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Australian
News
Media
Man Blog
News
Sky
News Australia wins Media Man 'News Outlet Of
The Month' award again
ASX:
News
Australian
Pro Wrestling
Media/Marketing/Comms/Brands/News/Culture/
Streaming/Events: Australia and World
October
2025
WWE
Roman
Reigns Returns To WWE
Brock
Lesnar Returns To WWE
Women's
Division On Fire: Ripley, Asuka, Stratton, IYO SKY
Western
Australia Preps For Crown Jewel Perth: Oct 11
Rhodes vs Rollins
John Cena vs AJ Styles
Stephanie Vaquer vs Tiffany Stratton
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka
and Kairi Sane)
WWE
SmackDown - Heritage Bank Center. Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cody Rhodes, Orton, The Vision and more.
Rhodes
and Orton vs The Brons/Vision: Oct 3
NXT
Showdown
NXT vs TNA Wrestling
October 7, 2025
Orlando, Florida
News
Oct
2
Southern
Cross chair says merger with Seven has 'strong support'
The
proposed merger between Seven West Media and Southern
Cross Media Group has been criticised by some shareholders
of the latter. They are concerned about the proposal
to issue nearly 100 per cent of its shares to finance
the acquisition of Seven West without putting the
deal to its own shareholders. Sandon Capital MD Gabriel
Radzyminski will seek a change to Southern Cross's
constitution that would prevent the group from issuing
more than 25 per cent of new shares without a shareholder
vote; Sandon has an 11.3 per cent stake in the media
group. However, Southern Cross chairman Heith Mackay-Cruise
says there is strong support for the deal amongst
its major shareholders. (RMS)
News
MMA
UFC 320
Ankalaev vs Pereira 2
October 4, 2025
T-Mobile Arena
Paradise, Nevada
News
NRL
Grand Final
Sunday October 5
Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos
Accor Arena, Sydney, Australia
News
Oct
2
NRL
poised to pip AFL for largest grand final broadcast
audience for first time in a decade
The
Seven Network's coverage of the 2025 AFL grand final
is currently Australia's most-watched TV program in
the year-to-date, boasting an average audience of
4.08 million people. However, the NRL's two preliminary
finals had a combined average audience of 5.2 million,
which is 35 per cent higher year-on-year. Some TV
industry insiders believe that the NRL grand final
on the Nine Network will attract a larger audience
than the AFL's premiership showdown; this would be
for the first time since 2015. The last grand final
showdown between the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne
Storm in 2006 attracted an average audience of nearly
four million. (RMS)
News
Media
merger to counter big tech
The
proposed merger between Seven West Media and Southern
Cross Media Group is forecast to generate annual pre-tax
cost synergies of up to $30m. The merger will combine
Seven's linear TV and digital broadcast platforms
with Southern Cross's radio stations; Seven also owns
print and digital newspapers. Seven West's shareholders
are expected to vote on the deal later this year or
in early 2026; if approved, Southern Cross will emerge
with a 50.1 per cent stake in the combined entity.
Seven's CEO Jeff Howard will take on the role in the
merged group, while Seven chairman Kerry Stokes will
step down in favour of Southern Cross counterpart
Heith Mackay-Cruise. Southern Cross CEO John Kelly
has indicated that he has also held merger talks with
Nine Entertainment in recent months. (RMS)
News
Don't
team up: NRL chief to Nine, Foxtel
The
National Rugby League's current $1.7m broadcasting
rights deal with Foxtel and Nine Entertainment ends
in 2027, and the league will commence negotiations
for the next deal later this year.
The
Australian Rugby League Commission's chairman Peter
V'landys expects the new deal to be worth much more,
noting that there has been strong growth in TV audiences
for NRL matches. He adds that live sport is crucial
to the future of free-to-air TV, given the audience
shift to streaming platforms.
V'Landys
has also cautioned Nine and Foxtel against making
a joint bid, warning that the NRL will take the rights
elsewhere if they attempt to collude. (Roy Morgan
Summary)
News
Netflix
Top 5: Current
Wayward
House Of Guinness
Black Rabbit
Wednesday
Adolescence
Mining/Energy/Resources:
Australia and World
October
7
(New York, Wall St)
Mining
Stocks: (Near Live)
BHP
Group Ltd $42.00 +0.095 +0.23%
Fortescue Ltd $19.20 -0.27 -1.39%
Rio Tinto $124.65 +1.07 +0.87%
Northern Star $24.63 -0.14 -0.57%
Evolution Mining Ltd $11.19 -0.075 -0.67%
Lynas Rare Earths Ltd $19.32 -0.040 - 0.21%
Mineral Resources Ltd $41.92 +0.96 +2.34%
Gold
Price: $3,960.78 USD (up $73.98 USD)
Bonus:
Elders
$7.34 -0.040 -0.54%
Markets
Australian
Dollar: $0.6620 USD (up $0.0040 USD) Iron Ore Price
(SGX): $103.75 USD (down $0.25 USD) Oil: $61.80 USD
(up $0.92 USD) Gold: $3,960.78 USD (up $73.98 USD)
Copper: $5.0490 USD (down 0.360 USD) Bitcoin: $125,164.50
USD (up 1.99% in last 24hrs) Dow: 46,694.97 at 4.20pm
NY time (down 63.31 points)
News
Gold
Mining News
Gold
prices continue their record-breaking rally, hitting
a new high of $3,949.71 per ounce amid central bank
buying, geopolitical tensions, and expectations of
further U.S. interest rate cuts. This surge is boosting
the sector, with miners' stocks outperforming AI-driven
chip rallies—gold equities up 135% year-to-date,
led by heavyweights like Newmont and Agnico Eagle,
whose shares have more than doubled. However, analysts
warn of a potential production "cliff" after
2025, with global output peaking at ~3,250 tonnes
(105 million oz.) next year before a decline due to
dwindling reserves and limited new projects.
News
GoldMining
Inc. launches 2025 exploration at São Jorge,
Brazil
Comprehensive
program targets copper-gold zones; recent drilling
hit 2.79 g/t AuEq over 79m, including antimony mineralization.
Company also expands land package and updates mineral
resource estimates.
News
Nevada
Gold Mines deploys autonomous haul trucks
Fleet
of 300- and 230-tonne trucks automated using Komatsu's
FrontRunner system across U.S. surface operations
for efficiency gains.
News
Calls
for uranium listing as US goes all out on nuclear
power
Shadow
energy minister Dan Tehan says White House officials
emphasised during his recent visit to the US thart
a secure supply of uranium is a priority for the Trump
administration. Tehan contends that the federal government
should therefore add uranium to its critical minerals
list, and include it in any deal with the US for an
exemption from its reciprocal tariffs regime. Australia
accounts for about one-third of the world's known
reserves, although the nation's exports of unenriched
uranium comprises just 10 per cent of global supply
at present. Tehan recently reiterated that nuclear
power will remain part of the Coalition's energy policy.
(RMS)
News
BHP
salutes Japan 'trust'
BHP's
president of its Australian operations, Geraldine
Slattery, addressed an Australia-Japan business conference
on Monday. She declined to comment on unconfirmed
reports that China has banned the resources group's
Pilbara iron ore shipments. Instead, she emphasised
BHP's "deep" relationship with Japan and
the free-trade relations between the two nations.
Slattery highlighted the level of trust and transparency
in the relationship between Australia and Japan. (RMS)
News
MinRes
appoints company secretary
Iron
ore and lithium producer Mineral Resources has appointed
Sarah Standish as its joint company secretary. Standish
will replace CFO Mark Wilson in the role, which she
will share with Derek Oelofse. Mineral Resources has
released a statement in which it notes that Standish
has 20 years of experience in legal, governance, risk
and compliance functions at both ASX-listed and international
companies in the mining and energy sectors. Her appointment
has coincided with the Australian Securities &
Investments Commission investigation into corporate
governance issues at Mineral Resources. (RMS)
News
Upstart
glisters among surging gold miners
The
gold price has risen by almost 50 per cent in US dollar
terms so far in 2025. This has in turn boosted the
share prices of Australian gold producers; Northern
Star Resources' market capitalisation has increased
by 60 per cent so far in 2025, reaching a record high
of $35bn last week. Meanwhile, Westgold Resources'
share price rose by 24 per cent last week, lifting
its market capitalisation from $4bn to $5.1bn; this
followed its announcement of plans to lift gold production
by 45 per cent to 470,000 ounces over the next three
years. (RMS)
News
Lynas
revisited: Can it reclaim its crown in rare earths?
Lynas
Rare Earths is one of the few players in the sector
outside China with genuine scale, but it is now at
a critical juncture. A vertically integrated business
model allows Lynas to produce a range of refined products,
particularly neodymium and praseodymium. However,
its product mix has leaned heavily toward light rare
earths, leaving it exposed to pricing volatility.
The most notable development in 2025 has been Lynas's
breakthrough into heavy rare earths; the company announced
its first production of dysprosium oxide in May, followed
by terbium oxide at its Malaysian plant in June. This
milestone currently makes Lynas the only commercial-scale
producer of separated heavy rare earths outside China.
Potential risks for Lynas include cost inflation,
the ongoing threat of competition from China and uncertainty
regarding the future of its licence in Malaysia. (RMS)
News
October
2025
News
Lead Up
October
3
Mining
Stocks
BHP
Group Ltd $42.12 +0.18 +0.43%
Fortescue Ltd $19.33 +0.13 +0.70%
Rio Tinto $124.88 +0.83 +0.67%
Northern Star $24.41 -0.42 -1.69%
Evolution Mining Ltd $10.98 -0.18 -1.57%
Lynas Rare Earths Ltd $18.02 +0.50 +2.88%
Gold
Price: $3,856.37 USD (down $9.29 USD)
News
Australia
close to minerals carve-out
President
Donald Trump signed an executive order in April which
could allow the US to impose tariffs and other trade
restrictions on imports of processed critical minerals.
The federal government and executives of some Australian
producers of critical minerals are increasingly optimistic
that Trump will agree to exempt the nation from a
tariff on such minerals. Arafura Rare Earths CEO Darryl
Cuzzubbo says it is clear that the US wants multiple
sources of rare earths and "they want them now".
Details of the critical minerals tariff are expected
to be announced later in October, around the time
when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is scheduled
to meet Trump at the White House. (RMS)
Biz
News:
Australia
Optus
rings up no tax as miners and banks support the budget
The
Australian Taxation Office's latest corporate tax
report shows that the nation's largest private and
public companies had combined income of $3.3trn in
2023-24. Tax receipts of $95.7bn were slightly lower
than the record high of the previous financial year.
The mining and energy sector accounted for $48.7bn
of the tax take; Rio Tinto topped the list of corporate
taxpayers, contributing $6.3bn to government coffers
from total income of $52.8bn. Meanwhile, 28 per cent
of large companies did not pay any tax in 2023-24;
they include Optus, Netflix, JBS and Tabcorp. (RMS)
News
BHP
keeps shipping despite China deadlock
BHP
has declined to comment on reports that China has
imposed a ban on its iron ore shipments from the Pilbara,
citing commercial confidentiality. The fact that BHP
has not released an ASX announcement on the issue
suggests that the resources giant is not unduly concerned,
given that listing rules require it to disclose anything
that could have a material impact on its shares. Meanwhile,
data from marine tracking websites show that bulk
carriers loaded with BHP's iron ore and bound for
China have continued to leave Port Hedland since reports
of the ban emerged on Tuesday. (RMS)
News
New
owner should 'sweat' mothballed BHP assets: opposition
Glencore
is said to be among the potential buyers of BHP's
nickel assets in Western Australia, while Wyloo Metals
is believed to have expressed interest in some of
them. Glencore currently owns one of the two nickel
mines in WA that are still operating; Wyloo in turn
suspended production at its nickel mines near Kambalda
in 2024, in response to the downturn in the nickel
price that prompted BHP to put its Nickel West mines,
smelter and refinery in 'care and maintenance' mode.
The federal Coalition contends that selling the assets
may be the 'next best option' for BHP, and shadow
resources minister Susan McDonald says a potential
new owner should be encouraged to make better use
of the Nickel West infrastructure. (RMS)
News
MinRes
scores legal win on port levies
The
Supreme Court of Western Australia has ruled that
Mineral Resources and its lawyers should be allowed
to see details of a controversial agreement between
the state government and Chevron. The state-owned
Pilbara Ports Authority had sought to block access
to the agreement, which requires MinRes to pay a levy
for using a cargo wharf and part of a shipping channel
that had been dredged by Chevron for its Wheatstone
LNG project. Chevron also built the Port of Ashburton,
which MinRes now uses to export iron ore from its
Onslow Iron project. (RMS)
News
Rare
earth magnets have become the new battleground for
global power
The
unique properties of rare earth magnets have resulted
in them becoming strategic assets, and supply chain
control is increasingly being viewed as a matter of
national security. China dominates the global production
and supply of rare earth magnets, and this dependence
on China was underlined earlier this year when the
nation imposed export controls. Four rare earth magnet
factories are currently under construction in the
US, but China has been investing in rare earths processing
for decades; it also manufactures most of the world's
refining equipment and employs most of the specialised
technicians, so ending China's dominance is likely
to take years. (RMS)
Newsfeed
October
2
Mining
Stocks
BHP
Group Ltd $41.47 -1.06 -2.49%
Fortescue Ltd $18.94 +0.26 +1.39%
Rio Tinto $122.58 +0.55 +0.45%
News
BHP
Faces Chinese Iron Ore Ban Amid Pricing Dispute:
Reports
emerged that China's state-run iron ore buyers have
instructed steelmakers to halt purchases of dollar-denominated
cargoes from BHP, causing the company's shares to
drop 1.8%. This escalates a broader pricing row, with
BHP's stock closing at A$41.91 (down 0.73%). Analysts
warn of potential supply chain disruptions for Australia's
largest exporter.
Rio
Tinto Eyes Early Closure of Queensland's Largest Coal
Power Station:
The
mining giant notified the Australian Energy Market
Operator of a potential shutdown of its 1,000 MW coal-fired
plant at the Tarong site as early as March 2029—six
years ahead of schedule. This aligns with Rio's decarbonization
push but raises concerns over energy reliability in
coal-dependent Queensland.
Alcoa
Permanently Closes Kwinana Alumina Refinery:
The
U.S.-based firm confirmed the shutdown of its Western
Australian facility after 60 years, citing high energy
costs and global oversupply. This impacts 400 jobs
and underscores aluminium sector struggles, with WA's
government exploring support for affected workers.
Coal
Royalty Pressures Lead to Job Cuts:
BHP's
closure of the Saraji South mine in Queensland's Bowen
Basin will eliminate 750 jobs, blamed on royalties
eight times higher than 2024 profits.
Anglo
American announced further redundancies at its Grosvenor
mine and Brisbane office (potentially 1,000+ roles).
Queensland's government offers fee relief but resists
royalty cuts.
Gold
Sector Booms on Bullish Forecasts:
ASX
gold stocks rallied after UBS and Citi hiked 2026
price targets to US$3,800–$3,825/oz.
Westgold
Resources reported a 24% resource increase to 16.3
million ounces in WA.
Genesis
Minerals surged 13%, Northern Star 8%, and Evolution
Mining 6%.
Critical
Minerals Momentum Builds:
Liontown
Resources achieved break-even cash flow in its first
lithium production year despite low prices.
Mineral
Resources (MinRes) acquired assets from Resource Development
Group and is refinancing US$700M in debt.
Impact
Minerals partnered with Kuniko on a NSW gold-silver-copper
project;
Cloudbreak
Discovery optioned the Paterson project near Telfer
mine.
Northern
Minerals' Browns Range rare earths study forecasts
an 11-year life at A$592M capex, targeting premiums
over Chinese supply.
Fortescue's
Green Energy Push:
Andrew
Forrest's firm acquired Spanish wind tech company
Nabrawind to advance decarbonization. However, a new
report doubts full electric haulage by 2030, with
diesel emissions persisting until 2035. Joint CEOs
could earn up to A$7.5M each in 2025–26 via performance
rights.
Santos
Takeover Bid Collapses:
A
US$36.4B offer from an ADNOC-led consortium failed
due to due diligence issues and FIRB hurdles, potentially
pushing Santos toward a demerger or merger with Woodside.
Geopolitical
Flashpoint:
Trump
Stake Proposal Draws Backlash:
Discussions
of granting U.S. President Donald Trump stakes in
Australian critical minerals firms have sparked outrage,
with critics calling it a "disaster" and
potentially illegal under foreign investment rules.
Upcoming
Events
The
sector gears up for major gatherings focusing on innovation
and investment:
WA
Mining Conference & Exhibition: October 8–9,
Perth Convention Centre—spotlighting future tech,
sustainability, and critical minerals. Expected to
draw thousands for networking and demos.
International
Mining & Resources Conference (IMARC): October
21–23, Sydney—featuring leaders from 120+
countries, including Federal Resources Minister Madeleine
King. Themes include global investment and decarbonization.
Asia-Pacific
International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX):
September
23–25, Adelaide (ongoing as of early October)—showcasing
automation and safety, with the Australian Mining
Prospect Awards at Adelaide Oval.
October 1
BHP
stays silent on China's iron ore ban
State-run
iron ore trader China Mineral Resources Group is said
to have imposed a temporary ban on BHP's shipments
of the steel input due to an ongoing dispute over
the renewal of long-term supply contracts. The dispute
began in mid-September, when CMRG instructed steel
mills not to accept delivery of a BHP product known
as Jimblebar blend fines or to buy such shipments
on the spot market; the ban has now been extended
to all BHP iron ore shipments, according to Bloomberg.
CMRG was established in 2022 to improve China's ability
to negotiate with iron ore miners, and it now represents
more than half of China's steelmakers in contract
discussions. BHP has declined to comment on the import
ban. (RMS)
News
Trump
seeks equity stakes in critical mineral producers
The
US Department of Defense bought $US400m ($607m) worth
of shares in rare earths producer MP Materials earlier
in 2025. The Trump administration is said to be looking
at buying equity-like stakes in other producers of
critical minerals, according to executives of Australian
mining companies who recently held talks with officials
from various US government agencies. Amongst other
things, the government is said to be interested in
buying stock warrants, which would grant it the right
to buy shares in a mining company. The US aims to
reduce its reliance on China for minerals that are
crucial for defence technology and the energy transition.
(RMS)
News
Argonaut
tips gold to hit $US4500, lithium revival as supply
tightens
The
gold price has risen by 45 per cent so far in 2025,
and it is currently trading above $US3,800 per ounce.
Perth-based stockbroker Argonaut is bullish about
the outlook for bullion, lifting its peak price forecast
to US$4,500. Argonaut's executive chairman and co-founder
Eddie Rigg also anticipates further consolidation
in the gold sector. Meanwhile, Rigg expects the lithium
price to rebound, arguing that proposed new projects
in South America and Africa are unlikely to proceed
in the near-term; he notes that they will be capital-intensive,
while many are in volatile jurisdictions. (RMS)
News
Gold
rush to the exit at two top miners
Newmont
Corporation has advised that president and chief operating
officer Natascha Viljoen will succeed CEO Tom Palmer
at the end of 2025. Palmer will become a strategic
adviser to Newmont before retiring in March 2026.
he says it is time to step down after nearly 40 years
in the mining industry, including 12 at Newmont; Palmer
has been the gold miner's CEO since 2019. Meanwhile,
Mark Bristow has resigned as CEO of rival Barrick
Gold; Mark Hill has been appointed as interim president
and CEO while the company recruits a permanent successor.
(RMS)
News
Beetaloo
gas to hit market in 2026 with NT pilot project
Tamboran
Resources has advised that it will undertake a five-well
pilot program at its Beetaloo Basin gas project in
the Northern Territory. Tamboran has secured a $179.8m
project finance facility from Alpha Wave Global and
Macquarie Group, with the NT government to underwrite
$75m of this loan. The government has also agreed
to buy 40 terajoules of gas per day from the pilot
program from mid-2026; gas from the Beetaloo Basin
could also eventually be shipped to the eastern states
to address looming supply concerns.
Development
of the Beetaloo Basin has been opposed by environmentalists
and some traditional owners, due to the need to extract
gas via fracking. (RMS)
News
News
Flashback
Profile
Snapshot:
Hancock
Prospecting
Hancock
Prospecting Pty Ltd is an Australian-owned mining
and agricultural business run by Executive Chairwoman
Gina Rinehart and CEO Garry Korte. At various stages
of its trading history, the company has been known
as Hancock Prospecting Ltd, Hancock Resources Ltd,
Hanwright Pty Ltd, Hancock & Wright Ltd, and Hancock
Prospecting Pty Ltd.
Hancock
Prospecting Pty Ltd is owned by Rinehart (76.6%) and
the Hope Margaret Hancock Trust (23.4%).
The
company was founded in 1955 by Rinehart's father,
the late Lang Hancock. Hancock Prospecting holds the
mineral rights to some of the largest Crown land leases
in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Gina
Rinehart has disputed accusations that she is an heiress.
Through Rinehart's spokesperson and chief financial
officer at Hancock Prospecting, Jay Newby, Rinehart
has claimed that upon assuming the role of the Executive
Chairwoman, she took over a company that was in a
perilous financial position with significant debt
and major assets mortgages and under threat of seizure.
Projects:
Balfour
Downs Station Manganese Operation, northeast of Newman,
a joint venture with Mineral Resources
Hope
Downs mine, northwest of Newman, a joint venture with
Rio Tinto
Roy
Hill project, south of Port Hedland, a joint venture
between Hancock Prospecting (70%), Marubeni (15%),
POSCO (12.5%), and China Steel Corporation (2.5%)
Alpha
Coal project, Galilee Basin in Central Queensland
Kevin's
Corner coal project, Galilee Basin in Central Queensland
Nicholas
Downs mine, northwest of Newman, a joint venture with
Mineral Resources
(Developing
profile/news). To be cont ...
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
The
best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears."
"You
are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig
to find it and make it real."
"Your
mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep you will
find something golden."
"Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind."
"We're
like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's
inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."
"If
you want to find gold, you've got to love the process
of digging."
"Even
if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to
dig."
"Develop
men the same way gold is mined"
"Don't
go into the mine looking for dirt; instead, go in
looking for the gold."
"A
prospector's job is to remove dirt as quickly as possible"
"A
prospector who analyses every speck of dirt won't
find much gold"
"The
world is sitting on a gold mine but knows it not."
"Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are
silver, these are gold."
"All
that is gold does not glitter."
"Gold
is forever. It is beautiful, useful, and never wears
out"
"Gold
is the money of kings"
"Mining
is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit.
An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher
of a dead mule."
"Anyone
can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds
the gold."
"True
gold fears no fire."
"The
desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means
of freedom and benefit."
"Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold."
"When
taken for granted, gold in one's hand is sometimes
considered like cheap copper – so are people."
Media
Man
Roy
Morgan wins Media Man 'News Services Provider Of The
Month' award; Runner-ups: X, Google News, Yahoo! Finance
News
Flashback
September
2025
September
22 (US) and 23 (Australia)
WWE
RAW On Netflix
Jey
Uso Going To The Dark Side?! Inner Heel!
Asuka
The Heel; May Take Australian Rhea Ripley And Saine
Souls?! Saine under the Asuka Kabuki Spell! Ripley
attacked post match by Japanese Kabuki Triad-like
faction!
John
Cena def by Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza!
WWE
RAW On Road To Crown Jewel Perth; Wrestlepalooza Fallout!
Dirty
Dominik Mysterio, New Double Champ Spying Whole WWE/TKO
Group For More Gold!
Logan
Paul Has Focus On WWE Gold And International Tours
Including Australia and Saudi including WrestleMania
and numerous PLE's (Premium Live Events)
WWE
Powers That Be Continue To Mention Some Non-WWE Signed
Talent Including Chris Jericho
Some
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide Talent May Appear On Upcoming
RAW's, SmackDown's And PLE's!
News
Young
Australians drive use of captions for films, videos
and TV shows
Research
from Roy Morgan shows that 43% of Australians now
prefer to watch films, videos and TV shows with captions
or subtitles on, while 13% prefer their news and entertainment
in a language other than English. Analysis by age
shows a that majority of Australians under 35 say
they prefer to watch films, videos and TV shows with
the subtitles or captions on (54% aged under 25 and
58% aged 25-34), as do 48% of those aged 35-49. Meanwhile,
just over a quarter of 50-64yr olds (28%) and 65+
(30%) prefer to watch such content with the subtitles
or captions on. Younger Australians are also more
likely than their older counterparts to prefer their
news and entertainment in a language other than English.
This new Roy Morgan dataset was developed in partnership
with the Media Federation of Australia's DE&I
Advisory Council. A nationwide cross-section of 14,969
Australian aged 14+ were interviewed between April
and June 2025. (RMS)
News
After
trashing big tech for years, Murdochs eye TikTok US
stake
US
President Donald Trump has stated that a group of
"American patriots" could potentially buy
the US operations of short-video platform TikTok.
He named Lachlan and Rupert Murdoch as likely investors
in TikTok, as well as IT pioneers Michael Dell and
Larry Ellison. Sources have indicated that the Murdoch
family would most likely invest in TikTok via Fox
Corporation. However, the Murdochs' media outlooks
in Australia have been frequent critics of TikTok
- and social media platforms in general - in recent
years. Amongst other things, they lobbied for reforms
that led to the introduction of the News Media Bargaining
Code. (RMS)
News
Atlassian
in blockbuster $1.5b AI deal
Computer
software company Atlassian has made its second big
acquisition this month, paying $US1 billion ($1.5
billion) to buy US software firm DX. Atlassian's purchase
of DX comes after it bought The Browser company for
$US610 million, with Atlassian co-founder and chief
executive Mike Cannon-Brooke saying the purchase of
DX will help its customers understand if they are
making the right AI investments. For his part, Atlassian
chief technology officer Rajeev Rajan notes many of
DX's current customers are also Atlasssian clients.
(RMS)
News
Starlink
ups plans to 44,988 satellites
SpaceX
has filed a formal application to the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) for permission to launch thousands
of extra satellites into very low Earth orbit (VLEO).
The scheme will take some time to implement but suggests
that Starlink would then be able to manage greater
coverage of its direct-to-consumer connectivity. Starlink
already has about 650 ‘direct-to-cell- satellites
in orbit.
The
application covers a slew of new orbits, between 326
kms and 335 kms and much lower than the existing Starlink
fleet. The application also covers usage of new –
to Starlink – transmission frequencies. Those
frequencies include those which Starlink acquired
from EchoStar earlier in September.
“This
new system of up to 15,000 satellites will provide
ubiquitous connectivity to ordinary mobile handsets
and a range of other devices and user terminals,”
the company wrote in its filing.
The
request is over and above existing filings which total
up to 29,988 satellites and covers a maximum –
says SpaceX – of an extra 15,000 satellites,
and taking the total envisioned of 44,988 satellites.
This
filing attachment contains information describing
SpaceX’s non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite
system and use of spectrum for Mobile-Satellite Service
(MSS), as required under Part 25 of the Commission’s
rules.1 SpaceX proposes to provide MSS service internationally.
The
SpaceX request typically lists up to 5,760 satellites
for each orbital plane. SpaceX says the frequencies
and satellites will be used in partnership with terrestrial
operators to augment high-capacity terrestrial 5G
networks.
Observers
say these very low orbits mean that the satellites
are subject to some atmospheric drag. While the atmosphere
is extremely thin at altitudes of around 330 kms,
it still impacts satellites at these heights. Consequently,
the fleet will need to be replaced more frequently
as the satellites decay in orbit.
Expert
observers suggest that the extra fleet, when fully
in position will need an average of 3,100 replacements
to be launched annually.
Last
November, the FCC cleared SpaceX to orbit some Starlink
satellites as low as 340 kms in orbit, so long as
the company coordinates with NASA. The company’s
new application requests to orbit the next-generation
cellular Starlink satellites ever closer to Earth,
from between 326 kms to 335km, which would likely
help reduce their latency when connecting to phones
below.
News
Netflix:
Top 3 (World)
1.
Wednesday: Season 2
28.2 million views
The
Addams Family spin-off returns with Part 2, topping
the English TV list and driving massive buzz for its
gothic mystery and Jenna Ortega's performance. It's
a major highlight for September releases.
2.
My Life With the Walter Boys: Season 2
10.9 million views
This
teen romance drama sees fans divided between love
interests, maintaining strong viewership from its
first season.
3.
Hostage: Limited Series
5.5 million views
A
tense thriller that's emerged as a sleeper hit this
month, praised for its pacing and plot twists in WIRED's
best shows roundup. Scary good. Not for kids.
News
Foxtel
'thriving' under DAZN
Foxtel
Group's CEO Patrick Delany says the pay-TV group is
is more committed than ever to serving the Australian
market under new parent company DAZN. Delany says
the global sports-focused streaming group bought Foxtel
due to its current strategy of continuing to grow
through streaming while maintaining its traditional
pay-TV service; DAZN finalised the acquisition of
Foxtel in April. Meanwhile, Delany says there are
compelling reasons for the NRL to renew its broadcasting
rights deal with Foxtel. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Lachlan's
win means his mates Down Under can breathe easily
Andrew
Bolt is perhaps the News Corp Australia employee most
relieved that Lachlan Murdoch has won the succession
battle regarding control of the Murdoch family media
empire. Bolt had stated last year that he would quit
if James Murdoch and the other siblings of Lachlan
Murdoch involved in the battle had won control of
the empire. Lachlan Murdoch is also a big supporter
of News Corp Australia boss Michael Miller, who retains
his role despite ongoing rumblings that Sky News boss
Paul Whittaker is after his job, while Daily Telegraph
editor Ben English is said to be Lachlan Murdoch's
favourite editor. (RMS)
News
Paramount/Warner
deal could buck merger trend (RMS)
Peter
Supino from Wolfe Research estimates that a merger
between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery
would generate initial cost synergies of about $US3bn.
He says it would create the world's biggest film and
TV studio and one of the top five streaming video
companies. Shares in both companies have rallied in
response to media reports that Paramount is preparing
an all-cash takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery.
The merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media
was completed in August. (RMS)
News
September
12, 2025
Fox's
path now clear, says Lachlan
Fox
Corporation's executive chairman and CEO Lachlan Murdoch
says the deal to resolve a long-running family trust
dispute will ensure clarity about the media company's
future strategy. The $US3.3bn deal will give Lachlan
Murdoch full control of the family's stakes in both
Fox and News Corporation. Murdoch says the deal with
his siblings will allow Fox to continue on the path
that it set in 2019 when the Murdoch family sold its
entertainment assets to Disney. He notes that Fox's
revenue has increased by $US5bn since the sale to
Disney. (RMS)
News
September
10
Siblings
paid to exit Murdoch media empire
Sources
have indicated that the Murdoch family has settled
the long-running dispute over future control over
its media empire in a deal worth $US3.3bn ($5bn).
Rupert Murdoch's eldest son Lachlan is set to assume
full control of the family's stakes in News Corp and
Fox Corporation, ending the dispute with his siblings.
Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch and James Murdoch
will each receive $US1.1bn, while they have also agreed
to sell all of their shares in the two companies over
the next six months. The family trust that was at
the centre of the legal dispute between the Murdochs
will be dissolved as part of the deal. (RMS)
News
September
8
News
Meta
tries diplomacy as ban looms
The
federal government is set to reveal further details
of its age-limits policy for social media in coming
weeks. This includes the 'reasonable steps' that technology
group will have to take in blocking people under the
age of 16 from accessing their platforms. Meta executives
Antigone Davis and Dustin Ho recently visited Australia
to hold talks with the government regarding the looming
age restrictions. Other social media platforms such
as YouTube and TikTok have launched advertising campaigns
in recent weeks to promote the educational value of
their platforms. (RMS)
News
Kayo,
Binge remain key pillars of Foxtel
Foxtel
Group executive Mark Frain has emphasised that the
pay-TV company remains committed to the Binge streaming
service under its new owner, the sports-focused DAZN.
The CEO of Foxtel Media says the entertainment-focused
Binge is a key part of the group's future plans; he
argues that Binge provides DAZN with an opportunity
to bolster and complement sport. Meanwhile, Frain
expects demand for Kayo Sports to continue growing
amongst both from advertisers and subscribers. Foxtel
will hold its 2006 'upfronts' event ths week. (Roy
Morgan Summary)
News
Antitrust
suit against Fox News dismissed
US
District Court judge Aileen Cannon has ruled in favour
of Fox News in an antitrust case launched by cable
news rival Newsmax. The latter had alleged that Fox
News had used its market power to coerce distributors
into unfair terms that bar them from carrying its
competitors' broadcasts. Cannon essentially found
that the complaint against Fox News had been poorly
drafted, but she ruled that Newsmax can lodge a revised
complaint by 11 September. (RMS)
News
Netflix:
October 2025
Movies
A
House of Dynamite (Oct 24): A political thriller directed
by Kathryn Bigelow, starring Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson,
and others. It centers on a nuclear threat to the
U.S., touted as a potential Best Picture nominee.
The
Woman in Cabin 10 (Oct 10): A psychological thriller
starring Keira Knightley as a journalist uncovering
a mystery on a luxury yacht, based on Ruth Ware’s
novel.
Steve
(Oct 3): Cillian Murphy stars as a headteacher at
a reform school facing personal and professional struggles,
based on Max Porter’s novella Shy.
About
My Father (2023, Oct 1): A comedy with Sebastian Maniscalco
and Robert De Niro, focusing on a clash between an
Italian father and his fiancée’s family.
Blue
Crush (2002, Oct 1): A sports drama starring Kate
Bosworth about a woman pursuing her dream of becoming
a pro surfer.
Casper
(1995, Oct 1): A family-friendly supernatural comedy
with Christina Ricci about a kind-hearted ghost.
Elysium
(2013, Oct 1): A sci-fi action film by Neill Blomkamp
starring Matt Damon, exploring class struggles between
Earth and a luxurious space station.
Hacksaw
Ridge (2016, Oct 1): Mel Gibson’s WWII drama
about medic Desmond Doss, starring Andrew Garfield.
Dirty
Dancing (1987, Oct 1): The iconic romantic dance film
with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.
Austin
Powers Trilogy (Oct 1): All three films (International
Man of Mystery, The Spy Who Shagged Me, Goldmember)
bring Mike Myers’ comedic spy antics.
Series
Nobody
Wants This Season 2 (Oct 23): The rom-com starring
Kristen Bell and Adam Brody returns, following Joanne
and Noah’s chaotic relationship.
The
Diplomat Season 3 (Oct 16): Keri Russell and Rufus
Sewell navigate political intrigue, with Bradley Whitford
joining as the First Gentleman.
The
Witcher Season 4 (Oct 30): Liam Hemsworth takes over
as Geralt of Rivia, adapting the final novels of Andrzej
Sapkowski’s series. A Rats special may accompany
it.
Love
Is Blind Season 9 (Oct 1): Set in Denver, this reality
dating show explores love without physical attraction.
Monster:
The Ed Gein Story (Oct 3): Ryan Murphy’s anthology
series continues with Charlie Hunnam as the infamous
serial killer Ed Gein, joined by Laurie Metcalf and
Addison Rae.
Splinter
Cell: Deathwatch (TBD): An animated espionage series
based on the video game, following Sam Fisher.
The
Resurrected (TBD): A Taiwanese series about two mothers
resurrecting a criminal to avenge their daughters.
