Rare fireball meteor lights up night sky delighting enthusiasts

Rare fireball meteor lights up night sky delighting enthusiasts

2026-01-05

A rare fireball meteor lit up the night sky early Monday morning, thrilling astronomy enthusiasts. The shooting star was caught on camera in Pingtung, Kaohsiung and Changhua. Experts say the fireball was part of the annual Quadrantid meteor shower. The meteor itself was very bright, and its smoke trail lingered in the sky for more than 3 minutes. Let’s hear more.

Shih Shih-chih
Pingtung Stargazing Ambassador
The Quadrantids peak from Dec. 28 to Jan. 12 this year, and especially in the early morning of Jan. 4. But even a day later on Jan. 5, we were able to spot a fireball meteor overhead going south at 5:21 in the morning.

Mr. Tseng
Saw the meteor
At first I thought it was a missile! But then the huge shooting star zipped across the sky!

Mr. Tseng was driving to the market to sell fruits when he saw the shooting star. At first he was alarmed, thinking it might be a missile, but when he realized it was a meteor, he was thrilled, and wished for a good day of business. It turns out the wish came true, as he sold out all his fruit early. He happened to capture the meteor on camera, and posted it online to share the magic with everyone.

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

#meteor #astronomy #sky #shootingstar #stargazing

天空都亮了! 彰化.高雄.屏東清晨現罕見火流星

2026-01-05

罕見火流星！今天(5日)清晨5點21分，包括屏東高雄彰化等地，都有鏡頭拍下火流星，讓天文迷振奮不已，專家研判這個火流星，屬於"象限儀座流星雨"，不只本體極亮，火流星的煙塵還在空中持續超過三分鐘，非常罕見！

[[屏東星空大使施世治]]
“12月28號一直到今年的1月12號，是象限儀座流星雨的期間，然後這個流行雨它的極大期，是在1月4號的清晨，不過今天1月5號的早上5點21分，我們在頭頂到南方這個方向，可以看見一顆火流星。”

[[彰化目擊民眾曾先生]]
“我那時候以為是飛彈飛過來，就突然很大一條的火流星這樣飛下來。”

目擊民眾曾先生開車要去市場賣水果，途中目睹火流星，又驚又喜，驚的是以為是飛彈，怕被打到，喜的是，原來是流星，趕緊許願，今天生意會好一點，後來如願以償，早早賣完水果，收工後不藏私，把畫面大方分享出來，讓大家看到難得一見的火流星。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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Family transforms retired artist’s ranch into local brunch restaurant

After retiring from his performing career at the age of 60, one artist started a ranch in Taitung, which he passed down to his children. After working hard over three generations, the family turned the farm into a coffeehouse, specializing in extravagant brunches made with local ingredients. They also opened an exhibit in their grandfather’s memory, giving visitors a taste of Taiwanese showbusiness in the 1960s.

This colorful feast includes crispy golden fried fish sprinkled with pepper, caramelized oranges, and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Yang Tzu-hsuan
Customer
It’s very hearty, and quite chewy when I bite into it.

They also serve an entire roasted chicken, with a golden, shiny skin that makes your mouth water. With its large, extravagant portions, this restaurant has attracted many customers.

Yang Tzu-hsuan
Customer
People online have been tagging this restaurant, so I came to try it on my day off.

This family business has a unique history. It was started by a Taiwanese comedic actor from the ’60s, Chen Ping-nan, known by the stage name Tuo Hsien, who started a ranch in Taitung when he retired. Now it is managed by the third generation, who revitalized the business by transforming it into a coffeehouse that specializes in extravagant brunches using local ingredients.

Chen Pei-yao
Restaurant owner
Our vegetables are organically grown in Luye and our fish is from the Chenggong Fisherman’s Association. For fruits, we do our best to use fresh ones that are in season.

The third generation also opened an exhibit in honor of Tuo Hsien, giving visitors a glimpse into his artistic career and Taiwanese show business in the ’60s. They also cooperate with local farms to promote regional agricultural products.

Chen Pei-yao
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When picking ingredients, the first thing we consider is using local produce to support small farmers. Helping others benefits us too, and that’s our starting point.

