Woman kneels down in middle of busy road to pray

Woman kneels down in middle of busy road to pray

2026-03-18

A woman raised eyebrows in Pingtung after stepping onto the middle of a busy road and kneeling down to pray in broad daylight. The street worshipper stayed at the spot for a couple of seconds, surrounded by traffic as passersby feared for her life. A nearby shopkeeper rushed out to check up on her and get her out of danger. The woman not only refused his help, but started hurling insults and verbal abuse at her would-be rescuer. In the end, the police came on the scene to sort out the incident.

Nearby shopkeeper
Tried to get woman off road
I headed over and told her to get off the road. It’s dangerous! But then she started insulting me and yelling at me, telling us we despised Jesus and cursing us. It’s religious fanaticism. We tried to get her out of danger and she scolded us. We did nothing wrong. The asphalt was scorching hot.

Hsu Chin-wei
Police officer
Her behavior violated the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, and is fineable with up to NT$500.

The woman went straight to the middle of the road, ignoring all the traffic around her. Observers also think she may have suffered burns on her knees due to the high temperature of the asphalt. The woman is now facing a fine of NT$500 for violating traffic rules. The police are reminding the public not to linger in the middle of the road, even if they intend to pray.

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

#traffic #funny #bizarre #jesus #praying #thoughtsandprayers

在幹嘛? 女子路中跪地膜拜目擊民眾勸阻被飆罵

2026-03-18

屏東有人目擊，一名女子在馬路中央，突然雙膝跪地直接停留在斑馬線中間進行跪拜，時間長達數秒鐘，一旁店家見狀擔心他的安危，立刻上前勸阻，不過女子不領情，反而直接開罵，警方得知消息後立即到場處理。

[[附近店家]]
“我就往前叫他先離開，危險啊，他就進來就罵我啊，一直罵啊，說我們藐視耶穌啦，詛咒你們啊，宗教偏激啦，叫他進來危險，被他教訓，很無辜，很無辜，地板很燙燙啊”

[[屏東分局崇蘭所所長許晉維]]
“經查該行為已違反道路交通管理處罰條例，可處新臺幣500元罰鍰”

女子直接雙膝跪馬路不但有被汽機車撞上的危險，也可能因此被燙傷，警方表示，此等行為已違反道路交通管理處罰條例，可處新臺幣500元罰鍰，呼籲別在斑馬線上逗留，確保自己安全。

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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Turtle eggs hatch on Xiaoliuqiu in rare winter occurrence

Sea turtles usually lay eggs in the summer, but one decided to lay her clutch last December on the off-shore island of Xiaoliuqiu, with about 70 baby sea turtles hatching recently. Experts say that temperature is important in determining the sex of the hatchlings. In the past, warm temperatures averaging above 31°C have produced more females, but this time, the average temperature was around 25°C, so most of the hatchlings have turned out to be male.

A mother sea turtle was recorded laying her eggs in December last year. When she finished, she returned to the sea. After about 83 days, baby sea turtles hatched and made their own way to the sea.

These adorable baby turtles slowly but surely climb out from their nest. Sea turtles usually nest in the summer, but this time the mother laid her clutch in the winter. What’s more, of the 94 eggs laid, an astounding 70 hatched.

Lai Yun-ju
Ocean Conservation Administration official
If the temperature by the nest averages around 28°C, it will produce male hatchlings. If the average temperature is above 31°C, we can be fairly certain that most of the hatchlings will be female.

Since this turtle laid in winter, the average temperature was even lower at 25.2°C, so it’s likely that most of the hatchlings were male. This sea turtle laid eggs on Xiaoliuqiu once before in 2023. Three years later she came back, but in a different season.

Lee Tsung-hsien
Marine biologist
This could be a sign that human activities have caused air, water, and sand temperatures to rise. In order to adapt to these climatic changes, female sea turtles may start coming ashore to lay eggs during cooler weather.

Sea turtles rarely lay eggs in the winter, making this case very valuable for research. But this could be a sign that climate change and rising global temperatures are continuing to alter the marine environment. Sea turtles could lay their eggs in either winter or summer, so look out for turtle nests and be sure not to disturb them.

