Minas Tirith Reports

🇹🇼TSMC Profits Surge 58% on Unstoppable AI Chip Demand Taiwan's TSMC, a key supplier for US tech giants Nvidia and Apple, reported a massive 58% surge in Q1 net profit to $17.7 billion, driven by relentless demand for AI chips. Revenue also climbed 35% to $35 billion, shattering expectations. The firm's most advanced chips now make up 74% of wafer revenue, cementing its market dominance. To meet future demand, TSMC is boosting capital investment to the upper end of a $52-56 billion range, signaling strong confidence that the demand is here to stay. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇮🇱🇺🇸Pro-Israel Megadonor Adelson Gives $40M to GOP PACs Prominent pro-Israel philanthropist Miriam Adelson has made another significant $40 million contribution to Republican super PACs ahead of the midterm elections. The donation is strategically allocated, with $30 million directed to the Senate Leadership Fund and $10 million to its House counterpart. This investment shows that the GOP determined to ensure that, at least, they don't lose the Senate majority this November. Adelson's financial infusion is seen as a boost to Donald Trump's political apparatus as Republicans reportedly face a challenging election cycle, potentially fraying voter base, and growing discontent and concern among donors who expected the GOP's political domination to last for more than just 2 years. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel | Updated

🇦🇺Australia Refinery Fire Sparks Global Fuel Market Fears A major fire has erupted at the Viva Energy oil refinery in Geelong, Australia, one of only two such facilities remaining in the country. The blaze tore through the Corio-based refinery overnight, prompting a major emergency response. The facility is a critical asset, producing 10% of the nation's fuel and half of all fuel for the state of Victoria. Officials confirm the incident will disrupt gasoline and jet fuel production, exposing a significant vulnerability in Australia's energy security. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with officials ruling out intentional malice. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has now called on citizens to ration fuel amid a global oil shortage. The explosion was reportedly caused by a gas leak, shutting down some facilities. Amid existing global tensions, the incident is expected to pressure the global fuel market even more and could accelerate price increases. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel | Updated

🇺🇸🇮🇳Trump Boosts Guest Worker Visas After Business Lobbying The Trump Administration has directed an expansion of the H-2B visa program for temporary seasonal workers, bringing the number of available visas to the maximum allowed under the law. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇮🇱🇭🇺Israel-Hungary Alliance Reaffirmed Under New Leadership Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a constructive introductory call with Hungary's Prime Minister-Elect, Péter Magyar. Despite the leadership change from Viktor Orbán, Magyar affirmed his commitment to maintaining the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations. The leaders exchanged invitations for official visits to Budapest and Jerusalem. Their respective foreign ministers are scheduled to meet soon to further solidify diplomatic cooperation. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇺🇸Sebastian Gorka Poised to Lead National Counterterrorism Center Sebastian Gorka, a deputy assistant to the president, is reportedly seeking to become the next chief of the National Counterterrorism Center following the resignation of Joe Kent over his disagreements with Trump regarding the Iran war and Jews. Gorka is known for his robust stance against Islamist extremism and strong support for the administration's national security agenda. His appointment would signal a decisive shift in US counterterrorism strategy. Gorka has notably advocated for broadening the definition of terrorist threats to include radical far-left groups, which is very much in line with the vision Trump has bee voicing for the past few years. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇳🇴🇸🇾🇮🇷Norway's $2.2T Fund Blacklists Iran, Lifts Syria Ban Norway is adjusting the investment policy for its massive $2.2 trillion sovereign wealth fund. The government has announced it will lift its existing ban on investments in Syrian government bonds. Simultaneously, Oslo plans to add Iran to its exclusion list, effectively blacklisting the nation's bonds. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇺🇦🇷🇺Ukraine Claims First Robotic Capture of Russian Position Ukrainian forces have reportedly captured a Russian position using only drones and ground robots, for the first time in military history. The successful assault was conducted without any infantry involvement, resulting in surrender of Russian troops and zero Ukrainian casualties. President Zelensky confirmed the operation. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇮🇷🇺🇸Iran Demands $270 Billion in 'War Damages' from the United States The Iranian government has formally demanded compensation from the United States for what it describes as 'war damages.' A spokesman for Tehran declared the issue a central matter for the regime, citing an initial financial demand of $270 billion. Officials noted that this figure is a preliminary estimate and remains subject to change. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇹🇷Ankara's Military Expansion: Now Second Only to United States Turkey has established the world's second-largest network of overseas military bases, now operating 133 installations globally. While this expansion is significant, it remains a distant second to the United States' strategic posture of nearly 900 bases. Ankara's network now surpasses that of the United Kingdom and Russia. This growing footprint is most pronounced in Africa and the Middle East, allowing Turkey to project power and challenge the influence of regional actors, including the key Gulf states. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇻🇦🇺🇸Pope's Popularity Surges Despite Trump's Attacks One day after facing public criticism from President Trump, Pope Leo XIV continued his Africa tour with a historic visit to the Grand Mosque in Algiers. The political friction appears to have little effect on the Pontiff's standing. A March 2026 NBC News poll shows Leo with a +34 net favorability rating among Americans, starkly contrasting with Trump's -12 rating. Furthermore, a recent Gallup poll affirms the Pope's status as the most popular public figure in the world. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel

🇧🇷🇺🇸US ICE Arrests Fugitive Ex-Brazilian Intel Chief US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested Alexandre Ramagem Rodrigues, the former chief of Brazil's intelligence agency, on American soil. Rodrigues had fled to the United States to escape prosecution in his home country. He faces a potential 16-year prison sentence linked to allegations of plotting a coup together with former President Jair Bolsonaro. The arrest by US authorities marks a significant development in the ongoing legal challenges facing Bolsonaro's allies, even though, in theory, the right-wing US administration is supposed to assist its allies in Brazil. Ramagem was reportedly detained in Florida following a traffic stop. An ally claims Ramagem has legal status in the US and a pending asylum request under review, making the fact that he was arrested even more surprising - on many occasions, President Trump voiced support for Bolsonaro and his allies. Minas Tirith | 24/7 News channel | Updated