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Dense cluster of lollipop-like bollards raises public curiosity

To prevent driving violations, yellow bollards are often seen on Taiwan’s roads. Their purpose is to guide traffic flows, protect pedestrians’ safety and prevent accidents. However, in two spots in Changhua and Yilan, hundreds of yellow bollards are densely huddled together, igniting intense curiosity on social media. Let’s find out more.

Look closely and you’ll see that on this short 100-m stretch of a four-lane road there are at least hundreds of yellow bollards, looking like lollipops stuck in the road.

- It’s hilarious!
- It’s hilarious? Why?
- Because there are so many! I haven’t seen that many before. It’s probably to prevent wrong-way driving and other violations.

- There must be a safety reason for doing this.

They are set up on Lane 207 of Section 2 of Wujie Road, Yilan, a four-lane road. Owing to its width, motorcyclists frequently make illegal U-turns and even cars are often illegally parked on the road. Therefore an enormous number of yellow bollards were installed, acting as a barrier to prevent traffic violations. A similar scene can be observed on County Road 139 in Changhua, a winding mountain road that is lined densely with yellow bollards interspersed with warning posts.

At the densest locations, there’s one bollard roughly at every meter. Some netizens commented that it triggers trypophobia. Or is it a test for motorcyclists and truck drivers?

- We older folks take it slow, so it doesn’t affect us. It’s those riders who like to mess around—if they want to play like that, their bikes should just be impounded.
- Does installing these things prevent then flying off the road?
- Yes, but how could they fly off if they’re riding slowly?

- Personally, I’d definitely prefer not to.
- Sometimes it might obstruct your bike riding?
- Yes

In fact, these are safety measures installed by the Changhua County Government. Following multiple fatal accidents on curved sections of County Route 139, authorities installed 120 warning posts and 200 bollards. Whether in Yilan or Changhua, these lollipop-like bollards are intended to reduce illegal U-turns and lower accident rates.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#roadsafety #Taiwanroads #trafficbollards

2026-06-24

Anti-Fraud ATMs refuse cash to anyone with masks or other facial coverings

There’s been a major breakthrough in technology that prevents ATM fraud. In the future, if scammers try to conceal their identity by wearing a mask and a helmet at ATMs, they may not be able to withdraw even a single bill. The Criminal Investigation Bureau has partnered with banks to integrate technology into ATMs that will have a speaker that tells the user to show their face. With this technology, if someone does not heed the order and deliberately covers their face in front of the ATM, the transaction will be immediately terminated.

Hung Chiao-hsuan
FTV reporter
Standing right here outside a bank that has adopted this new feature, if I wear a mask like this, I’m blocked right at the door and can’t even get inside.

Chang Yu-ping
Bank SinoPac
Most importantly, when reviewing the footage, we can clearly see the money mule’s face. This will assist the police in their subsequent investigations as we continue to roll out this technology across more high-risk locations.

Chiu Shao-chou
Commissioner, Criminal Investigation Bureau
The fraud ring wants to get the victim’s money as quickly as possible, and the fastest way to get the money is to withdraw it from an ATM. In front of the ATM, they often wear helmets, masks, sunglasses, etc., to cover their faces when withdrawing cash. So, we should push ATMs to introduce the warning functions for face coverings.

Financial institutions’ adoption of anti-fraud technology prevents ATMs from dispensing cash if the user has concealed their face. This feature will be rolled out to more banks in the future to prevent ATMs from becoming a tool for fraud rings.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#scammers #ATMfraud #ATMtechnology #scamprevention #scamawareness

2026-06-24

LA restaurant owner reflects on viral fame of Taiwanese rice balls

Purple rice balls filled with pork floss and fried dough sticks are an everyday food in Taiwan. But they recently became popular in Los Angeles, thanks to some viral videos of influencers trying the breakfast favorite. The sudden fame has resulted in booming business for the restaurant. Operated by a family of Taiwanese immigrants, they’re known for offering authentic Taiwanese flavors. Now they easily sell over 300 rice balls in a week.

This influencer’s face was pure bliss as he took his first bite of an enormous purple rice ball. It may be common to Taiwanese, but it’s new to Americans.

Influencer
Based in US
The egg and the sausage, it was only US$10.25. You can get them even cheaper if you don’t add anything else in there.

