Rains turn Shifen waterfall into torrent of brown water

Rains turn Shifen waterfall into torrent of brown water

2025-10-21

Downpours have been sweeping Northern Taiwan for several days now, and rivers are turning into torrents of muddy water. That’s especially the case at the popular Shifen waterfall, which is now anything but a calm place to visit.

Brown water roars down the edge of the waterfall and crashes into the bottom part of the stream. The force of the current is lifting sand and other debris from the bottom of the riverbed, turning the water a dirty yellow. A street vendor at the tourist attraction said that after 25 years running a business there, never had the waterfall looked so terrifying.

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#waterfall #shifen #taiwan #newtaipei #taiwantravel #traveltaiwan #tourism #十分瀑布

新北十分瀑布罕見"漲瀑" 在地攤商:近25年首見可怕景象

2025-10-21

連日受到東北季風與風神颱風的共伴效應影響，北台灣雨勢不斷，新北市著名景點「十分瀑布」也出現罕見暴漲景象。

原本清澈的瀑布，化身滾滾黃流，水浪一波接一波從峽谷傾瀉而下，濺起的水花夾帶泥沙，整個水面翻騰不止，瀑布下方形成厚重的水霧，空氣中都能感受到震耳欲聾的轟鳴聲。在地攤販說，自己在這裡25年，從沒看過這麼可怕的情況，實在讓人又驚又怕。

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Tensions remain after Taipei MRT priority seat redesign

Labels for priority seats on Taipei’s MRT were recently redesigned, adding a depiction of a person with invisible needs and changing the name to clarify their purpose. But tensions between older and younger passengers over who has the right to these seats remain high. A doctor said this could be due to the dark color and clear labeling of the seats as requiring “need” to use. This labeling turns the friendly spirit of giving up your seat into a culture of emotion coercion, which only creates more tension.

Hung Chiao-hsuan
FTV reporter
“Courtesy seats” are now a thing of the past, after the name was changed to “priority seats.” But can changing the name resolve generational conflicts between passengers? Disputes over these seats remain all too common.

The Taipei MRT recently changed the name of its seats for those in need from “courtesy seats” to “priority seats.” Courtesy is a more emotionally charged term rooted in compassion, while priority is a more straightforward label for those in need. The description was also updated to include those with invisible needs. But conflict over who has the rights to these seats remains common.

MRT passenger
I saw young people sitting here many times, while people in their 80s or 90s stood in front of them. They didn’t give up their seats. They just sat there without even looking up, staring at their phones the whole time.

MRT passenger
Of course we can give up our seats to seniors, but I saw a video where there were lots of other free seats. So, I think that sometimes seniors cannot just think they are always right.

Recently, a video of an older woman bullying a younger passenger to give up their priority seat went viral after the younger passenger kicked the woman in retaliation. Many netizens praised their actions, especially considering there were lots of free seats in the subway car. One psychiatrist said that the spirit of giving up seats can easily turn into emotional coercion, suggesting that the seats should not be so clearly labeled.

Yang Tsung-tsai
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From a psychological and physiological perspective, simply changing the name isn’t enough. The signs still show seniors, pregnant woman, children, and those with mobility issues. The labeling shouldn’t be so strong.

MRT passenger
In other words, there should be clearer guidelines defining what it means to be in need and when a seat should be given up to an elderly person.

MRT passenger
I don’t often see priority seats like this abroad. Maybe seniors would be less likely to think that only elderly people can sit in these seats.

Society remains divided about the best way to handle priority seats. But regardless of personal viewpoints, it’s important to respect those around us.

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Artist of Taoist talismans from Yunlin’s Taixi holds exhibition

Like many artists, Ting Jen-tung from Yunlin’s Taixi Township grew up drawing. His family even jokingly called him the “painter of Taoist talismans.” Two or three years ago, he had the idea to collect charms from different temples and incorporate them into his own artwork. He’s now created over 40 pieces, which he is displaying in an exhibition. He hopes that by transforming the practice into fine art, he can preserve local religious and cultural traditions.

Artist Ting Jen-tung focuses his full attention on painting a Taoist talisman. But if you look closer, the painting is even larger than the table. Isn’t it too big?

Ting Jen-tung
Artist
I got the idea about two or three years ago. I wanted to make something different from other people, so I started creating based on these talismans. I blow it up, and add my own artistic interpretation to make the talisman into a work of art.

This giant talisman is indeed a work of art. Most residents of Taixi Township in Yulin County are fishers who rely on nature for their livelihood. Religion is therefore a spiritual anchor, and temples are abundant. As someone who grew up there, when Ting started painting in middle school, the adults who didn’t understand his work jokingly called them talismans. Now that he’s entering his later years, he’s bringing that style back to his artwork.

Ting Jen-tung
Artist
Since I find them really interesting, I think it’s a shame that people these days don’t really care for these things. Before, the talismans were very important to us. Whether you were going into the army, going away on business, doing work, or studying, your family or you personally had to go to the temple to ask for a talisman.

Ting visited a number of temples to explore their different styles. He’s now created over 40 paintings, enough to hold an exhibition and keep a record of local culture in his own unique way.

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Former economics minister named Taiwan rep to APEC

Former Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Hsin-I is to represent President Lai Ching-te again at the APEC Summit this year, in South Korea. Last year, Lin successfully met with then-US President Joe Biden. Taiwan hopes to have him meet the current US President Donald Trump, especially more so with the Trump-Xi meeting coming up alongside the APEC Summit.

Former Minister of Economic Affairs and senior advisor to the president, Lin Hsin-i is to be Taiwan’s representative again at APEC South Korea 2025.

