US President Trump responded to reports by stating Washington is assisting Ukraine and sharing intelligence. Addressing claims that the US demanded Ukraine halt attacks on Russian refineries, Trump emphasized efforts with both Russia and Ukraine to end the war. Trump defended a diesel agreement reached with Russia, claiming it supports progress toward peace negotiations.
China has sanctioned officials from Taiwan's diplomatic allies Paraguay and Belize, including Paraguay's Minister of Information and Communications Technology Biad and Belize's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Fonseca. The US State Department issued a statement on the 12th opposing China's coercive and aggressive actions against countries exercising sovereign rights, affirming solidarity with Taiwan and allied partners. China's sanctions include freezing the officials' assets within Chinese territory.
International oil prices experienced sharp fluctuations amid uncertainty over the timeline of US-Iran conflict resolution and global energy sector recovery. West Texas Intermediate crude oil for November delivery rose 0.43% to close at $94.14 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Market participants remain cautious about when the conflict will end and when energy markets will stabilize.
Driven by growing AI and high-performance computing demand, the global semiconductor industry is increasing capital investments. According to SEMI forecasts, global semiconductor equipment spending is projected to reach $227 billion by 2029. The United States, as a key market, is accelerating semiconductor capacity expansion, driving overall industry investment growth.
The International Monetary Fund warned on the 13th that major global economies face their most severe fiscal deficit crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic. The US and China's fiscal deficits are projected to reach or exceed 8% of GDP this year. Despite AI investment supporting economic growth, governments carry high debt burdens and rising borrowing costs. The IMF urges countries to urgently improve fiscal positions to prevent larger-scale financial market turmoil.
US President Trump responded to reports by stating Washington is assisting Ukraine and sharing intelligence. Addressing claims that the US demanded Ukraine halt attacks on Russian refineries, Trump emphasized efforts with both Russia and Ukraine to end the war. Trump defended a diesel agreement reached with Russia, claiming it supports progress toward peace negotiations.
China has sanctioned officials from Taiwan's diplomatic allies Paraguay and Belize, including Paraguay's Minister of Information and Communications Technology Biad and Belize's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Fonseca. The US State Department issued a statement on the 12th opposing China's coercive and aggressive actions against countries exercising sovereign rights, affirming solidarity with Taiwan and allied partners. China's sanctions include freezing the officials' assets within Chinese territory.
New Taipei City KMT councilor Lian Feipan, elected for six consecutive terms, faces allegations of using shell identities to fraudulently claim assistant fees exceeding one million NT dollars. The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office directed the Control Yuan to conduct searches and question Lian, shell assistants, and office staff. The case is being investigated under charges of embezzlement through abuse of official position and document forgery.
U.S. President Trump indicated on the 12th that he may meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November. North Korea's state media subsequently reported Kim Jong Un attending the opening ceremony of the National Defense Revolution Museum, featuring intercontinental ballistic missiles with range covering the U.S. mainland, demonstrating North Korea's military posturing ahead of potential talks.
The Qiaohead District Prosecutors Office is investigating independent mayoral candidate Zhang Qisheng for alleged vote-buying. Prosecutors found that Zhang exploited resources controlled by his father Zhang Hanxiong (former Kaohsiung Marine Bureau director) and brother Zhang Junhua (director of Ziguang District Fishermen's Association), using fraudulent documents to help non-fishermen obtain fishermen status and subsidies. At least ten fake fishermen were allegedly required to vote for Zhang during the election. Prosecutors have requested the court to detain Zhang and his father.
Taiwan's first domestically-built submarine Haiqun completed its 24th sea trial and 18th diving test. Military officials announced that Haiqun will conduct deep-water diving tests exceeding 100 meters depth later this month, verifying the submarine's capability for prolonged concealment and safe survival in the harsh deep-sea environment of high pressure and low temperature.
Pope Francis XIV underwent lung surgery today, with the Vatican announcing the removal of his lower right lobe. Pathological examination confirmed adenocarcinoma diagnosis. The 90-minute procedure proceeded smoothly without complications, and the Pope has returned to his room for recovery.
US Ambassador to Greece Sifvol is accused of soliciting money from Trump supporters and accepting lavish entertainment from Greek businessmen. White House Press Secretary Zacharia stated the Trump administration has demanded his resignation. Sifvol denies the allegations. The incident raises concerns about diplomatic integrity and ethics.
US President Trump alleged that Yemen's Houthi movement, known as the Youth Movement, is deliberately attempting to raise oil prices ahead of American midterm elections. Trump warned of consequences for the group's actions amid escalating regional tensions between the US and Iran. The Iran-backed Houthis have recently conducted multiple attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
Despite previously stating he would reduce political spending, Elon Musk has now invested approximately $366 million in the 2026 midterm elections, with $276 million contributed since July. He is likely to become the largest single political donor in this year's election cycle, supporting Republican efforts to maintain congressional control.
