160 received, 160 listed, 2 sources ・ Page 1 of 2
One place for news and notices from 2 countries/regions: Taiwan, 93 items from 1 source; Japan, 67 items from 1 source.
One edition every 180 minutes: every item from every source received in the period, with the original link.
Czech Technical University has developed a new-generation drone featuring swarm-flight technology modeled on flocks of birds. Sourcing components locally reduces dependence on Chinese supply chains and strengthens information security.
Companies mentioned：捷克理工大學 (ČVUT)、捷克科學院、康斯坦茨大學 (University of Konstanz)
Taiwan's 環境部 and the Financial Supervisory Commission announced plans to strengthen measures against greenwashing and adjust corporate sustainable finance indicators. They will also simplify surveys of greenhouse gas emissions across supply chains to ease the burden on small and medium-sized businesses.
Companies mentioned：環境部、金融監督管理委員会（金管会）
Regarding the meeting between 国民党's Cheng Li-wun and Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping, national security officials said China was using Taiwan's opposition party to send a political message of being "anti-Japan, anti-U.S. and opposed to arms purchases" to the international community.
Companies mentioned：国民党、中国共産党
China announced 10 measures, including lifting the ban on independent travel to Taiwan for residents of Shanghai and Fujian, but Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council took a cautious stance, saying there would be no substantive progress until specific policies are formally announced.
Companies mentioned：中国国民党、大陸委員會 (陸委會)
With the Danjiang Bridge set to open to traffic, the Highway Bureau is planning a short-term measure to install sound-dampening strips to address wind noise caused by the northeast monsoon. It expects to complete a long-term improvement using aluminum-plate clips by the end of the 8th month.
King's Town Bank will hold its shareholders' meeting on May 29 to elect directors, but the anticipated election battle ended early after major shareholders withdrew some nominations on April 15. After reviewing the slate today (April 16), the board approved nominations for a total of 15 directors: 10 regular directors and 5 independent directors.
The human rights group Human Rights Watch said the Chinese government was intensifying its persecution of Catholics in the country, warning that the Vatican-China agreement signed in 2018 was contributing to the crackdown. The group strongly urged the pope to urgently reconsider the agreement and press the Chinese government to end the persecution.
Australia announced it would procure an additional 570,000 barrels of diesel from Brunei and South Korea amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The purchase is the first made under the country's strategic reserve authority. Australia currently has about 38 days' worth of oil reserves, well below the International Energy Agency's minimum requirement of 90 days.
Taipei City University has returned to the women's Division 1 top 4 in the UBA (Taiwan's University Basketball Association) for the first time in 6 years. The players are preparing a new dance to boost morale.
Companies mentioned：北市大 (台北市立大学)、文化大學
TSMC earned more than 2 units of share capital in the 1st quarter and expects sales to grow by one-tenth in the 2nd quarter. Chairman C.C. Wei said annual growth would exceed 30%. To meet AI demand, the company will expand 3-nanometer production capacity in Taiwan, the United States and Japan. Capital spending in 2026 is expected to reach US$52 billion to US$56 billion. Mass production of 2-nanometer chips is scheduled to begin in the 4th quarter of 2025, with the A14 process slated to enter mass production in 2028. The company also noted that rising raw material prices due to the Middle East situation could affect profits.
In the case of an 11-year-old boy found dead in Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture, the stepfather, suspect Yuki Adachi, 37, confessed to murder and abandonment of the body. Former detective Makoto Tanase cited "4 suspicious points" in the stepfather's actions. He said it was unnatural that the stepfather called police soon after hearing from the school, that the boy did not appear on the dashcam footage, and that missing-person flyers had been prepared too quickly.
The Middle East conflict is rippling through the Czech economy. Rising fuel prices are prompting people to switch from private cars to public transport, while businesses are also reporting higher costs.
Companies mentioned：チェコ商工会議所、Leo Express、RegioJet、Lidl、Penny Market、Tesco、ABSL
A 60-year-old man had long ignored his family history of colorectal cancer and his heavy drinking. After medical staff persuaded him to undergo his first screening, the result was positive. Further tests found 6 tumors in his colon, the largest measuring 3 centimeters. Fortunately, all were benign, and he is now receiving treatment.
Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions manager Lin Yueh-ping said the team has 5 local pitchers available to rotate as starters, and its foreign pitchers are also performing well. Position player Chen Chieh-hsien, whose season start was affected by an injury, is scheduled for a follow-up appointment on the 17th to assess his return timeline.