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

#seaturtle #eggs #nesting #babyseaturtle #hatchlings #temperature #climatechange #globalwarming #Xiaoliuqiu

2026-03-18

Military orchestra members write and perform original songs during off hours

Every year on National Day and New Year’s Day, the military’s Symphony Orchestra performs alongside the tri-service marching band, as their sharp uniforms and disciplined performance dazzle their audience. But did you know that there’s a band within the band? It’s called RG, which is short for "Real Good." The private group rents a practice room outside of work hours to work on their original music. Let’s give it a listen.

Jazz drums, saxophone, electric guitar—every musician does their part to flush out the melody.

The band rocking out on stage as lights flicker over the audience is RG, comprised entirely of members from the military’s symphony orchestra.

When they hear about the military orchestra, most people think about their performances during major national events such as Double Ten National Day or the New Year’s Day celebration. But you can also see them perform at the National Concert Hall or Liberty Square.

Brought together by a common aspiration, they formed a band to perform their own original music. They rent a practice room during their off time to work on their songs. But where does the name RG come from?

Voice of Sergeant Lee
RG lead singer
It stands for Real Good. Back when we chose the name, we didn’t want anything too trendy or intense. The group’s been around for 15 or 16 years already. I’m sure everyone remembers the music software from back then called Real Player. So I said, let’s just call ourselves Real Good. It’s simple and common. Everyone will remember it.

RG has been around for over 15 years, but they don’t know how much longer they’ll be able to stay together. Their newest song, “If This is the Last Time,” crystalized from the heartbreak of thinking about the end.

Voice of Sergeant Lee
RG lead singer
Our core members have all been serving for 20 years already. We don’t know how much longer we can stay together or how many shows we’ll have left. So I decided to write a song about it. If this is our last time, let’s give it our all.

Corporal Han
RG violinist
When we were discussing it, we said we could actually hold a concert of all original songs. We can perform all the songs our members have written before or are currently working on. When we listened to everyone’s songs, we figured it’s like our memorandum. We all have these to-do lists, things we’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t had the time for yet, or things that are very important to us.

By continuing to write and perform their original songs, RG shows off the best of what the military’s musicians have to offer.

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

#militaryband #militaryorchestra #orchestra #musicians #originalmusic #music #band #songwriting #RG #RealGood

2026-03-18

Bizarre YouBike swap scheme backfires after student calls police

A bizarre bike swap scheme backfired in Taichung after a man tried to get out of paying for his YouBike rental. The incident took place last week, when a high school student left his YouBike parked outside a hot pot restaurant while he was having dinner inside. It was then that another YouBike rider surreptitiously swapped out his YouBike for the student’s, in an attempt to pay a lower rental fee. The student didn’t see the swap and unknowingly returned the perpetrator’s bike to the dock. But he realized something was up when he later received a notification telling him that he had yet to return his bike, and that his rental fee was NT$1,700. That’s when he got the police involved.

A man rolls up on a YouBike. He gets off and pushes his own YouBike next to another one parked on the side of the road. He pulls out his bag from the basket and rummages inside for a bit, before putting it back. Here’s the weird part. He doesn’t put the bag in his own YouBike’s basket, but on the one parked next to it. Even stranger, he hops on the wrong bike and rides away. What is going on?

Victim
Man rode off with YouBike
I looks intentional. He was passing by and turned back. He even adjusted the height of the seat to be the same and took off with my bike.

This student had rented a bike near Taichung’s Yizhong Market and rode to a hot pot restaurant on Yucai North Road, where he parked his bike while he was having a meal inside. He didn’t notice the switch up at all, and got on the perpetrator’s bike and returned it to the docking station thinking it was his. He realised something was wrong when he received a text warning him that the YouBike he had rented had not yet been returned. Fearing a fee of NT$15,000 for lost bikes, he went to the police.

Chen Yen-yu
Police officer
On March 17, a suspect surnamed Chan was apprehended and investigated on charges of misappropriation.

Mr. Chan had tried to get out of paying his own high rental fee with the bizarre bike swap, but didn’t realize how easily the scheme would fall through. The bikes are all registered to accounts with renters’ legal names, and so even if the bikes are switched, it can all be traced back to the original renter, who could face criminal charges.

Other renter
Knows how to use YouBikes
The mobile app keeps a record, telling you where you last rented the bike and where you returned it. In situations like this, you can contact customer services or report it to the police.

The mobile app has a record of every rental. In the case in Taichung, the student rented his bike at 5:37 p.m. on March 14. The switch-up happened at 6:22 that evening, and the perpetrator didn’t return the bike until 8:57 at night the following day, resulting in a bill of NT$1,700. But thanks to the investigation, the highschooler just had to pay his original fee of NT$10.

