Cross-strait security: Taiwan carried out a first-of-its-kind live-fire drill on its west coast, firing 32 U.S.-supplied HIMARS rockets toward waters in the Taiwan Strait as a “shoot-and-scoot” test meant to deter an amphibious invasion, drawing sharp condemnation from China. Defense planning: A Taiwan-focused security expert urged “layered defenses” against China’s emerging “robot wolf” ground systems, arguing Taiwan should mix detection, electronic warfare, and counter-robot training rather than chase one costly fix. Military posture at sea: China’s new naval gun program is raising alarms in Taiwan circles, with analysts warning that real effectiveness will depend on how well Beijing can overcome Taiwan’s anti-access defenses. Local governance & environment: The Legislative Yuan passed tougher Waste Disposal Act amendments, raising penalties for illegal industrial dumping and adding monitoring tools, including electronic-fencing in high-risk areas. Tech & economy: Taiwan stocks climbed to the day’s high as AI- and electronics-linked shares led gains amid optimism tied to a U.S.-Iran peace deal. AI infrastructure: SEMICON Taiwan 2026 returns to Taipei in September with record ambitions, while Foxconn and Schneider Electric announced plans to build AI data center equipment. Culture & identity: Indigenous Tao rowers set off from Orchid Island to the Philippines in a hand-built canoe, reviving an ancient sea route and cultural link. Tech policy: Tesla Taiwan filed to bring FSD (Supervised) to Taiwan, while Taiwan’s IP office said it suspects two firms suing TSMC of being “patent trolls.”