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Big landslide rips through roof of closed Yuanshan bowling alley

Last week’s days of downpours dampened moods and destroyed infrastructure, including a bowling alley in Yuanshan that had part of its roof crushed by a landslide last night. The bowling alley closing down a couple weeks ago was a blessing in disguise, because the building was vacant, yet the landslide also didn’t spare local hiking trails, which could be permanently closed for safety’s sake.

There’s an enormous hole in the roof of this bowling alley in Taipei’s Yuanshan District. A massive landslide of rocks and trees hit the building’s roof, resulting in the ceiling’s steel frames being exposed to the light of day as well as some bowling lanes suffering damage.

Wang Yu-chun
FTV Reporter
When you’re here in-person, you can see how the trees and boulders punctured a hole in the ceiling of the bowling alley. There’s also pieces of concrete strewn about this startling scene.

Due to a days-long stretch of heavy rains, on June 28 at night a shallow landslide weighing around 400 tons punctured a hole in the building’s ceiling, causing damage to about 10 square meters of the building. Yet, as fate would have it, the bowling alley closed down half a month ago, and so no one was inside when the landslide hit. Despite there being no injuries or casualties, the owner was visibly emotional about the situation.

Chen Chao-chung
Manager of bowling alley
It’s fortunate that we closed down, because on Sunday nights there’d be so many people inside, so if something like this were to happen during business hours… Right now I’ll be handling clean-up of the wreckage, but the building’s future is out of my hands.

On Monday morning, a team from Taipei City’s Geotechnical Engineering Office visited the site, doing an on-site inspection that included the building’s interior and exterior as well as the mountain behind the bowling alley. They discovered the gully erosion, which is due to high soil water content levels, and social trails created decades ago have been eroded. With the ground’s foundation suspended in mid-air, future landslides could happen at any time. Fortunately, the landslide hit the bowling alley, as this large landslide could’ve tumbled down onto Zhongshan North Road.

Hsia Hsien-tung
Taipei City Geotechnical Engineering Office
The entire area of the landslide is about 30m wide by 60m long, which is about 1,800 square meters. The slope of the landslide area is pretty steep, so the removal process might take some time. Our preliminary estimation is that we hope to be able to get it done within two weeks.

The hiking trails near the bowling alley have been cordoned off, and it’s feared that they won’t be re-opened to the public in the future. Despite the landslide area no longer being on bedrock, meaning the area’s situation is more stable, the city’s Geotechnical Engineering Office isn’t taking any chances, as it will continue to send out engineers to monitor the area.

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

#bowlingalley #landslide #disaster #Yuanshan #Taipei

Time：2026-06-29

最新消息 Latest News

Chinese tourist filming airport restricted areas banned for 2 years

Netizens in Taiwan recently discovered a video uploaded to Chinese social media by a Chinese man who had visited Taiwan a few months ago. The video documenting his arrival at the airport included footage taken in the airport’s security screening and immigration inspection areas, where photography is clearly prohibited. Let’s find out more.

Member of public
Disapproving
It doesn’t matter where, be it Mainland China or elsewhere, photography is prohibited. It’s obviously even less appropriate for him to do so here in Taiwan. I don’t condone his action. Even if he didn’t endanger national security, he was still in a place where photography is highly inappropriate.

Member of public
Disapproving
The “No Photography” signage is impossible to miss. What he did is outrageous. It’s no use telling him off. Just bar him from entering. It’s no use telling him off.

Voice of Huang Yu-chieh
National Immigration Agency
We have identified the Mainland Chinese individual in question. Regarding the controversial video content, the individual will be barred from entering Taiwan for two years, pursuant to Regulations Governing the Entry of the People of the Mainland China Area to the Taiwan Area. Additionally, after the two-year ban expires, any future applications he submits to enter Taiwan will be subject to strict review in consultation with relevant agencies, including the Mainland Affairs Council.

In the since-deleted video, he also captioned all references to Taiwan as “Taiwan, China” and covered up the national flag outside the airport with the Chinese flag, which netizens found offensive. According to the National Immigration Agency, the Chinese traveler visited Taiwan last November and left in the same month. He has been placed on a watchlist for filming prohibited areas and is barred from entering Taiwan for two years.

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

#airport #travel #customs #security #crossstrait

2026-06-29

Taoyuan woman ambushed by macaque monkey

In Taoyuan’s Guishan District, a woman was caring for her potted plant when she was suddenly assailed by a macaque monkey. With other recent victims including chickens and dogs, the city’s Department of Agriculture has already intervened in order to help local residents deal with the area’s increasing macaque population.

