Qualcomm gives tepid forecast in sign of shaky phone market
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.
Source:Taipei Times
February 05, 2026 10:02 UTC
TSMC to invest US$17bn in 3nm chip production in Japan: report
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.
Source:Taipei Times
February 05, 2026 09:07 UTC
Work starts on Circular Line section through Neihu Technology Park
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.
Source:Taipei Times
February 05, 2026 09:06 UTC
US stance on Taiwan unchanged, US official says after Trump, Xi talk
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.
Source:Taipei Times
February 05, 2026 08:29 UTC
Fuel prices capped over Lunar New Year
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).
Source:Taipei Times
February 05, 2026 08:29 UTC
US House committee advances bill on space cooperation with Taiwan
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.
Source:Taipei Times
February 05, 2026 08:09 UTC
MOFA thanks US for commitment to Taiwan
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.
Source:Taipei Times
February 05, 2026 07:42 UTC
Shanlan tourist train arrives in Tainan ahead of new route launch
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.
Source:Taipei Times
February 05, 2026 04:16 UTC
Relations with US ‘rock solid,’ President Lai says after Trump-Xi call
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.
Source:Taipei Times
February 05, 2026 03:59 UTC
KMT should abandon delusions
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?
Source:Taipei Times
February 04, 2026 18:45 UTC
EDITORIAL: Taiwan and Japan need each other
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.
Source:Taipei Times
February 04, 2026 18:45 UTC
Sanitary pad scandal stirs anger in Senegal
Sanitary pad scandal stirs anger in SenegalAFP, DAKARAnger is mounting in Senegal over the alleged use of expired materials in sanitary pads and diapers by a leading Chinese firm, which denies any wrongdoing or bribery. In west and central Africa, many women and girls struggle to access quality menstrual products. It has production and distribution centers in Kenya, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Uganda, Nigeria and Cameroon among others. Asked for comments, Softcare said the batch of materials involved in the scandal was never used “before or after” the controversy. Moussa Diallo, the official who led the Softcare inspection mission, and two other inspectors, rejected the Senegal pharmaceutical regulator’s U-turn.
Source:Taipei Times
February 04, 2026 18:45 UTC
Lunar new year shopping
Final batch of M1A2T tanks to be delivered soon, source saysThe manufacture of the remaining 28 M1A2T Abrams tanks Taiwan purchased from the US has recently been completed, and they are expected to be delivered within the next one to two months, a source said yesterday. The Ministry of National Defense is arranging cargo ships to transport the tanks to Taiwan as soon as possible, said the source, who is familiar with the matter. The estimated arrival time ranges from late this month to early next month, the source said. The 28 Abrams tanks make up the third and final batch of a total of 108 tanks, valued at about NT$40.5 billion
Source:Taipei Times
February 04, 2026 18:45 UTC
Pakistan sends forces to end standoff
Soldiers and residents gather to offer prayers for Liaquat Ali, a soldier of the Frontier Corps Balochistan, who was killed during deadly militant attacks in Balochistan, during his funeral in Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, on Monday. Police officials gave details of the situation on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media. In the desert town of Nushki — home to about 50,000 people — the insurgents seized control of the police station and other security installations, triggering a three-day standoff. “Helicopters and drones were used against the militants.”The Pakistani Ministry of the Interior did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The response will be decisive, leading to serious capacity degradation of BLA,” he said, denying that the Pakistani military has used excessive force in Balochistan.
Source:Taipei Times
February 04, 2026 18:45 UTC
Pope warns of new arms race as New START set to expire
Pope warns of new arms race as New START set to expireAFP, VATICAN CITYPope Leo XIV yesterday warned of the risk of “a new arms race” as the last US-Russia nuclear treaty is set to expire. New START, the last nuclear treaty between Washington and Moscow after decades of agreements dating to the Cold War, is due to expire today, and with it restrictions on the two top nuclear powers. Photo: EPA“The current situation requires us to do everything possible to avert a new arms race, which further threatens peace between nations,” he said. The treaty, which included a monitoring mechanism, was signed in 2010 by then-Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and then-US president Barack Obama. In 2023, Russia froze its participation in New START, but it has continued to voluntarily adhere to the limits set in the treaty.
Source:Taipei Times
February 04, 2026 18:45 UTC