A Washington Post investigation revealed that I Machine Technology, a Moscow-based supplier, imported over $20 million worth of CNC machine tools from Taiwan, a U.S. strategic partner, despite export restrictions imposed due to the war in Ukraine. These tools, critical for precision manufacturing in the defense industry, were primarily sold to Russian defense companies. The shipments, which likely violated Taiwan and Western prohibitions, underscore challenges in enforcing global restrictions and highlight loopholes that allow Russia's defense industry to remain robust. Taiwanese companies continued to ship CNC machine tools to Russia, directly and through third countries, even after Taiwan aligned its export controls with the U.S. and EU. The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned I Machine Technology for its ties to the Russian defense industry.

China is employing various tactics to influence Taiwan's presidential election, including high-altitude balloons for intimidation, funding pro-Beijing social media influencers, hosting Taiwanese officials on trips to China, and economic measures. Taiwan is investigating 102 cases of foreign interference, with many related to China, which seeks to unseat the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in favor of a more Beijing-friendly president. The impact of these efforts on the election is uncertain, but they contribute to China's long-term goal of unification. The U.S. has warned China against interference, while China accuses the DPP of exaggerating military threats for votes. The tactics used by China in Taiwan could be replicated in other democratic elections worldwide.

Chinese fans of Taylor Swift, known as Swifties, are eagerly anticipating the release of the 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' movie in China. Despite the global release two months prior, the film will open in Chinese theaters on New Year's Eve, a peak time for cinema attendance. Swift's popularity in China is significant, with her albums and songs achieving top sales and streaming numbers. Fans across the country are organizing viewing parties and events to celebrate the release. The Chinese government, which typically has a stringent vetting process for foreign films, has allowed the movie's release, and state media have expressed positive sentiments towards Swift. Fans find deeper meaning in Swift's music, relating it to societal issues and personal experiences.

Despite China abandoning its 'zero covid' policy, a segment of the population, self-dubbed 'zero-covid nail houses,' continues to practice strict infection control measures. This group, which includes individuals with health concerns like Gugu from Nanjing, maintains precautions such as wearing masks and disinfecting items with ultraviolet light. The policy, once a point of pride for the Chinese Communist Party and linked to leader Xi Jinping, ended in December after sparking the largest social unrest since 1989. The persistence of these practices reflects the lasting impact of the government's extensive anti-covid campaign and the public's ingrained fear of the disease. Online communities have formed around these 'nail houses,' sharing tips and support for continued vigilance against the virus.

The article presents a study on project cost overrun in the construction industry, highlighting its impact on financial profitability, project completion, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction. The study introduces a real-time predictive model based on a dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) that considers project-specific cost data and influence factors. The model was validated using six building and mass rapid transit projects in Taiwan, showing high consistency with actual cost overruns and superior accuracy compared to other models. The research emphasizes the importance of real-time, project-specific data for accurate cost trend forecasting and the potential of the proposed model to provide early alerts for cost overruns to project managers.