Energy & Tech Capacity Building: BIMSTEC Energy Centre ran a five-day Bengaluru programme on new power technologies, bringing participants from all seven member states to cover renewables, BESS, green hydrogen, CCUS, long-duration storage, SMRs, smart grids, AI in power systems, and advanced transmission. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky flagged an updated MacSync malware targeting macOS users’ crypto wallets and login data, underscoring that Apple systems are not immune to serious threats. AI & Public Trust: A Pew Research Center survey of 50,000+ people across 37 countries found Sri Lankans (and other surveyed middle-income publics) more often trust China than the US or EU to regulate AI, while job-loss fears are especially strong in wealthier countries. Education Tech Policy: Sri Lanka’s PM said smart boards won’t be rolled out to every classroom, arguing they’re not essential for quality education. Digital Government: Sri Lanka and the World Bank discussed accelerating digital transformation and modernising public sector services. Local Science Legacy: Sri Lanka’s “father of herpetology” Prof. Anslem de Silva continues mentoring a new conservation generation. Energy Storage Milestone (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka connected its first 10 MW battery energy storage system to the national grid, with Vidullanka also moving into grid-scale storage via its first of 13 BESS facilities. Security Strategy Debate: A Sri Lankan think tank’s proposed national security strategy calls for shifting from reactive responses to integrated policy, including cyber, maritime, and early-warning capabilities.