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Typhoon unlikely to make landfall yet it’ll bring violent winds and rain

Typhoon Bavi will soon approach Taiwan, and the Central Weather Administration will be issuing a sea warning on Thursday during the day, and a land warning in the evening, at the earliest. Bavi will be closest to Taiwan on Friday and Saturday. Although the typhoon is unlikely to make landfall, the Central Weather Administration says the storm will cover Central Taiwan and northward, including Yilan and Hualien. Extremely heavy rains can be expected in mountainous regions north of Taichung. Let’s hear more.

Huang En-hung
Central Weather Administration
It will slowly turn north on Wednesday evening and reach the south of the Ryukyu Islands on Friday. From Friday evening, all the way to daytime Saturday, it is expected to be closest to Taiwan. The radius of the storm, with Force 7 winds, is at least 300km, and so the whole area of Central Taiwan and northward, including Yilan and Hualien, will be covered by the storm. The whole area of Central Taiwan and northward, including Yilan and Hualien, will all noticeably experience intermittent showers or thunderstorms. Mountainous areas in the west will very likely experience heavy or extremely heavy rains, especially in the north, there may be prolonged heavy rains, at least to the magnitude of extremely heavy rains. Do take note of prolonged heavy rains in the mountainous regions in the north.

The maximum wind speed near the eye of the storm reached 60m per hour at one point, making it as powerful as April’s Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the strongest this year until now. Although Bavi is unlikely to make landfall in Taiwan, the probability of gales hitting Keelung, Taipei and Yilan is as high as 98%, and 97% in New Taipei. From Friday evening, half of the island will be covered by storm clouds.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#typhoon #weather #typhoonbavi #stormalert #巴威颱風

Time：2026-07-07

最新消息 Latest News

Typhoon Bavi is coming and Taiwan is prepping for its arrival

With Typhoon Bavi looming, it doesn’t seem like anyone in Taiwan is underestimating the year’s strongest typhoon. Crops are getting harvested in advance, seaside swimming areas are bringing their things indoors, and even cities are clearing sewers and trimming trees while they still can. During the calm before the storm, all of Taiwan is preparing for the typhoon.

Even though good weather is still here, this farming family in Taitung are out in their fields, picking mangoes now so their fruits don’t end up being blown all over the place by the winds of Typhoon Bavi.

Mango farmer
Resigned to fate
The typhoon’s coming. We worry about the losses, so we’re picking the mangoes in a hurry. If we wait, they’ll be no good if they end up falling to the ground during the typhoon. Of course we’re worried, because this is our blood, sweat and tears.

Over in Hualien, rice is also getting harvested earlier than usual. This rice farmer has been working for two days already. This area’s done; nonetheless, behind him there’s much more waiting to be harvested. The rice hasn’t fully matured, but he’s collecting it earlier than normal because he’s worried about the typhoon destroying his crops.

-About how many hectares is it?
-Hard to count.
-I was working past midnight last night. I’m exhausted.
-So, a lot of farmers have asked you to help them harvest?
-That’s correct

This saltwater swimming spot on the Northeast Coast is getting ready for the winds and water of Typhoon Bavi. Ties are being undone so this lifeguard chair can be put in a safe place.

All the seaside tables, kayaks, and sun umbrellas have been moved indoors. Even squat toilets need sandbags to be placed on them in order to prevent flood water carrying in sand and rocks, which could lead to the pipes getting clogged up.

And don’t forget the jellyfish barrier nets needing to be pulled onto shore, because large waves could rip the nets.

Yin Te-cheng
Owner of swimming area
I’m thinking the waves along the Northeast Coast will surely start to get really big. The water will basically get really close to facilities along the coast, so, in general, everything is going to get put away, including tables and chairs as well as sunshades and shade nets like these. They all need to be stored away.

These workers in Keelung are clearing out sewers, scooping up palettes, and taking away bulky trash such as old wires; doing all this work to prevent sewers from getting clogged up is part of an effort to avoid another June-like flooding incident.

Trimming these roadside trees while they still can, workers in Taitung are also taking advantage of the good weather. It’s clear to see that all the cities and counties are doing their very best to take on this year’s strongest typhoon.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#typhoon #weather #typhoonbavi #stormalert #巴威颱風

2026-07-07

Presidential office condemns assault on media personality Yaita Akio

In Taiwan, free speech is enjoyed by all, but with that freedom comes the reality that some want to take it away, especially with violence and intimidation. On Monday, veteran media personality Yaita Akio was suddenly punched by a Chinese man who had come to Taiwan as a Hongkonger, and on Tuesday the Presidential Office condemned the incident, saying in Taiwan violence like this is never permissible.

