This week on The Fin podcast, senior reporter Jonathan Shapiro and technology editor Paul Smith on DeepSeek’s breakthrough, why Australia has banned its use on government devices and what this all means for 'the magnificent seven' US tech stocks that have been pushing markets to record highs.

Further reading:
DeepSeek drama: are markets all-in on the most dangerous idea in history?
While investors fret about what the arrival of DeepSeek means for their all-in bet on American artificial intelligence dominance, they’re ignoring even bigger questions.
Is big tech’s AI future really what we’re looking for?
The race is on to build the fastest, most efficient AI models and hopefully tech companies will start developing the products we want to use.
Labor bans DeepSeek from government devices
Australia has banned Chinese artificial intelligence service DeepSeek from government devices over national security concerns.

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This week on The Fin podcast, Europe correspondent Hans van Leeuwen on how companies and governments are responding to Trump, 2.0, whether diversity programs are under threat and why Australians have stopped going to Davos.

Further reading:
Trump slams Europe, threatens ‘trillions’ in tariffs
The president lambasted Canada’s trade surplus with the US and also fired a verbal volley at the European Union’s restrictions on his country.
CEOs at Davos feel ready, even heady, for Trump 2.0
At the World Economic Forum, much of the global corporate elite is responding with surprising optimism to the new president’s radical and hyperactive agenda.
Has Trump killed DEI? Davos might have the answer
The World Economic Forum summit, where the liberal cosmopolitan elite gathers to network and self-congratulate, will be an early litmus test for Trump 2.0.

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This week on The Fin, Travel editor Fiona Carruthers discusses the outlook for tourism, why flights are getting cheaper, which airlines are likely to give you the best deal and why Greenland is suddenly on everyone’s list.

Further reading:
Europe calling? A guide to predicting the cheapest fares
If you’re wondering whether to book your 2025 flights now or to wait, recent average prices are a handy benchmark.
The hottest travel spots as the economy turns cold
Japan is cool, Bali is always warm, but Vietnam is so hot right now. The cost-of-living pinch is driving Australians to make sure their overseas holiday hits the mark.
Why Australians should ditch Europe this Christmas
After a dire year for the currency, those heading to the northern hemisphere should consider looking elsewhere to get the most bang for their buck.

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In the first of a two-part series, The Fin podcast talks to the critics around the Financial Review newsroom to get their recommendations for film, television, books and music.

Further reading:

The 10 best albums of 2024 (if Taylor Swift isn’t your jam)
Soulful singer songwriters, rising indie superstars, Australian up-and-comers and a floor-filling techno god. Welcome to the year’s best sounds.
12 books fiction lovers will give (or hope to receive)
We asked prominent Australian writers, readers, tome-buyers and page turners to tell us what they are most hoping to get – and send to others.
This might be the most explosive tennis movie ever made
Challengers packs a punch.

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Outgoing Rear Window editor Myriam Robin tells us about the megalomaniac trying to solve Australia’s housing crisis, the column’s biggest scoop and the rebellion underway at the country’s most exclusive clubs.

This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband.

Further reading:
Peter V’landys bogged down in a multibillion-dollar property play
The influential CEO of Racing NSW is staring down allegations aired confidentially by purported whistleblowers to a parliamentary inquiry.
Gina Rinehart lobbies NGA to remove portrait Being Australia’s richest resident comes with some perks. Who knew said benefits included a network of flunkies who will bombard a national institution over a painting you don’t like?
Who’s in (and out) at the Australian Club Who coughs up the hefty annual membership fee at Sydney’s Australian Club on Macquarie Street? Why, we’re so glad you asked.

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This week on The Fin podcast, James Eyers on why Donald Trump is a crypto bro, whether Bitcoin’s price will stay at these record levels and how regulators are playing catch up.

This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband.

Further reading:
ASIC moves to expand its oversight of crypto and digital assets
The corporate regulator’s new guidance outlines more than a dozen examples of how it intends to assess what is in – and out – of financial services laws.
A bitcoin convention in Sydney rings crypto alarm bells
Bitcoin is up almost 130 per cent this year and the US election result put a rocket under crypto. But there are still plenty of ways to lose money in an (unregulated) bull market.
Bitcoin smashes through $US100,000 as traders eye ‘huge re-rating’
Investors believe the change in attitude towards cryptocurrencies still hasn’t been priced in, making Thursday’s milestone just the beginning.

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This week on The Fin podcast, Chanticleer columnist James Thomson and reporter Hannah Wootton on why ASIC is suing Cbus, what it means for industry funds and whether the ‘super wars’ are back.

This podcast is sponsored by Aussie Broadband.

Further reading:
How Cbus’ big party year went horribly wrong
It’s not the biggest or the worst performing of the super funds. So why has Cbus become the poster child for the $4 trillion sector’s problems?
Big Super’s reckoning has arrived
After 32 years of guaranteed inflows from workers and scant scrutiny, the $3.9 trillion industry faces customer fury over service, unclear investment practices and questionable governance.
Super sector’s problems are much bigger than Cbus
The damning review of governance at CBUS shows while industry funds have led the way in gathering and growing assets, they now need to play governance catch-up.

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This week on The Fin podcast, Technology editor Paul Smith and media and marketing reporter Sam Buckingham-Jones on why the ban is being introduced, what it means for children and parents and whether it could cause a rift with the new US President.

This podcast is sponsored by UNSW

Further reading:
Why this former TikTok executive wants a strict social media ban
TikTok hired Felicity McVay to convince Disney, Universal and the AFL to use the platform more. Now she’s campaigning to get children off it.
Canberra takes on big tech – and Gen Alpha – with social media bans
All Australians could be forced to register official identity documents with social media giants to prove they are over the age of 16.
Trump may use tariffs to hit back at PM’s tech crackdown
American and Australian officials are warning the Albanese government that its crackdown on social media platforms could anger the incoming US president into putting tariffs on $33 billion of exports.

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