title: Manufacturing outlook clouded by geopolitical risks

content_text:
The manufacturing sector rebounded last month, as domestic demand and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven growth gathered pace, but growing geopolitical risks in the Middle East continued to cast a shadow over the outlook.

In a statement released yesterday, the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER, 台經院) said the composite index for the manufacturing sector rose 3.32 points from a revised 10.88 in February to 14.20 last month, the second-highest level in the past year.

The increase shifted the sector’s signal from “yellow-blue,” indicating sluggish growth, to “green,” signaling stable conditions, TIER said.

A man works at a processing plant in New Taipei City’s Tucheng District on Feb. 25. Photo: CNA

The improvement was driven largely by domestic factors, including a post-Lunar New Year resumption of factory operations, inventory restocking and stronger demand linked to AI and high-

performance computing applications, TIER said.

Export orders, industrial production and imports posted stronger year-on-year growth, supported in part by advance stockpiling by clients seeking to hedge against uncertainties stemming from ongoing conflicts, it said.

The rebound was also reflected in a sharp shift in business signals, with the ratio of firms in contraction falling significantly, and those in stable and expansionary conditions rising, TIER said.

Among major industries, the chemical sector rebounded sharply, with export orders and production returning to double-digit percentage growth on the back of recovering demand from the semiconductor industry and increased procurement tied to geopolitical concerns, TIER said.

Meanwhile, the electronics sector continued to benefit from strong demand for AI-related applications, cloud services and the launch of new laptops, pushing its business climate indicator into “red,” the highest level in TIER’s five-color system, the statement said.

However, TIER cautioned that international developments remained a key source of uncertainty.

Tensions in the Middle East have heightened concerns over energy supply disruptions, with a potential impact on oil prices, inflation and global manufacturing activity, particularly in Asia, the institute said.

In addition, volatility in financial markets and continued trade policy uncertainties in major economies could weigh on global demand and supply chain stability, it said.

Sustained investment in AI and semiconductor technologies is expected to support the manufacturing sector, it said, but warned that geopolitical risks and external demand fluctuations would remain critical factors shaping the trajectory.


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Powell to stay at Fed as governor, keep ‘low profile’

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said he would remain at the central bank as a governor after his term as chair expires, putting an end to months of speculation as to whether he planned to stay or go.

The decision breaks with the precedent of past Fed chairs leaving the institution when their leadership term expires, but Powell said ongoing threats of criminal investigations into him and the central bank left him with no option but to stay.

“After my term as chair ends on May 15, I will continue to serve as a governor for a period of time to be determined,” Powell told a news conference on Wednesday.

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell departs after speaking to reporters following the central bank’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged at the Federal Reserve in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

The last outgoing chair to remain on the board was Marriner Eccles, who stayed on as a policymaker until 1951 after his term as head of the central bank ended in 1948.

Powell attempted to head off any criticism of his decision and to hose down concerns that he would emerge as an alternative, “shadow” leader of the Fed by saying he does not plan to lead any resistance to his successor.

US President Donald Trump has nominated former Fed governor Kevin Warsh to be the next chair.

“I plan to keep a low profile as a governor,” he said. “There is only ever one chair of the Federal Reserve Board. When Kevin Warsh is confirmed and sworn in, he will be that chair.”

US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent criticized his decision in an interview on Fox Business, saying it was a “violation of all Federal Reserve norms” and amounted to an “insult” to Warsh and Fed governors Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller, who were also picked by Trump.

Powell’s term as Fed chair ends on May 15, but his seat on the Fed’s Board of Governors does not expire until 2028.

“I’m not looking to be a high-profile dissident or anything like that,” Powell said.

The political attacks on the Fed dominated Powell’s final news conference as head of the central bank.

While Powell said he was encouraged by a decision by the US Department of Justice last week to drop a controversial criminal probe into building-renovation cost overruns at the Fed’s headquarters in Washington, he cautioned that political pressures on the central bank remain.

In announcing the end of the probe, US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said she had asked the Fed’s internal watchdog to take over looking into the construction project, but also promised to restart her investigation “should the facts warrant doing so.”

“The institution is being battered over these things,” Powell said. “My concern is legal attacks on the Fed, which threaten our ability to conduct monetary policy without considering political factors.”

Powell last month said he planned to stay at the central bank until the justice department investigation into him and the central bank is complete, so yesterday’s announcement was not unexpected.

Warsh and Powell have been on the Fed board — Warsh served from 2006 to 2011, before Powell joined in 2012 — and worked for investment firms that are well known on Wall Street.

Powell worked for the private equity firm Carlyle Group LP, while Warsh worked with Stanley Druckenmiller at the famed billionaire investor’s family office.


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Samsung Electronics Co’s semiconductor arm brought in historic profit last quarter, beating expectations with a 48-fold jump as artificial intelligence (AI) data center orders delivered hefty margins.

The chipmaking unit, which competes with SK Hynix Inc and US-based Micron Technology Inc in memory, reported an operating income of 53.7 trillion won (US$36.26 billion) in the first quarter. The result compares with the average analyst estimate of 35.3 trillion won. Group-wide net income rose to 47.1 trillion won.

The results reflect massive spending by hyperscalers, with Meta Platforms Inc and Alphabet Inc planning to plow even bigger sums into AI infrastructure. That is spurring some investors to bet that high-bandwidth memory — one of the key bottlenecks to AI’s rise — is no longer beholden to boom-and-bust cycles and could tap sustained growth.

A couple stands in front of a large electronic screen advertising the Samsung Galaxy S26 smartphone at a train station in Seoul yesterday. Photo: AFP

“The more relevant question is duration: How long does HBM4 pricing power hold, and is AI infrastructure spending durable?” Roundhill Investments CEO Dave Mazza said. “Absent a material deceleration in hyperscaler capex, the earnings runway supports current multiples.”

Samsung is “substantially” increasing its own capital spending this year, the company said on a conference call to discuss its earnings, without elaborating. It is on track to provide samples of HBM4e, the next generation of its most advanced chips for AI use, in the current quarter — ahead of SK Hynix’s road map for the latter half of the year. Samsung also sees the surging margins for conventional memory narrowing the gap to HBM next year.

The company has very limited inventory and available supply is “far short of customer demand,” a Samsung executive said on its call.

Samsung’s demand-fulfillment rate is at a record low and the supply-demand gap is likely to further widen next year, its management said.

Accelerators such as those made by Nvidia Corp are limited by the speed and capacity of memory to supply data, making DRAM a key factor in determining the quality of AI services.

Analysts expect Samsung’s chip division to build on its record-breaking profit over the next several quarters, as contract prices continue their steep upward trajectory amid limited supply. They point to a more than 180 percent rise in South Korea’s chip exports during the first 20 days of last month as a sign of continued momentum for Samsung and SK Hynix.

Counterpoint Research expects a 60 percent quarter-on-quarter rise in average DRAM contract prices in the April-to-June period, analyst Tom Kang said.

Average contract prices for DRAM rose 42 percent sequentially last month, the research firm’s monthly memory price tracker showed.

Samsung — the world’s largest memory maker — is considering a shift toward multiyear contracts with the aim to stabilize supply and ease concerns about shortages, company co-CEO Jun Young-hyun told shareholders at an annual general meeting last month. Such a move would further bolster prices and provide a buffer against cyclical downturns.

The chip unit’s profit growth contrasts with declines in Samsung’s mobile and displays operations, which are fighting rising materials and components prices.

title: Samsung’s chip profit soars 48-fold on AI spending


content_text: Visitors view robotic dogs with silicone heads modeled after Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Andy Warhol, Elon Musk and others, at the interactive art installation “Beeple. Regular Animals” by the artist Beeple (Mike Winkelmann), at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin yesterday.

title: Dawn of the robots


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Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) on Tuesday last week made a trip to Itu Aba Island (Taiping Island, 太平島) to observe a maritime rescue drill marking the first visit by the council’s head in seven years to the island in the disputed South China Sea.

Taiping Island — also known as Itu Aba — is the largest naturally occurring island in the Spratly Islands (南沙群島). It lies about 1,600km southwest of Kaohsiung, the southern Taiwanese city that administers it. It is one of two territories controlled by Taiwan in the South China Sea, the other being the Pratas Islands or Dongsha Islands (東沙群島), southwest of Kaohsiung.

While Taiping and most of the contested Spratly Islands are also claimed by Vietnam, China and the Philippines, the main threats stem from China’s gray zone activities, including land reclamation, artificial islands, airstrips and military facilities built on outcrops it controls.

The South China Sea, including the Strait of Malacca, is the world’s busiest waterway, carrying about 22 to 30 percent of global trade and supplying roughly 60 percent of energy needs for South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, as well as 80 percent of China’s crude oil imports.

While the closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered global concern over chokepoints, tensions in the South China Sea have escalated since 2024, with Chinese vessels using water cannons, swarming and ramming Philippine ships, heightening concern in Washington and the region.

Beijing on Thursday last week announced plans to upgrade more than 11,000 islands it claims to strengthen maritime power and reinforce territorial claims.

Henrietta Levin, former White House National Security Council director and senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, warned that “if conflict does break out in the western Pacific it is more likely to erupt southwest of Taiwan in the South China Sea.”

To counter China’s rising aggression, the US and its allies have sent ships and aircraft throughout the South China Sea, affirming freedom of navigation and supporting Southeast Asian claimants.

In the “shoulder to shoulder” (Balikatan) drills between the Philippines and the US, more than 17,000 service members are participating this year, including forces from Australia, Canada, France and New Zealand, with more than 1,400 from the Japan Self-Defense Forces joining for the first time. The exercises project a multinational front against China.

At the same time, Taiwan has conducted the “Nan Yuan 9 (南援9號)” drill around Taiping Island, staffed by the Marine Corps and about 200 Coast Guard members. Facilities include a runway and a wharf for a 4,000-tonne patrol ship.

The drills simulated intercepting cargo ships, rescuing injured crew, clearing marine pollution and conducting ecological research, as part of efforts to transform the island into a humanitarian base.

With more than 54 rescue operations in five years, Kuan stressed Taiwan would present itself as a humanitarian actor and contributor to ocean sustainability.

The South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, along with the First Island Chain, constitute a frontline in China–US strategic competition driven by Beijing’s ambition.

Sitting at the center of this unsettled region and facing China’s overwhelming force, Taiwan’s urgent task is to develop asymmetric maritime capabilities, and integrate air and sea defense across outlying islands.

It must also bolster cooperation with like-minded states, serving as a key “linchpin” partner for regional maritime stability and peace.

title: EDITORIAL:  Taiwan anchors regional stability

taiwan-subdivisions: 東沙 太平 南沙


title: The real meaning of Workers’ Day

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With the workers’ Day holiday upon us, discussions about wages have once again intensified.

From a statistical perspective, Taiwan’s nominal wages have not stagnated; on the contrary, they have demonstrated a long-term and stable upward trend. The minimum wage has also increased year after year, gradually raising overall wage levels. However, there is an obvious disconnect in how these figures are applied in everyday life. Why is it that growth on paper rarely translates into people’s real-life experiences?

The key issue lies not in whether wages are increasing, but whether that wage growth can keep pace with rising prices. An increase in nominal wages means higher income, but what truly impacts quality of life are real wages — income after accounting for inflation. In the past few years, the cost of living has continued to rise — from dining and rent, to other everyday expenses. Even when salaries are adjusted, the increase often does little more than cover higher costs, leaving no room to accumulate savings. Once the gap between wage growth and inflation narrows or disappears, the real value of workers’ income declines and improving one’s standard of living becomes difficult.