Genie,
Make a Wish Season 1 (Oct 1): A Korean rom-com starring
Kim Woo Bin as a genie and Bae Suzy as a stoic woman.
Dudes
Season 1 (Oct 1): A German comedy spinoff of Alpha
Males.
The
New Force Season 1 (Oct 1): A Swedish drama about
Stockholm’s first female police officers.
Documentaries
Victoria
Beckham (Oct 9): A three-part series tracing her journey
from Spice Girls fame to fashion mogul.
The
Perfect Neighbor (Oct 17): A Sundance award-winning
documentary on the 2023 Ajike Owens murder and Florida’s
stand-your-ground laws.
Starting
5 Season 2 (Oct 16): Follows NBA stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
and Kevin Durant during the 2024-2025 season.
Who
Killed the Montreal Expos? (Oct 21): Explores the
demise of the Canadian baseball team.
The
White House Effect (Oct 1): Examines climate policy
under George H.W. Bush and its lasting impact.
Rockstar:
Duki From the End of the World (Oct 1): An Argentine
documentary on trap star Duki.
Specials
and Animation
Dr.
Seuss’s Horton! (Oct 1): An animated adaptation
from Brown Bag Films.
Ranma
1/2 Season 2 (Oct 1): Weekly anime episodes continue
the classic series.
Rurouni
Kenshin Season 2 (Oct 1): A Japanese anime about a
samurai seeking redemption.
Six
Kings Slam 2025 (Oct 15): A live tennis showcase featuring
top players.
Matt
McCusker: A Humble Offering (Oct 1): A stand-up comedy
special.
News
Flashback
Netflix:
September 2025
Highlights
include:
Wednesday
Season 2, Part 2 (Sept. 3): The second half of the
season continues with four episodes, following Wednesday
Addams (Jenna Ortega) at Nevermore Academy as she
faces new mysteries and threats, including her Season
1 rival Tyler’s Hyde form.
Black
Rabbit (Sept. 18): A limited series starring Jude
Law as a restaurateur and Jason Bateman as his brother,
diving into New York’s criminal underworld.
Alice
in Borderland Season 3 (Sept. 25): The Japanese thriller
returns with new death games and challenges for Arisu
and Usagi.
House
of Guinness (Sept. 25): A new drama series exploring
the family behind the iconic brewery.
aka
Charlie Sheen (Sept. 10): A two-part documentary offering
an unfiltered look at Charlie Sheen’s life and
career.
Canelo
Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford (Sept. 13): A
live boxing event with a behind-the-scenes series,
Countdown: Canelo v Crawford (Sept. 4). *just hit.
Record breaking viewership/audience!
Love
Is Blind: Brazil Season 5 and Love Is Blind: France
(Sept. 10): New seasons of the reality dating franchise.
Next
Gen Chef (Sept. 17): A culinary competition featuring
21 chefs under 30 at the Culinary Institute of America.
Pokémon
Concierge Season 1, Part 2 (Sept. 4) and Pokémon
Horizons Season 2 – The Search for Laqua Part
4 (Sept. 26): Animated series for fans of the franchise.
Dr.
Seuss’s Red Fish, Blue Fish (Sept. 8): An animated
preschool series based on the classic book.
The
Wrong Paris (Sept. 12): A rom-com featuring Miranda
Cosgrove as a woman who joins a dating show, expecting
France but landing in Texas.
Inspector
Zende (Sept. 5): A Bollywood drama about a serial
killer evading capture in Mumbai.
Love
Con Revenge (Sept. 5): A documentary series following
victims of romance scams seeking justice.
Licensed
Movies (Sept. 1):
Classics
like:
8
Mile (RT: 96%)
The Amazing Spider-Man 1 & 2
Boyz n the Hood (RT: 96%)
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (RT: 99%)
La La Land
Shrek series
Billy Madison
Willy Wonka (original)
The Expendables (1 to 4). Carry over from August
Against The Ropes (has returned)
The Legend Of Baron To'A (just hit)
WWE
RAW
WWE SmackDown (numerous international markets. Not
US)
WWE NXT
News
Media
Man
Google
Finance wins Media Man 'Business News Website Of The
Month' award
Runner-ups:
Yahoo! Finance, The Australian Financial Review, FOX
Business and Sky News Australia
Yahoo!
Finance Sports Report wins Media Man 'Sports Business
Podcast Of The Month' award
News
Brand
News via Media Man
Netflix
wins Media Man 'Brand Of The Month'; Runner-up: MAX
WWE
wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Month'
award
UFC
wins Media Man 'MMA Promotion Of The Month' award
TKO
Group wins Media Man 'Entertainment Promoter Of The
Month' award
AEW
wins Media Man 'Challenger Brand Of The Month' award
Prime
wins Media Man 'Beverage Of The Month' award
Claudio's
Cafe wins Media Man 'Coffee Brand Of The Month' award;
Runner-up: Nespresso
Mining/Energy/Resources:
Australia and World
September
2025
News
September
30, 2025
Mining
Stocks: (Near Live)
BHP
Group Ltd $41.91 -0.31 -0.73%
Fortescue Ltd $18.73 -0.40 -2.09%
Rio Tinto $121.25 -1.95 -1.58%
News
Australian
Mining News
Australia's
mining sector continues to navigate a mix of challenges
and opportunities in September 2025, with coal operations
facing job cuts and royalty pressures, while critical
minerals and gold projects show promise amid rising
global demand.
Iron
ore and lithium markets remain volatile, influenced
by Chinese demand and energy transition goals.
BHP
Closes Queensland Coal Mine Amid Royalty Backlash:
BHP
announced the closure of its Saraji South coal mine
in the Bowen Basin, putting 750 jobs at risk. The
decision stems from falling coal prices and what BHP
calls an unsustainable tax and royalty burden—eight
times higher than profits in 2024.
CEO
Mike Henry criticized Queensland's regime as a "crisis
point" for the industry, prompting urgent talks
with Premier David Crisafulli.
Anglo
American followed with undisclosed job cuts at its
Brisbane office and Grosvenor mine, potentially adding
over 1,000 redundancies in the region. Treasurer David
Janetzki ruled out royalty changes but hinted at relief
via faster approvals and fee reductions.
Fortescue
Acquires Spanish Wind Tech Firm: Mining billionaire
Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest's Fortescue completed
its purchase of Nabrawind, a self-lifting wind tower
engineering company, to bolster its green energy pivot.
This aligns with Fortescue's decarbonization goals,
though a new Climate Change Authority report questions
the feasibility of fully electric haulage trucks by
2030, estimating diesel still dominates emissions
(14% of sector total) until 2035.
Gold
Miners Rally on Bullish Forecasts: ASX gold stocks
surged after UBS and Citi raised 2026 price targets
to US$3,825–$3,800/oz (around A$6,000/oz). Genesis
Minerals jumped 13%, Northern Star 8%, and Evolution
Mining 6%. Westgold Resources reported a 24% resource
increase to 16.3 million ounces in Western Australia.
Critical
Minerals Deals and Funding:
Liontown
Resources achieved break-even cash flow in its first
lithium production year despite low prices. Mineral
Resources (MinRes) signed a binding deal to acquire
assets from Resource Development Group and is negotiating
a US$700 million debt refinance to extend maturities
into the next decade.
Impact
Minerals farmed out a gold-silver-copper project in
NSW to Kuniko Limited, while Cloudbreak Discovery
optioned the Paterson gold-copper-molybdenum project
near Greatland Gold's Telfer mine.
Northern
Minerals' Browns Range rare earths feasibility study
projects an 11-year mine life at A$592 million capex,
targeting premiums over Chinese supply (up to US$138/kg
for key elements like neodymium).
Santos
Takeover Collapses: A US$36.4 billion bid for Santos
by an ADNOC-led consortium fell through just before
the deadline, citing due diligence issues and a tough
letter from Santos demanding FIRB approval upfront.
Analysts speculate this could pressure Santos toward
a demerger or merger with peers like Woodside.
Other
Notable Updates:
Auric
Mining wrapped up its Jeffreys Find gold project,
netting A$14.5 million in profits.
Brightstar Resources gained approvals for its Lord
Byron open-pit gold mine near Laverton, WA, with development
slated for 2026.
Ghana's Lands Minister pitched investment opportunities
at an Australian mining conference, highlighting global
ties.
Unions pushed BHP for a new enterprise agreement covering
400+ Port Hedland workers, amid broader retrenchments.
News
Two
top Fortescue executives in quest for $7.5m pay
A
resolution to issue 342,254 performance rights shares
to each of Fortescue's joint CEOs will be put to investors
at its AGM in October. Dino Otranto heads the group's
mining arm, while Agustin Pichot is in charge of its
growth and energy assets. Their fixed remuneration
packages will be $2.08m in 2025-26, but the performance
rights could potentially boost their earnings for
the financial year to around $7.5m apiece. The number
of shares they will ultimately receive will be based
on performance targets that are set by Fortescue's
board. (RMS)
News
MinRes
completes $230 million upgrade of trouble-plagued
Pilbara iron ore haul road
Mineral
Resources' Onslow Iron project shipped 3.2 million
tonnes of iron ore in August, and the company says
it remains on track to reach annual nameplate capacity
of 35 million tonnes. MD Chris Ellison says Onslow
Iron is a "cash generative, low-cost asset"
that continued to perform strongly during a now-completed
upgrade of the 150-kilometre private road that is
used to transport ore from the Ken's Bore mine to
the port at Ashburton. There have been seven road
train accidents on the private road since it opened
in October 2024, prompting a $230m repair program
and a Worksafe investigation. (RMS)
News
Canberra
to shake up gas export rules
Sources
have indicated that the federal government may require
LNG producers to supply a certain amount of gas to
the domestic market before they receive approval to
supply overseas buyers. The proposed model is said
to be one of the preferred options by the government,
and industry insiders have indicated that they expect
Labor to make a formal announcement on it before the
end of 2025. The scheme would benefit the Australia
Pacific LNG and Queensland Curtis LNG ventures, which
both produce more gas than their ship overseas. In
contrast, the Santos-backed Gladstone LNG project
currently purchases gas from third parties to fulfill
its export contracts. (RMS)
News
September
30
Markets
Australian
Dollar: $0.6576 USD (up $0.0028 USD) Iron Ore: $103.25
USD (down $0.40 USD) Oil: $63.13 USD (down $2.59 USD)
Gold: $3,833.89 USD (up $74.03 USD) Copper: $4.9045
USD (up 0.1400 USD) Bitcoin: $114,376.31 USD (up 3.16%)
Dow Jones: 46,316.07 (up 68.78 points)
News
News
Flashback
Profile
Snapshot:
Hancock
Prospecting
Hancock
Prospecting Pty Ltd is an Australian-owned mining
and agricultural business run by Executive Chairwoman
Gina Rinehart and CEO Garry Korte. At various stages
of its trading history, the company has been known
as Hancock Prospecting Ltd, Hancock Resources Ltd,
Hanwright Pty Ltd, Hancock & Wright Ltd, and Hancock
Prospecting Pty Ltd.
Hancock
Prospecting Pty Ltd is owned by Rinehart (76.6%) and
the Hope Margaret Hancock Trust (23.4%).
The
company was founded in 1955 by Rinehart's father,
the late Lang Hancock. Hancock Prospecting holds the
mineral rights to some of the largest Crown land leases
in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Gina
Rinehart has disputed accusations that she is an heiress.
Through Rinehart's spokesperson and chief financial
officer at Hancock Prospecting, Jay Newby, Rinehart
has claimed that upon assuming the role of the Executive
Chairwoman, she took over a company that was in a
perilous financial position with significant debt
and major assets mortgages and under threat of seizure.
Projects:
Balfour
Downs Station Manganese Operation, northeast of Newman,
a joint venture with Mineral Resources
Hope
Downs mine, northwest of Newman, a joint venture with
Rio Tinto
Roy
Hill project, south of Port Hedland, a joint venture
between Hancock Prospecting (70%), Marubeni (15%),
POSCO (12.5%), and China Steel Corporation (2.5%)
Alpha
Coal project, Galilee Basin in Central Queensland
Kevin's
Corner coal project, Galilee Basin in Central Queensland
Nicholas
Downs mine, northwest of Newman, a joint venture with
Mineral Resources
(Developing
profile/news). To be cont ...
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
The
best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears."
"You
are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig
to find it and make it real."
"Your
mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep you will
find something golden."
"Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind."
"We're
like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's
inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."
"If
you want to find gold, you've got to love the process
of digging."
"Even
if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to
dig."
"Develop
men the same way gold is mined"
"Don't
go into the mine looking for dirt; instead, go in
looking for the gold."
"A
prospector's job is to remove dirt as quickly as possible"
"A
prospector who analyses every speck of dirt won't
find much gold"
"The
world is sitting on a gold mine but knows it not."
"Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are
silver, these are gold."
"All
that is gold does not glitter."
"Gold
is forever. It is beautiful, useful, and never wears
out"
"Gold
is the money of kings"
"Mining
is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit.
An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher
of a dead mule."
"Anyone
can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds
the gold."
"True
gold fears no fire."
"The
desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means
of freedom and benefit."
"Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold."
"When
taken for granted, gold in one's hand is sometimes
considered like cheap copper – so are people."
Markets,
Crypto and Culture
September
15, 2025
Sydney,
Australia
Markets
ASX
futures down 59 points/0.7% to 8804
Wall Street:
S&P 500 -0.1%
Dow Jones -0.6%
Nasdaq +0.4%
Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.1%
FTSE -0.2%
DAX flat
CAC flat
Bitcoin
-0.1% to $US115,849
Gold
+0.3% to $US3643.14 per ounce
Oil +0.5% to $US62.69 a barrel
Brent crude oil +0.9% to $US66.99 a barrel
Iron ore +0.4% to $US105.90 per ton
10-year yield:
US 4.06%
Australia 4.21%
Germany 2.71%
News
Cryptos
Today: (Near Live)
Bitcoin
$116,036.73 USD +0.28%
Ethereum $4,624.75 USD -0.60%
Tether $0.9998 USD +0.14%
XRP $3.04 USD -2.20%
BNB $933.05 USD +0.18%
Solana $243.15 USD +1.40%
TRON $0.3491 USD +0.06%
Dogecoin $0.2799 USD -3.15%
Market
Cautious, Mood/vibe rising!
Mining/Energy/Resources/Culture/Digital
Gold: Australia and World
September
2025
Newsfeed
Sept
5
MinRes
drivers 'asked to fill out false timesheets'
A
former employee of Mineral Resources has told Western
Australia's WorkSafe that the iron ore miner is not
complying with safety rules on its 148km private haulage
road. The ex-employee contends that truck drivers
are being asked to work 12-hour shifts in order to
meet Mineral Resources' targets for transporting iron
ore from the Ken's Bore mine in the Pilbara to its
export facility. It has also been alleged that drivers
have been "coerced" into falsifying their
timesheets. The company has spent more than $200m
on repairing the road, while there have been a number
of truck crashes and rollovers since the road opened.
(RMS)
News
Shell
plots exit from North West Shelf
Sources
have indicated that energy giant Shell is considering
the sale of its 16.67 per cent stake in the North
West Shelf LNG project. Shell previously decided to
withdraw from the $US30bn ($46bn) Browse LNG project,
which is likely to supply gas to the processing plant
at Karratha in Western Australia to replace the declining
NWS gas fields. Woodside Energy has a 50 per cent
stake in the NWS project, and Shell's potential exit
would allow it to either increase its own stake or
bring new partners into the venture. (RMS)
News
LNG
export blow as US, Qatar to flood market
Investment
bank Goldman Sachs has forecast that the LNG price
willl fall $US7.35 per million British thermal units
in calendar 2027. This is 42 per cent lower than in
the current quarter. Goldman Sachs notes that global
LNG supply is expected to rise by 50 per cent to a
record 200 million tonnes by the end of this decade,
amid increased production in the US and Qatar. Australia
currently exports about 81 million tonnes of LNG a
year, but the US appears to be on track to ship about
110 million tonnes in 2025; Qatar is aiming to ramp
its LNG output to a similar level. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Bass
Strait partners Mitsui, Woodside, ExxonMobil in $300m
feud
The
Federal Court is to hear a dispute involving Mitsui,
Woodside Energy and ExxonMobil. It involves Mitsui
being asked for a payment of $156.3 million from ExxonMobil
and $141.6 million from Woodside. The latter two companies
are of the view that Mitsui should make a greater
contribution to the petroleum resource rent tax payable
to the federal government for gas extracted from the
Kipper gas field in Bass Strait. The dispute is linked
to a demand from the Australian Taxation Office for
greater payments of the tax for the period between
2013 and 2017. Mitsui, which acquired Santos's 35
per cent stake in the Kipper field in 2016, does not
believe it should be liable for those debts. (RMS)
News
Sept
3
High-grade
threat to Australian iron ore
Australia
exported about $120 billion worth of iron ore from
the Pilbara during 2024-25. However, Vale executive
Rogerio Nogueira contends that Brazil has a key advantage
over Australia because its iron ore is better suited
to beneficiation; this process removes contaminants
such as silicon or alumina to produce the higher-grade
ore that will be needed to make steel using natural
gas or hyrogen instead of coal. Australia's iron ore
miners are already facing the problem of decline ore
grades in the Pilbara. (RMS)
South32
chief in blast over green tape
Diversified
miner South32 battled the bureaucracy for more than
seven years to secure approval to continue operating
its Worley bauxite and alumina business in Western
Australia. Meanwhile, difficulty in gaining approval
for an extension to the Dendrobium coal mine in the
Illawarra region of NSW prompted South32 to sell the
asset in 2024. South32 CEO Graham Kerr says the Trump
administration has made it much easier to gain environmental
approval for US mining projects compared with Australia.
The company is on track to gain all approvals for
its Hermosa critical minerals project in less than
four years; it was the first project to be added to
the FAST-41 list. (RMS)
News
Flashback
September
3, 2025
Medals/Rare
Earths News
Gold
may be targeting $4,500, silver $50 Precious metals
have returned to active growth, pushing the spot price
of gold to $3,490—just $10 below its historic
high of 22 April. Meanwhile, silver has decisively
moved above $40, its highest level in 14 years.
The
news agenda continues to favour metals, with reports
that India is now actively selling US government bonds,
building up its gold reserves. China did the same
before, and Russia even earlier. However, this may
turn out to be nothing more than a glimpse into the
past, cleverly picked up by the global media. It should
also be remembered that years of net sales of gold
reserves did not initially prevent gold from rallying.
This could also work in the opposite direction: the
actions of finance ministers and central banks may
not have a very noticeable long-term effect.
The
lack of progress on a peaceful settlement between
Russia and Ukraine also helps gold. After months of
virtually empty promises, hopes are gradually fading.
A
more visible but at the same time short-term factor
is the growing expectation of a Fed key rate cut in
September from 75% on 21 August (before Powell's speech)
to 87% now. This leaves room for the rate to rise
by another 10-13 percentage points, which is negative
for the dollar and positive for commodities.
However,
we recommend paying more attention to the technical
picture now. The gold market has been in a prolonged
sideways trend since reaching highs in April. At the
same time, the bullish scenario is supported by sluggish
resistance from bears in recent days and a series
of higher local lows.
Silver
has been under less pressure from local profit-taking,
gaining in each of the last four months. Platinum
and palladium seem to be ending their corrective decline,
having risen sharply in early September. This behaviour
of precious metals indicates that traders are serious
about this direction, sharply increasing the chances
of new historical highs soon.
Nevertheless,
we urge caution when joining the gold rally in the
coming days. First, reaching historic highs could
trigger widespread selling in gold, as we saw in April
and as is happening with Bitcoin.
If
the breakout above $3,500 does not trigger a sell-off,
as was the case earlier this year, the potential target
is $4,500, close to which the 161.8% Fibonacci extension
level is located.
In
silver, it appears that the bulls are targeting the
area of historical highs near $50.
Platinum
also looks rested and ready to renew its multi-year
highs after a corrective pullback. Its technical growth
potential suggests a rise above $1,800, to the highs
of 2011. However, such ambitious growth will only
become the main scenario if the recent highs are exceeded
and the price rises above $1,500. (FxPro)
News
Gold
News
August
29, 2025
Gold
approached the upper limit of the 4-month trading
range Gold is trading above $3,400 again at the end
of the week. The upper limit of the trading range,
within which the price has been fluctuating since
April, is close to $3,430. Jerome Powell's signals
about a rate cut, unprecedented pressure from the
White House on the Fed, and the continuing high level
of geopolitical risks have brought the price back
to this level.
Washington's
introduction of 50% tariffs against India risks further
deepening the divide between the West and the East,
as well as the associated processes of de-dollarisation
and diversification of gold and foreign exchange reserves
by central banks in favour of precious metals.
For
the first time since 1996, central banks hold more
gold (about 25%) than US government bonds (about 20%)
in their gold and foreign exchange reserves. For comparison,
between 2008 and 2015, this ratio fluctuated between
10% and 30%, respectively.
Gold bulls are drawing strength from the dynamics
of the US yield curve. Yields on 2- and 10-year Treasuries
are falling. The market is painting a stagflationary
backdrop, which is the best food for gold bugs.
Gold's
ability to break through the resistance zone above
$3,430 will be an important signal of the market's
readiness to return to a rally after four months of
tug-of-war. But it is worth being cautious with early
bullish bets at these levels. Formally, there is now
a greater chance of another pullback to the lower
end of the range at $3,300-3,315.
At
the same time, investors should remember that whichever
way the breakout occurs, the subsequent movement could
be very strong, given how long the gold market has
been gathering strength while remaining in a sideways
trend. (FxPro)
News
Australian
Mining: Overview
Economic
Impact: Mining accounts for around 13.6% of Australia's
GDP (2023) and nearly 70% of total export revenue.
It generated $356.6 billion in company tax and royalties
over the past decade. Iron ore, coal, lithium, gold,
and bauxite are among the top exports, with Australia
being the world’s largest producer of lithium,
iron ore, and bauxite, and a top-five producer of
gold, lead, zinc, and nickel.
Key
Regions and Resources:
Western
Australia (WA): The epicenter of Australian mining,
hosting major iron ore, gold, lithium, and nickel
projects. It employed 134,871 full-time-equivalent
workers in 2023-24, with iron ore (62,950 FTEs), gold
(31,884 FTEs), and lithium (11,386 FTEs) leading employment.
Queensland
(QLD): Contributes $75 billion annually to the economy
and employs over 50,000 people, with high-grade graphite
and rhenium deposits.
New South Wales (NSW): Rich in coal, gold, and copper,
with the Cowal gold mine as the largest. It provides
40,000 jobs and nearly $2 billion in royalties.
Northern
Territory (NT): Home to the world’s largest manganese
mine and one-third of Australia’s uranium reserves,
valued at over $4 billion.
Victoria
(VIC): Known for gold, antimony, and brown coal, with
a strong mining equipment and technology sector.
Tasmania
(TAS): A century-long mineral producer with diverse
geology.
Critical
Minerals and Innovation: Australia is a global leader
in critical minerals like lithium, rare earths, and
manganese, essential for renewable energy and defense.
The industry is adopting automation (e.g., driverless
trucks), AI, and blue hydrogen to improve efficiency
and reduce emissions. The government’s $1 billion
Value-Adding in Resources Fund aims to enhance domestic
processing.
Environmental
and Social Challenges: Mining faces scrutiny for environmental
impacts, including land destruction, water pollution,
and carbon emissions from fossil fuel production.
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) concerns and
commodity price uncertainty are top risks for 2024.
The industry is criticized for low tax contributions
relative to profits (6% of federal revenue) and benefits
from subsidies like the $3.5 billion Fuel Tax Credit
Scheme.
Employment
and Ownership: The sector employs about 229,500 people
(2% of the workforce), with high median earnings ($2,649/week).
However, it’s 86% foreign-owned, with major players
like BHP (76% foreign-owned) and Rio Tinto (83% foreign-owned)
dominating.
Future
Outlook: With 80% of Australia’s mineral potential
unexplored, the industry is poised for growth, particularly
in critical minerals for electric vehicles and renewable
energy. However, regulatory changes, climate goals,
and community expectations for fairer taxation and
environmental stewardship pose challenges. (Grok)
News
Flashback
September
1, 2025
BHP
call to voters in coal tax fight
BHP's
BMA coking coal joint venture in Queensland paid an
effective tax rate of about 67 per cent in 2024-25.
BHP CEO Mike Henry has warned that some of the joint
venture's mines may need to be shut down due to the
impact of low coal prices and the state's coal royalty
regime. Meanwhile, BMA's head of operations Mariette
Bylsma says Queensland has one of the world's highest
coal royalty regimes, which is making the state less
competitive and less predictable for investment. Bylsma
adds that the "unsustainable" coal tax is
having a real impact on regional jobs and communities,
and she has urged the general public to raise the
issue with their local MP. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
MinRes
takeover of miner run by Ellison's brother faces backlash
Resource
Development Group's administrator McGrathNicol recently
advised that it had received seven non-binding offers
to acquire the failed garnet miner. However, the firm
decided to recommend the offer from RDG's majority
shareholder, Mineral Resources, as it would result
in the highest return to shareholders. However, minority
investors in RDG claim that they are not being treated
fairly, and allege that Mineral Resources is hastening
the takeover without allowing time for other bids
to emerge. RDG's former MD Andrew Ellison is the brother
of Mineral Resources' founder and MD Chris Ellison.
(RMS)
News
Sunday
truck crash adds to MinRes woes
Mineral
Resources is under renewed scrutiny following another
incident on the private road that is used to transport
iron ore to port facilities at Onslow in Western Australia.
There has been a rear-end collision between one of
the company's road trains and a truck that was being
driven by a contractor; it is believed that nobody
was injured in yesterday's incident and both trucks
sustained only minor damage. However, there have been
a series of incidents on the 150km road since it was
opened in 2024, including a road train rollover last
week. Mineral Resources has also spent $230m on repairing
damage to the road caused by cyclones in early 2025.
(RMS)
News
Gas
industry frays over future of LNG as lobbying intensifies
Australia's
east gas market is facing a supply crisis that could
hit NSW and Victoria as early as 2029, with the nation's
$90 billion liquefied natural gas sector at odds as
to which of its participants should face the burden
of addressing the looming crisis. With the federal
government having announced a review of the LNG sector
earlier in the year, Australia Pacific LNG and Santos,
which is the operator of the Gladstone LNG project,
are both actively lobbying the federal government
as to their views as to how the two ventures believe
the sector should be reformed. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Bitcoin
Mining News
Industry
Challenges and Hashrate Records: Bitcoin mining difficulty
recently hit an all-time high of 126.9 trillion on
May 31, 2025, before slightly dropping to 126.4 trillion.
The network hashrate crossed 1 zetahash per second
(ZH/s) in April 2025, reflecting intense competition.
Miners face financial pressures from the April 2024
halving, which reduced block rewards, coupled with
rising operational costs. Despite this, companies
like MARA (mined 950 BTC in May 2025, holding 49,179
BTC) and CleanSpark (mined 694 BTC, holding 12,502
BTC) are expanding and retaining BTC as a treasury
asset.
Shift
to AI and Energy Competition: Bitcoin miners are increasingly
competing with AI data centers for cheap energy, prompting
some to pivot into AI infrastructure. For instance,
Bitmain plans to open a U.S.-based BTC mining hardware
facility by late 2025, and TeraWulf has secured Google
as its largest shareholder, validating its AI-integrated
strategy. This shift is driven by the need to monetize
power, with executives noting that energy, not just
hashrate, is now the critical factor.
Environmental
and Regulatory Concerns: A Harvard study revealed
that Bitcoin mining exposes 1.9 million Americans
to harmful PM2.5 air pollution, primarily from fossil
fuel-powered plants. The study highlights a "cross-state
domino effect," urging federal regulation. Meanwhile,
rural U.S. communities, like Dresden, NY, report noise
pollution from mining operations, sparking local backlash
despite support from some pro-crypto policies under
the current administration.
Centralization
Risks: Posts on X have raised alarms about mining
centralization, with two pools controlling over 51%
of the network’s hash power, potentially enabling
a 51% attack. This has sparked debate about Bitcoin’s
decentralization, though these claims remain inconclusive
without further evidence.
Innovations
and Expansions: Companies like Cipher Mining launched
a 150MW Bitcoin mining site in Texas (Black Pearl),
aiming for 300MW, and BitFuFu reported a record 34.1
EH/s hashrate, mining 400 BTC in May 2025. Block introduced
Proto Rig, a modular, repairable miner, and Proto
Fleet, an open-source software to enhance mining efficiency.
Profitability
Struggles: Mining a single Bitcoin now costs approximately
$137,000 in electricity, exceeding its market value
of around $95,000-$104,000, rendering traditional
mining unprofitable for many. Miners are adapting
by holding BTC or diversifying into other cryptocurrencies
like Ethereum.
Song
Welcome
To The Blockchain (Song lyrics)
We're
now standing on the precipice of a global revolution
Of
economics, of politics, and government
Welcome
to the blockchain
verse
Power
corrupts, money is power
The
power to control the money is one that is now
In
the hands of those who pretend we can't function without
them
So
how can we do something about it? (Huh?)
Working
hard to get a raise, lifting that wage up
Inflation
takes it like a hidden taxation
Manipulated
interest rates to give the banks
A
way to create money with the loans that they're giving
out daily (yup)
That
means our money is debt
That
we gotta pay back more than a hundred percent
No
wonder then why the middle class is going under
When
the one's above them gotta cover and come to collect
And
many have no access to banking
Making
payments, or saving, so more fees are taken
And
every day the gatekeepers are trying to stop change
We
can not wait, welcome to the blockchain
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things
are about to change
Open
up the gates
Systems
get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize
the trust
Security,
transparency
The
network's run by us
Bitcoin
verse
Bitcoin
is a decentralized ledger
And
the currency is its first enterprise ever
Secured
by the worldwide incentivized network
Can't
be stolen or controlled by any sized effort
You
can send it anywhere and instantly
No
one can intervene, no third party in between
There's
no counterfeiting
Algorithms
control the outer limits of how many coins can get
released
Programmable
money, no government can seize it
Payments
can be customized by sender and receiver
Contracts
can be written cementing your agreements
With
terms that can't be bent once you consent then it
completes it
Autonomous
businesses are possible
Where
profit is distributed amongst those adopting it
Paradigm
shift we must adjust to the ending
With
the blockchain, bitcoin is just the beginning
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things
are about to change
Open
up the gates
Systems
get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize
the trust
Security,
transparency
The
network's run by us
Bitcoin
bridge
Now
that we got control
We're
not gonna let it go
My
people all around the globe
We
gotta keep building, building, building
Now
that we got control
We're
not gonna let it go
My
people all around the globe
We
gotta keep building, building, building
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things
are about to change
Open
up the gates
Systems
get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize
the trust
Security,
transparency
The
network's run by us
Bitcoin
By
di DECAP, Toby / Toby Ganger
News
Working
Man: Sony Lyrics
It's
a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
At
the age of sixteen years Oh, he quarrels with his
peers Who vowed they'd never see another one In the
dark recess of the mines Where you age before your
time And the coal dust lies heavy on your lungs
It's
a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
At
the age of sixty four Oh, he'll greet you at the door
And he'll gently lead you by the arm
Through
the dark recess of the mines
Oh,
he'll take you back in time And he'll tell you of
the hardships that were had
It's
a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And
I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any length
of time I can hold it in my mind I never again will
go down under ground
It's
a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And
I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any length
of time I can hold it in my mind I never again will
go down under ground
It's
a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And
I swear to God if l ever see the sun
Or
for any length of time I can hold it in my mind I
never again will go down under ground
God,
I never again will go down under ground
By
Rita Macneil
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
The
best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears."
"You
are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig
to find it and make it real."
"Your
mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep you will
find something golden."
"Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind."
"We're
like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's
inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."
"If
you want to find gold, you've got to love the process
of digging."
"Even
if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to
dig."
"Develop
men the same way gold is mined"
"Don't
go into the mine looking for dirt; instead, go in
looking for the gold."
"A
prospector's job is to remove dirt as quickly as possible"
"A
prospector who analyses every speck of dirt won't
find much gold"
"The
world is sitting on a gold mine but knows it not."
"Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are
silver, these are gold."
"All
that is gold does not glitter."
"Gold
is forever. It is beautiful, useful, and never wears
out"
"Gold
is the money of kings"
"Mining
is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit.
An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher
of a dead mule."
"Anyone
can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds
the gold."
"True
gold fears no fire."
"The
desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means
of freedom and benefit."
"Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold."
"When
taken for granted, gold in one's hand is sometimes
considered like cheap copper – so are people."
Mining/Energy/Resources/Mining/Culture:
Australia and World
Newsfeed
August
2025
August
7
Rio
moves to cut three-month sick leave entitlement
Western
Mine Workers Alliance spokesman Brad Gandy says Rio
Tinto's proposal to significantly reduce sick leave
entitlements will boost support for collective bargaining
amongst its workforce. Rio Tinto proposes reducing
sick leave for its iron ore workers from 49 days a
year to just 12. The current policy allows Pilbara
workers to accrue the equivalent of three months'
sick leave in any rolling 12-month period, based on
their 'fly-in, fly-out' roster. Gandy contends that
the policy change would put pressure on FIFO workers
to travel to work when they are sick. The Alliance
comprises the Australian Workers' Union and the Mining
& Energy Union. (RMS)
News
Langer
resigns as a director of MinRes
Mineral
Resources' MD Chris Ellison has praised the contribution
of Justin Langer, who has resigned as a non-executive
director of the embattled iron ore and lithium miner.
The former Test cricketer had been appointed to the
company's board in January 2023; he also recently
joined its ethics and governance committee, which
was hit by the sudden resignation of three members
earlier in 2025. Langer has attributed his resignation
to an increased cricket workload. (RMS)
News
Iluka
to import rare earths from Africa for WA refinery
Iluka
Resources has secured a 15-year offtake agreement
with Lindian Resources regarding the latter's Kangankunde
rare earths project in Malawi. Iluka will process
rare earth monazite concentrate from the Kangankunde
project at its Eneabba refinery in Western Australia.
The refinery will be able to process up to 65,000
tonnes of feedstock per annum; this will include 6,000
tonnes a year from the Kangankunde mine. Iluka had
always intended to process third-party feedstock at
the Eneabba refinery, in addition to its own stockpiles
and output from its mines. As part of the deal, Iluka
will also provide Lindian with a $US20m ($30.9m) loan
to help build the mine. (RMS)
News
'Glencore
has been very good to Australia', CEO tells PM
Glencore's
CEO Gary Nagle says the company is open to all options
for its copper smelter in Mount Isa and its refinery
in Townsville, including allowing governments to acquire
an equity stake in the assets. However, he has rejected
suggestions that Glencore should cross-subsidise these
facilities via its coal mines. Nagle has also responded
to comments made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese,
who said Mount Isa has been good to Glencore, so the
multinational should in turn be good to Mount Isa.
Nagle says Glencore has been "very, very good"
to Australia for "many, many years", noting
that it has contributed more than $100bn to the economy
in the last six years. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
August
6
Rinehart
a winner in rare earths move
Shares
in Lynas Rare Earths and Iluka Resources rose strongly
on Tuesday, in response to the federal government's
plans to create a floor price for rare earths. Resources
Minister Madeleine King has indicated hat the government
is also open to taking equity stakes in rare earths
companies, as part of its proposal to establish a
critical minerals strategic reserve. Arafura Rare
Earths' CEO Darryl Cuzzubbo says an Australian floor
price would disrupt China's dominance of the rare
earths sector; he adds that any strategic reserve
for rare earths should be linked to a non-China controlled
price index. Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has an eight
per cent in Arafura and a similar stake in Lynas.
