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Coming
In 2026
Coming
Soon
and
some Just Released
Wrestling
With Gaming News
Gamification
Of Wrestling News
X
Marks The Sweet Spot
Grand
Theft Auto VI
Marvel’s Wolverine
Ace Combat 8
Resident Evil Requiem
Phantom Blade 0
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
Saros The Duskbloods
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred
007 First Light
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
Control Resonant
Marathon
Newsfeed
February
2026
God
of War Shines in February State of Play with Surprise
Game and Trilogy Remake
PlayStation's
February State of Play featured God of War: Sons of
Sparta, a new $29.99 PS5 game out now that explores
young Kratos training with his brother Deimos using
pixel art and spear combat. Santa Monica Studio also
revealed a full remake of the original PS2 and PS3
God of War trilogy is in early development, tying
into the franchise's 20th anniversary.
Other
highlights included a John Wick single-player gun-fu
game with Keanu Reeves and Silent Hill: Townfall set
for 2026, leaving gamers thrilled especially over
the Kratos reveals.
News
WWE
2K26 Teases Karmen Petrovic's Sword Entrance on Valentine's
Day
The
official WWE Games account shared a nearly minute-long
video of NXT star Karmen Petrovic, a third-degree
black belt and Bosnian-Canadian wrestler signed since
2023, making her dramatic entrance in black leather
gear with sword props amid purple and blue lights.
Petrovic hyped it herself with 'who’s that girl?
??? ' and Valentine's nods to her SHINGSHINGSQUAD
fans. While many praised the smooth sword animations
and her signature match gear, some critiqued the model's
face likeness, body proportions, and minor glitches
like sword clipping.
News
WWE
2K26 Reveals Maryse's Updated Entrance and Retro Gear
WWE
Games shared a 46-second video of Maryse's refreshed
model and entrance for WWE 2K26, set for March 13
release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo
Switch 2. Fans praised the graphical upgrades from
older games like 2011's version and the unlockable
alternate attire tied to her Showcase mode rivalries
with The Miz. While some criticized the face and hair
as too modern for the 2009 throwback look, others
celebrated the new gear and hair physics as a solid
win. The reveal has fans hoping for similar updates
to other legends like Bobby Lashley.
News
WWE
2K26 Gameplay Shows Stephanie Vaquer's Devil's Kiss
with Booker T Commentary
WWE
2K Games shared a 13-second gameplay video from WWE
2K26, featuring NXT star Stephanie Vaquer delivering
her brutal Devil's Kiss facesit pound in a packed
arena, perfectly synced with Booker T's iconic commentary
from her real matches. Vaquer, who joined NXT in early
2025 after success in Mexico, has made the move a
fan favorite with Booker T's 'Ahh Ahh Ahh!' chants.
The game launches March 13 with over 400 stars, and
fans loved the authentic energy while calling for
more entrances and reveals ahead of the February 27
ratings special.
News
Profile
XBox
XBox
offers offers two current-generation consoles, the
powerfulXbox Series X (both disc and digital editions)
and the more affordable, all-digital Xbox Series S,
along with the subscription service Xbox Game Pass.
Xbox
Consoles Overview
The
Xbox Series X is Microsoft's flagship console, designed
for true 4K gaming and featuring a disc drive, while
the Xbox Series S is a more compact, digital-only
alternative targeting 1440p resolution.
News/Profile
Playstation
The
PlayStation 5 (PS5) is Sony's current generation of
home video game consoles, available in standard (disc)
and Digital Editions, as well as a more powerful Pro
model released in November 2024. The original launch
models have been replaced by slimmer hardware revisions.
Key
Features
Immersive
Experience: Both models offer breathtaking 4K visuals
(up to 120fps on compatible games) and the Tempest
Engine for hardware-accelerated 3D Audio effects.
DualSense
Controller: Features haptic feedback (realistic physical
sensations) and adaptive triggers (dynamic resistance)
for deeper immersion.
Ultra-High
Speed SSD: A custom solid-state drive allows for lightning-fast
loading times, enabling game developers to design
vast worlds with near-instant data streaming.
Backward
Compatibility: The PS5 is compatible with the vast
majority of PlayStation 4 games, many of which benefit
from faster and smoother frame rates with Game Boost
technology.
PS5
Pro Enhancements: The Pro model features a faster
GPU (about 45% faster), improved ray tracing, and
AI-driven upscaling technology (PlayStation Spectral
Super Resolution or PSSR).
Upcoming
Games (2026)
Sony's
February 2026 State of Play event revealed an array
of upcoming titles:
Resident
Evil Requiem: Expected February 27, 2026.
Legacy
of Kain: Defiance Remastered: Slated for March 3,
2026, for both PS4 and PS5.
Ghost
of Yotei: Legends DLC: A 4-player co-op update for
the existing game coming in early March.
Pragmata:
Capcom's new IP is scheduled for April 24, 2026.
Beast
of Reincarnation: An action RPG from Game Freak, set
to launch on August 4, 2026.
Metal
Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2: Bringing remasters
of MGS4, Peace Walker, and more on August 27, 2026.
Saros:
A new sci-fi action game from the creators of Returnal,
a PS5 exclusive coming in 2026.
News
Movie
Games
Historically
called "tie-in" games, these are often released
alongside a film to promote it.
Classic
Hits:
Titles
like
GoldenEye
007 (N64) and Spider-Man 2
Interactive
Films: Modern "movie-like" games where player
choices drive the story, such as
Detroit:
Become Human and The Quarry
News
Retro
Era: The 1990s and 2000s were considered the "Golden
Age" of movie games, where nearly every blockbuster
had a companion game, such as Disney's Aladdin or
Batman Returns.
News
Upcoming
Movies Based On Games
Return
to Silent Hill (23 January 2026): A psychological
horror reboot directed by Christophe Gans, adapting
the story of Silent Hill 2.
Iron
Lung (30 January 2026): An indie horror adaptation
written, directed by, and starring YouTuber Markiplier.
The
Super Mario Galaxy Movie (3 April 2026): A sequel
to the 2023 blockbuster, expected to feature Mario
venturing into space.
Mortal
Kombat 2 (8 May 2026): A direct sequel featuring Karl
Urban as Johnny Cage and introducing Shao Kahn as
the primary antagonist.
Resident
Evil (18 September 2026): A new live-action film directed
by Zach Cregger (Barbarian), reportedly returning
to the horror roots of Raccoon City.
Street
Fighter (16 October 2026): A live-action reboot directed
by Kitao Sakurai, starring Jason Momoa and Noah Centineo.
2027
& Beyond
Sonic
the Hedgehog 4 (19 March 2027): Following the success
of the first three films, a fourth instalment is already
slated.
The
Legend of Zelda (7 May 2027): A live-action co-production
between Nintendo and Sony Pictures, directed by Wes
Ball (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes).
A
Minecraft Movie 2 (23 July 2027): A sequel to the
2025 live-action adaptation has already been fast-tracked.
Untitled
Sonic Universe Film (22 December 2028): A spin-off
film expanding the "Sonic Cinematic Universe".
In Development (Dates TBA)
Death
Stranding: A live-action feature film produced in
partnership with A24 and Kojima Productions.
The
Sims: A live-action film produced by LuckyChap (Margot
Robbie's company) and directed by Kate Herron.
Ghost
of Tsushima: Directed by Chad Stahelski (John Wick),
aiming for a Japanese-language cast and authentic
samurai aesthetic.
BioShock:
A Netflix adaptation currently being reconfigured
by director Francis Lawrence.
Five
Nights at Freddy's 3: A third film is in early development
at Blumhouse following the 2025 release of the second
film.
News/Profile
WWE
2K26 is the latest installment in the professional
wrestling video game series, scheduled for release
on March 13, 2026, with early access available from
March 6, 2026, for premium editions.
CM
Punk is the official cover star for the Standard Edition.
WWE
2K26
Key
Details and Platforms
The
game is being developed by Visual Concepts and published
by 2K. It will not be released on last-generation
consoles (PS4, Xbox One), focusing exclusively on
current generation hardware.
Developer:
Visual Concepts
Publisher:
2K
Platforms:
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC (via Steam),
and Nintendo Switch 2
New
Features
WWE
2K26 promises a range of new features and improvements
across its game modes, including the largest roster
in franchise history with over 400 Superstars and
Legends.
New
Match Types: Additions include I Quit, Inferno, Dumpster,
and Three Stages of Hell matches.
2K
Showcase: Punked: A career-spanning story mode focused
on CM Punk, featuring a mix of historical matches
and "fantasy warfare" scenarios, narrated
by Punk himself.
Roster:
Features over 400 playable characters, including current
Superstars and Legends such as The Rock, Triple H,
John Cena, and CM Punk.
MyGM
Mode: Expanded to support more match types (intergender,
5, 6, and 8-man matches) and additional brands.
Universe
Mode: The WWE Draft is integrated into this sandbox
mode, along with new promo types and a "Watch
Show" spectator option.
Creation
Suite: Increased to 200 Create-A-Superstar save slots
and 2000 custom image slots, with deeper body and
face morphing tools.
Commentary
Team: Wade Barrett and Booker T have been added to
the commentary team.
News
WWE
Games
Entrance
reveals for stars like Karmen, Maryse, Raquel Rodriguez,
and more
The
hype is building just weeks from launch!
News
Pro
Wrestling Manager/Advovate/GOAT Paul Heyman On WWE2K26
“I
appreciate the question and I understand where it’s
coming from, but if I were to do that, then I’m
living my own fantasy within the video game and I
don’t know if you are aware of this, I am maybe
a couple of weeks, months, maybe even a year or two
older than the typical gamer that’s out there
today.
“So
because of that I try not to play to my own fantasy
booking, I try to play to the audience’s fantasy
booking, and not just the WWE audience, but the video
game audience itself. ‘Cause I would like to
steal people from other video game franchises. I like
to entice people to not play Fortnite, but to play
WWE 2k26. I would like to entice people to not play
Call of Duty, but to play WWE 2k26.
“So
it’s not just a matter of, ‘Ooh, what would
happen if I put Lou Thesz and Bruno Sammartino and
Brock Lesnar in a triple threat match together?’
It’s more of, ‘What can appeal to today’s
gamer audience? What appeals to that crowd? What can
I do to tickle their fancy, to entice their imagination?’
Not just live out my own fantasies that I would have
trouble booking for whatever different reason in today’s
environment, including Thesz versus Sammartino versus
Lesnar.” Paul Heyman
News
Media
Man
WWE
2K26 wins Media Man 'Game Of The Month'
News
News
Bonus For Pro Wrestling Lovers And Haters
Tom
Brady Jabs Logan Paul in WWE-Flag Football Feud
The
playful rivalry kicked off on Brady's Impaulsive podcast
appearance, where he called Paul's WWE flips 'cute'
compared to the real competition of his Fanatics Flag
Football Classic on March 21 in Saudi Arabia, featuring
stars like Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey.
Paul hit back, claiming most NFL players would flop
in a WWE ring and questioning Brady's athletic credentials
despite his seven Super Bowls. Fans divide along lines,
with NFL loyalists eyeing wrestling's scripted side
while WWE backers highlight its high-flying risks,
as both worlds boast crossover athletes like Brock
Lesnar.
News
Charlotte
Flair Gifts Alexa Bliss Black Roses in Hilarious Galentine's
Segment
On
the February 13 SmackDown from Dallas, Flair—rocking
a red corset and rose-petal tutu—apologized for
Royal Rumble mix-ups and escorted Bliss to her Triple
Threat qualifier against Giulia and Zelina Vega. Bliss
sealed the win with her Twisted Bliss on Vega, earning
a spot in the Women's Elimination Chamber on February
28 in Chicago alongside Tiffany Stratton and Rhea
Ripley. The lighthearted moment had fans laughing
and cheering, with Flair channeling her dad Ric Flair's
'Wooooo!' and Bliss looking genuinely amused as three
more qualifiers remain. (Grok)
News
Tom
Brady Dismisses Logan Paul's Wrestling Flip Challenge
Ahead of Flag Football Clash
The
back-and-forth stems from their upcoming matchup in
the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on March 21 in
Saudi Arabia, where Brady leads a U.S. team and Paul
competes. It started when Paul claimed his WWE skills
match NFL stars during a Super Bowl party chat; Brady
called it 'cute' and praised the real pressure of
football pros like Saquon Barkley. Fans are split,
with NFL supporters backing Brady's edge and wrestling
fans enjoying the troll, all building hype for the
event.
News
Liv
Morgan's Steamy Valentine's Lingerie Post Follows
WWE SmackDown Romance
On
Friday's WWE SmackDown, Morgan and Mysterio shared
a ringside Valentine's setup with heart-shaped chicken
nuggets, Dom Pérignon, roses, and chocolates
during Jade Cargill's successful Women's Championship
defense against Jordynne Grace. Cargill retained with
her Jaded finisher, then challenged Morgan for WrestleMania
while WWE teased who she'd 'choose.' Fans loved the
fun, joking about nuggets stealing the show, as Charlotte
Flair joined the holiday vibe with her own red corset
post.
News
Impaulsive
wins Media Man 'Pop Culture Podcast Of The Month'
award
Dream
Matches
Media
Man Fantasy Booking
Logan
Paul vs Tom Brady
Logan Paul vs Bad Bunny
Logan Paul and Brock Lesnar vs Bad Bunny and Damian
Priest
Americas Most Wanted vs American Love Machine
Lucha Bros vs Mysterios vs Los Americanos
Markets,
Cryptos and Culture
January
2026
Jan
27
Sydney,
Australia re-opens
to
Wall Street, New York
Media
Man's X Returns With A Bang
Gold
Glitters And Crypto's Start To Shine Edition
"Ruby
Tuesday" In Sin City Sydney
"Tuesday's Gone" Lynyrd Skynyrd
"Gold" Spandau Ballet
"Stretch Your Face" Silicon_Valley theme
(Tobacco. Composer)
"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy"(Cannonball Adderley).
The Wolf of Wall Street theme
Markets
ASX
200 futures up 52 points/0.6% to 8880
AUD +0.4% to US69.18¢
BTC $88,344.02 +0.64%
Wall
St:
Dow +0.8%
S&P +0.6%
NAS +0.5%
VIX -0.26 to 15.83
Gold +1.1% to $US5043.71 oz
Oil -0.4% to $US65.61 a barrel
Iron -1% to $US103.55 a ton
10-year
yield: US 4.21% Aust 4.81%
Cryptos
The
crypto market rose due to dollar weakness
Market
Overview
The
crypto market cap has fallen by 5% over the past seven
days. The decline resumed at the start of the new
week, with total capitalisation falling to $2.9T amid
slippage in an illiquid market. In recent hours, however,
positive momentum has prevailed, bringing the market
back to $2.97T due to the weakness of the US dollar
and global purchases of risky assets. But even now,
cryptocurrencies remain a lagging class of risk-sensitive
assets, falling short of metals and the strongest
global currencies.
Bitcoin
hit a low for the day near $86K, its lowest level
since December. After that, the market received support
from the weak dollar, which, like a tide, lifted all
boats at once. The technical bearish picture remains
relevant, despite the gains in recent hours. BTC remains
below its key moving average lines and has not attempted
to break through the support of the last two months.
News Background
Outflows
from spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US over the past shortened
week nearly offset the previous week's inflows, reaching
their highest level in almost 11 months. According
to SoSoValue, net outflows from spot BTC ETFs amounted
to $1.33 billion. Net weekly outflows from spot Ethereum
ETFs in the US exceeded $611 million.
Bitcoin
holders began to record net losses for the first time
since October 2023, signalling the asset's entry into
an ‘early bear market.’ Bitcoin is now trading
below the acquisition price of 75% of the total supply,
signalling growing pressure from sellers, Glassnode
notes.
The
main reason for BTC's weakness is large-scale sales
by long-term holders, rather than concerns about quantum
computing, according to Checkonchain.
Activity
on the Ethereum mainnet has exceeded that of layer
2 (L2) solutions since the Fusaka upgrade. Token Terminal
has called this trend a ‘return to the mainnet.’
At the same time, there has been an outflow of liquidity
from ‘add-ons.’
The
adoption of cryptocurrencies by banks, large corporations
and investment companies is no longer an ‘optional
or peripheral’ process, notes auditing firm PwC
in its report on global cryptocurrency regulation
for 2026. ‘Institutional participation has passed
the point of no return.’
DAT
companies accumulating cryptocurrencies on their balance
sheets will face ‘severe consolidation’
in the coming year — only a few of the largest
players with Bitcoin and Ethereum on their balance
sheets will survive, warns Pantera Capital. (FxPro)
News
Interventions
spooked the dollar
Rumours
of coordinated intervention caused the USD index to
plummet.
The
risk of a new shutdown is putting pressure on the
greenback.
The
US dollar started in the last week of January with
a down gap amid investor fears of coordinated currency
intervention. Japan's Deputy Finance Minister Atsushi
Mimura said that the authorities would respond to
speculative actions on the Forex in close cooperation
with the US. In 1985, such cooperation ended in a
spectacular collapse of the USD. Will we see history
repeat itself?
Politics
is encroaching on the economy. Donald Trump intends
to use non-market methods to lower the key policy
rate by replacing the Fed chair and filling the FOMC
with doves. The US president has repeatedly spoken
out in favour of a weaker currency, which would increase
the competitiveness of American manufacturers. Tokyo's
interest in strengthening the yen to lower import
prices and slow inflation is being exploited by Washington
for its own purposes.
Countries
are forced to respond to the uncertainty of Donald
Trump's policies and the associated slowdown in economic
growth with fiscal stimulus measures. According to
Apollo Global Management estimates, government support
measures will accelerate GDP growth in the US and
Germany by 1 percentage point in 2026 and in Japan
by 0.5 percentage points. This leads to an increase
in public debt. The Germans can afford this, which
has a positive effect on the EURUSD.
Pressure
on the US dollar has intensified due to the growing
risks of another shutdown. Dissatisfied with the shootings
in Minneapolis, Democrats are not going to vote for
the government funding package without serious changes
to the national security system. The government risks
being sidelined again, which will negatively affect
GDP growth. The same goes for the devastating winter
storm, which could bring hardship to nearly 200 million
Americans. Already, 11,900 flights have been cancelled
at airports from Dallas to Boston, and about 900,000
consumers are without power.
In
2025, the US economy managed to withstand tariffs
and the shutdown thanks to investments in artificial
intelligence, productivity growth and the wealth effect.
However, will it be resilient in 2026? If not, the
US dollar risks weakening.
Gold
was the main beneficiary of the fall in the USD index.
Its price rose by 17% so far this year and is approaching
$5,100 per ounce. (FxPro)
News
Jan
27
Gold
and silver mania lifts ASX to 3-month peak
The
Australian sharemarket climbed to a three-month high
on Tuesday as investors returned from the long weekend
to surging precious metal prices, looking past the
noise of shifting US trade policies.
President
Donald Trump said in a social media post that he will
increase tariffs on South Korean goods, including
autos, from 15 per cent to 25 per cent as he accused
the ally’s legislature of “not living up”
to its trade deal with Washington.
The
S&P/ASX 200 Index gained 85.3 points, or 1 per
cent, to 8945.40, rebounding from last week’s
0.5 per cent loss. If sustained, it would be the index’s
biggest one-day rise this year.
Of
the 11 sectors, nine were in the green, led by materials
and energy.BHP leapt 2.9 per cent, regaining its position
as Australia’s most valuable listed company for
the first time in 18 months, unseating the Commonwealth
Bank, which managed a modest 0.6 per cent gain.
Miners
led the charge as gold and silver set fresh records.
Bullion hit $US5100 an ounce, and silver topped $US114
on Monday. As a result, Horizon Minerals jumped nearly
8 per cent, Alkane Resources leapt 3.9 per cent, and
Newmont rose 1.8 per cent.
Among
silver mines, Investigator Silver and Silver Mines
advanced 8.3 per cent each, while, Sun Silver pushed
up 6 per cent.Elsewhere, Rio Tinto gained 2.2 per
cent, and Capstone Copper was the biggest index gainer,
up 8 per cent.
In
the index-heavy financial area, all the big banks
were in the green, led by Macquarie Group, up 2 per
cent. National Australia Bank rose 1.3 per cent.
Family
app Life360 and mining group Alcoa were the two biggest
laggards, down more than 8 per cent.
In
currencies, the Australian dollar climbed to US69.40¢,
nearing its strongest level in three years, on growing
expectations the Reserve Bank will lift the cash rate
next month.
Higher
borrowing costs would boost the appeal of Australian-denominated
assets such as government bonds.
Also
supporting the Aussie was a broadly weaker greenback
on fears of a partial US government shutdown this
week.
Republicans
and Democrats are at odds over funding for the Department
of Homeland Security after the fatal shooting of a
second US citizen by federal immigration officers
in Minnesota. (AFR) *full coverage via subscription
to The Australian Financial Review
News
Jan
27
Stocks
Shares
in DroneShield cratered 6 per cent despite doubling
revenue in the December quarter, from a year ago.
Iron
ore giant Fortescue Metals rose 1.3 per cent after
sweeping up all remaining shares of dual-listed Alta
Copper at $C1.40 ($1.47) per share, as the mining
giant expands into the red metal.
Wholesaler
company Metcash rallied 1.2 per cent following the
appointment of Bruce Sabatta as the new chief executive
of its food service and convenience business, from
next month.
Brazil-focused
explorer and producer Karoon Energy trimmed early
gains and was trading flat despite posting a lower
output in the December quarter, from the September
period.
Jewellery
retailer Michael Hill International jumped 4 per cent
after reporting a stronger half-year profit than a
year ago despite record gold prices.
Insurer
group AUB was placed on a trading halt after launching
a $400 million institutional placement to finance
a UK acquisition.
Santos
leapt 3.1 per cent on news it had finally shipped
its first liquefied natural gas cargo from a delayed
Barossa project in the Timor Sea.
Health
tech group Cyclopharm soared 18 per cent after its
lung imaging technology received a major endorsement
from America’s top medical professionals.
News
Numbers
Double Check
Australian
Dollar: $0.6918 USD (up $0.0080 USD)
Iron Ore Feb Spot Price: $103.55 USD (down $0.10 USD)
Oil Price): $60.58 USD (up $1.25 USD)
Gold Price: $5,036.89 USD (up $117.01 USD)
Copper Price: $5.9240 USD (up $0.1240 USD)
Dow Jones: 49,446.27 (up 347.56 points on Friday's
close)
News/Profile
Wall
Street
Physical
Street and Landmark
Wall
Street is an eight-block-long street in the Financial
District of Lower Manhattan.
Location:
It runs between Broadway and South Street, ending
at the East River.
Key
Landmarks: It is home to the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) and Federal Hall National Memorial, where George
Washington was inaugurated.
History:
The name originates from a 17th-century defensive
wall built by Dutch settlers to protect New Amsterdam
from potential British or Native American attacks.
Financial
Industry Metonym
The
term is a metonym for the U.S. financial markets,
including stock exchanges, investment banks, and brokerage
firms.
Institutions:
Major firms associated with Wall Street include JPMorgan
Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley.
Current
Activity (January 2026):
As
of January 24, 2026, markets have seen volatility
following a week of "policy whiplash" related
to international tariff threats. Recent trading shows
the S&P 500 flat, while the Nasdaq has risen 0.3%
despite a 17% tumble in Intel stock.
Media
and Publications
The
Wall Street Journal: A premier business-focused international
newspaper headquartered in Midtown Manhattan.
Pop
Culture: The street’s high-stakes culture has
been immortalized in films like Oliver Stone’s
Wall Street (1987) and Martin Scorsese’s The
Wolf of Wall Street (2013).
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
Media
Man
Cryptocurrency,
Finance and World
"Volatility
is Satoshi’s gift to the faithful." - Michael
Saylor
"Bitcoin
is a tool for freeing humanity from oligarchs and
tyrants, dressed up as a get-rich-quick scheme."
— Naval Ravikant
"We
have elected to put our money and faith in a mathematical
framework that is free of politics and human error."
— Tyler Winklevoss
"You
can't stop things like Bitcoin. It will be everywhere,
and the world will have to readjust. World governments
will have to readjust." — John McAfee
"Bitcoin
is the most important invention in the history of
the world since the Internet." — Roger Ver
"Cryptocurrency
is such a powerful concept that it can almost overturn
governments." — Charles Lee
"In
the future, national currencies will become obsolete.
Bitcoin will become the single global currency."
— Jack Dorsey
"The
future of finance is crypto, whether it’s in
payments, contracts, or savings." — Changpeng
Zhao
"Crypto
offers freedom to the unbanked and hope to the underprivileged."
— Elizabeth Stark
"The
new frontier of innovation is in decentralization.
Blockchain leads the charge." — Don Tapscott
"Digital
currency is here to stay, and it’s only a matter
of how long before governments embrace it." —
Brad Garlinghouse
Pop
Culture
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking
Santa
vs Grinch
Bulls
vs Bears
Crypto
King vs Mr World Bank
Citizens
vs NWO
Neo
vs Agent Smith
John
McAfee vs You Know Who!
TKO
vs Naysayers
Jake Paul, Polymarket and BETR vs Naysayers
Pro Boxing vs Newspaper Reports
VKM vs The World
Paul Bros vs Mainstream Wokes
Mr X vs Mr Bluesky
Chris Jericho vs Dirtsheets
NFL vs everyone
Zuffa vs MVP
Netflix vs World
Meta vs Australia
White Light vs Dark Matter
News
Pop
Culture
It’s
All About the Money [”The Million Dollar Man”
Ted DiBiase]
By
Jimmy Hart & J.J. Maguire
Intro
(Money,
money, money, money, money...)
[Verse
1]
(Money, money, money, money, money...)
Everybody's got a price
Everybody's gonna pay
(Money, money, money, money, money...)
Because the Million Dollar Man...
Always get his way
(Money, money, money, money, money...)
[Verse
2]
(Money, money, money, money, money...)
Some might cost a little
Some might cost a lot
(Money, money, money, money, money...)
But I'm the Million Dollar Man...
And you will be bought
(Money, money, money, money, money...)
[Outro]
(Money, money, money, money, money...)
News/Profile
Flashback
Vinnie
Vegas was a professional wrestling persona used by
the actor and retired professional wrestler Kevin
Nash from 1992 to 1993 in World Championship Wrestling
(WCW). This gimmick was a wisecracking pseudo-mobster
character, inspired by Steve Martin's character in
the 1990 film My Blue Heaven.
Career
Overview
WCW
Debut: Kevin Nash was repackaged as Vinnie Vegas on
January 21, 1992, at the event Clash of the Champions
XVIII.
Stables
and Tag Teams: He was initially part of a stable of
large wrestlers called "A Half-Ton of Holy Hell,"
managed by Harley Race. Later, he joined the "Diamond
Mine" stable led by Diamond Dallas Page, forming
a tag team known as the Vegas Connection. Other stablemates
included the future Scott Hall (Diamond Studd) and
Raven (Scotty Flamingo).
Departure
to WWF: The Vinnie Vegas character was not considered
successful due to a lack of character development
and inconsistent booking. Nash left WCW for the World
Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in June 1993,
where he achieved superstardom under the ring name
Diesel.
Later
Success: Nash later returned to WCW in 1996 and was
a founding member of the influential New World Order
(nWo) faction under his real name, Kevin Nash, and
the nickname "Big Sexy".
News/Profile
Flashback
Michael
Wall Street
"Michael
Wall Street" most commonly refers to Michael
Wallstreet, a ring name used by professional wrestler
Mike Rotunda (born 1958). It can also refer to Michael
Douglas, the actor famous for portraying the corporate
raider Gordon Gekko in the film Wall Street.
Professional
Wrestling (Mike Rotunda)
Mike
Rotunda adopted the persona of Michael Wallstreet
(and later V.K. Wallstreet) in World Championship
Wrestling (WCW) starting in 1990.
The
Gimmick: A wealthy "financial wizard" from
Lower Manhattan who used a computer (managed by Alexandra
York) to predict the length and outcome of his matches.
Signature
Moves: His finishing move was often called the "Stock
Market Crash".
Notable
Teams: He is also well-known for his time in the WWF
as Irwin R. Schyster (I.R.S.), where he teamed with
Ted DiBiase to form Money Inc..
Legacy:
Rotunda was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class
of 2024 as part of The U.S. Express.
Film
and Finance (Michael Douglas)
Gordon
Gekko: Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best
Actor for his role as Gordon Gekko in the 1987 film
Wall Street.
Cultural
Impact: The character became the archetypal symbol
of 1980s corporate greed, famous for the line "Greed,
for lack of a better word, is good".
Sequel:
Douglas reprised the role in the 2010 sequel, Wall
Street: Money Never Sleeps.
Current
Status (2026)
Mike
Rotunda: As of early 2026, Rotunda remains a respected
veteran in the wrestling industry. Recent reports
from late 2025 indicated he had been hospitalized
for a serious heart condition but was moved to a rehabilitation
center for recovery.
Michael
Douglas: He continues to be active in the entertainment
industry as an actor and producer.
Miners
Hancock
Prospecting
Hancock
Prospecting Pty Ltd is a privately owned Australian
company primarily involved in the mining of iron ore
and, increasingly, the agriculture sector. It is led
by Executive Chairwoman Gina Rinehart, Australia's
richest person.
Company
Overview
Founded:
25 November 1955 by Lang Hancock.
Headquarters: Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Ownership:
The company is privately held, with Gina Rinehart
owning the majority stake (76.6%).
Core
Business: Hancock Prospecting has evolved from purely
mineral exploration into a major producer, primarily
in iron ore and agriculture, and is considered one
of the most successful private mining companies in
the world.
Major
Projects and Investments
Hancock
Prospecting has a diverse portfolio of major projects
and strategic investments.
Roy
Hill: This is a mega integrated iron ore mine, rail,
and port project in the Pilbara region of Western
Australia, which is Australia's largest single iron
ore mine.
Hope
Downs: A significant iron ore project operated as
a 50/50 joint venture with Rio Tinto Iron Ore, which
includes four open-pit mines.
Atlas
Iron: Hancock Prospecting acquired Atlas Iron in 2018,
which operates several iron ore mines including Mount
Webber, Sanjiv Ridge, and Miralga Creek.
Agriculture:
Through its agribusiness division, Hancock Prospecting
is Australia's second-largest producer of beef with
ownership interests in numerous cattle stations and
a majority stake in S. Kidman & Co. It is also
a 50% partner in the award-winning Bannister Downs
Dairy.
Critical
Minerals and Energy: The company has diversified its
investments into other strategic commodities necessary
for the "green transition", including stakes
in publicly traded companies involved in:
Lithium:
Investments in Australian firms like Liontown Resources
and Azure Minerals, as well as Germany's Vulcan Energy
Resources.
Rare
Earths: Significant shareholdings in global rare earths
producers such as US-based MP Materials and Australia's
Lynas Rare Earths, as well as exploration-stage companies.
Copper,
Coal, Oil and Gas: Exploration and production interests
in these commodities across Australia and internationally,
including projects in Ecuador, Canada, and the UK.
Pop
Culture Flashback
Heart
Of Gold
Song by Neil Young ? 1972
Lyrics
I
want to live
I want to give
I've been a miner
For a heart of gold
It's
these expressions
I never give
That keep me searching
For a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keep me searching
For a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
I've
been to Hollywood
I've been to Redwood
I crossed the ocean
For a heart of gold
I've
been in my mind
It's such a fine line
That keeps me searching
For a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keeps me searching
For a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keep me searching
For a heart of gold
You
keep me searching
And I'm growing old
Keep me searching
For a heart of gold
I've been a miner
For a heart of gold
Markets,
Cryptos And Culture
January
2026
Digital
Bush Telegraph
Wrestling
With Numbers And Showbiz Edition; Mining For Intel!
Sin
City Sydney, Australia
Wednesday January 14
Past
High Noon Update
to
Wall
Street, New York
Lucky/Unlucky Tuesday January 13
ASX
futures up 5 points or 0.1% to 8789 near 6am AEST
AUD -0.4% at US66.85¢
Bitcoin $95,297.29 +4.38%
Dow -0.7% S&P -0.3% Nasdaq -0.3%
Gold +0.1% to $US4599.68 an ounce
Brent oil +2.9% at $US65.70 a barrel
Iron ore -0.9% at $US108.20 a ton
Numbers
Double Check
Australian
Dollar: $0.6680 USD (down $0.0033 USD) Iron Ore Feb
Spot Price: $108.20 USD (down $0.85 USD)
Oil Price: $61.11 USD (up $1.60 USD)
Gold Price: $4,582.10 USD (down $26.34 USD)
Copper Price: $6.0015 USD (down 0.0210 USD)
Dow Jones: 49,082.27 (down 507.93 points)
News
Shares
BHP
Group Ltd $48.02 +0.44 +0.91%
Elders
Ltd $7.49 +0.16 +2.11% (ASX)
Rio
Tinto plc ADR Common Stock $83.59 +0.71 +0.86%
Mineral
Resources ADR $39.49
TKO
Group Holdings Inc $208.89 +9.82 +4.94%
Tesla
Inc $447.20 -1.76 -0.39%
Trump
Media & Technology Group Corp
$13.99 +0.070 +0.50%
Palantir
Technologies Inc $178.96 -0.45 -0.25%
NVIDIA
Corp $185.81 +0.87 +0.47%
Netflix
Inc $90.32 +0.91+1.02%
Paramount
Skydance Corp $12.14 -0.0100 -0.082%
Alphabet
Inc Class A $335.97 +4.11 +1.24%
Microsoft
Corp $470.67 -6.51 -1.36%
Porsche
Automobile Holding SE Unsponsored Germany ADR $4.37
-0.026 -0.59%
Volvo
ADR $33.38 -0.51 -1.50% (Parent company of Mack Trucks)
Bally's
Corp $16.64 -0.0100 -0.060%
Wynn
Resorts Ltd $116.40 -0.44 -0.38%
MGM
Resorts International $34.65 -0.17 -0.49%
Red
Rock Resorts Inc $62.38 +0.51 +0.82%
News
Australia
ASX
rallies as copper surge boosts BHP, Rio
The
Australian sharemarket posted a solid gain on Tuesday,
with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.6 per cent to close
at 8,808.5 points. The rising price of copper and
gold boosted the resources sector, with BHP up 2.3
per cent at $47.58 and Northern Star Resources ending
the session 3.6 per cent higher at $26.35. Suncorp
Group in turn finished one per cent higher at $17.26
and Austral advanced 6.7 per cent to $8.73. However,
Woodside Energy fell 1.7 per cent to $23.31 and GQG
Partners was down 8.6 per cent at $1.64. (Roy Morgan
Summary)
News
Mining
(Australia and World)
Rio
may finally land its Glencore megamerger
The
prospects of a merger between Rio Tinto and Glencore
may have been boosted by the former's appointment
of Simon Trott as CEO last year. He is like to be
more amenable to a deal than his predecessor, Jakob
Stausholm, who is said to have objected to Glencore's
proposal in previous merger talks that its CEO Gary
Nagle rather than himself should head the combined
group. Meanwhile, Rio Tinto's dual listing in Australia
and the UK may be a challenge in sealing a merger.
Glencore's coal mines are also likely to be problematic,
given that Rio Tinto has exited the sector and these
assets would conflict with its environmental, social
and governance policy. (RMS)
News
Crypto:
sell-the-growth continues
Market
Overview
The
crypto market capitalisation grew by 1% over the past
day and is down 1% from a week ago. Bitcoin received
a boost from reports of a criminal investigation against
the head of the Federal Reserve, which created momentum
for a flight from US assets. In our view, this precedent
is negative for risk appetite.
Bitcoin
jumped to $92,500 but saw a significant influx of
sellers, returning to $90,300 at the time of writing.
Testing of the 50-day moving average as support continues.
A slip below $90K could have a strong psychological
effect, quickly taking the price to $87K and then
sending it lower below $80K.
XRP
is losing for the seventh day in a row, like Bitcoin,
rolling back to the 50-day MA and close to the round
level of $2.0. The coin is still up 10% since the
beginning of the year, but the initial momentum has
clearly lost steam, as there are too many people in
the markets willing to sell on the rise. Most likely,
this change in strategy for all cryptocurrencies will
characterise the market in the coming months.
News
Background
The
total open interest in Bitcoin derivatives has fallen
to its lowest level since the end of 2022, according
to CryptoQuant. Historically, reaching such levels
has preceded periods of consolidation or even bullish
reversals.
Bitcoin
could reach $2.9 million by 2050 in a base case scenario,
according to VanEck's forecast. This will happen if
the first cryptocurrency becomes a currency for international
settlements and enters the reserves of central banks.
The main obstacle to mass adoption remains the scalability
of the network. VanEck emphasised the importance of
developing second-level solutions that will speed
up transactions and reduce commissions.
Monero
(XMR) is regaining its status as the leading anonymous
coin amid the crisis in the Zcash ecosystem following
the departure of its development team. The asset has
been growing steadily for several weeks, outperforming
most of its competitors in the sector.
There
are more and more signs in the crypto market pointing
to the end of the sell-off. Among them are the stabilisation
of outflows from ETFs, the situation with perpetual
futures and positions on the CME, according to JPMorgan.
MSCI's
decision on 6 January regarding companies accumulating
cryptocurrencies is also favourable for cryptocurrencies.
The global provider of stock indices has decided not
to exclude them from its indices during the review
in February 2026. (FxPro)
News
Crypto
market grows with risk appetite in stocks
Market
Overview
The
crypto market gained 0.75% over the past 24 hours
to $3.13T in another attempt to turn towards growth,
pushing off the 50-day moving average. Appetite for
crypto grew amid a rebound in US financial markets
during Monday’s trading and continued growth
in Japanese stocks on Tuesday morning. Steady risk
appetite began to spread to cryptocurrencies, which
had underperformed the market for many weeks.
Bitcoin
has exceeded $92K since Monday evening, attempting
to climb above levels seen a week ago. There were
wide fluctuations on Monday, with an impressive increase
in sales when the price rose above $92K, but this
did not deter the bulls from continuing their attempts.
It would be too hasty to conclude sustained risk appetite
while the price remains below previous local highs
of $95K. An optimistic view of the situation considers
a series of rising local lows since November.
Ethereum
is holding above $3,000, carefully forming a bottom
at this level over the past five days. At the end
of last month, a similar support level was near $2,920.
As with Bitcoin, ETH is trading above the 50-day MA,
but still below the local peak on 6 January.
