The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged over 900 points to close at 54,085.88, marking consecutive days of record highs, while the S&P 500 also reached new peaks. Strong profitability in the US AI and infrastructure sectors, combined with lower oil prices, drove the market rally. Companies including Intel and SpaceX demonstrated strong performance.
Taichung District Prosecutors Office has detained four executives from Zhonglian Oil and Taishan Foods in connection with the carcinogenic oil incident. Analysis of phone records shows employees reported abnormal raw materials as early as April, but management failed to address the issue, allowing contaminated oil products to continue circulating in the market.
Michael McCaul, honorary chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, received the Order of Brilliant Jade from President Lai Ching-te. McCaul stated that US arms sales policy to Taiwan will not be affected by US-China diplomatic relations and expressed confidence that President Trump will soon submit a $14 billion military sales package to Congress. President Lai expressed hopes for Taiwan-US cooperation to advance from military procurement to joint research and production.
A man from Taichung allegedly used stolen photos to pose as an attractive woman on dating platforms and LINE, deceiving victims into sharing intimate images. He then recorded and blackmailed approximately 100 men aged 18-33 across Taiwan within six months, obtaining nearly one million NT dollars illegally. The Taichung District Prosecutors Office concluded its investigation and prosecuted him for violating sexual privacy rights, extortion, and personal data protection laws.
While data centers have traditionally been targets of cyberattacks, physical military attacks represent an emerging security risk in 2026. As governments prioritize artificial intelligence for national security and economic growth, and tech companies invest heavily in global data center infrastructure, protecting these critical facilities from military threats has become a major challenge requiring coordinated government and industry response.
Taichung District Prosecutors Office has detained four executives from Zhonglian Oil and Taishan Foods in connection with the carcinogenic oil incident. Analysis of phone records shows employees reported abnormal raw materials as early as April, but management failed to address the issue, allowing contaminated oil products to continue circulating in the market.
Michael McCaul, honorary chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, received the Order of Brilliant Jade from President Lai Ching-te. McCaul stated that US arms sales policy to Taiwan will not be affected by US-China diplomatic relations and expressed confidence that President Trump will soon submit a $14 billion military sales package to Congress. President Lai expressed hopes for Taiwan-US cooperation to advance from military procurement to joint research and production.
Police arrested a former employee of Jing Yuan Tungsten Technology Company in Taichung in connection with the death of the company's chairman in Pingtung County. The suspect, surnamed Lin, had borrowed over 100,000 NT dollars from the company due to financial difficulties. Investigators believe Lin attempted to burglarize the chairman's residence while surveillance cameras were disabled, but was discovered by the victim and allegedly killed him. Lin has been transferred to prosecutors on suspicion of murder.
Taiwan's Central Election Commission Chair Yu Ying-lung met with the Taiwan People's Party legislative caucus yesterday to discuss a proposed amendment to the Citizen Referendum Act. Yu expressed concerns about rushing the amendment, citing organ transplant policy as an example of how changing to a "one ballot, multiple proposals" system could have unimaginable and irreversible impacts. The KMT caucus has proposed amendments to multiple articles of the referendum law.
Michael McCaul, honorary chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated at the Ketagalan Forum that the Chinese Communist Party's attempt at military unification will never succeed, and the United States will remain Taiwan's steadfast partner. McCaul expressed his support for Taiwan in Mandarin Chinese and encouraged Taiwan to pass its annual defense budget to demonstrate its commitment to self-defense.
US Secretary of State Rubio stated that the United States is participating in US-Iran dialogue mediated by Oman to discuss ensuring safe passage for more vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in the short term. Qatar reported progress in mediation efforts toward ending US-Iran conflict. Rubio indicated negotiations have made progress but remain incomplete.
An Indian-flagged merchant ship sank today while transiting Yemeni waters. All 14 crew members aboard were successfully rescued, according to officials in Mokha, a port city in northern Yemen. Indian authorities condemned the attack, characterizing it as an unprovoked assault on the vessel.
More than 20 Democratic state attorneys general filed lawsuits challenging the Trump administration's 10% to 12.5% tariffs on over 60 trading partners, imposed under the guise of forced labor concerns. The attorneys general allege the government investigation is a "sham" and accuse the administration of using forced labor as a pretext to implement unlawful tariff policies affecting consumers and businesses.
While data centers have traditionally been targets of cyberattacks, physical military attacks represent an emerging security risk in 2026. As governments prioritize artificial intelligence for national security and economic growth, and tech companies invest heavily in global data center infrastructure, protecting these critical facilities from military threats has become a major challenge requiring coordinated government and industry response.
