Logo
  • Home

頭條新聞 Headline News

Blummenfelt and Iden blessed at Shunze Temple before Ironman

Norway’s start Triathon Duo, Gustav Iden and Kristian Blummenfelt have returned to Taiwan for the first time in four years. On Friday morning, the two visited Shunze Temple in Changhua County’s Puyan Township. The Temple prepared 500 memorial caps to honor the “10-time Consecutive Champions,” to give to the fans that crowded the streets.

The roads in front of Shunze Temple are packed with fans; they arrived to welcome two incredible athletes. In 2019, Norwegian Ironman, Gustav Iden wore a cap from the Shunze Temple in Changhua’s Puyan Township and went on to win a world championship- sparking a craze for the “champion cap.” After 4 years, Iden and his senior, Kristian Blummenfelt, have returned to the temple for the third time.

Gustav Iden
Ironman Athlete
It’s been seven years since I started wearing the hat, and it’s been amazing that the temple and the people of Taiwan and my sponsor, Giant, from Taiwan has continued to support me and help me through difficult times. So once again, I just want to say thank you.

The temple prepared special local snacks and used radish from Puyan Township to make white radish cake for Iden and Blummenfelt.

Voice of Shunze Temple Staff
Explains radish cake texture
It was fried to perfection! Crispy! Is it yummy?

The temple also gifted both athletes a US$10,000 bonus and wished them good health. They especially prepared 500, “10-time Consecutive Champion,” hats which attracted many online followers to come and collect. Many quickly lined up for the memorial hats.

- Pass it over the censer for blessings
- Thank you, thank you!
- Happy to have it?
- Its great!

After locals received the memorial hat, they all passed it over the incense burner so that it was blessed by the deity and then crowded both athletes for an autograph. The situation grew uncomfortable quickly causing the two to take a break.

- Everyone please line up for autographs

The two Ironman athletes will head further south to Kenting to compete in the International Triathlon starting on Nov 1. The popularity around championship commemorative caps has created more enthusiasm for sports like triathlons.

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

#ironman #kenting #gustaviden #blummenfelt #internationaltriathlon

Time：2026-10-30

最新消息 Latest News

Delta Electronics market cap dips below NT$4 trillion

Taiwan’s third most-valuable company, Delta Electronics, had a rough day on the market on Thursday. The company posted solid third-quarter revenue, at NT$197 billion, an increase of 30% from the same period last year. But amid accumulated inventory and inventory write-downs the gross margin slid to 34.08% and profit after tax dropped more than 6% from the previous quarter. The disappointing figures triggered a sell-off that sent shares plunging by as much as 7% during the trading session, and Delta’s market cap sank below NT$4 trillion. Losses narrowed towards the end of the trading session, but ultimately closed down 4.52% at NT$1,480.

Delta’s addressed concerns, stressing that inventory write-downs were purely accounting adjustments and could be reversed as the goods are shipped. Revenue from AI data center-related businesses, including power supplies and liquid cooling systems, now accounts for nearly half of the company’s total revenue. The company also projects global data center capital expenditure to reach between US$1.2 and 1.5 trillion in 2027. With major capacity expansions worldwide and investments in next-gen power solutions and fuel cells, Delta is looking to protect profitability and build momentum for its next phase of growth amid the AI boom.

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

#deltaelectronics #shares #marketcap #taiex #stockmarket

2026-10-29

Tech company launches 1.2kg, water-resistant AI laptop

As computers continue to get upgrades, a major tech company launched a high-spec business laptop that is water resistant and ultra-lightweight at just 1.2 kilograms. But with the rising costs of advanced chip manufacturing, cooling modules, and other hardware components, the laptop costs a whopping NT$40,000. Tech experts say prices will stay high next year.

Oh no, a traveler spilled water on their laptop! That can be disastrous for people trying to stay connected and productive. Thankfully, this new hardware is water-resistant.

This laptop is only 1 centimeter thick and weighs just 1.2 kilograms, but it can withstand pressure of up to 50 kilograms. It was designed specifically for business travelers.

Tasha Chuang
Intel Taiwan general manager
It combines cloud computing and AI, allowing users to switch seamlessly between cloud-based and on-device functions for business use.

This new business laptop is equipped with Intel’s latest 18A process node, with AI features that can summarize meetings and locate files with a single click. But this new, upgraded laptop comes with a hefty price tag.

Jose Liao
Laptop brand general manager
The rising costs of hardware drove up prices in the first half of this year, but overall demand still grew by nearly 20%. There will probably be some more modest price increases of around 10 percent next year. But demand outweighs the impact of these price increases, so I think demand should still be pretty strong next year.

