🌏 International
The U.S. Department of Defense recently released its latest defense strategy report, which does not mention Taiwan. The Deputy Secretary of Defense explained that the Trump administration prioritizes providing military capabilities to the U.S. and its allies rather than emphasizing rhetoric. However, Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee Whiteman stated that public statements and formal documents are critically important, prompting concerns from multiple U.S. lawmakers.
A photographer named Wu Cheng-yan in Tainan is accused of sexually assaulting and coercing at least 30 girls into taking explicit photos. According to the family of one victim, the girl is still undergoing psychological treatment and continues to blame herself for the abuse. The victim has become withdrawn and fearful of crowds, with her once outgoing personality significantly changed. Her family hopes for severe punishment for the perpetrator.
A woman who was sexually assaulted by Kyran Smith in her Travelodge room found that hotel staff had given the attacker access to her room. Following the incident, the hotel offered the victim a £30 refund as compensation, which she described as insulting. The case highlights serious security failures in the hotel's key management procedures and inadequate response to the victim's trauma.
The US State Department announced the closure of its embassy in Kuwait City and urged American citizens in Kuwait to evacuate immediately. The move comes amid escalating military tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran. The US launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran on February 28. Citizens unable to evacuate safely are advised to shelter in place.
Following U.S. airstrikes on Iran, Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz and attacked Middle Eastern U.S. military bases and energy facilities, causing international oil and natural gas prices to spike significantly. Analysts warn oil prices could reach $100 per barrel, doubling the scale of the 1970s oil crisis, with Asian economies heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy facing the greatest impact. Meanwhile, airspace closures across the Middle East have caused severe disruptions to international flights and aviation operations.
The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran entered its sixth day, intensifying global energy supply concerns. Qatar has shut down liquefied natural gas production lines, while mainland China instructed refineries to suspend gasoline and diesel exports. Japan's refineries called on the government to release strategic oil reserves. Amid surging fuel prices, shipping companies and traders are purchasing oil options to hedge against further price increases.
Middle East conflicts have reduced Qatar's natural gas output, disrupting global LNG supply chains. Taiwan, heavily dependent on energy imports, faces potential supply risks. Analysis reveals insufficient strategic reserves and highlights the need to reassess Taiwan's energy structure and storage policies to enhance energy security resilience.
Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council announced on March 6 that the national quantum computing strategy has entered its second phase, with the launch of a quantum computer subsystem verification platform in Hsinchu. Since 2021, the Executive Yuan has led a national quantum team comprising the NSC, Academia Sinica, and Ministry of Economic Affairs. The strategy aims to leverage Taiwan's semiconductor advantages to attract international collaboration and integrate the industry supply chain into the global quantum technology ecosystem.
Amid escalating Middle East tensions driving oil prices higher, the US Treasury Department is evaluating an unprecedented intervention in crude oil futures markets to mitigate inflation pressures. White House officials indicated the measures could be announced as early as March 5. Rather than increasing physical oil supply, the approach aims to influence trader expectations through financial market operations and ease market panic.
China's draft 15th five-year plan, released Thursday, targets tax reform as a major goal for 2026-2030 to address local government fiscal strain. Shifting from the previous plan's emphasis on "tax and fee cuts," the new plan stresses "maintaining a reasonable macro tax burden." This reflects Beijing's effort to increase tax revenue while local governments struggle to balance growing public service obligations with depleted treasuries.
A disruption to Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) output has driven regional gas prices to their highest levels in approximately three years. The disruption follows Iran's drone strikes on Qatar in retaliation for Israeli and US attacks, coupled with a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil and gas trade. The incident highlights Asia's dangerous dependence on Middle Eastern fuel supplies.
US-Israel military operations against Iran have entered their sixth day. President Trump praised the US military's performance, stating that Iranian leadership and ballistic missile stockpiles have been rapidly eliminated. The White House revealed that Trump has begun discussions with his national security team regarding post-conflict planning and America's potential role after the conflict concludes.
The government proposed a defense special budget ceiling of NT$1.25 trillion. The KMT caucus submitted a NT$38 billion alternative proposal, following the DPP's NT$40 billion version. Both opposition parties' drafts focus on concrete hardware weapons already notified by the US, such as missiles and self-propelled guns, but both omitted the critical 'AI-assisted command and C5ISR system' component.
Cancer has ranked as the leading cause of death in Taiwan for 43 consecutive years. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced plans to launch a psychological support pilot program for cancer patients in the second half of the year, offering free mental health services to newly diagnosed patients and their families. The program will initially focus on head and neck cancer and lung cancer patients, with details expected to be announced in April. The initiative aims to alleviate psychological stress and improve treatment outcomes.
A US International Trade Court judge on the 4th ordered the Trump administration to initiate procedures for refunding $130 billion in tariffs to importers. The Trump administration confirmed it will pay interest on the refunds. The ruling represents a significant judicial review outcome regarding the previous tariff policies and affects major economic interests of importers.