Vegan artists sets off online storm over wish for vegan-only train cars

Vegan artists sets off online storm over wish for vegan-only train cars

2026-05-20

How would you feel if Taiwan Railways offered a train car only for vegans? That’s what a German chef and artist promoting veganism in Taiwan envisioned in a recent post that set social media on fire. In Taiwan, the food offered on trains is the traditional railway bentos, which passengers happily gobble down in their seats. But Tamara Flussfisch says the lunchboxes fill the train with the smell of pork chops that assults the nose for hours.

Her post on social media led to a heated discussion in the comments. Some mocked the idea of a vegan car, while others accused Flussfisch of acting holier-than-thou. Others said that they found the smell of lettuce disgusting, but still wouldn’t ask salad-lovers to leave. But some welcomed the idea, saying that there could be a market for vegan-only train cars. In response to the backlash, Flusshfisch said she was just making a wish, and didn’t understand why people had to be so hostile toward her. She then deleted the post and switched her account to private.

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#vegan #veganism #vegetarian #travel #traintravel

台鐵排骨便當味太重! 德國藝術家許願"素食車廂"挨轟

2026-05-20

不少人搭台鐵，幾乎人手一個排骨便當，不過在台推廣蔬食文化的德國藝術家譚曼然，近日在社群平台發文許願，希望台鐵能提供一個車廂給素食者，就不用忍耐好幾個小時排骨便當的味道。

不過貼文一出，引發不少網友批評，「吃素吃出優越感」、「我也覺得生菜的味道很臭，是不是可以請他離開」。也有網友緩頰，「若台鐵弄一個素食車廂，應該會有市場」。對此，該藝術家感嘆，自己只是單純許願，「大家沒有必要那麼惡劣吧」，隨後刪除貼文，並把帳號轉為私人。

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Megaport Festival grandma goes snorkeling for first time

Cheng Chin-chi, the "Megaport Granny" who became an overnight sensation for attending the Kaohsiung music festival with her granddaughter earlier this year, recently went with her friends and family to Xiaoliuqiu to try out snorkeling for the first time. In all of her 90 years, she never learned to swim. But with the help of an instructor, she conquered her fear of the ocean and even floated next to a sea turtle. After the experience was over, she said that dancing is more fun, even though she’s glad to have checked off snorkeling from her bucket list.

“Megaport Granny” waves happily as she arrives at DonggangPier. She’s on her way to Xiaoliuqiu to try out snorkeling for the first time.

- I want to see the sea turtles. Yes, I’m very excited!

The last time she went to Xiaoliuqiu was over 30 years ago. This time, she’s thrilled to head straight to the dive shop. Her granddaughter even gave her a pep talk beforehand.

- Have you ever snorkeled before, Grandma?
- Never.
- Your first time. Are you nervous?
- Yes, I’m a bit scared.
- Do you still want to try?
- Yes, I do.

Trading her clothes for a wetsuit, she first practices on the shore with an instructor. Once they’re used to the water temperature, she pushes past her fears and wades into the sea, clutching a life raft.

Cheng Chin-chi
Megaport Granny
I could see everything on the sea floor! I even saw sea turtles. I was scared, but it was so new and exciting. I’ve never experienced anything like this.

Cheng Ju-yin
Cheng’s granddaughter
She didn’t know how to breathe through the snorkel, so she was nervous. But after the instructor taught her, she gradually eased into it and drifted out to sea with them.

She even had some beginner’s luck! On her very first time snorkeling, she got to swim alongside a sea turtle and even got a photo together. But when asked what she liked more, she brought up her trip to the Megaport Festival back in March. She ended up stealing the show, dancing her heart out with the young crowd. After that, the TSG Hawks even invited her to throw the first pitch at a game.

Cheng Chin-chi
Megaport Granny
- Dancing is more fun.
- Snorkeling is more tiring than dancing.
- I was scared and it’s tiring. At my age, one time is enough.

From a rock festival to throwing the first pitch at a pro baseball game, and now snorkeling for the first time, this 90-year-old is proving that if you’re young at heart, age is just a number!

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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# MegaportGranny #musicfestival #snorkeling #Xiaoliuqiu #bucketlist #inspiring #dancing #viral #youngatheart

2026-05-20

Presidential Office Concert to mark 30 years of direct presidential elections

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President Lai marks second anniversary of presidency

President Lai Ching-te delivered a speech on Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of his presidency. In it, he outlined three priorities for his administration: safeguarding Taiwan’s democratic way of life, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and promoting economic development. Lai emphasized that despite shifting global conditions and a political gridlock in the legislature, Taiwan will not back down and will continue moving forward with democracy, peace, and prosperity as its guiding principles. Let’s hear from the president.