Yaita Akio
Media personality
If they sent someone here, it’s because they’re hoping to get me to shut up. It’s as if they’re saying they can sanction me from abroad. This is something akin to Lam Wing-kee’s red-paint attack or young exiled Hong Kong activists now living in Taiwan. For China, they use criminals in Hong Kong who come to Taiwan to commit crimes before fleeing. They’ve found success at creating an environment of fear, and so I think this time what happened to me is an extension of that.

Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice President
We absolutely do not condone violence. For incidences like this, I’m confident that they serve as a warning sign for Taiwan. We need to defend freedom of speech, so, going forward, we all need to work even harder.

Karen Kuo
Presidential Office spokesperson
Around the world, China is stalking, harassing, and using violence in order to suppress a variety of voices. When it comes to clamping down on free speech, Taiwan is a democratic society governed by the rule of law, so, for our legal system, situations like this cross the line, and therefore this kind of behavior will not be permitted.

Police found that the Chinese man surnamed Liao had entered Taiwan with a Hong Kong passport on July 2. On July 5, Liao went to the hotel to check out the area’s surroundings. On July 6, Liao, who knew exactly when Yaita Akio’s speech would end, attacked the veteran media personality and then fled to the airport. Someone revealed that the suspect has a criminal record in Hong Kong, so it seems like he was motivated by someone else to come to Taiwan to commit this crime. Yet many questions remain unanswered, such as where did he go between July 2 and July 5? Where did he stay? And, was someone else in Taiwan offering support to him while he was here?

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#矢板明夫 #mediapersonality #taiwan #japan #china

2026-07-07

ITRI seeks to strengthen Taiwan tech by developing drones, robots, and AI

On July 6, Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute celebrated its 53rd anniversary. During its celebration ceremony, ITRI exhibited a host of high tech developments, including advanced semiconductors, smart robots, and smart medical technology. These advancements will help bolster Taiwan’s tech resiliency, ensuring that the country remains competitive during this era of digital transformation.

This robotic arm can cook up noodles, grill a patty, and, before you know it, dinner is served.

There’s also this drone, which, when disaster strikes, can do many helpful tasks that improve disaster response efficiency, like flying to hard-to-reach mountainous areas. Celebrating its 53rd anniversary, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI exhibited seven fields of technological advancements. Ministry of Economic Affairs Deputy Minister Ho Chin-tsang and Legislator Ker Chien-ming congratulated ITRI for its good work.

Wu Tsung-tsong
ITRI Chair
Recently, it seems like everybody’s talking about drones, but we at ITRI call these machines uncrewed vehicles. Every branch from the Army and Navy to the Air Force, even the Taiwan Space Agency, is using uncrewed vehicles; robots are also a kind of uncrewed vehicle. So, what’s the point in all this? It’s that, for the most recent wave of agentic AI, the AI’s brainpower has evolved as well as its ability to communicate.

This year, ITRI’s theme is “advancing via cross-domains, breaking new ground together”. Facing the ever-present challenge of AI, ITRI is focusing on 3 key fields: uncrewed vehicles, cutting-edge semiconductors, and all the various fields of AI. The institute is also striving to connect the data and computing power of small and medium-sized enterprises to make Taiwan an even stronger competitor.

Chang Pei-zen
ITRI President
Right now, we’re primarily working towards three directions: one is AI, another is drones, and the third is robots. By utilizing these AI tools that I just mentioned along with systems engineering methods, I hope we can develop technology that industries will quickly adopt.

In its five decades of existence, ITRI has worked hard to upgrade all of Taiwan’s industries in order to help the country become a resilient global center of tech.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#ITRI #AI #robots #tech #drones

2026-07-07

New Taipei opens long-term care center for elderly, special needs pets

On July 3, the New Taipei City Government inaugurated the nation’s very first long-term care center for elderly animals in Zhonghe District. The state-of-the-art facility shatters the outdated stereotype of traditional animal shelters with special rehab facilities especially for elderly and disabled pets. New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi and the city’s Agriculture Bureau also launched a special medical care card for pets, ensuring that anyone who adopts a dog or cat in need of special attention can receive free veterinary care for life.

At this ceremony held on July 3, the audience applauds as New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi and other guests reveal the sign for a brand-new long-term care shelter for elderly and disabled pets. The facility is the first of its kind in Taiwan.

Turning around the stereotype of old, crowded animal shelters, this newly renovated facility in Zhonghe District has won awards for its design, including the Chinese Architectural Golden Stone Award in 2024 and the 2025 National Construction Excellence Award. But it’s not just about making the animals comfortable—their health is also a priority.

