US President Trump posted a map on social media Tuesday showing an expanded American territory encompassing 20 sovereign nations including Canada, Iceland, Mexico, and Cuba, plus overseas territories of Western European countries. The move has sparked international outrage, with Iceland and other nations lodging formal diplomatic protests.
A nursing professional in Taichung was struck by a Mercedes-Benz driver surnamed Lin while crossing the street early morning after her shift. After hitting her, Lin did not stop to provide assistance. Instead, he turned around at a nearby intersection and drove back to run over the victim a second time, resulting in her death at the scene. Lin fled but later turned himself in after police contacted him. The Taichung District Prosecutors Office determined Lin's actions constitute murder and requested his detention without bail.
Explosions reported at Kharg Island, Iran's key oil export hub, have intensified market concerns over potential supply disruptions. Following the latest attack on Middle Eastern energy infrastructure, Brent crude prices surged to their highest level since late July, reflecting international energy markets' concerns about potential supply constraints.
Russian President Putin and US President Trump recently held a phone conversation. Kremlin spokesman Yuri Ushakov stated that both leaders engaged in frank discussions. The call occurred following a visit by American negotiators to Moscow and Ukraine, reflecting ongoing diplomatic engagement between the US and Russia regarding Ukraine-related matters.
Canada's government will impose retaliatory tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on approximately 700 US products starting early morning on the 8th (US Eastern Time), in response to US tariffs of up to 50% on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. The move marks further escalation in US-Canada trade tensions.
US President Trump posted a map on social media Tuesday showing an expanded American territory encompassing 20 sovereign nations including Canada, Iceland, Mexico, and Cuba, plus overseas territories of Western European countries. The move has sparked international outrage, with Iceland and other nations lodging formal diplomatic protests.
Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that a small Iranian oil tanker was hit by a missile off Kharg Island. According to the report, the incident resulted in no casualties. The incident occurred near Iran's important oil production area, drawing international attention to the situation.
A nursing professional in Taichung was struck by a Mercedes-Benz driver surnamed Lin while crossing the street early morning after her shift. After hitting her, Lin did not stop to provide assistance. Instead, he turned around at a nearby intersection and drove back to run over the victim a second time, resulting in her death at the scene. Lin fled but later turned himself in after police contacted him. The Taichung District Prosecutors Office determined Lin's actions constitute murder and requested his detention without bail.
Hualien County Shoufeng Township Chief Wang Meiguei and her husband Hu Zhimin, who plan to run for county councilor and township chief respectively under the KMT banner this year-end, are under investigation for allegedly misusing local compensation funds for entertaining and vote-buying. The Hualien District Prosecutors Office directed the Investigation Bureau and police to conduct searches at eight locations including their residences and offices, and questioned related personnel.
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) released results from ninety-one countries and economies. Taiwan's students ranked fourth in science with a new high score, third in reading with a historic best ranking, and fourth in mathematics. While OECD countries generally showed declining performance, Taiwan's education system demonstrated strong resilience, with competency-oriented education initiatives yielding significant results.
Six assistants and secretaries of former Kuomintang Kaohsiung City Council Speaker Tseng Li-yen allegedly committed perjury in court to help her evade charges of fraudulently claiming public assistant subsidies. They falsely testified to receiving salaries. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office indicted seven people, including the six who committed perjury and one nominal assistant.
Former Lienchiang County Government Secretary-General Chang Long-de is indicted for allegedly facilitating a procurement contract worth 19.78 million yuan for his brother-in-law Hsiao Sung-nien through shell company arrangements, generating 4.49 million yuan in illicit gains. After a department head raised objections, Chang allegedly transferred the official and reported personnel adjustments to his relative. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office charged him under the Anti-Corruption Act.
Chiang Wan-an's son, Chiang De-li, was selected as an international exchange student, raising questions about potential violations of the Public Officials Conflict of Interest Avoidance Act. The Ministry of Justice's Anti-Corruption Agency stated that recipients of subsidies must disclose their relationships with public officials, including names, agencies, and titles. The Control Yuan has initiated preliminary investigation procedures.
Russian President Putin and US President Trump recently held a phone conversation. Kremlin spokesman Yuri Ushakov stated that both leaders engaged in frank discussions. The call occurred following a visit by American negotiators to Moscow and Ukraine, reflecting ongoing diplomatic engagement between the US and Russia regarding Ukraine-related matters.
US President Trump and Russian President Putin held a one-hour phone conversation discussing possibilities for restarting negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The Kremlin stated the dialogue was constructive and frank, with both leaders agreeing to maintain contact. Trump's envoys Witkoff and Kushner previously visited Moscow and Kyiv, with Putin emphasizing Russia has no intention to threaten Europe.