In the Kai Kai child abuse death case in Taiwan, a female social worker with the Child Welfare League Foundation was sentenced to 2 years in prison for negligent homicide. Taipei City will also launch an administrative investigation into suspected falsification of visit records.
Companies mentioned：兒盟 (児童福祉連盟)、台北市社会局、文山居托中心
Before Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun traveled to China for the "Zheng-Xi meeting," Beijing had already called for the restoration of direct cross-strait flight destinations. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said the move was intended to pressure the government to use its public authority to implement the "Kuomintang-Communist Party talks." It added that current flight capacity is sufficient to meet demand and there is no urgent need to reopen routes.
Seongsu-dong in Seoul has become a popular tourist destination in recent years, but soaring rents have become a problem. Seoul mayoral candidate Jeong Won-oh said the district's industrial structure was at a turning point. The government has supported businesses in keeping shop operations affordable through programs such as "安心商店," and he said the program should be expanded. Jeong said he hopes to extend the Seongsu-dong model across Seoul.
The New Taipei City government has increased its budget for subsidies for heat-hazard prevention equipment to NT$3 million and extended eligibility to workers without a regular employer. Subsidized items include fan jackets, cooling vests, outdoor cooling facilities and technology-based heat-hazard prevention equipment. An estimated 800 workers will benefit.
Eastern Group announced that its global operations headquarters, Grace Tower, under construction in Linkou with an investment of more than NT$14 billion, will be completed in December. The 199-meter-tall building will feature the "450 Eyes of Taiwan" observation deck on the 38th floor and is set to become a new landmark in northern Taiwan. Dining brands from Silks Hotel and Regent Hotels Group will also be brought in, and an exhibition hall with capacity for 3,000 people is scheduled to open in 2027.
The Mazu pilgrimage on foot from Gongtian Temple in Baishatun, Tongxiao, Miaoli, arrived in Beigang Township, Yunlin County, on the morning of April 16. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications said that by 2 p.m., more than 15,000 people had used each of Chiayi's high-speed rail and Taiwan Railways stations. More than 126 shuttle bus services were operated, carrying over 4,333 people. The ministry will monitor passenger flows during the pilgrimage and add services as needed.
Taiwan's central bank announced that it would reappoint Mega Bank as the clearing bank for "other foreign currencies" on its foreign-currency settlement platform. The decision is intended to ease concerns about stability and security during the system's reconstruction. Mega Bank was recognized for its extensive experience as the incumbent clearing bank and its smooth operating record. The reappointment will also help reduce the costs of reopening accounts for participating institutions and maintain system stability and security. Mega Bank's current 5-year exclusive operating term expires on October 27, 2026.
Yiwei Biotech Chairman Lin Han-fei said that if the share-swap deal between Yiwei and Biogen is approved and Biogen's major shareholder 強生 exercises its shareholder objection right and demands a buyback of its shares, Yiwei will buy back the shares in accordance with the law. Biogen will hold a shareholders' meeting on April 22. 強生 has questioned the deal's financial soundness and is seeking shareholder support to block the merger.
Regarding the Zhubei child abuse case, the Control Yuan said there were gaps in the judicial transfer process and recommended including victims of domestic violence or abuse in technology-based monitoring and alert systems to track perpetrators and protect victims.
The risk of a total gastrectomy for stomach cancer patients depends on the tumor’s size and location, and the procedure can affect quality of life. However, perioperative immunotherapy has shown promise in reducing the risks of recurrence, metastasis and postoperative death. The treatment consists of 3 stages: neoadjuvant therapy, surgery and adjuvant therapy. Compared with conventional chemotherapy, it may reduce the risk of recurrence by 3割 and the risk of death by 2割.
The Fair Trade Commission fined each of the 3 shipping operators serving the Budai, Chiayi-Magong, Penghu route—Hai You, Kai Shuan and Man Tian Xing—NT$100,000 for agreeing to jointly schedule sailings, bringing the total to NT$300,000.
Companies mentioned：海有航運、凱旋海運、滿天星航運、伍吉管理顧問股份有限公司
Original台湾の国民党・鄭麗文氏の訪中費用が、外交部予算で運営される「台湾民主基金会」から支払われていたことが報じられ、民進党が批判を強めている。国民党側は「合法的な申請による政党交流である」と反論している。
Companies mentioned：台湾民主基金会、民進党、国民党、鏡報
After 台新證券 merged with 元富證券, a system glitch caused about 9000 erroneous trades, with the amount still being clarified. Failure to report the erroneous trades on time could result in a penalty of up to NT$100,000 from the 證交所.
