SINGAPORE, April 17 – Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) lifted investor sentiment across Asian and European chip stocks on Thursday by issuing a positive forecast, helping ease nerves after bleak warnings from Nvidia and ASML had shaken the market. TSMC, a key supplier for Apple and Nvidia, reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings and reaffirmed its full-year targets for both revenue and capital expenditure. The upbeat outlook came after markets closed in Taiwan, pushing up share prices of tech companies in Japan and Europe. TSMC’s Frankfurt-listed shares rose 5.5% in early trading.
A day earlier, chip stocks took a hit after Nvidia warned of a $5.5 billion loss due to new U.S. export restrictions on its AI chips for China, and ASML expressed concerns over its business outlook. Despite potential risks from U.S. tariffs, TSMC executives said they had not observed any shift in customer behavior and expected strong demand for artificial intelligence to continue driving business growth. As the world’s top contract chipmaker, TSMC plays a critical role in producing advanced AI chips.
Gary Tan of Allspring Global Investments said TSMC was well-positioned to pass on price increases through the supply chain. Although his fund holds TSMC shares, it remains underweight on Taiwan. While TSMC’s outlook offers some relief for chip investors, uncertainties in the sector persist as earnings season unfolds. Mark Hackett of Nationwide noted that company executives might use tariff-related uncertainty as a reason to withhold future guidance.
Concerns over tariffs have already impacted TSMC’s Taipei-listed shares, which have fallen over 20% in 2025 — the worst start to a year in three decades. Its U.S.-listed shares are down 23%. Goldman Sachs reported that foreign investors have sold $8.66 billion worth of TSMC shares this year, following net purchases of $2 billion in 2024 and $10.4 billion in 2023.
Taiwan-related Risks: The broader selloff in TSMC and other Taiwanese stocks highlights investor unease as they respond to unpredictable U.S. trade policy under President Trump. Taiwan was previously set to face a 32% tariff, which was paused to allow for bilateral talks. The first direct discussions between Taiwan and the U.S. on tariffs took place last Friday.
TSMC, which recently committed an additional $100 billion to expand its operations in the U.S., is pivotal to the American chip ecosystem. By relocating more production to U.S. soil, the company could help reduce supply chain vulnerabilities for clients such as Qualcomm and AMD. Sam Konrad of Jupiter Asset Management noted that geopolitical instability surrounding Taiwan poses significant risks to U.S. tech companies, yet those risks appear to be more reflected in Taiwanese stock valuations than in their American counterparts.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
On Wednesday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu urged the Sixteenth Finance Commission to increase the vertical devolution of central taxes from the current 41% to 50% and to provide special financial assistance to help rebuild the state. Naidu's request is significant as his party, the TDP, is a crucial ally in the BJP-led NDA government, with 16 Lok Sabha members supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.
Naidu emphasized the need to address the drop in the share of central taxes allocated to southern states, which has decreased from 24.3% (10th Finance Commission) to 15.8% (15th Finance Commission). He claimed that Andhra Pradesh’s share in horizontal devolution is less than its proportion in the national GDP and population, putting the state at a fiscal disadvantage.
The Finance Commission, led by Chairman Arvind Panagariya, visited Andhra Pradesh from April 15 to 18. Naidu stressed that the state’s reconstruction is essential not only for its growth but also for the nation’s development, aiming to achieve a $2.4 trillion GSDP and a per capita income of $42,000 by 2047 under the "Swarna Andhra 2047" vision. The Chief Minister also requested special allocations from the Centre due to the post-bifurcation challenges the state faces, including support for several key projects such as the Polavaram-Banakacharla river interlinking project, water supply, tourism hubs, logistics infrastructure, and regional growth centres.
Naidu highlighted the need for substantial investments in ports, fishing harbors, multi-modal logistics parks, greenfield airports, inland waterways, and road networks. He also requested funding for skill development, setting up an innovation hub, and improving literacy and local infrastructure in rural and urban areas. He pointed out the fiscal loss caused by the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, especially due to the loss of Hyderabad, which contributes 75% of Telangana's income. Naidu also warned that the state’s revenue deficit could rise to Rs 1.43 lakh crore by 2030-31, up from Rs 1.28 lakh crore currently.
Regarding the capital city of Amaravati, Naidu mentioned the need for an additional Rs 47,000 crore for its development, beyond the Rs 31,000 crore already secured from international institutions. He showcased plans for a mega city that integrates Amaravati with surrounding areas, emphasizing its strategic location near major cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Naidu also informed the commission that Andhra Pradesh serves as a gateway to Eastern countries, with the longest coastline and three major industrial corridors, furthering the state's role in India's growth. The commission members are scheduled to continue their visit in Tirupati and return to Delhi after visiting local bodies and industries.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@ncbn.
WASHINGTON — In what could be a groundbreaking discovery, scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have detected the strongest indicators so far of possible life beyond our solar system. They found chemical traces in the atmosphere of a distant planet — K2-18 b — that, on Earth, are produced solely by living organisms. The gases — dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) — are typically released by marine microbes like phytoplankton. Their presence suggests K2-18 b may host microbial life. However, researchers emphasize that this is not direct evidence of living organisms, but rather a potential biosignature, or sign of life-related chemical activity. More observations are needed to confirm the findings.
Astrophysicist Nikku Madhusudhan from the University of Cambridge, the study’s lead author, expressed excitement, calling it a major step forward in the search for extraterrestrial life. He noted this marks the first time that biosignatures have potentially been identified on a habitable exoplanet using current telescope technology — a significant milestone for observational astrobiology. While previous missions have investigated Mars, Venus, and icy moons for signs of life, this finding looks far beyond — at a planet 124 light-years away in the constellation Leo. K2-18 b, 8.6 times more massive than Earth and 2.6 times its diameter, orbits a red dwarf star in its habitable zone, where liquid water could exist — a key ingredient for life.
