Social
Cracking the code: How social media might enforce Australia’s age ban
Australia’s teen social media ban will soon become law, but the details of how platforms will enforce it remain a mystery.
One suggestion, explored by Cam Wilson in today’s Crikey, is the use of age inference – a system that estimates a user’s age by analysing digital clues and patterns in their online activity.
The tool isn’t new and is already being used by a popular chat platform.
Radio
Sydney radio duo Mike E & Emma call it quits after 14 years
After nearly 14 years on air, Emma Chow has confirmed the end of the Mike E & Emma Show. The co-host announced the split via social media, marking the conclusion of the long-running duo’s partnership, The Daily Telegraph’s Brenden Wood reports.
“After almost 14 years, the Mike E & Emma journey has come to an end,” Chow wrote.
The pair last hit the airwaves in December, hosting their national weekend breakfast show. Rumours suggest one of the hosts could be stepping into a coveted weekday breakfast slot.
Social
China eyes Elon Musk as potential TikTok saviour amid US ban threat
Chinese officials are weighing a bold backup plan: Elon Musk acquiring TikTok’s US operations if the short-video giant can’t dodge a looming ban, sources say.
Beijing is keen for TikTok to remain under ByteDance ownership and is appealing the ban to the US Supreme Court. However, justices hinted on January 10 they might uphold the law, reports Bloomberg News.
Amid mounting pressure, senior Chinese officials are exploring contingency options, including Musk’s involvement, as part of broader talks on navigating tensions with the US government.
Film
Robbie Williams’ CGI biopic Better Man flops at US box office
Robbie Williams‘ ambitious biopic Better Man has become 2025’s first box office bomb. Despite rave reviews, the $179 million film – featuring a CGI chimpanzee as the British pop icon – failed to hit the right note with US audiences over the weekend, news.com.au’s Joshua Haigh, reports.
Better Man managed just $1.8m in its US opening weekend, not including its hefty global marketing bill.
Even on home turf, the $179m biopic struggled, earning a lukewarm $3.1m in the UK. To date, the CGI-chimp-fronted flick has scraped together a mere $7.7m worldwide.
Television
AWGIE Awards 2025: nominees
Nominees for the 57th Annual AWGIE Awards have been announced, as reported by TV Tonight’s David Knox. These prestigious awards, presented by the Australian Writers’ Guild, celebrate AWG members based solely on their scripts. This year’s nominees include Fake, The Artful Dodger, Territory, Total Control, Space Nova, Beep & Mort, The Last Year of Television, Windcatcher, and more. Winners will be revealed on Thursday, 13 February, at NIDA’s Parade Theatre in Kensington, with Alex Lee and Suren Jayemanne hosting the event.
Publishing
Neil Gaiman faces new misconduct allegations from 8 women
Best-selling author Neil Gaiman, known for Good Omens, American Gods, and The Sandman, is at the centre of new sexual misconduct allegations, reports the BBC.
A New York Magazine cover story on Monday outlined fresh claims from eight women, four of whom had previously come forward. The allegations follow last year’s Master podcast by Tortoise Media, which first reported the accusations.
Gaiman’s representatives have denied the claims, stating that his encounters with the women were consensual.
Business
ASX 200 live: Macquarie bets $US5bn on Applied Digital’s data centres; Cash-strapped Star on watch; Arafura gets $200m from Labor
Pictured: Robbie Williams