AI in Insurance: S&P says IAG, Suncorp and QBE are moving from early AI builds into wider use, with governance, cyber resilience and third‑party risk controls becoming part of day-to-day risk management. Defence Research Funding: Australia has launched the Defence Strategic Policy Research Program, shifting to a five-year, open competitive funding pipeline; applications close 23 Sept. Strata Insurance Deal: Allianz Australia extended its distribution agreement with Strata Community Insurance to at least 2036, backing product and tech/data upgrades for strata communities. Social Media “Opt-Out” Law: Communications Minister Anika Wells says draft rules will give Australians the option to turn off recommendation algorithms, as Labor pushes further algorithm reforms. Energy Storage Competition: Optigrid landed its first major battery customer, with Vena Energy planning to use its optimisation platform for a 408MW, 2-hour battery from 2027. Health & Science: A global cancer forecast projects cases rising 67% by 2050; meanwhile CSIRO-led work in Papua New Guinea maps insect-specific viruses in Culex mosquitoes. Disaster Tech in Nepal: Australian drone and mapping specialists are supporting Nepal flood rescue and recovery with real-time aerial intelligence and 3D mapping. Cyber Breach: Mathspace says a security patch gap led to a major data breach affecting 1,079,819 people across Australia and New Zealand.