30-year Treasury yield could hit 6%！Barclays flags AI investment boom
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
巴克萊資本’s head of US rates research, Anshul Pradhan, said that if AI investment drives a long-term productivity boost, the US 30-year Treasury yield could rise to 6%, a level not seen since June 2000. The 30-year yield has already topped 5.61%, the first time since 2002.
Facts
Barclays believes that if AI investment drives a long-term productivity boost, the 30-year Treasury yield could rise to 6%.
The US 30-year Treasury yield briefly topped 5.61% this Monday, the first time since 2002.
US tech giants’ AI infrastructure spending this year is expected to approach their combined investment over the past three years.
If the corporate capital-spending boom cools, Treasury prices could recover, with intermediate-term Treasuries benefiting the most.
If rising yields push up government interest expenses, Treasury yields with maturities of 10 to 30 years could face the greatest upward pressure.
Oil too expensive and jobs harder to find？US consumer confidence plunges to more than 12-year low in September
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
The US consumer confidence index fell to 81.9 in September, its lowest level since 2014, as high oil prices and living costs, along with a dimmer employment outlook, dampened willingness to buy.
Facts
The US consumer confidence index fell 6.7 points from August to 81.9 in September, its lowest level since 2014
The present situation index, which measures consumers’ views of current economic conditions, fell nearly 8 points to its lowest level since 2021
In September, respondents’ average inflation expectations for the next year rose to 6.1%, while the median expectation was 5.1%
The share of consumers who said jobs were plentiful fell to its lowest level since 2021
Blame game kicks off！White House adviser Hassett blasts Biden：US still grappling with inflationary fallout from Biden’s COVID stimulus policies
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said the US economy is still digesting the effects of pandemic stimulus policies enacted under Biden, and criticized subsequent spending as exceeding the economy’s needs. His remarks came in the late stages of the countdown to the midterm elections, with inflation and the economy emerging as key points of contention between the 2 parties.
Facts
Kevin Hassett, director of the US National Economic Council (NEC), said recently that the US economy is still digesting the effects of pandemic-related fiscal stimulus under former President Biden.
Hassett said fiscal support during the pandemic was initially intended to fill the economic gap, but subsequent spending exceeded the economy’s actual needs.
Hassett criticized the Biden administration for maintaining pandemic-era spending levels and directing the funds to other areas.
US President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan in March 2021.
The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose markedly during the first 2 years of Biden’s presidency, reaching a peak of about 9% in the summer of 2022.
When Trump returned to office as president last January, CPI inflation had fallen to about 3%.
The US-Iran conflict and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war continue to affect global energy supplies, driving up oil and fuel prices.
Treasury yields surge；corporate credit markets may crack before stocks feel the strain
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
US Treasury yields surged, with the 10-year yield reaching its highest level since June 2007 and the 30-year yield hitting a 24-year high, driven mainly by rising oil prices and expectations of rate hikes. Corporate credit markets could feel the strain first as bond issuance swells, while stocks have yet to fully reflect the impact.
Facts
The 10-year US Treasury yield briefly rose to 5.27% intraday Monday and closed at 5.241%, its highest level since June 2007.
The 30-year yield rose 6 basis points to 5.561%, a 24-year high.
Since September, the 10-year yield has risen nearly 48 basis points, while the 30-year yield has climbed 31 basis points.
Markets see nearly a 75% chance that the Federal Reserve will raise rates by 1 quarter-point in October.
AI hyperscale data center operators have issued about $247 billion in debt so far this year, more than 12 times the amount in 2024.
US Treasury and corporate bond issuance is forecast to reach a record high of nearly $8 trillion in 2026.
Companies mentioned：Clark Capital Management Group、Glenmede
Ternus moves to make changes upon taking office！蘋果 plans to break with its spring and fall product launch tradition
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
蘋果’s new CEO, Ternus, plans to change product development and the organizational structure, potentially breaking with the tradition of launching products in spring and fall in favor of more frequent releases throughout the year, while streamlining management layers. The move aims to speed up product launches amid competition in the AI era and address challenges from slowing services growth and rising costs.
Facts
Weeks after taking office, 蘋果’s new CEO, Ternus, has begun considering changes to product development and the organizational structure.
Ternus has discussed internally reducing reliance on the tradition of launching products in spring and fall, in favor of more frequent releases throughout the year.
