# AI News 180m Report｜2026-08-15 00:00–03:00 JST

One place for news and notices from 2 countries/regions: Taiwan, 24 items from 5 sources; Japan, 5 items from 1 source.One edition every 180 minutes: every item from every source received in the period, with the original link.

## What should you do if you don't want to wear a condom? Doctor debunks 5 major contraception myths and reveals the 1 most effective way to prevent pregnancy

- Published: 2026-08-15T01:05:00+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 風傳媒
- Original: https://www.storm.mg/lifestyle/11156457
- anchor: #n1981042

Physician Chang Ying-chieh explained 5 misconceptions about contraception on social media, stressing the importance of using and storing condoms correctly. Misconceptions can increase the risk of contraceptive failure and sexually transmitted infections, prompting calls for greater awareness.

## Luffy wants to become the Pirate King in One Piece—but were there really pirates in Taiwan? The Taiwan Strait was even more chaotic than the manga 400 years ago

- Published: 2026-08-15T01:00:00+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 風傳媒
- Original: https://www.storm.mg/lifestyle/11156674
- anchor: #n1976456
- Companies mentioned: オランダ東インド会社

400 years ago, the Taiwan Strait was a strategic hub where armed merchants, pirates and foreign powers vied for influence. Zheng Zhilong and Li Dan competed for maritime supremacy as trade and military force intersected.

## Which stocks weathered Taiwan's market volatility best? Ranking of 40 ETFs by recovery rate released; Ruan Mu-hua marvels that 3 topped 100%

- Published: 2026-08-15T00:39:50+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 風傳媒
- Original: https://www.storm.mg/article/11156713
- anchor: #n1976457
- Companies mentioned: 元大投信、國泰投信

Taiwan's stock market swung sharply in July. Financial expert Ruan Mu-hua analyzed recovery rates for 40 ETFs, finding that high-dividend funds had shallower declines and rebounded faster, while semiconductor funds fell further and recovered more slowly. Downside protection is key. Investment strategies should prioritize stop-loss and take-profit levels.

## Kim Seon-ho appears in Taipei as a phone brand ambassador, boasts of his photography skills: “I even have to take a picture of bubble tea to remember it”

- Published: 2026-08-15T00:29:55+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 風傳媒
- Original: https://www.storm.mg/article/11156712
- anchor: #n1976458

South Korean actor Kim Seon-ho visited Taiwan as a mobile phone brand ambassador, attended a press conference and shared moments from his life in Taiwan, projecting an approachable image and boosting the brand's visibility.

## Trump imposes drone tariffs! Taiwan gets a 15% rate without stacking; Executive Yuan says exports to the U.S. could expand

- Published: 2026-08-15T00:17:24+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 風傳媒
- Original: https://www.storm.mg/article/11156702
- anchor: #n1976459

The United States has introduced new tariffs on drones, with Taiwan receiving a preferential rate of 15%. The Executive Yuan called this an opportunity to maintain export competitiveness and expand markets.

## NT$48 billion cut from the general budget, a reduction of 1.689%; Fu Kun-chi says he has “given everything”: Lai Ching-te should appreciate Han Kuo-yu's goodwill

- Published: 2026-08-14T23:25:42+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 風傳媒
- Original: https://www.storm.mg/article/11156703
- anchor: #n1976332

The Legislative Yuan passed the 2026 general budget, cutting NT$48 billion. Fu Kun-chi said the opposition had shown goodwill and urged the Lai Ching-te government to respect the legislature's decisions and implement legislation on military and police affairs and people's livelihoods.

## What gives Uganda the right to seize Taiwanese passports? Hsieh Chin-ho mocks the “small economy”: Taiwan's world No. 22 ranking gives it confidence

- Published: 2026-08-14T23:20:56+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 風傳媒
- Original: https://www.storm.mg/article/11156707
- anchor: #n1976333
- Companies mentioned: 財信傳媒

After Uganda seized Taiwanese citizens’ passports and demanded they enter using Chinese passports, Hsieh Chin-ho stressed Taiwan’s economic strength, ranking 22nd in the world. The Foreign Ministry has also adopted an increasingly firm stance.