(RMS)
News
US
defence firms scrambling for rare earth minerals after
China blocks exports
The
prices of some rare earths have increased more than
60-fold since the Chinese government imposed export
controls earlier in 2025; the export restrictions
also include critical minerals such as germanium,
gallium and antimony. China's new export licensing
regime has imposed onerous conditions on US buyers
of rare earths and critical minerals, including proof
that they will not be used for military purposes;
this has resulted in delivery delays of several months
for some of these commodities. Experts have warned
that China's dominance of the rare earths and critical
minerals sector has given the nation a "stranglehold"
over the US defence industry. (RMS)
Gold
'fires on all cylinders' as traders gear up for rally
The
gold price has been range-bound since peaking at a
record high of $US3,500 per ounce in early April.
However, the precious metal has rallied in recent
days, and it was fetching around $US3,377 an ounce
on Tuesday. Factors such as expectations of further
interest rate cuts in the US have prompted renewed
investor support for gold. Citi is bullish about the
outlook for the traditional 'safe haven' investment,
forecasting that it will trade within a range of $US3,300
to $US3,600 an ounce over the next three months. (RMS)
News
Windfall
turns miner from 'cretinous idiot' to hero
Larvotto
Resources' decision to buy the mothballed Hillgrove
gold and antimony mine in late 2023 has proven to
be an astute move. The company's market capitalisation
was just $5.6m at the time of the deal, but it has
since risen to more than $290m. The stock's surge
has been largely due to China's decision to impose
export controls on antimony, which is on the federal
government's critical minerals list. CEO Ron Heeks
notes that Larvotto's shareholders had opposed the
acquisition of the mine, which had been in the hands
of administrators for several years. Antimony is currently
trading at around $US58,000 per tonne, compared with
about $US9,000 when Larvotto bought the NSW mine.
(RMS)
News
Regis
blasts Plibersek as mine delays add up
Regis
Resources' MD Jim Beyer says the company's focus is
on securing approval for its McPhillamys gold mine
in NSW and starting the project. He concedes that
the terms of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Heritage Protection Act means that Regis is unlikely
to be able to obtain compensation if a court rules
in its favour. The McPhillamys project was blocked
by former enviroment ministrer Tanya Plibersek on
Indigenous heritage grounds. Beyer says the mine would
be employing about 300 people and generating free
cashflow of up to $1.5m a day if it was currently
in production. (RMS)
August
4/5, 2025
August
4
ASX-listed
gold miners arrive at Diggers & Dealers with more
than $7.5b in cash and bullion
The
annual Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum begins in
Kalgoorlie-Boulder on Monday, with the price of gold
having risen by 38 per cent in Australian dollar terms
since last year's event. ASX-listed producers of gold
collectively held more than $7.5 billion of cash and
bullion as of 30 June, with how they intend to spend
that money certain to be a dominant topic of conversation
at the three-day event. Surbiton Associates director
Sandra Close suggests the money could be spent on
further acquisitions, while she is sure shareholders
would like it spent on higher dividends. (RMS)
News
Court
looms for Anglo, Peabody in $5.8b deal dispute
Peabody
Energy is slated to acquire four Queensland coking
coal mines from Anglo American in a $US3.78 billion
($5.87 billion) deal. However, it has become complicated
by an underground fire at the Moranbah North mine
on 31 March. Peabody and Anglo American are at odds
over whether the fire represents a "material
adverse change" event, which would allow the
terms of the deal to be renegotiated, with the companies
prepared to go to court over the issue. (Roy Morgan
Summary)
News
The
new Great Game: how China's grip on critical minerals
is redrawing the world order
China
is the chief player and reigning champion in what
has been described as the new Great Game, namely the
control of critical mineral supply chains and the
mineral resources that power modern technologies such
as EVs and mobile phones. China's dominance of critical
minerals is something that has developed over decades,
and which saw it control 97 per cent of global rare
earth element production by 2010. It has taken time
for the West to wake up to China's critical minerals
dominance, and closing this gap will not be easy;
a war-time mindset is needed. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
AVZ
'hell-bent' on getting best deal for Congo project
AVZ
Minerals' MD Nigel Ferguson says he is determined
to get the best deal for shareholders in any sale
of its Manono lithium project in the Democratic Republic
of Congo. US-based KoBold Metals is regarded as the
leading contender to buy the project, although Ferguson
says the company will have to "step up"
its offer in order to secure a deal. KoBold's shareholders
include US billionaire Marc Andreessen, who is a backer
of Vice President JD Vance. Any breakdown in negotiations
between AVZ and KoBold could therefore potentially
jeopardise a proposed critical mineral pact between
the US and the DRC, which could be signed within weeks.
(RMS)
Newsfeed
August
5
Fortescue
safety jobs relocated to India
A
decision by Fortescue to shift safety alert monitoring
roles to India is said to be causing confusion at
its iron ore mines in Western Australia. It is understood
that calls to workers at the mines to alert them of
potential problems are displaying as overseas numbers,
prompting staff to decline the calls because they
believed they are being scammed. The safety alert
monitoring roles were moved to India a few weeks ago
as part of cost-cutting measures, while it is understood
that local workers who were performing the jobs have
been redeployed in other roles. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Canberra
to follow Trump's lead on rare earths to counter China
Resources
Minister Madeleine King says the federal government
is looking at national offtake agreements for the
sale of Australia's rare earths as part of its Critical
Minerals Strategic Reserve policy. King says the government
is considering creating a floor price for rare earths
as part of its policy, while she stopped short of
saying that the government would directly invest in
rare earth mining companies. The US Department of
Defense recently acquired a 15 per cent stake in MP
Materials, which is the biggest rare earth producer
in the US. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Santos
deal is not in national interest: Beach
The
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company-led consortium's exclusive
due diligence period regarding a proposed takeover
bid for Santos will shortly end. Beach Energy is Santos's
partner in the Cooper Basin gas venture, which supplies
gas for both exports and the domestic markets. Beach
CEO Brett Woods contends that it is not in the national
interest for the Cooper Basin assets to be sold to
foreign operators; he adds that it is not certain
that the ADNOC-led consortium would be committed to
continuing to supply the domestic market. Meanwhile,
Beach has posted a loss of $43.8m for 2024-25, due
primarily to a large impairment charge. (RMS)
News
Bitcoin
Mining
Bitcoin
mining is the process of validating transactions and
securing the Bitcoin network by solving complex mathematical
problems using specialized hardware. Miners compete
to find a hash that meets the network's difficulty
target, earning newly minted bitcoins and transaction
fees as rewards. Here's a concise overview based on
current insights:
How
It Works: Miners use powerful computers (ASICs) to
solve cryptographic puzzles, adding validated transactions
to the blockchain in blocks. The first miner to solve
the puzzle broadcasts the block, and if validated
by the network, they receive the block reward (currently
3.125 BTC, halved in April 2024) plus fees.
Hardware
& Costs: Modern mining requires Application-Specific
Integrated Circuits (ASICs) due to high computational
demands. Costs include hardware (e.g., Bitmain Antminer
S19, ~$1,500-$3,000), electricity (often $0.04-$0.10/kWh
for profitability), cooling, and facility expenses.
Profitability:
Depends on electricity costs, hardware efficiency,
Bitcoin price (~$60,000-$70,000 recently), and network
difficulty (which adjusts every ~2 weeks). Small-scale
miners often join pools to share rewards and reduce
variance.
Environmental
Impact: Mining consumes significant energy (~150 TWh
annually, comparable to small countries). Some operations
use renewable energy (e.g., hydro in Canada or geothermal
in Iceland) to mitigate impact.
Challenges:
High upfront costs, regulatory risks (e.g., bans in
China), and competition from large-scale operations.
The 2024 halving reduced rewards, squeezing margins
for inefficient miners.
Trends:
Shift toward sustainable energy, adoption of liquid
cooling, and geographic diversification (e.g., U.S.,
Kazakhstan). Some miners pivot to AI computing to
offset costs. (Grok)
News
The
sector faces a dynamic landscape of high costs, regulatory
shifts, and environmental scrutiny, with miners adapting
through strategic sales, diversification, or renewable
energy adoption
Recent
developments in Bitcoin mining highlight a mix of
technological advancements, economic challenges, and
environmental concerns:
Industry
Performance: June 2025 saw mixed results for miners.
Australian-based IREN reported record revenues but
lower Bitcoin production, while CleanSpark hit a 50
EH/s hashrate milestone, holding 12,608 BTC despite
selling 578 BTC for over $61 million.
MARA
Holdings mined 950 BTC in May 2025, a 35% increase
from April, boosting its reserves to 49,179 BTC without
selling any.
Mergers
and Acquisitions: CoreWeave acquired Core Scientific
for $9 billion in an all-stock deal to enhance AI
and high-performance computing capabilities. Meanwhile,
Gryphon Digital Mining merged with American Bitcoin
Corp, backed by Eric and Donald Trump Jr., aiming
to leverage pro-crypto policies under the Trump administration.
Mining
Difficulty and Hashrate: Bitcoin’s mining difficulty
hit a record 127.6 trillion in early August 2025,
increasing operational costs after the April 2024
halving reduced block rewards. A slight 3% difficulty
drop is expected around August 9, potentially easing
pressure on less efficient miners. The network hashrate
crossed 1 zetahash per second in April 2025, reflecting
intense competition.
Environmental
and Social Impact: Bitcoin mining’s energy consumption,
estimated at 2.3% of the U.S. grid, has raised concerns.
A Harvard study found that 34 major U.S. mines, primarily
fossil-fuel-powered, increased PM2.5 air pollution,
affecting 1.9 million Americans. Noise pollution from
mining facilities, like one in Dresden, New York,
has sparked community backlash, with residents reporting
health issues and disrupted peace.
Policy
and Regulation: The Trump administration’s push
to make the U.S. the “crypto-mining capital”
includes plans for a national Bitcoin stockpile, boosting
mining stocks like MARA, Core Scientific, and Riot
Platforms. However, the IMF blocked Pakistan’s
plan for cheap electricity in crypto mining, citing
energy market risks. Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis
proposed addressing double taxation for miners.
Cloud
Mining and Scams: Cloud mining platforms like PAIRMiner
and VN Bit Cloud gained traction, driven by pro-crypto
policies and Bitcoin’s price surge past $94,000
in January 2025. However, warnings about scams like
Tophash and GlobaleCrypto highlight risks of high
fees and centralization.
Innovations
and Shifts: Some miners, like Bit Digital, are pivoting
to Ethereum staking, while others, like HIVE Digital
Tech, scaled up to mine 6.5 BTC daily using hydro-cooled
facilities. Auradine Inc. announced next-generation
mining hardware at the Bitcoin 2025 Conference. (Grok)
News
Welcome
To The Blockchain (Song Lyrics)
We're
now standing on the precipice of a global revolution
Of economics, of politics, and government
Welcome to the blockchain
verse
Power
corrupts, money is power
The power to control the money is one that is now
In the hands of those who pretend we can't function
without them
So how can we do something about it? (Huh?)
Working hard to get a raise, lifting that wage up
Inflation takes it like a hidden taxation
Manipulated interest rates to give the banks
A way to create money with the loans that they're
giving out daily (yup)
That means our money is debt
That we gotta pay back more than a hundred percent
No wonder then why the middle class is going under
When the one's above them gotta cover and come to
collect
And many have no access to banking
Making payments, or saving, so more fees are taken
And every day the gatekeepers are trying to stop change
We can not wait, welcome to the blockchain
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things are about to change
Open up the gates
Systems get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize the trust
Security, transparency
The network's run by us
Bitcoin
verse
Bitcoin
is a decentralized ledger
And the currency is its first enterprise ever
Secured by the worldwide incentivized network
Can't be stolen or controlled by any sized effort
You can send it anywhere and instantly
No one can intervene, no third party in between
There's no counterfeiting
Algorithms control the outer limits of how many coins
can get released
Programmable money, no government can seize it
Payments can be customized by sender and receiver
Contracts can be written cementing your agreements
With terms that can't be bent once you consent then
it completes it
Autonomous businesses are possible
Where profit is distributed amongst those adopting
it
Paradigm shift we must adjust to the ending
With the blockchain, bitcoin is just the beginning
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things are about to change
Open up the gates
Systems get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize the trust
Security, transparency
The network's run by us
Bitcoin
bridge
Now
that we got control
We're not gonna let it go
My people all around the globe
We gotta keep building, building, building
Now that we got control
We're not gonna let it go
My people all around the globe
We gotta keep building, building, building
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things are about to change
Open up the gates
Systems get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize the trust
Security, transparency
The network's run by us
Bitcoin
By
di DECAP, Toby / Toby Ganger
News
Working
Man: Sony Lyrics
It's
a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
At the age of sixteen years Oh, he quarrels with his
peers Who vowed they'd never see another one In the
dark recess of the mines Where you age before your
time And the coal dust lies heavy on your lungs
It's a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
At the age of sixty four Oh, he'll greet you at the
door And he'll gently lead you by the arm Through
the dark recess of the mines Oh, he'll take you back
in time And he'll tell you of the hardships that were
had
It's a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
It's a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
It's a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
God, I never again will go down under ground
By
Rita Macneil
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
The
best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears."
"You
are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig
to find it and make it real."
"Your
mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep you will
find something golden."
"Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind."
"We're
like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's
inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."
"If
you want to find gold, you've got to love the process
of digging."
"Even
if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to
dig."
"Develop
men the same way gold is mined"
"Don't
go into the mine looking for dirt; instead, go in
looking for the gold."
"A
prospector's job is to remove dirt as quickly as possible"
"A
prospector who analyses every speck of dirt won't
find much gold"
"The
world is sitting on a gold mine but knows it not."
"Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are
silver, these are gold."
"All
that is gold does not glitter."
"Gold
is forever. It is beautiful, useful, and never wears
out"
"Gold
is the money of kings"
"Mining
is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit.
An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher
of a dead mule."
"Anyone
can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds
the gold."
"True
gold fears no fire."
"The
desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means
of freedom and benefit."
"Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold."
"When
taken for granted, gold in one's hand is sometimes
considered like cheap copper – so are people."
News
News
Bonus
Gold
by Spandau Ballet Producers: Steve Jolley & Tony
Swain
Music
Video: Gold
https://youtube.com/watch?v=VQ4qrcHyYj4
[Verse
1]
Thank
you for coming home Sorry that the chairs are all
worn I left them here I could have sworn
These
are my salad days Slowly being eaten away Just another
play for today
Oh,
but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud of you
Nothing
left to make me feel small Luck has left me standing
so tall
[Chorus]
Gold (gold)
Always
believe in your soul You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
You
are gold (gold) Glad that you're bound to return
There's
something I could have learned
You're
indestructible, always believing
[Verse
2]
After
the rush has gone I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's
only two years ago
The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now he's in love with you, he's in love with you
And
love is like a high prison wall And you could leave
me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul You've got the
power to know You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold) Glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned You're indestructible,
always believing
[Bridge]
Love
is like a high prison wall
You could leave me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul
You got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
Something
I could have learned
You're
indestructible, always believing (You are, gold) Always
believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
'Cause you are gold (gold)
I'm glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing (gold)
[Verse
1]
Thank
you for coming home Sorry that the chairs are all
worn I left them here I could have sworn
These
are my salad days Slowly being eaten away Just another
play for today Oh, but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud
of you
Nothing
left to make me feel small Luck has left me standing
so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul
You've
got the power to know You're indestructible, always
believing
You
are gold (gold) Glad that you're bound to return
There's
something I could have learned You're indestructible,
always believing
[Verse
2]
After
the rush has gone I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's
only two years ago The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now
he's in love with you, he's in love with you And love
is like a high prison wall
And
you could leave me standing so tall
Mining/Energy/Resources/Mining/Culture:
Australia and World
Newsfeed
August
4/5, 2025
August
4
ASX-listed
gold miners arrive at Diggers & Dealers with more
than $7.5b in cash and bullion
The
annual Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum begins in
Kalgoorlie-Boulder on Monday, with the price of gold
having risen by 38 per cent in Australian dollar terms
since last year's event. ASX-listed producers of gold
collectively held more than $7.5 billion of cash and
bullion as of 30 June, with how they intend to spend
that money certain to be a dominant topic of conversation
at the three-day event. Surbiton Associates director
Sandra Close suggests the money could be spent on
further acquisitions, while she is sure shareholders
would like it spent on higher dividends. (RMS)
News
Court
looms for Anglo, Peabody in $5.8b deal dispute
Peabody
Energy is slated to acquire four Queensland coking
coal mines from Anglo American in a $US3.78 billion
($5.87 billion) deal. However, it has become complicated
by an underground fire at the Moranbah North mine
on 31 March. Peabody and Anglo American are at odds
over whether the fire represents a "material
adverse change" event, which would allow the
terms of the deal to be renegotiated, with the companies
prepared to go to court over the issue. (Roy Morgan
Summary)
News
The
new Great Game: how China's grip on critical minerals
is redrawing the world order
China
is the chief player and reigning champion in what
has been described as the new Great Game, namely the
control of critical mineral supply chains and the
mineral resources that power modern technologies such
as EVs and mobile phones. China's dominance of critical
minerals is something that has developed over decades,
and which saw it control 97 per cent of global rare
earth element production by 2010. It has taken time
for the West to wake up to China's critical minerals
dominance, and closing this gap will not be easy;
a war-time mindset is needed. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
AVZ
'hell-bent' on getting best deal for Congo project
AVZ
Minerals' MD Nigel Ferguson says he is determined
to get the best deal for shareholders in any sale
of its Manono lithium project in the Democratic Republic
of Congo. US-based KoBold Metals is regarded as the
leading contender to buy the project, although Ferguson
says the company will have to "step up"
its offer in order to secure a deal. KoBold's shareholders
include US billionaire Marc Andreessen, who is a backer
of Vice President JD Vance. Any breakdown in negotiations
between AVZ and KoBold could therefore potentially
jeopardise a proposed critical mineral pact between
the US and the DRC, which could be signed within weeks.
(RMS)
Newsfeed
August
5
Fortescue
safety jobs relocated to India
A
decision by Fortescue to shift safety alert monitoring
roles to India is said to be causing confusion at
its iron ore mines in Western Australia. It is understood
that calls to workers at the mines to alert them of
potential problems are displaying as overseas numbers,
prompting staff to decline the calls because they
believed they are being scammed. The safety alert
monitoring roles were moved to India a few weeks ago
as part of cost-cutting measures, while it is understood
that local workers who were performing the jobs have
been redeployed in other roles. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Canberra
to follow Trump's lead on rare earths to counter China
Resources
Minister Madeleine King says the federal government
is looking at national offtake agreements for the
sale of Australia's rare earths as part of its Critical
Minerals Strategic Reserve policy. King says the government
is considering creating a floor price for rare earths
as part of its policy, while she stopped short of
saying that the government would directly invest in
rare earth mining companies. The US Department of
Defense recently acquired a 15 per cent stake in MP
Materials, which is the biggest rare earth producer
in the US. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Santos
deal is not in national interest: Beach
The
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company-led consortium's exclusive
due diligence period regarding a proposed takeover
bid for Santos will shortly end. Beach Energy is Santos's
partner in the Cooper Basin gas venture, which supplies
gas for both exports and the domestic markets. Beach
CEO Brett Woods contends that it is not in the national
interest for the Cooper Basin assets to be sold to
foreign operators; he adds that it is not certain
that the ADNOC-led consortium would be committed to
continuing to supply the domestic market. Meanwhile,
Beach has posted a loss of $43.8m for 2024-25, due
primarily to a large impairment charge. (RMS)
News
Bitcoin
Mining
Bitcoin
mining is the process of validating transactions and
securing the Bitcoin network by solving complex mathematical
problems using specialized hardware. Miners compete
to find a hash that meets the network's difficulty
target, earning newly minted bitcoins and transaction
fees as rewards. Here's a concise overview based on
current insights:
How
It Works: Miners use powerful computers (ASICs) to
solve cryptographic puzzles, adding validated transactions
to the blockchain in blocks. The first miner to solve
the puzzle broadcasts the block, and if validated
by the network, they receive the block reward (currently
3.125 BTC, halved in April 2024) plus fees.
Hardware
& Costs: Modern mining requires Application-Specific
Integrated Circuits (ASICs) due to high computational
demands. Costs include hardware (e.g., Bitmain Antminer
S19, ~$1,500-$3,000), electricity (often $0.04-$0.10/kWh
for profitability), cooling, and facility expenses.
Profitability:
Depends on electricity costs, hardware efficiency,
Bitcoin price (~$60,000-$70,000 recently), and network
difficulty (which adjusts every ~2 weeks). Small-scale
miners often join pools to share rewards and reduce
variance.
Environmental
Impact: Mining consumes significant energy (~150 TWh
annually, comparable to small countries). Some operations
use renewable energy (e.g., hydro in Canada or geothermal
in Iceland) to mitigate impact.
Challenges:
High upfront costs, regulatory risks (e.g., bans in
China), and competition from large-scale operations.
The 2024 halving reduced rewards, squeezing margins
for inefficient miners.
Trends:
Shift toward sustainable energy, adoption of liquid
cooling, and geographic diversification (e.g., U.S.,
Kazakhstan). Some miners pivot to AI computing to
offset costs. (Grok)
News
The
sector faces a dynamic landscape of high costs, regulatory
shifts, and environmental scrutiny, with miners adapting
through strategic sales, diversification, or renewable
energy adoption
Recent
developments in Bitcoin mining highlight a mix of
technological advancements, economic challenges, and
environmental concerns:
Industry Performance: June 2025 saw mixed results
for miners. Australian-based IREN reported record
revenues but lower Bitcoin production, while CleanSpark
hit a 50 EH/s hashrate milestone, holding 12,608 BTC
despite selling 578 BTC for over $61 million.
MARA
Holdings mined 950 BTC in May 2025, a 35% increase
from April, boosting its reserves to 49,179 BTC without
selling any.
Mergers and Acquisitions: CoreWeave acquired Core
Scientific for $9 billion in an all-stock deal to
enhance AI and high-performance computing capabilities.
Meanwhile, Gryphon Digital Mining merged with American
Bitcoin Corp, backed by Eric and Donald Trump Jr.,
aiming to leverage pro-crypto policies under the Trump
administration.
Mining Difficulty and Hashrate: Bitcoin’s mining
difficulty hit a record 127.6 trillion in early August
2025, increasing operational costs after the April
2024 halving reduced block rewards. A slight 3% difficulty
drop is expected around August 9, potentially easing
pressure on less efficient miners. The network hashrate
crossed 1 zetahash per second in April 2025, reflecting
intense competition.
Environmental and Social Impact: Bitcoin mining’s
energy consumption, estimated at 2.3% of the U.S.
grid, has raised concerns. A Harvard study found that
34 major U.S. mines, primarily fossil-fuel-powered,
increased PM2.5 air pollution, affecting 1.9 million
Americans. Noise pollution from mining facilities,
like one in Dresden, New York, has sparked community
backlash, with residents reporting health issues and
disrupted peace.
Policy and Regulation: The Trump administration’s
push to make the U.S. the “crypto-mining capital”
includes plans for a national Bitcoin stockpile, boosting
mining stocks like MARA, Core Scientific, and Riot
Platforms. However, the IMF blocked Pakistan’s
plan for cheap electricity in crypto mining, citing
energy market risks. Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis
proposed addressing double taxation for miners.
Cloud Mining and Scams: Cloud mining platforms like
PAIRMiner and VN Bit Cloud gained traction, driven
by pro-crypto policies and Bitcoin’s price surge
past $94,000 in January 2025. However, warnings about
scams like Tophash and GlobaleCrypto highlight risks
of high fees and centralization.
Innovations and Shifts: Some miners, like Bit Digital,
are pivoting to Ethereum staking, while others, like
HIVE Digital Tech, scaled up to mine 6.5 BTC daily
using hydro-cooled facilities. Auradine Inc. announced
next-generation mining hardware at the Bitcoin 2025
Conference. (Grok)
News
Welcome
To The Blockchain (Song Lyrics)
We're
now standing on the precipice of a global revolution
Of economics, of politics, and government
Welcome to the blockchain
verse
Power
corrupts, money is power
The power to control the money is one that is now
In the hands of those who pretend we can't function
without them
So how can we do something about it? (Huh?)
Working hard to get a raise, lifting that wage up
Inflation takes it like a hidden taxation
Manipulated interest rates to give the banks
A way to create money with the loans that they're
giving out daily (yup)
That means our money is debt
That we gotta pay back more than a hundred percent
No wonder then why the middle class is going under
When the one's above them gotta cover and come to
collect
And many have no access to banking
Making payments, or saving, so more fees are taken
And every day the gatekeepers are trying to stop change
We can not wait, welcome to the blockchain
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things are about to change
Open up the gates
Systems get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize the trust
Security, transparency
The network's run by us
Bitcoin
verse
Bitcoin
is a decentralized ledger
And the currency is its first enterprise ever
Secured by the worldwide incentivized network
Can't be stolen or controlled by any sized effort
You can send it anywhere and instantly
No one can intervene, no third party in between
There's no counterfeiting
Algorithms control the outer limits of how many coins
can get released
Programmable money, no government can seize it
Payments can be customized by sender and receiver
Contracts can be written cementing your agreements
With terms that can't be bent once you consent then
it completes it
Autonomous businesses are possible
Where profit is distributed amongst those adopting
it
Paradigm shift we must adjust to the ending
With the blockchain, bitcoin is just the beginning
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things are about to change
Open up the gates
Systems get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize the trust
Security, transparency
The network's run by us
Bitcoin
bridge
Now
that we got control
We're not gonna let it go
My people all around the globe
We gotta keep building, building, building
Now that we got control
We're not gonna let it go
My people all around the globe
We gotta keep building, building, building
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things are about to change
Open up the gates
Systems get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize the trust
Security, transparency
The network's run by us
Bitcoin
By
di DECAP, Toby / Toby Ganger
News
Working
Man: Sony Lyrics
It's
a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
At the age of sixteen years Oh, he quarrels with his
peers Who vowed they'd never see another one In the
dark recess of the mines Where you age before your
time And the coal dust lies heavy on your lungs
It's a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
At the age of sixty four Oh, he'll greet you at the
door And he'll gently lead you by the arm Through
the dark recess of the mines Oh, he'll take you back
in time And he'll tell you of the hardships that were
had
It's a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
It's a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
It's a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
God, I never again will go down under ground
By
Rita Macneil
News
Markets
August
6, 2025
Australian
Dollar: $0.6467 USD (up $0.0005 USD) Iron Ore: $101.20
USD (up $0.60 USD) Oil: $66.23 USD (down $1.10 USD)
Gold: $3,373.82 USD (up $10.81 USD) Copper (CME):
$4.4560 USD (up $0.0205 USD) Bitcoin: $114,898.78
USD (up 0.41%) Dow: 44,173.64 (up 585.06 points)
Cryptos:
(Near Live)
August
5, 2025
(Sydney, Australia)
Bitcoin
$114,226.74 USD -0.23%
Ethereum $3,652.44 USD +3.15%
XRP $3.02 USD +1.36%
Tether $1.00 USD +0.00%
BNB $763.64 USD +1.12%
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
The
best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears."
"You
are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig
to find it and make it real."
"Your
mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep you will
find something golden."
"Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind."
"We're
like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's
inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."
"If
you want to find gold, you've got to love the process
of digging."
"Even
if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to
dig."
"Develop
men the same way gold is mined"
"Don't
go into the mine looking for dirt; instead, go in
looking for the gold."
"A
prospector's job is to remove dirt as quickly as possible"
"A
prospector who analyses every speck of dirt won't
find much gold"
"The
world is sitting on a gold mine but knows it not."
"Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are
silver, these are gold."
"All
that is gold does not glitter."
"Gold
is forever. It is beautiful, useful, and never wears
out"
"Gold
is the money of kings"
"Mining
is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit.
An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher
of a dead mule."
"Anyone
can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds
the gold."
"True
gold fears no fire."
"The
desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means
of freedom and benefit."
"Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold."
"When
taken for granted, gold in one's hand is sometimes
considered like cheap copper – so are people."
News
News
Bonus
Gold
by Spandau Ballet Producers: Steve Jolley & Tony
Swain
Music
Video: Gold
https://youtube.com/watch?v=VQ4qrcHyYj4
[Verse
1]
Thank
you for coming home Sorry that the chairs are all
worn I left them here I could have sworn
These
are my salad days Slowly being eaten away Just another
play for today
Oh,
but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud of you
Nothing
left to make me feel small Luck has left me standing
so tall
[Chorus]
Gold (gold)
Always
believe in your soul You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
You
are gold (gold) Glad that you're bound to return
There's
something I could have learned
You're
indestructible, always believing
[Verse
2]
After
the rush has gone I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's
only two years ago
The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now he's in love with you, he's in love with you
And
love is like a high prison wall And you could leave
me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul You've got the
power to know You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold) Glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned You're indestructible,
always believing
[Bridge]
Love
is like a high prison wall
You could leave me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul
You got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
Something
I could have learned
You're
indestructible, always believing (You are, gold) Always
believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
'Cause you are gold (gold)
I'm glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing (gold)
[Verse
1]
Thank
you for coming home Sorry that the chairs are all
worn I left them here I could have sworn
These
are my salad days Slowly being eaten away Just another
play for today Oh, but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud
of you
Nothing
left to make me feel small Luck has left me standing
so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul
You've
got the power to know You're indestructible, always
believing
You
are gold (gold) Glad that you're bound to return
There's
something I could have learned You're indestructible,
always believing
[Verse
2]
After
the rush has gone I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's
only two years ago The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now
he's in love with you, he's in love with you And love
is like a high prison wall
And
you could leave me standing so tall
News
Media, Media Industry, Marketing: Australia and World
News
July
21, 2025
Billionaire
plots Nine raid
About
half of the proceeds from Nine Entertainment's sale
of its 60.1 per cent stake in Domain Holdings will
be returned to shareholders via a special dividend.
Lucas Goode from Investors Mutual believes that Nine
will then pursue growth assets that are a better "strategic
fit" than Domain; he suggest that an outdoor
advertising company could be a target, given that
it would have revenue and cost synergies with Nine's
TV stations. Meanwhile, sources have indicated that
WIN Corporation's owner Bruce Gordon could seek to
acquire Nine once Domain is sold; his direct stake
in Nine will increase to more than 25 per cent later
this year when swaps are converted to equity. (RMS)
News
Kyle
and Jackie O's KIIS of death
The
radio broadcasting industry's mid-year report is likely
to be closely scrutinised, amid some underperforming
programs in key timeslots. KIIS FM's breakfast show
continues to be shunned by audiences in Melbourne.
The Kyle and Jackie O Show, which is simulcast from
Sydney, had a Melboune audience share of just 5.1
per cent in the third ratings survey for 2025; this
compares with 12.5 per cent in Sydney. There is speculation
that ARN Media will axe its current KIIS and Mix 102.3
breakfast shows in Brisbane and Adelaide respectively
and syndicate the Kyle and Jackie O Show in these
cities in order to offset the massive cost of its
massive 10-year contract with Kyle Sandilands and
Jackie Henderson. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Trump
sues News Corp, Rupert Murdoch for libel, seeking
$15b damages
US
President Donald Trump has filed legal action in a
Miami federal court against Rupert Murdoch, Dow Jones,
News Corporation and two reporters from 'The Wall
Street Journal' under federal libel law. His action
comes after The Wall Street Journal described a sexually
suggestive letter that it claims bears Trump's name
and which was included in an 2003 album for the 50th
birthday of Jeffrey Epstein, with Trump denying he
ever wrote such a letter. Epstein later achieved notoriety
as a convicted sex offender accused of trafficking
girls, while Trump is seeking at least $US10 billion
($15.3 billion) in damages. (RMS)
News
Cinema's
golden age comes at a premium
IMAX
Corporation currently has more than 1,800 cinema screens
worldwide; however, there are only four in Australia
at present, despite the first one having opened in
1996. IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond says the company intends
to expand its presence in the Australian market, with
the aim of opening up to 40 of its big screens nationwide
by the end of this decade. IMAX recently revealed
plans to open up to five additional screens in partnership
with Hoyts Cinemas, while it struck a similar deal
with Event Cinemas in June. (RMS)
News
Quadrant
eyes exit for QMS Media
Outdoor
advertising company QMS Media recently secured a contract
from the City of Auckland's transport department that
is said to be worth at least $25 million; it was previously
held by rival oOh!media. QMS Media is owned by Quadrant
Private Equity, which acquired it for $420 million
in 2019. At the time, it seemed like a bad investment,
being just before the pandemic, which saw the outdoor
advertising sector sell just $640 million worth of
ads in 2020; it is currently a $1.4 billion industry.
Quadrant chairman Chris Hadley says that 'exit options'
for QMS Media are available, due to what he contends
is its "growth, scale and profitability".
(Roy Morgan Summary)
News
REA
warns off realtors amid ACCC inquiry
The
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is
currently investigating real estate listings platform
REA Group over how it sets the prices it charges agents
to list properties on its portal. REA has denied that
a note to agents reminding them that their pricing
agreements are confidential has nothing to do with
the ACCC's inquiry, with which it states it is co-operating
fully. Entcho Raykovski from E&P says that the
ACCC's investigation seems to be mainly focused on
REA's subscription pricing, which accounts for around
four per cent of its revenue. (RMS)
News
Script
to artists: Our process is 'robust', says Creative
Australia
Creative
Australia has come under fire for the process it uses
to decide who it should award grants to, with Creative
Australia being the federal government funder of theatre,
film, music and books. The process essentially involves
artists assessing the works of their fellow artists
and friends, and the controversy it has attracted
has prompted Creative Australia to issue artists with
a script in case they are contacted by journalists
about the process. The script says artists should
state the process is "strict" and "guided
by merit", and that Creative Australia has strict
systems in place to manage possible conflicts of interest.
(Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Major
shake-up looms for Test cricket
Cricket
Australia CEO Todd Greenberg will be part of an International
Cricket Council working group that has been tasked
with re-shaping cricket's calendar from 2027 onwards.
It is possible the group might recommend that the
number of countries playing Test cricket be capped,
as few make money from it anymore, while a T20 Champions
League could be relaunched as soon as September next
year. The original T20 Champions League was launched
in 2008 and lasted until 2014, while it is yet to
be decided how the finances of the revamped league
will be divided up. (RMS)
News
Streaming
Media News
The
industry is at a pivotal moment, balancing innovation
with sustainability as it navigates viewer demands
and economic realities. The streaming industry continues
to evolve rapidly in 2025, driven by shifts in consumer
behavior, technological advancements, and competitive
dynamics. Here’s a concise overview of the latest
trends and developments based on recent data:
Streaming
Dominance: Streaming has surpassed traditional TV,
capturing 44.8% of total TV viewership in May 2025,
compared to 44.2% for combined broadcast (20.1%) and
cable (24.1%), according to Nielsen’s The Gauge.
Streaming usage has surged 71% since 2021, while broadcast
and cable have declined 21% and 39%, respectively.