蘋果’s hardware engineering division has notified some engineering project managers over the past 2 weeks that they will leave, including about six employees at the director level.
蘋果 considered eliminating about 5,000 AppleCare customer service jobs this summer and assessed having AI customer service take over some duties, but ultimately paused the plan.
蘋果’s services revenue fell quarter over quarter in the second quarter this year, the first quarterly decline since 2022.
Oil prices rise and Fed may hike again！Treasuries sell off as 30-year yield hits 24-year high
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Selling pressure on US Treasuries continued to build, with the 30-year yield climbing for a sixth consecutive trading day on Tuesday (29th) and briefly reaching 5.613%, its highest level since 2002. The Middle East conflict has pushed up energy prices, stoking concerns about renewed inflation and further Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hikes；increased corporate bond issuance and US fiscal concerns have also weighed on the bond market.
Facts
The 30-year Treasury yield climbed for a sixth consecutive trading day on Tuesday (29th), briefly reaching 5.613%, its highest level since 2002.
Traders are now betting that the probability of another rate hike at the October meeting is above 72%.
US Treasuries are down 2.6% so far this year, compared with a 6.3% gain last year.
US job openings fell to a 5-month low in August！Low layoffs support employment, leaving Fed room to hike
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
US job openings fell to a five-month low in August, but layoffs eased and hiring rebounded, leaving the labor market in a low-hiring, low-layoff pattern and the Fed with room to raise rates.
Facts
US job openings fell by 256,000 to 7.079 million in August
Layoffs and discharges fell by 61,000 to 1.641 million in August
Hiring increased by 46,000 to 5.192 million in August
The number of job openings per unemployed person fell from about 1.1 in July to about 1
The Fed raised rates by 1 quarter-point this month, setting the benchmark rate at 3.75% to 4%
Markets are pricing in about a 70.3% chance of another rate hike in October
Trade tensions escalate as US ban on nearly $1 billion of Canadian imports takes effect
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
The US began enforcing an import ban on some Canadian goods in the early hours of the 29th, affecting about $967 million worth of products, including alcohol, dairy products and motorcycles. The move could escalate US-Canada trade tensions and affect negotiations to renew the USMCA.
Facts
The US officially began enforcing an import ban on some Canadian goods in the early hours of Tuesday (29th)
The ban covers products including alcohol, dairy products and motorcycles, and is expected to affect about $967 million in Canadian exports to the US
Annual bilateral trade between the US and Canada is about $880 billion
The Canadian goods covered by the ban are worth about $967 million, with alcohol accounting for about 87%
The Trump administration began imposing 50% tariffs on hundreds of specific goods imported from Canada, including red wine and cement, on August 22
The Canadian government announced that it would impose retaliatory tariffs on more than 700 types of US goods worth about $20 billion starting September 8
US President Trump signed a presidential memorandum excluding products originating in Canada from US government procurement programs
Gold and high-yield bonds tumble together！Which is traders’ top pick for a rebound？
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Rising U.S. Treasury yields have pushed gold and high-yield bonds lower, but the options market shows traders are bullish on a rebound in gold and bearish on high-yield bonds.
Facts
The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasuries rose to 5.3%, while the 30-year yield hit 5.4%. Gold fell 4% to its lowest level since the first week of August.
The iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG-US), which tracks high-yield corporate bonds, fell for a fifth straight day to its lowest level since April 2025.
On Monday, call option volume for the SPDR Gold ETF (GLD-US) was about 2 times put volume. Estimated active buying exceeded 68,000 calls, while put volume was less than 32,000 contracts.
GLD's largest single trade of the day was the sale of 2,000 puts expiring in January 2028 with a strike price of $375, for a total of $5.9 million.
HYG's options volume on Monday was more than 2.5 times its 30-day average, while put volume was also more than 2.5 times call volume.
Total premiums traded in HYG options were about $35 million, of which $30 million involved calls.
Nigam Arora, founder of The Arora Report, warned that the high-yield bond market is overly complacent and that default risks could be far higher than the market expects.
