On election polling, Chiang Wan-an urges residents to keep their eyes open and turn out to vote
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
A latest Taipei mayoral election poll released by 信民協會 shows Democratic Progressive Party candidate Shen Po-yang leading incumbent Chiang Wan-an by 17 percentage points. Chiang said he would take the poll into account and urged residents to make the most of the final 40 days to vote, citing the achievements of his 4 years in office.
Facts
17-percentage-point gap between the 2 candidates
Shen Po-yang leads in all 6 major electoral districts
Candidate for Luodong township representative released on NT$50,000 bail over alleged vote-buying with sports bottles
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
宜蘭地檢署 is investigating a candidate surnamed Tsai for Luodong township representative over allegations of vote-buying by giving away sports bottles. After searching 2 locations and questioning 12 people, prosecutors ordered the candidate released on NT$50,000 bail.
66 couples hold high-altitude wedding in Taichung; Lu Hsiu-yen officiates aboard plane
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen officiated the wedding of 66 couples taking part in a joint city wedding aboard a 中華航空 flight to Okinawa, Japan, creating Taiwan’s first romantic high-altitude wedding. She also expressed hope of deepening cooperation between Taichung and Okinawa in tourism and the wedding industry.
TWSE’s Power Up 2.0 plan brings 4 upgrades, loosens rules on forecasts
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
台灣證券交易所 has launched the “Corporate Value Enhancement Plan 2.0,” featuring 4 upgrades. One measure loosens eligibility rules for disclosing forward-looking information; 29 large, high-quality companies currently meet the market capitalization and corporate governance assessment criteria for disclosing medium- and long-term forecasts.
Updated guidance on employing middle-aged and older workers in hospitality aims to ease labor shortages through part-time work
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Ministry of Labor has issued updated workplace and workforce guidelines for middle-aged and older workers in the hospitality industry, incorporating the concept of part-time employment to help businesses use flexible staffing to address labor shortages.
Facts
2 guideline manuals were first issued in Minguo 114
Chinese military drone activity grows more frequent, Japan’s defense minister says
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Japan’s Ministry of Defense said Chinese military drone activity has become more frequent, with a reconnaissance drone flying through airspace between Taiwan and Yonaguni Island. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the number of related incidents rose to 23 in fiscal 2024, about 3 times the figure for fiscal 2023. He stressed the need to respond to new forms of warfare and drones, and said the government is considering revising the “3 national security documents.”
“2026 New Taipei City Community Development Showcase” opens at 空軍三重一村! Community builders gather on 10/31 and 11/1! Let’s make clouds together
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The 2026 New Taipei City Community Development Showcase will be held at 空軍三重一村 from 10/31 to 11/1, bringing together more than 30 community development teams to showcase local cultural creativity through diverse performances and hands-on activities.
Facts
The 2026 New Taipei City Community Development Showcase will open at 空軍三重一村 from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.
The event’s theme is “Community builders, gather! Let’s make clouds together.”
The event brings together more than 30 community development teams and cultural bases from across New Taipei City.
The site will feature 15 “water-collecting stalls,” 7 “cloud-shaping workshops” and 12 “fun cloud stages.”
The event will host the first forum for the Top 100 Cultural Bases.
Taichung tops Taiwan in tourist visits; 2 flagship coastal landmarks unveiled as 8 years of work show strength in sustainable tourism
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Taichung City Government data show that the city recorded 140 million tourist visits in Minguo 114, the highest in Taiwan, while overnight stays totaled 9.29 million, ranking second. The city government is using 2 flagship coastal developments and sustainable tourism strategies to raise its international profile and attract visitors.
Facts
Taichung recorded 1.4億 tourist visits in 114, ranking first nationwide.
Taichung recorded 929萬 overnight stays in 114, ranking second nationwide.
Taichung is the only city in Taiwan to receive the bronze-level certification as a “Global Green Destination.”
International flight routes to Taichung increased more than tenfold after the pandemic.
Taichung has 66 Taiwan Tourist Shuttle routes, the most comprehensive network among the six special municipalities.
The Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival will be held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 22.
Taichung has the second-highest total number of Michelin-listed restaurants among the six special municipalities.
Japan’s century-old craft, “Tobe ware,” on limited sale at the Ceramics Museum’s cultural store!
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The cultural store at 新北市立鶯歌陶瓷博物館 is holding a limited-time sale of Japanese Tobe ware, bringing together handmade ceramics by artisans from 杉浦工房, JOSHUA BLUE, 龍泉窯 and other studios, with the aim of promoting cultural exchange between Yingge ceramics and international production centers.
Facts
The Ceramics Museum’s cultural store is holding a limited-time sale of Tobe ware from Tobe, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.
The works on sale come from 4 artisans at 3 kilns, including 杉浦工房, JOSHUA BLUE and 龍泉窯.
Each piece of Tobe ware comes in a wooden box bearing the artisan’s signature, and quantities are limited.
JOSHUA BLUE artisan Tatsuto Takenishi spent 10 years developing an exclusive gosu glaze formula.
Artisan Asato Ikeda of 龍泉窯 preserves the marks left when clay tears during wheel-throwing to create distinctive forms.
No setup fee! 基富通 teams up with Hua Nan Bank to launch the “Good Retirement Trust”; no need to redeem funds, and applications open at age 18
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
As 基富通 marks its 10th year of operations, it has teamed up with 華南銀行 to launch the “Good Retirement Trust” to address the risks of an aging society. The product lets users transfer assets without redeeming their funds, combining investment and care planning, and offers a low entry threshold with no setup fee.
Facts
基富通 marks its 10th year of operations, with more than 40萬 customers on its platform and over 3000億元 in fund assets.
基富通 and 華南銀行 have launched the “Good Retirement Trust,” allowing people to transfer funds directly into the retirement trust without first redeeming them.
Applications for the “Good Retirement Trust” are open to anyone aged 18 or older; the contract takes effect once 3000元 is deposited after signing.
The “Good Retirement Trust” charges no setup or signing fee, and its trust management fee is set at the low end of the industry range.
基富通 has 17萬 people making regular monthly investments, with deductions totaling more than 40億元.
When will Taiwan stocks stop falling after a 4000-point plunge? Du Jinlong reveals the “true bottom” and names 8 oversold stocks with potential, in addition to 台積電
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Veteran Taiwan stock market analyst Du Jinlong analyzed a pullback of more than 4000 points and forecast a possible bottom at 44500-45000 points, while revealing four signals that a decline is ending. He said he added to his 台積電 holdings at 2390元 and recommended 8 stocks, including 友達 and 台燿.
Facts
Taiwan stocks have retreated more than 4000 points from their recent high. The intraday low on the 19th was 46170 points, and the market closed at 46822.08 points.
Du Jinlong said the quarterly moving average is currently around 46000 points and the six-month moving average is around 45000 points. Since the quarterly moving average has been breached several times, he is not using it as a reference now.
Du Jinlong bought 台積電 shares at 2390元 on Oct. 19.
Foreign investors have continued selling recently, with net sales totaling 3025.55億元 on Oct. 15, while investment trusts made net purchases of 183.15億元 on the 20th.
Du Jinlong singled out 8 electronics stocks: 友達, 台燿, 聯茂, 金像電, 臻鼎-KY, 富喬, 台玻 and 昇達科.
Explained: For the same 125cc scooter, how much can annual fuel costs differ? Energy Administration releases fuel-economy test data for a side-by-side model comparison
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The 經濟部能源署 has released the “114 Vehicle Fuel Economy Guide,” showing differences in energy efficiency among 125cc scooter models. Estimates show that fuel economy differences among models in the same class can lead to an annual fuel-cost gap of up to 1201元, providing consumers with a reference when buying a scooter.
Facts
The 經濟部能源署 released the “114 Vehicle Fuel Economy Guide” on April 17, 2026.
Original光陽RACING S 125（SR25JG）的綜合能源效率為每公升42.0公里，為7款車款中最耗油。
Based on an estimated 4500 kilometers of annual travel and unleaded 95 gasoline at 32.7元 per liter, annual fuel costs for the 7 scooters differ by 1201元.
Resolving conflicts between farming and industry and moving toward sustainability: Changhua’s Water Hardware Agricultural Production Settlement Special District master plan passes Ministry of the Interior review
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Ministry of the Interior’s Urban Planning Commission has approved the master plan for Changhua’s Water Hardware Agricultural Production Settlement Special District, addressing conflicts between farming and industry. The plan will optimize land-use planning across 785 hectares in the Lukang and Hemei areas, strengthen infrastructure for the world’s highest-density supply chain, and drive industrial upgrading.
Facts
The Ministry of the Interior’s Urban Planning Commission formally approved revisions to the “Changhua Water Hardware Agricultural Production Settlement Special District Master Plan” on the 20th.
From upstream raw-material supply to downstream finished-goods manufacturing, Changhua’s water hardware industry has built the world’s densest and most complete supply chain cluster.
The development area covered by this plan spans 785 hectares.
In the first phase, the county government will prioritize approximately 107 hectares for publicly managed land readjustment.
The cap on total development permits for agricultural-zone landowners is 239 hectares.
Could a successful poll lead to complacency? Shen Po-yang urges supporters to follow the “4 Ocean Current Rules”: polls are on paper, but the outcome will be decided by ballots on 11/28
The poll showed Democratic Progressive Party candidate Shen Po-yang with 50.3% support, compared with 33.3% for incumbent Kuomintang Mayor Chiang Wan-an.
Shen Po-yang overtook Chiang Wan-an by 17 percentage points in the poll.
Shen Po-yang urged supporters to follow four rules: do not dance to opponents’ tune in the face of smears, and do not trade insults or get drawn into arguments.
The poll surveyed Taipei residents aged 20 or older, completing 1075 interviews.
The poll was conducted from Oct. 14 to Oct. 16, with a maximum margin of sampling error of ±3.0%.
True love at ten thousand feet: Lu Shiow-yen makes a 28-hour whirlwind trip to Okinawa, with a packed schedule promoting city diplomacy
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen led a delegation to Okinawa, Japan, to officiate at Taiwan’s first high-altitude wedding ceremony for 66 couples, while promoting city diplomacy and showing care for Taiwanese businesspeople and overseas compatriots, demonstrating efficient governance.
Facts
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen led a city government delegation to Okinawa, Japan, on the 20th to officiate at Taiwan’s first wedding ceremony held ten thousand feet in the air.
The trip included three strategic missions: a high-altitude wedding ceremony, city diplomacy, and outreach to Taiwanese businesspeople and overseas compatriots.