Companies mentioned：台新證券、元富證券、金管會、證交所
The “2026 TTX Political, Economic and Military Scenario Exercise” concluded, highlighting the comprehensive test facing Taiwan’s military, economic, social and technological resilience. The shrinking room for semiconductor strategic autonomy was identified as a priority issue before 2030.
Companies mentioned：台積電
Lin Huang-chiao, a preserver of the traditional Taitung craft of rush-grass weaving, died on the 13th at the age of 95. The 文化部 will issue a certificate of commendation in recognition of her contributions to preserving traditional crafts.
Companies mentioned：文化部、台東縣政府
An 86-year-old woman in Qimei, Penghu, fractured her left hip in a fall. After an air ambulance transfer was not approved, the 海巡署 dispatched a patrol boat to take her to 三總澎湖分院 in Magong for treatment.
Companies mentioned：海巡署、七美鄉衛生所、三總澎湖分院
South Korea’s Trade Commission under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy recommended imposing anti-dumping duties of 22.34% to 33.67% on coated and prepainted steel sheets made in China. A final decision is expected in September.
Companies mentioned：中國4家鋼鐵企業
台泥嘉謙綠能公司 held a fishery-solar themed tour in Chiayi County, linking smart fish farms, an abandoned school building and the preserved-radish industry to showcase a vision of green energy coexisting with rural communities. The event incorporated local industries and offered visitors a new experience.
Companies mentioned：台泥嘉謙綠能公司、島内散步
Taichung Veterans General Hospital is building a new medical facility, reducing the number of parking spaces on its grounds by 200. To ease parking demand, it has introduced a valet service costing NT$100 each way.
Companies mentioned：台中榮民總醫院
北海道日本火腿鬥士隊 pitcher Koh Lin-jui-yang has been sent down to the minors. Uni-Lions manager Lin Yueh-ping, who previously coached him, said he was not concerned, saying the move could help him readjust to a starter’s routine.
Companies mentioned：北海道日本火腿鬥士隊、統一7-ELEVEn獅隊
The Central Weather Administration forecasts localized showers or thunderstorms north of Taoyuan and in eastern Taiwan tomorrow afternoon, with heavier rain possible in Yilan and Hualien. The rain is expected to cover the widest area from the 18th through the morning of the 19th, with rain in almost all of Taiwan. Weather will stabilize during the first half of next week, but another front will approach on the 24th. Weekend highs will be around 25 degrees in the north and around 30、31 degrees elsewhere.
During the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage, the 衛生福利部疾病管制署 stepped up dengue monitoring in the Beigang area and found no Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, confirming that the disease-carrying mosquitoes had not yet established themselves there. It also used personified disease characters to remind the public about prevention of infectious diseases including influenza, diarrhea and dengue.
Companies mentioned：衛生福利部疾病管制署、雲林縣政府、環境部、國衛院
Starlux Airlines and Nissin Foods have teamed up to launch the “Giant Instant Noodle Cup Package.” The product pairs cup noodles with a cup-noodle-shaped backpack and offers a chance to win round-trip tickets to Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong or Macau. The backpack features aviation-inspired design, while the noodles come in 3 flavors inspired by Asian destinations served by the airline.
Investors’ expectations of a U.S.-Iran agreement have buoyed market sentiment, and returning hot money has lifted Taiwan stocks and the Taiwan dollar. The currency against the U.S. dollar regained the 31.5 level, reaching an intraday high of 31.517. The central bank stepped up intervention, and the currency closed at 31.556, gaining 9.4 cents, with turnover hitting a record US$3.698 billion.
Original手機品牌vivo攜手蔡司推出X300 Ultra和X300 FE兩款新機，預計4月30日上市。X300 Ultra搭載雙2億畫素蔡司鏡頭，X300 FE定位輕旗艦。vivo台灣總經理陳怡婷預估，新品將帶動X系列銷量成長30%-40%。並提到支援Google Wallet整合一卡通功能，以及2026年將加大穿戴裝置布局。
The Air Force Command will deploy C-130H transport aircraft from April 21 to June 9 for aerial reconnaissance, supply drops and sea airdrops across Taiwan and its outlying islands, strengthening wartime and disaster-relief supply capabilities. The drills will include nighttime training to hone troops’ all-weather supply capacity. The defense budget document shows the Army will purchase a satellite-guided “precision airdrop parachute” system.