Hou You-yi
New Taipei City Mayor
To care for elderly and special-needs animals in New Taipei City, we will look after them during their old age and when they need care the most through rehab courses, health management, and long-term care.

Vets are on staff to assist elderly dogs and cats through rehab and physical therapy. Free courses on animal care and rehabilitation will also be held every month to teach owners how to care for their senior pets at home. In addition, the city is also offering a pet long-term care card to encourage adoption.

Hou You-yi
New Taipei City Mayor
We’ve launched a special card for long-term medical care. Anyone who adopts a dog or cat from a New Taipei City shelter that has special needs can receive medical care free of charge for the rest of the animal’s life from this shelter.

With significant upgrades to shelter facilities and animal welfare policies, New Taipei is taking strides to provide all pets the care they deserve, and hopefully find special needs pets a forever home.

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

#pets #animalshelter #NewTaipeiCity #HouYouyi #adoptdontshop #seniorpets #animalwelfare #animalrehab

2026-07-07

Hsinchu road signs leave English readers puzzled

A driver in Hsinchu recently noticed some unusual road signage while driving around the city. In one instance, two signs for the same road had the same Chinese, but totally different English translations. Some are literal, while others use transliteration. Someone else discovered that a graphic on one sign was actually upside down. What’s even worse—it’s been that way for three years.

Vehicles on this busy thoroughfare pass a vertical green sign clearly saying the name of the street in Chinese and English: Puding Road. The sign above the road next to the traffic light also says Puding in Chinese, but the English translation for some reason starts with an N. It’s the same road, but has two different names.

People were puzzled by the difference, although it seems like the correct name might have peeled off. But this isn’t the only problematic sign in the city.

This sign indicates the way toward Zhuzhong Railway Station, but do you see what the problem is? The train icon is upside down, making it look like a monorail. The icon should look like this, with the rails on the ground. What’s more ridiculous is that this sign has been up for three years.

Lin Chun-yuan
Hsinchu Transportation Department deputy director
For the sign with an incorrect English translation, the city will ask the contractor to correct it as soon as possible.

Huang Chi
Hsinchu Transportation Department technician
As for the signboard, we will fix the issue by the end of July.

City officials promised to complete improvements by the end of the month. After all, road signs aren’t just for locals. Foreign tourists could be led astray by a confusing sign.

Aside from translation errors, people also discovered an instance in which two road signs showed different English spellings. Both refer to Zhubei City, but the bottom one reads “Zhugbed Shi” in English. Turns out that it’s the Hakka pronunciation, installed only at major intersections as part of an initiative by the Hakka Affairs Council.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#roadsigns #Englishtranslation #translationfail #Hsinchu #Hakka #driving

2026-07-07

Multiple companies involved in bad cooking oil covered up information

The Central Union Oil carcinogenic cooking oil crisis is still boiling. An investigation has confirmed that Central Union Oil did not immediately inform the authorities about their problematic products, and that it had not been entirely forthcoming. As a result, the Ministry of Health and Welfare fined the oil company. At over NT$165 million, the fine is the largest the central government has ever given.

Local governments have also gotten involved. Central Union Oil received a NT$3 million fine from Taichung’s Health Bureau, which also gave both Fwusow and Fopco a separate NT$3 million fine for not revealing test results. Changhua’s Public Health Bureau is seeking NT$6 million from Taisun. Even Namchow Group, which tested the oil on its own behalf, is being punished for only informing companies in the upstream supply chain. Taipei’s Department of Health fined the company NT$3 million for not reporting the issue in accordance with the law.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#foodsafety #carcinogens #cookingoil #consumersrights #soybean


2026-07-07

Coast Guard saves drowning bather with remote-controlled lifebuoy

On Monday late afternoon, the Coast Guard saved a drowning bather off the coast of Longfeng Fishing Port in Miaoli in minutes, all thanks to a high-tech device acquired in recent years. It took only three minutes to reach the victim, who was struggling to stay afloat, giving him something to grab on. Then, Coast Guard officers dragged him back onshore. The victim was conscious and was sent to hospital for treatment.

In the video, you can see someone carried by the waves. Meanwhile, another person onshore maneuvers a black object. What’s happening?

Turns out, he’s operating a remote-controlled power lifebuoy, which does not require rescuers to go out to sea. Within three minutes, the lifebuoy reached the victim, giving them something to hold on to.

Chen Wen-wei
Coast Guard
Normally, we operate it onshore if the target is visible with the naked eye, but it has a maximum range of about 100m.

While the victim grasps onto the lifebuoy, rescuers drag them back onshore.

Tsai Chong-ying
Coast Guard
We immediately deployed the power lifebuoy to rescue the individual who was drowning and reached him within three minutes. We then swiftly and safely transported him back onshore.

