AI-generated videos promise false train travel perks for elders

AI-generated videos promise false train travel perks for elders

2026-03-13

A series of videos claiming to share life hacks for senior citizens has raised warning bells in Taiwan. The videos are fully AI-generated, and regularly posted on a YouTube channel presenting itself as a legitimate source of information. The content of one of the latest videos has struck strong condemnation from the Transport Ministry. The video claims that passengers can say a secret pass code to staff at the High Speed Rail to get a free shuttle straight from the lobby to the train. The video also contains plenty of false information about the Taiwan Railway, and has already amassed more than 40,000 views.

The videos show an AI-generated presenter with AI-generated footage that looks nothing like the real deal. The virtual host is called A-Lin and says her mission is to help seniors with daily life and offer discounts. Unfortunately, it is all lies. The smiling bot promises elderly passengers that the railways offer free platform transfers, reserved seating for elders, free upgrades and free day passes. Officials say the best way to acquire correct information regarding discounts and services is to check official websites or ask real, human staff at customer service counters.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#hsr #tr #taiwan #railway #ai #fakenews #misinformation #travel #senior

AI假影片亂發雙鐵訊息! 交通部點名YT樂齡指南

2026-03-13

YT頻道「樂齡指南」，經常放送假訊息的AI影片，近期一部影片購鎖定台鐵和高鐵，包括只要在高鐵大廳服務台說出「通關暗號：我是樂齡旅客」，就會有志工駕駛接駁車，直接將旅客送到車廂門口，影片超過四萬次點閱，雙鐵痛斥惡意煽動旅客，交通部長陳世凱也呼籲「AI假影片別誤信」。

AI主播配上AI影片，自稱阿琳的女子看似專業引導長輩找優惠，實際上訊息錯誤連連。交通部強調電動車月台接送、敬老保留座位、免費升等等都是假，台鐵也沒有專屬綠色通道和樂齡免票日之類的服務，交通部強調，想掌握最正確的優惠資訊，看官網或直接問車站服務台最準。

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Navy shows off Harpoon missile capabilities of ’Feng Chia’ frigate

Since formally entering service in 2018, the Ming Chuan and the Feng Chia—two secondhand Perry-class patrol frigates purchased from the US—have been responsible for patrol missions in the Taiwan Strait. As opposed to the domestically produced Cheng Kung-class frigate, these two ships are equipped with towed array sonar and can fire US-made Harpoon missiles. The navy recently for the first time gave a live-fire demonstration for reporters aboard the Feng Chia. Let’s take a look...

Torpedoes explode from a launcher in a violent burst. They may be firing blanks, but the volume alone is enough to shake you to the core.

Wang Yun-hsuan
FTV reporter
This MK13 missile launcher aboard the Perry-class frigate Feng Chia can mount Harpoon and Standard missiles. It can fire one every 10 seconds to engage incoming anti-aircraft missiles.

Ready for deployment at lightning speed, this towering Harpoon missile is a vital surface anti-ship armament for the navy.

This Phalanx weapon system simulates combat engagement, bolstered by a 76mm autocannon to deliver formidable firepower. This was the first time the weaponry aboard the Feng Chia was unveiled before the media.

Liu Chih-hsuan
Feng Chia captain
Our biggest difference from the Cheng Kung-class ships is the MK13 launcher equipped with Harpoon missiles, as well as the towed array sonar. Crucially, this system can be deployed far from the ship’s hull noise, enabling it to bypass the constraints of the undersea thermocline layer.

But quality equipment alone is not enough. Adaptability of the crew is just as important.

Sailors coordinate to deploy hose lines before entering a simulated fire zone for a joint rescue drill.

They administer first aid immediately after finding their injured comrade. An ultrasound can be performed onboard to assess his condition.

Wang Shih-hsin
Feng Chia information systems chief
CCP gray-zone incursions are increasing daily. Beyond continuously honing the core competencies of petty officers, it is essential to integrate current operational trends and emerging technologies.

Su Yi-jung
Feng Chia hospital corpsman
Most people believe that having female personnel onboard would be inconvenient, but in my experience over the past year, I haven’t found it to be inappropriate or inconvenient at all. Everyone has their own space.

Since it was commissioned in 2018, the Feng Chia frigate, equipped with superior anti-submarine and air defense capabilities, has been patrolling the Taiwan Strait, serving as a vital component to safeguarding the nation.

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

#navy #ROCnavy #FengChia #frigate #military #livefireexercise #MND #Harpoonmissile #nationaldefense #Perryclass

2026-03-13

Pet store offers custom tailoring for matching owner-pet outfits

You don’t need to wait for good weather to take your furry friend out for a walk! More people are becoming pet owners than ever before, and businesses are seizing the opportunity. Pet boutiques are popping up that offer all kinds of services, from enjoying a coffee with your pet, to custom-made clothing so owners can wear matching outfits with their fur baby.

Don’t let his stubby legs fool you—the little guy is packing some speed! This lively Maltese is stealing the spotlight, transforming the cafe into a runway with his eyecatching outfit.

