The Guardian · 28 May, 06:00
The Australian Treasury secretary, Jenny Wilkinson, has defended the government's capital gains tax reforms, stating that there is 'no clear evidence' to support criticisms that the changes will harm the economy. The reforms are expected to benefit 90% of young Australians under 30.
The Australian Treasury secretary, Jenny Wilkinson, presented new modelling that shows 90% of young Australians under 30 will be better off under the government's new tax settings, which include the automatic $1,000 tax deduction, $250 'working Australians tax offset' (WATO), and capital gains tax (CGT) and negative gearing reforms. The modelling considered all Australians' total income over their lifetime and found that the 10% of Australians who earned the most over their lifetime would be worse off under the new reforms by the time they turned 30. Wilkinson defended the reforms, stating that the old system was inefficient and that there is 'no clear evidence' it was better for the economy.
Why it matters: The government's tax reforms aim to create a more efficient tax system, and the Treasury secretary's defence of the reforms is significant as it highlights the potential benefits for young Australians. The reforms have been criticised by some, but Wilkinson's modelling suggests that the majority of young Australians will benefit from the changes.
90% of young Australians under 30 will be better off under the new tax settings, 10% of high-earning Australians will be worse off, $1,000 automatic tax deduction, $250 'working Australians tax offset' (WATO), 30-year visas for NZYQ-affected people sent to Nauru, 12 individuals sent to Nauru so far, 36 additional individuals granted a Nauruan visa awaiting deportation
This reflects the unavoidable trade-offs involved in system-wide reform … Some young people who achieve high returns on their investments may pay more tax, but they will still benefit from high after-tax returns. - Jenny Wilkinson
The Guardian · 28 May, 06:00
Apple has released its new 27in Studio Display XDR, a high-end monitor designed for professional content creators with a 5K screen, exceptional brightness, and advanced features. The display starts at £2,599 and offers a range of features including a 120Hz refresh rate, colour accuracy, and a built-in Thunderbolt 5 hub.
Apple has launched its new Studio Display XDR, a 27in monitor designed for professional content creators. The display features a 5K IPS LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a miniLED backlight with 2,304 dimming zones, and a peak brightness of 2,000nits for HDR content. It also includes advanced features such as a 12MP webcam, three mics, and six speakers. The display is designed to work with high-end Macs and some iPads, and is priced starting at £2,599.
Why it matters: The Studio Display XDR is significant because it offers a high-end display solution for professional content creators who require exceptional colour accuracy, brightness, and features. The display's advanced features and high price point position it as a premium product for professionals who need a reliable and high-quality display for their work.
£2,599: starting price of the Studio Display XDR; 5K: resolution of the display; 120Hz: refresh rate of the display; 2,000nits: peak brightness for HDR content; 2,304: number of dimming zones in the miniLED backlight; 12MP: resolution of the webcam; 6: number of speakers; 3: number of mics
The Guardian · 28 May, 05:44
New revelations have emerged about Peter Mandelson's associations and financial dealings that raised concerns during his security vetting process for his role as UK ambassador to the US. The revelations have sparked questions about whether Keir Starmer made a mistake in appointing Mandelson and whether national security was compromised.
The UK's vetting agency, UKSV, had recommended that Peter Mandelson be denied security clearance due to concerns over his associations with senior figures in China, Russia, and Israel, as well as a £1m loan he received from a businessman to invest in an Israeli start-up. Despite this, Mandelson was granted security clearance by senior civil servants, with mitigations to manage the risks. The vetting file also noted that Mandelson appeared 'naive' about how his historical relationships with other individuals could be exploited.
Why it matters: The new revelations raise significant questions about the vetting process and whether national security was compromised. They also put pressure on Keir Starmer, who appointed Mandelson as ambassador to the US, to explain his decision and whether he was aware of the concerns raised during the vetting process.
£1m (loan received by Mandelson), 2024 (year Mandelson was appointed ambassador to the US), 2025 (year vetting summary file was created), 2026 (year Starmer visited Beijing)
Mandelson appeared 'naive' about how his relationships could be exploited.
Ars Technica · 27 May, 19:02
Valve's Steam Deck handheld console is back in stock after months of unavailability, but its prices have significantly increased. The 512GB OLED version now costs $789, up from $549, and the 1TB version costs $949, up from $649.
Valve's Steam Deck handheld console has been largely unavailable to buy since mid-February due to RAM and storage shortages. The console is now back in stock on Valve's site, shipping in three to five days. However, the prices have increased significantly, with the 512GB OLED version now costing $789 and the 1TB version costing $949. The base model with 256GB of storage and an LCD screen has been discontinued.
Why it matters: The significant price increase for the Steam Deck may deter potential buyers, especially considering that the console is nearly 3 years old and competing handhelds from Asus and Lenovo are also priced high. The price hike may impact Valve's sales and market share in the handheld gaming console market.
$789, $949, $549, $649, 512GB, 1TB, 256GB, $399, $600
Ars Technica · 27 May, 20:22
The article discusses the game Mina the Hollower, praising its old-school action-adventure gameplay and mobility mechanics. The game's simple movement system is enjoyable to control, allowing for kinetic exploration and combat.
The article reviews the game Mina the Hollower, an old-school action-adventure game. The game's protagonist, a mouse-like creature called the Hollower, has the ability to jump and burrow into soft soil, allowing for fast and agile movement. This movement system is praised for its simplicity and enjoyment, making the game feel kinetic and similar to a top-down platform game.
Why it matters: The game's enjoyable mobility mechanics make it stand out as a well-designed old-school action-adventure game. The article suggests that Mina the Hollower is one of the best games in this genre that the author has played in a while.
Ars Technica · 27 May, 20:56
Researchers have discovered a new technique called FROST that allows websites to covertly track visitors by analyzing their solid-state drive (SSD) activity, potentially revealing which other sites they are visiting and what apps are open on their devices.
A research paper has revealed a new technique called FROST (fingerprinting remotely using OPFS-based SSD timing) that enables websites to monitor visitors' activity by measuring subtle interactions with their solid-state drives. This technique exploits a side channel, a form of leak resulting from physical manifestations such as the time required to complete a task. By measuring these manifestations, attackers can infer confidential data about visitors.
Why it matters: This technique is significant because it provides websites with a new way to covertly track visitors, potentially compromising their privacy. This adds to a long list of techniques that websites have used to track visitors, including analyzing browsing histories, device fingerprints, and keystrokes.
NPR News · 28 May, 05:38
Summary not available.
NPR News · 27 May, 23:35
Summary not available.
NPR News · 27 May, 20:02
Summary not available.