Taiwan Strait & Security: Taiwan warned of rising China risks targeting Taiwanese youth as Beijing steps up pressure around the Pacific Islands Forum, where Palau accused China of “weaponising tourism” amid heightened diplomatic tensions. Defense & Military Posture: A report highlights Taiwan’s defense spending hitting a new milestone, while U.S. deployments and aging fighter fleets underscore how the Taiwan Strait remains a key frontline. Cross-Strait Politics: Taiwan’s top diplomat pushed back against China’s distortion of UN Resolution 2758, as China also escalated coercion narratives tied to Taiwan’s international participation. International Culture & Identity: The “Taiwan Pavilion” naming fight at South Korea’s Gwangju Biennale sparked Chinese walkouts and formal diplomatic complaints, keeping Taiwan’s identity politics in the spotlight. Tech & Economy: Foxconn said AI demand is driving expectations for stronger Q3 performance, while Taiwan’s broader AI-chip momentum continues to shape regional investment talk. Justice & Crime: A Taiwanese man was sentenced to six years in South Korea for meth smuggling, and Philippine authorities continued probing a yacht case tied to large-scale drug seizures near Subic. Sports & Society: Taiwan’s Asian Games delegation (482 athletes) includes Olympic medalists, and the Gwangju Biennale controversy and other cultural disputes continue to ripple through Taiwan’s public life.