US President Trump stated on the 17th that he may terminate the ceasefire with Iran unless a long-term agreement to end the war is reached by the 22nd. Trump warned that if negotiations fail, the US may obtain Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile through more forceful means.
President Trump insists on maintaining the blockade of Iranian ports until an agreement is reached, while Iran denies Trump's claims about US-Iran cooperation on mine clearance. Iran warns it will close the Strait of Hormuz again if the blockade is not lifted. The two sides remain at odds over conditions for reopening the strategic waterway.
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has officially taken effect. US President Trump announced a ban on Israeli airstrikes, though Israeli military states it will maintain defensive positions in southern Lebanon. Lebanon's president announced plans to pursue a permanent agreement to protect national sovereignty. The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, aims to end the conflict that began in March.
US President Trump told AFP that a peace agreement with Iran has resolved major sticking points and is very close to completion. Iran announced measures regarding the Strait of Hormuz, while Lebanon ceasefire negotiations also advanced. Trump emphasized the agreement is nearly finalized, indicating potential de-escalation in Middle Eastern tensions.
Iran announced on the 17th that the Strait of Hormuz would be completely open to commercial vessels for ten days, signaling a potential de-escalation in tensions with the United States and Israel. Following the announcement, international crude oil and European natural gas prices dropped over 10%, while the Dow Jones index surged more than 1,000 points, gold prices rose, and U.S. Treasury yields declined.
Iran announced the reopening of Hormuz Strait commercial shipping on the 17th during a temporary ceasefire with the US and Israel, but reversed course within 24 hours on the 18th, announcing full restoration of strict monitoring and control over the strategic waterway, marking a significant policy shift.
The 2026 US-Iran conflict has disrupted approximately 500 million barrels of global crude oil supply, causing international oil prices to surge. Canadian Airlines has reduced six flight routes in response. Taiwan's CPC announced on the 18th that fuel prices will be frozen from the 20th, continuing to absorb cost differences to stabilize domestic prices amid international tensions.
Iran's military joint command issued a statement regarding the Strait of Hormuz situation. Spokesman Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya stated that due to the US refusal to lift its blockade on Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz will return to a state of strict control previously implemented by Iran.
US President Trump issued a strong signal to Israel on the 17th via social media, demanding an end to bombing Lebanon and announcing that the US has prohibited further Israeli airstrikes. A Lebanon-Israel ceasefire agreement took effect the same day. Simultaneously, the US is conducting diplomatic negotiations with Iran, considering unfreezing approximately $20 billion in Iranian funds in exchange for Iran abandoning its enriched uranium stockpile, demonstrating US leadership in Middle East affairs.
US President Trump stated on the 17th that he may terminate the ceasefire with Iran unless a long-term agreement to end the war is reached by the 22nd. Trump warned that if negotiations fail, the US may obtain Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile through more forceful means.
President Trump insists on maintaining the blockade of Iranian ports until an agreement is reached, while Iran denies Trump's claims about US-Iran cooperation on mine clearance. Iran warns it will close the Strait of Hormuz again if the blockade is not lifted. The two sides remain at odds over conditions for reopening the strategic waterway.
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has officially taken effect. US President Trump announced a ban on Israeli airstrikes, though Israeli military states it will maintain defensive positions in southern Lebanon. Lebanon's president announced plans to pursue a permanent agreement to protect national sovereignty. The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, aims to end the conflict that began in March.
US President Trump told AFP that a peace agreement with Iran has resolved major sticking points and is very close to completion. Iran announced measures regarding the Strait of Hormuz, while Lebanon ceasefire negotiations also advanced. Trump emphasized the agreement is nearly finalized, indicating potential de-escalation in Middle Eastern tensions.
Iran announced on the 17th that the Strait of Hormuz would be completely open to commercial vessels for ten days, signaling a potential de-escalation in tensions with the United States and Israel. Following the announcement, international crude oil and European natural gas prices dropped over 10%, while the Dow Jones index surged more than 1,000 points, gold prices rose, and U.S. Treasury yields declined.
