Reported about 1 year ago
On June 17, 2024, the Israeli military strategically halted military operations in southern Gaza, but Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed he only learned of the plan through the news and opposed it. This move was seen as reflecting pressures from both the international community and the far-right factions domestically. The back and forth statements from the military and Netanyahu highlighted his dilemmas, as his hawkish allies opposed any concessions in Gaza operations, while his government relied on their support. Analysts noted Netanyahu's typical tactic of playing both sides, emphasizing humanitarian efforts to the U.S. while claiming ignorance domestically. Former Israeli military official Eisenkot emphasized the influence of Netanyahu's right-wing allies, with Security Minister Ben-Gvir criticizing the halt in operations as a misguided decision.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Investors showed cautious attitude and took profits before the Fed's decision, resulting in US stock funds experiencing the largest net outflow in a single week over the past 18 months. While major stock funds saw a significant outflow, sector funds focusing on specific industries like technology experienced inflows. On the other hand, there was a demand for bond funds, with US bond funds seeing inflows and global stock funds seeing outflows. European and Asian stock funds attracted inflows, along with commodity funds showing mixed results.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
According to financial expert Zhang Dingxuan, the recent credit control measures by the Central Bank are unlikely to have a significant impact on the housing market, as the government has long neglected the harm caused by soaring house prices. Besides, he suggests that the government, including five major departments such as the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance, should come together for discussions to effectively address the overheated housing market. Zhang also warns the public to carefully assess their debt capacity and risks associated with investments in the face of potential market fluctuations.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
The financial policy known as 'New Qingan Loan' implemented by the Ministry of Finance has ignited a surge in the housing market, leading to criticism and concerns about escalating property prices. Despite the intention to assist the public in purchasing homes, the policy has inadvertently fueled a speculative frenzy, prompting issues surrounding affordability, risks for buyers, and the potential negative impact on Taiwan's society in the long run as suggested by industry experts.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
The S&P 500 achieved its 30th record close of the year, prompting discussions about market calm and investor nervousness. Tim Urbanowicz of Innovator Capital Management emphasizes that historical data shows all-time highs are not signals for selling but rather indicate good times for equity investment with an average 12-month return rate of around 12%. He advises staying invested in large-cap and tech stocks, particularly amid uncertainties regarding interest rates, inflation, and potential market volatility leading up to the next election year.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission awarded over $8 million to a whistleblower who provided crucial insider information for several enforcement cases. The tipster's information significantly aided investigations, making them more effective and efficient. The whistleblower's identity remains confidential, as per agency policy. The CFTC whistleblower program, established by the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010, offers financial incentives to individuals who provide valuable information, with payouts ranging from 10% to 30% of collected monetary penalties in successful cases, totaling approximately $380 million in awards so far.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Cathay Securities Investment is counting down to distribute dividends for their 3 ETFs, confirming the dividend amounts which match initial estimates. The Cathay Global Brands 50 ETF (00916) will distribute 0.22 yuan per unit; the Cathay 20-Year US Bonds (00687B) with quarterly dividends will distribute 0.34 yuan, with an annualized yield of about 4.28%; and the monthly dividend Cathay 10Y+ Financial Bonds (00933B) will distribute 0.072 yuan, with an annualized yield of approximately 5.1%. For investors looking to receive dividends, they must purchase by this Wednesday (June 19) as the ex-dividend date is this Thursday (June 20), with dividends payable on July 15. Cathay Securities also disclosed the income distribution composition for these 3 ETFs, detailing the sources of dividends such as realized capital gains and interest income.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
In response to the Kuomintang caucus questioning the Ministry of the Interior for providing documents to the Legislative Yuan's digital ID access group that were heavily redacted, the ministry stated that they had provided five volumes and eighty-seven files of digital ID-related data as requested by the Legislative Yuan's exercise of authority law, without refusal or concealment. The ministry complied with requests from the Legislative Yuan Internal Administration Committee's digital ID access project team for meeting materials, research reports, conference records, and more, with personal data redacted as required by law and internal discussions withheld in accordance with the government information disclosure law. The ministry emphasized the confidentiality obligation of staff involved in document access and stated they would provide appropriate data lawfully as required.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Sandra Oudkirk, director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) in Taipei, is set to leave her post after three years. Before stepping down, she advised Taiwan not to overreact to provocations from China but also not to become complacent to the risks. Oudkirk emphasized the importance of finding a steady path to avoid hysteria or complacency, pointing out the significance of Taiwan's connections with the U.S., especially in light of the situation between Russia and Ukraine. She also highlighted the normal fluctuations in opinions within democratic countries, reflecting China's cognitive warfare and differing views on how best to deal with mainland China.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