YouTube alone accounted for 12.5% of TV viewing, with
free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) services like
PlutoTV, Roku Channel, and Tubi collectively holding
5.7%.
Market
Growth: The global video streaming market, valued
at $674.25 billion in 2024, is projected to reach
$811.37 billion in 2025 and $2.66 trillion by 2032,
driven by demand for on-demand content and live streaming,
particularly in sports and gaming. The OTT segment
is expected to grow fastest due to adoption in developing
markets like India.
Netflix’s
Leadership: Netflix remains the top subscription video-on-demand
(SVOD) platform with over 260 million subscribers
globally as of late 2023, bolstered by its user-friendly
interface (favored by 36% of users) and original content.
The “Netflix Effect” continues to amplify
licensed content, with shows like You (4 billion minutes
viewed in May 2025) exemplifying its impact. Netflix
also made history with two exclusive NFL games on
Christmas Day 2024.
Sports
and Live Content: Streaming-exclusive sports content
is expanding, with platforms like Peacock and Tubi
simulcasting events like Super Bowl LIX and the 2024
Olympics. ESPN and FOX are launching standalone streaming
services this fall, offering all their channels in
one place. The NFL’s 2025 schedule features more
streaming-exclusive games than ever.
Mergers
and Partnerships: In India, Reliance Industries and
The Walt Disney Company merged Disney+ Hotstar and
JioCinema in February 2025, creating an $8.5 billion
entity with 30,000 Disney assets and exclusive sports
content. Such collaborations aim to blend local and
global content to capture diverse audiences.
Challenges
and Trends: Market saturation raises concerns about
content quality and originality, with platforms competing
through exclusive content and AI-driven personalization.
Generative AI is enhancing user experiences but sparking
debates over deepfakes and artist compensation. Price
hikes, like Peacock’s planned increase, and consumer
“unsubscribe” trends due to economic pressures
are notable challenges.
Web3
and Innovation: Emerging platforms like Soulbound_TV
are exploring decentralized, AI-powered streaming
models, aiming to disrupt traditional services with
user-earning incentives. These are gaining attention
but remain unproven.
Content
Highlights: Recent moves include Apple TV+ renewing
Murderbot for a second season and Netflix ordering
a live-action Solo Leveling adaptation. Meanwhile,
oversaturation concerns are voiced by streamers like
StableRonaldo, reflecting industry growing pains.
(Grok)
News
Sports
Streaming News
Sports
streaming in 2025 is a rapidly evolving landscape,
driven by increasing demand for flexible, on-demand
access to live sports. Here’s a concise overview
of the latest developments based on available information:
New
Joint Streaming Venture: ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros.
Discovery have launched a joint sports streaming platform,
combining content from ESPN, ESPN+, ABC, Fox Sports,
TBS, and TNT. This service, which aims to be a one-stop
shop for sports fans, covers NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college
sports, golf, and more. It’s available as a standalone
app or bundled with Hulu, Disney+, or Max, with a
launch expected in fall 2024. Pricing details remain
undisclosed, but it’s positioned as a potential
game-changer, though it lacks NBCUniversal and Paramount’s
sports content (e.g., CBS Sports, Olympics).
Streaming
Market Growth: The global sports streaming market
was valued at $33.93 billion in 2024 and is projected
to reach $75.17 billion by 2030, growing at a 12.6%
CAGR. Growth is fuelled by high-speed internet, mobile
device adoption, and OTT services. Platforms are leveraging
AI and data analytics for personalized content and
5G for enhanced streaming quality. VR and AR features
are also emerging to boost fan engagement.
Key
Players and Rights: DAZN leads in sports streaming
rights spending (33% share), followed by Amazon Prime
Video (23%), YouTube TV (16%), and Netflix (5%). DAZN
secured a $1 billion deal for the 2025 FIFA Club World
Cup, while Amazon expanded its NBA rights. Netflix
streamed NFL games on Christmas 2024, drawing 26.5
million viewers, and is eyeing Formula 1 and UFC rights
for 2025.
Top
Services for 2025:
Hulu
+ Live TV: Offers major networks (CBS, ESPN, FS1,
NBC Sports) and NFL Network/RedZone. Lacks some league-specific
channels like MLB Network. Includes Hulu’s on-demand
library.
YouTube
TV: Provides 90+ channels, unlimited cloud DVR, and
features like Key Plays for NFL/MLB/NBA. It’s
the home of NFL Sunday Ticket ($479.99/season for
2024).
Fubo:
Strong for sports with CBS, ESPN, NFL Network, and
international channels like beIN Sports. Offers unlimited
DVR but lacks Turner channels (TBS, TNT).
ESPN+:
Streams exclusive UFC, baseball, college basketball,
soccer, and golf for $11.99/month or $119.99/year.
Apple
TV+: Features MLS games and sports documentaries,
with a 7-day free trial or three months free with
eligible Apple devices.
Prime
Video: Streams NFL, NBA, and Premier League (UK),
included with Prime or add-on subscriptions.
Piracy
Concerns: Illegal streaming, particularly via modified
Amazon Fire Sticks, is a growing issue, costing broadcasters
revenue and exposing users to cyber risks. A 2025
report highlighted 59% of UK piracy users accessed
streams via Fire Sticks. Sky and DAZN have called
for stronger action from tech firms and governments.
Other
Trends: Disney plans a direct-to-consumer ESPN streaming
service by August 2025, potentially accelerating cord-cutting.
Netflix’s sports strategy focuses on ad-supported
live events, while Deltatre’s acquisition of
Endeavor Streaming aims to enhance OTT capabilities.
(Grok)
News
Brand
News via Media Man
Netflix
wins Media Man 'Brand Of The Month'; Runner-up: MAX
WWE
wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Month'
award
UFC
wins Media Man 'MMA Promotion Of The Month' award
TKO
Group wins Media Man 'Entertainment Promoter Of The
Month' award
AEW
wins Media Man 'Challenger Brand Of The Month' award
Prime
wins Media Man 'Beverage Of The Month' award
Nespresso
wins Media Man 'Coffee Brand Of The Month' award;
Runner-up: Claudio's Cafe
Aussie
Biffo News via Media Man Group
July
9, 2025
National
Rugby League
NRL
State
Of Origin
NSW Blues vs QLD Maroons
Sydney Olympic Park
Accor Stadium
Sydney, Australia
Tonight!
Boxing
SBW
vs Gallen
Qudos Bank Arena
Wednesday July 16, 2025. 5.30pm
Pro
Wrestling
APW
Biffo At The Paddo
Johnny Beautiful vs Taras vs Trucker Taylor
and much more!
Paddington RSl
Saturday, July 19, 2025. 7pm
Mining,
Energy and Resources: Australia and World
July
15, 2025
Gold
Price: $3,342.80 USD (down $13.15 USD)
News
Gold
Mining News
These
developments highlight a robust gold mining sector
in 2025, driven by high gold prices, operational advancements,
and geopolitical shifts, though challenges like environmental
concerns and state interventions persist.
Queensland
Court Approves Dittmer Gold Mine Expansion: On July
11, 2025, the Land Court of Queensland recommended
the expansion of Ballymore Resources’ Dittmer
gold mine in the Whitsunday region, despite local
opposition and environmental concerns over acid mine
drainage. New gold-finding technology is being deployed
at the site.
Shandong
Gold Mining Profit Surge: Shandong Gold Mining Co.,
Ltd. reported an 84.3-120.5% year-on-year increase
in net profit for the first half of 2025, driven by
its gold production and sales, with 96.4% of revenue
from China.
Serabi
Gold’s Record Production: Brazil-based Serabi
Gold achieved a record 10,532 ounces of gold production
in Q2 2025, bolstered by strong brownfield exploration
results.
Gold
Price Surge: Gold prices rose by about $40 per ounce
to nearly $3,360/oz on July 11, 2025, amid tariff
concerns and anticipation of the next US Federal Reserve
interest rate decision. HSBC forecasts an average
price of $3,215/oz for 2025, with Goldman Sachs predicting
up to $4,000 by mid-2026.
G
Mining Ventures Hits Milestone: G Mining Ventures’
Tocantinzinho mine in Brazil reached nameplate capacity,
producing 42,587 ounces in Q2 2025, with 2025 guidance
set at 175,000-200,000 ounces.
Mali
Seizes Barrick Gold: Mali’s government seized
over a ton of gold (worth ~$117 million) from Barrick
Mining on July 14, 2025, following a law granting
the junta leader indefinite rule, raising concerns
about state-driven asset seizures.
Matsa’s
Devon Pit Operational: Matsa Resources’ Devon
Pit gold mine in Western Australia began operations,
with haulage to processing expected by late July 2025,
benefiting from gold prices exceeding $5,000/oz.
Russian
Gold Miner Nationalized: Russia’s third-largest
gold producer, Yuzhuralzoloto, was ordered nationalized
by a Chelyabinsk court on July 12, 2025, amid wartime
government takeovers.
Mako
Mining’s Record Revenue: Mako Mining Corp reported
$38.1 million in gold revenue for Q2 2025, with operations
in Nicaragua, Arizona, and Guyana, and a cash reserve
increase of $18.2 million.
Australian
Miners Thrive: Australian gold miners like Gold Road
Resources (72,980 oz in Q2 2025) and Regis Resources
(373,000 oz in FY25) reported strong results, driven
by high gold prices and operational improvements.
Robex
Resources on Track: Robex Resources’ Kiniero
project in Guinea is set for its first gold pour in
Q4 2025, with drilling confirming strong mineral continuity.
Bitcoin
Adoption by Gold Miners: Publicly traded gold miners
Hamak Gold Limited and Panther Metals announced plans
to add Bitcoin to their treasuries, reflecting a growing
trend among gold mining firms. (Grok)
News
July
15, 2025
Alphabet
soup as BHP links with BYD, CATL
BHP
has a signed a memorandum of understanding with the
FinDreams Battery Co subsidiary of Chinese electric
car maker BYD. They will collaborate on the development
of battery-powered trucks for the resources group's
mining operations, including fast-charging technology.
BHP has secured a similar memorandum of understanding
with Hong Kong-listed CATL; the world's largest battery
maker has been blacklisted by the Pentagon due to
its alleged links to the Chinese military. The Chinese
deals are part of BHP's push to decarbonise its mining
operations by 2050. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Iron
ore rally under threat as China stockpiling to slow
Iron
ore futures in Singapore rose to $US99.75 per tonne
in trading on Monday, but Robert Rennie from Westpac
expects the price of the steel input to fall below
$US90 by the end of 2025. Rennie says China is "furiously"
building stockpiles of metals, including iron ore;
he adds that iron ore pricing will reflect fundamentals
when this stockpiling ends, which most likely will
result in a sharp fall in the iron ore price. The
looming start of production at Rio Tinto's Simandou
project in Guinea is likely to put further downward
pressure on the iron ore price. A weaker iron ore
would also affect the federal government's revenue
from taxes and royalties. (RMS)
News
Australian
miners warn on iron ore oversupply, steel glut
BHP
Australia president Geraldine Slattery has warned
that Australian iron ore miners are facing an environment
where there is an oversupply of the commodity, as
well as a glut of steel. Slattery was speaking on
the sidelines of an industry roundtable in Shanghai
that was held as part of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's
six-day trip to China. Fortescue executive chairman
Andrew Forrest, who also took part in the roundtable,
has called for a bilateral agreement between Australia
and China on green iron, with Forrest claiming that
green steel has the potential to generate hundreds
of thousands of new jobs. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Gold's
next move could make or break these ASX miners
Factors
such as gold's safe haven status and geopolitical
tensions prompted a strong rally in the price of the
precious metal in 2024-25, particularly in the second
half of the financial year. The gold price reached
a record high of around $US3,500 an ounce in April,
and Citi analysts believe that this may represent
its peak. However, Macquarie says there may be one
further rally due to the impact of the Trump administration's
proposed tax cuts on US government debt. MA Financial
has identified stocks that may benefit if the gold
price falls; they include Alkane Resources, Genesis
Minerals and Ora Banda Mining. (RMS)
News
Bowen
coal jobs hanging in balance
Australian-listed
Bowen Coking Coal has advised that it is taking active
steps to address its liquidity problems, amid the
current downturn in the price of coal. The company
says it is holding talks with multiple parties to
secure financing, while it is reviewing its coal operations
in Queensland in response to the challenging market
conditions. There are fears that up to 500 jobs at
its flagship Burton mine could be at risk due to factors
such as the falling price of coal and the impact of
the state government's coal royalty scheme. (Roy Morgan
Summary)
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
The
best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears."
"You
are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig
to find it and make it real."
"Your
mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep you will
find something golden."
"Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind."
"We're
like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's
inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."
"If
you want to find gold, you've got to love the process
of digging."
"Even
if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to
dig."
"Develop
men the same way gold is mined"
"Don't
go into the mine looking for dirt; instead, go in
looking for the gold."
"A
prospector's job is to remove dirt as quickly as possible"
"A
prospector who analyses every speck of dirt won't
find much gold"
"The
world is sitting on a gold mine but knows it not."
"Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are
silver, these are gold."
"All
that is gold does not glitter."
"Gold
is forever. It is beautiful, useful, and never wears
out"
"Gold
is the money of kings"
"Mining
is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit.
An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher
of a dead mule."
"Anyone
can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds
the gold."
"True
gold fears no fire."
"The
desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means
of freedom and benefit."
"Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold."
"When
taken for granted, gold in one's hand is sometimes
considered like cheap copper – so are people."
News
News
Bonus
Gold
by Spandau Ballet Producers: Steve Jolley & Tony
Swain
Music
Video: Gold
https://youtube.com/watch?v=VQ4qrcHyYj4
[Verse
1]
Thank
you for coming home Sorry that the chairs are all
worn I left them here I could have sworn
These
are my salad days Slowly being eaten away Just another
play for today
Oh,
but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud of you
Nothing
left to make me feel small Luck has left me standing
so tall
[Chorus]
Gold (gold)
Always
believe in your soul You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
You
are gold (gold) Glad that you're bound to return
There's
something I could have learned
You're
indestructible, always believing
[Verse
2]
After
the rush has gone I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's
only two years ago
The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now he's in love with you, he's in love with you
And
love is like a high prison wall And you could leave
me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul You've got the
power to know You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold) Glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned You're indestructible,
always believing
[Bridge]
Love
is like a high prison wall
You could leave me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul
You got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
Something
I could have learned
You're
indestructible, always believing (You are, gold) Always
believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
'Cause you are gold (gold)
I'm glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing (gold)
[Verse
1]
Thank
you for coming home Sorry that the chairs are all
worn I left them here I could have sworn
These
are my salad days Slowly being eaten away Just another
play for today Oh, but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud
of you
Nothing
left to make me feel small Luck has left me standing
so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul
You've
got the power to know You're indestructible, always
believing
You
are gold (gold) Glad that you're bound to return
There's
something I could have learned You're indestructible,
always believing
[Verse
2]
After
the rush has gone I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's
only two years ago The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now
he's in love with you, he's in love with you And love
is like a high prison wall
And
you could leave me standing so tall
Biz
News: Australia and World
July
14, 2025
Netflix
wins Media Man 'Streaming Brand Of The Month'
News
Tariff-stricken
copper left off Albanese's critical minerals list
Resources
Minister Madeleine King says the federal government
has no immediate plans to add copper to its critical
minerals list. King adds that Labor has a "very
active watching brief" regarding copper. The
nation's copper sector is under scrutiny in the wake
of warnings from Glencore that its smelter and refinery
in Queensland may not be viable, while the Trump administration
recently announced a 50 per cent tariff on copper
imports. Meanwhile, some lithium producers have cautioned
the government against including the battery metal
in its proposed critical minerals strategic reserve,
amid a global oversupply and depressed prices. (RMS)
News
Listing
'proves industry, rock art can co-exist'
West
Australian Premier Roger Cook has welcomed the decision
by UNESCO to add the Murujuga cultural landscape to
the World Heritage List. Located on the Burrup Peninsula,
the landscape is home to the world's biggest collection
of rock art engravings, and its listing will provide
it with additional protection. Cook says UNESCO's
decision shows that industry and protected sites can
co-exist, with Cook noting that UNESCO was obviously
convinced by evidence presented to it that emissions
from Woodside's North West Shelf gas plant on the
Burrup Peninsula had no material impact on the rock
art. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Trump
announces 30 per cent tariffs against EU, Mexico to
begin August 1
US
President Donald Trump has announced 30 per cent tariffs
on Mexico and the European Union in letters posted
to his social media account, with the tariffs to take
effect from 1 August. In his letter to the EU, Trump
claimed that the US trade deficit with the EU was
a national security threat, while European Commission
President Ursula von der Leyen says the EU is willing
to take the necessary steps to safeguard its interests
if the US proceeds with its 30 per cent tariff. In
his letter to Mexico, Trump acknowledged that it had
been helpful in stemming the flow of undocumented
migrants and fentanyl into the US, but it had not
done enough to stop North America from turning into
a "Narco-Trafficking Playground". (Roy Morgan
Summary)
News
Miners
shield ASX as iron ore challenges $US100
Futures
pricing suggests that the S&P/ASX 200 will shed
about 13 points when the market opens on Monday. The
US earnings season will be a key focus for investors
in the coming week, while the release of US inflation
data and Australian jobs data for June will also be
closely scrutinised. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.11
per cent to 8,580.1 points on Friday. Meanwhile, iron
ore futures in Singapore have now risen in each of
the last three weeks, prompting a rally in the share
prices of Australia's major producers over the same
period. (RMS)
News
Banks
driving gold rush
The
world's central banks have collectively purchased
over 1,000 tonnes of gold annually for the past three
years, which is around $US80bn ($123bn) at current
prices. The latest World Gold Council survey found
95 per cent of central banks expect their peers to
keep buying gold over the next year, while 43 per
cent of them plan to boost their own gold reserves
within that period. With the price of gold having
more than doubled since late 2023, RBC Capital Markets
states that some of the factors behind the 'gold rush'
by central banks include gold's liquidity and its
performance during times of crisis. (RMS)
News
Banks
and big retail extend Armaguard's lifeline
Cash
transportation business Armaguard has been given a
$25 million cash injection by the banks and major
retailers to enable it to keep operating until the
end of the year. It comes after the banks and retailers
paid Armaguard some $50 million in 2024 to keep operating
after its parent company Linfox stated it was not
profitable and could be closed down, while it was
announced in May that the Australian Banking Association
and Armaguard had agreed to appoint Deloitte Access
Economics to come up with a pricing structure for
its operations. (RMS)
News
Italy's
Ferrero agrees to buy cereal giant Kellogg in $4.7b
deal
Italian
confectionery business Ferrero International is to
acquire US cereal maker WK Kellogg in a $US3.1 billion
($4.7 billion) deal. Ferrero is the maker of the chocolate
nut spread Nutella while WK Kellogg is the maker of
cereals such as Frosted Flakes and Froot Loops, and
the purchase of WK Kellogg marks the latest in a number
of US acquisitions by Ferrero, including ice-cream
maker Bomb Pops in 2022 and Keebler and Famous Amos
cookies in 2019. (RMS)
News
Polestar
lashes lobby for 'unfounded' EV attack
Scott
Maynard has accused the Federal Chamber of Automotive
Industries of 'unnecessary and unfounded' attacks
on proposed fuel efficiency standards, with Maynard
being the Australian MD of electric vehicle car maker
Polestar. Car makers have claimed the standards will
lead to higher prices, while Maynard claims the attack
on the standards by traditional car makers and the
FCAI have hindered the uptake of EVs. EV sales accounted
for just 7.7 per cent of the total new car market
to June this year, although Polestar's sales are up
23 per cent on the first six months of 2024.
News
Victoria's
gas giants fight over access to Melbourne pipeline
Viva
Energy is seeking to establish an LNG import terminal
at Geelong in Victoria, and is seeking full access
to a gas pipeline that currently delivers gas to Melbourne.
Viva's bid to get access to the congested pipeline
is causing friction with other gas producers and users
of the pipeline, and there are claims that the value
of the Iona gas storage plant, which is located in
western Victoria, will be cut if its access to the
pipeline is reduced. Viva has told the Australian
Energy Market Operator that it may not proceed with
the import terminal if it cannot secure full access
to the pipeline. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Global
freight prices tumble, but not for goods shipped to
Australia
The
Drewry World Container Index has halved over the last
12 months, with the index tracking freight rates for
40-foot containers on the world's most popular shipping
routes. Its decline has been attributed to reduced
demand for Chinese exports to the US as a result of
Donald Trump's tariffs, but rates for goods to Australia
are defying the downward trend, with freight rates
for consumer goods shipped from Asia to Australia
increasing at the start of July, and shipping companies
are predicting further increases. (RMS)
News
ABC
board shake-up favours 'outsider'
Sources
have indicated that the federal government wants to
replace the ABC's deputy chair Georgie Somerset with
an external candidate. Somerset was appointed to the
public broadcaster's board by the former Coalition
government in February 2017, and she was elevated
to the role of interim deputy chair for six months
following the resignation of predecessor Peter Tonagh.
With that temporary role set to expire, the government
is believed to be keen make its own appointment to
the ABC's board; Somerset herself is said to be keen
to continue in the role. (RMS)
News
Win
for regions as Ten, Sky ink new deal
More
than three million unique regional viewers watched
Sky News Regional on free-to-air television in 2024.
The Ten Network has struck a new multi-year deal with
Sky News Australia to continue broadcasting the latter's
content in regional areas of NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
Sky News Regional was previously broadcast by Southern
Cross Austereo, which sold its TV licences in these
markets to Ten in late 2024. Sky News Australia is
owned by News Corporation. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Nova
links with Diary of a CEO podcast
Radio
stations group Nova Entertainment has secured a deal
to add the popular The Diary of a CEO to its podcast
network. The deal includes new episodes of The Diary
of a CEO, plus a back catalogue of more than 650 existing
episodes. The podcast is hosted by British entrepreneur
and author Steven Bartlett; it has 25 million followers
and more than 11 million YouTube subscribers, making
it the world's second-most popular podcast after The
Joe Rogan Experience. Nova Entertainment also distributes
podcasts produced by News Corp. (RMS)
News
Magazine
empire facing likely 'split' in sale
The
founding editor of Marie Claire magazine, Jackie Frank,
says finding a single buyer for Are Media may be difficult,
and its stable of 22 titles could potentially be sold
to several buyers. Private equity firm Mercury Capital
recently revealed plans to sell Are Media, and there
is speculation that it could be seeking about $50m
for the business. However, some media industry insiders
have suggested that such a price may be unrealistic
given the decline in sales of print magazines. Are
Media CEO Jane Huxley notes that the company's titles
now reach more than 10 million women each month via
print, digital and social media. (RMS)
News
New
gig's just the ticket for Banducci
Brad
Banducci says he is looking at how he can use technology
to boost Ticketek's market share of the event sector,
with Banducci having joined Ticketek's parent company
TEG as CEO in March. Formerly the CEO of supermarket
chain Woolworths, Banducci says there is scope to
implement technology that would allow someone to share
an empty seat next to theirs with a friend, or to
upgrade seats at venues if they can see ones that
are better and empty. Banducci says he was determined
to do something different after he left Woolworths,
and that he spent six months contemplating executive
and board roles at public companies before joining
TEG. (RMS)
News
Trump
rare earth call adds to Rinehart fortune
The
Pentagon is to acquire a 15 per cent stake in American
rare earths producer MP Materials, which operates
the only rare earths mine in the US. Australian billionaire
Gina Rinehart owns an 8.2 per cent stake in MP Materials,
and the announcement of the Pentagon's investment
has seen the value of her stake rise to $US628 million
($955 million), with news of the Pentagon deal pushing
MP Materials' shares up 50 per cent. It also boosted
the share price of Australian rare earth producers
on Friday, with Iluka Resources up 20 per cent to
$4.80 and Lynas Rare Earths increasing 18 per cent
to $9.80. (RMS)
News
The
Pentagon's bold move to secure U.S rare earth mineral
needs
The
price of MP Materials' common stock surged by 54 per
cent on 10 July, following the announcement that the
US Department of Defense had acquired a 15 per cent
stake in the company. MP Materials owns the only operational
rare earths mine in the US, and the Pentagon's investment
is aimed at reducing the US's dependence on imports
of rare earth minerals. As well as owning the only
operational rare earths mine in the US, MP Materials
refines and manufactures magnets at its California
operation, with rare earth metals being critical elements
in the high-grade magnets that go into every modern
military weapons system, jets and ships.
News
Coal
sector: Qld's LNP making 'right noises' over royalties
Coal
Australia CEO Stuart Bocking says the peak body will
continue to work constructively with the Queensland
government regarding its Labor predecessor's controversial
coal royalty scheme. Bocking says there have been
some "some very positive noises" from Premier
David Crisafulli regarding the importance of coal
mining to the state's economy. Bocking has warned
that the royalty scheme and rising production costs
could see some coal producers collapse, given that
they must pay the royalty even if they are not making
a profit. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Media
Man
TKO
Group wins Media Man 'Entertainment Promoter Of The
Month' award
Roy
Morgan wins Media Man 'News Services Brand Of The
Month' award
The
Australian Financial Review wins Media Man 'Newspaper
Of The Month' award
News
Markets
July
14, 2025
ASX
futures down 13 points/ -0.2% to 8548
Australian
dollar -0.2% to 65.63 US cents
Wall
Street:
S&P 500 -0.3%, Dow Jones -0.6%, Nasdaq -0.2%
Europe:
Stoxx 50 -1%, FTSE -0.4%, DAX -0.8%, CAC -0.9%
Bitcoin
+1.6% to $US119,150
Gold
+1% to $US3355.59 per ounce
US oil +2.8% to $US68.45 a barrel
Brent crude oil +2.5% to $US70.36 a barrel
Iron ore +0.5% to $US99.50 per ton
10-year
yield: US 4.41% Australia 4.32% Germany 2.72%
Mining,
Resources, Energy, Markets,News: Australia and World
June
30, 2025
War,
tariffs, growth slump take $33bn toll on miners
The
Department of Industry, Science & Resources has
forecast that Australia's resources export earnings
will fall to $369bn in 2025-26, compared with an estimated
$385bn in the current financial year. The quarterly
resources and energy report also forecasts that the
sector's export earnings will fall to $352bn in 2026-27.
The report notes a number of risks for the sector,
including geopolitical tensions, the Trump administration's
tariffs regime and slowing global economic growth.
The report forecasts that iron ore export earnings
will fall by $11bn to $104.8bn in 2025-26; however,
gold shipments are expected to rise by $10bn to $56bn,
and become the nation's third-biggest resources export
in 2025-26. (RMS)
News
Iran
could resume uranium enrichment 'in a matter of months',
UN nuclear watchdog says
International
Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi
says Iran might be able to resume uranium enrichment
'in a matter of months', despite the US and Israeli
attacks on several of its nuclear facilities. There
have also been questions as to whether Iran was able
to relocate some or all of its estimated 408.6-kilogram
(900-pound) stockpile of highly enriched uranium before
the attacks, with Grossi admitting to CBS News that
"we don't know where this material could be".
Iran has decided to suspend co-operation with the
IAEA, and has Grossi's request for a visit to the
damaged facilities. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Rio
Tinto puts hunt for CEO on fast-track
Sources
have indicated that Rio Tinto is likely to announce
the successor to CEO Jakob Stausholm after its half-year
results are released on 30 July. The resources group
has commenced the process of interviewing and assessing
the shortlisted candidates for the role; the leading
internal contenders include chief commercial officer
Bold Baatar and the head of iron ore, Simon Trott.
Stausholm revealed plans to step down in May, prompting
speculation that he had been pushed out. Rival BHP
is said to be preparing for the eventual departure
of CEO Mike Henry. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Beach
touted as Narrabri buyer
Citi
has stated that regulators might require Santos to
divest its undeveloped Narrabri gas field in NSW in
order for them to approve its $30 billion takeover
by Abu Dhabi's XRG consortium. It comes as XRG was
given an exclusive four-week period of due diligence
on Friday to progress its bid for Santos, while the
Kerry Stokes-backed Beach Energy is seen as a potential
buyer for the Narrabri gas field, which contains an
estimated 1,500 petajoules of gas. Potential daily
production of 200 terajoules is equivalent to half
of NSW's current gas consumption. (RMS)
News
June
26, 2025
Australia
sues China-linked rare earths investors
Treasurer
Jim Chalmers has lodged Federal Court action against
Indian Ocean International Shipping & Service
for breaching Australian foreign investment laws;
action is also being taken against a former unnamed
associate of the firm. The company is one of five
foreign investors with links to China that Chalmers
ordered in 2024 to divest their shares in rare earth
miner Northern Minerals due to national interest concerns,
with Chalmers' legal action against Indian Ocean International
Shipping & Service said to be the first of its
kind. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
The
best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears."
"You
are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig
to find it and make it real."
"Your
mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep you will
find something golden."
"Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind."
"We're
like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's
inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."
"If
you want to find gold, you've got to love the process
of digging."
"Even
if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to
dig."
"Develop
men the same way gold is mined"
"Don't
go into the mine looking for dirt; instead, go in
looking for the gold."
"A
prospector's job is to remove dirt as quickly as possible"
"A
prospector who analyzes every speck of dirt won't
find much gold"
"The
world is sitting on a gold mine but knows it not."
"Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold."
"All
that is gold does not glitter."
"Gold
is forever. It is beautiful, useful, and never wears
out"
"Gold
is the money of kings"
"Mining
is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit.
An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher
of a dead mule."
"Anyone
can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds
the gold."
"True
gold fears no fire."
"The
desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means
of freedom and benefit."
"Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold."
"When
taken for granted, gold in one's hand is sometimes
considered like cheap copper – so are people."
News
Gold
holds decline as ceasefire saps haven demand
Gold
held a decline as a shaky Iran-Israel ceasefire appeared
to hold, reducing demand for haven assets. Bullion
was near $US3330 an ounce, after closing down 1.3
per cent on Tuesday. The truce between Israel and
Iran continued after US President Donald Trump lashed
out at both sides for early breaches. Geopolitical
uncertainties, along with Trump’s aggressive
trade policy and central bank buying, have spurred
a 27 per cent advance in gold this year. The rally
has lost momentum over the last couple of months,
however, with bullion mostly trading between $US3300
and $US3400 an ounce. Spot gold rose 0.2 per cent
to $US3330.85 an ounce in Asian trading. The Bloomberg
Dollar Spot Index was flat. Silver was steady, while
platinum and dipped.
News
Bonus
Gold
by Spandau Ballet
Producers:
Steve Jolley & Tony Swain
Music
Video: Gold
https://youtube.com/watch?v=VQ4qrcHyYj4
[Verse
1]
Thank
you for coming home
Sorry that the chairs are all worn
I left them here I could have sworn
These are my salad days
Slowly being eaten away
Just another play for today
Oh, but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud of you
Nothing left to make me feel small
Luck has left me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold (gold)
Always
believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
There's something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing
[Verse
2]
After
the rush has gone I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's only two years ago
The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now he's in love with you, he's in love with you
And love is like a high prison wall
And you could leave me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know You're indestructible,
always believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing
[Bridge]
Love
is like a high prison wall
You could leave me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul
You
got the power to know You're indestructible, always
believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing (You are,
gold)
Always believe in your soul You've got the power to
know
You're indestructible, always believing 'Cause you
are gold (gold)
I'm glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing (gold)
[Verse
1]
Thank
you for coming home
Sorry that the chairs are all worn
I left them here I could have sworn
These are my salad days
Slowly being eaten away
Just another play for today
Oh, but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud of you
Nothing left to make me feel small
Luck has left me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
There's something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing
[Verse
2]
After
the rush has gone I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's only two years ago
The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now he's in love with you, he's in love with you
And love is like a high prison wall
And you could leave me standing so tall
News
Markets
June
30, 2025
Australian
Dollar: $0.6535 USD (down $0.0009 USD)
Iron Ore July Spot Price (SGX): $94.75 USD (up $1.20)
Oil (WTI): $65.52 (up $0.33)
Gold: $3,274.23 (down $53.78)
Copper (CME): $5.1220 (up $0.0690)
Bitcoin: $107,356.68 (up 0.13%)
Dow Jones: 43,819.27 (up 432.43)
Markets
June
27, 2025
Australian
dollar +0.5% to 65.46 US cents
Wall
Street:
S&P 500 +0.8%
Dow Jones +0.9%
Nasdaq +1%
Europe:
Stoxx 50 -0.2%
FTSE +2%,
DAX +0.6%
CAC -0.01%
Bitcoin
+0.1% to US$107,875
Gold
$US3329.90 an ounce at 6.41am AEDT
US oil +0.5% to $US62.26 a barrel at 8.42am AEDT
Brent Crude Oil +0.1% to $US67.78 a barrel
Iron ore -1% at $US94.52 a ton
10-year yield: US 4.24% Australia 4.1% Germany 2.57%
News
Gold
once again approaches a cliff edge
The
Israel and Iran ceasefire has reduced demand for gold
as a safe-haven asset. The precious metal failed to
break out of the medium-term consolidation range of
$3,100 to $3,400 per troy ounce and resume its upward
trend. This signals weakness among bulls and allows
Citigroup to predict a fall in prices below $3,000
in 2026. According to the bank, thanks to Donald Trump's
‘big and beautiful’ tax bill, the acceleration
of the US economy will push gold prices down. The
decrease in geopolitical risks will also contribute
to gold's decline.
Goldman
Sachs, on the other hand, maintains its forecast for
the precious metal to rise to $4,000. It cites the
insatiable appetite of central banks, the weakening
dollar, and the fall in US Treasury bond yields. Indeed,
the White House is keen on lower debt market rates
and a weaker currency. A recent survey by the World
Gold Council shows that 43% of central banks plan
to increase their bullion purchases over the next
12 months, up from just 29% a year ago.
The
recent de-escalation has once again tested gold's
support at its uptrend, marked by the 50-day moving
average. On Friday, sellers pushed the price below
this level, which passes through 3324, and are even
attempting to stabilise below 3300. In May, a sharp
movement managed to push the price back above this
line. However, this metric is now turning downward,
reflecting over two months of consolidation after
reaching recent highs.
All
signs indicate a potential repeat of the consolidation
seen in November-December last year, which laid the
groundwork for the subsequent rally. However, there
is also a high probability that the failure to break
through the $3500 level over the past two months signals
a global trend reversal. We await whether this will
mirror 2020, with a 20% correction in the next six
months and a two-year sideways movement or resemble
the nearly halving in gold prices from 2011 to 2015.
(FxPro)
News
ASX
dips on tech sell-off; lithium stocks rally
The
Australian sharemarket drifted lower on Thursday,
with the S&P/ASX 200 easing 0.1 per cent to close
at 8,550.8 points. Northern Star Resources fell 2.3
per cent to $18.84, Xero was down 5.3 per cent at
$184 and the Commonwealth Bank finished 0.4 per cent
lower at $190.71. However, Mineral Resources was up
3.6 per cent at $20.90 and DroneShield added 11.7
per cent to end the session at $2.39. (RMS)
News
'Not
the moment' for abandoned rare earths mega-merger,
says Lynas boss
A
merger of Lynas Rare Earths with MP Materials would
create a monopoly of rare earths in the Western world,
and the idea that they should merge has been previously
flagged. Lynas CEO Amanda Lacaze said on Wednesday
that she had been of the view that a merger of the
two was a good idea, but that for a "variety
of reasons, it didn't happen". Speaking on the
sidelines of a talk for the Western Australian Mining
Club, she said that there were no discussions between
Lynas and MP Materials about a merger at present.