Her head down, engrossed in her work, this woman is suddenly attacked by a monkey. This macaque monkey claws at and bites her back, causing the woman to scream in pain.

Victim
Macaque attack
I was pointed to the side like this, and the monkey rushed at me from this way. Maybe it was because it saw me over there, so that’s why it attacked me.

Family member
Macaque attack
There’s a monkey that gets on the roof, running back and forth, back and forth. When there’s nothing to eat, it’ll jump down and head back. We had a Japanese breed of chicken get bitten to death; the bird’s feathers were all yanked out.

The incident took place in Taoyuan’s Maple Tree Village, which is located in Guishan District. Macaques are often seen in this area, sometimes even a group of them lines up on a roof. These monkeys have attacked chickens, harassed dogs, and this time one of them has even attacked a human, resulting in a wound that’s about 5cm long. The victim recently had surgery on her sciatic nerve, and the incision on that side ended up getting infected. The infected tissue had to be removed at a hospital.

Hsieh Ming
Taoyuan Department of Agriculture
Because of this incident last week in Guishan District’s Maple Tree Valley, where a macaque injured a resident, we’ve already taught the residents some wildlife interaction concepts, and we investigated the site of the incident. We’ll be doing a follow-up evaluation in which we’ll determine how to trap and relocate the animal; we’ll also seek to reduce the amount of food and kitchen waste local residents leave outside so that wild animals will be less likely to rely on human food.

In order to deal with the mountainous area’s growing population of macaques, and thereby prevent another attack, Taoyuan’s Department of Agriculture has already placed traps that contain a tasty treat: fruit.

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

#macaque #monkey #Taoyuan #attack #wildlife

2026-06-29

Hippo statue at Chimei Museum somehow submerged in lake

With the rain finally subsiding, people making their way out to Tainan’s Chimei Museum were treated to a strange sight: a hippo floating in a lake.

A museum official stated the hippo was actually a lakeside statue that, because of last week’s rains, ended up in the lake. The statue’s 40-meter journey was made possible by rising lake water levels, which allowed the inanimate object to float over the elevated walkway. The museum is currently featuring the special exhibition Pharaoh: King of Egypt, and the floating hippo made many think of the movie “Night at the Museum,” in which an Egyptian artifact causes the exhibits to come alive at night. So, despite all the rain, the hippo’s “magical” movement has been a bright spot after a gloomy week.

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

#ChimeiMuseum #Tainan #hippo #NightattheMuseum #pharoah

2026-06-29

Ducks stop traffic at Taichung shopping district

Ducks are on the loose! During rush hour, a group of Call ducks descended on the busy Fengjia Shopping District in Taichung. Passing motorists were startled by the marauders, hitting the breaks to let them pass safely. Some kind drivers even stepped out to usher them to safety.

Four rotund white ducks waddle along the road during the morning rush hour. The leader is seemingly oblivious to where it’s going as the others follow blindly behind. They take up two entire lanes, unbothered, even as vehicles swerve around them honking. Some stop to help them get to safety.

Resident
It’s really dangerous. We don’t know if they were released by someone or the city put them here.

But this isn’t some small rural street, it’s Hanxiang Road in central Taichung’s Fengjia Shopping District. Why are there ducks here? Our reporter later found them at the nearby Wenxiu Park, a mere 50 meters away. They hadn’t gone far, gathered by the side of a pond and are completely unaware they had almost gotten run over just moments before! They appear to be Call ducks, which are frequently kept as pets. Nearby residents said they often see these four hanging around, suggesting they could have been released by someone.

Resident
There were originally five, but only four now. They’re always at that pond.

The Taichung Animal Protection Office said it hasn’t received any official requests to capture or relocate them, and there are no farms located nearby. It vowed to clarify whether they’re pets, as after all, even though they’re cute when waddling by, release them can be dangerous and punishable by a NT$15,000 fine.

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

#ducks #cute #Taichung #animalprotection #trafficsafety #driving #cuteanimals

2026-06-29

The hydrangea season at a forest area in Nantou is a perfect summer getaway

The annual hydrangea season has arrived at the Sun Link Sea Forest Recreation Area in Nantou County. More than 120,000 hydrangeas are in full bloom across the mountains and valleys. The vibrant multicolored sea of flowers is attracting flocks of people, who want to enjoy them and also escape the summer heat.

Colorful hydrangeas are in full bloom, with pink and light purple flowers interspersing to create a vast sea of blossoms. The annual hydrangea season has begun at the Sun Link Sea Forest Recreation Area in Nantou, with over 120,000 hydrangeas in bloom, attracting many tourists to come and take photos.

