Taiwan-US Ties: Taiwan will open a representative office in Phoenix, Arizona, to deepen cooperation in economics, technology, education and supply chains, with MOFA citing the city’s growing role in semiconductors driven by TSMC and its expanding Arizona fabs. Cross-Strait Pressure: Beijing dismissed U.S. and EU criticism of China’s new “ethnic unity” law as a “malicious smear,” while President Lai condemned it as draconian and warned Taiwan won’t tolerate transnational repression. Defense Planning: Taiwan staged a major civil defence drill simulating a worst-case chain of events—blockade, earthquake, sabotage, invasion—to test how officials keep the country functioning under attack. Local Tech & Mobility: EasyCard users can now auto top up on Taipei and New Taipei buses when balances drop below NT$100, speeding up boarding. Culture & Arts: Cecilia Alemani is set to curate the 2027 Taipei Biennial, and Taipei Fine Arts Museum opens an exhibition exploring how sound shapes perception and politics. Public Life: New Taipei opened Taiwan’s first long-term care facility for cats and dogs, converted from a shelter, with physical therapy equipment and free classes for owners. Legislative Politics: The Legislature again failed to confirm three Central Election Commission nominees, leaving the CEC operating with fewer members. International Spotlight: Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee, detained by Chinese authorities after 2015, has died in Taiwan at 70.