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TSMC reportedly set to hike prices for mature-node wafer production

After four straight years of raising prices for its advanced manufacturing processes, TSMC is now reportedly set to increase prices for its mature-node wafer production as well. Market sources say many customers have already been notified, with the new pricing expected to take effect in January next year, marking the first price hike for mature processes since the Covid-19 pandemic. Analysts say the move signals that the AI boom is no longer limited to GPUs and high-performance computing, but is now driving demand for a wider range of chips, including power management ICs and power devices. Let’s hear more.

Nobunaga Chai
Cloud Express
TSMC adjusted its prices by less than 5% in the first quarter already. The adjustments affected everything from 8-inch wafers to the most advanced tech, and mainly reflected higher production costs. Capacity utilization for 3nm and 5nm processes is above 100%. For mature-node processes, it’s close to full capacity at an average of almost 90%.

Investors are closely watching TSMC ahead of its earnings conference on July 16. Key issues include the rollout of its 2nm process, progress at its overseas fabs, competition from Samsung and Intel, and rising manufacturing costs. Confidence remains strong, with six foreign brokerages already raising their target price for TSMC shares to above NT$3,000. Now, the market is waiting to see what guidance the company will provide for the months ahead.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#tsmc #earnings #chips #semiconductor #tech

Time：2026-07-13

最新消息 Latest News

Metal sheets fall on road, building facade crumbles

A scooter driver barely dodged a tragic end in Taoyuan last week, after the strong winds of Typhoon Bavi sent several huge sheets of metal crashing down on the street. It is thought that the debris came from a construction site in the rooftop of a nearby building. The sheets fell just a couple of steps in front of the scooter. And that wasn’t the only near-disaster in Northern Taiwan. Over in New Taipei, several pieces of a building’s façade were ripped right off the wall and sent crashing down on the parked scooters below. Miraculously, nobody was in the area when it happened.

A scooter driver was cruising down the road, nothing amiss, when out of nowhere, huge sheets of metal came crashing down. One second later, and it could’ve been the end for the motorist. A heart-stopping fright for sure.

Local
Yangmei District
Terrifying! It might’ve been the typhoon. Maybe the metal sheets were old, and the wind ripped them off.

- They must have come from that building, I think.

The near-disaster happened on Zhongxing Road in Taoyuan’s Yangmei District. Construction was underway on the rooftop of a building in the area. It is thought the materials were not properly secured, and were blown loose by the strong winds. Thankfully, nobody was crushed by the metal.

- Maybe the strong wind blew them over. Or maybe they were hoisting them up.
- No, they did that on Thursday.
- They weren’t lifting them? There’s no crane here now.
- No, no. They finished the day before. Wednesday or Thursday.

And it’s not only metal falling from the sky. Over in New Taipei’s Xinzhuang District, three huge brick ornaments on a building’s façade were ripped off the wall and slammed onto several scooters parked below.

Voice of scooter owner
Scooter got damaged
I saw it when I was about to get on my scooter. Chunks of the façade came off and destroyed the headlights completely. The building management told me to leave my phone number, but they haven’t called me! Not yesterday nor today! They hadn’t even fenced the area off last night, and they let people keep walking past.

The crash site has since been cordoned off, and warnings have been put up. But the scooter owner says the most infuriating thing is the response from management. On a social media post he said, “It was just a scooter this time, but what if it had crushed someone?”

Voice of scooter owner
Scooter got damaged
It’s not the first time that the façade crumbled. If this is their attitude when a vehicle gets damaged, what would it be if a person got hurt?

Lee Yu-sheng
Lawyer
In the case that tiles or other items fall off the façade and damage someone’s property, the law presumes the committee to be negligent in its management duties if it cannot produce evidence that it fulfilled its maintenance responsibilities. And, if they failed to put up no-parking signs, the committee would be held civilly liable for compensation.

The scooter owner says he just hopes the building’s management will take the matter seriously in order to prevent a potential tragedy.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#finaldestination #scooter #wow #closecall #facade #maintenance

2026-07-13

Uber One monthly membership rises from NT$120 to NT$199

When hunger or thirst calls, many prefer to not leave the house. But starting today, members of Uber’s delivery service will need to pay even more to enjoy the convenience of at-home dining. Originally NT$120 a month, the cost of membership will now be NT$199, an increase of 65.8%. Yearly memberships will see a similar hike, rising from NT$1,200 to NT$1,990. Uber stated that those wanting to cancel their membership must do so at least 48 hours before the renewal date.