US military leaders have recently emphasized the use of unmanned weapons to deter a Chinese attack on Taiwan. Reports indicate that the US has purchased and developed multiple unmanned weapon systems over the years, with around dozens of projects aimed at creating a strong offensive capability in the Taiwan Strait. Plans include deploying thousands of unmanned weapons to block Chinese forces from crossing the strait and to gather intelligence to ensure successful operations in various areas. The US and its allies could quickly deploy unmanned weapons before a potential Chinese invasion, using methods such as deploying MQ-9 Reaper drones in the Philippines and unmanned surface vessels in the Pacific. The deployment could involve large transport aircraft, ships, or submarines, showcasing the potential for a networked system using satellites, drones, and underwater vehicles to target enemy amphibious fleets crossing the Taiwan Strait.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
As of June 17, 2024, cross-strait tourism has not returned to normal, with restrictions on professional exchanges, business visits, and health check-ups for medical aesthetics to Taiwan. People-to-people exchanges between the two sides have been slow to recover, exacerbating the tense cross-strait relations. Despite the warming effect of Chinese actor Hu Ge's recent visit to Taiwan, which required special approval for short-term professional exchange, overall visits for professional, business, and medical aesthetic purposes have significantly decreased due to various restrictions, hindering progress in cross-strait communication and creating difficulties for peaceful opportunities in the Taiwan Strait.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the delay in opening up medical beauty examinations for Chinese tourists has impacted Taiwan's revenues in this sector, amounting to NT$170 billion annually before the pandemic. Despite the Ministry of Health allowing international medical services, the Immigration Bureau has yet to open visas for Chinese tourists under the guise of medical beauty, affecting professional exchanges between Taiwan and China. While there is hope for gradual openings in the future, industry professionals remain cautiously optimistic due to the current cross-strait atmosphere.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Nationalist Party lawmakers in Taiwan questioned the Ministry of the Interior for providing heavily redacted documents to a team reviewing the issuance of digital ID cards. The documents, which were meant to clarify the policies and budget allocation for the digital ID project, were found to be entirely blacked out or containing only tables of contents, prompting the Party to call for freezing the project or removing the entire budget. The digital ID project was initially set to launch in 2020 but faced criticism over security concerns and was halted. Despite this, maintenance costs of around 6.375 million USD annually have been spent on machines that may never be used, resulting in a total waste of public funds amounting to 1.4 billion USD. The Ministry's lack of transparency in providing essential information raised suspicions of concealment, leading to calls for accountability. The opposing Democratic Progressive Party respected the criticism but stated they found no flaws in the documents provided and were unsure of the specific grievances raised by the Nationalist lawmakers.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
During a press conference at the Legislative Yuan, KMT lawmakers revealed that the Ministry of the Interior has heavily redacted documents regarding the digital ID card issuance policy, raising suspicions of what the ministry is trying to hide. This incident highlights the necessity for parliamentary reform to ensure proper oversight, as instances of crucial information being concealed from lawmakers become more frequent, hindering their ability to hold the government accountable.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Despite the easing of the pandemic, Mainland Chinese journalists stationed in Taiwan continue to face obstacles and strict scrutiny from Taiwanese authorities. Official reasons such as 'no demand from the Mainland' have been used to prevent the return of reporters who were stationed in Taiwan before the pandemic. The reinstatement process for Mainland Chinese journalists involves rigorous scrutiny and 'interviews,' indicating a setback in cross-strait exchanges. The number of journalists from major Mainland media outlets stationed in Taiwan has been significantly reduced post-pandemic, with many applications for reinstatement not being approved without explanation, raising suspicions among journalists and insiders.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
As cross-strait exchanges have not returned to normal due to the ongoing pandemic, there are still many restrictions in place hindering the much-needed people-to-people exchanges to ease tensions. Two major blind spots in government approach include an emphasis on so-called equality principles, where opportunities have been missed for mutual goodwill gestures, and the mentality towards restoring exchanges, which seems to favor control over openness, despite the pandemic being under control. Stricter scrutiny on mainland visitors coming to Taiwan and the risks faced by Taiwanese professionals visiting the mainland are highlighted, urging improvements to uphold academic and cultural exchanges between the two sides.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