The Central Weather Administration forecasts that Typhoon Baiji (No. 12, moderate intensity) will continue moving westward and turn northward starting August 8th, with a possible sea warning as early as Friday afternoon. Experts identify three main path scenarios from different countries' forecasts. If following Europe's projection closer to Taiwan, a land warning cannot be ruled out. Various international models show different assessments of typhoon intensity and impact range.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged over 900 points to close at 54,085.88, marking consecutive days of record highs, while the S&P 500 also reached new peaks. Strong profitability in the US AI and infrastructure sectors, combined with lower oil prices, drove the market rally. Companies including Intel and SpaceX demonstrated strong performance.
US stocks rallied broadly on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 closing above 7,700 for the first time and both the Dow Jones and S&P 500 setting record closes. The Nasdaq surged nearly 3%, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index soared over 6.5%. Semiconductor stocks extended their rebound, with Micron, Marvell and others gaining 7% to 13% as investors renewed bets on AI data center investments. Markets digested progress in US-Iran negotiations and earnings season.
Investors are increasingly optimistic that the United States and Iran are approaching an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a decline in international oil prices. WTI crude oil for September delivery fell 4.57 dollars, a 5.69% decline on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Rising expectations for the strait's reopening have improved market sentiment regarding oil supply prospects.
Despite credit market fatigue with data center financing, technology companies show no signs of slowing their capital raising efforts. Citadel Securities predicts that the tech industry will conduct over 500 billion dollars in debt financing across public and private markets by the end of 2028, primarily to fund chip purchases for artificial intelligence park construction.
The US-Iran conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing oil and natural gas prices significantly higher. While consumers and businesses struggle with rising energy costs, major oil companies are reporting strong earnings. Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil company, saw net profit increase 33% year-over-year last quarter, alongside strong results from BP and ExxonMobil.
Data analytics firm Palantir reported Q2 earnings that significantly exceeded Wall Street expectations, with revenue growing 140% year-over-year. The company raised its full-year revenue and profit outlook, citing unexpectedly strong demand for its data analysis tools in the commercial market. The positive results drove the stock up 25% in early trading on the US market.
Apple's annual sales in India surpassed $10 billion for the first time, reflecting growing demand for its premium devices in the market. The company continues expanding its retail presence, opening a new store in Mumbai in February, bringing its total number of direct stores in India to six locations.
Toyota announced on the 4th that it will raise its operating profit forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2025 to 3.4 trillion yen, representing an increase of over 10% from previous estimates. The company will also implement a 1 trillion yen (approximately 6.3 billion dollar) share buyback program. Strong demand for hybrid vehicles and a weaker yen offset rising costs, tariffs, and supply chain disruptions.
US President Trump stated ongoing negotiations with Iran for a potential agreement, while Treasury Secretary Bessent indicated a possible deal on reopening the Strait of Hormuz could be reached on the same or following day. Qatar also signaled positive support for the negotiations. Following these developments, international oil prices declined, with West Texas crude temporarily dropping below $80 per barrel.
The United States and Japan jointly intervened in foreign exchange markets by selling euros rather than dollars to strengthen the yen. This approach aims to avoid signaling a weakening of the dollar. Analysts indicate that whether the yen's appreciation continues depends on breaking through the 155 level, marking the beginning of a new era of US currency activism.
High-end Enterovirus 71 vaccine was officially exported to Vietnam yesterday, marking Taiwan's first domestically developed novel vaccine successfully entering overseas markets. The vaccine received market approval from Vietnamese authorities in the first half of this year and completed its first international shipment after rigorous quality inspections and batch release procedures, representing a significant milestone for Taiwan's vaccine industry.
According to Reuters, representatives from Meta, Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI are meeting with U.S. President Trump's staff today to discuss artificial intelligence safety testing. The meeting reflects ongoing dialogue between the technology industry and government on AI regulation and safety standards, addressing industry concerns about responsible AI development.
A man from Taichung allegedly used stolen photos to pose as an attractive woman on dating platforms and LINE, deceiving victims into sharing intimate images. He then recorded and blackmailed approximately 100 men aged 18-33 across Taiwan within six months, obtaining nearly one million NT dollars illegally. The Taichung District Prosecutors Office concluded its investigation and prosecuted him for violating sexual privacy rights, extortion, and personal data protection laws.
The 10th Taoyuan Cup National 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament has been plagued by numerous fake teams with AI-generated names. After being exposed online, the incident continues to escalate. Shen Pei-ling, a candidate for Taoyuan City councilor, pointed out that these ghost teams exist only on registration forms, causing legitimate teams to miss matches. She demands a comprehensive review of subsequent tournament events.