Now that the yearly membership is NT$790 more expensive than before, many have expressed their anger online, saying it took them “half the day” to find where they could cancel their membership on Uber’s website. Coinciding with this wave of cancellations is less work for delivery drivers, who noticed today’s orders are fewer than normal. Uber Eat’s biggest competitor Foodpanda has responded by slashing its rates for 6-month memberships. The days of low-cost food delivery might be coming to an end though, as the Delivery Workers’ Rights Protection and Delivery Platform Management Act will go into effect on July 21.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#delivery #Uber #Foodpanda #membership #cancellation

2026-07-13

Dumpling shop praised for apologizing before minor price hike

A pan-fried dumpling stand in Taichung recently posted online saying they need to raise prices by NT$3 due to rising material costs. Thinking they would be criticized, the owner and her daughter bowed in apology while telling their customers that selling each bun for only NT$15 was no longer tenable. To her surprise, they weren’t criticized at all. On the contrary, people praised them for only raising prices by a little, when other shops are charging NT$20 or more.

The owner of this pan-fried dumpling stand and her daughter bow to the camera in apology, not because of any food safety scare, but because they have to raise prices by NT$3 due to rising costs.

Customer
OK with price hike
I don’t think she needs to apologize. It’s already a good price.

- Do you think NT$3 more is too much?
- No.
- Is it OK for you?
- Totally fine.

Even at NT$18, customers found the price to be reasonable. This stand in Taichung has been in business for years, selling scallion, pork, and cabbage dumplings for NT$15 apiece. But with soaring inflation and the price of cabbage fluctuating wildly, the owner said she couldn’t handle it any longer.

Stand owner
Hiked dumpling prices
I asked ChatGPT and it said that although NT$17 is the ideal number, we’d go out of business. Raising it to NT$18 would be a minor change that people could accept. If we raised it to NT$20, we would make more, but people would hate us.

Unwilling to anger their customers by hiking prices by NT$5 at once, the owner decided just to raise it by the minimum NT$3. She was prepared to be criticized, but was pleasantly surprised to be met with praise instead. Over the past few days, they’ve even welcomed new customers looking to support them.

- They’re packed with filling and are crispy outside, not soggy at all.
- Would you buy it again for NT$18?
- Yeah, definitely.

This father and son pair found the "buy 10 get one free” deal to be a bargain. Their customers as a whole have found the price to be reasonable and hope they can stay in business so everyone can enjoy this affordable treat.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#dumplings #panfrieddumplings #streetfood #snack #Taichung #inflation #pricehike

2026-07-13

Typhoon Bavi causes damage of NT$2.88 million to jujube farmers

Jujube farmers in Miaoli are despairing, after all their hard work this year was ruined due to Typhoon Bavi last week. Jujubes are a key agricultural industry in the county. The sector got a nasty surprise just as the harvest was underway. The storm caused fruit to drop from trees and to crack, making it unsalvageable. The county commissioner joined agriculture officials to inspect the damage in Gongguan Township, where farmers estimate they’ve lost 50% of their crops. Let’s hear more.

Jujube farmer
Miaoli
Look at all this. Not one of them is good. They’re all cracked.

Jujube farmer
Miaoli
We hired three people to harvest them at NT$200 per hour. Only these few are salvageable. It’s a total loss if you factor in labor costs.

Chung Tung-chin
Miaoli Commissioner
I’ll talk with the council on behalf of our farmers, to see whether our county can subsidize part of the harvesting labor costs.

Hsu Chi-ming
Kung-Kuan Farmers’ Association
Production has been halved. Of the 50 tons we produced in all of Gongguan, we’ve been left with just 25 tons.

Gongguan and the nearby Tongluo Township estimate that some 20 hectares of jujube orchards were affected. Estimated monetary losses total some NT$2.88 million. The area received more than 100mm of rain in a span of 24 hours, which meets the central government’s threshold to be considered a disaster for mature jujube trees. Farmers can apply for disaster relief of NT$80,000 per hectare. The county government says it will provide assistance with the process.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#jujube #crop #farming #farmlife #countryside

2026-07-13

Lai says Taiwan has lost a friend after Lindsey Graham’s sudden death

On July 11, US Senator Lindsey Graham suddenly passed away from an aortic dissection. The 71-year-old Republican stalwart visited Taiwan on three occasions, and he played a role in Taiwan becoming a major non-NATO ally, meaning Taiwan enjoys military and financial advantages from the USA that are not available to non-NATO nations. President Lai also expressed his condolences on X, writing that Graham was “a true friend of Taiwan.”

On July 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wished US Senator Graham a happy belated birthday. Many found it hard to believe that this would be the Republican heavyweight’s last public appearance.

Anchor
CNN
It was a brief and sudden illness.

Graham became a senator back in 2003, and two decades later he served as one of Donald Trump’s closest political allies. After turning 71 on July 9, Graham ended up suddenly passing away just two days after his birthday.

Donald Trump (Jan. 23, 2023)
US President
A friend of mine for a long time. We don’t always agree, but that’s okay, too. But he’s a great guy, a great politician, actually, and a terrific person who loves your state.