At least 331 children in Taunsa, Punjab Province, Pakistan contracted HIV between November 2024 and October 2025. An undercover BBC investigation revealed that reuse of syringes by hospital staff was the primary cause. An 8-year-old patient died shortly after diagnosis; his mother reported he suffered severe fever and extreme pain before his death.
Iran and the United States reached an agreement to fully open the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. International oil prices fell approximately 10% following the announcement. U.S. stock indices gained between 1.3% and 1.8%, while European markets rose around 2%, reflecting positive market sentiment toward geopolitical de-escalation.
UMC officially notified customers of a wafer foundry price adjustment effective July 1, with increases of approximately 10%. The company stated the adjustment reflects changing supply-demand dynamics and continued investments to support customer growth. Price adjustments will vary based on product mix strategy, capacity agreements, and long-term partnerships, expected to improve gross margins.
Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a decline in global oil prices and a significant rally in US equities. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 indices both reached historic highs following the announcement. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 868.71 points, representing a gain of approximately 1.7%.
The New Youth Housing Policy, launched in 2023 with a planned three-year duration ending in July, sparked a surge in home purchases among young people. As the first grace period expires, borrowers face monthly payment increases from approximately 10,000 to 40,000 Taiwan dollars, raising concerns about repayment capacity. The government's decision on policy renewal remains uncertain.
Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to Iran-related conflicts have redirected significant shipping traffic to the Panama Canal, creating unprecedented congestion. Vessels now face average waiting times of approximately three and a half days to transit the canal, marking the worst congestion in over two years. An LPG carrier reportedly paid USD 4 million for priority passage, substantially higher than the less than USD 1 million charged in early March when the conflict began.
The United States and Philippines signed an agreement on the 16th to establish a large-scale US high-tech manufacturing zone in Luzon. The facility aims to supply critical minerals and essential electronic components needed by American companies, reducing dependence on Chinese supply chains. This represents the latest effort by the US to diminish China's dominant role in global supply chains.
Netflix released its financial report after market close on March 16, with guidance falling short of market expectations. Founder and Chairman Reed Hastings announced his departure from the company he co-founded in 1997. The news triggered investor concerns, causing the stock to plunge nearly 10% in early trading on March 17, reflecting market anxiety over the leadership transition.
Iran-related tensions have tightened crude oil supply, driving up petroleum product prices. According to Argus Media data, European biodiesel prices fell below conventional diesel for the first time in late March, while Asian palm oil futures dropped below diesel prices in early April. With biofuel costs becoming more competitive, Asian fuel suppliers are actively purchasing biofuels to reduce expenses.
Indian refiners are reportedly using the Indian Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation (ICICI) to purchase Iranian crude oil in Chinese yuan, addressing payment difficulties caused by long-standing sanctions. This occurs during a temporary US exemption on Iranian oil, though the US states the sanctions waiver expiring on the 19th will not be extended.
Over six weeks into the Iran conflict, disruptions to Middle Eastern crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments are prompting Asian nations to reassess their energy strategies. Countries are reducing reliance on LNG, diversifying energy sources through increased renewable energy and coal usage, and expanding purchases of American crude oil to mitigate geopolitical risks.
Meta is preparing to lay off approximately 10% of its global workforce, around 8,000 employees, starting May 20. The company is simultaneously increasing capital expenditure by 60-88% to 115-135 billion dollars this fiscal year, primarily for AI infrastructure expansion including data centers and high-performance computing equipment. Additional workforce reductions are planned for late 2026 based on AI development progress.
According to Reuters, Meta will launch its first major layoff initiative on May 20, eliminating approximately 10% of its global workforce, equivalent to nearly 8,000 employees. This marks another significant personnel adjustment following Meta's substantial workforce reduction in late 2023.
Scientists are using artificial intelligence and voice analysis to identify early signs of Alzheimer's disease within minutes. The technology detects subtle vocal changes that traditional methods often miss, potentially enabling diagnosis years before conventional approaches. This advancement could provide patients with significantly more time for early intervention and treatment.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company achieved consolidated revenue of over NT$1 trillion in Q1 2026, marking a 35% year-over-year increase. The company strengthened its competitive moat through advanced process technology, cutting-edge packaging capabilities, and strong customer loyalty, resulting in high demand for premium wafer capacity that exceeds supply.