A lawsuit by Hong Kong businessman Xiang Xin seeking surveillance information from Taiwan’s Investigation Bureau has been dismissed. Xiang was indicted on charges of violating the National Security Act and money laundering, but his acquittal became final and he has returned to Hong Kong. The court dismissed the suit, ruling that Xiang is a Hong Kong resident and does not meet the requirements for applying under the Government Information Disclosure Act.
The “Heart of the Village Gathering” event, featuring exhibitions, vintage clothing experiences and handmade food, will be held at Beitou’s Xinbeitou Cultural and Historical Park. This year’s theme is “Moments Together: Creating New Memories,” and artists from Beppu, Japan, have been invited to present their impressions of Beitou from a cross-cultural perspective. The event will take place on weekends from April 18 to May 3.
2 Taiwanese nationals have been indicted on suspicion of illegally setting up a base in Taiwan and poaching AI talent at the direction of Chinese server giant Inspur Group (浪潮集団).
Companies mentioned：浪潮集團 (Inspur Group)、Aivres、香港商滙眾物聯網香港有限公司、數字雲端公司
The 台湾民主基金会 said expenses for KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun’s delegation to China have not yet reached the reimbursement stage, and reiterated that it cannot fund activities related to unification or independence across the Taiwan Strait.
Companies mentioned：台湾民主基金会、中国国民党、中華民国外交部
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said no date has been set for the 2nd round of talks between the United States and Iran, which will include nuclear issues. Pakistan continues to mediate efforts to extend the ceasefire and promote dialogue.
Companies mentioned：CNN
The Taoyuan City Youth Affairs Bureau has launched the “Youth Public Participation Space Support Program,” seeking up to 10 demonstration sites. The program aims to turn local shops into multifunctional spaces that serve as everyday hubs for local revitalization and youth civic participation. Selected organizations will receive NT$30,000 in grants and promotion on the “Taoyuan Youth Exchange Hubs” map. Eligible applicants are organizations, businesses or companies legally registered in Taoyuan City whose heads are aged 18 to 45. Applications are being accepted from today through 5 p.m. on May 31.
A large truck triggered a chain-reaction crash after rear-ending an official Ren’ai Township Office vehicle on Provincial Highway 14 in Ren’ai Township, Nantou County. 4 employees returning from a work assignment were injured and taken to hospital.
Companies mentioned：仁愛郷公所、南投県消防局、南投県警察局仁愛分局
China has called for the full resumption of direct passenger flights across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council is reviewing the request, but says the flights would not be commercially viable for airlines while Chinese group tourists remain barred.
Companies mentioned：台北市航空運輸商業同業公會
Taiwan and Finland’s papermaking industries have ties dating back more than half a century. During a visit to Finland’s “Pulp and Future” exhibition, Taiwanese industry representatives learned about Finland’s industrial transformation model, which adds value to wood at each stage, from pulp to fiber and energy, opening up green business opportunities. They are also considering bringing European technology to Asian markets and highlighted Taiwan’s strengths in the circular economy, recycling and reuse.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance has extended until June 8 the deadline for a preliminary determination in an anti-dumping investigation, requested by China Steel Corp., into cold-rolled non-oriented electrical steel from China and South Korea.
Companies mentioned：中鋼公司 (China Steel Corporation)
Hopes for an extension of the US-Iran ceasefire and peace talks grew, and most Asian stock markets rose, following the lead of US equities. The latest earnings from US companies were strong, demonstrating the resilience of the US economy despite soaring oil prices and inflationary pressure. As the Middle East crisis enters week 7, officials from Washington and Tehran are reportedly set to hold their 2nd round of peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that the Middle East war could knock the global economy “off track” and lowered its economic growth forecast for this year.
Taichung City is promoting the use of locally sourced ingredients in its free school lunches for elementary and junior high students, which start in September. But local ingredients currently consist mostly of mushrooms, so the city is working with farmers’ associations to broaden the selection.
Companies mentioned：台中市政府、台中市農業局、台中市議会
Police arrested a Taiwanese suspect in the looting of the Chen Xian Tomb, a county-designated historic site in Kinmen County. The suspect reportedly said the tomb was targeted because it was in a remote location. The county magistrate ordered surveillance cameras to be installed.