One of the Republican presidential candidates for the 2016 election cycle, Graham exerted significant influence over his party. President Trump ordered flags nationwide to be flown at half-staff to honor the late US Senator Graham. President Lai Ching-te also posted a message on X that expressed he was “deeply saddened by the sudden passing” of Graham and that the US senator was “a true friend of Taiwan.”

Lindsey Graham (April 15, 2022)
Republican senator
What would America do if the communist Chinese invaded Taiwan? We’re here in this part of the world not to conquer, but to be a good ally. If America abandons Taiwan, it will change the world fundamentally for the worst.

Graham never wavered in his support for Taiwan. He visited Taiwan three times, including an April 2022 bipartisan congressional delegation he led that flew to Taiwan on a US military aircraft. Tsai Ing-wen was the president back during that visit, and the delegation was the first item on Tsai’s agenda after her home quarantine was finished. Graham introduced the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, which was seen as a breakthrough for US-Taiwan relations, as it involved arms sales from the US.

Jean Kuo
Legislator (DPP)
I’m incredibly saddened to hear of his passing. Going forward, we’ll need to continue working with a bipartisan approach that involves up and coming American members of Congress. By not differentiating between Democrats and Republicans, we’ll be able to establish channels of communication that’ll ensure the efforts of those in the US Congress who support Taiwan will be able to continue to offer their support.

Graham’s office confirmed his cause of death was an aortic dissection. Graham had intended to run for a 5th term as senator, which is a goal that, like Graham’s sudden passing, ended on July 11.

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

#Taiwan #armssales #LindseyGraham #NATO #heartattack #Trump

2026-07-13

Chiayi County commissioner candidate makes his chubby figure his brand

DPP legislator Tsai Yi-yu is turning his chubby physique into his badge of pride. The politician was even previously told by President Tsai Ing-wen to lose weight. Now he’s running for Chiayi County Commissioner in the year-end local elections and he’s made fat his personal brand. He’s designed a multicolored business card in an anime style that even says he is the “nimble fat corps”. Let’s find out more.

Legislator Tsai Yi-yu seems to have mastered some kind of superpower, moving freely in the water. It turns out he is flyboarding, but unfortunately, he was too heavy, and half of him ends up submerged in water.

With increased horsepower Tsai managed the heroic posture of an aquatic iron man, but only for a few seconds. Despite weighing over 100kg, Tsai is agile, but he can’t get rid of his chubby frame, which he simply uses to make fun of himself.

- The “nimble fat corps.” Here are the addresses of my Puzi service center and Shuishang service center.

Upon closer inspection, Tsai Yi-yu’s business card completely breaks away from tradition; it doesn’t resemble a business card at all, but rather a game card. It turns out this is an anime-style card he creatively designed himself, with his personal information presented in the style of a game character introduction.

Tsai Yi-yu
Chiayi County Commissioner candidate (DPP)
RPGs give characters abilities and levels. Level 109 was my weight, but then I felt it was a bit embarrassing, so I just made the level infinite.

Chiayi County resident
Likes the business card
It’s very creative. I’d like to collect it.

Not only are his business cards incredibly eye-catching, but his canned wet wipes co-branded with the mayoral candidate for Chiayi’s Taibao, Lu Hui-yu, also feature an anime style, aiming to capture the votes of young people.

Chiayi County resident
Likes both candidates
The two of them must work together; only then can they create a win-win situation.

Tsai, who has served three terms as a legislator, is now running for Chiayi County Commissioner. This nimble fat man will continue to navigate the political arena.

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

#Chiayipolitics #personalbranding #bodyimage #Tsaiyuyi #Taiwanelections #Chiayi

2026-07-13

Five-star hotel offers local Tainan favorites targeting summer travelers

Summer vacation is here, and hotels are pulling out all the stops to entice families to visit. One five-star hotel in Taipei is offering the most popular local bites from Tainan to bring in the crowds, including stir-fried eel noodles and seafood pot noodles. Even the glutinous rice cakes and shrimp meatballs from hugely popular Tainan restaurants can be enjoyed in the comfort of high-class buffet restaurants. As the stock market continues to hit record highs, people aren’t skimping on a delicious night out.

A wok is heated until is glows red. Then comes the oil, quickly followed by eel stir-fried in the roaring flames and tossed with noodles. After mere seconds, this meal of Tainan eel noodles is ready to serve.

Full of fresh shrimp, scallops, and abalone, this seafood pot is tossed fresh in noodles for the most authentic southern flavor. Now, the best of Tainan’s cuisine can be enjoyed right in Taipei.

Mr. Liu
Rice cake restaurant owner
This recipe was passed down to me by my grandmother. I hope to pass down this kind of rice cake through any means.

Wei Shih-chang
Shrimp meatball restaurant owner
We try to keep it as close to its authentic, original taste as possible. Partnering with a hotel means they’ll help us generate exposure, whether for our shop or for Tainan as a whole.

