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🗞️ Feeling small
A new study says there are 20 quadrillion ants on Earth, enough to fill every Slack and Teams chat and still have a few left in the office kitchen.
Pick & Scroll News
August 11, 2025
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Good morning. A new study says there are 20 quadrillion ants on Earth, enough to fill every Slack and Teams chat and still have a few left in the office kitchen.
That is the equivalent of 2.5 million ants per person, with a total biomass heavier than all wild birds and mammals.
So next time you feel small in a meeting, just remember - you still outweigh your share of ants.
All the headlines and more below...
AUSTRALIAN NEWS
Criminals are more likely to reoffend in Australia
Australia’s prisoner “reoffending” rate remains high due to housing and employment barriers after release. LINK
Long-duration bonds have lost 47% over 5 years due to rising interest rates and inflation. LINK
Australian electricity prices remain high despite $2.5B in battery storage investments planned for Q1 FY25. LINK
Foreign investment review fees have doubled to $1M, threatening Australia's clean energy investment and net-zero 2050 goals. LINK
New QLD property disclosure laws have slowed the real estate market as sellers must provide detailed reports before contracts. LINK
Australian AI employers now value communication and adaptability over technical programming skills as the industry evolves. LINK
The Australian video game industry seeks increased government support to boost its economic contribution. LINK
Illicit tobacco comprises 50% of Australia's cigarette market due to high taxation and organised crime. LINK
GLOBAL NEWS
Silicon Valley is in its ‘hard tech’ era
Silicon Valley engineers now face tougher technical challenges whilst companies reduce workplace perks as the relaxed "rest and vest" culture fades. LINK
The US tariff policies have alarmed Brazil and India whilst the EU and Japan secure temporary exemptions. LINK
Chinese producer prices fell 3.6% in July as consumer prices remained flat, indicating persistent deflation risks. LINK
COMPANY NEWS
OpenAI says latest ChatGPT upgrade is big step forward but still can’t do humans’ jobs
OpenAI has launched ChatGPT-5 as Australia debates balancing AI advancement with creative industry protections. LINK
Mecca's new flagship store opening signals a retail revival in Melbourne's CBD. LINK
QBE Insurance exceeded expectations with a $997M interim profit due to premium growth and lower catastrophe claims. LINK
Charter Hall has launched a $1.35B Convenience Retail Fund targeting everyday retail centres. LINK
Commodore International is reviving the iconic Commodore 64 computer as actor Christian Simpson leads a team of original creators to produce classic and new hardware. LINK
Xero, Stripe and Zip have partnered to offer small business invoice payment plans. LINK
Zeus Street Greek plans to expand to 140 stores and has partnered with Woolworths to launch Greek-inspired grocery products. LINK
CBA is set to deliver a record $10.3B annual profit whilst gaining business banking market share and maintaining mortgage lending dominance. LINK
Atlassian has increased annual revenue by $1.53B and reduced losses through AI transformation. LINK
YouTube increased its Australian TV viewing share to 7.9% while Netflix dropped to 8.5% in the streaming market. LINK
Privacy watchdog OAIC has filed civil penalty proceedings against Optus alleging the telecommunications company breached the Privacy Act over a 3-year period prior to their 2022 data breach. LINK
Sushi Hub aims for a $1B valuation as it approaches its 200th store opening after achieving $200M in sales. LINK
ONE MORE SCROLL
Editor’s Pick: I’ve studied over 200 kids - if you teach your child ‘just one skill’ in life, make it this: ‘It’s non-negotiable’ for me.
Draft Pick: Lewis Hamilton’s retirement suggested and replacement at Ferrari proposed.
Odd Pick: AI headphones help you optimise your day to avoid burnout, and boost your productivity.
TOGETHER WITH
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BRAINTEASER
There are three ants. Each one is positioned at the corner of an equilateral triangle. At the same moment, each ant randomly chooses one of the two edges connected to its corner and begins walking along it. What is the probability that none of the ants collide?
Answer below
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ANSWER
There is a 1/4 chance that none of the ants collide.
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