Global-Tech on Cowlpane

Taiwan opposition votes to cut Lai's defense budget despite US urging

Sat, 09 May 2026 18:29:08 +0000

Originally published by Nikkei Asia Technology

Outlays slashed by about 38% days before expected Trump-Xi summit in Beijing

Taiwanese soldiers carry a drone during an annual military exercise in Kaohsiung in January. © Reuters

TAIPEI – Taiwan’s opposition-led legislature on Friday voted to cut President Lai Ching-te’s proposed defense funding by more than a third, a move that drew scrutiny in Washington days before an expected summit between the U.S. and Chinese leaders.

States must change frameworks for cooperation, former Indian adviser says

Sat, 09 May 2026 18:29:06 +0000

Originally published by Nikkei Asia Technology

National security expert Shivshankar Menon sees ’no global order’ at the present time

Shivshankar Menon served as Indian ambassador to China and Israel before becoming the national security adviser from 2010-2014 under the administration of Manmohan Singh. (Photo by Satoshi Iwaki)

NEW DELHI – The closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February has sent shockwaves through Asia. Rising oil prices are threatening the livelihoods of citizens in regions with limited reserves. As the U.S. turns its back on the existing international order, China’s influence in the economic and security spheres is growing.

Indian lawmaker loses millions of Instagram followers after party switch

Sat, 09 May 2026 18:29:04 +0000

Originally published by Nikkei Asia Technology

Social media-savvy politician’s defection could fuel voter cynicism

Indian politicians are increasingly using digital platforms such as Instagram to engage with voters, especially younger, urban audiences. © Reuters

NEW DELHI – A well-known Indian politician who built much of his popularity through social media has lost millions of Instagram followers since switching to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party late last month, potentially dealing the young lawmaker a hefty blow in a nation of increasingly tech-savvy voters.

NATO and Japan weigh shared use of satellite launch sites

Sat, 09 May 2026 18:29:02 +0000

Originally published by Nikkei Asia Technology

Initiative aims to quickly restore satellite networks in case of conflict in space

The Japanese government sees NATO’s Starlift project potentially being a boon to local economies near satellite launch sites. (Source photos by Nikkei and Reuters)

BRUSSELS – NATO is considering the mutual use of satellite launch sites with Japan and other partners, Nikkei has learned, seeking to ensure disabled satellites can be quickly replaced.

Beijing pushes AI data centres to adopt green energy under action plan

Sat, 09 May 2026 08:06:24 +0000

Originally published by South China Morning Post Tech

The document proposes a total of 29 measures to improve the integration of green power and AI

Beijing is moving to make green electricity usage a key metric in the operation of new data centre projects, as part of a major push to align the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence with national carbon goals, according to an action plan released Friday.

China’s Huaqiangbei bets on AI innovations to revive global appeal

Sat, 09 May 2026 07:00:05 +0000

Originally published by South China Morning Post Tech

Shenzhen’s electronics hub is riding the AI boom, with curated devices like drones and robots pulling in overseas customers once more

For first-time visitors like Abigail Slagveer from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, the sheer scale of Huaqiangbei’s electronics market is overwhelming.

“I came here one and a half hours ago through that front door,” she said, pointing to an entrance just a few metres away on the first floor of Huaqiang Electronics World, one of the major malls in the district. “I’m still stuck here [in the first few stalls].”

ByteDance raises 2026 capex by at least 25% amid AI boom, rising memory costs, sources say

Sat, 09 May 2026 06:00:10 +0000

Originally published by South China Morning Post Tech

ByteDance is allocating a proportionally larger budget to domestic AI chips to mitigate geopolitical risks and heed Beijing’s call

TikTok owner ByteDance is ramping up its spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure, boosting its planned capital expenditure this year to more than 200 billion yuan (US$30 billion), according to two people familiar with the matter.

US nears US$400 million settlement with TikTok on child-privacy violations, report says

Fri, 08 May 2026 20:38:00 +0000

Originally published by South China Morning Post Tech

The money will be used to fund Trump’s ‘beautification’ projects in Washington, the report says

US President ⁠Donald Trump’s administration is nearing a US$400 million settlement with TikTok to resolve an ongoing lawsuit over alleged child-privacy violations, ABC News has reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The White House declined to comment, referring questions to the Justice Department, ‌which did not immediately comment. TikTok did not respond to a request for comment.

DeepSeek to soon close first external fundraising in US$50b valuation: sources

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:06:07 +0000

Originally published by South China Morning Post Tech

Backers include AI-focused affiliates under the third phase of the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, sources say

Chinese artificial intelligence high-flier DeepSeek is expected to close its first external financing round soon, boosting its valuation to up to US$50 billion, according to three people familiar with the matter, as the country’s marquee state-backed investment vehicle joins in bankrolling what is seen as a national technology champion.

Some Taiwanese drone math ahead of the Xi-Trump visit

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Originally published by Rest of World

For at least the past two U.S. administrations, cutting China out of the tech supply chain has been a strategic goal in multiple industries. But the drone industry is one that has beenyears in the makingwith limited success, with China accounting forover 80%of the global market.

Global-Tech on Cowlpane

Taiwan opposition votes to cut Lai's defense budget despite US urging

States must change frameworks for cooperation, former Indian adviser says

Indian lawmaker loses millions of Instagram followers after party switch

NATO and Japan weigh shared use of satellite launch sites

Beijing pushes AI data centres to adopt green energy under action plan

The document proposes a total of 29 measures to improve the integration of green power and AI

China’s Huaqiangbei bets on AI innovations to revive global appeal

Shenzhen’s electronics hub is riding the AI boom, with curated devices like drones and robots pulling in overseas customers once more

ByteDance raises 2026 capex by at least 25% amid AI boom, rising memory costs, sources say

ByteDance is allocating a proportionally larger budget to domestic AI chips to mitigate geopolitical risks and heed Beijing’s call

US nears US$400 million settlement with TikTok on child-privacy violations, report says

The money will be used to fund Trump’s ‘beautification’ projects in Washington, the report says

DeepSeek to soon close first external fundraising in US$50b valuation: sources

Backers include AI-focused affiliates under the third phase of the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, sources say

Some Taiwanese drone math ahead of the Xi-Trump visit

This essay was first published in our Global Dispatch newsletter. Sign up here to get it straight to your inbox.