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Category：Life

Over 20 macaques raid NSYSU dorm building as semester begins

As National Sun Yat-sen University sits at the base of Shoushan in Kaohsiung, Formosan macaques can be seen everywhere. Some even call it Monkey University. With the school year newly underway, a huge 20-plus troop of macaques recently descended the mountain to raid a student dormitory. They were even seen scaling the outside of the building to get to the food inside. A video of it online left people wondering if it was AI-generated, with some calling it the “real-life Planet of the Apes.”

A special forces team of over 20 macaques rappel down the side of this dormitory as the students look on in disbelief.

It seems like one of them discovered an open window and called his buddies over for a snack, turning the entire side of the structure into a wall of cascading creatures.

- It went straight into the dorm room! Crazy.
- That room is done for. It’s done for. There’s probably more inside.
- That’s wild.

As expected, the room looked like a bomb had gone off. Everything was wrecked after the macaque home invasion. This is National Sun Yat-sen University in Kaohsiung, where macaques allegedly outnumber students due to its proximity to Shoushan. But seeing so many scaling a wall at once is still a rare sight.

Student
Wasn’t scared
I wasn’t really scared. I thought it was pretty spectacular. I’m not afraid of that kind of thing, I just thought it was pretty cool.

Lin Mei-yin
Taiwan Macaque Coexistence Promotion Association
A group of 20 to 30 is an entire troop. They rushed down the building together because one of them dropped food onto the ground. Seeing the food, the rest of them charged down as a group.

This real-life Planet of the Apes featured such a huge cast of characters that people thought it must be AI-generated. Other said it’s even scarier than AI.

As the new semester begins, macaques have been wandering into laboratories and storage rooms, snatching Kuai Kuai off of equipment, and even grabbing a drink to enjoy in the hallway. Since they have to share their campus with these capricious classmates, incoming students should stay alert.

#NSYSU #Kaohsiung #macaques #monkeys #wildlife #Shoushan #MonkeyMountain #notAI #backtoschool

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2026-09-10

Nonstop rains bring booming business to Kaohsiung shoe, bag cleaners

Weeks of torrential rain in southern Taiwan have been a boon for businesses specializing in cleaning shoes and bags. One shop in Kaohsiung has seen their daily intake increase by over 30%, packing the shop to bursting with moldy leather jackets, shoes, and even expensive designer handbags. The owners have to work into the night every day to keep up, but they appreciate the business this “mold boom” is bringing in.

Nonstop customers file into the shop, asking to wash their bag, their shoes, even piles of leather clothing and hats. Countless items await cleaning, the consequence of weeks of nonstop rain.

Customer
Bags got moldy
I’m dropping off my bag for cleaning. It’s been super humid with all the rain recently. My bags are all moldy. So I came by to get it cleaned.

Customer
Sneakers got smelly
I dropped off my sneakers. They got soaked in the rain and never fully dried, so the inside is smelly now.

A cleaner pulls out luxury handbags, leather jackets, hats, shoes, and more from an intake bag and lines them up in a row. This jacket is in the worst condition. It’s covered in white mold spots, almost like it’s been in the snow. To get through this mountain, he’ll have to stay late into the night.

Hsu Yu-cheng
Cleaner
I stay overtime every day. Moldy items can’t stay untreated for too long, so we try to handle them as quickly as possible. These days, I’ve been staying until 1 or 2 in the morning.

Kaohsiung is known for having sunny weather, but weeks of nonstop rain have triggered a major mold outbreak. The shop has seen twice as many customers as usual, with income soaring 30 to 50%.

Hsu Han-chung
Cleaner
We first clean, sanitize, and disinfect the items. If it’s particularly bad, maybe with mold spots, we recommend re-dyeing it and ask if the customer wants an additional anti-mold treatment.

The owners advise their customers that if they don’t keepthe humidity down in their storage areas, their bags will turn back into “fungal Petri dishes” before long. But it’s good to see that the rains have been good for at least some businesses.

