🔥 Top Stories
A 31-year-old gunman opened fire at a security checkpoint outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents Association dinner on the 25th, where President Trump and First Lady Melania were attending. Secret Service personnel immediately escorted Trump, his wife, and cabinet officials to safety as hundreds of guests and dignitaries evacuated in panic. The suspect was arrested by authorities.
President Lai Ching-te delivered remarks via video at a state dinner in Eswatini after his planned African visit was blocked. Lai stressed that the Republic of China Taiwan is a sovereign state and that 23 million Taiwanese have the right to engage with the world. He asserted that no country should obstruct Taiwan's efforts to contribute to the international community, pledging Taiwan will continue strengthening its capabilities and advancing global participation.
US President Trump stated that Iran can pursue direct negotiations to end the conflict. Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan today and will visit Moscow tomorrow to consult with Russia. Pakistan is working to restore talks between Tehran and Washington.
A shooting incident occurred at the White House Correspondents Dinner on the evening of the 25th during President Trump's attendance, causing panic. President Trump and First Lady Melania were evacuated to safety. The suspect was arrested and charged. Trump later held a press conference stating he was in good condition, indicating the suspect may have acted alone, with motives still under investigation.
A 31-year-old man opened fire at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner held at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, breaching a security checkpoint and causing panic. The White House indicated the gunman allegedly targeted President Trump and senior government officials in an attempted large-scale attack. The Secret Service promptly intervened, preventing significant casualties.
🏛 Politics
A 31-year-old gunman opened fire at a security checkpoint outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents Association dinner on the 25th, where President Trump and First Lady Melania were attending. Secret Service personnel immediately escorted Trump, his wife, and cabinet officials to safety as hundreds of guests and dignitaries evacuated in panic. The suspect was arrested by authorities.
President Lai Ching-te delivered remarks via video at a state dinner in Eswatini after his planned African visit was blocked. Lai stressed that the Republic of China Taiwan is a sovereign state and that 23 million Taiwanese have the right to engage with the world. He asserted that no country should obstruct Taiwan's efforts to contribute to the international community, pledging Taiwan will continue strengthening its capabilities and advancing global participation.
Nakayama Yasuhiro, a Japanese lawmaker and former defense vice minister, warned at the 14th Overseas Taiwan National Affairs Conference that China's mass-produced robots could be converted to military use during wartime. He urged the United States, Japan, and Taiwan to strengthen defense cooperation to maintain regional stability rather than provoke conflict.
Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation has designated drug-impaired driving as the primary traffic safety threat. In January alone, drug-driving accidents caused 4 deaths, approaching half of last year's 11 fatalities. Meanwhile, alcohol-related traffic fatalities have declined 64% year-over-year. The ministry will implement drug-driving prevention measures comparable to those for drunk driving, while warning of potential unreported cases.
The Railway Bureau and Taiwan Railways Company successfully completed the largest-scale temporary track line switch for the Neiyi section on the night of the 25th, mobilizing approximately 850 personnel and 38 construction vehicles. The project finished by early morning on the 26th. During the transition period, Neiyi Station's two original platforms will be temporarily adjusted to one island platform for shared use by northbound and southbound trains to advance Taoyuan's metropolitan rapid transit railway underground project.
US President Trump stated that Iran can pursue direct negotiations to end the conflict. Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan today and will visit Moscow tomorrow to consult with Russia. Pakistan is working to restore talks between Tehran and Washington.
A shooting incident occurred at the White House Correspondents Dinner on the evening of the 25th during President Trump's attendance, causing panic. President Trump and First Lady Melania were evacuated to safety. The suspect was arrested and charged. Trump later held a press conference stating he was in good condition, indicating the suspect may have acted alone, with motives still under investigation.
US President Trump stated in an interview that he is committed to resolving the situation in Ukraine. Trump indicated he has had "good conversations" with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky to advance peace efforts regarding the ongoing conflict.
Taiwan received the final batch of 28 M1A2T tanks purchased from the United States, which arrived at Taipei Port last night. Starting at 12:10 AM today, the tanks were transported by civilian heavy-duty trailers departing from Taipei Port to the Armored Corps Training Command in Hukou, Hsinchu. Police and military police were deployed for traffic control to ensure safe transport operations.
A 31-year-old man opened fire at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner held at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, breaching a security checkpoint and causing panic. The White House indicated the gunman allegedly targeted President Trump and senior government officials in an attempted large-scale attack. The Secret Service promptly intervened, preventing significant casualties.
💰 Finance
China's persistently high youth unemployment rate has prompted growing concerns about age discrimination in the workplace for those over 35. In response, increasing numbers of young people are establishing one-person companies leveraging artificial intelligence to handle most operational tasks, thereby circumventing age-related employment barriers and reducing operational costs.
Taiwan's stock market surged 2,128 points last week, driven by TSMC's strong performance. TSMC ADRs jumped over 5% on Friday, while the Taiex futures index climbed 544 points to 39,766 in after-hours trading. Traders expect the 40,000-point milestone to be reached soon, with TSMC's bullish momentum appearing limitless, though mid-cap stocks show increased volatility. Industry reports indicate IDM manufacturers' delivery times have extended to 30 weeks.
Driven by the artificial intelligence boom, Taiwan's stock market has reached approximately $4.3 trillion in total market capitalization, officially surpassing the United Kingdom to become one of the world's most important stock markets. South Korea's stock market is closely following, with only $140 billion gap remaining from the UK. Both Taiwan and South Korea's stock market growth rates are outpacing France and Germany, primarily driven by strong performance from AI hardware suppliers like TSMC.