Yang Tzu-hsuan
Customer
Now prices are rising. To enjoy such an extravagant brunch at a relatively cheap price, I think is a great deal.

Taitung offers a relaxing getaway surrounded by tall mountains and blue seas. Tourists here can even enjoy an extravagant brunch made with locally grown fruits and vegetables, for a real farm-to-table experience.

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

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2026-01-05

Tainan convenience store opens Taiwan’s first claw machine arcade

Seeking to capitalize on the booming claw machine market, a convenience store in Tainan’s Yongkang District has opened an arcade in a first for Taiwan. Besides your typical claw machines, it also has lots of licensed characters and blind boxes, as well as a racing and taiko drumming game. Now when customers come to pick up their essentials, they can also indulge in a game or two. In Kaohsiung, another store includes a coffee shop, supermarket, and laundromat, hoping to make life as convenient as possible for its customers.

When you go through this convenience store’s side door, it’s like entering a whole other world.

There are shelves upon shelves of beloved characters, including Pokémon, Pompompurin, Kuromi, Stitch, and the entire “Toy Story” collection. From movies to anime, every popular franchise is here.

They’re all blind boxes. Every single one.

It’s pretty good. You don’t have to go to one of those packed stores to get one.

On the other side are rows of claw machines with toys, snacks — even coffee cups you can exchange for a full one at the counter.

Not only that, but there are also racing and taiko drumming games, fun for people of all ages.

It’s pretty nice. Some kids will absolutely love it.

Customer
It’ll get more people in the door. They’re selling more than just some stuff to eat.

Recognizing the value of the claw machine market, this chain opened arcades at stores in Tainan’s Yongkang District and Sanmin District in Kaohsiung—a first among convenience stores in Taiwan. The model encourages customers to stay a little longer. But it also gives the staff even more to do.

Customer
They have to make drinks, microwave food, run the register, retrieve packages, all that. Here, they also have to arrange the merchandise. It takes a bit more skill.

Not letting this chain steal the spotlight, another convenience store in Kaohsiung went for a three-in-one model. Within the massive 100-ping store, there’s a laundromat, supermarket, and café, serving three needs at once.

Customer
Places are so small these days, it’s hard to fit a dryer. So for this store to offer one right in a convenience store, it’s pretty good.

Convenience stores are no longer just convenience stores. Diversification is the name of the game, as they seek to make daily life and entertainment more convenient for its customers.

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

#conveniencestore #Tainan #Kaohsiung #clawmachine #arcade #blindbox #toys #IP #characters #laundromat #convenience

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Strangers help shield woman as she gives birth in post office

Sometimes new life comes into this world in the least expected places. Not a hospital in this case, but the lobby of a post office. A woman was running some errands a post office in Changhua when her water suddenly broke. Witnesses quickly called 119 and formed a human wall around her for privacy, as the paramedics helped deliver the baby. Mother and son are both healthy, and the story of this special kind of delivery is sure to live on.

A woman with a side bag suddenly grips her stomach while standing in a post office, apparently unwell. The person beside her noticed something was wrong and called 119. After 39 weeks, the woman’s water broke. By the time the paramedics arrived, the baby had already arrived. Fearing it would be dangerous to move them, they set up right there in the post office. Other visitors and postal workers formed a wall around her so she could give birth to a healthy baby boy in privacy.

Chiang Kun-ho
Yuanlin Fire Station chief
The baby had likely already arrived while the woman was standing, emerging near the bottom of her pants. Paramedics immediately administered care for the newborn, whose vital signs were all stable.

This was at the Zhongzheng Road post office in Changhua’s Yuanlin City. The 24-year-old went to run some errands at the post office when her water suddenly broke. Fortunately, everyone there rushed to lend a hand, working together to deliver the special package.

Chen Le-ming
Changhua Post Office chief
We stayed put. The staff and patrons circled around her, allowing the paramedics to administer treatment. We also gifted a pair of postal dolls to show that this baby is a child born in the post office.

