Iran Signals Possible Fees on Undersea Cables
Richard Sanders, Taipei Iran has signaled that it may begin charging fees for the use of undersea communication cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has intensified concerns over the security of digital infrastructure in the Persian Gulf. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for the operational command of the Iranian Armed Forces, said Tehran…
China restricts travel for AI talent – Bloomberg
Frank Williams, Phnom Penh China is restricting overseas travel for leading AI specialists from companies including Alibaba and DeepSeek, as Beijing pushes for greater self-reliance in artificial intelligence, robotics, and semiconductors, Bloomberg has reported. Citing anonymous sources, the outlet claimed on Tuesday that Chinese authorities have begun requiring advanced AI researchers, executives, startup founders, and…
Pope demands AI weapons be ‘disarmed’
Richard Sanders, Taipei Pope Leo XIV has issued a sweeping warning on the dangers of artificial intelligence in warfare, arguing that the technology is helping to “normalize war” and shifting decisions of life and death to opaque “technological actors” beyond democratic control. The American-born pontiff set out his concerns in a major encyclical released on…
US defense delegation visits Taipei
Richard Sanders, Taipei The US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC) today announced that its 9th annual defense delegation will take place May 26-29, 2026. Led by General (Ret.) Charles A. Flynn, the delegation of 41 senior executives is visiting Taiwan to promote expanded bilateral cooperation with the United States and in support of the national security goals…
Anduril Founder Warns of China Threat and U.S. Arsenal Strain
Richard Sanders in Kaohsiung Anduril Industries founder Palmer Luckey has rapidly become one of the most talked-about figures in Taiwan’s defence circles. Known for his unconventional scruffy style – Hawaiian shirts, flip-flops, and blunt public commentary – Luckey is increasingly viewed by some in Taiwan’s military community as a Silicon Valley defence entrepreneur in the…
Trump announces ‘finalization’ of Iran deal
Richard Sanders, Kaoshiung US President Donald Trump has said that a peace agreement with Iran has been “largely negotiated” and is now being finalized, signaling a potential breakthrough after nearly three months of war and repeated threats of renewed American strikes. Trump said he had held what he described as a “very good call” from the Oval Office with leaders…
Taiwan not aware of arms sales ‘pause’
Richard Sanders, Tainan Taiwan’s government said it has not received any notification from Washington about changes to planned US arms sales, after a senior American official suggested that some foreign weapons deliveries had been temporarily paused because of US military needs following the attack on Iran. The comments came after US Acting Navy Secretary Hung…
Trump Holds Up $14 Billion Taiwan Arms Package as China Talks Shape Decision
Richard Sanders TAIPEI, May 21 – A proposed U.S. arms package for Taiwan worth about $14 billion remains stalled as President Donald Trump considers whether to use the sale as leverage in negotiations with China, raising concerns in Taipei and among U.S. lawmakers over the future of American security support for the island. The package,…
Taiwan Travelogue Becomes First Mandarin-Translated Novel to Win International Booker Prize
Dave Chamberlain, Guam A story of forbidden love, Taiwanese cuisine and colonial history has won the International Booker Prize, marking the first time a novel translated from Mandarin Chinese has received the prestigious literary award. Taiwan Travelogue, written by Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi and translated into English by Taiwanese-American translator Lin King, follows two women…
Catholic Church Reportedly Offers to Mediate as US-Cuba Tensions Rise
Frank Williams, Phnom Penh Diplomatic efforts may be underway to prevent a worsening confrontation between Washington and Havana, according to sources at the Cuban Embassy in Phnom Penh, who said there have been overtures from the Catholic Church to mediate between the two governments in the interest of avoiding military conflict. The reported mediation efforts…