Visitor
Sun Link Sea Forest Recreation Area
I think the hydrangeas are very beautiful because of their different colors. I’m from Hong Kong.

Visitor
Sun Link Sea Forest Recreation Area
This place has a lot of variety and is very pleasant, especially the weather, and the flowers are beautiful.

The park boasts 18 varieties of hydrangeas, whose differing dreamy colors are influenced by the soil’s pH level. Although it’s summer, the park’s location at an altitude of 1600m makes it a unique scenic spot to escape the summer heat.

Liu Pei-chieh
Sun Link Sea Nature Center
From May to July, they are in full bloom. The color of hydrangeas is affected by the soil’s pH level, so you’ll see blue, red and even a soft white."

The park added that from May to July, the hydrangeas are in full bloom, with flowers of all colors covering the mountains and valleys, attracting visitors looking to enjoy the blossoms and escape the summer heat.

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

#summergetaways #Nantou #hydrangeas #Taiwantravel #flowers

2026-06-29

Neighborhood nuisance takes out frustration with fire extinguisher

On June 29, just a little after midnight, in New Taipei’s Sanchong District a woman grabbed a fire extinguisher and then doused a Cosmed, leaving the drugstore covered in a white film. Yet by the time police officers arrived, the woman had already fled the scene. The police have identified the woman, and will be summoning her for questioning.

Voice of drugstore manager
Storefront got vandalized
Someone discharged a fire extinguisher. We reported it to the police. The headquarters are dealing with it.

Lee Yu-han
FTV Reporter
The store owner had people begin cleaning up the area immediately after this act of vandalism occurred. But since the owner had not previously installed metal shutters, this resulted in some of the foam getting inside the store.

Lee Yu-sheng
Lawyer
If a person arbitrarily sprays a fire extinguisher without there being an actual fire, then this conduct is considered an act of public disturbance. Furthermore, environmental pollution has occurred, which, according to the Social Order Maintenance Act and Waste Disposal Act, could result in up to three days of detention or a fine up to NT$12,000.

One of the cleaners mops while the other wipes a wall. But that’s not all; a thin layer of white foam is covering the floor inside the store as well as items near the door. 40-year-old Ms. Lee, the perpetrator, is infamous for causing trouble in the local area. Video surveillance footage reveals that in the middle of the night she let off some steam by grabbing a roadside extinguisher and then dousing this drugstore. But this night isn’t over yet for the wrongdoer, as legal ramifications remain.

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

#vandalism #fireextinguisher #firesafety #safetyequipment #drugstore

2026-06-29

Conveyor belt sushi turns into unruly employee’s free-for-all after hours

A recently uploaded video taken in a conveyor sushi restaurant has sparked outraged for food safety concerns. In the clip, a diner was recorded removing the protective lid while the plates were still on the conveyor belt, slurping individual rolls before putting the plate back, and picking up individual rolls straight from the conveyor belt. The franchise later released a statement clarifying that the diner was a staff member at the outlet, and that the employee will be penalized according to company rules.

In a recently uploaded video, a diner was recorded picking up sushi rolls straight from the conveyor belt. In another instance, they slurped up one roll before putting the plate back. Many find the video appalling.

Member of public
Appalled
What the heck is wrong with that kid? How are others supposed to eat after they trashed the place like that? It’s ridiculous. The conveyor belt keeps going round and round. If they did it to every plate, no one would dare eat anything from the shop.

Member of public
Appalled
It’s really disgusting. If I find out where it was, I’d probably never go.

The incident took place at a Tainan branch of a conveyor belt sushi outlet. Every plate on the conveyor belt is covered with a protective lid for food safety. Usually, staff will also keep an eye on the conveyor belt to prevent “sushi terrorism,” which was exactly what happened in the shocking video uploaded to Instagram.

Member of public
Appalled
The prank must be heavily penalized by competent authorities, so that something similar doesn’t happen again.

Lin Pi-fen
Tainan City Govt. Health Bureau
We suggest that restaurants continue to strengthen food safety management measures, including increasing patrols around the front of house to take note of suspicious behavior from customers.

The franchise has issued a statement to apologize and clarify that the incident took place after business hours, and they’ve identified the diner as a staff member. It also stated that the company will penalize the employee according to its rules and take legal action.

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

#shocking #sushi #foodsafety #sashimi

2026-06-29

Surplus cabbage turned into frozen meals as prices fall

Due to the warming climate, there has been a surplus of cabbages since last November, with prices falling to as low as NT$10 per head in some areas. To deal with this abundance, the Agriculture and Food Agency has partnered with frozen food manufacturers and convenience stores to offer packages of frozen vegetables, aiming to make use of the 300 tons of surplus cabbage.

