# AI News 180m Report｜2026-05-16 00:00–03:00 JST

One place for news and notices from 2 countries/regions: Taiwan, 11 items from 1 source; Japan, 2 items from 1 source.One edition every 180 minutes: every item from every source received in the period, with the original link.

## Fears inflation could hinder economic growth send European stocks lower

- Published: 2026-05-16T02:05:15+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/afe/202605160002.aspx
- anchor: #n396629
- Companies mentioned: 中央通訊社

As the Trump-Xi meeting failed to resolve the Strait of Hormuz blockade or the surge in oil prices, concerns that inflation would hinder growth intensified, and the three major European stock markets all closed sharply lower today.

## Man waves long knife on street in New Taipei’s Xinzhuang, arrested after police and firefighters break down door

- Published: 2026-05-16T00:26:16+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/asoc/202605150362.aspx
- anchor: #n396626
- Companies mentioned: 新北市警察局新莊分局、光華派出所、中央通訊社

A man in Xinzhuang, New Taipei City, waved a long knife on the street to intimidate people. Police and firefighters broke down the door, subdued him by force and arrested him for prosecution.

## Man accused of killing a person in drug-impaired driving crash in Kaohsiung remanded in custody, first case under new preventive detention rules

- Published: 2026-05-16T00:25:06+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aloc/202605150364.aspx
- anchor: #n396624
- Companies mentioned: 中央通訊社、高雄地檢署

A man surnamed Chu in Kaohsiung was detained after driving under the influence of drugs and killing a person, becoming the first case since Taiwan expanded preventive detention under amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure.

## Escape-room employee dies after becoming trapped while dressed as a ghost in Taipei; 2 operators released on bail

- Published: 2026-05-16T00:23:04+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/asoc/202605150363.aspx
- anchor: #n396625
- Companies mentioned: 台北地檢署、中央通訊社

An employee at an escape-room venue in Taipei died of suffocation after accidentally becoming trapped while dressed as a ghost. The person in charge, a man surnamed Ku, and the venue manager, a man surnamed Huang, were released on bail.

## Starbucks continues streamlining operations, lays off 300 in US and closes some regional support offices

- Published: 2026-05-16T00:12:00+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202605150361.aspx
- anchor: #n396627
- Companies mentioned: 星巴克 (Starbucks)、CNBC、中央通訊社

Starbucks announced it would lay off 300 non-store employees in the United States and close some regional support offices as part of efforts to streamline operations.

## Stefanie Sun takes the stage at the Dome, crouches to rest midway through performance, prompting concern from fans

- Published: 2026-05-15T23:52:57+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/amov/202605150360.aspx
- anchor: #n396617

Singer Stefanie Sun held a concert at the Taipei Dome. At one point, she briefly crouched down, but she finished singing safely, reassuring fans.

## Report says Cheng Li-wun described party as having much to do; KMT says someone is distorting her words and acting with malicious intent

- Published: 2026-05-15T23:52:12+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202605150355.aspx
- anchor: #n396622
- Companies mentioned: 国民党、民進党、馬英九基金会、中広公司、風伝媒

Taiwan’s 国民党 denied reports that its chairperson, Cheng Li-wun, said at an internal training session that “the party is in ruins,” explaining that the reports were malicious information manipulation.

## Flooding in Hualien’s Guangfu Township; National Land Management Agency to help county strengthen flood preparations

- Published: 2026-05-15T23:51:19+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202605150357.aspx
- anchor: #n396620
- Companies mentioned: 花蓮県政府、内政部国土管理署

Heavy rain caused flooding in Guangfu Township, Hualien County, Taiwan. 内政部国土管理署 announced that it would work with the county government to improve drainage infrastructure and support recovery efforts.

## First since Taiwan contingency remarks, Japanese cabinet minister to attend Shanghai APEC ministerial meeting

- Published: 2026-05-15T23:47:53+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202605150359.aspx
- anchor: #n396618
- Companies mentioned: APEC、中国全国婦女連合会、上海市人民政府

Japan’s Minister in Charge of Children’s Policies Hitoshi Kikawada attended the APEC ministerial meeting in Shanghai. It was the first ministerial visit to China since relations between Japan and China deteriorated over Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi’s remarks about a “Taiwan contingency.”

## Delhi Red Fort bombing kills 11; National Investigation Agency charges 10 people

- Published: 2026-05-15T23:46:15+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202605150356.aspx
- anchor: #n396621
- Companies mentioned: インド国家捜査局（NIA）、アンサール・ガズワト・ゥル・ヒンド（AGuH）

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) charged 10 people linked to Islamist extremists in connection with the explosion last November near Delhi’s Red Fort in India, which killed 11 people.

## Taiwan stocks fall 431 points this week as total market capitalization of listed companies drops to NT$134.29 trillion

- Published: 2026-05-15T23:45:51+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/afe/202605150358.aspx
- anchor: #n396619
- Companies mentioned: 台湾証券取引所

Taiwan’s stock market fell 431 points this week, and the total market capitalization of listed companies shrank to NT$134.2983 trillion. The semiconductor and electronic components sectors accounted for most of the trading value.

## Launch of “わんにゃんエクラ,” a supplement for dogs and cats based on the concept “I want us to always be together”

- Published: 2026-05-16T01:14:11+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000183119.html
- anchor: #n396628
- Companies mentioned: 株式会社MOFURI.

株式会社MOFURI. launched “わんにゃんエクラ,” a health supplement powder for dogs and cats, touting 100% domestic production in Japan and human-grade quality. It helps owners conveniently address everyday pet care needs such as tear stains, bad breath and intestinal health.

## MetLife Foundation supports Japanese nonprofits working to address challenges in local communities. CIGP grants bolster 4 areas, including food, mental health and the environment.

- Published: 2026-05-16T00:23:49+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000637.000005541.html
- anchor: #n396623
- Companies mentioned: メットライフ生命保険株式会社、メットライフ財団 (MetLife Foundation)

The MetLife Foundation provided a total of US$600,000 to 6 Japanese nonprofit organizations to address issues including food security and mental health.