Federal School Voucher Proposal Advances, a Milestone for Conservatives
The House Republican budget proposal that advanced on Monday would devote $5 billion to federal vouchers for private-school tuition, home-schooling materials and for-profit virtual learning.
The program in the budget bill could bring vouchers to all 50 states for the first time, including Democratic-leaning ones that have long rejected the idea.
Supporters hailed the proposal as 'historic' and a 'huge win,' but some cautioned that there was still much legislative haggling ahead.
'Ultimately, every child, especially from lower-income families, should have access to the school of their choice, and this legislation is the only way to make that happen,' said Tommy Shultz, chief executive of the American Federation for Children, a private-school choice advocacy group.
Opponents of the proposal were stunned at its sweeping implications. While it is in line with President Trump's agenda, it had been considered somewhat of a long shot to make it out of the House Ways and Means Committee, because of its cost.
The program is structured as a $5 billion tax credit, allowing donors to reduce their tax bill by $1 for every $1 they give to nonprofits that grant scholarships — up to 10 percent of the donor's income.
The option to donate is expected to be popular with wealthy taxpayers.
The resulting scholarships could be worth $5,000 per child, reaching one million students. Any family who earns less than 300 percent of their area's median income — which equals over $300,000 in some parts of the country — could use the funds, meaning a vast majority of families would be eligible.
The proposal could pass through the budget reconciliation process, and could become law with only 51 votes in a Senate where Republicans hold 53 seats.
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, many Republican-led states passed new private-school choice laws, overcoming decades of resistance from teachers' unions, Democrats and rural conservatives. Opponents have long argued that vouchers hurt traditional public schools, by decreasing enrollment and funding levels. And they have pointed out that lower-income neighborhoods and rural areas often have few private schools, making it difficult for many families to use vouchers.
'We are against giving people tax breaks to defund public schools,' said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, the nation's second-largest education union.
She pointed out that while Mr. Trump and congressional Republicans have said they want to invest in work force education, artificial intelligence education and other priorities for student learning, they have consistently proposed cutting funding to public schools, which educate nearly 90 percent of American students.
'They don't believe in public schooling,' she said. 'What you're seeing here is the fragmentation of American education.'
A boom in new private-education options, like virtual learning and microschools, has already changed the landscape — as has an influx of campaign spending from conservative donors, like the financier Jeff Yass, intended to build support for private-school choice.
Last month, Texas became the last major Republican-led state to pass such legislation. Advocates quickly shifted their focus to Congress and the opportunity to push a federal voucher bill.
Senator Bill Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana, is the sponsor of a Senate bill similar to the House proposal, and celebrated its inclusion in the budget package.
'Expanding President Trump's tax cuts is about preserving the American dream,' he said in a written statement. 'Giving parents the ability to choose the best education for their child makes the dream possible.'
But the proposal will still have to overcome opposition, on both the left and the right.
Advocates for public schools have said that the new generation of vouchers and education savings accounts, which are often available to relatively affluent families, are a subsidy to parents who can already afford private education.
In Florida, which has more children using vouchers than any other state in the nation, some public-school districts have experienced enrollment declines and are considering shutting down schools or cutting teaching positions.
Even some conservative parental-rights activists oppose the creation of a federal program, which they worry could create a regulatory pathway that could eventually be used to impose government requirements on home-schooling parents or private schools — for example, by requiring standardized testing, which is not mentioned in the current proposal.
'The federal government should extricate itself from K-12 education to the fullest extent possible,' said Christopher Rufo, a leading crusader against diversity programs in schools, and a supporter of school choice. 'It's best left to the states.'