Whether stir-fried or added to hot pot, cabbage is a versatile and nutritious vegetable commonly used in many households. Now people can also buy frozen cabbage.

Even though it’s been frozen, it tastes fresh. Due to the unseasonably warm winter, there has been a surplus of cabbage since November, with the abundance driving prices down and farmers struggling to make ends meet. The Agriculture and Food Agency partnered with farmers’ associations, frozen food manufacturers, and convenience stores to offer packages of frozen cabbage, hoping to find a new way to market the vegetable.

Chen Chi-jung
Agriculture and Food Agency deputy director-general
During peak harvest season, the produce is processed and frozen for storage so it can be marketed later when supply is low. The current target is 300 tons, and it’s expected to continue growing.

With the plum rain season over and typhoons coming, vegetable prices have started to rise. The agency said that if prices become unstable, it will release more frozen vegetable packs to keep prices steady.

Chen Chi-jung
Agriculture and Food Agency deputy director-general
We have over 4,600 tons of frozen vegetables including broccoli, cauliflower, green onions, taro, and green beans. These can all be frozen and preserved, adding to their value.

Working with farmers and retailers, the agency will continue to offer customers affordable choices for frozen vegetables.

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

#cabbage #vegetables #AgricultureandFoodAgency #agriculture #farmers #climate #climatechange #frozencabbage #frozenvegetables

2026-06-29

Yunlin taro center offers free shaved ice for perfect test scores

Scoring 100 on a test can score some free shaved ice! Students from any school and any grade can bring their test papers to the Taro Education Center in Yunlin’s Linnei Township to get a tasty treat. Even standardized exams count! For four years now, the promotion has encouraged students to study hard while also drawing visitors to the sleepy rural township.

Topped with deliciously ripe mango and a drizzle of condensed milk, a bowl of shaved ice is the perfect way to stave off the summer heat.

- Here’s my perfect score.
- OK, let me see. Wow, a 100 in math! Great job!

Students line up at the window carrying their test papers to exchange for a bowl of ice.

- Mine is in English.
- 100 in English!
- I’m trading it for some ice.

The Taro Education Center here in Yunlin’s Linnei Township is running a generous promotion. Students from any school and any grade can show any test—whether a quiz, midterm, final, or even a grueling standardized exam—for a bowl of shaved ice. All they need is a perfect score.

Member of public
They’ll work hard to get a 100 so they can get a bowl of ice. This initiative is really fantastic. It can encourage good habits.

Since the center started the promotion four years ago, they’ve given away more than 500 bowls of shaved ice, although most of the recipients have been elementary schoolers.

Lin Chien-an
Center manager
We decided to expand the program this year to get more students involved. So everyone in junior high, high school, or taking a standardized exam are all eligible.

The promotion has also drawn lots of visitors from out of town. Since they allow for one bowl per subject, some bring stacks of tests to get their entire family a free dessert.

Lin Chien-an
Center manager
The furthest visitors traveled all the way from Taoyuan. They were already planning a vacation down here in Yunlin, but made sure to stop at our center to get some free ice. The entire family had a great time.

The center was set up eight years ago with help from the Soil and Water Conservation Agency under the then-Council of Agriculture to promote education about taro, the area’s signature crop, and to encourage tourism. The manager started the promotion as a way to encourage academic achievement, as well as funnel more tourism dollars into the rural township.

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

#Linnei #Yunlin #TaroEducationCenter #shavedice #academicexcellence #perfectscore #students #giveaway

2026-06-29

In New Taipei City, hornet attacks in rural areas are increasing dramatically

The number of hornet attacks this year has been significantly higher than previous years and they seem to be occurring earlier in the year than is normal. According to statistics, in New Taipei City alone there were nearly 4,000 incidents involving hornets by June. National Taiwan University’s Department of Entomology has now designed a LINE Bot warning system for hornet hotspots in New Taipei. Just by looking at a map, you can see if there are hornet hives nearby you as you hike. Let’s find out what all the buzz is about.

A man sits on the ground, completely weak, and firefighters give him an emergency shot of adrenaline, Why? Because he had just been stung by a hornet.

Here is the Sandiaoling trail in New Taipei’s Ruifang District. During the Dragon Boat Festival long weekend, a professor from National Taiwan University and his friends arranged to go hiking. He never expected to be attacked by hornets halfway up the trail. The Ruifang District Office responded immediately, removing the hornet net and temporarily sealing off the area. Hornets have been unusually active this year and the attacks are occurring earlier in the year than usual.

