Russians pull billions from banks amid fears savings could be seized for war
Russians are withdrawing billions from banks amid growing fears that the Kremlin could seize private savings to help finance the war effort. The reported outflows point to a sudden confidence shock in the banking system. The development is centred on Russia and comes as concerns about the security of deposits have spread among savers.The report says the withdrawals amount to billions, although no exact total is given in the supplied material. It links the rush for cash to fears that savings could be taken for war-related purposes. The concern is described as a fear rather than a confirmed policy, and... [Continue Reading]
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Crossbenchers warn Labor's NDIS overhaul is moving 'too far, too fast'
Crossbench senators and the Greens have criticised the Albanese government's proposed overhaul of Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme, warning that the changes could move "too far, too fast". Their comments came after a final Senate inquiry report was released on Friday afternoon, as the bill to curb the scheme's growth appeared set to pass parliament as early as next week. The debate centres on a program that supports more than 770,000 Australians with disabilities and is currently valued at $52bn.The inquiry report was delivered by a Labor-chaired committee, which recommended that the bill pass. But Greens senator Jordon Steele-John and... [Continue Reading]
The Glass Elevator to Nowhere: A World Trapped in a Chocolate Factory
As a journalist in my mid-fifties, I thought my skin had thickened to the point of being impenetrable. I have covered the rise and fall of regimes, the grinding gears of the Cold War's leftovers, and the digital revolutions that promised to unite us. I thought I had seen every trick in the political playbook. Then came Donald Trump’s 2026 foreign policy, and I realized I was not watching a statesman; I was watching a child play with a chemistry set he does not understand. The Willy Wonka of the West: Rule by Whim Walking into a press briefing lately... [Continue Reading]

