🔥 Top Stories
Taiwan's Directorate-General of Budget announced first-quarter economic growth of 14.55%, the highest in nearly 48 years. The agency raised its full-year GDP growth forecast to 9.64%, the highest in 16 years, driven by strong AI demand. Annual exports are revised upward to nearly USD 90 billion, with investment and consumption also increased. Director Chen Shu-tzu stated that despite last year's high base of 8.76% growth, this year maintains strong economic momentum.
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed the special budget for national security and asymmetric warfare capabilities on its third reading yesterday. The budget was slightly reduced by NT$2 million during committee review, ultimately approved at NT$8.81 billion. Lawmakers from both sides also passed 35 supplementary resolutions, including requiring the government to allocate an additional NT$400 billion for commercial procurement and commissioned manufacturing to strengthen Taiwan's air defense capabilities.
A Russian unmanned drone entered Romanian airspace while attacking Ukraine and struck a 10-story apartment building near the Ukrainian border in Galati, injuring one woman and one child. The drone flew at extremely low altitude, remaining in Romanian airspace for approximately 4 minutes and covering about 10 kilometers. NATO condemned Russia's actions as reckless and dangerous, reaffirming commitment to defend all allied territory and raising concerns about the war spilling into NATO borders.
US President Trump announced on social media on the 29th that he will hold a meeting to make a final decision. The decision in question concerns whether to approve a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran to end their conflict. Trump indicated the meeting will take place in the war room.
Japan's Ministry of Finance data reveals that after the yen-to-dollar exchange rate fell below 160 yen in late April, the Japanese government spent over 11.73 trillion yen (approximately $73.6 billion) in the past month to intervene in markets and prevent further yen depreciation, setting a historical record. This marks Japan's first major market intervention of this scale in 2024.
🏛 Politics
US President Trump announced he will soon decide on a potential agreement with Iran. Iran's government, through the Fars news agency, denied reaching a final consensus, stating that negotiations to end Middle East conflicts remain ongoing. The two sides have significantly different accounts of the agreement's progress.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that Iran and Oman discussed the future management of the Strait of Hormuz. The statement comes as reports indicate the US and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement awaiting President Trump's approval. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy transit route, making regional developments significant for international affairs.
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed the special budget for national security and asymmetric warfare capabilities on its third reading yesterday. The budget was slightly reduced by NT$2 million during committee review, ultimately approved at NT$8.81 billion. Lawmakers from both sides also passed 35 supplementary resolutions, including requiring the government to allocate an additional NT$400 billion for commercial procurement and commissioned manufacturing to strengthen Taiwan's air defense capabilities.
Kinmen police and immigration authorities discovered a 36-year-old Chinese woman operating a prostitution ring under the guise of tourism at a wellness center in Jinhu Township. Over ten military personnel were implicated in the case. Prosecutors deported the woman and ordered the facility's manager to post bail of NT$100,000 on indecency charges. Authorities seized evidence and are investigating military personnel's contacts with Chinese nationals for potential national security concerns.
According to a New York Times disclosure of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding draft, the agreement includes a proposed Iran reconstruction fund potentially worth 300 billion dollars. Tehran has repeatedly requested war reparations, estimating reconstruction costs between 300 billion and 1 trillion dollars, which Washington previously rejected. This condition is considered a recently added element in the agreement.
Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai announced a comprehensive rail and highway construction plan spanning from north to south, benefiting Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. The total investment reaches approximately 400 billion yuan. The first phase of Tainan Railway Underground Project is expected to open by year-end, following the completion of Danjiang Bridge.
A Russian unmanned drone entered Romanian airspace while attacking Ukraine and struck a 10-story apartment building near the Ukrainian border in Galati, injuring one woman and one child. The drone flew at extremely low altitude, remaining in Romanian airspace for approximately 4 minutes and covering about 10 kilometers. NATO condemned Russia's actions as reckless and dangerous, reaffirming commitment to defend all allied territory and raising concerns about the war spilling into NATO borders.
US President Trump announced on social media on the 29th that he will hold a meeting to make a final decision. The decision in question concerns whether to approve a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran to end their conflict. Trump indicated the meeting will take place in the war room.
Olivier Faure, chairman of France's Socialist Party, stated during his recent Taiwan visit that Taiwan constitutes a de facto independent state. He emphasized that historically, the People's Republic of China has never ruled Taiwan. His remarks reflect the opposition party's supportive stance toward Taiwan's political status.
The US-Iran conflict remains unresolved, though both sides have reportedly reached a temporary agreement to extend the ceasefire. President Trump announced on the 29th that he will hold a White House meeting to finalize the agreement details and stated that the US will lift its maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
💰 Finance
Dell Technologies' stock surged 32.76% on Friday, marking the company's largest single-day gain. Driven by explosive AI server demand, the company reported Q1 FY2027 revenue growth of 88% year-over-year, with AI server revenue jumping 757% to $16.1 billion. Adjusted earnings per share reached $4.86, significantly exceeding market expectations of $2.94. Dell's stock has climbed 234% year-to-date.
