Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced Friday that they turned back three container ships attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, stating the waterway is closed to vessels traveling to and from ports of "allies and supporters" of what they call Zionist-American enemies. The Guards disputed US claims about the strait remaining open.
Israel conducted a new wave of strikes on Iran on Friday. US President Trump claimed progress in war-ending negotiations and granted Iran additional time to open the Strait of Hormuz, though Iran shows no signs of backing down. Global stock markets are declining, with economic impacts extending beyond the Middle East. Trump faces mounting pressure to resolve Iran's control over this strategic waterway, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil typically transits.
At least 1,000 Japanese armed forces will deploy to the Philippines next month, marking their first return since World War II 81 years ago. As part of the joint Philippine-US Balikatan military exercises, this shift signals a transformation in Indo-Pacific security architecture from a hub-and-spoke model to multiple overlapping multilateral arrangements, with the region treated as a unified theatre.
Following the Iran war, Asian nations are competing to secure Russian energy supplies as US sanctions are temporarily lifted. Russian President Putin advised oil and gas suppliers to capitalize on additional revenues from rising energy prices caused by the conflict and Strait of Hormuz blockade. Analysis suggests Russia may emerge as a primary beneficiary of the conflict through enhanced energy exports and geopolitical positioning.
Nicolas Maduro, the former Venezuelan president arrested by US forces, appeared in federal court in New York on Thursday for his second hearing since his capture. The 63-year-old and his wife Cilia Flores remain detained in a Brooklyn jail. During the one-hour hearing, the judge ruled against dismissing the case despite the defendants' apparent inability to afford legal representation without Venezuelan government assistance.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced Friday that they turned back three container ships attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, stating the waterway is closed to vessels traveling to and from ports of "allies and supporters" of what they call Zionist-American enemies. The Guards disputed US claims about the strait remaining open.
Israel conducted a new wave of strikes on Iran on Friday. US President Trump claimed progress in war-ending negotiations and granted Iran additional time to open the Strait of Hormuz, though Iran shows no signs of backing down. Global stock markets are declining, with economic impacts extending beyond the Middle East. Trump faces mounting pressure to resolve Iran's control over this strategic waterway, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil typically transits.
A prominent Chinese Middle East expert suggests nuclear containment and regional ceasefires are the most viable pathways for potential negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Niu Xinchun, director of the China-Arab Research Institute at Ningxia University, argues the escalating conflict validates China's emphasis on diplomatic and political solutions. Both the US and Iran show openness to talks, with Washington demonstrating greater willingness to engage in negotiations.
Hong Kong's government responded to UK statements regarding Jimmy Lai's case, accusing Britain of interfering in local affairs and undermining rule of law. Lai was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on national security charges. Hong Kong authorities dismissed UK comments as misleading and irresponsible, emphasizing judicial independence. The two sides differ on human rights issues.
At least 1,000 Japanese armed forces will deploy to the Philippines next month, marking their first return since World War II 81 years ago. As part of the joint Philippine-US Balikatan military exercises, this shift signals a transformation in Indo-Pacific security architecture from a hub-and-spoke model to multiple overlapping multilateral arrangements, with the region treated as a unified theatre.
Following the Iran war, Asian nations are competing to secure Russian energy supplies as US sanctions are temporarily lifted. Russian President Putin advised oil and gas suppliers to capitalize on additional revenues from rising energy prices caused by the conflict and Strait of Hormuz blockade. Analysis suggests Russia may emerge as a primary beneficiary of the conflict through enhanced energy exports and geopolitical positioning.
US President Donald Trump postponed his China visit for approximately one month. Trump initially threatened China to join a Strait of Hormuz naval escort campaign but reversed course after recognizing the demand's impracticality. Beijing expresses frustration with Washington's lack of policy clarity and Trump's ambiguous approach toward Taiwan, introducing new uncertainties in US-China strategic relations.
Noelia, a 25-year-old Spanish woman who became paraplegic following a failed suicide attempt in 2021, underwent euthanasia on Thursday at a hospital in Sant Pere de Ribes. Her case marks the first to reach Spanish courts since the country legalized euthanasia in 2021. Her father's legal bid to prevent the procedure was unsuccessful. The law remains opposed by the Catholic Church.
Alen Zheng, 20, and Ann Mary Zheng, 27, have been charged in separate federal indictments following the discovery of an explosive device outside MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Both US citizens fled to China after the incident. The sister was arrested upon returning from China. Their mother was detained for visa overstay and faces deportation, according to federal prosecutors.
