Opening Remarks

Typhoon Jambi swept past northeastern Taiwan, leaving one dead, over 500 injured, and widespread power outages. I am Mu-yen. In today's "AI International News Express", besides focusing on the typhoon disaster, we will also decode a shocking transnational murder-for-hire plot: a Taiwanese stand-up comedian was targeted in a staged car crash on the streets for satirizing Xi Jinping. In addition, the US-Japan "Keen Sword" military exercise was not suspended despite the typhoon, but instead took the opportunity to practice extreme weather operations. What are the strategic considerations behind this? I will tell you in a moment.

Today's International Focus

1. Typhoon Jambi Hits Taiwan, Leaving 1 Dead and Over 500 Injured

• What Happened: Typhoon Jambi swept past the northeastern coast of Taiwan on October 24, causing one man to be swept away by waves and killed on Liuqiu Island, and injuring 527 others. The wind and rain caused power outages for over 167,000 households across Taiwan, with Taipei and most northern and central regions suspending work and classes for two consecutive days.
• Why It Matters: This autumn typhoon demonstrated the severe test that extreme weather poses to an island nation's infrastructure. Its path subsequently moved toward mainland China, with typhoon warnings and subsequent disaster prevention measures continuing to draw regional attention.
• Taiwan's Perspective: This event directly affected the daily lives, transportation, and disaster prevention safety of the Taiwanese public, while also testing the emergency response capabilities of local governments during consecutive days of work and school suspensions.
• Source: The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/24/typhoon-champi-kills-one-and-injures-more-than-500-in-taiwan-as-it-heads-to-china)

2. Five Indicted by New Taipei District Prosecutors Office in Car Crash Targeting Comedian Huang Yi-hao

• What Happened: The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office in Taiwan announced on October 21 the indictment of five Taiwanese men. They are accused of allegedly accepting NT$450,000 from a Chinese national named "K" to injure stand-up comedian Huang Yi-hao, who had previously satirized Xi Jinping, by staging a car accident. Huang was hit by a car on September 11, but fortunately suffered only a bruised right pelvis.
• Why It Matters: Prosecutors allege that the case was funded by an individual from mainland China, sparking strong concern in Taiwanese society over foreign interference and the "transnational repression" of free speech.
• Taiwan's Perspective: This case is directly related to Taiwan's freedom of speech and personal safety guarantees. How to prevent this new type of foreign-contracted crime in the future has become a new challenge for the judiciary and national security.
• Source: AP (https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-indicts-5-attack-comedian-satirized-china-xi)

3. US-Japan Keen Sword Exercise Adjusts for Typhoon, Practicing Extreme Weather Operations

• What Happened: The United States and Japan decided not to suspend the "Keen Sword 27" joint military exercise despite the approach of Typhoon Jambi. Instead, they used the severe weather to practice operations and disaster relief under extreme environments. The exercise mobilized 57,000 US and Japanese troops, and for the first time deployed US military anti-ship missiles and air defense systems on Yonaguni Island, which is only 110 kilometers from Taiwan.
• Why It Matters: This exercise demonstrated the combat readiness of the US-Japan alliance under the dual challenges of extreme weather and geopolitical conflict. Its deployment location also reflects the high level of importance placed on the defense of the First Island Chain.
• Taiwan's Perspective: The US military's deployment of advanced defense systems on Yonaguni Island, which is extremely close to Taiwan, is directly related to the security defense of the Taiwan Strait and the strategic coordination among the US, Japan, and Taiwan.
• Source: Kyodo News (https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2026/10/keen-sword-drills-typhoon.html)

4. Yemen's Houthi Rebels Reiterate Riyadh Airport as a Military Target

• What Happened: Yemen's Houthi movement issued a warning on October 25, reiterating that King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, remains a "military target" and warning all international airlines and passengers not to use it. The airport had previously been closed for two weeks following a Houthi attack on October 10 that killed 13 people and injured over 300, and had just announced the reopening of some terminals on October 25.
• Why It Matters: The Houthis' continued threats to civil aviation facilities place Middle Eastern airspace security under high uncertainty, and the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen could escalate further.
• Taiwan's Perspective: Instability in the Middle East could force flights between Taiwan and Europe to adjust their routes, increasing flight times and driving up insurance and operating costs for airlines.
• Source: The Hindu (https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/houthis-renew-warning-on-riyadh-airport-as-flights-resume/article68792341.ece)

5. Massive Protests of 400,000 Erupt in France Against Inflation and Education Budget Cuts

• What Happened: A nationwide protest erupted in France on October 24, with approximately 410,000 people taking to the streets to protest high inflation, soaring living costs, and cuts to the education budget. Although most marches were peaceful, violent clashes between police and protesters broke out in cities like Paris in the evening, with the Ministry of the Interior confirming a total of 1,314 arrests nationwide.
• Why It Matters: This large-scale protest reflects the strong public dissatisfaction with government fiscal austerity policies across European countries after experiencing prolonged inflation. Such social unrest could weaken the governing authority of current administrations.
• Taiwan's Perspective: Continued inflation and instability in European society indirectly affect demand in Taiwan's export markets to Europe, while also requiring Taiwanese travelers to elevate their safety assessments when traveling to Europe.
• Source: CBS News (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/france-protests-high-cost-of-living-education-arrests/)

6. Left and Right Candidates Neck-and-Neck in Brazil's Presidential Runoff Election

• What Happened: Brazil held its presidential runoff election on October 25, featuring a showdown between the 80-year-old incumbent leftist President Lula and the 45-year-old far-right Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. In the first round of voting, Bolsonaro led Lula with 48.24% of the vote to Lula's 43.33%, and current polls show an extremely tight race.
• Why It Matters: The outcome of this election will determine the future economic and trade direction of Latin America's largest economy. Whether it will continue leftist social welfare policies or shift toward a far-right, market-opening approach is drawing intense international attention.
• Taiwan's Perspective: As a major global exporter of agricultural products and minerals, Brazil's political shifts will affect global commodity prices, thereby indirectly impacting Taiwan's supply chains and bilateral trade relations.
• Source: The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/25/brazil-presidential-election-runoff-lula-bolsonaro)

7. Archdiocese of New York Agrees to Pay $800 Million to Compensate 1,300 Abuse Victims

• What Happened: The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York reached an $800 million settlement agreement with approximately 1,300 victims who accused clergy members of sexual abuse, marking the second-highest settlement amount in US Catholic history. According to Vatican News, the Archbishop of New York has confirmed this news to the clergy, with the official signing expected during the week of November 6.
• Why It Matters: This case represents a major step forward in transitional justice for the Catholic Church in addressing historical sexual abuse allegations. The high compensation amount will also have a profound impact on the financial operations of the Archdiocese of New York and the future management system of its clergy.
• Taiwan's Perspective: This case demonstrates the international community's commitment to accountability and transitional justice for historical sexual abuse cases, serving as a reference for Taiwan in promoting related social justice and victim protection policies.
• Source: Vatican News (https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2026-10/new-york-archdiocese-800-million-settlement-abuse.html)

Conclusion

Today, we have seen the dual challenges of defense and livelihoods under extreme weather, and witnessed the tug-of-war between geopolitics and free speech around the world. Over the next few days, we will continue to follow the final vote count of the Brazilian election and the subsequent impact of Middle Eastern airspace security on international flights. I am Mu-yen, and I will see you tomorrow.