Taiwan's Investigation Bureau collaborated with the US Drug Enforcement Administration to intercept a Ryukyuan fishing vessel smuggling drugs southwest of Liuqiu Island. Authorities recovered 281kg of heroin and 353kg of ketamine totaling 634kg, valued at approximately 10.3 billion NT dollars on the black market. Three Taiwanese suspects including the captain and seven foreign crew members were arrested.
Taiwan's eight-member delegation from the Ocean Affairs Council was invited to attend the 11th Our Ocean Conference held in Kenya from June 16-18. However, the Kenyan government revoked the approved electronic visas, citing non-recognition of Taiwan's passport. Two scholars and Foreign Ministry officials already in Kenya were detained at the airport for over 20 hours.
Following a recent US-Iran agreement to end Middle East conflicts including the Lebanon crisis, Israel conducted an airstrike on southern Lebanon resulting in four deaths. Iran's military command subsequently announced it would respond to the incident. The strike occurred after the US and Iran reached an agreement to terminate regional conflicts.
The Financial Times and Wall Street Journal revealed behind-the-scenes negotiations between US President Trump and Iran last weekend. Following Israel's attack on Lebanon, third-party mediators urged Trump to exercise patience while calming Iranian officials. The talks culminated in Trump electronically signing a preliminary US-Iran memorandum on his 80th birthday, marking progress in peace negotiations between the two nations.
Switzerland's Foreign Ministry confirmed that the highly anticipated US-Iran agreement is expected to be formally signed on the 19th at Burgenstock Resort in the Swiss mountains. The agreement marks a significant diplomatic development between the two nations, with the signing ceremony taking place at the renowned Swiss resort location.
The United States and Iran announced a temporary ceasefire agreement on the 14th, but multiple US congressional members reported limited knowledge of the agreement's contents, including Republican lawmakers. President Trump stated his willingness to submit the agreement to Congress for review in response to lawmakers' concerns.
Taiwan's Investigation Bureau collaborated with the US Drug Enforcement Administration to intercept a Ryukyuan fishing vessel smuggling drugs southwest of Liuqiu Island. Authorities recovered 281kg of heroin and 353kg of ketamine totaling 634kg, valued at approximately 10.3 billion NT dollars on the black market. Three Taiwanese suspects including the captain and seven foreign crew members were arrested.
Taiwan's eight-member delegation from the Ocean Affairs Council was invited to attend the 11th Our Ocean Conference held in Kenya from June 16-18. However, the Kenyan government revoked the approved electronic visas, citing non-recognition of Taiwan's passport. Two scholars and Foreign Ministry officials already in Kenya were detained at the airport for over 20 hours.
Taiwan's Investigation Bureau, Coast Guard Administration, and US Drug Enforcement Administration jointly dismantled a major international drug trafficking operation after two years of investigation. The fishing vessel "Tian Fa Cai 38" was intercepted carrying 281 kilograms of heroin and 353 kilograms of ketamine. Traffickers used serial numbers on banknotes as coded messages to communicate, revealing a sophisticated smuggling network between overseas drug lords and local distribution networks.
The Democratic Progressive Party announced it will vote unanimously in favor of a constitutional amendment to abolish the Control Yuan. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and the Taiwan People's Party have recently advocated for abolishing the Control Yuan, though the KMT caucus has not yet clarified its position. The DPP emphasized that concrete action, not political rhetoric, is needed, with the amendment's passage depending on the KMT's stance.
Following a recent US-Iran agreement to end Middle East conflicts including the Lebanon crisis, Israel conducted an airstrike on southern Lebanon resulting in four deaths. Iran's military command subsequently announced it would respond to the incident. The strike occurred after the US and Iran reached an agreement to terminate regional conflicts.
President Trump recently issued a memorandum authorizing the use of Defense Production Act powers to address restrictions in U.S. weapons supply, ammunition production, and defense supply chains. Trump stated these limitations pose direct threats to national defense and military readiness, aiming to strengthen the efficiency of America's defense industrial operations.
