White House statements are consistently erratic; Trump's remarks are rapidly losing influence over oil prices
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Growing fatigue with headlines about the Iran conflict has made crude traders less sensitive to political declarations from the White House. Oil prices reacted very differently to Trump's threats in April and October, showing that the market has shifted its focus from political rhetoric to physical supply data.
Facts
Months of conflict with Iran have caused persistent “headline fatigue,” and crude traders are increasingly ignoring the tough rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump.
When Trump threatened on April 1 to bomb Iran back to the “Stone Age,” Brent crude prices immediately surged more than 7%, topping $109 a barrel.
When Trump warned on October 1 that Iran would “cease to exist” if it did not sign a ceasefire agreement, oil prices barely moved.
A wait-and-see mood sent total open interest in Brent crude futures contracts plunging to its lowest level since March 2025.
Rob Thummel, a senior portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital Advisors LLC, said traders had been paralyzed by the White House's erratic statements.
Companies mentioned:彭博、Again Capital、Tortoise Capital Advisors LLC、摩根大通、JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC
War hits tech infrastructure! Drone attack on “Russia's Google” Yandex shuts down major data center
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Russian internet giant Yandex announced on the 8th that its main data center in Sasovo, Ryazan Oblast, was hit by a drone, sparking a fire that shut down the facility and disrupted some services. No one was injured, and emergency responders have begun handling the incident.
Facts
A drone attack sparked a fire at a major Yandex data center in Sasovo, Ryazan Oblast.
The data center is currently completely out of operation, leaving some Yandex services unavailable to users.
No one was injured in the drone attack.
Yandex is known as “Russia's Google,” and its search engine is widely used in Russia.
Yandex developed the country's most advanced generative AI model, “YandexGPT.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would further intensify its attacks on Russian refineries.
Russian retail giant Wildberries was also among the targets recently attacked by Ukraine.
Australian data center operator Firmus Grid, backed by 輝達, plans to raise $5.5 billion through an IPO but faces the risk of cutting the price or scrapping the offering because of weak demand and an excessive valuation, reflecting growing investor caution over high valuations for AI infrastructure.
Facts
Firmus had planned to raise $5.5 billion through an IPO
Firmus's indicative price was A$11 per share
Firmus generated just $51 million in revenue in fiscal 2026
Only 46MW of Firmus's planned 912MW capacity has been built
UniSuper chose not to subscribe to Firmus's IPO
Maas Group shares plunged as much as 30% during trading in Sydney on Thursday
摩根大通 is marketing a $5 billion leveraged loan for Volta Infrastructure, with a yield of about 11%
Debt pressure and energy shock send European stocks to near 4-month low
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Bond issuance by U.S. tech giants, the Middle East energy crisis and hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve sent European stocks tumbling to a near 4-month low. The pan-European Stoxx 600 and major national indexes fell across the board, with semiconductor stocks also hit.
Facts
Hit by multiple headwinds, European stocks plunged to their lowest level in nearly 4 months.
U.S. tech giants plan to issue as much as $80 billion in corporate bonds.
Italy's FTSE MIB index posted the biggest decline, falling 1.6%.
Attacks on shipping and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea pushed up crude oil and natural gas futures prices.
Emmanuel Moulin, governor of the Bank of France, acknowledged that the country's fiscal and economic situation was “extremely difficult.”
Starting October 19, 2026, the 4 banks in the Resona Group will begin offering the “NISA Option,” which allows customers to use the NISA growth investment quota with Resona Fund Wrap.
Qzil.la’s new label “Gram21” to produce TV anime 『北北西に曇と往け』, set to begin airing on TBS in 2027!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Qzil.la株式会社 announced the establishment of “Gram21,” a new label for its animation production division acquired from イマジカインフォス, and that the label will produce the TV anime 『北北西に曇と往け』. The series will air on TBS starting in 2027 and stream exclusively worldwide on Netflix.