She said that deals often have their moment, "and
now is not the moment, unfortunately", in terms
of one between the two companies. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
"The
best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears.
To find the gold, think deeply and think better."
"You
are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig
to find it and make it real."
"Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind."
"We're
like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's
inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."
"Even
if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to
dig." Broadway Mining
"There's
a gold mine in you that must be exploited"
Media/Marketing/Arts:
Australia
News
June
24, 2025
Thomson
to lead News Corp until 2030
US-based
media giant News Corporation has extended the current
contract of CEO Robert Thomson by three years. It
was slated to expire in mid-2027, but Thomson will
now remain at the helm until at least June 2030. News
Corp's chairman Lachlan Murdoch says Thomson has been
instrumental in the media groups' growth and transformation
in the digital age. Indeed, News Corp's digital revenue
accounted for about 50 per cent of its total revenue
in fiscal 2024, compared with about 20 per cent in
2014. Thomson has been CEO since 2013. (Roy Morgan
Summary)
News
Mia
Freedman's Mamamia and News Corp sued over cannabis
ads
The
Therapeutic Goods Administration has filed legal action
against News Corp's magazine division and Mamamia
in the Federal Court, with Mamamia being the media
company owned by Mia Freedman. The TGA alleges Mamamia
and News Corp's 'Body + Soul' magazine ran articles
that unlawfully promoted medicinal cannabis products
from Altus, which is a alternative-medicine website
and dispensary; the Mamamia article under scrutiny
was allegedly written by a person whose mother worked
for a company connected to Atlus. (RMS)
News
Ten
turns to Spotify to halt news losing streak
The
Ten Network has signed a deal with audio streaming
platform Spotify to broadcast its new current affairs
and news show '10 News+' each day as an hour-long
podcast and video. Spotify users will be able to access
it within minutes of it finishing it on TV, while
it will also be broadcast live on YouTube. With Ten
having long trailed behind Seven and Nine in the ratings
for free-to-air news, its new deal with Spotify follows
the cancellation of its long-running nightly talk
show 'The Project', with '10 News+' having being announced
in its place. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Media/Marketing/Arts:
Australia
June
23, 2025
Nine
banks on NRL-led revival
The
National Rugby League's current four-year broadcasting
rights deal expires at the end of the 2027 season.
Nine Entertainment and Foxtel are both keen to renew
their rights deals when negotiations begin in coming
months; the Stan streaming platform is likely to be
a key element in any future deal for Nine to broadcast
NRL matches, given the ongoing decline in linear TV
audiences and advertising revenue. Meanwhile, sources
at the Seven Network have indicated that it will not
bid for the broadcasting rights for the NRL's regular
season, although it may be interested in events like
the State of Origin series and international matches.
(Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Stan
to buy ELP rights 'this week'
Media
industry speculation suggests that Nine Entertainment
is poised to secure a three-year broadcasting rights
deal for the English Premier League. The incumbent
rights holder Optus Sport is halfway through its current
six-year deal with the EPL, which expires in 2028.
However, sources have indicated that Nine will pay
about $300m to take over the broadcasting rights for
the next three seasons; the ELP is expected to air
exclusively on Nine's Stan streaming platform. (RMS)
News
Google
ditches deals with publishers amid Labor inaction
The
Public Interest Publishers Alliance was established
in 2021 and comprises 24 independent news publishers.
The alliance negotiated a funding deal with technology
giant Google in 2022 that had been slated to run for
five years; the deal is believed to be worth several
million dollars a year and was negotiated with the
assistance of the Minderoo Foundation. Google has
advised alliance members that it will terminate the
deal two years ahead of schedule, because wants to
split the small payments across a broader range of
publications. The move comes amid criticism of the
federal government over its tardiness over the proposed
news bargaining incentive. (RMS)
News
'2025
Digital News Report more positive than it looks'
The
latest University of Canberra Digital News Report
has sparked some fears about the future of the Australian
news industry, but the reality is not as bad as it
may seem. Although media platforms overtook online
news as a "source of news" for the first
time, users are ultimately consuming content that
has come from news publisher websites. The report
reveals the percentage of people who pay for news
has increased, while the main 'takeaway' from the
report for advertisers is that consumer engagement
with news is strong and strengthening, which is again
consistent with ThinkNewsBrands and Roy Morgan data
on news consumption. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Telstra
nets film prize as impact and humour dominate Cannes
Several
Australian advertising campaigns has taken out awards
at the annual Cannes Lions International Festival
of Creativity. Telstra's Better on a Better Network
ad campaign won four awards in the film craft category,
including a Grand Prix award and two gold Lions. Telstra
also won four Lions in the film category for its Christmas
and business advertising campaigns. Other Australian
ads that were recognised at Cannes include one for
Suncorp, Coca-Cola and Volkswagen. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Leggett:
Clemenger ready to lead the market
Clemenger
BBDO has undergone major changes this year as it prepares
to become a fully owned Omnicom agency, with Clemenger
BBDO having combined with CHEP Network and Traffik
agencies to create one fully integrated agency. Clemenger
BBDO CEO Lee Leggett says it is now " ready to
lead the market", with its leadership team being
completed with the appointment last week of Stephen
de Wolf as new chief creative officer. His appointment
marks a return to Clemenger BBDO, where some of the
campaigns that he worked on included the highly-regarded
'Meet Graham' campaign for the Victorian Transport
Accident Commission. (RMS)
News
Pockets
as deep as the snow
Snow
Resorts Australia chairman Noel Landry says Victoria's
2025 ski season is expected to generate $21bn for
the state economy. The state's ski resorts have had
well "above average" snow depths since the
season officially began during the King's Birthday
long weekend. However, analysis shows that the cost
of lift tickets at Victoria's ski resorts for the
current season are generally much higher than some
popular resorts in New Zealand. Landry, who is also
the general manager of Buller Ski Lifts, emphasises
that the cost of lift tickets in Victoria is boosted
by state government charges that largely do not apply
when visiting overseas ski resorts. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Roy
Morgan wins Media Man 'News Services Company Of The
Month' award
Markets
and Cryptos
June
16, 2025
Sydney,
Australia
Markets
ASX
futures down 20 points/0.2% to 8532
AUD -0.1% at US64.81¢
Bitcoin +0.6% to $US105,292
Dow -1.8%
S&P -1.1%
Nasdaq -1.3%
Gold +1.4% to $US3432.34 an ounce
Brent oil +7.0% at $US74.23 a barrel
Iron ore -0.7% at $US93.85 a ton
News
Cryptos
Bitcoin
$105,646.18 USD +0.49%
Ethereum $2,549.30 USD +1.19%
Tether $1.00 USD -0.08%
XRP $2.17 USD +1.48%
BNB $648.26 USD +0.76%
Solana $153.19 USD +5.96%
USD Coin $1.00 USD -0.06%
Dogecoin $$0.1752 USD -1.00%
TRON $0.2734 USD +0.70%
Cardano $0.6329 USD +1.50%
Wrapped Bitcoin $105,633.91 USD +0.49%
News
Gold
2nd Ranked To USD In Global Reserves
Gold
has firmly reasserted itself as a strategic anchor
in the global financial system, now ranking second
only to the US dollar—and ahead of the euro—in
terms of official reserve holdings measured at market
value. This structural shift, outlined in the European
Central Bank’s latest report on the international
role of the euro, underscores how price dynamics,
central bank behavior, and geopolitical realignment
have collectively elevated gold’s monetary relevance.
From
Inflation Hedge to Geopolitical Barometer
In
2024, gold prices surged by 30%, followed by another
30% year-to-date in 2025, briefly reaching an all-time
nominal high of $3,500 per troy ounce in April. This
sharp rally signals more than just a technical or
inflation-driven cycle—it reflects a broader
revaluation of gold’s role amid rising global
uncertainty.
Conclusion:
Gold’s Strategic Repricing
The
ECB’s findings reflect a broader paradigm shift
in the logic of reserve accumulation. Gold has not
only appreciated in nominal terms—it has been
reconceptualized as a core asset for monetary sovereignty
and geopolitical insulation.
Its
elevation to second place in global reserves is more
than symbolic. It signals a growing distrust in traditional
reserve currencies and a collective desire among central
banks—particularly outside the Western alliance—to
build resilience against political and financial coercion.
In
this new global context, gold is no longer a passive
relic of the past. It is increasingly being recognized
as an active pillar of reserve strategy, with implications
that stretch far beyond price charts and interest
rate models.
News
Market
Background
Australian
dollar -0.1% to 64.84 US cents
Wall Street:
S&P 500 -1.1%, Dow Jones -1.8%, Nasdaq -1.3%
Europe: Stoxx 50 -1.3%
FTSE -0.4%
DAX -1.1%
CAC -1%
Bitcoin -0.3% to $US104,682
Spot gold +1.4% to $US3432.34 per ounce on Saturday
US oil +7.3% to $US72.98 a barrel on Saturday
Brent crude +7% to $US74.23 a barrel on Saturday
Iron ore -0.7% to $US93.85 per tonne
10-year yield: US 4.40% Australia 4.15% Germany 2.53%
News
Gold
News
Recent
gold news highlights a surge in prices driven by geopolitical
tensions and economic factors. Gold prices in Dubai
spiked to near-record highs, with 24-karat gold reaching
Dh412.75 per gram (approximately $112.84), following
Israel’s military strikes on Iran, boosting demand
for safe-haven assets. Globally, spot gold hit a one-week
peak at around $3,424.6 per ounce, up 1.2%, fueled
by Middle East conflicts and expectations of Federal
Reserve rate cuts. In India, gold prices crossed Rs
1,01,540 per 10 grams, a Rs 2,200 surge, driven by
safe-haven buying amid the Israel-Iran conflict. Analysts
note gold’s appeal as a hedge against market
volatility, with prices up 29% in 2025, though jewelry
demand has weakened due to high costs. Central banks
are on track to buy 1,000 metric tons of gold in 2025,
marking a fourth year of significant purchases to
diversify reserves. Posts on X also reflect bullish
sentiment, with some predicting gold could reach $4,000
per ounce, though such claims are speculative.
For
investors, gold remains attractive but experts caution
against over-allocation due to its volatility. Always
verify market trends with trusted financial sources
before making investment decisions. (Grok)
News
Best
Quotes
“Gold
is the money of kings.” – Anonymous.
“He
who has the gold makes the rules.” – Unknown.
“Gold
is a living god and rules in scorn, all earthly things
but virtue.” – Percy Bysshe Shelley.
“Gold
is a deep and liquid subject.” – Anonymous.
“Gold
is forever.” – Anonymous
News
Best
Quotes
"Journalism
allows its readers to witness history; fiction gives
its readers an opportunity to live it." - John
Hersey
"In
America, the president reigns for four years, and
journalism governs forever and ever." - Oscar
Wilde
"The
world is changing very fast. Big will not beat small
anymore. It will be the fast beating the slow"
Rupert Murdoch
News,
Politics, Media, Markets and Comms: Australia and
World
June
3/4, 2025
Unions
want curbs on 'unethical' Amazon
ACTU
president Michele O'Neil says the federal government
should use its huge purchasing power to ensure that
multinationals meet high ethical standards. The
union movement wants Labor to strictly enforce Commonwealth
Procurement Rules for companies such as Amazon, and
ban them from holding public contracts if they engage
in unethical conduct in both their general operations
and across their supply chains. The Transport Workers
Union's national secretary Michael Kaine contends
that companies such as Amazon must comply with Australian
standards throughout their global operations if they
want to retain lucrative federal government contracts.
(Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Minns
wants tobacco tax cut to fight crime
NSW
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has accused Premier
Chris Minns of blaming federal tobacco taxes for the
fact that the illegal tobacco trade in the state is
"out of control". Minns has suggested cutting
tobacco taxes would lead to a reduction in blackmarket
tobacco activity, leaving NSW Police with more resources
to combat organised crime and domestic violence. Federal
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the excise on tobacco
serves as a public health measure to encourage people
to give up smoking, and that is part of the reason
why the government is collecting less from the excise
than it used to.
News
Gina
Rinehart helped Liberals raise nearly $400,000 at
exclusive dinner that led to wrongful dismissal claim
Enterprise
Victoria's former executive director Nadine Jones
recently filed an unfair dismissal application with
the Fair Work Commission. Jones alleges that she was
stood down from her role at the state Liberal Party's
fundraising arm the day after a private dinner that
she had organised; the event raised more than $370,000
for the Liberal Party on the eve of the federal election
campaign. Mining magnate Gina Rinehart was a guest
speaker at the event. Jones was subsequently accused
of three instances of "serious misconduct",
which included giving some guests discounted tickets
to the dinner. However, she has denied the allegations
and says they were only made after Liberal president
Philip made a "very public and embarrassing gaffe"
about Rinehart at the dinner.
News
Energy
drags on ASX; Brickworks merge surge
The
Australian sharemarket posted a small loss on Monday,
with the S&P/ASX 200 easing 0.2 per cent to close
at 8,414.1 points. Fortescue was down 2.5 per cent
at $15, Santos fell 1.5 per cent to $6.49 and Westpac
shed 1.2 per cent to end the session at $32.18. However,
Brickworks rose 27.6 per cent to $35.10 in response
to a proposed merger with Washington H. Soul Pattinson,
while BlueScope Steel was up 4.4 per cent at $23.75.
News
ASIC
lays into AusSuper blunders
The
Australian Securities & Investments Commission
is suing AustralianSuper over what ASIC contends is
its failure to pay death benefit claims in a timely
manner. In a statement of claim filed with the Federal
Court, ASIC alleges that failures with AustralianSuper's
administration systems led to the delays in the payment
of death benefit claims, along with thousands of deceased
fund members being charged administration fees long
after they had died. AustralianSuper is yet to file
its defence in the case.
News
Could
Labor's super tax grab target family trusts next?
There
are concerns that Labor's plan to double the tax on
supernnuation balances above $3 million and to tax
unrealised gains on such balances could be just the
start of a tax grab by it on wealthy Australians,
with fears that family trusts could be next. LGT Crestone
CEO Michael Chisholm says it is making clients aware
of that possibility, with his comments coming as LGT
Crestone finalised its purchase of the Commonwealth
Bank's private wealth arm. The deal means that LGT
Crestone now has $40 billion under advice, while Chisholm
expects consolidation of the wealth management sector
to continue.
News
Soul
Patts to 'liberate' Brickworks in merger
Shares
in Washington H. Soul Pattinson rose 16.4 per cent
to $43 on Monday, after the listed investment company
revealed plans to merge with Brickworks. The proposed
$14bn merger will unwind a controversial cross-shareholding
that began in 1969 and has been subject to frequent
scrutiny. Soul Patts has a 43 per cent stake in Brickworks,
which in turn has a 26 per cent stake in Soul Patts.
The merged entity will be the 44th biggest company
in the benchmark S&P/ASX 200, if it is approved
by shareholders of both groups. Brickworks shares
rose 27.6 per cent to $35.10.
News
Soul
Patts, Brickworks deal build on ASX departures
Brickworks'
former MD Lindsay Partridge says he will vote in favour
of the group's proposed merger with Washington H.
Soul Pattinson. Partridge still has a stake in Brickworks,
having stepped down as MD in 2024 after 25 years in
the role. He says factors such as a housing shortage
and the low value of the Australian dollar have contributed
to the consolidation of the nation's building materials
sector in recent years, with strong interest in Brickworks'
rivals among foreign suitors. The likely delisting
of Brickworks means that Fletcher Building will be
the sector's only major company on the Australian
sharemarket.
News
Savvy
shoppers target EOFY sales for big ticket spending
Research
from the Australian Retailers Association and Roy
Morgan shows that shoppers are tipped to spend $10.5
billion on mid-year and end-of-financial-year sales
in 2025, which is 3.9 per cent higher than in 2024.
The ARA's Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown
said the annual sales provide an excellent opportunity
for shoppers to find great deals on big-ticket and
seasonal items, or to make tax-deductible purchases.
The most popular categories this year are clothing,
footwear and accessories (mentioned by 34% of respondents),
household appliances and white goods (mentioned by
19% of respondents), and electronics and technology
(mentioned by 12% of respondents). Brown says the
sales are especially important for retailers this
year, given the slowdown in discretionary spending.
News
Rival
states 'not playing fair' in renewables rollout
ElectraNet
has queried modelling undertaken by the Australian
Energy Market Operator as part of the transition to
renewable energy, with ElectraNet being South Australia's
power transmission company. ElectraNet contends that
AEMO's modelling significantly underestimates future
electricity demand in South Australia, and that it
fails to take into account the state's "advanced
position" in the energy transition. South Australia
is targeting 100 per cent renewables by 2027, while
it is tipping a major jump in demand for electricity
over the next 10 years, covering areas such as mining
and data centres.
News
Emirates
Airbus
Emirates
president Sir Tim Clark is confident that the airline
will continue to operate Airbus A380s until the late
2030s. Emirates currently has a fleet of 116 of the
superjumbos, and a vast store of spare parts from
planes that have been retired from service. However,
Sir Tim has warned that there will not be another
generation of superjumbos unless aircraft manufacturers
take action to address the fuel efficiency of big
planes. Meanwhile, Sir Tim still believes that it
will be difficult for the aviation industry to achieve
a net-zero emissions target of 2050, noting that the
development of sustainable aviation fuels is not progressing
quickly enough.
News
Telstra
launches satellite texting
Telstra's
customers with Samsung Galaxy S25 phones can now send
and receive text messages in areas without mobile
coverage, while customers with Apple iPhones are expected
to be able to do so within the next two weeks. Telstra
is offering its satellite texting message service
via its partnership with Elon Musk's SpaceX and his
Starlink satellite, while rival telcos Optus and TPG
are working on providing similar services. Channa
Seneviratne from Telstra says while it welcomes competition
from Optus and TPG, he was proud that "Telstra
was the first to launch this technology".
News
Resources/Energy
China
steel demand fall 'ominous' for ASX miners
Blackwattle
portfolio manager Ray David says the recent fall in
steel rebar futures in China to the lowest level since
2017 has significant implications for Australia's
iron ore producers. Steel rebar futures is a key indicator
of construction activity, and David warns that demand
for housing in China has peaked, while the nation
is likely to continue to face headwinds. David adds
that there do not appear to be any positive catalysts
for a rebound in both demand for iron ore and the
price of the steel input. Vivek Dhar from the Commonwealth
Bank expects the iron ore price to average $US95 per
tonne in the second half of 2025.
News
Elders
to keep Rio Tinto on the right track
Rio
Tinto and the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP)
Aboriginal Corp have signed a co-management agreement
regarding mining on the PKKP's land. The PKKP are
the traditional owners of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters
that were blasted by Rio Tinto in 2020 as part of
its Pilbara iron ore mining operations, and the agreement
gives the PPKP certainty that places that are important
on its land will be protected, as well as giving Rio
certainty about where it can conduct its mining operations.
Move
to block coalmine spread over 'human rights'
The
Queensland Conservation Council has filed an application
aimed at preventing the expansion of the Lake Vermont
Coal Mine in Queensland's Bowen Basin. The QCC will
be represented by environmental firm Nixon Law, which
will aim to use the precedent set by the Queensland
Land Court in 2022 when it refused to approve Waratah
Coal's Galilee mine on human rights grounds. Lake
Vermont Coal Mine is owned by the Jellinbah Group,
which has indicated that it will contest the challenge
by QCC to its proposed expansion.
News
Property/Construction
Builder
warns of supply risk from US tariffs
BESIX
Watpac has returned to profitability after two years
of losses, with the building company's results for
the year to December showing it made an after tax
profit of $11.6 million on revenue of $1.2 billion.
This compared to net losses of $9.8 million in 2023
and $17.7 million in 2022, while BESIX Watpac states
that the supply chain uncertainty resulted from Donald
Trump's announcement that he will lift tariffs on
US imports of steel and aluminium from 25 per cent
to 50 per cent is a sign that the construction sector
must again adapt to uncertain conditions. (RMS)
News
June
4, 2025
Markets
ASX
futures up 30 points/0.4% to 8514
AUD -0.5% at US64.64¢
Bitcoin +1.7% to $US106,247
Dow +0.5%
S&P +0.6%
NAS +0.8%
Gold -0.9% to $US3352.28 an ounce
Brent oil +1.6% at $US65.67 a barrel
Iron ore -0.9% at $US94.40 a ton
News
Media
Man
Roy
Morgan wins Media Man 'News Services Company Of The
Month' award
Grok
wins Media Man 'AI Service Of The Month' award
X
wins Media Man 'Platform Of The Month' award
Sky
News Australia wins Media Man 'News Outlet Of The
Month' award (Australia)
News,
Markets, Energy, Politics and Culture - Australia,
US and World
Markets
May
20, 2025
Australian
Dollar: $0.6456 USD (up $0.0060 USD)
Iron Ore June Spot Price (SGX): $99.45 USD (down $0.25)
Oil Price (WTI): $62.71 USD (up $0.22)
Gold Price: $3,230.61 USD (up $29.39)
Copper Price (CME): $4.6640 USD (up $0.0725)
Bitcoin: $105,357.30 USD (up 1.04%)
Dow Jones: 42,792.07 (up 137.33 points)
News
Big
tech is back after a brutal reality check, but will
the rally last?
Wall
Street's so called magnificent seven tech companies
have recovered strongly from the hit they took when
US President Donald Trump annnounced his 'Liberation
Day' tariff splurge on 2 April. They are now up 28
per cent on their April lows, beating the S&P
500 Index, which has returned 19 per cent in the same
period. Nick Griffin from Munro Partners is one investor
that is confident that US big tech will continue its
recovery in the second half of the year, with Griffin
claiming that companies like Amazon and Meta are a
safer investment than US Treasuries. (RMR)
News
Judge
queries Qantas outsourcing 'remorse'
The
Federal Court has commenced a hearing to determine
the financial penalty Qantas will pay for illegally
outsourcing the jobs of ground-handling workers in
October 2020. The Transport Workers' Union wants the
court to impose the maximum fine of $121m; the union's
barrister, Noel Hutley SC, told the court that the
outsourcing was the "largest ever" breach
of the general protection provisions of the Fair Work
and previous industrial relations legislation. Qantas's
chief people officer Catherine Walsh told the court
that she was "deeply sorry" about the outsourcing,
even though it occurred before she joined the airline;
Justice Michael Lee responded by noting that Qantas
had argued that the affected workers should not be
entitled to compensation. (RMR)
News
Telstra's
Brady to face grilling over returns
Telstra
will hold its investor day in Sydney on 27 May, with
its shareholders wanting to see evidence that the
telco is increasing returns on invested capital (ROIC).
Telstra has conceded it needs to improve ROIC and
is investing in artificial intelligence to become
more efficient; its ROIC was at eight cent in the
six months to December 31, up from 6.8 per cent in
the same period a year earlier. Hugh Giddy from Investors
Mutual, which owns around $200 million worth of Telstra
shares, says that to improve its returns, the telco
must raise the prices it charges its wholesale customers
– and ensure the increases are passed onto
consumer. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Gaming
M&A
deals on the cards for Light & Wonder
Light
& Wonder CEO Matt Wilson says the gaming group
is looking at more acquisitions at a time when it
is considering if its future lies as a company listed
solely on the ASX, or on both the Nasdaq and the ASX.
Light & Wonder acquired the charitable gaming
assets of Grover Gaming and G2 Gaming in February
under a deal worth $US850 million ($1.3 billion),
while Wilson says it is looking at possible acquisitions
in class II gaming, a term used to refer to games
such as Bingo that are played for prizes. (RMS)
News
Personal
motive for Ainsworth family's $50m gift
Roy
Morgan Summary
The
Ainsworth family has donated $50 million to the University
of NSW to establish the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research
Centre; endometriosis is a chronic disease that impacts
up to one in seven women. Lily Ainsworth, the granddaughter
of Aristocrat Leisure founder Len Ainsworth, suffers
from the condition, as does her mother Anna; Lily
Ainsworth says she has endured endometriosis pain
since she was 15. Endometriosis occurs when tissue
that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus
grows outside the uterus, and it causes pain, inflammation
and scarring, and can impact fertility. (RMS)
News
Lachlan
Murdoch's Nova under scrutiny for not lodging accounts
Owned
by billionaire media mogul Lachlan Murdoch for more
than a decade, Nova Entertainment owns the Australian
radio brands Smooth FM and Nova. It has been under
scrutiny from the Australian Taxation Office for more
than a year, while earlier this year, it admitted
it had failed to file more than 40 annual account
statements with the Australian Securities & Investments
Commission over 15 years. Nova's latest accounts reveal
that it had revenue of $187.8 million in 2024, up
from $185.9 million the year before; it posted a profit
of $24.1 million, down from $27.9 million. (RMS)
News
MinRes
lands new chair with $8.3m carrot
Iron
ore and lithium producer Mineral Resources has appointed
Malcolm Bundey to succeed executive chairman James
McClements. Bundey's remuneration will include an
annual salary of $750,000 in cash and shares, plus
780,000 stock options that will vest over three years;
Bundey could potentially gain about $8.3m over this
period if he succeeds in turning around the company.
Jeffrey Jackson from shareholder advisory group Open
Engagement has questioned the options component, noting
that stock-based remuneration is usually reserved
for a company's executives rather than directors.
Bundey's lack of experience in the mining sector may
also attract scrutiny. (RMS)
News
New
Hope's boom over as coal price slump hits sales
New
Hope Corporation's shares fell 7.1 per cent to $3.65
on Monday, after the coal miner posted underlying
earnings of $155.2m for the three months to 30 April;
this is 27 per cent lower than previously. New Hope
received an average of $US147.50 per tonne for its
thermal coal during the quarter, compared with $US159
per tonne in the previous quarter; the price of thermal
coal had peaked at $US432.45 per tonne in 2022. Meanwhile,
the company expects full-year production to be within
the range of 15.93 million to 17.45 million tonnes,
which is three per cent higher than previously. (RMS)
News
Perenti's
Barminco inks $500m Agnew underground contract renewal
with Gold Fields
Barminco
has secured a $500 million contract renewal with Gold
Fields to continue its underground mining work at
Gold Field's Agnew mine near Leinster in Western Australia.
Barminco, which is the underground mining services
division of Perenti, has been working underground
at Agnew since 2010, and currently employs around
300 people there. Barminco's new contract with Gold
Fields will run for three years, with the option of
an additional year, while Agnew produced 229,500 ounces
of gold in 2024, compared to 244,900oz. (Roy Morgan
Research)
News
World
Headline News
Gaza
Crisis: The first aid trucks have entered Gaza after
nearly three months of Israel’s blockade, but
allies are threatening sanctions and urging more aid.
Israel announced "Operation Gideon's Chariots,"
a new ground offensive, while stating it will allow
a "basic amount of food" to prevent a hunger
crisis.
Ukraine-Russia
Conflict: Russia launched its largest drone attack
on Ukraine, deploying 273 drones, ahead of a call
between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President
Vladimir Putin aimed at stopping the "bloodbath."
Trump later backed off a direct meeting with Putin,
pushing for Ukraine-Russia talks, but peace negotiations
show little progress.
UK-EU
Relations: The UK and EU struck a post-Brexit "reset"
deal, including a defense partnership and reduced
trade barriers. Discussions also cover fishing rights,
youth schemes, and UK access to EU passport e-gates.
Romanian
Election: Liberal mayor Nicusor Dan won Romania’s
presidency, defeating a right-wing nationalist in
a tense race amid political turbulence.
Papal
Inauguration: Pope Leo XIV called for unity at his
inaugural Mass, attended by world leaders including
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky. He offered to host
peace talks for Ukraine.
Mexican
Navy Incident: A Mexican navy ship crashed into the
Brooklyn Bridge during a celebration of Mexico’s
independence, killing two sailors and injuring 22.
U.S.
Terrorism Incident: A bombing at a Palm Springs fertility
clinic, deemed an "intentional act of terrorism,"
killed one person. The FBI has a person of interest,
possibly the deceased.
These
stories reflect major global events as of May 20,
2025. (Grok)
News
Pop
Culture/Pro Wrestling: WWE
May
19, 2025 (South Carolina, USA)
Red
Hot WWE RAW On Netflix
Paul
Heyman Guys aka 'Trifecta Of Terror'
Jey Uso vs Bron Breakker; Warm Up For Uso To Face
Lon Paul at Saturday Night's Main Event This Weekend!
Phenomenal
Penta Tag Team Match - Penta and Styles vs Judgement
Day
Australia's
Rhea Ripley Progresses In Women's Money In The Bank
Qualifiers; Stark gets legit injury off missile dropkick
attempt
Judgment
Day: Rozanne Perez Gifts Chicken Tenders For Dom and
Apples For Carlito!
Aussie
Grayson Waller Cops Beating By Sheamus, Waller's tagteam
partner Austin Theory Laughs And Grin To Grin at Waller's
fall!
Aussie
Tsunami Bronson Reed Continues To Post On X With Rehab
Of Leg And Foot Recovery re leap of top of cage month
ago at Survivor Series: WarGames.
News
Movie
Box Office (US)
May
18, 2025
1.
Final Destination: Bloodlines - $51m
2. Thunderbolts* - $16.5m
3. Sinners - $15.4m
4. A Minecraft Movie - $5.9m
5. The Accountant 2 - $5m
6. Hurry Up Tomorrow - $3.3m
7. Friendship - $1.4m
8. Clown in a Cornfield $1.3m
9. Until Dawn - $800,000
10. The Amateur - $712,000
*correct
at time of publication to best of knowledge
News
Best
Quotes
Mining
Mining
is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit.
An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher
of a dead mule.
Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind.
Anyone
can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds
the gold.
Praise
like gold and diamonds, owes its value only to its
scarcity.
Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold.
Everything
has its limit - iron ore cannot be educated into gold.
The
desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means
of freedom and benefit.
Best
Quotes
News
News
from afar is seldom sooth."
"A
reporter is always concerned with tomorrow. There's
nothing tangible of yesterday."
"If
you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed."
"News
is something somebody doesn't want printed; all else
is advertising."
"TV
news has no intention of suggesting that any story
has any implications, for that would require viewers
to continue to think about it when it is done and
therefore obstruct their attending to the next story."
Cryptos
and Markets
Cryptos
Cryptos
Today: (Near Live)
May
19, 2025
Sydney, Australia
Bitcoin
$104,266.52 USD +0.52%
ETH $2,421.78 USD -3.18%
Tether $1.00 USD -0.41%
XRP $2.39 USD +1.05%
BNB $644.71 USD -0.00%
Solana $168.47 USD +0.54%
USD Coin $1.00 USD -0.13%
Dogecoin $0.2251 USD +3.48%
Cardano $0.7427 USD -0.85%
TRON $0.2662 USD -2.40%
Wrapped Bitcoin $104,441.92 USD +0.75%
News
XRP
News
Price
Movement: XRP is trading around $2.40-$2.55, with
a recent peak at $2.65 on May 14, 2025. It’s
up over 366% in the past year but dipped 1.6% recently
due to market consolidation and legal uncertainties.
Analysts suggest a potential rally to $3.00 if it
breaks the $2.72 resistance, supported by bullish
indicators like RSI and low exchange inflows. Some
predict explosive growth to $5.90, $15, or even $123
based on technical patterns, though these are speculative.
SEC
vs. Ripple Lawsuit: The ongoing legal battle with
the SEC remains pivotal. On May 15, Judge Analisa
Torres rejected a joint SEC-Ripple motion to amend
a prior settlement due to procedural issues, leaving
the case in limbo. Despite this, Ripple’s legal
chief confirmed XRP’s non-security status remains
intact. A $50 million settlement was briefly finalized,
but renewed scrutiny and the SEC’s push to lift
restrictions on institutional XRP sales have stirred
uncertainty. A resolution could pave the way for XRP-spot
ETF approvals.
ETF
Speculation: Hopes for an XRP-spot ETF have driven
price surges, with filings from firms like 21Shares,
Bitwise, and Franklin Templeton. However, BlackRock’s
silence after SEC talks and a delayed decision on
Solana ETFs (with XRP ETF deadlines looming in June)
have tempered optimism. Experts warn an ETF might
not fully align with XRP’s utility-driven adoption.
Market
and Adoption: XRP hit $1.2 billion in daily trading
volume in South Korea, surpassing Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Ripple’s technological advancements include EVM
sidechains for blockchain interoperability and shared
MPC wallets for secure custody. President Trump’s
endorsement of XRP as a potential strategic reserve
currency and Missouri’s crypto tax break law
have fueled bullish sentiment. Ripple’s acquisition
of Hidden Road could lock up 5% of XRP’s circulating
supply, potentially driving prices to $5-$15 short-term.
Futures
and IPO Buzz: The CME Group is set to launch XRP futures
today, May 19, 2025, a move seen as a step toward
institutional adoption and potential ETF approval.
Speculation about a Ripple IPO, possibly valuing the
company at $100 billion, continues to grow, with SBI
Holdings noting XRP in escrow won’t count toward
valuation until the IPO.
Community
Sentiment: XRP’s community is optimistic, with
commentators like “J4b1” calling May 19
a potentially historic day, possibly tied to the futures
launch or legal developments. However, claims of a
finalized SEC settlement by May 19 appear unverified.
Posts on X highlight excitement but also speculative
narratives, like BlackRock buying XRP, which lack
confirmation.
Critical
Note: While bullish projections abound, some analysts
caution that historical patterns may not hold, and
regulatory hurdles could persist. Always verify claims,
especially from X posts, as they can be speculative
or misleading. For the latest, check trusted sources
or monitor Ripple’s official channels. (Grok)
News
Dogecoin
News
Price
Movements and Market Performance: Dogecoin has shown
significant volatility, with a recent 48.7% surge
over the past month, trading around $0.223 as of May
18, 2025. It reached a high of $0.248 in early May
but faced a slight pullback, consolidating near $0.22–$0.23.
Analysts suggest a potential breakout above the $0.25–$0.26
resistance could spark a new bull run, with price
targets ranging from $0.30 to $0.70 in the next 30
days, and some optimistic forecasts eyeing $1 in 2025.
However, a "death cross" on technical charts
indicates midterm bearish risks, making the $0.21
support level critical.
Whale
Accumulation: On-chain data reveals that Dogecoin
whales have accumulated over 1 billion DOGE in the
past month, signaling strong confidence in future
price gains. This activity, coupled with an 800% surge
in daily active addresses (reaching 674K, the highest
since November 2024), suggests robust network engagement
and potential for an explosive price move if support
holds.
ETF
Speculation: Enthusiasm is growing around four Dogecoin
ETF applications under SEC review, including one from
21Shares in partnership with the Dogecoin Foundation.
Bloomberg analysts estimate a 75% chance of approval
in 2025, which could drive mainstream adoption and
price growth. This news contributed to a 528% spike
in active addresses on May 13, from 74,640 to 469,477.
Network
and Ecosystem Developments: The Dogecoin Foundation
is pushing for broader adoption through DogeOS, an
app layer for gaming, AI, and DeFi, backed by $6.9
million in investment. This aims to transform Dogecoin
from a meme coin to a utility-driven asset, potentially
supporting its $100 billion market cap goal.
Market
Sentiment and Speculation: Posts on X reflect bullish
sentiment, with unverified claims of PayPal accepting
Dogecoin payments circulating, though these lack confirmation.