Companies mentioned：Cboe Global Markets、The Arora Report
FSC reveals 4 major deficiencies in first-half financial inspections: improper bundling of life insurance with mortgages and gaps in anti-fraud measures for mule accounts draw attention
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) announced deficiencies identified in financial inspections in the first half of 2026, focusing on 4 major areas: anti-fraud and anti-money-laundering measures, consumer protection, internal management and information security. Improper bundling of life insurance with mortgages and prevention of mule accounts were key concerns.
Facts
The FSC today announced the main deficiencies identified in inspections of financial institutions in the first half of 2026 and measures to address them.
Inspections covered 10 sectors, including financial holding companies, domestic banks, foreign banks, credit cooperatives, electronic payment institutions, investment trust companies, bills finance companies, securities firms, and life and property insurers.
The deficiencies centered on 4 major areas: anti-fraud and anti-money-laundering measures, consumer protection, internal management and information security.
Improper bundling of mortgage life insurance in banks' mortgage business and measures to prevent mule accounts drew attention.
After a client changed from a preparatory office to a formal company, the bank failed to conduct proper account-opening checks and consequently did not identify that the company met the characteristics of a shell company listed by the National Police Agency as a mule company.
Some operators failed to report to the Joint Credit Information Center immediately as required after receiving police alerts concerning electronic payment accounts.
Financial Supervisory Commission Banking Bureau Deputy Director-General 郭文龍 responds to the issue of mortgage life insurance being bundled with loans.
Financial inspections found that some institutions, when making residential and commercial construction loans, excluded land purchases or urban redevelopment projects that had not been approved by the competent authority from the lending limit controls under Article 72-2 of the Banking Act.
Iran-China rail freight surges tenfold after U.S. naval blockade
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Rail freight from China to Iran has increased tenfold since the U.S. naval blockade, and Iran can export 400,000 barrels of oil per day by land.
Facts
Rail freight from China to Iran has increased tenfold since the U.S. imposed a naval blockade on Iran.
Iran can export about 400,000 barrels of oil per day via rail and other land routes.
Iranian parliament presiding board member 佐胡里安 said rail freight from China to Iran had increased significantly since the U.S. imposed a naval blockade on Iran.
佐胡里安 said rail capacity could not fully replace sea transport but could serve as an alternative route in an emergency.
甘巴里, deputy head of international business development at Iran's Trade Promotion Organization, said Iran is negotiating with China to develop rail routes for freight transport.
Some Iranian goods have been shipped to China via the Yazd inland port in central Iran.
Morgan Stanley bullish on AI “picks-and-shovels” trade: These 12 U.S. stocks have potential upside of more than 40%, with the highest reaching 260.6%
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
In a report on September 24, 摩根士丹利 said enthusiasm for the AI “picks-and-shovels” trade remains strong. With data center construction constrained by power, labor and regulatory limitations, it expects AI adopters and infrastructure stocks to show “barbell-style” strength over the next 6 to 12 months, and named 12 U.S. stocks with price targets indicating upside of more than 40%.
Facts
摩根士丹利 said enthusiasm for the artificial intelligence (AI) “picks-and-shovels” trade remains strong.
In a report to clients on September 24, the firm said now may be a good time to start positioning in AI adopters and software stocks ahead of the next wave of AI gains, but investors should also continue to watch stocks at the heart of the data center energy bottleneck.
摩根士丹利 analysts said in a report that demand for computing power could greatly exceed supply in the coming years.
Data center construction is constrained by factors including limited power supply, tight labor availability and regulatory hurdles.
摩根士丹利 expects AI adopters and AI “picks-and-shovels” stocks to show relative “barbell-style” outperformance over the next 6 to 12 months.
摩根士丹利 listed 12 U.S. stocks rated “overweight” by its analysts, with price targets implying at least 40% upside from current share prices.
Failed to report a NT$5 million gift 5 years ago: Can filing an amended return now still lead to a fine? Finance Ministry reveals the key deadline for avoiding penalties
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Finance Ministry explained that someone who failed to report a NT$5 million gift in 2021 and files an amended return voluntarily in 2026 can avoid a fine if the filing is completed before any tip-off or investigation, but must still pay NT$280,000 in gift tax plus interest.
Facts
The gift tax exemption in 2021 was NT$2.2 million.
For a NT$5 million gift in 2021, the taxable net gift amount was NT$2.8 million and the gift tax due was NT$280,000.
The assessment period for unreported gift tax is 7 years.
