🔥 Top Stories
A retired pilot recruited an Air Force captain to collect and leak classified information about Taiwan's Hsiung Sheng missile to China. The retired pilot received 2.1 million yuan in bribes while the captain received over 220,000 yuan. The captain was sentenced to seven years imprisonment by the Taichung District Court, with the sentence upheld on appeal and finalized by the Supreme Court.
Kevin Warsh was sworn in today as the new chair of the Federal Reserve at the White House. He committed to leading a reform-oriented U.S. central bank with policy adjustments ahead. This marks a significant leadership transition at the Fed, with Warsh now overseeing the critical role of shaping American monetary policy.
Kevin Warsh, appointed by President Trump, was formally sworn in as the new Federal Reserve Chair on the 22nd, replacing Jerome Powell. Taking office amid high inflation, rising oil prices, and market expectations for rate increases, Warsh faces multiple economic pressures. Trump emphasized Warsh's independence while hinting he should not hinder economic expansion, placing the new chair in a challenging position between political and economic demands.
The University of Michigan reported US consumer confidence fell to 44.8 in May, marking a historic low below market expectations and the initial reading of 48.2. Rising oil prices and living costs driven by Iran tensions deepened concerns about inflation and economic outlook. Consumers expect inflation at 4.8% over the next year and 3.9% over five to ten years, with worries that high oil prices may spread to other goods and services.
Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao stated at a Senate hearing that the Trump administration has suspended a $14 billion military sales package to Taiwan to prioritize ammunition supplies for the ongoing conflict with Iran. The decision reflects the administration's strategic focus on ensuring adequate military resources for the Iran situation.
🏛 Politics
A retired pilot recruited an Air Force captain to collect and leak classified information about Taiwan's Hsiung Sheng missile to China. The retired pilot received 2.1 million yuan in bribes while the captain received over 220,000 yuan. The captain was sentenced to seven years imprisonment by the Taichung District Court, with the sentence upheld on appeal and finalized by the Supreme Court.
Former President Ma Ying-jeou addressed allegations against former Ma Ying-jeou Foundation executives Hsiao Hsu-tsen and Wang Kuang-tz'u for financial misconduct. In a video statement, Ma dismissed rumors of his dementia, stating it is not a legal matter but an excuse by Hsiao. He expressed that he had trusted both individuals and was shocked by their alleged betrayal, reiterating his commitment to pursuing those suspected of corruption.
Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration released a "Food Advertisement Compliance Guidance" clarifying that food advertisements implying medical efficacy through text, images, animations, or other means face maximum fines of NT$5 million. New marketing formats including influencer partnerships, unboxing videos, and user testimonials can be deemed illegal medical advertisements if they have consumer attraction effects.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated on Friday that if the US insists on including Iran's enriched uranium stockpile in current negotiations, an agreement would be difficult to reach. He emphasized that any proposal requiring Iran to hand over highly enriched uranium is unworkable, and current talks should focus on ending the war rather than nuclear issues. Baghaei criticized past US demands on nuclear restrictions as unreasonable and excessive, citing them as a reason for previous negotiation failures.
US National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation today, ending her tenure in the intelligence community. Gabbard, known for her distinctive foreign policy positions, has repeatedly disagreed with President Trump on Iran war issues and other defense matters. Her departure marks the conclusion of a tenure marked by policy differences with the Trump administration.
The Trump administration has further tightened immigration policy. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced new regulations requiring foreign nationals on temporary visas to return to their home countries to apply for permanent residency (green card) rather than adjusting status within the United States. The policy applies to holders of student visas, H-1B work visas, L-category intra-company transfer visas, and tourist visas, aiming to restore the immigration system to its legal intent.
Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao stated at a Senate hearing that the Trump administration has suspended a $14 billion military sales package to Taiwan to prioritize ammunition supplies for the ongoing conflict with Iran. The decision reflects the administration's strategic focus on ensuring adequate military resources for the Iran situation.
The US Navy Acting Secretary Hung Cao announced that the United States is suspending a 14 billion dollar arms sale package to Taiwan. The White House responded to inquiries, reiterating that President Trump will make a decision on a new batch of Taiwan arms sales within a short timeframe, underscoring the administration's attention to the matter.
U.S. President Trump postponed signing an artificial intelligence executive order on the 21st, citing dissatisfaction with certain provisions. Trump expressed concern that the proposed regulations could undermine America's competitive advantage over China in the AI sector, prompting the delay.