International oil prices showed mixed results on the 13th. Brent crude futures fell 0.96 dollars to 105.69 per barrel, while WTI rose 0.40 dollars to 94.14 per barrel. Markets weighed potential increased global fuel supply from a US-Russia diesel agreement against concerns over escalating Saudi-Houthi conflict and security risks to energy infrastructure and tankers near the Strait of Hormuz.
International oil prices experienced sharp fluctuations amid uncertainty over the timeline of US-Iran conflict resolution and global energy sector recovery. West Texas Intermediate crude oil for November delivery rose 0.43% to close at $94.14 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Market participants remain cautious about when the conflict will end and when energy markets will stabilize.
Enterprise IT departments are reallocating budgets from traditional software to artificial intelligence products. A Wells Fargo survey of 100 CIOs found that 60% of companies plan to redirect mid-single-digit percentages of IT budgets to AI. Analysts expect Salesforce to benefit while Adobe faces significant budget reallocation risks. Wells Fargo downgraded Adobe from overweight to underweight with a price target cut from $270 to $225.
US Treasury Secretary Bessent is reportedly considering stopping the issuance of 20-year bonds to address rising borrowing costs and increased interest expenses. Wall Street is closely watching the quarterly debt issuance plan to be announced on November 4, anticipating Bessent may directly announce the cancellation of 20-year bond issuance without prior notice, mirroring a policy approach from 25 years ago.
The International Monetary Fund warned on the 13th that major global economies face their most severe fiscal deficit crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic. The US and China's fiscal deficits are projected to reach or exceed 8% of GDP this year. Despite AI investment supporting economic growth, governments carry high debt burdens and rising borrowing costs. The IMF urges countries to urgently improve fiscal positions to prevent larger-scale financial market turmoil.
Global chip stocks experienced selling pressure on the 13th. Long Shine Storage's claimed chip architecture breakthrough raised memory market competition concerns. Broadcom CEO Chen Fuyang compared AI investment sentiment to gambling. Nvidia and AMD's new technologies await order and revenue validation. Rising AI borrowing costs increased market focus on investment returns.
Bank of Japan officials are inclined to hold rates steady this month but are considering another rate increase before year-end to avoid consecutive hikes. Meanwhile, South Korea's central bank governor stated the country will maintain restrictive monetary policy until inflation returns to target. South Korea's president also suggested narrowing the interest rate gap with the United States to align with global monetary tightening trends.
Despite ongoing attacks by Iranian proxy forces, Saudi Arabia continues exporting oil to Asia. Reuters reports that refineries in Taiwan, India, and China have successfully purchased Saudi crude for November through direct port delivery, bypassing Strait of Hormuz shipping risks.
Four major Wall Street banks released earnings on the 13th, kicking off the U.S. stock earnings season. Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo all reported profit growth, reflecting resilience in corporate investment and consumer spending. However, JPMorgan Chase unexpectedly underperformed, with both revenue and profit falling short of expectations due to slowdowns in fixed income trading and investment banking operations.
French luxury conglomerate LVMH's largest fashion and leather goods division saw revenue decline 5% last quarter due to weakening demand in mainland China, far exceeding expectations. After achieving its first growth in two years last quarter, the division has now reversed to decline, stalling recovery momentum. While jewelry sales and Sephora beauty retail provided some support, the group's overall revenue still fell short of market expectations.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang announced the company will acquire a minority stake in Doctolib, a French healthcare platform. Doctolib plans to leverage AI technology to improve healthcare services. This investment demonstrates NVIDIA's strategic expansion into the healthcare sector through artificial intelligence applications.
Driven by growing AI and high-performance computing demand, the global semiconductor industry is increasing capital investments. According to SEMI forecasts, global semiconductor equipment spending is projected to reach $227 billion by 2029. The United States, as a key market, is accelerating semiconductor capacity expansion, driving overall industry investment growth.
As semiconductor process scaling faces increasing difficulty and cost pressures, advanced packaging technology is becoming crucial for enhancing AI chip performance. The industry's competitive focus is shifting from transistor miniaturization to chip arrangement, interconnection, and stacking methods. TSMC's strategic positioning in advanced packaging strengthens its critical role in the AI supply chain.
According to Reuters, OpenAI and Anthropic publicly support independent external evaluations but have sought significant control over disclosure content during negotiations, citing protection of trade secrets. Experts warn that without common standards and independent audit legislation, companies developing the most powerful AI models may simultaneously control how they are evaluated, highlighting the tension between protecting intellectual property and disclosing AI risks.
Apple unveiled a series of smart home products on the 12th, including HomeView with a 7-inch display, HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV 4K. HomeView is positioned as an ideal device for showcasing Siri AI assistant, aiming to challenge Google and Amazon in the smart home market. The new products feature higher prices than previous generations, though HomeView is not yet available in Taiwan.
