Biden to hit China with broader curbs on US chip and tool exports
The Biden administration plans next month to broaden curbs on US shipments to China of semiconductors used for artificial intelligence and chipmaking tools, several people familiar with the matter said, Reuters reported.
The Commerce Department intends to publish new regulations based on restrictions communicated in letters earlier this year to three US companies — KLA, Lam Research and Applied Materials, the people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The plan for new rules has not been previously reported.
The letters, which the companies publicly acknowledged, forbade them from exporting chipmaking equipment to Chinese factories that produce advanced semiconductors with sub-14 nanometer processes unless the sellers obtain Commerce Department licenses.
The rules would also codify restrictions in Commerce Department letters sent to Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices last month instructing them to halt shipments of several artificial intelligence computing chips to China unless they obtain licenses.
Some of the sources said the regulations would likely include additional actions against China. The restrictions could also be changed and the rules published later than expected.
So-called "is informed" letters allow the Commerce Department to bypass lengthy rule-writing processes to put controls in place quickly, but the letters only apply to the companies that receive them. Turning the letters into rules would broaden their reach and could subject other US companies producing similar technology to the restrictions. The regulations could potentially apply to companies trying to challenge Nvidia and AMD's dominance in artificial intelligence chips.m, according to Reuters.
Intel and startups like Cerebras Systems are targeting the same advanced computing markets. Intel said it is closely monitoring the situation, while Cerebras declined to comment.
One source said the rules could also impose license requirements on shipments to China of products that contain the targeted chips. Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Super Micro Computer make data center servers that contain Nvidia's A100 chip.
Dell and HPE said they were monitoring the situation, while Super Micro Computer did not respond to a request for comment.
A senior Commerce official declined to comment on the upcoming action, but said: "As a general rule, we look to codify any restrictions that are in is-informed letters with a regulatory change."
A spokesperson for the Commerce Department on Friday declined to comment on specific regulations but reiterated that it is "taking a comprehensive approach to implement additional actions...to protect US national security and foreign policy interests," including to keep China from acquiring US technology applicable to military modernization, Reuters reported.
KLA, Applied Materials and Nvidia declined to comment while Lam did not respond to requests for comment. AMD did not comment on the specific policy move but reaffirmed it does not foresee a "material impact" from its new licensing requirement.
Ukraine war: Kharkiv blackouts caused by targeted Russian attacks - Zelensky
Russia aims to "deprive people of light and heat" by causing power cuts across eastern Ukraine in revenge for a Ukrainian counter-offensive, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, BBC reported.
The blackouts have reportedly affected around nine million people in eastern regions including Kharkiv and Donetsk.
It comes after Ukraine said it had retaken over 3,000 sq km (1,158 sq miles) during a rapid counter-offensive in the east.
The BBC cannot verify these figures.
Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure left much of his city without power or water.
He called it a vile and cynical attempt at revenge for the Ukrainian army's recent successes.
Mr Terekhov and the region's governor called for calm, saying the emergency services were working to repair damage and put out fires.
The governor of the neighbouring Sumy region said over 130 settlements in one district alone were without power.
Similar problems have been reported in Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava regions.
"Cold, hunger, darkness and thirst are not as terrible and deadly for us as your 'friendship and brotherhood'," he wrote on Telegram.
President Zelensky said 1,000 sq km had been retaken on Thursday evening. That figure rose to 2,000 sq km on Saturday evening, then to 3,000 on Sunday, according to BBC.
Journalists have been denied access to the front lines but several videos on social media show Ukrainian troops present in towns and villages that were until recently held by Russia.
Ukrainian forces entered the key town of Balaklyia on Friday. Russia later confirmed the withdrawal of troops, to "bolster efforts" on the Donetsk front.
The vital Russian-held supply towns of Izyum and Kupiansk were taken by Ukraine on Saturday. Russia confirmed its forces' retreat from both towns, which it said would allow them to "regroup".
Valerii Marchenko, mayor of Izyum, said residents should be able to return to the town in about 10 days for the first time since it was captured by Russia in March.
Izyum was probably the biggest logistical hub for the Russian army, he said, as it is a gateway to Sloviansk and Kramatorsk in the Donbas region, where Russia wanted to advance.
But Russia still holds around a fifth of the country, and few imagine a swift end to the war.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Ukraine's Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov warned of the potential for a Russian counter-attack, BBC reported.
"A counter-offensive liberates territory and after that you have to control it and be ready to defend it," Mr Reznikov said.
Sorha Shraddha begins
Sorha Shraddha also known as Pitri Paksha, a 16-day period in the Hindu calendar when people pay homage to their ancestors, has begun today. Sorha Shraddha falls in the lunar month of Bhadra (September–October), beginning with the full moon day and ending with the new moon day. According to Hindu mythology, Shraddha rites are performed and tarpan offered to deceased family members across three generations, both patriarchal and matriarchal. Shraddha is performed on premises of temples, riverbanks and houses with the help of priests. Dashain regarded as the biggest festival in Nepal starts after Sorha Shraddha is over.
England hold slim advantage over South Africa
England hold a narrow advantage over South Africa in the third and final Test after 17 wickets fell on a day that began with cricket paying tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, BBC reported.
A minute's silence was observed at The Oval and was followed by the crowd joining in the singing of God Save The King.
Sustained applause had barely ended when Ollie Robinson bowled Dean Elgar, setting the seamer on the way to 5-49.
With Stuart Broad also claiming 4-41, South Africa were bowled out for 118 in only 36.2 overs, something of a recovery from their earlier 36-6.
At 84-2 and with Ollie Pope en route to 67, England had the opportunity to take a firm grip on the contest, but a number of rash shots caused the hosts to slide to 133-6.
They had reached 154-7, a lead of 36, when bad light stopped play an hour early, according to BBC.
Even though this third day was the first of the match to contain any play, the clatter of wickets has ensured a positive result is likely.
The series is level at 1-1 after an innings victory apiece in the opening two Tests.