Even more noteworthy is that, while wage growth has remained relatively modest, asset prices have risen at an entirely different pace. In the past few years, stock prices and real estate values have increased significantly, allowing asset holders to passively accumulate wealth through appreciating prices at a rate that often far exceeds wage growth.

As a result, the structure of income distribution has begun to shift — moving from a labor-based model to one where wealth is primarily determined by asset ownership.

These changes have created a dual burden on ordinary wage earners. On one hand, wages are failing to keep up with the rising cost of living, and everyday expenses continue to increase. On the other hand, soaring asset prices have raised barriers to entry, making the accumulation of capital — already difficult for many — even more unattainable. Rising housing prices not only make homeownership more difficult, but also increase rental burdens. Meanwhile, gains in the stock market leave those unable to participate increasingly excluded from the benefits of asset appreciation.

When asset appreciation consistently outpaces wage growth, the wealth gap gradually widens. Those who own assets are able to accumulate wealth through market fluctuations, while those without assets can rely only on wages — wages which are difficult to convert into capital. This is not a mere matter of income disparity; it also concerns the allocation of opportunity and prospects for future social mobility.

Against this backdrop, Workers’ Day should not merely serve as a symbolic holiday, but as an opportunity to re-examine wage structures and distribution mechanisms. The focus of the discussion should not be limited to whether the minimum wage should be raised, but should also address how wage growth can steadily outpace the cost of living, allowing hardworking people to not only make a living, but also accumulate savings.

Wages have never been a matter of individual income; they are also a measure of how a society values labor. When income from labor becomes increasingly insufficient to support a decent standard of living — and is even gradually marginalized — the impact extends beyond individual households to the stability of society as a whole.

Perhaps the real meaning of Workers’ Day lies in reminding us of what is truly needed, which — beyond impressive growth figures — are changes that more meaningfully impact our everyday lives.

Dino Wei is an engineer.

Translated by Kyra Gustavsen


title: Walking a migrant welfare tightrope

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Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) system and other social welfare programs have long been regarded as international models. However, behind the polished image, the institutional design surrounding migrant workers in the nation’s blue-collar industries reveals a clear imbalance between welfare justice and industrial realities.

The most prominent characteristic of Taiwan’s migrant labor policy lies in the immediacy of welfare benefits.

Under the existing system, migrant workers are enrolled in the NHI and labor insurance systems immediately upon arriving in Taiwan, prior to completing registration procedures.

Extreme cases have shown that a migrant worker who has been in Taiwan for less than three days might still legally qualify for a bereavement payment equivalent to three months of insured salary — approximately NT$90,000 — if a family member back home passes away.

This design, which lacks a required contribution period and a waiting period, forms a stark contrast to the rights of domestic workers who are expected to make long-term insurance premium contributions.

At a time when many young people are delaying marriage and childbirth due to economic pressures, policies exhibiting a perceived welfare bias risk undermining legitimacy and shaking public trust.

On the other hand society often focuses solely on migrant workers’ base wages while overlooking the hidden costs borne by their employers.

Beyond monthly salaries employers must also cover food and accommodation expenses, which can account for up to NT$20,000 each month.

They are also required to contribute to the employment stabilization fund and, depending on quotas, pay an extra fee of several thousand NT dollars per worker each month.

As Taiwan’s minimum wage continues to rise, the overall financial burden is being multiplied each year.

A system originally intended to address labor shortages might instead become an overwhelming burden on small and medium-sized enterprises, and household employers.

Public discourse often labels labor brokers as “exploiters,” but this characterization does not fully align with institutional realities.

Under current regulations, agency service fees are capped at about NT$1,500 per month.

Despite this, agencies are expected to shoulder countless responsibilities throughout a migrant worker’s time in Taiwan, from accompanying them to medical appointments and handling emergencies to assisting with funeral arrangements and the repatriation of remains.

This structure of high responsibility, low compensation deviates significantly from ordinary market mechanisms.

While the government relies heavily on labor brokers and agencies to handle a large volume of humanitarian and administrative matters it has also been promoting a direct hiring system aimed at reducing the role of intermediaries.

The question is whether the government possesses alternative mechanisms capable of taking over these around-the-clock services once these agencies are phased out.

Migrant labor policy should not become a mere transplant of welfare benefits based on wishful thinking.

When human rights and welfare benefits are built upon sacrificing the profitability of industries and the sense of fairness felt by domestic workers, such a system would be difficult to maintain in the long term.

Huang Kao-chieh is honorary chairman of the National Federation of Employment Service Association.

Translated by Kyra Gustavsen


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Taiwan and India are important partners, yet this reality is increasingly being overshadowed in current debates. At a time when Taiwan-India relations are at a crossroads, with clear potential for deeper engagement and cooperation, the labor agreement signed in February 2024 has become a source of friction. The proposal to bring in 1,000 migrant workers from India is already facing significant resistance, with a petition calling for its “indefinite suspension” garnering more than 40,000 signatures.

What should have been a straightforward and practical step forward has instead become controversial. The agreement had the potential to serve as a milestone in deepening bilateral ties and bridging existing gaps; instead, it risks becoming a politicized issue that overshadows the broader promise of the relationship.

Some of the discourse surrounding the agreement, particularly claims that the arrival of Indian workers would increase crimes against women in Taiwan, is not only inappropriate, but overtly racist. More concerning is the amplification of such narratives by the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). In India, attention is also growing around the timing of KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s (鄭麗文) visit to China alongside the party’s opposition to the labor agreement, raising questions about political motivations.

While the issue might appear domestic in nature, it risks undermining Taiwan’s long-term interests. At a time when the nation is seeking to expand international partnerships, such controversies are counterproductive.

The backlash appears to stem from two main factors.

First is the possibility of external political influence exploiting sensitivities around the issue, including disinformation from Chinese sources.

Second, and more importantly, are concerns shaped by limited awareness about India. The public’s perceptions of India are outdated and insufficiently informed, reduced to narrow stereotypes. Regardless of the source of the problem, the solution lies in addressing it constructively. Awareness and sensitivity are crucial.

In 2024, following the signing of the agreement, then-minister of labor Hsu Ming-chun (許銘春) said Taiwan might recruit workers from India’s northeastern region, citing perceived similarities in culture, religion, cuisine and physical appearance.

More recently, amid renewed backlash, Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) said Taiwan refuses “to place the personal safety of Taiwanese women on a labor source country that lacks transparency and exhibits significant disparities from our own values regarding gender equality.”

Statements of this nature risk harming bilateral ties and shaping negative perceptions of Taiwan in India, particularly when they do not reflect most views in Taiwan, where India and its people are generally held in positive regard.

While it is important to address the public’s concerns, the choice of language and framing matters. As a long-term Indian resident in Taiwan, such statements and the broader backlash have been disheartening. This is not the Taiwan I know and call home.

India has long been a major source of migrant labor for several countries in the Middle East, where Indian workers have not been associated with increased crime, but have instead become a backbone of economic growth. This context is often missing from debates.

According to labor authorities, the agreement is designed to address pressing labor shortages and demographic challenges.

With a declining population and increasing demand for workers in key sectors, the initiative reflects practical necessity rather than political signaling.

This agreement is not a favor extended by either side; it is a mutually beneficial arrangement between two economies with complementary needs. India enjoys a positive image in Taiwan, just as Taiwan is regarded as an important partner in India. Episodes such as this risk creating unnecessary misunderstandings between the two societies.

A greater Indian presence in Taiwan would likely encourage deeper governmental engagement and stronger people-to-people ties that would, in turn, help bridge existing gaps and make the partnership more substantive and resilient.

Taiwan is widely seen as a friendly partner by India and its people. Politicizing what should have been a noncontroversial issue might ultimately prove counterproductive for Taiwan as it seeks to expand its network of trusted partners.

India is one such partner, and it seeks cordial ties with Taiwan alongside the eventual upgrading of economic, technological and people-to-people engagement.

India’s moment on the global stage has arrived. It is a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region — and an important one for Taiwan. The two nations are natural partners, and their relationship should be approached from that perspective. The current controversy should not be allowed to undermine what could become one of the most consequential partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

Sana Hashmi is a fellow at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation. The views expressed in this article are personal.

title: Taiwan runs risk of alienating India

people: 鄭麗文 許銘春 洪申翰


content_text:
Brahma Chellaney On Taiwan: Iran war altering China’s playbook

What began on Feb. 28 as a military campaign against Iran quickly became the largest energy-supply disruption in modern times. Unlike the oil crises of the 1970s, which stemmed from producer-led embargoes, US President Donald Trump is the first leader in modern history to trigger a cascading global energy crisis through direct military action.In the process, Trump has also laid bare Taiwan’s strategic and economic fragilities, offering Beijing a real-time tutorial in how to exploit them.Repairing the damage to Persian Gulf oil and gas infrastructure could take years, suggesting that elevated energy prices are likely to persist. But the most

The Legislative Yuan on Friday held another cross-party caucus negotiation on a special act for bolstering national defense that the Executive Yuan had proposed last year. The party caucuses failed to reach a consensus on several key provisions, so the next session is scheduled for today, where many believe substantial progress would finally be made.The plan for an eight-year NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.59 billion) special defense budget was first proposed by the Cabinet in November last year, but the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) lawmakers have continuously blocked it from being listed on the agenda for

title: EDITORIAL CARTOON


title: Trump’s tragedy of errors

content_text:
The US-Iran war raises questions about democracy, checks and global stability

It is true, as Alexander Pope once said, that to err is human. However, while everyone is fallible, some humans are more prone to error than others. That is a justification for democracy — for subjecting decisions that affect large numbers of people to deliberative processes that include checks and balances. The history of authoritarian and absolutist political rule is rife with figures whose mistakes proved calamitous not just for themselves, but for the societies they ruled.

No decision is more important than waging war against another country. Yet the US has done exactly that without even a nod to its own system of checks and balances, and reasoned deliberation. Like the kings of old, the mendacious, impulsive US President Donald Trump remains unchecked by lawmakers and surrounded by sycophants who tell him only what he wants to hear. The disastrous result is now clear: The US is once again embroiled in a Middle East war that has already cost thousands of lives — mostly civilians — and in which it has almost certainly committed multiple war crimes.

No one knows how long the war with Iran will last, how many more war crimes will be committed, or how many more innocents will be killed. However, Americans are apparently so inured to Trump’s violations of human rights and the rule of law, and so overwhelmed by the constant flood of breaking news, that they have barely mustered any protest. Even at our universities, usually hubs of protest and dissent, fear reigns. As under all repressive regimes the threat of economic consequences or worse — losing one’s visa or facing expulsion from the country or a criminal investigation — is achieving its intended effect.

As an economist, I am frequently asked what Trump’s war of choice against Iran would mean for the US and global economies. The short answer is that the longer it lasts, the greater the damage would be. However, even if the war ends quickly, the effects will linger. After all, critical supply chains have already been disrupted, and oil and gas production facilities have been destroyed. Most estimates suggest that repairs would take years.

Moreover, it is not just oil and gas supplies that have been endangered. Unlike the oil embargoes of the 1970s, the fertilizer production on which global food systems depend has been jeopardized, as well. This crisis also comes fast on the heels of other major global economic disruptions — from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to Trump’s global tariff war and destruction of the rules-based system of international trade — all of which have contributed to rising inflation and a widening affordability crisis.

