Heat & cost pressures: Italy swelters through its hottest summer since 1950, with red heat alerts as humidity makes it worse. Student squeeze: Universities Australia wants concession cards for all uni students, citing big jumps in rents, groceries, utilities and fuel. AI boom: Analysts say AI adoption is driving a data-centre surge that could reshape jobs and the economy. Energy & politics in Queensland: The Smart Energy Council warns scrapping renewables targets and extending coal is scaring off clean investment. Climate misinformation row: WWF-New Zealand says government fossil-fuel messaging overstates benefits and omits key downsides. Tech & infrastructure: Telstra’s July outage traced to a network timing system failure; a major Australia–Singapore submarine cable break is also disrupting traffic. Regional resilience: CSIRO-backed flood refuge mounds could cut cattle losses in Queensland deluges. Community & health: A Being Digital push expands digital literacy training in SA libraries. Sport & culture: The NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia is set for Melbourne’s MCG.