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

2026-03-18

Tainan parking lot charges only NT$5 per hour as community service

Parking fees at most lots have surged lately to NT$40 or NT$50 per hour. But one parking lot in Tainan is keeping fees low at only NT$5 for an hour of parking, capped at NT$60 for 24 hours. People are finding it hard to believe that this lot next to the Haidian Borough Activity Center in Annan District could be so cheap.

Red lines, red lines everywhere! It can be nearly impossible to find a parking spot. That’s why many choose to park in lots like these, compromising cost for convenience.

Motorist
Finds parking pricy
It’s often full. I’ve even seen fees of NT$40, NT$60, NT$80 per hour, but you still can’t park there.

Motorist
Finds parking pricy
It’s NT$240 for a day in the city. I’ve even paid NT$700 before. It’s honestly too expensive.

Most parking lots are charging at least NT$40 an hour these days. But one post online has gotten attention for highlighting a lot in Tainan that’s charging only NT$5 per hour, capped at NT$60 for the entire day.

Motorist
Finds parking cheap
How could they only charge NT$5? It’s impossible.

Motorist
Finds parking cheap
Parking isn’t permitted in all the alleys around here. It’s hard to find a spot. So it’s incredible to only spend NT$5 an hour.

Motorist
Finds parking cheap
Only NT$60 for the day! It’s hard to find prices like this. The owner is willing to only charge NT$5 an hour. I can park the whole day and not worry.

This lot with 20 to 30 spots is next to the Haidian Borough Activity Center in Annan安南 District. Although it’s not in a busy area, it’s still a steal to only charge NT$5 an hour. A city councilor went to meet the operator to see what their story is.

Tsai Li-ching
Tainan City Councilor (DPP)
It’s private. He runs it himself and knows his customers’ needs. Beyond serving customers, he also believes in serving the community. So he offers parking at the lowest possible price as a way of giving back.

It might not be quite as cheap, but back in 2024, the underground parking lot at the North District administrative building in Taichung got attention for charging only NT$10 per half hour during the day, and NT$5 per hour at night. As the cost of living keeps going up, people appreciate places that are keeping prices low.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#parking #parkinglot #costofliving #cheap #Tainan #generous #inflation #communityservice #givingback

2026-03-18

Taipei Metro phases out single-journey physical token

Taipei Metro’s blue, coin-sized token is something most people have bought when they want to pay for a single journey on the MRT, but starting this week, they’re gradually being replaced with QR codes valid on the date of purchase. A QR code is generated upon making a purchase on the "Metro Taipei" app, or in hardcopy form from the ticket machines of 22 select stations. By July, the physical tokens will only be available at the information booth in each station. Let’s see what people in Taipei think about the new ticket format.

Lin Li
FTV reporter
If you’re taking the Taipei MRT without an EasyCard or using electronic payment on your phone, you’ll have to purchase a single-journey ticket from a vending machine. Then, you’ll get this blue token upon purchase. But in the future, the vending machine will instead, give you a paper receipt with a QR code.

Taipei Metro’s new Transit QR Code has officially rolled out. But before July, ticket vending machines may still give you a physical token. However, starting in July, you’ll only be able to get this blue token if you purchase a single-journey ticket or discounted ticket from the service desk.

- Paper gets damaged easily. It’s a bit of a nuisance.

- I think the tokens are more environmentally friendly than physical receipts. I suppose it’ll be a bit troublesome for elders, because they’re used to using the token.

According to Taipei Metro, around 30,000 to 35,000 single-journey tokens are used every day, accounting for 2% of the total passenger volume. They’re usually bought by travelers from outside the metropolitan region. But what happens if you damage the paper?

Chen Shih-hung
Taipei Metro ticketing manager
The QR code itself has a certain margin of error. If the damage is only slight, then the Transit code would still be approved at the fare gate. If it can’t be read, travelers could still go to our service desks and ask for a reprint.

If travelers are still concerned about damage, Taipei Metro says they could take a picture of the QR code, which is still readable by the sensors. They’re phasing out the tokens because cleaning is labor-intensive.

Every week, used tokens are collected to be cleaned, which takes disinfecting and multiple rinsings, as well as reformatting with a new serial code, before they’re reallocated to individual stations. That’s why they’re now being replaced with the QR code.

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

#metro #mrt #publictransport #contactlless #QRcode

2026-03-18