This five-star hotel in Taipei invited famous restaurants in Tainan to bring their specialities up north. These gelatinous rice cakes are even served in traditional wooden barrels and bicycles from the Japanese era. The freshly steamed shrimp meatballs are delicious with a drizzle of sauce. And be sure to follow it up with a refreshing cup of A Mei Ma’s tea. With the stock market hitting new highs, more people are willing to splurge on buffets than ever before.

Member of public
Doesn’t look at price
The stock market has given me more pocket money lately, so it makes you want to spend a bit more, like on travel abroad or restaurants. I don’t even look at the price so much.

Chen Mu-shan
Hotel marking assistant manager
We brought in several legacy shops from Tainan to launch this Tainan Food Culture Festival. Driven by the stock market’s performance, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in dining voucher sales and reservations, which have boosted revenue by 10% to 20%.

The hotel is also offering more bang for your buck by giving out raffle tickets for traditional Tainan pudding and creative products, including a grand prize of a dining voucher for NT$20,000.

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

#Tainanfood #gelatinousrice #streetfood #cuisine #hotelrestaurant #gourmet #foodie

2026-07-13

Keelung aquarium to issue measures combatting illegal temporary parking

Although the Regional Exploration Gallery at Keelung’s National Museum of Marine Science and Technology has paid parking lots, finding a space is often incredibly difficult. Looking to cheat the system, some drivers have chosen to park for free in the pickup and drop-off zone, even though it’s meant for loading and unloading passengers. The illegal parking has sparked public outrage, leading the museum to respond by vowing to formulate corresponding measures.

As far as the eye can see, every parking space under this bridge is taken. There isn’t even a spot to park along the road. Even the paid parking lots are full. Drivers looking to stop in this drop-off space for a few minutes can understand if there are a few cars parked there, but the entire row? That’s too much.

Member of public
Angry at rule breakers
It’s long-term parking! Some people even park their scooters there to hold the space. We often see cars parked there for a long time that never move.

Member of public
Angry at rule breakers
It’s ridiculous. Those are spaces set aside by the museum for people to drop off or pick up passengers. If you park there, people won’t know where to catch their ride.

This area is just outside the Regional Exploration Gallery of Keelung’s National Museum of Marine Science and Technology. It’s clearly meant for short-term pickup and drop-off, but recently, it’s become a regular lot where people like to park long-term. Law-abiding drivers looking for a legitimate space have been left feeling like fools.

Member of public
Considering solutions
They might as well just turn it into a paid parking area. Make everyone pay. If they charge money, it’ll be fairer for everyone.

Member of public
Finds it unfair
They’re abusing a loophole. It’s not fair to everyone else, especially tourists. When it’s like that, tourists have no idea what’s going on. If your car is blocking the way, how are they supposed to know it’s actually a drop-off zone?

In response, the museum has asked the relevant authorities to draft measures to prevent opportunistic drivers from continuing to take advantage of this parking loophole.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Keelung #dropoffzone #parking #driving #NMMST #loophole

2026-07-13

Family preserves traditional jerky and pork floss techniques in popular shop

Lovers of Taiwanese jerky and pork floss will appreciate this 40-year-old shop in Yuanlin City in Changhua, which is a family business. The second generation still sticks to traditional techniques they’ve learnt from their parents to make the jerky and floss and insists on using freshly slaughtered pork. Let’s find out more about these traditional Taiwanese tasty treats.

As a semi-automatic wok turns, waves of a rich crispy aroma permeate the air

- You have to stir it or it will get stuck and burn.

This jerky and pork floss shop in Yuanlin City in Changhua has been in business for 40 years and has strong appeal for customers spanning three generations.

Customer
Long time regular
We’ve been eating this for three generations, from my father-in-law’s generation, to when I married into the family, to our children, and now our grandchildren. We all love these flavors. So now that we’ve finished it, we’ve come back to buy more.

Customer
Loves jerky
It’s so convenient when we go outdoors. Kids love to eat it. For example, some jerky in other places has a gamey smell, so our kids don’t dare touch it. But theirs is just so delicious.

Discerning customers can tell with one bite that the owner uses only fresh, warm pork to maintain its elasticity.

Chang Yu-tsung
Second-generation owner
Our pork comes from freshly slaughtered pork that is never chilled. It’s processed immediately upon arrival, ensuring the meat is very fresh because only fresh meat has elasticity.

When Chang Yu-tsung, 37, was at university, his father suddenly passed away. He was unable to bear seeing his mother struggling alone. He decided to suspend his studies and take over the family business, the pork floss and jerky shop.

Chang Yu-tsung
Second-generation owner
It’s about passing on the legacy. After all, it’s the result of the meticulous work of my father and mother a generation ago. If we can continue it well, we’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment.