Nicolas Maduro, the former Venezuelan president arrested by US forces, appeared in federal court in New York on Thursday for his second hearing since his capture. The 63-year-old and his wife Cilia Flores remain detained in a Brooklyn jail. During the one-hour hearing, the judge ruled against dismissing the case despite the defendants' apparent inability to afford legal representation without Venezuelan government assistance.
China's EV leader BYD posted net profit of 32.6 billion yuan (US$4.72 billion) in 2025, down 18.97 percent year-on-year, marking its first profit drop in four years. The result fell short of analyst consensus forecast of 35.4 billion yuan. The company faces intensifying competition from domestic rivals in China's competitive EV market and is turning to global expansion for future growth.
Brent crude oil prices have climbed above US$100 per barrel and now trade above US$110, triggered by Middle East tensions. Chinese consumers are increasingly switching to battery-powered vehicles to avoid escalating petrol expenses. According to dealers and analysts, elevated fuel costs are unexpectedly benefiting China's EV makers as buyers seek cost-effective alternatives to traditional petrol cars.
China's State Administration for Market Regulation has instructed companies including BYD and CATL to standardize competitive behavior and build a healthy competition ecosystem during overseas expansion. The directive addresses mounting international accusations of unfair competition, subsidies, and dumping against Chinese firms. The regulator emphasizes the importance of ethical competitive practices in global markets.
A Hong Kong court has remanded 10 additional defendants in custody in connection with the JPEX cryptocurrency scandal involving HK$1.6 billion. The development brings the total number of prosecuted defendants to 26 in what is considered Hong Kong's largest alleged financial fraud in recent years. Police revealed in 2023 that over 2,700 victims suffered losses exceeding HK$1.6 billion in the alleged scam.
The Middle East conflict is fueling fears of helium shortage, a by-product of liquefied natural gas production critical for semiconductors, aerospace, and medical equipment. The medical sector faces risks as MRI machines depend on liquid helium to cool superconducting magnets, and supply disruptions could compromise diagnostic services.
The US-Israel conflict's impact on global shipping has exposed China's need to strengthen its maritime insurance sector. Chen Jihong, director of Shenzhen International Maritime Research Institute, notes that while China's shipping hardware infrastructure is mature, its software capabilities including maritime insurance remain constrained by external factors.
Four weeks into the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reduced the monthly subsidised petrol quota. Food manufacturers warn that surging diesel costs could force factory closures or price increases. The geopolitical shock is directly affecting Malaysia's fuel expenses, food supply chain, and inflation outlook.
Chinese airlines are expected to add nearly 2,900 China-Europe flights to summer schedules compared with last year, according to analysts. Unlike Western carriers, Chinese airlines can fly directly through Russian airspace to Europe, enabling faster flights, fuel savings, and avoiding Middle East routes. This operational advantage allows Chinese carriers to compete more effectively in the Europe market.
China's Ministry of Commerce announced Thursday it may impose retaliatory measures against Mexico following a formal investigation into tariffs Mexico imposed on 1,463 product categories. The tariffs, ranging from 5 to 50 percent, have been in effect since January 1 and restrict Chinese goods. The dispute could complicate Mexico's parallel negotiations to renew its trade agreement with the United States.
Hong Kong police charged 10 additional suspects on Thursday in connection with the JPEX cryptocurrency scandal involving HK$1.6 billion, the city's largest alleged financial fraud in recent years. The suspects, comprising four men and six women aged 26 to 47, face charges of money laundering and conspiracy to launder money. They will appear in Eastern Court on Friday following investigations that identified abnormal transactions in suspicious accounts linked to the case.
Organizers of a major artificial intelligence conference apologized after a new policy appeared to bar US-sanctioned entities from participating, sparking significant backlash in China. Several Chinese professional organizations called for domestic researchers to boycott the event, citing concerns that prominent tech companies like Huawei would be excluded. The conference organizers issued a statement clarifying that the sanctions-related ban was more limited in scope than initially indicated.
Seeram Ramakrishna, a prominent researcher from the National University of Singapore and the most cited scientist from Singapore, has joined Tsinghua University's department of mechanical engineering in September. Described by MIT Technology Review China as the "father of electrospinning," he has been appointed as a Xinghua distinguished chair professor. The appointment reflects the movement of top-tier research talent from Singapore to China's leading academic institutions.
