Taiwan Markets & Chips: Taiwan shares closed lower as memory chip suppliers were hit by profit-taking after South Korea’s tech rout, with the Taiex down 1.34% and Nanya and Macronix among the biggest decliners, while TSMC slipped modestly. Memory Supply Shock: TrendForce says DDR2 prices could jump 55%-60% in Q2 2026 and rise another 35%-40% next quarter as shortages push makers toward older memory standards. Cybersecurity & Supply Chains: Tata Electronics confirmed a ransomware-linked breach after leaked files allegedly tied to Apple and Tesla appeared online; the company says operations were unaffected while Apple investigates. Regional Tech Sentiment: China stocks in Hong Kong entered a bear market as consumer and e-commerce weakness dragged the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, highlighting a lack of heavyweight AI infrastructure names. Policy & Security: President Lai urged democracies to unite against transnational repression, warning authoritarian regimes are using tech, cyberattacks and information manipulation to undermine democratic sovereignty. Business Tech in Taiwan: Shopee rolled out native ChatGPT shopping in Taiwan and other markets, betting conversational search can replace keyword-based discovery for small businesses. Defense Drills: Taiwan began five days of combat readiness exercises with tanks and armored vehicles in Taoyuan to test rapid response to possible Chinese “grey zone” actions. Global Energy Link: The US cleared a 60-day waiver allowing Iran to sell oil, easing sanctions and sending crude prices down as markets anticipate more supply.