Legislator Huang Chien-hao helped coordinate communication among agencies and with the airline to ensure the high-altitude wedding ceremony went smoothly.
Miaoli County Government impresses Japan’s political and business circles with fine tea and cuisine, promoting local agricultural products and the 2027 Taiwan Lantern Festival
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Miaoli County Government visited Japan on Oct. 18 to attend a Taiwan-Japan exchange event, showcasing agricultural products such as Maoli Red under its “Miaoli Flavors” brand and promoting the 2027 Taiwan Lantern Festival, with the aim of boosting agricultural exports and attracting tourists.
Facts
The Miaoli County Government team attended a Taiwan-Japan exchange event on Oct. 18 organized by 台灣國際美食創新交流協會日本分會.
With “Miaoli Flavors” at the heart of its presentation, the event introduced Miaoli agricultural products to members of both houses of Japan’s National Diet as well as local food-service and major distribution companies.
The Miaoli County Government prepared local specialties for sampling, including “Maoli Red” black tea, “sour citrus tea,” “honey-scented taro,” “taro nougat” and “red date tea bags.”
Miaoli County Government Agriculture Department Director Chen Shu-yi said the “Miaoli Flavors” brand program aims to help high-quality agricultural products enter overseas markets.
The 2027 Taiwan Lantern Festival will be held in Miaoli. The county government took the opportunity to invite Japanese guests to visit and enjoy the lantern displays, tour rural areas and sample local cuisine.
欣興’s ABF substrate capacity expansion is booked through 2030! Chairman reveals 3 major changes in the AI industry, while local investors set a target price of 1500元
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
欣興 reported stellar third-quarter revenue of NT$52.65 billion. Analysts raised their price target to NT$1,500. Chairman Chien Shan-chieh unveiled developments in AI industry technology at TPCA Show 2026 and outlined plans to expand ABF substrate capacity through 2030.
Facts
欣興 reported third-quarter revenue of NT$52.65 billion, beating market expectations.
Local analysts raised their price target for 欣興 from NT$1,100 to NT$1,500.
Phase 3 of 欣興’s Guangfu Plant 1 entered mass production in the second half of this year.
Taiwan’s PCB manufacturing output at home and overseas reached NT$279.1 billion in the second quarter of 2026, up 27.9% year over year.
Analysts estimate that 欣興’s 2027 EPS could rise to NT$41.1.
Deputy Director-General of the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control Lin Ming-cheng said that, given that severe flu cases and deaths are lagging indicators, the agency decided for a second time to extend the availability of flu antiviral drugs through Nov. 15. He also urged older adults to follow the “flu shot in one arm, COVID shot in the other” vaccination strategy to prevent severe illness.
Facts
There were 123,820 outpatient and emergency visits for influenza-like illness last week, the second-highest total for the same period in nearly 10 years.
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control decided for a second time to extend the availability of flu antiviral drugs through Nov. 15.
The RX (Robotics eXperience) division, which oversees Samsung’s robotics business, is currently testing a robot designed for industrial environments and capable of operating continuously for 24 hours a day at Samsung’s R&D campus in Seoul’s Seocho District.
Samsung aims to enable uninterrupted operations by maximizing robot utilization. One of the core technologies is hot swapping, which allows a robot’s battery to be replaced without shutting down the system.
In July this year, Samsung Group established the RX division, directly overseen by CEO Roh Tae-moon, and fully consolidated robotics capabilities that had previously been scattered across the company’s various departments.
Samsung Research has successfully developed advanced “robot dexterous hand” technology, enabling robots to grasp, assemble and connect flexible objects such as wires.
Top kiteboarding athletes from around the world converge on Windy City: Red Bull King of the Air’s only global qualifier hits Hsinchu’s Nanliao on Oct. 21!
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
新竹市政府 joined forces with Red Bull Taiwan to hold a press conference announcing that the Red Bull King of the Air Taiwan qualifier will take place in Hsinchu’s Nanliao in late October, drawing top athletes from around the world to take on the northeast monsoon and vie for a spot in the South Africa final.
Facts
OriginalRed Bull King of the Air台灣資格賽將於10/21至10/26在新竹南寮登場。
This is the only qualifier in the world, and the winner will vie for a spot in the world final in Cape Town, South Africa.
Taiwanese competitor Tseng Tsung-lien holds the Asian kiteboarding high-jump record at 30.6 meters.
The women’s field includes 2024 inaugural champion Francesca Maini and 2025 third-place finisher Lana Herman.
The “Windy City Seafood Market” will be held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.
Since its launch in 2000, Red Bull King of the Air has become a major international stage for Big Air kiteboarding.
Mayor Kao Hung-an said Hsinchu’s Nanliao has the natural advantage of steady northeast monsoon winds in autumn and winter, making it ideal for kiteboarding.
Connecting a 4.7-kilometer waterfront corridor: Taichung invests NT$58 million to upgrade Mayuantou Creek; paving on key West District section scheduled overnight on Oct. 23
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Taichung City Government’s Public Works Bureau is investing NT$58 million to upgrade the 4.7-kilometer Mayuantou Creek waterfront corridor. Work on the Beitun section is complete, while construction on the West District section is scheduled for the night of Oct. 23, aiming to improve pedestrian-friendly transportation and walking conditions.
Facts
The Taichung City Government’s Public Works Bureau is carrying out the Mayuantou Creek waterfront corridor project, with a total budget of NT$58 million.
The Mayuantou Creek waterfront corridor is 4.7 kilometers long.
Construction on the Beitun section was completed in August this year.
Milling and repaving on the West District section is scheduled from 8 p.m. on Oct. 23 until 8 a.m. the following day.
The project focuses on improving about 1,750 meters of pedestrian walkway along the route.
Work sites include Section 1 of Xiangshang Road, the intersection of Zhongming South Road and Gongyi Road, and surrounding main roads.
Explainer: Put a shoe cabinet or flowerpot outside your home and you could be fined up to 2,400! It’s illegal even if you don’t block the entire road—the real deciding factor is one many people get wrong
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article explains that covered arcades are part of the road. Under Article 82 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, placing items such as flowerpots or shoe cabinets that obstruct traffic can result in a fine of 1,200 to 2,400. The key to determining a violation is whether the item blocks the passageway, not its type or a fixed width. Private property rights must yield to the public interest.
Facts
Under the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, placing or piling objects on a road in a way that obstructs traffic can incur a fine of 1,200 to 2,400.
The key to determining whether occupying a covered arcade is a violation is whether it obstructs traffic, not what kind of object is involved.
Interpretation No. 564 by the Justices of the Judicial Yuan states that when a covered arcade is open to public passage, the owner generally may not obstruct passage in using it.
Showbiz’s biggest saver! Host Kuo Yen-chun reveals what mattered most when he bought his first home: he went on to buy 5 houses with no mortgage burden
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Host Kuo Yen-chun grew up in a family burdened by debt. At 28, he bought his first home in Ankeng, Xindian, for more than 300 ten-thousand yuan. Through extreme self-discipline and a home-buying strategy, he eventually owned 5 mortgage-free homes in Xindian, turning his life around.
Facts
Kuo Yen-chun has been in show business for more than 20 years and is a top host who has been nominated for the Golden Bell Awards 5 times.
As a child, Kuo Yen-chun shared a room with his younger brother and mother, and a thick stack of bills sat beside the wardrobe at home.
At 28, Kuo Yen-chun saved his first down payment for a home, with NT$830,000 in his bank account.
Kuo Yen-chun bought a home of around 20-plus ping in Ankeng, Xindian, for more than 300 ten-thousand yuan.
Kuo Yen-chun owns 5 homes in Xindian, and all the mortgages have been paid off.
Tomorrow’s weather / Typhoon Jangmi’s latest track: impact probability surges to 61% in 2 counties and cities! Strongest winds and rain start this day; expert says it will pack a punch even without making landfall
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Severe Typhoon Jangmi is approaching Taiwan, and the Central Weather Administration has put the probability of storm-force winds at 61% in Yilan and Keelung. Experts forecast a significant impact from the 22nd to the 24th, with the strongest winds and rain from Friday to Saturday, and urged the public to prepare for the typhoon.
Facts
On the 20th, the Central Weather Administration released the probability of storm-force winds from Typhoon Jangmi, putting Yilan County and Keelung City at 61%.
Original薔琵颱風中心氣壓為910百帕，近中心最大風速每秒55公尺
Thursday to Saturday (the 22nd to the 24th) are the 3 days when Typhoon Jangmi is expected to have its most pronounced impact on Taiwan.
Weather expert Cheng Ming-tien said Typhoon Jangmi’s eye could be more than 100 kilometers in diameter.
Winds and rain will be most intense from Friday night through all of Saturday.
FSC launches “designated contact” service: 300,000 saved from scams; 3 banks lead the anti-fraud effort
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The FSC’s Banking Bureau has introduced a designated-contact notification service to help the public guard against scams. More than 10,000 people have applied, with 玉山銀行 accounting for the largest share. The service has successfully prevented fraudulent transfers, and will be expanded to more banks and post offices.
Facts
As of July 31 this year, 12,580 people had applied for the designated-contact service. 玉山銀行 accounted for 7,542 applicants, or as much as 60%.
台北富邦銀行 had 3,426 customers apply, accounting for 27%; 聯邦銀行 had 986 applicants, accounting for about 8%.
As of the end of September this year, 24 banks had launched a designated contact notification service, while 7 domestic banks and Chunghwa Post plan to launch one by the end of June next year.
Banks can set their own notification thresholds. Some activate the mechanism when a time deposit is withdrawn early or a large remittance of at least NT$1 million is made.
The designated contact service successfully stopped a fraudulent remittance of NT$300,000.
Emperors Were Not Short of Money, So Why Were Their Beds “So Narrow and Small”? 4 Major Secrets Behind Their Unimaginable Special Purpose
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article explores why the emperor’s bed in the Forbidden City in Beijing was narrow, noting that this was not due to frugality but reflected a combination of factors, including feng shui and health practices, climate adaptation, palace security and the harem system.
Facts
The bed in the Qing dynasty Yongzheng Emperor’s bedchamber was about 235 centimeters long and only 130 centimeters wide.
Ancient feng shui beliefs held that sleep should emphasize “gathering qi”; a smaller space could concentrate yang energy and prevent an excess of yin energy.
Because the narrow, elongated bed shape sounds like “long life” in Chinese, it was imbued with the auspicious meaning of wishing the emperor health and longevity.
