The spending on alumni events in May comes as the university says it needs to sack 400 staff to save $100 million.

Police in London detain scores of people and confiscate placards under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000

We explore the outcomes of the 2025 Australian federal election and consider whether it signals a fundamental rupture or realignment in the political landscape

You’ve probably noticed that I don’t write much about Israel or Palestine.

For consumers, eliminating surcharges could mark the end of hidden payment fees. But success will require meaningful competition, transparency and vigilance That extra 10c on your morning coffee. That $2 surcharge on your taxi ride. The sneaky 1.5% fee when you pay by card at your local restaurant. These could all soon be history. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has proposed a sweeping reform: abolishing card payment surcharges. The central bank says it’s in the public interest to scrap the system and estimates consumers could collectively save $1.2bn annually. Most merchants already don’t surcharge, especially small businesses. Of them, 90% may have included card costs in their pricing. Competition keeps pricing in check. Retailers in competitive markets can’t raise prices without risking customers. Transparency is coming. The reforms will require payment providers to disclose fees more clearly, allowing merchants to compare and switch – fostering more competition and lower costs. Continue reading...