🔥 Top Stories
Prosecutors investigating a Chinese espionage case discovered that Chu Cheng-chi, a prospective DPP candidate for Taipei city councilor, used his position as chief aide to leak classified legislative documents. He photographed and transmitted the materials marked as confidential to a Chinese national via encrypted phone, receiving 20,000 yuan in compensation. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office has indicted him, and the DPP announced expulsion from the party and withdrawal of candidacy support.
President Trump delivered his first nationwide address since the Middle East conflict began, declaring that US military operations will conclude and predicting the Iran-related war will end within three weeks. Trump called on Americans to view the conflict appropriately but did not provide specific solutions. The speech addressed strategic points including the Strait of Hormuz.
The United Kingdom convened approximately 40 countries to discuss the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Participating nations called for immediate and unconditional reopening of the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy transport hub, and its security has significant implications for international economic stability.
U.S. President Trump stated in a national address on the 1st that military operations against Iran are "very close" to completion, but vowed "extremely fierce" strikes over the next two to three weeks. The lack of specific timelines and concrete plans for ending operations dampened investor expectations for near-term conflict resolution.
Qatar's liquefied natural gas equipment sustained damage from missile attacks. Bloomberg analysts estimate Asian LNG prices could surge up to 50%, reaching $30 per million BTU, significantly impacting profit margins for Asian importers including Taiwan's CPC Corporation.
🏛 Politics
US President Trump told Time magazine that Iran is eager to reach a deal and claimed the US military destroyed three Iranian bridges on the evening of the 1st. Trump stated that if the US stops the war, Israel will follow suit, provided Israel is not provoked. His remarks reflect the US position on Iran and Middle East tensions.
US President Trump has again threatened to withdraw from NATO, criticizing allies including the UK, Italy, and Spain for insufficient defense spending. The threat raises concerns about America's security commitments and destabilizes the alliance, despite congressional restrictions. European nations are reassessing their security strategies and defense investments in response to the uncertainty.
Yemen's Houthi movement has joined military operations against Israel. While the direct military impact remains limited, the group poses significant threats to Red Sea shipping. International observers warn that further blockade of the Strait of Mandeb could paralyze critical Middle Eastern maritime chokepoints, disrupting global shipping and energy transport.
US President Trump posted on social media on February 2nd, stating that the US military has not yet begun destroying additional Iranian targets and implying that Tehran's new leadership should accelerate action. The remarks prompted Iranian state media to release a list of retaliation targets in response, escalating military tensions between the two sides.
President Trump is expected to formally present a 2027 defense budget proposal of 1.5 trillion dollars this Friday, marking the largest increase in U.S. military spending since World War II. The proposal reflects the administration's emphasis on defense expenditure and is anticipated to significantly impact military modernization and the defense industry.
Prosecutors investigating a Chinese espionage case discovered that Chu Cheng-chi, a prospective DPP candidate for Taipei city councilor, used his position as chief aide to leak classified legislative documents. He photographed and transmitted the materials marked as confidential to a Chinese national via encrypted phone, receiving 20,000 yuan in compensation. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office has indicted him, and the DPP announced expulsion from the party and withdrawal of candidacy support.
President Trump delivered his first nationwide address since the Middle East conflict began, declaring that US military operations will conclude and predicting the Iran-related war will end within three weeks. Trump called on Americans to view the conflict appropriately but did not provide specific solutions. The speech addressed strategic points including the Strait of Hormuz.
The United Kingdom convened approximately 40 countries to discuss the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Participating nations called for immediate and unconditional reopening of the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy transport hub, and its security has significant implications for international economic stability.
U.S. President Trump stated in a national address on the 1st that military operations against Iran are "very close" to completion, but vowed "extremely fierce" strikes over the next two to three weeks. The lack of specific timelines and concrete plans for ending operations dampened investor expectations for near-term conflict resolution.
Ko Wen-je, founder of the Taiwan People's Party, was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment and stripped of civil rights for six years by Taipei District Court on the 26th for four cases including illegal floor area ratio bonuses at Taipei Hua City. Ko held a press conference denying corruption allegations and claiming the case was a frame-up. Internet users subsequently unearthed comments from Ko's former professor, ex-NTU Dean Lee Yuan-tse, sparking public discussion.
💰 Finance
US nonfarm employment increased by 178,000 in March, significantly exceeding forecasts, while the unemployment rate declined. The strong job growth combined with moderating wage increases suggests the Federal Reserve will likely maintain interest rates at its next meeting.
US President Trump's reciprocal tariff policy on trading partners has reached its one-year milestone. The White House tallied results, claiming completion of over 20 trade agreements and accelerated manufacturing reshoring to America. Tax policy experts are analyzing the policy's effectiveness.
US President Trump signed executive orders imposing new tariffs on specific pharmaceutical and metal products. The measures aim to pressure pharmaceutical companies to relocate more production to the United States. This represents the latest escalation of Trump's trade policy, following a year of trade tensions with major trading partners, further reinforcing his push to bring manufacturing back to America.