As chips become more advanced, research, development, and manufacturing costs remain high. Meanwhile, AI data centers are taking up large amounts of memory, CPU, and GPU supplies. This leaves fewer components available for consumer electronics and lower-end products, putting the laptop market under pressure from both rising prices and supply shortages.

Mr. Yi (OneGeek)
Tech Expert
For consumer laptops, prices are expected to rise by around 10 to 20% next year, which is quite steep compared with previous years. Next year will be a period of consolidation for AI development, so demand for AI-related components such as DRAM will not be as extreme as it has been this year.

Prices of premium and AI-powered laptops are expected to remain high next year, putting consumers’ budgets to the test.

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

#laptop #AI #waterresistant #business #ASUS #Intel #new #tech #expensive #inflation

2026-10-29

Outrage after KMT’s Ko Chih-en gives incumbent punny 87% score

A pun is at the center of a fresh controversy in the Kaohsiung mayoral race. KMT candidate Ko Chih-en was asked in a radio show on Wednesday what mark she would give current mayor Chen Chi-mai. Joking that she was a strict teacher that wouldn’t hand out a 90% easily, she ended up settling for 87%. That raised an uproar within the DPP camp, as 87 is commonly used as a pun for “idiot” online due to its similar pronunciation in Taigi. Let’s hear more.

Lai Jui-lung
Kaohsiung Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
A lot of people agree that assigning the number 87 to the mayor is disrespectful. He’s been working night and day for Kaohsiung, and that deserves high praise from everyone.

Chen Chi-mai
Kaohsiung Mayor
When it comes to giving scores to politicians, the votes are what counts. Ko Chih-en and me are taking the same exam. In her case, she’s retaking it after her first try four years ago. In the end, the electorate decides who to pick with their votes.

Sun Yu-lin
Ko Chih-en’s Campaign Spokesperson
The passing grade for Master’s students is 70%. And 90% is a really high grade for Professor Ko Chih-en. As for Chen Chi-mai’s comments about sitting the exam again, we are grateful for his encouragement.

And a mock test for the two candidates is just around the corner, as the debate for the Kaohsiung mayoral race is scheduled for Friday evening. The DPP says his voice has gone hoarse recently due to all the practicing he’s been doing. He also let on that he plans to ask Ko why she voted in favor of a government expenditure act that he says was disadvantageous to Kaohsiung. Meanwhile, Ko did not have any public events on Wednesday, presumably because she was busy practicing with her team.

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

#kaohsiung #test #87 #score #mayor

2026-10-29

Taoyuan and Narita celebrate 10 years of friendship with art

Taoyuan and Japan’s Narita City celebrated the 10 anniversary of their alliance with a children’s art exhibition from both cities. On Wednesday, the program kicked off with an awards ceremony and a subsequent exhibition showcasing the winning artwork and calligraphy with special themes showing the charm of Taoyuan and Narita. Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng personally handed out the awards and Narita Mayor Koizumi Kazunari recorded a short video message. The event highlighted the decade-long friendship and exchanges between both cities.

Taoyuan Elementary School’s student music band delivered an engaging performance at the opening of Taoyuan and Narita’s 10th friendship anniversary. On Wednesday, the memorial exhibition kicked off with a ceremony where Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng personally handed out awards for the winning children’s artworks. Narita’s Mayor Koizumi Kazunari also recorded a video message for the celebration.

Koizumi Kazunari
Narita Mayor
Painting and calligraphy transcend the barriers of language and distance, and have the power to connect people’s hearts. I hope that this exchange can deepen Taoyuan and Narita’s friendship.

Despite the distance between both cities, art and calligraphy seemed to bring them closer. The children’s artwork depicted their imagination of the rich scenery of the cities and even the airport made an appearance. Visitors could see the charm of Narita and the years of friendship between the cities.

Chang San-cheng
Taoyuan Mayor
Over the last 10 years our exchanges have been very frequent, this summer we had a baseball team, a children’s baseball team that went to Narita for a competition. A while ago, we also had a design exhibition in Taiwan where people from Narita also came to visit.

This event will be an unforgettable experience for the children, Narita Mayor Koizumi hopes that the children can visit the city in person and experience the city’s landscape.

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

#narita #taoyuan #taiwanjapan #alliance #childrensart

2026-10-29

Foodies rush to score seats for lavish 9-course Lukang banquet

The big day for foodies in Changhua is just around the corner, with the culinary extravaganza that is the annual Lukang Luxi Banquet. Every year in late November, hundreds of diners gather to enjoy local dishes carefully crafted in traditional Taiwanese ban-doh style. This year, to avoid clashing with Election Day, the food feast will take place on the 7th and 8th of November. Tickets went on sale at 8 on Thursday morning, with hordes rushing to bag one in person, via the internet and even via fax. Let’s hear more.

