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From above, Hsinchu Mayor Ann Kao waves at parading deities below

The gates to the Underworld are open for the Ghost Month. In Hsinchu, one of the highlights is a street parade by local deities, which took place on Thursday. Hsinchu City Mayor Ann Kao watched the parade from the second floor balcony of City Hall, making sure to wave to the crowd below, which included revered temple deities. There was just one problem though: the city mayor, a mere mortal, committed a folk custom faux pas by looking down at the deities.

Ghost Month is here, and also underway is the annual Hsinchu Zhongyuan Festival. Taking place on Thurday afternoon was the removing of the cangue ceremony. The temple procession paraded around the city, but an unintentional blasphemous act took place when the participants and their deities passed by City Hall.

Standing on the 2nd floor balcony, waving to the crowd below, is Mayor Ann Kao, who has a bird’s eye view of the procession. And that’s the problem: Kao has likely committed a religious taboo.

Member of public
Feels Mayor Kao disrespected deities
I feel it’s incredibly inappropriate. If she wants to show respect to the City God, then she should be offering incense in the street below, which would be a more respectful way to treat the deities. Standing up there looking down like that, it’s basically like stepping on a deity’s palanquin; this is truly, incredibly impolite.

Voice of Lin Mao-hsien
Expert in folk customs
Normally, the way we do it is you’d come down, come down the stairs, and then you’d meet the deities with respect; at the very least you shouldn’t be standing higher than the deities, which is a basic form of respect.

Many went to Threads to criticize Kao, saying things like she was acting all high and mighty. Other comments said she was “super rude” and that everybody knows to not stand up on a pedestrian bridge when an important temple deity like Mazu passes by.

Yang Ling-yi
Hsinchu City councilor (DPP)
It’s clear as day, Mayor Kao sees herself as an emperor, like she came here to inspect the troops during a military parade. Doing what she did is rather inappropriate. Her aides, and she herself, should take some time to understand what praying during this ceremony means, and what’s the true message of this event.

Yang Chun-tzu
Hsinchu City Spokesperson
During a break between meetings, the city mayor just happened to hear the procession was passing by, so she went to the balcony to see how everything was going. Some everyday people saw the city mayor, so they waved towards her, and Mayor Kao responded in a friendly manner.

The Hsinchu City Government didn’t directly address whether Kao was actually standing at a higher vantage point than the deities and whether she had committed a taboo. Officials only expressed that Kao was just waving as a means of interacting with the general public.

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

#Hsinchu #CityGod #GhostMonth #ZhongyuanFestival #taboo #don’tlookdown

Time：2026-08-14

最新消息 Latest News

Taiwan to host Premier12 and Olympic baseball qualifiers

Big news for baseball fans. Taiwan is set to host two major international tournaments over the next two years. Hot from winning it all in 2024, Taiwan will be hosting the opening round and the super round for the next edition of the Premier12 baseball championship, which will take place in 2027. In addition, the final qualifier for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles will also be held in Taiwan. Let’s hear what people think.

Member of public
Happy about news
I think it’s great. As the host country, people from all over the world will come to Taiwan for tourism. Our team will also have support right at home, so they’ll be more motivated.

Member of public
Happy about news
Of course it’s nice. It can increase our visibility worldwide.

Voice of Hsu Wei-chih
Baseball commentator
We have our own cheering style in Taiwan, and our cheerleading culture. People have said it’s worthy of the MLB. We should make sure Team Taiwan plays in the evening, not in the afternoon. Since the CTBA has earned hosting rights, they should give our national team a little advantage.

Tsai Chi-chang
CPBL Commissioner
It’s in great part thanks to Chairman Koo. He overcame every obstacle to secure hosting rights for Taiwan. This gives us home turf advantage, and lets baseball fans come to the games without having to fly overseas.

Hopes are high that Team Taiwan will rise up the ranks once again, to clinch another top class international championship. After all, back in 2024 the road to victory also started at the Taipei Dome. Taiwan won four out of five games in the preliminary round, thanks to the support from fans who came out in droves to cheer for the team. The upcoming baseball events are key for Taiwan, as they both act as qualifiers for the Olympic Games, which Taiwan does not want to miss out on.

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

#olympicgames #baseball #taipei #taipeidome #homerun #premier12

2026-08-14

Taiwan deepens ties with allies through delicious food imports

Due to its delicate diplomatic situation, Taiwan is striving to maintain strong relations with the tiny group of countries that maintain formal diplomatic ties. Now, Taiwan’s latest move to deepen trade cooperation involves delicious cuisine. The government is encouraging more Taiwanese businesses to purchase agricultural, fishery and livestock products from these nations. Let’s find out more.

Paraguayan beef is cut into seared cubes, served with garlic chips and chimichurri. Belizean lobster is drizzled with miso sauce and topped with caviar and shiso blossoms—a multi-layered, exquisite delight that dazzles the palate.