DPP legislator Wang Shih-chien questioned Premier Cho Jung-tai on March 22 regarding the execution of 36 death row inmates with finalized sentences. Wang cited official data showing 93% public support for capital punishment and criticized the administration for indefinitely delaying executions. Cho responded that inmates meeting execution criteria can be executed. The issue relates to international covenant review recommendations urging Taiwan to suspend capital punishment.
💰 Finance
U.S. stocks rose Friday as Kevin Warsh was officially sworn in as Federal Reserve chair. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 294 points to a new record close, while the S&P 500 extended its eight-week winning streak, marking the longest weekly rally since 2023. All three major indices closed higher for the week, with the Dow up 2.1%, S&P 500 up 0.8%, and Nasdaq up 0.4%. Market sentiment improved following progress in U.S.-Iran peace negotiations.
MediaTek and Samsung Electronics have significantly outpaced TSMC in stock performance this year, with gains of 162.6% and 127.6% respectively, compared to TSMC's 42.3% increase. Despite TSMC's strong sales and profitability, the broader AI chip demand has benefited multiple semiconductor manufacturers, with MediaTek and Samsung emerging as standout performers in the market.
President Trump attended the swearing-in ceremony of Kevin Warsh as the new Chair of the Federal Reserve. Trump expressed his hope that Warsh would act with complete independence while promoting economic prosperity. Warsh now leads the U.S. central bank, responsible for monetary policy and financial regulation decisions.
Kevin Warsh was sworn in today as the new chair of the Federal Reserve at the White House. He committed to leading a reform-oriented U.S. central bank with policy adjustments ahead. This marks a significant leadership transition at the Fed, with Warsh now overseeing the critical role of shaping American monetary policy.
Kevin Warsh, appointed by President Trump, was formally sworn in as the new Federal Reserve Chair on the 22nd, replacing Jerome Powell. Taking office amid high inflation, rising oil prices, and market expectations for rate increases, Warsh faces multiple economic pressures. Trump emphasized Warsh's independence while hinting he should not hinder economic expansion, placing the new chair in a challenging position between political and economic demands.
Rising energy prices from Middle East conflict have strained Turkey's economy. To stabilize the lira's exchange rate, Turkey sold nearly all its US Treasury holdings in March. According to Bloomberg estimates, Turkey's total US debt holdings have declined to 1.8 billion dollars.
United Nations member states are advancing efforts to redefine international tax regulations, aiming to shift the taxation basis for tech companies like Alphabet and Amazon from their headquarters location to where their users are located. This initiative seeks to ensure that multinational technology enterprises pay appropriate taxes on their profits in various countries, fundamentally reforming the existing international tax framework.
The University of Michigan reported US consumer confidence fell to 44.8 in May, marking a historic low below market expectations and the initial reading of 48.2. Rising oil prices and living costs driven by Iran tensions deepened concerns about inflation and economic outlook. Consumers expect inflation at 4.8% over the next year and 3.9% over five to ten years, with worries that high oil prices may spread to other goods and services.
The New York Times analysis reveals that Middle East conflicts are increasing demand for US dollars, while foreign investors concentrate on US and Taiwan artificial intelligence stocks, pressuring Asian currencies. An Indian investment executive notes that the prevailing foreign investment strategy is selling Asian assets to buy US and Taiwan equities, highlighting the complex challenges facing Asian currency markets.
International Energy Agency chief Birol warned that the global oil market may enter a high-risk period in July-August due to peak summer fuel demand, continued disruptions in Middle Eastern oil exports, and declining global inventories. The agency cited multiple converging factors that could pressure the oil market.
💻 Technology
According to CNBC, Microsoft is negotiating with AI startup Anthropic to supply its proprietary AI chips. If the deal succeeds, it would represent a significant commercial win for Microsoft while helping Anthropic address computational resource constraints.
The US Department of Commerce announced that the Trump administration will invest $2 billion in nine quantum computing firms to strengthen America's competitive position in the quantum computing sector. IBM will receive $1 billion to establish Anderon, a company dedicated to manufacturing quantum chips, while chipmaker GlobalFoundries will receive $375 million to build a US factory producing quantum mechanical components, addressing competition from China.
NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has released its most complete all-sky view of exoplanets, encompassing approximately 6,000 discovered worlds. This comprehensive celestial map represents TESS's most extensive exoplanet observation data to date, advancing human understanding of planetary systems across the universe. The satellite continues its mission to discover and catalog exoplanets, providing crucial data for astronomical research.