Their shop retains the warmth of traditional shop owners interacting with customers, and the family also embraces online marketing. They are not seeking great wealth, but rather a legacy of craftsmanship and delicious food.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Taiwancuisine #jerky #porkfloss #Yunlin #Changhua

2026-07-13

Typhoon Bavi expected to make landfall in early hours of Saturday

Typhoon Bavi is approaching Taiwan. The storm circle is expected to hit Taiwan in the early hours of Saturday, on the coast of New Taipei or Yilan. The Central Weather Bureau has issued land and sea warnings, and expects the heaviest rainfall in Central and Northern and Eastern Taiwan. Wind speeds could surpass 117km/h. Authorities urge the public to be prepared for the storm.

The Danjiang Bridge connecting Tamsui and Bali in New Taipei, which only opened last May is closing to traffic in two stages. At 8 p.m., authorities closed the scooter, bicycle and pedestrian lanes, and limited traffic to a maximum speed of 30km/h, down from 80. The bridge will close completely at 11 p.m. After the typhoon passes, officials will carry out safety inspections before making a decision on reopening.

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

#typhoon #traffic #storm #naturaldisaster

2026-07-10

Lai oversees typhoon preparations as almost 30,000 soldiers on standby

With the approach of Typhoon Bavi, which is the strongest typhoon for Taiwan in 25 years, the central and local governments are taking no chances. President Lai Ching-te, Premier Cho Jung-tai, and heads of various ministries were at the Central Emergency Operations Center early this morning, where they held video conferences with four counties and cities. Almost 30,000 troops will be standing by on alert, reading to help out.

President Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho Jung-tai sit in the Central Emergency Operations Center early in the morning, where they receive briefings from various agencies and issue directives.

Lai Ching-te
President
Given the ferocity of this typhoon, the Executive Yuan as early as it was possible implemented disaster prevention and relief measures. We hope that local governments will notify the central government if they have any further needs. I will also ask all central government agencies to do their utmost to assist local governments, especially in the northern region, where daily rainfall levels could reach 600 to 900mm, particularly in mountainous areas. This is an area that requires special attention.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
The president instructed on Monday that 28,922 troops from the nation’s armed forces would be standing by on alert. Final preparations and a final round of inspections are underway to ensure that local governments maintain their capacity for various mobile support operations.

The leaders also held video conferences on the spot with 4 counties and cities to better understand the state of their disaster preparations

Lai Ching-te
President
Under Mayor Hou’s leadership, New Taipei has mobilized all resources. Is there any area where you need assistance from the central government?

Liu Ho-jan
New Taipei Deputy Mayor
Places like Wulai, which can be easily isolated, have already seen our national armed forces and equipment deployed in advance. We are very grateful for the cooperation from the Central Government.

Liu Shyh-fang
Minister of the Interior
Excuse me, Deputy Hsinchu County Commissioner, you just mentioned that there might be some preventative evacuations in the mountains, including places like Jianshi or Wufeng. Rainfall and wind conditions can change greatly in the mountains, so we hope to complete the preventative evacuations as much as possible during daytime.

Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang, who was in charge, kept a close eye on the entire process, interrupting the report several times to ask questions. However, the public was curious as to why Taipei City, which had been the first to announce a holiday, wasn’t included in the video conferencing.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
It was because we had already scheduled a 9 a.m. meeting at the EOC office.

With the strongest typhoon in 25 years approaching, the central and local governments are on high alert.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#TyphoonBavi #Taiwantyphoons #emergencyresponses #Laichingte

2026-07-10

Prosecutors raid companies involved in carcinogenic oil crisis

Prosecutors from the Taichung District Prosecutors Office on Thursday searched four companies involved in selling carcinogenic cooking oil, taking 13 people into custody and questioning them overnight. On Friday, the office determined that Yu Ling-chung, the general manager of Central Union Oil, which was the source of the contaminated soya bean oil with carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene at over four times the legal level, was heavily implicated. It has formally requested a court to detain him without bail, incommunicado.

Lee Yu-pei
Taichung District Prosecutors’ Office
After a comprehensive analysis of the seized evidence, prosecutors determined that all 11 defendants are suspected of serious offenses, including violations of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation. Among them, the defendant surnamed Yu, general manager of Central Union Oil poses a risk of destroying or fabricating evidence, or colluding with accomplices and witnesses. Following interrogation, prosecutors applied to the court for his detention incommunicado.

Prosecutors stated that yesterday they conducted raids at six locations, searching four companies: Central Union Oil, Fopco, Fwusou and Taisun, seizing equipment, inspection reports, shipping documents and other evidence. Eleven individuals were named as defendants. Aside from Yu, the remaining 10 defendants, including the chairs of the four companies, were released on bail ranging from NT$500,000 to NT$20 million, depending on the severity of their involvement in the case.