The Longfeng Inspection Office in Miaoli, under the Coast Guard’s Central Branch, was reported of the incident by a member of the public a little past 5 p.m. Monday. The caller said that someone was drowning off the coast of Longfeng Fishing Port, in the direction of the Lovers’ Bridge. The Coast Guard immediately rushed to the scene with the high-tech equipment, pulled the victim up and sent him to hospital on an ambulance.

Lin Tzu-chieh
Miaoli Fire Department
When we arrived on scene, Coast Guard officers had already rescued the patient from sea and assessed his level of consciousness. He was able to walk on his own. We kept him warm and gave him oxygen, then sent him to Weigong Hospital.

The victim is a 24-year-old man surnamed Chen. He and two other friends had gone out to sea, but he ended up drowning. He was conscious when rescuers pulled him back onshore, and sent to the hospital for treatment.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#tech #devices #coastguard #lifeguard #lifebuoy

2026-07-07

EVA, NTU Hospital launch on-board doctors program

More people than ever are flying abroad for travel and business, but encountering a medical emergency while in the air remains a major source of anxiety, no matter the traveler. One doctor said they’ve encountered three such emergencies in only six months. A national airline has therefore signed an MOU with National Taiwan University Hospital to launch the “Compassionate Doctors on Board” program. Interested physicians can register with the airline, enabling crew members to contact them in the event of an emergency.

When a medical emergency occurs in the air, the only thing flight attendants can do is ask if there’s a doctor on board. This isn’t just a plot for Japanese dramas—it actually happens in real life.

In this case, an Indonesian passenger on a flight from Taoyuan to Jakarta had difficulty breathing and fainted shortly after takeoff. Doctors say they frequently encounter these kinds of emergencies while flying.

Cheng Shao-yi
NTU Hospital director of family medicine
Within a span of six months, I flew three times and encountered an emergency on all three flights. Most were older people who had difficulty breathing, likely due to the cabin air pressure.

Huang Kuo-chin
NTU Hospital vice superintendent
One time when I flew to Hong Kong for a conference, a pregnant woman had a miscarriage. After rushing over to help, I discovered the medical equipment on board was extremely rudimentary.

In recent years, travel abroad for pleasure and business has become more common, while older people also have more opportunities to travel. While it’s always possible to consult a physician before flying, the unexpected can always happen. NTU Hospital and EVA Air therefore signed a memorandum of understanding to create the “Compassionate Doctors on Board” program.

Clay Sun
EVA Air president
Since launching the program, precious lives have been saved by these compassionate doctors on board. We encourage more physicians to join this deeply meaningful initiative.

Interested physicians can register with the airline, enabling flight attendants to seek their assistance in the event of a medical emergency. With their help, flying just got a little bit safer.

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

#airlines #EVAAir #NTUHospital #CompassionateDoctorsonBoard #airlines #travel #medicalemergency #publichealth

2026-07-07

Tainan turkey rice shop treats customers to a side of mangoes

It’s mango season! And with an abundant harvest this year, a turkey rice shop in Tainan is treating customers to a side dish of mangoes on the house. The owner said that he tries to get fruits from his family farm and shares them with customers. Needless to say, customers are delighted.

Diner
Turkey rice eatery
I saw it on the Internet recently, and rushed to get here within a few days. I, myself, love mangoes.

Diner
Turkey rice eatery
The boss is so nice, he’s treating customers to delicious mangoes with an order of turkey rice, and he farmed the mangoes himself.

Diner
Turkey rice eatery
They go really well together. I had never imagined that turkey rice could be paired with mangoes. It’s really special. The turkey rice isn’t too greasy, and the mango makes it even less so. It’s really appetizing.

Mr. Hsiao
Owner of turkey rice eatery
Our family, mainly my father is a farmer. We have lots of mangoes. Also lots of longan, lots of fruits in general. I pick fruits whenever it’s time for harvest. I don’t sell the fruits. I serve all of them to my customers.

Many customers at the shop say they went especially for the free mangoes, and that they were surprised how well the fruit goes together with turkey rice. However, as with all free offers, availability depends.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#delicious #taiwanesefood #turkeyrice #mangoes #tropical

2026-07-07

Pork chop restaurant offers free meals to the needy

There is a pork chop restaurant in Tainan that allows you to "pay it forward" by purchasing additional meals for those in need. The owner recently received an order on the restaurant’s food delivery app asking for a free meal, with an attached explanation that the person was sick and jobless. The owner promptly responded by sending him a free meal.

