Taiwan High Speed Rail resumes normal operations after malfunction

Taiwan High Speed Rail resumes normal operations after malfunction

2026-05-26

The Taiwan High Speed Rail descended into chaos on Monday due to a malfunction that caused delays and cancelations for an estimated 240,000 passengers. The incident marks the most severe delay ever recorded by the rail operator, barring natural disasters. After the daily operations ended, the THSR dispatched a crew to the site of the malfunction and confirmed that the problems were caused by the power module of a railway switch control box. Emergency repairs were conducted through the night, and normal operations resumed with the first trains on Tuesday. Let’s hear more.

Chen Shih-kai
Transport Minister
The THSR formed a task force to inspect the issue. Today, they provided free snacks and water at every station to apologize to passengers.

There are 458 power modules spread out across the THSR’s railway switch control boxes, and each must be replaced every 20 years. Replacement work began in June 2024, with about 80% completed so far. The company expects all units to be replaced by the end of this year. THSR said this is the first time such a malfunction has occurred and that all replaced equipment has been preserved for further investigation. The company will work with the original manufacturer and an independent third party to determine the root cause of the incident and assign responsibility.

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

#thsr #traintravel #highspeedrail #taiwantravel #taiwan #tourism

高鐵最嚴重非天災延誤確認轉轍器電源出狀況今恢復

2026-05-26

高鐵出現史上最嚴重的非天災延誤事件，推估週一整天受影響人次，高達24萬。深夜收班後，高鐵確認是轉轍器控制機箱的電源模組，出了狀況，經漏夜搶通，今早首班車都恢復正常營運。

[[交通部長陳世凱]]
“高鐵公司已經組成小組，正在調查當中。他們今天（26）好像每一個站，都有提供點心跟這個礦泉水，給民眾表達他們的歉意。”

高鐵轉轍器控制機箱的電源模組，共有458個，每20年得更換一次。2024年6月開始更換，目前已經完成約八成，預計今年底，能全數換完。高鐵公司表示，這次是首度發生異常，已保存更換後的各項設備，後續會與原廠，及第三方共同釐清事件根因與責任歸屬。

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

Related News

18-yo Una Lin named Red Bull Dance Your Style Northeast champion

Regional competitions are on in the US and other countries for Red Bull Dance Your Style, an international mixed-style dance competition held every year. On Monday, 18-year-old Taiwan-born Una Lin won the US Northeast Qualifier, advancing her to the US nation-wide round in September. Lin started learning dancing as a third-grader in Taiwan. Though she now lives in the US, she says that she hopes to compete for Taiwan someday.

She dances confidently and energetically to the music, her steps full of power. Every beat and movement is precise and on point, drawing cheers and excitement from the audience.

Participants dance to an unpredictable, genre-spanning DJ playlist, taking freestyle to the next level. Taiwan-born Una Lin was the crowd favorite, making her the US Northeast champion of Red Bull Dance Your Style, an international competition.

Una Lin
Dancer
I’ve played this scene countless times in my head. Every time I’m lying on the bed, I’d picture how wonderful it would be to take this stage someday. I’ve really done it. It’s like my dream has come true.

Lin says her mind went blank when she was announced as the winner. Moreover, she did not imagine that she would even be able to compete in the Northeast regional round, having been eliminated in the New York City Qualifier. Only later did she realize there was a second chance.

Una Lin
Dancer
Later, I saw that there was going to be a regional round, and it’s open to two additional contestants that weren’t invited, meaning anyone could compete for the two additional slots. There were many, many sessions that day, ten, I recall. When I was five I started with ballet in extracurricular group classes, also folk dance and contemporary dance. It was later that I turned to street dance. I’ve been practicing street dance for ten years now.

Drawing on her varied dance repertoire, Lin got the crowd’s seal of approval with a stunning performance that’s since gone viral. Even the likes of Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and former President Tsai Ing-wen have left comments to wish her the best. In September, Lin will be competing in the US nation-wide round. She also says that she wishes to compete for Taiwan someday.