The purple rice balls at this Taiwanese breakfast shop in Los Angeles have gone viral. The owner, Jason, is a second-generation Taiwanese-American.

Jason
Restaurant owner
We sell out by 11 a.m. There’s a constant stream of customers coming just to get the rice balls. I had no clue what was happening. After two, three, four days of it, some of my friends and family told me it went viral on TikTok and Instagram. We had no idea.

These massive 590g rice balls sell for US$7.50, or about NT$238, with the option to add additional fillings. Jason used to sell at most 60 to 70 in a regular workweek, but since it went viral in April, that’s turned into over 300.

Jason
Restaurant owner
We were the first to sell Taiwanese breakfast food here in LA. When my parents opened the shop in 1978, they didn’t even know how to make fried dough sticks. It’s so funny. Right after taking them out of the oil, they started sagging like this.

Aside from rice balls, they also serve sticky rice dumplings, salty soy milk, and other Taiwanese snacks like guabao, steamed buns, and gelatinous meatballs. The family often travels back to Taiwan for culinary inspiration.

Jason
Restaurant owner
Our radish cakes also sell well. Every once in a while, we hear some older customers saying it really tastes like it does in Taiwan and it makes them happy.

Jason allows people to customize their rice ball and guabao orders. But he has a word to say about the price.

Jason
Restaurant owner
The rice balls are huge with lots inside. There’s egg, pickles, sausage… And the minimum wage here is US$16.90. You just can’t compare with Taiwan.

These authentic flavors are taking LA by storm, introducing more people to the charms of a classic Taiwanese breakfast.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#breakfast #riceball #fantuan #Taiwanesebreakfast #LA #viral #TaiwanUS #foodtrends #TikTok

2026-06-24

Hsinchu County councilors accuse Guanxi Township of bribery with ‘subsidy’

All six county council members of Hsinchu’s 8th Constituency have come out to accuse Guanxi Township’s leadership of bribery, as a NT$5,000 gasoline subsidy for every township resident was approved on May 22. At the time, Guanxi’s leaders approved the cash handouts amid concerns over rising oil prices due to the US-Iran War. However, councilors of the 8th Constituency, which comprises the townships of Zhudong and Wufeng believe that their motives were more suspect. They allege that Guanxi Township approved the scheme just as it was about to risk losing one county council seat in the year-end local elections; the subsidies would encourage more people to move to Guanxi. The six council members say they will sue the Guanxi Township mayor, county council members of the constituency, and wardens of local boroughs for bribery. They also plan to file a petition with the Control Yuan on Thursday.

Zhubei City, which forms the 1st Constituency, will be gaining one seat, thanks to population growth. However, the total number of county seats remains unchanged, so Guanxi Township, also the 4th Constituency, risks losing one of two seats to Zhubei. In the four days after Guanxi announced the cash handouts, almost 1,500 people moved their household registration to the township. Facing the accusation, Guanxi Mayor Chen Guang-cai emphasizes that all procedures were conducted accordingly to law.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#petrol #gas #subsidy #cashhandout #elections

2026-06-24

3 days of rain expected as Tropical Storm Mekkhla passes through region

Although Typhoon Mekkhala has weakened into a tropical storm and won’t make landfall in Taiwan, it is expected to bring at least three days of rain as it moves toward Japan, starting on Thursday. This is due to southwesterly winds and a weather front coming from the north. On Thursday, most of Southern Taiwan will see short bursts of rain, while on Friday, western and southeastern regions can expect prolonged heavy rains. Let’s hear from a meteorologist.

Huang En-hung
Central Weather Administration
On Thursday, there may be short bursts of extremely heavy rains in Southern Taiwan. Throughout the day, there will be brief showers or thunderstorms at irregular intervals, and the chance of rain will be noticeably high. As for other regions, brief showers or thunderstorms at irregular intervals are possible too, especially after midday when convective currents strengthen. On Friday and Saturday, due to the effect of the weather front, there may be brief showers or thunderstorms in every region, especially in the west and southeast, where the rainfall will be more prolonged and noticeable.

