SMIC says rushed AI chip capacity could end up idle
SMIC says rushed AI chip capacity could end up idleBloombergChina’s top chipmaker has warned that breakaway spending on artificial intelligence (AI) chips is bringing forward years of future demand, raising the risk that some data centers could sit idle. People look at semiconductor products at the World Semiconductor Conference and Expo in Nanjing, China, on June 20 last year. China’s leading AI developers, including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (阿里巴巴), Tencent Holdings Ltd (騰訊) and ByteDance Ltd (字節跳動), are also investing heavily in AI infrastructure equipped with both Nvidia chips and domestically produced alternatives. The surge in spending has also triggered a shortage of high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a critical high-end component that enables advanced AI computing. The tight supply of HBM could persist for years, as new capacity takes time to build and qualify, Zhao said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 17:14 UTC
Charge ahead
Trump fuels EU push to cut cord with US techUntil US President Donald Trump’s return a year ago, when the EU talked about cutting economic dependency on foreign powers — it was understood to mean China, but now Brussels has US tech in its sights. As Trump ramps up his threats — from strong-arming Europe on trade to pushing to seize Greenland — concern has grown that the unpredictable leader could, should he so wish, plunge the bloc into digital darkness. Since Trump’s Greenland climbdown, top officials have stepped up warnings that the EU is dangerously exposed to geopolitical shocks and must work toward strategic independence — in defense, energy andBy Raziye Akkoc
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 17:14 UTC
Rising chip prices to curb phone sales
That comes as smartphone vendors face escalating supply constraints and rising memory prices, it said. Xiaomi Corp smartphones are displayed at one of the company’s stores in Beijing on Nov. 14 last year. Consequently, smartphone vendors are expected to raise retail prices and adjust product lineups to safeguard profitability, it added. Huawei aims to offer its Harmony operating system to more phones this year as an alternative to the Android system, ensuring greater flexibility in retail prices, TrendForce said. As a result, Huawei is likely to suffer the least from the unfavorable environment among Chinese smartphone brands and could even buck the broader downtrend, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 17:14 UTC
First images from Formosat-8A satellite released
First images from Formosat-8A satellite releasedStaff writer, with CNAThe Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) yesterday released the first images from its Formosat-8A satellite, featuring high-resolution views of Hsinchu Science Park (新竹科學園區), Tainan’s Anping District (安平), Kaohsiung’s Singda Harbor (興達港), Japan’s National Stadium in Tokyo and Barcelona airport. Formosat-8A, named the “Chi Po-lin Satellite” after the late Taiwanese documentary filmmaker Chi Po-lin (齊柏林), was launched on Nov. 29 last year. An aerial view of Hsinchu Science Park captured by Formosat-8 satellite is pictured in an undated photograph. Unlike Formosat-5, which can only capture blurred images of traffic flow, Formosat-8A can photograph airplanes and vehicles in detail, it said. Once fully deployed in 2031, the constellation would provide global coverage and capture Taiwan three times a day, it said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 17:12 UTC
US bars Palauan Senate president over China links
US bars Palauan Senate president over China linksReuters, WASHINGTONThe US on Tuesday barred Palauan Senate President Hokkons Baules and his family from entering the US, accusing him of corruption linked to China, as Washington pushes back on Beijing’s effort to boost its influence in the Pacific. China, keen to make inroads in the region, has been wooing the financially strapped Pacific economies with development and economic opportunities. Baules, who pleaded guilty to heroin trafficking in 1989, has been one of the island’s most vociferous advocates for China. Under his leadership, the senate has passed resolutions criticizing US military activity in Palau, while he has personally advocated for expanded ties with China. Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands is home to a critical testing base for US missile defenses.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 17:12 UTC
TPP open to special defense budget
