Category：Life

Car wash uses plate recognition to tip off police about stolen, unregistered cars

Drivers usually take their car to an automatic car wash when it gets dirty, although it might be a hassle if you need to go late after work. Enter this 24-hour hybrid car wash in Taichung, which has both coin-operated and auto modes. It also features a rare license plate recognition system that not only enables easy payment, but is also linked to the police database to report stolen cars and fake plates.

Say you want to give your car a wash, but after a long day at work, cleaning it yourself is the last thing you want to do. Many gas stations have automatic car washes, but they don’t stay open overnight. What is there to do?

Chang Chiao-yi
FTV reporter
There are self-service car washes everywhere, but it’s rare to find an automatic one open 24 hours a day.

Our reporter went to try it herself. The water pressure was strong and it cleaned the car well. If you prefer to do it yourself, that’s no problem, either. But the payment method is a little different here.

Mr. Fu
Car wash owner
When you drive in, you don’t have to put in money. It works like a parking lot. When you’re done, just enter your license plate into the kiosk and it will display the charge. After you pay, you can leave. It’s fully automatic and also takes electronic payments.

Customer
Likes the update
It’s super convenient. Once you’re in, everything is easy to use. It’s not like the old days when you had to keep feeding it NT$10 coins.

The most unique part is that this car wash uses a license plate recognition system for entry. Like a parking lot, you pay for however long it takes. But it isn’t just your average setup, either. It also has another special function.

Mr. Fu
Car wash owner
Our license plate reader is linked to the police database. If it detects a plate that matches one provided, it’ll notify the police.

By connecting with the police database, cars with fake plates or canceled registration have nowhere to hide. As soon as they pull in, the scanner will reveal their secret.

Customer
Likes the car wash
Washing my car here feels safe. I think it’s great. It’ll be a big boost to public safety.

By merging convenience with technology, this 24-hour wash will leave your car sparkling while getting dirty vehicles off the road. Criminals beware—but as long as you’re clean, you can come and go with peace of mind.

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

#carwash #fakelicenseplate #criminal #driving #convenience #24hour #licenseplaterecognition #Taichung #crimefighting

2026-07-10

Rakuten cheerleaders record catchy new handwashing song

Yeom Se-been, Ha Ji-won, and Woo Su-han—three members of the Rakuten Monkeys cheerleading squad—were invited to film a music video for a new song meant to encourage good handwashing habits. The Korean stars sang entirely in Chinese for the first time, promoting good hygiene with their characteristically enthusiastic choreography. The song will even make its way into KTVs nationwide. The trio gave a sneak peek into their recording session, where they shared their struggles practicing their Chinese pronunciation and singing.

Scrubbing the left, scrubbing the right—this catchy dance hopes to catch on as the next national health anthem. The three Rakuten Monkeys cheerleaders Yeom Se-been, Ha Ji-won, and Woo Su-han are here to teach everyone the right way to wash your hands.

The trio gave a sneak peak into their recording session. You can tell it’s really them singing these Chinese lyrics! But it was a challenge getting it down.

Ha Ji-won
Rakuten Monkeys cheerleader
There are lots of sounds that fall between “wu” and “o,” so I still haven’t quite found the one that sits between the two. I think I still need more practice. For Koreans, blending the “wu” and “o” sounds together for words like shou and dou seems to require some practice.

Woo Su-han
Rakuten Monkeys cheerleader
My pronunciation of tuichang kept slipping, so it was all a mess. I honestly never figured out which was correct. I had to rerecord it.

The three cheerleaders were invited to record a music video to promote handwashing. It was the first time they sang a song entirely in Chinese, which will eventually be available on KTV systems. The trio are excited for their fans to be able to dance along with them.

Ha Ji-won
Rakuten Monkeys cheerleader
The moves are very simple and repeat a lot. Plus, these are the movements we always do when we wash our hands, so everyone can easily follow along. The song is also really catchy. I think it would be great if everyone can make their own videos as well.

Woo Su-han
Rakuten Monkeys cheerleader
Please sing along with us at karaoke! After learning it, we hope every time you wash your hands, you’ll think of us.

Through this simple and upbeat song, anyone can master good handwashing habits while also enjoying the irresistible charm of these beloved cheerleaders.

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

#RakutenMonkeys #cheerleaders #handwashing #goodhygiene #WooSuhan #HaJiwon #YeomSebeen #earworm #publichealth

2026-07-10

Mailiao education park honored with Italy photography award

The Mailiao Township Office in Yunlin organized an architecture photo competition, drawing over 200 entrants from nine organizations across central Taiwan. From the more than 1,200 submissions, 50 photos won awards. Apart from the contest, the Mailiao Community Education Park has also brought home exciting news: Its Life Aesthetics Hall and Smart Library won the Bronze Award at Italy’s A’ Design Award, showcasing the area’s architectural and cultural beauty on the global stage.

