Author: Phillip Charlier

Hit and run murder, suicide, ends 20 year grudge in Yilan County

scooter after hit and run on Zhongshan Road Sanxing Township, Yilan County
Violent Crimes 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

Police are investigating a fatal hit and run in Yilan County as a case of homicide after the suspect was found to have committed suicide, and evidence revealed a more than 20-year grudge between the two men over a marital affair. Police in Sanxing Township were called to the scene of a scooter accident on Zhongshan Road, Section 3, at around 8:00 am yesterday, June 18, to find a 63-year-old man named Zheng without vital signs. Zheng was rushed to

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Psychedelic mushroom farmer busted in Kaohsiung City

psychedelic mushrooms
Drugs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

A man in Kaohsiung City was arrested after a police raid turned up the largest haul of psychedelic mushrooms in Taiwan’s history. The 33-year-old man, named Chen, became the focus of police attention after an investigation that began during a marijuana bust last year according to reports in Liberty Times and United Daily News today, June 18. An investigation by the Taichung District Prosecutor’s Office and Criminal Police Bureau began after three packs of psychedelic mushrooms weighing a total of

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Bail denied for soldier who shot ex-girlfriend dead in Chiayi County

suspect and victim
Violent Crimes 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

The Chiayi District Prosecutor’s Office has ruled that a man who shot a woman dead in the street in front of her family’s home yesterday, June 16, shall be kept in detention while the case remains under investigation. According to the police investigation, the 23-year-old active-duty soldier, named Liang, took a bus from Taipei to Chiayi County’s rural Shuishang Township yesterday in an attempt to reconcile with a 22-year-old woman named Wang. Arriving at around 5:00 pm, Liang called on

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China sends record 28 military flights into Taiwan ADIZ in one day: a response to G7 summit statement?

Chinese J-11 fighter jet.
Military Affairs 
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The People’s Republic of China made 28 military aircraft incursions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) today, June 15, a record number that follows an ‘unprecedented’ communique from the Group of Seven that highlighted the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait just two days ago. The G7 communique issued June 13 reiterated the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo Pacific, and mentioning Taiwan for the first time in the group’s history, stated “We underscore

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Fisheries chairman dead after being stung by fire ants in New Taipei City

red fire ant warning sign.
Animals 
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The chairman of the Tamsui Fisheries Association of New Taipei City died after suffering suspected anaphylactic shock following an attack by red fire ants, Saturday, June 12. Zheng Kangzhong (鄭康忠), 48, was stung by the ants while on duty inspecting a road planning project at the Xiaguzi Fishing Port adjacent to the Port of Taipei, Saturday. Zheng suffered from itching and swelling after returning home, and was sent to the hospital after his symptoms worsened. Zheng was given first aid

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Man survives fall from 23rd floor in Taichung City

hole in roof
Health and Safety 
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A man remained conscious after falling from the 23rd floor of a building and crashing through the roof of a neighbor’s shed this morning, June 14. Taichung City Fire Department received an emergency call at around 7:00 am from a resident who reported that a stranger had crashed through the roof of his backyard shed, and required an ambulance. Firefighter paramedics responding to the report found a man named Hsu, conscious and with a suspected broken limb. Hsu told the

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Man rescued after getting stuck hanging upside down from 4th floor window

man dangling from building
Society 
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A man in Keelung City was rescued by firefighters after his foot got stuck in a fourth floor apartment’s window bars, leaving him dangling precariously late last night, June 12. Mr Wang, who is said to be in his 50s, and was reported to be very drunk, first drew the attention of police after neighbors reported a disturbance on the roof of a five storey residential building in Xinfeng Street at around 11:00 pm. Police found that Mr Wang was

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Postman forks out NT$30,000 for his own gas mask for protection against COVID-19

postman wearing gas mask
Health and Safety 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Not satisfied with the protective capacity of a mere surgical mask, a postman spent NT$30,000 (US$1,085) to purchase a gas mask to protect himself and others against COVID-19, according to reports in China Times, and ET Today. The Chunghwa Post employee, who is unnamed in reports, but referred to by the pseudonym “Mr Postman,” drew the praises of thousands of readers after his story was posted to a Facebook breaking news group. The author of the Facebook post said that

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Woman spotted in Taichung City walking around without a mask or PPE

woman walking around Taichung City naked
Odd News 
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A woman in Taichung City caused tongues to wag, and sent the local media into a frenzy yesterday, after she was spotted walking around without wearing a surgical mask. The woman was seen near the Zhonghua Road Night Market, June 11, at around noon. Not only was the woman not wearing a surgical mask, but she was not wearing any kind of personal protective equipment (PPE) at all. Carrying only a large, black handbag, and donning a pair of slippers,

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China incensed after Japan’s Prime Minister, opposition leader call Taiwan ‘a country’

Wang Wenbin spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Regional 
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China expressed “strong dissatisfaction with erroneous remarks” in response to statements made in Japan’s parliamentary body yesterday referring to Taiwan as a country, according to Beijing Daily. Both the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, and the leader of the opposition, Yukio Edano, made comments using the word “country” when referring to Taiwan in the Japanese Diet yesterday, Wednesday, June 9. Prime Minister Suga, speaking about epidemic prevention efforts in overseas countries cited the examples of Australia, New Zealand, and

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Coal conveyor on fire at Taichung Power Plant

fire at Taichung Power Plant
Fire 
Phillip Charlier 1 Comment ,

A fire that consumed around one hundred meters of a coal conveyor belt at the Taichung Power Plant this morning is now under control and power supplies will not be affected according to state power supplier Taipower today, Thursday, June 10. According to reports, the conveyor belt began to emit smoke and flames shortly after 7:00 am. A total of 11 fire fighting appliances and 24 personnel were dispatched from the onsite fire station, and four other surrounding stations. The

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