Australia’s most recent lockdowns are throwing another round of cancellations to live entertainment shows
The US producers and Australian management team of Magic Mike Live have announced the decision to cancel the remainder of the Aussie tour.
In a statement to Ticker News, the organisers stated that the decision to close the tour was made due to the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the Victorian Government and the lack of certainty surrounding the tour’s ability to perform any of its announced dates.
“The team is committed to returning to Australia in the future and the producing team is working to provide the cast and crew with employment opportunities on other Magic Mike Live productions around the world. “
Magic Mike Live has been forced to suspend performances on four different occasions in Australia following government-imposed lockdowns.
Lockdowns forced the cancellation of opening nights in Sydney and Melbourne and government restrictions required most performance dates to be played at severely limited capacity.
The most recent lockdown has been the longest yet and there is no clear roadmap for the resumption of live events
“Everyone at Magic Mike Live is heartbroken to have to make this decision but we were left with no choice,”
said Executive Producer Vincent Marini.
“The producers have provided millions of dollars in funding to support the production during the various closures to preserve the tour for our amazing Australian fans. In every other market, we have been able to reopen the shows because of close partnerships between the producers, the management teams, and the various local and national governments. While the producers provided more funding and support to the Australian production than any other production in the world, we were forced to go it alone in Australia despite enduring four lockdowns and millions of dollars in refunds and cancellations. There is no way for us to sustain a show when we are not permitted to perform.”
The entertainment industry rebounds overseas
Magic Mike Live is currently playing to sold-out audiences in London’s West End.
The Las Vegas and Berlin productions are reopening on August 27 and September 9 respectively and the Magic Mike Live team is currently shooting a new unscripted series with HBO Max titled “Finding Magic Mike” which premieres in December.
Safety is our top priority at #MagicMikeLive! Our cast and crew are vaccinated & per local legislation, our guests must wear masks. Guests also need to be fully vaccinated OR have proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hrs of attending a show. More info: https://t.co/q6u7nE2JIjpic.twitter.com/0ymcpFJD5j
COVID safe protocols at every event – but it isn’t enough to save the Aussie shows
All the productions around the world have industry leading, COVID-19-safe performance environments and are more dedicated than ever to providing patrons with a one-of-a-kind, joyous entertainment experience.
The Australian cancellations include the remainder of the Melbourne season, plus the Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide seasons which were scheduled to open in November 2021 and mid / late 2022 respectively. The producing team is simply not comfortable selling tickets to performances it may never be allowed to play.
Organisers have promised that guests with tickets for the remainder of the Australian tour will receive full refunds.
Gold prices fall over 2% to below $4,000, as investors shift from safe-haven assets after Gaza ceasefire news.
Gold prices have fallen sharply, dropping over two per cent to below $4,000 per ounce, as investors took profits following the announcement of a Gaza ceasefire agreement. The deal between Israel and Hamas triggered a shift away from safe-haven assets, with silver and platinum also sliding.
The U.S. dollar strengthened as markets responded to the news, making precious metals more expensive for foreign buyers. Analysts say the pullback is likely temporary, with long-term demand for gold and silver expected to remain strong amid global instability and rising debt levels.
Market experts warn that volatility will continue as geopolitical tensions persist, even as short-term optimism grows around the Middle East peace process.
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In Short:
– Gold prices fell over 2% to below $4,000 per ounce due to a stronger dollar and profit-taking.
– Silver eased to $48.93 per ounce, influenced by market activity and ongoing high demand despite supply issues.
Gold prices fell over 2% on Thursday, dropping below $4,000 per ounce. The decline followed a strong rise earlier in the year and was influenced by a stronger dollar and profit-taking after a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.Spot gold decreased to $3,959.48 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures for December delivery settled at $3,972.6.
Silver also experienced a slight decline, easing from its record high to $48.93 per ounce. The dollar index increased, making gold more expensive for overseas buyers.
Traders noted increased activity in the market as profit-taking coincided with reduced tensions in a historically volatile region.
An independent metals trader stated that while gold and silver may need to consolidate further, the underlying demand drivers remain intact.
Market Overview
Gold surpassed $4,000 per ounce on Wednesday, reaching $4,059.05, boosted by geopolitical tensions and strong demand from central banks. The asset has gained about 52% this year, reflecting a significant increase due to various economic factors. The U.S. central bank’s decision to cut rates in September also contributed to the rally, with expectations for future cuts in the coming months.
Silver’s price increase of 69% this year is tied closely to similar economic trends impacting gold. Notably, liquidity issues in the silver market are being exacerbated by strong demand and tight supply conditions. Other precious metals, such as platinum and palladium, also saw declines during this period.
In Short:
– North Korean hackers stole over $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, nearly tripling last year’s total.
– A shift to social engineering tactics has led to increased targeting of high-net-worth individuals for cyber attacks.
North Korean hackers have reportedly stolen over $2 billion in cryptocurrency assets in 2025, setting a record with three months still left in the year.
Data from blockchain analytics firm Elliptic indicates that this amount nearly triples the total stolen last year, accounting for approximately 13% of North Korea’s estimated GDP and raising the regime’s total crypto theft to over $6 billion since 2017.
A significant portion of the 2025 theft is attributed to the February hack of cryptocurrency exchange Bybit, which amounted to $1.46 billion.
The FBI has linked this breach to state-sponsored North Korean hackers, who exploited weaknesses in Bybit’s wallet management system. More than 30 additional cyber attacks have also been associated with North Korea this year, including notable breaches at LND.fi and WOO X.
Shift In Tactics
A shift in methodology among North Korean hackers has been observed, as they now focus on social engineering rather than technical exploits. According to Elliptic, the primary vulnerability lies with individuals rather than technology.
High-net-worth individuals and corporate executives are increasingly targeted due to their relatively weaker security measures.
The hackers utilise deceptive tactics, including phishing schemes and fake job offers, to access private cryptocurrency wallets. Intelligence reports suggest that the stolen funds are used to finance North Korea’s nuclear programmes.
The regime has also improved its money laundering techniques by employing various cryptocurrencies and mixing methods to obscure fund origins. Blockchain analysts are actively tracking these stolen assets, with notable progress achieved in identifying recoverable funds.