Companies mentioned：金門県警察局、彰化県警察局、金門地検署
Tainan TSG Hawks player Wang Po-jung is one home run away from 100 for his career. His former team, the Rakuten Monkeys, will do everything they can to stop him, led by starting pitcher Wilandy.
Companies mentioned：台鋼雄鷹隊 (台鋼ホークス)、樂天桃猿隊 (楽天モンキーズ)、Lamigo桃猿隊
財政部国庫署 said 64 treasury checks will reach the point where they can no longer be cashed directly 1 year after issuance, and urged recipients to promptly apply for reissuance.
Companies mentioned：財政部国庫署
徐秋華, general manager of Taiwan Public Television Service (PTS), resigned for health reasons. Deputy General Manager 謝玒玲 will serve as acting head starting May 11.
Companies mentioned：中央社、公共電視 (公視基金會)
Taiwan stocks hit a record high on the 16th amid expectations for TSMC’s earnings. Foreign investors were net buyers of NT$44 billion, with notable investments in high-dividend ETFs and UMC.
Companies mentioned：台積電(TSMC)、聯電(UMC)、群創、友達、台新新光金、南亞、台塑、彩晶、臺企銀、毅嘉、恩德、群益證、仁寶、鴻海
The “FUTURE VISION LAB” program at the Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab (C-LAB) is entering its 第七 edition, featuring works including “Time Strata” and “New Modern Era,” which will have their international premieres. The program aims to offer audiences immersive new experiences. This year, it has partnered with the Taiwan Creative Content Agency and National Taipei University of Technology, among others, bringing together 16 programs and 19 works from Taiwan, France, Spain and elsewhere. Performances will run over 8 weekends.
A helicopter carrying 8 people went missing on the Indonesian island of Borneo, prompting authorities to launch a search.
Companies mentioned：インドネシア捜索救助機関、AFP通信、中央社
As the international economic order is restructured, Taiwanese scholar 陳松興 says Taiwan should strengthen cooperation with major economies beyond the United States and seek their support to safeguard economic development and freedom of navigation. He stressed that a conflict in the Taiwan Strait would seriously affect the economies of Taiwan, China, Japan, South Korea and ASEAN, and urged countries to work together to ensure regional stability.
The Chinese Embassy in Japan received threats on 2 occasions in March, including bomb threats. The embassy reported them to police and urged Japan to provide a responsible explanation and take effective measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
Companies mentioned：中國駐日大使館
As TSMC shares topped NT$2,000 and Taiwan stocks hit a record high, the net asset value of the leveraged ETF Yuanta Taiwan Top 50 2x (00631L) surpassed NT$100 billion for the first time.
Companies mentioned：台湾積体電路製造（TSMC）、元大投信、台湾証券取引所、集保結算所
After a 7-year absence, National Taiwan Sport University returned to the UBA men’s Division I final 4 with an all-Taiwanese lineup, with captain 胡晉豪 seen as a key figure. Head coach 桑茂森 said the team learned to take on greater responsibility this year and views playing at Taipei Arena as a career milestone.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited China and signed 2 memorandums of understanding with 中国商務部 on economic and supply-chain cooperation. The visit suggested Spain could serve as a bridge between the European Union and China.
Companies mentioned：中国商務部、スペイン経済・貿易・企業省、欧州連合 (EU)
The Dominican Republic and Haiti were hit by heavy rain and flooding, leaving at least 19 people dead and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes.
Companies mentioned：赤十字社、ハイチ民間防衛局
Police arrested a 62-year-old man over the vandalism of 2 campaign signs belonging to 童子瑋, the Democratic Progressive Party’s candidate for mayor of Keelung. The suspect reportedly said he was motivated by dissatisfaction with the candidate’s policies.
Companies mentioned：基隆市警察局、基隆市政府
桃園市政府文化局 and 昇恒昌基金会 are working together to hold a special exhibition of 27 Eastern artworks at Taoyuan International Airport.
Companies mentioned：桃園市政府文化局、昇恒昌基金会、昇恒昌公司
鄭愿伍, the 共に民主党 candidate for Seoul mayor, told foreign media that if elected, he would revive “BESETO cooperation” with Beijing and Tokyo and make Seoul a hub for the Asian economy and culture.