News
Background
Retail
investors continue to offload loss-making assets due
to fears of volatility, which is increasing selling
pressure, according to CryptoQuant.
Profit-taking
and shifting expectations in the options market indicate
that investors are postponing bullish expectations
to a later date, not believing in a quick rally. Optimism
about a breakout in the first quarter is fading, QCP
Capital notes.
Views
of cryptocurrency content on YouTube have fallen to
their lowest levels since 2021, ITC Crypto notes.
A similar decline in social interest has also been
recorded on social network X.
According to Arkham Intelligence, the DAT company
BitMine has increased the amount of locked assets
on the Ethereum network to 1.08 million coins. The
value of the portfolio exceeded $3 billion.
The
theory of Ethereum’s ‘demise,’ based
on its prolonged decline against Bitcoin, is untenable,
said MN Trading founder Michael van de Poppe. In his
opinion, the ETH/BTC rate has already bottomed out.
The key argument in favour of growth is the increase
in the volume of stablecoins on the Ethereum network.
South
Korea has lifted its ban on corporate investment in
cryptocurrencies. Legal entities will be able to allocate
up to 5% of their share capital to coins from the
top 20 by market capitalisation, excluding stablecoins.
(FxPro)
News
The
yen returned to the Takaichi trade
The
dollar resumed its growth after the lawsuit against
the Fed chairman
Rumours
of early elections in Japan drove up USDJPY quotes.
‘We’re screwed!’ -- that’s how
Donald Trump described the possible Supreme Court’s
ruling against his tariffs. The US will have to return
hundreds of billions of dollars, not to mention the
cancellation of investments that other countries intended
to make in exchange for lower import duties. In fact,
the White House screwed up a little earlier when the
Justice Department informed Jerome Powell about the
lawsuit. The Fed chairman and the markets perceive
this event as a factor putting pressure on the central
bank. Lowering rates under pressure from the president
could lead to uncontrolled inflation, as has occurred
in several emerging market countries in the past.
Investors will demand a higher risk premium on bonds.
Higher Treasury yields will weigh on the economy.
The
greenback is poised to benefit from both the Supreme
Court’s repeal of tariffs and the lawsuit against
Jerome Powell. The latter led to a rise in EURUSD
and allowed the euro to be sold at a higher price.
The refund of previously paid fees could be seen as
a fiscal stimulus that will boost the US economy.
The strength of the dollar was one of the reasons
for the USDJPY’s surge to its highest level since
July 2024. The second factor was rumours of early
elections in Japan. The new prime minister’s
ratings are high, and she intends to strengthen the
Liberal Democratic Party’s position in parliament.
As a result, investors are returning to a so-called
‘Takaichi trade’ with stocks rising while
the yen is weakening.
The
USDJPY rally is forcing the government to return to
verbal interventions. Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki
Katayama expressed concern about the speculative nature
of the yen’s weakening at a meeting with her
American counterpart. She said that Scott Bessent
is also unhappy with what is happening on Forex.
Now
the markets are trying to determine the levels of
Tokyo’s potential intervention in the international
currency market. In 2024, it resorted to currency
interventions four times near the 160 level, a very
close call with 159 now.
Gold
took advantage of the growing distrust of fiat currencies.
It reached a new record high. As a result, CME changed
its margin calculation methodology to reduce volatility.
Its increase at the end of 2025 caused precious metals
to retreat. (FxPro)
News
Crude
Oil counteracts
While
developments in Venezuela acted as a headwind for
oil prices, events surrounding Iran provided clear
support. Expectations of an influx of cheaper supply
from Latin America pushed Brent crude to its lowest
level in eight months. However, escalating tensions
in the Middle East helped North Sea crude find a floor
and rebound. The four-day rally in black gold highlights
a renewed rise in geopolitical risk premiums.
According
to Capital Economics, mass protests, oil workers'
strikes, the blockade of the shadow fleet, and Tehran's
threats to close the Strait of Hormuz could push Brent
prices up by $15-20 per barrel. Iran is a much larger
oil producer than Venezuela, ranking fourth in OPEC.
It accounts for about 3% of global production, or
3.3 million barrels per day. Exports are estimated
at 2 million barrels per day, with about 90% going
to China. The country's share of China's black gold
imports is estimated at 15%. Venezuela's share is
only 2%. Western sanctions have significantly undermined
Tehran's potential. At the peak of its glory in the
1970s, Iran's share of global production was 10%.
Investors are hedging against the risks of Brent's
rally continuing at its fastest pace since the joint
US-Israeli attack on Iran last summer. At the same
time, the market is considering two key scenarios
for further developments. Either there will be a supply
crisis, or the resumption of the trade war between
the United States and China will deal a blow to the
world economy and global demand for oil. Following
Donald Trump's announcement of additional 25% tariffs
on countries doing business with Tehran, such a scenario
is quite likely. Such a rapid rally in Brent would
not have happened if speculators had not built up
huge short positions in North Sea crude against the
backdrop of events in Venezuela. Their unwinding is
leading to a rebound. Demand for oil call options
has jumped to its highest level since October. A significant
share of them are trading with strike prices at $80
per barrel. (FxPro)
News
Sports
Culture
NRL
broadcast deal focus for game changes
The
Australian Rugby League Commission's chairman Peter
V'landys still hopes the NRL's next broadcasting rights
deal will be worth at least $5bn. He contends that
in order to achieve a record rights deal the NRL must
evolve by making rule changes that will make the sport
more exciting and attract new viewers. The ARLC and
the NRL are currently consulting with the league's
17 clubs regarding a number of proposed rule changes
for the 2026 season; they include giving the team
that concedes a try the option of either kicking off
or receiving the ball. V'Landys notes that previous
rule changes have boosted NRL viewership from just
137 million in 2019 to 224 million in 2025. (RMS)
News
Jan
12
Tech/A.I
Joint
statement from Google and Apple
Apple
and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration
under which the next generation of Apple Foundation
Models will be based on Google's Gemini models and
cloud technology. These models will help power future
Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized
Siri coming this year.
After
careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google's
Al technology provides the most capable foundation
for Apple Foundation Models and is excited about the
innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple
users. Apple Intelligence will continue to run on
Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining
Apple's industry-leading privacy standards. (Source:
Google/Alphabet)
https://blog.google/company-news/inside-google/company-announcements/joint-statement-google-apple/
News
Pop
Culture
NETFLIX
BECOMES OFFICIAL HOME OF WWE LIBRARY IN UNITED STATES
January
6, 2026 – Netflix and WWE today announced an
expansion to their long-term partnership that will
see the world’s leading entertainment service
become the home of WWE’s library in the U.S.
Beginning
immediately, Netflix is the new U.S. home for WWE’s
library of Premium Live Events (prior to September
2025) including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal
Rumble, as well as award-winning documentaries and
original programming.
This
follows the January 2025 launch of WWE on Netflix,
where Monday Night Raw has become a weekly staple
in the global English Top 10. Past episodes of Monday
Night Raw are also available as part of the WWE library
on Netflix.
The
arrival of WWE’s library on Netflix also comes
ahead of Season 2 of original behind-the-scenes documentary
series WWE: Unreal on January 20.
News
Pop
Culture
Pro
Wrestling
AJ
Styles Returns to TNA Wrestling LIVE January 15 on
Premiere of Thursday Night iMPACT! on AMC
Jan
9, 2026
The
premiere of Thursday Night iMPACT! on AMC will be
PHENOMENAL.
For
the first time since Slammiversary, AJ Styles makes
his jaw-dropping return to TNA Wrestling as a new
era begins LIVE January 15 from the Curtis Culwell
Center in Dallas, Texas.
What
will "The Phenomenal One" have in store
as TNA Wrestling makes history once again?
Also
on the loaded lineup:
Frankie
Kazarian vs. Mike Santana for the TNA World Championship
The
IInspiration vs. The Elegance Brand for the TNA Knockouts
World Tag Team Championship
Elijah
and The Hardys vs. Order 4
Plus
more!
Thursday
Night iMPACT! on AMC debuts January 15, 2026 at 9/8c
LIVE from the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, Texas.
News
Pop
Culture
Pro
Wrestling: WWE - Studio/Production News
WWE
is set to be an important part of a new initiative
that Fanatics is launching.
It
was announced today that Fanatics and production company
OBB Media have linked up to launch Fanatics Studios,
which will see Fanatics produce its own feature films
and documentaries, unscripted and scripted original
programming, live event specials, premium digital
series, and more. WWE is listed among the partners
— with a “multi-project commitment across
unscripted and digital content.”
"YEE(A)T
with The Usos: Fanatics Studios will debut an unscripted
culinary series with WWE Superstars Jimmy and Jey
Uso, who will take their tag team efforts on the road
with a BBQ travel show featuring fellow WWE superstars
and celebrity friends distributed across WWE’s
social and YouTube channels"
News
Jan
12
Netflix
- WWE News
“Netflix
members welcomed WWE with a bang (but thankfully,
no permanent injuries). In 2025, our members watched
525M hours of WWE content”... “Of this total,
Raw accounted for nearly 340M views and 185M views
for Premium Live Events broadcast outside of the US
like SmackDown, WrestleMania, Elimination Chamber,
Money in the Bank, Night of Champions and Royal Rumble.”
...
Netflix
scribed that Raw ranked in the top 10 of its category
most weeks, with it only falling outside of the rankings
in December when “Stranger Things” took
up much of the top 10.
“Since
Raw’s official Netflix debut on January 6, 2025,
the show has made the Global English TV Top 10 nearly
every week it’s been on service (47 out of a
possible 52 weeks),” Netflix wrote. “Over
52 shows, Raw has averaged more than 3M views per
week.
“And
it’s not just in the US, the birthplace of the
WWE. Raw has made the Top 10 in 34 countries, including
the US (51 weeks), Bolivia (49 weeks), Canada (48
weeks), the UK (40 weeks) and Mexico (38 weeks).”
Media/TV
Biz
Research:
Netflix leads growth in streaming ad-tiers
Jan
13
Global
usage of ad-supported subscription tiers increased
across Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max between Q4 2024
and Q3 2025, according to research from Digital i.
The
highest growth in adoption was on Netflix, with 40
per cent of active accounts using its Standard with
Ads plan in Q3 2025, in the 20 countries measured
by Digital i.
This
was up by 14 per cent from the 26 per cent of subscribers
on that tier in Q4 2024 that were recorded in Digital
i’s trend report, Evolving Streamer Strategies,
in 2025.
Ad-supported
tier usage rose from 35 per cent to 44 per cent on
Disney+ during that period and from 22 per cent to
28 per cent on HBO Max. Prime Video remained the service
with the highest ad-supported tier usage, but this
fell from 88 per cent of subscribers in Q4 2024 to
82 per cent in Q3 2025.
Digital
i measures streaming audience data in the UK, the
US, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, France,
Italy, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, Poland, Denmark,
Finland, Sweden, Norway, Australia, South Korea and
Japan. (Wires)
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
Media
Man
Cryptocurrency,
Finance and World
"Volatility
is Satoshi’s gift to the faithful." - Michael
Saylor
"Bitcoin
is a tool for freeing humanity from oligarchs and
tyrants, dressed up as a get-rich-quick scheme."
— Naval Ravikant
"We
have elected to put our money and faith in a mathematical
framework that is free of politics and human error."
— Tyler Winklevoss
"You
can't stop things like Bitcoin. It will be everywhere,
and the world will have to readjust. World governments
will have to readjust." — John McAfee
"Bitcoin
is the most important invention in the history of
the world since the Internet." — Roger Ver
"Cryptocurrency
is such a powerful concept that it can almost overturn
governments." — Charles Lee
"In
the future, national currencies will become obsolete.
Bitcoin will become the single global currency."
— Jack Dorsey
"The
future of finance is crypto, whether it’s in
payments, contracts, or savings." — Changpeng
Zhao
"Crypto
offers freedom to the unbanked and hope to the underprivileged."
— Elizabeth Stark
"The
new frontier of innovation is in decentralization.
Blockchain leads the charge." — Don Tapscott
"Digital
currency is here to stay, and it’s only a matter
of how long before governments embrace it." —
Brad Garlinghouse
Pop
Culture
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking
Santa
vs Grinch
Bulls vs Bears
Crypto King vs Mr World Bank
Citizens vs NWO
Neo vs Agent Smith
John McAfee vs You Know Who!
TKO vs Naysayers
Jake Paul, Polymarket and BETR vs Naysayers
Pro Boxing vs Newspaper Reports
VKM vs The World
Paul Bros vs Mainstream Wokes
Mr X vs Mr Bluesky
Chris Jericho vs Dirtsheets
NFL vs everyone
Zuffa vs MVP
Netflix vs World
Meta vs Australia
Google Deepmind and Gemini vs X
Paul Bros vs Lucha Bros
Office Workers vs Field Workers
Markets,
Cryptos and Pop Culture
Culture
In Biz Series Edition
December
To Remember
Dec
15
Sydney, Australia
Dec
14
Wall Street, New York Groove
Cryptos
Struggling; All That Glitters
TKO To Naysayers Again! Thank You Cena!
Road To Royal Rumble
World Streaming Wars
Crypto Wolf Of Wall Street Works Weekends And Xmas
Online Media vs Legacy Media: Disruptors
Media
Pop Culture Theme: "Another Brick In The Wall"
aka "We Don't Need No Education" (Pink Floyd)
"Schools Out" (Alice Cooper)
Silicon Valley theme: "Stretch Your Face"
(Tobacco)
"The Social Network" (score album for film)
"Hall of Fame" (The Script)
"Eight Days a Week" (The Beatles)
"The Wolf of Wall Street" ("Mercy,
Mercy, Mercy" (Cannonball Adderley)
"Friday On My Mind" (The Easybeats)
December
15, 2025
Sin
City Sydney, Australia
ASX
futures down 51 points/0.6%, to 8659
Wall
Street:
S&P
500 -1.1%
Dow Jones: -0.5%
Nasdaq -1.7%
Europe:
Stoxx
50 -0.6%
FTSE -0.6%
DAX -0.5%
CAC -0.2%
Australian
dollar at US66.43 cents
Bitcoin
$88,689.56 -1.83%
Gold
+0.5% to $US4299.63 per ounce
US oil -0.3% to $US57.44 a barrel
Brent crude -0.3% to $US61.12
Iron ore -1% to $US100.45 per ton
10-year
yield:
US 4.18% Australia
4.72% Germany 2.86%
Bitcoin
Bitcoin:
(Near Live) $88,689.56 -1.83%
News
Update: (Near Live)
News
New
York/Wall St via Mr Wolf!
December To Remember!
Dec
14
Before The Bell; Bells To Be Rung
NYC!
Cryptos
Today: (Near Live)
Cryptos
tarnished again!
Bitcoin
$88,689.56 -1.83%
Market
ups and downs! Mood: Medium: Still picking up a little.
Play the long game?! Hardcores keep dream, as always!
Media
Man Favs:
(Near
Live)
Bells
Rung by Mr Wolf!
TKO hulks up Again! Going for submission on competitors?!
Christmas Grinch vs Santa.
Miners on hunt. Gamers full speed instead of socials.
Gaming Awards: Tomb Raider: Atlantis!
Tech heads and grapplers watch streaming wars!
NYSE Bell Ringers With Trees! Prep for new Season's
Beatings!
TKO kicks out again. Saturday Night's Main Event aftermath
heading to WWE RAW and Road To Royal Rumble In UAE
Wall
St, New York
TKO
Group Holdings Inc $208.42 +4.12 +2.02%
NVIDIA Corp $208.42 +4.12 +2.02%
Formula One Group Series $86.41 -0.25 -0.29%
Alphabet Inc Class A $309.29 -3.14 -1.01%
News Corp Class A $26.22 +0.12 +0.46%
Netflix Inc $95.19 +1.10 +1.17%
Caterpillar Inc $597.89 -27.72 -4.43%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp $10.65 -0.26
-2.38%
Tesla Inc $458.96 +12.09 +2.71%
Walt Disney Co $111.60 +0.14 +0.13%
Wynn Resorts Ltd $123.66 -1.19 -0.95%
Meta Platforms Inc $644.23 -8.48 -1.30%
Elders ADR $19.73 (US) (NYSE)
Mercedes Benz Group ADR $18.03 +0.12 +0.67%
Rio Tinto Ltd $96.29 +5.70 +6.29%
Paramount Skydance Corp $13.74 -0.38 -2.69%
Red Light Holland Corp $0.020 -0.00018 -0.87%
Volvo ADR (parent/owner of Muck Trucks) $31.94 -0.12
-0.37%
Porsche Automobile Holding SE Unsponsored Germany
ADR $4.75 -0.030 -0.63%
Microsoft $478.53 -4.94 -1.02%
News
Global
Markets React to Central Bank Decisions and Policy
Outlooks
Stock
indices
The
Fed managed to please the American stock market by
easing its policy and forecasting an increase in GDP
from 1.8% to 2.3%, as well as a slowdown in inflation
from 3% to 2.5% in 2026, while also discussing the
positive impact of AI on productivity. As a result,
the S&P500 experienced its most dramatic reaction
to an FOMC meeting since March, and the Russell 2000
set a new record. A strong economy and inflation heading
towards the 2% target present a prime opportunity
for stocks. Along with increased productivity, this
indicates that S&P500 companies may see growth
in corporate earnings. Historical episodes in which
the Fed cut rates and markets were near their peaks
have shown higher levels 12 months later in every
case.
However,
expectations for the next rate cut have now shifted
to April, removing the indexes safety buffer. There
may be renewed talk of a tech giant bubble, as evidenced
by Oracle's shares plunging sharply after the company
reported disappointing earnings.
According
to Yardeni Research, investors should diversify away
from the "Magnificent Seven" and seek opportunities
in other issuers, as artificial intelligence is transforming
nearly every company into a technology firm.
What
is ahead
The
key events of the third week of December will be the
release of US labour market data for October and November,
as well as central bank meetings. The ECB, the Bank
of England and the Bank of Japan will have their say.
Investors will also pay attention to European business
activity data for December.
Jerome
Powell says that FOMC officials have similar views
on the US economy but differ in their assessment of
its risks. Hawks are concerned about high inflation,
while doves are worried about the cooling labour market.
If employment figures disappoint, derivatives will
shift expectations of monetary policy easing from
April to March, and possibly even January. This will
weaken the dollar. On the other hand, a pleasant surprise
from non-farm payrolls will allow the USD to recoup
some of its losses. While no changes are expected
from the ECB, the Bank of England is 90% likely to
cut its repo rate to 3.75%. However, the negative
is already priced into the pound, and in the event
of hawkish comments, the pound could strengthen. The
fate of the yen will depend on the outlook for the
Bank of Japan's leadership. Few doubt that the overnight
rate will be raised, but what next? (FxPro)
News
'I
love solving puzzles': How AFP's crypto sleuth tracks
ill-gotten gains
Abigail
Gibson is the Australian Federal Police's only cryptocurrency
forensic accountant, a role she has held since 2022,
after she first joined the AFP as a forensic accountant
in 2017. Gibson uses blockchains to look for clues
that might be able to connect individuals to money
laundering, scams or sales of illicit goods and services
on the dark web, and she says that "cryptocurrency
is a well-established method for criminals to attempt
to hide their wealth and transfer assets". Her
work includes aiding the AFP's Criminal Asset Confiscation
Taskforce, which has frozen $65 million in cryptocurrency
assets since July. (AFR)
News
Miners
lift ASX after Fed; Oracle hits tech
The
Australian sharemarket posted a small gain on Thursday,
with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.2 per cent to close
at 8,592. The resources sector was bolstered by a
rise in the gold price after the US Federal Reserve's
decision to reduce the cash rate for a third time;
Ramelius Resources advanced 6.7 per cent to $3.81
and Rio Tinto was up 1.8 per cent at $140.01. However,
a sharp fall in Oracle's share price weighed on local
technology stocks, with WiseTech Global shedding 2.2
per cent to end the session at $70.99. (AFR/Roy Morgan
Summary)
News
Flashback
Dec
11
Bitcoin
attempts to break the short uptrend
Market
Overview
The
crypto market cap has been in a see-saw pattern over
the past three weeks, exhibiting a gentle uptrend
that has returned to the $3.08 trillion level during
a consolidation phase. With no clear trend, crypto
traders have reduced their activity in altcoins, waiting
for the trend to recover in the first cryptocurrency
and key stock indices.
Bitcoin
jumped to $94.5K on Wednesday evening in response
to the Fed's announcement of a bond-buying programme
and a key rate cut. But this link to stocks played
a cruel joke. The fall in Oracle shares dragged the
Nasdaq-100 to eight-day lows, and BTC rolled back
to $90K. The market is testing the strength of the
modest uptrend that has been forming since 21 November.
A drop below $88K would break this trend, bolster
bearish sentiment and confirm the end of the recovery
rally.
News
Background
Public
and private companies have increased their Bitcoin
reserves by 448% since the beginning of the year to
1.08 million BTC, according to Glassnode. The corporate
sector remains a key driver of demand for digital
gold.
ARK
Invest CEO Cathie Wood believes that large companies
buying cryptocurrency for long-term storage could
prevent BTC from falling 75-90% as it has in the past.
Strategy
founder Michael Saylor announced the company's plans
to acquire as much Bitcoin as possible. Mayside Partners
believes that such plans are economically unsound.
This is not innovation, but cascading leverage on
speculative collateral — a model that has failed
time and time again.
The
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has called on
the US Senate to withdraw the cryptocurrency bill
on ‘responsible financial innovation,’ which
will be considered next week. The organisation pointed
to the risks to pension savings and the country's
economy.
Twenty
One Capital, a big Bitcoin holder, has entered the
stock market. The company's shares fell 20% on their
first day of trading on the NYSE. The firm ranks third
among public holders of the first cryptocurrency with
42,000 BTC (~$3.9 billion). (FxPro)
News
Crypto
market awaits the final battle of the year
Market
Overview
The
crypto market lost just over 1% in 24 hours to $3.08T,
falling back to the consolidation levels of late November.
Attempts to shake up the market at the beginning of
this month were unsuccessful for both bulls and bears.
Excluding this impulse, the market has been treading
water for almost two weeks, hovering around the 23.6%
correction rebound line from the October-November
decline. Such a shallow rebound could be a sign of
a strong bear market, but this will only be confirmed
if November's lows of $2.73T are updated.
Bitcoin
is trading near $90K, having crossed this level for
the fifth consecutive day. An upward trend line can
be drawn through the lows of late November, but BTC
is now trading dangerously close to this line. At
the same time, horizontal resistance has formed in
the $92K area, bringing the positions of bulls and
bears closer together over time and promising a decisive
battle by the end of this week. It could not only
be the last significant battle of the year but also
determine the trend for the coming months.
News
Background
Short
positions on Bitcoin have recorded their largest outflow
since March 2025, when the price of BTC was near its
lows. Investors likely believe that the current surge
in negative sentiment has bottomed out, according
to CoinShares.
According
to Glassnode, the reserves of long-term Bitcoin holders
fell to a cyclical low in November. This marks the
end of the spot sell-offs that have hindered market
growth throughout 2025.
Ethereum
exchange reserves have fallen to record lows, which
could signal an imminent supply crisis, according
to CryptoQuant. Since July 2025, the indicator has
fallen by about 20%.
The
largest American investment company, BlackRock, has
applied with the SEC to register an ETF that will
allow investors to earn income from staking Ethereum
without directly owning the cryptocurrency.
Strategy
has increased its weekly Bitcoin purchases to their
highest level since July. The company bought 10,624
BTC ($963 million) last week at an average price of
$90,615 per coin. Strategy now owns 660,624 BTC, purchased
for $49.3 billion at an average price of $74,696 per
Bitcoin. (FxPro)
News
Streaming
Wars: Netflix vs Paramount (for Warner Bros) aka WBD.
What's Up Doc?!
Paramount
makes hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Dec
9
Paramount
Skydance has directly approached Warner Bros Discovery's
shareholders with a takeover offer; it has opted to
bypass the rival media group's board, contending that
Warner's directors have backed an "inferior proposal".
Paramount has proposed a cash offer of $US30 per share,
valuing its bid for the entire company at about $US108bn.
It is seeking to trump Netflix's deal to acquire some
of Warner's assets for around $US83bn, which has been
approved by the boards of both companies. Warner has
rejected Paramount's claims that its sale process
had favoured a single bidder.
*Developing
news story "The Streaming Wars"
News
Australia
- USA Connection
World
Leaders Condemn Bondi Beach Attack
Many
Small Crypto Bears Sell Out; Tests Patience To Often;
Bulls Controlling Market For Long Haul
News
56
hours ago +
Developing
Story
The
crypto market tries to form an uptrend
Market
Overview
The
crypto market soared by almost 7% over the past day,
reaching a capitalisation of $3.15T and forming a
higher local peak compared to Sunday. The mood on
the crypto market was buoyed by moves from institutional
giants Vanguard and Bank of America to open access
to digital assets for their clients. Combined with
the fact that the low point on December 1st is higher
than the lows on November 21st, we are seeing a series
of vital signs of an upward trend forming. However,
a conservative view suggests that fluctuations below
$3.38T are a correction from the previous decline.
Bitcoin
approached $94K on Wednesday morning, recovering half
of its losses from the sell-off between November 11th
and 21st. Considering the entire decline from its
October peak, BTCUSD remains trading below $ 98K as
part of the correction. The $98-100K range contains
three psychologically significant levels: the 50-day
average, early November support, and 61.8% of the
decline from the peak. Consolidation above this level
could convince buyers that crypto winter has not arrived.
News
Background
Vanguard,
the world's second-largest investment company by assets,
will open access to crypto ETF trading for its clients
on December 2nd. The company had previously stated
that it would avoid Bitcoin funds because cryptocurrency
is an “immature asset class” and does not
fit with the company's philosophy.
Bank
of America, one of the largest banks in the United
States, has recommended that its institutional clients
allocate 1% to 4% of their portfolios to cryptocurrencies.
Previously, investors were unable to access cryptocurrencies
because advisors were prohibited from recommending
such instruments.
The
four-year cycle theory has ceased to work, so Bitcoin
has a chance to reach new highs in 2026, according
to Grayscale. Analysts believe there are already some
signs that Bitcoin has likely bottomed out.
News
(from Friday: Sydney)
ASX
up as tech stocks rally, WiseTech gains
The
Australian sharemarket posted a modest gain on Thursday,
with lower trading volumes ahead of Wall Street's
closure for Thanksgiving Day; the S&P/ASX 200
added 0.1 per cent to close at 8,617.3 points. WiseTech
Global was up 6.9 per cent at $69.72, Bellevue Gold
rose 3.2 per cent to $1.29 and Reece advanced four
per cent to $12.73. However, DroneShield was down
7.8 per cent at $2 and Santos fell 1.8 per cent to
end the session at $6.44. (RMS)
News
The
Dollar's new edge: from shield to sword
The
dollar is losing its safe-haven status. • The
scale of the Fed's rate cuts has been overestimated.
• The yen is the main favourite for 2026.
BoJ
may not raise rates until March. If the US dollar
was previously a shield, it is now turning into a
sword. (FxPro)
News
Pop
Culture News
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream
Match Series; Crack The Code!
Million
Dollar Man vs IRS
Michael Wall Street vs Billionaire Ted
Mr X vs Mr BTC
Mr Green vs Mr Cash
VKM vs Easy E
Vinnie Vegas vs Mr Corbin
Mr Corp Merch vs Mr Freelance
Masked Superstar vs John McAfee
Sid Justice vs Mr Blood Diamond
Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Streets
Mr Dotcom vs Mr Wiki
Mr Gold vs Mr Green - Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation
Mr Paramount vs Mr Netflix
Mr ESPN vs Mr Fox
Mr Kross vs Mr Cardona
Cesaro vs Rollins
Dirty Dom vs Mr AAA
Punks vs Egos
Kross vs H
Murdoch Title vs Title
Mr Black Coffee vs Mr Claudio's Cafe Blend
Mr Warner vs Mr Netflix: Broadway draw thus far! Re-match!
Winner take all?!
TMZ vs Riddle
UFC vs PFL
The Oracle vs Cincinnati, Ohio
Mr X vs Hollyweird
Succession vs Billions
Mouse House vs Art House
NFL vs UFL
ABC vs Mainstream Aussies
Reigns vs Blanka
Cody Rhodes vs Joe
E. Honda vs NJPW
Capcom vs Warner
Cena vs ACME
Combat Sports Players vs Father Time
NXT vs TNA Wrestling (Showdown, not Invasion)!
Alpha vs Meta
TED X vs The Others
WWE's Solo vs NYC and Western Australia
UFC Predator vs MMA Predator
UFC Legal vs UFC Bad Egg Betting Disruptors
Bulls vs Bears
Logan Paul vs WWE babyfaces
Santa's Helper vs Grinch
John McAfee vs FBI + + +, Running .... Netflix Wins
again!
Killer Kross vs Matt Riddle - Shoot Fight/Wrestling
(MLW)! Holliday working web?! Most Marketable?!
VKM vs Numerous!
MLW vs The World
The Big Event vs US Promoters
Storm vs WWE Locker Room. Lash Legend on side!
NXT Gold Rush: Page & Green vs Hendry & Hail
Baszler vs Itoh - HOG Superclash - Nov 15
MSG, NY winning with WWE and UFC in Nov
The Vision vs WWE Lockerroom
John Cena vs Dirty Dom
Miz vs Management
Jericho vs Internet Marks
Mr Gold vs Mr Fool's Gold
Neo vs Mr Smith
PBR vs Others. No Bull?!
Aus Gvt vs Big Tech
Banks vs Cryptos
NVIDIA vs World
White House vs Wokes
Packer vs Devil D
Lucha Bros vs AAA Heels
WWE Black Scorpion/Masked Man vs Babyfaces
CM Punk vs The Hood
Starks vs Oba Femi - NXT Deadline
TNA Wrestling vs Dirtsheets
TKO vs Naysayers
John Cena vs Gunther: SNME
Chris Jericho and Mr X vs IWC
Mr Netflix vs Mr Paramount
Triple H vs (many) Washington Cena Fans!
News
Crypto
Movies/Docos
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Follows early Bitcoin adopter Daniel Mross, exploring
Bitcoin’s origins, its volatile rise, and the
community behind it. Great for understanding Bitcoin’s
early days and its potential to disrupt finance.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016)
Examines Bitcoin’s history, ideological roots,
and impact on global financial systems through interviews
with pioneers and experts. A solid primer for newcomers.
Cryptopia:
Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet
(2020)
Directed by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives
into blockchain’s broader applications beyond
cryptocurrency, addressing scalability and regulatory
challenges. Ideal for those interested in blockchain’s
transformative potential.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by
Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal
impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems.
A comprehensive look at real-world applications.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
Traces the history of money and introduces Bitcoin
as a decentralized alternative, critiquing centralized
financial systems. Features interviews with crypto
experts.
Deep
Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary
focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator,
Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in
dark web transactions.
Bitconned
(2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing
how three individuals defrauded investors during the
2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated
markets.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019)
A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth,
and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money laundering
agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency
in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal
but praise its entertainment value.
Silk
Road (2021)
A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s creation of
the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace using Bitcoin.
It explores his rise and fall, blending crime and
drama.
Dope
(2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin
as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin
for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association
with illicit activities.
Bonus
Mentions
Life
on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to
live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early
adoption challenges.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers
chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.
Notes
Documentaries are generally more educational, focusing
on Bitcoin’s history, blockchain technology,
and real-world implications. They’re great for
beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Feature
films often dramatize crypto’s association with
crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating
for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.
For a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like
Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many
of these are available.
News
Wall
Street (Movie)
Wall Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a
drama about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial
world. It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young
stockbroker desperate to succeed, who gets entangled
with Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate
raider. Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,”
drives the story as Bud is lured into insider trading
and unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth
and power.
The
film explores themes of capitalism, loyalty, and betrayal,
with Bud navigating pressures from Gekko, his father
(Martin Sheen), and his own conscience.
Key
Details: Cast: Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie
Sheen (Bud Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin
Sheen (Carl Fox).
Runtime: 2h 6m.
Genre: Drama/Crime.
Rating: R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).
Awards:
Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Notable
Aspects:
Gekko’s
“Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting
1980s excess. Inspired by real-life figures like Ivan
Boesky and Michael Milken.
A
sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued
the story.
Where
to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming: Available on platforms like Peacock or
rentable on Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current
availability).
Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.
News
Best
Quotes
An
investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— Benjamin Franklin
"Bottoms
in the investment world don't end with four-year lows;
they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim
Rogers
Be
fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when
others are fearful." — Warren Buffett
Media
Man "Bullish is a mindset"
Media
Man News
Markets,
Biz, Currency, Resources, Media And Pop Culture Watercooler
Australia
And World
Politics
On The Side
December
2025
Sydney,
Australia
Dec 9
New
York
Dec 8
ASX
futures down 28 points/0.3% to 8605
Wall
Street:
S&P 500 -0.5%
Dow Jones: -0.6%
Nasdaq -0.4%
Europe:
Stoxx 50 flat
FTSE -0.2%
DAX +0.1%
CAC -0.1%
Australian
dollar -0.3% to US66.26 cents
Bitcoin
$91,279.79 +1.81%
Gold
-0.3% to $US4185.67 per ounce
Oil -2.2% to $US58.78 a barrel
Brent crude oil -2.1% to $US62.41 a barrel
Iron ore -1.4% to $US101.90 per ton
10-year
yield:
US 4.17%
Australia 4.70%
Germany 2.86%
Cryptos:
Bitcoin
$91,279.79 +1.81%
Ethereum $3,144.75 +3.59%
Tether $1.0001 -0.02%
XRP $2.0873 +2.63%
Dogecoin $0.1437 +4.28%
Media/Entertainment
Biz News
Paramount
Launches $108.4 Billion Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Paramount,
under David Ellison's leadership post-Skydance merger,
offered $30 per share for the full Warner Bros. Discovery,
totaling $108.4 billion—$18 billion more in cash
than Netflix's $72 billion equity deal for studios,
HBO Max, and films. Backed by Ellison's family, RedBird
Capital, Middle Eastern funds, and Jared Kushner's
Affinity Partners, the bid promises $6 billion in
savings and over 30 theatrical films yearly with traditional
release windows. President-elect Trump flagged Netflix's
deal as an antitrust issue, while Warner Bros. plans
to review the offer and Netflix stands by its agreement
with a $5.8 billion breakup fee. (Grok)
News
Forex
has set its priorities
In
2026, the euro is expected to grow modestly, while
the yen will become the favourite.
The main outsider is the franc, while the Fed may
help the dollar.
Has
the euro grown too eagerly? The EURUSD rally was driven
by accelerating European inflation and business activity,
as well as confidence that the ECB's rate-cutting
cycle was coming to an end, a belief in peace in Ukraine,
and expectations of a Fed rate cut. However, political
problems in Germany and the growing likelihood of
a pause in US rate cuts in January have slowed down
the main currency pair.
Reuters
experts see limited growth potential. They forecast
the EURUSD to rise to 1.17, 1.19 and 1.2 in one, three
and 12 months. Moreover, the dollar's growth in the
short term is now considered possible by around 30%
of respondents compared to 6% a month earlier. The
main factor in the growth of EURUSD since the end
of the year has been the reversal in expectations
for the key rate in December. They have gone from
less than a 30% probability immediately after the
publication of the minutes of the October FOMC meeting
to almost 90% now.
Investors
seem to have forgotten about the ‘hawks.’
But the need for compromise for Jerome Powell opens
up the potential for the US dollar to strengthen.
Another DXY growth impulse is reasonably possible
after the rate cuts in September and October.
Reuters
experts consider the Japanese yen to be the main favourite,
and the Swiss franc to be the outsider. Experts expect
the USDJPY to fall by 7.5% in a year due to divergence
in monetary policy. The futures market sees a 90%
probability of an overnight rate hike on 19 December
to 0.75%, the highest since 1995. Bloomberg insiders
claim that Kazuo Ueda will signal a continuation of
the normalisation cycle if economic forecasts are
realised. The unexpected reluctance of consumer prices
in Switzerland to rise in November is putting pressure
on the National Bank, as is the slowdown in core inflation
to its lowest level since August 2021. The SNB has
previously stated that it would like to avoid a return
to negative interest rates. Still, the official forecast
of 0.4% CPI growth in the fourth quarter is unlikely
to materialise. As a result, the chances of a return
to negative interest rates are increasing, putting
pressure on the franc. (FxPro)
News
The
euro is gaining momentum
Inflation
and the US labour market are slowing down, while the
chances of a rate cut are increasing.
The US dollar is vulnerable, while the euro is being
helped by business activity.
The
US dollar had its worst series of daily declines since
2020, mainly due to the increased likelihood of an
interest rate cut by the Fed and the improved positions
of its main competitors. The pound is rising as fears
about the budget have been allayed. The yen and the
Australian dollar are awaiting interest rate hikes
by their respective central banks. The euro is rising
due to improved trade conditions, falling energy prices
and hopes for peace in Eastern Europe. The USD index
is further weakened by demand for hedging in anticipation
of the Christmas rally in US stock indices.
A
decline in private sector employment by 32K in November,
according to ADP, and a fall in the price component
of the PMI in the services sector to a 7-month low
have strengthened the position of speculators betting
on a decline in December. Doves at the Fed believe
it is better to play it safe and ease policy to prevent
an uncontrolled surge in unemployment. Hawks complain
that lowering rates will accelerate inflation, which
is already gaining momentum.
The
arguments of the first group of FOMC officials seem
more convincing, which is why the futures market assigns
a 89% probability of a 25-point cut on December 10th
and approximately a 50% chance of a 100-point cut
within a year. Since no further reductions are expected
from the ECB in the coming year, the market is re-evaluating
in favour of EURUSD growth. Moreover, even without
divergence in monetary policy, the US dollar has many
vulnerabilities. The potential repeal of tariffs by
the Supreme Court, the twin deficits in the budget
and trade balance, and faster economic growth outside
the US are all factors in favour of a further decline
in the USD index.
The
euro, on the contrary, draws strength from the remarkable
stability of the eurozone. In November, the composite
business activity index rose to its highest level
in 2.5 years, adding to its sixth consecutive month
of growth. Its positive dynamics give hope for a reduction
in the economic growth divergence with the US. Along
with the divergence in monetary policy between the
ECB and the Fed, the economy is driving the upward
trend in EURUSD. (FxPro)
News
Mining/Resources:
Australia
The
AI plot: miners fear IR ambush
The
Minerals Council of Australia has expressed concern
that the federal government's National AI Plan will
give unions more power and influence over businesses.
