The US Navy announced plans to convert 19 Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines into guided-missile submarines. Military analysts suggest this strategic shift aims to enhance US capabilities in potential conflicts, with the new variants offering extended strike range and improved penetration of defensive systems. The conversion program represents a significant adjustment to US naval strategy.
The US Senate passed the 2026 Lindsey Graham Sanctions Against Russia and Iran Act with an 86-11 vote, authorizing President Trump to impose up to 500% tariffs on imported Russian energy products including oil and natural gas. The legislation also targets the five largest importers of Russian energy, including China and India, with up to 100% tariffs, aiming to cut off funding for Russia's war efforts.
Taiwan's Executive Yuan plans to finalize the 2025 budget on the 20th, with defense spending exceeding 1.1 trillion New Taiwan dollars for the first time. The allocation includes over 700 billion from the Defense Ministry, 27 billion from the Coast Guard Administration, and over 100 billion from the Veterans Affairs Council, plus 240 billion in special budgets and 55 billion in special funds, representing 3% of GDP.
Li Jian-cheng, former chairman of Zhao Ji Property Management, a leading property management company, is suspected of issuing corporate bonds through related companies Zhao Ji Investment and Hermit Crab Management Consulting, raising over NT$1 billion in investment funds. He allegedly misappropriated approximately NT$700 million to purchase luxury vehicles, luxury goods, and settle personal debts. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office conducted searches on December 7 and questioned Li and Lin You-jen, head of Hermit Crab.
The United States rejected China's plan to establish a "national nature reserve" at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, stating it destabilizes the region and restricts Philippine fishermen's access to traditional fishing grounds. The US accused China of using coercive tactics under the guise of environmental and legal measures, expressing support for the Philippines' position.
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration has issued a heavy rain alert due to Typhoon Bailu and its outer circulation. Mountain areas in Hsinchu and Miaoli counties are expected to experience localized heavy to torrential rainfall today, with potential for short-duration intense precipitation. Northern coastal areas and mountainous regions of Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung also face heavy rain risks.
The US Navy announced plans to convert 19 Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines into guided-missile submarines. Military analysts suggest this strategic shift aims to enhance US capabilities in potential conflicts, with the new variants offering extended strike range and improved penetration of defensive systems. The conversion program represents a significant adjustment to US naval strategy.
The US Senate passed the 2026 Lindsey Graham Sanctions Against Russia and Iran Act with an 86-11 vote, authorizing President Trump to impose up to 500% tariffs on imported Russian energy products including oil and natural gas. The legislation also targets the five largest importers of Russian energy, including China and India, with up to 100% tariffs, aiming to cut off funding for Russia's war efforts.
Taiwan's Executive Yuan plans to finalize the 2025 budget on the 20th, with defense spending exceeding 1.1 trillion New Taiwan dollars for the first time. The allocation includes over 700 billion from the Defense Ministry, 27 billion from the Coast Guard Administration, and over 100 billion from the Veterans Affairs Council, plus 240 billion in special budgets and 55 billion in special funds, representing 3% of GDP.
Fraud syndicates are increasingly exploiting logistics companies and convenience store delivery services for money laundering, using cash-on-delivery and shipping cash or gold to evade financial institution oversight. The Criminal Investigation Bureau's fraud prevention center is actively researching real-name registration systems and collaborating with relevant agencies to combat these crimes.
The Taichung District Prosecutors Office sent letters to all 625 village chiefs in the city ahead of year-end elections, warning that accepting free or discounted trips to China in exchange for supporting specific parties or candidates may violate the Counter-Infiltration Act. The office emphasized that those organizing or recruiting participants face up to ten years imprisonment.
The United States rejected China's plan to establish a "national nature reserve" at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, stating it destabilizes the region and restricts Philippine fishermen's access to traditional fishing grounds. The US accused China of using coercive tactics under the guise of environmental and legal measures, expressing support for the Philippines' position.
A US oil company with ties to President Trump is preparing to drill in a remote area of Greenland without obtaining permission from local authorities. Greenland's government has issued warnings against the unauthorized drilling operations. The development raises questions about energy policy and sovereignty between the United States and Greenland, as the company proceeds despite lacking the necessary permits from local officials.
A drone exploded near the Bulgaria-Romania border. Bulgaria claimed the unmanned aircraft carried explosives, while Ukraine denied launching an intentional attack against Bulgaria. The incident occurred near a strategic corridor connecting Turkey and Ukraine, raising regional security concerns.
Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that despite progress between Iran and Oman on the Strait of Hormuz issue, reopening the strait depends on other conditions, including US compensation to Iran. Revolutionary Guards spokesman Mohbir emphasized that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is unrelated to Iran-Oman agreements and requires the US to "fully accept Iran's stated conditions."
Li Jian-cheng, former chairman of Zhao Ji Property Management, a leading property management company, is suspected of issuing corporate bonds through related companies Zhao Ji Investment and Hermit Crab Management Consulting, raising over NT$1 billion in investment funds. He allegedly misappropriated approximately NT$700 million to purchase luxury vehicles, luxury goods, and settle personal debts. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office conducted searches on December 7 and questioned Li and Lin You-jen, head of Hermit Crab.
NVIDIA's stock price jumped more than 11% this week, adding $56.2 billion to its market value and setting a record for the largest single-week market cap increase. The surge was driven by two factors: positive comments from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and continued strong artificial intelligence capital expenditures from hyperscale cloud computing providers.
Weaker-than-expected July US employment data eased concerns about a September Fed rate hike, spurring a rebound in technology and semiconductor stocks and pushing the S&P 500 to a new high. This week's inflation data release and earnings reports from Applied Materials, Lumentum, and Coherent will be critical in determining whether the current rally can sustain momentum.
Citigroup reduced Micron's price target from $1,400 to $1,150, representing an 18% decline. Despite the downward revision, Citigroup maintained a buy rating on the company. The bank expects DRAM and NAND memory prices to continue rising next year, though at a slower pace than current trends.
South Korean memory chip manufacturer SK Hynix is assessing multiple strategic options for its Chongqing plant in mainland China, including bringing in external investors to accelerate growth. The move reflects the company's strategic adjustment in the Chinese market, aiming to strengthen the facility's competitiveness through financing arrangements.
President Trump announced that the federal government will invest 3 billion dollars in critical mineral and battery programs to increase domestic production and strengthen national security and industrial policy. The initiative aims to replenish weapon stockpiles depleted in the Iran conflict and reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.
According to Reuters, Canada is negotiating multiple trade concessions with the US government, including reducing import tariffs on vehicles, reaching consensus on dairy quota interpretation, and allowing US alcoholic beverages to return to major Canadian provinces. In exchange, the US would cancel plans to impose 50% additional tariffs on Canadian products starting March 19.
Leading property management company Zhao Ji faces corporate bond payment crisis. The Interior Ministry confirms normal operations and has met with local governments to assess the situation with no public complaints received so far. The ministry has directed relevant agencies to plan transition mechanisms and will urge the company to fulfill contracts or arrange transfers to protect landlord and tenant interests.
NVIDIA plans to invest up to $3 billion to acquire a stake in Lancium, the developer behind the Stargate data center complex in Texas. The investment aims to secure land and power resources essential for AI data centers, marking NVIDIA's largest and most direct foray into power infrastructure development to support its AI ecosystem expansion.
Dirge of Cerberus Lost Episode -Final Fantasy VII-, a mobile game that became unplayable after its server shutdown in 2018, has been successfully restored. Game preservationist Yuvi spent over two years on reverse engineering and restoration work, investing more than ten thousand dollars and utilizing 90 GPUs to bring the game back to life. The restored version has been demonstrated through gameplay footage, allowing players to experience this lost title once again.
The US Navy announced plans to convert 19 Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines into guided-missile submarines. Military analysts suggest this strategic shift aims to enhance US capabilities in potential conflicts, with the new variants offering extended strike range and improved penetration of defensive systems. The conversion program represents a significant adjustment to US naval strategy.
The US Senate passed the 2026 Lindsey Graham Sanctions Against Russia and Iran Act with an 86-11 vote, authorizing President Trump to impose up to 500% tariffs on imported Russian energy products including oil and natural gas. The legislation also targets the five largest importers of Russian energy, including China and India, with up to 100% tariffs, aiming to cut off funding for Russia's war efforts.
Taiwan's Executive Yuan plans to finalize the 2025 budget on the 20th, with defense spending exceeding 1.1 trillion New Taiwan dollars for the first time. The allocation includes over 700 billion from the Defense Ministry, 27 billion from the Coast Guard Administration, and over 100 billion from the Veterans Affairs Council, plus 240 billion in special budgets and 55 billion in special funds, representing 3% of GDP.