## Lai Jui-lung pushes for southward extension of Taiwan Route 39 to Renwu! NT$46.3 billion project aims for full opening by year 121

- Published: 2026-08-14T23:19:06+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 風傳媒
- Original: https://www.storm.mg/article/11156710
- anchor: #n1976334

Legislator Lai Jui-lung is pushing to extend Taiwan Route 39 south to Renwu and seeking NT$46.3 billion in funding, with the goal of opening the route in 2032. The project aims to ease traffic pressure in southern Taiwan's technology corridor and strengthen regional connections.

## 三星Galaxy Z Fold8在台開賣！預購狂增3成，金宣虎站台揭秘「AI手機」新玩法

- Published: 2026-08-14T23:14:56+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 風傳媒
- Original: https://www.storm.mg/article/11156709
- anchor: #n1976335
- Companies mentioned: Google、Strava

三星在台灣推出Galaxy Z Fold8系列摺疊手機，預購成長逾三成，並邀請金宣虎站台，強化AI與生態圈布局，顯示高階市場需求穩健。

## 民眾黨 gets only 1 of its 3 referendums passed; Chen Chih-han says Blue and Green parties are “unreliable”: Small parties lack power and will eventually be wiped out

- Published: 2026-08-14T23:13:02+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 風傳媒
- Original: https://www.storm.mg/article/11156705
- anchor: #n1976336
- Companies mentioned: 民眾黨、民進黨、國民黨

民眾黨 put forward 3 referendum proposals, but only the one on traffic fines passed. Chen Chih-han criticized the Blue and Green parties for breaking their word, saying smaller parties lack the seats to advance reforms and face threats to their survival.

## Most European stocks fall amid Middle East war and uncertainty over U.S. economic outlook

- Published: 2026-08-15T02:08:39+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/afe/202608150002.aspx
- anchor: #n1981103
- Companies mentioned: 倫敦FTSE 100指數、法蘭克福DAX指數、巴黎CAC 40指數

Facts:
- 倫敦FTSE 100指數 fell 22.56 points, or 0.21%
- Closing at 10750.11 points
- 法蘭克福DAX指數 rose 140.57 points, or 0.53%
- Closing at 26440.31 points
- 巴黎CAC 40指數 fell 13.76 points, or 0.16%
- Closing at 8636.80 points

## France's assisted dying bill ruled constitutional by constitutional body, but some provisions need clarification

- Published: 2026-08-15T00:37:31+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202608140368.aspx
- anchor: #n1976395
- Companies mentioned: 憲法委員會、法國國會、國民議會、法新社

Facts:
- When French President Emmanuel Macron won re-election in 2022
- France's 國民議會 finally passed the legislation on July 15 this year

## Macron's plan to ban social media for children under 15 rejected by France's Constitutional Council

- Published: 2026-08-15T00:02:28+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202608140367.aspx
- anchor: #n1976392
- Companies mentioned: 臉書、TikTok、YouTube

Facts:
- Ban on social media use by children under 15
- Ban on children under 16 using social platforms including 臉書, TikTok and YouTube

## 麻油車's premium cold-pressed camellia oil exceeds benzo[a]pyrene limit; Taipei orders preventive removal from shelves

- Published: 2026-08-14T23:57:24+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aloc/202608140366.aspx
- anchor: #n1976330
- Companies mentioned: 麻油車、桃園市統購實業有限公司、北市統健實業股份有限公司

Facts:
- Test found 2.1μg/kg of benzo[a]pyrene, exceeding the limit

## After China-Japan standoff, Chinese coast guard vessels again enter waters around the Diaoyutai Islands

- Published: 2026-08-14T23:55:21+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202608140365.aspx
- anchor: #n1976331
- Companies mentioned: 中國海警局、中新社、日本共同社、日本第11管區海上保安總部、日本海上保安廳

