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Fire dancer awes crowds at Hsinchu Houzhan Night Market

A fire dancer at the Hsinchu Houzhan Night Market elicits gasps from the crowds. Lu Li-chun twirls fire sticks and even swallows fire. But his main gig is being a baker. Lu was once a national gold medalist in martial arts but an injury put an end to his sporting career. Instead of being bitter about this, he has found a new audience with fire dancing. Let’s find out more.

Brandishing fire staffs, spurting flames and swallowing fire, he puts on a spectacular fire dance that electrifies the night market atmosphere. The performer, Lu Li-chun, is completely unafraid of fire. While you might mistake him for a full-time street artist, he is actually a baker moonlighting as a performer.

Basket after basket of bread, neatly arranged, offers a delightful bite that’s hard to put down. The couple came from Taoyuan and set up a bread stall at Hsinchu Hou Zhan Night Market. Whenever the night market is open, you can see them busily working.

Member of the public
Trying out food
It is very hearty.

Member of the public
Trying out food
It’s very fluffy, and the proportion of filling is great, so it tastes really, really delicious. I think it would be a pretty good breakfast the next day.

From kneading and fermentation to baking, everything relies on experience. The night market management recognized his talent and specially arranged a fire dance performance to draw in the crowds. In fact, behind his dual identity as a baker and fire dancer lies a poignant story.

Lu Li-chun
Baker and fire dancer performer
I started practicing martial arts when I was about 8 years old. I went through selection contests to get on national teams and even won a gold medal. But later, during training, I tore the cruciate ligament in my knee. Since I could no longer continue down that path—and because I remembered how happy and joyful baking had made me during home economics class—I thought, ’Why not give it a shot?’

Instead of complaining, he chose to accept his situation and switched to baking to make a living. Now in his thirties, he has rediscovered his dream of being on a stage with his fire dances, and has won enthusiastic applause once again.

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

#firedancers #nightmarkets #Hsinchutourism

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Jarring Mickey Mouse stop-request jingle makes passengers jump

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Second generation takes over popular fried rice restaurant

One fried rice restaurant in Hsinchu’s Zhudong Night Market has served customers for 30 years. Hidden in a back alley, locals say it’s Zhudong’s best fried rice because the owner uses lots of fresh ingredients. But since the owner is aging and wants to retire, he’s handed management over to his son, who gave up his job as an engineer to continue his father’s legacy.

Shrimp and cabbage are stir-fried in a wok, followed by an egg and a bowl of rice, with some pepper added for flavor. The chef stirs the ingredients continuously, the smell of his signature fried rice filling the kitchen. Lots of people enjoy a meal here every day.

Customer
The shacha lamb fried rice as well as the seafood one and all the others are delicious.

Customer
It really has that wok flavor, plus there are lots of ingredients. We’ve lived here for six or seven years and come here for a meal every time after getting off work.

This restaurant hidden in an alley in Hsinchu’s Zhudong Night Market has been running for 30 years. Despite its small size, it’s remained a favorite among locals for its delicious fried rice. But now it may stop its business entirely.

Lin Shih-jung
Second-generation owner
My father has been cooking here since he was 42. Now he’s in his 70s and wants to retire, so I came here to take over from him. My father’s business is very stable, and everyone really likes his food. It would be a shame to give it up, because people would miss out on his delicious food. So I stepped down from being a computer engineer and came here.

He gave up his job as an engineer to learn how to cook like his father. But some long-time customers didn’t accept him at first.

Lin Shih-jung
Second-generation owner
It’s actually a lot of fun. When I first started in the kitchen, customers would say they wanted my dad to cook, the boss to cook. But after a while, there was a lot less of this type of request and customers. I have confidence that my cooking is more than 90% like my father’s.

Smiling, the young boss said he doesn’t dare take a day off, because customers would ask questions. From its origin as a roadside stall to having its own bustling storefront, people hope this family restaurant can continue through the generations.

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

#friedrice #food #nightmarket #Hsinchu #ZhudongNightMarket #restaurant #familybusiness

2026-05-29

NCKU’sphotonics heartthrob named among world’s top 2% of scientists

An optical electronics professor at National Cheng Kung University has become an internet celebrity. He’s a highly decorated scientist, including having been named among the world’s top 2% of scientists by Stanford University, but that’s not what people are talking about. They’re taken by his dashing looks, with his students saying that no one ever wants to skip his class.

We scoured National Cheng Kung University in a search for the Photonics Department’s most handsome professor.

The man of the hour is standing at the lectern in a black shirt—Professor Wu Pin-chieh, known around campus as the photonics heartthrob.

- Hello everyone, I’m Wu Pin-chieh from NCKU’s Department of Photonics. To put it simply, our lab basically uses semiconductor fabrication processes to develop nano-structures.

Blessed with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a bright smile, students will flock to his lectures just to hear him speak.

Student
Finds professor handsome
Sometimes he wears glasses to class and it looks so good. Out of 10, he’s maybe an 11.

Student
Finds professor handsome
He’s tall and handsome with big eyes. Just seeing an attractive person puts you in a better mood.

Student
Finds professor handsome
When you have no idea what a professor is talking about, of course you’ll just look at their appearance.

But Professor Wu is far more than just a handsome face. In the past few years, he’s gotten numerous honors from the NSTC, and was even named among the top 2% of scientists in the world by Stanford University.

Hsu Hsu-cheng
Photonics Department professor
Professor Wu has more than just good looks. He also has a sharp mind. He often plays basketball with the other faculty.

Lai Wei-chih
Photonics Department director
He’s a teacher who interacts closely with students. He’s young and has a lot of energy.