Additionally, Dogecoin’s futures open interest
surged from $989 million to $1.62 billion, indicating
heightened speculative trading. Some analysts warn
of overheating risks, but others see room for growth
before a cycle top.
Cautions
and Risks: Dogecoin creator Billy Markus warned about
a potential asset bubble that could crash the global
economy, though specifics were vague. Geopolitical
tensions and trade policy shifts continue to influence
crypto markets, adding uncertainty. The coin’s
volatility and reliance on speculative momentum remain
concerns. (Grok)
News
Bitcoin
Movie News
Michael
Saylor’s $40BN Bitcoin Bet: The Financial Times
released a documentary exploring Michael Saylor’s
bold corporate investment in Bitcoin, highlighting
his journey from corporate strategy to crypto prominence.
Posts on X indicate strong interest, describing it
as a must-watch for Bitcoin enthusiasts.
Everyone
Is Lying To You For Money: Set to premiere at SXSW
London in June 2025, this crypto-skeptical documentary
features interviews with former FTX and Celsius CEOs,
Sam Bankman-Fried and Alex Mashinsky, and examines
El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption under President
Nayib Bukele.
Crypto
Man: A South Korean crypto-themed film based on true
events, slated for release in January 2025, was in
post-production as of December 2024.
Satoshi
Nakamoto Film: Directed by Sophia Banks, this upcoming
feature film, based on Andrew O’Hagan’s
“The Satoshi Affair,” will explore the mystery
of Bitcoin’s enigmatic creator.
Ross
Ulbricht Documentary: Filmmakers Jonah Tulis and Blake
J. Harris are nearing completion of a documentary
featuring over 60 hours of interviews with Ross Ulbricht,
the pardoned Silk Road founder, focusing on his life
and the platform’s role in popularizing Bitcoin.
Biggest
Heist Ever: Netflix’s 2024 documentary details
the 2016 Bitfinex hack by Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather
Morgan, who laundered $4.5 billion in Bitcoin, dubbed
“Bitcoin’s Bonnie and Clyde.”
Aimy
in a Cage: This 2015 dystopian horror film, adapted
from a graphic novel, was the first movie fully funded
by Bitcoin, allowing director Hooroo Jackson to maintain
creative control.
Cold
Wallet: A 2025 thriller about cryptocurrency fraud,
presented by Steven Soderbergh, has been praised for
its suspenseful take on a home invasion tied to crypto.
These
projects reflect growing cinematic interest in Bitcoin’s
cultural, financial, and criminal dimensions.
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
“Trading
Bitcoin is like trading Apple, Amazon, Google, or
Facebook a decade ago. The more you obsess over timing
the market, the more mistakes you make. They were
all technology networks that were dominant & destined
to grow.” - Michael Saylor, Former CEO of MicroStrategy
"Whereas
most technologies tend to automate workers on the
periphery doing menial tasks, blockchains automate
away the center. Instead of putting the taxi driver
out of a job, blockchain puts Uber out of a job and
lets the taxi drivers work with the customer directly."
- Vitalik Buterin, Co-Founder of Ethereum
"The
Latin American countries where you have this combination
of inflation or hyperinflation cycles – deflation
as well – and then you have very high friction
for financial transactions, a high percentage of people
who are unbanked, cryptocurrencies make total sense."
– Fred Thiel, CEO of Thiel Advisors & Marathon
Digital Holdings
“…we
know gold is a $12 trillion asset, bitcoin’s
about a 10th of gold. Could they be half of gold?
At one point, Sure, it could … And at some point,
it will be larger than gold… that money is finding
its way to Gen Z and Millennials, and they feel much
more comfortable with digital gold than old clunky
gold.” - Mike Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Digital
“If
you don't believe me or don't get it, I don't have
time to try to convince you, sorry.” - Satoshi
Nakomoto, Founder of Bitcoin
Markets
ASX
futures down 7 points/0.1% to 8360 on Sat
Australian
dollar +0.1% to 64.10 US cents
Wall
Street:
S&P 500 +0.8%
Dow Jones +0.7%
Nasdaq +0.5%
Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.3%
FTSE +0.6%
DAX +0.3%
CAC +0.4%
Bitcoin
+0.9% to $US104,244
Spot
gold -1.1% to $US3203.65 per ounce on Saturday
US
oil +1.4% to $US62.49 a barrel on Saturday
Brent
crude oil +1.4% to $US65.41 a barrel on Saturday
Iron
ore -1.5% to $US99.70 per ton (Singapore 62% grade)
10-year
yield:
US 4.48%
Australia 4.45%
Germany 2.59%
News,
Markets, Comms and Culture
May
15, 2025
Sydney,
Australia
Markets
Australian
Dollar: $0.6420 USD (down $0.0050 USD)
Iron Ore June Spot Price (SGX): $101.70 USD (up $2.10
)
Oil Price (WTI): $62.89 USD (down $0.74)
Gold Price: $3,179.41 USD (down $72.13)
Copper Price (CME): $4.6435 USD (down $0.0650)
Bitcoin: $103,541.08 USD (down 0.93%)
Dow Jones: 42,051.06 (down 89.37 points)
News
Australia
Miners,
energy help ASX to sixth day of gains
The
Australian sharemarket posted a modest gain on Wednesday,
with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.1 per cent to close
at 8,279.6 points. Fortescue was up 2.2 per cent at
$16.97, Woodside Energy rose 3.4 per cent to $22.31
and the Commonwealth Bank firmed 0.8 per cent to end
the session at $167.50. However, Insignia Financial
shed 15.8 per cent to finish at $3.37 and Aristocrat
Leisure was down 8.9 per cent at $62.10. (Roy Morgan
Summary)
News
Media
CNN
and Fox take on their own legacies with new streaming
services
Fox
Corporation is set to launch its third streaming service
in the US. Fox One will feature content from across
the media group's operations, including news, sport
and entertainment. It will complement Fox Corp's existing
Fox Nation streaming news channel and Tubi, a free
advertising supported general entertainment streaming
platform. Meanwhile, Warner Bros Discovery-owned CNN
plans to launch a news streaming service that will
be bundled with subscriptions to http://cnn.com. Fox
Corp and CNN are both confident that their new streaming
products will not cannabilise the customer base for
their cable TV services. (RMS)
News
Rio
shows we must invest in green iron: Fortescue boss
Rio
Tinto recently advised that the iron content of its
flagship 'Pilbara Blend Fines' product will be downgraded
by nearly one percentage point, to 60.8 per cent;
BHP had previously reduced the iron content of two
iron ore products in 2024. Fortescue CEO Dino Otranto
says the trend underlines the need for Australia to
invest in more domestic refining, in order to produce
higher-grade iron ore. Otranto has indicated that
Fortescue is on track to finish construction of a
green iron plant at its Christmas Creek iron ore hub
and produce commercial quantities of green iron by
the end of 2025. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Beware
the rally in iron ore above $US100, it might not last
The
iron ore price has peaked at more than $US101 per
tonne in Singapore trading on Wednesday, which is
its highest level in about six weeks. Factors such
as the easing of trade tensions between the US and
China have bolstered the price of the steel input,
although market watchers say the rebound is unlikely
to be sustained. Headwinds include steel production
cutbacks in China and a looming increase in global
iron ore supply as new projects in Africa start to
commence shipments. (RMS)
News
Core
Lithium plan to revive mothballed Finniss
Perth-based
Core Lithium has advised that it may resume operations
at its Finniss mine in the Northern Territory. The
mine was placed in 'care and maintenance' mode in
2024, in response to a sharp downturn in the price
of lithium. Core hopes a plan to significantly reduce
mining and processing costs at Finniss, while also
boosting productivity, will enable the mine to reopen.
CEO Paul Brown says the quality of the Finniss deposit
and its proximity to the Port of Darwin gives it an
advantage over rival lithium mines in Western Australia.
(RMS)
News
Australian
Mining News
WA
Mining Conference and Exhibition: Scheduled for October
8–9, 2025, in Perth, this event will focus on
critical minerals, mine waste management, and innovative
technologies shaping the industry’s future. It
aims to be a key platform for networking and industry
insights.
Global
Resources Innovation Expo (GRX25): Set for May 20–22,
2025, in Brisbane, GRX25 will feature industry leaders
like Owen Hegarty, discussing transformation and sustainability
in mining.
Carbine
Resources: The company secured a 21-year mining lease
for its Muchea West silica sand project in Western
Australia, marking a significant milestone.
Federal
Government Cabinet: Following the re-election of Prime
Minister Anthony Albanese, the new cabinet has been
welcomed by mining bodies. The government is pushing
the Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive (10%
refundable tax offset for processing 31 critical minerals)
and a Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive ($2/kg for
renewable hydrogen).
Prospect
Awards 2025: Nominations are open for the Australian
Mining Prospect Awards, recognizing excellence in
safety, occupational health, and industry leadership.
Legacy
Minerals: The company is advancing the Nico Young
nickel-cobalt project in New South Wales, leveraging
prior work by Jervois Global to reduce costs and accelerate
development.
Rio
Tinto’s Winu Project: Rio Tinto and Sumitomo
Metal Mining signed final joint venture agreements
for the Winu copper-gold project in Western Australia’s
Great Sandy Desert.
Sibanye-Stillwater:
The company reported a 92% increase in zinc production
(25,000 tonnes) at its Century zinc retreatment operation
in Queensland for the March 2025 quarter, with a feasibility
study for the Mt Lyell copper mine in Tasmania due
by late 2025.
Tivan’s
Speewah Fluorite Project: Tivan formed a joint venture
with Sumitomo Corporation, supported by a $5.3 million
investment and government funding, to develop Australia’s
first fluorite operation in Western Australia.
Hillgrove
Resources: The Kanmantoo copper mine in South Australia
produced 811 tonnes of copper in April, with annual
guidance set at 12,000–14,000 tonnes for 2025.
Critical
Minerals and Sustainability: Australia’s mining
sector is poised to lead in the global energy transition,
with growing demand for critical minerals and a focus
on innovation and sustainable practices.
Queensland
Mining Coroner: Wayne Pennell was appointed Queensland’s
first mining and resources coroner to investigate
fatalities and address a backlog of inquests, enhancing
safety accountability.
Social
Media Sentiment: Posts on X highlight ongoing exploration
(e.g., Verity Resources’ Monument Gold Project)
and acquisitions (e.g., Terra Metals’ Dante Project
expansion), reflecting active industry momentum. However,
a 119% mining rate hike by a Goldfields council has
sparked concern among local explorers. (Grok)
News
Pop
Culture/Entertainment
Media
Movies
Network
(1976) - Directed by Sidney Lumet, this satirical
drama follows a TV network exploiting a deranged anchor’s
rants for profit, highlighting media sensationalism.
Stars Faye Dunaway and Peter Finch.
Nightcrawler
(2014) - A thriller by Dan Gilroy about a drifter
(Jake Gyllenhaal) who becomes a freelance crime journalist,
blurring ethical lines for fame. It’s a sharp
critique of modern media’s vulture-like tendencies.
Zodiac
(2007) - Directed by David Fincher, this film chronicles
a cartoonist-turned-detective’s obsession with
the Zodiac Killer, exploring media’s role in
public fear and fascination.
Citizen
Kane (1941) - Orson Welles’ classic traces the
life of a newspaper magnate, loosely based on William
Randolph Hearst, examining media power and personal
ambition.
Sweet
Smell of Success (1957) - A biting satire about a
ruthless press agent and a powerful columnist, showcasing
media manipulation with sharp dialogue.
News
Gold:
Movie
Gold
(2016) is a crime drama inspired by the 1990s Bre-X
mining scandal. Matthew McConaughey stars as Kenny
Wells, a prospector who partners with geologist Michael
Acosta (Édgar Ramírez) to find gold
in Indonesia. After striking it rich, their success
unravels amid fraud and betrayal. Directed by Stephen
Gaghan, the film explores greed and ambition but received
mixed reviews for its uneven tone and pacing. It grossed
$14.8 million against a $20 million budget. Available
on platforms like Hulu or Amazon Prime (check current
listings). (Grok)
News/Profile
Gold
(1974)
Gold
(1974) is a British thriller directed by Peter R.
Hunt, based on Wilbur Smith's novel Gold Mine. Set
in South Africa, it follows Rod Slater (Roger Moore),
a mining engineer, who uncovers a conspiracy to flood
a gold mine to manipulate global gold prices. The
plot involves corporate greed, sabotage, and high-stakes
action, with Slater racing to stop the scheme.
Cast:
Roger Moore, Susannah York, Ray Milland, Bradford
Dillman.
Key
Details: 120 min, rated PG, released August 1974 (UK).
Filmed on location in Johannesburg, featuring intense
mining scenes.
Reception:
Mixed reviews; praised for action and Moore’s
charisma, criticized for pacing and dated elements.
IMDb rating: 5.7/10.
Availability:
Limited streaming; available for rent/purchase on
platforms like Amazon or on DVD.
News
Bitcoin
Movies Streaming
Money
Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery (2024, HBO)
A
documentary by Cullen Hoback exploring Bitcoin’s
origins and the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto. It’s
a thrilling investigation into Bitcoin’s rise
and its potential impact on global finance.
Streaming:
Available on HBO’s streaming platform, Max. Check
JustWatch for additional services or free options
like Apple TV+ trials.
Bitconned
(2024, Netflix) A true-crime documentary about three
individuals who scammed millions in the unregulated
crypto market to fund lavish lifestyles. Streaming:
Exclusively on Netflix.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016)
A
popular documentary diving into Bitcoin’s impact,
its challenge to centralized banking, and its early
history. It’s a great pick for understanding
Bitcoin’s ethos. Streaming: Available on Amazon
Prime Video (free for subscribers), Fandango at Home,
and for purchase/rent on Amazon, YouTube Primetime,
or Apple TV.
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Follows
programmer Daniel Mross and early Bitcoin adopters,
offering insights into Bitcoin’s volatile early
days. Ideal for beginners.
Streaming: Available on Prime Video, Fandango at Home,
and for purchase on iTunes or Amazon.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
A
concise documentary tracing the history of money and
Bitcoin’s potential to disrupt fiat systems.
Features experts like Andreas Antonopoulos.
Streaming:
Available on Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Fandango at
Home. Free on YouTube in some regions (e.g., Ulterior
States).
Notes
on Streaming with Bitcoin:
Major
platforms like Netflix and HBO Max don’t directly
accept Bitcoin payments. However, you can use crypto
via gift cards purchased from platforms like Bitrefill,
Coinsbee, or eGifter, which offer cards for services
like Amazon, Fandango, or Rakuten, usable for streaming
or movie tickets.
For
example, Bitrefill sells Showtime or Rakuten gift
cards (for US, Spain, Portugal, Italy) payable with
Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Dogecoin.
Crypto
debit cards from providers like http://Crypto.com
or Coinbase can also convert Bitcoin to fiat for subscriptions
or purchases at non-crypto-accepting platforms.
Additional
Tips:
Check
platforms like JustWatch or IMDb for real-time streaming
availability, as services change frequently.
Some
older documentaries, like Ulterior States (2014),
are freely available on YouTube, offering ideological
perspectives on Bitcoin’s early days.
Be
cautious with free streaming sites; some, like Openload
or Streamango, have been linked to crypto-jacking
schemes that mine Monero using your device’s
CPU. (Grok)
Markets
and Cryptos
Markets:
April
23, 2025
ASX
futures up 103 points/1.3% to 7939
AUD -0.7% at US63.68¢
BTC +4.5% to $US91,358
Dow +2.7%
S&P +2.1%
NAS +2.5%
Gold -1.5% to $US3371.27 an ounce
Oil +1.5% at $US67.22 a barrel
Iron ore -0.7% at $US98.65 a ton
Cryptos
Today:
Bitcoin
$91,075.31 USD +4.29%
ETH $1,695.23 USD +7.53%
Tether $1.00 USD -0.02%
XRP $2.16 USD +3.57%
BNB $607.70 USD +1.95%
Solana $144.34 USD +5.47%
USD Coin $0.9994 USD -0.08%
Dogecoin $0.1728 USD +9.13%
Gaming
And Casino News
April
2025
Star
Entertainment is a ‘new operator’ despite
‘sins of the past’
Inside
Asian Gaming Chief Executive Andrew W Scott says Star
Entertainment will have nothing to do with the “sins
of the past”.
“Bally’s
have got the opportunity to say look, we’re a
new operator, we have nothing to do with the sins
of the past,” Mr Scott said.
“I
think they didn’t want to let it rain to receivership
because they felt that would be too complicated, they
wanted to pick it up as a going concern … and
see if they can turn it around.”
News
Star
Entertainment: News
Star
Entertainment Group, an Australian casino operator,
has been in the spotlight in April 2025 due to significant
financial and operational developments. Here’s
a concise overview of the latest news based on available
information:
Financial
Struggles and Rescue Deal: Star
Entertainment
reported a $300 million half-year loss for the period
ending December 2024, driven by a 25% revenue decline
to $650 million. Stricter payment regulations, including
mandatory pre-paid cards to curb money laundering,
have pushed gamblers toward pubs and clubs, hurting
Star’s market share. The company secured a $300
million investment from Bally’s Corporation and
Investment Holdings (linked to the Mathieson family),
with $100 million injected in April 2025, providing
critical liquidity. Star’s cash reserves were
at $98 million as of April 11, 2025, narrowly avoiding
collapse.
Bally’s
Takeover and Overhaul Plans: Bally’s, a U.S.
casino giant, is set to control about 56% of Star’s
capital, pending regulatory approval. Bally’s
chairman, Soo Kim, emphasized a “back-to-basics”
approach, aiming to strip away the luxury focus of
Star’s casinos (Sydney, Brisbane, and Gold Coast)
and make them more accessible, likening them to large-scale
RSL clubs. Kim noted Bally’s history of turning
around distressed properties but acknowledged Star’s
turnaround as a significant challenge.
Operational
and Market Challenges: Star’s Brisbane casino,
Queen’s Wharf, was written down in value, and
its sale to partners Far East Consortium and Chow
Tai Fook Enterprises provided $53 million. The company
faced a trading halt in February 2025 due to delayed
financial reporting, with shares resuming trading
on April 16 at 11 cents, briefly jumping 14% before
crashing. Regulatory issues, including a $100 million
fine and a suspended license, continue to weigh on
the company.
Leadership
and Strategic Focus: CEO Steve McCann highlighted
the “very challenged” trading environment
but is now focusing on revenue growth following the
rescue deal. Bally’s pitched its investment after
Star failed to secure a $940 million lifeline from
Salter Brothers, signaling a shift in strategy to
stabilize operations.
Critical
Perspective: While Bally’s intervention offers
a lifeline, Star’s deep losses and regulatory
burdens suggest a tough road ahead. The shift to a
less glamorous, mass-market model may alienate high
rollers, and stricter regulations could continue to
erode revenue. The narrative of a “rescue”
should be scrutinized, as Bally’s own motivations—acquiring
a distressed asset at a discount—may prioritize
its interests over Star’s long-term viability.
World
News, Biz, Markets, Resources, Politics, Media
April
4, 2025
Tariff
wars made the dollar a risky asset
Gold
Movements
in metals have been monumental. A 3% rise deep into
the region of all-time highs for Gold was followed
by a collapse of more than $100 from $3,170 to $3,050
an ounce. On Friday, trading stabilised near $3100,
minimally adding to levels at the opening of the week.
Tactically,
this is a good time for the bulls to exhale and lock
in profits. This is confirmed by the fulfilment of
an important growth target and the entry into extreme
overbought on weekly timeframes on RSI. Multi-week
corrections started in similar conditions in 2024.
Oil
Oil
took a double hit in the week in less than 24 hours
when it came under pressure from the macroeconomy
due to tariffs and OPEC+ actions. Tired of waiting
for the global economy to accelerate, the Cartel switched
gears in the battle for market share, pledging to
ramp up production faster than the previously announced
plan.
Similar
moments occurred in March 2020 and December 2014.
On both occasions, oil dipped below $30 a barrel before
finding support in the form of coordinated action
by global producers. In theory, coordination is now
at a higher level, but that doesn't negate the powerful
pressures expected due to the trade shock and supply
expansion.
Technically,
oil is breaking through the bottom of the three-year
range, and the 50-week moving average worked as resistance
for the third time since September. (FxPro)
News
Cryptos
Today
BTC.
$83,789.09. 0.70%
ETH. $1,812.44. 0.36.
USDT. $0.9997. 0.00%
XRP. $2.1330. 2.61%
BNB. $596.22. 0.09%
SOL. $120.95. 3.74%
USDC. $1.0000. 0.01%
DOGE. $0.1696. 3.20%
News
Markets
ASX
200 futures are pointing down 93 points/1.2 per cent
to 7786
AUD
+0.4% to US63.22¢
Bitcoin
-4.7% to $US82,018
Wall
St:
Dow -4%
S&P -4.8%
Nasdaq -6%
VIX +8.26 to 29.77
Gold -0.9% to $US3108.38 an ounce
Brent oil -6.7% to $US69.91 a barrel
Iron ore -1.5% to $US101.25 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.04% Australia 4.26%
News
Germany
Considers Gold Withdrawal from U.S. Vault
Germany
is contemplating the withdrawal of approximately 1,200
tons of gold, valued at around $124 billion, from
a U.S. Federal Reserve vault in New York. This consideration
comes in the context of recent U.S. tariffs imposed
by President Trump. The decision-making process involves
senior officials from the Christian Democratic Union
(CDU) Party, who are set to lead the next German government
in the Bundestag. The potential repatriation of gold
has not occurred since World War II, highlighting
the significance of the current deliberations. (Grok)
News
Bitcoin
Holds Steady Amid Stock Market Turmoil
On
April 4, 2025, the US stock market experienced a significant
drop, with over $1.5 trillion in value being erased.
Amidst this turmoil, Bitcoin has shown resilience,
maintaining its value around $80,000. Some observers
and investors view this as a sign of Bitcoin decoupling
from traditional financial markets and emerging as
a potential safe haven asset, similar to gold. US
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has publicly stated
that 'Bitcoin is becoming a store of value,' reflecting
a viewpoint that is gaining traction among some in
the financial community. (Grok)
News
Coffee
Tariffs Prompt Debate on U.S. Production
The
United States is currently facing a discussion around
proposed tariffs on imported coffee, which could impact
consumer prices. While coffee is grown in the U.S.,
primarily in Hawaii, the production volume is significantly
less than the national demand. Increasing domestic
production to meet this demand presents logistical
and time-related challenges, as coffee plants require
several years to mature and produce a full crop. Opinions
vary on the feasibility and desirability of relying
more heavily on American-grown coffee to circumvent
the potential tariff-induced price increases.
Markets
April
4, 2025
ASX
futures down 74 points or 0.9% to 7805
AUD
+0.6% to US63.35¢
Bitcoin
-4.6% to $US82,296
Wall
St:
Dow
-3.3%
S&P -4.1%
Nasdaq -5.2%
VIX +6.02 to 27.53
Gold -0.7% to $US3112.12 an ounce
Brent oil -6.5% to $US70.09 a barrel
Iron ore -1.5% to $US101.25 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.05% Australia 4.26%
Cryptos
Today:
BTC.
$81,846.87. 5.49%
ETH. $1,774.30. 6.24.
USDT. $0.9997. 0.02%
XRP. $2.0101. 6.23%
BNB. $587.77. 2.64%
USDC. $1.0000. 0.01%
SOL. $113.95. 12.19%
DOGE. $0.1581. 8.06%
Crypto,
Fintech, Markets, News and Politics via Media Man
March
12/13, 2025
The
crypto bounces back from extreme fear
Market
picture
The
cryptocurrency market bounced 2% in the last 24 hours
to $2.67 trillion. So far, the situation looks like
a small rebound after the collapse. We should not
talk about the beginning of recovery as long as the
market is below its 200-day moving average of $2.83
trillion.
Sentiment
in the crypto market has shifted from dread to fear
at 34. The indicator was last higher more than three
weeks ago, indicating that now is a good time to buy.
However, it's worth paying attention to the nervous
stock market before considering investments in more
volatile cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin
was climbing above $83,000 on Tuesday, hitting resistance
in the form of the 200-day moving average. If a long-term
trend line is repurposed as resistance, that's a worrisome
bearish fact.
Ethereum
ended Tuesday with growth and was trading near $1900
at the start of Wednesday, but this is a timid rebound
within the steep peak the coin has been in since February
24th and the broader downtrend of the past three months.
News
Background
CryptoQuant
states a sharp drop in open interest in Bitcoin and
Ethereum futures, suggesting a ‘leverage washout’
and a chance of market stabilisation. The Kobeissi
Letter admits a wave of short position unwinding in
risk assets after extreme fear levels are reached.
Clearstream,
the post-trading arm of Deutsche Börse, will
offer cryptocurrency settlement and custody services
to institutional clients as early as next month, starting
with Bitcoin and Ethereum. It then plans to add support
for other cryptocurrencies and services for staking,
lending and brokerage.
Glassnode
notes that Solana fell below its realised price of
$134 for the first time in three years. The metrics
show the average cost for investors to purchase the
coin.
According
to Arkham Intelligence, on 11 March, bankrupt exchange
Mt. Gox transferred 11,501 BTC (~$905 million) to
an unknown address. Mt. Gox-related addresses hold
a total of 35,915 BTC worth $2.89bn. (FxPro)
News
SEC
vs Ripple Case: Negotiations Underway for Settlement
Recent
developments indicate that the legal dispute between
Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) could be nearing a conclusion. Reports suggest
that Ripple's legal team is currently negotiating
more favorable terms related to a $125 million fine
and an injunction on XRP sales to institutional investors.
The anticipation of a settlement has led to increased
interest and speculation within the cryptocurrency
community regarding the outcome and its potential
impact on XRP. (Grok)
News
U.S.
Plans Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Acquisition
Senator
Cynthia Lummis has reintroduced the BITCOIN Act, which
proposes that the United States government purchase
one million Bitcoins over five years to create a strategic
reserve. This legislative move reflects a growing
acknowledgment of Bitcoin as a digital asset for national
economic strategy, garnering support from both traditional
financial sectors and cryptocurrency advocates. Alongside
this, there is an ongoing debate about the implications,
risks, and potential benefits of such a reserve. (Grok)
News
Trump's
Crypto Banking Deregulation
President
Donald Trump is reportedly planning to sign an executive
order that would reverse regulations set by the Biden
administration aimed at restricting banking activities
for cryptocurrency firms. This move could impact how
crypto companies interact with the Federal Reserve,
potentially leading to greater integration of cryptocurrencies
within the traditional financial system. (Grok)
News
Rumble's
Strategic Bitcoin Acquisition
Rumble,
a video platform and competitor to YouTube, has announced
the purchase of 188 Bitcoins for approximately $17.1
million. This acquisition is part of Rumble's strategy
to integrate Bitcoin into its treasury management,
aiming to hedge against inflation and participate
in the growing trend of corporate cryptocurrency adoption.
The move reflects a broader acceptance of Bitcoin
as a legitimate financial asset among companies. (Grok)
News
Trump
Predicts Market Surge Amid Economic Indicators
President
Trump has publicly stated his belief that the U.S.
financial markets are poised for significant growth,
making his comments at an event with business leaders.
This optimistic forecast follows recent economic indicators
showing inflation cooling to levels not seen in years,
despite mixed responses from markets regarding Trump's
economic policies including tariffs. (Grok)
News
Ethereum's
Lowest BTC Ratio Since 2020 Triggers Liquidation Risk
The
Ethereum Foundation faces potential liquidation of
over $100 million in assets if Ethereum's price drops
to $1,100, amidst a historic low in the ETH/BTC trading
ratio not seen since May 2020. This financial maneuver
is part of Ethereum's strategy to manage its treasury
through decentralized finance (DeFi), highlighting
both the risks and innovative approaches to crypto-asset
management in a volatile market. (Grok)
News
Gold
funds burst out of the blocks in 2025 as returns rocket
Australian
gold funds are shaping up for a bumper year as mining
companies start to capitalise on record prices, helping
the stocks to finally catch up to the performance
of the precious metal.
Portfolio
managers were left frustrated last year after a jump
in production costs held back ASX-listed gold producers
from riding the rally in the spot prices to record
levels. The VanEck Gold Miners exchange-traded fund
climbed nearly 20 per cent in 2024 versus a 38 per
cent rally for the gold price in Australian dollars.
But
easing cost inflation that has plagued the mining
sector for the last three years and an ongoing surge
in prices has seen the trend reverse course. VanEck’s
Gold Miners ETF is up 17 per cent already this year
while the Aussie dollar spot price has climbed 6.3
per cent.
Local
fund managers are bullish that gold has much further
to run after the US dollar price climbed above $US2942
an ounce for the first time and the Australian dollar
gold price breached $4500 an ounce.
Victor
Smorgon Partners’ Resource Gold Fund returned
a chunky 13.3 per cent in January and portfolio manager
Cameron Judd believes the valuations of ASX gold stocks
still don’t reflect the outlook for the yellow
metal.
“Gold’s
performance in times of uncertainty or crisis could
see it push towards $US3600,” Mr Judd said. “Despite
the strong gold price performance and fundamentals
supporting further appreciation, gold miners are trading
at discounted valuations on the ASX.”
Wall
Street’s biggest banks believe a $US3000 price
tag is imminent. Citi said it was possible within
the next three months, while JPMorgan has a year-end
target of $US3150. Bank of America said on Thursday
that gold could reach $US3500 an ounce if investment
demand rises 10 per cent this year.
The
unprecedented surge in the gold price has been fuelled
by investors seeking safe haven assets as US President
Donald Trump unleashes aggressive trade and geopolitical
policies. There are fears the president will accelerate
inflation, forcing central banks to raise rates in
a way that damages global growth.
Victor
Smorgon’s top holdings include ASX-listed Vault
Minerals and the world’s largest gold miner,
US-based Newmont, which recently acquired Newcrest.
The fund also owns Australia’s biggest gold miner
Northern Star, which agreed to buy rival De Grey in
a $5 billion deal. (AFR) *Full article and coverag
via subscription to The Australian Financial Review.
News
Australia
Northern
Star paying top dollar for gold rival
Northern
Star has offered $5 billion to buy De Grey Mining,
with De Grey shareholders to vote on the offer on
16 April. De Grey is the company behind the Hemi gold
prospect in Western Australia, which is thought to
hold at least 11 million ounces of gold and which
is slated to produce 530,000 ounces annually in its
first decade of operation. KPMG, which was engaged
to provide an independent assessment of Northern Star's
offer, has valued DeGrey at between $4 billion and
$4.79 billion, inclusive of a premium for control.
It concludes that the offer is "fair and reasonable
and therefore is in the best interests of De Grey
shareholders, in the absence of a superior proposal".
(Roy Morgan Summary)
News
March
12, 2025
Crypto
market tumbles after stocks
Market
picture
Crypto
market capitalisation has been falling to $2.5 trillion
following the rumbling fall of the US stock market.
It is dipping below the peaks of early 2024 and late
2021. Previously, a similar decline would complete
a corrective pullback, attracting buyers. However,
the chances of such an outcome are now lower than
in previous years due to the powerful influence of
traditional financial companies, which has strengthened
the link between the crypto market and stock dynamics.
For
now, though, we can argue that there is less terror
in crypto. The Fear and Greed Index is at 24 (+4 points
for the day), while the low point was a week earlier
at 10.
Bitcoin
slipped towards $76.5K in the early hours of Tuesday
but has popped above $80K at the time of writing,
approaching Monday’s consolidation levels. A
bearish pattern persists on the daily timeframes,
which suggests a strengthening sell-off after a failure
under the 200-day moving average. The scenario of
a pullback to the $70-74K area still looks the most
probable for us. This is all the truer as the consolidation
and rebound in early March has taken the short-term
oversold stance out of the market.
Ethereum
is trying to find a pivot point after falling towards
$1750 at the start of Tuesday. These were the lowest
values in the last 17 months. On weekly timeframes,
the RSI oscillator hit its lowest point since mid-2022
- near the bottom of the bear market. Does this signify
an opportunity for the recklessly bold or a breakdown
in the leading altcoin? We will find out in the coming
days.
News
Background
According
to CoinShares, global crypto fund investments fell
by $876 million last week after record outflows of
$2.911 billion a week earlier. Investments in Bitcoin
fell by $756 million; in Ethereum, by $89 million.
Investments in Solana rose by $16 million, in XRP
by $6 million, and in Sui by $3 million.
As
a result of another recalculation, Bitcoin mining
difficulty increased by 1.43% to 112.15T. The growth
did not compensate for a 3.15% drop two weeks ago.
However, the figure came close to the all-time high
of 114.17T reached in January.
Strategy
(former MicroStrategy) intends to raise $21bn through
the sale of preferred shares as part of its At-The-Market
program. The proceeds will be used to buy Bitcoin
and other corporate purposes. (FxPro)
News
March
11, 2025
US
Senator And Congressman Introduce Strategic Bitcoin
Reserve Bills To Buy One Million BTC
Speaking
at the “Bitcoin for America” summit, lawmakers
announced their plans to create a federal bitcoin
reserve that would see the U.S. buy one million BTC.
Today
at the Bitcoin Policy Institute’s “Bitcoin
for America” summit in Washington DC, U.S. Senator
from Wyoming Cynthia Lummis announced that she is
going to reintroduce her strategic Bitcoin reserve
legislation in the Senate today.
“I
am so pleased to announce that today I will be reintroducing
The Bitcoin Act,” Senator Lummis stated. “And
I’ll be joined here shortly by Senator Justice
of West Virginia, who is one of the cosponsors. And
we have several other additional cosponsors. And a
lot of it is a result of the excitement that’s
been building.” (Bitcoin Magazine). *Full article
via Bitcoin Magazine
News
XRP
wins Media Man 'Crypto Of The Month' award
News
Markets
Australian
Dollar: $0.6317 USD (up $0.0020 USD)
Iron Ore Apr Spot Price (SGX): $100.60 USD (up $0.15
USD)
Oil (WTI): $67.70 USD (up $1.14 USD)
Gold: $2,931.74 USD (up $13.03 USD)
Copper (CME): $4.8425 USD (up $0.0500 USD)
Bitcoin: $82,880.91USD (up 0.32% in last 24 hours)
Dow Jones: 41,350.93 (down 82.55 points)
News
Roy
Morgan wins Media Man 'News Services Company Of The
Month' award
News
Media
Australia
Peter
Dutton More Crypto Friendly And Switched On Than Albanese
(Media Man Group)
News
"Dutton
A Genuine Contender" (Sky News Australia)
March
10, 2025
ASX
futures are pointing up 69 points, or by 0.9 per cent,
to 8011.
