First plum rain front of the season expected next Monday

First plum rain front of the season expected next Monday

2026-04-28

The plum rain season is approaching, with the first front expected as early as Monday next week. But the wet weather is set to start way before its arrival. Wednesday could mark the start of a wetter and cooler period, but will fortunately clear up during the upcoming long weekend. This could be the last chance to get in some spring activities in the sun before the rains arrive to stay. Let’s hear from a forecaster.

Lee Meng-hsuan
Central Weather Administration
Keep a close eye on the weather these next two days, as a frontal system passes by and northeasterly winds strengthen. The weather will get more unstable starting Wednesday.

Huang Chun-hsi
Central Weather Administration
The plum rain season in Taiwan is from May to June. So fronts that emerge in May are considered plum rain fronts. This year, the temperature is expected to be higher than usual this May to July. Rainfall is expected to be somewhat lower than usual. That’s the highest probability.

So far this year, the period of February to April has been the third hottest on record since 1951. Meanwhile, accumulated rainfall was just 80% of climatological values. In recent years, the plum rain season has been characterized by concentrated rains and brief heavy downpours. So with the rains set to return once again, it’s best to prepare for any potential flooding.

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

#plumrain #weather #season #spring #rain

梅雨將至! 氣象署估今年雨量"正常偏少" 明起鋒面報到

2026-04-28

梅雨季即將到來，氣象專家表示，最快週一，首波梅雨鋒面就會來報到！不過不用等到下禮拜，明天(29)起天氣就會有感轉濕轉涼，好消息是五一勞動節連假，天氣回穩。民眾可得把握進入梅雨季前的最後空檔，好好享受假期與陽光。

[[中央氣象署預報員李孟軒]]
“後兩天由於有鋒面逐漸通過，以及東北季風的增強，在天氣方面要留意，明天(29)白天之後，就會轉為較不穩定的一個形態”

[[氣象預報中心主任黃椿喜]]
“基本上在五月到六月，就是臺灣地區，臺灣這附近的梅雨季節，所以五月開始的鋒面，我們就會定義成梅雨鋒面，氣溫接下來在五月到七月看起來，是明顯偏高的一個機率，那如果是在降雨的部分，動力模式預測起來是正常到略微偏少，這樣的機率是最高的”

上一季平均氣溫，達1951年以來第三高，累積雨量也只有氣候值的八成。雖然不算特別少，但近年來，梅雨雨時集中，短時強降雨的考驗，隨著梅雨季的到來，也督促民眾得趕快做好防災準備。

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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Plastic bags for toilet paper are thrown away all the time, but can they be recycled? Many people just throw them away in the regular trash, but the bag is actually recyclable! The New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department issued a reminder that this kind of packaging is made from PP plastic film, so as long as it’s clean, it’s actually a valuable recyclable. Improper disposal could result in a fine of up to NT$6,000.

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After bringing home newly bought toilet paper and taking all the packages out of the bag, how do you throw away the plastic bag they came in?

Some people don’t think about it too much—they just throw it away in the regular trash. Others recycle it. But who’s right? The correct answer: Recycle it!

Environmental authorities in Taichung and New Taipei both posted an explainer on social media saying that the outer packaging for toilet paper is a clean plastic bag with high recycling value. But the individual plastic tissue packaging should be considered general trash unless it has a recycling symbol.

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I think people generally know, but when it comes to actually doing it, they aren’t that consistent.

In general, a plastic bag is recyclable if the light shines through it, it’s made of one material, and it’s clean.

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In New Taipei City, toilet paper bulk packaging falls into the “clean plastic bag” waste category. They can be thrown away with the recycling truck. But please separate them to make sure they’re not mixed with general trash or grease. Failure to follow regulations could result in a maximum fine of NT$6,000 under the Waste Disposal Act. However, individual toilet paper bags and single-pack tissue wrappers are not recyclable.

Although New Taipei isn’t strictly enforcing this rule at the moment, you could still be liable for a NT$6,000 fine if caught failing to properly sort your waste.