The MCA has sent a briefing note to its members in
which it alleges that unions are using artificial
intelligence as a 'stalking horse' to exert more control
over the business sector's use of technology; amongst
other things, the MCA fears that the government will
require businesses to consult with unions before implementing
technology in the workplace and co-design their AI
systems in partnership with unions. The Opposition
contends that the government is using AI as a 'Trojan
horse' to get unions into more workplaces. (RMS)
News
Australia
ASX
falls as gold stocks dip; Liontown up 15pc
The
Australian sharemarket posted a slight fall on Monday,
with the S&P/ASX 200 shedding 0.1 per cent to
close at 8,622.2 points. Trading was subdued as investors
await today's interest rate decision from the Reserve
Bank of Australia, which is expected to leave the
cash rate unchanged; the US Federal Reserve is in
turn widely tipped to ease monetary policy on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Newmont Mining was down 2.1 per cent at
$134.93, and the DigiCo Infrastructure REIT fell 1.1
per cent to $2.50. However, Liontown Resources was
up 14.8 per cent at $1.51 and TechnologyOne rose 0.4
per cent to $28.85. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Streaming/Media
Wars
Paramount
makes hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Paramount
Skydance has directly approached Warner Bros Discovery's
shareholders with a takeover offer; it has opted to
bypass the rival media group's board, contending that
Warner's directors have backed an "inferior proposal".
Paramount has proposed a cash offer of $US30 per share,
valuing its bid for the entire company at about $US108bn.
It is seeking to trump Netflix's deal to acquire some
of Warner's assets for around $US83bn, which has been
approved by the boards of both companies. Warner has
rejected Paramount's claims that its sale process
had favoured a single bidder. (RMS)
News
Trump
wants a say in $108b Netflix tie-up
US
President Donald Trump says he intends to be involved
in any decision on whether Netflix's planned $US72
billion ($108 billion) acquisition of Warner Bros
Discovery goes ahead. Speaking as he arrived at the
Kennedy Centre for an event, Trump confirmed he had
spoken to Netflix co-chief executive Ted Sarandos
recently about the deal, with Sarandos having met
with Trump at the White House to lobby for the acquisition,
while Trump indicated that the market share of the
combined entity may pose issues. (RMS)
News
Yesterday
The
Lead Up
Sydney,
Australia
Dec 8
New
York
Dec 7 (before the bell rings)
Markets
ASX
futs dn 13 pnts/0.2% to 8620
Wall St: S&P 500 +0.2%, Dow: +0.2%, NAS +0.3%
EUR: Stoxx 50 +0.1%, FTSE -0.5%, DAX +0.6%
AUS $ +0.4% to US66.39c
BTC $91,005.46 +1.72%
Gold +2% to $US4197.78 per ounce
Oil +0.7% to $US60.08 a barrel
Brent +0.8% to $US63.75 a barrel
Iron -1.2% to $US103.00 per ton
News
Numbers
Confirmed
Australian
Dollar: $0.6640 USD (up $0.0029 USD)
Iron Ore Jan Spot Price (SGX): $103.00 USD (down $US1.30)
Oil Price: $60.08 USD (up $0.38 USD)
Gold Price: $4,197.81 USD (down $10.26 USD)
Copper Price: $5.4540 USD (up $0.0950 USD)
Bitcoin:
$90,565.11 +1.23%
Dow
Jones: 47,954.99 (up 104.05 points)
Media
News
Sky
News one of world's most-watched channels
Sky
News Australia CEO Paul Whittaker says its YouTube
channel is now watched by an average of five million
Australians each month. The YouTube channel has now
been viewed more than 7.2 billion times since it was
launched in mid-2019; this compares with 3.8 billion
views in October 2023. Sky News Australia has also
ranked 9th among the most-watched news channels on
YouTube in December 2025. (RMS)
News
Social
Media
Meta
seals deals with news publishers
Meta
Platforms has secured content deals with a number
of news publishers, including USA Today, Fox News
and CNN. The owner of social media platforms such
as Facebook will use content from these media outlets
to train its artificial intelligence models. The company
says it aims to improve Meta AI's ability to deliver
"timely and relevant content and information"
(Roy Morgan Summary)
News
How
Australia became the testing ground for a social media
ban for young people
The
origins of Australia's social media ban for those
aged under 16 date back to late 2023. It was then
that the wife of South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas
read a book by American social psychologist Jonathan
Haidt, in which he stated a social media ban for those
aged under 16 would help solve mental health ills
he believes are caused by the platforms, with Malinauskas'
wife urging him to something about it. South Australia
then held a summit on the subject in partnership with
New South Wales, while in 2024, then federal opposition
leader Peter Dutton made a national ban a key policy
of the coalition. News Corp then took up the cause
with its 'Let Them Be Kids' campaign, with the federal
parliament passing legislation before the end of 2024
to enforce a national ban, which will come into effect
on 10 December.
News
Resources
Gorgon
LNG investment gets green light
The
partners in the Gorgon LNG venture have made a final
investment decision on the third stage of the project.
The latest expansion of Australia's biggest resources
project will connect the offshore Geryon and Eurytion
gas fields to Gorgon's existing infrastructure, including
its processing facilities on Barrow Island. The backfill
project will not increase Gorgon's capacity, but it
will ensure that the current rate of production is
maintained. Gorgon's major partners are Chevron, ExxonMobil
and Shell, while Osaka Gas, JERA and MidOcean Energy
all have small stakes in the project. (RMS)
News
Chevron
warning on gas reform
Federal
cabinet is due to meet on Monday to finalise a gas
reservation scheme for the east coast, as it moves
to head off a looming gas shortfall. Chevron Australia
contends there is a risk that the government's intervention
in the gas market could deter investment, while a
report commissioned by the Australian Pipelines and
Gas Association has found that while over 10,000 megawatts
of new gas for power supply may be required by the
mid-2040s, the majority of proposed new projects are
not able to meet the expected commercial return thresholds
under existing national electricity market arrangements,
and that a failure to install enough new gas supply
into the power grid could result in energy prices
increasing to more than $50 per megawatt hour annually.
(RMS)
News
Dec
5
Bear
market rebound in crypto is likely to continue
Market
Overview
The
crypto market capitalisation fell by 1% to $3.14 trillion
over the past 24 hours, retreating from local highs
but maintaining a relatively optimistic mood. Among
the popular coins for the day, Zcash is once again
in the lead, adding 10% and exceeding $400, while
XRP loses 3.6% to $2.09. However, we still classify
this as a rebound from oversold conditions, with doubts
about the ability to renew October highs in the next
couple of years. We also saw attempts to push the
market up at the end of 2017 and in 2021. The capitalisation
of the crypto market reached new highs during these
pre-New Year rallies, but this is a dangerous game
in which one needs to choose instruments more carefully
than usual.
Bitcoin's
recovery slowed down, facing resistance from sellers
in the $ 94,000 range. However, we view this as a
pause rather than an exhaustion of the corrective
rebound, which may well develop into the $98-100K
range in the next few days. Nevertheless, we adhere
to the 4-year cycle pattern, as the opposite has not
yet been proven. In addition, we have seen a significant
pullback from the highs of the previous two months,
which is consistent with what happened in 2013, 2017
and 2021.
News
Background
The
Bull Score index developed by CryptoQuant fell to
zero for the first time since January 2022, signalling
a bearish market phase. CryptoQuant acknowledges that
next year, Bitcoin is expected to fall to the $55K-$70K
range.
Most
of Bitcoin's on-chain indicators are bearish, notes
CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju. According to him, without
an influx of liquidity, the crypto market will enter
a bearish phase of the crypto cycle.
K33
draws attention to several emerging medium-term factors
that could form the basis for market growth. By February
2026, US regulators are expected to issue new rules
for 401(k) retirement savings, which could potentially
open up a $9 trillion market for Bitcoin.
Ethereum
developers have successfully activated the Fusaka
hard fork on the ETH mainnet. The update is designed
to implement fundamental improvements to increase
the scalability, efficiency and security of the Ethereum
network.
BlackRock
has announced the transformation of the financial
system, influenced by cryptocurrencies and the growth
of US public debt. Stablecoins are increasingly being
used for cross-border payments and have become a bridge
between the digital and traditional economies. (FxPro)
Pop
Culture News
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream
Match Series; Crack The Code!
Million
Dollar Man vs IRS
Michael Wall Street vs Billionaire Ted
Mr X vs Mr BTC
Mr Green vs Mr Cash
VKM vs Easy E
Vinnie Vegas vs Mr Corbin
Mr Corp Merch vs Mr Freelance
Masked Superstar vs John McAfee
Sid Justice vs Mr Blood Diamond
Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Streets
Mr Dotcom vs Mr Wiki
Mr Gold vs Mr Green - Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation
Mr Paramount vs Mr Netflix
Mr ESPN vs Mr Fox
Mr Kross vs Mr Cardona
Cesaro vs Rollins
Dirty Dom vs Mr AAA
Punks vs Egos
Kross vs H
Murdoch Title vs Title
Mr Black Coffee vs Mr Claudio's Cafe Blend
Mr Warner vs Mr Netflix: Broadway draw thus far! Re-match!
Winner take all?!
TMZ vs Riddle
UFC vs PFL
The Oracle vs Cincinnati, Ohio
Mr X vs Hollyweird
Succession vs Billions
Mouse House vs Art House
NFL vs UFL
ABC vs Mainstream Aussies
Reigns vs Blanka
Cody Rhodes vs Joe
E. Honda vs NJPW
Capcom vs Warner
Cena vs ACME
Combat Sports Players vs Father Time
NXT vs TNA Wrestling (Showdown, not Invasion)!
Alpha vs Meta
TED X vs The Others
WWE's Solo vs NYC and Western Australia
UFC Predator vs MMA Predator
UFC Legal vs UFC Bad Egg Betting Disruptors
Bulls vs Bears
Logan Paul vs WWE babyfaces
Santa's Helper vs Grinch
John McAfee vs FBI + + +, Running .... Netflix Wins
again!
Killer Kross vs Matt Riddle - Shoot Fight/Wrestling
(MLW)! Holliday working web?! Most Marketable?!
VKM vs Numerous!
MLW vs The World
The Big Event vs US Promoters
Storm vs WWE Locker Room. Lash Legend on side!
NXT Gold Rush: Page & Green vs Hendry & Hail
Baszler vs Itoh - HOG Superclash - Nov 15
MSG, NY winning with WWE and UFC in Nov
The Vision vs WWE Lockerroom
John Cena vs Dirty Dom
Miz vs Management
Jericho vs Internet Marks
Mr Gold vs Mr Fool's Gold
Neo vs Mr Smith
PBR vs Others. No Bull?!
Aus Gvt vs Big Tech
Banks vs Cryptos
NVIDIA vs World
White House vs Wokes
Packer vs Devil D
Lucha Bros vs AAA Heels
WWE Black Scorpion/Masked Man vs Babyfaces
CM Punk vs The Hood
Starks vs Oba Femi - NXT Deadline
TNA Wrestling vs Dirtsheets
TKO vs Naysayers
John Cena vs Gunther - WWE SNME
Chris Jericho vs Markets
Peter Yan (UFC) vs Jet Lag and Long Distance. Yen
Wins!
Joshua Van (UFC_ def Alexandre Pantoia. Round 1, 26
secs! Anything can happen in the cage!
Netflix def Warner Bros aka WBD (for now). Paramount
Following Up Situation. Talk of White House media
in Washington, DC. Re-match?! Donald Trump: Special
Ref?!
News
Crypto
Movies/Docos
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Follows
early Bitcoin adopter Daniel Mross, exploring Bitcoin’s
origins, its volatile rise, and the community behind
it. Great for understanding Bitcoin’s early days
and its potential to disrupt finance.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016)
Examines Bitcoin’s history, ideological roots,
and impact on global financial systems through interviews
with pioneers and experts. A solid primer for newcomers.
Cryptopia:
Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet
(2020)
Directed
by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives into blockchain’s
broader applications beyond cryptocurrency, addressing
scalability and regulatory challenges. Ideal for those
interested in blockchain’s transformative potential.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by
Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal
impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems.
A comprehensive look at real-world applications.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
Traces the history of money and introduces Bitcoin
as a decentralized alternative, critiquing centralized
financial systems. Features interviews with crypto
experts.
Deep
Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary
focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator,
Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in
dark web transactions.
Bitconned
(2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing
how three individuals defrauded investors during the
2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated
markets.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019)
A
crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth,
and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money laundering
agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency
in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal
but praise its entertainment value.
Silk
Road (2021)
A
dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s creation of
the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace using Bitcoin.
It explores his rise and fall, blending crime and
drama.
Dope
(2015)
A
coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin as a
plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin for
a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association
with illicit activities.
Bonus
Mentions
Life
on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to
live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early
adoption challenges.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers
chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.
Notes
Documentaries are generally more educational, focusing
on Bitcoin’s history, blockchain technology,
and real-world implications. They’re great for
beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Feature
films often dramatize crypto’s association with
crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating
for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.
For a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like
Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many
of these are available.
News
Wall
Street (Movie)
Wall
Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a drama
about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial world.
It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young stockbroker
desperate to succeed, who gets entangled with Gordon
Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate raider.
Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,” drives
the story as Bud is lured into insider trading and
unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth
and power.
The
film explores themes of capitalism, loyalty, and betrayal,
with Bud navigating pressures from Gekko, his father
(Martin Sheen), and his own conscience.
Key
Details: Cast: Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie
Sheen (Bud Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin
Sheen (Carl Fox).
Runtime:
2h 6m.
Genre:
Drama/Crime.
Rating:
R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).
Awards: Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for
Best Actor.
Notable
Aspects:
Gekko’s
“Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting
1980s excess. Inspired by real-life figures like Ivan
Boesky and Michael Milken.
A
sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued
the story.
Where
to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming: Available on platforms like Peacock or
rentable on Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current
availability).
Physical:
DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.
News
Best
Quotes
An
investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— Benjamin Franklin
"Bottoms
in the investment world don't end with four-year lows;
they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim
Rogers
Be
fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when
others are fearful." — Warren Buffett
Media
Man "Bullish is a mindset"
News,
Markets, Biz, Politics, Mining, Media, Marketing,
Culture: Australia and World
December
2025
December
1
Markets
Australian
Dollar: $0.6540 USD (up 0.0011 USD)
Iron Ore: $105.40 USD (down $1.30 USD)
Oil: $58.55 USD (down $0.55 USD)
Gold: $4,219.23 USD (up $61.79 USD)
Copper: $5.2780 USD (up $0.1155 USD)
Bitcoin: $87,321.17 -3.98%
Dow Jones: 47,716.42 (up 289.30 points)
News
ASX
tipped for solid start ahead of GDP data
Futures
pricing suggests that Australian equities will gain
about 0.1 per cent when the market opens on Monday,
following a positive lead from Wall Street. The release
of GDP data for the September quarter is set to be
a key focus for local investors in the coming week,
as they seek guidance on the outlook for official
interest rates. Inflation data released last week
has heightened speculation that the next rate move
may be up rather than down. The S&P/ASX 200 shed
0.37 per cent to close at 8,614.1 points on Friday,
and it fell by three per cent in November. (RMS)
News
Nov
28
Gold
may have doubled, but miners a gamble
Factors
such as its 'safe haven' staus and record buying by
central banks have seen the price of gold rise by
more than 50 per cent so far in 2025. The share prices
of Australian-listed gold producers have also rallied
during 2025, and some have posted solid returns over
the last decade. However, analysis shows that just
100 of the 172 listed gold miners in 2015 are still
in business now. Meanwhile, about 40 per cent of the
survivors have posted a negative return over the last
10 years. (RMS)
News
'Bloodbath':
Black Friday deals pose a dilemma for small business
Australians
are expected to spend nearly $7bn over the four days
of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, and up
to $39bn over the month of November. Indeed, Black
Friday has evolved to essentially become a one-month
sales event, and there is a growing expectation among
consumers that every store will offer big discounts.
However, Black Friday is challenging for many small
businesses, which simply cannot match the deep discounts
of large retailers. This is highlighted by research
from the Council of Small Business Organisations;
it found that 60 per cent of small business owners
do not pay themselves at least occasionally, while
25 per cent have used their personal savings to stay
afloat. (RMS)
News
Australia's
Most Trusted and Distrusted Brands + The Retail Landscape
Join
Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine to discover Australia's
most Trusted and Distrusted brands; how traditional
retail brands are being impacted by Temu, Shein, and
AliExpress; how the dramatic shift to low prices is
affecting discount department stores like Kmart and
Big W; whether Amazon has finally become the digital
category killer, impacting Myer, JB Hi-Fi and Harvey
Norman; whether Coles and Woolworths are finally showing
real signs of reputational recovery; and whether the
retail sector seeing a rise in distrust amid all the
upheaval. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Media
and Marketing
Sport
keeps TV afloat as Seven pips Nine
The
Seven Network has become Australia's top-rating commercial
free-to-air broadcaster for a fifth consecutive year.
Seven's national audience share across the 2025 rating
year was 41.6 per cent, ahead of the Nine Network
on 40.5 per cent. Seven's total audience share across
all five free-to-air networks was 29.4 per cent, followed
by Nine (28.7 per cent), the ABC (21.5 per cent),
Ten (12.6 per cent) and SBS (7.7 per cent). Nine's
live coverage of the NRL Grand Final was the highest-rating
program for the year, with a record 4.56 million viewers;
the AFL Grand Final attracted a total audience of
4.18 million. (RMS)
News
The
Age misses mark on AFL deal
A
spokesman for DAZN says the UK-based sports-focused
streaming company "categorically refutes"
a recent media report which suggested that it could
seek to renegotiate Foxtel's current seven-year AFL
broadcasting rights deal. The Age reported last week
that unnamed sources had claimed that DAZN believes
it is paying too much for the AFL rights. Foxtel was
acquired by DAZN earlier in 2025, in a deal that is
said to have been worth about $3.4bn. (RMS)
News
News
media eyes $600m yearly boost
Google,
Meta, Microsoft, TikTok and Apple are estimated to
have had combined revenue of $41bn in Australia during
fiscal 2024. They could potentially pay local news
publishers about $610m a year via the federal government's
News Bargaining Incentive, which will penalise technology
companies that fail to secure content deals with the
nation's news publishers; based on the revenue of
the 'big five', the financial penalty for not striking
such deals could be around $920m a year. The NBI would
apply to all digital platforms that operate "significant"
social media or search services, even if they do not
feature any news content. (RMS)
News
Magazine
stable faces carve-up
Private
equity firm Mercury Capital still hopes to sell the
whole of Are Media to a single buyer. However, sources
at Are have said there is speculation within the publisher
that several potential suitors have expressed interest
in selectively buying some magazine titles, and shunning
the less profitable ones. Mining magnate Andrew Forrest
is said to have been approached about buying the flagship
Australian Women's Weekly via his family company,
Tattarang, which already owns the RM Williams magazine.
(Roy Morgan Summary)
News
AI
threat slashes billions from classifieds giants
Jarden
analyst Tom Beadle has downplayed the risks that online
classified advertising groups are facing due to the
growing use of artificial intelligence platforms.
He contends that AI companies are unlikely to develop
a 'killer application' that will disrupt the business
of Real Estate Dotcom Dot Au http://realestate.com.au
owner REA Group in the near term. However, REA Group's
market capitalisation has fallen by nearly $9bn since
August, while CAR Group - which owns Car Sales http://carsales.com.au
- has shed 16 per cent of its value. Nevertheless,
there are fears that AI platforms will be increasingly
used to directly search for jobs, homes or cars. (RMS)
News
Nov
28
Free
entry gets museum record-breaking visitors
Analysis
of the annual reports of museums in Australia shows
that consumers continued to embrace the nation's cultural
institutions in 2024-25. Museums Victoria had the
highest patronage, with 1.93 million visitors during
the financial year; however, this was 13 per cent
lower than previously. Meanwhile, Western Australia
Museum was the nation's second-most-visited museum,
with visits to its three sites rising by 21 per cent
year-on-year to 1.2 million. WA Museum chair Sheila
McHale notes that visitor numbers were boosted by
the state government's decision to waive entry fees
during the 2024-25 summer. (RMS)
News
Mining/Resources/Energy
Nov
28
Inside
the battle for BHP's future
There
is growing speculation that BHP's CEO Mike Henry is
preparing to step down after six years in the role.
However, BHP's merger talks with Anglo American last
week showed that Henry is still deeply engaged in
high-stakes strategic endeavours, rather than easing
into retirement. Potential internal candidates to
succeed Henry when he eventually steps down include
Geraldine Slattery, Rag Udd, Vandita Pant and Catherine
Raw. Meanwhile, some BHP directors believe that the
resources group should simplify its commodities portfolio
by exiting the coal sector and focusing on copper;
indeed, analysis shows that both BHP and Rio Tinto
have underperformed those of pure-play copper mines
in recent years. (RMS)
News
Nov
28
Bitcoin
stalled at a critical resistance
Market
Overview
The
crypto market cap corrected by 0.4% to $3.10T, pausing
the cautious rebound from last Friday. Yet we can’t
talk about the rebound running out of steam, as there
was strong growth the day before. But we do not see
any increase in optimism, as just about one in seven
coins has gained in the last 24 hours, compared to
a decline for most.
The
sentiment index rose to 25, the threshold for exiting
the territory of extreme fear, despite the latest
round of weakness. The index’s dynamics are likely
to attract buyers who were eager to enter the market
but were waiting for a discount after the highs were
set in early October.
Bitcoin
has fallen below $ 91K, stabilising near the 61.8%
Fibonacci retracement level of the decline since November
11th. The area near $90K was significant for the market
about a year ago, serving as support for the correction
after the growth momentum in early November. There
is some risk that it will now act as resistance, reinforcing
the bearish signal of a possible end to the rebound.
A rise above $95K would signal a victory for the bulls
and a return to a bull market, while a decline below
$87K could open the way to $80K, driving the market
into a depression.
News
Background
Kronos
Research describes the current dynamics as a classic
rebound from oversold conditions. The market has cleared
out excess long positions, creating room for growth,
according to Presto Research.
Futures
and options data point to a return of bullish sentiment.
The market is ‘ready for growth’ after speculative
longs were closed over the past two weeks, according
to GSR.
According
to CryptoQuant, in November, the Binance crypto exchange
increased its stablecoin reserves to a record $51.1
billion. The growth of this indicator can be seen
as a positive factor for the crypto market.
The
potential exclusion of Strategy from the S&P 500
index and continued outflows from spot crypto ETFs
could bring back bearish sentiment and trigger sell-offs,
warns QCP Capital.
Bolivia
will include cryptocurrencies and stablecoins in its
national financial system to modernise it.
Cryptocurrencies
will be allowed to be used as a means of payment,
savings accounts, credit products and loans. The authorities’
decision is a result of the country’s challenging
economic situation. (FxPro)
News
Heavy
Industry News
Mack
Trucks wins Media Man 'Truck Manufacturer Of The Month'
award
Caterpillar
wins Media Man 'Heavy Equipment Manufacturer Of The
Month' award
Bingo
Industries wins Media Man 'Construction Brand Of The
Month' award
Elders
wins Media Man 'Agribusiness Of The Month' award
Landman
wins Media Man 'Streaming Series Of The Month' award
(Oil/mining industry based story via Paramount Plus)
Jim's
Mowing wins Media Man 'Franchise Of The Month' award
News
Pop
Culture Flashback
Citizen
Kane (1941)
Directed
by Orson Welles | Written by Orson Welles & Herman
J. Mankiewicz | Cinematography by Gregg Toland
Why
it’s considered one of the greatest films ever
made:
Revolutionary
storytelling: Non-linear structure jumping through
multiple perspectives and timelines — decades
before it became common.
Iconic
moments/lines:
“Rosebud…”
The
campaign speech with the giant Kane poster
The
slow push-in on young Charlie playing in the snow
as his future is decided
“Old
age… it’s the only disease, Mr. Thompson,
that you don’t look forward to being cured of.”
(Bernstein)
News
Salt
of the Earth (1954
Mexican
workers at a zinc mine call a general strike. It is
only through the solidarity of the workers, and importantly
the indomitable resolve of their wives, mothers, and
daughters, that they eventually triumph.
Best
Quotes
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
Movie
Box Office (North America)
October
17, 2025
1.
Black Phone 2 - $26.5m
2.
Tron: Ares - $11.1m
3.
Good Fortune - $6.2m
4.
One Battle After Another - $4m
5.
Roofman - $3.7m
6.
Truth & Treason - $2.7m
7.
Gabby's Dollhouse - $1.7m
8.
The Conjuring: Last Rites - $1.57m
9.
After the Hunt - $1.55m
10.
Soul on Fire - $1.3m
Lead
Up To Current Rankings
October
12, 2025
1.
Tron: Ares - $33.5m
2.
Roofman - $8m
3.
One Battle After Another - $6.7m
4.
Gabby's Dollhouse - $3.4m
5.
Soul On Fire - $3m
6.
The Conjuring: Last Rites - $2.9m
7.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity
Castle - $2.3m
8.
The Smashing Machine - $1.8m
9.
The Strangers: Chapter 2 - $1.6m
10.
Good Boy - $1.4m
Media
Man People's (Sports Fans) Choices:
The
Smashing Machine
Media
Man People's (Arthouse Short Film) Choice:
Blue
Evening (Killer Kross)
News
Lead
Up
October
5, 2025
1.
Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl
- $33m
2.
One Battle After Another - $11.1m
3.
The Smashing Machine - $6m
4.
Gabby's Dollhouse - $5.2m
5.
The Conjuring: Last Rites - $4m
6.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity
Castle - $3.5m
7.
Avatar: The Way of Water - $3.2m
8.
The Strangers: Chapter 2 - $2.8m
9.
Good Boy - $2.3m
10.
The Long Walk - $1.7m
others...
Him
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
Spider-Man/Spider-Man 2/Spider-Man 3
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
The Senior
Toy Story
Sight & Sound Presents NOAH
Weapons
News
Weekend
Before Lead Up
September
21, 2025
1.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity
Castle - $17.3m
2. Him - $14m
3. The Conjuring: Last Rites - $13m
4. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale - $6.3m
5. The Long Walk - $6.3m
6. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey - $3.5m
7. The Senior - $2.8m
8. Toy Story - $1.4m
9. Sight & Sound Presents NOAH - $1.4m
10. Weapons - $1.3m
others
...
Movie
Time Machine Flashback Titles ...
Hamilton
Freakier Friday
Spinal Tap II
The Sound of Music
Caught Stealing
The Roses
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The Bad Guys 2
Light of the World
Superman
Nobody 2
The Naked Gun
Honey Don't
Jurassic World: Rebirth
F1: The Movie
Coolio
Together
Sketch
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Smurfs
How to Train Your Dragon
Eddington
Elio
Oh, Hi!
The Home
Lilo & Stitch
28 Years Later
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning
Materialists
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
News
Gonzo
Casino 'N Gaming Edition
Art
Imitates Life and Visa Versa
Everything
Is A Gamble
Casino
was my last good role, says iconic actress Sharon
Stone
Sharon
Stone has said she never got a good part again after
1995's Casino and described herself as "the invisible
actress".
The
Basic Instinct star, now a stunning 66, has since
appeared in films such as Catwoman, Lovelace and Basic
Instinct 2.
Stone
was passed over on snatching an Oscar for Martin Scorsese's
crime thriller Casino to Susan Sarandon in Dead Man
Walking.
Speaking
on high profile Louis Theroux Podcast, Stone disclosed
The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola warned
her in advance that this would be the case.
She
said: "Francis put his hand on my shoulder and
he said: 'I need to talk to you.'
"He
said: 'You're not going to win the Oscar.'
'I
want you to feel like you're going to cry now. I don't
want you to cry in the room, and that's why I'm doing
this, and it feels so mean right now.
"'But
I didn't win for The Godfather and Marty didn't win
for Raging Bull, and you're not going to win for Casino."
Coppola
said none of them won because the Academy couldn't
"hear opera", she remembered.
"'This
is not the level of films they want," she remembers
him saying.
Discussing
attending the Oscars when she knew she was going to
lose, she said: "You have to pretend it's fantastic
and it's not fantastic.
"And
then I didn't get any good parts ever again for the
rest of my entire life."
When
Theroux replied: "That can't be true. I'm sure
there were other movies you did that were good,"
she replied: "No, and guess what? I hate it."
She
continued: "It's easier to say: 'She's cold',
or: 'I don't like her', or: 'She's difficult', or:
'She must be sick', or: 'She's too old', or that 'she's
hard to cast', or: 'We don't know what to do with
her.'
Stone
also touched on her experiences with disgraced and
vulgar producer Harvey Weinstein, who is in the clink
(jail) for sex offences and with whom she she crossed
paths at events for the Aids charity Amfar.
She
said: "I had a long time of dealing with Harvey
and I'm really glad that he's in prison and I think
he should stay there with the rest of the people who
are like him. Harvey's a pig. He's an octopus and
you're just always getting one of his tentacles off
you."
Asked
if she was too powerful for him to try to coerce into
sex, she said: "He would say things to me like:
'You know, you think you're such a princess, Sharon,'
as I would unwind him off me.
"And
I'd say: 'Yeah, I think I'm the queen of France. F***
off.'
"But
he was certainly comfortable with throwing me across
the room. He was physically violent to me on more
than one occasion because he was so angry at me because
I wouldn't do what he wanted me to do."
Media Man
News
Can
movie theatres and online streaming live side by side?
It’s been a tough time for movie theatres around
the world with a number of factors contributing to
the decline in the number of people heading to the
cinema to watch movies. In a world that is embracing
digital technologies, the movie industry is in danger
of getting left behind unless they quickly embrace
the technologies available that will get people excited
to return to movie theatres and get the enjoyment
of the cinema experience once again.
The
rise of the video game industry
Whilst
there are plenty of factors that are influencing people’s
decision to visit the cinema, there is no doubt that
the rapid rise of the online video game industry is
a large contributing factor. People are starting to
look elsewhere for their entertainment and online
video gaming provides a lower-cost alternative to
a trip to the cinema.
A
report by MarketWatch in 2020 found that the video
game industry is now bigger than the sports and movie
industry combined. Just take a minute to digest that.
Bigger than movies and sports - that’s big.
The
news outlet reported that global video game revenue
is expected to increase 20% in 2020, making $179.7
billion, according to data from IDC.
The
biggest gain is expected to come from mobile gaming,
according to the news outlet, which is expected to
surge 24% to $87.7 billion. Part of this is due to
China recently lifting a ban on gaming consoles.
Game
console revenue is expected to soar to $52.5 billion
this year, while PC and Mac games are expected to
make $39.5 billion.
In
their most recent report, MarketWatch
reported that whilst overall revenue was expected
to grow by 11% in 2021 to $251.39 billion, the forecast
for 2022 is just a 2% growth and a flattening out
of that rapid growth over the past two years.
Is
this a potential opportunity for cinemas to reclaim
some of that lost audience share?
Early
signs look good for cinemas in 2022
If
the latest movie releases in 2022 are anything to
go by, it looks as though the movie theatre industry
is not ready to give up just yet. Spider-Man: No Way
Home became the biggest
grossing movie of the past two years, grossing
over $US1 billion ($1.38b) in the first two weekends.
It is the second-fastest film ever to reach the $1
billion mark and suggests that this could be a big
year for cinema-goers.
Following
in its footsteps is another 2022 release, The
Matrix Resurrections, a movie that grossed $US12
million in its opening weekend.
Whilst
this is a great start to the New Year for movie theatres
around the world, it remains to be seen whether this
is a trend that continues throughout the year. With
a number of high profile movies due for release in
2022, this could be a time for cinemas to really cash
in.
The
impact of streaming and long-form content
It
is unlikely that cinemas will have it all their own
way in 2022. Whilst it is great to see people returning
to movie theatres to watch the latest releases on
the big screen, there is no question that home viewing
is here to stay.
As
more studios and media distributors are developing
their own direct-to-consumer streaming services, this
starts to eat into the revenue of major studios.
Studios
derive almost half of their revenues from theatrical
releases. Although the average number of movie tickets
purchased by Americans each year has declined from
4.2 in 2009 to 3.4 in 2019 (Source: Deloitte),
studio revenues are driven more by box office tickets
now than they were 20 years ago.
Streaming
is having the biggest impact on people going to the
movies. As televisions have improved, where you can
now watch movies at home in 4K high-definition on
screens with sizes up to 100”, with surround
sound, people have become more willing to wait for
the latest release movies to become available on streaming
services including Netflix,
Amazon Prime, Disney+, and Stan.
Another
major impact on the cinema industry is the consumer
switch to long-form content in the form of series.
Many people feel there is more depth to a series that
contains anywhere from six episodes upwards. Game
of Thrones was one of the groundbreaking series to
really capture the audience’s attention, however,
there are so many amazing series now that it is becoming
more difficult for movies to compete with the depth
and the character development that a series can bring.
Huge
series like Breaking Bad, The Sopranos and more recently,
Succession,
have really captured the attention of audiences around
the world and this is something movie producers need
to consider.
The
entertainment factor
It’s
not just video games and streaming that are competing
for people’s attention. Another industry embracing
technology is the online casino and betting sector.
Here, we have seen huge advancements in the way people
are able to game online. One company leading the way
in the sector is Betway, “Developed by our exceptionally
talented people, Betway
creates market-leading, cutting-edge interactive gaming
experiences. We bring people closer to the action
– putting them at the centre, making them feel
a part of it.”
From
the introduction of in-game betting to the development
of new and exciting interactive games, these online
gaming sites are leading the way when it comes to
embracing new technologies that can lead to better
experiences for customers.
The
movie industry is at a real crossroads. With competition
coming from every direction within the entertainment
industry, studios and distributors need to find a
way to either a) get more people back into movie theatres
or b) look at alternative ways to ensure that movies
can compete with online gaming, live sports streaming
and online casinos for a share of customer eyeballs.
Media/Marketing/Comms/Brands/News/Culture/
Streaming/Events: Australia and World
October
2025
Media/Entertainment
Stocks
Oct
15
Netflix
$1,203.29 -12.06 -0.99%
TKO Group $191.21 +1.24 +0.65%
Google Class A $251.03 +5.58 +2.27%
Apple $249.34 +1.57 +0.63%
Warner Bros. Discovery $18.45 +0.47 +2.61%
Paramount Skydance Corp $17.43 +0.14 +0.81%
Walt Disney Co $111.71 +0.54 +0.49%
News Corp Class A $26.57 -0.070 -0.26%
Meta Platforms $717.55 +8.90 +1.26%
Amazon $215.57 -0.82 -0.38%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp $16.27
-0.010 -0.061%
News
SNL
Sabrina
Carpenter channelled her inner Carrie Bradshaw on
Wednesday in a promo for an upcoming episode of Saturday
Night Live.
Carpenter
will both host and appear as musical guest on the
show's Oct. 18 episode, marking her first time hosting
and second time performing.
Sits
down to a computer to type:
"The
woman wondered what she'd gotten herself into. Having
won over the cast and crew, the only thing left to
do was ... ."
Brennan
interrupts, asking what Carpenter is writing.
"No
idea. The computer's not even on," Sherman responds.
News
(Australia)
Oct
15
Bunnings,
Kmart and Samsung are the Most Trusted Brands in Retail
and Consumer Products for 2025
(Market Research Update)
Roy
Morgan has presented the Roy Morgan Trusted Brand
Awards for 2025 for Retail and Consumer Products industries.
The broader Retail category (not including Supermarkets)
was again topped by leading home hardware brand Bunnings,
with a seventh consecutive victory as the 'Most Trusted
Retail Brand' in Australia. Bunnings recorded a clean
sweep at the awards, picking up the 'Best of the Best'
Most Trusted Brand in Australia award for a second
straight year. The 'Most Trusted Brand in Department
& Discount Department Stores' award has been won
by Kmart for the seventh year in a row. The winner
of the 'Most Trusted Consumer Products Brand' was
South Korea-based Samsung, also for a seventh straight
year. Meanwhile, Apple is the 'Most Trusted Technology
Brand' for a fifth consecutive year, and Aldi has
retained the title of the 'Most Trusted Supermarket
Brand' for 2025.
Sports
News/Marketing
Sydney
FC is again the most widely supported A-League club
ahead of the new 2025-26 A-League season
Research
from Roy Morgan shows Sydney FC topping the 2025 Roy
Morgan A-League club supporter ladder with 686,000
fans; this is over 100,000 more fans than any other
club in the league. Sydney FC has been the most successful
club in the A-League Men, winning 5 Championships
and 4 Premiers Plates since the league began in 2005.
There is a close contest for second place between
the Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory. The Roar
has 556,000 supporters, just ahead of the Melbourne
Victory with 531,000 supporters. In fourth place overall
are Adelaide United with 404,000 supporters, followed
by Perth Glory with 360,000 supporters and current
A-League Men's Champions Melbourne City with 292,000
supporters. Meanwhile, 16.1% of Australians (3.7 million
people), now support an A-League club, and 6.8% (almost
1.6 million) watch the A-League on TV. However, a
much larger 5.6 million (24.5%) Australian have watched
any soccer match on TV, which includes overseas leagues
and international tournaments. (RMS)
News
Talkback
revival a boost for Nine sale
GfK's
latest radio ratings survey shows that Nine Entertainment's
2GB has increased its audience share across all timeslots.
Its breakfast show's audience share rose to 16.8 per
cent, overtaking KIIS FM's popular Kyle and Jackie
O show; 2GB's morning show also reclaimed top spot
in its timeslot, with audience share growth of 3.6
per cent compared with the previous survey. Nine's
3AW in 4BC talkback stations also performed well overall
in the latest ratings, with the company seeking a
buyer for its radio stations. Meanwhile, the ABC has
increased its audience share in every timeslot in
Sydney and Melbourne. (RMS)
News
Pro
Wrestling
WWE:
Oct 13
World
Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins proclaimed The Vision's
dominance after he triumphed over Cody Rhodes to win
the WWE Crown Jewel Championship and Bronson Reed
posted a huge victory against Roman Reigns.
Vision
Members Breakker and Reed Turn On Rollins!