All
US prices are as of 4.15pm Sunday in New York:
Bitcoin
-3.7% to $US83,138
On
Wall St: Dow +0.5% S&P +0.6% Nasdaq +0.7%
VIX -1.5 to 23.37
Gold -0.1% to $US2909.10 an ounce
Brent oil +1.3% to $US70.36 a barrel
Iron ore +0.3% to $US100.70 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.3% Australia 4.4%
January
10, 2025
ASX
futures up 33 points or 0.4%
AUD
-0.3% to 61.98 US cents
UK pound -0.4% to $US1.2309
Bitcoin -2.9% to $US91,275 at 7.23am AEDT
US markets closed for Jimmy Carter’s funeral
Stoxx 50 +0.4% FTSE +0.8% DAX -0.1% CAC +0.5%
Spot gold +0.3% to $US2671.00/oz at 1.55pm in New
York
Brent crude +1.2% to $US77.08 a barrel
Iron ore +1% to $US97.40 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.69% Australia 4.48% Germany 2.56%
US prices as of 1.59pm in New York
News
TKO
AND WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT EXPAND PARTNERSHIP
TO BRING UFC AND WWE EVENTS TO PERTH
WWE to Take Over RAC Arena with a Premium Live Event,
Friday
Night SmackDown, and Monday Night Raw
UFC
to Return to Perth with Two Events, Including Blockbuster
Pay-Per-View
PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND NEW YORK, NY –
TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), together with
the Western Australian Government (WA Government),
today announced an expansion of their partnership
for Perth to host four additional UFC and WWE events
through 2026.
In
addition, under a previous agreement with the WA Government,
RAC Arena will host one UFC FIGHT NIGHT later this
year. In total, Perth will host five UFC and WWE events
over the next two years.
Said
the Hon. Roger Cook MLA, Premier of Western Australia,
"The return of UFC and WWE in 2025 is a major
coup for Western Australia, following the roaring
success of UFC 284 and WWE Elimination Chamber that
collectively injected nearly $50 million into our
economy last year. Both UFC and WWE have proven to
be huge drawcards with a dedicated fan base, and we
expect to see thousands of out-of-state visitors travel
to Perth to attend these blockbusters.
Added
Peter Dropick, Executive Vice President, Event Development
and Operations for TKO, “Perth is a world-class
city, home to many passionate UFC and WWE fans, and
we’re thrilled to expand this partnership with
the WA Government. Perth’s tourism hospitality
is second to none, and UFC and WWE will proudly showcase
the city and its wonderful people to the world through
our global broadcasts reaching more than one billion
homes across 170 countries. We thank Premier Cook
and the WA Government for making this possible.”
WWE’s
return to Perth will feature a massive weekend takeover
later this year across three nights at RAC Arena,
featuring SmackDown®, a Premium Live Event, and
Raw®. These events follow the incredible success
of WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth in February 2024,
which attracted more than 52,000 fans to Optus Stadium
and marked WWE’s long-awaited return to Australia—a
milestone the WA Government played a key role in bringing
about.
In
2024, UFC and the WA Government announced an agreement
to bring two events to Perth over two years. The first
event, UFC® 305: DU PLESSIS vs. ADESANYA, was
a record-breaking achievement, attracting a sold-out
crowd of more than 14,000 fans and setting the mark
for the highest-grossing event in RAC Arena history,
breaking UFC’s own record set in 2023 with UFC®
284: MAKHACHEV vs. VOLKANOVSKI. The second event under
this original agreement with the WA Government, UFC
FIGHT NIGHT, will be held at RAC Arena later this
year.
Details
for all five upcoming UFC and WWE events at RAC Arena,
including ticket on-sale dates, bout cards, and participating
WWE Superstars, will be announced in the months ahead.
Fans
interested in an exclusive WWE presale opportunity
can register now at: wwe.com/WWEAustralia2025.
Likewise,
UFC fans can visit ufc.com/perth
to register for exclusive UFC presale opportunities.
VIP
Experience packages for all these events will also
be available via On Location, TKO’s Official
VIP Experience Provider. These exclusive packages
offer premium seating, VIP access to events, all-inclusive
hospitality, meet-and-greets with athletes and WWE
Superstars, and more. Additional information will
be made available at onlocationexp.com/perth
###
About
UFC®
UFC®
is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization
(MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately
300 million social media followers. The organization
produces more than 40 live events annually in some
of the most prestigious arenas around the world while
broadcasting to over 950 million households across
more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster
features the world’s best MMA athletes representing
more than 70 countries. The organization’s digital
offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the
world’s leading streaming services for combat
sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO)
and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more
information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC
and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.
About
WWE
WWE®
is an integrated media organization and the recognized
global leader in sports entertainment. The company
consists of a portfolio of businesses that create
and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a
global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly
entertainment on its television programming, premium
live events, digital media, and publishing platforms.
WWE’s TV-PG programming can be seen in more than
1 billion households worldwide in more than 20 languages
through world-class distribution partners including
NBCUniversal, The CW, Sony India and Netflix. In the
United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service,
Peacock, is the exclusive home to all premium live
events, a variety of original programming and a massive
video-on-demand library. Netflix is the exclusive
home for WWE programming around the world, other than
select international markets. WWE is part of TKO Group
Holdings (NYSE: TKO). Additional information on WWE
can be found at wwe.com
and corporate.wwe.com.
About
TKO
TKO
Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports
and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties
including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial
arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports
entertainment; and PBR, the world’s premier bull
riding organization. Together, these properties reach
210 countries and territories and organize more than
500 live events year-round, attracting more than three
million fans. TKO also services and partners with
major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading
global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a
global leader in premium experiential hospitality.
TKO is majority owned by Endeavor Group Holdings,
Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a global sports and entertainment
company.
Pro
Wrestling
August
- September 2024
WWE
Raw - Bronson
Reed Destroys Seth Rollins with numerous Tsunami's
on RAW
All
Elite Wrestling - Kyle
Fletcher gets a strong promotional push
WWE
- Rhea
Ripley and Damian
Priest are now the Terror Twins; Target Judgment
Day
WWE
- Grayson
Waller and Austin
Theory continue to have miscommunications
WWE
- Dakota
Kai (New Zealand) continues to improve and impress
AEW
-
"Switchblade" Jay White remains one
of the top workers in the promotion and world
Markets
January
4, 2025
ASX
futures up 23 points or 0.3% near 8am AEDT
AUD
+0.2% to 62.16 US cents
Bitcoin
+1.2% to $US98,195 at 8.27am AEDT
On
Wall St at 4pm: Dow +0.8% S&P +1.3% Nasdaq +1.8%
In
New York: BHP -0.8% Rio -0.3% Atlassian +3.3%
Tesla
+8.2% Apple -0.2% Nvidia +4.7% Microsoft +1.1%
Alphabet
+1.3% Amazon +1.8% Meta +0.9%
Mara
+14.1% MicroStrategy +13.2% Iren +8.4%
VIX
-1.8 to 16.13 QQQ +1.6% TLT -0.3%
Stoxx
50 -0.9% FTSE -0.4% DAX -0.6% CAC -1.5%
Spot
gold -0.7% to $US2639.37oz at 4.51pm in New York
Brent
crude +0.9% to $US76.58 a barrel
Iron
ore -2.6% to $US98.30 a tonne
10-year
yield: US 4.60% Australia 4.38% Germany 2.42%
US
prices as of 4.54pm in New York
Markets
and Commodities
November
1, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6579 USD (up $0.0009 USD)
Iron
Ore Nov Spot Price (SGX): $104.10 USD (up $0.30 USD)
Iron
Ore Dec Spot Price (SGX): $103.80 USD (up $0.28 USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $70.51 USD (up $1.57 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,746.76 USD (down $38.62 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.3600 USD (up $0.0030 USD)
Bitcoin:
$69,991.53 USD (down 2.58% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 41,763.46 at 4.09pm NY time (down378.08 points
on yesterday's close)
Markets
and Commodities
October
10, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6710 USD (down $0.0040 USD)
Iron
Ore Nov Spot Price (SGX): $105.15 USD (unchanged -
public holiday)
Oil
Price (WTI): $73.36 USD (down $0.55 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,607.14 USD (down $15.75 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.4080 USD (down 0.0605 USD)
Bitcoin:
$60,908.07 USD (down 2.11% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 42,512.00 at 4.20pm NY time (up 431.63 points
on yesterday's close)
Media
Man is delighted to help assist Australian based pro
wrestling promoters
New
Japan Tamashii (Oceania)
Market,
Commodities and Financial News Snapshot via Media
Man
October
7, 2024
ASX
futures up 26 points or 0.3% to 8215 near 6am AEST
AUD
+0.1% to US68.01¢
Bitcoin
+1.3% to $US62,692
US
10-year yield +13bp to 3.97%
Dow
+0.8% S&P +0.9% Nasdaq +1.2%
FTSE
flat DAX +0.6% CAC +0.9%
Gold
-0.1% to $US2653.60 an ounce
Brent
oil +0.6% to $US78.05 a barrel
Iron
ore -0.3% to $US108.70 a tonne
Markets
and Commodities
October
7, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6786 USD (down $.0054 USD)
Iron
Ore Nov Spot Price (SGX): $108.70 USD (down $0.05
USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $74.38 USD (up $0.67 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,653.25 USD (down $2.79 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.5675 USD (up 0.0240 USD)
Bitcoin:
$62,679.21USD (up 1.48% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 42,352.75 (up 341.16 points on Thursday's close)
Energy,
Resources And Mining News: Australia
September
30, 2024
Exports
shock on ore to hit $39bn
Treasurer
Jim Chalmers is set to reveal a final budget surplus
of $15.8bn for 2023-24; this is $6.4bn higher than
was forecast in the budget on 14 May. Chalmers claims
that Labor's second successive surplus is solely due
to lower government spending. However, falling commodity
prices are set to weigh on the budget bottom-line
in coming years. Revised government forecasts show
that resources and energy export earnings will
fall to $372bn in 2024-25, compared with $415bn in
2023-24; the value of iron ore exports is forecast
to fall to $107bn in 2024-25, down from $138bn in
2023-24. Nickel and lithium export earnings are also
expected to fall sharply.
(Roy
Morgan Australia)
News
Minister
told ERA wouldn't sue over lease
Federal
Resources Minister Madeleine King moved to formally
cancel Energy Resources of Australia's long-standing
lease on the Jabiluka uranium deposit in late July.
The Northern Territory government subsequently rejected
ERA's application to renew the lease. It has been
revealed that King's advisers had told her that ERA
would be unlikely to pursue legal action if the Jabiluka
lease was cancelled, given that major shareholder
Rio Tinto opposes mining at Jabiluka without the consent
of the traditional owners. ERA launched a Federal
Court challenge to King's ruling in early August,
claiming that it was denied procedural fairness.
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
News
Telco
turned miner vies for desert gas
Australian-listed
Jade Gas Holdings has a market capitalisation of about
$70m. However, one broker has suggested that this
could potentially rise to around $500m due to its
coal-seam gas project in Mongolia. Jade Gas was initially
listed on the ASX as a Telstra reseller called Westel
Group, before transitioning to a resources group.
Meanwhile, Jade Gas is under scrutiny for commissioning
Hong Kong-based DWK to undertake a drilling program
at its Mongolian tenements; it claimed that DWK had
been drilling gas wells for a decade, but documents
show that the company had not been registered when
Jade announced the contract in June.
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
News
Federal
police drop foreign bribery investigation into Australian
miner
September
28, 2024
The Australian Federal Police launched an investigation
into foreign bribery allegations against Sundance
Resources in 2016. However, an AFP spokeswoman has
advised that the probe has failed to yield sufficient
admissable evidence to refer criminal proceedings
to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The police
investigation centred on allegations that Sundance
had bribed government officials in the Republic of
Congo between 2006 and 2008 in order to advance its
Mbalam-Nabeba iron ore project. The investigation
was complicated by the deaths of several Sundance
executives in a plane crash in the Congo in 2010.
News
Prospector
Mark Creasy wins support for Calidus Resources rescue
September
28, 2024
Creditors of Calidus Resources have backed a proposal
from veteran prospector Mark Creasy to rescue the
failed gold miner from administration. Creasy's proposal
was supported by the majority of Calidus shareholders,
and will result in his West Coast Lending assuming
full ownership of Calidus. The deal with Creasy was
backed after Calidus directors withdrew their support
for an alternative proposal from Petra Capital. West
Coast Lending, which is controlled by Creasy's Yandal
Investments, aims to resume production at Calidus's
Warrawoona gold mine in the Pilbara within months.
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
News
De
Grey quick to snuff out takeover speculation
September
28, 2024
De Grey Mining has dismissed recent media reports
which suggested that the listed gold miner has received
a buyout proposal from Canada-based Agnico Eagle.
De Grey has advised that the article which appeared
in The Australian is 'pure speculation'. De Grey owns
the Hemi deposit in the Pilbara, and it aims to commence
developing a gold mine at the site before the end
of 2024. Agnico Eagle owns the Fosterville mine near
Bendigo in Victoria, and there has been speculation
in recent months that the company is keen to acquire
assets in Western Australia.
News
Victorian
gas projects approved
September
28, 2024
The
federal government has approved two new gas production
licences for Beach Energy near existing projects off
the coast of Victoria. Resources Minister Madeleine
King says gas produced at the Artisan and La Bella
fields will be reserved solely for domestic use and
will help to put downward pressure on gas prices in
NSW and Victoria. The government's decision to approve
the new licences has coincided with the release of
the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission's
latest gas inquiry report, which has warned that the
east coast's gas supply surplus for the March 2025
quarter is likely to be significantly lower than was
previously forecast.
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
Mining via Grok
Mining
refers to the extraction of valuable minerals or other
geological materials from the Earth, which can range
from traditional minerals like gold, silver, coal,
and iron to more modern interests like lithium for
batteries or rare earth elements for technology. Here's
a detailed look into the concept of mining:
Traditional
Mining
Historical
Context: Mining has been pivotal since ancient times,
initially for materials like flint, ochre for body
painting, and later for metals like copper, tin, and
iron which ushered in the Bronze and Iron Ages.
Process:
Modern mining involves several steps: Exploration:
Identifying potential deposits through geological
surveys.
Feasibility Studies: Analyzing the economic viability
of mining operations, including costs, market conditions,
and environmental impact.
Extraction: Methods vary from open-pit mining for
near-surface deposits to underground mining for deeper
ores. Techniques include drilling, blasting, and mechanical
extraction.
Processing: Ore is usually refined to extract the
desired mineral, often involving crushing, grinding,
and chemical processes.
Reclamation: After mining, efforts are made to restore
the land, though this aspect has historically been
controversial due to environmental impacts.
Environmental
and Social Impact: Mining can lead to habitat destruction,
pollution (e.g., acid mine drainage), and social displacement.
However, it's also crucial for economic development
in many regions, providing jobs and contributing to
national economies.
Cryptocurrency
Mining
Concept:
In the context of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, mining
does not involve physical digging but rather computational
work. Here, miners validate transactions and add them
to the blockchain, a public ledger of all transactions.
Process:
Transaction Verification: Miners collect transactions
into blocks.
Proof of Work: Miners compete to solve complex mathematical
problems (hashing), requiring significant computational
power.
Block Creation: The first to solve the problem adds
the new block to the blockchain, earning newly minted
cryptocurrency and transaction fees as a reward.
Security: This process also secures the network against
fraudulent transactions.
Energy
Consumption: Cryptocurrency mining, especially for
Bitcoin, has been criticized for its high energy consumption,
leading to discussions on its environmental footprint.
Modern
Innovations and Issues
Sustainable
Practices: There's a push towards more sustainable
mining practices, including the use of renewable energy
for operations, better waste management, and rehabilitation
of mined lands.
Critical
Minerals: The demand for minerals essential for technology
like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements has
surged, highlighting new challenges in mining ethics,
geopolitics of mineral supply, and the environmental
impact.
Artisanal
and Small-Scale Mining (ASM): Often seen in developing
countries, ASM provides livelihood but also poses
significant health and environmental risks due to
methods like mercury use in gold extraction.
Technological
Advancements: From autonomous mining vehicles to drones
for exploration, technology is transforming mining
operations, making them safer, more efficient, and
potentially less harmful to the environment.
Mining,
in both its traditional and digital forms, remains
a cornerstone of human civilization, supporting economic,
technological, and societal development, while also
presenting ongoing challenges regarding sustainability
and ethics. (Grok)
Roy Morgan is a former Media Man 'News Outlet Of The
Month' award winner
Markets
And Commodities
August
19, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6665 USD (up $0.0055 USD)
Iron
Ore Sep Spot Price (SGX): $92.30 USD (down $1.25 USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $76.65 USD (down $1.46 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,508.18 USD (up $51.88 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.1505 USD (up $0.0100 USD)
Bitcoin:
$59,792.97 USD (up 0.64% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 440,659.76 (up 96.70 points on Thursday's close)
Media/Entertainment:
Australia
TV
Week Logie Awards 2024
Winners
Gold
Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian
Television - Larry Emdur
Best
Drama Program - RFDS, Seven Network
Best
News or Public Affairs Presenter - Ally Langon, A
Current Affair, Nine Network
Best
Comedy Entertainment Program - Have You Been Paying
Attention?, Network Ten
Best
Lead Actor in a Drama - Felix Cameron, Boy Swallows
Universe, Netflix
Beat
Scripted Comedy Program - Utopia, ABC
Best
Current Affairs Program - Australian Story, ABC
Best
Lead Actress in a Drama - Deborah Mailman, Total Control,
ABC
Best
Sports Coverage - FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, Seven
Network
Best
Competition Reality Program - MasterChef Australia,
Network 10
Best
Factual or Documentary Program - John Farnham: Finding
The Voice, Seven Network
Best
Miniseries or Telemovie - Boy Swallows Universe, Netflix
Best
News Coverage or Public Affairs Report - Ben Roberts-Smith:
The Truth, 60 Minutes, Nine Network
Best
Structured Program - Gogglebox Australia, Foxtel and
Network 10
Best
Lifestyle Program - Travel Guides, Nine Network
Bert
Newtown Award for Most Popular Presenter - Larry Emdur,
The Chase Australia and The Morning Show, Seven Network
Best
Supporting Actor - Bryan Brown, Boy Swallows Universe
Best
Lead Actor in a Comedy - Rob Sitch, Utopia, ABC
Graham
Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent - Felix
Cameron, Boy Swallows Universe, Netflix
Best
Supporting Actress - Sophie Wilde, Boy Swallows Universe,
Netflix
Best
Children's Program - Bluey, ABC
Best
Entertainment Program - The Voice Australia, Seven
Network
Best
Lead Actress in a Comedy - Kitty Flanagan, Utopia,
ABC
UFC
305
RAC
Arena
Perth, Western Australia
Dricus
du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya - Middleweight Title
Kai
Kara-France vs Steve Erceg
Tai
Tuivasa vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Mateusz
Gamrot vs Dan Hooker
Li
Jingliang vs Carlos Prates
Junior
Tafa vs Valter Walker
Josh
Culibao vs Ricardo Ramos
Casey
O'Neill vs Tereza Bleda
Jack
Jenkins vs Gavin Tucker
Tom
Nolan vs Alex Reyes
Song
Kenan vs Ricky Glenn
Stewart
Nicoll vs Jesus Aguilar
*correct
at time of publication
Videos
UFC
305 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 1
https://youtube.com/watch?v=bdtnIiKbMoA
Champ
Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya train for their
title bout; Steve Erceg walks his dog; Jairzinho Rozenstruik
eats after training; Tai Tuivasa arrives in Perth;
Carlos Prates hangs out with his mom; Kai Kara-France
gets a haircut. (Credit: UFC)
UFC
305 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 2
https://youtube.com/watch?v=SExOmPWMKVU
Champ
Dricus Du Plessis shows off his belt; The City Kickboxing
team trains together; Mateusz Gamrot explores nature;
Carlos Prates gets one last cardio session in at home;
Steve Erceg hangs out with his parents; Tai Tuivasa
has a hard workout session. (Credit: UFC)
UFC
305 Countdown - Du Plessis vs Adesanya
https://youtube.com/watch?v=wLfQ6aHxELY
The
UFC 305 Countdown previews the intense rivalry between
UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and former
champ Israel Adesanya ahead of their historic main
event, which marks the first time two African-born
fighters battle for a UFC title. Don't miss the main
card action that kicks off at 10pm ET / 7pm PT on
Saturday August 17. (Credit: UFC)
"Cultural
roots run deep for the people of Africa. The pride
of the nation is echoed through its sporting culture.
In recent years the rise of African fighters in the
UFC has been clear and present" ... Narrator
Websites
UFC
395
http://ufc.com/event/ufc-305
UFC
Official Website
http://ufc.com
UFC
YouTube
http://youtube.com/UFC
Media
Man: Very solid card. History will be made. Pumped!
Mining,
Energy and Resources: Australia and Oceania
August
9, 2024
News
Legal
fees for BHP class action top $680m
Law
firm Pogust Goodhead is representing about 600,000
participants in a class action over Brazil's Samarco
iron ore tailings dam collapse in 2015. The firm estimates
that its legal fees could be around Stg250m, while
total legal fees arising from the case could exceed
Stg350m. Documents filed with the UK's High Court
show that BHP's share of the legal costs have been
forecast at around Stg108m; however, this is just
for the first stage of the trial, and BHP will face
a further legal bill if the resources group is found
liable for the disaster in Brazil. Samarco is a joint
venture between BHP and Vale.
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
News
Win
for Fortescue in private eye battle
Federal
Court judge Brigitte Markovic has dismissed an application
by Element Zero's founders to access the instructions
that Fortescue gave to private investigators who had
been hired to put them under surveillance. Fortescue
alleges that its former employees Bart Kolodziejczyk,
Bjorn Winther-Jensen and Michael Masterman used its
intellectual property to develop Element Zero's rival
green steel technology. Justice Markovic ruled that
the instructions given to the private investigators
are likely to be subject to legal professional privilege.
News
Creasy
in talks for Macquarie's $148m debt at miner Calidus
Macquarie
Bank has a four per cent stake in Calidus Resources,
while it holds $148m of the failed gold producer's
debt. Sources have indicated that Macquarie has finalised
the terms of a deal to sell its Calidus loan at a
price that is at or near its carrying value. The buyer
of the debt is believed to be Yandal Investments,
the private investment vehicle of Western Australian
billionaire Mark Creasy. His deal to acquire Macquarie's
debt could give Creasy an edge over other potential
bidders for Calidus or its assets, which include the
Warrawoona gold project and a 40 per cent stake in
the Pirra lithium joint venture.
News
Win
for Whitehaven, MACH as court rejects climate bid
The
High Court has dismissed the Environment Council of
Central Queensland's application for special leave
to appeal the Federal Court's decision to allow two
NSW coal mine extension projects to proceed. The court
had ruled in May that federal Environment Minister
Tanya Plibersek had acted lawfully in handling the
environmental approvals process for the Whitehaven
Coal and MACH Energy projects. The ECCQ had initiated
legal action against the proposed mine expansions
in 2022.
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
Mining,
Energy and Resources: Australia and Oceania
August
7, 2024
News
Liontown
wants lithium breaks as prices teeter
Association
of Mining & Exploration Companies CEO Warren Pearce
says it is holding talks with the Western Australian
government with regard to royalty relief for lithium
producers. The price of spodumene has fallen to $US870
($1,337) per tonne, and Liontown Resources CEO Tony
Ottaviano contends that the government should intervene
in order to avert a similar crisis to the rout that
hit the nation's industry. He has also suggested that
the federal government should expand its production
tax credit scheme to include the upstream processing
of spodumene.
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
News
MinRes
job cuts add to thousands lost in WA's mining sector
route
A
spokesman for Mineral Resources has confirmed that
the iron ore and lithium producer will reduce its
head count, although the bulk of the job cuts will
be at its Perth head office. Mineral Resources has
not disclosed the extent of the job losses, although
it is believed to be about 100. The move follows the
company's recent decision to mothball its high-cost
iron ore mines in Western Australia's Yilgarn region
and a delay in the expansion of the Wodgina lithium
mine. WA's mining sector has already been hit by massive
job losses in the nickel industry in 2024.
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
News
Iron
ore 'must learn from nickel pain'
Dino
Otranto, the CEO of Fortescue's mining arm, has warned
that Australia risks missing out amid the global shift
to 'green' steel'. He has called for increased collaboration
between industry and government to ensure that the
nation capitalises on the decarbonisation of the steel
industry. He adds that the demise of Australia's nickel
industry provides a timely warning for iron ore producers.
News
Jilted
ERA heads to court over Jabiluka mine axing
Energy
Resources of Australia wants the Federal Court to
undertake a judicial review of the Northern Territory
government's decision to not renew its mining lease
for the Jabiluka uranium deposit. ERA contends that
it was denied "procedural fairness and natural
justice" in the decision to permanently ban mining
at Jabiluka. Amongst other things, ERA has questioned
the haste with which federal Resources Minister Madeleine
King advised the NT government to reject an extension
of the mining lease, which is slated to expire on
11 August.
News
Newmont
fights $130m 'restructuring' tax bill
The
Australian Taxation Office contends that Newmont Corporation
owes it some $132.6m in capital gains tax liabilities
arising from a restructuring in 2011. The tax dispute
is believed to centre on Newmont's decision to consolidate
ownership of its local mines under its Newmont Australia
subsidiary; this included a transaction in which two
of the mining giant's North American subsidiaries
sold their holdings in Newmont Australia back to it.
Newmont contends that the transfer was an internal
restructure rather than a share sale, and it should
therefore not attract capital gain taxes
News
Watchdog
threatens 'critical' Browse
Woodside
Energy's CEO Meg O'Neill has emphasised the importance
of the company's Browse LNG project. She contends
that Browse is the only gas field of sufficient size
to meet the forecast demand for energy over the near-term.
The Browse project's future is under scrutiny following
a preliminary ruling from Western Australia's Environmental
Protection Authority that it presents a "unacceptable
risk" to marine ecology. The EPA is expected
to make a final recommendation on the project in 2025,
although it can be overruled by the federal government.
O'Neill has also defended Woodside's deal to acquire
a low-carbon ammonia project in the US.
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
Media
Man Int
Media
Man Int X
Elon
Musk’s X Files Antitrust Suit Against Global
Advertising Alliance
August
6, 2024
Elon
Musk’s social media platform X has launched a
significant antitrust lawsuit against the Global Alliance
for Responsible Media (GARM) and several of its member
companies, alleging an illegal ad boycott that targeted
the platform. The lawsuit, filed in Texas, is aimed
at GARM, its parent firm World Federation of Advertisers
(WFA), and members including CVS Health, Mars, Orsted
and Unilever.
In
an open letter to advertisers, X CEO Linda Yaccarino
highlighted the reasons behind the lawsuit, stating
that it was a direct response to GARM’s actions
which allegedly cost the company billions of dollars.
“This is not a decision we took lightly, but
it is a direct consequence of their actions,”
Yaccarino wrote. “The illegal behavior of these
organizations and their executives cost X billions
of dollars” per The New York Post.
The
lawsuit is seeking trebled compensatory damages and
injunctive relief, according to a complaint viewed
by The New York Post. GARM, led by Robert Rakowitz,
is an initiative of the WFA, which represents many
of the world’s largest companies and ad organizations,
including Disney and Coca-Cola. Its members control
90% of global marketing spending, nearly $1 trillion
per year.
Yaccarino
emphasized that the issue extends beyond financial
damages. “This case is about more than damages
— we have to fix a broken ecosystem that allows
this illegal activity to occur,” she added.
According
to The New York Post, the suit argues that the boycott
undermined the marketplace of ideas by financially
harming certain viewpoints over others. (Credit: PYMNTS)
Full
article and coverage via PYMNTS
https://pymnts.com/cpi-posts/elon-musks-x-files-antitrust-suit-against-global-advertising-alliance/
PYMNTS
is a former Media Man 'Business News Outlet Of The
Month' award winner and finalist
News
Elon
Musk takes GARM, several companies to court over alleged
advertising boycott of X outlined in bombshell report
August
7, 2024
Tech
billionaire Elon Musk has taken several companies
and an advertising alliance to court over allegations
of a "boycott" of X.
Elon
Musk has waged “war” against advertisers
as his social media platform X filed an antitrust
lawsuit against a global ad alliance and several major
companies, accusing them of illegally boycotting the
site.
X
filed a suit in a federal court in Texas against the
World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), the Global
Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) and its members
CVS Health, Mars, Orsted and Unilever.
The
suit comes after a report from the US House of Representatives
Judiciary Committee found GARM and its members “directly
organised boycotts” and employed other indirect
tactics to target disfavoured “platforms, content
creators” and news organisations to demonetise
them.
It
alleges that GARM’s boycott led advertisers to
pull money from X under the guise of “brand safety”
concerns.
X’s
CEO Linda Yaccarino argued this tactic hindered users
on the social media platform from accessing a wide
breadth of ideas by funding alternative viewpoints.
“The
consequence - perhaps the intent - of this boycott
was to seek to deprive X’s users, be they sports
fans, gamers, journalists, activists, parents or political
and corporate leaders, of the Global Town Square,”
she wrote.
“To
put it simply, people are hurt when the marketplace
of ideas is undermined and some viewpoints are not
funded over others as part of an illegal boycott.”
Mr
Musk shared his colleague’s statement to the
platform and boldly declared: “We tried peace
for 2 years, now it is war.”
He
later encouraged “any company who has been systematically
boycotted” to file a suit.
Following
his post, video sharing platform Rumble joined Mr
Musk’s lawsuit, claiming it has also been impacted
towards GARM’s alleged skew away from right wing
voices and ideologies.
The
platform announced its move on X where it accused
GARM of being “a conspiracy to perpetrate an
advertiser boycott of Rumble and others, and that's
illegal”.
Since
Musk took over the social media platform in October
2022, X has suffered a serious dive in ad dollars
with the platform taking in US$2.5 billion in 2023,
according to Bloomberg.
This
was down from the US$1bn it was bringing in every
quarter of 2022.
Musk
triggered controversy again in November 2023 when
he endorsed an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that
Jewish communities push “hatred against whites”.
The
X owner responded: “You have said the actual
truth,” sparking an advertiser exodus that was
reported to have lost the company as much as $75m,
per The New York Times.
He
made headlines again in the same month after blasting
advertisers boycotting the social media platform,
boldly declaring: “Go f**k yourself”.
“If
somebody is going to try to blackmail me with advertising,
blackmail me with money, go f**k yourself. Go f**k
yourself. Is that clear? I hope it is,” he said.
(Sky News Australia)
Full
article and coverage via Sky News Australia
https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/elon-musk-takes-garm-several-companies-to-court-over-alleged-advertising-boycott-of-x-outlined-in-bombshell-report/news-story/7bac6243aada770042d14ca84afc23e7
Technology
News (Media Man Int) https://mediamanint.com/news3.html
Advertising
News (Media Man Int) https://mediamanint.com/advertising_news.html
Media
News (Media Man Int) https://mediamanint.com/news2.html
Yahoo
Finance wins Media Man 'Business News Outlet Of
The Month' award
PYMNTS
wins Media Man 'Businees News Outlet Of The Month'
award
Market,
Commodities and Financial News Snapshot via Media
Man
August
7, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6520 USD (up $0.0024 USD)
Iron
Ore Sep Spot Price (SGX): $102.85 USD (down $0.70
USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $72.96 USD (down $1.02 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,389.45 USD (down $19.96 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.0095 USD (up $0.0085 USD)
Bitcoin:
$56,485.71 USD (up 3.10% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 38,997.66 at 5.02pm NY time (up 294.39 points
on yesterday's close)
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
The
Australian Financial Review - Media and Marketing
News
Corp puts Foxtel up for sale after asset review
By
Sam Buckingham-Jones
August
9, 2024
News
Corp, the publishing and broadcast giant controlled
by the Murdoch family, has put its majority-owned
Australian pay television platform Foxtel up for sale
after a nine-month strategic review of its assets.
Outlining
its financial results on Friday, News Corp said there
was “third-party interest” in Foxtel, which
owns a pay TV business, streaming services Binge and
Kayo Sports, and aggregation platform Hubbl.
“We
are confident in the company’s long-term prospects
and are continuing to review our portfolio with a
focus on maximising returns for shareholders,”
News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson said.
“That
review has coincided recently with third-party interest
in a potential transaction involving the Foxtel ...
We are evaluating options for the business with our
advisors in light of that external interest.”
News
Corp owns 65 per cent of Foxtel, and Telstra owns
the rest.
Foxtel
has spent the past decade pivoting to the streaming
era, building Kayo and Binge – which have much
leaner profit margins – while preserving its
legacy base of around 1 million subscribers who pay,
on average, $90 a month. It has grown its total paying
subscription base to 4.7 million people.
Any
sale of Foxtel would have a flow-on effect on long-term
content deals, multi-billion dollar sports rights
packages, and more.
Mr
Thomson told analysts that News Corp had a “significant
overture that we are naturally assessing”, but
declined to provide further details.
“We
have full faith in the potential of Foxtel and the
talented team at Foxtel,” he said. “On behalf
of shareholders, we have to evaluate any interest
… You’ll have to stay tuned. Not indefinitely,
not perpetually, not ad infinitum.” (Credit:
The Australian Financial Review) @FinancialReview
Full
article via subscription to The Australian Financial
Review
https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/news-corp-puts-foxtel-up-for-sale-20240809-p5k0yv
Media
Man Int
Subscription
News (Media Man Int)
https://www.mediamanint.com/subscription_news.html
#NewsCorp
#Foxtel #FoxtelNews #FoxtelGroup #AFR #FinancialReview
#Kayo #KayoSports #Binge #Hubbl #SubscriberTV #PayTV
#subscription #subscriptionnews #TV #mediabusiness
#medianews #businessnews #biz #newswire #newsfeed
#trend #trends #Australia #media
Gold
News
Blogs
Media
Man Business Blog
Media
Man News Blog
Websites
The
Sydney Morning Herald - Gold
The
Sydney Morning Herald - Currencies
The
Sydney Morning Herald - Mining
The
Australian Financial Review - Commodities
Market
Index - Gold
MarketWatch
- Futures
Fatured
Websites
FX
Pro
NASDAQ
Mining.com.au
The
Australian Mining Review
FOX
Business FOX
News - US Economy
Daily
Updates via Media
Man Int X
FxPro
- Gold
Business
News: Australia
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
ASX
to fall as investors await big tech earnings
July
22, 2024
Futures
pricing suggests that Australian equities will shed
about 0.8 per cent when the market opens on Monday,
following a negative lead from Wall Street. A dearth
of local economic data means that investors will be
focused on offshore markets over the coming week;
the quarterly reporting season in the US is likely
to attract scrutiny, with two of the seven major technology
companies set to release their latest financial results
in coming days. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.8 per cent
to 7,961.6 points on Friday.
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
News
Lithium
stocks targeted by short sellers
Australian
Securities & Investments Commission data has revealed
that seven companies on the ASX had more than 10 per
cent of their shares reported as shorted as at 12
July, compared to just one in the previous year. Companies
involved in the mining of lithium and other materials
used in the manufacture of electric vehicles account
for seven of the 10 most shorted stocks on the ASX,
with 21.06 per cent of Pilbara Minerals shares reported
as shorted. Oscar Oberg from Wilson Asset Management
says Pilbara Minerals' reported short position is
unheard of; he adds that Pilbara Minerals is being
shorted because demand for electric vehicles is not
as strong as had been forecast.
News
Mortgage
cliff turns into a subsiding wave
PEXA
Group's chief economist Julie Toth believes that the
rush for Australians to refinance their mortgage loans
has peaked. She adds that rather than a 'mortgage
cliff', the nation has experienced only a 'wave' as
borrowers have shifted their loans to variable interest
rates after their fixed-loan period expired. Toth
adds that there has been a slight increase in mortgage
arrears and distressed sales in response to the Reserve
Bank's aggressive monetary policy tightening cycle;
she expects arrears to remain stable if there are
no more interest rate increases.