Before Trump returned to the White House, inflation was on a downward trend, though still well above central bankers’ beloved 2 percent target. However, the tariffs markedly slowed this trend, and inflation has taken off globally once again. With many countries, including the US, already facing an affordability crisis that US policies have made worse, the risk now is that central bankers everywhere would either raise interest rates or at least slow the pace at which they were lowering them.

That in turn would exacerbate the affordability crisis — because buying a house or paying down a credit card would become more difficult — and slow a US economy already shaken by the trauma of Trump’s erratic trade immigration and fiscal policies. Were it not for the unbridled spending on artficial intelligence (AI) data centers — supporting some one-third of US growth — the US economy would be truly anemic. And with Trump’s regressive tax cuts for billionaires and corporations now in force the US has less fiscal space to buffer the disruptions he has caused and those that AI might bring — from job dislocations to the collapse of the tech bubble.

Trump’s claim that the US would benefit as a net oil exporter is nonsense. Yes, Exxon would benefit, but US consumers pay prices that are set globally — and that have risen substantially. Under such conditions, the US obviously should impose a windfall-profits tax. However, that would not happen under an administration so thoroughly captured by the fossil-fuel industry.

The US’ former allies in Europe are also being battered by the Trump-induced increase in energy prices and supply shortages. If European policymakers tie electricity prices to gas prices as they did early in the Ukraine war, they could make matters even worse. However, if Europe adopts a strategy to restore its sovereignty by reducing its dependencies on US technology and defense, it could strengthen its position now and over the long term.

Regardless of how long the war and the current stagflationary conditions last, the long-term consequences of this episode would be profound. One hopes the world would recognize that the “variability” of sun and wind power is far more manageable than continued dependence on fossil fuels, which are subject to the whims of erratic authoritarian figures like Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. If Trump’s war accelerates the green transition globally, it would have a significant silver lining.

In any case yet another nail has been added to the coffin of the peaceful borderless world that our forebears sought to build after World War II. Under Trump, the country that laid the foundations of that world is now dismantling it.

Between the new cold war with China and the apparent lack of resilience in global supply chains, there is little cause for optimism, and with democracy in the US in such a weakened state, the human errors and their consequences are piling up fast.

Joseph E. Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate in economics, is a former chief economist of the World Bank, a former chair of the US President’s Council of Economic Advisers, university professor at Columbia University, and the author, most recently, of The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society.

Copyright: Project Syndicate


title: China turns up economic pressure on US

content_text:
When US President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in October last year, he rated the summit a “12 out of 10,” and the White House said China would “effectively eliminate” rare earth export controls and cease retaliation against US firms.

Instead, even as it has refrained from overt criticism of Trump over the Iran war and signaled it wants a positive meeting between the two leaders, Beijing has quickly moved to expand its toolkit of economic pressure mechanisms aimed at Washington. Since October last year, China has enacted laws to punish foreign entities that shift supply chains away from China, tightened the rare earth licensing regime, banned foreign artificial intelligence (AI) chips from state-funded data centers, barred US and Israeli cybersecurity software from Chinese companies and is weighing curbs on solar manufacturing equipment exports to the US. The pattern speaks to something more than reactive tit-for-tat, experts say, with China using the trade truce to build out a menu of economic influence tools that was, until recently, almost exclusively Washington’s domain ahead of a planned summit between Xi and Trump later this month.

“The hope on the Chinese side is for a longer lasting, more broadly rooted truce, but it’s very much that ‘if you want peace, prepare for war’ logic,” Trivium China geopolitics analyst Joe Mazur said.

The truce, set to expire in November, was forged in part by Beijing’s threats last year to restrict rare earth exports to the US. Those controls caused shortages across US auto supply chains within weeks, helping to bring Trump to the negotiating table with Xi at a meeting in Busan, South Korea, analysts said.

China has not idly bided its time since then and has enacted several potential retaliatory measures, that could be used against efforts to offshore production from the country or to impose measures against its raw material imports, that it feels are necessary to defend its interests.

Last month, Chinese Premier Li Qiang (李強) signed two regulations — the first of their kind in China — granting authorities sweeping new powers to investigate foreign firms, governments and individuals accused of discriminating against China’s industrial and supply chains, and enforcing what Beijing calls “unjustified extraterritorial jurisdiction” against Chinese entities. Authorities can deny entry, expel and seize the assets of those found in violation. The conflict in Iran sharpened China’s focus on new economic measures, particularly as US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent threatened last month to sanction buyers of Iranian oil exports, of which China buys 80 percent.

Yuyuan Tantian (玉淵譚天), a social media account affiliated with state media, framed the new regulations explicitly as legal countermeasures, writing two days after Bessent’s warning: “In the past, our countermeasures were largely concentrated in the trade domain. But today’s international friction is comprehensive, and those tools are no longer sufficient.”

The rules on supply chain and extraterritorial interference took effect immediately, with no opportunity for business feedback, American Chamber of Commerce in China president Michael Hart said.

“Companies now face an asymmetry: China can reduce purchases from foreign firms with little consequence, while a foreign company that cuts its dependence on China risks investigation,” Hart said.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Washington has applied its own pressure, launching trade probes into excess industrial capacity and the use of forced labor in China in March, on top of export restrictions on semiconductors and chipmaking equipment that have slowed China’s ability to produce cutting-edge chips.

“It’s because of export controls that China doesn’t have access to some of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment in the world,” Economist Intelligence Unit industrial policy analyst Chim Lee (李子謙) said.

The competition for leverage has also complicated a deal for China to buy tens of billions of dollars of Boeing aircraft. Beijing wants the planes and spare parts, but Washington has said it needs Chinese shipments of the rare earth yttrium to make jet engines, US government and company officials with knowledge of the discussions have said.

Beijing has responded to the US moves with escalating regulatory force. Since late last year, it has required chipmakers to use at least 50 percent domestically made equipment when adding new capacity, banned certain US and Israeli cybersecurity software, and mandated state-funded data centers to replace foreign AI chips — compelling domestic substitution while pushing US suppliers out of the Chinese market.

China’s use of extraterritorial export controls could “disrupt global supply chains on an unprecedented scale, leading to both economic and non-economic damage,” the European Chamber in China wrote last month in a report on China’s export controls.

As the US moves to reduce its dependence on Chinese critical minerals, China is racing to identify new choke points. Officials have held initial talks with solar panel equipment providers about limiting exports of the most advanced technology to the US.

“There’s going to be more effort on the Chinese side to identify where those choke points are,” Mazur said. “They’re going to keep throwing things at the wall to see what sticks.”


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It has been almost two decades since the late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe stood in India’s parliament and told the assembled legislators that “it is incumbent upon us two democracies, Japan and India, to carry out the pursuit of freedom and prosperity in the region.” Abe defined their task as protecting the freedom of navigation in what he was the first to call the Indo-Pacific. That task has gotten only more urgent as the US withdraws — or more recently imposes blockades on crucial straits — and China pushes harder against the First Island Chain.

Abe’s vision never really became reality because Japan’s efforts with India and others in Asia always had self-imposed limits. However, there is a chance now that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has eliminated some of those constraints. With the revision last week of rules to remove restrictions on overseas sales of lethal weapons, Japan can export advanced equipment including warships and missiles and support its partners’ defense far more directly.

There is a great deal of pent-up demand that Tokyo is moving to satisfy as quickly as possible. Last weekend, Australia announced the purchase of three Mogami-class frigates made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. When Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi visits the Philippines and Indonesia in a few days some more deals are likely to be announced. Indonesia is reportedly interested in the upgraded frigates as well.

This process should have begun a few years ago when countries’ budgets were not under quite as much pressure. They are now burdened by higher levels of debt and security planners are struggling to figure out whether to spend scarce hard currency on expensive legacy platforms or on the drones and autonomous weapons they suspect might determine how the battles of the future are won.

Separately, a new challenger for Asia’s defense spending has emerged. Last week, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung was in New Delhi. India and South Korea coproduce Hanwha Aerospace Co’s K9 howitzer, and South Korean manufacturers do not want to stop there.

The country’s rise in the arms-trading charts has been meteoric. However, so far, almost half of its defense exports have gone to Poland, including an order for 360 of Hyundai Rotem Co’s K2 tanks. South Korean producers’ combination of price flexibility and quality could prove attractive to Asian militaries in the coming years; the Philippines has already ordered FA-50 light combat aircraft and new warships.

The saga of the US-2 seaplane is illustrative. It was the first piece of equipment operated by the self-defense forces that Tokyo was willing to export because it was usable for civilian search and rescue as well and thus permitted even under the previous arms-control regime.

India has been in talks to buy it since at least 2011. At first, the price was set too high, and then the tech transfer and coproduction were hard to pin down. The underlying problem was Japanese inexperience. As the analyst Satoru Nagao said at the time: “There was no one responsible official on Japan’s side.”

Tokyo would have to learn salesmanship quickly — because more is at stake than a few conglomerates’ profits. The entire region is learning to live with a US that is at best distracted and at worst antagonistic. The US was the keystone of the Indo-Pacific’s security architecture, sitting at the center of a web of formal alliances and informal groupings. The glue holding it all together was shared platforms, long-duration defense deals, codevelopment and integrated arms supply chains.

If Asian nations are to try and replicate this structure, then they would need Japan to step up. Abe’s vision of the Indo-Pacific was built around a group of partners that were able to hold the line for themselves; however, the unstated assumption was that the US would fill whatever gaps were left.

That assumption has now failed and threatens to take Abe’s “free and open Indo-Pacific” down with it. A new glue is needed for the region, and its countries do not have many options. South Korean arms would help; however, Japan would have to become a supplier and organizer as well as a strategist.

If Takaichi can get slow-moving corporations and doubtful officials to act swiftly, she has a chance of salvaging just enough of her mentor’s ambitions to make a difference.

Mihir Sharma is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. A senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, he is author of Restart: The Last Chance for the Indian Economy. This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

title: Japan can help Asia learn to live without US


title: Taiwan keep Thomas Cup hopes alive

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NO HARD FEELINGS: Taiwan’s Lin Hsiang-ti and Indonesia’s Dhinda Amartya Pratiwi embraced after fighting to a tense and rare 30-29 final game in their Uber Cup match

The Taiwanese men’s team on Wednesday fought back from the brink of elimination to defeat Denmark in Group C and advance to the quarter-finals of the Thomas Cup, while the women’s team were to face South Korea after press time last night in the Uber Cup quarter-finals in Horsens, Denmark.

In the first match, Taiwan’s top shuttler Chou Tien-chen faced a familiar opponent in world No. 3 Anders Antonsen. It was their 16th head-to-head matchup, with the Dane taking his fourth victory in a row against former world No. 2 Chou, winning 21-14, 13-21, 21-15 in 1 hour, 22 minutes. The two now have eight career wins apiece against each other.

Two-time Olympic men’s doubles gold medalist Wang Chi-lin and partner Chiu Hsiang-chieh leveled the tie, beating Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard 21-7, 22-20 in 35 minutes. Wang and Chiu are now two-and-three against the Danish duo.

Taiwan’s men’s team for the Thomas Cup badminton tournament pose in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of the Chinese Taipei Badminton Association via CNA

However, in an upset, world No. 41 Magnus Johannesen edged past All England champion and world No. 8 Lin Chun-yi 21-17, 16-21, 21-19 in 1 hour, 13 minutes.

Dev Sukumar of BWFbadminton.com quoted Johannesen as calling the final game of the match “intense.”

“It was like every time I lifted, he was just smashing it down. I could not play the net,” he said. “So it was about finding that balance. It was crazy to play in there. It was so intense.”