President Trump signed an executive order Thursday adjusting tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper imports. Base metal tariffs remain at 50%, but will now be calculated based on actual prices paid by U.S. buyers to prevent underreporting. Derivative products with metal content below 15% will have their 50% tariff eliminated, simplifying calculations and reducing compliance complexity.
International oil markets experienced significant volatility today following US President Trump's statement regarding continued actions against Iran. US crude (WTI) closed up over 11%, while Brent crude rose nearly 8%. Market concerns over escalating Middle East geopolitical risks drove the energy price increases.
UBS strategists predict the yen will continue depreciating despite Japanese officials' increased verbal intervention, potentially weakening to 175 per dollar by year-end if oil supply disruptions persist. Conversely, India's rupee surged to its largest gain in over 12 years on March 2, as authorities cracked down on speculative activities, contrasting with other Asian currencies' performance.
Intel has agreed to pay $14.2 billion to repurchase a 49% stake in its Irish semiconductor fabrication plant from Apollo Global Management. Analysts view the move as strengthening CPU production capacity amid AI's shift toward inference workloads, supporting Intel's turnaround efforts. The announcement boosted Intel's stock price by over 8% on the day.
Tesla delivered 358,023 vehicles in the first quarter, falling short of analyst expectations of 372,160 units and marking the second consecutive quarter of declining deliveries. The results highlight Tesla's struggles in the competitive electric vehicle market and weakness in its core business. The announcement triggered a stock price decline exceeding 4% in early trading.
US President Trump's threats of action against Iran have raised concerns about potential Middle East oil supply disruptions. West Texas Intermediate crude oil has surpassed $110 per barrel. Global stock markets and cryptocurrencies declined broadly in response, with Bitcoin falling 3.2% to $65,966 on the 2nd.
Qatar's liquefied natural gas equipment sustained damage from missile attacks. Bloomberg analysts estimate Asian LNG prices could surge up to 50%, reaching $30 per million BTU, significantly impacting profit margins for Asian importers including Taiwan's CPC Corporation.
💻 Technology
Microsoft is shifting its artificial intelligence strategy from relying on external partners to developing cutting-edge AI models in-house. The company plans to completely reduce its dependence on OpenAI by 2027 through self-developed and deployed advanced AI models. This strategic adjustment reflects Microsoft's effort to gain greater control and independence in the competitive AI landscape.
According to Counterpoint Research, current mainstream HBM memory relies on micro-bump interconnects with thermal compression bonding, which is approaching performance limitations. As chip stacking layers increase, traditional micro-bump technology faces constraints in heat dissipation and signal transmission efficiency. Hybrid bonding technology, offering higher integration density and superior thermal characteristics, is expected to become the key technology for next-generation HBM development.
Microsoft announced a 1.6 trillion yen (approximately $10 billion) investment in Japan between 2026 and 2029 to expand artificial intelligence development and strengthen cybersecurity collaboration. The investment plan aims to enhance Microsoft's technological infrastructure in Japan and support local enterprises in digital transformation and innovation initiatives.
Apple is reportedly purchasing mobile DRAM in large quantities at premium prices, willing to sacrifice some profit margins to ensure stable supply. This strategy may limit competitors' access to memory supplies. The move aims to strengthen Apple's competitive position in the mobile device market.
Microsoft announced today that it will invest $10 billion in Japan over the next four years, focusing on data centers and related infrastructure. This investment is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to expand artificial intelligence services across Asia and strengthen its regional presence.
Taipei International Computers Show (COMPUTEX) is undergoing profound transformation amid the global artificial intelligence wave. The exhibition, traditionally centered on personal computers, now focuses on AI technology. Nvidia's changing participation scale reflects the industry's major transition from conventional hardware to AI computing, marking a significant structural shift in the technology sector.
Google has officially released Gemma 4, a new open-source AI model, and announced the development of Gemini Nano 4 for mobile devices. The model is expected to be integrated into flagship smartphones launching this year, showcasing Google's latest AI technology advancements and practical applications.
OpenAI announced the acquisition of digital media platform TBPN this Thursday, marking the company's first venture into media. Founded in 2024 by Jordi Hays and John Coogan, TBPN produces daily live commentary on technology and business topics and has quickly become a focal point in Silicon Valley, featuring prominent guests including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. The move comes weeks after OpenAI announced it would pause side projects to focus on enterprise applications.
Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing service "Robotaxi" suffered a widespread system malfunction on March 31 evening in Wuhan, leaving hundreds of self-driving vehicles immobilized on roadways. The incident caused severe traffic congestion on elevated highways, with some passengers trapped in vehicles for up to two hours. The failure highlights concerns about system reliability in large-scale autonomous vehicle deployments.
NASA launched its Space Launch System rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the evening of the 1st, carrying four astronauts on the Artemis II mission. This marks the first crewed lunar orbit mission for the United States in over 50 years. The mission's success will have significant implications for competition between emerging space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin and established aerospace contractors.
🎬 Entertainment
Director Kim Chang-min died from a brain hemorrhage sustained during a physical altercation with another patron at a restaurant last year. The incident, revealed through a television program, has sparked public concern and criticism regarding the police investigation's thoroughness. Authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the case.
