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🗞️ Spotify wrapped
With all its new, gamified fanfare, Spotify Wrapped is here to give you a chance to humblebrag about that obscure Top 1% listening stat.
Pick & Scroll News
December 05, 2025
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Good morning. With all its new, gamified fanfare, Spotify Wrapped is here to give you a chance to humblebrag about that obscure Top 1% listening stat.
The marketing is so undeniable that even Apple decided to prove that imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery with their very original, Apple Music Replay.
All the headlines and more below...
AUSTRALIAN NEWS
How much it now costs to retire well
It now costs $76,505 annually for a couple to retire comfortably in Australia as rising power bills and council rates outpace inflation. LINK
Australian testing has revealed electric vehicles deliver up to 31% less range than advertised while Tesla led performance and MG ranked among the worst. LINK
Australia's economy is growing through private sector momentum while rising government spending and consumer splurging complicate inflation control. LINK
Household electricity prices in Australia are forecast to rise by 8% over the next decade as slow renewable energy development and grid investment delays reverse earlier predictions. LINK
Australia’s illegal tobacco market is projected to make up 80% of cigarette sales by 2026 as high excise has pushed consumers to cheaper black-market alternatives. LINK
Australian taxpayers are facing $48.1B in interest payments this year while per capita burden rises to $1,700 amid worsening government deficits. LINK
GLOBAL NEWS
Australia announces $95M in cash and equipment for Ukraine
Australia has pledged $95M in aid to Ukraine including $50M for weapons as it seeks alignment with earlier support commitments. LINK
The US Pentagon has confirmed its full support for the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal with Australia as strategic alignment remains firm. LINK
The EU has launched a €3B strategy to reduce reliance on Chinese raw materials as it boosts strategic recycling and local production capacity. LINK
Investor sentiment is cooling for 2026 as economic uncertainties and fading AI-driven momentum follow several bullish years in markets. LINK
COMPANY NEWS
High Court grants Uber special leave to appeal $82M payroll tax dues
Uber has been granted permission by the High Court to appeal a NSW payroll tax ruling involving US$81.5M owed for driver payments made between FY15 and FY20. LINK
Housing Australia faces scrutiny over a 25% staff turnover and bullying claims as executives denied leadership involvement and linked issues to expansion. LINK
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank will acquire RACQ Bank’s retail loan portfolio of $2.7B and deposit base of $2.5B, raising QLD market presence to 18% by FY27. LINK
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has cut jobs and contractor use whilst preparing for potential costs linked to anti-money laundering failings found during an internal review. LINK
OpenAI has launched a startup program in Australia offering free API access and announced a Founders Day, partnering with La Trobe University for AI education. LINK
Pro Medicus confirmed a July data breach that exposed about 100 employees' personal data via a compromised email account but reported no financial or operational loss. LINK
News Corp sold its last 13% stake in ARN Media for $18M as it shifts strategy amid falling ad revenues and profit warnings. LINK
NAB created a new banking team for medium-to-large businesses, aiming to defend its leading market position. LINK
YouTube will automatically log under-16 users out of their accounts starting 10 December as it complies with new laws restricting child access to social media platforms. LINK
H&M Australia is under investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman and has reserved $35M amid allegations of underpaying 1,500 staff as profits remain modest. LINK
ONE MORE SCROLL
Editor’s Pick: Exploring a space-based, scalable AI infrastructure system design.
Draft Pick: What US thinks about Aus Open and why ‘fifth major’ isn’t just a pipe dream.
Odd Pick: ‘Balls Out’ Bowling is back where nudity is required.
TOGETHER WITH
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TRIVIA
Today we give you 5 general knowledge questions for you to ace. Good luck!
What is the term for a word that reads the same forwards and backward (like "level" or "madam")?
What instrument is often associated with the phrase "The King of Instruments"?
What is the only letter in the alphabet that does not appear on the Periodic Table of Elements?
Who wrote the famous dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four?
What natural phenomenon causes the visible light from the sun to split into a spectrum of colours, creating a rainbow?
Answers below
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ANSWERS
1. Palindrome
2. The Pipe Organ
3. J
4. George Orwell
5. Refraction (or dispersion)
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