The rainfall will persist for three consecutive days, and will only ease next week. Visitors to Japan are reminded that from Friday to Sunday, flights in four Japanese airports may be rescheduled due to the storm. They are Okinawa’s Naha Airport, Nagoya’s Chubu Centrair International Airport, as well as Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita International Airport.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#weather #typhoon #tropicalstorm #mekkhala #japantravel

2026-06-24

China carriers spotted near Taiwan as combat readiness drills enter Day 3

It’s Day 3 of the military’s combat readiness drills in preparation for a potential Chinese attack. Cloud Leopard armored vehicles were seen speeding through Taipei’s streets at night in a rare sight, while HIMARS, or high mobility artillery rocket systems, took part in the exercises for the first time in Central Taiwan. Coincidentally, two Chinese aircraft carriers loomed in waters close to Taiwan during the drills.

Military Police officers and soldiers drive heavy motorcycles in a simulation of infiltration and harassing attacks by enemy agents. Cloud Leopard armored vehicles speed through the streets of Taipei, guarding the capital’s security.

F-16V fighter jets from Chiayi Air Force Base scrambled into the air, followed immediately by Mirage 2000 jets taxiing at high speed down the runway. To mitigate threat risks, the Air Force dispersed its main fighter fleets. As the National Armed Forces entered the third day of immediate combat readiness drills, the military’s elite combat capabilities were on full display.

Shifting the focus to Central Taiwan, the 58th Artillery Command’s HIMARS missile vehicles made their debut in immediate combat readiness drills, using local terrain and features for cover to reduce the risk of enemy reconnaissance and strikes. The units showcased their rapid repositioning capabilities.

Wellington Koo
Minister of National Defense
Immediate combat readiness drills primarily focus on the ability to respond quickly, rapidly conduct combat readiness preparations and respond to possible emergencies, establishing the necessary speed for peacetime-to-wartime transitions.

During the military exercises, the areas around the Taiwan Strait were not peaceful. Footage showed the PLA aircraft carrier Liaoning being tailed at close range by Japanese Self-Defense Force aircraft and ships. On the evening of June 23, the Ministry of National Defense also announced that the Fujian aircraft carrier had transited the Taiwan Strait. Surveillance photos showed the flight deck was clear of carrier-based aircraft and there were no escorting ships. The presence of two Chinese aircraft carriers near Taiwan is making the region more volatile.

Lin Ying-yu
Tamkang University
It’s unlikely that the CCP will conduct a joint operation with two aircraft carriers. Instead, it will send the Liaoning back to its home port for maintenance and repairs, while sending the Fujian southward for drills, thus maintaining constant pressure on the Philippines in the South China Sea.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
The Fujian is very likely heading to the South China Sea to conduct another round of integrated training and formation work with its naval air force’s J-15 and J-35 fighters.

In response to the current tense situation, the military is strengthening its reserve combat capabilities. Starting this year, it has changed the mandatory training period for all reservists to 14 days. A reservist may be called up for a maximum of 56 days. At the same time, the military is also considering amending the law to expand training with the inclusion of discharged women service members.

Wellington Koo
Minister of National Defense
We believe women possess outstanding capabilities and perform exceptionally well in the military. Upon finishing their active service and discharging, I believe they should likewise undergo reservist training. As for amending the law, it is currently under review.

By extending training periods and enhancing combat-oriented courses, the armed forces are employing a two-pronged strategy to ensure the immediate combat readiness of reservists.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#military #defense #drills #crossstrait #taiwan

2026-06-24

Deity statue’s visibly ‘grown’ beard delights worshippers

Could this be a miracle? Worshippers at a Yilan temple dedicated to the Sacred Founding Duke of Zhangzhou were delighted to find that the deity statue’s beard had become visibly longer over a 12-year period. His facial hair had been hidden under his robe all this time until it was uncovered in a recent restoration project. It’s most likely that the material got stretched out over the years.

A temple in Yilan dedicated to the Sacred Founding Duke of Zhangzhou had never once removed the deity’s statue in 12 years. The statue was starting to show cracks on the face, so the temple decided to have it repaired. When the deity’s robe was removed for cleaning, the temple manager was shocked to find that the god’s beard had become longer.

Huang Chin-yang
Temple manager
The face of our main deity already had cracks, so we wanted to fix that. The deity’s outer robe has also gotten quite grimy, so we had that cleaned too. After removing the robe, we were shocked to find that his beard had grown so much.

Before, the statue’s beard only reached the chest area. Now, it looks to be inches longer. Several strands were even creeping toward the feet. Worshippers are in awe of the extraordinary sight.