To avoid a penalty through voluntary filing, the amended return must be submitted before any tip-off or investigation.
Failure to file a gift tax return by the deadline may incur a fine of up to 2 times the assessed tax.
義守大學 alumnus 李文淮 takes the helm of the Kaohsiung General Industry Association, promoting AI and green transformation and linking industry and academia to develop talent
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
三和製粉 Chairman 李文淮 took over as the third chairperson of the Kaohsiung General Industry Association at its handover ceremony. He will focus on AI-driven digital transformation, green transformation and industry-academia collaboration to help Kaohsiung businesses boost their competitiveness.
Facts
The Kaohsiung General Industry Association held its third chairperson handover ceremony, with 三和製粉 chairman and 義守大學 distinguished alumnus 李文淮 formally taking over as its third chairperson.
李文淮 earned a doctorate from 義守大學's College of Management 2 years ago and currently also teaches part-time at his alma mater.
李文淮 said he would focus on 3 areas: AI-driven digital transformation, green transformation and industry-academia collaboration.
李文淮 said he would help local small and medium-sized businesses gradually adopt smart AI applications.
李文淮 said he would help businesses keep up with international environmental regulations and decarbonization trends through training, technical guidance and exchanges of industry experience.
李文淮 said he would continue to strengthen ties between schools and businesses so that students' learning better reflects the industry's practical needs.
Always make small gains and big losses in stocks? Expert outlines a “hornet” strategy: learning to hold positions in tiers is key
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
阮慕驊 shared his “hornet stock strategy” on the program 《財經一路發》, dividing holdings into attack, patrol and scout bees, each with a different portfolio weighting and role. He linked the approach to the BCG matrix and emphasized the importance of tiered positioning.
Facts
阮慕驊 shared his “hornet stock strategy” on the program 《財經一路發》.
Hornets are divided into attack, patrol and scout bees.
阮慕驊 divides stock holdings into attack, patrol and scout bees.
Attack-bee stocks have large positions and are the main source of gains and losses in the account.
Patrol-bee positions are medium-sized and are in stocks that have been validated but have not yet fully come into their own.
Scout-bee positions must be very small; they exist only to keep the investor tracking the stock and watching its trend.
Ruan Mu-hua maps the “wasp stock strategy” to the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix.
“President Lung” is here! Lai Jui-lung launches campaign website, unveils 7 fundraising items with young aides to bring Kaohsiung flavor
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Lai Jui-lung’s campaign website went live on the 29th, offering “Southern Goodies” fundraising items, including a titanium egg cup, sports socks, a towel and a bucket hat, among seven styles that blend Kaohsiung’s distinctive features into everyday life.
Facts
Lai Jui-lung’s campaign website officially went live on the 29th.
The first batch of fundraising items is themed “TEAM TAKAO: Let’s Go Together with Kaohsiung’s President Lung.”
The fundraising items come in seven styles, including a titanium egg cup, sports socks, a towel and a bucket hat.
A donation of at least 999 yuan can be exchanged for a titanium egg cup.
A donation of at least 350 yuan can be exchanged for a pair of sports socks.
A donation of at least 450 yuan can be exchanged for a towel.
A donation of at least 600 yuan can be exchanged for a bucket hat.
The website compiles the 28 policy proposals and visions that Lai Jui-lung has announced.
Bring back Pingtung’s extreme sports park! Liang Yu-tzu and Lee Shih-pin call for a new youth sports venue
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Pingtung County councilors Liang Yu-tzu and Lee Shih-pin called on the county government and city office during questioning at the county council to rebuild the extreme sports park at Yongxin Park. The site has a history of more than 20 years but could not be preserved because of different plans by the city office. They called for resources to be assessed and a new venue to be built, and raised concerns about park development and summer heat.
Facts
Pingtung County Councilor Liang Yu-tzu said during questioning at the county council today (the 29th) that the extreme sports park at Yongxin Park in Pingtung City has a history of more than 20 years.
Yongxin Park was once a base for the development of extreme sports in Pingtung and nurtured many athletes.
Because the city office had a different overall direction for its policy planning, the extreme sports facilities could not ultimately be retained at the original site.
Councilor Lee Shih-pin brought a skateboard to the council chamber and joined Liang Yu-tzu in calling on the county government to address the need for an extreme sports venue.