Liu Kuang-heng and Yang Po-hsuan returned balance to the tie, outlasting Kim Astrup and Mathias Christiansen 24-22, 21-17 in 42 minutes.

That put all the pressure on Chi Yu-jen, who took the first game against Ditlev Jaeger Holm 21-11, but fell 21-9 in the second, setting up a thrilling deciding game. Chi earned the first three match points at 20-17, before Holm staged a comeback to level and take the advantage, but the Taiwanese shuttler scrambled to stay alive, finishing off his opponent 27-25 in 1 hour, 10 minutes.

BWFbadminton.com said that Taiwan’s men’s team is the most formidable it has been in years.

“We did have a discussion that we have a chance this time,” Sukumar quoted Chou as saying. “Earlier, we didn’t have aspirations for the Thomas Cup because it seemed very far for us. This time it’s closer. We need to cheer each other and try to push each other.”

Taiwan’s best performance in the Thomas Cup was a bronze-medal finish in 2024.

They on Saturday dominated Sweden 5-0 in their Group C opener, but on Monday lost 3-2 to South Korea. Wednesday’s win was enough to send them to the quarter-finals, alongside Denmark.

Taiwan are next to face India, who finished second to China in Group A, while Japan and Malaysia advanced in Group B and Thailand and France advanced in Group D.

Although Indonesia on Tuesday denied Taiwan the top spot in Group C of the Uber Cup in a heated tie, the teams shared a few emotional moments.

With the teams tied 1-1, Taiwanese world No. 18 Lin Hsiang-ti took the first game 21-10 and then fought past Dhinda Amartya Pratiwi to win a narrow second game with the rare score of 30-29.

However, even after losing a tense challenge that ended the match, Pratiwi walked over to embrace Lin, BWFbadminton.com reported.

“This tournament is important, but it’s all right to give a hug,” the site quoted Pratiwi as saying. “She [Lin] appreciated me; she said I’m strong and I’m so young.”

The teams shared a few more smiles, despite Indonesia fighting back to take the final doubles and singles games.

China and Denmark from Group A, Japan and Malaysia from Group B and South Korea and Thailand from Group D also advanced to the Uber Cup quarter-finals.


title: Pistons stay alive, as Rockets keep up fight

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Cade Cunningham on Wednesday kept top-seeded Detroit’s NBA playoff run alive against the Orlando Magic, as the Los Angeles Lakers again failed to close out their series with Houston.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off an impressive comeback victory to take a 3-2 lead over the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the playoffs.

Cunningham scored a Pistons playoff-record 45 points to drag his side to a 116-109 victory on a must-win night, steering Detroit back to a 3-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series.

The Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham, right, drives against the Orlando Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr during Game 5 of their first-round NBA playoffs series in Detroit, Michigan, on Wednesday. Photo: AP

The Pistons star man, having returned from a collapsed lung, played nearly 44 minutes as Detroit avoided a stunning first-round ouster at the hands of eighth seeds Orlando.

“We dug ourselves a big hole, it’s going to be a tough one to climb out of, but we handled business tonight,” Cunningham said.

“We’re at our best when our backs are against the wall,” he added.

Having dominated the Eastern Conference during the regular season, Detroit has faltered badly at the start of the post-season.

Needing to win three in a row to escape the first round, the Pistons came out of the blocks fast in front of a home crowd.

Playing with a high energy bordering on desperation, Detroit owned the glass with 17 rebounds in the first quarter, building a 12-point lead.

Cunningham exploded into the game with 20 points in the second quarter, but the gap closed to six points by halftime, and Orlando missed two go-ahead three-pointer attempts soon after the break.

The Pistons took advantage and powered well clear. Orlando refused to quit, mounting a late charge including a pair of Paolo Banchero three-pointers that narrowed the lead back to three points.

However, a Cunningham triple with barely 30 seconds remaining sealed the win. Banchero top-scored for Orlando with 45 points.

The Magic would have another chance to finish a surprise series win today back in Orlando. A possible decider would take place in Detroit on Sunday.

Jabari Smith Jr’s 22 points helped the Houston Rockets grind out a gritty 99-93 win to bring their series with the Los Angeles Lakers back to 3-2.

The Lakers had led 3-0, but face a tricky trip to Texas for Game 6. The return of key offensive contributor Austin Reaves after nine games out with an oblique injury had boosted the Lakers, who got off to a bright first quarter on Wednesday.

However, the Rockets — who were again without star forward Kevin Durant with an ankle issue — shot ahead, building a 13-point advantage midway through the final quarter.

A LeBron James driving layup reduced the deficit to single digits with five minutes remaining, pumping up the home crowd, but it was not to be for the Lakers. Another loss in Houston today would put the Lakers at risk of becoming the first team in history to blow a 3-0 lead in a playoff series.

Veteran 41-year-old superstar James top-scored on the night with 25 points, continuing his remarkable post-season form, but failed to score any of his three-pointer efforts.

Cleveland secured a fifth straight win for the home team in their series against Toronto to take a 3-2 lead after a 125-120 victory.


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Juan Jose Guilarte is like any other 10-year-old as he raced around a park in Cuba’s capital, Havana, but one detail distinguishes the sports-mad kid who dreams of Olympic glory: his prosthetic leg.

Guilarte was born with a congenital malformation that resulted in his left leg developing only as far as the femur and the kneecap. His condition has never held back the effervescent child, who lists off a plethora of career ambitions, from “YouTuber, scientist and teacher,” as well as elite athlete.

Twice a week he practices pentathlon — running, obstacle racing, swimming, shooting and fencing — and martial arts.

Juan Jose Guilarte, second right, is carried by his pentathlon trainer Albert Luis Campbell, right, as his grandmother Suleimi Licea Rodriguez, left, and his mother Sheila Guilarte adjust his prosthesis in Havana on April 16. Photo: AFP

In his bedroom, a Spider-Man figurine occupies pride of place on his desk.

“I like him a lot because he is very fast and jumps a lot,” he said.

“He loves to dream, create and tell stories,” his mother, Sheila Guilarte, said, adding that his condition never gets him down because he brims with self-confidence.

While no hurdle seems too high for Juan Jose Guilarte to clear, his sporting ambitions have been thrown into flux by Cuba’s worst economic crisis in decades, aggravated by a US oil blockade.

Since January, the Havana native has been waiting for an operation to prevent his thigh bone, which is still growing, piercing the skin of his stump, which would cause him unbearable pain.

Since the age of two he has already undergone three such procedures, after which he is fitted with a new prosthesis, adapted to his height and weight.

However, a shortage of the anesthetics used to sedate patients during surgery combined with recurring power outages have led to his latest operation being indefinitely postponed.

Faced with crippling shortages of fuel and medication, hospitals have drastically reduced elective surgeries, with the Cuban Ministry of Public Health saying that 96,000 people, including 11,000 children, are on waiting lists for operations.

Before each sports session Juan Jose Guilarte clips on a lightweight carbon-fiber prosthetic limb designed for running.

Getting his thigh into his prosthesis is more and more of a squeeze.

“It really hurts,” he said, adding: “I want to be operated on now.”

His carbon-fiber leg was a gift from an American boy with the same disability, who traveled to Cuba in 2023 to give away one of his artificial limbs after himself being on the receiving end of a donated prosthesis a few years earlier.

Juan Jose Guilarte’s neighbors saw the offer advertised on social media and immediately notified his family.

A few days later, the two children met in Havana and Juan Jose Guilarte came away with a new spring in his step.

His prosthetist personalized the new appendage with a little Cuban flag — which one day Juan Jose Guilarte hopes to fly for his country.

“Since he was little he has said he’s going to the Paralympics to win a medal,” his mother said.

Juan Jose Guilarte made it clear which podium place he’s aiming for.

“I want to win gold,” he said.

title: Cuban boy’s sports dreams on hold amid surgery backlog


title: York scores in OT to propel Flyers to reach round 2

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Cam York on Wednesday flicked a wrist-shot for an overtime winner that ignited a Flyers’ celebration 14 years in the making to chase away years of bad hockey in Philadelphia.

He slithered free from the mob of exuberant teammates and chucked his stick deep into the stands and watched it soar, only no one was really sure in the moment where it landed.

“I hope everyone’s OK,” York said with a laugh. “Definitely don’t want a lawsuit. Just honestly blacked out. I didn’t know what to do. I was so excited.”

The Philadelphia Flyers’ Dan Vladar celebrates after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 in Game 6 of the first found of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

York snapped the tension and a scoreless tie, burying the winner 17:32 into overtime and sending the Flyers into the second round for the first time in six years with a 1-0 Game 6 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Flyers are set for a second-round showdown against the Carolina Hurricanes.

“Just tried to put it there,” York said. “We knew that it was going to be a greasy one. It felt really good to see that one go in.”

Dan Vladar stopped all 42 shots and prevented the Penguins from playing for a shot at playoff history.

Sidney Crosby and the Penguins tried to become just the fifth team in NHL history to win a series after trailing 3-0. They won two straight to force Game 6.

Arturs Silovs made 31 saves.

“We were a shot away from going back to Pittsburgh for Game 7,” Crosby said. “It comes down to bounces sometimes. Putting yourself in that position is tough. I think we all had a lot of belief we could dig ourselves out of it.”

Elsewhere, the Montreal Canadiens beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 to take a 3-2 lead, while the Vegas Golden Knights pipped the Utah Mammoth 5-4 in overtime to take a 3-2 lead.

Additional reporting by staff writer


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Potapova makes history in Madrid, while Hsieh exits

Anastasia Potapova on Wednesday turned tennis heartbreak into history by becoming the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semi-final with her thrilling 6-1, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 victory over Karolina Pliskova at the Madrid Open, as Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei exited in the women’s doubles quarter-finals.

The Russian-born Austrian, who lost in qualifying last week, has capitalized on her unexpected main draw entry and stunned former world No. 1 Pliskova in a roller-coaster clash despite squandering three match points.

Potapova’s run has included impressive victories over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world No. 2 Elena Rybakina.

Russian-born Austrian Anastasia Potapova returns to Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic during their Madrid Open women’s singles quarter-final on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Asked if she had thought she would be in the final four after her qualifying loss, the unseeded Potapova said: “No, I wouldn’t, for any money and anything. That’s what makes our sport beautiful. I was given a second chance and now I’m here.”

“I’m super happy. There’s nothing better that could happen to me in my life at the moment,” she said.

Potapova is to meet Marta Kostyuk in the semi-finals, after the Ukrainian posted her 10th consecutive victory, on the back of her title run in Rouen, France, 7-6, 6-0 (7/1) over 13th seed Linda Noskova.

Having recently switched allegiance from Russia to Austria, Potapova is the first player representing Austria to reach a WTA 1000 semi-final.

Kostyuk, along with her compatriots, does not shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players ever since the war in Ukraine started four years ago.

Asked if Potapova changing her nationality to Austrian would change her stance when they square off, Kostyuk said: “The only person that I shake hands with is Daria Kasatkina, because she didn’t just change her passport, she also openly said that she doesn’t support the war and all of that stuff.”

“So this is why me and like other girls made the decision to shake hands with her, purely out of respect,” she said. “In this case, I mean, there have been multiple players who have changed their nationality, but none of them ever voiced anything against war or anything to support Ukrainians. So for me that doesn’t change.”

