Monument honoring ‘Shovel Heroes’ unveiled at Guangfu 1 year after flood

2026-09-24

A new monument has been erected in Hualien’s Guangfu Township, to commemorate last year’s deadly flooding. The sudden collapse of a barrier lake on the Matai’an River caused a rapid muddy flood that killed 19 people and caused 5 to go missing. Over the following days, some 500,000 volunteers rushed to the devastated area to help with the cleanup, as 700 hectares of land were buried in mud. The new monument honors all the “shovel heroes” who helped, and was a collaborative effort between Rotary Club, Taisugar and the Hualien Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency.

The monument is a massive 6-meter long shovel, made from cypress. The two pieces of wood it was carved from was driftwood that washed up in the disaster, provided by the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency. The wood has been given a new life as a testament to the efforts of the thousands of people who lent a helping hand. It also symbolizes the resilience and courage of local residents ready to move on from the pain of the catastrophe and start a new chapter about recovery.

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#guangfu #disaster #monument #shovel #flood

馬太鞍溪洪災1週年 "打造6公尺巨鏟"感恩超人救援

2026-09-24

花蓮光復馬太鞍溪堰塞湖，潰流造成19死5失蹤、700公頃土地遭埋，災後湧入50萬人次鏟子超人救災，週三屆滿一年，扶輪社、跟台糖公司、以及林保署花蓮分署合作，在鏟子超人館外面，打造一座巨鏟，永遠記得這一天。

全長6公尺以上的巨型檜木超人鏟，是林保署提供的兩根扁柏漂流木雕琢而成，災後賦予新生命，除了向鏟子超人致敬，也代表在地居民的韌性、與勇敢，象徵光復正式跨越傷痛，邁向地方經濟、與產業復興。

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Police recover widow’s necklace housing husband’s ashes

2026-09-24

Couple collects rare Taiwan black jade to craft tea ware, religious implements

A couple from Changhua’s Hemei specializes in collecting raw Taiwan black jade, which they then commission artists to craft into teapots, tea trays, and religious items. This special material is a composite serpentine jade, making it exceptionally rare and often cherished as a family heirloom. Even former defense minister Feng Shih-kuan counts himself among its devotees.

This variety of teapots and tea trays were all crafted from Taiwan black jade, a special composite serpentine jade from Hualien. At first it appears pitch black, but shine a light behind it, and it glows a vibrant green.

Black jade contains trace elements that makes it naturally magnetic. A couple in Changhua’s Hemei specializes in collecting the precious stone to craft into stylized tea ware and religious items.

Huang Shu-man
Black jade expert
What’s so special about Taiwan black jade is that it formed through absorbing the essence of the sun and the moon and tectonic shifts over billions of years. Since the jade contains active magnetite, if you listen to its sound, it rings as clear as metal.

One 20-tonne boulder of raw black jade can only make five tea trays, making it extraordinarily rare. Because of this, it’s often passed down as a family heirloom. Even former defense minister Feng Shih-kuan is a fan.

Feng Shih-kuan
Former minister of national defense
I bought several of these teapots for my home so I can use them to make tea when my good friends come over. They’re always amazed.

Lu Kun-yung
Taiwan Federation of Taoist Sects
Brushes, ritual tools—why use black jade to make them? Because it’s magnetic, which can bring good fortune.

Religious circles also consider black jade to be good for protecting the home. This expert husband-and-wife duo have taken it as their mission to preserve and share this rare national treasure with as many people as they can.

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#Taiwanblackjade #jade #Hualien #Changhua #craftsmanship #Taoism #FengShihkuan #preciousstone #teaware

2026-09-24

Paraguay calls Taiwan exclusion a stain on United Nations

Paraguay and Taiwan relations are strong as ever. As an ally of Taiwan, the nation has once again spoken up for Taiwan at the UN General Assembly. Paraguay’s president, Santiago Peña, urged member states to consider that the “Taiwan Issue” deserves global attention as the island’s semi-conductor industry impacts the global economy. They reiterated their position to stand with Taiwan. Since Taiwan’s contributions can be seen far and wide, the UN should reconsider including the island as a member.

Santiago Peña
Paraguay President
Paraguay stands, and I say this loud and clear with Taiwan. Not out of expediency, quite the opposite. We stand with Taiwan because of the profound values we share: democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and peace.

President Peña of Paraguay emphasized the importance of Taiwan’s participation in international stages during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

Santiago Peña (via interpreter)
Paraguay President
I am referring to the ominous clouds gathering over the Indo-Pacific, particularly over the Taiwan Strait. What happens there is not merely a regional matter.