The Federal Reserve and Group of Seven central banks are holding policy meetings this week, with all expected to keep interest rates unchanged. Fed Chair Powell, in what may be his final policy decision, will signal a high threshold for rate cuts before year-end. Officials will closely monitor inflation signals from rising energy prices and emphasize readiness to act, moving away from viewing inflation increases as merely transitory.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs will vote on April 29 at 10 a.m. ET on President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair. The committee vote is a key step in the confirmation process for the central bank's leadership position.
The near-complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz for nearly three months due to Iran-related conflict has reduced oil export revenues for Gulf nations, forcing sovereign wealth funds to reassess spending priorities and potentially impacting global investment deals. Shipping companies indicate the vital waterway requires several months to return to normal operations even under best-case scenarios, as the maritime crisis deepens.
Japan's construction sector is experiencing increasing work stoppages as builders struggle to procure essential building materials due to Middle East regional tensions. The industry has compared the situation to a "Reiwa-era oil crisis," highlighting the severe impact of supply chain disruptions on the construction industry.
This week marks a critical earnings season for the technology sector. Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon—the four major cloud service providers—will report Q3 earnings after US market close on the 29th. Apple will follow the next day. Investors are closely watching these companies' AI capital expenditures, Apple's chip supply risks, and their artificial intelligence strategies.
Samsung Electronics union threatens 18-day strike starting May 21 if bonuses are not increased. Analysts estimate daily losses of approximately 1 trillion won (680 million USD). An 18-day stoppage would require 36 days for production recovery, potentially worsening DRAM supply shortages and damaging Samsung's reputation and customer trust.
Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission reported that high-net-worth clients with assets exceeding 100 million NT dollars reached 23,206 as of March 2026, representing a 71.97% year-over-year increase. Their combined assets under management (AUM) totaled 2.3999 trillion NT dollars, up 55.16% annually, both marking historical highs and reflecting the expanding wealth management market in Taiwan.
🌏 International
A 31-year-old gunman opened fire at a security checkpoint outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents Association dinner on the 25th, where President Trump and First Lady Melania were attending. Secret Service personnel immediately escorted Trump, his wife, and cabinet officials to safety as hundreds of guests and dignitaries evacuated in panic. The suspect was arrested by authorities.
A shooting incident occurred at the White House Correspondents Dinner on the evening of the 25th during President Trump's attendance, causing panic. President Trump and First Lady Melania were evacuated to safety. The suspect was arrested and charged. Trump later held a press conference stating he was in good condition, indicating the suspect may have acted alone, with motives still under investigation.
A 31-year-old man opened fire at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner held at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, breaching a security checkpoint and causing panic. The White House indicated the gunman allegedly targeted President Trump and senior government officials in an attempted large-scale attack. The Secret Service promptly intervened, preventing significant casualties.
A shooting incident targeting the US president occurred Saturday evening, marking the third assassination attempt within less than two years. The recurring incidents highlight escalating security threats faced by American political figures and raise concerns about protective measures and public safety in the nation.
Mali faces a wave of coordinated attacks by jihadist militants and separatist groups spreading across the country. The defence minister was killed during this escalation of violence. The attacks underscore the deteriorating security situation in Mali, with armed groups launching simultaneous operations across multiple regions.
Former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed from a ballroom after gunfire was heard during an event. Security personnel immediately took action to protect the couple. The incident occurred at a formal gathering, and details about what happened are still under investigation.
An armed man attempted to force his way into a dinner event attended by President Trump in Washington, D.C., and opened fire. Investigators discovered that the suspect left a memo suggesting his motives, which will help authorities clarify the incident's motivation and circumstances.
President Lai Ching-te delivered remarks via video at a state dinner in Eswatini after his planned African visit was blocked. Lai stressed that the Republic of China Taiwan is a sovereign state and that 23 million Taiwanese have the right to engage with the world. He asserted that no country should obstruct Taiwan's efforts to contribute to the international community, pledging Taiwan will continue strengthening its capabilities and advancing global participation.
US President Trump stated that Iran can pursue direct negotiations to end the conflict. Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan today and will visit Moscow tomorrow to consult with Russia. Pakistan is working to restore talks between Tehran and Washington.
The Federal Reserve and Group of Seven central banks are holding policy meetings this week, with all expected to keep interest rates unchanged. Fed Chair Powell, in what may be his final policy decision, will signal a high threshold for rate cuts before year-end. Officials will closely monitor inflation signals from rising energy prices and emphasize readiness to act, moving away from viewing inflation increases as merely transitory.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs will vote on April 29 at 10 a.m. ET on President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair. The committee vote is a key step in the confirmation process for the central bank's leadership position.
The near-complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz for nearly three months due to Iran-related conflict has reduced oil export revenues for Gulf nations, forcing sovereign wealth funds to reassess spending priorities and potentially impacting global investment deals. Shipping companies indicate the vital waterway requires several months to return to normal operations even under best-case scenarios, as the maritime crisis deepens.
This week marks a critical earnings season for the technology sector. Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon—the four major cloud service providers—will report Q3 earnings after US market close on the 29th. Apple will follow the next day. Investors are closely watching these companies' AI capital expenditures, Apple's chip supply risks, and their artificial intelligence strategies.
US President Trump stated in an interview that he is committed to resolving the situation in Ukraine. Trump indicated he has had "good conversations" with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky to advance peace efforts regarding the ongoing conflict.
Asia-Pacific military spending increased at its fastest rate in 16 years in 2025, driven by US allies' growing uncertainty about Washington's security commitments, according to SIPRI's annual report. Global military expenditure reached US$2.89 trillion, up 2.9% from 2024, marking the 11th consecutive year of increases in worldwide military spending.