The Japan–US–Australia 'Eastern Shield' joint exercise began Aug. 8 across Hokkaido, Kagoshima and other Japanese locations and will run through Aug. 24, Kagoshima prefectural authorities said. About 3,700 personnel are participating. At Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kanoya Air Base, the drills will reuse the 'Tiefeng' medium-range missile system and HIMARS high-mobility rocket launchers for anti-ship training following their deployment in the Japan–US 'Brave Shield' exercises in June–July.

Samsung Electronics said it will expand cooperation with Dutch equipment maker ASML to introduce High NA EUV lithography into advanced DRAM production by 2028, its first use of High NA in DRAM mass production. High NA EUV raises numerical aperture from 0.33 to 0.55, improving resolution and reducing multi‑exposure steps versus current EUV, which can simplify process flow and enable further scaling. Samsung will validate process conditions, yields and productivity on advanced DRAM products to secure key scaling technology and accelerate High NA EUV adoption in volume manufacturing.

Deutsche Bank notes that in the Sept. 7 Saxony-Anhalt state vote the Alternative for Germany (AfD) took about 44% of the vote — its highest state-level share and more than double its 2021 result — while the Merz-led CDU fell to roughly 17%, its weakest state showing. AfD remains short of a single-party majority and mainstream parties continue to refuse cooperation, limiting immediate policy change. Deutsche Bank says voter anger over economic stagnation, energy costs and migration is reshaping local politics and raising pressure on the federal government. Market implication: rising anti-establishment support despite a stable labor market and moderate inflation increases political fragmentation risk in Germany and may add uncertainty to fiscal arrangements, energy policy and structural reform; monitor upcoming state elections and whether mainstream parties shift economic or migration stances.