TPP open to special defense budgetPUSHBACK: The KMT’s Fu Kun-chi, speaking the same day 11 Chinese military aircraft were detected near Taiwan, said the Cabinet’s version of the budget would not passBy Chen Chih-cheng, Liu Wan-lin and Jake Chung / Staff reporters, with staff writerThe Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) does not oppose prioritizing the Executive Yuan’s proposed special defense budget alongside its own version for review after the Lunar New Year holiday, TPP caucus convener Chen Ching-lung (陳清龍) said yesterday. TPP deputy convener Wang An-hsiang (王安祥) said the party’s version of the special defense budget was still being worked on and it was “willing to make some adjustments,” should the details of US arms sales change. President William Lai (賴清德) urged the opposition to expedite reviews of the Executive Yuan’s special defense budget in the upcoming legislative session, warning that if the budget fails to pass, Washington might no longer consider Taiwan a priority for US arms provision. Taiwan’s defense budget must be passed smoothly. The president should explain how national defense procurement deals work, as in the past, wallpaper companies, toilet businesses and construction companies won national defense contracts, Fu said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 17:12 UTC
Donovan’s Deep Dives: The KMT’s wildcard election year
The KMT won the last two local election cycles in landslides, winning 14 top spots in 2022. There is little news coming out of Kinmen, but often independents or even smaller party candidates from deep blue/red parties like the New Party do well there. WILDCARD TWO: THE TPPThere is also the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) problem. They are running candidates in New Taipei City, Yilan, Chiayi City and possibly Hsinchu City if Ann Kao (高虹安) rejoins the TPP. Donovan’s Deep Dives is a regular column by Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文) who writes in-depth analysis on everything about Taiwan’s political scene and geopolitics.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 16:15 UTC
Notes from Central Taiwan: Institutionalizing corruption in Taiwan
Initially, KMT legislator Jessica Chen (陳玉珍) submitted a bill that critics said was an attempt to decriminalize the misuse of legislative aide funds. Chen was accused of attempting to protect Yen Kuan-heng, who is from a powerful central Taiwan family. KMT Legislator Niu Hsu-ting (牛煦庭) introduced a separate bill that amended the Organic Act of the Legislative Yuan (立法院組織法) to address the legislative aide salary issue. As revised, aides’ salaries are “lawmaker subsidies” provided each year from public funds. This is an invitation for more of the same corruption so many legislators at all levels have been busted for.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 16:15 UTC
KFC faces fine after battery found in egg tart
KFC faces fine after battery found in egg tartBy Hsu Li-chuan and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writerA KFC branch in Kaohsiung is to be fined up to NT$200 million (US$6.37 million), after a customer yesterday found an entire AAA battery inside an egg tart, the Kaohsiung Department of Health said today. The customer filmed themself taking the egg tart apart to reveal an entire AAA battery inside, which apparently showed signs of damage. A battery is pictured inside an egg tart in Kaohsiung yesterday. The store said that a lapse in adhering to standard operating procedures allowed a foreign object to mistakenly enter the product during production, it said. The employee also failed to discard the entire batch in accordance with standard operating procedures, it added.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 09:39 UTC
First Formosat-8 satellite images released
First Formosat-8 satellite images releasedBy Sam Garcia / Staff writerImages from the Taiwan-made Formosat-8 Chi Po-lin Satellite have been released for the first time, showing that Taiwan is an indispensable part of the international space industry, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said today. Publicly released images from the satellite show domestic landmarks including the Hsinchu Science Park and Anping Port (安平港), as well as international cities such as Barcelona and Tokyo. An image taken by the Formosat-8 Chi Po-lin Satellite and released today shows Kaohsiung’s Singda Harbor. An image taken by the Formosat-8 Chi Po-lin Satellite and released today shows the Olympic stadium in Tokyo. The satellite, codenamed FS-8A, is the first of the Taiwan-made Formosat-8 constellation project directed by TASA.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 08:52 UTC
Passage of defense budget ‘cannot wait,’ president tells nation