President Peña emphasized that a conflict across the Taiwan Strait would impact the global economy, since semi-conductors support various industries, defense, and AI. He added that chips are the driving force of the 21st century, and that Paraguay stands with Taiwan. He also called out the United Nations for excluding Taiwan.

Santiago Peña (via interpreter)
Paraguay President
Taiwan has concrete contributions to make to peace, development, and human rights. Excluding it doesn’t serve to strengthen the system, it deprives the system of capacities that could benefit us all. And it is a stain on the United Nations.

As the Trump-Xi summit kicks off, several US lawmakers issued a statement urging Trump to back Taiwan during his talks with President Xi.

Chuck Schumer
US Senator
Today, as Trump wines and dines President Xi at The White House. He has a choice to make, once again bend the knee to the CCP or stand up to Xi.

The joint statement implored Trump to limit China’s access to advanced chips and equipment, not allowing him to have the upper hand. Simultaneously, New Zealand has come out with a report suggesting that China is the largest source of state-backed cyber attacks in the country.

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#Taiwan #Paraguay #UnitedNations #geopolitics #tsmc #semiconductor

2026-09-24

Beautician creeped out as man pulls down pants after facial

2026-09-24

Massive fishing net found covering Penghu reef

A diving instructor recently found a massive fishing net abandoned in the waters north of Penghu’s Qimei Island. The net, as big as two or three soccer fields, is covering an entire coral reef, seriously harming the local ecosystem. The Penghu County Government plans to send divers to remove it as soon as possible, but the cleanup could take up to two months.

A diver swims through a reef on the ocean floor, but this crucial habitat is nearly completely covered by a huge, abandoned fishing net.

The once diverse ecosystem seems quiet and gray, the net spreading through the reef and blocking large parts of the habitat. A diving instructor found the net between Penghu’s Qimei and Jiangjun islands, covering an area the size of two or three soccer fields.

Yeh Sheng-hung
Diving instructor
The net stretches at least 1 nautical mile in all directions, and maybe even further.

The area has strong currents, so it’s unclear how long the net has been abandoned here. Removing it could require over 20 divers, and even if each diver uses two air tanks per dive, the cleanup could take two months or more.

Yeh Sheng-hung
Diving instructor
I think several hundred tons of net need to be cleared. If two boats went together, they might not even finish in two months.

Hsueh Chieh-yin
Penghu agriculture and fisheries bureau secretary
Depending on weather and sea conditions and whether divers’ safety can be ensured, the agriculture and fisheries bureau plans to begin the cleanup next week.

Abandoned fishing nets are known as an “invisible killer” of marine ecosystems, and sea turtles have been found entangled in them. Given the vast waters around Penghu and its strong currents, removing nets like this can be extremely difficult. The county government plans to send divers to start the cleanup as soon as possible.

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#Penghu #marine #ecosystem #environment #conservation #reef #fishingnet #marinelife #damage

2026-09-24

International delegations visit 2026 Taiwan Design Expo in Taoyuan

The Taiwan Design Expo in Taoyuan kicked off on Thursday, putting Taoyuan’s design and innovation on the international stage. The city welcomed diplomats and delegations from around the world, who toured the city’s social housing and smart library facilities. This year’s expo is connecting five exhibition areas across the city and Taoyuan is using design to showcase not only its industrial strength, but also its technology, culture and growing international reach.

An American delegation from Garland, Texas and a Japanese delegation from Chiba went on a tour of Taoyuan’s social housing complexes and their facilities, to learn more about the city’s housing policy. They also visited the Qingpu Smart Technology Branch of Taoyuan Public Library, and had a go at using the smart book storage system themselves, an impressive tech innovation. The Taiwan Design Expo in Taoyuan has kicked off, with the attendance of 15 diplomats in Taiwan and guests from 31 of Taoyuan’s sister cities.

Chang San-cheng
Taoyuan Mayor
This year’s edition is titled “Taoyuan in Flow.” As we saw in the video, Taoyuan is known as the “Land of a Thousand Ponds.” Water is a very important part of life in Taoyuan.

The event showcases Taoyuan’s vitality across five exhibition areas in the city: the Qingpu Area exhibits Taoyuan’s industrial design capabilities, urban governance and international exchanges. Over in the Zhongli Area, the focus is the culture of the Minnan people, the Hakka people and the immigrants living in Taiwan. The event, which started off with the aim of promoting revitalization locally has evolved into an international affair.