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Bunnings rolls out new checkout feature, Trump laughs at Zelensky response to journalist, children targeted as crackdown rolls on
Hello and welcome to Yahoo's live news blog this Tuesday. Bunnings and Flybuys have announced a new way shoppers can save as they checkout. Find out more below. Donald Trump has met with Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, with the US president giving security guarantees to Ukraine if a deal to end the war with Russia is secured. The meeting was starkly different in tone from their previous Oval Office encounter in February, where Zelensky was repeatedly berated by Trump in front of media. Police are continuing to crackdown on e-bikes across the country, with authorities in Brisbane targeting children along a popular track. Read more below. Follow along as we bring you regular updates throughout the day. WA premier says baby may have been in stormwater drain for two weeks We bring you an update now from WA's premier, who has said the baby found dead in a stormwater drain could have been there for two weeks before the body was spotted. The horrifying discovery of the infant was made in Alexander Heights in Perth's north on Monday afternoon. "The mother of that child must be incredibly distressed," WA Premier Roger Cook told reporters on Tuesday. Police say they are seriously concerned about the mother's health and welfare, and stressed it was a priority to identify and locate her. It is understood tradies found the body while cleaning the drain on Monday, in what Mr Cook described as a "horrifying scenario". "Those workers that discovered the child's body were confronted with the most distressing of circumstances," he said. "My heart goes out to everyone involved in this horrible, horrible series of events. "This goes to the heart of everyone's sense of humanity, a small child whose life has passed under tragic circumstances." WA Police confirmed the investigation into the grim discovery remained ongoing. It is believed the child was a newborn and was placed in the drain, Senior Sergeant Stephen Cleal said. "There is no evidence to suggest the little boy was washed through the drain," he said. Police are still attempting to determine the exact age of the child. With AAP Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 MP's bold plan to offer migrants $9k to leave Australia Queensland MP Garth Hamilton says Australia should consider paying jobless migrants up to $9000 to leave the country as a way of curtailing rising immigration levels. The Liberal backbencher said the policy was not politically divisive, and said similar approached had worked in 'left-wing governments in the EU' like France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium. Quoting figures between $6000 to $9000, he said the payment would 'give people a pathway home' and labelled the move as a 'reasonably compassionate and fair approach'. 'The reality is, a lot of migrants who are coming over here aren't finding work, they aren't finding their housing,' he told 2GB on Tuesday. 'They aren't finding that things were as rosy as they'd hoped because of the high immigration policies that we've employed, things haven't quite been working out.' He said high immigration was impacting housing availability, rent, lines at hospitals and schools and warned Australia needed to 'address it now'. Speaking directly on the housing crisis, he said: 'We're not going to build our way out of this problem'. Read more from NewsWire here. What is the productivity roundtable and why does it matter? You will have heard plenty about productivity and the government's roundtable to help fix what it says is a deep-rooted problem spanning several decades. But what exactly is the issue and what will the three-day meet help to do? AAP has broken all that down for you below. What is the Economic Reform Roundtable? A three-day event aimed at lifting living standards primarily by boosting productivity, which has stagnated in Australia and other western countries Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised it will deliver long-lasting change to the government's economic agenda What is Productivity? It's about squeezing more from less, allowing wages to grow and helps build things better and faster, such as homes and clean energy infrastructure Why is it important? Productivity has been in decline since 2016, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said the roundtable will make the economy more productive over time, helping to lift living standards and make people better off The summit follows the Reserve Bank Of Australia downgrading productivity growth from one per cent to 0.7 per cent Ideas on the agenda Documents leaked before the summit suggest the government will consider cutting red tape to boost housing supply The Productivity Commission is calling for reduced regulation for artificial intelligence, while unions are calling for greater protections of workers from the risks of AI Proposals for tax reform, including calls from Independent MP Kate Chaney to increase Goods and Service Tax to 15 per cent A push from the Australian Council of Trade Unions for a four-day working week. What are some concerns? Leaked Treasury advice raised concerns that the outcomes of the roundtable have already been pre-determined The government has already ruled out large changes to tax like negative gearing. Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien warned the summit would be a "privileged talkfest" without the chance of meaningful outcome Who is on the guest list? About 30 participants including leading economists, employers, business groups, unions and civil society representatives Prominent names include Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock, Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood, economist and policy adviser Ken Henry, independent MP Allegra Spender and NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey Some of the sectors represented include banking, universities, mining and superannuation The summit will run from August 19 to 21 at Parliament House in Canberra One year anniversary of coffee attack that shocked Australia nears The mother of the baby who made global headlines a year ago when a stranger threw hot coffee in his face is pleading with authorities to not let the man allegedly behind the attack escape accountability. Luka, nine