In order to deepen economic and trade cooperation with Taiwan’s formal diplomatic allies, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Taiwan’s trade council TAITRA have brought together Taiwanese importers, food and beverage brands and distributors to hold promotional events.

Cynthia Kiang
Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs
How can we strengthen government-to-government cooperation and drive further engagement for our related industries? For the first time, the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ International Trade Administration is cooperating with distributors.

Darío Filártiga Ruiz Díaz
Paraguay Ambassador
As we move toward the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, we have mutually strengthened our close ties in politics, economics, culture and cooperation.

Paraguay is Taiwan’s second-largest source of beef imports, with purchases reaching nearly NT$9.2 billion last year. Additionally, Taiwan imported NT$860 million worth of coffee from Guatemala. Belize is the only lobster-exporting country that enjoys zero tariffs with Taiwan, thus attracting the attention of seafood importers.

Yen Chih-ting
Taiwanese importer
They have a great advantage: they are duty-free. Imported white shrimp are subject to a 20% tariff. Therefore, under these premises, a long, long time ago we started developing white shrimp sourcing in our Central American allies, these duty-free nations.

H.E. Katherine Vanessa Meighan
Belize Ambassador
It not only builds an economic advantage or a trade benefit, but also speaks to a very healthy friendship. We love food. You love food. So what a great combination that is.

By creating connections through cuisine, Taiwan aims to strengthen bilateral trade with its formal allies in Central and South America, transforming trade into the most heartwarming form of support.

#Taiwandiplomacy #Taiwaneseallies #Taiwanimports #Taiwanesecuisine #Paraguayanbeef #Belizelobster

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

2026-08-14

Crumbling drain cover swallows front wheel of car without warning

A driver that had just pulled out of a parking spot was forced to park his car again just a few seconds later, after a drain cover collapsed under the weight of his car. One of the front wheels of the vehicle got stuck in a drainage hole. Fearing that the opening would crumble even more, he immediately called the police for help, and a towing service to get the car pulled out. It turns out the concrete and metal had deteriorated over the years, causing them to crumble. Let’s hear more.

Chuang Shu-ting
FTV reporter
The drain cover gave in without warning, swallowing up the car’s front wheel. Had it been a pedestrian, they would’ve fallen 1m down into waste water.

Voice of construction worker
Kaohsiung
The base had become brittle. It was the last straw. It must have been in disrepair for years.

Member of public
Kaohsiung
It’s so dangerous. The government should pay more attention to maintenance, especially regarding regular checks and repairs.

Wang Ta-wei
Kaohsiung Water Resources Bureau
The area that collapsed was the edge of the cast iron drain cover touching the cement for the ditch. The cover is subjected to pressure from passing vehicles, which weakens the materials and causes them to crack.

The incident happened in Kaohsiung’s Cianjin District. The driver got a big scare, after the ground swallowed up his wheel. The city’s water resources agency says repairs are underway, adding that compensation will be provided. Officials stressed that inspections are carried out routinely, and that the ditches will be reinforced to prevent similar incidents.

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 #driving #drain #ditch #thatwasclose #maintenance #help

2026-08-14

Drivers report nearly hitting rooster, deer, cow on roadways

When out on the roads, it’s important to pay attention! One driver in Kaohsiung found this out the hard way recently, when he almost ran into a chicken sunbathing in the middle of the road. It also gave the rooster quite a scare! Elsewhere in Changhua, another driver wasn’t so lucky. An entire herd of deer suddenly jumped into the street as he was driving, causing a crash.

A driver was riding along a street on Changhua’s Bagua Mountain when they saw … a deer? They stared blankly at each other, both surprised to see the other. The adult bounded away, but the fawns…

With a crash, they collided into a heap.

Liu Pao-tsun
Taifeng Borough warden
Someone was raising sambar deer down in the valley. They probably escaped and kept breeding. They mostly come out at night. About two or three months ago, someone else ran into a deer, too.

The local borough warden said deer are common around here, but it’s rare to see an entire family out together. They’re clearly afraid of people and panicked when they ran into the driver, causing a nasty spill.

It’s not just deer you have to look out for. In Kaohsiung’s Gushan鼓山 area, another driver had just taken a turn when he spotted a big white rooster sunbathing in the middle of the road. Turns out this particular bird is infamous in these parts.

Nearby resident
Knows about the rooster
It’s a consecrated temple rooster. It always wanders over to the auto repair shop next door. It loves human company. If we’re sitting here chatting, it’ll come and hang out nearby. Over there, there are mechanics, electricity, fans, and it’s much cooler, so of course it likes it over there.

Nearby resident
Knows about the rooster
Everyone around here knows about him and will swerve to avoid him. Some people are sweet enough to come by just to play with him.