A normal errand run became the biggest day of this woman’s life, leaving a heartwarming story for the community and once again showing the kindness of Taiwan’s people.

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

#postoffice #babydelivery #birth #Changhua #Yuanlin #specialdelivery #pregnancy #oddity

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Taiwanese star Gin Oy offers tips to stay warm in Japanese winter

It’s getting into the peak period for the winter tourism season in snowy Japan and many people are preparing to go there. However, Gin Oy, a Taiwanese actress who has lived in Japan for several years, warns that the Taiwanese habit of bundling up against the cold with layers and layers of clothing is not suitable in Japan as indoor spaces are heated. She even says if you do this, you might get heatstroke if you go indoors. Instead, wear less layers with a few well-chosen pieces. Let’s find out more.

With the peak period in Japan’s winter tourism season approaching, many people are preparing to travel, often packing piles of heavy clothing to bundle themselves up with layers. However, Taiwanese actress Gin Oy, who has lived in Japan for seven years, advises that if visiting Tokyo, unless your itinerary involves being entirely outdoors, avoid wearing layered clothing or thermal underwear, as this can easily lead to heatstroke indoors.

Lin Yung-chi
FTV reporter
If you want to stay warm, look at this: a thermal top, a thick sweater, a thick coat, and a scarf. This is the layering that Taiwanese people are very used to. But in Japan during winter, it is not recommended at all. You only need a thick coat and some simple warm clothes.

Two layers are enough as indoor spaces and trains in Japan are heated. Wearing too many layers will only make you sweat everywhere. Many people recommend wearing a regular long-sleeved top or thin thermal top, plus a long warm coat. If you are afraid of getting cold, you can also wear a vest. Compared with Taiwan’s style of bundling on layers, this can keep you just as warm without having to keep putting on and taking off layers of clothing.

Member of the public
The biggest difference between Japan and Taiwan is that Japan has indoor heating, so you don’t need to wear too many layers. Basic warmth is still necessary, such as a beanie, earmuff, a mask, and a scarf.

In addition, because Japan is dry and cold, it’s best to wear a mask as much as possible, as it increases humidity around the mouth and helps protect against viruses. As for playing in the snow, don’t ever wear jeans. Instead, wear thick fleece-lined pants, or tights with a cotton skirt, and be sure to wear gloves, a scarf and a beanie.

Lin Tsung-yu
Professional in clothing industry
Actually, when you go to a dry and cold place like Japan, you can be quite comfortable as long as you wear a thermal undershirt underneath and a down jacket or overcoat on top.

By following this advice, you don’t need to dress like a zongzi when travelling to Japan. And you won’t only stay warm, you’ll also be able to take flattering selfies too.

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Smoking battery at Taoyuan airport put out before incident, but raises concern

People were given a fright recently at Taoyuan International Airport’s Terminal 1, when a passenger’s side bag started emitting smoke. Emergency responders carefully took everything out one by one and submerged the bag in water. It ended up being a lithium battery, which caused minor burns to the owner’s hand.

A black side bag lies on the ground, smoke coming from inside. And this was in the busy Terminal 1 at the Taoyuan airport!

My God!

Witnesses gasped in shock. This passenger in a black jacket arrived to board a flight past 10 in the evening when smoke started rising from his bag.

An airport police officer got tongs to carefully pull everything out one at a time. They then handed it over to a firefighter.

It’s a lithium battery.

Wearing full protective gear, the firefighter handles the bag as it’s still smoking. They eventually put the entire thing into a bucket of water to bring down the temperature, averting crisis.

Huang Yu-wei
Aviation police security captain
A lithium battery in a departing passenger’s shoulder bag spontaneously combusted for unknown reasons. Upon discovery, the scene was immediately closed off to protect the public and airport security. The passenger surnamed Hsu許 sustained minor burns to his left hand. After receiving treatment at Landseed Hospital, he was released without serious injury.

Although airport operations weren’t affected, frequent reports of battery-related incidents have left passengers feeling worried.

Passenger
Don’t just buy anything, since it tends to be more dangerous the cheaper it is.

Passenger
I’ve heard it can be certified for combustion. But I think it’s really just down to fate.

