Italy’s cricket team rises as soccer team faltersAPItaly are finally heading to the World Cup — just not in the sport most people might expect. Amid dark times for the country’s storied, but ailing soccer team, some salvation comes in the form of the Azzurri’s unheralded cricketers after their first-ever qualification for a global tournament. A taxi drives past a billboard featuring the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup trophy outside Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, on Tuesday. Contrast the national team’s progress in cricket to the regression of their soccer team. In the short term, Italian cricket is ready to enjoy its landmark moment.

Internet blackouts used to boost censorship: ProtonAFP, GENEVA, SwitzerlandAs countries step up their use of Internet shutdowns to muzzle dissent, some are also taking advantage of the blackouts to increase censorship firewalls, Internet privacy company Proton said. Increasingly, it is observing governments in countries such as Iran and Myanmar emerging from Internet shutdowns with a supercharged ability to censor Internet access. Switzerland-based Proton tracks demand for its free virtual private network (VPN) services to detect government crackdowns and attacks on free speech. In several cases, internet shutdowns saw countries’ censorship capabilities “going from nothing, or something laughable, to something very skilled,” Cesarano said. Right before Iran’s Internet shutdown took effect on Jan. 8, the VPN Observatory noted a 1,000 percent rise in use of Proton’s VPN services, indicating an awareness of the coming clampdown.

Italy foils Russian cyberattacks targeting OlympicsAFP, ROMEItaly has thwarted a series of Russian cyberattacks targeting the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the Italian minister of foreign affairs said on Wednesday. The attacks were “on foreign ministry offices, starting with Washington, and also some Winter Olympics sites, including hotels in Cortina,” Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani said. Photo: AFPA Russian hacker group claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said was in response to the Italian government’s support for Ukraine. The group said it had attacked the Web sites of several hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the towns hosting events for the Games. It was standard for countries to send security officials to the Olympics, with Italy having sent them to Paris for the 2024 Games, Piantedosi said.

US-Russia START nuclear pact expiresNO GO: Washington wants Beijing to join the pact, but although China said it regrets the expiration of the treaty, it has balked at any restrictions on its growing nuclear arsenalAP, MOSCOWThe last remaining nuclear arms pact between Russia and the US expired yesterday, removing any caps on the two largest atomic arsenals for the first time in more than a half-century. The termination of the New START Treaty could set the stage for what many fear could be an unconstrained nuclear arms race. He has indicated that he wants China to be a part of it — a push Beijing has rebuffed. Then-US president Barack Obama, right, and then-Russian president Dmitry Medvedev sign the New START Treaty at Prague Castle on April 8, 2010. Beijing has balked at any restrictions on its smaller, but growing nuclear arsenal, while urging the US to resume nuclear talks with Russia.

Qualcomm gives tepid forecast in sign of shaky phone marketBloombergQualcomm Inc, the largest maker of smartphone processors, gave a lackluster revenue forecast for the current quarter, stoking concern that component shortages will hurt consumer demand by driving prices up. The company's sales will be US$10.2 billion to US$11 billion this quarter, the company said in a statement yesterday. Analysts, on average, estimated revenue of US$11.2 billion and earnings of US$2.89 a share, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Last quarter's profit was US$2.78 a share when excluding some items, while sales increased 5 percent year-on-year to about US$12.3 billion, according to Qualcomm. Internet-connected devices generated sales of US$1.69 billion, with the automotive market contributing US$1.1 billion.

TSMC to invest US$17bn in 3nm chip production in Japan: reportReuters, TOKYOTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) plans to mass produce advanced 3-nanometer chips in Kumamoto in southern Japan with an investment of US$17 billion, Japanese newspaper the Yomiuri Shimbun reported today. Wei, left, speaks during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo today. Photo: ReutersTSMC executives were to visit the Japanese prime minister's office today. TSMC makes its 3-nanometer chips in Taiwan, and plans to begin producing them at its second fab in Arizona in 2027. Japan is also heavily subsidizing homegrown foundry venture Rapidus Corp, which aims to produce cutting-edge chips on the northern island of Hokkaido.

Work starts on Circular Line section through Neihu Technology ParkStaff writer, with CNAA groundbreaking ceremony was yesterday held for part of the Taipei Metro Circular (Yellow) Line’s east section that is to pass through Neihu Technology Park. The ceremony marked the start of Contract CF710, a portion of the Circular Line that is to connect Zhongshan (中山) and Neihu (內湖) districts along Jingye 3rd Road, Lequn 2nd Road and Ruikang Road, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, center, yesterday attends a groundbreaking ceremony for a portion of the Taipei Metro Circular (Yellow) Line’s east section. He added that once complete, commuters could expect 11-minute travel times from Neihu Technology Park to Shilin Station, while it would take 14 minutes to get to Xiangshan Station in Xinyi District (信義). Completion of the eastern section of the Circular Line is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in Neihu, Chiang added.

US stance on Taiwan unchanged, US official says after Trump, Xi talkBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAUS policy regarding Taiwan has not changed, a US official said following yesterday’s phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), in which they mentioned Taiwan. US President Donald Trump, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping are pictured outside Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30 last year. Meanwhile, an official Chinese government account said that Xi had said: “I attach great importance to Sino-US relations.”The US must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence, Xi was quoted as saying by Chinese state news agency Xinhua. Xi's focus on arms sales followed Washington's approval in December last year of a record US$11.1 billion arms package to Taiwan that includes medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones. The Taiwan Relations Act was promulgated in 1979 after the US ended formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan and was drafted to help maintain peace, security and stability in the Western Pacific.