Dressed in magnificent pink and flashing a bright smile, this work is one of the gold medal winners at the Mailiao Township Office photography exhibition.

The office hosted the exhibition to promote the art of photography, inviting over 200 photographers from nine groups across central Taiwan to join in the event.

Hsu Chung-fu
Mailiao Township chief
Through the lenses of these photographers, people can discover the architectural beauty of Mailiao. It’s precisely because of this beauty that everyone can discover Mailiao’s incredible buildings and our exceptional library.

Photographers traveled all over the township, using their unique perspectives to capture the changing look of its structures and local features. More than 1,200 entries were received, out of which 50 pieces stood out to showcase Mailiao’s unique charm.

Hsu Chung-fu
Mailiao Township chief
This month, our team from Mailiao is also traveling to Italy to bring a world design award back home. It makes us feel that the world is once again seeing the architectural beauty of Mailiao and recognizing our transformation.

In recent years, Mailiao has sought to promote the arts and culture. Not only has the local photography exhibition shone brightly, but its Social Education Park’s Life Aesthetics Hall and Smart Library have also won the bronze prize at Italy’s A’ Design Award, allowing Mailiao’s public architecture to shine on the international stage.

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

#Mailiao #Yunlin #architecture #photoexhibition #architecture #photography #smartlibrary #internationalaward

2026-07-10

Typhoon Bavi expected to make landfall in early hours of Saturday

Typhoon Bavi is approaching Taiwan. The storm circle is expected to hit Taiwan in the early hours of Saturday, on the coast of New Taipei or Yilan. The Central Weather Bureau has issued land and sea warnings, and expects the heaviest rainfall in Central and Northern and Eastern Taiwan. Wind speeds could surpass 117km/h. Authorities urge the public to be prepared for the storm.

The Danjiang Bridge connecting Tamsui and Bali in New Taipei, which only opened last May is closing to traffic in two stages. At 8 p.m., authorities closed the scooter, bicycle and pedestrian lanes, and limited traffic to a maximum speed of 30km/h, down from 80. The bridge will close completely at 11 p.m. After the typhoon passes, officials will carry out safety inspections before making a decision on reopening.

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

#typhoon #traffic #storm #naturaldisaster

2026-07-10

Shoppers flock to markets and supermarkets ahead of typhoon

Shoppers flocked to markets and supermarkets to stock up on fresh produce and other necessities ahead of Typhoon Bavi’s arrival. Vegetables, meat, eggs and instant noodles flew off the shelves as soon as they were restocked, even despite efforts from retailers to double their inventory. At traditional markets, vegetable prices were surprisingly lower than in previous days, as farmers harvested their crops early to take them to market fast.

- People are buying a little more today. Some of it is cheaper than yesterday. We might not have anything on Sunday.

Veggies flew off the shelves, making this greengrocer sell out before noon. Some customers came to stock up for their businesses.

- I spent over NT$900 for my business. They’ll be more expensive these next few days.
- Did you buy a little extra?
- Exactly.

Shopper
Stocking up on veg
Since we got the day off due to the typhoon, I came shopping. Leafy greens are already expensive, so they’ll probably get even pricier after the typhoon, I think. I only bought some king oyster mushrooms. Maybe veggies will be cheaper next week.

Many made the best of their day off work and class to buy groceries. Taipei’s Binjiang Market was even busier than before the Lunar New Year. Early harvesting has boosted supplies, and even lowered prices.

Greengrocer
Binjiang Market
We received about one-third more than the previous trading day. Prices are noticeably lower. Leafy greens averaged NT$75 to NT$80 per 600g, but now they’re around NT$50. There’s also more shoppers, about a third more. They’re buying veggies that can be stored for several days.

Supermarkets and hypermarkets were packed. Shelves were emptied fast as shoppers swept away vegetables and meat. Checkout lines stretched across the store, as staff worked frenetically to restock.

Shopper
Preparing for typhoon
Cabbage keeps well. Mushrooms too. I bought three days’ worth of food, since the typhoon will be at its worst today and tomorrow. Veggies with a lot of moisture go limp fast.

Voice of Chang Chun-hung
Supermarket PR
We’ve increased our inventory of instant noodles, frozen dumplings and canned food. It’s as if we were preparing for the Ghost Festival shopping season. There were a lot of shoppers yesterday and the day before. We’ll get more deliveries today so we can keep restocking.