Passage of defense budget ‘cannot wait,’ president tells nationBy Su Yung-yao and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writerPresident William Lai (賴清德) this morning told the nation that “defense cannot wait,” as he urged the legislature to pass the government’s proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.74 billion) special defense budget. The Executive Yuan on Nov. 27 approved the budget to strengthen Taiwan’s defense and asymmetric warfare capabilities, with funds to be allocated over eight years. Taiwan’s Indo-Pacific neighbors have also increased defense spending in reaction to China’s mounting military aggression, he said. Lai thanked the US administration for its support, adding that the defense budget has received support from the White House and bipartisan members of Congress. Increasing our defense spending is not a provocation, but proof of our commitment to self-defense and ensuring global security,” Lai said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 08:24 UTC
Over 100 indicted in ‘Grand Canyon of Meinong’ illegal dumping case
Over 100 indicted in ‘Grand Canyon of Meinong’ illegal dumping caseBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAA total of 106 people have been indicted and 43 plots of land seized in Kaohsiung’s Meinong District (美濃) in connection to the illegal excavation of gravel pits later backfilled with construction waste, the Ciaotou District Prosecutors’ Office said today. The office in a news release said it has concluded its investigation into the so-called “Grand Canyon of Meinong” (美濃大峽谷). Excavation equipment is pictured in a pit in Kaohsiung's Meinong District in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of the Ciaotou District Prosecutors' OfficeThe sites were filled with foul, stagnant water, polluting the surrounding farmland, they said. The excavation-and-backfill scheme earned illegal profits estimated at NT$300 million (US$9.54 million), they added.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 08:10 UTC
May Chin’s office director detained in fraud investigation
May Chin’s office director detained in fraud investigationBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNAProsecutors today ordered independent Legislator May Chin’s (高金素梅) former office director, Chang Chun-chieh (張俊傑), to be detained over alleged fraud and illegally imported COVID-19 tests, while Chin’s questioning was postponed over health issues. Chin reported feeling unwell after she arrived at the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office early this morning for questioning. Independent Legislator May Chin, center, leaves the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office early this morning after investigators decided to delay questioning. Chin and Chang are suspected of fraudulently claiming assistant allowances using other people’s names during Chin’s time in office, prosecutors said. Under prosecutors’ direction, investigators yesterday searched 30 locations, including Chin’s office and residence, as well as the residences of other suspected parties, and summoned 18 people for questioning, they said.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 06:01 UTC
Actors demand halt to film on Lin family murders
Actors demand halt to film on Lin family murdersStaff writer, with CNAThree cast members of an unreleased film about the unsolved 1980 murders of democracy advocate Lin I-hsiung's (林義雄) family, yesterday demanded their likenesses and voices not be used, seeking to block the movie's release. Photo: Pan Shao-tung, Taipei TimesThe production team deliberately concealed that the film was made without the approval of the Lin family, leading the cast and crew to participate unknowingly and causing further harm to the family and society, they said, offering their deepest apologies. The production team also deliberately hid major controversies in the script, they said. Legal action would be taken if the production team fails to comply, the statement said. Film producer Kuo Mu-sheng (郭木盛) yesterday confirmed that the film would be postponed indefinitely.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 04:03 UTC
Two mild cold fronts expected in coming days
Two mild cold fronts expected in coming daysStaff writer, with CNATaiwan is expected to be hit by two cold fronts in the coming days, bringing occasional brief showers across some areas, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei TimesScattered short-lived rain could also occur in greater Taipei and mountainous areas in the north, while other areas are expected to be mostly cloudy to sunny, Huang said. Another cold front is expected to pass through Taiwan on Monday, with its effects lasting only about one day. As the effects of the two cold fronts are expected to be relatively weak, Huang said central and southern Taiwan would be largely unaffected by the wet weather, with mostly cloudy to sunny skies forecast. From Friday to Sunday, the weather is expected to be slightly warmer, with lows of 14°C to 16°C expected nationwide, Huang added.
Source:Taipei Times
February 11, 2026 04:03 UTC