Social
Investors spook as China’s DeepSeek rattles US AI giants
Global tech stocks took a hit Monday as DeepSeek, a Chinese rival to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, cast fresh doubt on the US AI frenzy.
As Dan Milmo, Amy Hawkins and Julia Kollewe reported in The Guardian, the Nasdaq dipped early, with investors weighing the impact of DeepSeek’s AI debut. Nvidia, the US chip titan fuelling AI innovation, saw its market value shrink by over $400 billion as shares plunged 13.6%.
Microsoft and Alphabet weren’t spared, shedding $130 billion and $80 billion, respectively.
Trump admin eyes Oracle-led rescue for TikTok
The Trump administration is reportedly hatching a plan to secure TikTok’s future, with Oracle and a group of US investors poised to take charge of the app’s operations, according to sources.
Under the deal, TikTok’s Chinese parent, ByteDance, would keep a stake, but Oracle would oversee data and software updates, leveraging its existing role as the app’s web infrastructure provider.
As reported by Dawn Chmielewski, Kanishka Singh and Milana Vinn in The Australian Financial Review, Negotiations are ongoing, with talks extending beyond the US to possibly include other regions.
News Brands
Melissa McIntosh targets ABC over Australia Day coverage
Newly minted opposition communications spokesperson Melissa McIntosh has come out swinging, accusing the ABC of ignoring Australia Day celebrations in favour of “divisive” protest coverage.
McIntosh told Greg Brown in The Australian she was disappointed with the national broadcaster’s Friday night bulletin. “Western Sydney was buzzing with Australia Day pride, yet the ABC chose to focus solely on Invasion Day protests,” she said.
Representing western Sydney, McIntosh signalled her intent to hold the ABC accountable, flagging concerns over its approach to contentious issues as a key focus in her portfolio.
Radio
PM calls out Grace Tame over controversial Australia Day T-shirt
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticised Grace Tame for wearing a “F— Murdoch” T-shirt to a Lodge event, arguing her statement hijacked the spotlight from past Australians of the Year and this year’s finalists.
As reported by Michelle Griffin and Millie Muroi in The Sydney Morning Herald, Albanese told ABC Radio Perth that the choice of attire detracted from the evening. “The event was about honouring remarkable Australians. My focus was on them, and her actions shifted that focus,” he said.
While defending his decision to pose for a photo with Tame, Albanese distanced himself from the shirt’s message. “I disagree with it. Debate should be respectful. It was her choice to wear it, but I found it disrespectful to the event and its attendees.”
Publishing
Neil Gaiman’s new work cancelled amid sex abuse claims
Dark Horse Comics has pulled the plug on publishing Neil Gaiman’s upcoming works following allegations of sexual misconduct against the acclaimed author.
As reported by Ruth Hallows in The Sydney Morning Herald, the publisher had planned to expand the Anansi Boys series, a spin-off of Gaiman’s American Gods, which explores the escapades of the children of the African trickster god Anansi.
In a statement shared on X, Dark Horse said: “We take the allegations against Neil Gaiman seriously and will no longer publish his works.”
Streaming
Foxtel pulls the plug on streaming in remote Australia
Foxtel is winding down access to its streaming platforms, including Kayo Sports and Binge, in “very remote” areas of Australia. Residents in these regions, as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), have been notified of the upcoming changes.
As reported by Daanyal Saeed in Crikey, the ABS classifies “very remote” locations by their distance from essential services.
A spokesperson for Foxtel confirmed the move is unrelated to News Corp’s recent $3.4 billion sale of Foxtel to UK-based sports streaming giant DAZN, marking the end of News Corp’s 30-year run in cable TV.
Pictured: Grace Tame