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Kevin Tsai maintains political impartiality at Mayor Chiang rally

TV host, Kevin Tsai, recently attended Puma Shen’s campaign event, which sparked outrage in the Chinese mediasphere. This weekend, he attended Mayor Chiang’s campaign headquarters inauguration ceremony as agreed. He also made a viral post on Weibo on Sunday, reassuring his Chinese fans where his values lie. It also contained farewells, apologies, and thank yous.

Wearing a sharp black suit and a casual black cap, television host, Kevin Tsai is engulfed by cameras and people.

On Sunday, Tsai posted on Weibo and RedNote that he has always wanted friendly cross-strait relations and that he has never supported Taiwan independence, he also wrote, “Interviewing someone does not mean I agree with them. The criticism I received from gathering information for interviews is understandable, but I am sorry for the trouble caused to my partners and those who once liked me. I am grateful for all the connections we made, but I probably won’t have the chance to thank them again in person.” Given the virality of the post, Tsai was bombarded with questions during a public appearance.

Kevin Tsai
Television host
I received a lot of support in China so I thought if going forward if I won’t get much opportunity to see them, I should let them know: all the farewells, thanks, and apologies. All of a sudden, I wasn’t able to complete the work that was agreed upon, which causes a lot of trouble, so for this I definitely apologize.

Speaking of Chinese fans, Tsai wanted to clarify his post intended to reassure his supporters. He stuck to his word and adorned a formal black suit for Mayor Chiang’s rally, and even taking off the blazer to appear in white for Taipei Encore. Since Tsai didn’t miss either event, people are curious to hear his thoughts.

Kevin Tsai
Television host
When I was at Puma Shen’s rally, I just had the chance to sit for 10 minutes, so I only got to hear a guest’s speech. Then today at Mayor Chiang’s spoke with a lot of emotion, the whole crowd was moved and full of passion and hope.

Tsai once again tactfully avoided taking sides. Even with his incognito style, he stood out in the crowd.

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

#pumashen #taipeimayor #kmt #kevintsai #蔡康永 #crossstraitrelations

2026-10-26

12th smoking booth fire raises concerns about proper planning

Thick smoke filled a negative-pressure smoking booth near a department in Xinyi District on Sunday night, prompting an emergency response from firefighters. But it’s far from an isolated incident; it was the 12th in a string of smoke and smoldering reports at smoking rooms in the past five months. The sheer amount of fire scares has prompted accusations that the city government rushed the facilities into operation for political points. Let’s hear more.

Chien Shu-pei
Taipei City Councilor (DPP)
Including yesterday’s incident, there’s been 12 fire-related reports. It’s really put our firefighters through the wringer. Did Taipei consider a design that prevents butts from continuing to burn? It shows that Mayor Chiang Wan-an rushed the negative-pressure smoking rooms to score political points without any proper planning.

Member of public
Hopes smokers will be responsible
In crowded areas like this, they should deploy police officers or firefighters, so that any fires can be put out fast. I also hope smokers will be more considerate.

Member of public
Commenting on incident
It depends. If the regulations are OK, it should all be fine. But if the fires are constant, we need to check what’s causing them.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
We are aware of the situation. The Xinyi District Office responded to the incident immediately. The Department of Health has convened a meeting to make improvements to the use and design of the disposal bins.

The latest incident was reportedly caused by an accumulation of cigarette butts in an ashtray, some of which had not been fully extinguished, causing them to smolder and produce thick smoke. Mayor Chiang Wan-an has long touted his push for a smoke-free city and the installation of these negative-pressure smoking booths as key achievements. But with repeated incidents raising concerns, questions are mounting over whether the facilities were adequately planned, and whether public safety was compromised.

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

#smoking #nonsmoker #smoker #booth #taipei

2026-10-26

Passengers become concertgoers thanks to Tainan train station piano

A public piano at Tainan’s new railway station is hitting all the right notes, turning the station concourse into a free concert hall. From young children to seasoned players, music lovers are lining up to take the limelight, drawing crowds so big that barriers have been set up to keep things under control. Some are even making special trips just to tickle the ivories.

A public piano has turned the concourse at Tainan’s new railway station into a music hotspot, attracting talented pianists to show off their skills.

From young kids to kids at heart, everyone is welcome to tickle the ivories. Crowds of music lovers have got so big, that fences have been set up to keep things under control. There are plenty of families enjoying the music here. Many join the queue to play. Some even made a special trip by train just to play on the final day of the October 25 holiday weekend.

Mother
Son plays piano
His father had the day off today, so we took the train here. It’s been great!

Mr. Hung
Plays piano
I learned to play when I was a kid, and I can still find my way around the keyboard. I’m always looking for public pianos to play on.

