Apple announced a leadership transition, with John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering, assuming the role of CEO effective September 1. Current CEO Tim Cook will transition to executive chairman. This marks a significant change in Apple's leadership structure as the company continues its strategic direction under new executive management.
US President Donald Trump stated he is unlikely to extend the two-week ceasefire with Iran. He warned that the Strait of Hormuz could remain blocked before any agreement is finalized. International oil prices surged over 5% today in response to the heightened tensions in the Middle East region.
The Iranian cargo vessel Tuskan was intercepted by the U.S. Navy in the Arabian Sea on the 19th. After six hours of standoff, the U.S. destroyer Spruance fired on the ship's engine room. U.S. Marines then boarded via helicopter and took the vessel into custody. This marks the first reported attempt to breach the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
President Lai Ching-te will make his first visit to Africa, traveling to the friendly nation of Eswatini. He has been invited to deliver remarks at ceremonies celebrating the Eswatini king's 40th year of reign and 58th birthday. During his visit, President Lai will address African leaders and tribal chiefs, outlining Taiwan's commitment to engaging the world and presenting a vision for cooperation with African nations.
International oil prices surged Monday amid escalating Middle East conflicts. Brent crude rose 5.64% to $95.48 per barrel, while WTI climbed 6.87% to $89.61 per barrel. Uncertain US-Iran negotiations and heightened tensions near the Strait of Hormuz prompted markets to reassess supply risks, driving oil prices higher.
US President Donald Trump stated he is unlikely to extend the two-week ceasefire with Iran. He warned that the Strait of Hormuz could remain blocked before any agreement is finalized. International oil prices surged over 5% today in response to the heightened tensions in the Middle East region.
As the US-Iran ceasefire deadline approaches, Pakistani government officials stated they have received positive signals from Iran and are actively promoting Tehran's participation in talks with the United States within the next one to two days. Pakistan is mediating the negotiations as Trump's announced two-week ceasefire nears expiration. Officials noted the situation remains fluid but Pakistan is making full diplomatic efforts. Iran's stance has shifted from previous refusal to consider participating in talks.
The Iranian cargo vessel Tuskan was intercepted by the U.S. Navy in the Arabian Sea on the 19th. After six hours of standoff, the U.S. destroyer Spruance fired on the ship's engine room. U.S. Marines then boarded via helicopter and took the vessel into custody. This marks the first reported attempt to breach the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
President Lai Ching-te will make his first visit to Africa, traveling to the friendly nation of Eswatini. He has been invited to deliver remarks at ceremonies celebrating the Eswatini king's 40th year of reign and 58th birthday. During his visit, President Lai will address African leaders and tribal chiefs, outlining Taiwan's commitment to engaging the world and presenting a vision for cooperation with African nations.
The National Federation of Commerce, represented by Chairman Hsu Shu-po, held a press conference calling for the government to accept ten measures proposed by Beijing regarding Taiwan. The Mainland Affairs Council responded that these measures constitute political transactions premised on the "1992 Consensus" and opposition to Taiwan independence, involving sovereignty concessions and attempts to sow division domestically.
Two executives of a Hsinchu environmental company were convicted of illegally dumping over 6,580 tons of industrial waste on leased land, profiting more than 60 million NT dollars. The Hsinchu District Court sentenced them under waste management laws, and prosecutors secured asset seizure orders to recover the illegal gains.
A senior member of Japanese yakuza organization Inagawa-kai, Haruhiro Noguchi, is accused of smuggling two kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in shark fin and Buddha Jumps Over the Wall meal packages back to Japan. Taipei District Prosecutors discovered that Noguchi exchanged New Taiwan Dollars through Lin Po-hsin, a Bamboo Union Gang leader, to obtain drug purchase funds in Taiwan. Prosecutors have concluded their investigation and filed charges, also uncovering Lin's underground currency exchange operations.
Taiwan's Representative to the UK Yao Jing-hsiang addressed the UK Parliament's National Security Strategy Joint Committee, sharing Taiwan's efforts in building whole-of-society defense resilience. Yao presented the Taiwan National Security Handbook, emphasizing Taiwan's determination to resist aggression and demonstrating the nation's comprehensive civil defense preparations to UK lawmakers.
US President Trump denied facing pressure to reach an agreement with Iran, stating that the United States will lift its blockade on Iranian ports only after Iran agrees to end the war. According to NBC News and AFP reports, Trump made this statement on his social media platform, emphasizing that any sanctions relief depends on reaching a comprehensive agreement.
US President Trump stated on the 20th that a potential US-Iran agreement would guarantee global peace and security. Trump claimed the current negotiated deal significantly improves upon the Iran nuclear agreement (JCPOA) from the Obama administration. Trump's remarks were made in defense of ongoing US-Iran negotiations.
US stock markets declined slightly Monday after three consecutive weeks of gains. Market concerns over escalating US-Iran tensions raised questions about the sustainability of a two-week ceasefire. An Iranian official indicated consideration of peace talks in Pakistan with US involvement, though US Vice President JD Vance denied reports of traveling to Pakistan for negotiations. Iran's reopening of the Strait of Hormuz last Friday had previously driven market gains, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq reaching record highs.