Yang Shu-fang
New Taipei animal protection office
By June in New Taipei City, the number of cases involving hornets had reached over 3,000, almost 4,000.

Yang Sheng-min
Ruifang District Office
Our research team at National Taiwan University has shown that the number of hornets this year is significantly higher than last year, and the timing of their attacks has also started earlier.

The Animal Protection Office collaborated with National Taiwan University, where Professor Yang En-cheng led a team from the Department of Entomology to design an alert and notification system. His LINE Bot warning system for hornet hotspots in New Taipei City issues an alert once users enter a hazardous area. The public can also proactively report sightings through the system, check the maps, and track the situation in real time to avoid hornet attacks.

Yang En-cheng
National Taiwan University
If you find any hornets, they can be reported directly through our LINE system. Back in our research institute, we have dedicated graduate students and assistants who maintain this system.

There are various aggressive species, such as the Asian Giant Hornet and the Yellow-legged hornet roaming around. When going hiking, it’s advisable not to wear perfume or bright colored clothing and never disturb a hornet swarm. If you see a hive or a swarm of hornets, leave as fast as you can.

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

#hornets #hornet #hiking #outdooractivities #safety

2026-06-29

Offices and schools shut down across Taiwan amid heavy rain

Heavy rains plummeted all of Taiwan on Friday under the influence of a tropical storm, a weather front and southwesterly winds. Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and southern Taiwan were particularly hard hit, with many counties and cities suspending work and classes. Meteorology enthusiasts on social media say that in less than a day and a half, many areas in the plains of Pingtung had accumulated rainfall of over 800 millimeters.

The Central Weather Administration said that even though overall the rainfall is letting up, moisture levels remain high. On Saturday, rainfall will be primarily concentrated in western Taiwan, with residents in Hualien and Taitung advised to be aware of short-bursts of heavy rain. On Sunday, a frontal system will move northwards, bringing intermittent showers or thunderstorms to western Taiwan. There will also be intermittent showers or thunderstorms in Southern Taiwan on Monday. From Tuesday onwards, the weather will gradually improve, with mostly cloudy to sunny skies returning across the island. However, be mindful of afternoon thunderstorms.

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

2026-06-26

Hsinchu mayors slammed for late decision to suspend work and classes

Residents in Hsinchu City and Hsinchu County are furious at their mayors for only announcing the suspension of work and classes around noon, when the heavy downpours had already caused severe flooding in many parts of the region. For example, a scooter driver slipped and got washed down the road, while a residential building got flooded when water poured through a window.

A scary moment unfolded in front of Guangfu Junior High in Hsinchu, as a scooter rider was knocked down and swept away—along with his vehicle—by the raging muddy water.

It’s heavily flooded on Guangfu Road, and the water is flowing quickly. Crossing the street is like wading through a stream for these kids. Some even needed a helping hand from the traffic police.

At this residential building, floodwater from the courtyard poured in as soon as a window was opened, likely the result of a clogged drain.

As the rain poured down, tiny cascades broke through a red brick wall and sputtered outward. Nearby, an underground walkway had completely flooded, as had other parts of town.

Local resident
Hsinchu
The streets were shoddily patched together. If you add what’s over there, it was about this high before. The road surface should be elevated. The more work they do, the worse it gets.

- 8:30.
- It started flooding at 8:30?
- Of course I’m worried. I can’t even bother to sweep the water. I’ll do it when it subsides a bit.

Local residents are baffled as to why their mayors did not call off work and classes with such heavy rainfall. On Friday morning, Zhubei City Mayor Cheng Chao-fang announced that his town would suspend work and classes after midday. He also wrote that he only learnt at 8:50 a.m. from county Commissioner Yang Wen-ke’s Facebook page that the county government had authorized individual townships to call off work and classes at their own discretion.

Netizens flooded Yang Wen-ke’s post to slam him, accusing him of shirking his responsibilities. One user commented, "The county government failed to make a decision and didn’t even notify grassroots staff. Does the commissioner think he can just pass the buck with a single Facebook post?" After all, residents were already furious after risking the floodwaters to get to work first thing in the morning.

Local borough wardens have been busy all morning inspecting damages.

Hung Yen-ching
Beilun Borough warden, Zhubei
Really heavy. The rainfall was really, really heavy. Has this ever happened? Yes, around eight years ago. Good thing that we’d just cleared the sewages. But the rain was simply too heavy. There’s no way to drain the water that quickly.

