A 31-year-old suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was charged with attempted assassination of President Trump following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on the 25th. He made his first court appearance on the 27th and faces potential life imprisonment. The White House has officially characterized this as the third assassination attempt against Trump in two years.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in Washington on the 27th for a four-day state visit aimed at reinforcing the UK-US special relationship amid complex international circumstances. The visit includes a meeting with President Trump and is conducted under heightened security measures. The trip seeks to deepen bilateral cooperation and strategic partnership between the two nations.
International crude oil prices surged on Tuesday, with Brent crude June futures rising 2.8% to $111.26 per barrel and WTI crude climbing 3.7% to $99.93 per barrel, marking the seventh consecutive trading day of gains. Rising risks of shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz drove the rally, outweighing supply increase expectations from the UAE's withdrawal from OPEC. Market concerns over Middle East geopolitical tensions and potential supply chain disruptions continue to dominate trading sentiment.
The United Arab Emirates announced its formal withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+ alliance on May 1st, ending over 50 years of membership. Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei stated the decision reflects comprehensive evaluation of national long-term strategic and economic interests, aligning with energy production expansion plans. The move is viewed as weakening OPEC's control over global crude oil supply and widening rifts with Saudi Arabia, significantly impacting global energy markets.
The United Arab Emirates announced on the 28th that it will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OPEC+ alliance on May 1, ending its 60-year membership. The move aligns with the nation's long-term strategic and economic plans, marking a significant blow to the global oil producers' group.
A 31-year-old suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was charged with attempted assassination of President Trump following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on the 25th. He made his first court appearance on the 27th and faces potential life imprisonment. The White House has officially characterized this as the third assassination attempt against Trump in two years.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in Washington on the 27th for a four-day state visit aimed at reinforcing the UK-US special relationship amid complex international circumstances. The visit includes a meeting with President Trump and is conducted under heightened security measures. The trip seeks to deepen bilateral cooperation and strategic partnership between the two nations.
Luo Zheng, a former police officer in Kinmen, was arrested while attempting to swim across to China using snorkeling equipment and a handheld propeller before his scheduled prison sentence. He departed from Guishan waters in Lieyu Township. The Coast Guard Administration tracked him using surveillance technology and apprehended him. Prosecutors determined he was attempting to evade trial and sentence execution.
Taiwan High-Speed Rail announced a NT$2.05 billion investment to install platform screen doors at 11 stations for enhanced passenger safety. With annual ridership exceeding 80 million passengers and daily volume around 200,000, the project will begin at Hsinchu and Banqiao stations, with full completion expected in Q1 2028.
Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu held the third cross-party coordination meeting on the Defense Special Conditions Bill, adjourning after just one hour to reconvene on May 6. Presidential Spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui stated that further delays are inadvisable, criticizing the KMT for using the party chairman's China visit and now the Trump-Xi meeting as excuses, questioning what next reason they will cite.
The Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party released their New Taipei City mayoral primary poll results yesterday, with KMT candidate Li Si-chuan winning the nomination to face Democratic Progressive Party candidate Su Qiao-hui. Li stated that winning the poll marks the beginning of responsibility and pledged full commitment. He indicated that Taiwan People's Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang would be his strongest ally, and if elected, he would adopt a co-governance approach to recruit talent.
Japan's government announced that Prime Minister Takayaki Ishiba will visit Vietnam and Australia from May 1-5. During the Golden Week holiday period, her administration's team will conduct a comprehensive diplomatic tour, with 10 cabinet ministers and former PM Kishida among those visiting over 20 countries.
As the Strait of Hormuz faces geopolitical turbulence, the stability of the Strait of Malacca has drawn increased attention. The strait handles 21 million barrels of oil daily, representing approximately 20% of global supply, and carries about 20% of global liquefied natural gas shipments. Last year, 100 to 500 vessels transited daily. As geopolitical competition intensifies, maintaining the strait's stability as a critical global shipping route depends on regional cooperation and international legal frameworks.
King Charles III delivered a speech to the U.S. Congress on the 28th, emphasizing the importance of NATO for international security and voicing support for Ukraine. The address demonstrated Britain's commitment to Ukraine's situation during the royal visit to America.
The Trump administration announced $880 million in compensation to two offshore wind developers in exchange for relinquishing federal water leases and abandoning coastal wind farm projects. The compensation aims to redirect these companies toward investing in fossil fuel projects including oil, natural gas, and liquefied natural gas, reflecting a shift in government energy policy priorities.
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi has secured the operating rights to Taipei Main Station's commercial mall, which generates over NT$4 billion in annual revenue, by a narrow margin in a competitive bidding process involving eight companies. Microwind Plaza, which previously operated the mall, came in second place by just one point and announced it will file an objection to the selection results.