- I started lining up at 5 on Wednesday afternoon.
- Are you tired?
- I’m alright. Why would I be? It’s like camping.

- You took the day off to line up?
- Yeah, I took time off work to queue.

Member of public
In line for banquet tickets
The dishes look very good, and despite inflation, prices haven’t gone up.

Hsu Chih-hung
Mayor of Lukang
There are 5 starters, 10 mains and 4 desserts. Lukang’s local rice noodles and our exquisite tableware will be part of the banquet.

The menu is packed with lavish dishes, including such as mullet roe, crispy prawns in the local style and mullet in garlic. There are also crowd-pleasers such as misua and tofu skin rolls. The shocking thing is the low price, at just NT$4,500 for 19 delicious dishes. And you won’t just leave with your belly full. You can also go back home with your hands full of Lukang’s famous rice noodles, and a sophisticated set of tableware to remember the occasion. It’s no wonder that everyone’s so eager to score a seat.

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

#food #lukang #taiwan #在地美食 #鹿港

2026-10-29

Santa Claus ornament crushed by truck in three-vehicle bus crash

Santa Claus became a key casualty of a traffic accident involving three vehicles in Changhua’s Puxin Township. Of course, it wasn’t the real Santa, but a Christmas decoration that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The crash happened after bus driver started feeling dizzy behind the wheel and rammed the vehicle into a truck that was parked on the side of the road. The truck then hit another car before wreaking havoc in an area with personal items from residents. Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured.

A bus rams itself head-on against a truck parked at the side of the road, which is pushed forward to crash against another car before barging towards a residential building. The chaos and destruction even included a Santa decoration that ended up as a casualty of the crash, trapped under the truck.

Voice Ms. Tu
Witnessed crash
Maybe the truck wasn’t parked fully. The driver wasn’t on the truck, he had gone across the street for a delivery. Then the bus came crashing into it. I freaked out when I saw the Santa under the truck, I thought it was a real person.

The crash happened on Wednesday afternoon. The driver of the bus was Mr. Wei, in his 60s. He was driving along Yuanlu Road in Puxin when he started feeling dizzy. A miscalculated turn caused him to lose control of the vehicle.

Voice of Hsieh Shih-chieh
Yuanlin Bus
The driver was feeling unwell. So as he drove by, he accidentally crashed into a vehicle parked on the side of the road.

Wang Chih-min
Police officer
The driver of the bus and a passenger sustained scratches. The driver tested negative for alcohol, so we’re ruling out a DUI.

The driver banged his head against the windshield of the bus and sustained minor injuries. Fortunately, it was nothing severe. For the passengers, it was also mostly just a scare, though one was sent to hospital for a check-up. Sadly the Santa Claus ornament will not make it to this year’s Christmas.

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

#bus #crash #santa #christmas #yuanlin

2026-10-29

University team develops AI suit that recognizes movement

A research team at National Chung Hsing University’s Department of Material Science and Engineering developed an AI suit that can sense movement through static electricity. The suit doesn’t need any batteries, and it can be used to play games without a keyboard or mouse. It could also help athletes train, and may have applications for remote medicine in the future.

This may look like a normal track suit, but it’s equipped with movement sensors. When the wearer moves their arm or leg, the character in the game echoes the motion.

With this suit, people can play a soccer video game without a keyboard or mouse. This is an AI sensing suit developed by National Chung Hsing University’s Department of Material Science and Engineering.

Lai Ying-chih
Professor
There’s static electricity when we put on or take off clothes, which can be annoying and maybe useless. We thought that instead of using a joystick to play games as we’ve always done, we could try using the body’s static electricity as a way to detect body movements.

Developed from normal clothing, the suit uses the static electricity generated by the friction between clothing and the wearer’s body to sense movement. It doesn’t even need batteries.

Peng Wei-chen
Student
It could be used for soccer and pitching training. It can precisely recognize the movements of pitching or kicking a ball to help athletes train. By simply wearing the suit, athletes can adjust and improve their movements.

Lai Ying-chih
Professor
There are applications in remote healthcare, like taking a patient’s pulse remotely. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people had to be isolated, so we’re also working on a virtual hug that provides physical feedback.

The team has been developing the technology for over a year. It’s great for gaming and training, and in the future may even be useful for remote medicine.

