AIP

Taipei has stated that Washington understands Taiwan's defense requirements, amid ongoing concerns over the island's security. The remarks underscore the close, if unofficial, security relationship between the United States and Taiwan as cross-strait tensions with Beijing continue to shape regional diplomacy.

Political blog Frozen Garlic has published an analysis of the contest for Taipei City mayor, framing it as a fight between a KMT princeling and a DPP outsider. Although Taipei has traditionally been a Kuomintang stronghold, the author notes that support for the DPP's candidate Puma Shen is rising sharply, seemingly from nowhere, making the race more competitive than expected.

The American Institute of Physics is producing coverage of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics, reporting on the laureates and the awarded research. Details of the winners and their discoveries are the focus of attention as the announcement draws interest from the global physics community and science followers worldwide.

The campaign launches of the two main contenders for mayor of New Taipei City are drawing attention. The KMT has put forward Hammer Lee (李四川), a former deputy mayor of Taipei City, while the DPP is running Legislator Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧). Analysts note New Taipei is widely seen as a barometer of Taiwan's local elections, giving the contest national significance.

A new historical piece from the American Institute of Physics examines the overlooked role of typists in physics, arguing they were essential to how scientific knowledge circulated among researchers before digital tools. By preparing manuscripts, preprints and letters, typists shaped the speed and reach of intra-scientific communication, and historians are revisiting their contribution to the discipline.

Authorities in Australia have seized a coastal taipan, 21 other venomous snakes and dozens more animals from a private home following a raid. The total haul came to 86 animals, highlighting the ongoing problem of illegal wildlife keeping and trafficking in the country. The case has drawn attention to the risks of keeping highly venomous species in residential areas.

The United States is working to reduce its dependence on Taiwan for advanced semiconductors, driven by supply-chain and security concerns around China. Despite efforts to expand chip manufacturing at home and in allied countries, analysts argue Taipei will remain a 'central' player in the AI chip supply chain, given TSMC's unmatched lead in cutting-edge chip production and the difficulty of replicating its ecosystem elsewhere.