas. One of our team members was able to apply to top-tier research institutes like the University of Manchester, because of his experience participating in this racing team.

By overcoming various technical hurdles, the TTR9, is the culmination of the student team’s hard work and it boasts superior performance compared to the TTR8, which finished in 13th place in Australia last year. After optimization, the racecar will again take Taiwan’s top engineering capabilities to the Formula-SAE Australian circuit at the end of the year.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#racing #formula1 #fsae #engineering #stem #ntut #ttr9

2026-10-07

Frenetic campaigning causes dramatic weight loss

With the local elections approaching at the end of November, candidates are going all out to win over voters. The DPP’s Nantou County Commissioner candidate Wen Shih-cheng is a first-time politician and had his staff schedule as many events as possible in hopes of gaining more name recognition. After several months of campaigning from dawn to dusk, he lost a whopping eight kilograms. Let’s find out more.

Upon hearing a dog bark, Wen Shih-cheng, the DPP’s candidate for Nantou County Commissioner, immediately becomes alert, as he had been bitten by a dog while campaigning recently. Therefore he’s extra careful.

Interacting with voters at close range face-to-face and visiting everyone’s homes are basic campaigning routines. Since starting his candidacy, Wen says he has lost 8kg.

Wen Shih-cheng
Nantou County Commissioner candidate (DPP)
I lost a total of 8 kilograms and got more tanned. Look, this is dark and this is white, I got several shades darker. I got darker and thinner, but actually my body became healthier, my body fat percentage decreased, and my muscle mass increased. I think this is also a side benefit of the election.

To boost his name recognition, he embarked on an "Iron Man" schedule, resulting in less body fat and more muscle mass. Wen says he would instruct his staff to keep his schedule as full as possible, often leaving before dawn and returning home late at night. He describes it as an absolute physical challenge, and the secret to his high energy levels was the ginseng tea his mother brewed for him.

Wen Shih-cheng
Nantou County Commissioner candidate (DPP)
I take a sip whenever I’m tired. The taste is wonderful, it tastes like motherly love. Most importantly, it contains some secret ingredients, like vitamin B or something that my mom adds for me.

His words are full of gratitude towards his mother.

Wen Shih-cheng
Nantou County Commissioner candidate (DPP)
So actually the person it’s hardest for when I return home is my mother. Normally, she only needs to take care of my father and herself. Now that I’m back and living at home, she has to take care of one more person every day.

Wen, a dentist who returned to Caotun, Nantou from his hometown of Taipei, entered politics as an amateur. With zero experience, he gradually gained recognition, step by step. He now works hard to win the support of voters, hoping to bring change to Nantou.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Taiwanelections #Nantoupolitics #Wenshihcheng #DPPcanddiates #DPPpolitics #weightloss #Taiwanpolitics

2026-10-07

Paper Windmill Theater Troupe tackles the zombie vape crisis

Zombie vapes are dangerous illegal e-cigarettes laced with a powerful anesthetic called etomidate, and they are causing a public health crisis in Taiwan. In response, the Paper Windmill Theater Troupe has come up with an anti-drug drama project targeting youth. Through dramatic performances, kids and teenagers are warned about the dangers of drug addiction. Both corporations and the public are giving financial backing to Paper Windmill’s project. Let’s find out more.

- Can I take a puff?
- You want to take a puff? Do you dare?
- Do you dare, you coward? Try it!
- I’m game!

Paper Windmill Theatre’s anti-drug drama project aimed at youth incorporates emerging drugs like zombie vapes into its plot lines to help kids realize that drugs can be disguised in many forms and quietly creep into their lives.

- Once you’re on drugs, your soul belongs to me. Come on, hand over your soul!

In recent years, the infiltration of e-cigarettes into schools, coupled with the threat of drug-impaired driving caused by zombie-vape pods, has become a key focus of anti-drug campaigns. The medical anesthetic etomidate, a drug that may end up laced in e-cigarettes, tempts the curiosity of teenagers. Paper Windmill uses theatrical performances to directly "highlight the key points" and tell kids drugs are dangerous.

Chen Chin-tsai
Chair of Paper Windmill Arts and Educational Foundation
Cultural drama performances can help children naturally understand the dangers of drugs and how drugs can get close to them.