The planet is thought to be a hycean world — a theorized type of exoplanet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and a warm, deep ocean possibly suited for microbial life. Earlier JWST data had already found carbon-based molecules like methane and carbon dioxide in K2-18 b’s atmosphere. Now, the detection of DMS or DMDS at over 10 parts per million — levels much higher than on Earth — strongly hints at biological activity, as no known non-biological processes explain their presence in such quantities. Madhusudhan noted that while this strengthens the case for life, scientists need to remain cautious. The detection, though statistically significant (99.7% confidence), still leaves a 0.3% chance it could be a statistical anomaly. Repeat observations and deeper theoretical analysis are necessary to rule out non-biological sources for these gases.
Other experts welcomed the findings but echoed the call for careful verification. Christopher Glein of the Southwest Research Institute described the planet as "tantalizing" but emphasized the need for rigorous testing and independent confirmation. K2-18 b belongs to the sub-Neptune category — planets larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. To study its atmosphere, astronomers use the transit method, analyzing starlight that passes through the planet’s atmosphere as it moves in front of its host star.
The JWST’s newer instrument and wavelength range offered more detailed results compared to previous data. Still, Madhusudhan underlined that science must avoid prematurely declaring the discovery of life. Though we may be on the brink of answering humanity’s age-old question — “Are we alone?” — researchers must first confirm the biosignatures through repeated observations and explore every alternative explanation. In conclusion, while the evidence from K2-18 b is compelling and could mark the dawn of a new chapter in the search for life, it remains a hopeful possibility, not a confirmed reality — at least, not yet.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
As his opponents closed in on Damascus, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who ruled with an iron grip for 24 years, used a private jet to transport valuable assets, cash, and confidential documents outlining the network behind his wealth. Yasar Ibrahim, Assad's chief economic adviser, arranged for the jet, which made four flights to the UAE carrying Assad's valuables, family, aides, and palace staff, according to sources speaking to Reuters.
Ibrahim, who controlled Assad’s economic office, was crucial in setting up a network of entities to manage Assad's control over Syria’s economy, often acting as a front for the regime. These operations were under scrutiny due to U.S. sanctions on Assad and Ibrahim. The jet, an Embraer Legacy 600 registered in Gambia, completed its trips in the 48 hours leading up to the regime’s collapse.
The plane carried bags of unmarked cash—at least $500,000—along with key documents, laptops, and hard drives containing intelligence about "The Group," the term used by Assad’s inner circle for his corporate network spanning industries like banking, telecom, and real estate. On Dec 6, as rebels advanced on Damascus, the Embraer jet landed at Damascus International Airport. Syrian Air Force Intelligence, led by Brigadier-General Ghadeer Ali, secured the area as vehicles from Assad's Republican Guard, tasked with protecting him, approached the plane.
The jet made multiple trips to the UAE, with one flight on Dec 7 carrying both cash and sensitive information about Assad's business network. UAE embassy cars were seen near the plane, suggesting the country was aware of the operation. On Dec 8, as Assad fled to Russia, the jet made a final stop at the Russian military base in Hmeimim, carrying a close associate of Ibrahim, Ahmed Khalil, who was under Western sanctions for aiding Assad’s regime. He was carrying $500,000 in cash, withdrawn from the Syria International Islamic Bank.
The jet was leased from Lebanese businessman Mohamad Wehbe, who denied involvement, although records show the plane was registered in Gambia. Although the operation has not been widely reported, sources familiar with the scheme, including former intelligence officers, confirmed details of the mission to move Assad’s assets before his regime fell.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
The sixth edition of India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise ‘DUSTLIK-VI’ began on April 16, 2025, in Pune. Focused on joint sub-conventional operations in semi-urban settings, it involves 60 Indian personnel and Uzbekistan Army troops. The drill enhances counter-terror skills, coordination, and defence cooperation between both nations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Ministry of Defence.
As Donald Trump’s tariffs evolve into a trade war with China, a wave of defiant nationalism is rising. The Chinese government, sharing Mao-era rhetoric, shows no sign of backing down. However, China’s economy remains fragile post-pandemic, and fears of a global recession are growing. Despite efforts to diversify trade and boost domestic demand, many in China worry that worsening U.S.-China tensions could lead to broader conflict.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
China's president is touring Southeast Asia to position the country as a dependable partner during the tariff turmoil caused by the Trump administration. The five-day visit across three nations is an unusual move for Xi Jinping. Will the strategy succeed? Teresa Tang discusses the approach with CNA’s Olivia Siong.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA News.
During an emergency parliamentary session on Saturday, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds announced urgent action to save Scunthorpe’s British Steel plant, the UK's last mass producer of virgin steel. MPs passed legislation forcing the plant’s Chinese owners, Jingye, to keep it open or face criminal charges. Financial journalist Jasper Jolly explained the steelworks' importance to Scunthorpe and the town’s potential devastation if it closed. The plant has struggled financially for years, largely due to cheap Chinese steel flooding global markets. The government’s intervention has sparked debate about foreign ownership of key infrastructure and contrasts with its approach to Port Talbot steelworks.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Guardian.
The People’s Action Party (PAP) is set to introduce its largest group of new candidates in recent memory for the upcoming General Election, with over 30 fresh faces expected to be announced. As the political race intensifies, opposition parties are also unveiling more potential contenders. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the likely standout candidates for GE2025 with independent political analyst Dr Felix Tan.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA News.