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

#streetdance #freestyle #competition #redbull #dance

2026-05-26

Scorching day as temperature approaches 40°C islandwide

2026-05-26

Chiayi student records 300 book reviews for NT$50 rewards

To encourage kids to read, the Taiwan Rural Children’s Education Foundation is offering a NT$50 reward for every three-to-five-minute book review students post online. One elementary schooler surnamed Lai in Chiayi has uploaded over 300 videos in the past three years. He said he plans to save the money to take care of his grandma when she gets older.

Holding a book in front of the camera, a student shares her thoughts after reading it.

Each student is fully invested in the task, not just because they’re learning, but also because they can earn money.

Student
Shih-Tzu Elementary
You can get NT$50 for recording a three-to-five-minute video, so I’m really happy. I’ll keep at it!

Student
Shih-Tzu Elementary
I think reading is really important. I’ve learned a lot of new things.

Hsu Hsiu-ching
Shih-Tzu Elementary principal
NT$50 is a lot for students in rural areas, since many families around here aren’t very well off.

The Taiwan Rural Children’s Education Foundation launched this initiative to encourage kids to read. All they have to do is upload a video, and they’ll get NT$50.

One fourth grader at Yun Shui Elementary has already uploaded an impressive 300 videos.

Lai Ching-chang
Yun Shui Elementary student
I’ve saved up since first grade until now in fourth grade, and earned more than NT$10,000. When my grandma and mom get old, I want to take care of them.

Teacher
Yun Shui Elementary
Reading itself brings a sense of accomplishment. When you add earning pocket money on top of that, it brings a different kind of joy and fulfillment.

The student happily shows off his piggy bank, where he has NT$15,000 saved up. It’s the accumulation of all his hard work over the years.

Grandmother
Grateful for Lai
I’m so grateful for him. But I hope that he’ll use the money for further education.

Mother
Cheers for Lai
We’ll always share his videos with the whole family. Everyone cheers him on.

Luo Ji-zhi
Foundation executive director
The number of participating schools is growing, so our expenses are far outstripping our funding. We hope the public can support our work so we can help more children in rural communities.

Since its founding over three years ago, the foundation has invested millions into serving rural elementary schools across Taiwan. They’re hoping more people will chip in so they can keep inspiring kids to learn.

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

#reading #elementaryschool #rural #education #reward #children #Chiayi #readinggoals #inspiration

2026-05-26

Spray paint artist Chen Jo-xin makes a splash with her urban murals

Spray-painted graffiti can be seen around Taiwan’s streets and alleys, but did you know spray painting is a form of art? Spray paint artist Chen Jo-xin, who has formal art qualifications, takes commissions from clients and has been running her own studio for five years. She and her team have created spray paint murals in Miaoli, Wufeng and shopping malls in Hong Kong. Let’s find out more

Wearing a protective mask, she holds a spray paint can in one hand and a mobile phone in the other. She carefully looks at the image on her phone, before letting loose with her spray can.

She sprays black paint to outline the image, and then the artwork is complete.

Chen Jo-xin
Spray paint artist
This is considered small; there are also large ones that can be painted up to six or seven stories high. A pop star was celebrating the 10th anniversary since her solo debut, and fans were asking us to paint a wall for her. In the past this would have been done with advertising billboards, but now there are beginning to be different ways to express appreciation.

Chen Jo-xin studied art-related subjects throughout her student years. She’s also been a spray paint artist for five years. Initially Chen treated her creations as a hobby. Now she has set up a studio and formed a team. Her creative footprint can be found in Miaoli’s Xihu Leopard Cat Embankment, Taichung’s Wufeng District Farmer’s Association and even in shopping malls all the way over in Hong Kong.

