The Wall Street Journal: After 2 years of unchecked power, Trump now faces a harsh reality
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
U.S. President Donald Trump faces a decline in power after midterm election losses. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing calls from Republican lawmakers to be replaced over setbacks in the war with Iran, in a bid to salvage legislative achievements during the lame-duck session.
Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been blamed for the war with Iran, which has driven up fuel prices and sharply hurt Trump’s poll numbers.
Republican lawmakers have discussed the need for Hegseth to step down if they want to get things done during the lame-duck session.
For the past 2 years, Trump has wielded almost unchecked power, overriding Congress and reshaping the global alliance system.
On Tuesday night, the balance of power for the remaining 2 years of Trump’s term shifted dramatically, weakening his influence.
Trump’s coalition of supporters crumbled as they watched Democrats make inroads in deep-red states from the White House’s East Room.
Can you eat kiwi skin? Experts reveal 1 way to eat it for “more vitamin C and dietary fiber absorption”; suitable for children, too
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The U.S. food and nutrition website EatingWell says kiwi skin is edible, and eating the fruit with the skin on can boost dietary fiber and vitamin intake. Experts recommend washing it thoroughly and choosing a variety based on personal preference, while cautioning that young children should be served kiwi cut in a way that prevents choking.
Facts
Green kiwifruit eaten with the skin contains about 3 grams of dietary fiber per 100 grams, compared with about 2 grams when peeled.
Green kiwifruit eaten with the skin contains about 75 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams, compared with about 59 milligrams when peeled.
Gold kiwifruit eaten with the skin contains about 32% more vitamin E than peeled fruit.
U.S. registered dietitian Jessica Ball reviewed EatingWell’s article about eating kiwifruit with the skin on.
Is free health insurance for more than 4 million seniors also stalled? One allowance boosted to NT$15,000; Lee Lai-hsi worries Cho Jung-tai may refuse to countersign again
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Legislative Yuan passed amendments to provide free health insurance for seniors and increase the old farmers’ allowance. Premier Cho Jung-tai refused to countersign the former, citing unconstitutionality and fiscal discipline, prompting opposition figures to question his position on the subsequent amendment to the old farmers’ allowance.
Facts
On Oct. 16, the Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of an amendment to Article 22 of the Senior Citizens Welfare Act.
On Nov. 6, Premier Cho Jung-tai announced that he would not countersign the amendment to the Senior Citizens Welfare Act.
The amendment to the old farmers’ allowance raises the monthly payment to NT$15,000.
The amendment to the Senior Citizens Welfare Act is expected to add about NT$40 billion in annual spending.
Enter a drawing for Tokyo flight tickets at the Kaohsiung Financial Expo! State-owned banks vie for a place in the high-asset zone; a look at each bank’s exclusive offers
Tesla Cybertruck to be phased out! Musk bets on AI transformation amid electric pickup sales woes
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that Cybertruck production will be gradually phased out by the middle of next year to make room for production of the Cybercab robotaxi. The decision reflects Tesla’s all-in bet on AI and autonomous driving technology amid lower-than-expected Cybertruck sales and limited profit margins.
Facts
As of September this year, Tesla had sold fewer than 100,000 Cybertrucks in the United States.
Cybertruck sales in the United States totaled 20,237 in 2025, down 48% year over year.
Tesla shares closed up 4.2% on Friday at $358.22 per share.
SpaceX is one of the major buyers of Cybertruck.
Tesla launched its Robotaxi self-driving taxi service in Austin, Texas, in June 2025.
As concerns about AI spending mount, Google’s cash flow turns negative for 2 consecutive quarters, yet it still spends $17 billion on data centers
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Google announced a $17 billion investment to take over Crusoe’s data center project in Wyoming. Despite Alphabet’s free cash flow turning negative for 2 consecutive quarters and concerns over AI financing and political opposition, it continues to expand investment in AI infrastructure.
Facts
Google announced a $17 billion investment to develop a data center campus in Laramie County, Wyoming.
Google took over Crusoe’s unfinished data center project in southeastern Wyoming, United States.
Alphabet's free cash flow was negative $9.07 billion in the third quarter, marking a second consecutive quarter in negative territory.
The data center project will build a 702MW fuel cell power generation facility.
Alphabet's capital expenditure reached $51.36 billion in the third quarter, below analysts' expectations.
Original高盛報告指出超大型科技公司今年已發行2960億美元債券。
Google pledged to cover 100% of the data center project's electricity costs.
Google invests $17 billion in AI! Acquires Crusoe's Wyoming data center site
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Google parent Alphabet announced a $17 billion investment in AI infrastructure and the acquisition of Crusoe's data center site in Wyoming, aiming to expand its AI footprint.
Facts
Google parent Alphabet announced it will invest $17 billion in an AI infrastructure project.
Google has acquired Crusoe's data center site in southeastern Wyoming, United States.