Pork chops are deep-fried until golden and crispy, before being placed into bento boxes. Recently, on the food delivery app of this shop, someone ordered a "suspended meal," which is a meal that someone else has already paid for. The person even explained in the remarks column why he ordered the meal, and that made an impression on the shop owner.

The message read:“I was unemployed for a while, and for two months, Iwas trying to find a suitable job. After having finally found one, I caught the flu. I only earned two days’ wages. I have no choice but to order this meal.” After reading this, the shop owner decided to take action.

Hung Chi-shun
Shop Owner
It was all about trust. It was quite a long message, and he was sincere. Since all this money was donated by everyone out of charity, I couldn’t just casually use it, so I wanted to make sure. I wanted to verify, and so I left him a message to call me back. If everything checked out, I would make him a bento, I’d even cover the delivery fee.

The shop has always had the "suspended meal" option on its food delivery app. But to prevent false claims, the owner hopes that people who order it can call in after placing the order to verify their identity. This time, the customer explained in a message that he had the flu and couldn’t talk because he’d lost his voice. The owner said that was understandable and even joked that even if it wasn’t true, he would still give him a free meal.

Hung Chi-shun
Shop owner
I felt that this guy needed help, and I’ve been keeping tabs on him to see if he’s recovered from the flu.

Shop employee
Well, the guy said he couldn’t talk, and the boss is caring and wanted to help.

It turns out the shop owner had his share of hardships when growing up. When he opened this establishment more than15 years ago, he introduced the “suspended meals,” hoping that a bit of charity would help out those in need.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#bento #porkshop #freemeals #food #charity

2026-07-07

Media personality Yaita Akio punched in the face by Chinese-born HK man

Chinese-born Japanese-Taiwanese media personality Yaita Akio was physically assaulted in Taichung by a man in black on Monday afternoon. At the time of the attack, Yaita had just finished giving a lecture for a foundation that promotes public policy and Taiwan-Japan relations. He was punched in the face and left bleeding. Let’s hear more.

Yaita Akio
Media personality
Someone behind me yelled to get my attention. Not my name, but something else. When I turned around, he said something, which I didn’t quite catch. Then he punched me hard on the spot below my nose, around my mouth. Today, I was invited to speak on international relations, nothing to do with Taiwan’s domestic governance. If I’m being attacked so violently for my personal stance and speech, which they do not agree with, I don’t think that should be permissible at all.

Ho Hsin-chun
Taichung mayoral candidate (DPP)
I strongly condemn such a violent act. This shouldn’t happen in Taichung.

Tu Chih-jung
Taichung Police 6th Precinct
The police headed to Taichung International Airport and arrested the suspect, surnamed Liao, at around 4 p.m. today.

The police arrested the suspect, who had seemingly conducted a cross-border hit-and-run attack on Yaita. According to preliminary investigations, the 33-year-old suspect, who was born in China and holds a Hong Kong ID, had gone to the hotel where Yaita was attacked on Sunday, allegedly to plan the attack. Yaita was invited to give a lecture on his observations of regional geopolitics. Born in Tianjing, China, Yaita moved to Japan at the age of 15. In Taiwan, he worked as the Taipei office director of the Japanese newspaper, Sankei Shimbun until resigning two years ago. He obtained Taiwanese nationality in 2024 and is now the director of the Indo-Pacific Strategy Think Tank, which he founded.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#矢板明夫 #mediapersonality #taiwan #japan #china

2026-07-06

President Lai thanks Chen Chien-jen, the new President of Academia Sinica

Monday may have been the 36th Convocation of Academicians, but for former Vice President Chen Chien-jen it’s a very special occasion, as the event is Chen’s first since he took over as President of Academia Sinica in June. During their speeches, President Lai Ching-te thanked Chen for his contributions to Taiwan and Chen expressed his gratitude to the institution’s past presidents and its many academicians.

Walking next to President Lai Ching-te is Chen Chien-jen. Both men are attending the opening ceremony of the convocation of Academia Sinica, an institution that Chen has been leading since mid-June. This is the first public appearance Chen and Lai have had together since Chen took over as president of the research institution. After stepping onto stage together, President Lai thanked Chen for his contributions to the government over the years.

Lai Ching-te
President
Dr. Chen, President of Academia Sinica, often says that he aspires to be “the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth,” and that he hopes to be a candle, that by being lit can bring light to Taiwan. During a time when our country is facing massive challenges, Dr. Chen brings calm to the masses, and people admire him for being a pillar of professionalism.

Chen Chien-jen
Academia Sinica president
When I first took over as president of this institution, I felt the enormous amount of responsibility this position entails. All the success Academia Sinica has had up to this point is a result of the past presidents of this institution as well as the many years of hard work of all the members. Also important is the many years of support from President Lai, the Executive Yuan, Legislative Yuan, and all of society in general.