Meanwhile, seventh seeds Hsieh and American partner Sofia Kenin lost 3-6, 6-4, 10-4 to Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic and France’s Kristina Mladenovicn in the women’s doubles quarter-finals.


title: Snooker champion Zhao succumbs to ‘Crucible curse’

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Defending champion Zhao Xintong on Wednesday fell victim to the “Crucible curse” as he was knocked out of the World Snooker Championship following a 13-10 quarter-final defeat by Shaun Murphy.

Zhao, 29, was the first Chinese player to be crowned world champion when he beat three-time winner Mark Williams 18-12 in last year’s final.

However, Wednesday’s outcome means no first-time world champion has retained the title since the tournament moved to Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in 1977.

China’s Zhao Xintong plays a shot during his quarter-final against England’s Shaun Murphy at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield, England, on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Murphy’s victory leaves the Englishman just two wins away from a second world title, 21 years after lifting snooker’s most prestigious trophy.

Zhao established an early 3-0 lead only for the 43-year-old Murphy to come back into the best-of-25-frames contest.

“Shaun played really well, he gave me big pressure and played perfect snooker today,” Zhao told the BBC. “He deserved to win.”

The players were all square at 8-8, but Murphy edged ahead with a break of 98 before reeling off several more telling contributions, including a match-clinching effort of 69, against a player he labeled the “best on the planet” earlier this week.

“When you’re playing great players, which Zhao Xintong unquestionably is, it makes it straightforward for you,” Murphy said afterward.

There would still be Chinese representation in the last four after 22-year-old Wu Yize beat Iran’s Hossein Vafaei 13-8 to set up a semi-final with Mark Allen.

The match was level at 4-4 early on, but Wu, who struck 12 breaks of 50 or more, eventually pulled clear of Vafaei to book his first appearance in the semi-finals of the World Championship with some impressive potting.

Vafaei, who edged world No. 1 Judd Trump 13-12 in the previous round, likened Wu to a computer game.

“The guy was potting from everywhere — I lost four or five frames out of nowhere... It was like playing against a PlayStation you know? You are thinking, where can I put the cue ball?” Vafaei said.

In the other quarter-final, four-time world champion John Higgins defeated Australia’s Neil Robertson, the 2010 Crucible king, 13-10 after falling 9-6 behind.

Earlier, Allen capitalized on an astonishing error by Barry Hawkins to book his place in the semi-finals for the second time in four years with a 13-11 win.


title: Sara Duterte impeachment advances

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PHILIPPINE COMMITTEE:  The head of the committee that made the decision said: ‘If there is nothing to hide, there is no reason to hide, there is no reason to obstruct’

A Philippine congressional committee on Wednesday ruled that there was “probable cause” to impeach Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte after hearing allegations of unexplained wealth, misuse of state funds and threats to have the president assassinated.

The unanimous decision of the 53-member committee in the Philippine House of Representatives sends the two impeachment complaints to deliberations and voting by the entire lower chamber, which has more than 300 lawmakers.

The complaints centered on Duterte’s alleged illegal use and mishandling of intelligence funds from the vice president’s office, and from her time as education secretary under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Protesters call for the impeachment of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte outside the Philippine House of Representatives in Quezon City, Metro Manila, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Duterte and the president were running mates in an alliance in the 2022 election, but have since had a bitter falling out.

Duterte has denied wrongdoing.

If impeached by the entire House, she would face trial before the Philippine Senate.

At Wednesday’s hearing, the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation said that comments made by Duterte during an online news conference in 2024 to have Marcos, his wife and the House speaker killed if she herself was assassinated was a threat to national security.

Philippine Representative Gerville Luistro, who heads the justice committee, criticized the vice president for failing to attend six televised hearings and for asking the Philippine Supreme Court to stop the impeachment inquiry on several allegations, including huge bank transactions over the years that she has not declared as required by law.

“If there is nothing to hide, there is no reason to hide, there is no reason to obstruct,” Luistro said at the start of Wednesday’s committee hearing. “The only people who fear the disclosures of these transactions are those with dirty secrets.”

Duterte’s lawyers in response to the House’s committee’s decision said that “the proceedings before the committee departed from the constitutional design.”

“Instead of confining itself to the verified complaints and their attachments, the process expanded into matters that properly belong to a full trial,” they said.

Duterte’s husband, Manases Carpio, on Monday filed criminal complaints against Luistro and other legislators and officials after government records of the couple’s bank transactions were made public in a recent House hearing.

They said that contravened the country’s bank secrecy law.

Most of the allegations against Duterte had been included in an impeachment complaint she survived on a technicality last year.

The House voted to impeach her last year and sent the case to the Senate for trial. The Supreme Court later ruled that the lower chamber violated a constitutional rule that only one impeachment case could be processed by it in a single year.


title: Attack in London prompts security boost

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TWO JEWS STABBED: The Metropolitan Police chief faced calls to resign after a man attacked people in the Golders Green area in what police said was an ‘act of terror’

The British government yesterday announced an extra ￡25 million (US$34 million) to fund security for Jewish communities after two Jewish men were knifed in London a day earlier.

“People have a sense of deep insecurity ... and that is why the government is bringing forward investment, an additional [￡]25 million to invest in the security of our Jewish community. That will pay for more protective security for our Jewish synagogues, schools, places of worship, community centers,” British Secretary of State for the Home Department Shabana Mahmood told Sky News.

The attacks on Wednesday in north London come in the wake of a string of arson attacks on synagogues and other Jewish sites in the region, and a deadly attack in which two people died at a synagogue in Manchester last year.

A screen grab taken from video, which has been edited to obscure faces, shows police grappling with a suspect in the Golders Green neighborhood of London on Wednesday. Photo: AFP / Metropolitcan Police

British Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis told Times Radio the government would fast-track legislation that would allow the prosecution of people acting as a proxy of a state-sponsored group under the British National Security Act.

The government said the new powers would mean that proxies could be dealt with in the same way as foreign intelligence services.

The two men were stabbed and injured on a London street in what police called an act of terror. Police arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder.

The Metropolitan Police said that the attack in the Golders Green area left two men, ages 34 and 76, hospitalized with knife wounds.

Counterterrorism police are investigating whether the stabbings are linked to arson attacks on synagogues and other Jewish sites in the British capital.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a meeting of the government’s emergency committee and vowed to “deal with the roots of anti-semitism and extremism.”

Some expressed anger over failures to keep the public safe.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley faced shouts of “shame on you” and “resign” from bystanders when he made a statement at the scene of the stabbings.

The Shomrim security organization said that a suspect “was seen running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and attempting to stab Jewish members of the public.”

The suspect was detained by Shomrim members and arrested by police, who used a stun gun on him, it said.

Surveillance camera footage showed a man beside a bus stop donning a kippah, or traditional skullcap, before a passerby with a knife lunges at him.

Rowley said the suspect, whose name had not been released, had “a history of serious violence and mental health issues.”

The number of anti-semitic incidents reported across the UK has soared since the attack by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza, according to the Community Security Trust charity.

The group recorded 3,700 incidents last year, up from 1,662 in 2022.

Britain’s chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, said that Jews face a campaign of violence and intimidation, and that words of condemnation are no longer sufficient.

“This must be a moment that demands meaningful action from every institution, every community, every leader and every decent person in our country,” Mirvis said. “This is a hatred that we must face down together.”

Additional reporting by Reuters


title: Mass action cuts Suu Kyi’s prison sentence by 1/6th

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Burmese President Min Aung Hlaing yesterday cut all prisoners’ sentences by one-sixth, a blanket measure that a source close to deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi said would further shorten her detention.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been sequestered since a 2021 military coup, but the senior member of her dissolved National League for Democracy (NLD) party said that while her term had been reduced, her remaining sentence is still unclear.

“We also don’t know exactly how many years she has left,” the source told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

People pour water at the foot of a banyan tree as part of a Buddhist ritual in Yangon, Myanmar, yesterday. Photo: AP

The military toppled Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government five years ago, sweeping her into detention on a host of charges that rights groups say were confected to sideline her and triggering civil war.

Since then Myanmar has been led by Min Aung Hlaing, first as military chief before he was this month sworn in as civilian president after a tightly restricted election excluding the NLD.

Democracy monitors described the process as a rebranding of military rule.

Burmese politician Aung San Suu Kyi attends hearings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, on Dec. 11, 2019. Photo: AP

A statement from Min Aung Hlaing’s presidential office said that to mark a public holiday yesterday, prisoners will “have their remaining sentences cut by one-sixth.”

It did not mention any prisoners by name, but the NLD source said that 80-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi “will also get one-sixth reduction of her remaining sentences.”

However, it remains unclear how much of her sentence is by now considered served, and therefore by how much her term would be trimmed.

She was initially convicted in closed-court trials and handed a sentence of more than three decades on charges ranging from corruption to breaching COVID-19 regulations.

A 2023 pardon of some of her convictions saw the Nobel Peace Prize laureate’s sentence reduced to 27 years.

In one of his first acts as civilian president, Min Aung Hlaing this month issued another public holiday blanket order nearly identical to yesterday’s, trimming more time off Aung San Suu Kyi’s sentence.

He also pardoned her top aide, Win Myint, who served as her ceremonial president, prompting speculation that her detention could be significantly relaxed.


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North Korea faces a ‘severe’ drought, state media reports

North Korea faces an “unusual” and “severe” drought this year, and the government is working to protect crops, state media reported yesterday.

Natural disasters tend to have an outsized impact on the diplomatically isolated country due to its weak infrastructure and economy.

Elizabeth Salmon, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, in February said that food shortages are already a key concern.

“An unusual drought has recently persisted across much of the country, a phenomenon rarely seen in previous years,” Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

“Workers across various regions are concentrating all efforts on protecting early-season crops from the drought,” KCNA reported.

In a separate report, it said that North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song carried out on-site inspections at farms in South Pyongan and North Hwanghae provinces to discuss “countermeasures to minimize drought damage.”

He called for fully identifying and efficiently using all available water sources, adding that a successful harvest hinged on overcoming this year’s “severe drought,” KCNA said.

South Korea — Asia’s fourth-largest economy — also endured a prolonged drought last year that hit the eastern coastal city of Gangneung.

That dry spell forced authorities to implement water restrictions, including shutting off 75 percent of household meters across the city.

KCNA said that North Korean cities and counties were carrying out “repairs to the gates of reservoirs and waterways.”

Workers are also implementing “technical measures,” boosting the drought resistance of wheat and barley, and striving to ensure the stable growth of early-season crops, it added.


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An American scientist convicted of lying to US authorities about payments from China while he was at Harvard University has rebuilt his research lab in Shenzhen, China, to pursue technology the Chinese government has identified as a national priority: embedding electronics into the human brain.

Charles Lieber, 67, is among the world’s leading researchers in brain-computer interfaces. The technology has shown promise in treating conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and restoring movement in paralyzed people.

It also has potential military applications: Scientists at the Chinese People’s Liberation Army have investigated brain interfaces as a way to engineer super soldiers by boosting mental agility and situational awareness, according to the US Department of Defense.

Scientist Charles Lieber leaves a court in Boston on Jan. 30, 2020. Photo: Reuters

Lieber was found guilty by a jury and convicted in December 2021 of making false statements to US federal investigators about his ties to a Chinese state program to recruit overseas talent and tax offenses related to payments he received from a Chinese university.

He served two days in prison and six months under house arrest, and was fined US$50,000 and ordered to pay US$33,600 in restitution to the US Internal Revenue Service.

During the case, his defense said he had an incurable lymphoma, which was in remission, and he was fighting for his life.

