Good Morning World》Trump Agrees to Halt Bombing for 2 Weeks, Condition Includes Immediate Opening of Strait of Hormuz by Iran
Middle East war pushes up oil prices, IMF warns of rising inflation and slowing global economic growth. Taiwan faces significant capital outflow, and the Central Bank is intervening to stabilize the currency, leading to a substantial decrease in foreign exchange reserves. Domestic companies are experiencing raw material supply shortages.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 08:57
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 10:00 (1h 3m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 13:39 (291h 39m after Collected)
The Middle East war has pushed up oil prices, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has warned of rising inflation and slowing global economic growth. This has also impacted Taiwan, with significant capital outflow and the New Taiwan Dollar facing depreciation. The Central Bank has intervened by selling large amounts of foreign currency to stabilize the exchange market, resulting in foreign exchange reserves of $596.886 billion at the end of March, a decrease of $8.601 billion, marking the largest change since the European debt crisis in 2011. The conflict has disrupted raw material supply, leading to frequent shortages in plastic bag supply. The Ministry of Economic Affairs has launched a "fair price program" to increase upstream raw material supply by 5,000 tons, ensuring downstream access at reasonable prices. The Ministry is also considering cooperating with commercial districts to develop plastic reduction incentive programs to guide consumer habit changes. (Read the full report) The Central Weather Administration stated that the frontal system weakened today, with reduced moisture. While there were localized brief showers in the early morning, rainfall gradually eased during the day, with eastern parts and mountainous areas in the west still experiencing brief showers. From tomorrow to the 13th, weather is expected to be stable, mostly sunny to cloudy, with muggy conditions. Temperatures will rise significantly in northern Taiwan, with highs around 31 to 33 degrees Celsius across the island. On the 11th, moisture is expected to move into areas north of Taipei and Yilan, with isolated brief showers. A new frontal system is expected to approach on the 14th and affect the island on the 15th, bringing localized brief showers again. (Read the full report) Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Chiang Wan-an visited China on the 7th, arriving in Shanghai via Shanghai Airlines flight FM852. This marks the first visit by a KMT chairman leading a delegation to mainland China in 10 years, re-establishing high-level inter-party exchanges between the KMT and the Communist Party of China (CPC). Chiang was hosted at a dinner by Song Tao, Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee. In her speech, she stated that the visit to the mainland once again proves that the political foundation of "1992 Consensus, Oppose Taiwan Independence" remains "everlasting and vibrant" for cross-strait relations. Song Tao said the CPC is willing to work with the KMT to "uphold the 1992 Consensus, Oppose Taiwan Independence" and promote peaceful development of cross-strait relations. In response, Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng urged Chiang Wan-an to directly demand that the CPC authorities immediately cease composite pressures against Taiwan, such as military aircraft and ship incursions, to face the reality of the Republic of China's existence and the Taiwanese people's adherence to democratic values and lifestyles. (Read the full report) April 7th is Freedom of Speech Day. President Lai Ching-te, speaking at the 37th anniversary memorial service for Cheng Nan-jung's martyrdom, stated that Cheng Nan-jung was a philosopher of action, and his advocacy and tragic sacrifice awakened society and mobilized forces for democratic reform. Cheng Nan-jung's daughter, Cheng Chu-mei, said that freedom is never free and that lying flat will not bring true peace. The Ministry of Education's "Did You Do Your Homework?" series, its third episode, was released on the 7th, using Cheng Nan-jung's story to guide public reflection and understand that cherishing the values of democracy, freedom, and human rights is rooted in understanding history. Furthermore, the National Archives Administration published a 5-volume compilation of historical materials on "Post-War Taiwan Political Cases: The Cheng Nan-jung Case." The content reveals frequent mobilization by intelligence agencies through multiple channels and highlights the influence of "Free Times," founded by Cheng Nan-jung. (Read the full report) Representative Mike Johnson, Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee's National Security Task Force, led a delegation to Taiwan and met with President Lai Ching-te on the 7th. Johnson presented President Lai with a "Congressional Record Commendation," detailing Lai's political career and emphasizing that Lai, the son of a miner, has become the leader of one of Asia's most vibrant democracies. President Lai stated that Taiwan deeply understands that peace relies on strength, and strength requires resilience. The government will continue to strengthen Taiwan-US cooperation and ensure national security, and its commitment and determination to maintaining cross-strait stability and regional peace will not change. (Read the full report) The new National Assembly of Vietnam voted on the 7th, unanimously passing the appointment of Communist Party General Secretary Tô Lâm as State President with 495 votes in favor. This unprecedented consolidation of power makes him the most influential leader in Vietnam in decades and breaks the traditional "four-horse carriage" system of power division among the General Secretary of the Communist Party, State President, Prime Minister, and National Assembly Chairman in one-party rule. Analysts believe this could speed up decision-making but might also lead to a more centralized power structure, similar to China. (Read the full report) The four astronauts on NASA's lunar orbiting mission have become the humans farthest from Earth in history. They successfully flew behind the Moon and reached a distance of 406,771 kilometers from Earth on the morning of Taipei time today, setting a new human record. The spacecraft briefly lost contact for about 40 minutes when it passed behind the Moon, after which it re-established communication with mission control. Astronaut Kirk said, "It's great to hear from Earth again." (Read the full report) Two suspected food poisoning cases occurred during the Qingming Festival holiday. In Xindian District, New Taipei City, 44 people who ate bento boxes from Qingliu Canteen developed symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever. Twelve people remained hospitalized or under observation. New Taipei City's Department of Health inspection found improper storage of knives, nail maintenance by food handlers, and insufficient freezer temperatures, leading to the suspension of operations at three branches. In Kaohsiung City's Lingya District, vendors selling spring rolls at Zhengyi Market caused gastrointestinal discomfort in consumers. A total of 157 people sought medical attention, and Salmonella poisoning was identified from patient samples. (Read the full report) The Taiwanese women's national football team collectively submitted a petition on the 7th, pointing out the comprehensive dysfunction of the coaching staff during the Asian Cup, including "lack of scientific planning in training management, leading to severe sports injuries," "failure of tactical guidance, with serious role and responsibility misalignments," "confused internal decision-making and opaque selection mechanisms," and "lack of systematic feedback and professional review mechanisms." They demanded the dismissal of the head coach and the restructuring of the coaching staff, introducing a leadership team with scientific training planning, a clear tactical system, and professional scouting capabilities. The Chinese Taipei Football Association responded by reiterating that players are core assets and will establish an independent investigation mechanism to complete a report within 30 days. (Read the full report) When mentioning traditional customs like "swinging on a swing," most people think of Paiwan weddings or Rukai courtship rituals. However, in Chiayi City, this activity has evolved into a unique, century-old high-altitude competitive sport. In the early days, when plague ravaged Xialutou (now Guanglu Village, Chiayi City), people prayed to Xuan Tian Shang Di, who instructed them to build swings and swing to pray for blessings. The epidemic gradually subsided. Therefore, the Wudang Mountain Xuan Tian Shang Di Temple in Xialutou began holding "swing competitions" to thank the gods, believing that swinging higher brings one closer to "heaven." (Read the full report) Keywords: Life