Defense & Cross-Strait Deterrence: Taiwan took delivery of the first two of 66 US-made F-16V Block 70 jets, landing at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung as Taipei scrambles almost daily to monitor China’s military pressure; Defense Minister Wellington Koo said more deliveries are coming and Taiwan is still awaiting a separate $14B arms package that Washington has reportedly paused amid Chinese objections. Regional Security: The US also signaled deeper missile posture near Taiwan, with reporting that NMESIS anti-ship missiles may be deployed to Japan’s Yonaguni for joint drills. Philippines-China Friction (Taiwan Strait Adjacent): Manila said the Philippine Coast Guard continued shadowing a Chinese research vessel near the Luzon Strait, accusing it of ignoring radio challenges and operating near sensitive submarine cable corridors. AI & Influence Risks: TaiwanPlus highlighted how AI-powered influence operations are blurring personal accounts with political messaging ahead of November elections. Sports & National Identity: Taiwan boxer Lin Yu-ting won Asian Games gold in the women’s 60kg class, two years after the Paris gender-row controversy.