Lai Ching-te
President
Our path these past two years has been far from easy to traverse. The global landscape is shifting rapidly. The ruling and opposition parties here at home hold different visions for our nation’s direction. This has led to an unprecedented deadlock in our legislature. Democracy is not a gift that falls from the heavens. Taiwan’s future cannot be decided by forces outside our borders, nor can it be held hostage by fear, division, or short-term gain. Taiwan’s future must be determined together by our 23 million people. Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community – not a destabilizer. Taiwan is willing to engage in healthy and orderly exchanges with China, however, we firmly reject united front tactics that package unification as peace. We pursue stability, but will not sacrifice our sovereignty or our democratic way of life. This is Taiwan’s bottom line.

Lai also announced a new national population strategy to address Taiwan’s declining birthrate. The plan will provide a monthly cash handout of NT$5,000 to each family for every child and teenager between zero and 18. Part of the money will be deposited into a "Children’s Future Account," allowing kids to have a financial foundation for education or starting a business once they reach adulthood.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#520 #taiwan #president #policy #democracy #childrearing

2026-05-20

AI Robotics development center inaugurated in Tainan

The AI Robotics Innovation and Development Center was inaugurated in Tainan on Tuesday, on the southern campus of the Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI. The ceremony was led by Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and several ministers. They were led to a shop that featured an automated ramen-making system as an example of an integrated smart robotics to be developed by the new center. Hsiao joked that she’d hoped she would actually get a bowl of noodles next time she visited. The new AI robotics R&D center marks a milestone -- Taiwan’s Ten AI Initiatives Promotion Plan, which the vice president said is a key step in strengthening the power of the nation.

The AI Robotics Innovation and Development Center was inaugurated at the ITRI Southern Region Campus, in Tainan, under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the National Development Council and the National Science and Technology Council. With ITRI Chair Wu Tsung-tsong, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Chin-tsang and others, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim led the ceremony to witness the birth of this milestone project under the country’s Ten AI Initiatives Promotion Plan.

Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice President
A mastery of smart robotics technology is key for Taiwan in maintaining its edge in international tech competitions. It’s also indispensable for us in bolstering social resilience and strengthening national power.

Ho Chin-tsang
Ministry of Economic Affairs
More crucially, it serves to implement Taiwan’s Ten AI Initiatives Promotion Plan, advancing Taiwan from a manufacturer of AI chips to a powerhouse in comprehensive AI applications.

The new R&D center focuses on applications across four key sectors: healthcare, logistics, food services and disaster response, demonstrating the versatility of AI-powered robotics while also offering solutions for labor shortage.

Wu Tsung-tsong
ITRI Chair
The new AI robotics center supports this mission of realizing investments of AI in our daily lives. That will be a boon to Taiwanese industries, as well as global industries.

The vice president examines a demonstration for an automated ramen shop. She jokes that she’d hoped for an actual bowl of noodles.

Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice President
Congratulations on the opening of the ramen shop. Too bad I didn’t get a taste. I hope that next time when I’m back in Liujia—I’ve become a frequent traveler to Liujia and Shalun—next time I’ll get a full experience.

The newly established AI Robotics Innovation and Development Center aims to consolidate Taiwan’s strengths in chip manufacturing, information and communications technology and precision manufacturing, and turn the country into a key exporter of integrated AI systems.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#taiwan #technology #ITRI #ResearchandDevelopment #industrialplan

2026-05-20

Fish farmers amazed finding iPhone 16 inside dead fish

A fish farm owner in Kaohsiung was quite shocked when he found an iPhone 16 Pro Max inside the belly of one of his fish. How did the phone get there? Well, last September, a reporter was conducting an interview at the farm when a giant grouper leapt out of the water and knocked the phone out of his hand. The device was sent flying into the pond, where another massive grouper gulped it down. The reporter thought his phone was lost forever, but now it’s reemerged, and it remains to be seen whether it still works.

The phone is in bad shape, completely corroded and heavily scratched after spending more than eight months inside the belly of a giant grouper.

Lai Wen-hua
Fish farm
These marks were caused because the grouper still had to eat fish, and their bones rubbed against the phone as the fish digested and moved around.

Last September, a reporter surnamed Chen was covering a story about seafood production at this fish farm in Kaohsiung when a giant grouper leapt out of the water without a warning and knocked his iPhone 16 into the fish pond. In the blink of an eye, another enormous 1.5m grouper swallowed the phone in one gulp. A few months later, the 23-year-old fish died, and during an examination to determine the cause of death, workers were stunned to find the missing phone still in its belly.