Fuel prices capped over Lunar New YearBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAGasoline and diesel prices would only be allowed to fall and not rise from Feb. 16 to 23 as part of measures to stabilize the price of essential goods over the Lunar New Year period, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said today. Prices of natural gas and cylinder gas would also be frozen for the entire month of February, while car wash prices would not change at CPC service stations, it said. Photo: Chung Li-hua, Taipei TimesThe MOA said it has guided wholesale markets to increase supplies of several agricultural products and ensure smooth operations. It would also enhance border quarantine and disease-prevention measures over the holiday period, the MOA added. Meanwhile, the MOEA said it would also freeze the prices of cooking oil and sugar for household use, as sold by Taiwan Sugar Co (Taisugar).

US House committee advances bill on space cooperation with TaiwanStaff writer, with CNAA bill aimed at enhancing space cooperation between Taiwan and the US yesterday cleared the committee stage in the US House of Representatives. The Taiwan and American Space Assistance (TASA) Act was included as an amendment to the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026, which the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology passed in a 37-0 vote. The TASA Act was first introduced in September 2025 by US representatives French Hill and Gabe Amo. Specifically, the bill would provide an avenue for "voluntary exchange of personnel from NASA and the NOAA to the Taiwan Space Agency to further advance Taiwan's space capabilities," it said. Having cleared the committee stage, the amendments must be passed by the full House and the US Senate, then signed into law by the president, to take effect.

MOFA thanks US for commitment to TaiwanBy Huang Ching-hsuan, Chen Yu-fu and Fion Khan / Staff reporters, with staff writerTaiwan appreciates the US’ firm commitment to Taiwan based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the “six assurances,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said today following a phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) and US President Donald Trump. Since taking office, the Trump administration has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for Taiwan and the long-standing US policy toward Taiwan, the ministry said. Photo: Yang Cheng-yu, Taipei TimesThe US has highlighted Taiwan’s strategic importance in its latest National Security Strategy and called for deterrence of conflict in the Taiwan Strait by enhancing collective defense, it said. Meanwhile, China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Chen Binhua (陳斌華) today told a news conference that Taiwan is at the core of China’s interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in US-China relations, the Chinese state-run Global Times reported. He accused the Democratic Progressive Party administration of repeatedly attempting to “seek independence through external support” or “seek independence by force,” leading to tensions and instability in the Taiwan Strait, the report said.

Shanlan tourist train arrives in Tainan ahead of new route launchStaff writer, with CNAThe Shanlan (山嵐號, or Mountain Mist) tourist train yesterday arrived at Tainan Station ahead of the launch of its new route between Tainan and Changhua County on April 3. Operated by Taiwan Railways Corp in conjunction with Lion Travel, the train departed from Bao-an Station in Tainan, stopped at Tainan Station and was scheduled to continue north to Dalin Station in Chiayi County before returning to Tainan on a trial run. The Shanlan, which has been operating on the line between Hualien and Taitung in eastern Taiwan since April last year, would bring new tourism opportunities and boost local industries along the Tainan-Changhua route, Taiwan Railways said. The Shanlan tourist train arrives at Tainan Station yesterday. The scenic route traverses the southern plains and central valley, passing vast fields, rolling hills, and picturesque railway towns, it added.

Relations with US ‘rock solid,’ President Lai says after Trump-Xi callBy by Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard / Reuters, TAIPEIRelations between Taiwan and the US are "rock-solid" and cooperation programs would continue and not change, President William Lai (賴清德) said today after Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) discussed Taiwan with US President Donald Trump. In a call yesterday, Xi told Trump that the US should "carefully" handle arms sales to Taiwan. Speaking to reporters in central Taiwan, Lai said that Taipei and Washington have strong channels of communication. President William Lai speaks at a news conference in Taipei on Tuesday. Photo: Luo Pei-de, Taipei Times"Taiwan-US relations are rock-solid; all cooperation programs will continue and will not change," Lai said, adding that US commitments to Taiwan also remain unchanged.

Each time the KMT chose to “talk things through” with the CCP, no such “thaw” occurred. The victims are not limited to the KMT — those closest to the CCP perhaps fared even worse. Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) openly reveres Mao and has undoubtedly inherited his ruthlessness. Yet, once this objective was achieved, Liu Yuan was promptly sidelined and politically frozen out. In terms of achievements and contributions, does she surpass Liu Yuan?

EDITORIAL: Taiwan and Japan need each otherTaipei and Tokyo must deepen cooperation on the economy and regional security, Japan’s representative to Taiwan said in an interview on Saturday. “From the perspective of economic security, it is vital to build supply chains and cooperate in cultivating talent from both sides, as well as from third countries,” he said. As Katayama said, the strengths of Taiwan and Japan are complementary: Japan excels in materials and equipment, while Taiwan leads in advanced chip manufacturing. The US would remain a vital economic partner for Taiwan, but Japan is also an industrial leader and a neighbor who shares Taiwan’s concerns about a belligerent China. Taiwan should seek to integrate its high-tech sectors with those of Japan and the US.