Since its launch, Paper Windmill’s anti-drug drama project targeted at youth has attracted support ranging from traditional charitable donations to various industries, including technology, finance, manufacturing, and services. Launching anti-drug efforts in schools seems to have become a social issue of common concern across different industries.

Chu Chun-chang
Administrative Deputy Minister of Education
We hope to keep drugs entirely outside and prevent them from entering campuses

Alex Chuang
Chroma ATE
It’s actually an immersive performance, and children can learn about anti-drug knowledge in a subtle and gradual way.

Paper Windmill launched its campus tours in 2012 and has performed more than 1,200 shows in the past 14 years. To date, 123 companies have joined the fight against drugs, expanding the protection network for teenagers. Support for anti-drug efforts from all walks of life is urgently needed.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Taiwandrugs #Taiwanaddicts #Paperwindmill #zombievape #Taiwantheater

2026-10-07

Parents furious after son-in-law who killed daughters gets life sentence

A man who stabbed his wife and her sister to death last July was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday. But the parents of the deceased, who have been left childless, say that it is not enough. The parents are furious at the court ruling, which states that there is insufficient evidence to prove that the killer had planned the murders. The case also falls short of the conditions to allow for a death sentence, which is reserved for crimes of the “most serious crimes.” Let’s hear more.

- I hope that we can sentence that devil to death in the second trial.
- Our two daughters were our hope.

Victims’ father
Furious at ruling
How many people does he have to kill? It’s what it says there! Our daughters were unjustly killed and that’s it? They were hacked to death.

Victims’ mother
Furious at ruling
He killed two people! How many should he have killed for it to count? Should he have wiped out our entire family? It was on a public road! Everyone saw what he did. He did all that, yet the court thinks he can be rehabilitated!

Ho Meng-lin
Lawyer not involved in case
When two lives have been taken in a completely irreversible way, and the criminal responsibility involved is extremely grave, I believe the justice system should not dilute the culpability of the crime simply because the offender may be capable of rehabilitation.

The killer in the case is Hsieh Wen-hsiung, who had a criminal record of domestic abuse. The double murder happened after he found out that his sister-in-law had urged his wife to divorce him. He first rammed his car into a scooter they were both riding, then pulled out a knife and stabbed them to death. But the judges say that the murders do not count as “most serious crimes,” as the rule only applies when at least three people have been killed. The victims’ family has appealed the ruling, saying they won’t stop until they find justice for their daughters.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#crime #murder #deathpenalty #lifesentence #crime

2026-10-06

AMD CEO Lisa Su visits Taiwan amid growing AI chip demand

Taiwan is once again leading the dialogue for semiconductor chips. AMD CEO Lisa Su has made her second trip to Taiwan this year. Upon her arrival on Tuesday morning, she met with four of Taiwan’s leading tech supply chain companies at her hotel, and later headed straight to TSMC in Hsinchu to ensure production capacity amid tight supply for AI chips.

The queen of semiconductors is back in town. AMD CEO Lisa Su immediately held several urgent closed-door meetings with Taiwanese tech companies including ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih and Foxconn Chairman Liu Yang-wei at her hotel.

Lisa Su
AMD CEO
Especially given today, the market is so dynamic, it’s important for us to be very closely partnered with our key suppliers. We are going to substantially improve our supply in 2027, but we can definitely use more and so that’s one of the reasons I’m here.

With concerns rising over chip supply, Su’s arrival underscores the urgency of securing production capacity in Taiwan. She went directly to a meeting with TSMC in Hsinchu on Tuesday afternoon. She did not respond to rumors about TSMC’s potential factory in Texas.

Lisa Su
AMD CEO
The US facility in Arizona has done extremely well of course. And we look forward to more capacity worldwide to satisfy this high demand. Before we planned one year or two years and now we are talking about planning three, four or five years together.

AMD’s AI Rack-Scale platform, Helios, will continue to ship in the third quarter, with shipments increasing rapidly. From wafer foundry and packaging to physical substrates, AMD relies on Taiwanese manufacturers’ capacity. Su did not address questions raised over tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Lisa Su
AMD CEO
We would encourage all of our partners to have geographic diversity. But there is no question that Taiwan is absolutely critical to the semiconductor supply chain, and very, very critical for AMD.

Su emphasized the significance of Taiwan, as evidenced by her visit to Taiwan in May where she announced a US$10 billion investment in the supply chain.