The Forbidden City is in northern China, where winters are cold; a small bed helped maintain warmth and reduce the risk of fire.
Under the Qing dynasty’s consort attendance system, concubines had to return to their own quarters after attending the emperor and were not allowed to stay overnight in his bedchamber.
What’s It Like to Have a Top AV Actress for a Younger Sister? Seto Kanna’s Brother Says He Has “Never Watched Her Work”; They Joined Forces to Persuade Their Parents, and He Took Their Mother to a Signing Event
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
AV actress Seto Kanna invited her older brother onto her YouTube show, revealing that he supported her debut and helped persuade their parents; their mother also appeared at a signing event. The video drew widespread attention.
Facts
Popular Japanese AV actress Seto Kanna invited her older brother to share family stories on her YouTube channel; the video has accumulated 960,000 views.
Seto Kanna’s brother admitted that he had never watched his younger sister’s adult films.
Seto Kanna’s brother once worked with her to figure out how to persuade their parents to support her debut.
Seto Kanna’s mother personally attended the signing event for her first photo book.
Former teammate of Ahn Ji-hyun Park Jae-ryeong’s latest situation revealed! She quit cheerleading to move into borderline Korean livestreaming, and was left with extensive redness and swelling on her back after being beaten
Porcelain pillows were tall and hard, so why did people in ancient times love sleeping on them? “3 real functions” may surprise you—one was to make this easier for women
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article analyzes the 3 main functions of porcelain pillows in ancient times: maintaining hairstyles, keeping cool in summer, and promoting wellness through medicinal pillows. It also explains that because porcelain is easy to preserve, more of it has been excavated, leading to the misconception that people in ancient times slept only on hard pillows.
Facts
Porcelain pillows entered ordinary households during the Tang and Song dynasties as the technology became widespread and popular demand surged.
Porcelain pillows were a hair-care aid that helped women in ancient times maintain elaborate hairstyles and kept their hair from being messed up when they turned over.
Porcelain pillows felt cool to the touch and dissipated heat quickly, helping people stay cool in an era without air conditioning.
People in ancient times often placed medicinal herbs such as chrysanthemum and cassia seeds inside the hollow structure of porcelain pillows to clear heat and improve eyesight.
Far more porcelain pillows than soft pillows have been unearthed, leading modern people to mistakenly believe that people in ancient times slept only on hard pillows.
Graphic: Shezidao grandma kneels to plead with Shen Boyang and is suspected of being a “paid actor”? Writer reveals she took to the streets 6 years ago! Why might residents be unable to afford a new home if their old one is demolished?
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
A Shezidao grandma’s kneeling appeal to Democratic Progressive Party Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Boyang sparked controversy over whether she was a paid actor. A writer and the self-help association confirmed that she had long taken part in protests and denied she was paid. A Kuomintang councilor apologized, but the apology was not accepted.
Facts
When Shen Boyang visited Shezidao in Shilin District on Oct. 17 to attend a religious procession, a grandma suddenly knelt to make an appeal. After footage emerged, people questioned whether she was a “staged actor.”
The writer “漂浪島嶼” said the grandma, surnamed Hung, had taken to the streets with the Shezidao anti-expropriation self-help association about 6 years ago, before Chiang Wan-an was elected Taipei mayor.
Li Huaping, spokesperson for the Shezidao self-help association, released an interview video with the grandma, surnamed Hung. She had taken part in the association’s street appeals since 2019 and denied ever receiving money.
Typhoon Gloria caused severe flooding in the Taipei area in 1963. The government subsequently designated Shezidao a restricted development zone in 1970.
Original台北市政府公布的財務資料顯示，社子島專案住宅每戶預估成本約為2,000多萬元。
Data released by the Ministry of the Interior on Aug. 17, 2026, said decades of construction restrictions have left Shezidao facing a lack of public infrastructure and inadequate living facilities.
Kim Jong Un died of a brain hemorrhage in Beijing? North Korean state media rushes to release photos of him with his daughter; a look at the rumor’s origins and South Korea’s response
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
North Korean state media refuted viral social media reports of Kim Jong Un’s death by publishing photos of him visiting an exhibition with his family, while South Korean officials also denied the reports. The rumor originated in an unverified post by a Chinese dissident, with no evidence to support it.
Facts
North Korean state media outlet KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un visited an exhibition of clothing and shoes in Pyongyang on the 19th with his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and daughter, Kim Ju Ae.
The rumor of Kim Jong Un’s death originated in a post on X by Xie Wanjun, a Chinese dissident living in the United States.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service estimates that Kim Jong Un weighs 140 kilograms.
South Korean diplomatic and security officials said they had heard nothing to support reports of Kim Jong Un’s death.
Xie Wanjun identifies himself as the chairman of the “Chinese Democracy Party,” which was banned by Chinese authorities.
Oct. 20 International Evening Briefing | Taiwan’s trade surplus with the US reaches US$147.67 billion; Xinhua says nuclear submarines have reached the third generation; US federal agencies ban DeepSeek
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
《風傳媒》’s Oct. 20 International Evening Briefing reported that Taiwan’s record trade surplus with the US has prompted questions about the terms of resource exchanges. It also covered China’s nuclear submarine technology breakthrough, the US ban on DeepSeek technology, and the strengthening of strategic ties between Russia and Iran.
Facts
In the first 8 months of this year, Taiwan’s goods trade surplus with the US reached US$147.67 billion, equivalent to about NT$4.6 trillion.
Taiwan has overtaken China to become the source of the United States’ third-largest goods trade deficit.
The US Department of Homeland Security issued an administrative order requiring all federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek technology used in their IT systems.
Xinhua said the Long March nuclear submarine had advanced to the third generation and had successfully conducted a test launch of a submarine-launched strategic missile.
中油 plans to invest up to US$4.4 billion in an Alaska natural gas project and, once gas supplies begin, purchase 6 million tons of liquefied natural gas annually.
台積電’s investment commitment in the US has risen to US$265 billion.
The US has approved but not yet delivered about US$29.72 billion in arms sales to Taiwan.
Don’t cut kiwifruit straight in half! Expert shares the right way to cut it for an instant boost in sweetness, making it juicier and tastier
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Kiwifruit brand Zespri recommended the “lengthwise cut” through Japanese media outlet grapee. It said the fruit is sweeter at the stem end, and cutting it lengthwise into wedges gives each piece fruit from different parts, balancing the sweet-and-sour flavor and improving the eating experience.
Facts
Kiwifruit brand Zespri recommends cutting the fruit lengthwise along its long side into wedges.
The part of a kiwifruit near the stem end is sweeter.
Cutting a kiwifruit lengthwise does not increase its sugar content, but makes its sweetness taste more uniform.
A writer for Japanese media outlet grapee found in a taste test that wedge-shaped slices have a more balanced sweet-and-sour flavor than round slices.
Local mpox cases have risen for 7 straight weeks! CDC reveals common traits among confirmed 1b cases: only 2 had been vaccinated
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The CDC announced 18 new mpox cases in October, including 16 of clade 1b. Most confirmed cases were among people aged 20-40 who had engaged in unsafe sex, and only 2 had been vaccinated. The domestic outbreak has risen for 7 straight weeks, with 52 cases so far this year, up 2% from last year.
Facts
There were 18 new mpox cases in October this year, including 16 of clade 1b.
The 16 confirmed clade 1b cases were among people in their 20s to 40s; all had engaged in unsafe sex, and only 2 had been vaccinated.
Original國內M痘疫情已連續7週升溫，今年累計52例，高於去年同期2成。
A total of 5 countries in the Western Pacific reported mpox cases in August this year, with China recording the most at 154.
The WHO assessed the risk of transmission among groups engaging in risky sexual behavior as “moderate,” and the risk to the general public as “low.”
Why did ancient scholars heading to the capital for the imperial exams like visiting brothels? It wasn’t to drink or seek sex! A history professor reveals 3 main reasons
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Yu Gengzhe, a professor at the School of History and Culture at Shaanxi Normal University, reveals 3 main reasons ancient scholars heading to the capital for imperial exams liked visiting brothels: first, candidates had the advantage of having “money and free time”; second, exam venues were near brothels; and third, brothels served as venues where literati could build reputations and create cultural works.
Facts
Yu Gengzhe, a professor at the School of History and Culture at Shaanxi Normal University, said ancient candidates visited brothels because of their financial means, ample free time and the venues’ social functions.
Families able to afford the cost of traveling to the capital for the imperial exams were generally wealthy, and young candidates, being reckless and lacking supervision, were prone to linger in brothels.
The Jiangnan Examination Hall, the largest of its kind during the Ming and Qing dynasties, was built in an area lined with brothels along the Qinhuai River in Nanjing.
In the Tang dynasty, brothels in Chang'an were concentrated in Pingkang Ward, while exam candidates rented lodgings in Xuanyang Ward and Qinren Ward for convenient travel to and from the examination site.
Du Mu's famous lines, “Spring breezes sweep along Yangzhou's ten-mile road; when the pearl curtains are rolled up, none can compare,” were written as a farewell to a famous courtesan with whom he was romantically involved.
According to Tang Caizi Zhuan, a brothel's reputation and value would multiply if a renowned scholar praised it in a poem, while criticism could send business plummeting.
Xinwu Precision Laser crosses into arts philanthropy, joining Japanese painter Ichiro Ueno to promote a charity auction that connects Taiwan-Japan ties with humanistic care.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
At the 2026 TPCA Show, Xinwu combined 三菱電機 technology demonstrations with Japanese painter Ichiro Ueno's Power Art charity project, deepening Taiwan-Japan ties and corporate social responsibility through charity auctions and donations.
Facts
新武股份有限公司 participated in the 2026 TPCA Show and showcased 三菱電機 laser equipment.
Japanese painter Ichiro Ueno unveiled the Power Art charity art project on the first day of the exhibition.
Some of Ueno's works will be auctioned for charity in Taiwan, with all proceeds donated to Taiwanese charitable organizations.
Xinwu has long focused on the mold, sheet metal and PCB industries, and serves as a distributor of 三菱電機 processing equipment.
At the press conference, TPCA Chair Chen Zhengxiong, Ichiro Ueno and Xinwu Chairman Shoichiro Tenma posed for a group photo.