Major US stock indices reached new historical highs on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 363.49 points (up 0.72%) and the S&P 500 also advancing. Technology stocks led gains, supported by companies like Dell. Investors continued monitoring US-Iran agreement developments. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company ADR declined 1.5% against the broader trend. Both weekly and monthly charts showed gains.
Costco CEO Ron Vachris announced the company aims to open more than 30 new stores annually over the coming years. This expansion strategy reflects Costco's continued global growth efforts. The announcement covers the company's worldwide operations, though specific details about Taiwan expansion were not disclosed. Costco currently operates multiple locations in Taiwan and continues to strengthen its international presence.
Taiwan's Directorate-General of Budget announced first-quarter economic growth of 14.55%, the highest in nearly 48 years. The agency raised its full-year GDP growth forecast to 9.64%, the highest in 16 years, driven by strong AI demand. Annual exports are revised upward to nearly USD 90 billion, with investment and consumption also increased. Director Chen Shu-tzu stated that despite last year's high base of 8.76% growth, this year maintains strong economic momentum.
The US merchandise trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed 3.4% to $82.4 billion in April, beating market expectations of $86.5-87 billion. Crude oil and petroleum product exports reached record highs, offsetting increased capital goods imports driven by AI investment. Merchandise exports rose 4% to $219.7 billion while imports increased 1.9% to $302.1 billion. Economists warn future imports may rise again as companies expand AI investments and restock inventory.
The European Commission plans to introduce the Chips Act 2.0, encouraging member states to purchase chips from EU startups. The legislation includes comprehensive emergency powers enabling EU intervention in Europe's chip supply chain during shortages, requiring manufacturers to prioritize critical product orders.
Japan's Ministry of Finance data reveals that after the yen-to-dollar exchange rate fell below 160 yen in late April, the Japanese government spent over 11.73 trillion yen (approximately $73.6 billion) in the past month to intervene in markets and prevent further yen depreciation, setting a historical record. This marks Japan's first major market intervention of this scale in 2024.
Dell reported its fastest revenue growth since its 2018 IPO, with current quarter and full-year revenue forecasts exceeding market expectations. The company stated that AI business opportunities show no signs of slowing, driving Dell's stock price up 35% in early trading on the 29th and boosting Taiwan's PC brands and contract manufacturers.
Deutsche Bank raised its year-end forecast for 10-year US Treasury yields to 4.70%, up from the current 4.45%. The bank believes the Federal Reserve under new Chair Kevin Warsh has completed its rate-cutting cycle and will maintain rates unchanged in the foreseeable future, with rising risks of rate hikes. DB strategists note the baseline scenario has shifted, with the Fed finishing its cuts and keeping rates near long-term neutral levels.
UBS Group is proceeding with integration efforts following its acquisition of Credit Suisse, with recent layoffs affecting hundreds of employees across Europe, Middle East, and Africa. The cuts primarily target back-office and support functions, though some front-line banking staff are also included. While some affected employees are being offered internal positions, further workforce adjustments are expected in the second half of the year.
💻 Technology
Reuters reports that Taipei's Computex, scheduled for June 2, will draw major tech companies and industry attention. While Nvidia and other tech giants will showcase their latest technologies, Taiwan's position in AI infrastructure development is expected to be a key focus, highlighting the island's critical role in the global AI industry.
AI startup Anthropic completed a new funding round of $6.5 billion, reaching a valuation of $96.5 billion and surpassing OpenAI's $85.2 billion valuation to become the world's most valuable AI startup. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix participated in the round, making strategic investments in the Claude developer.
Blue Origin, the space company owned by Jeff Bezos, experienced a major setback when its New Glenn rocket exploded during testing on the 28th. The rocket was scheduled to launch satellites for Amazon within days. This failure could significantly impact Blue Origin's space operations and timeline.
Samsung Electronics has started sampling 12-layer HBM4E high-bandwidth memory chips to major customers, marking the industry's most advanced memory product. The new chip uses sixth-generation 10-nanometer-class DRAM technology and delivers over 20% speed improvement compared to the previous HBM4 generation, positioning Samsung ahead in the competition to supply critical AI accelerator components.
Organ transplant success depends not on surgical technique but on organ survival during critical pre- and post-transplant periods. Researchers have identified a new method to prevent ferroptosis, a cell death mechanism triggered during organ ischemia and hypoxia that threatens transplant success rates. This discovery could significantly improve organ transplant survival rates for end-stage disease patients.
Taiwan External Trade Council Chairman James Huang introduced COMPUTEX 2026's highlights on his YouTube program "James On Air." This year's Taipei International Computer Show reaches record scale with a dual-core architecture strategy and will host Nvidia's GTC developer conference at Taipei International Convention Center, positioning Taipei as the global AI capital for the year.