The European Union officially initiated the first phase of accession negotiations with Ukraine on the 15th. This step represents a crucial milestone for Ukraine to integrate into the Western political system while defending against Russian invasion, and marks the EU's clearest use of expansion policy as a geopolitical tool to counter Chinese and Russian influence in Eastern neighboring regions.
The Financial Times and Wall Street Journal revealed behind-the-scenes negotiations between US President Trump and Iran last weekend. Following Israel's attack on Lebanon, third-party mediators urged Trump to exercise patience while calming Iranian officials. The talks culminated in Trump electronically signing a preliminary US-Iran memorandum on his 80th birthday, marking progress in peace negotiations between the two nations.
Switzerland's Foreign Ministry confirmed that the highly anticipated US-Iran agreement is expected to be formally signed on the 19th at Burgenstock Resort in the Swiss mountains. The agreement marks a significant diplomatic development between the two nations, with the signing ceremony taking place at the renowned Swiss resort location.
International oil prices fell sharply for the second consecutive trading day on the 16th, declining approximately 5%, as Middle East tensions eased and prospects for reopening the Strait of Hormuz improved. Brent crude futures dropped 4.21 dollars to 78.96 per barrel, while WTI crude fell 4.70 dollars to 76.05 per barrel, both reaching three-month lows. Markets anticipate a proposed US-Iran interim agreement will significantly reduce global oil supply risks.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan released its 2026 white paper yesterday, listing the successful implementation of the Taiwan-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART) as the top priority for government attention. Regarding concerns that US Section 301 investigations could impact tariff volatility and bilateral trade relations, AmCham expressed that such concerns are unwarranted, as the investigation is not specifically targeted at Taiwan.
The United States and Iran announced an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, raising market expectations for restored crude oil supplies. International oil prices fell sharply, with New York Mercantile Exchange West Texas Intermediate crude for July delivery dropping over 5.8%, reflecting market optimism about increased supply availability.
The World Gold Council reported that 45% of surveyed central banks intend to increase their gold reserves over the next 12 months, up 2 percentage points from a year ago. This reflects growing confidence among central banks in gold as a key foreign exchange reserve asset amid economic uncertainties.
Nvidia successfully raised $25 billion through a debt offering that received $85 billion in orders, exceeding the issuance size by three times. The company increased its original $20 billion fundraising target due to strong investor demand. This marks Nvidia's first debt issuance since 2021, demonstrating robust market confidence in the company's prospects.
Market research firm IDC announced that global server vendor revenue reached USD 122.6 billion in Q1 2026, representing a 30.4% year-over-year increase. This growth reflects AI-driven infrastructure investments transitioning from cyclical to sustained demand. As cloud service providers continue expanding investments, AI server suppliers including Foxconn, Quanta, Wistron, and Wiwynn are expected to benefit.
SpaceX's IPO underwriters have exercised the overallotment option, known as the greenshoe mechanism, issuing an additional 83.33 million shares. This increases the company's total fundraising from the originally planned $75 billion to $85.7 billion, representing an increase of approximately $10.7 billion. The greenshoe option is a standard practice when stock demand is strong.
The Bank of Japan raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 1% on the 16th, marking the highest level since 1995. The central bank also announced it will halt the reduction of its bond purchase program. BOJ Governor Ueda Kazuo was hospitalized, with Deputy Governor Uchida Shinichi presiding over the press conference. Markets anticipate another rate hike in December. The yen traded around 160.33 per US dollar.
The United States and Iran are set to sign a temporary peace agreement on the 19th, reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Following this development, Brent crude fell to a three-month low on the 16th. Morgan Stanley lowered its Q3 Brent crude spot price forecast to USD 90 per barrel (down from USD 100), with Q4 expected to decline further to USD 80 per barrel. Goldman Sachs has also reduced its oil price projections accordingly.