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

#AI #technology #videogame #game #athlete #training #soccer #university #research

2026-10-29

Jason Mraz back in Taipei for concert on Nov. 2

American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz is finally returning to Taiwan after seven long years away! Along with timeless classics like I’m Yours and Lucky, fans can also look forward to a few new songs. In a pre-concert interview, he even gave a classic Taiwanese greeting tsiah-pa-bue. Asked whether any Taiwanese artists would join him on stage, he refused to answer, calling it "a top secret."

With its catchy melody and exceptional vocals, I’m Yours by Jason Mraz is a widely beloved song. After selling millions of records around the world, the American singer-songwriter is finally returning to Taiwan on Nov. 2 after seven years away.

With the concert just around the corner, the artist reached out to his Taiwanese fans in a special interview. Opening with a greeting in Taigi instantly collapsed the distance between them.

Jason Mraz
American singer-songwriter
“Have you eaten?” It’s Jason Mraz, and I’m coming back to Taipei to breathe life into the songs we know and love. And I look forward to seeing you there. “Thank you!”

Beyond this special greeting, he also reminisced about his past performances in Taiwan, recalling moments like when he invited a fan onstage for an impromptu jam session. This time, he hopes to reunite with old friends and keep connecting people through his music.

Jason Mraz
American singer-songwriter
Cuz he’s amazing. So now he’s shaking and singing, and he’s Stan. And I’m a Stan stan. Big fan. We hope to see him again!

Teasing what’s in store for his Asia tour, the singer said that along with new songs, he’s prepared a set of his classics to guide fans down memory lane. Asked whether he’s planning a surprise appearance by a Taiwanese singer, he kept his lips sealed.

Jason Mraz
American singer-songwriter
That is top secret.

After seven years away, fans in Taiwan are excited to see what other surprises the singer has in store on Nov. 2.

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

#JasonMraz #concerts #Taipei #ImYours #livemusic

2026-10-29

Taiwanese entrepreneurs set down roots in Central Europe

Taiwan’s relations in Central Europe have grown closer in recent years, encouraging some Taiwanese to try their hand at building businesses there. One daring entrepreneur opened Warsaw’s first Taiwanese restaurant, while another founded a tourism agency in Czechia, aiming to provide a safety net and employment opportunities for Taiwanese living abroad.

Walking through the streets of Prague’s Old Town Square, the classic architecture unfolds everywhere you look. Up ahead, the famous Astronomical Clock puts on its hourly show. But if you want to know more about its history, you’ll need a guide.

- It shows which constellation the moon and the stars are in. So it’s actually an astrolabe.

Charlene Chen has accumulated a deep knowledge of the city’s history over her 10 years of living in Prague. In 2022, she founded a travel agency with her friend, Naomi Kan, with the goal of supporting her fellow Taiwanese expats.

Charlene Chen
Czech Fruit Travel Agency cofounder
At the time, right after the pandemic, we felt like we wanted to create a kind of hub for students and Taiwanese people to gather. Maybe they’re freelancers or teachers working at language schools.

Naomi Kan
Czech Fruit Travel Agency cofounder
We thought about creating more job opportunities for Taiwanese people, allowing more chances to come to Europe, especially this magical country of Czechia. We can offer a sense of familiarity.

The cofounders provide locally based expats with part-time work as tour guides to boost their income while sharing the beauty of their adoptive home. They mostly offer in-depth tours for individual travelers coming on newly launched direct flight routes. Elderly travelers especially enjoy their personalized storytelling approach.

Naomi Kan
Czech Fruit Travel Agency cofounder
Older folks often worry about not understanding English while they’re traveling. But if their children find a guide who speaks Chinese and is also Taiwanese, it makes them so much happier.

Charlene Chen
Czech Fruit Travel Agency cofounder
Before, all the Chinese-language guides here were from China. Why did it have to only be them? Why not have Taiwanese guides? And why only have guides for big tour groups, not for individual travelers?

Over in Poland, there’s another Taiwanese entrepreneur seeking to set down roots, one bite at a time.

Freshly baked bread sits on display, just like at a traditional Taiwanese bakery. This is Warsaw’s first Taiwanese restaurant. The owner invited a baker from Taiwan all the way to Poland to recreate the most authentic flavors.

Rock
Baker at Papa Lee’s
Taiwanese-style butter and cream actually suit the Polish taste quite closely. For the scallion bread, we use black pepper to bring out the flavor.

Lee Chang-tse
Papa Lee’s owner
Many of my friends said there are a lot of Taiwanese and Chinese people in Warsaw, and urged us to come here.

Utilizing his family connections in Poland, Lee has successfully turned the upstart venture into a thriving family business. Today, they enjoy a stellar reputation. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung came to visit while in town, and even the deputy mayor from a nearby city was blown away by the bubble tea.