Liang Yu-tzu recommended that the county government refer to other counties’ and cities’ methods for cooling parks and assess the installation of sprinklers or other cooling facilities at suitable sites.
Will Taiwan be betrayed by Trump? 台灣勵志協會: White House policy toward China unchanged
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
台灣勵志協會 held a seminar where experts analyzed U.S.-China relations and the U.S.-Taiwan-China situation after the second Trump-Xi meeting. They said competition between the U.S. and China has not changed, U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains stable, and Taiwan is not a bargaining chip, recommending that Taiwan continue deepening cooperation with the U.S.
Facts
High-level competition and structural differences between the U.S. and China remain unchanged, and neither U.S. policy toward Taiwan nor its one-China policy has softened.
Substantive U.S.-Taiwan ties continue to deepen, with concrete progress including coast guard cooperation, the GCTF framework, various defense exercises and training conducted in practice by active-duty U.S. personnel.
The U.S. and China have major differences on key issues including nuclear arms control, access to rare earths, military crisis communication mechanisms and the role of the trade commission.
Before the meeting, the U.S. had already taken extensive strategic precautions, including a joint statement by the foreign ministers of the U.S., Japan and South Korea affirming the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait and opposing unilateral changes to the status quo.
Lai Rong-wei divided U.S.-China exchanges into three categories: non-structural consumer goods, “negotiable” items involving some dual-use products, and “non-negotiable” items tied to the two countries’ structural national power.
Lai Yi-chung believes the power gap between the U.S. and China is widening and that Trump’s negotiating style involves applying maximum pressure, making it a “game of chicken.”
“This Taiwanese PCB giant” gets Amazon to invest NT$1.6 billion! Expert says expanding capacity on both fronts is paying off: it has truly become a golden chain
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Gold Circuit Electronics announced that Amazon will subscribe to NT$1.589 billion worth of its private-placement common shares, taking a stake of about 0.3% and becoming a strategic investor. Gold Circuit Electronics also approved NT$7.9 billion in capital expenditures to expand capacity, signaling confidence in demand for high-end PCBs.
Facts
Amazon will subscribe to 1,856,308 private-placement common shares of Gold Circuit Electronics at NT$856 per share, for a total of NT$1.589 billion.
Amazon will hold about 0.3% of Gold Circuit Electronics after subscribing to its private-placement common shares.
Gold Circuit Electronics’ reference price for this private placement was NT$1,070, while Amazon’s actual subscription price was NT$856, or eight-tenths of the reference price.
Gold Circuit Electronics also approved NT$7.9 billion in capital expenditures, including NT$3.8 billion for land for a new plant and NT$4.1 billion for plant construction and machinery and equipment.
Gold Circuit Electronics expects to begin making the capital expenditures in stages from the fourth quarter of 2026.
In May 2026, Amazon subscribed to shares in 世芯-KY at NT$4,239; its share price now stands at just NT$3,685.
School lunches become Taipei’s main political battleground! Chen Chih-han proposes a “School Lunch Act,” taking a swipe: Shen Po-yang’s only contribution was taking Wu Szu-yao and Chen Pei-yu abroad
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is pushing a free school lunch policy, but a series of food safety incidents at Taipei schools has recently triggered political sparring between the ruling and opposition camps. Chen Chih-han, director of the Taiwan People’s Party caucus, wrote on Facebook that Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Shen Po-yang’s only contribution to a dedicated school lunch law was taking Wu Szu-yao and Chen Pei-yu abroad, in a bid to block the DPP caucus’s obstruction.
Facts
The Taiwan People’s Party caucus sent the School Lunch Act to the Legislative Yuan for its first reading on March 22, 2024.
On June 11 this year, DPP lawmakers maliciously adjourned the session using procedural tactics.
On July 27, Wu Szu-yao and Chen Pei-yu accompanied Shen Po-yang abroad for campaign events.
10 provisions remain reserved for negotiations.
On June 23, Shen Po-yang and several other DPP candidates for county and city executive posts held up students’ lunch trays in the Legislative Yuan’s main hall.
Suspect caught! New Taipei girl forced to parade with “beast” sign; police arrest abusive father at the scene, prosecutors seek detention without visitation
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
A girl in Sanchong District, New Taipei City, was forced by her father and older brother to parade with signs reading “thief” and “beast,” prompting members of the public to alert authorities. Police arrested the girl’s father today for violating a protection order and transferred him to the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office, which sought his detention without visitation. The girl has been placed in care.
