AI Data Centres: Anthropic has signed its first Australian data-centre lease in Queensland, targeting a campus with planned capacity up to 2.16GW and aiming to start coming online in 2027—another sign of the race for land and power as AI demand surges. Markets & Rates: US stocks slid after the Federal Reserve lifted rates for the first time since 2023, with Wall Street reacting to the message that inflation is still the problem—setting up pressure for the ASX. Housing & Valuations: New home sales fell 10% in August, the lowest in more than a year, as high borrowing and construction costs bite; separately, NSW police allege a $600m mortgage fraud network used inflated property prices that could distort valuations across suburbs. Migration & Labour: Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke warns Australia risks becoming a “guest worker economy” as temporary visa numbers pass 1m, ahead of major immigration changes. Business & Tech Adoption: Airwallex says small and medium businesses need practical help to become AI-ready, especially around cleaning and consolidating financial data. Food & Retail: Foodstuffs in NZ pushes back on National’s plan to break up New World and Pak’nSave, arguing it would raise costs. Energy & Supply: Independent fuel distributors report spot-market squeezes at east-coast ports, adding pressure to smaller service stations. Property Buyer Reality Check: Domain analysis suggests buyers in prestige areas may be underestimating costs by as much as $1.75m.