Is the U.S. military retreating to the second island chain? Experts Randall Schriver, Hu Zhendong and Yeh Ya-yuan clash at National Defense and Security Research Institute seminar on China's development trends.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The 陸委會 and 國防安全研究院 held a seminar attended by National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu and U.S. expert Randall Schriver. Wu criticized China's economic difficulties and expansionism and called for de-risking; Schriver praised Taiwan-U.S. cooperation and clarified that the United States was not retreating to the second island chain, but strengthening its ability to project power in the region.
Facts
National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu said China's economy was choking and that official data concealed the actual situation.
Randall Schriver categorically rejected claims that the United States was retreating from the first island chain to the second.
Graphic》Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung’s Made in Korea 2 loses! October’s top 10 Korean dramas: Kim Ji-won’s new series storms to the top; you’ll regret missing it
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
GOODDATA released its Korean drama buzz rankings for the second week of October 2026, with Doctor X taking first place. Made in Korea 2, starring Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung, ranked seventh. Other series, including Dr. Love and 100 Days of Lies, also made the top 10, reflecting diverse viewing preferences.
Facts
The buzz rankings for TV and OTT dramas in the second week of 2026年10月 were led by Doctor X: The Era of the White Mafia, with a buzz share of 19.58%.
Dr. Love ranked second with a buzz share of 14.57%, while 100 Days of Lies ranked third at 14.55%.
The Disney+ Korean drama Made in Korea 2, starring Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung, continues its story of political crime and power struggles, moving forward to 1979.
Love Is Here, starring Ha Seok-jin and Ahn Hee-yeon, is a weekend drama that brings together family, cooking and rekindled romance.
In the AI era, children need to learn to ask questions and put ideas into practice even more. NEIA co-founder 張瑞展 will visit Taiwan on October 28 to discuss innovative education.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
張瑞展, co-founder of 美國紐英格蘭創新學院 (NEIA), will visit Taiwan on October 28 to host an education seminar and share insights on innovative education and college admissions.
Facts
NEIA co-founder 張瑞展 will host an education seminar at the Mandarin Oriental, Taipei, on October 28.
NEIA’s robotics team 9644 became a member of the championship alliance at the 2026 FIRST New England District Championship.
張瑞展 holds an MBA from Yale University and a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School.
NEIA graduates have received admission offers from schools including Princeton, Cornell and Northwestern.
張瑞展 founded GigaMedia, known in Chinese as 和信超媒體, and led the company to a listing on the Nasdaq in the United States.
After a family member dies, can the person who paid funeral expenses upfront get the money back? Skip 1 step and you could break the law! What to know before dividing an estate
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Drawing on 2 rulings from the Kaohsiung Family Court and the Taipei District Court, this article clarifies the legal distinction between paying funeral expenses upfront after a relative’s death and withdrawing money from the deceased’s bank account. The courts ruled that necessary funeral expenses may be reimbursed from the estate, but prohibit withdrawing money in the deceased’s name without the consent of all heirs. Families are urged to keep proof of expenses and follow the legal inheritance process.
Facts
In a ruling dated April 15, 2026, 高雄少年及家事法院 said heirs could claim NT$521,800 in funeral expenses they paid upfront from the estate.
In a criminal appeal ruling dated April 2, 2026, 台北地方法院 sentenced a wife for withdrawing money in her late husband’s name after his death.
Article 1150 of the Civil Code stipulates that expenses for estate administration, division and execution of a will are paid from the estate. The court classified necessary funeral expenses as inheritance expenses.
The estate tax deduction for funeral expenses currently published by 財政部 is NT$1.38 million.
中華郵政 rules allow a single heir to apply as a representative when the inheritance is NT$30,000 or less, but the applicant must declare that the other heirs have agreed.
After a man surnamed Tsao died, his wife arranged his funeral and returned money friends had entrusted to him, then withdrew money from a bank in the deceased’s name after his death.
The Taipei District Court’s criminal appeal ruling said that after a person dies, they can no longer authorize or consent to someone else making a withdrawal in their name.
When the light turns yellow, should you stop or speed through? Police reveal enforcement criteria: ‘Violators face a NT$5,400 fine’; many drivers get it wrong
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Taoyuan City Police Department has published its enforcement standards for yellow lights, making the stop line the dividing point: drivers who have crossed it should proceed as soon as possible, while those who have not should stop. Drivers who rush through a yellow light and cross the line after the light turns red will be fined up to NT$5,400. Police urge drivers to slow down in anticipation.
Facts
Under Article 206 of the Regulations on Road Traffic Signs, Markings and Signals, a circular yellow light is a warning signal that a red light is about to appear and vehicles are about to lose the right of way.
If a vehicle’s body or front wheels have already crossed the stop line and entered the intersection when the light turns yellow, the driver should proceed through the intersection as soon as possible, provided it is safe to do so, and should not brake suddenly without reason.
Automated enforcement systems determine whether a driver ran a red light by checking whether the vehicle crossed the stop line only after the red light came on.
Drivers of large vehicles who run a red light while going straight or turning left face a fine of NT$3,600 to NT$5,400.
Crossing the stop line on a red light without entering the intersection—when the front of the vehicle passes the line—carries a fine of NT$900 to NT$1,200 for all vehicle types.
Caregiving pressures take center stage in Zhubei mayoral race: 吳旭智 hands out thumb fans while canvassing markets, proposes senior support network to integrate welfare resources
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Zhubei mayoral candidate 吳旭智 is canvassing door to door and distributing thumb fans with information about the integrated senior citizen card. He has also proposed a senior support network, emphasizing the integration of transportation and medical resources to ease the burden on families providing care.
Facts
Zhubei mayoral candidate Wu Hsu-chih continued visiting traditional markets to canvass for votes after the Double Ninth Festival，and proposed a policy platform for a “senior living support network”。
Starting in October，Hsinchu County’s senior and disability cards will receive a monthly subsidy of 1000 points。
For eligible Taiwan Railways trips，the subsidy is capped at 100 points per one-way trip。
Wu Hsu-chih proposed 3 policy priorities：helping older adults “get out and about，” making care services “easy to find，” and easing the burden of family caregiving。
With a background in information technology，Wu Hsu-chih advocates using Hsinchu’s technological strengths to create a simple，intuitive digital portal while retaining in-person service channels。
證交所 eases trading requirements for the Innovation Board！Investors may no longer need to sign risk disclosure statements，making it easier to enter the market
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
證交所’s board of directors approved amendments to its operating rules on the 20th，scrapping the requirement to sign a risk disclosure statement before trading on the Innovation Board in a move aimed at simplifying procedures and aligning with international practices。It also approved applications by 商絡達 and 4 other companies to list on the Innovation Board；the applications will be submitted to the competent authority。
Facts
證交所 approved amendments to Article 79-2 of its operating rules，proposing to scrap the requirement to sign a risk disclosure statement before trading on the Innovation Board。
商絡達股份有限公司’s application to list 45,214,998 common shares as a primary listing on the Innovation Board was approved。
Listing applications by 大大寬頻，貝爾威勒電子 and 旭東機械，among 3 companies，were all approved after review。
The signing requirement was scrapped to align with practices in major international capital markets。
DFA’d 4 times in a year！鄭宗哲 talks for the first time about fans “summoning” him back to Taiwan，joking：It’s not up to me to decide when I can return
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
At a news conference after returning to Taiwan on the 20th，鄭宗哲 discussed being designated for assignment 4 times this year and fans “summoning” him back。He jokingly said returning was not up to him alone，and shared how studying old footage helped him regain his swing rhythm。He said he had confirmed he had what it takes to play in the major leagues and was confident about the future。
Facts
鄭宗哲 held a news conference after returning to Taiwan on the 20th。
鄭宗哲 was designated for assignment（DFA）4 times this year。
鄭宗哲 played for 海盜，光芒，大都會，國民 and 紅襪 over the course of this year。
Original鄭宗哲透過研究新人聯盟及低階1A時期的影片來調整揮棒。
鄭宗哲 believes he is unquestionably capable of playing in the major leagues。
Major acquisitions often become arenas for political maneuvering。How can the Fair Trade Commission uphold the independence of its reviews？
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article examines the political and social pressures facing the Fair Trade Commission in its review of major acquisitions。Citing scholars，it stresses the importance of preserving room for independent review and uses the 日月光–矽品 deal and Grab’s acquisition of foodpanda as examples of how improper interference can harm market order and undermine public trust in government。
Facts
陳清秀，a full-time professor in the Department of Law at Soochow University，said that when external opinions lose space for rational discussion，turn into populist outcomes and exert pressure，they may erode rational participation in administrative procedures and their oversight function。
吳秀明，then chair of the Fair Trade Commission，acknowledged facing outside pressure during its review of the 日月光–矽品 deal in 2016 and called for the commission to be given room to make professional and impartial judgments。
王世堅，a Democratic Progressive Party legislator，led a public protest outside the Fair Trade Commission headquarters over Grab’s acquisition of foodpanda’s Taiwan operations，demanding that the deal be rejected outright。
Premier 卓榮泰 reiterated during a policy address and question session at the Legislative Yuan on October 6 this year that the government had no particular position and was not favoring either side，and that the Fair Trade Commission would review the case fairly in accordance with the law。
顏廷棟，a professor in the Department of Financial and Economic Law at 銘傳大學，said the Fair Trade Commission should withstand pressure from interest groups and public opinion and fulfill its duties as an independent and professional agency。
Taiwan Series G3 preview：味全龍 seek a commanding lead！A top matchup between 鋼龍 and 羅戈 at the Taipei Dome。Starting lineups and broadcast details
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Game 3 of the 37th Chinese Professional Baseball League Taiwan Series begins at the Taipei Dome on October 20。Leading 2-0，味全龍 will send 鋼龍 to the mound to try to take a commanding lead；中信兄弟 will counter with 羅戈，hoping to halt their losing streak。
Facts
Game 3 of the 37th Chinese Professional Baseball League Taiwan Series is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. on October 20，2026，at the Taipei Dome。
味全龍 beat 中信兄弟 in the first 2 games of the Taiwan Series to take a 2-0 lead。
