Big Tech News Payments: Australia is moving to force Meta, Google and other platforms to pay news publishers, with the “news bargaining” push framed as support for local journalism and a new revenue model for media businesses. Data Centre Backlash: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will seek state cooperation to ban or restrict large data centres near schools, homes and farms, with national AI rules also on the agenda. Kids’ Social Media Crackdown: New Zealand is set to introduce a bill to ban under-16s from social media, with platforms facing hefty fines for non-compliance—mirroring Australia’s direction. KPMG Fallout: KPMG Australia is cutting staff and partner pay after an audit scandal, seeking financial support from its parent group as it launches deeper cost cuts. Payments Startup Push: Pay.com.au’s PayRewards expands into the U.S., raising US$28m to let small businesses earn points on more payment types. Retail & Brand Play: Target is leaning harder into food and beverage, backing emerging brands with more prominent in-store platforms. Bird Flu Response: Australia’s first H5N1 case in a mammal is driving wider attention, including a mass penguin vaccination effort. Media/Comms Industry: Dentsu appoints Michelle Testa as WA managing director, while Contollo adds Matthew Mackey as director to strengthen cost and procurement advisory.