Adam Pustelnik
Łódź Deputy Mayor
It’s really good! It’s sweet. I love it.

Lee Chang-tse
Papa Lee’s owner
In my opinion, the Polish are some of the friendliest people in Europe. Although politically they may seem to be xenophobic, the people are extremely accepting of foreigners.

Whether working to support their fellow expats or winning over palate with the flavors of home, these hardworking entrepreneurs are showing Europe the best that Taiwan has to offer.

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

#expat #entrepreneur #Poland #Prague #globalTaiwan #Taiwaneseabroad

2026-10-29

Shen wears bulletproof vest and ramps security as elections approach

As the local elections draw near, candidates continue to canvass the streets and appeal to as many people as they can, all the while security measures ramp up. Supporters recently saw Puma Shen’s canvassing vehicle outfitted with bulletproof glass. The Taipei mayoral candidate also claimed he wears a bulletproof vest during outdoor activities. Lee Wen-chang, Deputy Director of the National Police Agency, also stated that they have received intelligence that put candidates at risk.

DPP’s mayoral candidate for Taipei, Puma Shen continues to canvass in the streets. He even showed up in Hsinchu to help, but fans couldn’t miss the bulletproof glass on the vehicle or the bulletproof vest that Shen wore. It seems that security measures have tightened.

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
Usually, when people wear a bulletproof vest, it’s because they are on the move and there’s a lot of people they don’t know. In occasions with a lot of movement, planning for adequate safety measures is complicated, so in these scenarios you wear a vest.

The O’Shen wave was embraced from behind bulletproof glass. The KMT seemingly tried to turn the issue into a campaign against Shen, but the National Police Agency has confirmed that they received intelligence regarding Shen’s security.

Hung Meng-kai
Legislator (KMT)
So ultimately was there any intelligence that was harmful to the candidate?

Lee Wen-chang
Deputy Director of the National Police Agency
Currently, we cannot publicly reveal the specific candidates or the progress of the investigation. This part was controlled.

While campaigning outdoors, candidate safety and proper security details are very important. Selection procedures for bodyguards are rigorous; they must have clean records with no demerits within 5 years and no disciplinary actions within 3 years. Shen has 2 bodyguards and 4 police officers on rotation for every outdoor activity. There are nearly 20,000 candidates across Taiwan and around 169 reported bodyguards. For candidates running for commissioners, mayors or councilors, it is normal to have 1 to 2 bodyguards each. If they receive any threats, the number of guards is adjusted.

Chen Chong-guang
Taiwanese Bodyguard School Instructor
Most of the time if there’s an incident outdoors, or if they receive a threat, they will need to evacuate the area secretly. Bodyguards must be skilled in Taekwondo or MMA. The worst thing is to be nervous. There needs to be a good understanding with the candidates.

When candidates are canvassing on the streets, bodyguards remain alert and focused; the core principle is to not let candidates come in harm’s way.

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

#bodyguards #security #campaign #taiwan #election


2026-10-28

Families fuming after postpartum center kicks out 8 mothers in typhoon

Eight mothers who had just given birth were kicked out of their postpartum care center in Kaohsiung last Friday, just as Typhoon Champi descended on Taiwan. That is because the center apparently shut down due to financial difficulties. Despite being aware of the money problems, the facility continued signing contracts with clients and collecting more than NT$7 million in fees from customers. Two individuals in charge, surnamed Hsu and Chang, were arrested on suspicion of fraud, and they’ve since been released on NT$100,000 bail. Let’s hear more.

Voice of Chen Chu-chun
Prosecutor
Despite facing financial difficulties, the company is thought to have continued signing contracts with multiple victims and collecting payments. After questioning, two individuals surnamed Hsu and Chang are suspected of violating the Criminal Code’s provisions on fraud.

Voice of Mr. Chuang
Victim
There’s 63 or 64 families affected, and collectively we gave them more than NT$7 million. Most people paid the full amount for the stay upfront when they signed the contracts. We created a Line group to discuss it. We’re worried, because we don’t know how or if we will get our money back. As long as investigators handle the case properly, I don’t think the suspects will flee.

Chiang Jui-hung
Kaohsiung City Councilor (DPP)
One of the men in charge, Mr. Chang, came to our office. He told us that he was being investigated, so he couldn’t come and make arrangements with everyone.

The operators said they were only temporarily unable to provide service at the postpartum center, denying that the business had actually shut down. They even agreed to meet with the affected families for mediation at a city councilor’s office. But prosecutors moved first, raiding the facility the day after the incident and found that the it had been operating without a license. Since 2022, it had been fined nine times for illegally performing nursing duties, with total penalties reaching NT$2.31 million.