Lisa Su
AMD CEO
I’m happy to report that it’s absolutely on track. We’re increasing that number going forward because our demand has continued to go up and we’re going to continue to invest in the supply chain going forward.

AMD continues to make major moves, including expansion into the ASIC market and acquiring AI startup, World Labs for US$8.2 billion. The company’s market value also hit a major milestone by surpassing a market cap of US$1 trillion, making it the world’s 15th largest company.

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

#amd #lisasu #nvidia #taiwanchips #tsmc #semiconductor #chipsupplychain

2026-10-06

Nine Taiwanese tech tycoons make world’s 500 richest list

Taiwan’s AI boom is making its tech tycoons richer than ever. A new global billionaire ranking shows nine Taiwanese business leaders have cracked the world’s top 500 richest, with Quanta founder Barry Lam leading the pack in Taiwan. And with demand for AI servers soaring, several familiar names, including Hon Hai founder Terry Gou and TSMC founder Morris Chang are also seeing their fortunes climb.

- All of next year’s orders have already come in.
- What about the year after?
- It’s looking pretty good too.

Back in June, Quanta founder Barry Lam spoke confidently about orders with his company. As global demand for AI servers surges, the fortunes of Taiwan’s tech tycoons are skyrocketing. According to Bloomberg’s latest Billionaires Index, nine Taiwanese business leaders can be found among the world’s top 500 richest people. Barry Lam ranks first in Taiwan, with a net worth of US$16.9 billion, or around NT$536.4 billion. He ranks in at 169th worldwide.

Hot on his heels is 85-year-old King Slide founder Richard Lin, who built his fortune on the server industry’s slide rails. With a net worth of US$16.4 billion dollars, he is just five places behind Lam, at 174th globally and second in Taiwan. He’s even ahead of Hon Hai founder Terry Gou and Yageo Chairman Pierre Chen.

Gou remains among Taiwan’s top three richest people, ranking 242nd worldwide. There’s also Delta Electronics founder Bruce Cheng, who ranks in at No. 4 in Taiwan after transforming the company into an integrated infrastructure provider for AI data centers. Two billionaire brothers from the financial sector are also on the list. Fubon Financial Holding’s Daniel Tsai ranks 284th with a net worth of US$12.2 billion, while his brother Richard Tsai ranks 301st with US$11.8 billion.

Upon retiring in 2018, TSMC founder Morris Chang held 125,000 TSMC shares, which have only surged to new highs, making Chang the 341st richest man in the world. The AI boom is turning Taiwan’s tech titans into global billionaires, and putting Taiwan firmly on the world stage.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#wealth #billionaires #rich #money #tech

2026-10-06

Scooter driver flies into ditch, tanker almost crushes rider

Two shocking crashes in Yilan have been caught on camera. One of them happened in Jiaoxi, where a scooter driver almost got trapped under the wheels of a turning truck. The other was in Yilan City, where a scooter rider was sent flying into an irrigation ditch filled with water after colliding with a car. He was sent to the hospital with broken bones. Let’s hear more.

Voice of Mr. Lin
Witnessed crash
The rider was probably unconscious already. The driver got out of the vehicle and went to check on him, and so did the passengers in the front and the back. They all got out to check if he was alright.

Voice of Chen Chuan-fa
Qizhang Borough Warden
There is ongoing road work to install a base for the traffic light, so the road was slightly narrowed. It may have affected visibility or something like that, leading to the collision.

The rider in Jiaoxi fell right next to the truck’s wheels and came dangerously close to being pulled underneath. Fortunately, the tanker driver slammed on the brakes, narrowly avoiding a much worse outcome. The rider was taken to the hospital and, thankfully, suffered only minor scrapes and bruises. Local residents say the intersection is a notorious accident hotspot, with many large trucks passing through every day. They are calling on authorities to improve traffic management and reroute some of the heavy vehicles to reduce the risk of further crashes.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#yilan #irrigation #agriculture #rice #scooter

2026-10-06

Viral Trump-shaped rock on Google Maps draws visitors to Ruifang

A strange new attraction has appeared on the northeast coast in New Taipei’s Ruifang: a rock along the seashore that bears an uncanny resemblance to US President Donald Trump. It even made it onto Google Maps, where it’s labeled as the “Ruifang Trump rock.” Meanwhile, at nearby Baishawan in Shimen, a picturesque bus station lets visitors take photos that look like they’ve stepped straight into a painting.