Facts:
- This marks the 15th day this year that Chinese government vessels have entered waters around the Diaoyutai Islands
- Chinese government vessels have been spotted in waters around the Diaoyutai Islands for 6 consecutive days

## Taipei juvenile detention center's summer camp fosters personal growth and hopes society will give young people a chance

- Published: 2026-08-14T23:54:19+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aloc/202608140364.aspx
- anchor: #n1976267
- Companies mentioned: 台北少年觀護所、更生少年關懷協會、果陀文創

Facts:
- More than 150 juveniles were housed there this summer
- 50 social workers, volunteers and juveniles from the juvenile detention center took part

## 政院：立院7項非理性刪凍總預算 衝擊政府正常運作

- Published: 2026-08-14T23:52:17+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202608140363.aspx
- anchor: #n1976268
- Companies mentioned: 立法院、行政院、國家通訊傳播委員會、文化部、行政院新聞傳播處、行政院人權及轉型正義處、黨產會

Facts:
- Total revenue increased by NT$601.99939 billion
- The provisional total was revised to NT$3,464,252,581,000
- On the expenditure side, deliberations resulted in cuts totaling NT$48 billion
- The provisional figure was revised to NT$2,986,974,371,000
- NCC's more than NT$57.82 million in “basic administrative operations” funding for August to December was cut in full
- The 行政院 and government agencies originally budgeted a total of NT$1.379 billion for policy outreach
- But NT$684 million was slashed
- The NT$16.78 million policy outreach budget for 行政院 and NT$47.38 million for 文化部 were cut in full
- 行政院新聞傳播處's NT$52.54 million operating budget was entirely

## Trump administration strikes again! U.S. demands EU dismantle sustainability rules and other non-tariff barriers

- Published: 2026-08-15T02:00:04+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 鉅亨網
- Original: https://news.cnyes.com/news/id/6577681
- anchor: #n1980982
- Companies mentioned: ExxonMobil

The United States has urged the EU to remove nontariff barriers, including the CSDDD, CSRD and CBAM. The EU has refused to relinquish its regulatory sovereignty, and trade friction is shifting from tariffs to nontariff measures. This is an important development in international trade.

## Risks lurk beneath U.S. stock rally! VIX hits lows, signaling excessive optimism; experts warn a steeper selloff may follow the calm

- Published: 2026-08-15T01:00:31+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 鉅亨網
- Original: https://news.cnyes.com/news/id/6576240
- anchor: #n1976396
- Companies mentioned: CBOE、FactSet、Mott Capital Management、SPI Asset Management

As U.S. stocks hit historic highs, the VIX and SKEW indexes have fallen, highlighting investor optimism. Experts warn of the risk of a sharp decline after this period of calm, raising concerns about an overheated market.

## Inflation anxiety rises again! U.S. consumer confidence falls to 51 in August, 1-year inflation expectations climb to 4.3%

- Published: 2026-08-15T00:30:04+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 鉅亨網
- Original: https://news.cnyes.com/news/id/6577663
- anchor: #n1976397

The U.S. consumer confidence index fell in August for the first time in 3 months, reigniting inflation concerns. Rising living costs and stagnant wages are adding to household anxiety, making this an important development.

## Where will the 500 billion dollars come from? Jensen Huang approaches Goldman Sachs as AI backers are sought worldwide

- Published: 2026-08-15T00:00:02+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 鉅亨網
- Original: https://news.cnyes.com/news/id/6577620
- anchor: #n1976269
- Companies mentioned: 高盛(Goldman Sachs)、輝達(Nvidia)、Blackstone、Apollo、博通(Broadcom)、Anthropic

Nvidia is advancing a $500 billion AI infrastructure financing plan with Goldman Sachs, Blackstone, Apollo and others. CEO Jensen Huang personally approached Goldman Sachs, and a new model led by a financial alliance is drawing attention.