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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Lee Shu-chuan picked as New Taipei mayoral candidate

The results are out for a poll commissioned by the KMT and TPP to decide on a candidate for New Taipei’s mayoral race. The winner of the poll was the KMT’s Lee Shu-chuan, who recently stepped down as Deputy Mayor of Taipei. On Tuesday he held a conference alongside TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang to make the announcement. Reporters asked Lee whether Huang would be in his campaign team. He said that since Huang is the TPP’s party chair he will have to assist with campaigning nationwide, adding that if he gets elected, he will appoint members of the TPP to the city government. Meanwhile, Huang said he would cooperate with whatever Lee decides to do. Let’s hear more.

Lee Shu-chuan
New Taipei mayoral candidate (KMT)
Huang Kuo-chang is the Chair of the TPP, so he’ll be helping campaigns nationwide. He can be like my best comrade-in-arms. If I win the election at the end of the year, I will work with talent from the TPP and make every effort to recruit them.

Huang Kuo-chang
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The best lead to this play is Lee Shu-chuan. We will follow his lead. As for me, my campaign headquarters will not just be the joint headquarters for six councilors, but also be a support base for Lee Shu-chuan.

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New Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
Congratulations to my rivals for completing their primary. I will continue to strive for more opportunities to serve the citizens of New Taipei with my energetic, creative and capable team.

Two polls were conducted for the joint KMT-TPP primary to test each candidate’s performance in a two-way race against the DPP’s candidate Su Chiao-wei. In the first poll, Lee won over Su by 6 percentage points, and Huang lost to Su by 3 percentage points. In the second poll Lee’s lead over Su was even bigger, at 12 percentage points, while Huang was only slightly ahead of Su by 2 percentage points. Since Lee won both polls, and the ratings were higher, he was selected as the candidate.

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

#politics #kmt #tpp #dpp #李四川

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Hsinchu firefighters save 9-month-old baby from asphyxia

On Monday, the Hsinchu County Fire Department successfully helped rescue a 9-month-old baby with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Thanks to their first aid skills and high-grade medical devices in the fire department’s inventory, it only took 30 seconds to revive the little one at the hospital. Let’s take a closer look.

They turn the baby over and pat her on the back. After 30 seconds of resuscitation efforts, the baby finally lets out a small cry. She was found in critical condition at 1 p.m. Monday by her parent, who’d fed her only three minutes before. Her face had turned blue, requiring emergency care. Her frightened parent called 119 for help, and when paramedics arrived, she already had feeble vital signs. At the first minute, paramedics opened up her airway and gave her medical oxygen. About two minutes later, her spontaneous breathing resumed.

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Before arriving at the hospital, firefighters quickly used a high-grade airway device for infants and carried out first aid really well. When the little one arrived, her heartbeat was quickly restored.

The rescuers say that asphyxia is the most common condition in infants requiring emergency treatment. Apart from CPR, oxygen supply is even more crucial. The Hsinchu County Fire Department recently procured a set of high-grade supraglottic airway device in infant size, which proved effective in this case.

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In yesterday’s case when giving emergency first aid to the patient, we inserted a high-grade airway device, which helps deliver oxygen to the lungs effectively.

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Usually in emergency first aid, we’d use a bag valve mask to give the patient oxygen. You can see in this diagram that without the other device, the air can easily enter the esophagus.

With the highest birth rate in Taiwan, Hsinchu needs to be prepared for the little ones. Thanks to the rescuers and a well-stocked inventory, the 9-month-old was successfully rescued.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Companies eyeing high-tech pet products as cat ownership spikes

The pet economy continues to heat up. With over 1.74 million cats and 1.46 million dogs across Taiwan, owners are treating their pets as members of the family and spending accordingly. Appliance makers are eyeing this NT$60 billion annual market with a variety of smart gadgets for the astute pet lover.

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Modern pet owners are becoming more discerning consumers. To make sure the little princes and princesses of their household are happy, no price is too high.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#pets #petproducts #businessopportunity #litterbox #cats #catowner #smartappliances #AI #pamperedpet #catlover

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We’ve all heard stories of power banks exploding, but did you know other personal electronics can be a hazard too? A repair technician in Hsinchu recently had a close call with a tablet that turned into a big ball of fire within seconds. A client had brought the tablet in with battery problems. The technician placed it on a table to get started on the repairs when it suddenly swelled and burst into flames without a warning. The incident was caught on camera and posted online. Let’s take a look.

The technician puts the tablet on the table to get started on repairs when…

The tablet suddenly swells and explodes, bursting into a big ball of flames. The panicked technician grabs it and throws it on the ground to put out the blaze. Fortunately, it all ended there. The technician posted the video on Threads as a reminder to take damaged electronics to a professional. He wrote: “Thankfully it exploded in my hands. Had it been in your house it could’ve started a fire.”