Along Taiwan’s northeast coast here in Ruifang, this driver didn’t even stop to take off his helmet before climbing over rocks to take a picture. So what’s he trying to photograph?

- I was just passing by and came to take a look. It’s hilarious.
- Does it look much like him? Like his hair or his nose?
- His hair.

From another angle, the “Trump rock” comes into clear view. Green grass sways in the breeze on top of the rock like a head of hair, while a protrusion on the right looks like a nose.

When compared with a profile shot of Trump, the resemblance is uncanny. The grass looks like his signature hairstyle, and the nose and chin draw a very similar line.

- Which part do you think is most similar?
- The hair and nose.

- There’s a rock that looks like Trump right in front of you guys.
- You didn’t know?

The rock has even gotten its own listing on Google Maps, where it’s labeled as the “Ruifang Trump rock.” Meanwhile, over at Baishawan in Shimen, a new bus stop is also getting attention. Unlike your typical transit stop, this one looks like a picture frame, allowing tourists to take photos that look like they stepped into a painting.

Wu Chien-chih
North Coast Scenic Area director
Our goal was to maintain the most spectacular view possible for visitors. Our everyday life has scenery that others will travel far to see. We hope to offer this view for visitors to enjoy, using a giant glass pane to display the entire landscape.

From a picture-perfect bus stop in Baishawan, to a rock that resembles the US president, these unique attractions are generating buzz for Taiwan’s north coast.

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

#Trumprock #Ruifang #tourism #viral #northcoast #Baishawan #busstop #photospot

2026-10-06

Prosecutors seeking 5 years for man who punched commentator

Back in July, a Chinese national, linked to Hong Kong, gang assaulted Japanese political commentator Yaita Akio, after a speech in Taichung. The Taichung District Prosecutors’ Office determined that the attack was a planned act of cross-border violence. Prosecutors indicted the attacker, surnamed Liao, on charges including assault and public intimidation, and are seeking the maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Voice of Lee Chun-yi
Prosecutor
The goal of this act of cross-border violence was to achieve a chilling effect. The operation was highly planned and organized to avoid investigations. Through cross-border violence and the following media coverage, the perpetrators sought to send a warning and silence others. We are seeking the maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Yaita Akio
Indo-Pacific Think Tank
The dentist told me nine teeth had been loosened. But I’m better now. I’m very grateful to the police and to the prosecutors for shedding light into what happened so quickly. As for the specific charges and proceedings, I respect the judgment of the relevant authorities. The fact that the perpetrators mobilized so many people and spent so much money shows that it wasn’t just about punching me once. They wanted to take away the courage of the people of Taiwan to speak out, to silence criticism of China. Countries around the world should cooperate and confront China’s use of this kind of repression.

The operation was paid for by an individual with the alias Chen Wei-hao, who has been linked to the Wo Shing Wo triad based in Hong Kong. Chen was allegedly angry at Yaita’s criticism of the CCP, and paid a group to organize the cross-border operation to intimidate him. The attacker, surnamed Liao, received HK$10,000, or about NT$40,500, to carry out the assault. Prosecutors say the act of cross-border repression aimed to threaten Taiwan’s democracy and freedom of speech. The investigation continues on whether there were additional masterminds and accomplices.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#repression #silenced #yaitaakio #hongkong #triad

2026-10-06

Kumamoto head surprises Taiwan locals to show gratitude for earthquake relief

This July, Kumamoto, was hit by a devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake. As a neighbor and friend of Japan, Taiwan was first to donate more than NT$300 million for earthquake relief. To express his gratitude, Kumamoto Prefecture Governor, Kimura Takashi made a trip to Taiwan with the mascot Kumamon and visited the mayors of Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. He also took this opportunity to promote his breakfast products made with Kumamoto ingredients: milk, buckwheat, and miso, distributing it on the streets of Taipei in the early morning. The event immediately drew locals who scrambled to take photos with the Kumamon bear.

Hailing from Japan, the Kumamon bear was seen in Taipei causing frenzy among locals who rushed to take photos and hug the bear. Kumamoto’s Governor Kimura accompanied the bear with a spokesperson to distribute breakfast.

Convenience stores distributed Kumamon products, specialty products included Aso Milk Sea Salt Bread, Japanese Soba Noodles, and Kumamoto Barley Miso Pork Cutlet Don, foods that Taiwan’s Japan fans are eager to try.