🌏 International
A retired pilot recruited an Air Force captain to collect and leak classified information about Taiwan's Hsiung Sheng missile to China. The retired pilot received 2.1 million yuan in bribes while the captain received over 220,000 yuan. The captain was sentenced to seven years imprisonment by the Taichung District Court, with the sentence upheld on appeal and finalized by the Supreme Court.
Kevin Warsh was sworn in today as the new chair of the Federal Reserve at the White House. He committed to leading a reform-oriented U.S. central bank with policy adjustments ahead. This marks a significant leadership transition at the Fed, with Warsh now overseeing the critical role of shaping American monetary policy.
Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao stated at a Senate hearing that the Trump administration has suspended a $14 billion military sales package to Taiwan to prioritize ammunition supplies for the ongoing conflict with Iran. The decision reflects the administration's strategic focus on ensuring adequate military resources for the Iran situation.
Kevin Warsh, appointed by President Trump, was formally sworn in as the new Federal Reserve Chair on the 22nd, replacing Jerome Powell. Taking office amid high inflation, rising oil prices, and market expectations for rate increases, Warsh faces multiple economic pressures. Trump emphasized Warsh's independence while hinting he should not hinder economic expansion, placing the new chair in a challenging position between political and economic demands.
The University of Michigan reported US consumer confidence fell to 44.8 in May, marking a historic low below market expectations and the initial reading of 48.2. Rising oil prices and living costs driven by Iran tensions deepened concerns about inflation and economic outlook. Consumers expect inflation at 4.8% over the next year and 3.9% over five to ten years, with worries that high oil prices may spread to other goods and services.
Kevin Warsh was sworn in as chairman of the Federal Reserve on Friday, taking the helm of the US central bank at a critical juncture for monetary policy and the American economy. Warsh's selection was elevated by his broad criticism of current Fed officials, his advocacy for rate cuts, and his ties to President Donald Trump. He now faces significant challenges in managing inflation and economic stability.
President Trump attended the swearing-in ceremony of Kevin Warsh as the new Chair of the Federal Reserve. Trump expressed his hope that Warsh would act with complete independence while promoting economic prosperity. Warsh now leads the U.S. central bank, responsible for monetary policy and financial regulation decisions.
The US Department of Commerce announced that the Trump administration will invest $2 billion in nine quantum computing firms to strengthen America's competitive position in the quantum computing sector. IBM will receive $1 billion to establish Anderon, a company dedicated to manufacturing quantum chips, while chipmaker GlobalFoundries will receive $375 million to build a US factory producing quantum mechanical components, addressing competition from China.
President Trump has announced adjustments to American military base locations and expressed frustration regarding insufficient allied support on Iran policy. The move raises European concerns about shifts in U.S. military strategy and impacts defense cooperation among NATO allies.
Mediators are intensifying efforts to reach a limited framework agreement to extend the current ceasefire and establish groundwork for deeper negotiations. The goal is to prevent potential escalation of military action by the United States and Israel.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference held its final meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, but failed to adopt a final document due to disagreements between the United States and Iran over language regarding Iran's nuclear development. Despite ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations, consensus could not be reached. This marks the third consecutive NPT Review Conference unable to adopt a final document. The conference, held every five years in principle, aims to discuss global nuclear disarmament directions.
Iran, Israel, and Arab nations have formed a new strategic equilibrium in the Middle East region. Each party maintains military capabilities and geopolitical influence that counterbalance one another, creating a tense yet relatively stable regional situation. Analysts note this multilateral standoff reflects significant shifts in Middle Eastern power structures, as nations pursue their interests while facing mutual risks of escalation.
The US Navy Acting Secretary Hung Cao announced that the United States is suspending a 14 billion dollar arms sale package to Taiwan. The White House responded to inquiries, reiterating that President Trump will make a decision on a new batch of Taiwan arms sales within a short timeframe, underscoring the administration's attention to the matter.
MediaTek and Samsung Electronics have significantly outpaced TSMC in stock performance this year, with gains of 162.6% and 127.6% respectively, compared to TSMC's 42.3% increase. Despite TSMC's strong sales and profitability, the broader AI chip demand has benefited multiple semiconductor manufacturers, with MediaTek and Samsung emerging as standout performers in the market.
Former President Ma Ying-jeou addressed allegations against former Ma Ying-jeou Foundation executives Hsiao Hsu-tsen and Wang Kuang-tz'u for financial misconduct. In a video statement, Ma dismissed rumors of his dementia, stating it is not a legal matter but an excuse by Hsiao. He expressed that he had trusted both individuals and was shocked by their alleged betrayal, reiterating his commitment to pursuing those suspected of corruption.