POLITICO is launching a Canberra-based edition of its Playbook newsletter, aiming to provide global readers with insider insights on Australian politics and its geopolitical role. The expansion comes amid internal changes, including staff layoffs and leadership transitions, positioning POLITICO against established Australian media.

Germany's defense ministry is scrutinizing Peter Thiel's influence at Stark Defence amid a major drone contract decision for the Bundeswehr. Green Party lawmakers demand transparency due to Thiel's associations, emphasizing the need for state safeguards on military suppliers.

Ryze's AI ad automation tool faces obsolescence as updates to Anthropic's Claude AI significantly disrupt its market position, slashing deal close rates from 70% to 20%. This highlights a broader trend where rapid advancements in AI platforms threaten niche SaaS tools, driving startups to rethink their strategies.

British lawmakers are calling for a digital counter-revolution to protect children, proposing a potential social media ban for under-16s. Prime Minister Starmer cautions against a full ban, fearing it could drive children into riskier online spaces, while bereaved families demand swift regulation to prevent cyberbullying and harmful online challenges.

WPP and Adobe are deepening their partnership to enable AI-driven marketing workflows, integrating Adobe's AI with WPP's creative and strategic prowess. This collaboration aims to streamline content creation, enhance productivity, and ensure brand consistency, addressing fragmented tools and workflows in the marketing landscape.

King Harald V of Norway, hospitalized in Tenerife for an infection, faces scrutiny as controversies surrounding Princess Mette-Marit’s Epstein ties and legal issues with Marius Borg Høiby emerge. Crown Prince Haakon assumes regent duties amid declining royal support in Norway, with the monarchy's approval dropping to 60% amid these ongoing issues.

Shein's founder announces a 10 billion yuan investment in Guangdong, marking the province as key to its expansion, during the Guangdong High-Quality Development Conference. The company aims to bolster its supply chain and create a fashion hub, amidst ongoing global expansion and controversies.

Multiverse Computing unveiled the HyperNova 60B 2602, a significantly compressed AI model of GPT-OSS-120B, now freely available on Hugging Face. This release supports Europe's push for sovereign AI, offering a powerful tool for SMEs and regulated industries, while emphasizing efficiency and independence from U.S. tech giants.

AWS introduces Elemental Inference, a groundbreaking AI tool for transforming live and on-demand video into vertical formats in real-time, targeting platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Initial adopters include Fox Sports and NBCUniversal, with the service promising quicker clip production and enhanced mobile engagement.

AI investment in cybersecurity is rising, but executives struggle to link spending to business resilience, reports a new study. The research highlights a trend toward technology-driven efficiency, with AI and automation driving budget growth, emphasizing the need for metrics that demonstrate clear ROI and risk reduction outcomes.