News
Flashback
October
9, 2025
Free-to-air
TV ad slump deepens as digital media eats bigger share
Data
from Guideline SMI shows that advertising revenue
in Australia's free-to-air TV market fell nearly 10
per cent in the first eight months of 2025. Ad revenue
also declined by 18 per cent year-on-year in August,
and by 17 per cent over the last three months. The
figures do not include ad revenue from the networks'
increasingly popular broadcast video-on-demand platforms,
such as 7plus and 9Now. However, the advertising market
has grown by about one per cent overall since the
start of the year. (RMS)
News
Why
Australia needs to protect its identity
Data
from the Public Interest Journalism Initiative shows
that 161 news outlets across Australia closed in the
five years to March 2023; this is a threefold increase
compared with the previous decade. The future of the
nation's media industry and content creators are at
risk due to technology companies' use of copyrighted
works to train their AI models. The federal government
must rule out ever changing Australia's copyright
laws to include a proposed 'text and data mining exception'
for AI companies. Australian journalism, Australian
creativity and Australian voices must be protected
before it is too late. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
'AI
is here to stay and change things': Mad Max director
George Miller on why he is taking part in an AI film
festival
Legendary
Australian film director George Miller will head the
judging panel for Australia's inaugural awards festival
for films that have been generated entirely via artificial
intelligence. Miller says he joined the judging panel
for the Omni 1.0 AI film festival out of "intense
curiosity" about the evolving role of AI in storytelling.
Miller also contends that art has to evolve, and likens
the impact of AI on the film industry to previous
innovations in the arts sector such as the introduction
the use of oil paint by artists and the advent of
photography. Miller argues that AI will make film-making
more egalitarian. (RMS)
News
(Australia)
Supercheap
Auto, Red Bull and Repco are the brands most firmly
associated with the V8 Supercars and Bathurst 1000
(Roy Morgan Summary)
Research
from Roy Morgan shows that three key brands -Supercheap
Auto, Red Bull and Repco - stand out as associated
most strongly with the V8 Supercars Championship,
which includes the Bathurst 1000. Supercheap Auto,
which was the naming rights sponsor for the Bathurst
1000 from 2005 to 2020, is still associated with V8
Supercars by 13% of Australians (3.1 million). Red
Bull, the naming rights sponsor of the most successful
V8 Supercars team since 2013, is associated with the
V8 Supercars by 11% of Australians (2.6 million).
Repco, which has been the naming rights sponsor of
the Bathurst 1000 since 2021, is associated with the
V8 Supercars by 9% of Australians (equivalent to 2.1
million people). Other brands associated with V8 Supercars
include Ampol, Dunlop and Mobil (6% of Australians
for each), Beaurepaires (5%), Boost Mobile (4%), and
Armor All, BP, Coca Cola, Coates Hire and Jim Beam
(all 3%). Meanwhile, almost 2.6 million Australians
aged 14+ said they watched the Bathurst 1000 in the
year to June 2025; this is equivalent to 11.3% of
Australians. (RMS)
News
Free
TV's dire state on show (Australia)
Free-to-air
television has been both a dominating force in Australian
media and one of the nation's great profit power houses
for nearly 70 years. However, the terms of the proposed
merger between Seven West Media and Southern Cross
Media Group confirm that the days of free-to-air media
dominance and its profit bonanza are over. Evans &
Partners estimates that the Seven Network is priced
in the merger at just four times forecast 2025-26
earnings, while the Southern Cross radio network is
priced at more than twice that level at nine times.
The decimation of free-to-air TV follows the same
pattern to that of major newspapers, where the so
called "rivers of gold" classified advertising
were decimated by online classifieds. When an industry
suffers the sort of fall that FTA is experiencing
there is normally pressure from the major players
to merge. Politicians in Canberra have very little
understanding of the fundamental change taking place,
so this is politically impossible. (RMS)
News
Commonwealth
Bank, AustralianSuper, PayPal, HCF and NRMA Insurance
are Australia's most trusted finance and insurance
brands
(Roy Morgan Summary)
The
Roy Morgan Trusted Brand Awards bring together outstanding
companies and brands from across a range of industries
to celebrate and recognise the unmatched levels of
trust these organisations hold when compared to their
competitors in their respective categories. All 22
winners for the 12 months to June 2025 have displayed
market-leading levels of trust, and exceedingly low
or negligible levels of distrust, to outstrip their
rivals on the key metric of 'Net Trust'. The Commonwealth
Bank has been rated as the 'Most Trusted Bank Brand'
in Australia for the first time, while AustralianSuper
has emerged as the 'Most Trusted Superannuation Brand'
for a fifth straight year. The other winners in the
key finance and insurance categories are PayPal (Most
Trusted Brand for Payments, Cards & Loans), NRMA
Insurance (Most Trusted Brand in Insurance) and HCF
(Most Trusted Brand in Private Health Insurance).
(RMS)
News
(Australia)
ANZ,
Seven West write down View Media
Roy
Morgan Summary
Sources
have indicated that the ANZ Bank has written down
the value of its stake in View Media Group. The bank
acquired an initial stake of 20 per cent in early
2023, at a cost of $50m; it subsequently invested
a further $2m in the property listings group, which
was founded by Antony Catalano and Alex Waislitz.
ANZ is expected to disclose the extent of the writedown
in its upcoming annual report. Meanwhile, Seven West's
2025 annual report showed that View Media Group accounted
for the bulk of the $29.1m writedown in the value
of its ventures portfolio. Catalano is also one of
the biggest shareholders in Southern Cross Media Group,
which has proposed merging with Seven West Media.
(RMS)
News
October
7, 2025
LG
and Ten plotting return of linear TV
The
Ten Network's free-to-air channels will become accessible
via LG's connected TVs via a new alliance with the
South Korean electronics giant. Owners of LG smart
TVs will be be able to watch live streams of Ten's
linear channels without the need for a terrestrial
antenna. Lachlan Roach from Ten's parent company Paramount
Australia believes that free-to-air broadcasting still
has a future, despite the growing shift to streaming
video platforms. (RMS)
News
Australia
Oct
6
Seven
weighs new bid for next NRL rights
There
is speculation that Seven West Media could pursue
new talks with US-based NBCUniversal regarding a joint
venture streaming service if the proposed merger with
Southern Cross Media Group proceeds. Industry sources
have indicated that NBCUniversal's requirement for
the Stokes family to reduce their stake in Seven West
to just 20 per cent had been a 'deal breaker' when
the talks were held in 2022. The Stokes family's stake
will fall to 20 per cent if the merger with Southern
Cross goes ahead. Seven insiders have also suggested
that having its own streaming service could also Seven
to bid for the NRL broadcasting rights; Seven has
limited options at present given that its holds the
AFL rights. (RMS)
News
ARN
chief flags further local consolidation
ARN
Media's CEO Ciaran Davis contends that more consolidation
in Australia's media sector is inevitable. He notes
that the sector must compete with global companies
that are not subject to local content quotas and do
not face the same regulatory constraints. Davis is
also upbeat about the outlook for Australia's radio
and digital audio sector, with ARN owning radio stations
such as KIIS and the iHeart digital platform. Davis
recently advised that he will step down in January
after 16 years as CEO: Davis says his departure had
been planned for nearly a year, and he believes that
ARN is in better shape than it was when he took on
the role. (RMS)
News
News
boss slams AI copyright 'theft'
News
Corp Australasia's executive chairman Michael Miller
will use a Melbourne Press Club speech on Wednesday
to caution against relaxing Australia's copyright
laws. He will contend that technology companies must
not be allowed to use Australian content to train
their artificial intelligence platforms without adequately
compensating the producers of that content. The Productivity
Commission recently proposed adding a 'fair dealing
exception' to the Copyright Act for AI platforms.
(RMS)
News
'Future
of journalism is bright'
Media
industry veteran Campbell Reid says the digital age
has been positive for news publishers because the
rise of citizen journalism has resulted in greater
scrutiny of traditional media; it has also provided
the industry with more sources of information about
things that happen in public, including video footage.
Reid will step down as News Corp Australia's head
of corporate affairs in November, after 11 years in
the role. His five-decade career in the media industry
began as a cadet journalist in New Zealand; he eventually
moved into editorial, becoming the editor of The Australian
in 2000 and later The Daily Telegraph. (RMS)
News
Netflix,
Disney+, Amazon Prime Video extend lead over local
streamers
Data
from technology analyst firm Telsyte shows that Netflix
now has 6.4 million subscribers in Australia, which
is three per cent higher than a year ago. Amazon Prime
Video has in turn recorded year-on-year growth of
six per cent, and it now has 5.1 million local subscribers.
In contrast, the subscriber base of home-grown streaming
video platform Stan was steady at 2.6 million. Foad
Fadaghi from Telsyte says factors such as strong population
growth and the launch of more lower-cost advertising-supported
plans have contributed to growth in streaming video
subscriptions. (RMS)
News
Flashback
(In Case You Missed It)
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
Flashback
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
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
Netflix:
October 2025
Highlights
include:
WWE
RAW
Sacramento, CA
October 20
Golden 1 Center
WWE
SmackDown (numerous international markets. Not US)
Friday Night SmackDown
San Jose, CA
October 17
Sap Center
WWE
SmackDown
Tempe, AZ
October 24
Mullett Arena
WWE
NXT
NXT Halloween Havoc
October 25
Prescott, AZ
Findlay Toyota Center
WWE
RAW
October 27
Anaheim, CA
Honda Center
IP
Man (complete series at time of publication)
Wingwomen
News
Netflix:
November 2025
Boxing:
Jake Paul vs Tank Davis - Nov 14
WWE:
Survivor Series (Netflix for Aussies) - Nov 29
Petco Park
San Diego, California
Stranger
Things S5 - Nov 27
News
Media
Man
Netflix
wins Media Man 'Streaming Service Of The Month' award
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
October
2025
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."
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."
Streaming
Rankings
Current
1.
Wednesday (Netflix)
2. Sullivan's Crossing (Netflix)
3. KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
4. Bluey (Disney+)
5. Grey's Anatomy (Hulu/Netflix)
6. Sponge Bob SquarePants (Paramount+)
7. The Hunting Wives (Netflix)
8. King of the Hill (Hulu)
9. Family Guy (Hulu)
10. The Big Bang Theory (HBO Max)
Casino/Gaming/Hotels
News,
Background, Stockmarket
Markets/Trades:
Near Live
September
26, 2025
New
York, USA
MGM
Resorts International $35.60 +1.12 +3.25%
Wynn
Resorts Ltd $128.97 +3.13 +2.49%
Las
Vegas Sands $54.01 +0.95 +1.79%
Boyd
Gaming Corporation $85.94 +1.45 +1.72%
Caesars
Entertainment, Inc. $27.04 +1.13 +4.36%
Red
Rock Resorts, Inc. $61.73 +1.75 +2.92%
Hilton
Grand Vacations Inc. $43.49 +0.59 +1.38%
PENN
Entertainment, Inc. $19.80 +0.26 +1.33%
Light
& Wonder, Inc. $84.96 +0.30 +0.35%
News
Bonus
NVIDIA
Corporation (NVDA) $178.19 +0.50 +0.28%
TKO
Group $199.04 +3.25 +1.66%
Casino
News
Casino:
a public room or building where gambling games are
played. "He was a keen gambler and often went
to casinos". A facility for gambling. Casinos
are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts,
restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships, and other
tourist attractions.
Some
casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment,
such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sporting events.
The term casino is of Italian origin, from the root
word casa meaning "house." Originally, the
term referred to a small country villa, summerhouse,
or social club. During the 19th century, casino came
to encompass other public buildings where pleasurable
activities took place.
The
precise origin of gambling is unknown, but it is believed
to have existed in nearly every society in history.
The first known European gambling house, the Ridotto,
was established in Venice, Italy, in 1638 to provide
controlled gambling during the carnival season. In
the United States, early gambling establishments were
known as saloons. In the early 20th century, gambling
was outlawed in the U.S. by state legislation. However,
in 1931, gambling was legalized in Nevada, leading
to the rise of Las Vegas as a major gambling center.
In 1976, New Jersey allowed gambling in Atlantic City,
which is now the second-largest gambling city in the
U.S.
Casinos
offer a variety of games of chance, which in some
cases involve an element of skill. Common games include
craps, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and video poker.
All casino games have a mathematically determined
advantage for the house, known as the house edge,
which ensures that the casino will make a profit in
the long run. The percentage of funds returned to
players as winnings is known as the payout. Slot machines
have become one of the most popular forms of gambling
in casinos. The design of a casino, including factors
like sound, odour, and lighting, is often carefully
controlled to encourage gambling.
News
WWE
and UFC Themed Slot Games Continue To Build Upon Popularity;
TKO Beancounters See Strong Merit; No Official Betting
On TKO's/WWE Action Pro Wrestling Match Outcomes!
UFC MMA Match Betting Remains Bullish! UFC themed
'The Smashing Machine' movie gets strong industry
and fan reviews; UFC/MMA themed movie 'Brawler' still
happening; Tipped to be a big hit in Vegas (Media
Man Group/Casino News Media)
News
New
York City's Casino License Race Heats Up:
Manhattan
Proposals Rejected, Yonkers and Queens Advance
All
three proposed casino projects in Manhattan have been
voted down by local community committees, including
the high-profile $11.2 billion Freedom Plaza bid near
the UN headquarters, operated by Mohegan and developer
Stefan Soloviev. This leaves no casino developments
in Manhattan for now.
On
a positive note, MGM Resorts' $2.3 billion expansion
of Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Genting Group's
$5.5 billion Resorts World upgrade in Queens received
key approvals from advisory panels on September 25,
moving them to the state licensing board. Developers
are promising billions in community investments, jobs,
and infrastructure to sway officials.
Social
buzz: X users are debating the economic impact, with
some calling it a win for suburban gambling hubs over
urban congestion.
Michigan
Cracks Down on Unlicensed Online Casinos
The
Michigan Gaming Control Board issued cease-and-desist
orders to eight unlicensed online operators targeting
residents, emphasizing risks to player data and fair
play. This aligns with broader U.S. enforcement trends
under state laws like the Lawful Internet Gaming Act.
Boom
in New Online and Sweepstakes Casinos for U.S. Players
September
2025 has seen a surge of fresh platforms, with experts
ranking sites like Ignition, Jackbit, Wild io, BitStarz,
and Rakebit for their fast payouts, crypto support,
and bonuses up to $1,000 match + free spins. New sweepstakes
options include LoneStar Casino (500+ games, 100K
Gold Coins no-deposit bonus), Sixty6 (1,500 slots),
and Rich Sweeps (5,000-game launch).
Standouts
for social/sweepstakes play: GameDayZone (NFL-timed
debut), Shuffle us (spin-off from Shuffle dotcome),
and Sweeps Royal (mobile-first with generous promos).
These focus on no-purchase entry, quick redemptions,
and AI personalization.
Other
Notable Stories
Tragic
NFL Shooting Linked to CTE: Shane Tamura, a Las Vegas
casino worker, was revealed to have chronic traumatic
encephalopathy (CTE) after fatally shooting four at
NFL headquarters in July, blaming the league for hiding
head injury data.
Mining
Stocks Tie-In: Casino-adjacent sectors like mining
(key for casino construction materials) saw gains,
with BHP up 1.32% to $42.22 on September 26.
For
more details follow X handles like
@casinonewsmedia
Casino,
Gaming and Hotel Stocks
Markets/Trades
September
21, 2025
New
York, USA
MGM
Resorts International $35.80 -0.14 -0.39%
Wynn
Resorts Ltd $129.52 +0.84 +0.65%
Las
Vegas Sands $53.87 +0.66 +1.24%
Boyd
Gaming Corporation $83.30 Flat
Caesars
Entertainment, Inc. $25.56 -0.84 -3.18%
Red
Rock Resorts, Inc. $60.76 -0.23 -0.38%
Hilton
Grand Vacations Inc. $44.53 -0.35 -0.78%
PENN
Entertainment, Inc. $19.09 -0.12 -0.62%
Light
& Wonder, Inc. $87.28 -0.94 -1.07%
News
Bonus
Prices:
Near Live!
NVIDIA
Corporation (NVDA) $176.60 +0.20% +0.36
News
MGM
CEO says Dubai casino approval still pending as 2028
resort construction advances
MGM
Resorts International has yet to receive approval
to operate a casino at its upcoming $2.5 billion integrated
resort in Dubai, CEO Bill Hornbuckle said, despite
earlier expectations that a decision would have been
made by now.
“I
thought by now, Abu Dhabi would have ruled on what
they were doing,” Hornbuckle said during a recent
industry conference, referring to the anticipated
regulatory green light. “There’s a lot of
dialogue around that.”
The
resort, currently under construction on a 25-acre
artificial island near Jumeirah Beach and the Burj
Al Arab, is being developed in partnership with the
government-owned Wasl group. It will feature MGM Grand,
Bellagio, and Aria-branded hotels, along with a 250,000-square-foot
podium that has been purpose-built to accommodate
a casino should regulatory conditions allow.
While
a federal gaming regulator, the General Commercial
Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), was established
in recent years to oversee commercial gambling activities
across the UAE, the final decision to authorize casino
operations remains with the rulers of individual emirates.
Hornbuckle
noted that the company is still waiting on an official
directive from Dubai’s leadership. “We don’t
have permission yet from the ruler of Dubai to go
forward,” he said. “I don’t know when
we’ll hear, but I do believe this ... If this
gets a casino, and I believe it will over time, we
think it’s a massive opportunity.”
MGM
submitted its license application to the GCGRA in
September 2024. Any future approval would likely involve
both federal coordination and local consent. The GCGRA
is currently chaired by Jim Murren, MGM’s former
CEO.
Meanwhile,
competition in the UAE's nascent casino sector is
heating up. Wynn Resorts is preparing to open the
country’s first casino at its upcoming property
in Ras Al Khaimah.
Scheduled
for a 2027 launch, the resort on Al Marjan Island
will likely be the UAE’s only licensed casino
at the time of opening, according to Wynn CEO Craig
Billings. He said last month that he anticipates it
will be “the first and only casino in the country.”
Wynn
has also expanded its footprint in Ras Al Khaimah
by acquiring an additional 70 acres of land, raising
speculation of a potential second property in the
emirate. Analysts estimate that the UAE gaming market
could generate annual revenues of up to $8 billion,
while Wynn has projected figures closer to $5 billion.
Despite
Wynn’s confidence in securing a dominant position,
sources cited by Arabian Gulf Business Insight suggest
that other operators may eventually receive licenses,
casting doubt on the prospect of a long-term monopoly.
News
Lead
Up ...
Casino,
Gaming and Hotel Stocks
Markets/Trades
September
16, 2025
New
York, USA
MGM
Resorts International $35.36 -0.28 -0.79%
Wynn
Resorts Ltd $120.68 -2.17 -1.77%
Las
Vegas Sands $51.86 -1.23 -2.32%
Boyd
Gaming Corporation $82.15 -1.32 -1.58%
Caesars
Entertainment, Inc. $25.58 -0.32 -1.24%
Red
Rock Resorts, Inc. $59.71 -1.37 - 2.24%
Hilton
Grand Vacations Inc. $45.45 -0.100 -0.22%
PENN
Entertainment, Inc. $18.92 +0.090 +0.48%
Light
& Wonder, Inc. $88.69 -1.74 -1.92%
News
Bonus
NVIDIA
Corporation (NVDA) $174.84 -2.91 -1.64%
Lead
Up
24
hours ago approx
Markets/Trades
September
15, 2025
New
York, USA
MGM
Resorts International $35.64 +1.09 Today +3.15%
Wynn
Resorts Ltd $122.85 +1.40 Today +1.15%
Las
Vegas Sands $53.09 -0.41 -0.77%
Boyd
Gaming Corporation 83.47-1.03 -1.22%
Caesars
Entertainment, Inc. 25.90 +0.81 +3.23%
Red
Rock Resorts, Inc. 61.08 -0.01 -0.02%
Hilton
Grand Vacations Inc. 45.55 +0.34+ 0.75%
PENN
Entertainment, Inc. 18.83 -0.78 -3.98%
Light
& Wonder, Inc. 90.43 +1.36 + 1.53%
News
Bonus
NVIDIA
Corporation (NVDA) 177.75 -0.07 -0.04%
Movie
Box Office (North America)
September
21, 2025
1.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity
Castle - $17.3m
2. Him - $14m
3. The Conjuring: Last Rites - $13m
4. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale - $6.3m
5. The Long Walk - $6.3m
6. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey - $3.5m
7. The Senior - $2.8m
8. Toy Story - $1.4m
9. Sight & Sound Presents NOAH - $1.4m
10. Weapons - $1.3m
Markets,
Crypto and Culture
September
23, 2025
Sydney,
Australia
Markets
ASX
futures up 20 points/ 0.2% to 8868
Wall
Street:
S&P 500 +0.4%
Dow Jones +0.1%
Nasdaq +0.7%
Europe:
Stoxx 50 -0.3%
FTSE +0.1%
DAX -0.5%
CAC -0.3%
Bitcoin
-2.2% to $US112,771
Gold
+1.7% to $US3747.00 per ounce
Oil
-0.1% to $US62.64 a barrel
Brent
crude oil -0.1% to $US66.62 a barrel
Iron
ore +0.1% to $US106.60 per ton
10-year
yield:
US 4.15%
Australia 4.26%
Germany 2.75%
News
Cryptos
Today: (Near Live)
Bitcoin
$112,742.03 USD -2.20%
Ethereum $4,192.08 USD -5.97%
Tether $1.00 USD +0.4%
XRP $2.85 USD -4.15%
BNB $992.06 USD -5.65%
Solana $220.02 USD -6.78%
TRON $0.3394 USD -1.03%
Dogecoin $0.2404 USD -8.18%
Market
Cautious!
News
Mining
Stocks
BHP
Group Ltd $40.03 +0.39 +0.98%
Fortescue Ltd $19.31 +0.59 +3.15%
Rio Tinto $116.92 +2.92 +2.56%
News
Sept
23
Miners
push ASX higher as Reece soars
The
Australian sharemarket posted a solid gain on Monday,
with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.4 per cent to close
at 8,810.9 points. The local bourse was boosted by
a positive lead from Wall Street amid growing expectations
of further official interest rate cuts in the US.
Fortescue was up 3.1 per cent at $19.31, Boss Energy
rose 6.8 per cent to $2.04 and Reece advanced 14.2
per cent to $11.78. However, the Commonwealth Bank
eased 0.4 per cent to end the session at $165.57.
(RMS)
News
Sept
23
'Old
world industries' drags ASX lower against peers
Australia's
benchmark S&P/ASX 200 has gained eight per cent
so far in 2025, rebounding from the sell-off in response
to the Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs regime
in early April. However, the ASX 200 has underperformed
so far this year in comparison with its international
peers, despite having recently risen above 9,000 points
for the first time. Anna Milne from Wilson Asset Management
says the local bourse's growth has been stymied by
factors such as its heavy weighting towards traditional
stocks like materials and financials, rather than
artificial intelligence. (RMS)
News
24
hours ago
ASX
to rally as US traders pile back in on Fed bets
Futures
pricing suggests that Australian equities will gain
about 0.3 per cent when the market opens on Monday,
after a positive lead from Wall Street. Stephen Miller
from GSFM says US investors appear to be anticipating
further monetary policy easing, following last week's
interest rate cut. Meanwhile, bond traders do not
expect the Reserve Bank of Australia to reduce the
cash rate in October, although a rate rise in November
is now widely tipped. The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.32
per cent to 8,773.5 points on Friday. (RMS)
News
September
20, 2025
The
pound weakens despite the data
The
British pound has been losing ground against the US
dollar for the third day in a row, falling back to
1.35. This trend runs counter to the news coming out
these days, which could be either an early indicator
of a change in market conditions, a short-term technical
shake-up, or traders' concerns about the political
situation in the UK.
On
Wednesday evening, the Fed cut its key rate, predicted
two more cuts this year and indicated its readiness
to ease policy in 2026. The Bank of England, on the
other hand, kept its rate unchanged at 4.0% on Thursday,
and market analysts concluded from the accompanying
comments that there would be no further easing this
year.
The
balance of macro data was also in favour of the pound.
The UK labour market is cooling but not collapsing,
and the UK figures for wage growth and hiring are
still significantly better than the US figures. Overall
consumer inflation in the UK is 3.8%, and core inflation
is 3.6% year-on-year, significantly higher than 2.9%
and 3.1% in the US, respectively.
Friday
morning's UK retail sales data, excluding fuel costs,
added 0.8% m/m against expectations of 0.3% after
0.4% a month earlier.
However,
this did not help the pound at all; it only increased
pressure, pushing it to a two-week low against the
dollar and a six-week low against the euro. EURGBP
is trading at 0.8710, just 40 points below the year's
highs and at the very edge of the upper limit of the
range for the last two years.
This
week's dynamics are reminiscent of the resistance
at 1.3800, which the pound has been unable to break
through consistently since the beginning of 2022.
There is still no confirmation of the assumption that
GBPUSD has completed its corrective pullback and is
preparing to reach a new level. We are surprised by
this dynamic, but we are sceptical about its sustainability,
as it currently contradicts macroeconomic indicators.
However, political turmoil is undermining confidence
in British assets, simultaneously suppressing the
GBP and FTSE100. (FxPro)
News
Flashback
S&P500’s
buy-the-dip sentiment helped Bitcoin
The
sell-off of Bitcoin following Congress's passage of
a law regulating the circulation of stablecoins and
the retreat of US stock indices from record highs
allowed Bitcoin bears to push prices below the lower
boundary of the $116k—$120k consolidation range.
When it looked like a severe correction was coming,
US stocks stepped in again. Investors bought up the
S&P 500 dip, and Bitcoin immediately bounced back.
Changes
in global risk appetite continue to be the main driver
of cryptocurrency prices. July saw a series of record
highs for the S&P 500, making it a successful
month for Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Bitcoin-focused ETFs
attracted $6 billion, the third-best result in the
history of specialised exchange-traded funds. Ether
ETFs were not far behind, with a record inflow of
$5.4 billion.
The
situation changed dramatically at the turn of July
and August. Interest in digital assets began to cool.
Coinbase's Bitcoin premium fell into the red for the
first time since May, indicating a decline in demand
from US investors. Open interest in Bitcoin and Ether
futures contracts fell by 13% and 21%, respectively,
compared to Bitcoin's record high. According to Coinglass,
on the last day of July, $800 million in long positions
across all cryptocurrencies were liquidated.
Speculators
doubt the rally's continuation, while crypto treasuries
are buying Bitcoin under any conditions. On pullbacks
or at market prices, ‘Strategy’ acquired
more than 21,000 coins worth $2.46 billion during
the week of July 28th to August 3rd. This is the third-largest
cryptocurrency purchase by Michael Saylor's company
since records began. The average price is the second
highest in history. As a result, Strategy's reserves
have grown to more than $71 billion.
The
future dynamics of Bitcoin will depend on the fate
of US stock indices and capital flows into ETFs. If
the S&P 500's successes are temporary, Bitcoin
will be forced to undergo a deep correction. If its
quotes remain below the middle of the previous consolidation
range of $116k—$120k, the bears are in control.
(FxPro)
News
Flashback
June
2025
Three
blows to oil in three days
Oil
has been under triple pressure since the end of last
week, losing more than 7% per barrel of WTI since
31 July, reaching the important psychological level
of $65.
The
latest wave of oil sell-offs began with the realisation
that US trade tariffs from August will be higher than
initially expected, as higher tariffs are associated
with an economic slowdown and weaker demand for energy.
Fears of an economic slowdown intensified after the
release of unexpectedly weak US employment data on
Friday. Over the weekend, concerns were heightened
by OPEC+'s increase in production quotas, which was
reflected in the markets on Monday.
After
its latest meeting, OPEC+ announced that it would
increase production quotas for eight countries by
547,000 barrels per day starting in September.
Considering
the quota increases since April, the entire voluntarily
reduced volume of 2.2 million barrels per day will
return to the market. This is a rather bold decision,
given the growing fear that the global economy is
slowing down.
Some
link such steps by the cartel to the risks of supply
disruptions due to potential sanctions from the US
and the EU. In our opinion, it is also worth considering
the cartel's intention to regain its market share
from the US in this way.
Oil
producers in the US are very sensitive to price, sharply
cutting investment when prices fall. At the beginning
of April, there were 489 oil rigs in operation, but
according to data published on Friday, this number
has fallen to 410. In the long term, a gradual increase
in production efficiency should be considered, but
at intervals of six months, it is unlikely that there
will be any sharp progress. Therefore, we can expect
some US production reduction and a gradual recovery
in the share of traditional oil producers such as
Saudi Arabia, Russia and the UAE.
The
price of WTI crude oil, which rose to close to $70
at its peak last week, has returned to the lower end
of the range since early June at $65. Closing the
day below 66 will mark a failure below the 200- and
50-day moving averages, increasing the potential for
further declines.
If
OPEC+ really plans to increase its share of the oil
market, it may not oppose further price declines.
The intensification of negative trends in the global
and US economies could bring the price back to this
year's lows of $55 by the end of September and to
the lower end of the downward corridor of $50 by the
end of the year. However, further trends will depend
heavily on the reaction of monetary authorities and
oil producers. (FxPro)
News
Flashback
July
29
Ethereum
continues attempt to climb above $4,000
Market
Picture
The
crypto market lost 1%, falling back to a capitalisation
of $3.9 trillion. This was a natural pullback against
the backdrop of the dollar's impressive strengthening
the day before. However, on Tuesday, the bulls were
back in charge, bringing the market back to a level
above Monday's opening but not yet reaching its peak.
Bitcoin
is trading near $118.7K, unable to break through the
resistance at $120K. This indecision to break out
of the range is likely to continue until the market
sees the Fed's key rate decision on Wednesday evening.
Ethereum
rose to $3,930 at the end of the day, fell back to
$3,700 on Monday, where it found interest from new
buyers and rose to $3,830 at the time of writing.
The last seven days have seen a fairly sharp upward
trend, and if this trend continues, the price will
rise above 4,000 by the end of this week.
News
Background
According
to CoinShares, global investment inflows into crypto
funds last week amounted to $1.908 billion. Investments
in Ethereum increased by $1.595 billion, Solana by
a significant $312 million, XRP by $190 million, and
Sui by $8 million. Investments in Bitcoin decreased
by $175 million.
Japan's
Metaplanet announced the acquisition of 780 BTC ($92.5
million) at an average price of $118,600. The company's
total reserves now amount to 17,132 BTC, worth over
$2 billion.
According
to Blockware, Bitcoin will no longer show ‘parabolic’
rallies or ‘devastating’ bear cycles, as
institutional investors have changed the market dynamics
and reduced volatility.
According
to Strategic ETH Reserve, the volume of the second
cryptocurrency on the balance sheets of public companies
has reached 2.32 million ETH (~$9.11 billion) —
1.92% of the total Ethereum supply. Bitmine Immersion
Tech, associated with Fundstrat founder Tom Lee, pursues
the most aggressive strategy. The company has ~566,800
ETH ($2.23 billion) on its balance sheet.
BNB,
the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by capitalisation,
updated its historical high above $860 on Monday.
Against this background, Binance founder Changpeng
Zhao's estimated fortune exceeded $76 billion. According
to Forbes, Zhao owns 64% of the BNB supply —
about 89.1 million tokens. (FxPro)
News
Pop
Culture News
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream
Match Series
Million
Dollar Man vs IRS
Michael Wall Street vs Billionaire Ted
Mr X vs Mr BTC
Mr Green vs Mr Cash
VKM vs Easy E
Vinnie Vegas vs Mr Corbin
Mr Corp Merch vs Mr Freelance
Masked Superstar vs John McAfee
Sid Justice vs Mr Blood Diamond
Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Streets
Mr Dotcom vs Mr Wiki
Mr Gold vs Mr Green - Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation
Mr Paramount vs Mr Netflix
Mr ESPN vs Mr Fox
Mr Kross vs Mr H
Cesaro vs Rollins
Dirty Dom vs Mr AAA
Punks vs Egos
Kross vs H
L. Murdoch
Title vs Title
Mr Black Coffee vs Mr Claudio's Cafe Blend
Mr Warner vs Mr Netflix: Broadway draw thus far! Re-match!
Winner take all?!
News
Cryptocurrency
Movies
Documentaries
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014) Follows early Bitcoin
adopter Daniel Mross, exploring Bitcoin’s origins,
its volatile rise, and the community behind it. Great
for understanding Bitcoin’s early days and its
potential to disrupt finance.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016) Examines Bitcoin’s history,
ideological roots, and impact on global financial
systems through interviews with pioneers and experts.
A solid primer for newcomers.
Cryptopia:
Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet
(2020)
Directed
by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives into blockchain’s
broader applications beyond cryptocurrency, addressing
scalability and regulatory challenges. Ideal for those
interested in blockchain’s transformative potential.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by
Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal
impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems.
A comprehensive look at real-world applications.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015) Traces the history
of money and introduces Bitcoin as a decentralized
alternative, critiquing centralized financial systems.
Features interviews with crypto experts.
Deep
Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary
focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator,
Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in
dark web transactions.
Bitconned
(2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing
how three individuals defrauded investors during the
2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated
markets.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019) A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke
Hemsworth, and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money
laundering agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency
in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal
but praise its entertainment value.
Silk
Road (2021) A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s
creation of the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace
using Bitcoin. It explores his rise and fall, blending
crime and drama.
Dope
(2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin
as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin
for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association
with illicit activities.
Bonus
Mentions
Life
on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to
live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early
adoption challenges.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers
chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.
Notes
Documentaries
are generally more educational, focusing on Bitcoin’s
history, blockchain technology, and real-world implications.
They’re great for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Feature
films often dramatize crypto’s association with
crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating
for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.
For
a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like Prime
Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many of
these are available.
News
Wall
Street (Movie)
Wall
Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a drama
about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial world.
It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young stockbroker
desperate to succeed, who gets entangled with Gordon
Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate raider.
Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,” drives
the story as Bud is lured into insider trading and
unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth
and power. The film explores themes of capitalism,
loyalty, and betrayal, with Bud navigating pressures
from Gekko, his father (Martin Sheen), and his own
conscience.
Key
Details:
Cast:
Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie Sheen (Bud
Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin Sheen (Carl
Fox). Runtime: 2h 6m. Genre: Drama/Crime. Rating:
R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).
Awards:
Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Notable
Aspects:
Gekko’s
“Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting
1980s excess.
Inspired
by real-life figures like Ivan Boesky and Michael
Milken.
A
sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued
the story.
Where
to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming:
Available on platforms like Peacock or rentable on
Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current availability).
Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.
News
Gold,
copper, & silver: How metals are moving this year
Metal
futures have made some pretty dramatic moves lately
from safe haven gold to tariff sensitive copper. So
let's take a look at the longer term trends. I'm Jared
Blikre, host of Stocks in Translation. And I'm going
to start by charting some of the moves in Dr. Copper
because this is where we have the most zig and zags
over the last 25 years. So this goes back to the beginning
of the century and we can see right now, we're at
$5.51 per pound. That is a record high. But if we
go back to the beginning of the century, guess what?
Uh we had a little bit of a slump in the wake of the
dot com boom and then bust, but starting in 2003,
we saw a big rise there. And that was as China actually
joined the World Trade Organization or the WTO. That
lasted into the global financial crisis. Then we had
a pretty big bust in in Dr. Copper, and then we had
another rise. And that rise was due to unprecedented
stimulus, not only from the Chinese government, but
also from the United States government, QE was in
force, and then we saw kind of a strong dollar play.
That weighed on this metal all the way into the beginning
of 2016. The entire world, most of the world indices
went through a bear market in 2015, and then 2016,
we found the footing. And that was actually the year
that Trump won, began his first presidency. And from
there, we saw some zig and zags, and then we saw a
shock into the pandemic. A couple of, a couple of
years of deflation or a semi-deflation, disinflation,
that caught up with it in 2022, but then it was off
to the races again. And especially with the Trump
tariffs now on copper, threatening to be threatening
to be 50% on August 1st, we're seeing a lot of front
running in this trade. Now, I also want to show you
gold futures and I'm going to show you silver as well.
And they follow a very similar pattern. We're not
seeing the dramatic zig and zags that we did in copper,
but we did see the same pattern of China joining the
WTO, contributing to that huge rise in price to 1800,
almost $2,000 an ounce by the beginning of the global
financial crisis. So a little bit of a meltdown there.
But in 2016 into 2018, we saw a bit of a rise into
the pandemic, a little bit of a whipsaw there, and
consolidation over a few years. Again, that 2022 bare
market in US stocks that contributed to some deflation
and disinflation globally, supply chain chain shocks
came into force again, and then we saw this huge rise
beginning in late 2023, and we are now at 3353. We've
seen a high of as much as $3,500 per ounce. And gold
is kind of unique among the precious metals and also
the industrial metals, and this is because central
banks have been a huge determining force in their
buying of it. This is a bar chart that shows central
bank buying in tons going back all the way to 2010.
And what you notice here is the last three years,
2022, 2023, 2024, all of those had gold being bought
by central banks of in the amount of over 1,000 tons.
And so that's a pretty big dramatic increase from
the prior years. And this has to do with the ongoing
dedollarization in China, as well as Russia, but also
a host of other countries, even some in western and
eastern Europe. So this is a trend that we want to
follow. Uh, I want to close out here with silver,
and I'm going to just chart the price action. Again,
very similar chart to gold and copper in terms of
the big movements here. We saw a big price spike into
almost $50 per ounce, and that was just as the global
financial crisis was getting underway. And then the
QE area in 2011, that's when we saw that high. Then
we saw a dramatic, dramatic crash into 2016, kind
of found its footing, saw a big squeeze in the early
pandemic, 2020 was a great year for silver, but then
we saw a little bit of a fallout. And again, silver
is on the rise here at $38. It's still off of that
$50 record high, but it is increasing very quickly.
To round out the conversation, I want to just put
on a table here. I have all three medals and just
kind of grouping them together. I want to display
how they are moving with their specific patterns with
a trigger, and then to tell you which one of these
is featured in these specific criteria. So here, under
the pattern, we have acceleration. So that would be
an economic acceleration. The trigger would be liquidity.
And when that happens, we see all metals benefiting
from that. And then when there's a safe haven scare,
and that trigger would be a crisis of some sorts,
you're going to see gold and silver outperforming
the most, kind of leaving Dr. Copper behind. And then
here's a bearish one, industrial drags, that affects
copper disproportionately here, and the trigger there
is typically a stronger US dollar because the US dollar
surges when global global industrials tend to drag,
and that's because the US is the least dirty shirt
in the laundry basket of the world. And then finally
here, we have a policy shock. This will affect all
three medals, but especially copper and gold here.
