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Taichung business washes city ambulances for free

A car wash in Taichung is washing the city’s 108 ambulances for free, even introducing a washing machine capable of reaching the ambulances’ high roofs. The business wanted to support first responders by sparing them from having to do the work themselves.

Chang Chiao-yi
FTV reporter
Any car wash can wash cars and scooters, but this one in Taichung even installed an automatic machine specialized for ambulances.

After an ambulance drives into position and puts on the handbrake, the automatic washing machine starts to work.

It thoroughly washes and rinses the ambulance, leaving it sparkling clean. This car wash washes the city’s ambulances entirely free of charge.

Yan Kun-hsi
Entrepreneur
A lot of car washing machines in our business can’t service tall vehicles like ambulances, so we specially introduced a smart washing machine for tall vehicles, hoping to show support for our firefighters.

The business specially introduced an automatic washing machine that can reach an ambulance’s high roof, plus a smart license plate recognition system that knows the plates of the city’s 108 ambulances, offering them free service.

Yan Kun-hsi
Entrepreneur
We turned the previous kind of one-time charity deal into a long-term service. If civilian ambulances want to come here, we will also offer them discounts, but they need to give us their license plate.

Equipment engineer
Uses technology for charity
This is one way in which technology can be used to support public welfare. We hope to use modern technology to drive charitable activities.

This car wash supports first responders by washing ambulances for free, taking just one of their challenging tasks off their hands.

#carwash #ambulance #firefighter #paramedic #firstresponder #charity #publicwelfare #free

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2026-10-02

Cafe job ad sparks backlash over makeup, age and Size-S uniform

A café job ad has exploded into a discrimination scandal after netizens spotted a bizarre list of requirements. They included being a college student, wearing makeup to work, and apparently fitting into a women’s size-S uniform. The backlash was swift. Let’s hear more.

Member of public
Finds ad discriminatory
Doesn’t that go against discrimination laws in employment? They can’t openly say they are only looking to hire women.

Lee Fang-ching
Yilan Labor Affairs Department
Restricting applicants to university students could raise issues of age discrimination. And there could also be discrimination based on appearance or gender. These are all forms of employment discrimination, which would violate the Employment Service Act.

It turns out the café owner is from Korea, and wrote the job ad with the help of AI. He says he didn’t realize the wording could be in violation of Taiwan’s employment laws and says the wording got lost in translation. After realizing the controversy, he immediately took the post down and apologized, saying he was willing to take responsibility. Even so, the café could still face a fine of NT$300,000 to NT$1.5 million.

#employment #jobad #cafe #yilan #korea

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2026-10-02

Japanese YouTuber sparks outrage over comments on Taiwanese food

A Japanese YouTuber living in Taiwan might have committed the greatest offense of all time…criticizing Taiwanese food. The Youtuber, who goes by Zorro, publicly expressed his dislike for Taiwan and criticized the food at night markets drawing intense criticism online. After investigations, he has been exposed for allegedly obtaining work and residence permits in Taiwan over three years ago under the title of “company manager,” but actually worked as a store clerk. The Taipei City Government has given him a fine of NT$30,000.

- What is this? The pickles are very sour and have an alcohol smell. I’m not eating that.

Wearing expressions of disgust, Zorro, a Japanese YouTuber, spat out the snacks he was trying Kaohsiung’s Liuhe Night Market. His disrespect of the food sparked outrage among locals. The controversy has also surfaced some violations of work permit regulations for foreigners in Taiwan.

According to publicly available information from the Taipei City Government, Zorro originally came to Taiwan with the title of “company manager,” with an employment period from Oct. 20, 2023 ending this month. The reality is harsher, Zorro was simply not a manager. When the store underwent inspection in August, he admitted on the spot that he sold goods and handled the cashier desk like a regular clerk.

Chang Ching-han
FTV reporter
It seems, he applied for a work permit to come to Taiwan three years ago as a company manager. However, when I visited his shop on Dihua Street, I saw that he was just taking care of the shop, which is inconsistent with his application.

Although, he argued to the inspectors that he was short-staffed over the summer which is why he was helping out more at the store, the officials were not convinced and slapped him with a fine of NT$30,000 in accordance with regulations. Still, Zorro appealed, but the appeal was rejected.

- If its yummy, I’ll say its yummy.

Just last month, Zorro was happy to take an interview with FTV at the store entrance, but this time, given the violation of work and residence regulations, he was unwilling to speak with media and even called the police on us.

Zorro facing online backlash for criticizing Taiwanese food is the least of his concerns, he now faces issues with residency as his permit is set to expire on the 19, and it may not be a smooth extension.

