AI Policy & Skills: Australia’s AI challenge is turning US-sourced models into productivity gains, with a new global skills index spotlighting gaps in training, readiness, and labor-market flexibility. IT Earnings Lift Markets: India’s IT rally gathered steam as TCS results met expectations, pulling up Infosys, HCL Tech and Tech Mahindra and boosting broader sentiment. VC Funding: Fundamentum launched its third Series B fund targeting Rs 2,200 crore, with Nandan Nilekani as anchor LP, signaling continued appetite for scaling tech startups. Fintech Infrastructure in Practice: SSS in the Philippines partnered with Standard Economics to build its SSS Micro Loan Program (SSS LoanLite), aiming for faster, safer digital microcredit. Stablecoins & Crypto Rails: TRON said USDT supply on its network topped $90B, while Hyperliquid and Phantom urged the US CFTC to modernize rules for onchain trading. Regulation & Trust: Cyprus’ CySEC warned firms to strengthen AML controls as MiCA transition ends; UK Labour MPs want to make a crypto political-donation ban permanent. Digital Finance Governance: Johannesburg’s oversight bodies flagged worsening audit outcomes and governance complexity, with major write-offs cited. Islamic FinTech Education: Meezan Bank and Iqra University launched an Islamic FinTech Centre of Excellence to support research and capacity building. Payments & Identity Security: A report found only 28% of the financial workforce is phishing-resistant, underscoring MFA weaknesses. Crypto Credibility Flash: “World” admitted its fake Solana exit stunt was a marketing prank, reigniting debate over trust in crypto platforms.