中信兄弟 will start foreign pitcher 羅戈 in Game 3。This season，he has a 3-0 record against 味全龍 and a 1.16 ERA。
味全龍 will start foreign pitcher 鋼龍 in Game 3。His ERA this season is 2.31。
Original中信兄弟前兩棒張士綸、張仁瑋在前兩戰合計16打數沒有安打。
味全龍’s 20-year-old prospect 曾聖安 will continue to get a start in Game 3，batting ninth and playing right field。
中信兄弟 manager 平野惠一 is sticking with the slumping players at the top of the lineup，hoping they will gain experience in the big games。
Historical data shows that 9 teams have taken a 3-0 lead in the Taiwan Series and gone on to win the championship。
Explainer：Taipei’s metro stations were once flooded by a typhoon！Typhoon Nari devastated Taipei in 2001。How did floodwaters pour into the underground city？
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Typhoon Nari in 2001 severely flooded 16 Taipei Metro underground stations and the operations control center，paralyzing the system for nearly 3 months。Floodwaters entered the metro through 4 routes。Flood protection standards and facilities were upgraded after the disaster。
Facts
In September 2001，Typhoon Nari flooded 16 underground Taipei Metro stations。Water in the Nangang Depot and the operations control center reached 4.7 meters。
On the day Typhoon Nari hit，the Taipei Station observation site recorded 425 millimeters of rain in a single day，while accumulated rainfall in the mountains exceeded 1000 millimeters。
Floodwaters entered the Taipei Metro system through four main routes：the area around Nangang Depot，the underground shopping mall at Taipei Main Station，the basement of a department store beside Zhongxiao Fuxing Station，and Taiwan Railways tunnels。
After the Taipei Metro flooding，813 personnel，222 pumps，26 generators and 1900 sandbags were deployed for repairs。The entire line resumed operations about 3 months later。
After Typhoon Nari，Taipei Metro raised its flood protection standard from 50 centimeters to 110 centimeters and added removable flood barriers and watertight doors。
趙露思 and 王楚然 both lose！The top 10 drama actresses whose lives netizens most want to have：the winner is from a prominent family，has stunning looks and is descended from nobility
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Recently，Chinese social media has been abuzz with discussion of which post-95 drama actress people would most want to become through time travel。Netizens voted for a top 10 list。The winner was 關曉彤，who comes from an artistic family；趙露思，張婧儀 and 王楚然 ranked third or tied for second，reflecting the actresses’ varying popularity and advantages of background。
Facts
關曉彤 topped the list of the top 10 post-95 drama actresses whose lives Chinese internet users most want to have。
關曉彤’s grandfather，關學曾，was a renowned Beijing master of qinshu storytelling and music。
South Korean stocks plunge again！Young investors get badly burned and trapped in losing positions；analysts warn retail investors not to rush in and buy the dip
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
South Korea’s KOSPI index has slumped recently amid a sharp decline in major semiconductor stocks，dealing a severe blow to young investors’ assets。Experts warn that market risks remain and the index could fall further，urging retail investors not to blindly buy the dip。
Facts
The KOSPI plunged 3.73% on October 20，closing at 5552.74 points。
The KOSPI has fallen 15.65% cumulatively since the start of October。
三星電子 and SK海力士 shares plunged 17.8% and 24.3%，respectively，between October 12 and 16。
三星電子 shares fell from a record high of 362,500 won to 218,000 won，a drop of 39.86%。
SK海力士 shares fell from a record high of 2.92 million won to 1.28 million won，a drop of 56.25%。
韓國投資證券 data shows that 35.5% of clients in their 20s and 39.39% of those in their 30s hold shares in the 2 semiconductor giants。
大信證券 analyst 李慶敏 estimates that the market may not return to a level near 10000 points until after July 2028 at the earliest。
台積電 could hit 5000；Taiwan stocks could surge to 70000！The “bull market commander” sends a vote of confidence，saying there’s no need to fear even as foreign investors sell 2 trillion
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
At 基富通’s 10th anniversary event，東海大學 visiting professor 張錽 said foreign investors’ net sales of 2 trillion yuan account for only 3% of their holdings and should not cause excessive concern。He is bullish on the long-term outlook for AI，forecasting that 台積電 will post EPS of 200 yuan in 2028 and reach a share price of 5000，while Taiwan’s stock index could climb to 70000。
Facts
東海大學 visiting professor 張錽 estimates that 台積電’s 2028 earnings per share（EPS）could reach 200 yuan。
張錽 said foreign investors have sold a net total of more than 2 trillion yuan so far this year, accounting for less than 3% of the market value of their holdings.
張錽 said the current market value of foreign investors' holdings has exceeded 70 trillion yuan.
張錽 estimated that 台積電 could challenge 5,000 yuan if its share price is valued at 25 times earnings.
張錽 estimated that Taiwan stocks still have a chance to rise another 20,000 points and move toward the 70,000-point mark.
張錽 said foreign investors may not make significant net purchases until next year.
Eight state-owned institutions》Foreign investors dump shares as state-owned institutions step in! They buck the trend to buy 9,902 lots of 友達, while 緯創 is sold down by 8,247 lots, topping the net-selling list
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Taiwan stocks fell more than 500 points on the 20th amid selling pressure and a weaker New Taiwan dollar, as foreign investors logged 10 straight days of net selling. Eight state-owned institutions bucked the trend by buying shares including 友達 and 聯電, while selling 緯創 and 台玻, the opposite of foreign investors' trading direction.
Facts
The Taiwan Stock Exchange Weighted Index closed down 529.15 points at 46,292.93.
友達（2409）topped the eight state-owned financial institutions' 10 biggest net purchases today, with 9,902 lots bought.
緯創（3231）had the largest net sales among the eight state-owned financial institutions today, with 8,247 lots sold.
Foreign investors have been net sellers for 10 consecutive trading days, selling a net 79.539 billion yuan today.
The three major institutional investors recorded combined net sales of NT$96.803 billion today.
Latest typhoon update》Will schools and offices close for Typhoon Champi? The crucial decision window falls during “this period”; weather expert says the situation is “a little tricky”
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Weather expert 吳聖宇 analyzed Typhoon Champi's movements, saying the likelihood of its center making landfall is low, but its outer circulation will bring significant wind and rain. Because the impact will span Friday afternoon through Saturday morning, the decision on whether to suspend work and classes on Friday is tricky. Residents should follow subsequent announcements from local governments.
Facts
Typhoon Champi's center is unlikely to make a direct landfall in Taiwan, but the edge of its storm zone may brush the northeast coast and the north coast.
Weather expert 吳聖宇 said the decision on whether to suspend work and classes on Friday is a little tricky.
Coastal areas may see strong gusts of 8 to 10 on the scale, with some exceeding 10.
Why do U.S. midterm elections matter? Trump could become a “lame-duck president”: A look at the key races in 8 Senate battlegrounds
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The U.S. midterm elections will be held on November 3, and polls show Democrats with a clear advantage. Senate battlegrounds have shifted to red states such as Texas and Ohio; the results will determine whether Trump can advance policies and appoint judges during the remainder of his term.
Facts
The U.S. midterm elections will be held on November 3 (November 4 Taiwan time), with all House seats and 35 Senate seats up for election.
A 路透／益普索 poll shows Trump's approval rating has fallen to 31%, a career low.
The threshold for a Senate majority is 51 seats. Incumbent Vice President 范斯 is a Republican, and the party can retain control of the Senate by holding 50 seats.
馬斯克 has poured nearly $190 million into political action committee advertising for the Texas Senate race.
The Ohio special election is linked to the HB6 scandal; a former state House speaker was sentenced to 20 years in prison for bribery.
Why does Taiwan drive on the left and Japan on the right? It wasn't a random decision! How countries determine which side the steering wheel goes on
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article examines the historical reasons for the differences in traffic direction between Taiwan and Japan, noting that Taiwan switched from left-hand to right-hand traffic after the war under U.S. influence, while Japan adopted left-hand traffic because of samurai customs and early regulations. It also explains the engineering and cost considerations behind the lack of a global standard for traffic direction.
Facts
About 66% to 70% of countries and regions worldwide use left-hand-drive vehicles, with the driver's seat on the left and vehicles driven on the right.
Taiwan switched to driving on the right from March 1, 1946.
Japan formally adopted left-hand traffic in 1900 (Meiji 33).
Okinawa fully switched to vehicles driving on the left and pedestrians walking on the right on July 30, 1978.
Sweden switched to driving on the right nationwide at 5 a.m. on September 3, 1967.
Britain's Highway Act 1835 required horse-drawn carriages and pack animals to keep to the left when passing.
The 1908 Ford Model T had a left-side steering wheel, and other automakers followed suit after it became popular.
Did Korean cheerleading goddess尹秀雅 enter the adult film industry? Her debut is billed around a “cheerleading outfit”—the truth leaves people stunned
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Japanese adult film studio Idea Pocket announced that 尹秀雅 would debut in November, promoting her as a Korean cheerleader. The lack of concrete records of her cheering and information about the team has led online commenters in Japan and South Korea to question whether the identity is a fictional persona.
Facts
Japanese adult film studio Idea Pocket announced the debut of 尹秀雅, who claims to have worked as a cheerleader at a baseball stadium in South Korea.
尹秀雅's adult film debut is scheduled for November.
The studio is presenting 尹秀雅 as a “curvy, healthy Asian baseball cheerleader.”
尹秀雅's social media account changed its name only in August this year, and its bio says “Korean living in Japan” and “AV actress.”
There is no publicly available information online sufficient to confirm 尹秀雅's professional cheerleading background.
Recently, social media users have shared ways to cook frozen dumplings “without turning on the stove” using a rice cooker or microwave. Lining the dish, spraying water and heating in stages help prevent the dumplings from splitting during traditional boiling, making it easy even for beginners to prepare juicy, chewy dumplings.
Facts
Pour about 1 to 1.5 cups of water into the outer pot when steaming dumplings in a rice cooker.
For frozen dumplings in the microwave, set the power to 700W and heat for 4 minutes.
After the rice cooker switches off, let the dumplings steam for 5 minutes for the best soft and chewy texture.
The second microwave heating stage takes 2 minutes; the dumplings are ready to eat once they float.
To keep steamed dumplings from sticking, line the plate with cabbage leaves, napa cabbage, enoki mushrooms, sliced sweet potato or baking paper.
No instant noodles or canned food during typhoons! The top of Taiwan's 10 must-stock items is “cheap, keeps well and easy to cook”—you can make anything taste good
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
《網路溫度計DailyView》used 《KEYPO大數據關鍵引擎》 to analyze online discussions from August 2023 to August 2025 and reveal Taiwan's ranking of must-stock items for typhoon days. “Rice/noodles” topped the list with the highest online discussion volume, upending the stereotype that instant noodles and canned food are the top choices.
Facts
《網路溫度計DailyView》used 《KEYPO大數據關鍵引擎》 to survey online discussion over the past two years and compile the must-stock items most discussed during typhoon days.
