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Huawei’s Chip Factories Caught on Satellite
Trump AI Pope Post Sparks Catholic Backlash
Algot Persson
May 05, 2025
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In Today’s Issue (no fluff):
Huawei’s Chip Factories Caught on Satellite
Trump AI Pope Post Sparks Catholic Backlash
Read time: 3 minutes
Huawei’s Chip Factories Caught on Satellite
Huawei has quietly constructed a network of chipmaking plants in Shenzhen to reduce its reliance on foreign tech, according to satellite photos and sources close to the effort.
According to satellite imagery reviewed by the FT, three sites, one operated directly by Huawei and two run by linked startups, have rapidly expanded since 2022.
The tech group is producing its own 7nm smartphone and Ascend AI chips while funneling support to memory chipmaker SwaySure and toolmaker SiCarrier. Insiders say both receive Huawei tech, staff, and investment help despite formal denials of affiliation.
The buildout is backed by the Shenzhen government and positioned near two other chipmakers the US has accused of being Huawei fronts. The US placed SiCarrier and SwaySure on its entity list last year.
Huawei’s move comes after years of sanctions that cut it off from suppliers like TSMC and Nvidia. Now it’s building its own supply chain, assembling lithography toolmakers, chip designers, and foundry partners under one roof.
Whether it can catch up to ASML or TSMC remains an open question. But with state funds flowing and top domestic players like SMIC reportedly lending engineers, few in China are betting against it.
@ FT
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Trump AI Pope Post Sparks Catholic Backlash
Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope just days before Catholic cardinals gather to choose a successor to Pope Francis, prompting swift outrage from Church figures.
“There is nothing clever or funny about this image,” said the New York State Catholic Conference. “Do not mock us.”
The image, posted on Truth Social and boosted by the White House on X, shows Trump in full papal regalia, seated on a gold-trimmed chair, wearing a cross necklace.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan called it “not good” and “a bad impression,” while Jesuit priest James Martin said it was “deeply offensive,” adding that similar behavior from Biden or Obama would have drawn far more backlash from US bishops.
Former Italian PM Matteo Renzi called the post an insult to institutions.
Vice President JD Vance defended Trump, dismissing the outrage as “stupid,” while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump had flown to Italy to attend Francis’ funeral and support the Church.
Francis died April 21. The conclave begins May 7.
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