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Melbourne announced as host city of 2026 Commonwealth games
The Australian state of Victoria and the city of Melbourne will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games
The opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games will be held at Melbourne’s MCG, giving a much-needed injection of life back to the city once known for the world’s longest lockdown.
Premier Daniel Andrews said there will be a strong focus on hosting events in regional areas to help boost the economy.
The MCG will host the opening ceremony, however, most events will be hosted in regional hubs.
“This will be a Commonwealth Games like no other. We promised we wouldn’t be doing a re-run of 2006, as successful as that was,” Premier Andrews said.
Four hubs in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland will be established each with an athletes’ village. Shepparton will also host a series of events.
Premier Andrews said hosting the games is an opportunity to highlight regional parts of Victoria and invest in sporting infrastructure in those areas.
He thanked the Commonwealth commitee for accepting a bid focusing on reviving the regions.
“I’m sure from their point of view, it’s a bit riskier than just running it in the middle of a large city,” Premier Andrews said.
The Victorian government has estimated prosperous employment opportunities with over 4,000 jobs in the lead-up and throughout the games and another 3000 thereafter.
Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas added, “We’ve always known the value of regional Victoria, and the 2026 Commonwealth Games will provide a chance to showcase all we have to offer to the world.”
Negotiations are continuing into commercial deals of the event.
Amanda Gunn contributed to this report
Crude oil prices jumped over 3% on Wednesday as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks showed signs of faltering, pushing WTI futures above $65 per barrel. Axios reported disagreements over the venue and scope of Friday’s talks, while President Trump warned Iran’s supreme leader to “be very worried,” stoking fears of military escalation.
Tensions in the Persian Gulf added to the volatility. A U.S. F-35C shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, and Iranian vessels threatened a U.S.-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The USS McFaul escorted the tanker to safety, highlighting the region’s fragile oil supply routes.
Despite the clashes, nuclear talks will go ahead on Friday in Oman, but uncertainty continues to drive oil market volatility, with traders closely watching both diplomatic and military developments.
#OilPrices #IranUS #NuclearTalks #PersianGulf #WTI #EnergyMarket #Geopolitics #OilSupply
The Washington Post has laid off hundreds of employees, marking what former executive editor Martin Baron calls “one of the darkest days” in the paper’s history. Approximately one-third of the newsroom staff were affected, as the company undertakes a so-called “strategic reset” to compete in a crowded media landscape.
The cuts hit key areas, including the sports desk, local coverage, international reporting, the books desk, and the flagship daily news podcast. Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray said the changes aim to prioritise national security, politics, science, health, technology, climate, and business coverage while positioning the Post for the future.
Critics have called out owner Jeff Bezos for his silence during the layoffs and alleged efforts to influence the paper’s political stance. Former editor Baron warned that the newspaper’s ambitions would be sharply diminished and its credibility could suffer.
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Amazon launches AI tools to change film and television production
Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.
Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.
Amazon MGM Studios is stepping into the future of entertainment by developing artificial intelligence tools designed to reduce production costs and streamline filmmaking processes. This closed beta, launching in March, will let industry partners test how AI can enhance creativity and efficiency on set.
Amy Cheng, leading the AI Studio team, emphasises that while AI can accelerate workflows, it will never replace the unique contributions of human creativity. The initiative represents Amazon’s push to innovate in content creation while maintaining the art of storytelling.
The use of AI in Hollywood is expanding rapidly, sparking discussions about its impact on jobs and the future of the industry. As studios explore automation, the balance between efficiency and human artistry remains a central concern.
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