Before the day began, the more remote townships of Wufeng and Jianshi had already suspended work and classes for the day. Later, Zhubei, Guanxi, Xinpu, Hukou, Qionglin and others followed. At 11 a.m., Hsinchu City Mayor Ann Kao made her announcement on Facebook, starting suspensions at 12 p.m. Local residents would rather have the announcement made earlier.

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

#rain #weather #heavyrain #downpour #flood

2026-06-26

Taipei City Government slammed for holding kids’ track meet in downpour

Heavy rainstorms hit Neihu District in Taipei City early Thursday morning, causing widespread flooding. However, a track-and-field tournament organized by the Taipei City Government Education Department went ahead as scheduled. A total of 159 students from 14 elementary schools competed in the downpour, a situation some parents found unacceptable. They worried that their kids could not only catch cold, but that this could also cause foot injuries.

Jocelyn Hung
Taipei City Councilor (DPP)
These children were forced to participate in running races and a 2,000-meter race walk in torrential rain, which took almost half an hour. They were soaked the entire way, and by the end, they had no dry clothes to change into. I ask Chiang Wan-an: As a father of three, do you have the heart to let children suffer like this? Is the Education Department asleep at the wheel? What is the point of this competition? Are you trying to cultivate sportsmanship in children, or are you just trying to make them sick? I find it utterly incomprehensible.

In an interview, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an stated that he had instructed the Department of Education to look into the matter, emphasizing that student safety must be the top priority when schools face sudden, heavy downpours during competitions. The Department of Education added that the referees had assessed the weather conditions according to track-and-field regulations and subsequently shortened the competition. Afterward, hairdryers and facilities for athletes to change clothes were provided.

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

#rain #weather #downpour #schoollife #trackandfield #Chiangwanan #Taipeipolitics

2026-06-26

Taiwan’s Irwin mangoes fly off French shelves

Taiwan’s Irwin mangoes were sold in France for the first time this year, offered at high-end supermarkets for over NT$2,000 per kilogram. Despite the high price, the first shipment sold out within two days. Prices later surged to over NT$3,600 per kilogram, but demand continued to outstrip supply.

Bright red mangoes glisten in the sunlight, their golden yellow flesh sweet and juicy. These premium Irwin mangoes were recently boxed and shipped to France to be sold at the iconic Galeries Lafayette department store.

Voice of Weng Kai-li
Merchant
It’s an honor that Taiwan’s agricultural products have truly reached world-class standards, enabling them to be sold here.

Taiwan’s sweet Irwin mangoes have won over French customers, selling out quickly after they hit the shelves. Prices have even more than doubled. Even among mangoes from other countries, Taiwan’s produce stood out due to their bright red shine and delectable sweetness.

Voice of Weng Kai-li
Merchant
They sold really well once they hit the market, selling out in just two days. Besides their striking color and appearance, Irwin mangoes’ sweet aroma can be smelled from far away.

France’s Galeries Lafayette is renowned for carrying luxury brands. After passing strict EU quarantine requirements and overcoming major shipping challenges, Irwin mangoes have sold well in France’s premium market, boosting confidence for farmers back in Taiwan.

Chen Ming-hsien
Agriculture marketing chair
France has the highest costs because flying them out there takes 48 hours. But having another channel to market the fruit is great for farmers.

Chou Chun-mi
Pingtung County Commissioner
I’m really proud. We will continue to assist our farmers in Pingtung, marketing more of Pingtung’s great products around the world.

Taiwan’s mangoes are selling well in South Korea as well as France, proving there is no need to rely on the Chinese market. Although international shipping and cold chain management is costly, it has enhanced Irwin mangoes’ international competitiveness and put a spotlight on Taiwan’s agricultural products.

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

#mango #Irwin #Taiwan #France #international #market #success #internationaltrade

2026-06-26

New York Yankees sign 18-yo pitcher Lai Chien-fan

An 18-year-old has been signed to the New York Yankees. After 16 years, Lai Chien-fan has become the third Taiwanese player to join the Yankees, after Wang Chien-ming in 2000 and Kuo Fu-lin in 2009. Lai has just graduated from Taoyuan’s Daxi Senior High School. The signing ceremony on Friday was attended by his Yankees Taiwanese predecessors. Let’s hear from all of them.

Lai Chien-fan
New York Yankees pitching prospect
I am the New York Yankees’ Lai Chien-fan. I had chosen to attend high school in Taoyuan, which is very far away from home, but my family had supported my decision. Now, I’m going even farther. I will work harder and hopefully reach the Majors. I hope to achieve what Wang Chien-ming has. What he had achieved really wasn’t an easy feat.