#mold #rain #leathercare #Kaohsiung #moldremoval #cleaning #luxurybags

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2026-09-10

Taichung woman gets stitches after falling into rusted drain

A woman in Taichung’s Nantun District needed three stitches after falling into a rusted, broken drain cover while taking a detour to avoid construction, injuring her left leg. Considering the damaged drain is in a residential area frequented by schoolchildren, authorities placed traffic cones around it and arranged repairs to prevent more accidents.

- I stepped onto it and fell right in.

This young woman stepped off the sidewalk and fell right through a rusted drain, getting scrapped badly.

Her left leg fell through a hole in the drain about the size of an adult’s foot, scraping on the rusted metal. She needed three stitches.

Injured pedestrian
Fell into drain
There was a large car parked here, and the drain cover was between the car and the curb, so I fell in. It was so painful when I pulled my foot out. I felt my leg bleeding.

The incident happened at a busy intersection in Taichung’s Nantun District. The covered sidewalk was under construction, forcing the woman to step down onto the road. Considering the height difference between the sidewalk and road, and an illegally parked car blocking her view, she didn’t notice that the drain cover was rusted and broken.

Injured pedestrian
Fell into drain
I usually walk on the covered sidewalk, but it’s been closed for renovations recently. Lots of people park here temporarily, so I worry that children or seniors might get hurt.

Witness
Saw woman fall into train
She was sitting there, and her sandal was on the ground below. She probably couldn’t bend down herself, so I picked it up for her. There’s a risk of tetanus with rust injuries, which could be very serious.

Lots of rust falls off the drain when it’s touched. It can barely hold any weight anymore.

Voice of Wu Ming-hsiu
Maintenance office official
We put safety warnings at the site right away, and a contractor will complete repairs as soon as possible.

The city’s maintenance office has blocked off the drain by putting traffic cones around it to prevent anyone else from hurting themselves.

#drain #injury #dangerous #pedestrian #rust #Taichung #stitches

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2026-09-10

Taoyuan transforms Terminal 2 into mini night market with games, food

2026-09-10

Tallest Mazu statue on Taiwan proper unveiled in Taichung

2026-09-10

NTHU president caught jobhunting in Hawaii three days into new term

Can you imagine applying for a new job three days after arriving at your position? That’s exactly what the President of National Tsing Hua University did back in May. John Kao traveled to the US to support his candidacy to lead the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, just three days into his new term in Taiwan. After he was found out this summer, Kao sent out an email downplaying the situation, and on Thursday he made his first public appearance. Taking a more conciliatory stance, he apologized to faculty and students and also announced that his bid in Hawaii had not progressed further. Let’s hear more.

John Kao
National Tsing Hua University President
This incident has given rise to concerns and unease. I would like to once again offer my sincerest apologies to everyone, and I am open to criticism. For the rest of my term, I will donate my salary for the month of May. In exploring possibilities for myself, I let down everyone at NTHU. The purpose of taking part in the selection process was to bring about exchanges between the schools and the candidates. But after the process ended, there was no further development from either side. If the board wishes to investigate the situation, I will cooperate fully, as long as it follows university procedures.

Lin Burn-keng
NTHU College of Semiconductor Research
Besides the concerns regarding honesty, we are concerned how this will impact NTHU’s development over the next four years.

Alum
Graduated from NTHU
President Kao, I strongly urge you to consider stepping down.

Kao assumed his position on May 1, and was found to be taking part in the selection process in Hawai’i just three days later. Accused of using his job as a stepping stone to the US, the incident has drawn criticism from many sides. In an internal survey, 80% of students said the incident had negatively affected NTHU’s image. It took 40 days for Kao to finally face the music, but it remains to be seen whether faculty and students are willing to buy his apologies.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#nthu #hawaii #清華大學 #job #semiconductor

2026-09-10

Awkward! iPhone launch staff introduces IShowSpeed to Mayday’s ‘Ashin from China’

An awkward political firestorm almost emerged from a celebrity encounter at Apple’s latest iPhone launch. The protagonists were none other than massive American livestreamer IShowSpeed and Mayday’s frontman Ashin from Taiwan. The livestreaming superstar was enjoying his time at the event, when a staff member approached him in a rush to introduce him to quote “Ashin from China.” Just a few steps away from a potentially cringe-inducing meeting, a man intervened to warn IShowSpeed that Ashin doesn’t like to talk about China.