The research analyzed data from 2023年08月27日 to 2025年08月26日.
《KEYPO大數據關鍵引擎》 is an online social media database that processes more than 150 billion pieces of Chinese-language data each month.
Explainer》Airfares can be half-price for passengers aged 65 and older! From Taipei Songshan, how much do flights to Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu cost? A comparison of senior fares on domestic routes
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article explains that passengers aged 65 and older are legally entitled to half-price senior fares on domestic flights, and compares fares offered by different airlines from Taipei Songshan to Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu in October 2026. It also details the conditions for tax-free fares on return flights from offshore islands, holiday travel restrictions and refund fees, providing older travelers with comprehensive information for planning trips to the islands.
Facts
Republic of China citizens aged 65 and older are eligible for a 5-zhe fare on scheduled domestic routes.
The full fare from Taipei Songshan to Kinmen is the highest; a couple both aged 65 or older can save a combined 2,458 yuan on the outbound trip.
Passengers who buy a one-way ticket locally on an offshore island for a flight departing from that island are eligible for an offshore-island tax-free fare.
If an airline cancels a flight due to weather conditions such as a typhoon or heavy rain, passengers can obtain a refund or change their ticket without a service fee.
During Taiwan's 2026 Retrocession Day holiday period, regulated flights from Taiwan's main island to offshore islands and back will have tickets marked “valid only for the specified date and flight” and “void after expiry.”
立榮航空's senior fare to Magong, Penghu, is 1,099 yuan, while 華信航空's is 1,117 yuan, a difference of about 18 yuan.
One PX Mart milk has customers hooked after a single sip! Fans praise its “refreshing, smooth milky taste and high nutritional value”: it also tastes great in coffee
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
阿秀鮮乳 in PX Mart's refrigerated dairy section has drawn attention after a packaging redesign. The milk comes from 花蓮吉蒸牧場 and has a refreshing taste with no milky odor. It is used as the milk base for PX Mart's coffee lattes and costs about 75 yuan per liter, reflecting differing consumer views on the value and price of small-farm fresh milk.
Facts
阿秀鮮乳 has a naturally smooth taste with no milky odor; it is refreshing and easy to drink.
阿秀鮮乳 comes from 吉蒸牧場 in Ruisui, Hualien, and, like 秀姑巒鮮乳, is sourced from a single farm.
A-Xiu Fresh Milk is the base milk used in PX Mart’s freshly brewed coffee lattes.
A-Xiu Fresh Milk sells for about 75 yuan per liter on promotion, more than imported milk.
Some consumers consider the price of small-farm fresh milk reasonable, while others think it is high.
41-year-old 賴薇如 surprises fans with pregnancy announcement! After IVF and an ectopic pregnancy, she tearfully says, “The baby has come to repay our kindness”
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
41-year-old actress 賴薇如 announces a surprise natural pregnancy, ending a difficult journey to conceive that involved IVF and an ectopic pregnancy.
Facts
41-year-old actress 賴薇如 announced her pregnancy on the 20th.
賴薇如 was previously a member of the girl group 「七朵花」.
賴薇如 previously underwent IVF treatment and experienced an ectopic pregnancy.
In June this year, 賴薇如 noticed that her period was late.
Original賴薇如的丈夫名為邱樂偉。
賴薇如's pregnancy test showed 2 lines in less than 10 seconds.
Doctors have determined that 賴薇如 does not currently need amniocentesis.
A street experiment in 埔里 lets children draw pedestrian spaces; 西康路 is returned to people
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
南投縣府 held the “SEE & COME” event on 西康路 in 埔里鎮, using a short-term tactical urbanism experiment to clear a 100-meter stretch of street for residents to experience on foot. The aim was to gather feedback to improve future pedestrian spaces.
Facts
南投縣府 held a tactical urbanism event called “SEE & COME” on 西康路 in 埔里鎮.
About 100 meters of the street was temporarily cleared and converted into a public space for walking and stopping.
On 西康路, parked cars and scooters, potted plants, and vehicles parked under arcades routinely squeeze pedestrian space.
The event used a short-term tactical urbanism experiment rather than permanent road construction.
During the event, children drew colorful paths on the road with chalk while accompanied by their parents.
US-China tech rivalry escalates again! Washington bars federal agencies from using DeepSeek, suspects sensitive data leaked to China
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Citing national security and the risk of data leaks, the US Trump administration has ordered federal civilian agencies to stop using the technology and services of Chinese AI company DeepSeek and to remove related technology from existing systems.
Facts
The US Trump administration has ordered federal civilian agencies to stop using DeepSeek technology and services.
The Department of Homeland Security has ordered the removal of all DeepSeek technology and prohibited its procurement.
The ban covers third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek technology.
The US Department of Defense is not covered by the restrictions in this ban.
DeepSeek has multiple critical security vulnerabilities in the iOS app environment.
Agencies may apply to the Department of Homeland Security for exemptions within 60 days.
In January 2025, the Defense Information Systems Agency became the first to block DeepSeek AI models.
沈伯洋 leads 蔣萬安 by 17 percentage points in a poll—is the race settled? A Democratic Progressive Party strategist cites 1 figure as a reality check: after weighting, 蔣萬安 still leads
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
A poll released by 信民兩岸研究協會 shows 沈伯洋 leading 蔣萬安 by 17 percentage points, but Democratic Progressive Party strategist 阮俊達 warns that 蔣萬安 could still lead after weighting for sample bias, and that 沈伯洋 has high negative sentiment.
Facts
A second Taipei mayoral election poll released by 信民兩岸研究協會 shows 沈伯洋 with 50.3% support and 蔣萬安 with 33.3%.
阮俊達, director of the Democratic Progressive Party's New Media Center, said that after adjusting and weighting the sample structure, 蔣萬安 could still lead by 7 percentage points.
In this poll, pan-Green voters in Taipei accounted for as much as 42.2%, pan-Blue voters made up just 26.6%, and the Taiwan People's Party accounted for only 4.0%.
Original沈伯洋的負面文章比例連續2周破4成，比新北市李四川還高。
The share of negative articles about 蔣萬安 fell to 50.1% last week, its lowest level in a week since he announced his candidacy.
Check your energy bills even while showering! Famiclean upgrades its water heater with phone-based temperature control and water and gas use tracking
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
全家安 has launched the FH-1685L-S2 smart constant-temperature water heater, which enables remote temperature control and energy data tracking through APP 2.0, enhancing the home energy-saving management experience.
Facts
Famiclean全家安 has launched the FH-1685L-S2 APP-connected smart constant-temperature water heater with Grade 1 energy efficiency.
The new product features a Taiwan-developed smart chip for temperature control and meets the national Grade 1 energy efficiency standard.
The model has received the MIT Smile Product certification, and APP 2.0 was independently developed by a Taiwan team.
The brand provides in-home installation by factory technicians and a 3-year full-unit warranty.
Explainer: Typhoon flooding damages your car, but your comprehensive auto insurance won't pay? The FSC reveals the “1 key detail” many car owners don't know
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Financial Supervisory Commission clarified that Type A and Type B vehicle damage insurance do not cover typhoon or flood losses, stressing that a natural disaster add-on is required for claims. The Non-Life Insurance Association advises against starting the engine after a vehicle is flooded and recommends checking coverage through the policy passbook system.
Facts
Standard Type A, Type B and Type C vehicle damage insurance policies do not include losses caused by typhoons or floods in their original coverage.
If floodwater rises above the floor of the vehicle, avoid turning on its main power or starting the engine.
中華民國產物保險商業同業公會 reminds the public that they can check their insurance records through the “policy passbook system.”
Under the standard contract, if the insurance company has not handled the matter within 24 hours of being notified, the car owner may proceed with repairs without waiting for an assessment.
China's DRAM capacity set to surge 31%! Korean media warn the supercycle has “only 2 to 3 years left”; Musk moves the deadline up by another year
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
特斯拉 CEO 馬斯克 warned that China's memory production capacity is surging, with 長鑫存儲 projecting monthly capacity of 500,000 wafers by 2028. The market is concerned that a slowdown in AI capital spending, combined with China's capacity expansion, could bring the DRAM supercycle to a peak within 2 to 3 years.
Facts
特斯拉 CEO 馬斯克 said China will produce vast quantities of memory chips by 2028.
長鑫存儲 projects monthly capacity of 500,000 wafers by 2028, lifting its global share to 17%.
長鑫存儲 plans to launch 4F² architecture server-grade DDR5 at the end of the year.
長江存儲 accounted for 14% of global NAND bit shipments in Q2 this year, overtaking 鎧俠 to rank third.
摩根大通 warned that the growth rate of AI capital spending by US cloud giants will fall from about 100% in 2026 to 7% in 2028.
Original目前長鑫DRAM月產能約20至25萬片，年底破30萬片。
蘋果 Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering 特納斯 said limited memory supply is an absolute crisis.
中石化's 京華城 syndicated loan extension approved for 1 year; 1 billion yuan to be repaid in 2 installments next year
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
中石化 (1314-TW) announced that its 京華城 syndicated loan has been granted a 1-year extension to November 5 next year, and it plans to repay 1 billion yuan in 2 installments next year. It is also actively selling land and factories in central and southern Taiwan to strengthen its financial position.
Facts
The syndicated loan agreement for 中石化 and its subsidiary 鼎越開發 has been extended by 1 year, with the maturity date pushed back to November 5 next year.
Original中石化將於明年3月及9月各償還5億元，合計10億元。
中石化 is actively selling land in 前鎮區, 高雄市, to repay loans and bolster working capital.
中石化 is selling land and factories in central and southern Taiwan primarily to strengthen its finances and repay loans.
The 京華廣場 development project has been delayed and construction halted due to external factors.
緯創 partners with 長庚科大 on an MOU focused on developing AI healthcare talent and research collaboration
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
緯創醫學科技 and 長庚科大 have signed an MOU to develop AI healthcare talent and pursue research collaboration. The two sides will pool resources to deepen cooperation in smart health and elder care, beginning with research into AI monitoring for sleep health.
Facts
緯創醫學科技 and 長庚科技大學 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today (the 20th).
The partnership will focus on developing AI healthcare talent, research collaboration, industry exchanges, and innovative applications.
緯創醫學科技 combines medical expertise with technological innovation and integrates its software and hardware R&D capabilities.
As a first step, the two sides will jointly conduct research on sleep health using AI contactless sleep physiology monitoring technology.