The orange tiger against the red wall, with its tension-filled lines, makes the tiger seem as if it could burst through the wall at any moment. Spray-paint murals, whether on low walls or towering building facades, tested not only her skill, but also her courage.

Chen Jo-xin
Spray paint artist
One of the projects that left the deepest impression on me recently was a mural we painted beside National Freeway No. 1. It was in Changhua — we painted the Great Buddha of Changhua on a wall about six stories high. So the client asked us to paint a huge Buddha. I’m from Kaohsiung, and there aren’t any legal graffiti walls there. But there are in Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Pingtung. Taipei also has a lot of places that are great for painting, so whenever I come here, I usually do some painting.

Different professions are worlds apart, as the saying goes. The teams’ photographer jokes that although she usually takes photos with the click of a finger, she found pressing on a spray paint can not an easy task.

Photographer
Part of art group
This part of my hand was really sore the next day because I’m used to pressing a camera shutter very lightly. At first, I could barely press the spray can down properly. And when I was trying to control the lines while filling in colors, the paint would build up really thick.

Member
Part of art group
I think the most difficult thing is the large murals that are done at high altitudes. People who are afraid of heights may need to receive training to overcome their acrophobia.

Spray painting art allows a creator’s canvas to push outside the limitations of paper. Instead it can extend to every corner of a city.

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

#graffiti #spraypaint #urbanaesthetics

2026-05-26

Invasive fish plaguing Sun Moon Lake turned into local delicacy

In addition to the snakehead fish, Sun Moon Lake is dealing with several other invasive species. The red devil cichlid is considered the second-most troublesome, but because it’s small, bony, and doesn’t have a lot of meat, it doesn’t make for a nice meal. Even so, some local businesses have turned them into a tasty snack by coating them in flour and deep-frying them to make them crispy.

Fish fry enticingly in bubbling oil, but they aren’t ready to be eaten yet. The chef coats them in flour and fries them again.

These small, red fish are a new delicacy in Sun Moon Lake. Tourists love these snackable, fried red devil cichlids.

The red devil cichlid is one of three major invasive species threatening the lake’s ecosystem, along with the giant snakehead and jaguar cichlid. Giant snakeheads can be grilled or steamed, but red devil cichlids are small and don’t have a lot of meat. To cook them effectively, vendors coat them in flour and deep-fry them three times to make them crispy, then add pepper, salt, and basil.

- It’s really crispy, almost like a fish-flavored potato chip.
- Have you ever had it before?
- I’ve never had it before. It’s my first time coming here and trying it.

Vendors and tourists are helping deal with this invasive species by cooking and eating it. Red devil cichlids have been plaguing Sun Moon Lake for over 15 years, but they were largely considered inedible. Mr. San, who has been fishing here for over 40 years, decided to start catching and cooking them. He heads out onto the lake every day at 3 a.m. to check his traps.

Mr. San collects fish until sunrise, bringing back invasive species to cook and sell.

Mr. San
Fisher
Among the people in our community here, I’m the only one still working as a fisher. No one else in our village is doing it anymore.

Fried until crispy, these fish can be eaten whole. As Sun Moon Lake struggles with invasive species, eating them is one way to keep their population down.

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

#SunMoonLake #fish #snack #friedfish #localfood #fisher #invasivespecies #sustainability

2026-05-26

This new app matches pets with their perfect playmate

Many people find lovers and friends with just a swipe of their phone by using specialized apps. But did you know that you can do this for your pet? A company has launched an app for pets. It not only provides a list of over 8,000 pet-friendly restaurants and attractions across Taiwan, but it even has a matchmaking function, where pets can be hooked up with a suitable playmate and their owners can meet likeminded people. Let’s find out more.

Pet owners are having a blast running across the grass with their furry friends, playing Frisbee. But did you know that the pets are not just randomly playing? They also have made friends with the use of high tech tools.

Chen Chih-fan
FTV reporter
It’s not just humans who can use dating apps to find matches—now even dogs have their own dedicated dating apps, where they can be paired up with a simple swipe.