Lai Ching-te
President
I want to especially thank senior advisor Lin Hsin-i for accepting the invitation to be APEC representative. With Lin’s varied experience, Taiwan will be able to strengthen exchanges with APEC members on our mutually focused issues, while also creating opportunities for cooperation in various fields.

Lin Hsin-i
APEC representative
I will seize this opportunity to represent President Lai at the APEC Summit to proactively have exchanges with APEC members’ leaders, representatives and company representatives, and thereby communicate fully President Lai’s instructions for the three missions he entrusted, and show that Taiwan is a positive force in the international community, a reliable and responsible partner.

This is Lin’s fifth time representing Taiwan’s leader at APEC, and the second consecutive for Lai, following last year’s APEC Summit in Peru. One of Lin’s highlights from last year was a brief exchange with then-US President Joe Biden on the sidelines. This year, all eyes are on the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting while both attend the APEC Summit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said it’s actively reaching out to the US for an opportunity for Lin and US President Donald Trump to meet. Meanwhile, President Lai also addressed the progress of tariff talks with the US.

Lai Ching-te
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We will probably make great progress with our tariff talks with the US. We are conducting talks with these goals in mind: for Section 232 not to apply, and for Taiwan to get most favored nation treatment for the relevant taxes.

Taiwan is gearing up to make progress in the most pressing matters of tariffs and the Trump-Xi meeting.

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Passionate professor volunteers to teach at local elementary school

A teacher at Chiayi’s Shihzih Elementary School, Hung Chiu-hui, recently received the Ministry of Education’s friendly campus teaching award, an honor with only four recipients nationwide. Before teaching at the school, Hung served as vice president for student affairs at Tatung Institute of Technology. She lost that job three years ago when the institute stopped enrolling new students. Motivated by her deep passion for education, she volunteered to teach at a local elementary school, where her humorous teaching style continues to win students’ hearts.

This is Hung Chiu-hui, a teacher leading her class through Chinese literature. She started teaching here at Chiayi’s Shihzih Elementary School three years ago. The school is in Alishan Township, 1,534 meters above sea level, so Ms. Hung lives on campus during the school week to avoid driving the mountain road every day.

Hung Chiu-hui
Elementary school teacher
When class finishes, I come back to the dormitory, correct the students’ homework, and prepare the materials for class tomorrow.

Ms. Hung previously served as vice president for student affairs at the Tatung Institute of Technology, but was one of many teachers to lose their job when the institute stopped enrolling new students three years ago, impacted by Taiwan’s declining birthrate. Driven by her passion for education, she volunteered to teach at a local elementary school.

Grandparent
Happy with the new teacher
Ms. Hung is a university professor. I am very happy to have my grandson learn from her.

Grandparent
Happy with the new teacher
She has strict requirements for their homework. After she started teaching my grandson, his grades improved a lot.

Ms. Hung brought her enthusiastic and humorous teaching style to this elementary school, winning the students’ hearts. She also caters her teaching style to each student, finding what works best for them. This year she was honored with the Ministry of Education’s friendly campus teaching award, which only has four recipients in the elementary-school category.

Student
Shihzih Elementary School
Ms. Hung knows I like to draw, so she bought drawing supplies for me.

Student
Shihzih Elementary School
If our grades are good, she will buy us milk to drink. If we get 100 points on our homework, she will give us a raffle ticket.

Student
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Ms. Hung jokes with us during class.

Whether teaching at a university or elementary school, Hung brings the same passionate spirit. This year, her efforts in education were recognized by the Ministry of Education.

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In this video taken by a passerby, a goat bleats endlessly from the balcony of a high-rise apartment building. It occasionally sticks its head out to watch the traffic below.

Real-estate agent Ms. Lai from Kaohsiung went to conduct a handover for a tenant who was moving out, only to find the goat living in the unit next door.

Voice of Ms. Lai
Real-estate agent
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Chen Yu-chi
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This actually wasn’t the first goat sighting in Kaohsiung. A miniature goat was spotted on a second-floor balcony before, and residents also heard its bleating. The city’s Agriculture Bureau said that raising a small number of goats on a high-rise balcony is not against the Animal Industry Act, but it still cautioned to keep the area clean.

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In 2016, actor Kai Hsiu was discharged early from his alternative military service due to his wife’s pregnancy. He served a total of five months. But now he’s caught in a military draft dodging scandal, along with other public figures.

Kai Hsiu (November 2016)
Actor
I can go home after work today. Not being able to see my wife and kid is sad. It’s a little heartbreaking.

He served, so what is the problem? It turns out the medical exemption that allowed him to do alternative military service instead of the “real deal” was forged. And he’s not the only celeb involved.

There’s also Chen Bo-lin, who rose to fame through idol dramas and even won a Golden Bell Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series. He claimed to have asthma, but now he’s been taken into custody, and his public image has taken a hit.

Wellington Koo
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We discussed the standards for physical examinations with the Tri-Service General Hospital to prevent more cases of military service evasion.

Also taken into custody is Liljay, a former member of the boy bad Lollipop. He recently won a Golden Bell Award, but his eligibility for it is now under scrutiny.

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The judging panel is composed of highly professional jurors, so we respect their decision. Of course we’ll also respect the ruling of the judiciary.

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Swell waves form on the ocean surface, reaching several meters high when they break against the shore. The wharf is submerged. This is Turtle Island off the coast of Yilan, which has been closed for three days amid strengthening storms. Meanwhile, ships at Yilan’s Wushi Harbor have been secured with ropes.

After a night of heavy downpours, the water levels at Yilan’s rivers have risen to ground level. Natural barriers are now below the water’s surface. The farms and roads of Zhuangwei Township are also flooded, and so are those in Wuyuan Village, Dongshan Township. The village chief worries about incalculable losses should the rain persist.

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