This convocation is Chen’s first since he took over as the institution’s president. Over 200 academicians from Taiwan and abroad returned to Taipei to attend the event. President Lai expressed his gratitude to the current and past presidents of Academia Sinica, as the long-term, close-knit relationship the institution and government has had has helped Taiwan find success in many different fields of science and technology.

Lai Ching-te
President
In the last decade, Academia Sinica has achieved incredible research results in many important fields. These accomplishments have played a close role in the government’s planning for the future. For example, Academia Sinica developed its own 20-qubit superconducting quantum computer. Things like this are part of the government’s Ten AI Initiatives Promotion Plan.

Chen Chien-jen
Academia Sinica president
For many of the challenges we’re facing, like the restructuring of geopolitics and the rapid development of artificial intelligence, Academia Sinica is serving as a national-level academic research institution that seeks to provide new methods to solve issues society is currently trying to deal with.

In the past, Chen was Vice President when Lai was Premier, and even though they have very different roles now, both leaders are once again working together.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#quantumcomputing #AcademiaSinica #AI #kindwords #research

2026-07-06

Man in sandals spotted jogging along median shoulder of highway

This sight may be hard to believe at first, but it’s all been caught on candid camera. Over in Taichung’s Daya District, it seems as if a man running along National Freeway No. 1 has turned the highway into his own marathon training course. Highway police looked into the incident; there were no accidents at that time, so the man couldn’t have been on a quest to get help.

Member of public
Amazed
When it comes to pedestrian safety, like if he’s running in the median like that, then it’d really suck for him if he gets hit.

Member of public
Shocked
Is he running on the highway? That’s so ridiculous. Is he exercising?

Lu Jui-feng
National Highway Police Bureau
If an investigation finds the runner has violated Article 33, Paragraph 4 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, then a ticket with a fine between NT$3,000 and NT$6,000 will be issued to the pedestrian.

A little after 5 pm on July 5, on Freeway No. 1 between 171.6 kilometers and 171.4 kilometers, a man wearing sandals was seen jogging not on the outside shoulder but instead in the middle of the highway, on what’s called the median shoulder. The highway police hadn’t received a call from the public, yet, regardless of his reason, the man’s actions are nonetheless a punishable violation.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#highway #dangerous #traffic #roadtraffic #publicsafety

2026-07-06

Passenger denied boarding pass due to damaged passport

A traveler was recently prohibited from boarding their flight because their passport had water damage, forcing them to buy a last-minute ticket on another airline. Travel experts warned that if you’re traveling abroad, you should remember to check the condition of your passport, as airlines may not let passengers board if it’s damaged.

People wait in line at the airport to get their boarding passes and check their bags. With summer vacation in full swing, it’s peak travel time. But one passenger was recently denied a boarding pass by Starlux Airlines because their passport had water damage.

The passenger booked a last-minute ticket on another airline, but the staff there was also unsure whether they could accept the passport, as the inner pages had been warped from the water and the golden lettering on the front cover had started to wear away. People online said passports need to be kept in good condition, as airlines have strict rules.

Traveler
It’s about the airline’s policies. There’s no right or wrong. But if you think the airline might think it’s not okay, then I would just follow the rules. If the government has rules in place, then I would follow them. I would definitely prepare first by getting a new one. I wouldn’t just use a damaged one.

Traveler
I don’t travel abroad that much, so if I saw my passport was damaged when I was getting ready to leave, I would get a new one. But if I traveled abroad a lot, I might not pay attention to details like that.

A passport is an international identity document, so any damage to the cover or inner pages, residual stains, loose stitching, or water damage may impact verification.

Uncle Jesse
Travel expert
Airline staff need to check if a passport is damaged at check in, because if the passenger is denied entry to their destination country, the airline would be held responsible, and in serious cases may face a fine. What happens most often is that people put souvenir stamps in their passport, but only immigration officers are authorized to stamp passports, which is important to note. Also, only a signature can be on the signature line. Anything else written there would be considered defacement.

Passports must be properly cared for and replaced if they are damaged, or else it could affect your trip.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#travel #passport #boarding #passportdamage #international #airline #Starlux

2026-07-06

Polarizing Taichung classic reimagined as jelly dessert loved by young and old

Jute shoot, a specialty crop of Taichung, used to be a local favorite. Older generations loved to eat it in a soup with sweet potato, but young people these days can’t stand its bitter flavor. In North and South districts, two separate tofu pudding shops had the idea to make the shoots into chewy jellies. It not only gets rid of the bitterness, but when paired with tofu pudding, even children love it. Let’s check it out!

