AI Robotics & Industrial Strategy: Japan’s Noetra group plans to unite 44 firms to push “physical AI” and robotics into real-world uses, aiming to ease labor shortages as the country ages. Defense Tech & Sovereignty: Malaysia says a Weststar–Australia Rocket Technologies joint venture could unlock long-term aerospace and defense tech cooperation worth over US$10B, while Malaysia also calls for stronger domestic defense technology to cut reliance on foreign assets. AI Governance & Digital Jobs: Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim backs an AI Governance Bill and urges faster workforce upskilling as Ant International opens a Kuala Lumpur operations centre to build local digital and AI capabilities. Counter-UAS & Sensors: Innoviz and Regulus team up to improve counter-drone performance using automotive-grade LiDAR for cluttered, low-altitude urban threat tracking. Climate Tech in Cement: Leilac lands a paid engineering study with an East Asian cement maker to assess retrofitting for ~100,000tpa CO2 capture plus hybrid electrification. Data Centres & Heat Reuse: A McMaster professor argues data-centre waste heat could be piped for building heating if managed correctly. Startup Ecosystem: Bengaluru overtakes Mumbai as India’s biggest U30 entrepreneur hub, led by AI, space and electric mobility founders. Sanctions Update: The US removes four Indian firms from Russia-related sanctions lists, reversing restrictions tied to alleged dual-use technology exports.