Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Wistron Corp is planning to raise up to $923 million by issuing global depository shares (GDS) that will be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, according to a term sheet reviewed by Reuters. Wistron, a key supplier to U.S. tech giant Nvidia, is offering as many as 250 million depository shares. The shares will be priced in the range of $36.20 to $36.93 each, reflecting a 4% to 6% discount compared to the company’s closing share price of NT$115 (approximately $3.85) on Thursday.
The company has not yet responded to Reuters’ request for comment regarding the share sale. As per the term sheet, proceeds from the offering will be used to purchase raw materials denominated in foreign currencies, supporting Wistron’s international manufacturing operations. The global depository shares are scheduled to begin trading on June 16.
In a separate announcement last month, Wistron disclosed that its new U.S.-based production facilities, which are being established to serve Nvidia, are expected to be completed next year. These new facilities will focus on manufacturing high-performance computing systems and products related to artificial intelligence (AI). The company also confirmed that it is currently engaged in discussions with other potential clients for similar manufacturing partnerships.
Wistron's move comes as demand for AI infrastructure and advanced computing hardware grows rapidly, driven by rising investments in data centers, machine learning, and related technologies. The capital raise is expected to strengthen Wistron’s global supply chain and manufacturing capabilities to better support its major clients.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
If Taiwanese pop group Energy can reunite and make a comeback after more than ten years, does that mean there’s a chance for the disbanded F4 as well? On June 4, Taiwan’s Mirror Media reported that F4 — the Mandopop group consisting of Vic Chou, Jerry Yan, Ken Chu, and Van Ness Wu — has reached an agreement to reunite for a concert in 2026 to celebrate their 25th debut anniversary.
At the premiere of his Taiwanese drama The World Between Us: After The Flames 2, Vic Chou spoke about the reunion rumors. The actor, who will turn 44 on June 9, said he receives reunion offers every year, but they never come to fruition. He explained that his main concern is that any reunion should be more than just a money-making event. When he asked about concrete plans, he never got any clear responses.
Vic admitted he’s uncertain if F4 will reunite this time around. When asked what the other members think, he joked, “Go ask them, why ask me?” He also said, “I don’t feel much pressure during F4 activities. Being the youngest, I just need to be silly and fun.” F4 gained fame after starring in the 2001 Taiwanese idol drama Meteor Garden and released three albums together. They disbanded in 2009 and have only performed together once since, at the 2013 Jiangsu Television Spring Festival Gala.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Instagram/Vic Chou.
Health officials in Sichuan province, located in southwestern China, have proposed extending marriage leave to 25 days and maternity leave to 150 days to promote a "fertility-friendly society" and help increase the country’s population. This initiative comes amid China’s ongoing efforts to address declining birth rates in the world’s second-largest economy. China’s population has decreased for the third year in a row in 2024, with experts warning the decline may continue.
The Sichuan Health Commission published the draft proposal on its website and is inviting public feedback from May 30 to June 30. With a population of 84 million, Sichuan is more populous than many countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom. If approved, marriage leave would increase by 400% from the current five days, and maternity leave would more than double from 60 days. Additionally, paternity leave would be extended from 20 to 30 days to encourage fathers to support their wives after childbirth and promote shared parenting responsibilities, officials said.
Sichuan has been considered one of China’s more progressive provinces, having allowed unmarried women access to IVF treatments and recently announcing benefits for unmarried individuals that were previously limited to married couples. China’s declining birth rates have been driven by decades of the one-child policy (1980–2015), rapid urbanization, high childcare and education costs, job insecurity, and a slowing economy — factors discouraging many young people from marrying and having children.
In 2024, the government introduced various fertility-friendly policies to address the challenge of about 300 million Chinese expected to retire over the next decade, a figure nearly equal to the entire population of the United States. Measures include encouraging universities to provide “love education” aimed at fostering positive attitudes toward marriage, love, fertility, and family.
In November, China’s State Council urged local governments to focus resources on resolving the population crisis and promote respect for marriage and childbearing at appropriate ages. Meanwhile, divorce rates continue to rise, with over 2.6 million couples filing for divorce last year, a 1.1% increase from 2.59 million in 2023.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
The crew of a cargo ship carrying about 3,000 vehicles, including 800 electric vehicles, abandoned the vessel off the coast of Alaska after a fire broke out onboard, according to its operator, Zodiac Maritime, on Wednesday (June 4). All 22 crew members were safely evacuated after attempts to extinguish the fire failed. They left the ship by lifeboat and were being transferred to a nearby merchant ship with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard.
The vessel, named Morning Midas, was located approximately 300 miles southwest of Adak, Alaska, according to the Coast Guard’s social media update. The Liberia-flagged ship had departed from Yantai port in China on May 26, heading to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico, based on LSEG data. Smoke was first noticed coming from a deck loaded with electric vehicles, though the specific brands on board have not been disclosed. Fires involving EVs on ships are particularly difficult to manage because of the intense heat and the risk of the fire reigniting, which can last for days.
The Coast Guard deployed aircrew and a cutter to assist with the situation, with three vessels already present at the scene. In a similar incident in 2022, a ship carrying 4,000 luxury cars, including Porsches and Bentleys, sank near the Portuguese Azores nearly two weeks after a fire broke out. Fires on ships, especially container ships, car carriers, and roll-on/roll-off vessels, are a major concern for insurers. Steamship Mutual, one of the insurers for Morning Midas, did not respond to requests for comment from Reuters.
According to insurer Allianz Commercial, such incidents across various vessel types have reached their highest level in a decade in 2024. Allianz highlighted in its 2025 safety and shipping review that risks remain high due to the large size of these ships and the complexity of firefighting and salvage operations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Near the front-line city of Toretsk in Ukraine's Donetsk region, troops from the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces prepare a M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer to launch an attack on advancing Russian positions amid ongoing combat operations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
In the episode of Destination Anywhere, Melanie Oliveiro explores the exciting destinations and countries that travelers can experience with Crystal Cruises, a luxury cruise line. Evon Ler, Director of Sales for Asia at Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group—Crystal Cruises’ parent company—shares insights into both onboard and onshore activities available to passengers. She reminisces about her adventures in Busan, South Korea, where she tried live octopus; visiting a sake brewery in Kobe, Japan; and savoring fresh cannoli in Sicily, Italy. Ler also highlights the wellness and dining experiences offered on Crystal Cruises, including curated plant-based menus and sound therapy sessions.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
On ‘Made in SG’, Melanie Oliveiro interviews Georgina Dobson, the winner of Mediacorp’s 987 STAR 2025 competition. A final-year psychology student at Temasek Polytechnic, Dobson reflects on the high-energy journey of the competition, which began in early April. She also shares insights gained from working with the current 987 radio DJs and recounts the memorable ups and downs she experienced alongside the other finalists.
Disclaimer: This Video is taken from CNA.
On the Morning Report, Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman cover the latest updates from the second round of direct ceasefire talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul, Turkey. They discuss the situation as US President Donald Trump warns he may withdraw if both sides remain unwilling to agree on a peace deal. They also speak with Dr. Sonia Mycak, Research Fellow at the Centre for European Studies, Australian National University.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
More than 30 Palestinians were killed and nearly 170 injured on Sunday near a food distribution site in southern Gaza, according to the health ministry. However, the U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation reported that food distribution at the Rafah location took place without any incidents, with no deaths or injuries. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng provide the latest update with Mouin Rabbani, a non-resident fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
