finance – World Top News Now

7Oct

By AdminsNo Comments

What $157b Paramount-Warner Bros. media merger means for streaming in Australia

Analysis: One of the biggest media mergers in history completed overnight, with Paramount buying Warner Bros. for a staggering $US110 billion ($157 billion). While these companies are known for their movie studios, for the average Australian, the real question is: what does this mean for streaming? The Warner Bros. water tower is seen at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong The new company, known as Skydance, brings together everything Paramount and Warner Bros. own, from the studios themselves to the titles and franchises they’re known for, and, of course, their streaming platforms. As with any merger, these things aren't just done because there's money to be made. They're done because there's money to be saved. Over the years ahead, there’ll be ...

27Sep

By AdminsNo Comments

Why everybody’s tax return is publicly available in Norway

People enjoying the summer at central station street in Oslo, Norway iStock Every year the Norwegian tax office releases every resident's tax return. For anybody curious as to how much anyone else makes, all they have to do is search for it on their website. Public disclosure of wealth is a point of pride in Norway, where for centuries tax assessments were nailed on town hall walls. "Free access to information has been a fundamental right in Norway's open and democratic society for many years," the tax office's Director General Nina Schanke Funnemark told nine.com.au. "Information about individual income, wealth and tax has been available to the general population since the 19th century." Curious people are limited to looking up 500 people or bus...

29Jun

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Bitcoin price has fallen by 50 per cent in less than a year. Why?

Nearly a year ago, bitcoin reached its highest ever price as it surged to over $US124,000 in value. It was a stunning rise, given many thought its time had come and gone when it soared and then fell in and around 2022. Several factors are leading to Bitcoin's fall from grace. AAP However, it has now plummeted by more than half, falling by 19 per cent in the last month alone, according to tracking website CoinMarketCap. The market cap or total dollar value for cryptocurrencies overall has also fallen rapidly this year, losing nearly $500 billion. It has been a stark fall, especially given how US President Donald Trump pledged to support the crypto industry, and as parts of the technology sector are climbing. Elon Musk's SpaceX was recently publicly traded...

21May

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Boss of a $52 billion investment bank turns to AI to replace 8000 ‘lower-value human capital’

The boss of a $52 billion investment bank has described a plan to slash 8000 jobs over the next four years as a reduction in "lower-value human capital". Standard Chartered chief executive Bill Winters told reporters this week there would be job "reductions in favour of machines, and that will accelerate as we go forward into AI (artificial intelligence)". "It's not cost-cutting," Winters said. Standard Chartered chief executive Bill Winters is planning to shed some of the company's "lower-value human capital". (Bloomberg) "It's replacing, in some cases, lower-value human capital with the financial capital and investment capital we're putting in." The comments are the latest public admission from a major financial or tech institution on the rapid path towards g...

13May

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‘I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation’: Donald Trump

Donald Trump has brushed off the financial concerns of American voters when asked about his continuing war with Iran. The president was asked by a reporter if he was motivated to make a deal with Iran because of the financial situation of Americans. "Not even a little bit," he replied. Donald Trump has brushed off the financial concerns of ordinary Americans. (AP) "The only thing that matters when I'm talking about Iran — they can't have a nuclear weapon. "I don't think about Americans' financial situation. "I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That's all." Democrats have pounced on Trump's remarks, which come months before November's midterm elections. "Donald Trump just said it hi...

8Jan

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Trump says US to get up to 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela at market price

President Donald Trump said “interim authorities” in Venezuela would sell between 30 million and 50 million barrels of “high quality” oil to the US at its market price. “I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States.” Trump said the money would be controlled by him as president, but would be used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States. President Donald Trump walks off stage after speaking to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat. (AP) Separately, the White House is organising an Oval Office meeting with oil company executives regarding Venezuela. Representative...