【Top High-Volume, Strong-Gaining Stocks】Taiwan stocks pulled back amid volatility as foreign investors sold heavily. Don’t be fooled by foreign investors: 3 major turning points this week revealed, and you’ll regret missing them!
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Taiwan stocks pulled back under pressure from foreign investor selling, but fundamentals remain strong. This article examines foreign investors’ positioning and previews 3 major turning points this week: TSMC’s earnings briefing, Jensen Huang’s GTC speech, and earnings reports from U.S. tech giants. It highlights stocks such as 台虹, 聯一光 and 台積電, which could benefit from AI servers and advanced processes.
Facts
Original加權指數今日下跌529.15點，收在46292.93點，成交量7586.85億。
Original外資今日賣超795.39億元，連續第十日賣超。
Original投信連續第八日買超，累計買超1332.15億元。
台積電’s third-quarter revenue rose 50.9% year over year, while net income after tax increased 68.7%.
台積電 raised its forecast for full-year 2026 revenue growth in U.S. dollars from slightly above 40% to about 44%.
A subsidiary of 鴻海 spent $537 million to acquire common shares in Q-Edge Corporation.
聯發科 is reportedly working with 字節跳動 to develop AI chips, with mass production expected in 2029.
花旗: Oil prices must fall for U.S. Treasury yields to peak
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
花旗 said in a report that conditions for U.S. Treasury yields to peak have not been met, as geopolitical tensions have kept oil prices high and inflation expectations have not eased. It recommended a defensive asset allocation.
Facts
花旗’s quantitative cross-asset research report found that a pullback in international crude prices is almost a necessary precondition for U.S. Treasury yields to peak.
花旗 warned that geopolitical risks are keeping oil prices elevated, while front-end breakeven inflation rates continue to strengthen and the dollar has resumed its climb, meaning the ultimate peak in U.S. Treasury yields may not yet have arrived.
Historical data show that before the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield peaks, front-end breakeven inflation rates usually begin to decline 1 to 2 months ahead of the peak.
花旗 analyst Zhao Ying said the market is currently showing seriously conflicting signals: cyclical stocks are underperforming defensive stocks and high-yield bond spreads are widening, yet breakeven inflation rates have not fallen and are instead strengthening.
With bullish and bearish signals in conflict, 花旗’s cyclical model has shifted to a defensive “late-cycle” stance, recommending an overweight in commodities and global bonds excluding U.S. Treasuries.
輝達’s GTC conference is coming up: 3 potential opportunities for 英特爾
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
輝達 GTC 2026 is coming up, putting 英特爾 in focus because of its existing Xeon processor partnership and potential foundry and packaging orders, although details of any next-generation collaboration have yet to be confirmed.
Facts
輝達 (NVDA-US) will hold its Berlin GTC 2026 conference this week. CEO Jensen Huang is expected to deliver the keynote at 5 p.m. Taiwan time on Wednesday (21).
Both the DGX B300, powered by Blackwell Ultra GPUs, and the DGX Rubin NVL8, powered by Rubin GPUs, are equipped with 英特爾 Xeon 6776P processors.
輝達 disclosed in March this year that its next-generation Feynman platform will incorporate its in-house Rosa CPU.
Market rumors suggest 輝達 may use 英特爾’s 18A-P or 14A process to manufacture input/output (I/O) dies for the Feynman generation.
輝達 announced on March 16 that all 7 chips in the Vera Rubin platform had entered mass production.
AI takes a back seat for now! Energy stocks set to lead earnings season, with profits forecast to rise 128%, twice the tech industry’s growth
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Energy stocks will kick off the U.S. earnings season on Tuesday (20). S&P 500 energy companies’ third-quarter EPS is forecast to rise 128% year over year, about twice the increase for the tech industry. 哈里伯頓 will be the first to report, with markets focused on its Venezuela business and signs of a rebound in U.S. drilling activity.
Facts
Energy stocks will kick off earnings season on Tuesday (20)
Third-quarter EPS for S&P 500 energy stocks is forecast to rise 128% year over year
Average international oil prices were $98 per barrel in the second quarter, and energy companies’ profits rose 146% year over year
Average oil prices edged down to $91 per barrel in the third quarter
The number of U.S. onshore drilling rigs has increased 10% so far this year
哈里伯頓’s EPS is forecast at 58 cents, unchanged from the same period last year
Oilfield equipment and services is the only energy subsector where average EPS is expected to decline year over year
哈里伯頓 has reached a preliminary agreement to provide services to Venezuela
基隆市 joins forces with 中保科 on “Smart Connected Home Fire Alarm 3.0” to build a home safety network for seniors living alone
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
基隆市消防局, together with the Social Affairs Department and 中保科技, has launched Taiwan’s first “Smart Connected Home Fire Alarm 3.0” and AI family protection service, creating a safety network for seniors living alone with real-time detection and remote response.
Facts
基隆市消防局 has partnered with 基隆市政府社會處 and 中保科技 (9917-TW) on the “Safeguarding the Personal Safety of Seniors Living Alone” project, launching Taiwan’s first “Smart Connected Home Fire Alarm 3.0” service.
中保科技 has launched its “中保無限+ Family Protection Service,” incorporating AI-powered sensing technology and 24-hour professional protection services, and using non-image-based smart sensing technology.
As of the end of August this year, 基隆市 had a total population of about 358,000, including about 82,000 people aged 65 or older, or about 23% of the population.
基隆市 Deputy Mayor Fang Ding-an said the city’s “Smart Connected Home Fire Alarm 3.0” uses real-time detection and connected alerts to help relevant agencies assess situations early when emergencies such as fires occur.
中保科技 Smart City Division CEO Zhou Xingguo said that unlike traditional home-care equipment, which often relies on cameras or a single type of sensor, the service uses AI to analyze older adults’ daily activity patterns.
基隆市消防局 Director You Jiayi said seniors living alone may face greater risks when responding to emergencies such as fires because they are by themselves at home.
LNG prices in Asia surge to nearly 4-year high after tanker attacks
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Amid attacks on oil and gas vessels in the Middle East and the U.S.-Iran war, Asian spot LNG prices climbed to $30.4/MMBtu, their highest in nearly 4 years. Buyers facing shortfalls in contracted deliveries have turned to the spot market, intensifying competition with Europe and adding to inflation and energy-transition pressures.
Facts
Asian spot LNG prices surged to $30.4 per million British thermal units
The price marked a nearly 4-year high since December 2022
An LNG carrier was attacked near Yemen
Qatar accounts for about one-fifth of global LNG supply and is trapped behind the Strait of Hormuz
Volatility pullbacks are opportunities to build positions: 富喬, 德宏⊕, 建榮
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
倫元投顧 analyst Chen Xuejin issued an analysis of the Taiwan stock market, saying the index pulled back 529 points today on lower volume and recommending investors build positions in strong AI supply-chain stocks such as 富喬, 德宏 and 建榮 in stages amid volatility.
Facts
Original台股今日終場下跌529點，收在46,292點，成交值約7,625億元
The key short-term support zone is 44,210 to 45,169 points
Original外資今日賣超約795.4億元，今年以來累計賣超達2.11兆元
Taiwan’s exports reached $87.22 billion in September, up 60.9% year over year, extending the growth streak to 35 consecutive months
Taiwan-listed companies’ profit growth is forecast to reach 53% in 2026, with growth of about 24% and 23% still possible in 2027 and 2028, respectively
Original台股ETF今年平均每月淨流入約1,300億元，投信前九月累計買超約7,800億元
輝達 will hold its GTC conference in Berlin from October 20 to 22
Strong demand drawn by high yields: Japanese 20-year government bond auction sets record
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
日本財務省’s 20-year government bond auction saw record demand, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 5.84. High yields drew domestic and foreign funds back, sending yields sharply lower. Domestic net purchases of Japanese government bonds in the first half reached their highest level since 2009, driven mainly by trust banks and commercial banks.
Facts
日本財務省’s 20-year government bond auction on Tuesday (the 20th) drew record-high demand, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 5.84.
After the auction results were announced, the yield on 20-year Japanese government bonds briefly fell 6 basis points to 3.710%.
In the first half of this fiscal year (April to September), major domestic investors made net purchases of 18.755 trillion yen in Japanese government bonds.
Trust banks, which represent public pension funds, accounted for nearly half of domestic investors’ net purchases of Japanese government bonds in the first half.
More than 83% of bids in the auction came from undisclosed buyers.
道富投資管理 senior fixed-income strategist Masahiko Loo in Tokyo said high yields had made Japanese government bonds attractive investments again.
富國生命保險 said that, as yields have risen more than expected, it is considering shifting funds from foreign bonds back into Japanese government bonds.
“Certainly possible”! Jordi Visser: Bitcoin market cap could reach $50 trillion; whether “this” happens is key
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
VisserLabs founder Jordi Visser said on a podcast that hedge funds’ deleveraging had helped Bitcoin outperform major assets, with its valuation potentially reaching $50 trillion. He said the AI sell-off stemmed from a leverage unwind and forecast a rally during earnings season and toward year-end.
Facts
Jordi Visser said Bitcoin’s valuation could ultimately reach $50 trillion.
Visser said there are about $900 trillion in global assets, most of which are currently illiquid.
Visser said recent market pressure came from leveraged hedge funds seeking to hedge risk, rather than from the AI buildout.
Original摩根士丹利機構經紀部門的AI多空部位已降至過去一年第7百分位。
Visser forecast that the next rally in AI stocks and Bitcoin would come after hyperscaler earnings are released and in December.
Visser said inflation readings between 2% and 3.5% would have little impact on markets as long as there were no job losses.
OriginalVisser指出比特幣在標普500和那斯達克持平、債券下跌期間表現突出。
Companies mentioned：VisserLabs、長期資本管理公司、Long-Term Capital Management、Lone Pine Capital、CoreWeave、微軟、Meta、OpenAI、標普500、那斯達克、摩根士丹利
U.S. annual interest payments top $1 trillion for a record; 惠譽 warns sovereign rating could be cut again
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
惠譽 warned that the U.S. sovereign rating could be cut again as the fiscal deficit widens and interest expenses soar. Net interest outlays for U.S. fiscal 2026 hit a record $1.05 trillion, while interest payments on debt in developed markets exceeded $3.3 trillion. The U.S., France and the U.K. face pressure from high financing costs.
Facts
惠譽 warned that the U.S. sovereign rating would face downward pressure if the fiscal deficit, interest payments as a share of revenue, and government debt as a share of GDP continued to worsen.