China's weakening domestic demand is driving automakers to rely heavily on exports. According to the China Passenger Car Association, August auto exports surged 77.5% year-on-year to 894,000 units, while domestic sales fell 23.7%, marking the 11th consecutive month of decline. This stark contrast highlights the critical role exports play in sustaining China's automotive industry.
Escalating conflict between the United States and Iran in the Middle East pushed international oil prices higher and dampened investor sentiment, leading most US stocks to close lower today. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 628 points, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index gained. Markets are also watching for US consumer and producer price index data expected later this week.
Iran-backed Houthi militants attacked multiple Saudi Arabian cities and energy facilities on Tuesday, triggering fires at oil installations. Brent crude futures rose 0.9% to $97.92 per barrel, marking the highest close since July 23, while WTI crude climbed 1.7% to $93.03 per barrel, the highest since June 4. Market concerns over potential Middle East escalation and its impact on global energy supply drove the price increases.
Explosions reported at Kharg Island, Iran's key oil export hub, have intensified market concerns over potential supply disruptions. Following the latest attack on Middle Eastern energy infrastructure, Brent crude prices surged to their highest level since late July, reflecting international energy markets' concerns about potential supply constraints.
Canada's government will impose retaliatory tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on approximately 700 US products starting early morning on the 8th (US Eastern Time), in response to US tariffs of up to 50% on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. The move marks further escalation in US-Canada trade tensions.
The South Korean government plans to construct eight large-scale nuclear power plants in the United States with an estimated total investment of $120 billion. This project is expected to be included in the Korea-US Strategic Investment Agreement, which may be signed as early as the 18th. The initiative demonstrates South Korea's significant role in US energy infrastructure development.
Gestamp, a major European automotive parts supplier, has warned that Europe's economic prosperity cannot be sustained without saving the automotive industry. The company advocates establishing reciprocal relationships with Chinese automakers, emphasizing the importance of attracting Chinese enterprises to establish manufacturing facilities in Europe and create local employment opportunities to maintain industrial competitiveness.
Escalating conflict between Iran and the United States has increased shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up international oil prices. Brent crude futures rose for the third consecutive day during New York morning trading on the 8th, approaching the $100 per barrel mark with less than $1 remaining to reach that level. Tightening crude supply continues to support higher oil prices.
International copper prices have reached record highs, with a 47% increase over the past year. Market participants anticipate potential tariffs on refined copper under the Trump administration. Traders have shipped hundreds of thousands of tons of copper to the United States this year to capitalize on higher U.S. copper prices through arbitrage opportunities, creating tight short-term supply conditions.
The yen surged to 153 per dollar on August 8, marking a seven-month high. Japan's July nominal wages rose 4.7% year-on-year, the largest increase since 1997, while second-quarter GDP growth was revised upward to 1.4%. Both data points strengthen the case for the Bank of Japan to raise rates next week. However, weak consumer spending and yen appreciation pose risks to export-oriented sectors like automobiles.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) plans to introduce High-NA EUV (high numerical aperture extreme ultraviolet) lithography technology starting in 2030 for advanced semiconductor manufacturing. The A10 process node is expected to be the first to implement this technology. This advancement aims to enhance chip manufacturing precision and efficiency, maintaining TSMC's leadership in cutting-edge process technology.
Three US security agencies issued a joint statement accusing Chinese AI companies of illegally copying advanced American artificial intelligence models through distillation techniques. US cyber and law enforcement officials stated that these enterprises used the technology to misappropriate US AI innovations, raising intellectual property protection concerns.
French AI startup Mistral secured 3 billion euros (approximately 3.5 billion USD) in its latest funding round, marking the largest equity financing for an unlisted European tech company. The company plans to use the capital to enhance model computing capabilities, invest in cutting-edge research, and expand AI infrastructure to compete with American and Chinese rivals.
US chipmaker GlobalFoundries announced a final agreement with the US Commerce Department's CHIPS Act R&D office, securing $375 million in research funding to accelerate its Quantum Technology Solutions business. The initiative aims to expand domestic quantum computing semiconductor manufacturing and strengthen America's leadership in next-generation quantum computing. Funding disbursement over five years is tied to achieving specified milestones, boosting stock prices of quantum computing firms including Rigetti and Quantinuum.
A pregnant woman in Shenzhen who had not undergone prenatal screening gave birth to a girl, when medical staff discovered a second fetus in her uterus. Diagnosed as rare occult twin pregnancy, the second baby was a boy in breech presentation. The medical team promptly assisted delivery, and both infants were born safely.