Matt Slater
Yankees global player acquisition supervisor
Chien-fan displays tremendous abilities that we believe can make him a Major League player. It has been 16 years since the New York Yankees signed a player in Taiwan… 12 years since we signed a player in Asia.

Wang Chien-ming
CTBC Brothers pitching coach
Of course we hope he could stay in Taiwan. But on second thoughts, even if he did, it’s not completely certain that we will get him on our team. So it’s great that he’ll be challenging himself in the US. I hope he’ll continue on his endeavors over there.

Kuo Fu-lin
TSG Hawks player
There will be excellent players from around the world. Don’t be intimidated when you see how tall and buff they are. You’ll also become even better.

Born in Taitung to an Amis family, Lai was selected to join the country’s U18 team in Grade 11. He had thrown a fastball with a speed as high as 154km/h. According to reports, his contract is worth US$850,000, around NT$25 million. He is expected to arrive in the US before the end of the year to hopefully join the Yankees’ off-season training.

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#MLB #baseball #yankees #athlete #amazingteens

2026-06-26

Five cutting-edge inventions win ITRI Elite Awards

The Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI, unveiled the winners of its prestigious Elite Awards on Thursday, with three top awards offered to outstanding research projects and two for inventions that contributed to industrialization. The projects covered fields such as AI, next generation communications and net-zero sustainability. One AI technology that won an award has been implemented in over 2,000 companies, helping to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. Let’s find out more.

Robotic arms swing back and forth with precision, and various data appears in real time on a screen. The seemingly busy production line is actually being analyzed by AI. These innovative technologies that are transforming the face of industry all come from ITRI.

Lee Tzong-ming
ITRI Senior Vice President
At ITRI, our primary focus is on strategizing for the future, driving innovation in domestic industries and serving as a trusted industrial partner. We also hope that this Elite Award ceremony and the recognition it brings will provide great encouragement to our colleagues.

The ITRI Elite Awards, often referred to as the "ITRI Oscars," have announced their winners. This year’s five gold award-winning technologies focus on AI, next-generation communications, and net-zero sustainability. Among them, the AI-enabled large-scale demonstration project, which won the Industrialization Contribution Gold Award, has been implemented in more than 2,000 companies. Through AI-based segmentation and labeling technology, it has helped the food and beverage industry increase the average order value and lowered the barriers to AI adoption for SMEs.

Lee Tzong-ming
ITRI Senior Vice President
Our Elite Awards this year cover areas that are closely related to our future strategies. We are also cooperating with government policies, leveraging the capabilities of ITRI to serve and drive different industries, helping them save on labor costs, increase efficiency and promote innovation.

Also winning a gold award was ultra-high frequency technology, which targets the needs of 6G and satellite communications. It not only improves chip efficiency but also pioneers the integration of chips, antennas, and heat dissipation modules. In the field of net-zero sustainability, the domestically produced zero-rare-earth EC fan motor saves 40% more electricity than traditional motors, further upgrading energy conservation for the industry.

Hsu Jen-yuan
ITRI Information and Communications Labs
Taiwan has never had its own chips or solutions for key components of satellite communications. Our technology aims to fill this gap in key satellite communication components and solutions.

From AI implementation on factory production lines to proprietary satellite communication technology and net-zero energy-saving solutions, ITRI responds to industry needs through innovative R&D and continues to lay the groundwork for Taiwan’s next wave of technological competitiveness.

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#ITRI #technology #innovation #tech #AI

2026-06-26

Taiwanese researchers play major role in Japanese space mission

Taiwanese developed software has successfully been launched into space. A Japan-led mission in collaboration with researchers from Taiwan’s National Chung Hsing University and National Tsing Hua University launched a CubeSat space telescope into space. This marked a significant milestone for the participation of Taiwanese academia in international space missions. Let’s find out more.

Countdown, lift off! A CubeSat space telescope that has input from research teams at National Chung Hsing University and National Tsing Hua University successfully launches into space aboard a Japanese Jaxa H3 rocket.

Goto Tomotsugu
National Tsing Hua University
Out CubeSat is a more sensitive one to make this measurement, and we’re trying to reveal where this faint light is coming from.

This mission, led by the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency or Jaxa, along with 13 industry, academic and research institutions from Taiwan and Japan, marks a significant milestone for Taiwan’s academic community when it comes to participating in international space science missions.

