Heavy Rain Watch: CWA issued heavy rain advisories for Taipei and New Taipei (80mm/24 hours or 40mm/1 hour) and an extremely heavy rain warning for Yilan (200mm/24 hours or 100mm/3 hours), citing lingering northeasterly winds and possible tropical disturbance effects. Cross-Strait Defense Push: President Lai promulgated a KMT-led bill to strengthen defense autonomy and develop the unmanned-vehicle industry, earmarking NT$240 billion over six years and prioritizing low-cost, high-performance domestic drones. VP Hsiao in Europe: Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said Taiwan has the right to make friends and work with like-minded partners despite Beijing’s pressure, as her Italy trip for a freedom-and-democracy conference drew protests. China’s Gray-Zone Moves: Taiwan condemned a Chinese military patrol around South China Sea “Democracy Reef” as unsafe and provocative, warning against unilateral control and dangerous maneuvers. Local Fallout: Taipei’s education department terminated contracts with a school lunch caterer after suspected food poisoning cases at two schools, with health officials conducting inspections. Tech & Trade: FCC granted ASUS conditional approval to sell many Wi‑Fi router models in the U.S. until March 6, 2028, while Taiwan’s corporate treasury sector eyes AI and digital assets to boost cloud demand. Health Research: A new Taiwan-led study links PCOS to impaired granulosa-cell energy use and reduced angiogenic support, pointing to chemokine signaling as a potential target.