Following the US-Iran ceasefire consensus, with expectations for the Strait of Hormuz reopening and falling oil prices, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose over 430 points on March 15th, reaching a historic high. However, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which is highly correlated with Taiwan stocks, fell more than 3% in early trading, showing mixed market movements.
Alphabet began rolling out Android 17 on Tuesday, initially available for Pixel phones with other Android devices to follow in coming months. The update includes improvements to multitasking, security, and creator tools, though major AI features are scheduled for release later this summer. Android 17 represents a significant step toward Google's AI Agent era, with the new version laying groundwork for future Gemini Intelligence capabilities expected to debut on Pixel 11 series and Samsung's upcoming devices.
SpaceX announced on the 16th its agreement to acquire AI programming startup Cursor for 60 billion dollars. The acquisition aims to strengthen SpaceX's competitive position in code-writing tools and reinforce its standing in the enterprise AI market.
Microsoft's GitHub programming platform has experienced frequent service disruptions due to surging AI application demands. Microsoft reportedly seeks computational capacity support from cloud competitor Amazon. The move is expected to increase Amazon's computing power requirements, benefiting related supply chain companies including WorldSemi-KY, TSMC, and Wiwynn.
According to The Information, Qualcomm is negotiating to acquire AI chipmaker Tenstorrent for approximately $8-10 billion. If completed at $10 billion, it would rank among the largest AI chip acquisitions in recent years, demonstrating Qualcomm's commitment to expanding its AI and data center business operations.
Snap officially unveiled its first consumer-grade augmented reality smart glasses called Specs on the 16th, priced at $2,195. CEO Evan Spiegel stated that the smartphone era is nearing its end and AR glasses will become the next computing platform. The product is expected to launch in the US, UK, and France this fall. Compared to Spectacles released in 2016 at $130, the new device represents a price increase of over 15 times.
Apple is planning a major product offensive for 2027, including camera-equipped AirPods, a second-generation foldable iPhone, and a 20th-anniversary iPhone model to strengthen its AI and hardware strategy. Sources indicate these products have entered mature development stages, with Apple simultaneously testing iOS 28 codenamed "Bell" for simultaneous launch. This represents one of Apple's largest product release initiatives to date.
Tongji University President Yang Jinlong disclosed during a graduation ceremony that China's domestically developed lithography machine can now stably produce 7-nanometer chips. This revelation reflects China's progress in reducing semiconductor manufacturing dependence on foreign equipment. The country has been investing substantial resources in developing indigenous lithography technology to decrease reliance on imported equipment.
BMW Group announced that the all-new fifth-generation X5 sports activity vehicle has entered the final testing stage of its development program, currently undergoing calibration tests near the Spartanburg facility in the United States. The vehicle will be BMW's first production model offering five different drivetrain technologies, including battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, 48V mild hybrid diesel, gasoline, and plug-in hybrid electric systems, demonstrating the brand's commitment to powertrain diversification.
Taiwan-born pitcher Deng Kai-wei of the Astros and outfielder Lee Hao-yu of the Tigers faced off yesterday in the first-ever Taiwan player pitcher-batter matchup in Major League Baseball history. Across two at-bats, Deng struck out Lee before the latter hit a single. Tigers beat reporter Riverbend documented the historic moment on social media, noting the story of two countrymen regarded as heroes in their homeland.
Following a recent US-Iran agreement to end Middle East conflicts including the Lebanon crisis, Israel conducted an airstrike on southern Lebanon resulting in four deaths. Iran's military command subsequently announced it would respond to the incident. The strike occurred after the US and Iran reached an agreement to terminate regional conflicts.
The Financial Times and Wall Street Journal revealed behind-the-scenes negotiations between US President Trump and Iran last weekend. Following Israel's attack on Lebanon, third-party mediators urged Trump to exercise patience while calming Iranian officials. The talks culminated in Trump electronically signing a preliminary US-Iran memorandum on his 80th birthday, marking progress in peace negotiations between the two nations.