“University Power Rankings” releases its “Law School Bar Exam Pass Rate Cost-Effectiveness Ranking,” a 2026 survey report covering law schools in Japan
Amazon launches “Amazon Kids Tablet Series,” the first tablets in Amazon’s history to support the Google Play Store
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
On October 8, Amazon announced the “Amazon Kids Tablet Series,” which runs on Android OS and supports the Google Play Store. Models for ages 3 and up and 6 and up will be available in 8.7-inch and 11-inch sizes, featuring “Chiikawa” covers exclusive to Japan. Prices range from ¥39,980 to ¥56,980, with shipping scheduled to begin October 14.
To celebrate the new volume’s release, the entire first volume of 『命分けの冒険者 ~不幸少女を救ったら全力で崇拝されたので責任取らざるを得ない~』 is completely free on キミコミ, a site where you can read popular isekai, romance and fantasy manga together!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
The entire first volume of 『命分けの冒険者』 is currently free on キミコミ. Volume 2 is also on sale to popular acclaim.
Read 4 volumes for free right now! The hugely popular isekai reincarnation fantasy 『姫騎士がクラスメート!THE COMIC』
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
キミコミ is running a campaign offering 4 free volumes of 『姫騎士がクラスメート!THE COMIC』. The latest volume, volume 10, is scheduled for release on October 8, 2026.
『餓狼伝説 City of the Wolves』 × 『東京リベンジャーズ』 The invincible leader. The strongest deputy leader. The strongest duo in the Tokyo Manji Gang joins the fight. Mikey & Draken trailer released
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
株式会社SNK announced that characters “佐野万次郎(マイキー)” and “龍宮寺 堅(ドラケン)” from the anime 『東京リベンジャーズ』 will join the fighting game 『餓狼伝説 City of the Wolves』, and released a character trailer.
Facts
The comics have surpassed 80 million copies in circulation worldwide
アナウト株式会社 to exhibit at Global Startup EXPO 2026, showcasing the potential of AI for surgical assistance to former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
アナウト株式会社 exhibited at Global Startup EXPO 2026, held in Osaka from October 5 to 7, 2026, where it showcased its AI technology for surgical assistance. Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura visited the booth.
FIOLE to exhibit at “THAT’S FASHION WEEKEND BEAUTY”!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
株式会社フィヨーレコスメティクス will exhibit at “THAT’S FASHION WEEKEND BEAUTY,” held at Tokyo Tower from October 10 to 12, and sell hair fragrances and styling products.
Facts
Capital of 50 million yen
October 10 (Saturday)–12 (Monday, national holiday)
“Who will get one?” Messi, C. Ronaldo, Kaoru Mitoma… Autographed jerseys arrive in the “Soccer Memorabilia Mystery Box,” now available at WOWOW百貨店!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
株式会社WOWOW is holding its first-anniversary appreciation festival on its official e-commerce site, WOWOW百貨店, from October 1. The sports section is selling a limited number of “Soccer Memorabilia Mystery Boxes” containing autographed jerseys from players including Messi and Kaoru Mitoma.
ピカール to hold campaign marking the 10th anniversary of the opening of its 1st store in Japan: limited-edition gift giveaway, announcement of popular product rankings, and new product “Paris-Brest” also makes its debut
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
イオンサヴール株式会社 will hold a campaign from October 2026 to January 2027 to mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of the 1st Japan store of the frozen food specialty store ピカール. Plans include giveaways of limited-edition gifts, special prices on popular products, the launch of the new product “Paris-Brest,” and a collaboration with cookware brand STAUB.
內政部消防署 issued a notice rescinding the alert after the major fire at a warehouse store on Heping Street in Taitung City, Taitung County, was declared closed, reminding the public to stay away from the warning area.
台灣自來水公司 issued a water outage update for Nansong Village, Fengyuan District, Taichung City, as crews rushed to repair a burst pipe at No. 38, Zhongkeng Lane, Shu源 Road. The outage is scheduled from 16:54 to 21:00 on October 8, 2026.
台灣自來水公司 is replacing pipelines on Baoyi Road, Baokang Road and other roads in Chiayi City, causing water outages in parts of Houhu Village, East District.
After construction work at 華泰名品城嘉義店 damaged a water pipe, 台灣自來水公司 carried out emergency repairs on October 8, 2026, causing water outages in several villages in Taibao City, Chiayi County.