Um, arguably, the biggest reason is tariffs and debt,
and we've seen both of those contribute to silver
rising. So we could put all three in that basket as
well. But when you put it all together, we have the
perfect explosive mix for all three of these metals,
including palladium and also platinum, which we didn't
get to have time for, but all of these are experiencing
huge thrust in 2025. And we'll have to see how these
tariffs play out, especially on Dr. Copper with respect
to that August 1st deadline. Remember, 50% there.
So tune into Stocks in Translation for more jargon
busting deep dives, new episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays
on Yahoo Finances website, or wherever you find your
podcast. (Transcript from Yahoo! Finance podcast)
News
Best
Quotes
An
investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— Benjamin Franklin
"Bottoms
in the investment world don't end with four-year lows;
they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim
Rogers
Be
fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when
others are fearful." — Warren Buffett
Media
Man
"Bullish
is a mindset"
Movies
others
...
Hamilton
Freakier Friday
Spinal Tap II
The Sound of Music
Caught Stealing
The Roses
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The Bad Guys 2
Light of the World
Superman
Nobody 2
The Naked Gun
Honey Don't
Jurassic World: Rebirth
F1: The Movie
Coolio
Together
Sketch
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Smurfs
How to Train Your Dragon
Eddington
Elio
Oh, Hi!
The Home
Lilo & Stitch
28 Years Later
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning
Materialists
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Entertainment,
Pop Culture And Streaming News
September
2025
September
17
1.
Hollywood Legend Robert Redford Passes Away at 89.
Academy Award-winning actor, director, and activist
Robert Redford died on September 16, 2025, at the
age of 89. Known for iconic roles in films like Butch
Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and All the
President's Men, as well as founding the Sundance
Film Festival, Redford was celebrated for his deep
commitment to environmental causes and Native American
rights. Tributes are pouring in from across the industry,
highlighting his enduring legacy in cinema and activism.
2.
Sean Astin Elected President of SAG-AFTRA Actor Sean
Astin, best known for The Lord of the Rings trilogy
and Stranger Things, has been elected as the new president
of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of
Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
The union, representing tens of thousands of performers
and media professionals, announced the leadership
change amid ongoing discussions about AI's impact
on the industry. Astin's win signals a focus on protecting
artists' rights in an evolving entertainment landscape.
3.
Broadway Revival: Starry Cast for 'Art' The Tony Award-winning
play Art is returning to Broadway in a fresh revival
featuring a high-profile cast.
Directed by Scott Ellis, the production explores themes
of friendship and aesthetics through abstract art,
promising to draw crowds with its witty dialogue and
ensemble performances. Previews begin soon, marking
a highlight in the fall theater season.
4.
'Demon Slayer' Breaks Box Office Records
The latest installment in the Demon Slayer anime franchise
has shattered global box office records, becoming
one of the highest-grossing animated films of all
time. Fans are celebrating the milestone, with the
film's stunning animation and emotional storytelling
credited for its success. This comes amid growing
international acclaim for Japanese anime in mainstream
entertainment.
5.
AI Copyright Lawsuit Rocks Entertainment Industry
An AI company faces a major lawsuit for alleged copyright
infringement in generating content, spotlighting the
escalating tensions between technology and creative
industries. Entertainment giants are increasingly
vocal about protecting intellectual property as AI
tools become more integrated into film, music, and
TV production. This case could set precedents for
future regulations.
Streaming
Spotlight: Netflix's September 2025 Lineup
Netflix
is dropping a slew of must-watch titles this month,
blending reboots, originals, and classics.
Highlights
include:Wednesday Season 2 (Part 2): The Addams Family
spin-off continues with more gothic mystery and Jenna
Ortega's sharp wit.
Charlie
Sheen Docuseries: A two-part deep dive into the actor's
career highs, lows, and redemption arc.
Black
Rabbit: A star-studded crime drama featuring Jude
Law and Jason Bateman.
House
of Guinness: A lavish period drama from the Peaky
Blinders creator.
New
Movies: Additions like 10 Things I Hate About You,
The Amazing Spider-Man duology, Bridesmaids, and the
zombie thriller 28 Years Later (streaming September
20 in the US).
Other
OTT platforms are also heating up:
ETV
Win: Telugu short drama Forever premieres on September
21.
Disney+:
Live-action remakes and sequels, including a billion-dollar
grosser from earlier this year.
HBO
Max: Indie films Friendship and Warfare for prestige
viewing.
Other
Buzzworthy Updates
Music
Milestone: Andrea Bocelli directed and performed at
a historic concert in the Vatican, blending opera
with sacred spaces.
Gaming
& Anime Events: The Origin Summit features entertainment
titans like BLACKPINK's label CEO and BTS/HYBE execs
discussing AI, blockchain, and the $80T IP market.
TV
Premieres: Fall lineup includes The Morning Show Season
4, Stranger Things updates, and new series like Chad
Powers and Boston Blue.
Theater
& Events: FirstBank sponsors the Calabar Entertainment
Conference in Nigeria, focusing on African media growth.
In
Japan, the live-action 5 Centimeters per Second film
held its completion screening with stars like Hokuto
Matsumura and Mitsuki Takahata. (Grok)
News
Movie
Box Office (North America)
September
14, 2025
1.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity
Castle - $70m
2. The Conjuring: Last Rites - $26.1m
3. Downtown Abbey: The Grand Finale - $18.1m
4. The Long Walk - $11.4m
5. Toy Story - $3.5m
6. Weapons - $2.7m
7. Hamilton - $2.2m
8. Freakier Friday - $2.1m
9. Spinal Tap II - $1.7m
10. The Sound of Music - $1.6m
News
September
2025
September
15
Netflix
News
Media
Man: The List!
Movies:
Top 10 (Australia)
1.
The Wrong Paris
2. No Hard Feelings
3. aka Charlie Sheen
4. K-POP Demon Hunters
5. Unknown Number: The High School Catfish
6. The Little Things
7. Love Hurts
8. Force Of Nature: The Dry 2
9. Saiyaara
10. K-POP Demon Hunters Sing-Along
Highly
Recommended:
The
Beekeeper
The Running Man
Ali
Dune: Part Two
The Expendables
War
The Legend Of Baron To'a
Here Comes The Boom
Total Recall
The Mask Of Zorro
Edge Of Tomorrow
Moneyball
Happy Gilmore 2
Knives Out
Good Will Hunting
The Old Guard 2
American Made
The Dry
Gladiator
Dennis The Menace
The Fate Of The Furious
Battleship
K.O
The Legend Of Tarzan
Most
Anticipated:
WWE
Wrestlepalooza
WWE SmackDown
NXT Homecoming
WWE RAW
Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen
Media
Man: What a month on Netflix!
Movie
Box Office (North America)
September
7, 2025
1.
The Conjuring: Last Rites - $83m
2. Hamilton - $10m
3. Weapons - $5.4m
4. Freakier Friday - $3.8m
5. Caught Stealing - $3.2m
6. The Roses - $2.8m
7. The Fantastic Four: First Steps - $2.8m
8. The Bad Guys 2 - $2.5m
9. Light of the World - $2.4m
10. Superman - $1m
Markets,
Crypto and Culture
August
11, 2025
Sydney,
Australia
Markets
ASX
futures up 5 points or 0.1% to 8768
Australian
dollar at 65.24 US cents
Wall
Street:
S&P 500 +0.8%
Dow Jones +0.5%
Nasdaq +1%
Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.3%
FTSE -0.1%
DAX -0.1%
CAC +0.4%
Bitcoin
+1.2% to $US118,168
Gold
flat at $US3397.75 per ounce
Oil flat at $US63.88 a barrel
Brent crude oil +0.2% to $US66.59 a barrel
Iron ore -0.2% to $US102.05 per ton
10-year
yield:
US 4.28%
Australia 4.24%
Germany 2.69%
News
Cryptos
Today: (Near Live)
Bitcoin
$118,766.62 USD +2.25%
Ethereum $4,233.35 USD -0.37%
Tether $0.999 USD -0.01%
XRP $3.17 USD -1.31%
BNB $802.27 USD +0.79%
News
Summer
Break for the Crypto Market
Market
Overview
The
cryptocurrency market began August with a relatively
narrow range of $3.6-3.8 trillion, ending Wednesday
at $3.72 trillion. The support received in the area
of previous peaks set in December and January suggests
that this is a temporary pause to lock in profits
and gain liquidity before a new surge. At the same
time, however, such sluggishness is turning away the
most active traders, who are used to seeing multiple
rallies. Now they have moved on to very small projects.
On
Tuesday, Bitcoin was again approaching its 50-day
moving average. Such frequent testing of the medium-term
trend signal line indicates accumulated fatigue in
the first cryptocurrency. For comparison, the crypto
market's total capitalisation is still moving significantly
above its 50-day average, which is currently around
$3.57 trillion.
News
Background
Institutional
investors are actively buying up Ethereum, while retail
traders remain on the sidelines. SharpLink bought
83,561 ETH ($264.5 million) last week at an average
price of $3,634. The company's reserves amount to
almost 522,000 ETH (~$1.9 billion). However, Bitmine
Immersion Tech remains the leader, with 833 coins
worth over $3 billion. A total of 64 corporations
now own 2.96 million ETH ($10.81 billion) or 2.45%
of the total Ethereum supply.
Large
companies continue to buy Bitcoin, adding 26,700 BTC
to their reserves in July. Strategy bought 21,021
BTC for $2.46 billion last week. According to BitcoinTreasuries,
public and private companies now hold 1.35 million
BTC ($155 billion) on their balance sheets —
more than 6% of the total digital gold supply.
US
regulators have proposed new rules for the crypto
industry. The CFTC has launched an initiative to legalise
spot trading of cryptocurrencies on registered exchanges,
and the SEC has updated its guidance on stablecoin
accounting rules.
USDe
from Ethena Labs has become the third-largest stablecoin.
Since mid-July, its capitalisation has grown by 75%
to $9.5 billion. Demand for the asset may have been
spurred by high yields ranging from 10% to 19% per
annum. The total capitalisation of all stablecoins
has been growing for the seventh month in a row and
is approaching $275 billion. (FxPro)
News
S&P500’s
buy-the-dip sentiment helped Bitcoin
The
sell-off of Bitcoin following Congress's passage of
a law regulating the circulation of stablecoins and
the retreat of US stock indices from record highs
allowed Bitcoin bears to push prices below the lower
boundary of the $116k—$120k consolidation range.
When it looked like a severe correction was coming,
US stocks stepped in again. Investors bought up the
S&P 500 dip, and Bitcoin immediately bounced back.
Changes
in global risk appetite continue to be the main driver
of cryptocurrency prices. July saw a series of record
highs for the S&P 500, making it a successful
month for Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Bitcoin-focused ETFs
attracted $6 billion, the third-best result in the
history of specialised exchange-traded funds. Ether
ETFs were not far behind, with a record inflow of
$5.4 billion.
The
situation changed dramatically at the turn of July
and August. Interest in digital assets began to cool.
Coinbase's Bitcoin premium fell into the red for the
first time since May, indicating a decline in demand
from US investors. Open interest in Bitcoin and Ether
futures contracts fell by 13% and 21%, respectively,
compared to Bitcoin's record high. According to Coinglass,
on the last day of July, $800 million in long positions
across all cryptocurrencies were liquidated.
Speculators
doubt the rally's continuation, while crypto treasuries
are buying Bitcoin under any conditions. On pullbacks
or at market prices, ‘Strategy’ acquired
more than 21,000 coins worth $2.46 billion during
the week of July 28th to August 3rd. This is the third-largest
cryptocurrency purchase by Michael Saylor's company
since records began. The average price is the second
highest in history. As a result, Strategy's reserves
have grown to more than $71 billion.
The
future dynamics of Bitcoin will depend on the fate
of US stock indices and capital flows into ETFs. If
the S&P 500's successes are temporary, Bitcoin
will be forced to undergo a deep correction. If its
quotes remain below the middle of the previous consolidation
range of $116k—$120k, the bears are in control.
News
Bitcoin
tests support at 50-day MA
Market
Picture
The
crypto market rolled back at the end of last week
following a reduction in risk appetite in the financial
markets. However, on Sunday, sentiment changed with
the return of active buyers near the total capitalisation
of $3.60 trillion. At the time of writing, the market
is at $3.73 trillion (+3.6%). Less than 10% of the
top 100 coins show gains over 7 days, among which
the largest are TRON (+2.2%) and TON (+4.5%).
The
crypto market sentiment index fell to 53 by Sunday
morning, a six-week low, but recovered to 64 on Monday,
reflecting a resurgence of bullish sentiment. However,
another impressive upward move will be needed to confirm
a local victory for the bulls.
On
Saturday and Sunday, Bitcoin received support from
buyers on declines below $112K near the 50-day moving
average - the fourth touch of this curve since April.
On the “buy the dip” sentiment, the first
cryptocurrency recovered to $115K on Monday morning.
The rebound from support is a bullish signal for the
next couple of days, but the fact that it has been
tested frequently raises concerns for the medium term.
News Background
According
to SoSoValue, net outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs
in the US amounted to $812.3 million on August 1,
the highest since February 25. As a result, the weekly
outflow from BTC ETFs amounted to $643 million, a
record high for the past 16 weeks.
The
net outflow from spot Ethereum ETFs in the US on Friday
amounted to $152.3 million. However, inflows in the
previous days of the week managed to keep the indicator
in positive territory (+$154.3 million). The positive
trend has continued for 12 consecutive weeks.
Analyst
Ali Martinez says that over the past two days, Bitcoin
whales have bought 30,000 BTC. According to Santiment,
over the past four months, whales with balances ranging
from 10 to 10,000 BTC have accumulated 0.9% of the
total coin supply.
According
to The Block, trading volume on centralised crypto
exchanges exceeded $1.7 trillion in July (the highest
since February 2025), and trading volume on decentralised
exchanges (DEX) also reached its highest level since
January.
Galaxy
Digital warned of risks in the public company sector,
which accumulates cryptocurrencies by issuing shares.
The model creates systemic vulnerability and could
lead to a cascade collapse.
US
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins announced Project Crypto.
The project’s key objective is to establish clear
rules for cryptocurrencies and turn the US into the
“world’s crypto capital.” (FxPro)
News
Flashback
Three
blows to oil in three days
Oil
has been under triple pressure since the end of last
week, losing more than 7% per barrel of WTI since
31 July, reaching the important psychological level
of $65.
The
latest wave of oil sell-offs began with the realisation
that US trade tariffs from August will be higher than
initially expected, as higher tariffs are associated
with an economic slowdown and weaker demand for energy.
Fears of an economic slowdown intensified after the
release of unexpectedly weak US employment data on
Friday. Over the weekend, concerns were heightened
by OPEC+'s increase in production quotas, which was
reflected in the markets on Monday.
After
its latest meeting, OPEC+ announced that it would
increase production quotas for eight countries by
547,000 barrels per day starting in September.
Considering
the quota increases since April, the entire voluntarily
reduced volume of 2.2 million barrels per day will
return to the market. This is a rather bold decision,
given the growing fear that the global economy is
slowing down.
Some
link such steps by the cartel to the risks of supply
disruptions due to potential sanctions from the US
and the EU. In our opinion, it is also worth considering
the cartel's intention to regain its market share
from the US in this way.
Oil
producers in the US are very sensitive to price, sharply
cutting investment when prices fall. At the beginning
of April, there were 489 oil rigs in operation, but
according to data published on Friday, this number
has fallen to 410. In the long term, a gradual increase
in production efficiency should be considered, but
at intervals of six months, it is unlikely that there
will be any sharp progress. Therefore, we can expect
some US production reduction and a gradual recovery
in the share of traditional oil producers such as
Saudi Arabia, Russia and the UAE.
The
price of WTI crude oil, which rose to close to $70
at its peak last week, has returned to the lower end
of the range since early June at $65. Closing the
day below 66 will mark a failure below the 200- and
50-day moving averages, increasing the potential for
further declines.
If
OPEC+ really plans to increase its share of the oil
market, it may not oppose further price declines.
The intensification of negative trends in the global
and US economies could bring the price back to this
year's lows of $55 by the end of September and to
the lower end of the downward corridor of $50 by the
end of the year. However, further trends will depend
heavily on the reaction of monetary authorities and
oil producers. (FxPro)
News
Flashback
July
29, 2025
Ethereum
continues attempt to climb above $4,000
Market
Picture
The
crypto market lost 1%, falling back to a capitalisation
of $3.9 trillion. This was a natural pullback against
the backdrop of the dollar's impressive strengthening
the day before. However, on Tuesday, the bulls were
back in charge, bringing the market back to a level
above Monday's opening but not yet reaching its peak.
Bitcoin
is trading near $118.7K, unable to break through the
resistance at $120K. This indecision to break out
of the range is likely to continue until the market
sees the Fed's key rate decision on Wednesday evening.
Ethereum
rose to $3,930 at the end of the day, fell back to
$3,700 on Monday, where it found interest from new
buyers and rose to $3,830 at the time of writing.
The last seven days have seen a fairly sharp upward
trend, and if this trend continues, the price will
rise above 4,000 by the end of this week.
News
Background
According
to CoinShares, global investment inflows into crypto
funds last week amounted to $1.908 billion. Investments
in Ethereum increased by $1.595 billion, Solana by
a significant $312 million, XRP by $190 million, and
Sui by $8 million. Investments in Bitcoin decreased
by $175 million.
Japan's
Metaplanet announced the acquisition of 780 BTC ($92.5
million) at an average price of $118,600. The company's
total reserves now amount to 17,132 BTC, worth over
$2 billion.
According
to Blockware, Bitcoin will no longer show ‘parabolic’
rallies or ‘devastating’ bear cycles, as
institutional investors have changed the market dynamics
and reduced volatility.
According
to Strategic ETH Reserve, the volume of the second
cryptocurrency on the balance sheets of public companies
has reached 2.32 million ETH (~$9.11 billion) —
1.92% of the total Ethereum supply. Bitmine Immersion
Tech, associated with Fundstrat founder Tom Lee, pursues
the most aggressive strategy. The company has ~566,800
ETH ($2.23 billion) on its balance sheet.
BNB,
the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by capitalisation,
updated its historical high above $860 on Monday.
Against this background, Binance founder Changpeng
Zhao's estimated fortune exceeded $76 billion. According
to Forbes, Zhao owns 64% of the BNB supply —
about 89.1 million tokens. (FxPro)
News
Pop
Culture News
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream
Match Series
Million
Dollar Man vs IRS
Michael Wall Street vs Billionaire Ted
Mr X vs Mr BTC
Mr Green vs Mr Cash
VKM vs Easy E
Vinnie Vegas vs Mr Corbin
Mr Corp Merch vs Mr Freelance
Masked Superstar vs John McAfee
Sid Justice vs Mr Blood Diamond
Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Street
Stipulation
Mr Dotcom vs Mr Wiki
Mr Gold vs Mr Green - Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation
News
Cryptocurrency
Movies
Documentaries
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014) Follows early Bitcoin
adopter Daniel Mross, exploring Bitcoin’s origins,
its volatile rise, and the community behind it. Great
for understanding Bitcoin’s early days and its
potential to disrupt finance.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016) Examines Bitcoin’s history,
ideological roots, and impact on global financial
systems through interviews with pioneers and experts.
A solid primer for newcomers.
Cryptopia:
Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet
(2020)
Directed
by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives into blockchain’s
broader applications beyond cryptocurrency, addressing
scalability and regulatory challenges. Ideal for those
interested in blockchain’s transformative potential.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by
Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal
impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems.
A comprehensive look at real-world applications.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015) Traces the history
of money and introduces Bitcoin as a decentralized
alternative, critiquing centralized financial systems.
Features interviews with crypto experts.
Deep
Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary
focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator,
Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in
dark web transactions.
Bitconned
(2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing
how three individuals defrauded investors during the
2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated
markets.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019) A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke
Hemsworth, and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money
laundering agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency
in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal
but praise its entertainment value.
Silk
Road (2021) A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s
creation of the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace
using Bitcoin. It explores his rise and fall, blending
crime and drama.
Dope
(2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin
as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin
for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association
with illicit activities.
Bonus
Mentions
Life
on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to
live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early
adoption challenges.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers
chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.
Notes
Documentaries
are generally more educational, focusing on Bitcoin’s
history, blockchain technology, and real-world implications.
They’re great for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Feature
films often dramatize crypto’s association with
crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating
for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.
For
a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like Prime
Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many of
these are available.
News
Wall
Street (Movie)
Wall
Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a drama
about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial world.
It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young stockbroker
desperate to succeed, who gets entangled with Gordon
Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate raider.
Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,” drives
the story as Bud is lured into insider trading and
unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth
and power. The film explores themes of capitalism,
loyalty, and betrayal, with Bud navigating pressures
from Gekko, his father (Martin Sheen), and his own
conscience.
Key
Details:
Cast:
Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie Sheen (Bud
Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin Sheen (Carl
Fox). Runtime: 2h 6m. Genre: Drama/Crime. Rating:
R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).
Awards:
Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Notable
Aspects:
Gekko’s
“Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting
1980s excess.
Inspired
by real-life figures like Ivan Boesky and Michael
Milken.
A
sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued
the story.
Where
to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming:
Available on platforms like Peacock or rentable on
Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current availability).
Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.
News
Gold,
copper, & silver: How metals are moving this year
Metal
futures have made some pretty dramatic moves lately
from safe haven gold to tariff sensitive copper. So
let's take a look at the longer term trends. I'm Jared
Blikre, host of Stocks in Translation. And I'm going
to start by charting some of the moves in Dr. Copper
because this is where we have the most zig and zags
over the last 25 years. So this goes back to the beginning
of the century and we can see right now, we're at
$5.51 per pound. That is a record high. But if we
go back to the beginning of the century, guess what?
Uh we had a little bit of a slump in the wake of the
dot com boom and then bust, but starting in 2003,
we saw a big rise there. And that was as China actually
joined the World Trade Organization or the WTO. That
lasted into the global financial crisis. Then we had
a pretty big bust in in Dr. Copper, and then we had
another rise. And that rise was due to unprecedented
stimulus, not only from the Chinese government, but
also from the United States government, QE was in
force, and then we saw kind of a strong dollar play.
That weighed on this metal all the way into the beginning
of 2016. The entire world, most of the world indices
went through a bear market in 2015, and then 2016,
we found the footing. And that was actually the year
that Trump won, began his first presidency. And from
there, we saw some zig and zags, and then we saw a
shock into the pandemic. A couple of, a couple of
years of deflation or a semi-deflation, disinflation,
that caught up with it in 2022, but then it was off
to the races again. And especially with the Trump
tariffs now on copper, threatening to be threatening
to be 50% on August 1st, we're seeing a lot of front
running in this trade. Now, I also want to show you
gold futures and I'm going to show you silver as well.
And they follow a very similar pattern. We're not
seeing the dramatic zig and zags that we did in copper,
but we did see the same pattern of China joining the
WTO, contributing to that huge rise in price to 1800,
almost $2,000 an ounce by the beginning of the global
financial crisis. So a little bit of a meltdown there.
But in 2016 into 2018, we saw a bit of a rise into
the pandemic, a little bit of a whipsaw there, and
consolidation over a few years. Again, that 2022 bare
market in US stocks that contributed to some deflation
and disinflation globally, supply chain chain shocks
came into force again, and then we saw this huge rise
beginning in late 2023, and we are now at 3353. We've
seen a high of as much as $3,500 per ounce. And gold
is kind of unique among the precious metals and also
the industrial metals, and this is because central
banks have been a huge determining force in their
buying of it. This is a bar chart that shows central
bank buying in tons going back all the way to 2010.
And what you notice here is the last three years,
2022, 2023, 2024, all of those had gold being bought
by central banks of in the amount of over 1,000 tons.
And so that's a pretty big dramatic increase from
the prior years. And this has to do with the ongoing
dedollarization in China, as well as Russia, but also
a host of other countries, even some in western and
eastern Europe. So this is a trend that we want to
follow. Uh, I want to close out here with silver,
and I'm going to just chart the price action. Again,
very similar chart to gold and copper in terms of
the big movements here. We saw a big price spike into
almost $50 per ounce, and that was just as the global
financial crisis was getting underway. And then the
QE area in 2011, that's when we saw that high. Then
we saw a dramatic, dramatic crash into 2016, kind
of found its footing, saw a big squeeze in the early
pandemic, 2020 was a great year for silver, but then
we saw a little bit of a fallout. And again, silver
is on the rise here at $38. It's still off of that
$50 record high, but it is increasing very quickly.
To round out the conversation, I want to just put
on a table here. I have all three medals and just
kind of grouping them together. I want to display
how they are moving with their specific patterns with
a trigger, and then to tell you which one of these
is featured in these specific criteria. So here, under
the pattern, we have acceleration. So that would be
an economic acceleration. The trigger would be liquidity.
And when that happens, we see all metals benefiting
from that. And then when there's a safe haven scare,
and that trigger would be a crisis of some sorts,
you're going to see gold and silver outperforming
the most, kind of leaving Dr. Copper behind. And then
here's a bearish one, industrial drags, that affects
copper disproportionately here, and the trigger there
is typically a stronger US dollar because the US dollar
surges when global global industrials tend to drag,
and that's because the US is the least dirty shirt
in the laundry basket of the world. And then finally
here, we have a policy shock. This will affect all
three medals, but especially copper and gold here.
Um, arguably, the biggest reason is tariffs and debt,
and we've seen both of those contribute to silver
rising. So we could put all three in that basket as
well. But when you put it all together, we have the
perfect explosive mix for all three of these metals,
including palladium and also platinum, which we didn't
get to have time for, but all of these are experiencing
huge thrust in 2025. And we'll have to see how these
tariffs play out, especially on Dr. Copper with respect
to that August 1st deadline. Remember, 50% there.
So tune into Stocks in Translation for more jargon
busting deep dives, new episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays
on Yahoo Finances website, or wherever you find your
podcast. (Transcript from Yahoo! Finance podcast)
News
Best
Quotes
An
investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— Benjamin Franklin
"Bottoms
in the investment world don't end with four-year lows;
they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim
Rogers
Be
fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when
others are fearful." — Warren Buffett
Media
Man
"Everything
is a gamble" Greg Tingle, Media Man Group
Pop
Culture And Entertainment News
August
2025
Media
Man Watercooler
Grappling
With Culture Edition
Movie
Box Office (North America)
August
3, 2025
1.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps - $40m
2. The Bad Guys 2 - $22.2m
3. The Naked Gun - $17m
4. Superman - $13.9m
5. Jurassic World: Rebirth - $8.7m
6. Together - $6.8m
7. F1: The Movie - $4.1m
8. I Know What You Did Last Summer - $2.8m
9. Smurfs - $1.8m
10. How to Train Your Dragon - $1.4m
Heading
For Streaming?!
Eddington
Elio
Oh, Hi!
The Home
Lilo & Stitch
28 Years Later
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning
Materialists
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Newsfeed
Robin
Claim Denied for Batman Sequel
Entertainment
journalist Jeff Sneider reported that Robin is featured
in the script for "The Batman Part II,"
describing it as a bold evolution of the dark narrative
from the 2022 original. DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn
denied the claim, stating that only a few people have
read the script and urging dismissal of the speculation.
The film remains scheduled for release on October
2, 2026, with production set to begin in early 2025.
News
Upcoming
Street Fighter Reboot (2026)
Overview:
A new live-action Street Fighter movie, directed by
Kitao Sakurai (Bad Trip), is in development by Legendary
Entertainment and Capcom, with a planned release in
2026. Originally set for March 20, 2026, it was delayed
after directors Danny and Michael Philippou left due
to scheduling conflicts. No new release date is confirmed.
Cast:Andrew
Koji as Ryu
Callina Liang as Chun-Li
Noah Centineo as Ken
Jason Momoa as Blanka
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as Balrog
David Dastmalchian as M. Bison
Cody Rhodes as Guile
Roman Reigns as Akuma
Orville Peck as Vega
Andrew Schulz as Dan Hibiki
Vidyut Jammwal as Dhalsim
Hirooki
Goto as E. Honda
Plot:
Details are scarce, but it’s expected to focus
on the classic World Warrior Tournament, featuring
rivalries like Ryu vs. Ken and battles against M.
Bison’s Shadaloo organization. The tone aims
to balance the games’ playful, over-the-top style
with modern cinematic flair, learning from past adaptations’
mistakes.
Production:
Filming is set to begin in September 2025 in Australia,
with WWE stars Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns scheduled
to film from September 2, with Reigns on set until
late September.
Expectations:
The diverse cast, including action stars, wrestlers,
and musicians, suggests a bold, eclectic approach.
Fans hope it captures the game’s vibrant characters
and fighting spirit, avoiding the pitfalls of earlier
films.
Additional
Notes
Other
Adaptations: Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie
(1994) is a well-regarded anime adaptation, closer
to the game’s tone and often preferred by fans.
Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist (2014) is a live-action
web series focusing on Ryu and Ken’s early years,
also better received than the live-action films.
Sentiment
on X: Posts on X reflect mixed feelings about the
1994 film, with some calling it entertainingly bad
but not on the level of cult classics like The Room.
The upcoming reboot generates cautious optimism, with
excitement for the cast but skepticism due to past
failures.
Critical
Perspective: The 1994 film’s campy style and
deviation from the game’s tournament focus (e.g.,
no Hadokens or special moves) disappointed purists,
while the 2009 film’s gritty approach failed
to capture the franchise’s charm. The 2026 reboot
has a chance to succeed by embracing the games’
colorful, exaggerated tone, but it must navigate the
challenge of translating a fighting game’s minimal
plot into a compelling narrative. (Grok)
News
Happy
Gilmore 2
Happy
Gilmore 2 is a 2025 American sports comedy film, a
sequel to the 1996 cult classic Happy Gilmore. Directed
by Kyle Newacheck and co-written by Adam Sandler and
Tim Herlihy, it premiered on Netflix on July 25, 2025,
and became the platform’s biggest U.S. film debut,
garnering 46.7 million views in its opening weekend.
Plot:
The story picks up nearly 30 years after the original.
Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler), now older and retired
from golf after a tragic accident, struggles with
personal issues and has turned to alcohol. He returns
to the sport to raise $300,000 for his daughter Vienna’s
(Sunny Sandler) ballet school tuition in Paris. Along
the way, he faces his old rival Shooter McGavin (Christopher
McDonald) and contends with an energy drink mogul
(Benny Safdie) pushing an extreme version of golf.
The plot blends nostalgia with new challenges, focusing
on Happy’s comeback and family life.
Cast
Returning:
Adam Sandler (Happy Gilmore), Julie Bowen (Virginia
Venit), Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin), Ben
Stiller (Hal L.).
New:
Bad Bunny (as Happy’s caddy), Sunny Sandler (Vienna),
Sadie Sandler, Benny Safdie, Travis Kelce (waiter),
Margaret Qualley, Ethan Cutkosky, Conor Sherry, Maxwell
Jacob Friedman, Blake Clark.
Cameos:
Golfers like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Jack
Nicklaus, John Daly, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka,
Justin Thomas, Paige Spiranac; celebrities including
Eminem, Post Malone, Dan Patrick, Reggie Bush, Becky
Lynch, Nikki Garcia, Ken Jennings, Cam’ron, Kym
Whitley, Kevin Nealon, and more.
Key
Details
Release Date: July 25, 2025, on Netflix (3 a.m. ET/midnight
PT).
Trailers:
First teaser dropped December 2024, a second in March
2025, and a full trailer at Netflix’s Tudum event
in May 2025, showcasing cameos and the nostalgic tone
with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Tuesday’s Gone.”
Production:
Filmed in New Jersey, with Sandler and Herlihy co-writing.
The script was rewritten to honor Carl Weathers (Chubbs),
who passed away in 2024, with references to his character
instead of recasting.
Tributes:
The film honors Weathers and includes a nod to Cameron
Boyce. (Grok)
News
Hulk
Hogan: News
Hogan’s
legacy includes his role in popularizing professional
wrestling in the 1980s, headlining the first WrestleMania,
and becoming a cultural icon through media like “Rocky
III” and “Hogan Knows Best.” His controversial
moments, including a 2015 scandal involving racist
remarks and a lawsuit against Gawker, also shaped
his later years. He was active in politics, notably
endorsing Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Hulk
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea ... passed
away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71. His death
was due to a heart attack, as confirmed by a Florida
medical examiner’s report, with contributing
factors including a history of atrial fibrillation
and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Tributes
followed from wrestling figures like Ric Flair, Triple
H, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, as well
as public figures like Donald Trump and Florida Governor
Ron DeSantis, who declared a “Hulk Hogan Day”
in Florida, with flags flown at half-staff. Some posts
on X speculated about undisclosed health issues, with
one claiming his therapist suggested the death certificate
might not fully reflect his condition, though no autopsy
details have confirmed this. (Grok)
News
American
Gladiators: News
The
latest news on American Gladiators centers around
its reboot on Amazon Prime Video, announced in 2025.
The revival is hosted by WWE superstar Mike “The
Miz” Mizanin, with Rocsi Diaz as sideline reporter
and Chris Rose on play-by-play.
The
show features 16 new Gladiators—eight men and
eight women, including bodybuilders, pro wrestlers,
former Division I athletes, CrossFit champions, and
military veterans. Notable names include AEW’s
Wardlow and Kamille, former WWE wrestler Eric Bugenhagen
(Rick Boogs), OVW’s Jessie Godderz (Mr. PEC-Tacular),
and Jessica Roden (J-Rod).
The
series will blend new events with classics like “Gauntlet,”
“Hang Tough,” and “The Eliminator.”
Two seasons have reportedly been filmed, though no
premiere date is confirmed.
A
24/7 American Gladiators FAST channel with original
episodes is also available on Prime Video, and a Live
Nation tour is set for November 1 to December 21,
2025.
Concerns
about potential tension between WWE and AEW talent
were dismissed, with sources indicating professionalism
on set. (Grok)
News
UFC
Movie News
No
other major UFC movie projects have been reported
recently. Brawler stands out as the primary UFC-branded
cinematic effort, leveraging the organization’s
direct involvement and Snyder’s bold directorial
style. Zack Snyder’s ‘Brawler’: Zack
Snyder is directing a UFC-themed drama titled Brawler,
in collaboration with UFC CEO Dana White and Turki
Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General
Entertainment Authority and owner of The Ring magazine.
The film follows a young fighter from Los Angeles
rising through the UFC ranks while battling personal
struggles, aiming for a championship. Snyder is co-writing
the screenplay with Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad,
and producing alongside Deborah Snyder and Wesley
Coller under their Stone Quarry banner. Filming may
include real UFC events in Las Vegas and Riyadh, promising
authenticity. No official cast or release date has
been confirmed, but rumors suggest Adam Driver could
lead, with potential cameos from UFC figures like
Dana White, Jon Anik, Joe Rogan, and Daniel Cormier.
The film is expected to blend Snyder’s signature
visual style—slow-motion, gritty combat—with
a grounded, emotional narrative, potentially setting
it apart from other MMA films like Warrior or the
Road House remake. A release is tentatively eyed for
2026.
Dwayne
Johnson’s ‘The Smashing Machine’: Directed
by Benny Safdie for A24, this UFC film wrapped filming
early in Vancouver. It focuses on MMA legend Mark
Kerr, with Dwayne Johnson starring. Unlike Brawler,
it’s a biographical drama, not a fictional story,
and has no direct UFC organizational involvement.
The film has generated buzz for its intense portrayal
of Kerr’s life and career. No specific release
date has been announced, but it’s expected to
hit theaters soon given the completed production.
Other
UFC-Related Projects: Former UFC fighter Keith Jardine
has ventured into filmmaking, writing and directing
a horror movie called Kill Me Again, which is currently
in theaters. While not a UFC-centric film, Jardine’s
MMA background ties it to the sport’s community.
Additionally, a Jordan Peele-produced film Him features
former UFC and PFL heavyweight Maurice Greene, indicating
UFC fighters’ growing presence in Hollywood.
Sentiment
on X: Posts on X reflect excitement for Brawler, with
fans noting its potential for UFC fighter cameos and
heavy promotion by the UFC. Some see it as a fresh,
grounded direction for Snyder compared to his superhero
and sci-fi work. There’s also chatter about UFC’s
broader media moves, like a potential Netflix deal
for TV rights, which could amplify projects like Brawler.
(Grok)
News
Netflix:
Top 10 Series (August 2025)
Wednesday
(Season 2, Part 1) - The highly anticipated return
of the Addams Family spinoff, starring Jenna Ortega
as Wednesday Addams, navigating mysteries at Nevermore
Academy. The first four episodes premiered on August
6, 2025, and it’s dominating viewership charts
globally.
The
Hunting Wives - A Starz series available on Netflix,
this thriller has gained traction for its dramatic
storytelling, landing high on the US charts.
Leanne
- A comedy series featuring Leanne Morgan, noted for
its humor and fresh appeal, ranking consistently in
the US top 10.
Untamed
- A series generating buzz for its unique premise,
though specific details are less prominent in the
data. It’s a top performer in global and US rankings.
SEC
Football: Any Given Saturday - A seven-part documentary
series diving into the 2024 SEC college football season,
appealing to sports fans. Premiered August 5, 2025.
Perfect
Match (Season 3) - A reality dating competition featuring
singles from Netflix’s reality universe, hosted
by Nick Lachey. It premiered in early August and is
climbing the charts.
Amy
Bradley Is Missing - A true-crime series capturing
attention for its gripping narrative, ranking high
in the US and globally.
Sullivan’s
Crossing (Season 3) - A CW drama available on Netflix,
focusing on emotional and romantic storylines, gaining
steady viewership.
Love
Life (Seasons 1-2) - An HBO Max anthology series now
streaming on Netflix (starting August 5, 2025), with
Anna Kendrick and William Jackson Harper exploring
romantic journeys.
Conversations
with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes - A true-crime
docuseries delving into the infamous Son of Sam case,
noted for its chilling archival content.
News
VideoGame
Releases: August 2005 and Beyond
August
2025
Metal
Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (PC, PS5, Xbox Series
X/S, August 28): A stunning 4K remake of the stealth
classic, preserving its espionage gameplay and iconic
moments.
Madden
NFL 26 (PC, PS5, Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S, August
14): The annual sports title with updated rosters
and gameplay enhancements.
Gears
of War: Reloaded (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, August
26): A refreshed take on the gritty shooter series,
optimized for modern platforms.