International oil prices surged Monday amid escalating Middle East conflicts. Brent crude rose 5.64% to $95.48 per barrel, while WTI climbed 6.87% to $89.61 per barrel. Uncertain US-Iran negotiations and heightened tensions near the Strait of Hormuz prompted markets to reassess supply risks, driving oil prices higher.
President Trump publicly rejected Energy Secretary Chris Wright's conservative oil price projections on Monday. Wright previously stated that gasoline prices may not decline significantly until 2027, with sub-$3 per gallon prices possibly appearing later this year or next year. Trump dismissed this assessment as "completely wrong," emphasizing that once the Iran conflict ends, U.S. gasoline prices will drop immediately, attempting to signal optimism to markets and voters.
A tornado struck Rivian Automotive's manufacturing facility in central Illinois last weekend, damaging storage and logistics buildings used for R2 components. CEO RJ Scaringe confirmed the incident did not affect assembly lines and operations are expected to resume this week. The R2, a key vehicle for Rivian's market expansion, is scheduled to launch this spring. No injuries were reported.
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS), known as the central bank of central banks, has renewed its call for international cooperation on stablecoin regulation. BIS warns that divergent regulatory approaches among nations pose risks to global financial stability, and unilateral actions could lead to serious market fragmentation.
Morgan Stanley indicates that rising AI automation levels will expand AI investment beyond graphics chips to central processing units, driving increased CPU demand. Chipmakers like TSMC are well-positioned to benefit from this trend. The development signals renewed market attention for CPUs, which have been overshadowed by GPUs in recent years.
A global wave of energy storage battery facility construction is underway, with numerous new installations expected to connect to power grids this year. Deployment is accelerating across diverse locations including solar centers in Texas, grasslands in Inner Mongolia, and a decommissioned coal plant site north of Sydney, supporting growing energy demands.
Kevin Warsh, President Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve chair, stated that monetary policy should maintain strong independence while the Fed must stay within its mandate and focus on core tasks like fighting inflation. Warsh will testify before the Senate Banking Committee, emphasizing that Fed independence depends on itself and faces greatest risk when venturing into fiscal and social policy areas beyond its authority. He has repeatedly criticized the Fed's mission creep into climate change and other issues.
Global oil prices have surged due to geopolitical tensions affecting Middle Eastern oil supplies. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, originally planning to raise fuel surcharges in June, have accelerated the implementation to May 1 due to unexpected fuel price increases. Taiwan-Japan routes will see surcharges rise by over 1,300 TWD, with some routes experiencing increases exceeding 200 percent.
The US government initiated one of the largest tariff refund programs on the 20th following a Supreme Court ruling that deemed the previous tariff policy unlawful. The government will refund approximately $166 billion, plus interest, to businesses that have waited a year for the funds to return. This marks the formal entry into the refund phase of the previous year's tariff policy implementation.
Apple announced a leadership transition, with John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering, assuming the role of CEO effective September 1. Current CEO Tim Cook will transition to executive chairman. This marks a significant change in Apple's leadership structure as the company continues its strategic direction under new executive management.
The documentary "Return to the Moon: A New Space Era," co-produced by Taiwan Public Television, will air in Europe and the United States. The film showcases research from National Central University, including deep space radiation detection technology and studies on lunar dust's impact on life, bringing Taiwan's space science achievements to the international stage.
Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta plan to invest approximately $635 billion in AI infrastructure in 2026, a significant increase from $383 billion the previous year. As AI computing demands surge, major U.S. data centers consume over 1GW of power, equivalent to supplying 850,000 households. Grid operator PJM warns that by 2027, the power grid may lack sufficient capacity and reserves, increasing blackout risks. Large gas turbine delivery times have extended to 2029-2030, creating supply chain challenges for the industry.
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket failed to precisely deliver its payload satellite to the intended orbit during its third flight mission. The setback undermines Bezos-backed company's efforts to challenge SpaceX's market dominance and highlights ongoing precision challenges in the company's rocket operations.
Software giant Adobe unveiled its "CX Enterprise" and other AI agent products on the 20th, designed to help enterprises automate digital marketing and customer experience management. The initiative aims to maintain Adobe's competitive advantage as AI technology disrupts the software industry. The products focus on improving efficiency in customer interaction, sales, and brand loyalty. Investors are watching whether Adobe can maintain its leadership position in AI-native software competition.
Google plans to announce its next-generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) chip at Google Cloud Next conference in Las Vegas this week to strengthen its position in the AI inference market. The move reflects a structural shift in global AI competition from model training to large-scale inference deployment. Amin Vahdat, who leads Google's AI infrastructure and chip development, hinted that more announcements will follow in the near future.
BMW Group and Croatian Rimac Technology announced a partnership to develop a new high-voltage battery system for the BMW i7 pure electric luxury sedan, which will debut globally at the Beijing Auto Show on April 22. The collaboration marks a significant milestone for Rimac's transition from a niche supercar supplier to a first-tier mass production technology partner, with the new battery technology delivering 20% higher energy density than previous generation.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced charges against singer D4vd in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The girl's remains were discovered seven months ago in a Tesla vehicle registered to D4vd. Following a months-long investigation, prosecutors decided to proceed with charges in the case.