Switzerland's Foreign Ministry confirmed that the highly anticipated US-Iran agreement is expected to be formally signed on the 19th at Burgenstock Resort in the Swiss mountains. The agreement marks a significant diplomatic development between the two nations, with the signing ceremony taking place at the renowned Swiss resort location.
Taiwan's Investigation Bureau collaborated with the US Drug Enforcement Administration to intercept a Ryukyuan fishing vessel smuggling drugs southwest of Liuqiu Island. Authorities recovered 281kg of heroin and 353kg of ketamine totaling 634kg, valued at approximately 10.3 billion NT dollars on the black market. Three Taiwanese suspects including the captain and seven foreign crew members were arrested.
Taiwan's eight-member delegation from the Ocean Affairs Council was invited to attend the 11th Our Ocean Conference held in Kenya from June 16-18. However, the Kenyan government revoked the approved electronic visas, citing non-recognition of Taiwan's passport. Two scholars and Foreign Ministry officials already in Kenya were detained at the airport for over 20 hours.
President Trump recently issued a memorandum authorizing the use of Defense Production Act powers to address restrictions in U.S. weapons supply, ammunition production, and defense supply chains. Trump stated these limitations pose direct threats to national defense and military readiness, aiming to strengthen the efficiency of America's defense industrial operations.
The European Union officially initiated the first phase of accession negotiations with Ukraine on the 15th. This step represents a crucial milestone for Ukraine to integrate into the Western political system while defending against Russian invasion, and marks the EU's clearest use of expansion policy as a geopolitical tool to counter Chinese and Russian influence in Eastern neighboring regions.
According to The Information, Qualcomm is negotiating to acquire AI chipmaker Tenstorrent for approximately $8-10 billion. If completed at $10 billion, it would rank among the largest AI chip acquisitions in recent years, demonstrating Qualcomm's commitment to expanding its AI and data center business operations.
The G7 summit held in France on the 16th discussed responses to Middle East and Ukraine situations. The Middle East discussion included leaders from some Gulf countries, who exchanged views on a memorandum of understanding for ending US-Iran conflict and matters concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States and Iran announced a temporary ceasefire agreement on the 14th, but multiple US congressional members reported limited knowledge of the agreement's contents, including Republican lawmakers. President Trump stated his willingness to submit the agreement to Congress for review in response to lawmakers' concerns.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan released its 2026 white paper yesterday, listing the successful implementation of the Taiwan-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART) as the top priority for government attention. Regarding concerns that US Section 301 investigations could impact tariff volatility and bilateral trade relations, AmCham expressed that such concerns are unwarranted, as the investigation is not specifically targeted at Taiwan.
Taiwan's Investigation Bureau, Coast Guard Administration, and US Drug Enforcement Administration jointly dismantled a major international drug trafficking operation after two years of investigation. The fishing vessel "Tian Fa Cai 38" was intercepted carrying 281 kilograms of heroin and 353 kilograms of ketamine. Traffickers used serial numbers on banknotes as coded messages to communicate, revealing a sophisticated smuggling network between overseas drug lords and local distribution networks.
The Democratic Progressive Party announced it will vote unanimously in favor of a constitutional amendment to abolish the Control Yuan. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and the Taiwan People's Party have recently advocated for abolishing the Control Yuan, though the KMT caucus has not yet clarified its position. The DPP emphasized that concrete action, not political rhetoric, is needed, with the amendment's passage depending on the KMT's stance.
The United States and Iran announced an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, raising market expectations for restored crude oil supplies. International oil prices fell sharply, with New York Mercantile Exchange West Texas Intermediate crude for July delivery dropping over 5.8%, reflecting market optimism about increased supply availability.
The World Gold Council reported that 45% of surveyed central banks intend to increase their gold reserves over the next 12 months, up 2 percentage points from a year ago. This reflects growing confidence among central banks in gold as a key foreign exchange reserve asset amid economic uncertainties.