Only people born and raised in Taichung can appreciate jute shoot soup, a summer favorite. Many others are put off by its bitter flavor. But now there are dessert shops that have found a way to make it into a jelly.

It has a color like matcha, and can be added to tofu pudding after cutting it into squares. But is it good?

Member of public
It’s new for me. It tastes like grass jelly. I think it makes jute shoots into something more palatable.

Jute shoots, or mayi, refer to the tender young shoots of the Corchorus capsularis plant. Harvest is in summer, making it perfect for cooling the body. This shop in North District decided to offer the shoots as a topping for tofu pudding because it’s a local specialty.

Ms. Kuo
Shop owner
We tried out 20 to 30 different recipes. It’s such a distinct ingredient, with a bitter and sticky quality to it.

Member of public
My kids all hate jute soup. But after having it as a jelly, they were more accepting of it.

Coincidentally, another tofu pudding shop in South District similarly wanted to bring Taichung’s local specialty to wider audiences.

Ms. Huang
Shop owner
I initially thought of adding dried whitebait as well, but was afraid people wouldn’t like it. Our Taichung tofu pudding has jute jelly and candied sweet potato.

Member of public
Jute shoots are delicious, but none of the friends I’ve shown around Taichung have wanted to try it. But now that you can get it as a dessert, we come all the time.

As summer continues on, eating jute jelly with icy tofu pudding is the perfect antidote to even the most sweltering Taichung afternoon.

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

#juteshoots #mayi #jutejelly #tofupudding #douhua #Taichung #dessert #jelly

2026-07-06

Controversial stinky tofu’s new Bitan shop fined on 2nd day of opening

A stinky tofu restaurant from Hualien, famous for its extra-flavorful tofu, has opened a new location in New Taipei’s Bitan Scenic Area. But already, on its second day of opening, local authorities have stepped in. Not for the horrible stench, but for the shop’s failure to put up signage for its waste storage area. Even though the smell has not gotten the shop into trouble yet, as it has for other locations, locals say the odor is still not completely inescapable.

Deep-fried until golden and crispy, and paired with zesty fermented cabbage, this stinky tofu is not to be missed for many street food lovers. Not least from this famous, or rather, infamous chain store from Hualien. The new shop in Bitan sees no end in the line of customers, and also authorities.

Wu Jui-lin
FTV reporter
Yuli Qiaotou Stinky Tofu’s Bitan shop has just opened. And on its second day in business, inspectors from the Department of Environmental Protection have already showed up at its doorsteps, all because the store failed to put up signage for the waste storing area.

Passers-by took photos of the inspected site. Although the shop is notorious for its extra flavorful tofu, complaints were made not for their signature dish, but for their failure to signal the shop’s waste storage area in accordance with the law. If the shop does not remedy the situation by the due date, it will be fined up to NT$3 million, which the store can only expect to make after selling tens of thousands of portions.

Visitor
Bitan Scenic Area
I was wondering why it’s not open today. Are they normally off on this day of the week? Or did someone protest?

The visitor had wanted to stop by the well-known establishment, but too bad it’s closed today. Before the Bitan shop opened, the stinky tofu store had already made headlines for its stench. After the Taipei store in Dazhi opened, local residents had filed multiple reports. One person was so stressed out by the smell that they almost went bald from pulling out their hair. As a result, the Taipei store was fined NT$585,000. Another store in Keelung had closed down in May this year after locals repeatedly filed complaints.

- No one knows.
- I have no idea who reported them.
- Me neither.
- The complainer has nothing better to do.
- Have you been getting more customers recently?
- More or less.

Nearby shop
Bitan Scenic Area
The smell isn’t too bad. Some of it gets in here, but it’s still tolerable. But if you were to step out, because of the heat and wind, the smell is a little worse. It probably smells a little stronger when they’re fermenting the stuff, but it’s not such a big deal when they’re not open.

Although it’s true that the tofu shop’s opening drew in larger crowds and business to the area, it’s only the beginning of a nightmare for local residents. New Taipei’s Department of Environmental Protection has pledged to conduct more frequent inspections of the notorious eatery.

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

#stinkytofu #臭豆腐 #food #streetfood #newbusiness

2026-07-06

Elderly man in New Taipei has hoarded rooftop pile of trash

The animated film “Castle in the Sky” is a beloved Studio Ghibli classic that many reminisce over, but New Taipei’s Xinzhuang District over the years has become home to something local residents would rather forget: a trash heap in the sky. An elderly man claims the almighty above told him to start collecting all these old goods on his roof several stories up in order to research nuclear energy, but local residents have their own concerns, like bad odors, cockroaches, mice, and, most dangerous of all, falling trash.

