Cross-Strait Military Signaling: Taiwan carried out a first-of-its-kind live-fire drill firing 32 U.S.-supplied HIMARS rockets westward toward the Taiwan Strait, testing “shoot-and-scoot” tactics and rapid response to a possible amphibious invasion; China condemned it as provocation. Opposition Diplomacy: KMT chair Cheng Li-wun wrapped up a two-week U.S. trip, meeting U.S. senators and representatives behind closed doors and boosting her profile as defense questions persist. Taiwan-China Tensions at Sea: Taiwan’s foreign ministry slammed China-linked pressure on Kenya after Taiwanese academics were detained and Taiwan was excluded from the “Our Ocean Conference,” calling it heavy-handed diplomacy. Defense-Adjacent Regional Context: Germany’s president warned that rising South China Sea tensions could threaten freedom of navigation and global trade, citing the Strait of Hormuz disruption as a cautionary parallel. Security and Tech Risk: ESET reported the China-linked FishMonger group expanded its SprySOCKS backdoor from Linux to Windows using kernel drivers, including targeting government organizations in Taiwan. Indigenous Cultural Revival: The Tao people’s traditional boat “Golden Friendship” arrived in Batanes, reviving an ancient sea route between Lanyu and Ivatan communities. Global Markets Mood: An interim U.S.-Iran peace deal lifted emerging-market currencies and risk sentiment, while traders stayed cautious ahead of the Fed.