Hua Shun-fa
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If it catches on fire, quickly put it out with lots of water. The water will dilute it. Some of these chemicals shouldn’t be touched with bare hands as they may contain residues of hydrofluoric acid. This can penetrate the skin and go straight to the bone. Even if it’s minor, it could require amputation.

The chemist advised people to make sure that your power banks and batteries meet safety standards to avoid any safety risks.

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

#battery #lithiumbattery #powerbank #batteryfire #Taoyuanairport #fire #accident #safety #firesafety

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Former national hockey player whacks head of 15yo opponent

A shocking scene of violence erupted last Sunday evening during an inline hockey match in New Taipei. During the final game, a 28-year-old player was seen punching the head of his 15-year-old opponent while they chased after the puck. The victim ended up with blunt trauma to the head and mild concussion. More appallingly, the aggressor once played on the national team. He was since banned from participating in any competition for life.

The hockey players are all chasing after the puck, when all of a sudden, someone on the black team falls. It looks like he got pushed by an opponent, who also fell, but the physical altercation doesn’t end there.

The player on the white team appears to have lost his temper, and whacks the head of his opponent five times. Everyone freezes in astonishment not knowing how to react. The referee steps in, but the aggressor keeps hurling insults.

Voice of witness
Watched the hockey game
The white team was more skillful than the black team, but that didn’t stop their player from hurling insults at the beaten player, who couldn’t get up for five minutes.

The white team players were all grownup men, and they led the game by two points against their opponents, who were mostly middleschoolers. Worse, the aggressor, a 28-year-old surnamed Huang, once played for the national team. It’s unbelievable that someone like him would even attack a 15-year-old.

Voice of witness
Watched the hockey game
It’s fair that everyone’s competing with one another, but was physical violence really necessary?

The injured player fell instantly at the impact and couldn’t get up for five minutes. After he was taken to hospital, he was found with blunt trauma in the head area and a mild concussion.

Huang Jean-ping
Taoyuan City Councilor (KMT)
I hope that the organizer and its associations will heavily penalize this instance of violence and heavily penalize the player that hit another.

Though the aggressor was once on the national team, it’s fair to say that he has no sense of sportsmanship. The victim’s father was left furious and vowed to take legal action. Taipei’s sports department has also banned Huang from participating in any competition for life.

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

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Setting off fireworks in prohibited areas becomes explosive issue

Setting off fireworks is a joyful way to usher in the Lunar New Year but be careful just where you set them off. Fireworks are prohibited in port areas in Hsinchu as they could land near fishing boats full of fuel and cause an inferno at sea. You can also get fined from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000.

Fireworks are commonly used to celebrate both the Western and Lunar New Year but it’s important to be aware if they are permitted in your area. For example, fireworks are prohibited in Nanliao Fishing Port in Hsinchu, but some people still ignored the rules.

As a result, not only were fire trucks dispatched, but sanitation workers were also overwhelmed by the trash they had to pick up.

Sanitation worker
I’ve been picking up trash for almost an hour. It’s past midnight now.

Member of the public
If the northeasterly seasonal winds are blowing and fireworks are set off and land near boats, it could be a big problem, the whole row of boats could catch fire.

In previous years, people would flock to Nanliao Fishing Port to set off fireworks during New Year’s Eve and the Lunar New Year. However, during the 2024 New Year’s Eve celebrations, this resulted in three bush fires, keeping the fire department extremely busy. In fact, fireworks and firecrackers are prohibited in all fishing ports in Hsinchu, out of concern that entire rows of boats could erupt in flames.

Liao Wei-cheng
Hsinchu City Government
To prevent fishing boats fully loaded with fuel from catching fire and seriously endangering people’s safety and property, setting off fireworks and fire crackers is prohibited in port areas in accordance with the Fishing Port Act. Violators or their employers will be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000.

Welcoming in the New Year is certainly something to be happy about, but if you celebrate in the wrong place and in the wrong way, you might not only spoil the mood, but also face fines.

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

#Fireworks #Firesafety #Taiwaninfernos

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