September
2025
Borderlands
4 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, September 12): The looter-shooter
returns with chaotic gunplay, new characters, and
signature humor.
Final
Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles (Switch 2,
September 30): A tactical RPG revival, announced by
Square Enix, generating excitement for strategy fans.
October
2025
Ghost
of Yotei (PS5, October 2): A spiritual sequel to Ghost
of Tsushima, featuring new samurai-themed adventures.
Ninja
Gaiden 4 (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X/S, October
21): A high-octane action title continuing the ninja
saga, recently launched as Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
on August 1, 2025, to positive reviews.
The
Outer Worlds 2 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, October
29): A sci-fi RPG sequel with expanded exploration
and narrative depth.
November–December
2025
Few
confirmed releases, but titles like Grand Theft Auto
6 were initially expected in 2025 but have been delayed
to 2026.
Other
anticipated games without firm dates include Hollow
Knight: Silksong, Little Nightmares 3, and Vampire:
The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2.
Recent
News (August 2025)
Ninja
Gaiden: Ragebound Launch (August 1, 2025):
This
dual-ninja action game launched across PC, PS4, PS5,
Switch, and Xbox platforms, receiving strong early
reviews for its intense combat and visuals. Dotemu
and PlayStation highlighted its release on X, emphasizing
its demon-slaying gameplay.
Square
Enix Announcements (August 1, 2025):
Square
Enix revealed multiple titles for the Switch 2, including
Octopath Traveler 0, The Adventure of Elliot: The
Millenium Tales, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice
Chronicles (September 30), and Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge
of the Seven. These announcements, shared via X, signal
strong third-party support for Nintendo’s new
console.
Nintendo
Direct: Partner Showcase (July 31, 2025): A presentation
aired with updates on third-party Switch and Switch
2 games, providing new details on upcoming 2025 titles,
as noted by IGN on X.
News
Media
Man
Netflix
wins Media Man 'Brand Of The Month'; Runner-up: HBO
(FKA 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
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
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"
Cryptos
Today: (Near Live)
May
13, 2025
Sydney, Australia
Bitcoin
$102,452.96 USD -1.57%
ETH $2,473.59 USD -1.39%
Tether $0.9993 USD -0.10%
XRP $2.53 USD +7.21%
BNB $662.27 USD +1.78%
Solana $172.50 USD -0.12%
USD Coin $0.9993 USD -0.07%
Dogecoin $0.2295 USD -1.04%
Cardano $0.8162 USD +0.72%
TRON $0.2732 USD +3.10%
Wrapped Bitcoin $102,406.50 USD -1.66%
News
Cryptocurrency
News
Bitcoin
Price Surge: Bitcoin has surpassed $100,000, briefly
touching $105,000, driven by optimism around global
trade deals, particularly U.S.-U.K. agreements and
ongoing U.S.-China talks. Analysts warn of a potential
short-term sell-off ahead of the May 13 CPI print,
with BlackRock noting quantum computing as a risk
for Bitcoin ETFs.
Ethereum
Rally: Ethereum (ETH) has surged over 44% in three
days, reaching $2,600, fueled by the Pectra network
upgrade and declining Bitcoin dominance. Analysts
speculate ETH could hit $10,000 or even $12,000 in
2025 due to institutional adoption, DeFi growth, and
a high ETH burn rate.
Altcoin
Momentum: Altcoins like Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA),
and Dogecoin (DOGE) are rallying, with DOGE up 27%
and ETH leading with a 32% weekly gain. Bitcoin’s
dominance has dropped to 63.89%, signaling a potential
altcoin season.
Meta’s
Crypto Plans: Leaked reports suggest Meta is exploring
cryptocurrency support for its 3 billion users, potentially
integrating stablecoins for creator payments, which
could boost market sentiment.
Regulatory
Developments: SEC Chairman Paul Atkins is prioritizing
a rational crypto regulatory framework, with XRP noted
as the only regulated cryptocurrency in the U.S. However,
a bipartisan stablecoin bill (GENIUS Act) stalled
due to concerns over Trump’s personal crypto
ventures, raising conflict-of-interest issues.
Market
Inflows: Crypto investment products saw $882 million
in inflows last week, with U.S. crypto ETFs hitting
a record $62.9 billion in cumulative net inflows since
January 2024. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF recorded
a 19th consecutive day of inflows on May 9.
Other
News: Coinbase acquired Deribit for $2.9 billion,
expanding its derivatives offerings. New Hampshire
passed a law allowing state investment in cryptocurrencies.
France’s rumored crypto ban was mentioned on
X but lacks credible confirmation and should be treated
as speculative. (Grok)
Blockchain
News
Meta’s
Blockchain Push: Meta is reportedly exploring a blockchain-based
payment system, potentially offering low-cost digital
transfers. This follows their unsuccessful Diem project,
signaling renewed interest in blockchain integration.
Crypto
in Education: Animoca Brands’ Yat Siu highlights
blockchain’s potential in education, particularly
through DeFi student loan financing. Ripple’s
$25 million donation to a crypto education fund underscores
growing academic influence.
XRP
and Interoperability: XRP is expanding into multichain
interoperability, connecting with Cosmos and EVM sidechains.
With 200+ financial partners, it aims to bridge traditional
finance and crypto ecosystems.
Avalanche
and Web3 Gaming: Avalanche’s John Nahas emphasizes
blockchain as seamless backend infrastructure for
gaming, citing examples like Gunzilla Games’
“Off the Grid,” which leverages blockchain
for user ownership.
Policy
Shifts: The Trump administration is driving a pro-crypto
agenda, with plans to integrate blockchain into financial
systems. Bank regulators are exploring blockchain-based
payment systems, a stark contrast to previous skepticism.
Robinhood’s
Blockchain Platform: Robinhood is developing a blockchain-based
platform for trading tokenized US securities in Europe,
potentially partnering with Arbitrum or Solana.
Ethereum’s
Pectra Upgrade: Ethereum’s latest upgrade introduces
features like smart wallets and lower fees but has
raised concerns about a new attack vector that could
allow hackers to drain funds.
Other
Developments: Brave is integrating Cardano into its
browser wallet, and MBS Global plans a $9 billion
blockchain financial hub in the Maldives.
For
real-time updates, platforms like Cointelegraph or
CryptoSlate on X are active sources,
News
Crypto
market slows down, nearing a top
Market
Picture
The
crypto market slowed down but continued to move upwards
over the weekend, reaching $3.35 trillion. For the
past few days, it has been trading in the region of
the highs since early February. Ethereum and Dogecoin
have been the stars of this movement, adding around
40% in seven days, although the former's contribution
is certainly more significant.
The
crypto market's sentiment is consolidating in the
greed zone, leaving the corresponding index at 70
for the last three days. This is a good basis for
continued gains: not too hot to take profits and not
too cold to leave traders on the sidelines.
Bitcoin
rallied above $105.5k on Monday morning, entering
the area of highs where it has twice failed to hold
over the past six months. The impressive corrective
pullback from late January to early April, in our
opinion, created substantial margin for a new wave
of growth. Therefore, we will not be surprised if,
along with the positive dynamics of stocks, BTCUSD
will move to the renewal of historical highs already
this week.
News
Background
On
the weekly bitcoin chart, after the upward breakout
of the ‘bull flag’ pattern, a further rise
to $182,000 is possible, given the growth before the
downward consolidation. Cointelegraph presented such
a scenario.
Significant
inflows into spot bitcoin ETFS in the US continued
for the third week in a row. According to SoSoValue
data, weekly net inflows into spot BTC-ETFS totalled
$921 million, bringing the total to $41.16 billion
since bitcoin-ETFS were approved in January 2024.
Inflows into spot Ethereum-ETFS in the US broke after
two weeks, recording a small net outflow of $38.2
million to $2.47 billion since last July.
Cryptoquant
noted that the strategy firm's pace of bitcoin purchases
exceeds the rate at which miners are issuing new coins.
The firm's holdings alone imply an annual deflation
of the asset of 2.23%.
Public
mining companies sold about 70% of mined bitcoins
in April against a falling mining profitability, TheMinerMag
calculated. Since March, miners seemed to be moving
away from the HOLDing strategy that had prevailed
last year.
Over
the years, Coinbase has considered investing a significant
portion of its savings in bitcoin, following the example
of Strategy, but abandoned the idea because of the
risks, said Brian Armstrong, head of the exchange.
(FxPro)
News
Markets
ASX
futures are pointing up 97 points/1.2% to 8364
AUD
-0.0% to US63.70¢
Bitcoin
-1.6% to $US102,525
Wall St:
Dow +2.8% S&P +3.3% Nasdaq +4.4%
VIX -3.51 to 16.03
Gold -0.03% to $US3235.57 an ounce
Brent oil +1.8% to $US65.03 a barrel
Iron ore +3.2% to $US100.00 a ton
10-year yield: US 4.47% Australia 4.36%
News
May
12, 2025
Investors
ramp up crypto spree as bitcoin nears record high
Australian
investors have pounced on the plunge in bitcoin earlier
this year and have been ramping up exposure to the
cryptocurrency in a bold bet that could pay off handsomely,
with analysts tipping prices to hit $US200,000 this
year.
The
world’s largest digital asset crossed the key
$US100,000 level last week for the first time since
February. Bitcoin extended that rally on Monday to
trade near $US105,000, just shy of its record of around
$US109,000 on January 20 – the day US President
Donald Trump was inaugurated.
It
represents a stunning turnaround for the cryptocurrency,
which traded as low as $US74,000 in early April amid
Trump’s escalating trade war. But sentiment started
to shift as traders hunted for alternatives to US
assets as they questioned the stability of the world’s
largest economy.
“Bitcoin
appeared to benefit from capital rotation associated
with ‘sell-America’ positioning and growing
scepticism around US monetary dominance,” Global
X investment analyst Justin Lin told The Australian
Financial Review after upgrading his year-end price
target to $US200,000.
The
trend was reinforced by a resurgence in global bitcoin
exchange-traded funds in April, with investors adding
$US2.9 billion ($4.5 billion) to those vehicles. That
marked a sharp reversal from February and March, when
more than $US5 billion in total was pulled from the
space.
A
further $US1.58 billion of flows moved into global
bitcoin ETFs in the first eight days of May, according
to US-listed crypto exchange Coinbase.
In
Australia, local ETFs have attracted $148 million
in inflows so far this year – more than double
compared to the same period in 2024.
And
unlike the US, Australian investors have been consistent
buyers throughout this year. Local bitcoin ETFs experienced
$6.9 million of inflows in March and $20.5 million
in new flows in April, according to Global X.
Trump
gala
The
second-largest digital token, ethereum, has also been
swept up in last week’s rally, surging as much
as 33 per cent in its steepest weekly gain since 2021,
when low interest rates fuelled the pandemic-era crypto
boom.
While
ether has benefited from easing global trade tensions,
the token was boosted by a network upgrade designed
to reduce fees, improve network efficiency and enable
more complex wallet functionalities – moves seen
as necessary to fend off competition from faster-growing
rivals like solana.
Trump
has become an advocate of digital assets during his
second term by rolling back legal actions against
many companies in the sector, establishing a bitcoin
reserve, easing regulation and even launching his
own memecoin.
The
president is due to host a private gala dinner on
May 22 with the top 220 holders of the Trump memecoin,
an event that could mark a “turning point”
for the broader cryptocurrency market, according to
Global X’s Lin.
“[The
event’s] symbolic value is significant,”
he said. “It could serve as a launchpad for broader
crypto-friendly rhetoric and possibly renewed regulatory
commitments. Any such pivot would inject momentum
into the sector.” (AFR) *Full article and coverage
via subscription to The Australian Financial Review.
News
Cryptocurrency
Movies
Here’s
a concise rundown of notable cryptocurrency-themed
movies and documentaries, blending education and entertainment,
based on their relevance to blockchain, Bitcoin, and
digital currencies:
Documentaries
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Follows early Bitcoin adopters like Daniel Mross,
exploring Bitcoin’s origins, volatility, and
potential to disrupt finance. Insightful for understanding
the early crypto community. Available on various streaming
platforms.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016)
Chronicles Bitcoin’s ideological roots and its
impact on financial systems, featuring interviews
with key crypto figures. Great for grasping Bitcoin’s
societal implications. Available on Netflix and other
platforms.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018)
Explores blockchain’s broader applications beyond
cryptocurrency, demystifying the technology’s
potential. Funded and distributed via blockchain,
it’s a unique watch. Available on Prime Video.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
A 60-minute dive into the history of money and Bitcoin’s
role in challenging centralized finance. Features
experts like Vitalik Buterin. Streamable on platforms
like YouTube.
Trust
No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022)
A Netflix documentary investigating the mysterious
death of QuadrigaCX CEO Gerry Cotten and the $250
million in missing investor funds. Gripping for scam
enthusiasts.
Biggest
Heist Ever (2025)
A Netflix documentary detailing the 2016 Bitfinex
hack, where 120,000 Bitcoin (worth over $4 billion)
were stolen. Focuses on Heather Morgan (aka Razzlekhan)
and Ilya Lichtenstein. A fresh take on crypto crime.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019)
A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth,
and Kurt Russell. Follows a Wall Street banker uncovering
a cryptocurrency-fueled money laundering scheme in
his hometown. Critically mixed but engaging for drama
fans. Available on Google Play and Prime Video.
Silk
Road (2021)
A crime drama about Ross Ulbricht and the dark web
marketplace Silk Road, where Bitcoin was the primary
currency. Explores the legal and ethical complexities
of crypto in illicit markets. Available on streaming
services like Fandango.
Dope
(2015)
A coming-of-age comedy-drama where high schoolers
use Bitcoin for a dark web drug transaction. Not crypto-centric
but an early mainstream nod to Bitcoin’s cultural
presence. Streamable on Netflix.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016)
A Vietnamese action-comedy about undercover agents
chasing a crypto hacker, “The Ghost.” Blends
suspense and humor, offering a lighthearted take on
crypto crime. Available on Prime Video.
Why
Watch These?
These films range from educational documentaries to
thrilling fictional tales, reflecting crypto’s
rise, scandals, and societal impact. Documentaries
like Banking on Bitcoin and Trust Machine are ideal
for learning about blockchain’s mechanics and
potential, while thrillers like Crypto and Silk Road
dramatize the risks and allure of digital currencies.
For 2025, Biggest Heist Ever is a must-watch for its
fresh perspective on a massive crypto theft.
Where
to Watch
Most
are available on Netflix, Prime Video, Google Play,
or Fandango. Check specific platforms for availability
in your region. (Grok)
News
Bitcoin
Movies On Netflix
Netflix
currently offers a few movies and documentaries focused
on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. Here are the most notable
ones available as of my last update:
Bitconned
(2024) - A true-crime documentary about three individuals
who exploited the cryptocurrency market, scamming
millions from investors to fund lavish lifestyles.
It dives into the darker side of crypto with a focus
on the Centra Tech scam. [IMDb: 6.5]
Trust
No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022) - This
documentary explores the mysterious death of Gerald
Cotten, founder of the QuadrigaCX exchange, and the
$250 million in investor funds that vanished. It follows
investors turned amateur detectives unraveling the
scandal. [IMDb: 6.3]
Hotel
Bitcoin (2024) - A Spanish comedy film where four
friends discover a fortune in lost bitcoins, sparking
a chaotic adventure to protect their windfall and
friendships. It’s a lighter, fictional take on
Bitcoin’s allure.
Biggest
Heist Ever (2024) - A documentary covering the Bitfinex
hack, where a couple, dubbed the "Bitcoin Bonnie
and Clyde," allegedly laundered nearly 120,000
bitcoins. It’s a deep dive into one of crypto’s
most infamous crimes.
Crypto
Boy (2023) - A Dutch drama about a young man drawn
into the world of cryptocurrency after a fallout with
his father, exploring themes of ambition and deception.
It’s more character-driven than educational.
Notes:
Availability
may vary by region, so check Netflix in your area.
Some
older Bitcoin documentaries, like Banking on Bitcoin
or The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin, are not currently
on Netflix but may be available on other platforms
like Amazon Prime or YouTube.
For
a broader list, posts on X also mention Bitcoin: The
End of Money as We Know It and The Blockchain and
Us, but these are not confirmed on Netflix at this
time. (Grok)
News
Memecoins
Today:
Memecoins
are seeing significant activity today, May 13, 2025,
with several coins rallying and ongoing controversies
shaping market sentiment. Here's a concise overview
based on recent developments:
Market
Performance:
Dogwifhat
(WIF), Book of Meme (BOME), and FLOKI are extending
double-digit rallies, driven by a risk-on sentiment
in crypto markets following US-China tariff reductions.
Technical indicators suggest potential for further
gains.
Moo
Deng, a Solana-based memecoin, surged 153% in the
past 24 hours, fueled by institutional demand for
SOL and retail interest after Bitcoin’s rally
above $103,000.
FLOKI
is highlighted on X as a top performer, with posts
suggesting it could lead the memecoin rally alongside
DOGE, SHIB, and PEPE.
Political
and Controversial Developments:
Trump’s
$TRUMP Memecoin: The coin remains in the spotlight
due to a May 22 dinner for top holders at Trump’s
Virginia golf club, sparking ethical concerns and
political backlash. The coin surged over 50% after
the announcement, reaching a $2.7 billion market value,
though 764,000 investors have lost money compared
to 58 wallets profiting significantly.
Melania’s
$MELANIA Memecoin: Launched January 19, it saw sniper
traders earn $99.6 million by buying minutes before
its public announcement. The team recently sold $1.5
million in tokens, amid a weakening memecoin market.
Legislative
Pushback: Senate Democrats blocked stablecoin legislation
due to controversies surrounding Trump’s crypto
ventures. Proposed bills, like the End Crypto Corruption
Act, aim to ban presidents and officials from issuing
digital assets to curb potential conflicts of interest.
Market
Sentiment:
X posts reflect active interest in memecoins, with
users seeking recommendations and shilling coins like
FLOKI and letsBONK. However, some posts highlight
the speculative nature, describing pump-and-dump cycles.
Discussions
on memecoins hit a year-to-date high, shifting focus
from Bitcoin and layer-1 protocols, though some argue
the memecoin frenzy is cooling as stablecoins gain
traction on Solana.
Broader
Context:
Memecoins
face criticism for lacking intrinsic value, with some
viewing them as celebrity-driven schemes. However,
advocates suggest AI agents could drive a “memecoin
renaissance” by adding utility.
The
$TRUMP token’s performance has been lackluster
compared to its peak, with onchain activity spiking
after the dinner announcement but still down 79% from
its all-time high.
Critical
Note: While memecoins are rallying, their volatility
and speculative nature carry significant risks. The
political ties to certain coins, especially $TRUMP,
raise ethical and legal questions, potentially influencing
market stability. Always verify information, as X
posts can contain unverified claims, and memecoin
investments are highly speculative. (Grok)
Bull
Market: Def
"Bull
market" describes a financial market where prices
are rising or are expected to rise. It commonly refers
to the stock market but can be applied to anything
that is traded, such as bonds, real estate, currencies,
and commodities.
Movie
Box Office (North America)
March
16, 2025
1.
Novocaine - $8.7m
2. Mickey 17 - $7.51m
3. Black Bag - $7.5m
4. Captain America: Brave New World - $5.5m
5. The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
- $3.2m
6. The Last Supper - $2.8m
7. Paddington in Peru - $2.78
8. Dog Man - $2.5m
9. The Monkey - $2.47m
10. Last Breath - $2.3m
Anora
Mufasa
Rule Breakers
Night of the Zoopocalypse
Heart Eyes
The Unbreakable Boy
One of Them Days
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX
Ne Zha 2
Chhaava
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
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
Combat
Sports Watercooler
News
WWE
Pro Wrestler Karrion Kross On Mox Telling Him To Call
Triple H About A Contract
"After
the show, he's like, he basically says 'Hey listen.
I'm not telling you where to go. I'm not telling you
where to make money. But I'm just saying, you really
should call Triple H, cause you could make a very,
very good living there" ... "He was like
'Work wherever you want, go wherever you want. But
I just have a feeling that if you call him, things
are going to be good for you.'
"And
I was like...that's like 'What do you mean? Call Triple
H? What do you mean?' He's like 'Nah, just call him...I'm
giving you his number. I want you to call him.' And
I was like 'Oh my god.' Well now I can't [not call
him]...So now I had to...So I sent him [Triple H]
a text. He calls me and is like 'Is this really Killer
Kross?' Cause like, I don't know, it could be a crank
caller or somebody gets his number. So we talk, and
a few months later, I was in 'NXT,' and that's kind
of how that worked." (Not Sam Wrestling)
News
Bully
Ray on TNA Wrestling, WWE and AEW via Busted Open
Radio
"TNA
will grow, the WWE will grow bigger, and we will either
be talking about the resurgence or the demise of AEW,
and I go 50/50 on that. I want to see the resurgence,
but from what I see right this very moment, I hope
we're not speaking about the demise, and that's just
my fair assessment on everything." (Busted Open
Radio)
News
Wrestling
Legend Kurt Angle On Wrestling Movies And Career via
Talk Is Jericho
"I've
been pretty much building to this movie I'm having
done about my life's sports story" ... "The
directors are Ian and Eshom Nelms. They're really
talented directors. The reason why I picked them is
because they were wrestlers in high school and college.
So they understand my sport.
"So
we got the ball rolling with that, and now we're getting
investors and we're going to start picking the cast
soon. This movie's only about my Olympic story, not
my WWE story. There's going to be, actually, two movies.
'Angle 1' and 'Angle 2.' One's for the Olympics, one's
for after, my WWE and TNA career, everything after
that. It was just too much to put in one movie, so
they wanted to split it in two." (Web Is Jericho)
News
Tommy
Dreamer on CM Punk And Seth Rollins Raw Face To Face
Promo
"It's
a very 'what have you done for me lately.' There's
so much to get into with CM Punk and leaving, and
yes, some people can still harbor a grudge towards
that"
"I
can't even say 'blurring the lines,' because if you
ask me, these two guys don't like each other"
(Busted Open After Dark)
News
AEW
Signed Adam Copeland On His Injury Via TMZ Sports
"I've
actually been cleared for about three months, but
then with everything that happened here with the hurricane,
it just — we all had the discussion," Copeland
said. "It's more important to be home and kind
of get everything at home squared away, and then just
come back to work."
"In
that time, I've been healthy and going to the ring,
and been able to go 100 in the gym" ... "It's
time. I feel ready." (TMZ Sports)
News
WWE
Raw Moves to Netflix
WWE
has entered into a significant partnership with Netflix,
debuting its flagship show 'Raw' on the streaming
platform starting January 6th, 2025. This move has
sparked excitement among fans worldwide due to the
increased accessibility of WWE content. In the UK,
all WWE programming including Raw, SmackDown, NXT,
and Premium Live Events will be available live on
Netflix, while in the US, only Raw will be streamed.
This partnership marks the end of the WWE Network
era, with WWE content now transitioning to Netflix.
Fans are particularly enthusiastic about the availability
of uncensored content and extensive WWE archives,
including classics like WrestleMania 17. The collaboration
is viewed as a transformative step for WWE's distribution
strategy and is expected to influence viewing habits,
potentially reintroducing wrestling into mainstream
entertainment.
News
MMA/UFC
Strickland's
Controversial Comments Stir MMA Community
Sean
Strickland, a prominent MMA fighter, recently sparked
controversy with his comments on Islam, suggesting
it promotes violence and is incompatible with American
values. His statements have led to a significant backlash
from fans and fellow fighters alike, with many accusing
him of hypocrisy given his career in a sport centered
around violence. While there has been speculation
about a potential match-up with Khamzat Chimaev, a
Muslim fighter known for his deep commitment to his
faith, no official confirmation of such a fight has
been made. The discourse around Strickland's comments
has brought to light the complex interplay between
personal beliefs, professional conduct, and public
statements within the MMA community, highlighting
how fighters' personal views can influence their public
and professional lives.
Sweet
Daddy Siki passes away
WWE
is saddened to learn that Elkin James, known to wrestling
fans as Sweet Daddy Siki, passed away on December
31, 2024, at age 91.
Siki
wrestled worldwide for promotions such as Maple Leaf
Wrestling, Grand Prix Wrestling, and Stampede Wrestling
through the ’60s and ’70s and became a fixture
in the Toronto community. He trained many future wrestlers
out of Sully’s Gym in Toronto, Canada, including
iconic WWE Superstars Edge and Christian.
WWE
extends its condolences to Siki’s family, friends
and fans. (WWE)
News/Profile
Combat
Sports via Grok
Combat
sports are competitive physical activities involving
one-on-one combat where the objective is to score
more points, submit, disable, or defeat an opponent
through regulated techniques. These sports have a
rich history, tracing back to various ancient civilizations
and have evolved into diverse forms practiced worldwide:
Boxing:
A sport where competitors use their fists to throw
punches within a designated ring, aiming to outscore
or knock out their opponent. It's one of the oldest
combat sports, with roots in ancient cultures like
Egypt and Greece, and became an Olympic sport in 1904.
Mixed
Martial Arts (MMA): Often seen in promotions like
the UFC, MMA combines techniques from numerous martial
arts including wrestling, boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
It gained significant recognition in the 1990s and
is known for its no-holds-barred approach within a
regulated environment.
Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): Developed by the Gracie family in
Brazil, BJJ focuses on ground fighting and submission
holds. It became popular through MMA and is now practiced
globally for both sport and self-defense.
Muay
Thai: Known as "The Art of Eight Limbs,"
this Thai martial art uses punches, kicks, elbows,
and knee strikes, making it uniquely comprehensive
in terms of striking techniques.
Wrestling:
With styles like freestyle and Greco-Roman, wrestling
involves grappling techniques to pin or throw an opponent.
It's one of the oldest sports, with historical ties
to ancient Greece, and is a mainstay in the Olympics.
Judo:
A Japanese martial art emphasizing throws and submission
holds, judo has been an Olympic sport since 1964,
showcasing its global impact on combat sports.
Kickboxing:
A hybrid sport that incorporates elements from boxing,
karate, and other martial arts, focusing on both punches
and kicks. It's popular in both professional and amateur
circuits.
Combat
sports also serve various benefits beyond competition,
including physical fitness, mental toughness, and
self-defense skills. They are regulated by organizations
to ensure safety, with rules varying by sport and
sometimes by region. In Australia, for instance, combat
sports are overseen by bodies like the Combat Sports
Authority of NSW, ensuring participants are registered
and events are permitted.
These
sports are not only about physical confrontation but
also promote discipline, respect, and sportsmanship
among participants. They have a cultural significance,
often tied to national heritage, and continue to evolve
with new techniques, safety measures, and competitive
formats. (Grok)
News/Profile
Pro
Wrestling
Professional
Wrestling Overview: Professional wrestling is a form
of athletic theater that combines mock combat with
drama, where the premise is that performers are competitive
wrestlers. It's distinguished by its scripted outcomes
and emphasis on entertainment over genuine competition.
The staged nature of matches is an open secret, maintained
through a practice known as "kayfabe," where
both wrestlers and spectators pretend that the performances
are legitimate competitions. Wrestlers perform as
characters with distinctive gimmicks, including unique
attire, stage names, and entrance themes.
Current
Landscape: As of early January 2025, the wrestling
landscape in Australia includes notable promotions
like Pro Wrestling Australia (PWA) in Sydney, which
focuses on providing both adult-themed and family-friendly
shows. United Pro Wrestling (UPW) is another key player,
particularly in Queensland, known for its quality
events and character development. Melbourne City Wrestling
(MCW) has been active with events like their anniversary
celebration planned for March 15, 2025.
Global
Influence: Wrestling has achieved mainstream success
worldwide, influencing popular culture with its terminology
and concepts. It's performed across various promotions
globally, with unique styles in countries like the
U.S., Mexico, Japan, and Europe. The largest promotions
continue to be WWE and AEW, with significant cultural
impact through television, music, film, and video
games.
Community
and Culture: Professional wrestling has developed
its own culture, including a vernacular specific to
the industry. Fans engage through live events, online
discussions, and fan-created content, showing the
community's dedication and passion for the sport-entertainment
hybrid.
For
more specific details on events, wrestlers, or promotions,
further exploration into current wrestling news sources
would be beneficial. (Grok)
News
WWE:
Events
WWE
hosts a variety of events throughout the year, ranging
from weekly televised shows to premium live events
(PLEs), previously known as pay-per-views (PPVs).
Here's a breakdown of the upcoming WWE events:
Weekly
Shows:
Monday Night Raw: Broadcast live every Monday. The
next event on January 13, 2025, is at the SAP Center
in San Jose, CA.
Friday
Night SmackDown: Aired live every Friday. The upcoming
event on January 3, 2025, will be at the Footprint
Center in Phoenix, AZ.
WWE
NXT: Typically taped or live on Tuesday nights. The
next significant event, New Year's Evil, is scheduled
for January 7, 2025, at The Shrine LA in Los Angeles,
CA.
Premium
Live Events (PLEs) for 2025:
Saturday
Night's Main Event: January 25, 2025, at the Frost
Bank Center in San Antonio, TX.
Royal
Rumble: February 1, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in
Indianapolis, IN.
Elimination
Chamber: March 1, 2025, at Rogers Centre in Toronto,
ON, Canada, marking WWE's return to Canada for a PLE.
WrestleMania:
While the exact date for WrestleMania 41 hasn't been
mentioned in the available data, it's traditionally
held in April.
International
and Specialty Events:
WWE
is planning a European Tour starting in mid-March
2025. No specific dates or locations within this tour
have been detailed yet.
There's
also mention of WWE considering multi-night formats
for major events like the Royal Rumble and Money in
the Bank in future years.
Streaming
and Viewing:
All
WWE PLEs are available live on Peacock in the United
States and through various international WWE Network
partners or other streaming services in other countries.
In Australia, PPVs are shown on Main Event.
Weekly
shows like Raw, SmackDown, and NXT are broadcast on
traditional TV and streaming services depending on
the region.
Additional
Notes:
WWE has no scheduled live events in the U.S. until
the European Tour in March, which has been reported
to be well-received by talent for providing a break.
There's a buzz about CM Punk main eventing WrestleMania,
indicating his significant role in upcoming storylines.
For
the most up-to-date information, checking WWE's official
website or following WWE on social media platforms
would provide real-time updates on any changes or
additional events. (Grok)
Wrestling/Pop Culture News
Mildred
Burke biopic: Queen of the Ring
Under
The Media Man Watercooler
Premiers:
Newport Beach Film Festival
Lead:
Emily Bett Rickards as Mildred Burke
Quotes
to UPI
"I
was like, 'Oh, I feel like I can do that. I just haven't'"
"I've
always been super active and I pick up things pretty
fast."
Burke
wrestled professionally from 1937 to 1956 and launched
her own World Women's Wrestling Association after
leaving the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Rickards
portrays Burke, covering her training through the
wrestling organization's creation.
"Mildred
was a pioneer in this arena"
"She
really brought women to wrestling"
"It
was heavy weights, slow on the way down, faster on
the way up"
"There
was a period of time where I remember putting my hands
on my hips and I just felt solid, like there was just
more of me."
"Wrestling
is a lot about safety"
"To
take the bump, you spread out"
Deborah
Ann Woll, Francesca Eastwood, Marie Avgeropoulous,
Kelli Berglund and Damaris Lewis also play real-life
wrestlers. AEW's Kailey Farmer and WWE's Toni Rossall
portray two of Burke's real-life opponents.
Farmer
helped train her in pro wrestling.
"If
you see us wrestling on-screen, she's leading"
"She
brought me into that trust as someone who is an actor,
not a wrestler but was doing my darndest."
"This
ability to weave story and have it be structured but
improvised -- there's an essence there that is so
beautiful"
"I'd
say acting actually is all contact"
"Maybe
it's not punching each other all the time, but it
is really about affecting the other person"
Mildred
Burke Profile/News via Grok
Mildred
Burke was a pivotal figure in professional wrestling,
particularly known for her contributions to women's
wrestling. Here's an overview based on the information
available up to October 20, 2024:
Career:
Mildred Burke began her wrestling career in the early
1930s and quickly made a name for herself by not only
competing against but often defeating male competitors.
Her heyday lasted from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s,
during which she held the NWA World Women's Championship
for nearly twenty years, showcasing her dominance
in the sport.
Achievements:
Burke is recognized for her strength, tenacity, and
for being a trailblazer for women in wrestling. She
was instrumental in introducing women's wrestling
to several countries, including the United States,
Canada, Cuba, Mexico, and parts of Asia like Japan,
where she helped lay the groundwork for what would
become a significant scene for women's wrestling.
Legacy:
Burke's legacy is honored in several Halls of Fame:
She
was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of
the Legacy Wing in 2016, recognizing her as one of
the first major female competitors in wrestling.
She's also a member of the Professional Wrestling
Hall of Fame and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Hall of Fame, underscoring her impact on the sport.
Personal
Life and Challenges: Burke's career was marked by
personal and professional challenges, particularly
her tumultuous relationship with Billy Wolfe, a promoter
who was also her husband. Their relationship was fraught
with issues, including Wolfe's infidelities and control
over the business aspects of wrestling, which led
to significant conflicts and legal battles over the
control of women's wrestling.
Film:
Her life story has been adapted into a biographical
sports drama film titled "Queen of the Ring,"
where actress Emily Bett Rickards portrays Burke.
This film aims to capture her struggle, success, and
the broader impact she had on women's wrestling. The
film has garnered attention for its portrayal of Burke's
life, with its premiere events listed in various film
festivals in October 2024.
Cultural
Impact: Beyond her in-ring achievements, Burke's efforts
helped to legitimize women's wrestling. Her story,
involving both her wrestling prowess and her fight
for the recognition of women in the sport, continues
to inspire new generations of female wrestlers.
Mildred
Burke's story is not just one of athletic achievement
but also of breaking barriers in a male-dominated
industry, making her a significant figure in both
sports and women's history. (Grok)
Queen
of the Ring via Grok
The
term "Queen of the Ring" relates to several
entities across different media:
WWE's
Queen of the Ring: This is a professional wrestling
tournament by WWE, where Nia Jax won the tournament
in 2024, as indicated by posts on X. This event was
part of WWE's broader push to highlight women's wrestling,
providing the winner with a match for the WWE Women's
Championship at SummerSlam.
Mildred
Burke Biopic: There's a biographical film titled "Queen
of the Ring" focusing on Mildred Burke, the first
million-dollar female athlete and a pioneer in women's
professional wrestling. This film has been shown at
various film festivals in 2024, with its world premiere
and subsequent screenings noted across the U.S.
South
Korean TV Series: "Queen of the Ring" also
refers to a South Korean drama series, part of the
"Three Color Fantasy" trilogy, which aired
in 2017. It's a romantic drama involving characters
in a fictional narrative around themes of appearance
and personal relationships.
News
MMA
UFC
311 Betting
UFC
311, scheduled for January 18, 2025, at the Intuit
Dome in Inglewood, California, features several high-profile
fights with notable betting odds. Here's a breakdown
of the betting information for the main events:
Main
Event: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan Islam Makhachev
is listed as the favorite with odds around -235 to
-334, indicating a strong likelihood of retaining
his lightweight title.
Arman
Tsarukyan comes in as the underdog with odds ranging
from +200 to +250, suggesting a potential for an upset
but less likely according to the bookmakers.
Co-Main
Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Umar
Nurmagomedov is the betting favorite at -220, reflecting
confidence in his undefeated record and grappling
prowess.
Merab
Dvalishvili is the underdog with +185 odds, despite
being the current champion, possibly due to Nurmagomedov's
impressive run and the anticipation around his title
challenge.
Other
Notable Fights:
Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill: The odds here are
close, with Hill at -103 and Prochazka at -117 or
vice versa, depending on the latest updates, indicating
a highly competitive match.
For
those interested in placing bets, these odds provide
a snapshot of how the betting markets view the chances
of each fighter. Remember, odds can shift as the fight
date approaches based on various factors including
fighter form, public betting trends, and any last-minute
news.
Please
note, betting on UFC fights involves risks, and these
odds should be used for informational purposes. Always
bet responsibly and within your means. If you're looking
to place bets, consider checking with reputable betting
sites for the most current odds. (Grok)
News/Profile
WWE
WrestleMania Vegas 2025
WWE
WrestleMania 41 is set to take place in Las Vegas
at Allegiant Stadium on April 19 and 20, 2025. This
will be the second time Las Vegas hosts WrestleMania,
with the first being WrestleMania IX in 1993 at Caesars
Palace. The event will span two nights, marking a
continued trend from the format established during
the 2020 event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Event
Details: WrestleMania 41, also known as WrestleMania
Vegas, will feature matches from both Raw and SmackDown
brand divisions. The event will be broadcasted via
pay-per-view and livestreaming, with international
markets able to watch on Netflix following the WWE
Network's merger with the platform in January 2025.
This will be the first WrestleMania to occur during
Easter weekend.
Ticket
Information: Tickets for WrestleMania 41 went on sale
on October 25, 2024, with presales starting on October
23. There are also 2-day combo tickets available for
purchase.
Cultural
Impact: The event is expected to bring significant
economic benefits to Las Vegas, with more than 180,000
fans anticipated to attend, occupying over 144,000
room nights. Apart from the main event, WWE will also
host Raw, SmackDown, NXT Stand & Deliver, the
WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, and WWE World, contributing
to a comprehensive fan experience.
Notable
Matches: There have been discussions about potential
matches, including a bout between John Cena and Logan
Paul for WrestleMania 41.
This
event signifies WWE's return to one of the world's
entertainment capitals, promising a grand spectacle
with a mix of sports and entertainment. (Grok)
Media
Man Int
Combat
Sports (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/combat_sports.html
Pop
Culture (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/pop_culture.html
Coming
Soon (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/coming_soon.html
Wrestling
News (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/wrestling_news.html
Wrestling
Watercooler (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/wrestling_watercooler.html
AEW
News (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/aew_news.html
Sports
News (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/articles2.html
Combat
Sports Week At Media Man; Elon Musk's X And Grok Take
Publishers, Reporters, Fans Et Al Around The World
Of Sports In A TKO Second!: Media Man
October
1, 2024
News
Alex
Pereira's Arrival for UFC 307
Alex
Pereira, known as 'Poatan', is gearing up for a highly
anticipated UFC fight at UFC 307 against Khalil Rountree
Jr., scheduled for October 2024. The fight week has
begun with both fighters, including notable figures
like Jose Aldo, checking in for the event. There's
considerable excitement around this match, primarily
due to the knockout capabilities of both fighters.
