Paraglider in 60s crashes 15m down slope during pre-takeoff

Paraglider in 60s crashes 15m down slope during pre-takeoff

2026-04-23

A 63-year-old woman suffered a painful paragliding accident on Thursday noon at the Luye Highland in Taitung. The paraglider lost control of her equipment during the pre-takeoff stage, and fell 15m down a slope, causing her to suffer an open fracture on her left leg. Fortunately, firefighters quickly arrived at the scene to rescue her, and she was sent to the hospital fully conscious.

The site of the accident was located on a densely overgrown hillside which made the rescue challenging. Rescuers had to slowly make their way through the wilderness to locate and retrieve the paraglider. Once they founder, the bandaged her up to stop the bleeding and stabilized her wounds. Then, she was loaded on a spine board and was manually carried as in a relay to an ambulance. Authorities remind people taking part in high-altitude sports to conduct thorough safety checks before setting off.

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#paragliding #paraglider #taitung #luye #flying

台東飛行傘墜落15公尺邊坡女遊客左腳"開放性骨折"

2026-04-23

台東縣鹿野高台週四中午發生飛行傘意外，一名63歲女性遊客在起飛前操作過程中不慎失控，墜落約15公尺邊坡，造成左腳開放性骨折。所幸經消防人員即時救援，意識清楚送醫治療。

由於事故地點位於雜草叢生的山坡地，地勢險峻，搜救人員隨在繁密的林木間小心下探搜索，找到人後先行進行包紮止血與初步固定，隨後利用長背板，人力接力搬運方式，將傷者搬運至救護車停放處。消防單位呼籲，從事飛行傘等高空活動時，應依專業指導並確實做好安全檢查與評估，以確保自身安全。

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King of wax apples develops colorful new varieties

Wax apple king Wang Jui-hsiung founded the Black Diamond wax apple brand over 20 years ago. Since then, he’s continued developing dozens of new varieties, five of which are now produced for the market, including one that’s snow-white, another that’s twice the size of a normal wax apple, and another that’s emerald green and shaped like a bullet. They’re certainly wax apples like you’ve never seen before.

A farmer holds fruit as white as snow. Can you tell what it is?

Wang Jui-hsiung
Wax apple king
People generally think of wax apples as being more red. The White Carrie is also a mutated variety. It’s bright, flawless, glittering, and translucent.

These huge wax apples are another new variety, nearly twice the size of a standard wax apple.

Wang Jui-hsiung
Wax apple king
We kept improving previous wax apple varieties that were smaller until we got one this big. It has a higher water content and is very sweet.

Known as the wax apple king, Wang Jui-hsiung developed the Black Diamond wax apple over 20 years ago, which former presidents Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian both gave as gifts. Refusing to rest on his laurels, he continued to develop dozens of varieties, five of which are now for sale on the market. They’re bright and colorful, coming in white, green, red, and even purple. Surprisingly, a typhoon helped create these varieties.

Wang Jui-hsiung
Wax apple king
Eight years ago, Typhoon Megi hit Taiwan from the Hengchun Peninsula and swept away my entire orchard, which had different varieties in each area. It wiped them all out. Then when I started recultivating, lots of different varieties started growing at the same time. I realized that the result of combining all these different varieties together was truly stunning. It was vibrant and colorful.

Wang took over his father’s wax apple orchard in 1988. Cooperating with government policies, he became the first wax apple farmer in Taiwan to bag their fruit, which protects them from insects and birds without the need for pesticides.

- If you open what’s known as the skylight, there’s cellophane here so you can see the fruit is still growing. The fruit is only in its mid-stage.

Wang Jui-hsiung
Wax apple king
I’m always improving variety to create new business opportunities. For example, if someone sends them to three friends, at least two will call back and want to order some too.

By constantly refining wax apples, Wang found an uncontested space in the market and built his own uncontested wax apple empire.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#waxapple #fruit #farmer #agriculture #orchard #typhoon #waxappleking #BlackDiamond

2026-04-23

Kaohsiung library renovations reveal Japanese-era township office

Seismic retrofitting work at the Caogong branch of the Kaohsiung Public Library has uncovered historical remains believed to be part of the original Fengshan Township Office, dating back nearly a century. Kaohsiung City Councilor Lin Chih-hung inspected the site with local heritage groups and submitted a petition calling to preserve and showcase its historical significance.

People gather at this construction site to examine a historically significant brick, marked with the letters “TR” and a diamond pattern.

Chen Kun-yi
Takao Renaissance Association director
It confirms that many parts of the wall next to it still bear traces of the Japanese colonial period.

