Michael Thompson

You make a whole lot of pronouncements.

And then if one of them just happens to come true, you say, look, Nostradamus over here got one right.

Now, after years of decline, Sean, the use of cash in the economy somehow reversed with around 15% of payments now made using notes and coins and 50% of Australians using cash as

in a typical week.

I find that amazing.

Older Australians and lower income households tend to use cash more, but really representatives of all age groups pay with it.

This has been the findings of a Reserve Bank discussion paper.

based on a 2025 consumer payment survey.

In fact, the use of cash as a payment has increased from 13% to 15% over the past three years.

And the research actually says that one third of Australians would face hardship or major inconvenience if cash was difficult to access or if shops didn't accept it.

Turning to international news now, Sean, Iran has sent a new proposal to the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war that includes putting off nuclear negotiations.

Now, the plan was conveyed through mediators in Pakistan and calls for extending the ceasefire so the parties can work towards a permanent end to the fighting.

This is according to Axios, the news outlet in the States.

Nuclear talks then would come at a later stage.

Only after a U.S.

blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is lifted, Pakistani mediators have given the proposal now directly to the White House.

Finally, Sean, like the four-minute mile and the 10-second 100-meter dash two generations ago, the sub-two-hour marathon is

had never been achieved until yesterday with not one, but two runners, both breaking that mark.

And the winner of this, you've got to say is probably actually Adidas or Adidas, depending on where you stand on this one, but I'm in the Adidas camp.

With both runners wearing the brand's new and ultralight 500 US dollar racing shoe as I crossed the finishing line, this was in London.