Lin Chien-hung
Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education’s program to jointly launch three satellite missions with Japan is something Taiwan has never done before. I believe the successful launch of this project serves as a trailblazer for us. We hope the success of National Chung Hsing University and National Tsing Hua University will pave the way for National Central University’s satellite project next year and National Cheng Kung University’s the year after to be launched successfully.

The data reception system as well as the subsequent data processing and calibration systems used in the mission were all independently developed by the Taiwanese team. Following the successful launch, the research team will verify the satellite’s functionality and conduct preliminary observations. Over the next year, they plan to continuously collect cosmic background radiation data, moving a step closer to unraveling the mystery behind the origin of the universe’s “excess light.”

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#Jaxa #NCHU #NTHU #VERTECS #Cubesat #spaceresearch #spacetelescope

2026-06-26

Nigerian child flies to Taiwan for life-changing surgery

A seven-year-old girl from Nigeria named Miracle, born with a rare condition that left her dependent on a colostomy, underwent life-changing reconstructive surgery in Taiwan. Miracle’s mother sold her property to bring her daughter across the world for treatment. Now she can eat and use the bathroom normally. Miracle celebrated her birthday for the first time in Taiwan, marking a new beginning for the family.

Dressed like a princess in a pink tiara, seven-year-old Miracle from Nigeria came to Taiwan with her mother for a life-changing surgery. She had a rare birth defect in which the opening to the anus was missing or blocked. Although she had previously undergone a colostomy, her family’s financial difficulties meant she could only use diapers and bandages to manage her condition.

Jennifer
Miracle’s mother
I was very, very happy because I was thinking, “Is this real life, or a dream?” I’m surprised because it just seems like a movie, is it real, or is it not real? But I just thank God for every day.

Jennifer sold her property to fly to Taiwan with her daughter. With the support of the Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps and Taipei Medical University, Miracle was able to get the reconstructive surgery she needed to live a normal life. After her surgery, Miracle celebrated her birthday for the first time in Taiwan.

Jennifer
Miracle’s mother
I don’t have the money to celebrate her birthday. I was very, very happy, for the first time in her life I celebrated her birthday and the first in her life she cuts cake.

Huang Fu-huan
Taipei Medical University Hospital pediatric surgeon
The first surgery was to reconstruct her anorectal anatomy, creating a functional anal opening where there was none by pulling down the rectum and forming a normal anus for her to use. The second surgery was performed after confirming that anal dilation and bowel function were both ok, then we closed her temporary colostomy.

After flying across the world, Miracle has marked a new beginning to her life. Her dream is to become a doctor so she can help others, just like these doctors have helped her.

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#miracle #Nigeria #Taiwan #surgery #medical #medicine #lifechanging #medicalbills #birthday

2026-06-26

Taipei luxury apartments shrink as credit and space tightens

Luxury homes in Taipei are getting smaller. The days of buying properties over 100 ping are fading, as high-end buyers shift toward more compact units. In one major development in Zhongzheng District, 37 sales over the past three years averaged nearly NT$100 million each, but the actual living space was under 60 ping. Experts say tighter credit rules and a 30% mortgage cap are pushing wealthy buyers to reconsider and choose smaller homes.

This luxury apartment building in the heart of Taipei’s Zhongzheng District has apartments ranging from 57 to 70 ping. It has sold 37 units over the past three years, making it a favorite among wealthy buyers.

Tang Shih-ching
FTV reporter
Close to the Bo’ai Special Zone and Ministry of Economic Affairs, apartments in this safe and quiet area cost about NT$100 million. But after accounting for shared facilities and parking, the actual living space is smaller than 60 ping.

While luxury homes were traditionally large, smaller units are becoming the norm in Taipei’s high-end housing market. The top three best-selling luxury developments built within the past 10 years all have an average interior space of less than 75 ping.

The second best-selling luxury residence over 10 years old sold seven units over the past three years, with an average interior space of 75.6 ping. The shift in the market is largely driven by the Central Bank’s seventh round of selective credit controls.

Kuo Han
Real-estate research director
Because the mortgage is capped at just 30%, buyers purchasing luxury homes must provide 70% in cash. For a NT$100 million property, that means putting down NT$70 million up front, so smaller units have become a more attractive option. In addition, land in Taipei is limited. Traditional luxury apartments were mainly in Xinyi District, but now luxury developments are emerging in areas that were previously less common, such as the Dunnan area and Zhongzheng District.

Today’s wealthy buyers are less focused on purchasing large homes. Even with tighter government controls, location and scarcity remain the key factors for keeping luxury property values stable.

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#apartment #Taipei #property #realestate #luxury #luxuryhome #luxuryapartment #mortgage #price

2026-06-26