The Caogong branch of the Kaohsiung Public Library is being renovated to improve its earthquake resistance. A section of wall that was broken open revealed the outline of an arch, with layers of red bricks stacked around it. Local historians confirmed that it is part of the original structure of the Fengshan Township Office from nearly a century ago.

- This area around the arch used very popular bricks from that time.

Kaohsiung City Councilor Lin Chih-hung and civic groups have called for the structural strengthening work not to damage historically significant parts of the building, such as the original brick. They hope the renovations can preserve and restore the site’s original appearance as much as possible.

Lin Chih-hung
Kaohsiung City Councilor (DPP)
We hope that future projects like this could more thoroughly assess the existing conditions to determine how much of the original structure of the township office remains today.

Chien Mei-ling
Kaohsiung Cultural Affairs Bureau deputy director
Our priority at this stage is the seismic strengthening work. Once the building is completed, it will continue to function as a library. We will also work together to continue promoting local historical and cultural initiatives.

Councilor Lin’s office used AI to turn old photographs of the building into a video showing its transformation from a Japanese-era administrative building into a library. Civic groups hope that the building’s original architecture can be preserved, and its historical significance showcased.

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 #library #publiclibrary #townshipoffice #Japanese #colonialera #historical #building #construction

2026-04-23

Bitan residents concerned, cautiously optimistic as controversial stinky tofu shop move

Over a year ago, a famous stinky tofu restaurant from Hualien opened a location in Taipei’s Dazhi, eliciting complaints from nearby residents who said the smell was unbearable. It was repeatedly reported to authorities and one person even said they were losing their hair from the stress. Now the shop seems to be opening another location in New Taipei’s Bitan, with residents taking note of the sign already hung outside. Some are concerned about the stench, but other shopkeepers are hopeful that having a famous restaurant in Bitan could bring the crowds back.

Yang Ssu-min
FTV reporter
People love to come here to Bitan for its beautiful natural scenery and fresh air. But that peace was broken recently by a sign that went up for a restaurant from Hualien infamous for its stinky tofu.

Just seeing the sign has sparked intense debate. That’s because the residents near its other location in Dazhi couldn’t stand the smell, with one person even claiming they were going bald because of the stress. The residents filed over 100 complaints with the city, resulting in NT$580,000 in fines.

Member of public
Stinky tofu is naturally smelly. Those who like it, like it. Those who don’t, don’t.

Member of public
It isn’t that close to any homes. The smell might not reach them.

Member of public
I think it’ll be really difficult for the people living around here. For those who don’t live nearby, they’ll just think it’s nice to have another option.

Some people are worried about the smell, but others say it won’t be a problem since it’s a standalone building next to the bridge and far away from residences. At the moment, the shop is still under renovation, with construction materials and large ventilation pipes propped up by the entrance.

Neighboring business owner
There’s been pretty active construction across the street. They’ll likely put in ventilation, since the nearby businesses like us and neighbors will complain. But a new business coming in could attract more visitors.

Neighboring business owner
No one’s been there for a while. Over the past 10 years it’s changed owners a bunch of times. Even when the landlord tried running it, it didn’t go well. It closed pretty quickly. It’s too expensive. The rent is at least NT$100,000.

Nearby shop owners say that the crowds in Bitan aren’t what they used to be, while rents are also expensive. The building has gone through four or five owners, but none could sustain the business. It remains to be seen whether this well-known stinky tofu shop will be able to bring in the crowds, or just a chorus of complaints from the neighbors.

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

#stinkytofu #Bitan #stinky #NewTaipei #conflict #restaurant #smellcomplaint #newbusiness #streetfood

2026-04-23

GPS takes Yilan tourist down narrow, winding road

On their way to a famous scallion pancake spot in Yilan, one tourist took the wrong exit ramp off the highway and ended up driving on an incredibly narrow, windy road. Lost and reliant on the GPS, the road it led them to was only 3 meters wide, with a wall on one side and field on the other. It was a stressful experience for the driver, but thankfully they arrived safely at their destination.

A car slows down and stops as it navigates sharp turns along a challenging road, worried about driving off the edge and into the field. The road is incredibly narrow and winding, but it’s too late to turn back now.

Member of public
Would keep going
If you’re already on the road, then it’s too late to turn around. You just have to bite your lip and keep going. The road is too narrow to turn around. It’s very stressful to drive down in a large car. You might fall off the side.

Member of public
Would go around
I would choose not to turn onto the road at the intersection. I would go around or take a different road.

This road next to the highway in Toucheng really tests drivers’ skills. The driver who took the video was on their way to a famous scallion pancake shop when they took the wrong exit off the highway, taking the right ramp instead of the left. Their GPS sent them down this 3-meter-wide road, with a wall on one side and field on the other.