Three years after he was sentenced, Lieber is overseeing China’s state-funded i-BRAIN, or the Institute for Brain Research, Advanced Interfaces and Neurotechnologies, with access to dedicated nanofabrication equipment and primate research infrastructure unavailable to him at Harvard.

The lab is an arm of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation, or SMART.

“I arrived on April 28, 2025, with a dream and not much more, maybe a couple bags of clothes,” Lieber said of his move to China at a Shenzhen government conference in December last year. “Personally, my own goals are to make Shenzhen a world leader.”

Lieber, through an assistant, declined an interview request, citing “current commitments.”

He did not respond to written questions from reporters.

SMART last year appointed Lieber as an investigator, according to a post on i-BRAIN’s Web site dated May 1 last year.

The same day, i-BRAIN said that Lieber had also been appointed its founding director — an announcement that went unreported at the time.

In 2011, Lieber was named the world’s top chemist of the preceding decade in a set of scientific rankings published by Thomson Reuters.

Thomson Reuters, which in 2016 sold the business that compiled the rankings, declined to comment.

Some analysts say Lieber’s ability to reconstitute his laboratory after a federal criminal conviction for lying about his ties to China shows how US safeguards on technology with potential military uses have not kept pace with Chinese government efforts to acquire it.

“China has weaponized against us [the US] our own openness and our own efforts for innovation,” said Glenn Gerstell, a nonresident senior adviser at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies and former general counsel of the US National Security Agency from 2015 to 2020. “They’ve flipped that and turned it around against us, and they’re taking advantage of it.”

The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and the Chinese Ministry of National Defense did not respond to questions about China’s development of brain-computer interfaces.

SMART and i-BRAIN also did not reply to requests for comment about their research and the recruitment of Lieber.

Domestic and international researchers are being recruited by i-BRAIN for electrophysiology studies on rhesus monkeys as models for human brain-computer interfaces, according to a September 2025 post on its Web site, which invites prospective applicants to contact Lieber.

title: US scientist builds brain computer lab in Shenzhen


content_text:
CAMBODIA

Kem Sokha appeal fails

The Phnom Penh Appeals Court yesterday upheld a treason conviction and 27-year prison sentence for opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was arrested in 2017. The court also barred Kem Sokha from leaving the country for five years after he finishes his sentence, which he is serving under house arrest. Kem Sokha, now 72, was convicted in 2023. He was accused of conspiring with the US to topple the government.

AUSTRALIA

‘No shift’ after ban

There was “no meaningful shift” away from big tech platforms such as TikTok and Instagram in the immediate wake of a ban implemented in December last year on teenagers from social media, government documents showed. The documents, obtained using freedom of information laws, showed that platforms such as Instagram and TikTok were still “dominating app store rankings and downloads” one month on from the ban. Data compiled throughout January showed “no meaningful shift away” from the platforms, the eSafety Commission said in an internal briefing.

JAPAN

Space sake sold

A small bottle of sake, made from mash fermented in space, sold for almost US$700,000, its brewer said as the company explores ways to make the drink on the moon. Sake brewer Dassai teamed up with aerospace and engineering firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build specialized brewing equipment and send it to the International Space Station (ISS) along with sake ingredients. The alcoholic fermentation process was carried out in November last year inside facilities at the ISS that mimicked lunar gravity, the two firms said in a joint statement on Tuesday. The mash was returned to Earth in February and in March was refined into 116ml of sake. The drink was packaged in a 100ml bottle and went to an anonymous buyer for ￥110 million (US$700,000). The remaining 16ml allowed for taste tests.

SINGAPORE

French teen charged

A French teen is facing mischief and public nuisance charges after posting a video on social media of himself licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and then putting it back. Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, was charged on Friday last week and has not entered a plea, the Straits Times reported. He allegedly committed the offense at a shopping mall on March 12, the report said. Mischief carries a penalty of up to two years in prison or a fine, or both, while public nuisance is less severe with up to three months in prison or a fine, or both. IJooz, the company operating the juice vending machine, filed a police report, and sanitized the dispenser while replacing all 500 straws in the machine.

RUSSIA

Parade pared down

A parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II is to take place next week without tanks, missiles and other military equipment, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement. It will be the first time in nearly two decades — and in Russia’s four-year-old war in Ukraine — that no military equipment would rumble through Moscow’s Red Square on May 9, the day Russia celebrates its most important secular holiday. The ministry cited the “current operational situation” as a reason for excluding military equipment, as well as cadets, from this year’s parade on the 81st anniversary of the victory.

title: World News Quick Take


title: Beyond the platform at Duoliang

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The old station may draw the crowds, but the real rewards lie uphill — in panoramic walks, village quiet and a meal at Bulai Bulai Kitchen, which connects visitors to the landscape below

The small platform at Duoliang Train Station in Taitung County’s Taimali Township (太麻里) served villagers from 1992 to 2006, but was eventually shut down due to lack of use. Just 10 years later, the abandoned train station had become widely known as the most beautiful station in Taiwan, and visitors were so frequent that the village had to start restricting traffic.

Nowadays, Duoliang Village (多良) is known as a bit of a tourist trap, with a mandatory, albeit modest, admission fee of NT$10 giving access to a crowded lane of vendors with a mediocre view of the ocean and the trains passing by the old station. However, the last time I visited, I was determined to see Duoliang in a new light, and this all began with how I approached it.

UP AND DOWN INTO DUOLIANG

Rather than parking at the bottom of the coastal highway and walking up to the old train platform, I decided to walk in from above the village along the mountain roads. This 9km walk from Jinlun Village (金崙) ended up being the most scenic part of the day.

From the Jinlun town center, I walked south out of town, crossed the bridge, and then took one of the dirt roads down to the riverbed. There was one on both the left and the right when I visited, but conditions are always changing. The original concrete road paralleling the power lines was buried in sand and stone by recent flooding, but a rough new road has been created leading upriver. Not far ahead, the road turns toward the mountain and begins to ascend via switchbacks.

The views of Jinlun behind me got better and better and were a worthy reward for the effort required to ascend the steep, concrete path. Make sure to bring lots of water and to avoid the hottest part of the day for the uphill section. Once through the switchbacks, the road heads toward the Pacific coast and rounds the corner for Duoliang. Views of the river and Jinlun are exchanged for views of the Pacific and Duoliang just ahead.

As I passed through “Upper Duoliang,” now simply a few farmhouses and the ruins of an old church, I noticed the bright blue roof of the activity center below and my sense of anticipation grew. Next to this building is The Bulai Bulai Kitchen (芙瀨實驗廚房), a menuless restaurant that makes extensive use of fresh, local ingredients, and my main destination for the day.

About three hours after setting out from Jinlun, I made it down to the restaurant in the lower village. For those arriving by car from below, parking is available on the side of the road. You don’t have to walk up all the way from the coastal highway unless you are planning to complete the walk over to Jinlun.

THE BULAI BULAI KITCHEN

A grassy entryway leads to a raised walkway at the back, where restaurant patrons can pose for photos with a gorgeous view of the Pacific while waiting to be seated. Walk-in service is not available: reservations should be made in advance by sending a message through the restaurant’s Facebook page (search the restaurant’s name in English). When my private dining room was ready, I was escorted into the beautifully decorated space by the server and given a few minutes to settle in.

Everything in the restaurant is designed to make the diner feel they are connected to Taitung County’s geography, flora, fauna and indigenous culture. The clean, modern, white and brown decor is soothing, but the greens and blues of the mountain and the Pacific visible through the window help connect patrons to the real world. Bamboo art, raw wooden coasters and beach rock for resting eating utensils are subtle touches that further anchor the diner to the surrounding natural world.


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With fart jokes, mall gags and a piglet-led revenge caper, the new ‘Animal Farm’ mangles a masterpiece into a loud, bizarre cartoon that misunderstands nearly everything it touches

There are some early cues that the new animated Animal Farm is not your grandmother’s Animal Farm. Like when one critter asks, “What’s up?” and another says, “Totally rad.” Did George Orwell really have one of his pigs scream, “Check it before you wreck it”?

I don’t want to get all prudish here; I’m all for reinventions and reintroductions. But screenwriter Nicholas Stoller and director Andy Serkis’ awfully misguided Disneyfication of one of the greatest allegorical satires in the English language is a cinematic car crash. It’s an adaptation for the PAW Patrol set made by filmmakers with the movie equivalent of baseball caps worn backward. They should have checked it before they wrecked it.

Stoller hasn’t made just demure alterations to Orwell’s 1940s novella, he’s dragged it through an abattoir, changing small things (a windmill becomes a watermill) to large (a new main character, the piglet Lucky). That whole anti-totalitarian thing that Orwell intended has been given a confusing side-message — a warning about Big Corporatization. (“I want that land. I need that land,” says Freida Pilkington, remade as a venal corporate CEO.)

Animated characters Snowball, voiced by Laverne Cox, left, and Rooster, voiced by Andy Serkis, in a scene from Animal Farm. Photo: AP

The self-owns keep coming: An animal field trip to a human mall (“Don’t think, just buy it! Buy it all!” the villain pig Napoleon screams), a rom-com grafted for Lucky, a nod to Midnight Cowboy (“I’m walkin’ here!”), an alcohol-fueled pool party and a nadir when Napoleon — here renamed “NaPoPo” — farts loudly and exclaims: “This is the sound of freedom!”

Here’s an Animal Farm made modern and cheery, complete with iPhones, sports cars with gull wings, camera-loaded drones, Hazmat suits and digital screens. Instead of an ever-darkening color palette, it’s as bright and bouncy as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, even though Charles Addams is a better fit than Nickelodeon. There are adorable, giggling piglets. In the book, many are executed. Here they cavort.

An all-star voice cast has been convinced, somehow, to participate, led by Seth Rogen as Napoleon. Initially, that seemed like a total miscast when Rogen leans into his silly, stoner persona, replete with “heh-heh-heh” chuckle. But he later pulls off menace and manipulation surprisingly well. I didn’t have Seth Rogen as Stalin on my bingo card for 2026.

Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo voices plucky Lucky; Laverne Cox is great as NaPoPo’s porcine rival, Snowball; Steve Buscemi is a smarmy human employee from the bank; Kieran Culkin is NaPoPo’s piggy lieutenant, Squealer; Woody Harrelson tenderly voices the loyal horse Boxer; and Glenn Close is Pilkington, employing some sort of weird, plumby Southern accent. Jim Parsons and Kathleen Turner are in there, too.

As much as you might hold your nose and let the little ones watch to get the essence before they pick up the book in high school, the movie’s finale — concocting a Mission: Impossible-style revenge caper led by Lucky to right all the wrongs, dubbed “Operation Party Pooper” and ending with an underwater fight scene — is easily the most egregious movie mistake since Johnny Depp was cast in Sweeney Todd.

Despite the apparent blessing of the Orwell estate, only the barest outlines of the author’s story and tone remain — a group of farm animals rebel against their owner and try to create a utopia, only to end up in chains again. But, here, it’s like, “Oh, bro, we totally oink-ed it up, no cap.” The movie actually has a hopeful, happy ending, folks — Animal Farm remade as cheerful?

title: Film review: This is not your Orwell


title: Dogs’ brains getting smaller: study

content_text:
Research offers insights into domestication of dogs but it remains unclear why they ended up with smaller brains than wolves

It has long been known that dogs have less between their ears than wolves, but now research has suggested their brains started to get smaller at least 5,000 years ago.

Experts say the results offer fresh insights into the domestication of our canine companions. However, the findings are unlikely to explain why your spaniel will only drink from a muddy puddle: the researchers say a reduction in brain size does not mean dogs are dafter than their wolf-like ancestors.