Member of public
Loves Kumamon
I like that Kumamon, it is so cute. I’ve never bumped into it. Taiwanese all yearn for Japanese things.

Member of public
Wishes well for Kumamoto
The city of Kumamoto, I hope they can recover quickly. I hope their economy can return to normal soon.

Kimura Takashi
Kumamoto Prefecture Governor
It is so special to see the love that Taiwanese have for Kumamoto. I am very grateful to meet everyone and the mayors. They all expressed they will continue to support Kumamoto, and make contributions through tourism and business which makes me very happy.

In July this year, Kumamoto was struck by a 7.1 magnitude scale earthquake. Taiwan was the first to donate more than 1.5 billion Japanese Yen, equivalent to NT$300 million. Kimura made a special trip to Taiwan to express his gratitude and believes there is room for more partnership between Kumamoto and Taiwan in the future.

Kimura Takashi
Kumamoto Prefecture Governor
We have staff at our Taipei office that can support daily business activities. TSMC’s second factory is under construction, and we believe there will be new investment plans in the future. We hope to strengthen the relationship between Kumamoto and Taiwan, and create more business opportunities.

Kumamoto is a hotspot for Taiwanese tourists, seeing as there are direct flights from Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan and even Kaohsiung. From tourism to cuisine to tech partnerships the friendship between Taiwan and Japan continues to strengthen.

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

#kumamoto #taiwan #taiwanjapan #kumamon #japantourism #earthquakerelief

2026-10-06

Candidates use puns to help voters remember them

Hoping to find creative ways to promote themselves so that voters remember them, many candidates make campaign slogans with puns on their names. One in Pungtung made a banner that says “so hot,” because it sounds like her name in Taigi. Another in Kaohsiung made a pun referring to mosquito repellant.

In the middle of this political campaign banner is a pink heart with the words “so hot.” It’s surprising for a candidate to market themselves as “hot.” But turns out it’s a pun on the candidate’s name in Taigi.

- Sòo-hâ? So hot. It does sound a little like it.

- Sòo-hâ. Yeah, so hot.

Pan Su-hsia, who’s running for mayor of Pingtung County’s Chaozhou Township, has a name that sounds just like “so hot” when pronounced in Taigi. She said the slogan was her own idea.

Pan Su-hsia
Chaozhou mayor candidate
Our whole family are English teachers, so I thought I should have an English name. It means very enthusiastic. When I was young, I was quite hot. I used to wear sexy clothes.

She’s not the only one to promote herself with a pun. A politician in Kaohsiung made a pun on the word for mosquito repellant, fang wen yi, using the slogan “I am your mosquito repellant” on his large orange-and-yellow banners.

- Mosquito repellant?
- Yeah. And what is the candidate’s name?
- Huang Wen-yi. Oh I get it. That’s funny.

People appreciated the politician’s word play. He said the idea came from a childhood nickname.

Huang Wen-yi
Kaohsiung City Councilor (DPP)
Growing up, people gave me nicknames like “mosquito” or “mosquito spray.” When the product came onto the market, the pun on my name officially became “mosquito repellent.”

Candidates are finding all kinds of creative ways to get voters to remember them ahead of the local elections this November.

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

#pun #election #campaign #poster #local #politician #candidate #name #wordplay #sohot

2026-10-06

Part-time employees earn more as hourly wage surpasses monthly salary

The minimum monthly wage will finally break NT$30,000 next year, as the government announced an 11th consecutive increase to reach NT$30,900. The minimum hourly wage is also rising to NT$205. That means, if you work for 40 hours a week on the minimum wage, you would earn NT$36,080 a month, NT$5,180 more than the minimum monthly wage. Some feel this is unfair as prices continue to rise, and full-time employees struggle to get raises.

Mr. Sung works part-time at a hot pot restaurant at 10:30am on his day off to earn extra money.

Mr. Sung
Part-time employee
I want to earn some extra cash. Part-time work is more flexible. Sometimes a full-time job is all in one place, which can be a little tedious. But with part-time work you can try different things, and even take jobs at short-term gigs like exhibitions or sports games.

Next year, the minimum hourly wage is set to rise to NT$205. Working eight hours a day for 22 days a month on an hourly wage would earn you NT$36,080, which is more than NT$5,000 over the minimum monthly salary of NT$30,900.

