Macro anxiety ruled: RBA deputy governor Andrew Hauser warned inflation is 'too high' and rates may rise, Bathla's $3.4B collapse exposed private-credit strains, and the superannuation political fight opened ahead of the Intergenerational Report.

Europe's AI champions drew record capital: Mistral closed a €3B Series D led by Samsung at a €21B valuation, the continent's largest tech raise, while Stoke Space ($1B), The Exploration Company ($450M) and Bluecore Energy ($50M) added fuel across space and nuclear.

The OECD's PISA 2025 results showed a sharp global slide in teen reading and maths — the worst this century in the US, Australia and Germany — with 'digital distractions' blamed.

The Nepal flood disaster dominated: at least 1,300 dead, a national day of mourning, and Chinese aid deliveries as survivors were still being found alive.

The Iran conflict expanded: Houthi strikes hit Saudi energy sites and wounded 73, Brent neared $100, Iran threatened 'economic warfare' and said it fired a new missile at US warships, the US sanctioned Iran's airlines, and Qatar and China tried to revive talks.

Labor and law tested Europe: the Eiffel Tower shut for a day after female staff were 'sidelined' for a Hindu delegation, and 14 suspected smugglers went on trial in Paris over the deadliest Channel crossing.