Brands
Apple Unveils Budget iPhone to boost sales
Apple has launched the iPhone 16e, a new entry-level model priced $400 below the standard version, available in black and white.
As Jared Lynch reports in The Daily Telegraph, CEO Tim Cook called it the “newest member of the family”, with Apple emphasising its eco-friendly approach.
The $3.68 trillion company highlighted its investment in wind and solar projects and increased use of recycled materials, including lithium – amidst Donald Trump’s halt on wind farm developments.
Virgin-Qatar deal clears key hurdle, awaits Treasurer’s call
Virgin Australia’s deeper partnership with Qatar Airways is one step closer, with the competition watchdog giving preliminary approval for more flights to Doha from June – but final approval now rests with Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
As Robyn Ironside reports in The Australian, the ACCC’s draft ruling found the deal would bring more choice, better connectivity, and loyalty perks, with no public detriment or breach of the Australia-Qatar bilateral rights agreement.
Virgin welcomed the decision, with a final ruling expected by March or April. A spokesperson said the Qatar partnership would benefit both travellers and the Australian economy.
Social
Winners announced at the 2025 TikTok Awards
PepsiCo, Zenith and Special Australia were among the big winners at 2025 TikTok Ad Awards.
The awards, now in its second year, brought together more than 200 senior marketing and agency leaders for the annual event.
Nine Australian top brands, creative, and media agencies were awarded for delivering some of the most engaging and impactful campaigns. The winners demonstrated how the platform can drive meaningful results for businesses of all sizes, from creator collaborations to community-driven campaigns.
Tech
Meta dives deep with world’s longest undersea cable
Meta is pushing the boundaries of AI innovation with Project Waterworth, an ambitious 50,000-kilometre subsea cable set to become the longest underwater network ever built.
As Yiying Li reports for the ABC, the cable – stretching beyond Earth’s circumference – will connect key regions including the United States, India, Brazil, and South Africa, enhancing global data flow.
Once completed, it will sit at depths of up to 7,000 metres, reinforcing Meta’s push to power the next generation of AI-driven connectivity.
Microsoft claims quantum leap toward game-changing computing
Microsoft says it’s closer than ever to building a commercially viable quantum computer, potentially more powerful than all the world’s computers combined – and it could happen in years, not decades.
As Angus Dalton reports in The Sydney Morning Herald, scientists believe large-scale quantum computing could revolutionise drug discovery, materials science, and chemical engineering by simulating molecular interactions at an atomic level.
“These calculations are so complex that even a planet-sized classical computer couldn’t handle them,” said Zulfi Alam, Microsoft’s VP of Quantum.
Gilmour Space locks in launch date after final approval
Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies has cleared its final regulatory hurdle and is set for a late March rocket launch, officially notifying the Australian Space Agency.
As Tess Bennett reports in The Australian Financial Review, CEO Adam Gilmour confirmed the company secured airspace approval from CASA, paving the way for its maiden launch of a locally designed and built rocket.
Backed by Blackbird Ventures and HostPlus, Gilmour Space is aiming to challenge industry giants like SpaceX, offering low-cost rocket and satellite launches for government and commercial clients.
Publications
Daily Telegraph’s undercover sting backfires at Sydney café
An undercover attempt by The Daily Telegraph to test Middle Eastern hospitality workers’ reactions to a man wearing a Star of David cap took an unexpected turn – when a staff member simply wished him an enjoyable hibiscus tea.
As Carrie Fellner reports in The Sydney Morning Herald, footage from the incident suggests the real confrontation came later, involving the reporter herself. The journalist allegedly accused a female staffer of being “appalled” by the man’s presence based on a glance outside the venue.
After days of conflicting accounts, a covert recording has now surfaced, shedding more light on how the events unfolded at Cairo Takeaway.
Television
Q+A returns with Anthony Albanese in the hot seat
The ABC’s Q+A is putting Australians front and centre when it returns Monday night with a live, one-on-one interview with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
As Kyle Laidlaw reports in TV Blackbox, with a federal election looming and cost-of-living pressures rising, Albanese will face questions from host Patricia Karvelas and a live Melbourne audience, giving voters a direct line to the nation’s leader.
Film
Guy Pearce says Kevin Spacey ‘targeted’ him on set
Australian actor Guy Pearce has claimed Kevin Spacey “targeted” him while filming the 1997 movie LA Confidential, breaking down years later when he fully processed the experience.
As Hanan Dervisevic reports on the ABC, Pearce was speaking on a podcast when he recalled the unsettling moments on set. Spacey, who has faced multiple misconduct allegations – though acquitted in court – has since responded in a video posted to X.