Voice Mr. Chen
Fish ate iPhone
I had completely given up hope on ever seeing it again. When I heard the phone had reappeared, I mostly just wanted to see what condition it was in. But I was also a bit sad to learn that the fish had died.

Lai Wen-hua
Fish farm
It was soaked in saltwater for eight months. We’re letting it dry naturally first in hopes of giving the owner the best possible chance of turning it back on.

The fish farm operators were amazed by the discovery and quickly contacted Mr. Chen. Together, they will hold a “power-on ceremony” on May 22 to see whether the iPhone still works after 8 months inside a fish. Hold your breath for a miracle.

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‘Taiwan Travelogue’ wins prestigious 2026 International Booker Prize

For the first time, a Taiwanese writer has received one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, the International Booker Prize. Yang Shuang-zi and translator Lin King won the accolade for the novel "Taiwan Travelogue." In her acceptance speech, Yang emphasized how fortunate and proud she was to be Taiwanese. President Lai Ching-te also congratulated the pair during a press conference Wednesday that marked his second year in office. Let’s hear more.

Yang Shuang-zi
‘Taiwan Travelogue’ author
Thank you to every person who made it possible for me to be here today. The century-old inquiry in Taiwan literature is, in fact, the century-long pursuit of freedom and equality by Taiwan’s people. I feel very fortunate to have been born Taiwanese. I feel very proud to stand before you today as a writer from Taiwan.

Lin King
‘Taiwan Travelogue’ translator
I made the explicit decision that rather than translate Sinophone works indiscriminately, I would only translate writing from Taiwan for the foreseeable future, until no English speaker feels comfortable saying to me, glibly, “I really should come visit you in Taiwan while it still exists.”

Lai Ching-te
President
“Taiwan Travelogue” has just won the International Booker Prize. This achievement is also a clear testament to the talent and capability of Taiwan’s younger generation to make their mark on the world stage.

Judges described "Taiwan Travelogue" as a captivating and sophisticated book that succeeds as both a romance and an incisive postcolonial novel. The work previously won the US National Book Award for Translated Literature in 2024 and has so far sold translation rights in 24 countries, becoming an international bestseller. During her speech, translator Lin King also mentioned that after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, she resolved to translate only Taiwanese works until the day comes when Taiwan’s sovereignty is no longer a provocation or a punchline.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#taiwan #literature #bookerprize #yangshuangzi #linking #translation #bookclub #booktok

2026-05-20

Pingtung drink shop lets customers make own drinks for NT$20 each

One unique drink shop in Pingtung’s Wanluan Township lets people mix their drinks themselves, even with pearls or other toppings. No matter what you get, every cup is only NT$20. Many curious customers stop by to give it a try.

When you come to this drink shop, you have to be ready to do some work.

First add sugar and any toppings, then add the ice before finally choosing your drink.

People who don’t like toppings might choose winter melon with lemon, or for a healthier option, you could get plain green tea with ice. Whatever you want to drink, you can get it yourself. No matter how much you add, every cup is only NT$20.

I just stopped at the traffic light and saw this shop. It made me curious.
Is it a good price?
It’s good. Excellent value.
Why not add some more expensive ingredients?
It’s a small business. Can’t be too greedy.

So cheap. A drink like this elsewhere might be NT$50.

Mr. Lee
Shop owner
In Taiwanese it’s called borrowing from the strong to help the weak. Some customers just get a sugarless green tea, some get a bubble milk tea. It’s all good. Not everyone gets a bubble tea.

This self-service drink shop is in Pingtung’s Wanluan Township. It has 10 different kinds of drinks, along with pearls, coconut jelly, passion fruit syrup, grass jelly, and dried plum, which can all be added to your heart’s content. On the wall is a sign teaching giving advice on what to do, like avoiding mixing milk with lemon to prevent a stomachache later.

Plum iced tea tastes better when made with shiso plums, lemon, and dried plums.

Now 76 years old, the owner used to sell bread and drinks before closing down and renting it out. After the tenant moved, he couldn’t bear to leave it vacant and didn’t want to stay idle, so he returned to his old trade. Opening a franchise would have taken too much capital, so he decided to start his own venture instead.

Mr. Lee
Shop owner
I save on labor costs. At buffet restaurants, most customers come between 11 and 12. If everyone wanted the owner to get food for them, you could only sell a few in that hour.

When faced with adversity, you must adapt. In the fiercely competitive drink shop market, offering self-service is certainly a way to stand out.

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

#drinkshop #selfservice #allyoucandrink #Pingtung #drinks #businessowner #tea #bubbletea

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