Weekly Roundup: Key Developments in Tech, Politics, and Global Affairs in Taiwan
26 July 2024
Technology
40KB file causes global disruption! New developments in the cause of Microsoft's global outage, CrowdStrike report exposes 'key file'
According to the report, a 40KB file with erroneous data was accidentally included in
one of two Microsoft updates, which caused issues with CrowdStrike's Falcon Sensor
security tool. This resulted in Windows devices experiencing blue screen crashes and
service disruptions globally, affecting airlines, hospitals and other organizations.
CrowdStrike has outlined steps to prevent similar incidents, including more
comprehensive testing, manual validation by local developers, and strengthened
verification and error handling processes. The report also mentions that Microsoft will
implement gradual rollouts and give users more control over update timing to avoid
directly impacting business operations.
Source: UDN News
https://tech.udn.com/tech/story/123154/8117110
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Cost reductions are promising! Li Kaifu indicates that an enterprise-level AI brain may emerge: large language models accelerate AI 2.0
According to Li Kaifu, a member of the Foxconn Research Institute's advisory committee and the executive chairman of Innovation Works, the enhanced capabilities of large language models are accelerating the realization of AI 2.0.
AI 2.0 is transforming user interfaces and business models, upgrading the scale of the global economy. All software and business models may be rewritten by artificial intelligence, and the cost of AI-powered reasoning is expected to decrease by nearly 10 times annually. Li predicts the emergence of an enterprise-level AI "brain" that could disrupt existing corporate structures and scales.
Source: Storm Media
https://www.storm.mg/article/5202148
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Foxconn Invests 4.5 Billion Yuan in Zhengzhou to Set Up New Business Building, Pushing Electric Vehicles and Battery Industry
Foxconn, the parent company of Hon Hai Precision Industry, announced that its subsidiary Foxconn Technology Group has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Henan Provincial Government.
Under the agreement, Foxconn will invest 10 billion Chinese yuan (around 45 billion New Taiwan dollars) to build a new business headquarters building and seven major centers in Zhengzhou, Henan. The goal is to promote the development of the electric vehicle, energy storage battery, digital health, and robotics industries. Additionally, Foxconn plans to focus on electric vehicle prototyping and solid-state battery projects in the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone.
Source: Storm Media
https://www.storm.mg/article/5204050
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Politics & Business
Involved in Corruption, Sentenced to 7 Years and 4 Months in Prison! Kao Hung-an "Pleads Not Guilty" and Announces Withdrawal from the Taiwan People's Party: Will File an Appeal
New Taipei City Mayor Kao Hung-an was convicted of corruption for misusing NT$460,000 in assistant fees. The Taipei District Court sentenced him to 7 years and 4 months in prison, and stripped him of his civil rights for 4 years.
Kao has announced that he will appeal the ruling, stating that the verdict differs greatly from the established precedents in similar cases. He also immediately withdrew from the Taiwan People's Party. Kao emphasized that the city government will continue to work diligently, and will not allow any situation to harm the citizens of New Taipei City.
Source: SETN
https://www.setn.com/News.aspx?NewsID=1505095
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Closing schools for 2 days due to typhoon resulted in a loss of 40 billion NTD across Taiwan!" He criticized that it should not be decided by county/city mayors: "No one does this kind of thing.”
Strong Typhoon Kai-mi is expected to make landfall in Taiwan tonight and early tomorrow morning. Many counties and cities initially did not announce school and work closures, drawing criticism from the public.
Former DPP legislator Kuo Cheng-liang criticized that closing schools for 1 day resulted in a loss of nearly 20 billion NTD, and 2 days of closure led to a 40 billion NTD loss across Taiwan. He argued that the decision to close schools should not be made by county/city mayors, as no other country has this kind of system, saying "No one does this kind of thing!"
Source: SETN
https://www.setn.com/News.aspx?NewsID=1504171
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Restart Nuclear Power? Guo Zhi-hui: I Can Only Accept Instructions from Superiors at This Position
Guo Zhi-hui, the Minister of Economic Affairs in Taiwan discussed the potential restart of nuclear power in the country. Guo acknowledges that he can only accept instructions from his superiors on this matter. The government is focus on energy efficiency improvements through ESCO (Energy Service Company) initiatives, which aim to reduce electricity consumption by 2.5 GW, equivalent to the total power output of the third nuclear power plant. This is seen as a crucial step in addressing the growing electricity demand, particularly driven by the expansion of AI technology, which is expected to increase eightfold by 2028.
Source: Storm Media
https://www.storm.mg/article/5203668
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International
To save American democracy, I choose to pass the torch to a new generation" - Biden delivers a resignation speech at the White House
On July 24, 2024, President Biden delivered a nationwide television address from the Oval Office, explaining his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election. Biden stated that in order to save American democracy, he has chosen to "pass the torch to a new generation."
After weeks of party turmoil and mounting pressure to step down, Biden acknowledged that he could only unite the Democratic Party by exiting the race. He recognized that without his withdrawal, the Democrats risked losing both the White House and Congress. Biden's resignation speech marked the end of his political career, as he sought to pave the way for a new generation of Democratic leadership.
Source: Storm Media
https://www.storm.mg/article/5204608
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Netanyahu goes to US Congress to give speech, calls protesters 'idiots'; Pelosi and dozens of Democratic lawmakers boycott and skip
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the US Congress on 24th July 2024 to deliver a speech. During his address, Netanyahu criticized the protesters outside the Capitol building, calling them "idiots." This sparked a boycott from dozens of Democratic lawmakers, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who refused to attend Netanyahu's speech.
The move highlights the continued partisan tensions and divisions in American politics, as the Democrats sought to distance themselves from Netanyahu's controversial remarks and demonstrate their opposition to his hardline policies. The incident underscores the challenges of maintaining bipartisanship and civility in the US political landscape.
Source: Yahoo! News
https://tw.news.yahoo.com/納坦雅胡赴美國會演說批示威者-白癡-裴洛西等數十民主黨議員缺席杯葛-004145629.html
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FOX invites Trump and Harris to debate on 9/17 in a swing state
According to the report, Fox News has invited former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris to participate in a televised debate on September 17th in a swing state. This would be the first debate between the two potential presidential candidates.
While the campaigns have not yet responded, Trump has previously expressed a willingness to debate Harris, stating that he believes debates are important for the presidential election. The debate, if it takes place, would be a high-profile event as the 2024 presidential race heats up.
Source: Liberty Times Net
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/breakingnews/4747691?utm_medium=APP&utm_campaign=SHARE&utm_medium=APP