He’s all done up with a top ponytail in a tiny hairclip and an orange rainjacket. On the other side, an adorable Sheltie lies down as his owner wraps him in a coat, as patient as can be.

Owner
Has pets
Today we’re wearing matching raincoats. It’s actually waterproof, so on rainy days we don’t have to worry about getting soaked. The little guys love to go play outside, so it’s convenient for when I take them out.

Owner
Has pets
It’s hard to find clothes that fit him, so it’s good that this place offers custom tailoring.

Owner
Has pets
We take our dogs out for walks all the time, so of course while outside we sometimes get caught in the rain. But going indoors like this, you don’t have that problem. And they don’t just make them wait, either. Your pet can stay with you.

This place isn’t like other pet cafes. The spacious shop offers all kinds of products and services, including grooming, pet food, and dog and cat toys. You can even get clothing customized so you and your pet can wear one-of-a-kind matching outfits.

Tsai Li-ling
Company spokesperson
As we know, the birthrate is declining and family structures are different than they used to be. For homes that have pets, they’re basically treated like children. They’re a part of the family. We hope to create a good life for pets and their owners. Wearing matching outfits can help form an emotional bond.

Here, pets and owners alike can eat, drink, and be merry. Even without sunshine and grass, pet owners can still enjoy a day out with their furry friends.

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

#pets #dogs #dogowner #petclothing #raincoat #matchingoutfit #furbaby #petstore #Maltese #petowner

2026-03-13

Figure skater Li Yu-hsiang shares journey from Ximen to Olympics

At just 19 years old, Li Yu-hsiang became the first figure skater trained in Taiwan to qualify for the Winter Olympics. Li shared his story on News Observation, from training at the Ximending ice rink to gracing the Olympic stage. He struggled with his health as a child and tried sports to stay fit, unexpectedly falling in love with figure skating. Since he was eight years old, his grandmother has been by his side for training and competitions.

This is 19-year-old Olympic figure skater Li Yu-hsiang. While sharing his story, the young man got emotional talking about his family.

Li Yu-hsiang
Olympic figure skater
Rain or shine, even on typhoon days, she would accompany me to the ice rink to train and consider my nutrition.

- Now as ... as she gets older, I think...
- Are you about to cry because your grandmother is here with you in the studio?
- Yeah. I am so thankful for her.

Li has a very close relationship with his grandmother, who supported him all the way to the Olympics.

- I saw her patting your shoulder. What did she say to you just then?
- Oh, that’s funny. She just congratulated me on advancing to the free skate segment and said to get a ticket for her.
- That’s it?
- Yeah, she just congratulated me and said I did a great job.

Li was the first Taiwanese figure skater in over 30 years to advance to the free skate segment of the Winter Olympics and the first one trained in Taiwan to qualify for the Olympics. But as a child, Li struggled with his health.

Li Yu-hsiang
Olympic figure skater
I was diagnosed with something like ADHD. I was born prematurely, so my early development and physical ability were weaker than most people.

To work on his fitness, Li started ice skating when he was eight. Starting with training at the Ximending ice rink, he has now graced the Olympic stage and made history.

Crystal Liu
Host
There are so many things you want to study and competitions to prepare for, do you have any time to date?

Li Yu-hsiang
Olympic figure skater
Of course! For me the ideal partner is supportive, lifts you up, and acts as a bridge. They don’t make you feel pressured or trapped. I think having a partner has pros and cons, but you have to find the right person.

Taiwan’s new figure skating prince Li Yu-hsiang says that, with a partner who understands and supports him, he can balance his studies with preparing for the next Olympics.

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

#Olympics #figureskating #figureskater #iceprince #LiYuhsiang #Taiwan #ChineseTaipei #WinterOlympics #Milan2026

2026-03-13

Project connecting irrigation systems in Southern Taiwan completed

2026-03-13

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2026-03-13

Collector despairs after clipping corner of ‘NT$1.2M’ Yu-Gi-Oh! card

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Executive Yuan addresses criticism over Middle East evacuations

Though Premier Cho Jung-tai has proven that he paid for his trip to Tokyo out of pocket, opposition parties continue to lambast the government over flights. Critics have linked Cho’s Japan trip to the evacuation of Taiwanese nationals in the Middle East. They say Cho was able to charter a plane to Tokyo, but the government wasn’t able to charter one to the conflict zone. The premier explained on Friday that the two situations were radically different, as there are many airspace closures in place in the Middle East. For now, the safety of nationals abroad is being watched over, with further arrangements to be made when the time comes. Let’s hear from Cho.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
The transport ministry contacted them repeatedly. In the first few days, only flights from Emirates Airlines were operating. Etihad Airways had suspended operations and said they wouldn’t resume until the 13th. So there were no flights. If there were flights, would there still be people stranded there? If necessary, we will make arrangements to ensure people can return safely. But at the time, it was impossible to guarantee their safety, due to the airspace closures. It was only considered to be safer later on.