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

#foodsafety #Taiwanfood #carcinogens #contaminatedfood #benzo(a)pyrene

2026-07-10

Tamarind fruit is being secretly stolen from a Kaohsiung park

Tamarind fruit, originally native to tropical Africa, has a uniquely bold sweet and sour flavor. It was introduced to Taiwan in the Japanese colonial era and is a key ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine; essential for popular dishes such as Thai green papaya salad. But appreciating this exotic fruit does not mean you should steal them from the Weiwuying Metropolitan Park. Let’s find more about these shady tamarind thieves.

Add fresh dried shrimp, peanuts, tomatoes and other ingredients and stir. Then add a spoonful of special-blend tamarind sauce and top with plump shrimp. Serve with refreshing and delicious green papaya shreds.

There’s also this specialty drink, made with tamarind and a touch of lemon, which is refreshing, helping to cut through greasiness, and cools you down in the summer.

Wang Ken-li
Thai restaurant owner
It’s mostly used in shredded green papaya dishes, as well as in drinks and some dipping sauces; it has a sweet and sour taste.

Tamarind fruit has a wide range of uses. It was introduced to Taiwan during the Japanese colonial era as an experimental tree species for street trees and economic crops. However, recently it was found that tamarind trees in Kaohsiung have taken a beating

The tamarind trees in Weiwuying Metropolitan Park in Kaohsiung have branches that are bent and look like they are about to break. Some people have seen people shaking the trees at night so that they can pick up tamarind fruits from the ground.

Member of the public
Doesn’t approve of theft
Shaking the trees is just wrong—they’re public property. Plus, it’s not like you’re even getting much out of it.

Member of the public
Doesn’t approve of theft
It’s quite unsettling, because there are a lot of children here.

Chen Pei-hsin
FTV reporter
Its fruit is said to be used to make tea, or even for resale, so it’s possible that this is why people are destroying the trees.

Such behavior not only damages trees but also violates regulations.

Chen Chin-hung
Kaohsiung Public Works Bureau
Those who refuse to comply after being stopped will be fined between NT$1,000 and NT$6,000, and in addition they will be required to compensate the value of the trees.

Tamarind fruit is popular and actually not expensive, but it is not only inappropriate to shake the trees in the park and pick up the fruit without permission – it’s also illegal.

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

#Thaicuisine #Taiwanparks #pettytheft #tamarind #Kaohsiungparks

2026-07-10

Animals sheltering in car engine compartments are a traffic hazard

A driver in Taichung was startled by two small animals dropping out of the car in front of him in succession. On closer inspection, he realized they were kittens, and they were on a busy road. Car repair experts say that it’s not uncommon for cats to hide in car engine compartments, especially in winter, where it’s warm and there’s shelter from the rain. They suggest tapping on the hood a few times before driving to check for any small animals. Failing to do so risks injuring the animal or causing a rear-end collision if they dart into traffic later. Let’s find out more.

A driver screams because a kitten darted out onto the road and he nearly ran over it.

How did a kitten suddenly appear on the road? It seemed to have fallen out of the sedan in front of it, and just as the driver was wondering what was going on, another thing happened.

Another kitten fell out of the sedan and rolled to the ground, seemingly injured and panicked, and then fleeing in terror. Within a mere 300m, two kittens dropped out of the car in succession. The driver of the following car believed that the kittens might have been hiding in the engine compartment, and the vibrations caused by starting the vehicle led to their fall.

Member of the public
Reacting to incident
If a creature suddenly dropped out, I would probably slam on the brakes immediately; anyone would be terrified.

Member of the public
Reacting to incident
If you have time, you’ll check your rearview mirror. But it’s actually quite difficult if you’re driving fast.

If the car brakes too late, it could run over the cat; sudden braking could also result in a rear-end collision. An auto repair specialist says it’s not uncommon for cats to hide in engine compartments.

Lin I-hsun
Repair shop operator
The openings are all quite large, making it easy to crawl through from underneath. They’re warm in winter, and if it rains, they provide shelter from the wind and rain. Before starting the engine, I’d suggest honking the horn slightly or tapping the hood to scare them away.

Police officers often help cats that have been hiding in the engine compartments escape when they are on duty. Before driving next time, drivers can tap the hood to startle any small animals that may be there and ensure safety.

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

#roadsafety #petmanagement #Taichung #cutecats #kitties

2026-07-10

Shoppers flock to markets and supermarkets ahead of typhoon

Shoppers flocked to markets and supermarkets to stock up on fresh produce and other necessities ahead of Typhoon Bavi’s arrival. Vegetables, meat, eggs and instant noodles flew off the shelves as soon as they were restocked, even despite efforts from retailers to double their inventory. At traditional markets, vegetable prices were surprisingly lower than in previous days, as farmers harvested their crops early to take them to market fast.