## Fed may no longer raise rates! Global funds flow into stock and bond funds; equity funds attract inflows for 12 straight weeks

- Published: 2026-08-14T23:30:04+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 鉅亨網
- Original: https://news.cnyes.com/news/id/6577610
- anchor: #n1976270
- Companies mentioned: LSEG Lipper、Caterpillar、Palantir

Amid easing U.S. inflation and strong corporate earnings, expectations of Fed rate hikes have receded. As a result, funds continue to flow into global equity and bond funds. This indicates a recovery in investor confidence and is a positive signal for the broader market.

## Inbound marketing firm 株式会社MILOKU launches multi-platform social media management services using TikTok, with a “fully performance-based” fee structure: pay 0 yen if there are no results

- Published: 2026-08-15T02:09:52+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000012.000161719.html
- anchor: #n1981102
- Companies mentioned: 株式会社MILOKU、TripAdvisor、Googleマップ、Instagram、YouTube

Facts:
- Number of foreign visitors rises to 10 times the previous year
- Social media followers surpass 50,000
- Social media followers reach 40,000
- Generates 20,000 social media followers
- Googleマップ views up 259% year on year
- Created accounts with a combined total of 100,000 followers over the past 1 year

## [Free admission] [Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026] “Edo Yoi Festival” to be held at Nishikasai Elementary School!!

- Published: 2026-08-15T01:25:53+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000353.000073012.html
- anchor: #n1976559
- Companies mentioned: 公益社団法人東京青年会議所、ジャパンビジネスサービス有限会社、株式会社ウメザワ

Facts:
- Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, 17:00–20:30
- 17:00
- 20:30

## The 29th installment of “Forbes Georgia’s 100 Richest,” discussed by Hiroshi Yamanaka of 少数株ドットコム: Irakli Burdiladze, a former bank CFO who brought financial discipline to his role as co-managing partner of ホワイト・スクエア

- Published: 2026-08-15T00:00:02+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000392.000158730.html
- anchor: #n1976394
- Companies mentioned: 少数株ドットコム株式会社、BKコンストラクション、BKホールディング、GMTグループ、ジョージア銀行、ホワイト・スクエア、少数株ドットコム、河野メリクロン、エヌビディア、HOYA株式会社、ペンタックス、グラス・ルイス、日本プロクシー・ガバナンス研究所、ISS

Facts:
- Ranks 72nd
- Just 3 years after launching the business in 2020
- Total investment plan of $300 million
- 9 projects
- Total construction area of more than 600,000 square meters
- Returns of more than 100 times

## [にじさんじ] 赤城ウェン’s 1st digital single “〜↑↑ -KARAAGE-” to be released digitally on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026!

- Published: 2026-08-15T00:00:02+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001599.000030865.html
- anchor: #n1976393
- Companies mentioned: ANYCOLOR株式会社、にじさんじ、赤城ウェン、SO-SO

Facts:
- 2026年8月15日(土)0:00から開始しました
- Aug. 31, 2026, 23:59

## [Limited-edition collaboration launches] みか@ライスペーパーネキ × Field Partner Salt Vitamin Jelly

- Published: 2026-08-14T23:45:41+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000011.000115160.html
- anchor: #n1976329
- Companies mentioned: 株式会社ノダキ、オフィス・シネマレスト、みか@ライスペーパーネキ

Facts:
- More than 600,000 total social media followers
- A specialist trading company for machine tools, founded 120 years ago
- A book launch event held in Nagoya on Aug. 11, 2026
- A Tokyo event scheduled for September 2026

## Does gestational diabetes go away after childbirth? Exploring potential health links after pregnancy

- Published: 2026-08-15T01:01:13+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 照護線上
- Original: https://www.careonline.com.tw/2026/08/202608150000.html
- anchor: #n1976516

## Aug. 15: Don't shortchange yourself - Heho Health

- Published: 2026-08-15T01:00:00+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | Heho健康
- Original: https://heho.com.tw/archives/384518
- anchor: #n1976565
- Companies mentioned: Heho