International crude oil prices surged on Tuesday, with Brent crude June futures rising 2.8% to $111.26 per barrel and WTI crude climbing 3.7% to $99.93 per barrel, marking the seventh consecutive trading day of gains. Rising risks of shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz drove the rally, outweighing supply increase expectations from the UAE's withdrawal from OPEC. Market concerns over Middle East geopolitical tensions and potential supply chain disruptions continue to dominate trading sentiment.
Traders are closely watching the response to a US-proposed plan to end the conflict with Iran. The proposal may involve reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which has significant implications for global energy supply. Market participants expect negotiation progress to influence near-term oil price movements, with investors adopting a cautious stance.
The United Arab Emirates announced its formal withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+ alliance on May 1st, ending over 50 years of membership. Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei stated the decision reflects comprehensive evaluation of national long-term strategic and economic interests, aligning with energy production expansion plans. The move is viewed as weakening OPEC's control over global crude oil supply and widening rifts with Saudi Arabia, significantly impacting global energy markets.
The US Commerce Department has instructed multiple chip equipment suppliers to suspend shipments to certain facilities of Huahong Semiconductor, China's second-largest foundry. Major equipment suppliers including Applied Materials, KLA, and Lam Research received notifications restricting equipment and materials potentially used for advanced chip production. The measure represents the latest US effort to limit China's advanced semiconductor development, with the three equipment makers' stock prices declining 4-6% on the announcement.
Driven by artificial intelligence stocks, South Korea's stock market has surged over 45% this year, reaching USD 4.04 trillion in market capitalization. It has surpassed the United Kingdom to become the world's eighth largest stock market, trailing only Taiwan's market in seventh place.
New data reveals that the number of countries reducing energy taxes has doubled over the past month in response to Iran-related conflicts. Despite IMF calls for fiscal discipline, nations are significantly expanding broad-based energy subsidies to address rising energy prices and economic pressures from geopolitical instability.
Canadian Prime Minister Carney announced on the 27th the establishment of Canada's first sovereign wealth fund with an initial size of CAD 25 billion (approximately USD 18.4 billion). The fund will support major domestic infrastructure projects and help reduce Canada's long-term economic dependence on the US market.
The World Bank released a report indicating that Middle East conflicts are triggering inflation pressures through commodity supply chains. Even assuming Hormuz Strait shipping gradually resumes next month, global energy prices are projected to rise 24% this year, with overall commodity prices increasing 16%. Brent crude prices have surged over 50% since the start of the year, with average prices expected to reach $86 per barrel, directly raising inflation rates in developing economies and dampening economic growth.
The United Arab Emirates announced on the 28th that it will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OPEC+ alliance on May 1, ending its 60-year membership. The move aligns with the nation's long-term strategic and economic plans, marking a significant blow to the global oil producers' group.
OpenAI issued a statement refuting The Wall Street Journal's report claiming the company missed internal operational targets. The company emphasized that business operations are running smoothly with continued growth in enterprise services and advertising. CEO Sam Altman and CFO Sarah Friar jointly stated the company maintains full alignment on AI investment strategy, dismissing concerns as unfounded and characterizing the report as sensationalized.
OpenAI announced a partnership with Amazon AWS to offer its AI models on the Amazon Bedrock platform, including Codex tools for developers. The move marks the end of OpenAI's exclusive arrangement with Microsoft, shifting toward a multi-cloud strategy. AWS customers can directly access OpenAI models and build custom AI agents, with services expected to launch within weeks.
Amazon Web Services unveiled multiple enterprise AI software tools this week, including Amazon Connect Talent for recruitment and Amazon Connect Decisions for supply chain analysis. These tools leverage AI agent technology to automate tasks such as candidate interviews and forecast reporting with minimal human intervention. The launch marks Amazon's formal entry into the enterprise software market, directly competing with Microsoft, Oracle, and Salesforce.
According to Bloomberg, Apple plans to integrate multiple AI tools into its photo editing features in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 launching this fall. The new capabilities will be integrated into the Apple Intelligence platform using on-device AI models, enabling users to complete image extension, optimization, and reframing tasks in seconds, as the company aims to compete with Google and Samsung in AI photography.
Dutch lithography giant ASML is developing wafer-to-wafer (W2W) hybrid bonding equipment. A South Korean professor discovered through patent analysis that ASML may leverage its flagship Twinscan lithography platform technology for the new advanced packaging equipment. By adopting Twinscan's dual-wafer stage design, the equipment could significantly reduce wafer bonding production cycles, extending ASML's lithography dominance into the packaging sector.
Google has reportedly signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense allowing classified military operations to use the company's AI models. More than 580 employees have signed a letter to the CEO requesting rejection of the defense contract, opposing the use of AI in military applications.
Joby Aviation successfully completed New York City's first point-to-point electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) flight demonstration on the 27th. The company's electric air taxi N545JX departed from Kennedy Airport and landed at a Manhattan heliport in under ten minutes, significantly reducing travel time compared to traditional ground transportation and marking a major milestone in urban air mobility development.