months old at the time, had the hot drink thrown in his face in a Brisbane park on August 27 last year. The alleged offender fled Australia to China and no significant updates on investigations has been provided by police. Luka's mother has since taken to social media to say she does not want to wait another year for justice. "He's received synthetic skin grafts, skin needling, and laser treatments for his burns," she wrote, according to the ABC. "Every procedure is a painful reminder of what was done to him — and of the justice that still hasn't come." Queensland Police told the ABC it is committed to securing justice for the family however criminal lawyer Glen Cranny SC told the public broadcaster without a reciprocal extradition agreement, it would be difficult to achieve. Two children inside home where woman found dead A woman has been found dead at a home in regional Victoria, where two children were inside at the time. Police were called to Christie Ave in Cobram - about 260km north of Melbourne - at about 5am on Tuesday. The body of a 32-year-old woman was found inside. Two young children - both unharmed - were also inside the home. A 45-year-old man, who police say was known to the woman, has been arrested. 'Detectives from the Homicide Squad are headed to the scene and will interview the man in relation to the woman's death,' a Victoria Police spokesperson said. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. - NewsWire New wall along footpath causing drama on the Gold Coast Construction in the front yard of a property on one of the Gold Coast's most exclusive streets is causing quite a stir – but council says the owners have done nothing wrong. The property on Hedges Avenue, which runs along the coastline in Mermaid Beach, has undergone extensive changes recently and developers have opted to build a wall right up to its boundary. But that has severely restricted access for pedestrians, and with added fencing while construction occurs, it has forced people into the road. Councillor Nick Marshall ordered an investigation after receiving multiple complaints from the community but it turns out the owners are well within their rights. 'Neither the builder or the owner have actually done anything wrong because the boundary line for the property is just 80cm off the road and, at some point, the road was widened and the path crossed into the boundaries,' he said, the Gold Coat Bulletin reported. Grim rain record broken for Sydney Well those in Sydney won't be too surprised to learn that its been the wettest August in 27 years. And while it's been a miserable few years in terms of rain, the past six-year period has actually broken an unwanted record. Analysis from the ABC's meteorologist Tom Saunders shows that the period from January 2020 to now is the wettest six-year stretch seen since records began at Sydney's Observatory Hill in 1858 – and there's still four months to go. Saunders says there has been stronger and more frequent winds from the east, bringing more moisture in from the Tasman Sea, and said it could lead to Sydney and other parts of the east coast shifting to wetter climates over time. Flybuys rolls out checkout savings at Bunnings Those with a Flybuys account will be pleased to learn they can now opt to use their points at the checkout in Bunnings. "Whether it's potting mix, power tools, or prepping for a weekend DIY project, members can unlock value when they shop in-store, with every 2,000 points equivalent to $10 off, applied directly at the checkout," Bunnings and Flybuys announced on Tuesday. The option will commence today across Australia following a successful trial in WA, and mirrors a system successfully rolled out by Coles previously. Tragic details after baby found in drain Police have launched a major investigation after a baby's body was discovered inside a stormwater drain in Perth's northern suburbs. Tradesmen cleaning the drains on La Salle Road made the tragic discovery in Alexander Heights at about 1pm on Monday. The baby was 'just days old' and found wrapped in a sheet, The West Australian has reported. A police spokesman said multiple resources had been sent to the location as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. It is understood ambulance crews were initially called but were stood down. Police also issued an emergency alert on Monday evening to all Perth maternity hospitals with concerns for the welfare of the mother. Detectives remained at the scene late on Monday, after police spent the afternoon doorknocking nearby residents. It has been reported a large portion of the road remained blocked off to the public well into Monday evening. - NewsWire Australia slams Israel's 'unjustified' visa move Foreign Minister Penny Wong has slammed Israel's decision to revoke visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority as 'unjustified'. Her counterpart in Israel, Gideon Sa'ar, announced the move overnight in response to Australia cancelling a visa for a far-right Israeli MP. It is the heaviest blow to the bilateral relationship, which has been severely strained by the Albanese government's opposition to large-scale civilian suffering in Gaza. 'At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu Government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution,' Senator Wong said in a statement. 'This is an unjustified reaction, following Australia's decision to recognise Palestine. 'We will continue to work with partners as we contribute international momentum to a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.' Read more from NewsWire here. Trump laughs at Zelensky's suit joke Donald Trump couldn't help but laugh. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who of course is a former comedian, took control in the White House on Monday (local time), just months after a difficult encounter with Trump where he was heavily criticised in front of the cameras. One of Trump's qualms that time was Zelensky's attire. His olive green military-style outfit was called out by suit-wearing Trump, and some reporters in the room appeared to share the opinion a more formal outfit was needed. Zelenskiy's garb at that February meeting featured in a disastrous session with Trump in which the two leaders bickered and the Ukrainian president was escorted out of the White House early, without lunch. On Monday, backed by European allies, Zelensky showed up for his talks with Trump wearing more formal attire, with Trump visibly impressed. A reporter who had asked Zelensky in February why he was not wearing a suit complimented the Ukrainian leader on the attire he chose for his latest visit. "You look fabulous in that suit," the reporter said. Trump chimed in: "I said the same thing". Clearly far more comfortable with proceedings, he managed to get a cheeky last response to the journalist. "You're wearing the same suit," he told the reporter, drawing laughter from the room. "I changed." You can watch the moment below. Children targeted in e-bike crackdown Children are the target of Queensland Police's latest e-bike crackdown as momentum to get to grips with their illegal use continues to grow nationally. Police in Brisbane have launched Operation X-ray Stamp this month to target the illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters and e-bikes along the city's popular Kedron Brook Bikeway. "With many offences involving children, the operation strongly focuses on educating both children and their parents about their responsibilities and the consequences of allowing their child's illegal use of these devices," Queensland Police said on Tuesday. 'The main issues we see with e-scooters and e-bikes include unlicensed driving of unregistered vehicles, speeding, dangerous driving such as swerving in and out of pedestrians, and illegal modifications," Senior Sergeant Saskia Toohey said. 'Our focus is on education and engagement, but the QPS will take enforcement action, including issuing fines or confiscating non-compliant devices, if necessary, to stop unsafe behaviour." So with the latest effort to get to grips with the issue, we're asking you if you think authorities are doing enough when it comes to the illegal use of e-transport. Have your say below. Trump makes big promise to Ukraine Donald Trump has told President Volodymyr Zelensky the US would help guarantee Ukraine's security in any deal to end Russia's war there, though the extent of any assistance was not immediately clear. Trump made the pledge during an extraordinary summit at the White House, where he hosted Zelensky and a group of European allies days after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and months after a disastrous Oval Office meeting that saw Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticise the Ukrainian leader. A peace deal appeared far from imminent, however. Just before the talks began, Russia's Foreign Ministry ruled out the deployment of troops from NATO countries to help secure a peace deal, adding complications to Trump's offer. Both Trump and Zelenskiy said they hoped Monday's gathering would eventually lead to three-way talks with Putin. The Kremlin has not yet publicly accepted such a meeting, and it remains to be seen whether Putin, whose forces have been slowly grinding forward in eastern Ukraine, is prepared to sit down with Zelenskiy or make meaningful concessions. Read more here. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. We bring you an update now from WA's premier, who has said the baby found dead in a stormwater drain could have been there for two weeks before the body was spotted. The horrifying discovery of the infant was made in Alexander Heights in Perth's north on Monday afternoon. "The mother of that child must be incredibly distressed," WA Premier Roger Cook told reporters on Tuesday. Police say they are seriously concerned about the mother's health and welfare, and stressed it was a priority to identify and locate her. It is understood tradies found the body while cleaning the drain on Monday, in what Mr Cook described as a "horrifying scenario". "Those workers that discovered the child's body were confronted with the most distressing of circumstances," he said. "My heart goes out to everyone involved in this horrible, horrible series of events. "This goes to the heart of everyone's sense of humanity, a small child whose life has passed under tragic circumstances." WA Police confirmed the investigation into the grim discovery remained ongoing. It is believed the child was a newborn and was placed in the drain, Senior Sergeant Stephen Cleal said. "There is no evidence to suggest the little boy was washed through the drain," he said. Police are still attempting to determine the exact age of the child. With AAP Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 MP's bold plan to offer migrants $9k to leave Australia Queensland MP Garth Hamilton says Australia should consider paying jobless migrants up to $9000 to leave the country as a way of curtailing rising immigration levels. The Liberal backbencher said the policy was not politically divisive, and said similar approached had worked in 'left-wing governments in the EU' like France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium. Quoting figures between $6000 to $9000, he said the payment would 'give people a pathway home' and labelled the move as a 'reasonably compassionate and fair approach'. 'The reality is, a lot of migrants who are coming over here aren't finding work, they aren't finding their housing,' he told 2GB on Tuesday. 'They aren't finding that things were as rosy as they'd hoped because of the high immigration policies that we've employed, things haven't quite been working out.' He said high immigration was impacting housing availability, rent, lines at hospitals and schools and warned Australia needed to 'address it now'. Speaking directly on the housing crisis, he said: 'We're not going to build our way out of this problem'. Read more from NewsWire here. Queensland MP Garth Hamilton says Australia should consider paying jobless migrants up to $9000 to leave the country as a way of curtailing rising immigration levels. The Liberal backbencher said the policy was not politically divisive, and said similar approached had worked in 'left-wing governments in the EU' like France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium. Quoting figures between $6000 to $9000, he said the payment would 'give people a pathway home' and labelled the move as a 'reasonably compassionate and fair approach'. 'The reality is, a lot of migrants who are coming over here aren't finding work, they aren't finding their housing,' he told 2GB on Tuesday. 