Three chip architects who previously worked at Apple, Qualcomm, and Nuvia, including Gerard Williams III, have founded Nuvacore, a new startup in Silicon Valley focused on developing CPU chips for artificial intelligence applications. The team brings together industry expertise to advance AI chip technology innovation.
AI chip startup Cerebras Systems is reportedly set to submit its IPO application to regulators as early as Friday. The company has shifted from selling AI chips to operating its own data centers and providing cloud computing services. In January 2025, Cerebras announced a partnership with OpenAI valued at over $10 billion, planning to deliver up to 750 megawatts of computing power by 2028, with sources indicating the collaboration has expanded to over $20 billion.
According to Axios, AI startup Anthropic and the U.S. Department of Defense are showing signs of resolving their dispute. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is expected to meet with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, marking a potential breakthrough in AI collaboration discussions. The meeting comes as the Trump administration evaluates Anthropic's new AI model Mythos, which features advanced cybersecurity capabilities, raising both strategic value and risk considerations.
Starlink's latest report shows that global active users and app downloads more than doubled compared to the same period last year. The satellite internet service continues to attract users in the United States and emerging markets such as South America, providing strong performance support for parent company SpaceX's planned public listing this summer.
Latest data shows that despite rising memory chip prices increasing costs and causing overall smartphone shipments in mainland China to decline last quarter, Apple iPhone shipments in the region grew 20%, outperforming all other major manufacturers.
According to The Information, OpenAI will pay over $20 billion to California-based startup Cerebras over the next three years to purchase servers powered by Cerebras chips and potentially acquire equity stake in the company. The commitment doubles the amount from their previous agreement, reflecting OpenAI's confidence in the chip technology.
Hsinchu Logistics experienced a cyberattack starting on the 17th, causing multiple service disruptions that affected merchants' order shipments and deliveries. The company confirmed the incident on the 18th and restored system operations by early afternoon.
New Taipei City Police Department's online reporting system experienced a data display anomaly where a citizen's page redirected to show another person's case information and personal details. Police testing found no system abnormalities and classified it as an isolated case. The department stated it will hold the system vendor accountable and seek compensation for damages caused by the data exposure.
New Taipei City's online police report system experienced a malfunction where citizens' personal information was displayed to other users. The exposed data included names, ID numbers, phone numbers, addresses, and case details. After the issue was reported by city councilor Chen Shih-hsuan, police suspended the system for repairs to prevent further data breaches.
Artist Sakuraw Pawawan was sentenced to four years and six months for sexual assault in a final Supreme Court ruling. The National Culture and Arts Foundation initiated procedures to revoke his National Arts Award status, recovering the award, prize money, and trophy. This marks the first revocation of the award in its history.
Oscar Schmidt, a legendary Brazilian basketball player and all-time leading scorer in Olympic men's basketball history, has passed away at age 68. Schmidt was a childhood idol of Kobe Bryant and notably chose to dedicate his career to Brazil's national team, forgoing opportunities to play in the NBA. His selfless commitment and outstanding achievements are widely celebrated globally.
Japan's National Tourism Organization reported that Taiwanese tourists spent 388.4 billion yen in the first quarter of 2026, ranking first globally, with shopping as the primary expense category. While Chinese visitor spending declined significantly, Taiwanese tourists demonstrated robust growth, reflecting a trend of domestication in Japan travel patterns with increasingly stable consumer behavior.
US President Trump told AFP that a peace agreement with Iran has resolved major sticking points and is very close to completion. Iran announced measures regarding the Strait of Hormuz, while Lebanon ceasefire negotiations also advanced. Trump emphasized the agreement is nearly finalized, indicating potential de-escalation in Middle Eastern tensions.