Facts
A girl in Sanchong, New Taipei City, was forced by her father and older brother to parade yesterday with signs reading “thief” and “beast.”
Police tracked down the girl’s father at about 5 p.m. today in connection with the case.
The girl’s father was arrested at the scene for allegedly violating a protection order.
After questioning the suspect, prosecutors said the girl’s father was strongly suspected of violating a protection order and other offenses, and posed a risk of reoffending and colluding with witnesses. At about 8 p.m., they asked the court to detain him without visitation.
The New Taipei City Social Welfare Department’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Center received a report of the girl’s father using inappropriate discipline in late June last year.
The court ordered 12 weeks of counseling and education, which was completed this year.
Yesterday afternoon, the girl paraded under the watch of her father and older brother, carrying a double-sided sign bearing her name and abusive words including “thief” and “beast.”
International oil prices retreated from recent highs, and European stocks closed mixed as investors assessed the outlook for tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. London’s FTSE 100 fell, Frankfurt’s DAX rose and Paris’s CAC 40 fell.
New Taipei father suspected of forcing daughter to parade with obscene sign; detained without visitation for alleged protection order violation
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
A girl in Sanchong, New Taipei City, was forced by her father to parade with a sign bearing obscene words. After police arrested her father, the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office sought his detention without visitation on charges including violating a protection order and assault. The court ordered him detained, and the Social Welfare Department has placed the girl in care.
Facts
On the 28th, she was wearing a sign bearing obscene words.
After questioning on the 29th, the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office...
彭博 reported that the 30-year U.S. Treasury yield topped 5.59%, reaching its highest level since 2002. Driven by high energy prices, inflationary pressures and corporate bond issuance, global bond markets are facing a wave of selling. 花旗集團 and 雅迪尼研究公司 said the market was under pressure, while some investors believe the selling has gone too far and are optimistic about a bond rebound.
Facts
The 30-year U.S. Treasury yield topped 5.59% today.
It reached its highest level since the bursting of the dot-com bubble in 2002.
It rose for the 6th consecutive trading day.
The $32 trillion U.S. Treasury market
Since last April, U.S. President Trump
Turns bullish on U.S. Treasuries for the first time in 6 years
Iranian currency falls to a record low of 2.5 million rials per U.S. dollar, highlighting economic woes
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Iranian rial fell to a record low of 2.5 million per U.S. dollar, reflecting the severe impact of the U.S.-Iran war and sanctions on its economy; U.S. officials expect Iran's economy to collapse.
Facts
More than 2.5 million rials are needed to exchange for 1 U.S. dollar
Fell to 2.2 million rials
The United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28
Italy completes withdrawal from Iraq, ending 12-year military deployment
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Italy's Defense Ministry said Italy has completed the withdrawal of its last remaining troops from Iraq, ending a 12-year military deployment. Italy had recalled most personnel by the end of March after a base in the Kurdistan region was hit by airstrikes. All other troops have withdrawn, with two Carabinieri officers staying on to take part in an EU advisory mission.
Kuan Chung-ming recommends cross-strait cooperation in ASEAN, with Taiwan serving as a trusted intermediary
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Former National Development Council Chairman Kuan Chung-ming suggested at a cross-strait forum in Shanghai that, in the new era of AI, the two sides could cooperate through the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, with Taiwan leveraging its Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) advantages to serve as a trusted intermediary and help businesses comply with regulations.
China introduces mortgage interest subsidy policy, effective Oct. 1
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
中國財政部, the People's Bank of China and 金融監管總局 announced that a mortgage interest subsidy policy for homebuyers will take effect on Oct. 1, providing eligible first-home buyers with an annualized subsidy of 1 percentage point to reduce mortgage burdens for groups with essential housing needs, such as new urban residents.
Facts
Starting October 1
Initially set at 1 year
No more than 120 square meters
(36.3 ping)
No more than RMB 1.5 million
(about NT$7.05 million)
Up to 1 million
An annualized 1 percentage point
Up to 5 years
About 1/3
Cumulative interest payments reduced by nearly 50,000 yuan
30th anniversary event for Tuesday JUNK Bakusho Mondai Cowboy to be held at Tokyo International Forum!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
TBSラジオ announced that a live event will be held at Tokyo International Forum Hall A on Feb. 10, 2027, to mark the 30th anniversary of the broadcast of Tuesday JUNK Bakusho Mondai Cowboy.