This bird is a consecrated rooster belonging to the temple next door. For two years now, it often wanders over to the neighboring repair shop during the day to enjoy the AC and find company. He may love nuzzling up to people, but the street isn’t the best place to do it.

We’ve had a rooster, a deer … and now a cow? You’ve probably seen a cow ambling around before, but have you ever seen one sprint? A driver in Pingtung’s Yenpu was terrified that if this cow charged over, it wouldn’t end well. Suffice it to say, when taking to the roads, besides watching out for reckless drivers, you might also need to watch out for reckless animals!

#animals #driving #roadsafety #templerooster #deer #animalencounter #scooter

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

2026-08-14

Man returns breathalyzer to police who forgot it at accident site in rush

Leaving your house in a rush is never a good thing, as you can easily forget to take important items with you. Something similar happened to police officers in Taoyuan. The city’s officers were handling a traffic accident on Thursday, when they had to pack up and hurry off to help with the Wan An air raid drills. But in their haste, they left their breathalyzer behind. Luckily for them, it was later found by a passerby.

The man picked up the briefcase from the ground and filmed the unboxing inside his car. Everything inside is where it should be, except that the whole kit shouldn’t be there, but at the police station. The law-abiding citizen decided to take the kit back, and then handed it over to its rightful owner. The precinct says it will review the lapse as well as investigate and discipline those responsible for it.

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

#forgotten #lostandfound #taoyuan #goodsamaritan #funny #rush

2026-08-14

Mom tries taking young swimmer to class during resilience drill

On August 13, Northern Taiwan held an urban resilience drill, which only lasted from 2:30 to 3:00 in the afternoon. Yet a parent trying to get her young swimmer to a test insisted on arriving at their destination. Police stopped the child and mother, who directed her anger first towards the authorities, then law-abiding onlookers, and finally, her own daughter.

- We can’t do this right now.
She’s going to be late.
I’m begging you. Please,
let us go over there.
I’ve already pleaded with you.

This parent is underneath the covered walkway with her daughter; the mom is irate because her young swimmer is about to be late for her swim class.

- She needs to take the test.
Okay?
- The exercise only goes to 3:00.
- Her test will be finished by 3:00.
- No it won’t.
She can’t go to class now
everybody knows it’s the Wan An Exercise.

The officer tried to reason with her, yet nothing could calm the mother, who kept screaming at the police to let them go. Shocked by the scene, onlookers tried to help diffuse the situation.

- Missing one class is no big deal.
- She needs to take the test;
if she can’t, then will you pay for her?
- Pay for what?
- The money for her swimming class.
- It was you who didn’t head out earlier.
So whose fault is that?

A pedestrian may have struck a nerve, as the mother then turned to her daughter and yelled at the child, who, out of fear, ended up crying.

-Why didn’t you head out earlier?
You wanted to nap.
Who said it was OK to nap?

On Aug. 13, from 2:30 to 3:00 in the afternoon, Northern Taiwan held the 2026 Urban Resilience Exercise, which included control measures for both traffic and pedestrians. Yet this parent wanted to take her child with her from Yongchun Market to her swimming class. The pair never made it to the pool, with police stopping them. Yet the mother insisted on going to their destination.

Member of public
Fan of following the law
It doesn’t matter what test you need to take, or what you want to do today; you still need to follow the country’s law.

Member of public
Feels bad for uniformed services
It’s not just about you individually, how you act as an individual. Even if you don’t want to take part in this exercise, acting like that probably makes life difficult for the people participating in the exercise, like the military and police. There’s no reason to act like that.

The local police station said that, in the end, the mother and daughter complied with the orders by taking shelter under the covered walkway, meaning they didn’t violate the Civil Defense Act, so they won’t be fined. But many were upset at the parent for wanting to break the law as well as confronting the authorities while a minor was at her side.

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

#testy #authorities #urbanresilience #wananexercise #madmommy #rageagainstthemachine

2026-08-14

Scammers pose as Changhua sanitation workers to fleece residents

A new kind of scam has just been unearthed in Changhua. Fraudsters impersonating the Changhua City Office sanitation team have been phoning Changhua residents and offering help with the removal of large furniture and other items. They then request payment via bank transfer. The office’s sanitation team has come out to clarify that only cash payments are involved, with payments made directly to the office or to the workers on-site. The office will never give you a bank account number and ask for a money transfer. Let’s find out more.

Cleaning crews use recycling trucks or garbage trucks to collect trash or large recyclables. If you have large furniture that needs removing, you can hire a cleaning crew for a fee. But is the public clear about the payment methods involved?

- There’s a fee now, did you know?
- Oh, I know, I know.
- So how do they collect the payments?
- How do we pay?
- I’m not sure.