The New York Times, Agence France-Presse, The Economist, and more than 40 other publishers have joined the Publisher Use Rights Standard Alliance to protect their news content copyright and prevent unauthorized use or monetization by artificial intelligence companies. The coalition aims to establish standardized guidelines for news content usage and safeguard media organizations' intellectual property rights.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced in Paris that the company plans to announce a $2 billion European investment within the coming week, continuing its $8 billion investment in the region over the past year. Huang also announced new funding for French startups including Doctolib, Genesis AI, Pigment, and Entalpic, calling for Europe to join the AI competition. The European tour will visit Paris, London, and Berlin.
The International Monetary Fund warned on the 13th that major global economies face their most severe fiscal deficit crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic. The US and China's fiscal deficits are projected to reach or exceed 8% of GDP this year. Despite AI investment supporting economic growth, governments carry high debt burdens and rising borrowing costs. The IMF urges countries to urgently improve fiscal positions to prevent larger-scale financial market turmoil.
International oil prices experienced sharp fluctuations amid uncertainty over the timeline of US-Iran conflict resolution and global energy sector recovery. West Texas Intermediate crude oil for November delivery rose 0.43% to close at $94.14 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Market participants remain cautious about when the conflict will end and when energy markets will stabilize.
Driven by growing AI and high-performance computing demand, the global semiconductor industry is increasing capital investments. According to SEMI forecasts, global semiconductor equipment spending is projected to reach $227 billion by 2029. The United States, as a key market, is accelerating semiconductor capacity expansion, driving overall industry investment growth.
Iran-backed Houthi militants reportedly attacked Saudi Aramco's headquarters in retaliation for strikes by the Riyadh-led coalition on targets in Yemen's capital. The incident reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and military confrontations in the Middle East region.
Bank of America was fined $1.2 billion for failing to flag $5 billion in suspicious transactions linked to illicit finance from China and the southern US border. The bank did not adequately identify and report transactions connected to suspected illegal financial activities. The case highlights financial institutions' regulatory obligations in preventing illicit fund flows.
European leaders, who have accused Russia of brazen assaults on their territory, now contend with drone strikes targeting vessels in waters adjacent to NATO. These attacks represent an emerging security threat to the alliance, reflecting ongoing regional tensions and escalating military concerns.
American defense startups are establishing operations in Taiwan to develop unmanned drones free from Chinese components. This initiative serves U.S. military requirements while providing Taiwan with defensive capabilities it considers essential for survival. The emerging industry demonstrates significant potential for strengthening supply chain security and regional defense capabilities.
US President Trump responded to reports by stating Washington is assisting Ukraine and sharing intelligence. Addressing claims that the US demanded Ukraine halt attacks on Russian refineries, Trump emphasized efforts with both Russia and Ukraine to end the war. Trump defended a diesel agreement reached with Russia, claiming it supports progress toward peace negotiations.
China has sanctioned officials from Taiwan's diplomatic allies Paraguay and Belize, including Paraguay's Minister of Information and Communications Technology Biad and Belize's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Fonseca. The US State Department issued a statement on the 12th opposing China's coercive and aggressive actions against countries exercising sovereign rights, affirming solidarity with Taiwan and allied partners. China's sanctions include freezing the officials' assets within Chinese territory.
New Taipei City KMT councilor Lian Feipan, elected for six consecutive terms, faces allegations of using shell identities to fraudulently claim assistant fees exceeding one million NT dollars. The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office directed the Control Yuan to conduct searches and question Lian, shell assistants, and office staff. The case is being investigated under charges of embezzlement through abuse of official position and document forgery.
U.S. President Trump indicated on the 12th that he may meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November. North Korea's state media subsequently reported Kim Jong Un attending the opening ceremony of the National Defense Revolution Museum, featuring intercontinental ballistic missiles with range covering the U.S. mainland, demonstrating North Korea's military posturing ahead of potential talks.
The Qiaohead District Prosecutors Office is investigating independent mayoral candidate Zhang Qisheng for alleged vote-buying. Prosecutors found that Zhang exploited resources controlled by his father Zhang Hanxiong (former Kaohsiung Marine Bureau director) and brother Zhang Junhua (director of Ziguang District Fishermen's Association), using fraudulent documents to help non-fishermen obtain fishermen status and subsidies. At least ten fake fishermen were allegedly required to vote for Zhang during the election. Prosecutors have requested the court to detain Zhang and his father.
Taiwan's first domestically-built submarine Haiqun completed its 24th sea trial and 18th diving test. Military officials announced that Haiqun will conduct deep-water diving tests exceeding 100 meters depth later this month, verifying the submarine's capability for prolonged concealment and safe survival in the harsh deep-sea environment of high pressure and low temperature.
Pope Francis XIV underwent lung surgery today, with the Vatican announcing the removal of his lower right lobe. Pathological examination confirmed adenocarcinoma diagnosis. The 90-minute procedure proceeded smoothly without complications, and the Pope has returned to his room for recovery.
US Treasury Secretary Bessent is reportedly considering stopping the issuance of 20-year bonds to address rising borrowing costs and increased interest expenses. Wall Street is closely watching the quarterly debt issuance plan to be announced on November 4, anticipating Bessent may directly announce the cancellation of 20-year bond issuance without prior notice, mirroring a policy approach from 25 years ago.