News
CSR's
insulation price rise 'could be gouging'
Insulation
distributor Consolidated Energy alleges that building
materials group CSR misused its market power to 'gouge'
suppliers with huge increases in the price of insulation;
it is seeking internal documents and board papers
in order to prove its claim. Consolidated Energy is
asking the Federal Court to grant its request that
CSR be required to hand over information relating
to price increases between June 2021 and June 2022;
Consolidated Energy alleges that CSR was limiting
supply to distributors and imposing big price increases
in order to benefit its own business.
News
Coal
boss: use gas to ease the transition
Data
from the Australian Energy Market Operator has revealed
that no renewable energy project that was in the commissioning
stage reached full output in June. This was despite
an increase in renewable energy projects being ready
to come online, prompting calls from Delta Electricity
CEO Richard Wrightson for gas to be included in the
federal government's Capacity Investment Scheme. With
Delta being the owner of the Vales Point coal plant
in NSW, Wrightson says gas is the only technology
available now that can solve the firming problem,
but it is the only technology that is being supported
by the government's scheme.
News
Fortescue
now marching 'to the one beat'
July
20, 2024
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
Andrew
Forrest surprised investors at its 2020 AGM when he
outlined a vision for the iron ore mining company
that would see it become a green energy behemoth.
He said Fortescue would be targeting production of
as much as 235 gigawatts or renewable energy, more
than five times the capacity of Australia's National
Electricity Market at the time. However, Forrest has
now conceded it cannot achieve its target of producing
15 million tonnes of green hydrogen a year by 2030
because of soaring energy costs, although he contends
Fortescue's green energy dream is still alive. Fortescue
will now bring its iron ore and green energy units
back together, with Forrest saying that all of the
company are "all marching in the same direction,
to the same drum beat".
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
Commodities
News: Gold via Media Man and FxPro
July
7, 2024
Weakness
in gold's growth
Gold
has lost 0.9% since the start of Monday, almost back
to the point where it was trading before the release
of jobs data on Friday. Perhaps the very first market
reaction to the data release highlighted the mindset
of key market participants: they are ready to sell.
Gold
has been on an upward trend since the last few days
of June, leading the price up 4% to $2390 at its peak
on Friday. This can largely be attributed to the dollar's
1% decline, as gold often moves with a higher amplitude.
Weak
employment figures also pushed up the gold price on
Friday, leading to a weaker dollar and bringing the
start of rate cuts closer. However, we note the momentum
of the 0.8% decline in gold in the first moments after
publication.
The
subsequent market reaction was a "worse is better"
style: the weakness in the labour market increased
expectations of a rate cut soon, which boosted risk
appetite. But this is a very unsustainable play, as
not all the negativity in the macro economy is disinflationary.
Just the opposite, we saw confirmation of wage growth
(4.1% y/y) above inflation (3.3% y/y). At the same
time, the previous months' hiring figures were revised
downward, and the unemployment rate reached a 31-month
high.
Thus,
the economic situation is deteriorating faster than
inflation is slowing. A key rate cut, in this case,
would be an attempt to support economic growth rather
than remove excessive tightness in monetary policy.
That is, the chances of a cut for "bad"
reasons rather than good ones are growing, which is
negative for risk appetite in the medium term.
On
the charts, gold has so far hit resistance at $2390,
which also caused a local reversal in April. Further
improvement in risk appetite in global financial markets
cannot be ruled out and may be helped by the reporting
season. Gold's ability to gain strength above $2390
could serve as an important price signal, heralding
a fresh assault on historical highs near $2450.
However,
we see more chance of further pressure on the gold
price. We see the 50-day moving average at $2340 as
the first signalling point. If this line is stormed
without bullish resistance, the price could quickly
retreat to the $2300 area, which is crucial for determining
the dynamics for the coming months. A fall below it
would be seen as a break of the bullish trend since
October when the Fed first signalled its willingness
to cut rates.
Markets
and Commodities
July
9, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6735 USD (down $0.0003 USD)
Iron
Ore Aug Spot Price (SGX): $108.75 USD (down $1.50
USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $82.30 USD (down $0.86 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,358.93 USD (down $32.66 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.6035 USD (down $0.0645 USD)
Bitcoin:
$56,215.84 USD (down 1.75% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 39,344.79 (down 31.08 points on Friday's close)
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
Economic
conditions (including inflation and prices) are the
biggest challenge facing Australian farmers
A
special Roy Morgan survey of Australian farmers shows
a majority of farmers (57%) say the biggest challenge
they are facing is economic conditions (including
inflation/prices), up 8% points from a year ago and
up a large 22% points from 2022.
In
a clear second place is Government policy mentioned
by 23% of farmers, almost doubling from a year ago
(up 11% points from 2023) and up by 17% points from
2022. Over the last two years Government policy has
increased from equal fifth to a clear second place
in the list of challenges.
Staffing
issues, including finding sufficient labour for their
farms, are the third most prominent issue and mentioned
by 18% of farmers as the biggest challenge they face,
up 5% points from a year ago.
Filling
out the top five issues were weather, mentioned by
16% of farmers, business viability, also at 16% and
somewhat surprisingly, climate change, mentioned by
only 7% of farmers and down from a year ago.
News
Finance
/ World Business News
Euro,
Gold, Crypto and more via Media Man and FX Pro
A
strong current account surplus may not help euro
The
eurozone's current account surplus climbed to a six-month
high of 31.9bn in December. Analysts, on average,
had expected a decline to 20.3 bn from 22.5 bn the
previous month. The current level was seen in the
eurozone during the relatively benign pre-Covid period
and sometime before Natural Gas prices spiked in the
second half of 2021.
The
normalisation of the surplus is good news for the
single currency, as it means more net capital inflows
into the region. But this growth has been fuelled
by falling imports, which can be the result of lower
commodity and energy prices (which is a very good
thing), but also partly indicative of a slowdown in
domestic demand. This threatens to translate into
economic contraction in the coming months.
The
euro area experienced periods of severe import contraction
in late 2008 and early 2010, and in both cases, the
economy experienced a severe downturn. Back in 2008,
all this was accompanied by the collapse of the euro.
Gold
Gold
rises but within a downward channel
Gold
rallied for the fourth consecutive session to reach
$2023, recovering almost all the losses suffered the
week before on the back of the inflation report. Gold's
ability to rally suggests continued domestic demand,
as some investors are clearly rushing to buy back
any losses.
At
the same time, however, we note that since the beginning
of the year, gold has been characterised by solid
selloffs on the news, forming a smooth downtrend.
In the context of this downtrend, a rise to $2040-2045,
which is the upper boundary of the bearish range,
looks quite acceptable.
The
area around $2035 - the highs of two weeks ago - also
appears to be a crucial intermediate level. Confident
buying from this level would be the first important
signal that the recent correction is over and that
gold is ready to make a fresh assault on the highs.
Much
more important, however, will be the behaviour of
gold as it approaches the $2050 level, where the reversal
of the decline in late January took place.
Consolidation
at this level would confirm the breakdown of the downtrend
and set the stage for a move towards $2100 and the
subsequent renewal of historic highs.
However,
as long as gold is trading within the downtrend, there
is a greater chance of a breakdown or even an acceleration
of the downtrend.
Among
the fundamental factors, the potential for growth
could be provided by the fall in the dollar if Fed
officials show a softening of their position, bringing
the start of interest rate cuts closer.
On
the bearish side, equities could come under pressure
following the optimistic rally in the tech giants
and the news of a sharp slowdown in economic activity.
We also do not rule out the possibility that the recent
support measures for the Chinese stock market and
property sector will cool demand for gold as a safe-haven
for investors from that part of the world.
Websites
The
Sydney Morning Herald - Gold
The
Sydney Morning Herald - Currencies
The
Sydney Morning Herald - Mining
The
Australian Financial Review - Commodities
Market
Index - Gold
MarketWatch
- Futures
Profiles
Markets
Business
Gold
Mining
Currency
Jewelry
Luxury
World
Australasian
Gaming Expo
Advertising
Promotions
Gold
is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from Latin:
aurum) and atomic number 79. This makes it one of
the higher atomic number elements that occur naturally.
It is a bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft,
malleable, and ductile metal in a pure form. Chemically,
gold is a transition metal and a group 11 element.
It is one of the least reactive chemical elements
and is solid under standard conditions. Gold often
occurs in free elemental (native state), as nuggets
or grains, in rocks, veins, and alluvial deposits.
It occurs in a solid solution series with the native
element silver (as electrum), naturally alloyed with
other metals like copper and palladium, and mineral
inclusions such as within pyrite. Less commonly, it
occurs in minerals as gold compounds, often with tellurium
(gold tellurides).
Gold
is resistant to most acids, though it does dissolve
in aqua regia (a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric
acid), forming a soluble tetrachloroaurate anion.
Gold is insoluble in nitric acid alone, which dissolves
silver and base metals, a property long used to refine
gold and confirm the presence of gold in metallic
substances, giving rise to the term 'acid test'. Gold
dissolves in alkaline solutions of cyanide, which
are used in mining and electroplating. Gold also dissolves
in mercury, forming amalgam alloys, and as the gold
acts simply as a solute, this is not a chemical reaction.
A
relatively rare element,[6][7] gold is a precious
metal that has been used for coinage, jewelry, and
other arts throughout recorded history. In the past,
a gold standard was often implemented as a monetary
policy. Gold coins ceased to be minted as a circulating
currency in the 1930s, and the world gold standard
was abandoned for a fiat currency system after the
Nixon shock measures of 1971.
In
2020, the world's largest gold producer was China,
followed by Russia and Australia.[8] A total of around
201,296 tonnes of gold exists above ground, as of
2020.[9] This is equal to a cube with each side measuring
roughly 21.7 meters (71 ft). The world consumption
of new gold produced is about 50% in jewelry, 40%
in investments and 10% in industry.[10] Gold's high
malleability, ductility, resistance to corrosion and
most other chemical reactions, and conductivity of
electricity have led to its continued use in corrosion-resistant
electrical connectors in all types of computerized
devices (its chief industrial use). Gold is also used
in infrared shielding, production of colored glass,
gold leafing, and tooth restoration. Certain gold
salts are still used as anti-inflammatories in medicine.
(Wikipedia)
News
Trends Bitcoin
News Cryptocurrency
News
Sky
News Australia - Business News
The
Sydney Morning Herald - Business
News.com.au
- Finance - Business
The
Australian Financial Review - Companies
AFR
- Companies Index
The
Australian Financial Review - Media and Marketing
Valuetainment
- Business
Financial
Times
In
economics, a commodity is an economic good or service
that has full or substantial fungibility: that is,
the market treats instances of the good as equivalent
or nearly so with no regard to who produced them.
The
price of a commodity good is typically determined
as a function of its market as a whole: well-established
physical commodities have actively traded spot and
derivative markets. The wide availability of commodities
typically leads to smaller profit margins and diminishes
the importance of factors (such as brand name) other
than price.
Most
commodities are raw materials, basic resources, agricultural,
or mining products, such as iron ore, sugar, or grains
like rice and wheat. Commodities can also be mass-produced
unspecialized products such as chemicals and computer
memory.
Hard
and soft commodities
Soft
commodities are goods that are grown, such as wheat,
or rice.
Hard
commodities are mined. Examples include gold ,silver,
helium, and oil.
Energy
commodities include electricity, gas, coal and oil.
Electricity has the particular characteristic that
it is usually uneconomical to store, and must therefore
be consumed as soon as it is produced.
(Wikipedia)
Features
Sports
Business Daily
Sports
Business Coverage Here
Media
Business
Big
Tech
Gold
News
SEO
News
AI
News
News
Finance
/ World Business News
Euro,
Gold, Crypto and more via Media Man and FX Pro
A
strong current account surplus may not help euro
The
eurozone's current account surplus climbed to a six-month
high of 31.9bn in December. Analysts, on average,
had expected a decline to 20.3 bn from 22.5 bn the
previous month. The current level was seen in the
eurozone during the relatively benign pre-Covid period
and sometime before Natural Gas prices spiked in the
second half of 2021.
The
normalisation of the surplus is good news for the
single currency, as it means more net capital inflows
into the region. But this growth has been fuelled
by falling imports, which can be the result of lower
commodity and energy prices (which is a very good
thing), but also partly indicative of a slowdown in
domestic demand. This threatens to translate into
economic contraction in the coming months.
The
euro area experienced periods of severe import contraction
in late 2008 and early 2010, and in both cases, the
economy experienced a severe downturn. Back in 2008,
all this was accompanied by the collapse of the euro.
Gold
Gold
rises but within a downward channel
Gold
rallied for the fourth consecutive session to reach
$2023, recovering almost all the losses suffered the
week before on the back of the inflation report. Gold's
ability to rally suggests continued domestic demand,
as some investors are clearly rushing to buy back
any losses.
At
the same time, however, we note that since the beginning
of the year, gold has been characterised by solid
selloffs on the news, forming a smooth downtrend.
In the context of this downtrend, a rise to $2040-2045,
which is the upper boundary of the bearish range,
looks quite acceptable.
The
area around $2035 - the highs of two weeks ago - also
appears to be a crucial intermediate level. Confident
buying from this level would be the first important
signal that the recent correction is over and that
gold is ready to make a fresh assault on the highs.
Much
more important, however, will be the behaviour of
gold as it approaches the $2050 level, where the reversal
of the decline in late January took place.
Consolidation
at this level would confirm the breakdown of the downtrend
and set the stage for a move towards $2100 and the
subsequent renewal of historic highs.
However,
as long as gold is trading within the downtrend, there
is a greater chance of a breakdown or even an acceleration
of the downtrend.
Among
the fundamental factors, the potential for growth
could be provided by the fall in the dollar if Fed
officials show a softening of their position, bringing
the start of interest rate cuts closer.
On
the bearish side, equities could come under pressure
following the optimistic rally in the tech giants
and the news of a sharp slowdown in economic activity.
We also do not rule out the possibility that the recent
support measures for the Chinese stock market and
property sector will cool demand for gold as a safe-haven
for investors from that part of the world.
Cryptocurrency
Crypto
market growth halted amid capital inflows
Market
picture
The
crypto market has corrected 0.46% in the last 24 hours,
fluctuating within a narrow range without a clear
direction. Bitcoin is down 1% but up 3.7% over seven
days, Ethereum is flat for the day but up 10.6% over
the week. The top coins are mixed with BNB +2% and
Solana -2.5%.
Bitcoin
is currently drawing its fourth daily candle with
opening and closing levels close to each other. Such
sideways consolidations are characteristic of strong
bull markets, as opposed to corrective pullbacks on
smoother rallies.
Ethereum
hit local highs on rumours of a positive regulatory
decision before the end of March. Bloomberg analyst
James Seyffarth bet 4 ETH that the SEC will not approve
a spot Ethereum ETF next month.
According
to data from CoinShares, investment in crypto funds
rose by a record $2.452 billion last week, following
inflows of $1.116 billion the previous week.
Bitcoin investments increased by $2.424 billion, Ethereum
by $21 million, Cardano lost $6 million, and Solana
lost $1.6 million.
Since
the beginning of the year, crypto funds have seen
inflows of an impressive $5.2 billion, with total
AUM rising to $67 billion, the highest since December
2021.
News
background
Bitcoin
will see institutional support in the next three to
six months, according to Coinbase. Bitcoin ETFs could
eventually become a major competitor to gold funds.
According to IntoTheBlock, there is an 85% chance
that Bitcoin will reach a new all-time high within
the next six months. Five factors could contribute
to this: the halving of the price, ETFs, monetary
easing, the US election, and companies accumulating
BTC as part of their treasuries.
Former
CIA contractor Edward Snowden, who has been living
in Russia since 2013, called bitcoin the most significant
achievement of the financial system in the entire
existence of money and means of exchange.
Amberdata
admitted that Ethereum will outpace Bitcoin in terms
of growth due to more constructive deflationary policies.
The supply of ETH has been decreasing since September
2022, thanks to the update of The Merge, as well as
the implementation of a mechanism to burn part of
the commissions. During this time, around 0.36 million
ETH, or 0.3% of the total supply of 120 million coins,
have been removed from circulation.
Via
Roy Morgan Research and Media Man social media
Copper,
gold, and Bitcoin rise; Iron ore and oil fall; ASX
to fall in response to selling on Wall Street; US
vetoes Arab-backed UN resolution demanding ceasefire
in Gaza; Assange's lawyers warn that he risks 'flagrant
denial of justice' if he is tried in US
Latest
updates on Key Economic Indicators
21
February 2024
Roy
Morgan Summary
Australian
Dollar: $0.6550 USD (up 0.0011 USD)
Iron Ore Mar Spot Price (SGX): $120.85 USD (down $6.40
USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $78.27 USD (down $1.02 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,024.37 USD (up $6.43 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $3.8595 (up $0.0465 USD)
Bitcoin:
$52,059.35 (up 0.35% in last 24 hours)
New
report reveals Roy Morgan is one of Australia's leading
data companies - with in-depth information on millions
of Australians based on their Helix Personas
Market
Research Update
20
February 2024
Roy
Morgan Summary
Roy
Morgan leads the way as one of Australia's leading
data companies. A special in-depth report into Australia's
leading data companies interviewed Roy Morgan CEO
Michele Levine and Executive Chairman Gary Morgan
about the role the company plays in compiling data
and building profiles of different Australians. One
of Roy Morgan's key products is 'Helix Personas' which
profiles people under headings such as "young
and platinum", "smart money", "cautious
conservatives", "fair go", "working
hard" and nearly 50 other personas. For example,
the "young and platinum" group love their
mobile devices and are "always on the hunt for
the shiny, new and cool" and "making the
rent". Their income is around the $64,000 a year
mark and they can often be found "living a conventional
life centred around family".
Roy
Morgan CEO Michele Levine confirmed that the Helix
Personas market segments are based on statistical
information, not data from individual people. "It's
totally ethical. Unlike Facebook or any of these things,
it's not any particular individual", Roy Morgan's
chief executive Michele Levine, said.: 38,582.12 at
3.22pm NY time (down 45.87 points on Friday's close)
Roy
Morgan wins three-year contract to deliver domestic
tourism statistics for Austrade
21
February 2024
Roy
Morgan Summary
From
2025, Roy Morgan will provide Austrade with the world's
best practice survey methodology, big data integration
and modelling techniques to deliver accurate domestic
tourism statistics. Roy Morgan has reimagined the
future of domestic tourism statistics to move Austrade
and its stakeholders to the forefront of tourism intelligence
with a new platform that will drive the future of
Australia's tourism industry, which is estimated to
be worth in excess of $160 billion. Portia Morgan,
the Head of Client Services at Roy Morgan, says that
using face-to-face interviewing, which is the gold-standard
for surveying the population, enhanced with big data
and cutting-edge data science techniques, Roy Morgan
will be delivering a future-proofed system that will
be cost effective, reliable, and accurate. She adds
that Roy Morgan has been delivering survey-based tourism
insights via its Holiday Tracking Survey for 20+ years
and the company is thrilled to be working with Austrade
and the broader industry to provide a deeper of understanding
of how many people are travelling, where they go,
what they do and how they spend their valuable tourism
dollars.
Anti-mining
PM pushes BHP's cash offshore
Roy
Morgan Summary
It
is somewhat hypocritical of the federal government
to flag possible support for Australia's nickel industry,
given that Labor's anti-mining legislation may jeopardise
the expansion of BHP's copper operations in South
Australia. BHP is still likely to proceed with an
expansion, but the previously touted investment of
between $10bn and $15bn is now only a 50 per cent
chance. The new labour laws in the government's industrial
relations reforms mean that BHP is now more likely
to redirect much of this capital investment to its
criticals minerals projects in other countries; rival
miner Rio Tinto is already doing this.
More
than 2.7 million New Zealanders now read newspapers
and magazine audiences surge to over 1.7 million
21
February 2024
Roy
Morgan has released its readership results for New
Zealand's newspapers and magazines for the 12 months
to December 2023. The data shows that 2.73 million
New Zealanders aged 14+ (64.4%) now read or access
newspapers in an average 7-day period via print or
online (website or app) platforms. In addition, 1.71
million New Zealanders aged 14+ (40.3%) read magazines,
whether in print or online either via the web or an
app. The New Zealand Herald is still the nation's
most widely-read publication, with a total cross-platform
audience of 1,720,000 in the 12 months to June 2023
- almost five times as many as the second placed Dominion
Post with a readership of 341,000. Meanwhile, New
Zealand's most widely read magazine is still the driving
magazine AA Directions, which had an average issue
readership of 379,000 during the year to December
(an increase of 63,000 on a year ago).
These
are the latest findings from the Roy Morgan New Zealand
Single Source survey of 6,254 New Zealanders aged
14+ over the 12 months to December 2023.
New
report reveals Roy Morgan is one of Australia's leading
data companies - with in-depth information on millions
of Australians based on their Helix Personas
Market
Research Update
20
February 2024
Roy
Morgan Summary
Roy
Morgan leads the way as one of Australia's leading
data companies. A special in-depth report into Australia's
leading data companies interviewed Roy Morgan CEO
Michele Levine and Executive Chairman Gary Morgan
about the role the company plays in compiling data
and building profiles of different Australians. One
of Roy Morgan's key products is 'Helix Personas' which
profiles people under headings such as "young
and platinum", "smart money", "cautious
conservatives", "fair go", "working
hard" and nearly 50 other personas. For example,
the "young and platinum" group love their
mobile devices and are "always on the hunt for
the shiny, new and cool" and "making the
rent". Their income is around the $64,000 a year
mark and they can often be found "living a conventional
life centred around family". Roy Morgan CEO Michele
Levine confirmed that the Helix Personas market segments
are based on statistical information, not data from
individual people. "It's totally ethical. Unlike
Facebook or any of these things, it's not any particular
individual", Roy Morgan's chief executive Michele
Levine, said.
(Credit:
Roy Morgan Research)
Roy
Morgan Summary
Roy
Morgan leads the way as one of Australia's leading
data companies. A special in-depth report into Australia's
leading data companies interviewed Roy Morgan CEO
Michele Levine and Executive Chairman Gary Morgan
about the role the company plays in compiling data
and building profiles of different Australians.
One
of Roy Morgan's key products is 'Helix Personas' which
profiles people under headings such as "young
and platinum", "smart money", "cautious
conservatives", "fair go", "working
hard" and nearly 50 other personas. For example,
the "young and platinum" group love their
mobile devices and are "always on the hunt for
the shiny, new and cool" and "making the
rent". Their income is around the $64,000 a year
mark and they can often be found "living a conventional
life centred around family". Roy Morgan CEO Michele
Levine confirmed that the Helix Personas market segments
are based on statistical information, not data from
individual people. "It's totally ethical. Unlike
Facebook or any of these things, it's not any particular
individual", Roy Morgan's chief executive Michele
Levine, said.
(Credit:
Roy Morgan Research)
Media
Man
Warrner
Bros
Profile
In
2010, the Warner Bros. Pictures Group broke the all-time
industry worldwide box office record with receipts
of $4.814 billion, which surpassed the prior record
of $4.010 billion (set by the Studio in 2009). Warner
Bros. also established a new industry benchmark for
the international box office with a total of $2.93
billion (marking a record third time of crossing the
$2 billion threshold) and retained its leading domestic
box office ranking with receipts of $1.884 billion.
2010 also marked the 10th consecutive year Warner
Bros. Pictures passed the billion dollar mark at both
the domestic and international box offices. Warner
Home Video was, once again, the industry’s leader,
with an overall 20.6 percent marketshare in total
DVD and Blu-ray sales. The companies comprising the
Warner Bros. Television Group and Warner Bros. Home
Entertainment Group remain category leaders, working
across all platforms and outlets, and are trendsetters
in the digital realm with video-on-demand (transaction
and ad-supported), branded channels, original content,
anti-piracy technology and broadband and wireless
destinations.
The
Warner Bros. Pictures Group brings together the Studio’s
motion picture production, marketing and distribution
operations into a single entity. The Group, which
includes Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures
International, was formed to streamline the Studio’s
film production process and bring those businesses’
organizational structures in line with Warner Bros.’
television and home entertainment operations.
Warner
Bros. Pictures produces and distributes a wide-ranging
slate of some 18-22 films each year, employing a business
paradigm that mitigates risk while maximizing productivity
and capital. Warner Bros. Pictures either fully finances
or co-finances the films it produces and maintains
worldwide distribution rights. It also monetizes its
distribution and marketing operations by distributing
films that are totally financed and produced by third-parties.
The Studio’s 2011 slate includes “Sucker
Punch,” “The Hangover Part II,” “Green
Lantern,” “Harry Potter and the Deathly
Hallows – Part 2,” “Happy Feet 2”
and “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.”
Warner
Bros. Pictures International is a global leader in
the marketing and distribution of feature films, operating
offices in more than 30 countries and releasing films
in over 120 international territories, either directly
to theaters or in conjunction with partner companies
and co-ventures.
New
Line Cinema, part of Warner Bros. Entertainment since
2008, coordinates its development, production, marketing,
distribution and business affairs activities with
Warner Bros. Pictures to maximize film performance
and operating efficiencies. Highlights of New Line’s
2011 release slate, distributed by Warner Bros., include
“Horrible Bosses,” “Final Destination
5,” “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas”
and “New Year’s Eve.”
The
Warner Bros. Television Group oversees and grows the
entire portfolio of Warner Bros.’ television
businesses, including worldwide production, traditional
and digital distribution, and broadcasting. In the
traditional television arena, WBTVG produces primetime
and cable (Warner Bros. Television and Warner Horizon
Television), first-run syndication (Telepictures Productions)
and animated (Warner Bros. Animation) programming,
which is distributed worldwide by two category-leading
distribution arms/operations (Warner Bros. Domestic
Television Distribution and Warner Bros. International
Television Distribution).
Among
the primetime series produced by divisions of the
Warner Bros. Television Group are “Two and a
Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “The
Mentalist,” “Mike & Molly,” “Fringe,”
“Gossip Girl,” “The Vampire Diaries,”
“Nikita,” “The Middle,” “Southland,”
“The Closer,” “Rizzoli & Isles,”
“Supernatural,” “The Bachelor,”
“Pretty Little Liars,” “Randy Jackson
Presents America’s Best Dance Crew” and
many more. Also produced by the company are first-run
syndicated programs such as “The Ellen DeGeneres
Show,” “TMZ” and “Extra,”
among others, as well as animated shows “Scooby-Doo!
Mystery Incorporated” and “Young Justice.”
WBTVG
is an innovative leader in developing new business
models for the evolving television landscape, including
ad-supported video-on-demand, broadband and wireless,
and has digital distribution agreements in place with
all of the broadcast networks. Internationally, the
Studio is one of the world’s largest distributors
of feature films, television programs and animation
to the worldwide television marketplace, licensing
some 50,000 hours of television programming, including
more than 6,000 feature films and 50 current series,
dubbed or subtitled in more than 40 languages, to
telecasters and cablecasters in more than 175 countries.
WBTVG
provides original shortform programming for the broadband
and wireless marketplace through its Studio 2.0 digital
venture, and its digital media sales unit is devoted
specifically to multiplatform domestic advertiser
sales for both broadband and wireless. WBTVG continues
its strategic expansion into digital production and
distribution with the launch of several advertiser-supported
entertainment destinations, including TheWB.com, a
premium, video-on-demand interactive and personalized
network and KidsWB.com, a premium destination built
around youth-oriented immersive entertainment.
The
final component of WBTVG is broadcasting: The CW Television
Network, launched (in partnership with CBS) in September
2006 with quality, diverse programming, is targeted
to the 18–34 audience.
Warner
Bros. Animation’s combined classic and contemporary
library currently boasts 14,000 animated episodes
and shorts which air on domestic broadcast networks,
as well as cable networks and in direct-to-video releases
around the world. The classic library includes such
brands as Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, Hanna-Barbera
and Ruby-Spears as well as such beloved characters
as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester, Tweety, Taz,
Tom and Jerry, Popeye, Batman, Superman, the Flintstones,
the Jetsons and Scooby-Doo.
Warner
Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner
Bros. Entertainment’s home video (Warner Home
Video), digital distribution (Warner Bros. Digital
Distribution), interactive entertainment/videogames
(Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment), direct-to-consumer
production (Warner Premiere), technical operations
(Warner Bros. Technical Operations) and anti-piracy
(Warner Bros. Anti-Piracy Operations) businesses in
order to maximize current and next-generation distribution
scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution
of content through DVD, electronic sell-through and
transactional VOD, and delivery of theatrical content
to wireless and online channels. It is also a significant
worldwide publisher for both internal and third party
videogame titles.
In
2010, Warner Home Video dominated the U.S. market
as the number one company in total sell-through video
(DVD and Blu-ray combined) with 20.6% marketshare,
theatrical catalog, TV on DVD, non-theatrical family
and animation, Blu-ray and VOD. WHV has been the number
one studio in overall DVD sales 14 consecutive years,
and is also the leading studio in the international
home video space.
With
more than 3,700 active licensees worldwide, Warner
Bros. Consumer Products licenses the rights to names,
likenesses and logos for all of the intellectual properties
in Warner Bros. Entertainment’s vast film and
television library. With a global network of offices
and agents in key regions throughout the world, including
North America, Latin America, Asia and Europe, WBCP
maintains an ongoing commitment to expand and build
the power of its core brands’ recognition in
the international marketplace through strong and creative
merchandising, promotional marketing and retail programs.
DC
Entertainment’s DC Comics has been in continuous
publication for more than 60 years, and is the leading
comic book publisher in the industry and the creator
of some of the world’s most recognized icons.
DC’s characters continue to headline blockbuster
feature films, live-action and animated television
series, direct-to-video releases, collectors’
books, online entertainment, digital publishing, countless
licensing and marketing arrangements and, most recently,
graphic novels. DC continues to attract new readers
and fans all over the world with its signature characters
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Justice League
leading the way.
Warner
Bros. International Cinemas provides a true state-of-the-art
movie experience to audiences in Japan with more than
60 multiplex cinemas and more than 600 screens internationally.
One of the pioneers in multiplex development for the
international marketplace, WBIC is continually exploring
new markets for expansion. (Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment)
Press
Release
09
August 2010
MICROGAMING SET TO LAUNCH THE LORD OF THE RINGS™:
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING ONLINE VIDEO SLOT GAME
First Title to Utilize Proprietary Cinematic Spins™
Technology Allowing Players to Experience the Film
with Every Spin
ISLE
OF MAN – Microgaming today announced the imminent
launch of a new flagship game, The Lord of the Rings:
The Fellowship of the Ring Online Video Slot Game.
This slot game is the first to utilise Microgaming’s
new Cinematic Spins™ technology, allowing gamers
to see clips from the films with every spin.
The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a
new online slot game that is part of a multi-year
licensing agreement Microgaming signed with Warner
Bros. Digital Distribution in 2009. The company is
developing a series of cutting-edge, graphic rich
video slots based on this popular movie trilogy and
will use animation material, themes, and characters,
from the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings™ motion
pictures that include The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship
of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
These online slot games will be available to adults
only in countries where online gaming is permitted.
The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the
first online video slot to use Microgaming’s
Cinematic Spins™ state-of-the-art gaming technology.
This allows movie clips to act as moving backgrounds
behind the reels during spins providing players an
unprecedented level of excitement and immersion.
Win sequences and expanding wilds also use cinematic
clips, instead of traditional animated graphics. The
slots feature famous scenes from the film including
Ringwraiths during the attack at Weathertop, Balrog
in the Mines of Moria, and Uruk-hai in the woods of
Middle-earth. Players will also enjoy seeing characters
from the films that include Frodo, Aragorn, Saruman
and the deadly Black Riders.
Roger
Raatgever, CEO Microgaming comments: “Microgaming
has always been ahead of the curve with innovative
offerings, but this game really does push the boundaries
of what an online slot can do. The Lord of the Rings:
The Fellowship of the Ring looks and feels like an
extension of the big screen film experience and we’re
confident that our operators will see a great deal
of demand from their players, when the game is released.
This is an important deal for Microgaming and highlights
our commitment to partner with the right brands, at
the right time. The Lord of the Rings is one of the
most successful and well loved brands on the planet
and we are excited about combining this widespread
appeal with Microgaming’s groundbreaking software.”
The
Lord of the Rings Trilogy generated $3 billion in
worldwide box office receipts and was nominated for
a total of 30 Academy Awards®; of which they won
17, including Best Picture.
-
Ends -
Notes to editors:
*Cinematic Spins is a trademark held by Microgaming
©
2010 New Line Productions, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of
the Rings: The Return of the King and the names of
the characters, items, events and places therein are
trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth
Enterprises under license to New Line Productions,
Inc.
For
further information please contact:
Duncan Skehens / Laura Moss/ Lyndsay Haywood
Lansons Communications
020 7490 8828
DuncanS@lansons.com / LauraM@lansons.com / LyndsayH@lansons.com
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution
Peter
Binazeski
818-977-5701
peter.binazeski@warnerbros.com
About Microgaming (www.microgaming.com)
Since the company developed the first true online
Casino software over a decade ago, it has led the
industry in providing innovative, reliable gaming
solutions. Thanks to an unrivalled R&D programme,
that averages 60 games per year and a unique ‘partnership’
approach to working with operators; Microgaming software
powers over 160 market-leading online gaming sites.
The company’s front and back-end software supports
multi-player, multi-language games - over 500 of them,
all uniquely branded and provides platforms for land-based
and wireless gaming. Microgaming powers the world’s
largest Progressive Jackpot Network and has paid out
over €265million. In May 2009 it created the
biggest ever online jackpot winner with a single payment
win of €6.37m.
As
a founding member of eCOGRA, Microgaming is at the
forefront of an initiative focused on setting the
highest standards in the gaming industry, and leads
in the areas of fair gaming, responsible operator
conduct and player protection. Microgaming has been
awarded eCOGRA’s Certified Software Seal following
a rigorous onsite assessment to ensure that the development,
implementation and maintenance of the software is
representative of industry best practice standards
Microgaming licensees are therefore eligible to apply
for the eCOGRA Safe & Fair Seal.
About
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) manages Warner
Bros. Home Entertainment Group's (WBHEG) electronic
distribution over existing, new and emerging digital
platforms, including pay-per-view, electronic sell-through,
video-on-demand, wireless and more. WBDD also oversees
the WBHEG's worldwide digital strategy, partnerships
in digital services and emerging new clients and business
activities in the digital space.
News
2009
With
Time Warner sitting on $7 billion in cash, the
Marvel deal has ignited rumours of a second wave
of consolidation in the media industry. Dream
Works Animation, home of Shrek, is seen as a potential
takeover candidate, as is MGM with its huge library
of classic films. The games firms Electronic Arts
and Take Two Interactive, with its Grand Theft
Auto franchise, are also being touted as potential
buys.
Profile
Warner
Bros. Entertainment, Inc. (also known as Warner
Bros. Pictures, or simply Warner Bros.) is one
of the world's largest producers of film and television
entertainment.
It is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters
in Burbank, California and New York City. Warner Bros.
has several subsidiary companies, including Warner
Bros. Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros.
Interactive Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television,
Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Home Video, TheWB.com
and DC Comics. Warner owns half of The CW Television
Network.
Founded in 1918 by Jewish immigrants from Poland,
Warner Bros. is the third-oldest American movie studio
in continuous operation, after Paramount Pictures,
founded in 1912 as Famous Players, and Universal Studios,
also founded in 1912.
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