Google officially introduced its Gemini AI chatbot mobile application to Hong Kong users on Thursday, with the service quickly reaching the top of Apple's app store chart. The rollout follows Google's announcement last week to gradually introduce generative AI services to Hong Kong, beginning with web services before launching the mobile version. The AI product was previously unavailable to the general Hong Kong public and accessible only to select local users.
Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je was convicted on first trial on the 26th in connection with the Jinghua City case and political donation case. He was found guilty of four charges including breach of duty bribery, abuse of official position for profit, public property embezzlement, and breach of trust. The Taipei District Court issued a combined sentence.
Taipei District Court handed down its first-instance verdict in the Jinghua City case, sentencing former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je to 17 years imprisonment and Weijing Group Chairman Shen Qingjing to 10 years. The court found that Shen transferred 2.1 million yuan through seven proxy accounts to Ko, establishing a quid pro quo relationship constituting bribery.
Taipei District Court handed down its first-instance verdict in the Jinghua City zoning density bribery case involving former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, sentencing him to 17 years imprisonment and six years of deprivation of political rights. Ko subsequently held a press conference denying the charges and criticizing the judicial process.
Taipei District Court sentenced former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je to 13 years for bribery related to the Jinghua City case, with additional sentences for breach of trust and public interest embezzlement totaling 17 years imprisonment and six-year deprivation of civil rights. Confiscated criminal proceeds amount to 126 million NT dollars. Wei Jing Group Chairman Shen Qingjing received 10 years for complicity.
President Trump announced that the US government will postpone military strikes against Iranian energy facilities by ten days. The decision is interpreted as a more cautious approach by the US administration on Iran issues, allowing time for diplomatic negotiations. This reflects the complex situation in US-Iran relations and potential diplomatic opportunities.
U.S. President Trump announced via social media that he has delayed military action originally scheduled for March 27 by ten days to April 6 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (April 7, 8 a.m. Taiwan time), citing ongoing negotiations with Iran. Trump did not specify the exact targets of the potential military operation.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced that an explosion occurred at a US military base in Florida housing Central Command. The primary suspect remains at large, while an associate has been arrested in the United States. Authorities are investigating the incident and its motives.
The White House announced that US President Trump will visit China on May 14-15 and meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The timing aligns with Trump's previous statement that the Iran situation would be resolved within four to six weeks.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) significantly raised inflation forecasts for major economies on the 26th, citing rising energy prices from Middle East tensions. The OECD expects U.S. inflation to exceed 4% this year and projects the Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates unchanged over the next two years. The organization also withdrew its previous upward revision to global economic growth estimates.
Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment and stripped of political rights for six years in a first-instance trial on charges including corruption related to Jinghua City floor area ratio incentives and political donations. The sentence exceeding 10 years raises questions about his eligibility for the 2028 presidential election. The Interior Ministry stated it will determine eligibility based on the latest judgment at the time of registration. The case remains subject to appeal.
Taipei District Court found former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je guilty of bribery related to the Jinghua City floor area ratio case, sentencing him to 17 years imprisonment and six years of deprivation of political rights. Democratic Progressive Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang questioned whether Ko was aware of the 210 million yuan donation, expressing disbelief about the conviction.
Hacking tools Coruna and DarkSword target iOS devices. DarkSword source code leaked on GitHub, significantly lowering attack barriers and potentially affecting hundreds of millions of Apple devices worldwide. Security experts recommend users running older iOS versions update immediately to patch known vulnerabilities and prevent data breaches.
Disruptions in the Middle East have created a global shipping fuel shortage, forcing the industry to absorb approximately 5 billion dollars in additional costs. Some vessels are prioritizing the transport of marine fuel to key ports over cargo shipments. The fuel supply crisis is significantly impacting shipping operations and logistics worldwide.
The Iran-related situation has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting crude oil transportation and pushing international oil prices higher. Japan, heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil imports, faces severe economic impact across industries. Despite government announcements of reserve fund subsidies for fuel prices, some gas station operators have suspended operations until March, while bathhouse owners are closing permanently due to unsustainable heating oil costs.
Sinopac Bank's board approved the absorption merger of Taipei Bank on the 27th, with Sinopac as the surviving entity. Sinopac will issue 1.865 billion ordinary shares at NT$24 per share plus partial cash payment to acquire all Taipei Bank shares held by Sinopac Financial Holdings. Post-merger, Sinopac's total assets will reach NT$3.19 trillion, ranking 12th nationwide and 5th among private banks, with branch count increasing to 191, becoming the 2nd largest by branch network.