“The way our dogs live nowadays doesn’t give them the opportunity to always express most of their intelligence,” said Thomas Cucchi, first author of the study from the French National Center for Scientific Research.

“But they are extremely clever and domestication didn’t make them stupid, but made them really capable of reading us and communicating with us.”

The relationship between humans and canines is ancient, with research revealing the oldest direct genetic evidence for domestic dogs dates back more than 15,000 years.

But while a reduction in brain size is typically considered a hallmark of domestication, there has long been debate over exactly when dogs ended up with smaller brains than wolves, with some experts suggesting this may have occurred early in the dog-human relationship.

However, others argue smaller brain size is not a hallmark of domestication but instead reflects the emergence of pedigree breeds in the last 200 years.

Writing in the journal Royal Society Open Science, Cucchi and colleagues studied CT scans of the skulls of 22 prehistoric wolves and dogs, dating from 35,000 to 5,000 years ago, as well as CT scans from the skulls of 59 modern wolves and 104 modern dogs. The latter included different modern breeds as well as stray or “village” dogs, and dingoes.

The researchers used the scans to track how brain size changed over the evolutionary history of dogs.

The results reveal that, taken together, modern dog breeds, dingoes, village dogs and Late Neolithic dogs had a 32 percent smaller brain than ancient and modern wolves.

More specifically, dogs that lived in the Late Neolithic period — about 5,000 to 4,500 years ago — had brains 46 percent smaller in size than wolves from the same period, with brains of a similar size to those of pugs today. Further work revealed these dogs had significantly smaller brains than ancient wolves even once body size was taken into account — an important consideration given they were smaller overall..

However, the team found no sign that the brains of two canines that lived alongside humans 35,000 and 15,000 years ago — sometimes called “protodogs” — were smaller than those ancient wolves. Indeed, one brain was relatively larger, with the authors suggesting that raises the possibility brain size may actually have increased in the early stages of the domestication.

Cucchi said it is unclear why domestication resulted in dogs with smaller bodies and brains than their wolf-like ancestors.

However, he noted research has suggested that when the size of the brain is reduced, it reorganizes, meaning smaller dogs are less trainable and more wary of changes in their environment, making them potentially useful as “alarm systems.”

But Cucchi said it could also have been that limited food resources in the Neolithic village environment favored smaller dogs with smaller brains, as these require less energy.

Juliane Kaminski, an expert in canine cognition at the University of Portsmouth who was not involved in the study, said a particularly important revelation was that “protodogs” did not have smaller brains than wolves.

“They didn’t yet show this sign of domestication that we thought is [a] standard part of this domestication syndrome,” she said.

Kaminski said the study suggested the relationship between humans and dogs may have begun rather loosely before developing into a very strong bond.

“What [the authors] are simply saying is: OK, the timeline of the full domestication syndrome being in place is maybe a little bit later than the genetic data suggests,” she said.


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SPEAK UP: Highly anticipated ‘Michael,’ ‘The Devil 2’ open in Taiwan (2/2) 《麥可傑克森》大戰《Prada的惡魔2》（下）

A: In addition to the biopic “Michael,” comedy “The Devil Wears Prada 2” is finally in theaters. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since the 2006 debut of the original film.

B: Does the sequel still revolve around the fashion industry?

A: This time, “Miranda,” the fashion magazine editor-in-chief played by Meryl Streep, will team up with her former assistant “Andy,” played by Anne Hathaway, to fight against Emily, her other ex-assistant played by Emily Blunt.

B: Isn’t the role of “Miranda” based on then US “Vogue” editor-in-chief Anna Wintour?

A: Yup, it established Anna’s fashion status, influenced pop culture and workplace perceptions in the 2000s, and popularized high fashion by sparking the trend of “affordable luxury” dressing.

A: 除了傳記式電影《麥可傑克森》，本週《穿著Prada 的惡魔2》終於重磅回歸，我真不敢相信距離2006年的首集已過了20年！

B: 那續集還是關於時尚產業的故事嗎？

A: 這次時尚雜誌惡魔總編「米蘭達」梅莉史翠普，和前助理「小安」安海瑟薇聯手，共同對抗前助理「艾蜜莉」艾蜜莉布朗。

B: 這個惡魔總編的角色，不是以當年的美國版《時尚》總編安娜溫圖為原型嗎？

A: 對啊該片確立了安娜的時尚地位，並影響2000年代的流行文化與職場觀念，更將高級時尚通俗化而引爆「輕奢」穿搭風潮。

（By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）

For your information Language Tip 語文小提示 “The Devil Wears Prada 2”《穿著Prada的惡魔2》As “Miranda” nears retirement, she reunites with “Andy” to face off against her former assistant turned rival: “Emily”. . . (IMDB)face off (v.) 對立、對決、攤牌


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▲東森購物客服中心真實案例，客服人員在通話中察覺會員陳姐身體不適，第一時間陪伴安撫並協助通報救護人員到場救援。(圖／東森購物提供，下同)

消費中心／台北報導

母親節前夕，東森購物推出暖心形象影片，而影片背後，其實來自一段發生在客服中心的真實故事。一通原本再平常不過的來電，因客服人員敏銳察覺異狀，及時通報救援，成為關鍵時刻的一條「救命線」。

日前，東森購物會員陳姐致電客服中心，原本只是詢問商品與服務內容。然而在通話過程中，客服人員察覺她聲音虛弱、回應異常，研判可能身體不適。第一時間，客服並未急著結束通話，而是持續在線陪伴、安撫情緒，同時緊急通報相關單位，協助聯繫救護人員前往現場，為救援爭取寶貴時間。

在等待救護人員抵達的過程中，客服人員始終保持通話，一邊確認陳姐的身體狀況與所在位置，一邊以穩定且溫柔的語氣陪伴她。「別怕，我一直在線上陪您。」這句話，不只是安撫，更成為她在無助時刻最重要的依靠。

▲東森購物客服中心長期提供商品諮詢、訂單查詢與售後服務，成為品牌與消費者最直接的溝通橋樑。

東森購物表示，客服中心每天接聽大量來電，每一通電話背後，不僅可能是商品諮詢或訂單問題，也可能是顧客生活中最急迫、最需要協助的時刻。此次案例讓團隊更加深刻體認，客服的角色不只是解決問題，更是在關鍵時刻，成為顧客身邊「有人聽、有人陪、有人幫忙」的安心力量。

事實上，東森購物客服服務長期受到外界肯定。在《工商時報》主辦的服務評鑑中，曾於「臺灣客服中心評鑑」數位媒體購物類中脫穎而出，榮獲金牌獎；亦曾多次獲得「臺灣服務業大評鑑」大型購物網站金獎。評審指出，其在電話互動、客訴回應、配送溝通與線上處理等面向表現出色，能迅速掌握顧客需求，並以即時回應與清楚說明安撫情緒，展現深厚的服務實力。

東森購物也提到，母親在家庭中總是扮演守護者的角色，無論家人面對什麼狀況，總是第一時間給予支持與安定力量。而母親節正是子女表達感謝的重要時刻。東森購物希望透過有溫度的服務與多元優惠，陪伴消費者將心意送到媽媽身邊，讓每一份愛，都能被好好傳遞與感受。

▲東森購物母親節檔期祭出多項優惠，消費滿額可享回饋，還有機會抽中熱門家電豪禮。

迎接母親節檔期，東森購物同步推出多項優惠活動。即日起至5月4日，全站累積消費滿額可享樂透金回饋；至5月10日止，滿額還可登記抽家電好禮，包括洗乾衣機、洗碗機與掃拖機器人等人氣商品。此外，母親節當週更推出「清空購物車」活動，消費者有機會獲得訂單金額100%現金券回饋，讓購物驚喜再升級。

title: 一通電話成救命線！東森購物客服「即刻救援」母親節前夕暖心故事曝光


title: 日圓失守160！日本突襲干預　「保衛戰」一夕翻盤飆升3%

content_text:
▲日圓貶破160引發官方大舉干預，匯價強彈暴漲。（圖／達志影像）

記者閔文昱／綜合報導

綜合外電與日媒報導，日圓近期持續走弱，在兌美元匯率一度貶破160關卡後，日本政府與央行態度明顯轉趨強硬，不僅頻頻釋出「將採取果斷行動」訊號，甚至傳出已實際進場干預，掀起一場市場關注的「日圓保衛戰」。

日圓貶破160 官方強硬喊話逼近干預

在日本財務大臣片山皋月多次警告下，市場對干預預期急速升溫。她直言，當局「已接近採取斷然措施的時刻」，甚至提醒外界「不要放下手機」，暗示匯市可能隨時出現重大動作。

同時，日本財務省外匯事務官三村淳也罕見放話，稱目前是對市場的「最後撤退警告」，點名匯市投機行為升溫。官方接連強硬發言後，日圓匯價一度出現反彈，顯示市場對政策介入高度敏感。

傳已出手干預 日圓盤中暴漲3%

多家媒體引述消息指出，日本政府與日本銀行已於4月30日進場，採取「賣出美元、買入日圓」的干預措施。這是自2024年7月以來，東京當局首度再度出手穩匯。

在干預與口頭警告雙重影響下，日圓兌美元匯率從接近160的低點快速拉升，一度強彈至約155，單日升幅高達約3%，創下近年罕見的劇烈波動，也讓市場對後續政策動向更加關注。

中東局勢＋利差擴大 日圓承壓關鍵

分析指出，此波日圓重貶，主要受到中東緊張局勢升溫推升油價影響。由於日本高度依賴能源進口，油價上漲加劇貿易赤字壓力，進一步拖累日圓表現。

此外，美日利差持續擴大也是關鍵因素。聯邦準備制度維持高利率政策，而日本央行仍對升息保持審慎，使資金持續流向美元資產，形成結構性貶值壓力。

黃金週成關鍵時機 市場緊盯下一步

值得注意的是，日本即將進入「黃金週」長假，市場流動性下降。歷史經驗顯示，低流動性時期往往是官方進場干預的時機點，2024年亦曾在類似時點出手。

不過，市場對干預效果仍存疑。分析師認為，在美元強勢與高油價背景未改變下，即使官方進場，日圓升勢恐怕僅屬短期反彈，未必能扭轉長期貶值趨勢。


countries: 日本 台灣

content_text:
▲JMA「國際物流綜合展」2025年東京展場觀展盛況。（圖／IEAT提供）

記者張佩芬／台北報導

台北市進出口公會(IEAT)與日本能率協會(JMA)為推廣台日物流解決方案及促進食品餐飲及外食服務業之合作，JMA訂於6月24日至25日舉辦「福岡國際物流綜合展」、10月28日至29日舉辦「亞洲食品出口展/九州沖繩外食與餐飲服務產業展」。JMA特別提供IEAT會員廠商「買家商談補助計劃」。

補助項目包括交通費用、免費飯店住宿及提供事先預約安排商談等服務，獎勵台灣專業進口商前往參觀展會並現場進行商務洽談。2個展會舉辦地點皆為「福岡國際會展中心(Marine Messe Fukuoka)」。

IEAT於去年6月簽署MOU、締結為姐妹會以來，雙方已在人力資源培訓、企業交流互訪、推廣國際展會、促進產業技術交流等面向展開緊密合作，積極促進台日兩國企業的創新能量及拓展國際市場商機。