Companies mentioned：共に民主党、国民の力
The Taiwan Acne and Rosacea Association says recurring facial redness may be a sign of rosacea and urges people to seek early treatment from a specialist and follow appropriate skin care.
Companies mentioned：台湾青春痘暨玫瑰斑協会、長庚病院
The Taiwanese Hokkien-dubbed version of the Japanese anime “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” will begin airing on 公視台語台 on May 2. The released trailer has received high praise from viewers.
Companies mentioned：公視台語台、YouTube
Original台湾の鉄鋼メーカー中鋼と中鴻は、世界的な需要回復と原材料高を背景に、5月の鉄鋼価格を1トンあたり1000〜1500台湾ドル引き上げると発表した。
Companies mentioned：中鋼 (China Steel)、中鴻 (Chung Hung)、世界鉄鋼協会、宝鋼 (Baosteel)、和発 (Hoa Phat)
At a forum on undersea cable security in Portugal, Taiwan Network Information Center Chairman 黃勝雄 warned of threats posed by China and Russia’s military-civil fusion strategies.
Companies mentioned：台湾ネットワーク情報センター (TWNIC)、葡美発展基金会 (FLAD)、情報技術産業協議会 (ITIC)、アトランティックセンター
A social worker involved in the case of a Taiwanese boy who died after being abused was sentenced to 2 years in prison at the first trial. The social workers’ union strongly protested, saying the ruling shifts organizational responsibility onto an individual.
Companies mentioned：衛生福利部、兒童福利聯盟、社工師公會全國聯合會、台北市社會工作人員職業工會
Latest economic and business developments across Southeast Asia. Highlights include rail cooperation between Vietnam and China, huge tourism revenues from Thailand’s Songkran festival, and increased apparel exports from Cambodia.
Companies mentioned：マレーシア国営石油会社（Petronas）、ミャンマー木材公社（Myanma Timber Enterprise）
Largan Precision, a leader in optical lenses, is reportedly entering the co-packaged optics (CPO) field and is preparing to submit fiber array unit (FAU) components to customers for certification. Chairman Lin En-ping said mass production is still a long way off, with capacity deployment expected to take 1 to 2 years. The company will focus on yield issues and consider expanding into areas such as prism manufacturing.
China may restrict exports of solar panel manufacturing equipment to the United States, a move seen as intended to curb Tesla's expansion of production capacity in the country. 中国商務部 declined to comment directly.
Companies mentioned：テスラ (Tesla)、中国商務部
New Taipei City police met with Lee Chien-lung over suspicions that a tracking device had been planted in the Kuomintang vice chairman's car. Lee said he had thrown the device away with the garbage and did not intend to report it, but police received a copy of photos of the evidence and will continue investigating to establish the facts.
About 20 Chinese scholars were denied entry at Seattle airport in the United States. 中国外交部 condemned what it called excessive screening by the US and warned people traveling to the country to avoid using the airport.
Companies mentioned：米国税関・国境警備局（CBP）、中国外交部、中国駐米大使館
Russia launched another nighttime attack on Ukraine, killing at least 14 people. ウクライナ空軍 said it had shot down 31 missiles and 636 drones.
Companies mentioned：ウクライナ空軍
TSMC held its first-quarter earnings briefing and raised its capital spending forecast for this year to $56 billion amid AI demand. Revenue growth is expected to outpace capital spending growth in the coming years.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles announced a plan to raise defense spending to 3% of GDP by 2033 in response to intensifying global armed conflicts.
Companies mentioned：NATO
Sunplus Innovation Technology, a subsidiary of Taiwan IC design giant Sunplus, has applied to list its shares. It is the 4th listing application this year.
Companies mentioned：台湾証券取引所、凌陽科技 (Sunplus)
A court sentenced a man who secretly filmed a minor girl in a women's restroom at a Taichung sports center to 1 year and 5 months in prison, suspended for 3 years.
Companies mentioned：台中地方法院（台中地裁）、台中地方検察署
水利署 took advantage of weather conditions favorable for rain to conduct cloud seeding at 7 reservoirs across Taiwan.
Companies mentioned：水利署
新竹地検署 announced that it had caught a man from Hsinchu suspected of gambling on the results of Taiwan's local elections using cryptocurrency through the decentralized prediction platform Polymarket.