It’s scorching hot, and these workers with the Environmental Protection Department are dealing with the stifling heat as well as the stifling scents in this trash. All this junk has been piling up for years in what’s essentially a trash heap in the sky. This hoarder residence in New Taipei’s Xinzhuang District is a public health and safety disaster just waiting to happen.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon may be a myth, but this trash heap hanging over Xinzhuang is an unwanted reality that, for years, residents have put up with. The combination of old complaints about its bad odors, cockroaches, and mice along with new concerns about looming typhoons potentially leading to people getting hit by trash dropping down from above was the impetus for the District Office and Environmental Protection Department to start cleaning up the mess.

Local resident
Ecstatic
For the local residents, it’s something everyone’s excited about; it’s like a weight has been lifted off your chest. Typhoon Bavi is coming, and if something ends up falling down and hitting someone, well, then the government will be liable. Seeing the government using their authority like this is something that we’re extremely excited to see.

This astonishing heap of trash is believed to be about 50 ping, which is why the authorities have estimated that they’ll need up to 14 working days to clean up the entire mess. As for the elderly hoarder, his master plan for the trash was studying nuclear energy.

Mr. Gao
Owner of trash heap
I’ve done it all for nuclear power. These people just don’t get it; it was God who told me to do this. You people have all the authority, so you clean it up. What can I do about it? There’s nothing I can do. Starting last night at 3 a.m., I went to burn incense and talk with God. I told him there’s nothing I can do. When the authorities come, there’s nothing I can do.

The cost of cleaning up this mountain of trash will be about NT$2 million, which will need to be entirely paid for by the elderly resident. If he isn’t willing to foot the bill because he doesn’t have the money, then his home may be foreclosed.

Tsai Ming-hsiang
Borough chief in Xinzhuang District
We need to plan ahead, in case a future typhoon does hit Taiwan directly, because we’ll need to extend the removal process if two weeks isn’t enough to clean it all up.

In the short term, the removal process may take around half a month, but in the long term light can finally be seen at the end of the tunnel, as this potential trash heap crisis will finally be taken away from the eyes and minds of local residents.

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

#hoarder #NewTaipei #Xinzhuang #trashy

2026-07-06

Deflated Chiikawa hot air balloon amuses visitors at Taitung event

The Taiwan International Balloon Festival kicked off last Saturday in Taitung. The star of the event this year is Chiikawa, the titular protagonist of an anime series. A visitor to the festival was amused by the scene at the end of the day when the Chiikawa balloon was being put away.

According to the Taitung County Government, all balloons at the event are deflated and packed away at the end of the day to prevent them from wearing out. In the anime series, Chiikawa and its friends are stuck working mundane jobs for survival, which resonated with young people in East Asia. As for the real world, visitors got to see how Chiikawa is tired at the end of the shift like everyone else.

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#chiikawa #officeworkers #ihatemyjob #ilovemyjob #hustle

2026-07-06

Officials share tips when encountering bears in wild

As the population of Formosan black bears continues to grow, they’ve begun venturing further into lower-elevation areas to look for food. To protect people who work in these areas, the Taichung branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency is offering a course on how to respond when encountering a bear in the wild.

While working near the Central Cross-Island Highway, Taipower personnel were startled to find a Formosan black bear.

They were lucky to capture this rare cellphone footage, but it was likely also terrifying. If they were to startle it, who knows what may have happened. In recent years, there’s been evidence of black bears venturing further down the mountain in search of food. The Taichung branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency now offers courses on how to avoid conflict with the creatures.

Hung Hsing-yu
FANCA Taichung branch official
Since personnel often need to enter sparsely populated areas to do their work, they’re at higher risk of encountering bears.

Participants in the course included Taipower personnel, highway maintenance staff, and forest rangers. Their work often takes them into mountainous areas, meaning they’re more likely to encounter bears. To prevent conflict, the agency advises staying in a group, and bringing a bear bell and bear spray. When actually encountering a bear, it advised remaining calm and slowly moving away while facing toward the bear.

Hung Hsing-yu
FANCA Taichung branch official
Properly handle your food waste and garbage, and bring bear spray. If you encounter a bear, stay calm, face the bear, and back away slowly. Avoid approaching or chasing it, as it could startle them.

As the Formosan black bear population continues to grow, their habitat keeps expanding, making conflict with humans more likely. To stay safe, it’s critical for anyone working in the mountains to learn what to do in the off chance that they come across a bear in the wild.

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

#bears #Formosanblackbear #Taipower #FANCA #wildlife #bearencounter #hikingsafety #mountains

2026-07-06