Taking advantage of the fact that some people are unaware of the payment systems, a fraud ring has been impersonating Changhua’s sanitation team. They call up residents and provide them with a bank account number, asking them to pay for cleaning services. Some residents nearly fell victim to this scam.

Member of the public
Commenting on the fraudsters
It’s quite terrifying, because even something like this can end up being a scam. It involves in-person payments or payment to the cleaning crew directly. You’d think bank transfers are out of the question.

Member of the public
Commenting on the fraudsters
Because I don’t know whether the charge is supposed to be via bank transfer or cash. These days, a lot of places don’t use bank transfers like that—otherwise, it’s a scam. Do you really want to get scammed?

The sanitation team says if residents need large furniture removed, they can fill out an application form online, specifying the items to be removed. At the same time, the prices for the disposal items will also be displayed. The team says only cash payments are accepted, and there are absolutely no bank transfers involved.

Chang Hsiao-wei
Changhua City Office
When they call us to verify, we tell them that we still maintain two payment methods: paying at the sanitation office or paying on-site when the waste is removed. We also remind the public that we do not provide bank accounts for money transfers.

Fraudsters are everywhere. This time, they allegedly impersonated the sanitation team and gave people a fake bank account to remit hauling fees in an attempt to defraud them. Residents need to be extra cautious, carefully verify information, and avoid becoming easy prey for scammers.

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

#Taiwanfraud #fraudrings #fraudsters #Changhua #Changhuafraud

2026-08-14

Firefighters compete in grueling challenges for spot at World Games

The National Fire Agency recently hosted the Taiwan Ultimate Firefighter International Invitational at its Nantou Training Center. The competition was divided into four stages, including tasks like ladder setup and transport, heavy object demolition to rescue victims, and stair climbing while carrying a heavy load. The dream of the more than 400 firefighters who competed was to represent Taiwan at next year’s World Police and Fire Games. This year’s invitational was also open to public participation, giving civilians a chance to experience firsthand the grueling work of firefighting.

While strapped into oxygen tanks, these competitors must quickly set up a ladder before sprinting to the top of a four-story stairway.

In this challenge, they must use a sledgehammer to break through heavy material before dragging a life-sized mannequin to simulate the race against time to rescue a victim from a burning building.

Competitor
Testing out skills
Explosive power is crucial, but as time goes on, if your cardio endurance isn’t up to the task, you’ll be gasping for air by the end and won’t be able to keep going.

The National Fire Agency recently held the Taiwan Ultimate Firefighter International Invitational at its Nantou Training Center. The results will help to determine who will represent Taiwan at the World Police and Fire Games in Australia next March.

Hsiao Huan-chang
National Fire Agency Director-General
The World Police and Fire Games are held every two years in different places around the world. I competed in the 2011 Games in New York. Afterward, I realized there’s something special about firefighting competitions. So ever since then, we’ve integrated this kind of challenge into the center as a part of training.

The general public was also invited to take part this year, letting people experience firsthand the harsh physical demands of firefighting.

Civilian competitor
Testing out skills
The hardest part was the four-story climb I just did, hauling that 20kg of fire hose up by myself.

Civilian competitor
Testing out skills
A friend of mine is a firefighter, so he convinced us to come out. We figured we’d challenge ourselves and sign up together.

The competition is divided into four parts: hose and ladder transport, heavy object demolition and victim rescue, and stair climbing. In the end, the event drew over 400 participants.

#firefighting #UltimateFirefighter #WorldPoliceandFireGames #Nantou #physicalchallenge #competition

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

2026-08-14

‘Headless’ temple-goer filmed on sly could have medical condition

A lady in a pink dress was filmed by a stranger at a temple during Ghost Month, with the person joking that they had spotted a “headless” temple-goer. While the woman’s posture may have caught people’s attention, doctors say it could be linked to an underlying health condition. And as the footage spreads online, it’s worth remembering that what may seem strange or amusing to one person could be a very personal matter for someone else.

A lady in a pink dress going about her daily life was captured on video by a stranger, who flippantly joked that he was seeing a headless temple-goer.

Lin Yi-yun
FTV reporter
Some edgy worshippers at Xingtian Temple poked fun at the lady, saying that they were seeing a paranormal apparition in broad daylight.

Member of public
Commenting on video
At first I would be left wondering what happened to her head. But then you’d realize she’s just lowered it. Nothing’s scary about that.

Member of public
Commenting on video
There’s lots of people like that. It’s just poor posture.

Some level-headed passersby reasoned that many people naturally hunch over. It’s not an uncommon sight, after all. Of course there was nothing unearthly about the woman, who’s likely dealing with health problems.

Lin Yu-lian
Taiwan Adventist Hospital
Usually there are two possible causes: neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions. In most cases of neuromuscular problems, the cause is myasthenia gravis, which weakens the muscles in the neck and back so much that you can’t extend them. That would make the head droop forward. It could also be ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory arthritis that causes bone deformities that make it difficult to lift the head.

