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Double Annual Leave, Flights for Dogs, and Meta's AI Chatbot
OpenAI expands to Japan, opening its first Asia office in Tokyo.
Pick & Scroll News
April 16, 2024
One Read, All Perspectives
Australian News
Petrol prices in Sydney have reached a record high of $2.23 per litre, exacerbated by escalating tensions in the Middle East that could further increase Brent Crude prices. LINK
Livestock feed shortages in Western Australia have prompted the state government to initiate a Dry Season Response Taskforce as producers face the 7th-driest year on record. LINK
Warehouse development in Australia is set to rebound with JLL reporting a potential increase in projects due to steady interest rates and a shortage in key industrial precincts. LINK
Australian workers may soon be able to double their annual leave by taking it at half pay, a new flexibility measure under consideration by the workplace umpire and supported by unions and employer groups. LINK
NSW is considering additional safety measures for private security guards following the mass stabbing at Westfield Bondi Junction, with plans to enhance security without arming guards with stun guns or firearms. LINK
Australian super funds are on track for double-digit returns this year, with the median balanced option delivering 8.8% over the first 9 months, driven by robust global stock markets. LINK
Universities are increasing face-to-face assessments to combat AI-assisted cheating. LINK
Global News
The role of Chief AI Officer is becoming more prevalent, with companies globally nearly tripling the appointment of designated AI heads in the past 5 years. LINK
Analysis of student papers shows increasing AI assistance, with about 11% of papers over the past year displaying signs of AI help, and 3% containing at least 80% AI-generated content. LINK
Japanese investment in Australian real estate hit a record $2 billion last year, with a notable increase in property transactions driven by Japan’s interest in Australia’s housing market. LINK
Company News
Asahi's CEO Atsushi Katsuki predicts that zero- and low-alcohol drinks will constitute half of the company's beverage sales by 2040. LINK
New airline Bark Air introduces flights for dogs, offering luxury travel for pets and their owners between major cities like New York and Los Angeles, with fares starting at $9,278 for transcontinental flights. LINK
TikTok has been referred to Australia’s anti-money laundering authority, AUSTRAC, following allegations of misleading Irish regulators about its payment screenings. LINK
Domino’s Pizza faces skepticism over its turnaround plans in France and Japan, with Goldman Sachs criticising the strategy for lack of transparency and conviction. LINK
Apple's smartphone shipments fell 10% in Q1 2024, losing the top manufacturer spot to Samsung as global smartphone shipments rose overall. LINK
OpenAI expands to Japan, opening its first Asia office in Tokyo as part of a strategy to grow global revenue. LINK
Meta tests Meta AI chatbot with WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger users in India and parts of Africa. LINK
This Week’s Top Picks
Revenue at holiday and caravan parks surged over the summer due to cost-of-living pressures, with families opting for more affordable vacation options, showing a 12% increase in average revenue and higher occupancy rates. LINK
Board games are being redesigned for the TikTok generation, focusing on faster, simpler gameplay to engage younger players who prefer quick, digestible content. LINK
Golf ranges, hairdressers and dentists are seeing a boost on weekdays due to work from home trends. LINK
Single women in Australia are nearly matching men in home buying, although the total number of solo borrowers is declining due to increasing serviceability challenges. LINK
The Australian government considers significant visa fee increases for international students, possibly including a hard cap on approvals, to manage migration levels ahead of elections. LINK
Australia Post to reduce letter delivery frequency to every second business day starting Monday, aiming to enhance parcel collection and delivery services. LINK