Li Jian-cheng, former chairman of Zhao Ji Property Management, a leading property management company, is suspected of issuing corporate bonds through related companies Zhao Ji Investment and Hermit Crab Management Consulting, raising over NT$1 billion in investment funds. He allegedly misappropriated approximately NT$700 million to purchase luxury vehicles, luxury goods, and settle personal debts. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office conducted searches on December 7 and questioned Li and Lin You-jen, head of Hermit Crab.
The United States rejected China's plan to establish a "national nature reserve" at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, stating it destabilizes the region and restricts Philippine fishermen's access to traditional fishing grounds. The US accused China of using coercive tactics under the guise of environmental and legal measures, expressing support for the Philippines' position.
NVIDIA plans to invest up to $3 billion to acquire a stake in Lancium, the developer behind the Stargate data center complex in Texas. The investment aims to secure land and power resources essential for AI data centers, marking NVIDIA's largest and most direct foray into power infrastructure development to support its AI ecosystem expansion.
President Trump announced that the federal government will invest 3 billion dollars in critical mineral and battery programs to increase domestic production and strengthen national security and industrial policy. The initiative aims to replenish weapon stockpiles depleted in the Iran conflict and reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.
A senior Iranian official outlined stringent conditions for opening the Strait of Hormuz, demanding U.S. military withdrawal from the region. The United Arab Emirates simultaneously reported that Iran launched a missile attack on one of its vessels. The developments underscore escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, with implications for global energy security and regional geopolitical conflicts.
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration has issued a heavy rain alert due to Typhoon Bailu and its outer circulation. Mountain areas in Hsinchu and Miaoli counties are expected to experience localized heavy to torrential rainfall today, with potential for short-duration intense precipitation. Northern coastal areas and mountainous regions of Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung also face heavy rain risks.
Fraud syndicates are increasingly exploiting logistics companies and convenience store delivery services for money laundering, using cash-on-delivery and shipping cash or gold to evade financial institution oversight. The Criminal Investigation Bureau's fraud prevention center is actively researching real-name registration systems and collaborating with relevant agencies to combat these crimes.
The Taichung District Prosecutors Office sent letters to all 625 village chiefs in the city ahead of year-end elections, warning that accepting free or discounted trips to China in exchange for supporting specific parties or candidates may violate the Counter-Infiltration Act. The office emphasized that those organizing or recruiting participants face up to ten years imprisonment.
A US oil company with ties to President Trump is preparing to drill in a remote area of Greenland without obtaining permission from local authorities. Greenland's government has issued warnings against the unauthorized drilling operations. The development raises questions about energy policy and sovereignty between the United States and Greenland, as the company proceeds despite lacking the necessary permits from local officials.
A drone exploded near the Bulgaria-Romania border. Bulgaria claimed the unmanned aircraft carried explosives, while Ukraine denied launching an intentional attack against Bulgaria. The incident occurred near a strategic corridor connecting Turkey and Ukraine, raising regional security concerns.
NVIDIA's stock price jumped more than 11% this week, adding $56.2 billion to its market value and setting a record for the largest single-week market cap increase. The surge was driven by two factors: positive comments from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and continued strong artificial intelligence capital expenditures from hyperscale cloud computing providers.
Weaker-than-expected July US employment data eased concerns about a September Fed rate hike, spurring a rebound in technology and semiconductor stocks and pushing the S&P 500 to a new high. This week's inflation data release and earnings reports from Applied Materials, Lumentum, and Coherent will be critical in determining whether the current rally can sustain momentum.
Moderate Typhoon Baiji continues moving west-northwest and is expected to approach China by tonight. The Central Weather Administration estimates the maritime typhoon warning can be lifted Monday morning, with reduced probability of issuing a land typhoon warning for Matsu. Lienchiang County suspended work and classes today, while eight schools in Jianshi and Wufeng, Hsinchu County suspended classes but not work. Maritime and air traffic has been affected.
Moderate Typhoon Baiji continues affecting Taiwan on the 9th, with a wind radius of approximately 250 kilometers. Located about 360 kilometers northeast of Taipei at 11 PM yesterday, the typhoon's outer circulation will graze Taiwan's northern offshore area throughout the day, marking its closest approach and most significant impact. The typhoon is expected to pass through northern Taiwan's offshore area today, move to Taiwan's northwestern waters by evening, then make landfall along China's coast. The maritime typhoon warning is expected to be lifted by Monday.