A doctor says conditions such as spondylitis may require rehabilitation and medication. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary. As for the temple-goer in pink, though she may look unusual, it’s certainly no excuse to secretly film a stranger.

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

#headless #temple #xingtiantemple #taipei #taipeinews #incense #nearlyheadlessnick #ghost #ghostmonth

2026-08-14

Taiwan puts wartime readiness to the test in urban resilience drill

Taiwan is putting its emergency preparedness to the test. The 2026 Urban Resilience Exercises got underway in Northern Taiwan Thursday, simulating everything from the distribution of essential supplies to wartime medical operations. President Lai Ching-te and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih inspected the drills, which also drew representatives from the US, Israel and Canada. The exercises are aimed at ensuring that even in a crisis, essential government and public services can keep running.

She scans the ID card and checks the list, before putting the supplies in a bag. It’s quick and easy. Northern Taiwan held its urban resilience drill on Thursday, which included an inspection of a supermarket distribution station by President Lai Ching-te and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih. This year’s exercises are being closely watched by the international community. At the scene was de facto US ambassador Raymond Greene, as well as diplomats from Israel and Canada.

Lai Ching-te
President
Virtue never stands alone. It is bound to have neighbors. We are not alone in facing regional geopolitical challenges. The international community is with us. But we cannot afford to be unprepared. We cannot afford to rely only on outsiders. Each exercise we hold is a boost to our resilience.

Hou Yu-ih
New Taipei Mayor
It’s best to be over-prepared for 100 years without calamity, than to be caught unprepared a single day. Being ready is extremely important.

Officials from the central and local governments learned about civilian supply distribution procedures and oversaw drills to scale back medical services and transfer medical operations underground.

The oncology department on the second basement of Shuang Ho Hospital was turned into a wartime command center, with dedicated areas for pharmacy, surgery and childbirth. Hospital beds were set up in the parking lot one floor below, in case the ground floor is unsafe or if curfew has been imposed.

A blood donation area and a hemodialysis area were set up near the drive aisle, to be used in emergencies. Staff played the role of patients to create a lifelike drill with real patients, objects, sites and scenarios.

Shih Chung-liang
Minister of Health and Welfare
Shuang Ho Hospital is the benchmark. We want to replicate the model here in every hospital in Taiwan.

Local preparedness drills help ensure essential government services can endure wartime and emergencies, making national defense more than just a slogan.

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

#military #drills #civilians #supermarket #groceries #taiwan #invasion

2026-08-13

MOFA minister Lin Chia-lung speaks to big group of youth ambassadors

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung carved time out of his schedule to speak to a special group of young people, who are either in this year’s class of International Youth Ambassadors or part of the TaiwanICDF’s first ever group of Campus Youth Ambassadors. These diplomats of tomorrow are about to head abroad to Taiwanese allies, where they’ll get first-hand experiences of diplomacy in action.

Through song and dance, this group of youth ambassadors are demonstrating the vitality of youth.

These musicians playing traditional instruments and singing Hakka hill songs will be going to visit diplomatic allies; also going abroad are TaiwanICDF campus youth ambassadors, who seem to be quite excited about the opportunity.

Yu Ting-hsuan
Campus Youth Ambassador
I started to understand that this opportunity is not only just about going abroad; it’s about meeting people, listening to their stories, understanding their cultures, and seeing how Taiwan and Saint Lucia can connect with one another.

Tsai Wan-yin
Campus Youth Ambassador
To be able to become a campus youth ambassador, representing the TaiwanICDF and going to a diplomatic ally, I feel that this is truly an incredible honor. For me right now, I’m really excited and looking forward to creating brilliant things with the locals there.

This year is a two-part mission, with Palau being the destination of the first batch, who are the first group of Taiwanese youth ambassadors to include experts in drone technology. The second group will be going to Caribbean countries, including Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung waved the Taiwanese flag and presided over the ceremony in which the youth ambassadors were conferred their certificates.

Lin Chia-lung
Foreign minister
First, be confident when you go abroad. You represent Taiwan: a free, democratic, innovative, and open society. Second, be humble: listen carefully, respect different cultures, and learn from the people you meet.

Lin Chia-lung called on the youth ambassadors to exude a spirit in which anyone can be a diplomat, and to showcase the democracy and resilience of 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

#allies #diplomacyinaction #MOFA #LinChia-lung #TaiwanICDF #youthambassadors

2026-08-13

Brother drills ceiling hole in bizarre escalation of 20-year feud

A 20-year family feud that started because of a leaky ceiling has literally broken through the floor and escalated into a bizarre war between neighbors. The principal factions are led by two brothers living on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the same apartment building in New Taipei. The older brother says a huge hole recently appeared on his ceiling, after his little brother living upstairs grabbed an electric drill and punched through his own floor. The upstairs brother now uses the hole to flush out water from his unit, sending a murky waterfall splashing down in the second floor every now and then. Let’s hear more.