Kung Pi-hua
Worshipper
It’s really mysterious. I can’t fathom why it would grow longer. Perhaps there’s an unseen force at play. Usually, the deity’s beard is made of plastic or nylon. It’s curious that it could even grow.

Owner
Religious goods shop
I think it’s the air and the climate, environmental causes like that.

Lin Yang-hung
High school science teacher
It looks like it used to be a little curly, and with time the curls gradually relaxed so it appears longer.

It’s most likely that the material gradually relaxed under high humidity, though worshippers would rather believe that divine forces are at play. Regardless, the phenomenon delighted repair technicians and worshippers alike.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#temple #culture #folkreligion #miracle #delightful

2026-06-24

Taiwanese Hakka choir quits global choral event over “China” label

A choir of Hakka youth has withdrawn from the world’s top choral music event after China allegedly pressured the organizers to describe Taiwan as part of its territory. A decision was made to pull out the National Taiwan Hakka Children’s Choir from the World Symposium on Choral Music, which will be held in the Chinese territory of Macau on August 23, after the nation was unexpectedly described as "Taiwan, China" on the event’s website. Hakka Affairs Council Minister Ku Hsiu-fei says unless the nation’s name is changed back to "Taiwan," the choir won’t take part. Let’s find out more.

Beautiful melodies were sung loudly in unison at this special performance held in Taiwan last year by the National Taiwan Hakka Children’s Choir.

This choir was originally scheduled to perform at the “World Symposium on Choral Music,” an event dubbed the “Olympics of choral music,” in Macau on August 23. However, owing to pressure allegedly exerted on the organizers, the nation’s name was once again downgraded, forcing the Taiwanese choir to cancel its performance.

Sung Ting-tung
Hakka Public Communication Foundation
These children are facing suppression and a subsequent inability to participate at what might be a crucial starting point in their process of self-realization. We will continue to seek opportunities for self-realization internationally.

A promotional video released by the organizing body originally referred to the nation as “Taiwan.” However, in late April, the organizers sent a letter requesting that the name be changed to “Chinese Taipei”. By June 22, Taiwan’s name on the event’s official website had even been changed to “Taiwan, China,” without authorization, prompting Hakka Affairs Council Minister Ku Hsiu-fei to angrily denounce the move, saying they would absolutely never bow down to China.

Ku Hsiu-fei
Hakka Affairs Council Minister
We strongly condemn the CCP’s interference in and suppression of cultural and artistic activities. People have dignity, and nations have national dignity. Dignity cannot be trampled on, and national dignity cannot be disparaged. The choir’s name is a part of the organization’s identity and right to autonomy. The organizers should respect this principle of autonomy and we should practice mutual respect. If we are not allowed to change the name back to our original title, we will refuse to participate.

Taiwan has repeatedly suffered from China’s belittling and suppression in the international community. In response to China’s domineering behavior, Hakka Affairs Council Minister Ku emphasized that Taiwan’s sovereignty and the Hakka spirit must be defended with all efforts.

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#IFCM #crossstrait #Hakkaculture #Taiwanchoirs #choirs #Macau #China

2026-06-24

Boy, 4, falls from 3rd floor apartment after mother leaves him home alone

A four-year-old boy in Keelung fell from the third floor of his home on Tuesday. He was brought to the hospital with a fractured arm. The city government will arrange for social workers to visit his home. The city government also reiterated a reminder to parents that children under six years old should not be left alone at home. Violations of the Child and Juvenile Welfare and Rights Protection Act can result in a fine of up to NT$15,000.

Neighbor
I heard a thump, and someone saw it, but I didn’t. Then I heard his grandfather hugging him, and his mother went out.

Mr Chuang
Firefighter
When we arrived at the scene, we found that the boy had no external injuries and we sent him to Keelung Hospital.

The incident occurred at around 6 p.m. on Tuesday at a residence on Liumingchuan Road in Keelung. The boy’s mother had gone out to buy dinner, leaving the 4-year-old child home alone. It is believed that the boy climbed onto the third-floor balcony on his own and then fell, scraping against a second-floor awning before landing on the ground, fracturing his left arm. When police and firefighters arrived, the boy was conscious, and his grandfather had already picked him up. His mother then accompanied him to the hospital for treatment.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#family #childcare #neglect #childrensrights #welfare

2026-06-24