#yuhorii #yuholy #japanese #influenceroutrage #nightmarket #stinkytofu

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2026-10-02

Big-box American retailer shuttle bus ridership plummets

Back in July, shoppers flocked to the new outlet of a popular big-box American retailer in Kaohsiung’s Asia Bay. The situation got so out of hand, that the city government ended up asking the company to implement traffic control measures and start free shuttle bus services. But only a few months later, the shuttle buses are more like ghost buses.

Ridership has plummeted to just 20% or 30% of what it used to be in the summer. On weekdays, the vehicles are pretty much empty. Shoppers say they simply prefer to drive to the outlet themselves, without having to keep track of the shuttle bus schedules. Since the buses are no longer needed, some say they just should be stopped. The city government says it will evaluate the situation, to curb wasting resources without sacrificing shoppers’ convenience.

#shuttlebus #shopping #transport #walkablecity #publictransport

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2026-10-02

Baishatun Temple builds capsule hotel for pilgrims and tourists

The annual Baishatun Matsu pilgrimage, which draws hundreds of thousands of people each year, is getting a major upgrade. As part of a NT$520 million three-year investment for a second dormitory, the Baishatun Gongtian Temple built a first-of-its-kind capsule hotel, with some rooms even offering ocean views. It’s perfect for pilgrims and tourists traveling along Taiwan’s west coast.

This is a new capsule-style hotel for pilgrims at the Baishatun Gongtian Temple.

It’s great for one person. It’s very comfortable.

It’s quite nice for a capsule hotel, as each tiny room has a vent for AC, shelves, and a curtain at the front for privacy.

- One person in each, like crawling into a cave.
- What do you think?
- It’s not bad! It’s the first time I’ve seen it. I like it.

Hung Wen-hua
Temple chairman
There are 54 capsule rooms, 26 two-person rooms, 26 three-person rooms, and 30 four-person rooms.

This is Taiwan’s first capsule hotel at a temple, with 54 individual capsule rooms designed for young backpackers and solo pilgrims offered at affordable prices.

Lin Hsing-fu
Temple secretary
There’s a lot of demand for accommodation along the coast. When we were building the second pilgrim dormitory, we planned the capsule hotel for individual visitors and tourists to use.

Miaoli’s Baishatun Gongtian Temple invested NT$520 million to build this new accommodation. It has a beautiful environment, with some ocean-view rooms where guests can enjoy beautiful sunsets.

Lin Hsing-fu
Temple secretary
We hope to work with Yu Da University of Science and Technology to upgrade our service quality, so that people can get to know Miaoli and Tongxiao Township better.

The new accommodation is a great spot to stay for pilgrims and any tourists traveling along Miaoli’s coast.

#Miaoli #Temple #Matsu #Mazu #Baishatun #pilgrimage #accomodation #tourist #travel #capsule #capsulehotel #pilgrim

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2026-10-02

Old building tiles crash down inches away from scooter rider

Not keeping up with the upkeep of aging buildings can come with disastrous consequences. And not just for residents, but also for passersby. A shocking incident was captured on camera in Taichung, where a huge block of tiles and concrete came loose from a building’s façade and came crashing down on the busy street below. The debris fell just inches away from a scooter rider that was driving by. Let’s hear more.

Voice of member of public
Shocked at incident
Wow! They almost crushed him! They nearly fell on the scooter! Wow!

Member of public
Is wary of old buildings
You should keep some distance from old buildings covered in tiles. Walk on this side, not over there.

Member of public
Commenting on incident
The firefighters came, and the police came. It’s the first time something like that happened in nearly 20 years.

Building Committee Head
Taichung
A block this wide peeled off from the façade and came crashing down. We called a tile setter to take a look. It has to be fixed, it’s so dangerous. Safety is important.

The tiles fell down onto the road with so much force that they even bounced back. They narrowly missed a car and a scooter, which were forced to brake abruptly to avoid getting crushed. The building is located on Shengli 8th Street in Tanzi District, and is thought to be around 30 years old. The relevant authorities urge proprietors in older buildings to keep up with maintenance and prevent incidents like this.

#tiles #building #maintenance #taiwan #taichung

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2026-10-02

Discarded batteries cause fires in two separate Hualien trash trucks

Two garbage truck fires broke out on the same day in Hualien’s Ji’an Township, both caused by lithium batteries thrown away by residents that ignited under pressure. Electronics that contain lithium batteries like power banks cannot be thrown away with the regular trash. Before they’re recycled, they must be prepared and handed over separately to a sanitation worker—never mixed in with other recyclables—to prevent an accident like the one seen in Ji’an.

