US-Taiwan Defense Ties: President Lai Ching-te again urged Washington to approve the long-stalled $14 billion U.S. arms package “as soon as possible,” saying Taiwan’s self-defense and rejection of unification are not provocations, while China warned the move is a dead end. Cross-Strait Military Posture: Taiwan conducted 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 drawing sharp condemnation from Beijing. Maritime Diplomacy: Lai dismissed concerns over Japan-Philippines EEZ delimitation talks, stressing Taiwan’s rights are protected under international law and existing fisheries arrangements. Kenya Row: Taiwan accused Kenya of blocking its delegates to an oceans forum under “high-level Chinese pressure,” escalating a dispute over One China interpretations. Security Dialogue in the Pacific: U.S. and allies gathered in Waikiki for a coastal warfare symposium, underscoring how Taiwan’s threat environment is shaping regional military planning. Tech-Defense Supply Chain: TSMC and Amkor signed a 10-year U.S. advanced packaging and testing deal, reinforcing Taiwan’s role in building a more resilient semiconductor supply chain. Global Economy Signals: Taiwan hit a record-high in the IMD competitiveness ranking, climbing to No. 4, as markets stayed focused on AI-driven growth.