Accountant
Gets paid monthly
It’s really unfair. With the minimum wage rising, a business like a breakfast shop might pass those higher costs on to customers through higher prices. Rather than being tied down to a full-time job, some of my friends would rather work two part-time jobs because it’s more flexible. They can travel abroad when they want and even get cheaper plane tickets.

Shen Yu-wei
Restaurant manager
Our ratio of full-time to part-time employees is three to seven, so we have fewer full-time employees. We’ve explained to our staff that if you’re on a monthly salary, you’ll receive additional benefits over the long term, like birthday bonuses, birthday leave, and employee meal benefits. There are also benefits that accumulate with seniority, like annual leave.

Over the past decade, Taiwan’s minimum monthly wage has risen by 54.4%, while the minimum hourly wage has increased by more than 70%, making it harder for businesses to recruit full-time employees.

#minimumwage #fulltime #parttime #Taiwan #wages #wageincrease #raise #flexibility #work #employee

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2026-10-06

Kaohsiung police use AI to make creative PSA videos

With AI everywhere these days, the police aren’t falling behind. The Kaohsiung Police Department’s social media team have been posting short videos created with the help of AI to inform people of scam methods and warn against driving under the influence. Officers handle everything themselves, from shooting to post-production, drawing praise from commenters for their creativity.

- You again? Weren’t you running scams?
- No, wait, how did you know?
- The Gates of Hell aren’t a drive-through. No need to rush.
- I’m not here for that!

A man takes a fat puff from a drug-laced vape while sitting in his car, forcing the guards of the underworld to clock back into work.

- Go on. You’re done for today.
- Just a few more.
- He cut the line himself.

Funny and creative, this PSA against driving under the influence of drugs was created entirely by police officers themselves with help from AI.

Police duties encompass a wide range of tasks. Now, they even have to learn how to use AI. The Kaohsiung Police Department’s social media team are acting like directors, taking advantage of the latest tech trends to make creative PSA videos.

Weng Jui-ting
Kaohsiung police officer
AI is an auxiliary tool. Using it like this helps us make more interesting videos.

In this one about romance scams, officers acted in the video, but all the backgrounds were AI-generated. Overlaying different settings makes for a more immersive video.

Wang Chun-fu
Kaohsiung police sergeant
PSA campaigns have to be lively and active to engage people. I think this is the biggest difference when compared with the old style of campaign we did before.

Police have a duty to combat impaired driving and fraud. With a little help from AI, these officers are hoping people will watch their videos and take their messages to heart.

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

#PSA #police #drugdriving #fraud #publicsafety #Kaohsiung #DUI #AI

2026-10-06

FBI arrests realtor accused of surveilling Lai Ching-te’s son

The FBI has arrested a Chinese American woman for surveilling the son of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te in the US on behalf of China. The arrest took place at Los Angeles International Airport, where the suspect, called Zhang Wanying or Heather, was about to embark on a flight for Shanghai. According to federal court documents, the woman allegedly traveled to Seattle last September, hid near Lai Ting-yu’s home and photographed his family. She also allegedly sent their vehicle license plate information to Chinese officials via Chinese messaging app WeChat. Let’s hear more.

Karen Kuo
Taiwan Presidential Office Spokesperson
This is a classic case of transnational repression. We strongly condemn it. Such behavior should not be tolerated in the civilized world. Taiwan thanks US law enforcement for assisting and protecting our people, and we will continue working with the US and all our democratic partners to jointly combat this kind of illegal transnational repression.

Wang Ting-yu
Lawmaker
Her actions clearly violate the laws of the countries involved. The FBI even had its director personally announce the case this time. China’s long-arm reach, particularly its targeting of the overseas activities of the relatives of key Taiwanese political figures, is something the US is taking very seriously. US authorities have gathered substantial evidence, including communications, surveillance photographs, and an oath of allegiance in which she pledged loyalty to the People’s Republic of China.

FBI Director Kash Patel also took to social media, accusing the woman of surveilling the family of a foreign leader on US soil on behalf of the Chinese government. Patel questioned whether she thought she could simply board a flight and escape to Shanghai, saying that that was not going to happen. Zhang is accused of failing to register with the US Department of Justice as a foreign agent. If convicted under Section 951 of Title 18 of the US Code, she could face up to 10 years in prison.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#spy #china #us #taiwan #laichingte

2026-10-05