- What’s your skincare routine?
- Skincare routine? I don’t do anything in particular.
- Thank you everyone. Thank you for all the love and support. I hope we can all keep taking care of our skin.

Professor Wu is only in his 30s, but he already has two kids. Boasting a world-class scientific mind wrapped in movie-star good looks, it’s no wonder his students refuse to miss a single class.

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

#NCKU #handsome #scientist #WuPinchieh #photonics #heartthrob

2026-05-29

2026 GDP growth projected to hit 16-year high at 9.64%

2026-05-29

Baseball legend Chou Szu-chi’s wish comes true at Taipei Arena

During his retirement ceremony at the Taipei Dome two years ago, legendary baseball player Chou Szu-chi made a wish that has finally come true. The baseball legend said he hoped a monument would be erected to memorialize the former Taipei Municipal Baseball Stadium, which was demolished and replaced with Taipei Arena. It was a location of special significance for Chou, as that’s where his professional career kicked off. On Friday, Chou joined Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an at a ceremony to unveil the new artwork remembering that chapter of Taiwan’s baseball history.

Baseball legend Chou Szu-chi was clearly emotional posing for photos at the monument. A long-time dream of his is finally reality.

Chou Szu-chi (2024)
Baseball legend
I have a wish, which is that we commemorate the ballpark with a monument at the Taipei Arena.

Chou’s professional baseball career started here, long before the Taipei Arena was even in planning. Now, his dream of having the old ballpark memorialized has come true, with a plaque on the wall and a home plate on the pavement. Chou saw the project go from an idea to a reality.

Chou Szu-chi
Baseball legend
This marks the beginning of preserving Taiwan’s baseball memory. This place is a sacred site for Taiwanese baseball. This accomplishment feels like a major step forward for Taiwan’s baseball culture.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
We’re thrilled to unveil the monument here memorializing the former site of the Taipei Municipal Baseball Stadium.

Chou also touched on the struggles of his former team, the CTBC Brothers, whose disappointing performance this season has frustrated fans.

Chou Szu-chi
Baseball legend
Everyone needs to lock in. These results… and the process… It’s not just me who finds it hard to watch. I think a lot of fans can’t bear it either.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
I’m delighted to see some teams doing well, but since I’m here with Chou Szu-chi, I probably shouldn’t elaborate on that too much.

For Wei Chuan Dragons fan Mayor Chiang, it’s great news that the team is killing it lately, but with Chou within earshot, he quickly changed the subject. But regardless of winning or losing, baseball brings everyone together.

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

#baseball #weichuan #taipei #sports #ballpark

2026-05-29

Sanitation worker fed up with heat hurls bucket at shocked local

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Scorching heat causes window to burst into a million pieces

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Grandma watches 7-yo grandson charge to own death on scooter

Do you sometimes not switch off the engine of your vehicle if you’re only stopping briefly? This shocking accident may convince you to turn it off every time. On Wednesday afternoon, a grandmother in Changhua witnessed her 7-year-old grandson charge towards his death while getting seated on the scooter, which she had left running between trips. While the kid steadied himself, he held onto the right handlebar and accidentally twisted the throttle, which caused the scooter to go off. At the very instant the kid fell, a garbage truck arrived and ran over him, killing him on the spot.

The surveillance footage shows a person waiting for the garbage truck with a bag of waste in hand. In the same frame, a grandmother-and-grandson duo are about to set off on a scooter from a farm supply shop. The grandma stands on the left side of the scooter while she waits for the kid to steady himself on the seat. Suddenly, the scooter charges forward, crossing paths with the garbage truck that has just arrived. In that very instant, the kid is run over and dies on the spot.

Chen Han-yu
Hanbao Fire Station chief
When our team arrived at the scene, the patient’s brain tissue had already been clearly exposed and he was dead on arrival. We covered him with an emergency blanket right there and then.

The incident occurred on Erxi Road in Changhua’s Fangyuan Township. The grandmother had taken her grandson with her to buy fertilizers. Just as they were about to travel home on the scooter, the grandma had held the idling scooter with one hand, and waited for her grandson, who wasn’t wearing a helmet, to get seated. While the kid was steadying himself, he appeared to have twisted the throttle and caused the scooter to charge ahead. At that very instant, the garbage truck arrived. Even though an eyewitness had tried to gesture to the driver to stop, it was already too late. The grandmother could only helplessly watch the accident unfold.

Chang Hung-lin
Fangyuan Precinct, Changhua County Police
The kid, surnamed Lee, was getting seated on his grandmother’s scooter when he accidentally twisted the throttle and caused the scooter to charge ahead. At that instant, the Fangyuan Township Office’s garbage truck ran over Lee’s head. The driver involved in this case was not driving under the influence of drugs.

Eyewitness
Garbage truck incident
You must turn off the engine after getting off the scooter. You can’t leave the engine on. It’s a real hazard for young kids. He wasn’t even wearing a helmet.

The 7-year-old boy had lost his father to illness when he was only 3 months old. He was primarily raised by his grandma, as his mother works long hours.

- The grandchild was raised singlehandedly by the grandma herself.
- Apparently, he’s very clever.
- Yes, very.
- What happened must be really difficult for everyone.
- Yes, it’s such a pity. The grandma really blames herself.

Meanwhile, the township office stated that it will assist the family in procedural matters. The grandma is being supported by her community, but she will have to forgive herself to truly move on.

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

#accident #caraccident #safety #roadsafety #scooter

2026-05-29

Taichung dessert shop offers shaved ice with Chinese herbs

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