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Thailand could halve visa-free tourist stay from 60 to 30 days

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People have fun splashing water on others to celebrate Songkran, the Thai New Year. In 2024, as a measure to boost tourism, the Thai government expanded its 60-day tourist visa exemption scheme to 93 countries and territories. But in less than two years, Thailand is considering reverting to the previous list of 57 countries and territories, while also halving the maximum period of visa-free stay, from 60 to 30 days. It also plans to tighten visitor screenings.

Taiwanese tourist
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I wanted to volunteer, and they told me that there’s a volunteer visa, and that I should apply for it. Before, all I needed was a tourist visa and I could get in and stay for two months, and even extend my stay by another month. But the new policy is no big deal. Thirty days are more than enough if you want to tour Thailand.

Should the new, tightened rules take effect, overstaying as a tourist will be fineable by 500 baht per day, and could even get you blacklisted. As for the shortened list of visa-free countries, Taiwan would still be included. Travel agents also say that the shorter period of visa exemption would be of little impact to typical travelers.

Chen Chien-chin
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It actually doesn’t make much of a difference. Usually, tourists only spend nine days there, maybe 14 at most. At the time they wanted long-stay tourists like those from Europe, but then discovered that the new scheme wasn’t very effective, and instead made Thailand unsafe.

The Thai government had hoped to attract a greater number of quality tourists with higher spending power. However, statistics showed that the majority of tourists only spend 15 to 30 days in Thailand on average. Instead, many of those that maximize their stay on tourist visa exemption could get involved in illegal work and criminal activities, including scam, causing wide repercussions for Thai society.

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The Thai government hopes that the tightened rules will support quality and sustainable tourism.

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Former weightlifter opens authentic German restaurant in Kaohsiung

You may have had the fortune of visiting this ultra-authentic German restaurant in Kaohsiung, almost like stepping into Europe. But what you might not have known is that the owner used to be a champion weightlifter. Born into an athletic family, he won the National Middle School Games back in the day. But after starting to work in restaurants during college, he never looked back. He developed an interest in German cooking and even went there to learn authentic techniques, diverging from his early athletic path.

A juicy and tender pork rib, seared until golden brown, goes into the oven to cook.

This is the traditional German way to make spare ribs—by searing and then slow baking.

- This is a specially made German sauce. It’s a versatile sauce they use for any kind of barbecue or grilled meat.

He smears on the sauce of red pepper, tomato, and garlic before grilling it until the outside starts to crisp. That’s how you know the pork chop is ready to go.

- The juices are fresh when you bite into it, and it has a satisfying chewiness.

- It’s a must-order, the German sausage. I love getting this.

Stepping into this restaurant in Kaohsiung feels like you’ve been transported to Germany. But what you might not know is that the owner, 38-year-old Cheng Kai-feng, used to be a champion weightlifter. Born to an athletic family, both his father and uncle are cyclists. He trained in weightlifting for nearly seven years, and in high school, won the 85kg division at the National Middle School Athletic Games. But he chose not to continue in college, and instead pursued his love of cooking.

Cheng Kai-feng
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I started training after finishing sixth grade. After winning the national games, I started contemplating what to do next. What I loved most was German smoked ham. So I followed the recipe to the letter, got a wood-fired oven, and started researching how to make it.

He started working in restaurants in college, where he encountered different cuisines and developed a passion for cooking. A German couple happened to try the ham he made and were so impressed that they generously invited him to exchange expertise with a butcher in Bingen, Germany.

Cheng Kai-feng
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A German couple came to Taiwan for a technical exchange in solar energy. The wife was surprised and said she’d never even had anything like it in Germany. How come Taiwan has it? So she arranged with a butcher for me to bring it to Germany.

This is the ham that won the German couple over, smoked to perfection with a delicate pink center. He studied in Germany for a full year, learning authentic techniques to bring back to Taiwan.

Cheng Kai-feng
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The process of training for weightlifting was a great opportunity to hone my resilience.

Cheng Yung-chien
Cheng Kai-feng’s father
I support changing careers, because everyone should explore different things rather than sticking to one path.

Whether a champion weightlifter or an accomplished chef, Cheng has found his own flavor of success.

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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