A nursing professional in Taichung was struck by a Mercedes-Benz driver surnamed Lin while crossing the street early morning after her shift. After hitting her, Lin did not stop to provide assistance. Instead, he turned around at a nearby intersection and drove back to run over the victim a second time, resulting in her death at the scene. Lin fled but later turned himself in after police contacted him. The Taichung District Prosecutors Office determined Lin's actions constitute murder and requested his detention without bail.
Canada's government will impose retaliatory tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on approximately 700 US products starting early morning on the 8th (US Eastern Time), in response to US tariffs of up to 50% on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. The move marks further escalation in US-Canada trade tensions.
US President Trump posted a map on social media Tuesday showing an expanded American territory encompassing 20 sovereign nations including Canada, Iceland, Mexico, and Cuba, plus overseas territories of Western European countries. The move has sparked international outrage, with Iceland and other nations lodging formal diplomatic protests.
The US military conducted multiple strikes against ships linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards in response to attempted missile attacks on a US Navy warship. The escalating military action has driven international oil prices higher, with Brent crude approaching $100 per barrel. The incident reflects heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East region.
The United States conducted military strikes against Iranian oil tankers following Iran's second attack on American warships within three days. The action reflects growing U.S. concerns about Iran's increasingly sophisticated missile capabilities. The escalating military tensions between the two nations in the Middle East region are intensifying.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held an hour-long phone call on Tuesday to discuss the Ukraine conflict, which the Kremlin described as extremely frank and constructive. The call followed a weekend visit by US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv aimed at reviving stalled US peace efforts. Washington is pushing for direct face-to-face negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
Huawei Technologies began trial in Brooklyn, New York, facing 14 criminal counts including bank fraud, wire fraud, trade secret theft, and racketeering. The Chinese tech company pleaded not guilty to all charges, with alleged criminal activity dating back to 1999. Jury selection commenced on Tuesday following eight years of legal proceedings with the US government.
Explosions reported at Kharg Island, Iran's key oil export hub, have intensified market concerns over potential supply disruptions. Following the latest attack on Middle Eastern energy infrastructure, Brent crude prices surged to their highest level since late July, reflecting international energy markets' concerns about potential supply constraints.
Russian President Putin and US President Trump recently held a phone conversation. Kremlin spokesman Yuri Ushakov stated that both leaders engaged in frank discussions. The call occurred following a visit by American negotiators to Moscow and Ukraine, reflecting ongoing diplomatic engagement between the US and Russia regarding Ukraine-related matters.
Escalating conflict between Iran and the United States has increased shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up international oil prices. Brent crude futures rose for the third consecutive day during New York morning trading on the 8th, approaching the $100 per barrel mark with less than $1 remaining to reach that level. Tightening crude supply continues to support higher oil prices.
The yen surged to 153 per dollar on August 8, marking a seven-month high. Japan's July nominal wages rose 4.7% year-on-year, the largest increase since 1997, while second-quarter GDP growth was revised upward to 1.4%. Both data points strengthen the case for the Bank of Japan to raise rates next week. However, weak consumer spending and yen appreciation pose risks to export-oriented sectors like automobiles.
Iran-backed Houthi militants attacked multiple Saudi Arabian cities and energy facilities on Tuesday, triggering fires at oil installations. Brent crude futures rose 0.9% to $97.92 per barrel, marking the highest close since July 23, while WTI crude climbed 1.7% to $93.03 per barrel, the highest since June 4. Market concerns over potential Middle East escalation and its impact on global energy supply drove the price increases.
US President Trump and Russian President Putin held a one-hour phone conversation discussing possibilities for restarting negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The Kremlin stated the dialogue was constructive and frank, with both leaders agreeing to maintain contact. Trump's envoys Witkoff and Kushner previously visited Moscow and Kyiv, with Putin emphasizing Russia has no intention to threaten Europe.
Chinese technology company Huawei is heading to trial in the United States, facing charges related to violating US sanctions against Iran and allegedly stealing trade secrets. The case represents an escalation in the long-standing trade dispute between Huawei and the US government, reflecting broader tensions in the technology sector between the two nations. The trial outcome could significantly impact Huawei's future operations in the American market.
In the artificial intelligence chip race, TSMC, Intel, and Samsung have all chosen to adopt the latest chipmaking tools developed by Dutch company ASML. This decision reflects the three major chipmakers' emphasis on advanced manufacturing processes in the AI era, with ASML's cutting-edge equipment becoming a key investment for enhancing production capabilities and capturing market share.