White smoke billows from the back of a trash truck as it rushes to the lot in front of a fire station. The driver dumps all the trash onto the ground and works with firefighters to spray the smoking pile down with a firehose.

These were the culprits: charred lithium batteries and gas canisters. Items like these easily explode or ignite when crushed in a trash compactor. While out on a collection, sanitation workers in Hualien’s Ji’an Township noticed smoke rising from the back of their truck and immediately drove to a nearby fire station for help. After it was extinguished, they resumed collection. But then later that same day, another truck along the same route encountered another battery fire and had to go to the same exact fire station.

Chen Sheng-feng
Renli fire station chief
Duty firefighters at our station immediately deployed hoses to help cool down the smoking items. After confirming there was no further danger, they helped clear the area.

Two very similar fires happened on the same day! But fortunately, thanks to the professional response, both were quickly extinguished. Small appliances and electronics like power banks and pressurized gas canisters shouldn’t be thrown away carelessly.

Chou Tse-sheng
Ji’an Township sanitation chief
Since pressurized gas canisters are dangerous, we encourage people to avoid puncturing them yourself. Please separate them from other recyclables, and hand them over directly to our crew so we can dispose of them properly.

Gas canisters should be bagged separately, insulated, labeled clearly, and handed over directly to a sanitation worker. For lithium batteries, the ports and ends should be covered with nonconductive tape first. Proper waste management not only protects the environment, but also keeps sanitation workers safe.

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#batteries #trashtruck #batteryfire #safety #PSA #Hualien #recycling #wastemanagement #sanitationworkers

2026-10-02

Gem-faced civet family crosses Miaoli main road

An adorable family of animals were recently seen crossing a road in Toufen, Miaoli. People thought they were cats, but it was actually a group of gem-faced civets! Miaoli’s Agriculture Department said it’s not uncommon to see civets in the city, but people shouldn’t touch, feed, frighten, or chase them, and they should report it to local animal authorities.

A family of animals was spotted crossing the road in Miaoli. They aren’t cats or foxes, but gem-faced civets.

The mother civet leads her three pups across the road, but the constant traffic scares them back to the grass on the median.

Eventually, they safely made it across. People were surprised to see gem-faced civets crossing the road in Toufen, Miaoli.

Member of public
Has never seen one
Generally speaking, it’s really rare to see one. I’ve lived this long and never seen one.

Member of public
Considering dangers
It seems like they come out at night. I think it might be dangerous for people on the road. The authorities should come handle it.

Miaoli’s Agriculture Department said gem-faced civets are nocturnal and their population has been rising in recent years, so it’s not uncommon to see them in the city.

Voice of Tsai Cheng-hsin
Miaoli Agriculture Department deputy director
We shouldn’t touch, feed, frighten, or chase them, and should report it to the authorities to deal with.

People should not interact with gem-faced civets and report it if they see any in the city, so that these animals can co-exist peacefully with humans.

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#animal #wild #civet #gemfacedcivet #animalfamily #pup #city #nocturnal #animalcrossing

2026-10-02

Brand-new F-16V fighter jets delivered to Taiwan from US

On Friday, Taiwan welcomed the first delivery of the 66 F-16 fighter jets purchased from the US, under the “Peace Phoenix Soaring” project. The aircraft were originally scheduled for delivery starting in 2023. But the first two F-16s only arrived in Hawaii mid-August, and after a month-long stop there, they finally arrived in Chihhang Air Base in Taitung this afternoon. This marks Taiwan’s first delivery of brand-new fighter jets in 30 years. Let’s hear more.

The thundering sound of engines pierced the sky as two F-16 fighter jets touched down at the Air Force base in Taitung. Military enthusiasts outside the restricted area got a front row seat to this spectacle.

Military enthusiast
Watched the F-16 arrival
30 years ago, in 1996, I went to the US for training, also in a F-16. It’s been 30 years.

Enthusiasts were thrilled to see the fighter jets as this marked the first time in nearly 30 years that Taiwan’s Air Force received brand-new fighter jets.

Under this project, 66 F-16 fighter jets were purchased from the US, a purchase that was only approved in 2019 when Trump took office. Delivery was originally scheduled for 2023, but various delays resulted in only two aircraft departing from the US earlier this year. They officially landed in Taitung’s Air Base today, after spending a month in Hawaii.

Voice of Lieutenant General Yu Te-chung
Taiwan Air Force
The Air Force will carry out equipment acquisition and training according to plan, and gradually advance preparations to ensure that combat capabilities are formed.