Pereira has publicly stated his intention to 'break'
Rountree, intensifying the event's buildup. Discussions
and analyses have focused on Pereira's recent UFC
activities, potential retirement, and the high stakes
of the main event, suggesting it could be one of the
most thrilling UFC main events recently. Additionally,
Khalil Rountree hinted at employing a never-before-seen
move during the fight, adding an element of mystery
and anticipation. (Grok)
News
UFC
307 and DWCS Week 8
UFC
307 is generating significant buzz, particularly for
the main event where Alex Pereira has promised an
intense confrontation against Khalil Rountree, vowing
to 'break' him. This fight is not only a highlight
of the event but also showcases both fighters' formidable
striking power, with predictions leaning towards a
knockout rather than a decision. Alongside this main
event, the UFC community is abuzz with excitement
for other matchups, discussing fighters' skills and
predicting outcomes. Concurrently, the Dana White's
Contender Series (DWCS) Week 8 is taking place, spotlighting
emerging talents like Christien Savoie, who are competing
for the chance to earn UFC contracts. The DWCS not
only serves as a platform for new fighters but also
engages fans with live events and betting odds, adding
another layer of anticipation and discussion around
the UFC's upcoming events. (Grok)
News
UFC
307 Fight Week
UFC
307, scheduled for Saturday, features a highly anticipated
main event between Alex Pereira, known for his striking
prowess, and Khalil Rountree Jr., who has hinted at
a unique move he might employ during the fight. The
event has sparked considerable interest among fans
and analysts, with discussions focusing on the fighters'
capabilities and potential outcomes. Alongside the
main event, the Dana White Contender Series (DWCS)
Week 8 is also taking place, offering emerging fighters
a chance to secure UFC contracts. Notable fighters
like Jose Aldo, Kevin Holland, and Stephen Thompson
are also highlighted, adding to the excitement with
their upcoming matches. The event is set to be broadcast
live, with various analyses and predictions circulating
among enthusiasts. (Grok)
News
Torrez
Finney's Third DWCS Victory
Torrez
Finney achieved a significant milestone by becoming
the first fighter to win three times on Dana White's
Contender Series (DWCS). In his third appearance on
DWCS, which took place on October 1, 2024, Finney
secured a first-round TKO victory over Abdellah Er-Ramy.
This performance not only marked his third win on
the series but also showcased his dominant skills,
leading to widespread acclaim across social media
platforms, particularly X (formerly known as Twitter).
Following this victory, there was a consensus among
observers and fans that not offering Finney a UFC
contract would be an oversight, given his undefeated
record and his consistent performance under the DWCS
spotlight. This achievement cements his status as
a top prospect in the middleweight division, with
many expecting him to finally receive a UFC contract.
(Grok)
News
Khalil
Rountree's Mystery Move at UFC 307
Ahead
of UFC 307, Khalil Rountree Jr. has hinted at employing
a unique, never-before-seen technique in his upcoming
fight against Alex Pereira, the current light heavyweight
champion. Rountree, known for his striking prowess,
aims to dethrone Pereira with a knockout, seeking
to establish himself as a formidable force in the
UFC. The event has drawn significant attention, with
fans and analysts speculating on Rountree's strategy
and the potential outcome of this high-stakes match.
Meanwhile, new sparring footage of Pereira with Sean
Strickland has been released, showcasing Pereira's
skills and improvement in English. Other notable fighters
like Kevin Holland and Jose Aldo are also featured
in the event, but the main event between Pereira and
Rountree remains the focal point, with expectations
set high for an explosive encounter. (Grok)
News
Diyar
Nurgozhay's Head Kick KO
Diyar
Nurgozhay recently showcased his striking prowess
at Dana White's Contender Series, where he secured
a notable victory via a head kick knockout against
Bartosz Szewczyk during the light heavyweight bout
at DWCS 74. This event took place on October 1, 2024,
at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Nurgozhay, maintaining
his undefeated record, delivered the knockout in the
second round, further solidifying his reputation in
the MMA community. This performance not only electrified
the audience but also significantly boosted his potential
for earning a UFC contract, given the platform's purpose
of scouting new talent for the UFC roster. This victory
adds to Nurgozhay's highlight reel, known for his
finishing capabilities, as he continues his journey
with an eye on the UFC. (Grok)
News
New
WWENXT Logo Debuts on The CW
WWE
NXT has introduced a new logo as part of its transition
to The CW network, marking the beginning of a new
era for the wrestling brand. The rebranding, effective
from October 1, 2024, aims to evoke a more classic
aesthetic. The debut on The CW was highlighted by
various wrestling personalities and news outlets,
with many expressing enthusiasm for the new look and
the show's premiere. The debut episode featured significant
matches, including a championship bout and a street
fight, indicating a strong start to NXT's new chapter
on The CW. (Grok)
News
Roxanne
Perez Retains NXT Title with Cora Jade's Return
Roxanne
Perez successfully defended her NXT Women's Championship
against Giulia in a recent WWE NXT event, marked by
an unexpected twist when Cora Jade returned to assist
Perez in retaining her title. This intervention was
pivotal in Perez's victory, sparking varied reactions
among fans. While some expressed disappointment with
the match's conclusion and the manner of Giulia's
defeat, others were thrilled by Cora Jade's comeback,
anticipating new storylines. Despite the controversial
finish, the match received praise for its quality.
(Grok)
News
Mixed
Reactions to New NXT Titles
Based
on the information gathered from posts on X and general
web sentiment, the introduction of new NXT titles
has generated a mix of reactions among fans and observers:
Design
Critique: There's a noticeable divide over the aesthetic
of the new NXT titles. Some fans have expressed a
preference for the previous designs, particularly
the "rainbow titles" which were admired
for their vibrant yet balanced color scheme. The new
designs have been described by some as less appealing
initially, but there's an acknowledgment that acceptance
might grow over time. For instance, one user likened
the transition in perception from the old to the new
titles humorously, suggesting that while the initial
reaction might be negative, eventual adaptation is
expected.
Nostalgia
and Change: The change in title designs seems to reflect
broader changes within NXT, including its move to
The CW network. This shift has stirred mixed feelings,
with some fans feeling nostalgic about the "black
and gold" era of NXT, which these new titles
symbolically depart from. However, there's also excitement
about what this change could mean for NXT's future,
especially with the involvement of figures like Shawn
Michaels in crafting the new era.
Performance
and Presentation: Despite mixed feelings about the
titles' design, there's a consensus on the quality
of the matches and the presentation of NXT on The
CW. The debut of NXT on this new platform, highlighted
by significant matches like Ethan Page vs. Trick Williams
for the NXT Title, and the involvement of high-profile
figures or matchups, indicates that while the titles
themselves might be divisive, the content and direction
of NXT are still highly anticipated and discussed.
Fan
Engagement: The new titles have certainly engaged
the fanbase, sparking conversations not just about
design but about what these changes signify for NXT's
identity and its place within WWE's broader ecosystem.
This engagement ranges from criticism to cautious
optimism, with some fans seeing it as a necessary
evolution for NXT to stand out in the crowded landscape
of wrestling entertainment.
Cultural
and Identity Shifts: There's an underlying discussion
about what these titles represent for NXT's brand
identity. Some fans have humorously or critically
remarked on the choice of design, questioning if it
aligns with NXT's desire to carve out a unique identity
or if it's merely a shift for the sake of change.
This touches on broader themes of brand evolution
and fan acceptance of change in professional wrestling.
In
summary, while the new NXT titles have sparked a variety
of reactions from critique over their design to nostalgia
for previous eras, there's an underlying excitement
about the narrative and performance aspects of NXT's
new chapter. The conversation around these titles
encapsulates fans' emotional connection to NXT's history
and their hopes or concerns for its future under its
new presentation. (Grok)
News
Wes
Lee Wins Street Fight at WWENXT
During
a recent WWE NXT event, Wes Lee defeated Zachary Wentz
in a highly praised street fight. The match, described
as both brutal and entertaining, featured intense
action characteristic of street fights. Both wrestlers
received acclaim for their performance, with fans
and commentators noting the match as a highlight of
the evening's programming. The fight included dramatic
moments, such as Wentz missing a table dive, adding
to the spectacle. This victory for Wes Lee was celebrated,
with many expressing enthusiasm for the match's quality
and hoping for future encounters between the two.
(Grok)
News
WWE
Bad Blood
WWE
Bad Blood is making a comeback in 2024, marking the
fourth event under this name and the first since 2004.
Here's what you need to know:
Event
Date and Location: The event is scheduled for Saturday,
October 5, 2024, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta,
Georgia. This date coincides with the 27th anniversary
of the first Bad Blood event.
Broadcast
Details: Bad Blood 2024 will be available via traditional
pay-per-view (PPV) worldwide and will also air on
WWE's streaming platforms, specifically Peacock in
the United States and WWE Network internationally.
Historical
Significance: The original Bad Blood in 1997 introduced
the Hell in a Cell match, which has been a staple
of the event, including in its previous iterations
in 2003 and 2004.
Matches
and Card: One of the main matches includes Liv Morgan
vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship,
with a unique twist where Dominik Mysterio will be
suspended above the ring in a shark cage to prevent
interference.
There's
also speculation and reports about a Hell in a Cell
match between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, though there
was some uncertainty about whether this would be the
main event or if a tag team match involving Roman
Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Solo Sikoa, and possibly Jacob
Fatu would close the show. However, recent discussions
and fan reactions suggest a strong possibility of
Punk vs. McIntyre main eventing due to the historical
significance of Hell in a Cell at Bad Blood.
Themes
and Anniversaries: The event is not only a nod to
its own history but also leverages the anniversary
of the first Hell in a Cell match. The involvement
of high-profile figures like CM Punk, Drew McIntyre,
and the intertwining storylines with Roman Reigns
and Cody Rhodes adds layers to the event's narrative.
Fan
and Industry Buzz: There's considerable excitement
around the return of Bad Blood, especially concerning
how WWE will utilize the Hell in a Cell structure
this time, given its history with the event. Fan posts
on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) show anticipation
for the matches, particularly the potential main events,
and how WWE might script the outcomes to impact ongoing
WWE storylines.
This
event represents not just a wrestling spectacle but
a significant moment in WWE's calendar, blending nostalgia
with current rivalries, making Bad Blood 2024 a must-watch
for WWE fans. (Grok)
News
Beterbiev
vs Bivol: Clash of the Undefeated
The
latest on Beterbiev vs. Bivol, titled "Clash
of the Undefeated," centers around their upcoming
fight scheduled for October 12, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia. Here's what's been circulating and reported:
Fight
Details: Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) will face
Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) in a unification bout
for the IBF, WBC, WBO, and WBA light heavyweight titles,
marking a significant event in boxing as both fighters
are undefeated.
Beterbiev's
Condition: After a knee injury forced a postponement
from an initially planned June fight, Beterbiev has
confirmed his 100% recovery and readiness for this
bout. His approach to training and recovery underscores
his intent to maintain his 100% knockout record.
Bivol's
Perspective: Dmitry Bivol has expressed that this
fight is not personal but a professional challenge
to become the undisputed champion. His strategy likely
involves his well-known boxing skills, with an emphasis
on counterpunching and movement, aiming to possibly
outbox or even, as speculated by some like Chris Algieri,
potentially knock down Beterbiev.
Public
and Expert Opinions: There's a mix of predictions
and excitement around this match. Some fans and analysts
believe Bivol's boxing IQ and defensive skills might
give him an edge, while others favor Beterbiev's relentless
pressure and knockout power. The discussion often
revolves around whether Bivol's style can withstand
or adapt to Beterbiev's aggressive tactics.
Undercard
and Event: The undercard features notable fights,
enhancing the event's appeal. Names like Chris Eubank
Jr., Fabio Wardley, and Jai Opetaia add to the night's
boxing spectacle.
General
Sentiment: The fight is widely anticipated as one
of the biggest in 2024, not just for the titles at
stake but for the clash of styles and the potential
for defining moments in both fighters' careers. The
narrative around this fight often highlights the rarity
of seeing two such high-caliber, undefeated champions
facing off, especially at light heavyweight.
This
event is not just a fight for belts but is seen as
a significant moment in boxing, where the outcome
could solidify one fighter's legacy or dramatically
alter perceptions of both in the sport. (Grok)
News
AEW
Dynamite 5-Year Anniversary Show
The
AEW Dynamite 5-Year Anniversary Show, set for October
2, 2024, at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh,
PA, is gearing up to be a landmark event for All Elite
Wrestling. Here's what's on the slate based on the
latest information:
Main
Event: A high-stakes, title-for-title match is scheduled
where Bryan Danielson will defend his AEW World Championship
against Kazuchika Okada, who is bringing his AEW Continental
Championship into the match. However, there's a twist:
Okada's championship will only be on the line for
the first 20 minutes of the match. If the match goes
beyond that, only Danielson's AEW World Championship
remains in contention.
Another
Title Defense: Will Ospreay will defend his AEW International
Championship against Ricochet. This match has been
highlighted as part of the anniversary celebration.
Other
Matches:
Hangman Adam Page is set to face Juice Robinson. Dr.
Britt Baker, D.M.D. will return for a match, although
the opponent hasn't been specified in the latest updates
provided, there was mention of her facing Serena Deeb
in some fan discussions or reports.
Special
Features: The episode is not just about the matches
but also about celebrating five years of AEW Dynamite.
Tony Khan, AEW's President, has teased a significant
announcement which could potentially set the tone
for the future of AEW. This adds an element of anticipation
beyond the in-ring action.
Broadcast
Details: The show will have a significant overrun,
courtesy of TBS Network, indicating more content than
the usual runtime, possibly to accommodate the extra
matches or the celebration elements.
This
anniversary episode is not just a showcase of wrestling
talent but also a milestone for AEW, marking its growth
and the journey it has had over the past five years.
The inclusion of champion vs. champion matches underscores
AEW's commitment to big matches on big nights, promising
fans a memorable event to commemorate this occasion.
(Grok)
News
Danielson
vs. Okada: Title-for-Title Match
On
the 5-year anniversary of AEW Dynamite, a significant
wrestling event is scheduled for October 2, 2024,
in Pittsburgh, PA, where Bryan Danielson, the AEW
World Champion, will face Kazuchika Okada, holder
of the AEW Continental Title. This match is unique
as it features a title-for-title stipulation with
a twist: the Continental Championship, which usually
has a 20-minute time limit, will only be at stake
for the first 20 minutes of the match. However, the
World Championship, with its 60-minute time limit,
will remain in contention for the entire duration.
This setup has sparked varied reactions among wrestling
fans, with some questioning the effectiveness of the
stipulation, while others are excited about the potential
of the match. The event is set to be a highlight of
AEW Dynamite's milestone celebration, pitting two
of wrestling's top talents against each other in what
promises to be a memorable clash. (Grok)
News
Conor
McGregor's Stroll on Emirates Pitch
Conor
McGregor was spotted walking around the Emirates Stadium
pitch following Arsenal's victory over PSG in the
Champions League. Videos and photos showed McGregor
enjoying himself, including interactions with Arsenal
player Declan Rice. This appearance led to various
reactions and discussions online, with many finding
amusement in McGregor's post-match activities. Meanwhile,
Arsenal secured a 2-0 win against PSG, with goals
from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka. The match also marked
the debut of Mikel Merino for Arsenal, who joined
from Real Sociedad. Additionally, Thomas Partey was
highlighted for his exceptional performance during
the game. However, there were concerns about Jurrien
Timber, who felt a muscular issue during the match,
prompting Arsenal to manage his playing time carefully.
(Grok)
Combat
Sports News/Profile via Grok
Combat
sports encompass a wide range of athletic competitions
where the primary objective is to physically subdue
an opponent. Here's a brief overview of some popular
forms:
1.
Boxing
Origin:
Ancient Greece, but modern boxing is often associated
with 18th-19th century England.
Rules:
Competitors use only their fists, wearing gloves,
and aim to score points by landing punches on the
opponent's upper body or head. A fight can end by
knockout (KO), technical knockout (TKO), or points
decision.
2.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Origin:
While various forms of mixed combat have existed historically,
modern MMA was popularized through events like the
UFC starting in the 1990s.
Rules:
Allows a mix of striking and grappling techniques
from various martial arts. Fighters can win by knockout,
submission (tap out), judges' decision, or disqualification.
3.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Origin:
Derived from judo in Brazil in the early 20th century,
made famous by the Gracie family.
Rules:
Emphasizes ground fighting and submission holds. Competitors
aim to force a submission through joint locks or chokeholds.
Points can also be scored for position control and
takedowns.
4.
Wrestling
Freestyle
and Greco-Roman: Common in the Olympics, Greco-Roman
restricts holds below the waist.
Professional
Wrestling (Pro Wrestling): More entertainment-focused,
with choreographed matches, high flying moves, and
storylines.
5.
Kickboxing
Origin:
A group of stand-up combat sports based on kicking
and punching. It evolved from Karate, Muay Thai, and
Western boxing.
Rules:
Similar to boxing but includes kicks. Variants include
allowing knee strikes and elbows (influenced by Muay
Thai).
6.
Muay Thai
Origin:
Thailand, known as the "Art of Eight Limbs"
because it uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees.
Rules:
Similar to kickboxing but with a heavier emphasis
on clinching (a kind of standing grapple) and use
of all eight points of contact.
7.
Judo
Origin:
Japan, developed by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century
as a physical, mental, and moral pedagogy.
Rules:
Based on throws (Nage-waza) and ground techniques
(Katame-waza). The objective is to either throw or
takedown an opponent to the ground, immobilize them,
or force a submission through joint locks or strangles.
8.
Karate
Origin:
Okinawa, Japan, with influences from Chinese martial
arts.
Styles:
Many styles with different focuses, but generally
emphasizes striking with punches, kicks, knee strikes,
and open-hand techniques like knife-hands.
9.
Taekwondo
Origin:
Korea, developed in the 1940s and 1950s.
Rules: Known for its high, fast, and spinning kicks.
Competitors
score points in Olympic Taekwondo for strikes to the
torso or head.
10.
Krav Maga
Origin:
Israel, designed as a self-defense system for the
Israel Defense Forces.
Rules:
Not typically a sport, but some organizations hold
competitions. Focuses on real-world scenarios, aiming
to neutralize threats quickly and efficiently.
Each
combat sport has its unique culture, training methods,
and competitive environments, reflecting diverse historical,
cultural, and practical contexts. If you're interested
in any particular sport, each has its own set of governing
bodies, leagues, and famous athletes or events that
could be explored further! (Grok)
Hotel,
Casino And Gaming News: U.S, Global
October
9, 2024
Hard
Rock Casino Rockford has 2nd largest GGR
Illinois
Hard
Rock Casino Rockford brought in the 2nd highest casino
gambling revenue of any casino operating in Illinois.
In September 2024, Hard Rock Casino Rockford brought
in $13,717,722 in revenue. That makes Rockford’s
casino the second largest in revenue in the state,
behind the Rivers Casino Des Planes, which brought
in $41.5 million in September. The total GGR for Illinois
in September was $138.9 million with 1,140,023 admissions;
the 2023 GGR was $132.1 million with 1,038,436 admissions.
News
Tropicana
implosion paves way for A's stadium
Nevada
The
Tropicana Casino and Resort, one of the last true
mob buildings on the Las Vegas Strip, was reduced
to rubble Wednesday morning. The implosion cleared
land for the proposed $1.5 billion baseball stadium
for the relocating Athletics, which is part of the
city's latest rebrand into a sports hub.
News
Shift
to attract millennials to casinos
Nevada
Innovations
in gaming space and expanding technology in the postpandemic
era continue to attract a new, younger generation
to Las Vegas and its casinos, MGM Resorts International
President Bill Hornbuckle said Tuesday at the Global
Gaming Expo.
News
Allegiant
Stadium to host Gold Cup soccer matches
Nevada
International
soccer will once again kick off at Allegiant Stadium
next summer. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors
Authority approved an event production agreement during
its Tuesday board meeting, including matches in the
CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament in June 2025.
News
Ten
Vegas restaurants together grossed almost $200M in
2023
Nevada
Never
underestimate the power of a seat on the Las Vegas
Strip. Alexxa’s in Paris Las Vegas, which offers
some of the best street-side dining on the boulevard,
was the highest-grossing independent restaurant in
the city in 2023, according to Restaurant Business.
Alexxa’s brought in $28.8 million in food and
drink sales, and about 600,000 meals served. The restaurant
ranked No. 9 on the list…The 10 Vegas restaurants
(all but one on the Strip) in the top 100 together
racked up nearly $200 million in sales for 2023.
News
Revenue
Surges 48% Year-Over-Year in September 2024
West
Virginia
West
Virginia’s sports betting revenue surged in September
2024, seeing a 48% increase compared to the same month
last year…the state generated $7.1 million in
revenue from a $46.4 million handle, marking the second-highest
monthly revenue ever recorded for the state’s
sportsbooks…the total handle—$46.4 million
wagered—was down 7% compared to September 2023.
Casino And Gaming News
Macau
October
2024
Macau's
gaming revenue jumps 15 percent
Macau's
gaming revenue rose 15.5 percent year-on-year in September,
exceeding analysts' forecast as casinos gear up for
one of China's biggest holidays, which usually fuels
travel to the gambling hub.
Gross
gaming revenue reached 17.25 billion patacas (HK$16.73
billion) for the month, according to data released
by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.
The result is compared to the median analyst estimate
of a 14.2 percent increase and has returned to 78
percent of the pre-pandemic level seen in 2019.
The
reporting was still lower than in the previous month,
as September - when children go back to school and
it being a peak typhoon month - is historically a
weak season for Macau.
Expectations
for the Golden Week holiday, which started yesterday,
are high. Advanced bookings for hotel rooms are strong,
with bigger gamblers making reservations earlier than
usual, Citigroup analyst George Choi wrote in a note.
Affluent
players remain able and willing to spend, and the
trend seems to be accelerating, Choi said, citing
a survey of gaming table performances.
Still,
retail sales in Macau have shown signs of weakness.
Lower-spending players appear to be betting less for
the first time since China's reopening from Covid
early last year, according to Choi. It is expected
that this trend will ease as Beijing's recent announcement
of a series of economic stimulus measures boosts disposable
income, he added.
News
Global
Gaming
Eklutna
tribe clears land for anticipated casino
Alaska
A
tribe near Anchorage has begun clearing land for the
possibility that it will soon win federal approval
to build a 50,000-square-foot facility with a tribal
gaming operation. The casino would be the first of
its kind outside Southeast Alaska. The Native Village
of Eklutna has long pursued the idea of building the
gaming hall on 8 acres of land…The parcel is
in Birchwood, about 20 miles northeast of downtown
Anchorage.
News
Julapun
pushes for talks on casino complex plan
Thailand
Deputy
Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat is calling on
all relevant state agencies to discuss the government's
push to allow casinos to operate within entertainment
complexes. He hopes the discussion can be concluded
by the middle of the month. He said the discussion
will focus on the mechanism for tax collection, as
there are restrictions in the State Fiscal and Financial
Disciplines Act that the government must adhere to.
News
Nevada
Sports
Betting Revenue Grows in August
Nevada
sports betting posted August gains in handle and revenue,
total August volume surpassed $455.2 million, a boost
from the $431.6 million bet during the same month
last year. Nevada sports betting operators cleared
$25 million behind a 5.5% August win rate…The
5.5% hold for NV sportsbooks is one of the lowest
this year, though on par with the market’s average
win rate of less than 6%.
News
Florida
Slot
revenue rises to $54.9 million in August
Florida
Gaming Control Commission has revealed that the state’s
non-tribal casinos collected almost $54.9 million
in net slot revenue in August from around $825.6 million
in wagers. That’s a 1.5 percent year-on-year
increase from the $54.1 million generated in August
2023. With 1,236 machines, Harrah’s Pompano Beach
Casino, reported as the Isle Casino & Racing at
Pompano Park, led with $9.8 million of the total.
News
Pete
Rose dies at age 83
Pete
Rose, baseball’s career hits leader and fallen
idol who undermined his historic achievements and
Hall of Fame dreams by gambling on the game he loved
and once embodied, has died. He was 83. Stephanie
Wheatley, a spokesperson for Clark County in Nevada,
confirmed on behalf of the medical examiner that Rose
died Monday. Wheatley said his cause and manner of
death had not yet been determined. Rose is in the
WWE Hall of Fame (Celebrity Wing) Rose was grabbed
around the neck in a staged skit by the late, great,
Andre The Giant. And yes, there are some WWE themed
slot games, mainly found in Vegas, Atlantic City and
Florida from what the foot soldiers tell us.
News
Australia
Star
Sydney could be worth as little as $8m: Barrenjoey
consultants; Star Entertainment’s Sydney casino
has emerged as a laggard in the troubled company’s
property portfolio with one estimate putting its valuation
as low as $8m!
News
Atlantic
City
Atlantic
City hotels defeat latest class action over casino
room rates
Major
casino-hotel operators in Atlantic City including
Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts have persuaded
a U.S. judge to dismiss a proposed consumer class
action accusing them and a revenue management platform
of overcharging for room rentals.
U.S.
District Judge Karen Williams in Camden, New Jersey,
ruled, opens new tab on Tuesday that the consumers
had failed to present enough evidence to let their
price-fixing lawsuit move ahead.
Williams
dismissed the consumers’ lawsuit with prejudice,
meaning it cannot be filed again. The case was part
of a wave of new lawsuits claiming the use of revenue
management platforms that rely on rivals' data can
be deemed price-fixing.
The
judge’s ruling marked a second setback for plaintiffs
claiming that major hotels schemed to artificially
jack up room rates. Consumers in a related case have
appealed a Nevada federal judge’s order dismissing
their lawsuit against Wynn Resorts, Caesars and others.
In
both cases, the plaintiffs alleged hotel owners fed
sensitive internal information — such as real-time
price and occupancy data — to a shared software
platform that offered pricing recommendations.
The
hotels and the software maker, Cendyn, which was also
a defendant, have denied any wrongdoing.
Representatives
from Cendyn, Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts and
Hard Rock on Tuesday did not immediately respond to
messages seeking comment.
The
plaintiffs’ attorneys in the New Jersey case
at law firms Lite DePalma Greenberg & Afanador;
Burns Charest; and Susman Godfrey did not immediately
respond to a similar request.
The
consumers said in their lawsuit that the hotels used
Cendyn’s “Rainmaker” software “as
their shared pricing brain” that “does all
the hard work for them.”
They
said “while the AI-driven technology at issue
may be fairly novel, the underlying conduct is not.”
(Wires)
Casinos/Profile
via Grok
Here's
an overview of the latest updates and trends regarding
casinos as of October 2024, based on the information
available:
Global
Expansion and New Developments:
Jamaica
is re-opening the application period for an integrated
casino-resort license, indicating interest in expanding
its tourism and entertainment offerings through casino
gaming.
Norfolk,
Virginia has given final approval for a new casino
project, which will likely contribute to local tourism
and economy, reflecting a trend where cities are increasingly
seeing casinos as economic development tools.
Japan
and UAE are among the regions moving towards establishing
casino facilities, aiming to attract tourists. However,
these might be restricted to non-locals, a common
practice to control potential social impacts of gambling
within the local population.
New
York continues to explore online gambling legislation,
which could significantly expand the casino industry's
reach in the state by legalizing online casinos.
Economic
Performance:
Nevada,
particularly Las Vegas, reported a slight decline
in casino winnings for August 2024 compared to the
previous year, suggesting possible market saturation
or shifts in gambling preferences towards other forms
like online betting.
Innovation
and Entertainment:
Steve
Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, has proposed
an $8 billion casino and entertainment complex next
to Citi Field, illustrating how casinos are increasingly
integrated with sports and entertainment complexes
to offer multifaceted experiences.
Technological
and Gaming Trends:
There's
a noted trend towards tightening up on various casino
offerings like comps, free play, and even slot machine
payouts, possibly in response to increased competition
from online gambling platforms and a need to adjust
profit margins.
Online
Gambling continues to grow, with platforms like Ignition
Casino, Cafe Casino, and DuckyLuck Casino highlighted
for their offerings in the U.S. This reflects a broader
shift towards digital platforms, where convenience,
a variety of games, and bonuses are key attractions.
Security
and Social Responsibility:
Casinos
globally are enhancing their surveillance and security
measures, often referred to as "the eye in the
sky," to combat cheating and fraud, ensuring
a safer environment for all patrons.
There's
an ongoing emphasis on responsible gambling, with
various regions implementing measures and support
systems for gamblers, recognizing the potential social
and economic impacts of casino gambling.
Market
Sentiment:
From
posts on X (formerly Twitter), there's a mix of excitement
about new casino developments and concerns over the
tightening of casino offerings, suggesting a complex
relationship between gamblers and the industry.
In
summary, the casino industry in 2024 is witnessing
expansion into new markets, integration with broader
entertainment complexes, technological adaptation
towards online platforms, and a strategic focus on
security and responsible gambling. This reflects an
industry evolving to meet new consumer behaviors,
technological capabilities, and regulatory environments.
(Grok)
Casino News/Profile via Grok
The
term "casino" refers to a facility where
gambling activities take place, which often integrates
with other entertainment options like hotels, restaurants,
and live shows, making it a central hub for leisure
and gambling. Here's an overview based on current
insights and historical context:
Evolution
of Casinos: Originating from the Venetian Ridotto
in 1638, casinos have evolved from exclusive gambling
houses to multifaceted entertainment centers. Today,
they are known for merging traditional gambling with
modern technology, offering everything from classic
table games to digital slots and live dealer sessions.
Modern
Online Casinos: The digital age has ushered in online
casinos, providing an accessible platform for gambling
from anywhere. These platforms, like those highlighted
in recent promotions on X, offer various incentives
such as bonuses for new sign-ups, free spins, and
the integration of cryptocurrencies for transactions,
enhancing user engagement with promises like "deposit
now and receive FREE BTC!" This reflects a trend
towards digital currencies in gambling for increased
security, anonymity, and efficiency.
Cultural
Impact and Controversy: Casinos, both physical and
online, are not without controversy. They're often
discussed in terms of their societal impact, including
issues like gambling addiction. A perspective shared
on X questions the legality and morality of state-run
casinos like Holland Casino in the Netherlands, pointing
out the potential for addiction due to high stakes
gambling, contrasting it with smaller community events
like bingo nights.
Entertainment
Beyond Gambling: Besides gambling, casinos are pivotal
in the entertainment industry, hosting concerts, stand-up
comedy, and even sports events. This diversification
aims at attracting a broader audience, not just gamblers,
enhancing their appeal as comprehensive entertainment
hubs.
Global
Presence: Casinos like Marina Bay Sands in Singapore
and those along the Las Vegas Strip are not just gambling
venues but architectural marvels and economic powerhouses,
contributing significantly to local economies through
tourism.
Technological
and Thematic Innovation: Modern casinos incorporate
advanced technology for surveillance and game fairness,
alongside themes that range from historical to futuristic,
creating immersive environments for visitors.
Community
and Legal Perspectives: There's an ongoing debate
about the accessibility of casinos to locals, especially
in regions where gambling might be viewed as culturally
or legally sensitive. This reflects in discussions
on platforms like X, where the impact of allowing
locals into casinos like in Vietnam is pondered, weighing
tourism benefits against social costs.
In
summary, "casino" in today's context represents
more than just gambling; it's a convergence of technology,
entertainment, and sometimes, societal debate. The
integration of online platforms and cryptocurrencies
is pushing the boundaries of traditional gambling,
making it more inclusive yet sparking discussions
on regulation, addiction, and societal impact. (Grok)
Donald
Trump Bitcoin Conference Keynote
https://youtube.com/watch?v=9UxAUryUKXM&ab_channel=BitcoinMagazine
Donald
Trump delivers his keynote address at the Bitcoin
Conference 2024. In a groundbreaking speech at the
Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, former President
Donald Trump outlines his vision for a crypto-friendly
America. Trump promises to end the current administration's
"anti-crypto crusade" and positions himself
as the first major party nominee to accept Bitcoin
donations. He pledges to fire SEC Chairman Gary Gensler,
create a Presidential Crypto Advisory Council, and
keep all government-held Bitcoin. Trump's address
covers a wide range of topics, from energy policy
to inflation, connecting them all to the future of
Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in America. He vows to
make the U.S. the "crypto capital of the planet"
and a "Bitcoin superpower," promising regulatory
clarity and economic prosperity for the industry.
This
video is a must-watch for anyone interested in the
intersection of politics and cryptocurrency. Lower
your time preference and lock-in your Bitcoin 2025
conference tickets today!!! (Credit: Bitcoin Magazine
@BitcoinMagazine
/Bitcoin 2024)
Click
Here: http://b.tc/conference/2025
#djt
Websites
Bitcoin
Magazine
https://bitcoinmagazine.com
Bitcoin
Magazine:
NEWS:
DONALD TRUMP TO SPEAK AT BITCOIN 2024 CONFERENCE IN
NASHVILLE
https://bitcoinmagazine.com/business/donald-trump-to-speak-at-bitcoin-2024-conference-in-nashville
Bitcoin
Magazine YouTube
https://youtube.com/@BitcoinMagazine
Movie
Box Office (North America)
September
29, 2024
1.
Wild Robot - $35m
2.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - $16m
3.
Transformers One - $9.3m
4.
Devara Part 1 - $5.6m
5.
Speak No Evil - $4.3m
6.
Megalopolis - $4m
7.
Deadpool & Wolverine - $2.79m
8.
My Old Ass - $2.2m
9.
Never Let Go - $2.2m
10.
The Substance - $1.6m
others
Am
I Racist
Reagan
Jung
Kook: I Am Still
Alien:
Romulus
The
Killer's Game
It
Ends with Us
The
Forge
God's
Not Dead: In God We Trust
Twisters
Blink
Twice
Despicable
Me 4
Afraid
Inside
Out 2
Coraline
The
Crow
Trap
Stree
2
Borderlands
Harold
and the Purple Crayon
Cuckoo
Longlegs
The
Firing Squad
A
Quiet Place: Day One
Bad
Boys: Ride or Die
The
Fabulous Four
Fly
Me to the Moon
Raayan
Bad
Newz
MaXXXine
The
Bikeriders
Sound
of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot
Horizon:
An American Saga
The
Lion King
Kalki
2898 AD
Kinds
of Kindness
The
Garfield Movie
Kingdom
of the Planet of the Apes
Jatt
& Juliet 3
Blue
Lock Thee Movie - Episode Nagi
Daddio
Janet
Planet
The
Watchers
IF
The
Exorcism
Thelma
GHOST
Rite Here Rite Now
Furiosa:
A Mad Max Story
The
Fall Guy
The
Strangers: Chapter 1
The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
Haikyuu!!
The Dumpster Battle
In
a Violent Nature
Ezra
Sight
*
Correct at time of publication
News
Box
office numbers down approx 70 percent from last year
(References:
Wikipedia, Box Office Mojo, IMDb, Deadline and The
Hollywood Reporter)
Pro
Wrestling Fantasy Booking: Pop Culture Dream Matches.
Claymation and MTV 'Celebrity Death Match' Elements
Logan
Paul vs Oz. Special Ref, The Wizard, Chris Jericho
Donald
Trump vs Pence - Cage Match
VKM
vs Shane McMahon
Bronson
Reed vs Godzilla
Braun
Strowman vs King Kong
Roman
Reigns vs Black Adam
Hulk
Hogan vs The Hulk
Rey
Mysterio vs Chavez
Jake
Paul vs Dana White
The
Rock vs Starks
Rhea
Ripley vs She Hulk
Sol
Ruca vs Silver Surfer. Special Ref: Gidget
Nia
Jax vs Kamala
Liv
Morgan vs Jill Biden
Gunther
vs Steven Segal
South
Park Kenny vs Wild Coyote. Special Ref: John Cena
Elon
Musk and Mark Zuckerberg vs NWO
Assange
vs Paldemic QLD
Mr
V vs Kim Dotcom
Karrion
Kross vs Klaus. Special Ref: Mr X
123
Kid vs Ricky
Khan
vs Khan - Winner Take All
Sean
Strickland vs Justin Trudeau
Yankem
and Baker DMD vs Lynch and Right To Censor. Special
Enforcer: Dr Fakey
Logan
Roy vs The Family - Succession Stipulation
Mike
Tyson vs Dirty Dom. Special Ref: Santos Escobar
Deadpool
vs Wolverine - Special Ref: Stan Lee
Cain
vs Abel
David
vs Goliath
Neo
vs Agent Smith
UFC
News MMA
News Combat
Sports
Renato
Moicano vs Benoît Saint Denis
Accor
Arena
Paris, France
September
28, 2024
Combat
Sports
UFC
Fight Night: Paris
Renato
Moicano vs Benoît Saint Denis
Accor
Arena
Paris, France
September
28, 2024
Renato
Moicano vs Benoît Saint Denis
Nassourdine
Imavov vs Brendan Allen
William
Gomis vs Joanderson Brito
Kevin
Jousset vs Bryan Battle
Morgan
Charriere vs Gabriel Miranda
Fares
Ziam vs Matt Frevola
Prelims:
Ion
Cutelaba vs Ivan Erslan
Oumar
Sy vs Da Woon Jung
Ludovit
Klein vs Roosevelt Roberts
Taylor
Lapilus vs Vince Morales
Daria
Zhelezniakova vs Ailin Perez
Daniel
Barez vs Victor Altamirano
Nora
Cornolle vs Jacqueline Cavalcante
Bolaji
Oki vs Chris Duncan
Videos
Benoit
Saint Denis: "I Need To Put On A Top Performance
Against Moicano!" | UFC Paris
https://youtube.com/watch?v=0PIeXFNemO0
UFC
Paris: Post-Fight Press Conference
https://youtube.com/watch?v=0VrfiAy18AA
UFC
Paris: Ceremonial Weigh-In
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rLb22CmYJgQ
Websites
UFC
https://ufc.com
UFC
Fight Night Paris
https://ufc.com/event/ufc-fight-night-september-28-2024
UFC
YouTube
https://youtube.com/@ufc
Media
Man Scribe: Pop Culture reference: The Frenchman vs
Neo and/or Agent Smith! Frenchmen with historical
home turf advantage. Likely more pure sport and much
less politics than say the Paris Olympics for example
old sport! The battle for your pop culture budget
and eyeballs continues! Dog eat dog. French Poodles
vs American Pitbull's and other tough breeds and pedigree
of pro fighters.