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

#postpartum #healthcare #motherhood #parenthood #newborn

2026-10-28

From automation to autonomy: Industry trends in unmanned tech

As labor shortages intensify, unmanned technologies are emerging as a key solution to keeping society running. From hospital service robots to drones delivering emergency supplies, these technologies are moving beyond simple automation toward greater autonomy. The Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI, is bringing industry leaders together to explore the latest developments and business opportunities in a series of seminars, as the sector looks toward a major growth period in the next four years.

ITRI on Wednesday held the inauguration ceremony of a series of seminars on industry development trends, with a focus on the outlook for 2027. Among the attendees were industry representatives from Qisda and the Taiwan Automation Intelligence and Robotics Association. One key topic was emerging trends in unmanned technologies and industrial applications.

Chi Chao-yin
ITRI ISTI
According to the National Development Council, labor productivity will have to increase by 40% by 2050 in order for society to function. That’s why unmanned technologies will take over to keep operations running. Humans may have to step back from doing frontline tasks and command the processes instead.

In the future, human workers may have to shift from frontline duties to behind-the-scenes roles such as managing and supervising. In hospitals, that means service robots can lead patients around the building and provide basic health information. In remote rural areas or disaster sites, drones can take over emergency supply deliveries, easily clearing geographic obstacles. Machines may even cooperate by themselves in the future, as unmanned technologies shift from automation to autonomy. The range of applications continues to expand.

Cally Ko
Qisda General Manager
There are two teams in our company. One, specializing in drones and the other, in physical AI, including four-legged and two-legged robots for commercial use. Orders have been placed already, and production has begun. The period from next year to early 2030 will be a huge boom in growth for the unmanned tech sector.

Industry players see strong growth potential for unmanned technologies, as applications extend to smart manufacturing, healthcare, logistics and energy infrastructure inspections. Over the next 8 days, more than 70 keynote speakers brought together by ITRI will share their insights at 16 seminar sessions, so that businesses are up-to-date on the latest industry trends.

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

#automation #autonomy #seminar #tech #unmannedtech

2026-10-28

3-year-old mountain bongo called Harris arrives in Taiwan

A 3-year-old male mountain bongo named Harris has made his way across the Pacific to his new home in Taiwan. Though Taipei Zoo already has five mountain bongos, they are all female, and therefore can’t breed. That’s why the Houston Zoo in Texas decided to donate a male animal to Taipei. After an 18-hour flight, Harris was greeted at Taoyuan International Airport by none other than the director of the American Institute in Taiwan. Let’s hear more.

Raymond Greene
AIT Director
The AIT was very proud to work with Houston City, Taipei City and their respective zoos and the Taiwan authorities to realize the survival for Harris. The US and Taiwan work very closely on bio safety as well as animal health, and so I think this is a success story for our cooperation.

Kevin Hodge
Houston Zoo Vice President
EVA Air treated us like first-class guests. Harris was calm throughout the whole flight, so we were able to give him food and water every two hours and it was perfect.

Ju Shiau-fen
Taipei Zoo Director
Our bongo antelope population currently consists of just five females. We hope this male, robust and young, can serve as a breeding male and help us increase the population. We expect to officially introduce him to the public after he finishes one-month in quarantine.

As soon as the plane touched down, airport staff held up a banner welcoming Harris to his new home. Mountain bongos are a kind of antelope with reddish-brown fur, distinctive white stripes and a pair of long horns. They are native to Africa and are among the world’s largest forest antelopes. The species is classified as critically endangered. Harris’s long journey to this side of the globe comes with an important mission: to help breed the next generation and bring new hope to conservation efforts in Taiwan.

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

#bongo #harris #taiwan #houstonzoo #taipeizoo

2026-10-28

Hualien Sculpture Festival to feature light installations, music

This year’s edition of the Hualien International Stone Sculpture Festival will kick off in November. Based on the theme "under the skin of the earth," participating artists have been invited to explore the relationship between humans and the environment. Light installations and a concert featuring Golden Melody Award winners will be joining nine local and foreign artists who will showcase their original work.

Artists focus intently on their work, chipping away to bring the sculpture hidden inside the stone to life. The Hualien International Stone Sculpture Festival returns this year, featuring original work commissioned by the county government. This year’s theme, “under the skin of the earth,” likens the surface of the earth to an epidermis, interpreted differently by each sculptor.

Chen Hsuan-yu
Sculptor
The ocean here in Hualien is unique for Taiwan. It plunges straight down into a massive and extremely deep fault line. The fault line paired with the mountains creates a giant wall formed by the cliffs and the sea.