Wellington Koo
Minister of National Defense
Of course, we won’t have only these two by year-end. I think subsequent deliveries will be planned in conjunction with the US. As for the electronic warfare system, I believe the manufacturer is already conducting some related hardware and software tests, because this new aircraft needs to be integrated with our existing ones.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo said there will be more deliveries this year.

The single-seat F-16Vs’ serial numbers are 6727 and 6728 of the F-16C/D Block 70, they have an extended service life of up to 12,000 flight hours, 50% greater performance than their predecessors. The new aircraft also integrates the APG-83 radar, upgraded mission computers, and avionics architecture. The manufacturer claims that this provides at least 40 years of service life for most air forces.

Regarding compensation for the delayed delivery, a DPP legislator stated that they are currently negotiating with the US.

Wang Ting-yu
Legislator
According to international arms sales regulations, there are no penalties for delays in deliveries between governments. Given the significant delay, our Air Force and Ministry of National Defense have protested to the US government, hoping to receive some compensation.

The first delivery of the F-16s has significantly enhanced Taiwan’s airspace defense capabilities.

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#fighterjet #taiwanmilitary #F16 #aircraft #jet #USmilitary #arms

2026-10-02

Cabbie’s xenophobic outburst catches headlines in South Korea

A xenophobic outburst by a Taiwanese taxi driver has made headlines in South Korea. The incident apparently started due to a payment dispute, when a Korean woman in Kaohsiung asked her taxi driver to wait for her while she went to grab some cash. The cabbie then proceeded to take out her luggage from the trunk and violently throw it on the ground while saying that he “hated Koreans.” Though Korean media reported that prosecutors had closed the case without charges, Kaohsiung prosecutors say the investigation is still ongoing.

The passenger gets out, followed by the taxi driver, who plods his way to the trunk to hurl the suitcases heavily onto the ground. This shocking scene happened to a Korean woman visiting Kaohsiung.

Member of public
Shocked by attitude
It’s truly embarrassing. Since when did Taiwan become like this?

Member of public
Shocked by attitude
It’s terrible. And it happened to a foreign traveler visiting Kaohsiung. I wish they would have a better impression of Taiwan.

The incident took place at Cianjin District in late July. The Korean visitor had called a taxi via an app. After loading her luggage in the trunk, she realized she didn’t have enough cash, and asked the driver to wait a moment while she exchanged some money. But something got lost in translation. Right after the passenger got out of the car, the cabbie followed and went straight to the trunk to unload her luggage and throw it violently on the ground. The suitcases were damaged from the impact, and the driver allegedly said he “hated Koreans” and would “never accept Korean passengers.”

Member of public
Shocked at attitude
The cabbie crossed a line. It makes Taiwan look bad. Really. No matter what, you shouldn’t treat passengers like that.

Taxi driver
Commenting on incident
We should never behave that way. At our company, if we pull something like that, we’d be fired. He tossed the luggage out. It must be one of those independent taxi drivers. They don’t really have rules to follow.

The incident was picked up by Korean media, which reported that prosecutors had closed the case without charges. But the district prosecutor’s office says an investigation is still ongoing. Regardless of the legal consequences, it’s not a good look for Taiwan.

#korea #taiwan #travel #taxi #cabbie

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2026-10-02

Tree branch ‘swallows’ utility wire in Pingtung

Local residents spotted a rare spectacle along County Highway 187 in Pingtung: an electric wire fully encased in a tree branch. The cable was tightly enclosed in a section of wood suspended in mid-air, leading people to wonder whether it was a new kind of installation art. Turns out it was entirely natural. An expert suspects that the tree’s branches grew too close to the wires. Fearing it might be dangerous, the cable TV operator who owns the lines removed the branches.

This electric wire is firmly encased inside a tree branch. From a distance, it looks like someone hung a tree trunk directly onto the cable.

From up close, you can even see small green leaves growing from the branch. This is no art project, but a living, completely natural phenomenon.

- Wow, it’s so strange. I’ve lived this long and never seen anything like it. It’s a first for me.

The section of County Highway 187 in Pingtung near land owned by Taisugar is lined with trees on either side, interspersed with utility poles. The thick foliage almost conceals the cables, which appear to belong to a cable TV provider. Over the years, the branches became closely entwined with the wires.

Lo Kai-an
NPUST Department of Forestry associate professor
A tree is a living organism that will continue to grow, adding to its volume by the year. The cause was likely that the wire and the branch rested against each other, and over time, the branch gradually enveloped it.

Experts say it must have taken many years for the tree to completely enclose the cable. Since the branch and the wire became completely inseparable, workers trimming the tree likely cut off both ends and left this small section behind, unintentionally creating this amusing mid-air installation.

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#oddity #Pingtung #trees #cableTV #unintentionalart

2026-10-02