Member of the public
Likes the concept
This is the first time I’ve seen it. I think it’s quite cute; it describes what the animal’s personality is like.

Member of the public
Likes the concept
I think it’s possible to get to know the owners through their pets, and the owners can connect and socialize as well.

Beyond its dating and matchmaking features, this pet-friendly travel app, launched two years ago, integrates pet-friendly information from across Taiwan. Whether it’s dining or accommodation, you can quickly find pet-friendly venues. Currently, it has accumulated over 70,000 users and has data on more than 8,000 pet-friendly locations.
When you open a listing, you can see details like business hours, entry rules, and even size or weight restrictions for pets—all clearly displayed. This makes it easy for owners to plan ahead and avoid unpleasant surprises when traveling with their furry companions

Huang Chun-ying
Creator of pet app
When we founded it, there was no AI yet. So back then, we went from venue to venue, sometimes visiting, sometimes stopping by for a meal and casually asking if we could bring our dogs. If so, we’d add them to our list. Our goal is to make it easier for all pet owners to take their furry friends out. We want them to be able to just open the app and go, like we humans do.

Taiwan has over 1.74 million pet cats and over 1.46 million pet dogs. Sniffing out opportunities in the pet business, tech companies are constantly innovating—which not only makes it easier for pet owners to search for ways to care for their pets, but also allows them to find like-minded people and make 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

#Taiwanpets #Dogplaydates #Petcare

2026-05-26

Ms. Chen reunited with dog after posting NT$500,000 reward

After days of worry, tears, and even accusations of fraud, the NT$500,000 missing dog at the center of Taiwan’s biggest pet search is finally home. Mei-chi, a beloved mixed-breed dog whose disappearance sparked a massive online hunt and a hefty reward from her desperate owner, has been found safe and sound. The emotional reunion came after a neighbor spotted the runaway pup chilling in his yard, sending owner Ms. Chen rushing over to embrace her longtime companion at last.

The NT$500,000 escapee, Mei-chi the dog has at long last been reunited with her owner, Ms. Chen. After a neighbor reported seeing the pupper, Ms. Chen rushed out to their house for a tearful reunion, embracing her beloved friend without even taking off her helmet.

Ms. Chen
Mei-chi’s owner
I’m so grateful to every kind soul who offered to help out, and refused the reward. They knew what I was going through. And to all the haters I’d just like to say… you are despicable! We shouldn’t waste everyone’s time when there are people with good intentions making an effort.

Ms. Chen was offering a generous reward of NT$500,000 for her dog. But the high figure brought forth accusations that she was a scammer, and her phone rang off the hook with harassment. With Mei-chi found, and haters proven wrong, Ms. Chen broke down in tears of relief.

Ms. Chen
Mei-chi’s owner
Of course it wasn’t a scam! Why would I scam anyone! I was hoping that none of it was real. Thank goodness I found her.

Mei-chi was like family for Ms. Chen, who raised the mixed-breed dog for 12 years since she was a puppy. The dog went missing on Sunday, and roamed the streets alone for two nights, until a neighbor found her chilling in his yard on Tuesday morning.

Mr. Liao
Found Mei-chi
It was about 8 or 9. I took a photo and sent it on the group chat, to tell them I found her. I won’t accept the money in full. Just a small amount is enough.

- Thank you so much!
- It was nothing.
- Really, thank you!
- We’re all family.
- It must be fate. We were classmates and now we meet again.

Mr. Liao’s daughter is apparently classmates with Ms. Chen’s husband, and their families have long lived near each other. Though he says he doesn’t want the full reward, Ms. Chen says she will definitely keep her promise and give him the full amount.

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

#goodnews #dog #found #reward #money #uplifting

2026-05-26

Romantic road trip takes a wrong turn to get stuck on sandy beach

2026-05-26

Tang Prize founder Samuel Yin passes away aged 75

2026-05-26