https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.htmlOne place for news and notices from 2 countries/regions: Taiwan, 16 items from 1 source; Japan, 8 items from 1 source.One edition every 180 minutes: every item from every source received in the period, with the original link.en https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107743https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107743Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:54:27 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNAMajor European stock indexes ended higher on expectations that the Middle East conflict (the U.S.-Iran war) could end and the Strait of Hormuz could reopen, while international crude oil prices fell. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107744https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107744Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:31:25 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNAIndian Prime Minister Modi said on social media platform X that he stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and safe during a phone call with U.S. President Trump. The two leaders noted progress in bilateral cooperation and committed to strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership. They also discussed the Middle East situation, noting that the Strait of Hormuz is a crucial shipping route for India, accounting for 40% of its crude oil imports. The White House confirmed the call but did not provide details. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107740https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107740Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:01:18 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNAU.S. President Trump suggested that new talks between the United States and Iran could be held in Pakistan, “probably within 2 days,” the New York Post reported. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107736https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107736Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:42:15 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNAThe U.S. Labor Department reported that the producer price index (PPI) rose 4.0% year over year in March. That was higher than February’s 3.4% but below analysts’ forecast of 4.6%. Rising energy prices linked to the war with Iran were the main factor, with prices for energy final demand climbing 8.5%. Gasoline prices surged 15.7%. The Middle East war’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted oil supplies and added to inflationary pressure. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107737https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107737Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:34:13 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNAU.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent criticized China for buying up oil during the Middle East war, calling it an “unreliable partner.” https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107731https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107731Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:26:18 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNA日本のプロ野球（NPB）の2軍で長年苦労した台湾出身の投手・王彥程が、韓国プロ野球（KBO）のハンファ・イーグルスに移籍し、初登板でプロ初勝利を挙げた。 https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107732https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107732Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:06:08 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNAPro-EU candidate Péter Magyar won Hungary’s general election, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule. The result signals a shift in the country’s pro-Russia and pro-Israel policies and could affect the Middle East situation. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107733https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107733Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:05:06 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNAOn the eve of a meeting in Washington between envoys from Lebanon and Israel, a senior Hezbollah official strongly objected, saying, “We are not interested in the talks, and we will not abide by any agreement reached.” https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107734https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107734Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:58:02 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNAProsecutors and the Investigation Bureau searched premises over suspicions that Hung Tai Life violated the Securities and Exchange Act when it sold land in Tamsui in 2019. The wife of group head Lin Hong-nan and others were questioned, and his wife was released on bail of 300,000 yuan. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107722https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107722Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:56:00 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNANvidia unveiled Ising, an open AI model designed to accelerate the development of practical quantum computers, on World Quantum Day. Ising improves quantum error-correction decoding speed by 2.5 times and accuracy by 3 times. Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang said AI is key to making quantum computing practical. Ising Calibration interprets quantum processor measurements and cuts automated calibration time from days to hours. Ising Decoding includes 2 versions of a 3D convolutional neural network model. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107724https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107724Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:51:19 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNAIn the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), TSG Hawks player Wang Po-jung hit a 3-run homer—his 99th career home run in the league—in a game against the CTBC Brothers, helping his team to an 8-4 win. The Hawks won their 3rd straight game. Starting pitcher Bradin Hagens threw 6 scoreless innings and was named MVP. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107725https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107725Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:51:18 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNAThe IMF lowered its global economic growth forecast for 2026 to 3.1% amid soaring commodity prices caused by the Middle East war. Taiwan’s real GDP growth in 2026 is projected at 5.2%, with CPI inflation at 1.5% and unemployment at 3.4%. China’s growth forecast was cut to 4.4%, while the euro area’s was lowered to 1.1%. Iran, Qatar and Iraq, where oil exports have stalled, are each expected to see steep economic contractions of 6.1% to 8.6%. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107723https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107723Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:49:58 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNAHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán lost the general election, bringing his 16-year government to an end. The French foreign minister said Russia had lost its “Trojan horse” in the EU. French media are watching Hungary’s dependence on Russian energy and the future of ties between the two countries. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107726https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107726Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:37:51 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNATaiwan Rakuten Group announced a strategy to build a “Taiwan-Japan lifestyle sphere” linking e-commerce, finance, travel and sports. It aims to strengthen synergies by holding the “Rakuten Super Game” at Taipei Dome and issuing the “Rakuten Monkeys World Card” in partnership with Mastercard. User traffic between services is growing, with Rakuten Travel recording 97% growth year over year in March. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107727https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107727Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:36:49 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNAFubon Guardians rookie left-hander Chen Pin-hung made his first major-league start against the Wei Chuan Dragons, allowing 2 runs over 3 innings. Fubon rallied for a 4-3 walk-off win on Kung Nien-en’s hit in the bottom of the 9th. Manager Koji Goto praised Chen’s efforts and also remarked on the “mystical luck” of Chang Yi, whose appearances seem to coincide with team comebacks. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107728https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107728Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:35:47 +0900Taiwan中央社 CNAIran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi addressed Sweden’s parliament, calling for increased pressure on the current government, but his appearance has sparked controversy at home and abroad. Other parties and the public criticized the Christian Democrats and others who invited him, saying it could amount to support for the former dictatorship. The Kurdish community in particular strongly condemned the invitation as “rubbing salt in the wound,” citing the history of repression under the Pahlavi dynasty. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107741https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107741Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:30:30 +0900JapanPR TIMESA joint book launch event, “Work Skills in the Age of AI Agents,” featuring Suguru Sato and Katsuhiko Sato will be held in Shibuya on April 25, 2026. They will discuss improving work efficiency with AI and designing effective outputs. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107742https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107742Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:21:50 +0900JapanPR TIMESThe Chiayi County Government in Taiwan began selling products from its agricultural processing brand Chiayi Good Food at 3 Asia Sun Market stores in Tokyo on April 12. Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang attended a promotional event at the Kichijoji store and showcased 13 processed products, including persimmon chips and Taiwanese-style mixed noodles. Packaging and flavors have been adapted to Japanese consumer preferences. The brand plans to expand to more retail locations, including Eslite Spectrum Nihonbashi, to strengthen the profile of Taiwanese agricultural products and develop sales channels. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107738https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107738Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:09:31 +0900JapanPR TIMESTOKU, an upcycling brand founded by a hairstylist on Ishigaki Island, has released new products, “TOKU cup” and “TOKU board,” made by reusing plastic caps from discarded hair dye products. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107739https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107739Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:00:02 +0900JapanPR TIMES https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107735https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107735Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:30:01 +0900JapanPR TIMESSustainable Lab has begun providing its ESG data management system, TERRAST for Management, for 新潟県信用保証協会’s “Sustainable Diagnostic Guarantee.” The system supports small and midsize businesses in visualizing and scoring non-financial data. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107730https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107730Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:01 +0900JapanPR TIMESThe unit “ゆめかえで,” formed by 橋本侑芽 and 安藤楓 of Devil ANTHEM., released its new song “the answer like shaved ice” today. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107729https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107729Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:01 +0900JapanPR TIMESEpisode 1 of 水谷京子’s debut fantasy work, “The Imperfect Witch Marries the Lion Duke in a Honeyed Marriage,” was featured in a special appearance in Hakusensha’s digital manga magazine Love Silky vol.160. 百田姿子’s new series, “Love in a Terrarium,” also launched, telling the story of a couple experiencing a rough patch in their marriage. In addition, a print edition of volume 1 of “President! I’m Your (Cross-Dressing) Secretary” is set to go on sale April 20. Bookstores including Animate and Gamers will offer purchase bonuses such as leaflets and illustrated cards. https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107721https://ainews.idaeo.ai/180m/20260415-00/index-en.html#n107721Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:30:01 +0900JapanPR TIMESThe Blu-ray BOX of the popular romantic comedy manga “Let’s End This ‘I Love You’ Game,” serialized on 小学館’s Sunday Webry, is set for release on September 2, 2026. It costs 29,700 yen and comes with deluxe bonuses.