A paralyzed foreign gaming streamer was temporarily banned from Call of Duty when the anti-cheat system mistakenly flagged his accessibility controller as third-party cheating software. The device is essential for his daily living and entertainment. The incident drew significant community attention, prompting the developer to unlock his account and apologize for the error.
🌏 International
Taiwan's Directorate-General of Budget announced first-quarter economic growth of 14.55%, the highest in nearly 48 years. The agency raised its full-year GDP growth forecast to 9.64%, the highest in 16 years, driven by strong AI demand. Annual exports are revised upward to nearly USD 90 billion, with investment and consumption also increased. Director Chen Shu-tzu stated that despite last year's high base of 8.76% growth, this year maintains strong economic momentum.
US President Trump announced on social media on the 29th that he will hold a meeting to make a final decision. The decision in question concerns whether to approve a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran to end their conflict. Trump indicated the meeting will take place in the war room.
A Russian unmanned drone entered Romanian airspace while attacking Ukraine and struck a 10-story apartment building near the Ukrainian border in Galati, injuring one woman and one child. The drone flew at extremely low altitude, remaining in Romanian airspace for approximately 4 minutes and covering about 10 kilometers. NATO condemned Russia's actions as reckless and dangerous, reaffirming commitment to defend all allied territory and raising concerns about the war spilling into NATO borders.
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed the special budget for national security and asymmetric warfare capabilities on its third reading yesterday. The budget was slightly reduced by NT$2 million during committee review, ultimately approved at NT$8.81 billion. Lawmakers from both sides also passed 35 supplementary resolutions, including requiring the government to allocate an additional NT$400 billion for commercial procurement and commissioned manufacturing to strengthen Taiwan's air defense capabilities.
Japan's Ministry of Finance data reveals that after the yen-to-dollar exchange rate fell below 160 yen in late April, the Japanese government spent over 11.73 trillion yen (approximately $73.6 billion) in the past month to intervene in markets and prevent further yen depreciation, setting a historical record. This marks Japan's first major market intervention of this scale in 2024.
Dell reported its fastest revenue growth since its 2018 IPO, with current quarter and full-year revenue forecasts exceeding market expectations. The company stated that AI business opportunities show no signs of slowing, driving Dell's stock price up 35% in early trading on the 29th and boosting Taiwan's PC brands and contract manufacturers.
AI startup Anthropic completed a new funding round of $6.5 billion, reaching a valuation of $96.5 billion and surpassing OpenAI's $85.2 billion valuation to become the world's most valuable AI startup. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix participated in the round, making strategic investments in the Claude developer.
The US-Iran conflict remains unresolved, though both sides have reportedly reached a temporary agreement to extend the ceasefire. President Trump announced on the 29th that he will hold a White House meeting to finalize the agreement details and stated that the US will lift its maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Dell Technologies' stock surged 32.76% on Friday, marking the company's largest single-day gain. Driven by explosive AI server demand, the company reported Q1 FY2027 revenue growth of 88% year-over-year, with AI server revenue jumping 757% to $16.1 billion. Adjusted earnings per share reached $4.86, significantly exceeding market expectations of $2.94. Dell's stock has climbed 234% year-to-date.
The US Department of Defense awarded SpaceX a $4.16 billion contract to develop sensor-equipped satellites for tracking missiles as part of President Trump's planned "Golden Dome" defense system. The satellites will enable the Space Force to detect and track targets from space. SpaceX has already secured multiple contracts to develop various components of the Golden Dome system, which is modeled after Israel's Iron Dome and designed to identify and intercept missiles and airborne threats.
A Russian drone crashed in Romanian territory, injuring several people. The incident has raised international concerns that Russia may expand military operations beyond Ukraine, potentially threatening NATO member states' security.
The United Arab Emirates carried out extensive military operations against Iran at the beginning of the regional conflict, including dozens of airstrikes that continued for several weeks. The scale of these previously undisclosed operations reveals a more significant role for the UAE in the conflict than previously understood. The attacks represented a major military campaign that had not been publicly detailed until now.
The European Commission held a rare leadership debate on Friday to establish a stricter approach to trade relations with China. Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic outlined why the bloc must take stronger measures to defend against what officials describe as a new "China shock" to European industries. The EU may develop new instruments to require companies in critical sectors to expand production capacity and diversify supply chains, prompting Beijing to warn of retaliatory measures.
Olivier Faure, chairman of France's Socialist Party, stated during his recent Taiwan visit that Taiwan constitutes a de facto independent state. He emphasized that historically, the People's Republic of China has never ruled Taiwan. His remarks reflect the opposition party's supportive stance toward Taiwan's political status.
US President Trump announced he will soon decide on a potential agreement with Iran. Iran's government, through the Fars news agency, denied reaching a final consensus, stating that negotiations to end Middle East conflicts remain ongoing. The two sides have significantly different accounts of the agreement's progress.