「福岡國際物流綜合展」為日本物流與供應鏈領域之專業綜合展，訂於2026年6月24日至25日舉行。展會聚焦物流效率化、自動化、無人化、倉儲管理、運輸配送、物流數位轉型、供應鏈最佳化及相關服務解決方案。九州地區兼具半導體產業聚落、農產品供應基地及東亞門戶地位，具備高度物流需求與區域合作潛力。本展除日本的物流設備、系統與服務業者外，亦將吸引東亞地區買主及專業人士參與，為企業掌握日本及東亞物流市場趨勢、拓展合作商機的重要平台。

「亞洲食品出口展」為食品出口與開拓海外通路之專業展會，訂於2026年10月28日至29日舉行，並與「九州沖繩外食與餐飲服務產業展」同期辦理。展會以日本食品拓展亞洲市場為核心，聚焦生鮮農水畜產品、加工食品、酒類飲料、甜點零食、冷凍食品、地方特產，以及清真、純素、有機與替代食材等高附加價值產品，並結合物流、通關、貿易顧問及出口支援服務。

展會預計吸引日本國內出口商、飯店餐飲、通路批發及食品製造相關業者參展，為九州食品產業出口之實質商機交流平台。

▲「亞洲食品出口展/九州沖繩外食餐飲服務產業展」2025年展場盛況。（圖／IEAT提供）

「日本能率協會(JMA)」創立於1942年，長年專注於推動日本企業管理革新、產業升級與專業展覽會的舉辦，為日本工商界的重要智庫與資源平台。同為台灣及日本歷史悠久且具代表性的經貿專業團體，自創會以來皆致力於推動產業發展、提升企業國際競爭力。

上述2個展會的「買家商談補助計劃」相關內容資訊，詳情可上IEAT官網「福岡國際物流綜合展」(6/24~6/25)與「亞洲食品出口展/九州沖繩外食與餐飲服務產業展」(10/28~10/29)連結，如有相關問題，也可與IEAT貿易推廣處日本市場潘經理(電話：02-2531-3521分機512)聯繫洽詢。

title: IEAT與日本能率協會推廣台日物流及食品餐飲　提供我買家獎勵補助


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▲新北攜手農會推廣農藥瓶回收，兌換好禮守護環境。（圖／新北市環保局提供，下同）

記者郭世賢／新北報導

為提升民眾資源回收意識與分類正確性，新北市環保局5月推出「回收有禮 循環有你」活動，攜手農會於鶯歌、三峽、平溪及深坑辦理4場資源回收兌換，民眾持廢農藥容器或指定回收物即可換取生活用品與好禮，並透過互動遊戲深化分類觀念，同時宣導正確清洗與回收流程，降低環境與健康風險。

環保局表示，活動將分別於5月5日在鶯歌區農會、5月12日在三峽區農會、5月21日在平溪區農會，以及5月26日在深坑區農會登場，時間皆為上午10時至下午2時。民眾只要攜帶10個廢農藥容器或指定資源回收物至現場，即可兌換水晶肥皂、洗手乳、洗碗精等限量生活用品，每人每種品項最多可兌換5份。此外，現場還設有互動遊戲，完成挑戰即可獲得環保衛生紙1包，數量有限、送完為止。

環保局指出，農藥含有毒性成分，若空瓶未妥善處理，隨意丟棄或混入一般塑膠回收，恐對環境與人體健康造成危害。因此呼籲民眾，使用後的農藥容器應先以清水反覆沖洗3次，並將稀釋液回收再利用於農作物噴灑，清洗後再將容器晾乾、鎖緊瓶蓋，送至指定地點回收，確保安全無虞。

為持續推廣資源回收觀念，環保局也長期辦理「環保愛地球 回收送好禮」活動，鼓勵民眾將可回收物品帶至活動地點兌換實用禮品，並透過結合益智問答的互動遊戲，讓民眾在輕鬆氛圍中學習正確分類知識。

環保局補充，若民眾對物品分類方式有疑問，可使用「回收物品易查通」服務，透過網頁或LINE機器人輸入物品名稱，即可快速查詢正確回收方式。更多活動詳情，可至「新北i環保」臉書粉專或新北市環保局資源回收資訊網查詢。

title: 新北攜手農會推農藥瓶回收　兌換好禮學分類守護環境

taiwan-subdivisions: 新北 鶯歌區 三峽 三峽區 鶯歌 深坑區 平溪區 平溪 清水 深坑 新北市


title: 鐵皮屋暗藏天九牌賭場　警突襲帶回17人送辦

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▲鐵皮屋暗藏天九牌賭場警突襲帶回17人。（圖／記者陳洋翻攝，下同）

記者陳洋、許力方／澎湖報導

澎湖馬公警方30日晚間查獲一處藏身鐵皮屋的職業賭場，當場逮捕經營賭場的林姓男子及16名賭客，共17人依法帶回偵辦，並查扣賭資與大量賭具天九牌，全案依相關法規處理。

警方指出，馬公分局於當晚9時55分接獲線報，指稱馬公市興仁里一處鐵皮屋疑似有聚眾賭博情事，隨即調派警力前往查處。員警抵達現場後，發現屋內正在賭天九牌，立即上前控制現場，將在場人員全數帶回。

警方表示，現場查扣抽頭金新台幣1萬3000元，另有天九牌4副、瓷碗1個、骰子157顆及點鈔機2台等證物。經初步調查，林姓男子涉嫌經營職業賭場，訊後依刑法賭博罪移送澎湖地檢署偵辦，其餘16名賭客則依違反《社會秩序維護法》裁處。

taiwan-subdivisions: 澎湖 馬公


taiwan-subdivisions: 基隆 基隆市

title: 基隆看守所母親節面對面懇親　結合法治反毒助收容人復歸

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▲基隆看守所母親節面對面懇親，結合反詐反毒提升收容人法治觀念。（圖／記者郭世賢翻攝）

記者郭世賢／基隆報導

為迎接母親節，法務部矯正署基隆看守所於4月29日舉辦母親節面對面懇親活動，透過溫馨互動，促進收容人與家屬間的情感交流，強化家庭支持系統，協助收容人穩定復歸社會。活動中特別規劃「枕邊細語」環節，讓收容人透過影像向子女說故事，藉由聲音與畫面的傳遞，彌補分離期間的情感距離，深化親子連結，現場氣氛溫馨感人。

活動結合政風室推動反詐騙及反賄選宣導，透過有獎徵答方式提升參與度，讓收容人在輕鬆互動中增進法治觀念，強化守法意識。同時主辦單位也邀請基隆市衛生局毒品危害防制中心及利伯他茲教育基金會進行毒品防制宣導，提供正確資訊與輔導資源，協助收容人遠離毒品誘惑，建立健康生活觀念。

基隆看守所表示，透過結合親情關懷、法治教育與毒品防制等多元面向活動，不僅有助於穩定收容人情緒，也能提升自我反省與重建生活的動力，為未來順利復歸社會奠定良好基礎。


title: Peugeot「2款全新概念車」同步亮相！揭示品牌電動化＆大陸市場戰略

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圖文／7Car 小七車觀點

在 2026 年北京國際汽車展覽會上，Peugeot 以兩款全新概念車，Concept 6 與 Concept 8 作為展台核心，明確揭示品牌在電動化時代的設計方向與產品企圖。這兩款車型並非單純造型演練，而是具體展現 Peugeot 如何將法式設計、駕馭樂趣與智慧電能技術融合於未來量產車型之中，也回應全球市場對大型轎車與 SUV 的進化需求。

Peugeot Concept 6 以大型轎車為基礎，採用類 Shooting Brake 的車身輪廓，呈現出融合貓科動物般敏捷與優雅的線條。設計上承襲品牌過去經典的 GT 旅行車傳統，並透過現代化手法在車身比例與光影處理上展現理性與感性並存的法式美學。Concept 6 不僅代表 Peugeot 對大型房車未來的想像，也強調在電動化時代中，仍可保有強烈情感與駕駛魅力。

相較於 Concept 6 的流線與優雅，Peugeot Concept 8 則將焦點轉向大型 SUV 市場。其外觀以極簡且純粹的線條構成，強調空氣力學效率與視覺上的穩定感。車身姿態飽滿而充滿力量，傳遞出寬敞空間與運動性能兼具的性格。Concept 8 預告了 Peugeot 下一階段 SUV 產品的重要轉折，展現品牌在兼顧家庭需求與動態駕馭之間的平衡能力。

根據 Peugeot 官方規劃，Concept 6 與 Concept 8 所預示的大型轎車與 SUV 車型，將由合作夥伴東風汽車在武漢工廠生產，未來不僅供應中國大陸本地市場，也將出口至 Peugeot 其他海外市場。這項布局凸顯 Peugeot 正積極以中國大陸為生產與創新基地，推動其在全球電動車與智慧移動市場中的擴張策略。

在全球汽車設計日益走向同質化的趨勢下，Peugeot 藉由 Concept 6 與 Concept 8 重申品牌對情感、存在感與個性表達的堅持。兩款概念車分別從轎車與 SUV 兩個維度，勾勒出品牌在電動化時代的產品輪廓。隨著北京車展的公開亮相，Peugeot 也向市場傳遞明確訊息：未來的電動車不僅是技術載體，更是設計與駕馭樂趣的延伸。


title: 鐵皮屋暗藏天九牌賭場　警突襲帶回17人送辦


title: 春夏水光唇超紅！DIOR高訂鏡面唇膏、M.A.C冰晶唇油必收

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記者曾怡嘉／台北報導

水光唇妝熱度不減，從鏡面亮澤、冰晶封層到果凍嘟唇，春夏唇彩新品更強調光澤、顯色與舒適感兼具。《ET FASHION》整理3款唇彩新品，無論偏好精緻妝感或日常薄擦，都能找到適合選擇。

#DIOR迪奧癮誘鏡面水光唇膏

DIOR推出全新《迪奧癮誘鏡面水光唇膏》，以銀色鏡面外殼呼應唇上的水光妝效。此系列由迪奧全球彩妝創意形象總監Peter Philips打造，主打「鏡面水光」與「閃耀水光」2款妝效，搭配13款色選，能依妝容與心情變換。

值得一提的是，固體唇膏上唇後會融成輕盈嘟嫩的水光質地，幫助打造晶透飽滿唇感。同步推出3款限量高訂精品外殼，包括浪漫「蝴蝶結」、優雅白色「玫瑰」與高訂感「丹寧」，外型夢幻到不行！

#M.A.C 超透亮冰晶氣墊唇油

M.A.C 超透亮冰晶氣墊唇油突破傳統唇蜜易黏、覆蓋力不足的痛點，結合唇油滋養、唇蜜光澤與唇釉顯色，獨家「冰晶成膜技術」可打造如透明蜜糖封層般的立體厚度，呈現果凍般豐盈透亮視覺，也能修飾唇紋。其中更添加甘油、維他命E、蓖麻籽油、荷荷芭油、杏桃仁油、甜杏仁油與白芒花籽油等保養成分，輕輕塗上讓亮、潤、顯色一次到位。

#I'M MEME 我愛QQ光波唇凍

I'M MEME 我愛QQ光波唇凍以果凍般Q彈水潤質地為亮點，主打耀眼光澤與微微嘟潤感。它結合唇蜜水光質地與唇釉顯色度，並添加高潤澤精華，品牌表示上唇後可修飾唇紋，呈現水潤透嫩妝效。搭配Q彈軟嫩矽膠筆頭，斜角設計更貼合唇形，薄塗可搭配素顏，厚擦則能完成精緻全妝。


title: 日圓失守160！日本突襲干預　「保衛戰」一夕翻盤飆升3%