The world’s three largest auto markets—Europe, the United States, and China—are simultaneously undergoing a wave of regulatory and geopolitical shifts that analysts warn could dampen global vehicle demand by 2026. Automakers and suppliers alike now face mounting pressure on three critical fronts: cost inflation, tightening compliance mandates, and intensifying global competition.

TSMC’s competitors have access to the same cutting-edge equipment from Dutch supplier ASML, yet they consistently fall short on yield rates. The reason, according to academic experts, lies in a critical detail: even ASML’s most advanced machines require extensive fine-tuning and enhancements to achieve optimal performance. The secret to TSMC’s edge may be hiding in plain sight—inside university labs developing nanoscale sensors that detect what others miss.

A new reality is setting in on the modern battlefield. Attackers are using drones that cost thousands of dollars to force defenders to fire missiles worth millions. This lopsided economic fight is a key feature of modern asymmetric warfare, evident from the war in Ukraine to conflicts in the Red Sea. Strategies built on cheap, mass-produced weapons are proving highly effective and are now central to both offense and defense.

To support the development of Samsung and SK Hynix’s Yongin Semiconductor Cluster, the South Korean government has promoted a nationwide “energy expressway” to increase renewable energy infrastructure. However, the initiative has faced criticism for lacking consultation, increasing inequalities, and proving inefficient. Some experts have argued that the entire Yongin project should be halted and that the national power transmission policy should be restructured.

Gigastorage has taken a significant step forward in its clean energy strategy. Its wholly owned subsidiary, GEG, has signed a three-year corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA) with Taiwan Cooperative Bank, marking a milestone in the company’s effort to expand its green electricity business. Under the deal, Giga Energy will supply six million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy beginning in 2025.

Tech firms are ramping up AI infrastructure investments and talent hunt in India as Tata Electronics reportedly develops its electronics manufacturing capabilities with a series of M&A efforts.