Xavier Chang
Executive Yuan Secretary-General
We only have three colleagues stationed at our representative office in Bahrain. One of them, the secretary, assisted three Taiwanese nationals on March 7, along with one Chinese national accompanying them. The secretary escorted them as they traveled from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia so that they could return to Taiwan. No matter where in the world, Taiwan’s diplomatic work involves many factors that are difficult to explain to people not involved in the situation. So we should all give our overseas colleagues more encouragement and support, instead of saying “They have money to watch a baseball game in Japan but none to help Taiwanese nationals return home.” That’s wasn’t the case at all. We helped those who needed assistance return to Taiwan by evacuating them overland or making arrangements with Emirates Airlines so that they could return home as fast as possible and according to their needs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that, so far, the ministry and Taiwan’s overseas missions have assisted nearly 1,900 people in returning safely to Taiwan. For the 50 Taiwanese nationals who still require assistance to leave the country, the ministry and the relevant missions will continue to maintain the closest possible contact and provide necessary assistance based on developments in the region.

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

#middleeast #evacuation #bahrain #kuwait #dubai #uae #emirates #expat #travel

2026-03-13

Tux dancers in ‘cringe’ adult club viral promo video fuming

A video of five guys dancing in sharp suits has gone viral online, but for all the wrong reasons, getting millions of viewers to cringe. The clip shows the five men swaggering on the street to a hip hop song, to promote the adult club they work at. Although they have succeeded in going viral, with more than 4 million views, viewers say they are not particularly enticed to patronize their business. The cherry on top is that now, they also have to pay a fine of NT$500 for mucking around on a public thoroughfare.

Five men in sharp tuxes take the streets grooving to a viral hip hop earworm.

They are giving it their all on the road to promote the adult club they work at. And the ad worked! The video was everywhere online, racking up more than 4 million views in one day. If they wanted attention, they succeeded… but it might not be the attention they wanted.

Member of public
Doesn’t see the appeal
It seems like they’re trying to look cool, but they don’t. They look like monkeys.

Member of public
Doesn’t see the appeal
It’s cringe. It gets my attention, sure, but I don’t like it.

The video seems to have backfired, with many online mocking their garb and approach to marketing. A netizen even recreated the video as five animals. The boys are fuming.

Voice of dancer in video
Angry at bad reception
They can all come here and see who wins in the end. How about that!

As they say, all press is good press, and it seems everyone now knows about them. Unfortunately, that also includes the police.

Chien Chun-cheng
Police officer
In the video, the group is seen dancing and playing around on the road, disturbing traffic, which constitutes a traffic violation. As such, they will be fined NT$500 in accordance with the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act.

Whether the viral video will actually bring in more people to the business remains to be seen. But what is certain is they’ll have to cough up a fine first.

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

#lol #funny #instantkarma #hilarious #hahaha #dance #cringe

2026-03-13

Premier pulls out receipts for NT$2.14M ‘personal’ WBC trip

Premier Cho Jung-tai’s trip to Japan last weekend to watch a WBC game was the latest point of contention between the ruling and opposition camps this week. According to the premier, the trip was fully personal and self-funded, whereas the opposition maintained that it could not be so, considering that the flight was operated from a military base. On Tuesday, while questioned by lawmakers, Cho held up a paper bag, in which he said contains all the receipts. On Friday, the contents were finally pulled out for all to see.

- Is this not my name? Here, 2.08 million remitted, no?

The contents of the paper bag Premier Cho Jung-tai shown on Tuesday during a legislative hearing, which he said contains receipts for his self-funded trip to Japan last weekend, are finally out the bag for all to see.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
The tour bus fare was 200,000 yen (approx. NT$40,000), tickets to the game were NT$18,500 in total. As for the chartered flight, here, March 7, flight CI188 at 6 a.m., Songshan to Haneda, 2.08 million.

The premier maintains that last weekend’s trip to Tokyo is a personal affair. The controversy arose from where his flight took off—the Air Force Songshan Command. KMT lawmaker Hsu Chiao-hsin visited the military base on Thursday to obtain evidence that the premier’s “private” trip was only in appearance. Cho questioned the KMT lawmaker’s motive to refute his claim.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
She’s sidetracked the special defense budget to visit the Air Force Songshan Command in person, to insist that my trip was a public engagement. Her action clearly went against national interest, nor was it conducted in line with a legislator’s duty. She’s trying to prove a point, but to whom?

Cho’s trip to Japan was the first for an incumbent premier since Japan severed formal relations with Taiwan in the 70s. That alone is a diplomatic breakthrough. Some wonder whether he saw Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in Tokyo. Cho did not give an explicit response.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
You may wonder whether I met anyone or went anywhere. I told the secretary-general that while in Tokyo, I visited Kōenji. It’s a lovely neighborhood in Tokyo. Some of us went for ramen, some for coffee, and some caught up with friends, that’s all.

After days of political spat, the premier finally pulled out the receipts to support his claim that the Tokyo trip for him and his team was fully personal and self-funded.

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

#taiwanpolitics #WBC #tokyo #taiwan #卓榮泰

2026-03-13