Mayday lead singer Ashin holds an iPhone Duo as a special VIP at Apple’s launch event on Sept. 10. Besides taking pics with Apple’s new CEO John Ternus, he also had an awkward encounter with a huge American livestreamer.

- Pardon?
- Ashin from China.
- Pardon?
- Ashin from China.
- Ashin from China?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

It was none other than IShowSpeed, who was livestreaming the launch event to his 61 million YouTube subscribers. An excited member of staff had seen the influencer, and excitedly rushed to take him to meet Ashin, who she claimed was from China.

- Ashin from China.
- Ashin from China?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Wait…
- Don’t mention he’s from China,
he doesn’t like to talk about that.

Barely a moment later, the staff member was leading him to Ashin when a man in a white shirt intervened, warning IShowSpeed to not mention China, explaining that Ashin wouldn’t like to talk about that. Just a few seconds later…

- Nice to meet you
- You’re from Shanghai?
- Taipei
- Yeah, OK.
- Taipei

Well, he didn’t mention China straight up, as if trying to clarify where Ashin was from to his devoted viewers.

- I can speak Chinese.
- Wow, that’s great.
- Come to see our concert.
- Oh! I will, I will!
- You sing?!
- I do.

Having averted a political faux pas, the two immediately got to chatting. Delighted fans said that the unsung hero of the encounter was the man in white who offered timely advice, adding that the woman’s intentions were crystal clear.

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#ishowspeed #awkward #iphoneduo #五月天 #阿信

2026-09-10

MOU between UK and Taiwan will train literary translators

The UK is around 10,000 kilometers from Taiwan, but a variety of Taiwanese books can be found at the Book Hive, an independent bookshop in Norwich. And now the Culture Ministry is seeking to increase the international presence of literature from Taiwan by establishing an MOU between the National Museum of Taiwan Literature and the UK’s National Centre for Writing, who’ll train a young generation of translators.

- This is Terao Tetsuya, who’s part of the youngest generation of Taiwanese writers.

Culture Minister Li Yuan is in the Book Hive, one of the most famous independent bookstores in Norwich, England. There’s more than a few books by Taiwanese writers on display, such as the Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi and Wu Ming-yi’s The Stolen Bicycle. Showing off his wry sense of humor, Minister Li pointed out that the store was missing one Taiwanese writer.

- I’m just wondering why is it that my book can’t be in this shop?
- Oh, no, you’ll have to ask the translators about that. We just sell what we get.
- In all honesty, it’s hard to get your work into a bookstore in the UK.

This bit of chit-chat between Li Yuan and the bookseller reveals the importance of translation, especially in places like the UK, where competition is fierce; Taiwanese works are greatly outnumbered by books written by Japanese and Korean authors.

Henry Layte
Bookstore owner
Taiwanese culture is lesser known than, you know, Japan, so it’s unparticular with books like this suddenly becoming successful. It means there’s lots of interest from us.

The Taiwan Travelogue has helped the world’s readers become more interested in Taiwan’s literature. The Ministry of Culture is trying to capitalize on this attention by getting the National Museum of Taiwan Literature and the UK’s National Centre for Writing to sign an MOU that will train up-and-coming literary translators.

Alan Waters
Chair of National Centre for Writing
The National Centre for Writing wants to celebrate Taiwanese literature for this year’s International Booker Prize success. We are thrilled as an organization to continue the partnership with Taiwan for the 2026-2027 mentorship for emerging translators.

Li Yuan
Minister of Culture
I hope that there can be more collaboration that’ll allow for our works written in Chinese to be able to come to the UK, where they’ll introduce the stories of Taiwan.

Lin Yung-chi
FTV reporter
For decades, the UK’s National Centre for Writing has invested in training writers and translators. The goal of this bilateral agreement between Taiwan and the UK is to help more people get to know literature from Taiwan.