- People are buying a little more today. Some of it is cheaper than yesterday. We might not have anything on Sunday.

Veggies flew off the shelves, making this greengrocer sell out before noon. Some customers came to stock up for their businesses.

- I spent over NT$900 for my business. They’ll be more expensive these next few days.
- Did you buy a little extra?
- Exactly.

Shopper
Stocking up on veg
Since we got the day off due to the typhoon, I came shopping. Leafy greens are already expensive, so they’ll probably get even pricier after the typhoon, I think. I only bought some king oyster mushrooms. Maybe veggies will be cheaper next week.

Many made the best of their day off work and class to buy groceries. Taipei’s Binjiang Market was even busier than before the Lunar New Year. Early harvesting has boosted supplies, and even lowered prices.

Greengrocer
Binjiang Market
We received about one-third more than the previous trading day. Prices are noticeably lower. Leafy greens averaged NT$75 to NT$80 per 600g, but now they’re around NT$50. There’s also more shoppers, about a third more. They’re buying veggies that can be stored for several days.

Supermarkets and hypermarkets were packed. Shelves were emptied fast as shoppers swept away vegetables and meat. Checkout lines stretched across the store, as staff worked frenetically to restock.

Shopper
Preparing for typhoon
Cabbage keeps well. Mushrooms too. I bought three days’ worth of food, since the typhoon will be at its worst today and tomorrow. Veggies with a lot of moisture go limp fast.

Voice of Chang Chun-hung
Supermarket PR
We’ve increased our inventory of instant noodles, frozen dumplings and canned food. It’s as if we were preparing for the Ghost Festival shopping season. There were a lot of shoppers yesterday and the day before. We’ll get more deliveries today so we can keep restocking.

As Typhoon Bavi is set to bring strong winds and heavy downpours, people are getting ready to stay safe indoors.

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

#bavi #typhoon #shopping #veggies

2026-07-10

Driver in minor scrape caught with dead daughter passenger

A woman was caught driving with a dead passenger riding shotgun in her car thanks to a minor scrape with a parked scooter. At first, it all seemed like a minor traffic accident, but it all took a dark turn when witnesses smelled a foul odor emanating from the car, and noticed that the passenger was swollen and completely still. Emergency responders arrived and confirmed everyone’s suspicions: the passenger had died long before the collision. Let’s hear more.

Witness
Saw the dead person
Her mouth has hanging open, and her face was swollen. You could tell right away. It smelled like a decomposing body.

Witness
Saw the dead person
I didn’t dare get too close. I just took a peek. She was… lying there. The seat was reclined.

Tung Sheng-che
Police officer
The passenger, Ms. Chi, was clearly dead. Paramedics determined there was no need to take her to the hospital. The cause of death is under investigation.

Kao Ta-cheng
Forensic pathologist
She must have been dead for at least 30 minutes. She presented livor mortis, so it must have been more than 30 minutes, maybe even an hour, before she was loaded on the car.

The morbid scene took place on Zhonghe Road in Pingtung’s Xinyuan Township. The car driver was a 62-year-old woman, and the deceased passenger was her disabled daughter, aged 37. The two had set off on a trip from Taoyuan on July 1, joined by the driver’s elder sister. They stopped in Tainan, before heading to Kaohsiung on July 2 and finally making their way to Pingtung on July 9. They were allegedly heading to an outing at Donglong Temple when the disturbing situation was discovered.

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

#morbid #traffic #car #taitung #gothictaiwan

2026-07-10

Car wash uses plate recognition to tip off police about stolen, unregistered cars

Drivers usually take their car to an automatic car wash when it gets dirty, although it might be a hassle if you need to go late after work. Enter this 24-hour hybrid car wash in Taichung, which has both coin-operated and auto modes. It also features a rare license plate recognition system that not only enables easy payment, but is also linked to the police database to report stolen cars and fake plates.

Say you want to give your car a wash, but after a long day at work, cleaning it yourself is the last thing you want to do. Many gas stations have automatic car washes, but they don’t stay open overnight. What is there to do?

Chang Chiao-yi
FTV reporter
There are self-service car washes everywhere, but it’s rare to find an automatic one open 24 hours a day.

Our reporter went to try it herself. The water pressure was strong and it cleaned the car well. If you prefer to do it yourself, that’s no problem, either. But the payment method is a little different here.

Mr. Fu
Car wash owner
When you drive in, you don’t have to put in money. It works like a parking lot. When you’re done, just enter your license plate into the kiosk and it will display the charge. After you pay, you can leave. It’s fully automatic and also takes electronic payments.

Customer
Likes the update
It’s super convenient. Once you’re in, everything is easy to use. It’s not like the old days when you had to keep feeding it NT$10 coins.

The most unique part is that this car wash uses a license plate recognition system for entry. Like a parking lot, you pay for however long it takes. But it isn’t just your average setup, either. It also has another special function.