The US Commerce Department has concluded its investigation into Meta's WhatsApp messaging app regarding privacy mechanisms. The approximately 10-month inquiry examined whether Meta employees or contractors could access encrypted messages. The investigation terminated early this year without escalating to formal regulatory action. Meta maintains its encryption mechanisms remain unaffected by the probe.
A 31-year-old suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was charged with attempted assassination of President Trump following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on the 25th. He made his first court appearance on the 27th and faces potential life imprisonment. The White House has officially characterized this as the third assassination attempt against Trump in two years.
The United Arab Emirates announced its formal withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+ alliance on May 1st, ending over 50 years of membership. Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei stated the decision reflects comprehensive evaluation of national long-term strategic and economic interests, aligning with energy production expansion plans. The move is viewed as weakening OPEC's control over global crude oil supply and widening rifts with Saudi Arabia, significantly impacting global energy markets.
The United Arab Emirates has decided to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) after nearly 60 years of membership. The move is viewed as a potential significant blow to the oil cartel's future cohesion and influence.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in Washington on the 27th for a four-day state visit aimed at reinforcing the UK-US special relationship amid complex international circumstances. The visit includes a meeting with President Trump and is conducted under heightened security measures. The trip seeks to deepen bilateral cooperation and strategic partnership between the two nations.
The United Arab Emirates announced on the 28th that it will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OPEC+ alliance on May 1, ending its 60-year membership. The move aligns with the nation's long-term strategic and economic plans, marking a significant blow to the global oil producers' group.
International crude oil prices surged on Tuesday, with Brent crude June futures rising 2.8% to $111.26 per barrel and WTI crude climbing 3.7% to $99.93 per barrel, marking the seventh consecutive trading day of gains. Rising risks of shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz drove the rally, outweighing supply increase expectations from the UAE's withdrawal from OPEC. Market concerns over Middle East geopolitical tensions and potential supply chain disruptions continue to dominate trading sentiment.
The US Commerce Department has instructed multiple chip equipment suppliers to suspend shipments to certain facilities of Huahong Semiconductor, China's second-largest foundry. Major equipment suppliers including Applied Materials, KLA, and Lam Research received notifications restricting equipment and materials potentially used for advanced chip production. The measure represents the latest US effort to limit China's advanced semiconductor development, with the three equipment makers' stock prices declining 4-6% on the announcement.
The World Bank released a report indicating that Middle East conflicts are triggering inflation pressures through commodity supply chains. Even assuming Hormuz Strait shipping gradually resumes next month, global energy prices are projected to rise 24% this year, with overall commodity prices increasing 16%. Brent crude prices have surged over 50% since the start of the year, with average prices expected to reach $86 per barrel, directly raising inflation rates in developing economies and dampening economic growth.
As the Strait of Hormuz faces geopolitical turbulence, the stability of the Strait of Malacca has drawn increased attention. The strait handles 21 million barrels of oil daily, representing approximately 20% of global supply, and carries about 20% of global liquefied natural gas shipments. Last year, 100 to 500 vessels transited daily. As geopolitical competition intensifies, maintaining the strait's stability as a critical global shipping route depends on regional cooperation and international legal frameworks.
The United Arab Emirates announced its withdrawal from OPEC, stating the move will help meet evolving market demand. Analysts view this decision as a major setback for the organization, reflecting shifting dynamics in Middle Eastern oil supply. The exit is expected to impact global oil market stability and OPEC's collective influence on crude prices.
The United Arab Emirates announced its withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) through its state news agency. Western media reports indicate that disagreements with other member states over crude oil production policies led to the decision. The move may impact OPEC's coordination mechanism and influence global oil market dynamics.
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi has secured the operating rights to Taipei Main Station's commercial mall, which generates over NT$4 billion in annual revenue, by a narrow margin in a competitive bidding process involving eight companies. Microwind Plaza, which previously operated the mall, came in second place by just one point and announced it will file an objection to the selection results.
Luo Zheng, a former police officer in Kinmen, was arrested while attempting to swim across to China using snorkeling equipment and a handheld propeller before his scheduled prison sentence. He departed from Guishan waters in Lieyu Township. The Coast Guard Administration tracked him using surveillance technology and apprehended him. Prosecutors determined he was attempting to evade trial and sentence execution.
Taiwan High-Speed Rail announced a NT$2.05 billion investment to install platform screen doors at 11 stations for enhanced passenger safety. With annual ridership exceeding 80 million passengers and daily volume around 200,000, the project will begin at Hsinchu and Banqiao stations, with full completion expected in Q1 2028.
Traders are closely watching the response to a US-proposed plan to end the conflict with Iran. The proposal may involve reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which has significant implications for global energy supply. Market participants expect negotiation progress to influence near-term oil price movements, with investors adopting a cautious stance.