Lee Po-yuan
Sculptor
It’s about how the language of two people’s bodies interact. To me, boulders bring a sense of silent power.

Artists are incorporating Hualien’s dramatic ocean cliffside and the silent majesty of its rocky monoliths into their work. At the same time, the popular installation Breathing Stones, which drew 90,000 people to Sunrise Boulevard in Hualien the last time it was displayed, will come to Danongdafu Forest Park. The Hualien County Museum of Art will also feature many stone sculptures.

Chen Chien-tsun
Hualien Cultural Affairs Bureau director
We’ve invited sculptors who have come to Hualien before for the International Stone Sculpture Festival to come back and share their work again with all of us art lovers here in Hualien.

As a treat for the ears as well as the eyes, there will also be a concert held on the opening day of the festival. The exciting event is to feature Golden Melody-winning musicians Rich Huang and Baby Chung playing alongside renowned Swiss trumpeter Yannick Barman for a genre-spanning event to celebrate the start of this festival of the arts.

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

#Hualien #sculpture #art #artfestival #GoldenMelody #stonesculpture #artists

2026-10-28

Senior NHI premium exemption plan sparks equity concerns

Now that Taiwan is a super-aged society, demand for elderly care continues to grow and welfare resources are increasingly scrutinized. The Legislative Yuan recently passed a bill exempting people aged 65 and older from National Health Insurance premiums starting next year, and this has prompted concerns about additional government spending and the potential financial burden on the younger generation, as well as whether other social welfare programs would suffer as a result.

The National Health Insurance system provides comprehensive healthcare to everyone in Taiwan and has earned international recognition for its range of coverage and services. Recently, the Legislative Yuan passed an amendment exempting people aged 65 and over whose income falls below the 20% tax rate from paying premiums, sparking widespread debate.

Hung Tzu-jen
Taiwan College of Healthcare Executives director
People aged 65 and over account for about 43% of healthcare spending, with average annual medical expenses exceeding NT$90,000 per person. These costs will continue to rise with inflation, squeezing funding for other areas, such as the Long-Term Care 3.0 project, salary adjustments for healthcare workers, and the pace at which new drugs and technologies are covered by NHI.

Liu Huan-jui
Taiwan Young Patient Association secretary-general
The Executive Yuan estimates that expanding NHI premium subsidies to people aged 65 and older would require nearly NT$40 billion in additional funding each year. While supporting older people in financial need is important, Taiwan must establish a fair and sustainable system to ensure the NHI has sufficient resources to improve care, introduce new drugs, and safeguard the health of all generations.

Experts estimate that 83% of people 65 and over will qualify for the premium exemption. While this could ease the financial burden for older people, the additional costs could be shifted to younger generations and affect other social programs.

Wu Yu-chin
Active Aging Taiwan chair
Taiwan’s NHI system, a source of great pride, is something everyone cherishes and hopes will be sustainable. But this amendment makes young people wonder if they will have to shoulder the cost of NHI in the future, which would be unfair to them.

As the government adjusts its policies to support the nation’s aging population, it’s a challenge to ensure resources are allocated fairly and effectively.

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

#NHI #seniors #agingsociety #socialwelfare #amendment #premiums #exemptions #bill

2026-10-28

60kg sulcata tortoise floating belly-up downstream rescued

A sulcata tortoise floating belly-up down a fast-moving stream in a drainage canal led to a rapid rescue mission in Taichung. The tortoise was spotted helplessly moving its legs in the air as the current brought it downstream. Fortunately, a kind-hearted passerby who saw the animal jumped into the water and lifted it out out of the canal. It was not an easy feat, as the turtle weighed close to 60kg. Let’s hear more.

Rescuer (Anonymized)
Saved tortoise
We went down to the canal to rescue it and took it home. We put it under a heating lamp to warm up, and then we took it to the vet today. We have turtles at home, so when we saw it we immediately wanted to rescue it. It seems to be doing better now, and it’s been eating food.

Chou Shyun
NCHU Veterinary Medicine Dept.
I think that, since it is quite strong, it’s likely that it dug a hole or broke through a fence and escaped its enclosure. I don’t think it’s likely that it was abandoned.

Sulcata tortoises are land-dwelling reptiles. Staying submerged in water for too long can be fatal for them. Fortunately, this time, the tortoise was rescued in time. After the rescue, the animal was brought to a vet for a check-up. The rescuers also posted online in hopes that its owner would come forward to reclaim their pet and bring it 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

#tortoise #sulcatatortoise #canal #taichung #missingpet

2026-10-28

Temple hosts five-day ritual for the first time in nearly 200 years

A temple in Tainan just marked a major historic milestone! The Fushou Lane Beiji Temple celebrated a major Jianjiao sacrificial ceremony on Tuesday evening. A large archway was built with endless rows of long tables holding more than 50,000 offerings as well as sacrificial pigs, creating a spectacle. The temple also heavily compensated Ming Hwa Yuan Arts and Cultural Group for their performance and prayers which local believers also joined in on this historical ceremony.