Member of public
Accepts is as part of life
It happens sometimes! When we take a wrong turn and the GPS finds a new route, we’re more likely to get stuck in this kind of situation.

Member of public
Brings a map along
It’s easy to end up on this kind of road in more remote areas, so I always make sure I have a map and look it over, then choose the best route.

There were five or six cars behind the driver in this case, so at least they weren’t in this alone. Thankfully, they all made it safely to their destination after this unexpected adventure.

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

#GPS #Yilan #driving #lost #navigation #scallionpancake #wrongturn #stuck #travel

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US Indo-Pacific Commander warns Taiwan must pass special defense budget

US lawmakers have in recent weeks repeatedly urged Taiwan to pass its NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget bill, the majority of which is allocated for US arms purchases. On April 21, the US Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo told senators during a committee hearing that Taiwan must show the resolve to defend itself, including with commitment to defense spending. He also stressed the importance of a US victory over Iran in the ongoing war to effectively deter a Chinese military attack on Taiwan.

As Taiwan’s special defense budget bill remains stalled at the legislature, the US Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo has warned Taiwan that it must show the resolve to defend itself, including with commitment to defense spending.

Samuel Paparo (April 21)
US Indo-Pacific Commander
We can’t want Taiwan’s defense more than they want it itself, and it’s not a chicken and the egg, because you’re not going to get chicken or eggs if you starve the chicken, so it’s very important for them to fund their own defense.

When asked whether a recent visit to China by KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun could affect Taiwan’s defense spending, Paparo answered that Taiwan’s decisions would speak for itself.

Samuel Paparo (April 21)
US Indo-Pacific Commander
I think the proof will be in the pudding. The passage of this special defense budget will tell us how committed they are. Taiwan’s polling is orders of magnitude above that, leading me to positively assert their willingness to defend themselves.

He added that a US victory over Iran would be effective in deterring China from launching a military attack on Taiwan. He also expressed confidence in the US outmatching China.

Samuel Paparo (April 21)
US Indo-Pacific Commander
And all things being equal, the mass deployment and employment of cheap, expendable munitions will favor defensive so long as we pursue it fully, with mass, with numbers, with sustainability and with AI tools that enable us to command it and outmatch our potential adversaries.

Paparo emphasized that Taiwan remains a sensitive flashpoint between the US and China, and that the US Indo-Pacific Command will continue to support Taiwan in a way that’s outlined in the Taiwan Relations Act.

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

#taiwan #china #us #defense #indopacific

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Shoushan Zoo’s chimpanzees turn bookish on World Book Day

April 23 is World Book Day, and Shoushan Zoo in Kaohsiung is celebrating with their chimpanzees. Following last year’s success, the zoo has again, made special treats presented in a bookish design for human’s distant relatives. They’ve turned recycled cardboard into book covers and newspaper pages, and made slits on the inward facing side for sunflower seeds. The chimps were so delighted by the treats, that they appear to be deeply engrossed in reading while feeding from the props, making for an amusing scene.

A chimpanzee carefully reads the newspaper, only to have it snatched away by another. Meanwhile, yet another seems completely engrossed in a picture book. Primary school kids watching them are impressed by their diligence.

Elementary school kid
Visiting Shoushan Zoo
Watching them read, I feel like I may never be as hardworking as they are.

It’s amusing to see chimpanzees read, and the audience favorite was probably this one, who appears to be reading newspaper job ads. The kids joke that the chimp may be sick of its current position and is looking for a new job.

Elementary school kid
Visiting Shoushan Zoo
It probably wants to quit and get a new job.

Elementary school kid
Visiting Shoushan Zoo
I wondered why it kept burying its head into the reading material. Maybe it wants a new job.

Liu Yin-chun
FTV reporter
The reading materials are special edible treats given to chimpanzees at Shoushan Zoo. All the inlaid sunflower seeds were placed by zookeepers themselves.

This is the second year Shoushan Zoo in Kaohsiung is making these book-shaped treats for their chimps on World Book Day. Slits for inserting sunflower seeds are cut on recycled cardboard and styled as various reading materials, making for a novel dining experience for the chimps. As for the design, the zoo got even more creative this year, as with the newspaper job ads, making for an amusing scene for visitors.

Lee Chien-ho
Shoushan Zoo
What makes this year even more special is that we made a prop after newspaper job ads. Good thing that chimpanzees are illiterate. If they were and could understand the job ads, we’re afraid they might all want to quit.

Even chimpanzees are eager to get their hands on a title this World Book Day, so why not pick up a book yourself, too?

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

#books #booktok #worldbookday #reading #animals

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