As Typhoon Bavi is set to bring strong winds and heavy downpours, people are getting ready to stay safe indoors.

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

#bavi #typhoon #shopping #veggies

2026-07-10

Professional smellers test odors to hold businesses accountable

Residents frequently complain about the stench of a famous stinky tofu restaurant from Hualien. This is not the only strong odor in the area that people have reported, with other restaurants, manufacturing facilities, and farms also drawing complaints. Taipei’s Department of Environmental Protection has hired professional smell testers to determine whether odor levels exceed standards.

Professionals set up devices to test wind speed and identify odor sources, then use a special vacuum box to extract samples.

These specially made sampling bags cost over NT$1,000 each. After samples are collected, filtered air is injected into them to create control samples before they are analyzed. To address complaints over strong smells including those from a stinky tofu restaurant, the Taipei Department of Environmental Protection brought in six odor evaluators to conduct blind tests.

Odor evaluator
Smells well
It’s very pungent, really very pungent. It doesn’t scare me, but when you squeeze the sample, the smell is truly overwhelming.

Odor evaluator
Smells well
I don’t care for my nose in any special way. As long as I don’t have a cold and haven’t eaten spicy food before the test, it should be fine.

Before starting work, odor evaluators first test their smell sensitivity by identifying the solutions in five test tubes. After passing the test, they need to rest for 30 minutes before they can start working.

The evaluators test the samples through funnels, with the result determined by the average reading from six people. The entire process can take up to three hours.

Wui Hui-chen
Inspector
If the odor levels exceed the standards, we follow the prescribed procedures and issue data showing the odor levels. After we submit the results to the Department of Environmental Protection, it decides whether to impose penalties.

Fearing penalties, many restaurants have installed electric odor removal and carbon filtration systems to eliminate smells. If the odor evaluators determine that odor levels exceed standards, restaurants could be fined up to NT$20 million.

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

#stinkytofu #stinky #smell #odor #odorcomplaint #fine #odorpolice #Hualien #Taipei

2026-07-09

Hualien Bus Station adopts cat that stole its snacks

Last June, an orange tabby stole four bags of dried fish strips from Hualien Bus Station. Rather than having the cat taken away, the station adopted him, naming him Egg Tart. Egg Tart now calls the station his home and often appears “on duty” at the service counter, garnering smiles from fawning travelers.

An employee at Hualien Bus Station holds a bright-eyed orange tabby, looking dapper in his plaid scarf and blue bandana. It’s time for this cat to start his shift.

Ms. Lin
Traveler
I think he’s so cute. He’s very friendly and not shy at all.

Mr. Chiu
Traveler
I noticed the cat about a month or two ago. The staff is always holding him. It makes the station feel more welcoming.

The station’s resident cat is named Egg Tart. He got his position not due to his resume, but by stealing.

Chen An-te
Station tourist information director
One morning we found that someone had eaten some of the dried fish strips we were selling. When we caught Egg Tart, we realized that he had been the one eating the fish strips.

Last June, Hualien Bus Station discovered that four bags of fish strips had been nibbled on. After tracking down the culprit, staff found a tiny one-and-a-half-month-old kitten hiding behind a storage locker. Rather than call the police, the station decided to adopt the little thief as its resident cat.

Chen An-te
Station tourist information director
After all the employees agreed, we named him Egg Tart and incorporated him into the team.

Egg Tart regularly patrols the station, bringing joy to travelers. After a video of the cat went viral last month, many people came especially to see him. This little thief has spent a year charming people with his cuteness, bringing new life to the station.

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

#Hualien #station #cat #EggTart #thief #fishstrips #pet #tabbycat #orangecat

2026-07-09

Diving captain saves two sea turtles entangled in fishing net

Touching sea turtles while snorkeling or diving is subject to a NT$300,000 fine, but this doesn’t apply when saving them. A snorkeling guide in Penghu recently encountered two sea turtles trapped in fishing nets while leading a tourist group. The divers used scissors to carefully cut the net off the turtles and untangled them, rescuing the two baby animals.

Divers haul up a clump of tangled fishing net with two small sea turtles squirming inside. One takes a pair of scissors and starts to cut them free.

They carefully cut the baby turtles free, untangling them one string at a time to make sure not to harm them. One had part of the net wrapped around its neck and was struggling to breathe, but thankfully they got it free in time.

The captain notified authorities at the closest port in Qimei and turned the ship around to get them treatment as soon as possible.