Chang San-cheng
Taoyuan Mayor
Taoyuan’s hard power is that we are Taiwan’s largest industrial city. We hope that through this year’s Taiwan Design Expo in Taoyuan, we can also showcase Taoyuan’s soft power.

Visitors from around the world witnessed Taoyuan’s design-driven approach to urban governance, while experiencing the city’s technology, tourism, and cultural attractions. Taoyuan hopes the visits will pave the way for broader exchanges and even more fruitful cooperation.

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#taoyuan #technology #design #taiwandesignexpo #taiwan

2026-09-24

Last Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer of batch of 66 delivered

The last of Taiwan’s domestically manufactured Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers has rolled off the production line. The final aircraft in the 66-jet program was personally delivered by Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation Chairman Tsao Chin-ping to the Gangshan Air Force Academy. Brave Eagles went in production in 2021, a process that had to contend with challenges including COVID-19, international wars, and geopolitical crises that disrupted supply chains and caused parts shortages.

The last of the Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers are finally ready to take off. After careful inspection, AIDC’s Chairman personally flew the aircrafts to deliver them to the Gangshan Air Force Academy.

The jet trainers have been in production since 2021. All 66 are now fully functional and off the production line, having weathered challenges from international conflicts to supply chain disruptions. The first and last jets rolled off the production line on the same date, Sept. 24. Since one of the planes was lost in a crash last year, will AIDC offer a replacement?

Chuang Hsiu-mei
AIDC General Manager
Whether there will be additional demand for the Brave Eagles depends on the Air Force and Ministry of National Defense. We keep all tools as backup and are happy to step in to support wherever possible.

The design of the Brave Eagle jet was based on Taiwan’s Indigenous Defense Fighter, or IDF, but more than 80% of the aircraft was completely redesigned, including its aerodynamics, exterior shape, and fuselage. The level of domestically produced components was also significantly increased to 55%. AIDC says the process helps strengthen Taiwan’s capabilities in the defense and aerospace industries.

Chuang Hsiu-mei
AIDC General Manager
This creates huge output value for Taiwan’s aerospace industry and boosts our domestic supply chain. After completing the development of the advanced jet trainer, our suppliers can now expand into the manufacturing of commercial aircraft.

Now that the mass production of Brave Eagles is completed, focus will shift to fleet logistics and maintaining the fleet’s readiness through maintenance and repair. This is a huge milestone for Taiwan in domestically producing aircrafts.

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#aircraft #fighterjets #taiwanaircraft #braveeagle #AIDC

2026-09-24

Man pretends to pray as part of NT$10,000 donation box heist

2026-09-24

Animal control advises cautious approach after rare civet found in Yilan

2026-09-24

Romantic heart-shaped tree draws crowds to Tainan’s North District

A tree on Hewei Road in Tainan’s North District has recently gone viral for its unique shape, perfectly resembling a rounded love heart. From another angle, it looks more like a mushroom cap. Many people have been coming to take pictures with what is quickly becoming a new landmark for the city.

All of these people snapping photos nonstop came just to see this special heart-shaped tree.

With dense foliage shaped into a perfect rounded heart, it’s no wonder it’s so popular. Some make heart shapes with their hands while posing with it.

Member of public
Loves the tree
It’s pretty! My colleague saw it on Threads and asked if it really exists in Tainan. So I told him, yeah, it’s really here.

Member of public
Came to see tree
It looks just like a heart. It’s actually my friend’s birthday today, so I came to take a picture for him.

Member of public
Came to see tree
My wife saw this really distinctive tree online. She really wanted to come here and take some pictures.

Many people are traveling from afar to take photos with the tree, endlessly trying out different angles to get a unique shot. Growing near Hewei Road in Tainan’s North District, the tree’s natural heart shape became even more pronounced after a light pruning by the district office. From another angle, it looks more like a mushroom cap.

Huang Wen-tsung
Daxing Borough warden
After it grew into a heart shape, our team worked with the district chief and city government to prune it a little bit. Just with that light trim, it became a perfect heart—the heart of Daxing Borough.

Pan Pao-shu
North District chief
Warden Huang Wen-tsung told the district office there was a tree in his borough that could become a local landmark.

The name “Daxing” sounds similar to the Taigi word for “thoughtful.” Playing on the pun, the local leaders decided to shape the tree into a heart to serve as their new symbol.

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#Tainan #locallandmark #photoop #heart #tree #viral #NorthDistrict

2026-09-24