Riot Games and TRUE DAMAGE return as performing artists for the 2026 League of Legends World Championship anthem
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Riot Games announced that virtual hip-hop group True Damage will return as the performing artist for the 2026 League of Legends World Championship anthem, “Know My Name.” The song will be released on Oct. 9, and the group will perform at the opening ceremony in New York on Nov. 14.
Facts
More than 230 million streams across all platforms
10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9 (Japan time)
The opening ceremony for Worlds 2026, to be held at Barclays Center in New York on Nov. 14 (local time)
RGM’s music catalog, which contains more than 1,500 songs,
has received more than 16 billion plays to date
and is listened to by more than 50 million people each month across various streaming platforms
has been played more than 6.5 billion times worldwide
Companies mentioned：合同会社ライアットゲームズ、Riot Games, Inc.、Virgin Music Group、Mastercard、i-dle、K/DA
Worldwide box office tops $2.48 billion! A historic megahit ranked No. 3 in worldwide box office history! Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives on digital on Tuesday, Oct. 6!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be available digitally starting Oct. 6. It has topped $2.48 billion at the worldwide box office, ranking No. 3 of all time. U-NEXT will exclusively stream special footage, and screenings will be held at 5 Sony Store locations.
Facts
Worldwide box office tops $2.48 billion
No. 3 in worldwide box office history
Approximately 26-minute extended special feature
An astonishing $360 million at the box office during its opening weekend
North American cumulative box office: approximately $948 million
Worldwide cumulative box office: approximately $2.48 billion
Recorded box office revenue of 565,434,074 yen on its opening day
Over 59 days since its release
Cumulative attendance of 3,593,584
Cumulative box office revenue topped 5,816,794,414 yen
Original全国のソニー ストア 5店舗
8 films in the series to date
4 years after the events
Has continued to play Spider-Man for 10 years
More than 460,000 movies, dramas, anime and other titles
More than 1.29 million manga and books
Companies mentioned：株式会社ソニー・ピクチャーズ エンタテインメント、Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.、TSG Entertainment II LLC、MARVEL、U-NEXT、株式会社U-NEXT HOLDINGS、Paravi、TBS、テレビ東京、ソニー ストア、GEM Partners、X、TikTok、YouTube
〈日本赤十字社〉A vision for the future shaped by voices from 24,000 front-line settings
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
株式会社揚羽 is providing ongoing support for 日本赤十字社’s project marking its 150th anniversary in May 2027. Through 12 workshops, it has gathered approximately 24,000 voices from the front lines and is working to shape a vision for the future, including through the creation of “Keisouroku.”
Following acclaim in Gifu, 劇団芝居屋かいとうらんま’s “ひとりとあかり” comes to Tokyo starting Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Shimokitazawa OFF・OFF Theater
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Following its warm reception in Gifu, 劇団芝居屋かいとうらんま’s “ひとりとあかり” will have a Tokyo run at Shimokitazawa OFF・OFF Theater starting Nov. 6, 2026. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale through カンフェティ.
CHIBA SKY WINGS women’s team wins the Miyako tournament. They take the final 21–17 and earn a place in the 3x3 Japan Championship
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
The CHIBA SKY WINGS women’s team defeated XD 21–17 to win the Miyako tournament on Sept. 27, 2026, earning a place in the 12th 3x3 Japan Championship in February 2027.
仁新 (6696): Belite Bio invited to attend the European Society of Retina Specialists 2026 annual meeting (Euretina 2026) on Oct. 4 - Global Bio & Investment Monthly
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 環球生技月刊
仁新 (6696) announced that its key subsidiary Belite Bio, Inc. was invited to attend the European Society of Retina Specialists 2026 annual meeting (Euretina 2026) on Oct. 4.
Health Calendar | “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all.” (Helen Keller) - Heho健康
Published ・ Source Taiwan | Heho健康
Helen Keller's quote embodies positive psychology's “hope theory.” Building its three core elements—goals, pathways and agency—can boost resilience and turn unknown challenges into concrete action.