Inflation Watch: Australia’s May CPI cooled to 4% y/y (from 4.2%), but the RBA’s preferred trimmed mean rose to 3.6%, keeping rate-hike pressure alive as markets react. Privacy & Payments: The Senate heard the OAIC’s public findings on American Express privacy failures were “sanitised” for the US giant, with concerns about untracked access to customer data. Rare Earths Push: Victory Metals opened a Perth rare-earth pilot plant and won $350,000 in federal funding for two years of processing R&D with Curtin and partners. Critical Minerals in Motion: Australian Mines’ scandium story gets a boost as solid-oxide fuel cells gain investor attention, while True North Copper keeps its Cloncurry copper PFS on track for Q4 2026. Publishing & Libraries: Lending Rights Payments will support Australian authors and publishers with $28.7m via public and educational lending schemes. Media & Culture: Karl Stefanovic’s platforming of UK far-right activist Tommy Robinson sparked backlash and the episode was pulled from major platforms. Tech & Compliance: From July 1, more Australian businesses face new anti-money laundering compliance obligations under AUSTRAC. Books & Bookselling: Australian bookshops are pushing for tax breaks and vouchers to survive a tough retail environment.