Taiwan News Junkie

By TaiwanPlus News

Your one-stop shop for news stories about Taiwan. Hosted by Andrew Ryan and Charlie Storrar, Taiwan News Junkie takes you inside the TaiwanPlus newsroom for a closer look at the top stories of the day... more

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FAQs about Taiwan News Junkie:

How many episodes does Taiwan News Junkie have?

The podcast currently has 53 episodes available.

Taiwan News Junkie episodes:

November 07, 2025Hunger Strikes and Conflict Zones
In the Friday, November 7 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan take stock of an eventful week.

Plus:
Fresh from running the Friday newsroom, assignment editor Stacy Hsu brings us the stories of the day.
Reporter’s Notebook: Veteran journalist David Santos shares his tips for speaking on camera — and recalls a favorite on-air moment aboard a Philippine Coast Guard ship.
Taiwan Trivia Q: What percentage of Taiwan is covered in forested land?

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29min
November 05, 2025Another Spy Case, A High-Profile Murder and Reporting on Conflict
It’s not often that crime takes the top billing in TaiwanPlus newscasts – usually we focus on issues like geopolitics or the economy. In the Wednesday, November 5 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan hear about the case that’s captured attention in Taiwan and Malaysia.

Plus:
Assignment editor Chia Chang takes us through other top stories of the day from the TaiwanPlus newsroom.
Producer David Santos revisits his early years reporting in the Philippines — from military frontlines to disaster zones and the long pursuit of peace in Mindanao.
Taiwan Trivia Q: How many super typhoons have there been since meteorologists began using the category in 1947?

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43min
November 03, 2025Trump’s Latest Comment
US President Donald Trump made new comments about Taiwan in an interview that aired on the CBS program “60 Minutes” on Sunday. In the Monday, Nov. 3 edition of our show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan find out what they mean for Taiwan.

Plus:
Assignment editor Chia Chang talks about the challenges of reporting on news released by other outlets.
A look at innovation driving development in Taiwan’s textile sector with reporter Ai Chi.
Taiwan Trivia Q: Taiwanese companies account for what percentage of the US$200 billion functional textile industry?

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33min
October 31, 2025APEC: How We’re Covering Taiwan’s Participation
Leaders from 21 member economies have gathered in South Korea for the APEC summit — and TaiwanPlus is there. In the Friday, October 31 edition of the show, we talk about a high-profile Trump-Xi meeting, Taiwan's representative at APEC and the surprise appearance of Taiwan’s flag at the summit.

Plus:
Assignment editor Chia Chang talks about what the newsroom is keeping an eye on this weekend at APEC.
Reporter’s Notebook: John Van Trieste talks about a visit to an activity center to find out how they are serving the mental health needs of seniors.
Taiwan Trivia Q: To mark Halloween, we talk about a temple in central Taiwan that features dioramas of the 18 layers of hell. What is the punishment for stealing, extortion, corruption, and drug trafficking? Stay tuned for the answer!

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39min
October 29, 2025Reporting on APEC in S. Korea and Taiwan’s Business in Singapore
What does it take to handle a reporter on the ground at APEC? In the Oct. 25 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan get the inside story from the assignment desk.

Plus:
Beijing has launched a criminal case against a Taiwanese lawmaker. Assignment Editor Laurel Stewart tells us about the ruling party’s response.
Reporter's Notebook: Isabel Wang talks about her trip to Singapore to learn how Taiwanese are making their mark on the local startup and business scene.
Taiwan Trivia Q: What percentage of Taipei residents over 60 live in a three-generational household? Hint: the number has dropped considerably in five years.

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45min
October 27, 2025Looking Ahead to APEC & Back at Taiwan Retrocession
The world is focusing on APEC this week – with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping – set to meet in Gyongju, South Korea. In the Monday, Oct. 27 edition of our show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan offer a preview of what that means for Taiwan, and how the TaiwanPlus newsroom plans to cover it.

Plus:
On the 80th anniversary of Japan’s handover of Taiwan, Bryn Thomas discusses the provenance and ongoing importance of Retrocession Day.
Our assignment desk weighs in on today’s top stories.
And today’s Trivia Q: How many security personnel are expected to be on hand at this year’s APEC summit?

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42min
October 22, 2025Defense Budget, Swine Fever and Taipei Pride
Defense stories were top of the coverage again today on TaiwanPlus, with next year’s budget in the crosshairs. In the Wednesday Oct. 22 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan offer a closer look at what’s at stake.

Plus:
Assignment editor Jeremy Olivier discusses the top stories of the day, including a proposed special defense budget, Japan’s new prime minister and a suspected outbreak of African swine fever.
A preview of Taipei Pride, with our former human rights lead reporter Reece Ayers, who charted our last two years of LGBTQ+ coverage.
Taiwan Trivia Q: What deity presides over the Taoist temple in Taipei that’s related to the LGBTQ+ community? Hint: It’s an animal in the Chinese zodiac.

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39min
October 20, 2025China Targets Five Taiwan Firms + How Anchors Handle Curveballs
We kick off the Monday, Oct. 20 show with a look at our top story, which involves five Taiwan companies that China says are linked to officers with bounties. Taiwan’s top government agency in charge of China affairs is pushing back.

This episode:
Assignment editor Chia Chang explains how she builds the Monday rundown after a lean weekend. Also: Catching up on the KMT chair election and planning fair, expert-led analysis for later shows.
Anchor Yvonne Yang talks about staying calm when the prompter misbehaves and how she “reads to persuade,” not just to read.
Taiwan Trivia Q: Where does the term “news anchor” come from? (Hint: The answer does not involve a boat.)

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41min
October 17, 2025Golden Bells, Cash Handouts and How to Build a Newscast
From a proposed universal cash handout to Taiwan’s own “Emmys,” the Friday Oct. 17 show celebrates both breaking news and broadcasting heritage. Hosts Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan guide you through the week’s headlines and one reporter’s personal link to a Golden Bell legend.

This episode:
Assignment editor Jeremy Olivier explains how he builds the daily rundown—from an NT$18 billion special budget bill and cash handouts to a spike in PLA warplane incursions and a homegrown OSINT project tracking China’s military.
Culture reporter Sandy Chi tells us about the 60th anniversary exhibition of the Golden Bell Awards, Taiwan’s top honors for radio and TV. She shares how her grandmother once took one home.
Taiwan Trivia Q: The Golden Bells are celebrating a milestone year. What year did they begin—and why a bell?

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45min
October 15, 2025Taiwan Under Cyber Fire, Remembering WWII
Millions of daily cyberattacks from China and a look back at Taiwan’s role in World War II. Hosts Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan guide you through hump day coverage in the TaiwanPlus newsroom.

This episode:
Assignment Desk: Jeremy Olivier reports on the sharp rise in Chinese hacking attempts, now averaging 2.8 million a day—double last year’s figure—as Taiwan braces for digital warfare that’s harder to see but just as serious.
Reporter’s Notebook: Bryn Thomas uncovers the long-forgotten story of Taiwanese soldiers who fought for Japan at the Battle of Okinawa, as part of TaiwanPlus’s coverage commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII.
Taiwan Trivia Q: Which major Taipei landmark was damaged in a US air raid during WWII? It was the tallest building in the city. (Extra credit for naming additional buildings.)

Listen to Bryn's report "Taiwan's WWII Soldiers Still Missing 80 Years after Battle of Okinawa". https://www.taiwanplus.com/news/taiwan-news/special-report/250623017/taiwans-wwii-soldiers-still-mi…

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33min

FAQs about Taiwan News Junkie:

How many episodes does Taiwan News Junkie have?

The podcast currently has 53 episodes available.