Voice of Yeh Sheng-hung
Captain
I saw what looked like sea turtles out of the corner of my eye. I told the divers to hold on a second and went back to check, and it turned out there were two sea turtles tangled up in a net.

The captain was taking tourists snorkeling in the waters around Qimei, south of Penghu, when he noticed a fishing net on the water’s surface with something moving inside. He turned around and managed to rescue two baby sea turtles.

Hsueh Chieh-yin
Penghu Agriculture and Fisheries Bureau secretary
After the coast guard and county personnel were notified that two sea turtles had been found entangled in a fishing net, the turtles were sent to a sea turtle research center for observation and treatment.

A similar incident occurred on Xiaoliuqiu recently. Divers said a sea turtle was swimming toward them when they realized it was completely entangled in a fishing line.

The divers used a small knife to carefully cut the tangled line, allowing the turtle to swim freely once again. Thanks to helpful divers around Taiwan, these turtles were able to escape danger.

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

#seaturtle #Penghu #Qimei #Xiaoliuqiu #fishingnet #fishingline #trash #endangered #tangled #conservation

2026-07-09

Londoner becomes traditional Chinese medicine practitioner

Sean Dyer from London has become something of a local celebrity in Kaohsiung, for working at a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. He initially moved to Taiwan after falling in love and getting married to his Taiwanese wife. He liked it here so much that he even gave up his British nationality to become a Taiwanese citizen, even though that forced him to do military service in Taiwan. Now, he treats patients in fluent Mandarin, which is shocking for many.

With his fair hair and deep-set features, Sean Dyer speaks flawless, accent-free Mandarin during consultations. He’s a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner who works at a Chinese medicine clinic in Nanzih District in Kaohsiung -- but he’s originally from the UK.

Patient
At first I thought there might be a language barrier, but once you enter the consultation room, you feel completely at ease. Dyer has not only mastered Mandarin, but also speaks great Taiwanese.

Most people associate traditional Chinese medicine practitioners with ethnically Chinese people, so Dyer’s appearance often sparks discussion among patients. Coming from a family of medical professionals, Dyer originally worked as a martial arts and boxing coach. With his family’s support, he later decided to pursue his strong interest in traditional Chinese medicine.

Sean Dyer
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner
After I started studying traditional Chinese medicine, I just read books, and the more I read, the more I loved it. After all, both my parents are doctors: my mother is an anesthesiologist, and my father is a nephrologist.

Dyer met his future wife when visiting friends in Kaohsiung. After they got married, they decided to stay in Kaohsiung. For the sake of his family, Dyer not only became a Taiwanese citizen, but also served in Taiwan’s military.

Sean Dyer
Chinese medicine practitioner
I gave up my nationality for my family and became Taiwanese. But at the time, they said: You’re not even 36 yet! You still have to serve! So I joined the military and served as an artillery soldier in Chiayi. Most patients are pleasantly surprised but sometimes I’ll run into people asking if I’m really capable. Actually, no matter what the illness is, I feel quite interested in anything that’s challenging.

Dyer says with a smile that although some patients were initially skeptic due to his looks, they all find the right treatment after a consultation in fluent Mandarin, making for a unique visit to the clinic.

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

#foreignersintaiwan #Chinesemedicine #Kaohsiung #TCM #immigration

2026-07-09

Clear skies before typhoon let people see the Philippines

And although a typhoon is on the way, the sky was clearer than ever in many parts of Taiwan, especially on the east coast. Visibility was so good that you could spot Green Island and Orchid Island from the coast of Taitung with the naked eye. That’s nothing surprising for older Taitung residents, who know how to read the sky to predict the weather. Local lore say clear skies mean a typhoon is on the way, and the clearer they are, the bigger the storm. Let’s hear more.

Local
Taitung
Elders say that if you can see Orchid Island during the day, it means a storm is coming.

Local
Taitung
People say that. I was in the mountains in Kasavakan the past two days. It’s rare to see the islands so clearly.

Chen Pai-yu
Meteorologist
The North Pacific High creates descending air currents that contain less moisture, and since there is a typhoon approaching its own outer bands also create descending air currents that further reduce the moisture in the air, improving visibility.

And the spectacle isn’t just limited to the coast of Taitung. People in Lanyu could see into a different country, with the northernmost islands of the Philippines peeking over the horizon. Y’Ami Island was visible despite being 114km away, and so was North Island, at 110km away. It turns out that the traditional lore in Taitung actually has basis in science. So you know now that if the marine landscape looks especially pristine, that might just be the calm before the storm.

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

#typhoon #taiwan #taitung #visibility #amazing

2026-07-09