台灣自來水公司 will suspend water service in Tandi Village, Shulin District, New Taipei City, from October 8 to 9, 2026, to replace faulty water supply equipment.
台灣自來水公司 will suspend water service in some areas of Yuanlin City and Puxin Township, Changhua County, from October 9 to 10, 2026, for a pipeline replacement project.
Strong winds on land advisory (yellow signal) (Pingtung County, Miaoli County, Taoyuan City, Lienchiang County, Yunlin County, Hsinchu County, Chiayi County, Changhua County, Taichung City, Taitung County, Tainan City, Penghu County)
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 國家災害防救科技中心
中央氣象署 issued a strong wind advisory for land areas (yellow warning), saying that from the afternoon of the 8th through the evening of the 9th, localized areas in Taoyuan City, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County and other places may experience average winds of force 6 or stronger, or gusts of force 8 or stronger.
台灣自來水公司 will carry out a pipeline replacement project in Jiangjun District, Tainan City, to improve the stability of water supplies and reduce the risk of leaks. Water service will be suspended during the work.
Shih Hsin students launch “She Wo Student Movement” to protest university's plan to abolish department offices
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
Students at 世新大學 launched the “She Wo Student Movement” to protest the university's plan to abolish individual department offices and consolidate them. They also questioned whether the university's review of the names of students and faculty who signed a petition infringed on freedom of expression. The university said it respected freedom on campus and had not conducted an investigation.
Executive Yuan announces plan for 10,000 yuan cash payout next year, with distribution expected to begin as early as before Lunar New Year
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
行政院 approved a plan to distribute 10,000 yuan in cash to everyone, with payouts expected to begin as early as before Lunar New Year. 民眾黨 called for the funds to be made available in advance under the Budget Act, while 國民黨 proposed a 20,000-yuan payout and is pushing for a third reading before the election.
Facts
Universal cash payments of NT$10,000
Approved at the 行政院 meeting on the 8th
Legislature to complete the third reading of the general budget bill by January 5 next year
President to promulgate it by January 20
Registration for direct deposits can begin on January 25
Funds can be deposited on January 26
ATM service begins on February 15
Cash can be collected at the 郵局 on the 22nd
The related budget of 235.7 billion yuan
This year's tax revenue surplus is projected to exceed NT$1 trillion
Calculated at 40%
Original可編列4000多億特別預算
A 20,000-yuan cash payout to everyone
Push for direct referral to a second reading on the 16th
Push for passage at a third reading before the November 28 election
Can Taoyuan Airport's third terminal replace Songshan Airport? Aviation scholar says it could reduce flight efficiency
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
An aviation scholar said Taoyuan Airport's third terminal could not fully replace Songshan Airport, and operations could become less efficient if aircraft flying at different speeds were mixed. Songshan Airport offers business travelers convenient access to the city center and serves a medical evacuation role. Several mayors have raised the idea of relocating it, but the issue has remained unresolved for years.
Facts
Annual passenger numbers remain above 5 million
In 1979, international flights moved to what was then the predecessor of Taoyuan Airport
4 senior executives of 中聯 were released on bail of 500,000 to 4 million by court order in a case involving excessive levels of benzo[a]pyrene in oil products, and must wear electronic ankle monitors. The company's application to resume operations was rejected by the city government, and the plant remains shut down.
Facts
4 key defendants in 中聯's tainted oil case
Barred from leaving the country or going to sea for 8 months
Tsai Ing-wen makes first U.S. visit since leaving office, addresses Taiwan's manufacturing capacity at university
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
Former president Tsai Ing-wen made her first U.S. visit since leaving office, meeting with Nancy Pelosi before giving a speech at Stanford University. She underscored Taiwan's key role in AI server manufacturing and global supply chains, and attended a National Day reception in San Francisco to thank overseas Taiwanese for their support.
Worried about getting injured playing badminton? Doctors explain warm-ups and protective gear - Heho Health
Published ・ Source Taiwan | Heho健康
A doctor said thorough warm-ups are needed to prevent sports injuries when playing badminton. Advice was provided by a physician specializing in badminton injury prevention at 亞東醫院.