The National Centre for Writing, for the first time, has created a section called Literature from Taiwan, which will provide mentorship and allow learners to interact with professionals. Literature from Taiwan will cultivate translators from any part of the world who want to get involved in translating Taiwan literature, which, if they’re fast enough, they might just see their work at next spring’s Taiwan Literature Festival.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#BookerPrize #literature #Norwich #independentbookseller #LiteraturefromTaiwan #NationalCentreforWriting

2026-09-10

Drone training site in Yunlin to close after noise complaints

As Taiwan pushes to develop its drone industry, one drone testing site in a remote part of Yunlin will be closing on Sept. 16, following noise complaints from nearby residents. People who practice flying drones at the site say places like this, where people can practice for a license test, are few and far between.

A drone makes a smooth landing on the runway, well controlled by its pilot. This drone flying site in Yunlin, where many people take their pilot test, is being forced to close.

Mr. Hsu
Drone pilot
It’s a real shame, because it’s just little ways down from Taichung. I drove three hours to get here. I think it’s one of the best spots for northern Taiwan, plus the airspace is very clear.

Hsu, who lives in Taipei, warned that without a testing site in central Taiwan, people would have to travel all the way to the south to take the test, which would discourage them from seeking certification.

Mr. Huang
Aeronautical engineering student
I’m preparing to take the pilot test. Our department is pushing for drones, especially with the country placing such importance on them. But with this site closing, I’ll no longer have a safe, legal, and well-equipped space to practice.

Even though this drone site is in a remote part of Yunlin by the Huwei River, people living close by complained about the noise. After local politicians raised the issue, the site is being forced to close.

Chou Ching-shih
Local village chief
Some people fly jet-powered drones, and on weekends it stops residents from getting extra rest. It disrupts their lives.

Mr. Wang
Drone enthusiast
If this testing site isn’t maintained, there will be a significant gap in pilots’ training. It wasn’t easy to establish this site, so we really hope it can stay open.

Taiwan is pushing for the development of its drone industry, but the government, industry, and academia need to address how to balance people’s quality of life with industry development.

#drone #test #pilot #license #airport #Yunlin #noise #noisecomplaint #closing #industry

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2026-09-09

Concert for wheelchair users to feature visually impaired pianist, Cyr wheel artist

For 12 years in a row, cellist Chang Cheng-chieh has held concerts in Kaohsiung especially tailored for wheelchair users. This year’s concert is to be held on Sept. 26 in the lobby of the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts. For the first time, the show is to feature artists from across disciplines, with a visually impaired musician and a Cyr wheel performer to give this special audience a fully accessible show, just for them.

Melodic notes hang in the air, flowing through the main lobby of the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts like a spring breeze. A Cyr wheel performer glides along to the music, giving viewers a feast for both the eyes and ears.

Started by cellist Chang Cheng-chieh and supported by China Steel Corp, this Wheelchair Concert series has been held annually for 12 years in Taipei and Kaohsiung. Previously hosted at Formosa Boulevard Station in Kaohsiung for six years, it’s moved to the museum for the last three, giving wheelchair users a chance to enjoy top-tier classical music in a fully accessible environment.

Chang Cheng-chieh
Cellist
Most concert halls only offer six wheelchair seats, which I feel is far too few. Wheelchair users deserve an indoor space where they can enjoy themselves. That’s why we’ve held the event here for three years now.

Huang I-chung
CSC Group Education Foundation director
We hope to offer our friends in the Kaohsiung wheelchair-user community the best musical experience possible.

Tailored specifically for wheelchair users, last year’s concert invited 12 cellists from the Berlin Philharmonic to perform. This year is the first time the show is inviting artists from different disciplines to perform together, with visually impaired musician Huang Chung-en and Cyr wheel artist Yang Shih-hao to create a diverse visual and auditory artistic showcase.

Chang Cheng-chieh
Cellist
It’s extremely challenging, but I find it immensely meaningful, because outside of Taiwan, no such concert just for wheelchair users exists anywhere else in the world.

This exclusive concert is to be held on Sept. 26 over the Mid-Autumn Festival. On that day, the beautiful sounds of strings are to once again ring through the halls of this museum, conveying a heartwarming message of inclusion.

#wheelchairusers #concert #cello #accessibility #wheelchairconcert #Kaoshiung

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2026-09-09