Even workers from the Railway Bureau stopped by during their break to keep their fingers nimble, making up for the lack of a piano at home. Many other learners simply can’t resist the pull of the black and white keys. Whenever they pass by, they can’t help but give it a go, to boost their musical skills and confidence.

High schooler
Plays piano
I get really nervous when I perform. I was out with my friends, so I thought I’d stop by and play a little.

Mother
Daughters play piano
Both my daughters play piano, too. Kids who play piano don’t go astray.

A group of recent junior high school graduates even arranged to meet at the station for a joint performance, prompting netizens to jokingly dub the venue the “Tainan National Concert Hall.”

Over the long weekend the public piano transformed the new railway station into the city’s hottest concert hall. The melodies filling the concourse break up the tedium of passengers waiting for their trains, bringing the holiday to a lovely close.

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

#piano #public #music #musiclover #classicalmusic

2026-10-26

Crowd flocks onto train tracks to recreate iconic literature moment

Tons of people hopped onto the railway tracks at Tainan Station on Monday. That is, the tracks at the old overground station, which closed on the 17th of this month after railway services moved to underground tunnels. But the old station remains a popular sight, and visitors were allowed to go down to the tracks at a designated section to take photos. Many of them recreated a scene from a famous essay titled “Back View” by Chinese author Zhu Ziqing, in which the author’s father climbs onto the platform with a bag of tangerines. For those that didn’t bring the fruity prop, Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che was there on sight handing out Tainan ponkan tangerines. Let’s hear more.

Member of public
Visiting railway station
The railway services have all gone underground. Today is the last day you can take pictures on the tracks, so I brought my kid along to take photos together.

Member of public
Visiting railway station
It’s the end of an era, and the start of a new one. I hope Tainan will get better and more beautiful.

Huang Wei-che
Tainan Mayor
I wanted to make the most of the opportunity, because right now is the season for the green-skinned ponkan’s from Tainan’s Dongshan District. We saw so many people recreating the scene with Zhu Ziqing’s father, so we’re giving out our own green-skinned ponkans.

Member of public
Happy with his ponkan
I’m quite happy to have gotten a tangerine from the mayor. I brought my whole family along to take a look, and feel for ourselves what it’s like to be down on the tracks.

The old railway that served Tainan residents for more than half a century has finally retired from service. Many are sad to see it go. Crowds flocked to the old station to snap up beautiful memories, while getting an instant social media hit photo with the tangerines on the train tracks.

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

#tainan #train #tangerine #ponkan #zhuziqing

2026-10-26

CAL flight travels through Russian airspace to reach Rome

Four years ago, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, most airlines around the world, including Taiwanese ones, rerouted their flights to avoid flying over Russia. That meant flights between Asia and Europe had to take the long way round via South Asia, Central Asia or the Middle East. But on Sunday evening, a flight operated by Taiwan’s China Airlines was spotted flying over Russia, heading to Rome. The incident has sparked much debate about the route’s safety, and whether the northern flight routes are back on the table. Let’s hear more.

Shih Ching-sheng
Pilot
The main reason is that the international political situation is changing. If US planes were to start flying over Russia, it wouldn’t be a problem for us to do the same. Some of the countries on the southern routes are hostile to us, so traffic control handovers have to be done very carefully. That puts a heavy workload on air traffic controllers too. Flying north is much easier. From what I know, a notice was only posted a few days ago allowing the Airlines to follow a route that curves around northeast China, without entering China’s airspace, before turning left towards Russia and continuing on through Russian airspace.

Lu Yen-liang
Chaoyang University of Technology
When it comes to flight routes, you can’t just copy and paste the same path for every flight. You have to consider all sorts of conditions, such as the weather and wind. Taking the northern route does come with a significant cost advantage.

The northern route shaves off 30 minutes to 1 hour to the total flight duration, which helps airlines save on fuel and labor costs. But it also comes with hefty air traffic control fees that must be paid to Russia. Airlines are weighing which option is the most cost-effective, while for passengers, safety is the top priority.

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

#russia #taiwan #flight #airradar #rome

2026-10-26

Woman sues over faulty gate compensation demand, privacy breach

A mother was leaving home with her daughter one day, when no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get the main gate of their apartment complex to close. Afterward, she was asked to pay for repair costs. But what made her even angrier was that even before management approached her, a notice showing her full address was posted to the public bulletin board. She decided to sue for breach of privacy, while other residents questioned whether the gate was already on the verge of breaking. Both sides are now at a stalemate over who should be held responsible.

Surveillance footage shows a young girl trying to close the gate to a residential community in Keelung. After a few unsuccessful tries, her mother comes over to help, but her efforts were equally futile.