Voice of relative
Lives on 2nd floor
He really grabbed a drill and bit by bit it came crumbling down. Now there really is a hole in my ceiling, and he’s started bucketing water down. It all started when I told them they should help us deal with a leak. But he did nothing! We even asked the local borough warden for help to no avail. A few years later, they got a leak in their ceiling, and they told us to do something about it.

Voice of younger brother
Lives on 3rd floor
I’m all down to help and to talk things out. If we have to fix it all, so be it. I said we can start from the very top, and then fix our way down to the 2nd floor. We could all do the repairs together and split the cost. But they don’t want to.

And the feud extends outside the home. The two brothers co-own a shop with another four siblings. The elder brother claims that his little brother refuses to pay rent whenever they have a falling-out. From drippy ceilings to rental debt, the older brother has ultimately decided to take the argument to court in hopes that a judge will put this drawn-out family drama to rest.

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

#familyfeud #feud #funny #neighbor #neighborsfromhell #aita

2026-08-13

Yilan youth band performs in US, charms expats with classic song

The M&Ocean Youth Band from Yilan’s Yue-Ming Elementary and Junior High School consists of 17 young musicians. After raising travel funds through their own performances to go perform in the US, they finally fulfilled their dream in late July by embarking on a 12-day exchange trip to California. When they performed the classic song Longing for the Spring Breeze, three to four hundred overseas Taiwanese came just to see them, and many were moved to tears.

Donning Taiwan baseball jerseys to showcase Taiwanese baseball culture, the M&Ocean Youth Band of 17 students from Yilan’s Yue-Ming Elementary and Junior High School traveled all the way to California to deliver brilliant performances.

By wearing school uniforms and caps while performing national health calisthenics, they awakened childhood memories for many. But the most touching moment was when they performed this song.

Tender voices singing Longing for the Spring Breeze brought three to four hundred attending expats to tears. Established in 2020, the M&Ocean Band saw students independently rehearse and design their own stage setups, starting from local markets in Yilan and eventually progressing to Taipei 101, government agencies, and major ticketed stages. Accumulating experience and travel funds along the way, they finally made their dream come true this summer by performing in the United States.

Pan Hou-sheng
M&Ocean member
Being on stage, I love performing so much! I hope I’ll have even more opportunities to perform in the future.

Lin Ko-ching
M&Ocean member
We served local Taiwanese snacks to the elderly folks over there. When performing on stage, seeing the smiles on the audience’s faces brings us joy.

The group also performed at senior centers and city councils in California, receiving official commendations. Across their 12-day journey, they delivered eight performances to overwhelming acclaim.

Huang Chien-jung
Yue-Ming principal
They worked hard toward their dream and also managed to bring joy to so many people.

Wang Ching-ju
Parent
Some people even drove two or three hours just to see these kids perform. They’ve actually seen quite a lot of performances over there, but the vast majority were groups from China. What these Taiwanese kids brought had a completely different character.

Emotional connections spanning across the Pacific deeply touched California’s overseas Taiwanese community. Some even expressed willingness to sponsor them in the future, hoping the kids will visit again and bring authentic Taiwanese performances back to the US.

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#Wangchunfeng #choir #YueMingElementary #Yilan #California #MOceanBand #expats #exchange

2026-08-13

Man with 500 turtles pleads government to take som

How many pets is too many pets? For a turtle owner in Yilan, the answer is more than 500. Mr. Lin has been breeding yellow pond turtles for years. He has a permit to keep them, as they are a Class I protected species. But the problem is, that the turtles have bred far too quickly, producing more than 160 hatchlings. Mr. Lin says he has run out of space and wants to give some away, but the Yilan County Government says he should surrender all 500+ turtles in his possession. Let’s hear more.

Mr. Lin
Has too many turtles
I can’t keep them anymore. I don’t have enough space. I want to give them to the government, so they can take care of them. The big turtles pick on the younger ones. If you keep them together, they don’t last longer than three days.

Lee Chian-chiang
Yilan County Government
Our goal is to process all of them together, and release them into the wild eventually. If he keeps any, they might keep breeding.

Mr. Lin has so many turtles that they all end up piled one on top of another, crammed up in a small space. The Yilan government says they want him to surrender every turtle in order to prevent them from breeding. But Mr. Lin says that his mother, at 94 years old, would be heartbroken to be separated from her turtle family. But with no agreement in sight, the baby turtles are stuck in limbo with nowhere to go.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#turtle #iliketurtles #pets #hatchling #supermom #bigfamily


2026-08-13

Trash collector faces jail after taking discarded pots home

One man’s trash can be another man’s prison sentence. A garbage collector in Taichung has been indicted for corruption, after taking discarded pots and pans home to use in the kitchen and to turn into art. The waste disposal worker had turned himself into the Agency Against Corruption, and his ill-gotten goods were estimated to have a value of just over NT$4. That’s right, NT$4.