Italian racing driver Kimi Antonelli, 19, has emerged as a standout performer in the 2026 F1 season. Following his maiden victory in Shanghai, he secured another win at the Japanese Grand Prix on March 28, becoming F1's youngest championship leader at 19 years and 201 days old, surpassing Max Verstappen's 2016 record. Unable to drink alcohol due to Japan's legal drinking age, Antonelli celebrated on the podium with non-alcoholic sparkling water.
A 39-year-old woman in Guangdong experienced continuous clear fluid discharge from one nostril for 20 days, worsening when bending or exerting pressure. The odorless, slightly salty liquid initially appeared to be rhinitis, but self-medication proved ineffective. Medical examination revealed the discharge was actually cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Doctors advise that prolonged unilateral clear nasal discharge warrants medical evaluation rather than self-diagnosis as rhinitis.
Chinese health supplement brand "Yousiyi" was exposed by state media CCTV for fabricating its Australian address, which was actually an auto repair shop. The company falsified its import background, brand story, and international awards. Multiple Taiwanese celebrities who promoted the product through live streaming, including Chen Yan-xi, Ming Dao, and Yi Neng-jing, subsequently issued apologies.
🌏 International
Prosecutors investigating a Chinese espionage case discovered that Chu Cheng-chi, a prospective DPP candidate for Taipei city councilor, used his position as chief aide to leak classified legislative documents. He photographed and transmitted the materials marked as confidential to a Chinese national via encrypted phone, receiving 20,000 yuan in compensation. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office has indicted him, and the DPP announced expulsion from the party and withdrawal of candidacy support.
President Trump delivered his first nationwide address since the Middle East conflict began, declaring that US military operations will conclude and predicting the Iran-related war will end within three weeks. Trump called on Americans to view the conflict appropriately but did not provide specific solutions. The speech addressed strategic points including the Strait of Hormuz.
International oil markets experienced significant volatility today following US President Trump's statement regarding continued actions against Iran. US crude (WTI) closed up over 11%, while Brent crude rose nearly 8%. Market concerns over escalating Middle East geopolitical risks drove the energy price increases.
The United Kingdom convened approximately 40 countries to discuss the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Participating nations called for immediate and unconditional reopening of the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy transport hub, and its security has significant implications for international economic stability.
U.S. President Trump stated in a national address on the 1st that military operations against Iran are "very close" to completion, but vowed "extremely fierce" strikes over the next two to three weeks. The lack of specific timelines and concrete plans for ending operations dampened investor expectations for near-term conflict resolution.
Qatar's liquefied natural gas equipment sustained damage from missile attacks. Bloomberg analysts estimate Asian LNG prices could surge up to 50%, reaching $30 per million BTU, significantly impacting profit margins for Asian importers including Taiwan's CPC Corporation.
US President Trump posted on social media on February 2nd, stating that the US military has not yet begun destroying additional Iranian targets and implying that Tehran's new leadership should accelerate action. The remarks prompted Iranian state media to release a list of retaliation targets in response, escalating military tensions between the two sides.
President Trump is expected to formally present a 2027 defense budget proposal of 1.5 trillion dollars this Friday, marking the largest increase in U.S. military spending since World War II. The proposal reflects the administration's emphasis on defense expenditure and is anticipated to significantly impact military modernization and the defense industry.
Ko Wen-je, founder of the Taiwan People's Party, was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment and stripped of civil rights for six years by Taipei District Court on the 26th for four cases including illegal floor area ratio bonuses at Taipei Hua City. Ko held a press conference denying corruption allegations and claiming the case was a frame-up. Internet users subsequently unearthed comments from Ko's former professor, ex-NTU Dean Lee Yuan-tse, sparking public discussion.
US President Trump told Time magazine that Iran is eager to reach a deal and claimed the US military destroyed three Iranian bridges on the evening of the 1st. Trump stated that if the US stops the war, Israel will follow suit, provided Israel is not provoked. His remarks reflect the US position on Iran and Middle East tensions.
US President Trump has again threatened to withdraw from NATO, criticizing allies including the UK, Italy, and Spain for insufficient defense spending. The threat raises concerns about America's security commitments and destabilizes the alliance, despite congressional restrictions. European nations are reassessing their security strategies and defense investments in response to the uncertainty.
Yemen's Houthi movement has joined military operations against Israel. While the direct military impact remains limited, the group poses significant threats to Red Sea shipping. International observers warn that further blockade of the Strait of Mandeb could paralyze critical Middle Eastern maritime chokepoints, disrupting global shipping and energy transport.
Iran is seeking to establish permanent leverage in the Middle East by implementing new regulations for the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. As a critical global energy transportation route, control over this waterway will significantly impact regional political dynamics and international relations.
US President Trump announced plans to conduct intense military operations against Iran within the next 2-3 weeks during a national address. In response, Iranian military commanders issued warnings against American ground operations and pledged resolute resistance. The escalating rhetoric from both sides raises international concerns about further military escalation in the region.
President Trump announced the dismissal of Attorney General Bondi. Reports indicate Trump's dissatisfaction with how Bondi handled investigation materials related to deceased billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who faced sexual abuse charges before his death.