Terence Gan, Executive Director of Singapore’s Institute of Microelectronics (IME), delivered a confident address at the 2025 Advanced Packaging Developers Conference (APDC), unveiling Singapore’s ambition to become a global center for advanced semiconductor packaging research and commercialization as artificial intelligence reshapes the industry.

US President Donald Trump has approved South Korea’s construction of a nuclear-powered submarine at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in an effort to strengthen their alliance. South Korea will pay US$350 billion in exchange for a reduction in tariffs and will make large-scale purchases of US oil and natural gas. Its total investment in the US is expected to exceed US$600 billion.

Microsoft kicked off its 2026 fiscal year with another blockbuster quarter. First quarter fiscal 2026 revenue reached US$77.7 billion, up 18% year-over-year, while operating income surged 24% and earnings per share climbed 23% to US$4.13. The company’s AI-driven momentum continued to build, with Microsoft Cloud revenue up 26% to US$49.1 billion, reflecting both unprecedented demand and a deepening integration of generative AI across its ecosystem.

Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced a growth strategy prioritizing “crisis management investment” in AI, semiconductors, and quantum technology to address economic and security risks. Key officials have been appointed to lead these efforts.