New Taipei City KMT Caucus held a press conference advocating for the revision of the fiscal revenue and expenditure allocation law, criticizing Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai's dissatisfaction with the KMT version of the law and his proposal to move the capital to Kaohsiung. They emphasized the importance of open and transparent allocation in the fiscal planning law, calling for fair distribution and cooperation between central and local governments. The Legislative Yuan Finance Committee is set to review the law, which impacts how central and local finances are allocated. KMT members expressed concerns about the current inequality in the law, highlighting the need for a more balanced approach.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Restrictions are still in place for professional exchanges between scholars from mainland China and Taiwan, hindering academic exchanges across the strait. Due to increasing cross-strait tensions, Taiwan's focus on 'China studies' has shifted towards defensive research, causing a decline in its research advantage. Changes in mainland China's internal policies and strict regulations have also made it difficult for meaningful academic exchanges to take place, leading to a sense of detachment between the two sides.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Despite the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, limitations on business visits from mainland China to Taiwan remain, severely impacting cross-strait exchanges and making it difficult for Taiwanese businesses to find customers. The new regulations introduced by the Mainland Affairs Council last August have created stricter restrictions and operational difficulties for business exchanges between the two sides. These regulations, which include inviting or being invited as exhibition or visiting partners, have raised barriers and hindered potential customer connections. Businesses have highlighted the challenges in navigating the new requirements set by the authorities, leading some Chinese companies to opt out of the application process altogether, affecting the ability to facilitate meaningful business interactions.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
On June 17, 2024, Central Bank Governor Yang Jinlong implemented the sixth round of housing market control measures, which were criticized for being weak and having many loopholes. Despite the current policy's minimal impact on the hot housing market, experts warn of a possible rapid reversal if the bubble bursts. Three major loopholes in the Central Bank's sixth round of control were identified: lack of impact on pre-sale properties, focus only on specific areas leading funds to non-controlled areas, and failure to tighten restrictions on luxury home loans. Experts caution the public to evaluate their financial capabilities carefully before making property purchases to avoid potential risks.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Economic expert, Li Tongrong, criticizes the 'New Youth Housing Loan' policy as the 'drug of the property market,' leading to soaring house prices. Li points out that the previous Tsai administration's anti-speculation policies failed to control the housing market and instead made the situation worse. He warns that if the current government does not thoroughly review and rectify the policy, a property market storm is inevitable due to distorted market conditions. Li also highlights the influx of speculative buyers using high leverage to purchase properties, further driving up prices.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
The highly popular Basque cake shop, 'Touch Peach Western Pastries' near the Shuanglian MRT station in Taipei, announced that it will cease operations on July 14 due to a shortage of staff. Offering discounted prices on select items, the shop expressed gratitude to customers and announced the termination of LINE point card services as well. Known for their quality ingredients and various flavors, the shop has garnered a 4.6-star rating on Google with customers praising the rich taste of the Basque cakes and other desserts provided.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Rookie singer Huang Hao, who debuted through the reality show 'Singing Love Songs for You,' recently confirmed his relationship with model Bonnie through public displays of affection, such as intimate moments and passionate kisses in a dark alley. Their relationship has garnered attention with Bonnie even appearing in Huang Hao's music video, showcasing their love. Huang's romantic experiences are reflected in his songs, with the latest track 'Dolly' being named after Bonnie's pet cat and featuring her in the MV.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
In a recent interview, 70-year-old founder of Ruichi Biotech Group, He Chongren, talked about developing a Digital Bio Barcode (BMB) and obtaining FDA approval in the U.S. for multiple diagnostic reagents. The company aims to go beyond the current list of diseases detectable and focus on using just a drop of blood to predict cancer relapse. The innovative technology allows for efficient and cost-effective testing, with one sample revealing a range of viruses within a short timeframe. Ruichi's cutting-edge approach has the potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics and treatment.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Show Luo will release a new album 'Dance King' on his 45th birthday, on July 30, after a 5-year hiatus. Engaging in social activities, he recently attended the daughter of his manager's birthday party in a trendy outfit and expensive watch, creating a lively atmosphere by interacting with kids and even performing magic tricks. Show Luo also visited a high-end restaurant for the birthday celebration, where he playfully interacted with his mother and other guests. At the end of the evening, he departed in a luxury car, showcasing a carefree and playful demeanor while being surrounded by friends and fans.
Source: YAHOO