Companies mentioned：Polymarket、新竹地検署、新北市政府警察局板橋分局
The US-Iran war continues to affect the global economy. The United States has warned two Chinese banks that they could face secondary sanctions if they do business with Iran. US businesses and households are adjusting to tariffs and energy price fluctuations, while most companies are taking a wait-and-see approach. Rising oil prices have boosted interest in electric vehicles, but the effect on sales remains to be seen. Norway's crude oil export value hit a record high in March, and the IMF sees Brazil benefiting in the short term from energy exports. The Federal Reserve's Beige Book said the conflict in the Middle East is a major source of uncertainty, affecting business decisions.
The Consumers' Foundation warned that fake repair services impersonating well-known appliance brands are proliferating online. Consumers have suffered losses, including excessive charges, and the foundation is urging the government to tighten advertising reviews by platforms and search engines.
Companies mentioned：行政院消費者保護処、デジタル発展部、公平交易委員会、経済部智慧財産局
The annual Kaohsiung Grand Hi-End Audio Show opened at the Grand Hi-Lai Hotel in Kaohsiung, taking over 97 guest rooms as individual exhibition spaces to create spacious audiovisual experiences. The show brings together 233 international brands, featuring a range of products including audio equipment, home theaters, cables, headphones, vinyl records, CDs and projectors. Taiwanese brands have also attracted many visitors. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai and Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi attended the show. The organizers are giving a commemorative CD to ticket holders and have partnered with KKBOX to offer codes for lossless music previews.
The film Paradise in Service explores issues surrounding children's homes and crimes against children. Director Tsai Yin-chuan attended a preview with actors Fan Shao-hsun, Tseng Jing-hua, Hung Chun-hao and Ding Ning. The story involves fraud, and Ding Ning said she enjoys observing the way scam gangs talk, while Fan Shao-hsun joked that he does not dare engage with them for fear of being conned. Tseng Jing-hua shared how exhausting it was to portray his role, while Hung Chun-hao discussed filming bullying scenes. The film examines the trauma and difficulties faced by children behind social cases and highlights the hardships of social workers and residential care staff. The film opens on May 29.
At the Asian Judo Championships held in China, Taiwan's Yang Yung-wei lost to a Bahraini competitor in the men's 60-kilogram final, earning silver for the 3rd consecutive year.
A pig farmer surnamed Lin in Xingang Township, Chiayi County, was fined NT$3.46 million under the law for illegally feeding food waste to pigs and failing to install fencing, which allowed pigs to escape. The farmer made no improvements despite repeated warnings. He rented farmland to raise about 60 pigs in dirty conditions and had a record of multiple violations. Although tests all came back negative for African swine fever, the Livestock Disease Control Center has ordered the farmer to stop feeding food waste and remove the pigs by a set deadline to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
In response to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's announcement of plans to build his own wafer fabrication plant, TeraFab, TSMC Chairman Wei Che-chia said building a wafer fab takes 2 to 3 years, followed by 1 to 2 years to reach mass production, and that there are "no shortcuts." He stressed that TSMC's long-term advantages are its technology, manufacturing capabilities and customer trust.
Thailand's deputy prime minister and foreign minister visited Oman and met with his Omani counterpart. They exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, and the Thai minister expressed gratitude for the rescue of crew members from a Thai cargo ship hit in the Strait of Hormuz in March last year. They also discussed cooperation to ensure the safe passage of Thai vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
A disaster preparedness science program teaching elementary school students about natural disasters in English will be held in Nagoya.
Advance registration and beta testing have begun for Scolab Desktop, a tool specializing in editing video clips. The initiative aims to energize the entertainment economy.
The バイテック Generative AI Online School will hold its 3rd generative AI contest, the バイテック PR Video Contest, in its student community b-Crew.
Companies mentioned：バイテック
Anchored Finance has launched tokenized US stocks using AlpacaJapan's infrastructure.
Companies mentioned：Anchored Finance、AlpacaJapan株式会社、AlpacaDB, Inc.
LENDEX has opened applications for its real estate-secured loan fund "1819," with an annual interest rate of 9.5%.
Companies mentioned：レンデックス
To mark the grand opening at its new location, HMV＆BOOKS NAMBA has announced numerous events, including a museum tie-in campaign and a cosmetics brand pop-up.
Companies mentioned：ローソンエンタテインメント、ローソンチケット、ローソン・ユナイテッドシネマ、ローソントラベル
“Hidehito Kawahara’s Architecture Management Study Group: Hotels and Architecture Management,” focusing on fields expected to see growth in the facility construction market, will be held as a free hybrid event on May 8.