Over the course of 8 months, starting in March 2024, the man took 12 pots and pans, one metal rack, one spatula, one ladle and one metal tray home. Weighing in at a total of 12.4kg, and calculating at a rate of NT$0.33 per kilogram, the discarded cookware has a recyclable value of NT$4.092. The trash collector had been working in the team for eight years, and has since been removed from his position. Prosecutors charged him with misappropriating public property, but are asking the court to either exempt him from punishment or grant a suspended sentence. He says he regrets his actions, and says he won’t do it again.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#pots #pans #kitchenware #cookware #cooking #disposal #recycling #upcycling

2026-08-13

Australian padawan steals lightsaber, embracing dark side

Star Wars enthusiast Makoto Tsai has been making realistic-looking lightsabers for over two decades, but recently he met a Sith lord for the first time. Tsai had lent a friend in Australia a red lightsaber to be used by a group of Star Wars enthusiasts, but one Australian national ended up stealing the lightsaber. The man even broke the Jedi code when he bragged about his act on social media, saying, “Reels blowing up right now, feeling pretty blessed.”

Over in Australia, these two force-sensitive men are swinging and spinning their lightsabers. This scintillating duel features a Jedi versus a Sith lord, who’s the one holding the red lightsaber. After borrowing the laser sword, the blond-haired man refused to give it back and even told famous lightsaber maker Makoto Tsai to send him a private message. The man’s reply to Tsai showed that he’d already embraced the dark side.

The Australian national blocked Tsai and even sent an insidious photo of him giving the middle finger. Tsai is still having a hard time accepting the fate of the stolen lightsaber, which cost NT$11,000 to make.

Makoto Tsai
Famous lightsaber maker
Geez. It’s ridiculous. How can somebody like this even exist? I lent that lightsaber to that group, for anyone there to use. But then, during a gathering, he ended up slyly stealing it, or you could say borrowed it without asking. And then he ends up never coming back. So my friend wanted to get that saber back, and that’s when we realized his lightsaber was taken, that the man insisted on not giving it back.

The social media accounts of the Sith lord with sticky hands got slammed by negative messages, yet the man has clearly embraced the dark side. On Instagram the man wrote, “Reels blowing up right now, feeling pretty blessed,” which clearly broke the Jedi code.

Makoto Tsai
Famous lightsaber maker
He dug in his heels, telling my friend in Australia “Why do I have to give it back to you? You gave it to me.” But this is ridiculous. He even posted a story, in which he said “when you yell at me it makes me happy, because it just increases my reach.” Geez. I’ve never met somebody this shameless.

Tim
Friend of Makoto Tsai
He was an apprentice that I felt had a lot of potential. And he never behaved like that in the past, so all of us had a lot of trust in him.

Makoto Tsai, whose government name is Tsai Jung-chou, is so passionate about the Star Wars universe that he developed a way to make lightsabers that look just like those in the beloved sci-fi series. Star Wars enthusiasts around the world love his lightsabers, which can be customized. They’re also entirely made by hand in a process that takes at least 10 hours. The attention to detail might explain why many of his lightsabers are owned by entertainers, such as Fast & Furious actor Sung Kang, a friend of Tsai who came to Taiwan for Tsai’s marriage registration. But not all lightsaber enthusiasts can resist the dark side, including this Sith lord from Down Under.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#StarWars #lightsaber #darkside #notcoolbro #stickyhands #buydontborrow

2026-08-13

Angry at speeding fines, man takes a grinder to a speed camera pole

A 60-year-old man surnamed Yang took a handheld grinder to a speed camera pole on a road in Hsinchu. Then, in a fit of rage, he hacked away at it in the dead of the night. He was allegedly afraid of being caught speeding and angry at all the other speeding tickets he had already accumulated. Police arrived at the scene on Provincial Highway No. 3 after the incident was reported. The man initially claimed he was sawing a tree, but eventually confessed. He’s now facing potential criminal charges. Let’s find out more.

Sparks suddenly fly on the side of the road late at night. Then, a man enters the picture. Upon closer inspection, it turns out that he’s sawing through a speed camera pole. Terrified pedestrians say it’s just too scary.

- What is this?
- A speed camera.
- That’s terrifying!

Police rushed to the scene after receiving a report that someone was suspected of tampering with a speed camera. The speed camera pole had been sawed, with obvious cutting marks. The police then expanded their search and found the culprit, a man surnamed Yang, about 300m away. When questioned by the police, he went as far as to claim-- in deadly earnest -- that he had been sawing a tree.