Mr. Fu
Car wash owner
Our license plate reader is linked to the police database. If it detects a plate that matches one provided, it’ll notify the police.

By connecting with the police database, cars with fake plates or canceled registration have nowhere to hide. As soon as they pull in, the scanner will reveal their secret.

Customer
Likes the car wash
Washing my car here feels safe. I think it’s great. It’ll be a big boost to public safety.

By merging convenience with technology, this 24-hour wash will leave your car sparkling while getting dirty vehicles off the road. Criminals beware—but as long as you’re clean, you can come and go with peace of mind.

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

#carwash #fakelicenseplate #criminal #driving #convenience #24hour #licenseplaterecognition #Taichung #crimefighting

2026-07-10

Rakuten cheerleaders record catchy new handwashing song

Yeom Se-been, Ha Ji-won, and Woo Su-han—three members of the Rakuten Monkeys cheerleading squad—were invited to film a music video for a new song meant to encourage good handwashing habits. The Korean stars sang entirely in Chinese for the first time, promoting good hygiene with their characteristically enthusiastic choreography. The song will even make its way into KTVs nationwide. The trio gave a sneak peek into their recording session, where they shared their struggles practicing their Chinese pronunciation and singing.

Scrubbing the left, scrubbing the right—this catchy dance hopes to catch on as the next national health anthem. The three Rakuten Monkeys cheerleaders Yeom Se-been, Ha Ji-won, and Woo Su-han are here to teach everyone the right way to wash your hands.

The trio gave a sneak peak into their recording session. You can tell it’s really them singing these Chinese lyrics! But it was a challenge getting it down.

Ha Ji-won
Rakuten Monkeys cheerleader
There are lots of sounds that fall between “wu” and “o,” so I still haven’t quite found the one that sits between the two. I think I still need more practice. For Koreans, blending the “wu” and “o” sounds together for words like shou and dou seems to require some practice.

Woo Su-han
Rakuten Monkeys cheerleader
My pronunciation of tuichang kept slipping, so it was all a mess. I honestly never figured out which was correct. I had to rerecord it.

The three cheerleaders were invited to record a music video to promote handwashing. It was the first time they sang a song entirely in Chinese, which will eventually be available on KTV systems. The trio are excited for their fans to be able to dance along with them.

Ha Ji-won
Rakuten Monkeys cheerleader
The moves are very simple and repeat a lot. Plus, these are the movements we always do when we wash our hands, so everyone can easily follow along. The song is also really catchy. I think it would be great if everyone can make their own videos as well.

Woo Su-han
Rakuten Monkeys cheerleader
Please sing along with us at karaoke! After learning it, we hope every time you wash your hands, you’ll think of us.

Through this simple and upbeat song, anyone can master good handwashing habits while also enjoying the irresistible charm of these beloved cheerleaders.

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

#RakutenMonkeys #cheerleaders #handwashing #goodhygiene #WooSuhan #HaJiwon #YeomSebeen #earworm #publichealth

2026-07-10

Mailiao education park honored with Italy photography award

The Mailiao Township Office in Yunlin organized an architecture photo competition, drawing over 200 entrants from nine organizations across central Taiwan. From the more than 1,200 submissions, 50 photos won awards. Apart from the contest, the Mailiao Community Education Park has also brought home exciting news: Its Life Aesthetics Hall and Smart Library won the Bronze Award at Italy’s A’ Design Award, showcasing the area’s architectural and cultural beauty on the global stage.

Dressed in magnificent pink and flashing a bright smile, this work is one of the gold medal winners at the Mailiao Township Office photography exhibition.

The office hosted the exhibition to promote the art of photography, inviting over 200 photographers from nine groups across central Taiwan to join in the event.

Hsu Chung-fu
Mailiao Township chief
Through the lenses of these photographers, people can discover the architectural beauty of Mailiao. It’s precisely because of this beauty that everyone can discover Mailiao’s incredible buildings and our exceptional library.

Photographers traveled all over the township, using their unique perspectives to capture the changing look of its structures and local features. More than 1,200 entries were received, out of which 50 pieces stood out to showcase Mailiao’s unique charm.

Hsu Chung-fu
Mailiao Township chief
This month, our team from Mailiao is also traveling to Italy to bring a world design award back home. It makes us feel that the world is once again seeing the architectural beauty of Mailiao and recognizing our transformation.

In recent years, Mailiao has sought to promote the arts and culture. Not only has the local photography exhibition shone brightly, but its Social Education Park’s Life Aesthetics Hall and Smart Library have also won the bronze prize at Italy’s A’ Design Award, allowing Mailiao’s public architecture to shine on the international stage.

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

#Mailiao #Yunlin #architecture #photoexhibition #architecture #photography #smartlibrary #internationalaward

2026-07-10