Taiwan's sports ministry, Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee, and national training center have established three relay stations for the 2026 Aichi Nagoya Asian Games in September. Since the Games lacks a unified athletes' village and venues are scattered, a former elementary school in central Nagoya has been converted into Taiwan's first integrated relay station. This facility enables athletes to complete training, recovery, and meal supplementation at a single location without traveling between sites.
US President Donald Trump stated he is unlikely to extend the two-week ceasefire with Iran. He warned that the Strait of Hormuz could remain blocked before any agreement is finalized. International oil prices surged over 5% today in response to the heightened tensions in the Middle East region.
The Iranian cargo vessel Tuskan was intercepted by the U.S. Navy in the Arabian Sea on the 19th. After six hours of standoff, the U.S. destroyer Spruance fired on the ship's engine room. U.S. Marines then boarded via helicopter and took the vessel into custody. This marks the first reported attempt to breach the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple's Chief Executive Officer at the beginning of September. John Ternus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will assume the role. Ternus has been with Apple for years overseeing the hardware engineering division and will lead the technology giant's future direction.
Apple announced that CEO Tim Cook will step down on September 1st, 2026, to be succeeded by John Ternus, the company's senior vice president of hardware engineering. Cook, who joined Apple in 1998 and became CEO in 2011 following Steve Jobs, will transition to executive chairman. Apple also appointed Johny Srouji as chief hardware officer, effective immediately, to lead the hardware engineering division.
Apple announced that CEO Tim Cook will step down in September, with John Ternus, head of hardware, becoming the company's next chief executive. Cook will transition to chairman, continuing to lead the technology giant. This leadership transition marks a new chapter for Apple, with Ternus taking responsibility for daily operations and strategic execution of the company.
Apple has announced that John Ternus will assume the role of chief executive officer, while current CEO Tim Cook will transition to executive chairman. This leadership change marks a significant shift in Apple's management structure, with Cook continuing to guide the company's strategic direction in his new position.
Apple announced that CEO Tim Cook will step down effective September 1, 2026, concluding his 15-year tenure. John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering, will become the company's next chief executive officer. Cook will transition to executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. The transition has been approved by the board.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Sanriku on the evening of the 20th, with intensity 5-strong recorded in Aomori Prefecture and an 80-centimeter tsunami observed in Iwate Prefecture. Japan Meteorological Agency issued a post-earthquake advisory for the Hokkaido-Sanriku region, noting increased risk of major earthquakes along the Kuril and Japan trenches. Residents are urged to review disaster preparedness measures.
US President Trump stated in a media interview that the Iran ceasefire deadline is set for the evening of the 22nd Eastern Time (morning of the 23rd Japan time). He indicated that if negotiations fail to reach consensus, the possibility of extending the ceasefire period is extremely low. Iran has reportedly indicated no current plans to participate in talks, with the realization of a second face-to-face US-Iran negotiation remaining the key focus.
Apple announced a leadership transition, with John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering, assuming the role of CEO effective September 1. Current CEO Tim Cook will transition to executive chairman. This marks a significant change in Apple's leadership structure as the company continues its strategic direction under new executive management.
President Lai Ching-te will make his first visit to Africa, traveling to the friendly nation of Eswatini. He has been invited to deliver remarks at ceremonies celebrating the Eswatini king's 40th year of reign and 58th birthday. During his visit, President Lai will address African leaders and tribal chiefs, outlining Taiwan's commitment to engaging the world and presenting a vision for cooperation with African nations.
As the US-Iran ceasefire deadline approaches, Pakistani government officials stated they have received positive signals from Iran and are actively promoting Tehran's participation in talks with the United States within the next one to two days. Pakistan is mediating the negotiations as Trump's announced two-week ceasefire nears expiration. Officials noted the situation remains fluid but Pakistan is making full diplomatic efforts. Iran's stance has shifted from previous refusal to consider participating in talks.
International oil prices surged Monday amid escalating Middle East conflicts. Brent crude rose 5.64% to $95.48 per barrel, while WTI climbed 6.87% to $89.61 per barrel. Uncertain US-Iran negotiations and heightened tensions near the Strait of Hormuz prompted markets to reassess supply risks, driving oil prices higher.
Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta plan to invest approximately $635 billion in AI infrastructure in 2026, a significant increase from $383 billion the previous year. As AI computing demands surge, major U.S. data centers consume over 1GW of power, equivalent to supplying 850,000 households. Grid operator PJM warns that by 2027, the power grid may lack sufficient capacity and reserves, increasing blackout risks. Large gas turbine delivery times have extended to 2029-2030, creating supply chain challenges for the industry.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down after nearly 15 years leading the company, during which its market value increased by over US$3.6 trillion. Cook, 65, will hand over CEO duties to John Ternus, Apple's head of hardware engineering, on September 1. Cook will remain as executive chairman, similar to transitions made by other tech leaders like Amazon's Jeff Bezos.