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Myanmar’s rebels liberate territory – administrating it is the next battle
Al Jazeera visits liberated area in Karen State where establishing a civil administration is the next task for fighters.
Taiwan chipmaker starts making 4-nanometer chips in US, official says
WASHINGTON — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has begun producing advanced 4-nanometer chips in Arizona for U.S. customers, a milestone in the Biden administration's semiconductor efforts, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Reuters.
In November, the Commerce Department finalized a $6.6 billion grant to TSMC's U.S. unit for semiconductor production in Phoenix, Arizona.
"For the first time ever in our country's history, we are making leading-edge 4-nanometer chips on American soil, American workers — on par in yield and quality with Taiwan," Raimondo told Reuters in an interview, saying it had begun in recent weeks.
"That's a big deal — never been done before, never in our history. And lots of people said it couldn't happen," Raimondo said of the previously undisclosed production start.
A spokesperson for TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker and a major supplier to Apple and Nvidia, which reports earnings next week, declined to comment Friday.
In April, TSMC agreed to expand its planned investment by $25 billion to $65 billion and to add a third Arizona production facility by 2030.
Congress created a $52.7 billion semiconductor manufacturing and research subsidy program in 2022. Commerce persuaded all five leading-edge semiconductor firms to locate production facilities in the United States as part of the program.
Raimondo told Reuters earlier that Commerce had to persuade TSMC to boost its U.S. plans.
"It didn't happen on its own. ... We had to convince TSMC that they would want to expand," Raimondo said.
TSMC will produce the world's most advanced 2-nanometer technology at its second Arizona factory, expected to begin production in 2028. TSMC also agreed to use its most advanced chip manufacturing technology, called "A16," in Arizona.
The TSMC award from Commerce also includes up to $5 billion in low-cost government loans.
Raimondo wants the United States to make 20% of world's leading-edge logic chips by 2030 — up from the 0% before TSMC began production in Arizona.
In April, Commerce said TSMC expects to begin high-volume production in its first U.S. fab by the first half of 2025.
Last month, Commerce finalized an award of $407 million to help fund Amkor Technology's planned $2 billion advanced semiconductor packaging facility in Arizona, which is set to be the largest of its kind in the U.S.
When fully operational, Amkor's Arizona plant will package and test millions of chips for autonomous vehicles, 5G/6G and data centers. Apple will be its first and largest customer, with the chips produced at a nearby TSMC facility.
Guantanamo at 23: What’s next for the ‘lawless’ detention facility?
With 15 inmates remaining, advocates urge Biden to release more Gitmo detainees before he leaves office on January 20.
Meta, Amazon nix diversity, inclusion programmes ahead of Trump term
Conservative groups have denounced the programmes and threatened to sue companies over them.
US Supreme Court critical of TikTok arguments against looming ban
A law would require parent company ByteDance to sell off US operations of TikTok by January 19 or face a ban.
Can a new president change Lebanon’s fortunes?
Appointment of Joseph Aoun ends two years of political paralysis.
Biden extends temporary status for immigrants from Ukraine, Venezuela
The US's decision to renew the 'temporary protected status' comes as President-elect Trump prepares to take office.
Venezuela’s Maduro sworn in for third consecutive term as president
Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third six-year term as president.
The UN can end the Middle East conflict by welcoming Palestine as a member
The June 2025 UN Conference on Palestine can be the long-awaited turning point for the region.
‘I lost everything:’ Fire crews battle ‘unprecedented’ Los Angeles blazes
Officials hope improved wind conditions will allow firefighters to contain wildfires that have devastated the US city.
Greenland does not want to be American or Danish, PM says
Mute Egede, who previously said territory ‘not for sale’, underlined people’s desire to be ‘master of own house’.
Trump receives no punishment for felony hush money conviction
A judge did not impose fines, jail time, or probation on US President-elect Donald Trump for his hush money conviction.
Australian Open 2025: Schedule, how to watch, top seeds, prize money, dates
Who are the favourites and when are the finals? Al Jazeera gives a low-down on the year's first tennis Grand Slam.
Tennis number one Sinner has doping hearing at sport court fixed for April
The Court of Arbitration for Sport to rule on allegations of doping by tennis's world number one Jannik Sinner in April.
US targets Russia’s oil sector with ‘sweeping’ sanctions
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says he is confident sanctions will 'significantly reduce Russia’s petrodollar income'.
Israel launches air raids on power station, ports in Yemen
Benjamin Netnayahu says Houthis 'will continue to pay, a heavy price for their aggression against' Israel.
Teachers' strikes: Will there be more?
The National Education Union has been considering whether to go on strike again in 2024.
Venezuela’s President Maduro begins third term amid international protest
A new wave of protest accompanied Maduro's inauguration, after a contested July election spurred fraud accusations.
Amid genocide, the tide is turning on Palestine
Pro-Palestine activists could not end Israel's genocide, but managed to shift the public opinion on the conflict.
Amorim says Man Utd keen to keep Mainoo and Garnacho
Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim says the club are keen to extend Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho's contracts.