AI Regulation & National Security: China expanded exit bans to target top private-sector AI researchers and executives, treating advanced computing talent as a strategic state asset. AI Infrastructure & Jobs: Sen. Elizabeth Warren proposed a per-kilowatt-hour tax on AI data centers plus a wealth tax on AI billionaires, with proceeds aimed at workers displaced by automation. Semiconductors & Chips: Huawei unveiled its “Tau Scaling Law” as it targets future chip scaling amid U.S. curbs. Materials & Manufacturing: ORNL’s Cait Clarkson won a SAMPE leadership award for applied polymer/composite work tied to large-format additive manufacturing. Optical Data Storage: UC San Diego researchers demonstrated humidity-controlled optical data storage using phase-change photonics and responsive hydrogels, with fast switching. Cybersecurity: Guam’s government websites were hit via a zero-day in cPanel; no sensitive data was taken, but security staffing and patching gaps were exposed. Antitrust: China’s regulator cut Luxshare’s antitrust fine after self-reporting an approval miss tied to the Wingtech deal. Agritech Field Results: Trials in Australia identified best cereal herbicide timing for maximum ryegrass control, highlighting phytotoxicity tradeoffs. Digital Standards: Unicode opened feedback on adding the UAE dirham symbol to future keyboard character sets. Healthcare Costs: Milliman reported 2026 employer-insured healthcare costs rising to the highest level in nearly a decade.