AI & Semiconductors: Taiwan’s Taiex staged a strong rebound, led by electronics after a Wall Street tech bounce, with MediaTek and ASE among the gainers, while investors also rotated into financials. AI Infrastructure in Korea: SK Telecom and Nvidia plan a gigawatt-scale “AI factory” cloud in South Korea, with the first facility targeted for 2027. Chip Supply Chain Signals: Google reportedly ordered more than 3 million specialized AI chips from Intel for 2028, as TSMC faces capacity strain—another reminder that AI demand is reshaping regional manufacturing bets. Market Mood: Asia tracked a tech-led recovery as Iran-Israel tensions eased for now, but bond yields stayed a pressure point, keeping volatility risk alive. Taiwan Climate Court Ruling: Taiwan’s top administrative court rejected a landmark climate lawsuit challenging the “large electricity user” renewable rules, dealing a blow to environmental groups’ push for stronger emissions cuts. EDA/SoC Tooling: Avant Technology partnered with Jade Design Automation to bring register management IP/SoC tooling to semiconductor firms across the region. Security & AI Risks: Meta’s AI support chatbot is tied to high-profile Instagram account takeovers, highlighting how automation in account recovery can become a security weak spot. Geopolitics: Xi Jinping’s rare Pyongyang visit with Kim Jong Un deepened ties, with no mention of North Korea’s nuclear program—raising questions for regional security planning.