Taichung District Prosecutors Office has detained four executives from Zhonglian Oil and Taishan Foods in connection with the carcinogenic oil incident. Analysis of phone records shows employees reported abnormal raw materials as early as April, but management failed to address the issue, allowing contaminated oil products to continue circulating in the market.
While data centers have traditionally been targets of cyberattacks, physical military attacks represent an emerging security risk in 2026. As governments prioritize artificial intelligence for national security and economic growth, and tech companies invest heavily in global data center infrastructure, protecting these critical facilities from military threats has become a major challenge requiring coordinated government and industry response.
Michael McCaul, honorary chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, received the Order of Brilliant Jade from President Lai Ching-te. McCaul stated that US arms sales policy to Taiwan will not be affected by US-China diplomatic relations and expressed confidence that President Trump will soon submit a $14 billion military sales package to Congress. President Lai expressed hopes for Taiwan-US cooperation to advance from military procurement to joint research and production.
A security vulnerability in the Coldcard cryptocurrency hardware wallet is being exploited by hackers to drain victims' digital assets. According to blockchain-monitoring firms, total losses exceed $130 million. The flaw allows unauthorized access to user wallets and theft of cryptocurrency holdings.
The S&P 500 index hit a record high following Treasury Secretary Bessent's announcement that Iranian and Omani negotiators have reached agreement on a temporary shipping arrangement. The deal aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. The agreement is expected to ease Middle East geopolitical tensions and boost investor confidence in economic stability.
Japan has expressed concern that deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a significant security threat to East Asia. The Japanese government highlighted that the strategic alliance between the two nations could escalate regional tensions. Japan called for international attention to this development and pledged to strengthen defense cooperation with the United States and allied nations to maintain regional stability and security.
Taiwan is preparing for its annual Han Kuang anti-invasion exercises, incorporating new defensive mechanisms and training elements this year. The drills aim to strengthen Taiwan's military readiness against potential threats and test the coordination between armed forces and civil defense systems. The exercises cover multiple defense layers, including military operations and civilian protection measures, to enhance overall national defense resilience.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged over 900 points to close at 54,085.88, marking consecutive days of record highs, while the S&P 500 also reached new peaks. Strong profitability in the US AI and infrastructure sectors, combined with lower oil prices, drove the market rally. Companies including Intel and SpaceX demonstrated strong performance.
A man from Taichung allegedly used stolen photos to pose as an attractive woman on dating platforms and LINE, deceiving victims into sharing intimate images. He then recorded and blackmailed approximately 100 men aged 18-33 across Taiwan within six months, obtaining nearly one million NT dollars illegally. The Taichung District Prosecutors Office concluded its investigation and prosecuted him for violating sexual privacy rights, extortion, and personal data protection laws.
High-end Enterovirus 71 vaccine was officially exported to Vietnam yesterday, marking Taiwan's first domestically developed novel vaccine successfully entering overseas markets. The vaccine received market approval from Vietnamese authorities in the first half of this year and completed its first international shipment after rigorous quality inspections and batch release procedures, representing a significant milestone for Taiwan's vaccine industry.
Police arrested a former employee of Jing Yuan Tungsten Technology Company in Taichung in connection with the death of the company's chairman in Pingtung County. The suspect, surnamed Lin, had borrowed over 100,000 NT dollars from the company due to financial difficulties. Investigators believe Lin attempted to burglarize the chairman's residence while surveillance cameras were disabled, but was discovered by the victim and allegedly killed him. Lin has been transferred to prosecutors on suspicion of murder.
Taiwan's Central Election Commission Chair Yu Ying-lung met with the Taiwan People's Party legislative caucus yesterday to discuss a proposed amendment to the Citizen Referendum Act. Yu expressed concerns about rushing the amendment, citing organ transplant policy as an example of how changing to a "one ballot, multiple proposals" system could have unimaginable and irreversible impacts. The KMT caucus has proposed amendments to multiple articles of the referendum law.
Michael McCaul, honorary chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated at the Ketagalan Forum that the Chinese Communist Party's attempt at military unification will never succeed, and the United States will remain Taiwan's steadfast partner. McCaul expressed his support for Taiwan in Mandarin Chinese and encouraged Taiwan to pass its annual defense budget to demonstrate its commitment to self-defense.
Investors are increasingly optimistic that the United States and Iran are approaching an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a decline in international oil prices. WTI crude oil for September delivery fell 4.57 dollars, a 5.69% decline on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Rising expectations for the strait's reopening have improved market sentiment regarding oil supply prospects.
US Secretary of State Rubio stated that the United States is participating in US-Iran dialogue mediated by Oman to discuss ensuring safe passage for more vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in the short term. Qatar reported progress in mediation efforts toward ending US-Iran conflict. Rubio indicated negotiations have made progress but remain incomplete.