News
UFC
News Bonus
Pro
Wrestling Tsar Vince McMahon Didn't Want To Buy The
UFC; Son Shane McMahon Did
“At
the time, the UFC, they got in some financial problems
and came to us and said ‘would you like to purchase
the UFC?’” Shane revealed in the new Netflix
documentary series Mr. McMahon. “I go this is
cool.
“I
said ‘Dad, let’s just go for this one.’
I thought we could really grow that brand because
it’s tailor made for what we do. We have a production
team, we have a live events team, we had a merchandising
team, we have all of it just ready to go. So to me
it was plug and play.” Shane McMahon
Vince
McMahon:
“When
it was presented in terms of buying UFC, I didn’t
like that business model,” Vince explained. “Because
our business model, you can create characters much
like Disney or someone else and we can use them forever.
“As
opposed to a boxer/UFC [fighter], once you’re
beat, once you’re hurt or something, your career’s
over. We’re in show business. That’s a sport.”
Vince McMahon
News
via Grok
UFC
Paris Event Anticipation
The
upcoming UFC event in Paris, scheduled for Saturday,
has sparked significant interest, particularly highlighted
by the debut of local fighter Morgan Charriere, known
as 'The Last Pirate.' The event features a mix of
local and international talent, with key matchups
including Bryan Battle versus Kevin Jousset, where
Jousset is favored due to home advantage. French fighters
have historically performed well at UFC Paris, influencing
betting trends towards potential upsets and high-value
bets. The event also includes an interactive fan engagement
component, with live discussions and fight breakdowns
available online. The main event features Moicano,
known for his ground game, against Benoit St. Denis,
adding to the anticipation of the event. (Grok)
News
UFC
Paris Event Preview
The
UFC is set to host an event in Paris, #UFCParis, featuring
several notable fighters including Vince Morales,
Oumar Sy, and Morgan Chapa. Vince Morales is making
a comeback to the UFC, aiming to prove himself after
a previous stint. Oumar Sy is focused on maintaining
his undefeated record and gaining fan respect, while
Morgan Chapa returns to fight in front of a home crowd.
The event has generated significant interest, with
discussions and predictions circulating widely. Key
matchups include Moicano vs. Benoit St. Denis, highlighted
by artistic portraits of the fighters. The event will
be live on ESPNPlus, with fights scheduled for Saturday,
showcasing a mix of returning fighters and debuts,
all aiming to make memorable performances in Paris.
(Grok)
News
UFC
Paris: Anticipation and Betting Insights
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to host
an event in Paris, known as UFC Paris, this Saturday.
The event features a lineup of notable fighters including
Bryan Battle, Vince Morales, and Oumar Sy, with the
latter aiming to keep his undefeated record intact.
The card also includes the debut of French fighter
'The Last Pirate' Morgan Chapa. The main event will
see a clash between Benoit Saint-Denis and Renato
Moicano, with significant attention on Moicano's ground
game. French fighters have historically performed
well at UFC Paris, holding an impressive record against
non-French opponents in previous events. Discussions
and analyses around the event include fighter performances,
betting odds, and predictions, with various platforms
and personalities offering insights into the upcoming
matches. (Grok)
News
UFC
Paris: Anticipated Home Crowd Advantage
The
upcoming UFC Paris event is set to feature significant
matchups, including Morgan Chapa's debut in front
of a home crowd and Bryan Battle's fight against Kevin
Jousset, where Battle aims to prove his elite status.
French fighters have historically performed well in
Paris, contributing to the high anticipation for this
event. Analysts and fans are actively discussing potential
outcomes, with a focus on betting trends that favor
fighters like Benoit St. Denis due to past performances.
The event has also seen promotional activities like
media days and the distribution of fighter portraits,
enhancing the event's cultural significance. Discussions
around the event highlight the strategic analyses
of matchups, with underdogs and the home advantage
of French fighters being key talking points. (Grok)
News
Grok
News
Diaz
vs. Luque Rescheduled for UFC 310
The
latest information available up to September 25, 2024,
confirms that Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque is being
rescheduled for UFC 310, which is set to take place
on December 7, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las
Vegas, Nevada. This match was initially supposed to
happen earlier but was postponed due to travel issues.
Now, both fighters are set to collide in what's being
described as a significant return for Nick Diaz, who
hasn't secured a victory since 2011, and for Vicente
Luque, who's looking to bounce back from recent losses.
This fight is part of the UFC's final pay-per-view
event of 2024, marking a notable event in the MMA
calendar with fans and commentators eagerly awaiting
this matchup. (Grok)
News
Dustin
Poirier and Dan Hooker Rematch Speculation
Dustin
Poirier and Dan Hooker have publicly engaged in a
discussion about a potential UFC rematch. Hooker initially
hinted at wanting another fight, to which Poirier
responded skeptically, suggesting Hooker might not
truly desire the rematch. This exchange has sparked
interest among fans and MMA enthusiasts, with opinions
divided on whether Poirier should fight Hooker again
or face Justin Gaethje instead. Many believe Poirier
could have an advantage over Hooker in a second bout,
given their past encounter and how both fighters have
evolved. (Grok)
News
Media
Man: Pumped for many of the upcoming UFC bouts.
Media
Man Int
Combat
Sports (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://mediamanint.com/combat_sports.html
UFC
News (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://mediamanint.com/ufc_news.html
MMA
News (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://mediamanint.com/mma_news.html
Sports
News (Media Man Int) *in progress
Movie
Box Office (North America)
September 22, 2024
1.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - $26m
2.
Transformers One: - $25m
3.
Speak No Evil - $5.9m
4.Never
Let Go - $4.5m
5.
Deadpool & Wolverine - $3.9m
6.
The Substance - $3.1m
7.
Am I Racist - $2.5m
8.
Reagan - $1.7m
9.
Jung Kook: I Am Still - $1.4m
10.
Alien: Romulus - $1.3m
others
...
The
Killer's Game
It
Ends with Us
The
Forge
od's
Not Dead: In God We Trust
Twisters
Blink
Twice
Despicable
Me 4
Afraid
Inside
Out 2
Coraline
The
Crow
Trap
Stree
2
Borderlands
Harold
and the Purple Crayon
Cuckoo
Longlegs
The
Firing Squad
A
Quiet Place: Day One
Bad
Boys: Ride or Die
The
Fabulous Four
Fly
Me to the Moon
Raayan
Bad
Newz
MaXXXine
The
Bikeriders
Sound
of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot
Horizon:
An American Saga
The
Lion King
Kalki
2898 AD
Kinds
of Kindness
The
Garfield Movie
Kingdom
of the Planet of the Apes
Jatt
& Juliet 3
Blue
Lock Thee Movie - Episode Nagi
Daddio
Janet
Planet
The
Watchers
IF
The
Exorcism
Thelma
GHOST
Rite Here Rite Now
Furiosa:
A Mad Max Story
The
Fall Guy
The
Strangers: Chapter 1
The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
Haikyuu!!
The Dumpster Battle
In
a Violent Nature
Ezra
Sight
*
Correct at time of publication
News
Box
office numbers down approx 70 percent from last year
(References:
Wikipedia, Box Office Mojo, IMDb, Deadline and The
Hollywood Reporter)
Movie
Box Office (North America)
September
15, 2024
1.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - $51.6m
2.
Speak No Evil - $11.5
3.
Deadpool & Wolverine - $5.2m
4.
Am I Racist - $4.8m
5.
Reagan - $3m
6.
The Killer's Game - $2.6m
7.
Alien: Romulus - $2.4m
8.
It Ends with Us - $2.3m
9.
The Forge - $2m
10.
God's Not Dead: In God We Trust - $1.5m
others
...
Twisters
Blink
Twice
Despicable
Me 4
Afraid
Inside
Out 2
Coraline
The
Crow
Trap
Stree
2
Borderlands
Harold
and the Purple Crayon
Cuckoo
Longlegs
The
Firing Squad
A
Quiet Place: Day One
Bad
Boys: Ride or Die
The
Fabulous Four
Fly
Me to the Moon
Raayan
Bad
Newz
MaXXXine
The
Bikeriders
Sound
of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot
Horizon:
An American Saga
The
Lion King
Kalki
2898 AD
Kinds
of Kindness
The
Garfield Movie
Kingdom
of the Planet of the Apes
Jatt
& Juliet 3
Blue
Lock Thee Movie - Episode Nagi
Daddio
Janet
Planet
The
Watchers
IF
The
Exorcism
Thelma
GHOST
Rite Here Rite Now
Furiosa:
A Mad Max Story
The
Fall Guy
The
Strangers: Chapter 1
The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
Haikyuu!!
The Dumpster Battle
In
a Violent Nature
Ezra
Sight
*
Correct at time of publication
News
Box
office numbers down approx 70 percent from last year
(References:
Wikipedia, Box Office Mojo, IMDb, Deadline and The
Hollywood Reporter)
Pro
Wrestling
WWE
Raw
Scotiabank
Saddledome
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
September
9, 2024
Full
Raw highlights: Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHGULgW_fDU&t=13s&ab_channel=WWE
"Oh
God. Howie is stirring" Wade Barrett
"Uncle
Howdy staring down Gable and Gable not looking for
Rowan who came flying in" Joe Tessitore
"Onto
the steel stairs" JT
"That
Iron Claw slam from Erik Rowan" Wade Barrett
"This
one is as good as over. Get him in the ring. Pin that
man. And mercyfully this carnage will finally be over"
WB
"With
all due respect Bret, but your not in my league"
Gunther
"Hockey
style punch up right here in Calgary" WB
"And
Drew I can assure you of this. When its over, and
it will be over, I'm going to find peace. And you
know why I'm going to find peace. I'm going to find
peace 'cause I'll know in my heart that it will be
over and its going to be over because October, Atlanta,
Georgia, Bad Blood, it will be CM Punk. It will be
Drew McIntyre. It will be Hell In A Cell" Adam
Pearce
"Oh,
let's go" JT
Fans
cheer
Bret Hart returns home to Raw in Calgary: Raw, Sept.
9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evRp3gGxIrg&ab_channel=WWE
Drew
McIntyre will face CM Punk inside Hell in a Cell at
Bad Blood: Raw highlights, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRcQhjaxLkY&t=3s&ab_channel=WWE
Drew
McIntyre to Wade Barrett: “Stay out of my business”:
Raw highlights, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkfpnQc3UUw&ab_channel=WWE
Natalya
helps Lyra Valkyria & Zelina Vega def. Pure Fusion
Collective: Raw highlights, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yemWPWKPJIY&ab_channel=WWE
FULL
MATCH: Jey Uso wins Intercontinental Title No. 1 Contender’s
Tournament: Raw, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7usaFHDITo&t=5s&ab_channel=WWE
Jey
Uso is focused on becoming a singles champion: Raw
exclusive, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rzOTentGAQ&t=6s&ab_channel=WWE
The
Judgment Day ambush The Terror Twins: Raw highlights,
Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOC0W5swIcA&ab_channel=WWE
Liv
Morgan helps steal win for “Dirty” Dom as
Judgment Day brawls with The LWO: Raw, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa-6fCUHPUI&ab_channel=WWE
The
Wyatt Sicks conquer American Made in a Street Fight:
Raw highlights, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLzsxsdjoyo&t=11s&ab_channel=WWE
Survivor
Series: War Games comes to Vancouver - Tickets on
sale this Friday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFsLqanLseQ&ab_channel=WWE
Recap
Wyatt
Sicks vs American Made - Street Fight
Bret
"The Hitman" Hart to appear!
CM
Punk & McIntyre appearance
"Dirty"
Dom vs Dragon Lee - mask in danger thanks to Judgement
Day?
WWE
I/C Contenders Match
Superheroes
vs Fyre and Dawn. WWE Women's Tag Team Title
and
more.
Bret
Hart returns to Raw tonight: WWE Now, Sept. 9, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXObhqqFXXI&ab_channel=WWE
Media
Man: Pumped. Buzz for CM Punk and Drew McIntyre. McIntyre
as seen in the upcoming movie, 'The Killers Game'
Fantasy Booking: Hitman Hart vs Killer McIntyre in
a steel cage! How about it CM Punk? Gonzo Pro Wrestling
scribe! Strong thumbs up.
Media
Man Int
WWE
News (Media Man Int)
www.mediamanint.com/wwe_news.html
USA
Network (Media Man Int)
www.mediamanint.com/usa_network.html
Pop
Culture (Media Man Int)
www.mediamanint.com/pop_culture.html
Gaming
News Via X Grok
X
And Grok Help Gamers New And Old, Novice And Expert
Navigate The World Of Gaming; News Publishers Enjoy
Elements Of Gamification With Elon Musk Grok Offerings;
Game Publishers And Insiders Enjoy Bonus: Media Man
Given
the date provided and considering the trends in gaming
up to my last update, here are some fantasy RPG recommendations
that you might enjoy as of 2024:
Elden
Ring - Although released before 2024, this game by
FromSoftware in collaboration with George R.R. Martin
has likely retained its popularity due to its expansive
world, deep lore, and challenging gameplay. If you
haven't played it yet, it's a must-try for any fantasy
RPG enthusiast.
Final
Fantasy XVI - Assuming it has been released by now,
this installment was highly anticipated for its darker,
more mature storyline and real-time combat system,
moving away from some of the series' traditional turn-based
or hybrid combat mechanics.
Baldur's
Gate 3 - If you're into more traditional CRPG experiences
with modern graphics and storytelling, this game should
be fully released by 2024. Developed by Larian Studios,
it's based on the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
ruleset, offering deep role-playing mechanics.
Avowed
- Obsidian Entertainment's first-person RPG set in
the world of Eora (from the Pillars of Eternity series).
Given Obsidian's track record with RPGs, this game
should be on your radar if you're looking for a new
fantasy world to dive into.
Dragon
Age: The Veilguard (previously known by the working
title "Dragon Age 4") - If BioWare sticks
to its tradition of deep storytelling and complex
characters, this game should be a significant entry
in the fantasy RPG genre by 2024.
Fable
- The reboot or continuation of the Fable series by
Playground Games should be out or at least closer
to release by now. Known for its humor, British folklore-inspired
setting, and moral choices, it's a classic franchise
getting a modern makeover.
The
Elder Scrolls VI - While there's a slim chance it
might not be released by September 2024, if it has,
it would undoubtedly be one of the biggest fantasy
RPG releases, given the legacy of the series.
If
you're looking for something less mainstream or from
indie developers:
Hollow
Knight: Silksong - While more of a Metroidvania than
a traditional RPG, its fantasy elements, intricate
world, and lore make it a fantastic choice for fantasy
lovers.
Genshin
Impact - Although it's been out for a while, by 2024,
it would have received numerous updates, expanding
its world and story, making it worth revisiting or
starting if you haven't yet.
Remember,
the gaming landscape can change rapidly with new announcements
and releases, so if there's something more recent
or if you want details on games post-2024, you might
want to check the latest releases or upcoming games.
Would you like me to search for any updates or more
recent releases since my last knowledge update? (Grok)
News
Recommend
a fantasy RPG game
Given
your request for a fantasy RPG recommendation up to
my last update, here are some timeless and highly
acclaimed options:
The
Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - This game remains one of the
best in the fantasy RPG genre. Its rich narrative,
complex characters, and a beautifully crafted open
world filled with monsters, magic, and moral dilemmas
make it a must-play. Even by 2024, it holds up due
to its depth and the sheer quality of its content.
Baldur's
Gate 3 - Developed by Larian Studios, this game brings
the Dungeons & Dragons universe to life with modern
graphics and gameplay mechanics. Although it was in
early access for a while, by 2024, it should be fully
released with extensive content, offering deep role-playing
experiences, strategic combat, and a high level of
interactivity with the environment and NPCs.
Elder
Scrolls V: Skyrim - Although older, Skyrim's modding
community keeps it fresh. Its vast open world, endless
quests, and the freedom to play as any type of character
you wish (from a stealthy archer to a powerful mage)
ensure it remains relevant. By 2024, there might even
be new mods or perhaps official updates or remasters.
Dragon
Age: Inquisition - If you're into a blend of strategy
in combat with deep storytelling, this game offers
a rich fantasy world where your decisions impact the
narrative significantly. Its character development
and interaction are particularly praised.
Divinity:
Original Sin 2 - This game offers an incredibly interactive
world where almost every action has a reaction. Its
turn-based combat system is deeply strategic, and
the ability to play in co-op adds a unique layer to
the RPG experience.
Final
Fantasy XV - For something with a different flavor
but still deeply rooted in fantasy, FFXV combines
real-time combat with an epic story of friendship,
duty, and magic. Its open-world exploration in a more
modern setting might appeal if you're looking for
a change from medieval fantasy.
If
there have been any new releases or updates in the
fantasy RPG genre since my last update, they might
also be worth checking out. Would you like me to search
for any recent developments or new games in the fantasy
RPG scene since 2024 began? (Grok)
News
Madden
NFL 25
Madden
NFL 25 would be the next installment in the long-running
Madden NFL series by EA Sports, expected to celebrate
the 25th anniversary of the franchise, assuming EA
continues with its annual release schedule. Here's
what you might expect or would like to know about
Madden NFL 25 as of my last update:
Release
Date: Traditionally, Madden games are released in
August, just before the start of the NFL season. For
Madden NFL 25, you might expect a release around mid-August
2024.
Platforms:
It would likely be available on current-gen consoles
like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and possibly
on PC. Given the timeline, it might still appear on
PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, though the focus is increasingly
on newer technology.
New
Features: EA Sports often introduces new gameplay
mechanics, improved AI, and enhanced graphics with
each iteration. For the 25th anniversary, there might
be special features or modes celebrating the history
of the game or significant NFL moments.
Cover
Athlete: The choice of cover athlete is always a big
deal. Given it's a milestone year, they might choose
a legendary player or someone who has had a significant
impact on the sport recently. However, as of my last
update, no official announcement would have been made.
Ultimate
Team: Madden Ultimate Team (MUT) will likely see updates
with new challenges, players, and possibly integration
with real-world NFL events or special anniversary
cards.
Franchise
Mode: Fans often clamor for improvements in Franchise
Mode. EA might focus on deeper simulation aspects,
more realistic player development, contract negotiations,
or even historical team play for the anniversary.
Graphics
and Physics: With each edition, there's an expectation
for better player models, stadiums, and more realistic
physics. The 25th might push these boundaries further,
especially with the capabilities of newer consoles.
Soundtrack:
Madden games are also known for their soundtracks.
A special anniversary edition might include a mix
of classic tracks from previous games or a completely
new lineup that resonates with both old and new fans.
Legacy
Features: Considering the anniversary, there might
be throwback modes or the ability to play with classic
teams in their historical forms or even recreate famous
games from NFL history within Madden.
If
there have been any announcements or leaks since my
last update, they would provide more concrete details.
If you're curious about specifics like the cover athlete,
exact features, or any gameplay trailers, you might
want to check the latest news or EA's official channels
for the most current information. Would you like me
to look up any recent developments regarding Madden
NFL 25? (Grok)
News
Call
of Duty Season 6 Launch Details
Call
of Duty Season 6, themed around "The Haunting,"
is set to launch on September 18, 2024, across Modern
Warfare III and Warzone. Here are the key details
based on the information available:
Thematic
Content: This season heavily leans into Halloween
and horror themes, bringing back the popular event
"The Haunting." This includes special modes,
skins, and maps with a spooky twist.
New
Weapons: Players can unlock two new weapons through
the Battle Pass:
DTIR 30-06 Battle Rifle
Kastov LSW Light Machine Gun
Maps
and Modes:
Multiplayer: A new map named "Drive Thru"
and six additional map remakes, including five new
Shipment variants like Ghost Ship, Arena Shipment,
Sunny Shipment, Bit-ment, and Stay High.
Warzone:
Features like a nighttime variant of Rebirth Island,
the return of Zombie Royale, and a new mode called
Purgatory, which is described as a squad-based LTM
on a Hellspawn map variant.
Operators
and Skins: The season introduces several horror-themed
operators and skins:
Michael Myers from Halloween makes a return since
his last appearance in Call of Duty: Ghosts.
Other characters include Daryl Dixon from The Walking
Dead, Art the Clown from Terrifier, Sam from Trick
'r Treat, and eerie versions of Valeria and Makarov.
Events
and Activities:
Events like "The Walking Dead: Road to Terminus,"
"Trick r' Treat: Candy Hunt," and "Purgatory
Island" in Warzone.
A special event "MWIII Rewind" to bid farewell
to Modern Warfare III before the launch of Call of
Duty: Black Ops 6.
Xbox
Game Pass: Modern Warfare III becomes the first Call
of Duty title to join Xbox Game Pass with Season 6.
Battle Pass and Bundles: The season pass includes
various horror-themed rewards, and there are special
bundles available in the store featuring themed skins
and tracers.
Warzone
Specifics: Warzone will see the introduction of macabre
backdrops, with areas like Vondel getting a night
version, and there's an emphasis on Zombies mode with
free Rift Runs and increased schematic recovery.
Remember,
these details are based on announcements and posts
found on X, reflecting the excitement and thematic
content planned for Season 6 of Call of Duty, focusing
on providing a horror-filled gaming experience as
Halloween approaches. (Grok)
News
WWE
2K24
"WWE
2K24" is the latest installment in the WWE 2K
series, released with a variety of features aimed
at enhancing the gaming experience:
Release
and Platforms: The game was released around early
March 2024, available on multiple platforms including
PlayStation, Xbox, and for the first time, it was
also optimized for the latest generation consoles
with enhanced graphics and gameplay mechanics.
Game
Modes:
MyRISE:
This mode allows players to embark on unique career
arcs in the men's and women's divisions, crafting
their journey to WWE stardom with original storylines.
MyGM:
Players can take control as a General Manager, overseeing
WWE brands, managing rivalries, and aiming for supremacy
in the WWE universe with expanded features like more
match types and cutscenes.
Universe
Mode: Offers a sandbox experience where players can
develop feuds, create weekly shows, and more, now
with support for double-title matches and enhanced
rivalry actions.
Showcase
of the Immortals: This feature focuses on WrestleMania's
most iconic moments, using Slingshot Tech to transition
between gameplay and live-action footage, providing
an immersive experience.
Roster:
The game boasts a comprehensive roster including legends
like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, The Undertaker,
Andre the Giant, and current stars like Cody Rhodes,
John Cena, Rhea Ripley, and Roman Reigns.
New
Match Types: WWE 2K24 introduces several new match
types including Casket, Gauntlet, Ambulance matches,
and supports multiple Superstars in Backstage Brawl.
Graphics
and Gameplay: The game features incredibly realistic
graphics with over 90% of facial expressions updated,
new animations, and improvements like the ability
to change camera angles during matches, a returning
classic camera view from older games, and more realistic
blood effects.
Special
Features:
Super Finishers: Players can perform a Super Finisher
after stocking three finishers, making it nearly impossible
for opponents to kick out.
Create-A-Referee
and Create-A-Sign: Expanding the creation suite to
include more customization options.
Recent
Updates (as per X posts):
A
new DLC called the "Global Superstars Pack"
is set to arrive on September 18, 2024, introducing
new characters or features to the game.
There's
also content being created around the game on platforms
like YouTube, showcasing matches, universe mode episodes,
and more.
Remember,
while X posts can provide insights into what players
are currently discussing or excited about, for the
most accurate and detailed features or updates, official
channels or the game's website would be the go-to
sources. (Grok)
News
WWE
Games
WWE
video games have become a significant part of how
fans engage with professional wrestling, offering
players the chance to step into the shoes of their
favorite WWE Superstars. Here's a general overview
based on the information up to September 2024:
Series
Continuation: The WWE 2K series is the primary line
of WWE video games, with titles like WWE 2K22 and
WWE 2K23 having been released, and mentions of WWE
2K24 indicating ongoing development and updates. These
games are known for bringing improved graphics, gameplay
mechanics, and features with each iteration.
Features
and Gameplay Modes:
MyGM
Mode: This mode has seen enhancements, including the
addition of new brands like NXT 2.0 and WCW, and various
match types like Steel Cage and Backstage Brawl, which
now supports up to 4 players in some instances.
MyFACTION:
A mode where players can build and manage their own
faction, now including multiplayer support, indicating
a focus on community and competitive play.
Showcase
Mode: Focuses on key career moments of WWE stars,
with John Cena's career highlighted in one of the
games.
Universe
Mode: Allows players to control the WWE universe,
with new customization options for matches, including
ring announcer selections.
Graphical
and Functional Updates: The games have continually
improved in terms of visuals, making the wrestlers
look more realistic. Customization has been a big
part of recent updates, with features like custom
video billboards in Create-A-Arena (CAA).
DLC
and Patches: Regular updates and downloadable content
(DLC) keep the game fresh with new characters, moves,
and features. For instance, characters like Bray Wyatt
and Uncle Howdy were highlighted as part of DLC content.
Community
Engagement: There's significant interaction on platforms
like X (formerly Twitter), where updates, patches,
and new features are discussed, showing an active
community engagement around these games.
Other
Games: While the WWE 2K series dominates, there's
also mention of AEW Fight Forever by AEW Games, indicating
competition in the wrestling game market, which could
influence features and innovations in WWE games due
to rivalry.
Rumors
and Future Content: There have been rumors and discussions
about remasters of classic games like "Here Comes
The Pain" and new modes like an "Unfinished
Story Mode" for WWE 2K24, suggesting that developers
are looking both to the past and future to engage
players.
The
WWE games series continues to evolve, focusing on
realism, expanded gameplay options, and deeper fan
interaction, reflecting the dynamic nature of professional
wrestling itself.
News
AEW
Games
AEW
Games refers to the gaming division of All Elite Wrestling
(AEW), a professional wrestling promotion that has
ventured into the video game market to expand its
brand and engage with fans through interactive entertainment.
Here's what you might want to know about AEW Games
based on general knowledge up to September 2024:
AEW:
Fight Forever - This is AEW's first major console
game, developed by Yuke's, a company known for its
history with wrestling games. The game aims to combine
a nostalgic arcade wrestling feel with innovative
moves and finishers unique to AEW talent. It was officially
released on June 29, 2023, for multiple platforms
including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC,
and Nintendo Switch. The game features various match
types, a career mode, online play, and customization
options for wrestlers, moves, and arenas.
Mobile
Games - AEW has also ventured into mobile gaming.
An example includes "AEW: Figure Fighters,"
which was announced to be in development for a 2024
release. This game represents AEW's effort to reach
fans on mobile platforms, offering a different gaming
experience compared to the console game.
Partnerships
and Expansions - Following events like All In London,
there have been posts on X indicating AEW's partnerships
with major video game franchises or entities, suggesting
expansions or collaborations that could lead to new
games or features within existing games.
Community
Engagement - AEW Games uses platforms like YouTube
and X to keep the community updated with news, gameplay
videos, and developments. They've engaged fans with
beta programs and updates directly from key figures
like Tony Khan and Kenny Omega, who are deeply involved
in the gaming project.
Innovative
Game Modes - Beyond traditional wrestling game modes,
"AEW: Fight Forever" introduced unique modes
like the Stadium Stampede, a battle royale-style mode
set in an open stadium environment, showcasing AEW's
innovative approach to wrestling games.
AEW
Games aims to capture the essence of AEW's wrestling
style, which is often seen as a blend of various wrestling
philosophies, high-flying action, and a nod to wrestling's
past, all while pushing forward with modern gaming
technology. They strive to keep the gaming experience
fresh with updates, new content, and engaging directly
with their fanbase through various digital platforms.
(Grok)
News
EA
Sports UFC 5
"EA
Sports UFC 5" was released on October 27, 2023,
for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. This game marks
the first in the series to utilize the Frostbite Engine,
enhancing the graphics and gameplay to provide a more
realistic MMA experience. Here are some key features
and details based on information available up to September
10, 2024:
Release
Date: October 27, 2023.
Platforms:
Available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. There
was no PC version announced at launch.
Game
Engine: Powered by Frostbite™, leading to significant
graphical and gameplay improvements, including 60
frames per second gameplay and rendering.
Cover
Athletes:
Standard Edition: Features Alexander Volkanovski and
Valentina Shevchenko.
Deluxe
Edition: Israel Adesanya graces the cover.
Features:
Real Impact System: A new system designed to make
the fighting experience more realistic with enhanced
damage systems, where cuts, bruising, and swelling
affect gameplay.
Improved
Animations: New fluid physics, particle systems for
blood and sweat, and a face animation tool for better
fighter likenesses.
Doctor
Stoppages: Introduced to authentically affect gameplay.
Fight
Week and Alter Egos: Live service features tied to
real-world UFC events, allowing for predictions and
special in-game events.
Game
Modes: While specific modes aren't detailed in the
provided excerpts, typical modes expected would include
career mode, online championships, and possibly new
or revamped modes given the technological upgrades.
Community
Sentiment: Posts on X (formerly Twitter) showed excitement
about the reveal, the new features, and some disappointment
regarding the lack of a PC version.
Remember,
while the game aims to be as realistic as possible,
certain extreme injuries are not depicted out of respect
for fighters and to maintain the game's focus on sport
rather than gore. (Grok)
News
UFC
6
"UFC
5" was released on October 27, 2023, for PlayStation
5 and Xbox Series X|S. Here are some key points about
the game:
Developed
by: EA Vancouver using the Frostbite Engine for the
first time in the series, which enhances graphics
and gameplay to 60 frames per second, providing a
more responsive and visually detailed experience.
Features:
Real Impact System: This new system aims to deliver
a more authentic representation of MMA fights, including
realistic damage systems and doctor stoppages.
Enhanced
Graphics and Physics: The game boasts improved lighting,
detailed character models, strand-based hair, and
a new face animation system.
Authentic
Experience: From the walkout to the fight, the game
tries to capture the intensity and atmosphere of UFC
events with cinematic angles and slow-motion replays
for significant moments.
Fight
Week Features: Incorporates elements tied to real-world
UFC events, allowing players to engage with fight
predictions and more.
Cover
Athletes:
Israel Adesanya headlines the Deluxe Edition cover.
Alexander Volkanovski and Valentina Shevchenko are
on the Standard Edition cover.
Game
Modes and Content: The game includes various modes
and has introduced new fighter Alter Egos, with updates
adding characters like Brandon Moreno, Alexa Grasso,
Cain Velasquez, and Yair Rodriguez as seen in posts
on X.
Community
Engagement: The game has live service features like
Fight Week, where players can engage with content
linked to actual UFC events, enhancing the connection
between the game and real-world UFC activities.
Reception
and Updates: Since its release, "UFC 5"
has seen updates and community votes for new content,
like the addition of new Alter Egos, reflecting EA's
commitment to evolving the game post-launch based
on community feedback.
For
the most current updates or specific events related
to "UFC 5" post-release, you might want
to check out the latest posts on platforms like X
(formerly Twitter) or the official EA Sports UFC website,
where new content, fighter updates, and community
events are often announced. (Grok)
News
Videogames
Ah,
video games! A vast universe of digital adventures,
strategic conquests, and narrative masterpieces. What
specifically would you like to know or discuss about
video games? Here are a few avenues we could explore:
History
of Video Games: From the early days of "Pong"
and "Space Invaders" to the complex, open-world
games of today like "The Witcher 3" or "Red
Dead Redemption 2".
Game
Development: Insights into how games are made, from
concept to coding, art design, to marketing.
Genres:
Discussing different types like RPGs (Role-Playing
Games), FPS (First-Person Shooters), strategy games,
or indie games.
Impact
on Culture: How video games influence and reflect
societal trends, their role in education, or their
impact on mental health.
Technology:
The evolution of gaming technology, VR (Virtual Reality),
AR (Augmented Reality), or the future with cloud gaming.
Esports:
The rise of competitive gaming, its structure, major
games, and events.
Classic
vs. Modern Gaming: A comparison, or perhaps, what
makes a game timeless.
Upcoming
Trends: What's on the horizon for video games as of
my last update?
If
there's a specific game, topic, or question you're
curious about, dive in with that, or if you want a
broad overview on any of these points, let me know!
(Grok)
News
Elon
Musk Favourite Game
Elon
Musk has expressed fondness for several video games
over the years, showcasing a preference for games
with deep storylines, strategic elements, and those
that explore themes of dystopia, space, and societal
structures. Here are some of his favorites based on
his public statements and posts on X:
Deus
Ex - A game known for its cyberpunk theme and choice-driven
narrative.
Half-Life 2 - Praised for its storytelling and immersive
environment.
BioShock - Its exploration of objectivism and critique
of societal structures align with Musk's interests.
Mass Effect 2 - Musk has called it one of the best
games ever, likely due to its deep narrative and space
exploration themes.
Fallout Series (specifically Fallout 3 and New Vegas)
- These games offer post-apocalyptic settings where
strategy and story intertwine.
Saints Row IV - Noted for its over-the-top gameplay
and humor, contrasting with the more serious tones
of other games he enjoys.
Overwatch - Musk has shown appreciation for this game,
particularly enjoying the character Soldier 76.
Elden Ring - Mentioned for its solo play experience,
showcasing his interest in high-fantasy and challenging
gameplay.
Diablo Series - He's engaged with Diablo IV, commenting
on game mechanics and character builds, showing his
liking for complex, strategy-driven RPGs.
Castle Doombad - A less commonly cited game in broader
gaming discussions but highlighted by Musk as one
of his favorites, indicating his taste for mobile
or less mainstream games as well.
Vampire Survivors - Another favorite mentioned by
Musk, suggesting he enjoys games with simple mechanics
but addictive gameplay loops.
From
posts on X and other sources, Musk seems to enjoy
games.. (Grok).
Media
Man Ed: To be cont..
Movie
Box Office (North America)
August
18, 2024
1.
Alien: Romulus - $41.5m
2.
Deadpool & Wolverine - $29m
3.
It Ends with Us - $24m
4.
Twisters - $9.8m
5.
Coraline - $8.4m
6.
Despicable Me 4 - $6m
7.
Trap - $3.4m
8.
Inside Out 2 - $3.2m
9.
Stree 2 - $2.6m
10.
Borderlands - $2.4m
others...
Harold
and the Purple Crayon
Cuckoo
Longlegs
The
Firing Squad
A
Quiet Place: Day One
Bad
Boys: Ride or Die
The
Fabulous Four
Fly
Me to the Moon
Raayan
Bad
Newz
MaXXXine
The
Bikeriders
Sound
of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot
Horizon:
An American Saga
The
Lion King
Kalki
2898 AD
Kinds
of Kindness
The
Garfield Movie
Kingdom
of the Planet of the Apes
Jatt
& Juliet 3
Blue
Lock Thee Movie - Episode Nagi
Daddio
Janet
Planet
The
Watchers
IF
The
Exorcism
Thelma
GHOST
Rite Here Rite Now
Furiosa:
A Mad Max Story
The
Fall Guy
The
Strangers: Chapter 1
The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
Haikyuu!!
The Dumpster Battle
In
a Violent Nature
Ezra
Sight
*
Correct at time of publication
Movie
Box Office (North America)
August
4, 2024
1.
Deadpool & Wolverine - $97m
2.
Twisters - $22.7m
3.
Trap - $15.6m
4.
Despicable Me 4 - $11.3
5.
Inside Out 2 - $6.7m
6.
Harold and the Purple Crayon - $6m
7.
Longlegs - $4.1m
8.
The Firing Squad - $1.6m
9.
A Quiet Place: Day One - $1.4m
10.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die - $601,000
others...
The
Fabulous Four
Fly
Me to the Moon
Raayan
Bad
Newz
MaXXXine
The
Bikeriders
Sound
of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot
Horizon:
An American Saga
The
Lion King
Kalki
2898 AD
Kinds
of Kindness
The
Garfield Movie
Kingdom
of the Planet of the Apes
Jatt
& Juliet 3
Blue
Lock Thee Movie - Episode Nagi
Daddio
Janet
Planet
The
Watchers
IF
The
Exorcism
Thelma
GHOST
Rite Here Rite Now
Furiosa:
A Mad Max Story
The
Fall Guy
The
Strangers: Chapter 1
The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
Haikyuu!!
The Dumpster Battle
In
a Violent Nature
Ezra
Sight
*
Correct at time of publication
News
Box
office numbers down approx 70 percent from last year
(References:
Wikipedia, Box Office Mojo, IMDb, Deadline and The
Hollywood Reporter)
News
Donald
Trump to Headline Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville
July
11, 2024
Former
President Donald Trump has been confirmed as a keynote
speaker at the upcoming Bitcoin 2024 conference set
to take place in Nashville, Tennessee.
This
news comes as a significant development for the event,
known for its major industry announcements and influential
speakers. The conference, which has previously been
hosted in Miami, has established itself as a platform
for groundbreaking news within the cryptocurrency
space.
Bitcoin
2021, the inaugural conference, made headlines when
El Salvador officially declared Bitcoin as legal tender.
The subsequent Bitcoin 2022 and Bitcoin 2023 conferences
continued the trend of notable moments, including
a powerful speech by U.S. Presidential candidate Robert
F. Kennedy Jr. in support of the Bitcoin industry.
This
year, the shift of the conference location from Miami
to Nashville signifies its increasing prominence on
the global stage. With two former U.S. Presidential
candidates, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump,
slated to speak, Bitcoin 2024 is anticipated to be
a pivotal event that could potentially impact the
future trajectory of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency policies
in the United States.
Donald
Trump’s participation in the conference is especially
noteworthy considering his recent engagements with
the Bitcoin community. Earlier this year, Trump met
with prominent U.S. Bitcoin miners, including representatives
from CleanSpark, where he reiterated his support for
Bitcoin mining both domestically and internationally.
In a statement, Trump pledged to prioritize the development
of Bitcoin and crypto initiatives in the United States
and safeguard the rights of the nation’s 50 million
crypto holders if re-elected as president.
As
Trump embarks on his presidential campaign, his alignment
with the Bitcoin industry stands in contrast to the
position of his potential rival, President Joe Biden,
who has shown less enthusiasm towards the cryptocurrency
sector. While Biden’s participation in Bitcoin
2024 remains unconfirmed, the event could underscore
the divergent approaches of the two candidates towards
Bitcoin and its implications for U.S. policies.
For
additional details on the Bitcoin 2024 conference
and to secure a discounted ticket using a promotional
code, interested individuals can visit the official
event website. Bitcoin Magazine, a subsidiary of BTC
Inc, the organizer of the largest Bitcoin conference,
The Bitcoin Conference, will be overseeing the event.
Websites
Bitcoin
2024
https://b.tc/conference/2024
Bitcoin
Magazine
https://bitcoinmagazine.com
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