Net interest outlays for U.S. fiscal 2026 reached a record $1.05 trillion.
Annual interest payments on government debt in developed markets have exceeded $3.3 trillion.
The U.S. federal government’s fiscal deficit for fiscal 2026 reached $1.99 trillion, its largest annual deficit since 2021.
聯茂 keeps expanding capacity over the medium to long term, with production of high-end products continuing to rise
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
聯茂 is actively expanding capacity at its Wuxi and Thailand plants, with monthly capacity expected to reach 5.7 million sheets in 2026, while accelerating certification and ramp-up of high-end AI materials.
Facts
聯茂 expects total combined capacity to reach 5.7 million sheets per month in 2026.
After completing the first phase of investment at the end of this year, 聯茂’s capacity will double from 300,000 to 600,000 sheets per month.
M9-grade Extreme low loss ultra-low-loss substrate material passed certification by major U.S. AI GPU makers in the second half of 2025.
聯茂 has launched IT-Q10GSE4, an M10 halogen-free, ultra-low-loss, low-latency, high-speed material.
Electric vehicles use more than 四 times as much PCB material on average as conventional gasoline-powered vehicles.
聯茂’s second-phase capacity expansion in Thailand could begin production as early as 2026.
M7 halogen-free, ultra-low electrical-loss material IT-988GL has passed certification by major server ODM end users and PCB manufacturers.
〈Export Orders〉19 straight months of growth! September hits $114.2 billion, up 62% year over year; full-year total could exceed $1 trillion
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
The Ministry of Economic Affairs reported that export orders in September of year 115 reached $114.21 billion, up 62.4% year over year, marking 19 consecutive months of growth. Strong demand for AI and consumer electronics is expected to push the full-year total above $1 trillion.
Facts
Export orders in September of year 115 totaled $114.21 billion, up 62.4% year over year.
Orders for information and communications products in September totaled $43.88 billion, up 87.3% year over year.
Orders for electronic products in September totaled $47.42 billion, up 71.0% year over year.
Orders from the U.S. in September totaled $45.38 billion, up 79.4% year over year.
Export orders totaled $819.2 billion in the first 3 quarters, up 56% year over year.
Companies expect overall export orders in October to continue rising from September, with the outlook index at 50.5.
TrendForce: Weak demand unlikely to lift prices; TV, monitor and laptop panel prices forecast to remain flat across the board in October
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Research firm 研調機構集邦 released its panel price forecast for late October, saying that despite rising costs, prices for TV, monitor and laptop panels are expected to remain flat across the board amid weakening demand.
Facts
TrendForce forecasts that prices for TV, monitor and laptop panels will remain flat across the board in October.
Procurement demand from major TV brands is forecast to fall about 5% in the 第四 quarter from the 第三 quarter.
Based on procurement demand from the top 六 laptop brand customers, a sequential decline approaching 30% in the 第四 quarter cannot be ruled out.
Panel makers face pressure from rising upstream component costs, weighing on profit margins.
Whether monitor panel prices follow suit with increases depends on whether TV panel price hikes succeed.
〈Real Estate〉Taichung’s top 十 popular transaction neighborhoods revealed; Taiping’s Xinguang Special District leads with 638 annual transactions
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
永慶房產集團 released Taichung housing market data for July 2025 to June 2026. Taiping’s Xinguang Special District topped the list with 638 transactions; the Yizhong neighborhood is popular with first-time buyers for its lower total prices, while the Buzi Redevelopment Zone attracts move-up buyers with its larger homes.
Facts
Taiping District’s Xinguang Special District recorded 638 residential transactions from July 2025 to June 2026, ranking first among Taichung City’s 十大 popular neighborhoods.
The average price per ping in Taichung North District’s Yizhong neighborhood is NT$29.3萬元, with the average total price below 1千萬元.
The average transaction size in Beitun District’s Buzi Redevelopment Zone over the past year was 48.7 ping, the largest among the 十大 popular transaction neighborhoods.
Resale homes in Xinguang Special District cost about NT$30 to 32萬元 per ping, nearly NT$5萬元 less than in neighboring Beitun District.
The prominent school district’s Buzi Junior High School began enrolling students in academic year 115, filling a gap in local educational resources.
The Buzi Village market site BOT project is expected to be completed and begin operations in 2028, with plans for a mixed-use shopping center.
Hong Kong stocks resumed trading on Tuesday after the Double Ninth Festival holiday and were weak, with the 恒生指數 falling below the 二萬四千-point threshold. Technology and heavyweight stocks weighed on the broader market, but robotics and pharmaceuticals rose against the trend, while institutions saw a turning point in tech earnings.
Facts
The 恒生指數 closed down 319 points, or 1.32%, at 23867.74, falling below the 二萬四千-point threshold.
聯想集團 plunged 9.98%, with full-day turnover reaching HK$3.851 billion.
五一視界 surged 22.25%, driven by expectations for mass production of 特斯拉’s Optimus and a catalyst from faster commercialization.
寧德時代 plunged 6.58% after 摩根大通 downgraded its rating.
翰森製藥 jumped 8.32%, buoyed by signing an ADC licensing agreement with 羅氏.
The market recorded full-day turnover of HK$190.455 billion.
Taiwan stocks’ margin maintenance ratio hits the 172% warning level! Manage exposure wisely and confidently navigate 3 major sectors.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Taiwan stocks opened lower today and then climbed, but selling pressure intensified in the afternoon and sent the market lower. The weighted index closed at 46,292.93 points, with turnover of about NT$750 billion. The margin maintenance ratio fell to the 172% warning level, while weakness in the exchange rate and South Korean stocks underscored a lack of buying support.
Facts
Taiwan’s weighted index closed at 46,292.93 points, with turnover of about NT$750 billion.
The broader market’s margin maintenance ratio has fallen to a warning level of about 172%.
The New Taiwan dollar weakened to around 32.61 per U.S. dollar intraday, marking a more than 18-month low for the current swing.
South Korea’s benchmark stock index opened higher and then fell, tumbling about 3.6%.
The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index ended its 8-session losing streak.
Is Fable 5.5 on the way? Anthropic reportedly developing new model focused on understanding user intent
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Anthropic is reportedly developing a new model with the ability to infer intent, possibly to be named Fable 5.5. The technology aims to enable AI to proactively infer goals from vague instructions, changing how people interact with it. Meanwhile, Anthropic and OpenAI are locked in fierce competition over model performance and pricing.
Facts
Anthropic is developing a new model that can infer users’ true intentions from vague instructions.
The cost of using Claude Opus 5.5, recently released by Anthropic, is about 40% lower than that of its predecessor.
OpenAI launched GPT-6 Sol and Luna about 90 minutes after Anthropic released Opus 5.5.
OpenAI’s GPT-6 Sol and Luna cut model call prices in half.
As of October 20, Anthropic’s official page listed Claude Haiku 5.5 among its active models.
〈Mainland China Stocks After the Close〉China’s LPR quotes unchanged for 17 consecutive months; 3 major indexes fall
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
China’s central bank announced that the LPR had remained unchanged for 17 consecutive months, with the 1-year and 5-year-plus rates holding at 3.00% and 3.50%, respectively. Central bank governor Pan Gongsheng said at the Financial Street Forum that the bank would promote greater diversity in loan pricing benchmarks to improve monetary policy transmission.
Facts
China’s 3 major A-share indexes ended Tuesday mixed, with the Shanghai Composite rising while the Shenzhen Component and ChiNext indexes fell.
The 1-year LPR authorized by 中國人民銀行 and released by 全國銀行間同業拆借中心 was 3.00%, while the 5-year-plus LPR was 3.50%.
The LPR quotes have remained unchanged for 17 consecutive months because the 7-day reverse repo rate, the main policy rate, has also remained unchanged for 17 consecutive months since being cut in May 2025.
Central bank governor Pan Gongsheng said the bank would work to reform the benchmark for loan rate pricing and shift toward more diverse pricing benchmarks.
Recently, financial institutions, under the guidance of the People’s Bank of China, have introduced market rates such as the interbank overnight repo rate as pricing benchmarks for floating-rate loans.
The Paper reported that the LPR was last adjusted in May 2025, when both the 1-year and 5-year-plus rates were cut by 10 basis points.
Behind the global memory chip sell-off: Is it the impact of 長鑫技術 or a correction in supply-and-demand fundamentals?
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Global memory chip stocks underwent a sharp correction in October, with SK海力士, Samsung and 美光 shares tumbling. The market is watching 長鑫存儲’s technology progress and 長江存儲’s IPO, but analysts believe the near-term impact will be limited. Meanwhile, DRAM contract price increases are moderating amid supply-and-demand adjustments and concerns about AI overheating.
Facts
長鑫存儲 plans to launch server DDR5 RDIMM memory products using a 4F² architecture by the end of 2026.
Compared with the current mainstream 6F² layout, the 4F² architecture can increase bit density by about 30% to 50% on the same wafer area.
高盛 believes the market has overestimated the short-term impact of 長鑫存儲’s 4F² technology breakthrough.
中信證券 and 野村證券 said the 4F² technology is unlikely to have a material impact on market supply and demand before 2028.
特斯拉 CEO Elon Musk publicly criticized memory prices as too high.
長江存儲 has risen to third place globally in NAND shipments.
Wu Zihao, CEO of 蓉和半導體諮詢, said the stock market correction was a systematic valuation reset across AI-related stocks.
Memory supply contracts keep getting longer: Alphabet talks extend to 2035, 惠普 and 戴爾 lock in supply through 2031
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Strong memory demand from AI data centers has extended contracts for 惠普, 戴爾 and 美光 through 2031, while Alphabet is in talks to extend its agreement through 2035, reflecting customers’ efforts to secure supply against potential shortages.
Facts
Alphabet is in talks to extend its supply contract through 2035.
美光 has reached 26 long-term supply agreements with customers.
美光 expects long-term contracts to account for about 35% of its revenue by 2030.
KeyBanc forecasts that average DRAM prices in the fourth quarter will rise 15% to 20% from the third quarter.
SK海力士 expects the DRAM supply shortage in 2027 to be the worst on record.
Is the risk of shingles 2 times higher for people with diabetes? Shingles around the eyes could threaten vision! Doctors urge 3 key steps to strengthen eye protection - Heho Health
Published ・ Source Taiwan | Heho健康
People with diabetes face a higher risk of shingles, and experts urge them to pay attention to eye health and strengthen their eye protection.
Facts
As many as 85.5% of people with diabetes worry about their eye health