Ms. Lin (voice altered)
Mother
We went out to buy groceries first and planned to inform management after we got back. Since my daughter wasn’t feeling well, I just wanted to get the shopping done quickly. I forgot to report it after we got back.

Concerned for her sick daughter, Ms. Lin did her shopping first and forgot to report the broken door after returning home. A bit after 5:00 that evening, she got a phone call demanding compensation. As Ms. Lin figured it was impossible for a seven-year-old child to break the door, she wanted to wait to discuss the matter with the building manager. Other residents agreed that the old gate was poorly maintained.

Ms. Lin (voice altered)
Mother
If the gate were working as it should, how could a small child break it just by opening it?

Community resident
Suspicious of fault
The gate was broken to begin with. How could a kid have enough strength to break it?

Community resident
Suspicious of fault
Everyone uses the gate. I really don’t know whether it was damaged by them or someone else.

But before receiving the awaited call from the manager, a compensation notice appeared on the bulletin board a bit after 9:00 that evening that included Ms. Lin’s full address.

Ms. Lin (voice altered)
Mother
I submitted an appeal asking them to fix the inaccuracies in their claim and remove my address, but he refused. He said it was just some text and if I was upset, I should sue.

Building manager
In compensation dispute
On the phone, they said they’d come take a look, and if they caused the damage, they’d be willing to pay. But after looking at it, they refused. We didn’t say in the notice that the child damaged it. We just stated the floor and unit number.

Ms. Lin decided to sue over breach of privacy. She also claimed the gate was nearly broken to begin with and questioned whether her family should be forced to pay for repairs. With both sides unable to reach a consensus, it’s unclear how the gate will ultimately be fixed.

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

#dispute #propertydamage #privacybreach #apartment #buildingmanager #Keelung

2026-10-26

Jenn Lann Temple starts new children’s home in Yilan

The Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, which organizes a famed annual pilgrimage devoted to the sea goddess Mazu, is making more moves to put into practice her spirit of compassion. Recently, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for construction of a Yilan branch of the Jenn Lann children’s home, which is based in Taichung. Children and youth who lack parental care will have a new place in Yilan to grow up securely. It’s all because a local kindly donated some of his family’s land. Let’s find out more.

A lion dance troupe performs energetically, and the sound of gongs and drums resounds through the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere for the groundbreaking ceremony.

Acting Yilan County Commissioner Lin Mao-sheng, deputy chair of the Jenn Lann Temple Cheng Ming-kun and philanthropists from all walks of life gather together to pray for smooth progress in construction.

The crowd devoutly burns incense and offers fruit, bowing three times to the gods. As a ritual decree is burned, the initiative to care for children and youth is officially launched.

Cheng Ming-kun
Jenn Lann Temple
Because education is extremely important in this society, construction of the Jenn Lann children’s home has begun. Taking care of children is not a simple matter. This embodies the spirit of Mazu, demonstrating Mazu’s benevolence.

Lin Mao-sheng
Acting Yilan County Commissioner
Our home will accommodate about thirty children, ranging from newborns to eighteen-year-old teenagers. They will be children who do not receive family care and support.

From daily care to companionship and education, caring for children who lack parental care requires long-term commitment. This dedication to protecting these children originates from a kind-hearted individual who achieved success far from home but always cherishes his hometown.

Lin Fu-yuan
Land donor
I am grateful to my family. This land is half mine and half my nephew’s. I asked him if we could donate it, and he said: “Uncle, it’s up to you.” I was so touched.

Since its establishment in 2008, the Jenn Lann children’s home has been dedicated to the care of children and teenagers that lack parental care. Now, with the groundbreaking of construction of the Yilan branch, the spirit of Mazu’s compassion and salvation will eventually protect even more children in need, allowing them to grow up in love and care.

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

# Jennlanntemple #goddessmazu #childrenshomes #Yilan

2026-10-26

Fans scramble to buy chocolate handmade by Yilan prisoners

The mad rush to buy ganache chocolates made by prisoners in Taichung has led many to joke that they hope they won’t get out any time soon. But others have discovered that Yilan Prison also has a chocolate program, attracting a flood of orders.

Blocks of ganache coated with powdered cocoa are cut into perfect squares, the mouthwatering aroma impossible to resist. But one of these small pieces of nama chocolate is hard to come by. After the ones made by prisoners in Taichung went viral, they drew attention to a similar program at Yilan Prison.

Ms. Hsieh
Tourist
I saw this online before, but I thought it was just a niche thing. I had no idea it was this popular!

Mr. Hsu
Tourist
The nama chocolate made by prisoners here has gone viral recently, so while visiting Yilan, we figured we’d come by and take a look.