Iran announced on the 17th that the Strait of Hormuz would be completely open to commercial vessels for ten days, signaling a potential de-escalation in tensions with the United States and Israel. Following the announcement, international crude oil and European natural gas prices dropped over 10%, while the Dow Jones index surged more than 1,000 points, gold prices rose, and U.S. Treasury yields declined.
US President Trump stated on the 17th that he may terminate the ceasefire with Iran unless a long-term agreement to end the war is reached by the 22nd. Trump warned that if negotiations fail, the US may obtain Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile through more forceful means.
Iran announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz on the 17th, but Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf subsequently stated plans to block it again. US President Trump declared that the US will not lift its naval blockade unless a 100% agreement is reached with Iran. The two sides maintain opposing positions regarding this strategic waterway.
President Trump insists on maintaining the blockade of Iranian ports until an agreement is reached, while Iran denies Trump's claims about US-Iran cooperation on mine clearance. Iran warns it will close the Strait of Hormuz again if the blockade is not lifted. The two sides remain at odds over conditions for reopening the strategic waterway.
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has officially taken effect. US President Trump announced a ban on Israeli airstrikes, though Israeli military states it will maintain defensive positions in southern Lebanon. Lebanon's president announced plans to pursue a permanent agreement to protect national sovereignty. The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, aims to end the conflict that began in March.
Iran announced the reopening of Hormuz Strait commercial shipping on the 17th during a temporary ceasefire with the US and Israel, but reversed course within 24 hours on the 18th, announcing full restoration of strict monitoring and control over the strategic waterway, marking a significant policy shift.
Iran's military joint command issued a statement regarding the Strait of Hormuz situation. Spokesman Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya stated that due to the US refusal to lift its blockade on Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz will return to a state of strict control previously implemented by Iran.
At least 331 children in Taunsa, Punjab Province, Pakistan contracted HIV between November 2024 and October 2025. An undercover BBC investigation revealed that reuse of syringes by hospital staff was the primary cause. An 8-year-old patient died shortly after diagnosis; his mother reported he suffered severe fever and extreme pain before his death.
US President Trump issued a strong signal to Israel on the 17th via social media, demanding an end to bombing Lebanon and announcing that the US has prohibited further Israeli airstrikes. A Lebanon-Israel ceasefire agreement took effect the same day. Simultaneously, the US is conducting diplomatic negotiations with Iran, considering unfreezing approximately $20 billion in Iranian funds in exchange for Iran abandoning its enriched uranium stockpile, demonstrating US leadership in Middle East affairs.
The 2026 US-Iran conflict has disrupted approximately 500 million barrels of global crude oil supply, causing international oil prices to surge. Canadian Airlines has reduced six flight routes in response. Taiwan's CPC announced on the 18th that fuel prices will be frozen from the 20th, continuing to absorb cost differences to stabilize domestic prices amid international tensions.
Iran and the United States reached an agreement to fully open the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. International oil prices fell approximately 10% following the announcement. U.S. stock indices gained between 1.3% and 1.8%, while European markets rose around 2%, reflecting positive market sentiment toward geopolitical de-escalation.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pursuing the first-ever revision of Japan's post-World War II pacifist constitution. Her Liberal Democratic Party secured a historic two-thirds majority in the National Diet's lower house during February's election, meeting the threshold needed to pass constitutional amendments independently. The move is expected to be welcomed in Washington but condemned in Beijing.
Iran has reinstated restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, with Iranian officials stating the strategic waterway is under strict control of Iran's Armed Forces. The announcement came one day after Iran declared it would permit non-military vessels to transit during the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire in Lebanon. This action may impact global energy transportation through the critical shipping route.
Four bipartisan US senators, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Shabot, sent letters to Taiwan's Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu and Vice Speaker Chiang Chi-chen, urging swift passage of the special defense budget. The senators, who visited Taiwan last month, expressed concern about delays in budget review and contacted committee members to emphasize the importance of defense spending for Taiwan's security.
A 71-year-old female driver's vehicle crashed into an 85 Degrees C cafe in Toufen, Miaoli County on the morning of the 18th. The car struck a 49-year-old male customer who was dining inside. Despite emergency medical treatment, the customer died from severe injuries. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.