National Day Diplomacy: Venezuela sent fraternal greetings to Singapore on its 61st independence anniversary, reaffirming ties and dialogue. AI & Jobs: PM Lawrence Wong says Singapore will use AI to boost productivity and protect livelihoods, while adopting new tech on its own terms. Family Support & Policy Signals: Wong also flagged a “major review” to strengthen support for families and the costs of raising children at the National Day message. Cross-Border Retail Pressure: A study warns the JB-SG RTS Link could shift about S$290m net spending out of Singapore yearly, hitting groceries, drugstores, food and beauty hardest. AI Governance & Fraud: Commentary argues fraud and compliance risks rise as “shadow AI” seeps into regulated workflows, pushing the need for tighter governance. Local Justice: A 25-year-old man was jailed for 179 upskirt videos and molestation at MRT stations, with offences spanning years. Regional Business Links: UK launched consultations on deeper trade ties with the Philippines ahead of possible CPTPP accession; Singapore remains a key CPTPP member. Tech Ecosystem: Singdata became a founding data partner in Synagie’s Geene 2.0, aiming to streamline enterprise AI commerce via layered services.