Google will build its first data center in Wyoming.
Crusoe has contracted for more than 6GW of power capacity.
Crusoe also has more than 40GW of projects in development.
Crusoe is developing another data center campus for Google in Armstrong, Arkansas.
Is the U.S. stock market turmoil not over yet? VIX stays elevated as copper prices become a key indicator of the AI rally
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
U.S. tech stocks were hit by a sharp sell-off amid political shifts following the midterm elections and concerns that investment in AI infrastructure could be constrained. Although stocks rebounded Friday, the VIX fear index remained elevated, and worries about market volatility persisted.
Facts
The Nasdaq Composite plunged more than 1,400 points Thursday (the 5th), a 5.52% drop.
As of Thursday's close, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index had fallen nearly 40% from its record high in June.
The VIX closed at 25.64 on Friday, well above Wednesday's 16.61.
The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index closed at 9,390.25 on Friday, still below its 200-day moving average of about 10,831.
Trump says U.S. carried out a “small strike” on Iran! Two missiles hit Qeshm Island
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
U.S. President Trump confirmed that the U.S. military carried out a small strike on Iran's Qeshm Island, destroying air-defense equipment. Iran reported a missile attack and said it shot down a U.S. military drone. U.S. officials are assessing whether to resume large-scale military operations, with a limited window to act.
Facts
U.S. President Trump confirmed that the U.S. military carried out a small-scale strike on Iran, destroying an Iranian-made air-defense system.
Iranian media reported that Qeshm Island was hit by two missiles.
Iran's military confirmed it had shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone over Qeshm Island.
Some of Trump's advisers have recommended taking large-scale military action before the new Congress is sworn in next January.
The U.S. military currently has more than 50,000 personnel, more than 20 ships and more than 200 aircraft deployed in the Middle East.
Trump said the United States should be regarded as an “occupier” because it controls the Strait of Hormuz.
White House officials said Trump could pursue any option at any time.
Musk's former major backer sells entire Tesla stake! 13-year investment returns 13 times the original investment; also trims SpaceX holding
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust announced it had sold its entire Tesla stake, ending a 13-year investment that returned 13 times its original value. It also cut its SpaceX stake to 11.1% to reduce financial leverage and rebalance its portfolio.
Facts
Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust has sold its last shares in Tesla, ending an investment that began in 2013.
Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust's 13-year investment in Tesla returned 13 times the original amount invested.
Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust reduced SpaceX's share of its total assets from 15% to 11.1%.
Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust reported a 31.5% return on net asset value for the six months ended September 30.
Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust invested about $470 million in Tesla over the years, generating about $6.2 billion in profit.
The SpaceX holding added 8 percentage points to Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust's half-year NAV return.
Companies mentioned：蘇格蘭抵押投資信託(Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust)、Baillie Gifford、特斯拉(TSLA-US)、SpaceX(SPCX-US)、愛丁堡全球投資信託(Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust)、Saba Capital
AI boom cooling? OpenAI reportedly secures first $11 billion in funding, valuation cut to $1.25 trillion
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
OpenAI completed the first $11 billion tranche of its fundraising, with its valuation lowered to $1.25 trillion. Sentiment in the AI market has cooled, prompting a reduction in the original $30 billion fundraising target and a strategic shift.
Facts
OpenAI has completed the first $11 billion tranche of its latest fundraising round, bringing the company's valuation to $1.25 trillion.
OpenAI originally planned to raise up to $30 billion, but has now lowered its valuation from $1.5 trillion to $1.25 trillion.
The total for this funding round could rise to as much as $20 billion, with SoftBank and Abu Dhabi's AI investment firm MGX participating.
Anthropic's expected IPO valuation is about $1.5 trillion, below the previous estimate of about $2 trillion.
OpenAI's most recent fundraising was in March this year, when it raised $122 billion at a valuation of $852 billion.
Anti-AI protests in more than 50 U.S. cities in late October | PTS News PNN
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
More than 50 U.S. cities joined anti-AI protests in late October, with demonstrators concerned that AI threatens jobs and the environment. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei acknowledged that the industry has downplayed risks and needs to slow down, but AI investment in Silicon Valley continued to hit record highs as tech companies announced large-scale layoffs.
Facts
Increased by about 4 tenths
Approaching $80 billion in 2025
Output is 10 times what it was a year ago
The number has grown from 250 schools
to 400 schools
An additional 11,000 carpenters are needed every year
White House personnel shake-up after midterms: Miller replaces Wiles as chief of staff | PTS News PNN
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 公視新聞
U.S. President Trump announced that, effective Nov. 9, current White House Deputy Chief of Staff Miller will replace Wiles as the new White House chief of staff, a move seen as a response to the setback in the midterm elections. Meanwhile, a court injunction has temporarily halted construction of Washington’s “American Arc de Triomphe” project.