These wildly popular nama chocolates were all made by inmates at Yilan Prison, and are only available from October to April. When news spread that a large box was only NT$300, it immediately drew a flood of orders. People are also joking that they hope the talented inmates won’t get out of prison any time soon.

Lin Yu-lun
Yilan Prison chief of operations
It’s a kind of vocational training, allowing them to cultivate professional skills throughout the entire process, from production all the way through to sales.

Apart from chocolate, Yilan prisoners also sell scallion pancakes, kumquat pastries, breadsticks, and other popular items. By learning to bake, they can acquire valuable skills, while the prison also generates extra money to improve their living conditions and meals. But the greatest beneficiaries of all may be the customers who get to enjoy these delectable treats.

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

#chocolate #namachocolate #YilanPrison #TaichungPrison #inmates #rehabilitation #vocationaltraining

2026-10-26

KMT candidate makes sexist comments about childless opponent

As elections are approaching, it seems some politicians will stoop to making sexist remarks to garner support. During a campaign speech at Fangliao Temple on Sunday, KMT’s candidate for Pingtung County Commissioner, Su Ching-chuan made a dig towards his opponent Chou Chun-mi. He said that she didn’t have kids of her own, so what would she know about raising them. The comment sparked widespread criticism and even triggered Chou’s campaign manager to urge them to make a public apology.

Su Ching-chuan who is running for Pingtung County Commissioner, crossed a major boundary when he was speaking from the stage.

Su Ching-chuan
Pingtung County Commissioner Candidate (KMT)
Our County Commissioner, our leader hasn’t raised any children. She’s so pitiful. She doesn’t know the struggles of raising and educating children.

He delivered a low blow to opponent, Chou Chun-mi, by saying that she didn’t have children of her own. Su’s pity and remarks left Chou supporters furious.

Member of public
Believes it was misogynistic
You don’t really need to do this, Commissioner Chun-mi is doing well, you are merely a candidate, and you shouldn’t be bashing women.

Member of public
Finds comments inappropriate
I think it is highly inappropriate, because sometimes it depends whether or not someone can have a child. It’s not something everyone can decide, and it’s really a personal attack.

Locals were incredibly furious with the comments. Although the Commissioner has never had children of her own, she cares for the residents of Pingtung as her own children. Her policies on childcare have also won the hearts of many families.

Chou Chun-mi
Pingtung County Commissioner
During my first year in office, I increased childbirth allowance to NT$20,000 for the first child.

Hsu Fu-kui
Chou Chun-mi Campaign Manager
For these sexist remarks, I think I speak on behalf of Commissioner Chou, when I say we strongly condemn such comments, I’d request the KMT and Su Ching-chuan to issue a public apology.

Seeing the major backlash for his comments, Su made a rather backhanded apology online. He was apologetic if his remarks offended his opponent, but continued to criticize her by saying his goal was to raise awareness for the long-term lack of social welfare in Pingtung. With the election approaching, candidates have ramped up their efforts to gain votes. Some even resorted to dirty tactics by making personal attacks on their opponents.

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

#pingtung #countycommissioner #childcare #taiwanelections #socialwelfare #縣長

2026-10-26

‘Stop pestering me’ Bus driver faces rider after stop button breaks

A bus ride in Taichung turned into an uncomfortable confrontation after a passenger realized none of the stop buttons worked. He approached the driver and told him about the situation, accusing the driver of turning off the system on purpose. The driver paid him no mind, and repeatedly told the passenger to stop pestering him and to sit down. Let’s hear more.

- You shut off the doors right?
You don’t want us to request the stop?
- Go sit and don’t pester me.
- I’m trying to tell you the stop button doesn’t work.
- Fourth time. Sit down.
- The stop button doesn’t work. Shouldn’t I tell you?
- Fifth time.

Member of public
Commenting on incident
Maybe the system was malfunctioning. If the driver did it on purpose, it would be pretty bad.

Member of public
Commenting on incident
Sometimes the drivers don’t realize it’s off. But some might do it intentionally.

Bus driver
Told passenger to sit down
I didn’t say anything, and I let him off the bus. That’s all that happened.

Voice of company rep
Bus operator
Once the driver realized the problem, he turned on the stop request system. So there were no problems after that. We offer our sincerest apologies to the affected passenger.

The driver himself did not directly address the confrontation. And the bus operator later explained that the driver had accidentally switched off the stop button system. Taichung’s Transportation Bureau says it has investigated the matter and confirmed it was all a mistake. Since the passenger eventually got off safely at the next stop, officials say the driver will not face disciplinary action.

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

#driver #bus #busdriver #taichung #aita

2026-10-26