- I tell you: I was just sawing a tree.
- You were using this saw?
- Yeah, to saw a tree.
- You can use this to saw trees?
- Yes, you can.
- You can use this to saw trees? Trees are so big, is an angle grinder enough?

Police seized an angle grinder from the under-seat storage of his scooter on the spot. Faced with the undeniable evidence, the man had no choice but to confess. Police investigations revealed that the man was from Taoyuan. After borrowing a friend’s heavy motorcycle he then suspected it had been snapped by a speed camera.Fearing the license plate would be suspended and feeling the weight of his own accumulated speeding fines that totaled over NT$100,000, he was pushed over the edge. He borrowed his wife’s scooter, removed the license plate, bought an angle grinder, and, figuring he might as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb, sawed down the hated speed camera to vent his frustration.

Liu Jo-min
Police chief
The entire case will be transferred to the Taiwan Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office for investigation on suspicion of damaging public property. Regarding the property losses caused by the equipment damage, the equipment manufacturer is currently assessing the situation. Once the actual amount is confirmed, this precinct will seek compensation from the party involved in accordance with the law.

Maintenance workers arrived early in the morning to carry out repairs. What started out as an attempt to dodge a speeding ticket ended up with the man getting caught red handed by the police for sawing the speed camera. His impulsive act not only failed to quell his anger, but he may also have to pay compensation and face legal trouble.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Roadrage #speeding #Taiwanesetraffic #vandalism #Hsinchutraffic

2026-08-13

Miaoli dessert shop offers enormous shaved ice

A dessert shop in Miaoli’s Gongguan District is offering an enormous portion of shaved ice served in a huge bowl, complete with syrup and a whopping 16 toppings. The promotion has proven incredibly popular, with some customers even bringing their own pots to take the massive serving home.

Shaved ice pours from a machine to fill a huge metal bowl. It’s an enormous portion, piled with delicious toppings and fit for a whole family. A desert shop in Miaoli’s Gongguan Township is offering this special deal to thank its customers for a decade of support.

- There’s tapioca, sweet rice balls, red beans, taro balls, Oreo…
- Wow, there’re more than 10 toppings.
- My toppings were doubled.

- Seems like you really enjoyed it.
- It made me so happy!

- You can choose 16 toppings. I just had some. There were five of us and we couldn’t finish it.

The shaved ice is generously topped with red beans, grass jelly, tapioca, sweet rice balls, taro balls, and more. And the best part—it’s only NT$150.

Lai Mei-jung
Dessert shop owner
It’s our 10-year anniversary, so we wanted to do something new. We thought to use a pot so that friends and family can come enjoy a big serving of shaved ice together.

Some customers brought the biggest pot they have to take the massive serving home. No matter how big the pot, the owner always fills it to the brim. Even the township mayor didn’t miss out, bringing two giant bowls to take away.

Ho Tsai-hsin
Gongguan Township mayor
We got two servings to share among 80 or so people. This is a four-foot bowl.

Sharing a huge portion like this is definitely satisfying, but the owner reminded people not to eat too much at once to avoid indigestion and discomfort.

#shavedice #Miaoli #portion #bigportion #deal #dessert #ice #promotion

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2026-08-13

People try pan-frying Hakka brown sugar cake

Hakka brown sugar cake can be enjoyed at room temperature, but some people like eating it hot. Recently, another way of eating it has gotten popular: pan-frying it to make the outside crispy while keeping the inside soft. The cake has also caught on in Hong Kong, with some people offering to pay four times its normal price.

These brown sugar cakes were nearly sold out within an hour after being restocked. Customers grabbed the last couple as they passed by.

- Seeing it made me want it, so I bought it.

Hakka brown sugar cake has become extremely popular for its soft texture and rich flavor. Recently, people have found some creative ways to prepare it, too.

This person cut it up into small pieces and pan-fried it until the outside was a dark brown.

- It looks like firm tofu.
- But it’s actually cake.
- What an idea! Some people don’t like eating soft things. Frying it will make it harder.

Adding butter to the pan gives the cake even more flavor, and somehow even makes it smell like beef. People online can’t stop talking about this new technique.

Member of public
Likes the cake
It makes it crispier while the inside stays just as soft. But it’s pretty high in calories.

Member of public
Likes the cake
It’s crispy on the outside and the inside is soft and spongy.

Member of public
Likes the cake
Frying it makes it more fragrant and brings out its aroma. Anyone who hasn’t tried it before will want to give it a go.

The cake has even become popular in Hong Kong, with people online asking for help to buy it and even offering to pay up to four times the original price.

#cake #Hakka #brownsugarcake #brownsugar #Hakkacuisine #popular #dessert #fried

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2026-08-13