Semiconductor Access: Malaysia’s Ministry of Economy says two local firms (Oppstar Technology and Alphaswift Industries) have gained Arm Compute Subsystem tech and Arm Flexible Access to speed up integrated circuit R&D, including for drones and advanced microelectronics. Cybersecurity: US agencies warn that Medusa ransomware is a ransomware-as-a-service operation that has hit 500+ victims, using phishing and unpatched software to run a double-extortion scheme. Aviation Climate Tech: Google and the UK launch a 30-month trial (“Operation Blue Skies”) testing AI-guided altitude changes to reduce contrails over the North Atlantic, aiming to cut a major share of aviation warming. Lithium Supply Chain: Princeton Critical Minerals raises $16M to scale brine-based lithium production, while another review maps how to recover valuable metals from spent lithium-ion battery cathodes for a circular materials economy. Healthcare AI Regulation: Acer Medical seeks Philippines FDA approval for AI tools that screen retinal images for diabetes complications and eye diseases to ease specialist shortages. Defense Engineering: India and Japan deepen maritime security cooperation and discuss joint naval shipbuilding and advanced defense tech. Industrial Automation/IT: DEV IT wins a ₹5.15 crore order to build Rajasthan’s IFMS 3.0 web and mobile finance apps, including pension and salary modules. Energy & Infrastructure: New Zealand launches the NZ Institute for Advanced Technology in Auckland to accelerate commercialization of AI, quantum, and advanced materials. Manufacturing & Design: LG Electronics touts 17 IDEA 2026 awards, including its voice/gesture home robot CLOiD.