Across the massive plaza outside the temple, a historical Jianjiao sacrificial ceremony is being celebrated; the glimmers and glows create an impressive view from above. The rows and rows of tables are filled with some 50,000 red plates for offerings combined with the sacrificial pigs; it is truly a sight to see.

Lin Ching-chen
Chairman of Fushou Lane Beiji Temple
This is the first Jianjiao in 193 years. Yesterday evening was the fifth day and celebrations reached their peak. We’re holding the event at a ritual site that is more than 10,000 pings in area.

On top of the many offerings on the table, there were also thousands of cases of beer and sorghum. The grand ceremony reached its peak on Tuesday evening at the Fushou Lane Beiji Temple. As the first Jianjiao in 193 years, the ceremony was held to thank the gods. The Temple reportedly paid a pretty penny for a Taiwanese opera performance by Ming Hwa Yuan starring superstar Sun Tsui-feng. The event was packed with local believers coming to celebrate.

Member of public
Attended the ceremony
What a spectacle! Everyone hearts are very full.

After the ceremony, the temple also prepared fireworks show lighting up the dark sky with colors. As the five-day century-old prayer and ritual came to a close, the temple should prosper and thrive for the next 100 years.

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

#beijitemple #sacrificialceremony #offering #taoism #taiwan

2026-10-28

Huge Little Prince inflatable steals show at Bitan festival

2026 marks 80 years since The Little Prince was first published. To mark the occasion, the New Taipei City Government has introduced scenes from the timeless French classic to the beautiful landscapes of Bitan. Centered around a huge 19-meter-long inflatable of the beloved character, and featuring other installations of the Fox and the Rose, the Little Prince’s universe beckons visitors.

As the countdown reaches zero, fireworks illuminate a huge inflatable Little Prince and the surrounding waterfront to mark the official opening of the Bitan Landscape Art Festival.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the French story’s publication. The New Taipei City Government licensed the beloved IP for the festival, integrating scenes from the book into the Bitan waterfront. The highlight is this 19-meter-long inflatable of the Little Prince in a boat, along with other installations of the Fox and the Rose. Some fans brought their own collectibles.

Festival visitor
The Little Prince fan
My kids aren’t very familiar with it, but it’s nostalgic for me, so I brought them to come see it. I think they did very well with it. These flowers are beautiful.

Festival visitor
The Little Prince fan
I love The Little Prince. My kid’s textbook also covers the story, so I wanted to teach them more about the author.

Local business owners have also been invited to join in offering a market and music to visitors as they enjoy the peaceful waterfront and timeless charm of The Little Prince.

Hou You-yi
New Taipei City Mayor
Beyond combining Eastern and Western art and culture, it’s truly wonderful to see the Little Prince amid the landscapes of Bitan. This artistic atmosphere makes Bitan even more beautiful as night falls.

During the festival, paddleboats will also be available for rental at night, so visitors can soak in the romantic scene from the water as well as from the shore.

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

#Bitan #NewTaipei #artinstallation #TheLittlePrince #LePetitPrince #festival

2026-10-28

Public piano turns new Tainan Station into concert hall

Since the new Tainan Railway Station opened, it’s been filled with live music. People have been showing off their skills at a piano in the station, with other instrumentalists and singers joining in. Travelers often stop to record the impromptu performances, praising the musical talent the southern ancient city has to offer.

People stop to listen to the piano as it echoes through the train station.

Another musician pulls out their violin, joining the pianist to play the theme song from a Japanese anime. The duo attracted a large audience.

In another impromptu performance, an erhu and a pipa player formed a trio with the piano, bringing local music to the station.

Another pianist was later joined by a middle-aged man and young woman who started singing together, turning the station into a concert hall. This public piano in the lobby of Tainan’s new main train station has been busy, with many people eager to play it. Travelers stop to listen and record the performances, sharing Tainan’s musical talent online. Some even recognized one of the musicians.

This is Chen Chun-hao, a blind pianist who received the President Education Award in 2020. He’s currently studying music and returned to the station several days in a row to play.

Talented musicians have taken turns showing off their skills, filling the station with music and turning it into an impromptu performance space.

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

#Tainan #TainanStation #piano #music #livemusic #publicpiano #performance #musician #singer

2026-10-28