Semiconductor Momentum: South Korea lifted its 2026 growth forecast to 3% on the back of booming memory demand from AI chipmakers like Samsung and SK Hynix. Chip Supply Chain Moves: Taiwan’s UMC says it has started mass production of silicon photonics wafers at its Singapore site, aiming to scale light-based AI data center networking. Quantum Hardware Scaling: imec and Diraq reported coherent operation and readout of an eight-qubit silicon MOS spin-qubit array using CMOS-compatible processes. AI Networking Pilot: SK Telecom will lead a government-backed AI-RAN trial for “physical AI,” using gear from Samsung, Ericsson and Nokia. Wearables & Sensing: Indian researchers unveiled a room-temperature, ultra-sensitive ammonia sensor platform, with flexible wearable versions on polymer, paper and textile. Space Medical Imaging: A crew on a commercial spaceflight captured the first diagnostic X-rays in orbit, expanding options beyond ultrasound. Security & Consumer Tech: India’s MeitY is reviewing common username rules across WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal amid fraud concerns, while Russia’s online sellers face new certification-link requirements. Market Watch: SK Hynix shares jumped after leveraged single-stock ETF launches in the US, underscoring how fast trading products can amplify chip moves.