'They aren't finding that things were as rosy as they'd hoped because of the high immigration policies that we've employed, things haven't quite been working out.' He said high immigration was impacting housing availability, rent, lines at hospitals and schools and warned Australia needed to 'address it now'. Speaking directly on the housing crisis, he said: 'We're not going to build our way out of this problem'. Read more from NewsWire here. What is the productivity roundtable and why does it matter? You will have heard plenty about productivity and the government's roundtable to help fix what it says is a deep-rooted problem spanning several decades. But what exactly is the issue and what will the three-day meet help to do? AAP has broken all that down for you below. What is the Economic Reform Roundtable? A three-day event aimed at lifting living standards primarily by boosting productivity, which has stagnated in Australia and other western countries Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised it will deliver long-lasting change to the government's economic agenda What is Productivity? It's about squeezing more from less, allowing wages to grow and helps build things better and faster, such as homes and clean energy infrastructure Why is it important? Productivity has been in decline since 2016, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said the roundtable will make the economy more productive over time, helping to lift living standards and make people better off The summit follows the Reserve Bank Of Australia downgrading productivity growth from one per cent to 0.7 per cent Ideas on the agenda Documents leaked before the summit suggest the government will consider cutting red tape to boost housing supply The Productivity Commission is calling for reduced regulation for artificial intelligence, while unions are calling for greater protections of workers from the risks of AI Proposals for tax reform, including calls from Independent MP Kate Chaney to increase Goods and Service Tax to 15 per cent A push from the Australian Council of Trade Unions for a four-day working week. What are some concerns? Leaked Treasury advice raised concerns that the outcomes of the roundtable have already been pre-determined The government has already ruled out large changes to tax like negative gearing. Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien warned the summit would be a "privileged talkfest" without the chance of meaningful outcome Who is on the guest list? About 30 participants including leading economists, employers, business groups, unions and civil society representatives Prominent names include Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock, Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood, economist and policy adviser Ken Henry, independent MP Allegra Spender and NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey Some of the sectors represented include banking, universities, mining and superannuation The summit will run from August 19 to 21 at Parliament House in Canberra You will have heard plenty about productivity and the government's roundtable to help fix what it says is a deep-rooted problem spanning several decades. But what exactly is the issue and what will the three-day meet help to do? AAP has broken all that down for you below. What is the Economic Reform Roundtable? A three-day event aimed at lifting living standards primarily by boosting productivity, which has stagnated in Australia and other western countries Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised it will deliver long-lasting change to the government's economic agenda What is Productivity? It's about squeezing more from less, allowing wages to grow and helps build things better and faster, such as homes and clean energy infrastructure Why is it important? Productivity has been in decline since 2016, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said the roundtable will make the economy more productive over time, helping to lift living standards and make people better off The summit follows the Reserve Bank Of Australia downgrading productivity growth from one per cent to 0.7 per cent Ideas on the agenda Documents leaked before the summit suggest the government will consider cutting red tape to boost housing supply The Productivity Commission is calling for reduced regulation for artificial intelligence, while unions are calling for greater protections of workers from the risks of AI Proposals for tax reform, including calls from Independent MP Kate Chaney to increase Goods and Service Tax to 15 per cent A push from the Australian Council of Trade Unions for a four-day working week. What are some concerns? Leaked Treasury advice raised concerns that the outcomes of the roundtable have already been pre-determined The government has already ruled out large changes to tax like negative gearing. Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien warned the summit would be a "privileged talkfest" without the chance of meaningful outcome Who is on the guest list? About 30 participants including leading economists, employers, business groups, unions and civil society representatives Prominent names include Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock, Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood, economist and policy adviser Ken Henry, independent MP Allegra Spender and NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey Some of the sectors represented include banking, universities, mining and superannuation The summit will run from August 19 to 21 at Parliament House in Canberra One year anniversary of coffee attack that shocked Australia nears The mother of the baby who made global headlines a year ago when a stranger threw hot coffee in his face is pleading with authorities to not let the man allegedly behind the attack escape accountability. Luka, nine months old at the time, had the hot drink thrown in his face in a Brisbane park on August 27 last year. The alleged offender fled Australia to China and no significant updates on investigations has been provided by police. Luka's mother has since taken to social media to say she does not want to wait another year for justice. "He's received synthetic skin grafts, skin needling, and laser treatments for his burns," she wrote, according to the ABC. "Every procedure is a painful reminder of what was done to him — and of the justice that still hasn't come." Queensland Police told the ABC it is committed to securing justice for the family however criminal lawyer Glen Cranny SC told the public broadcaster without a reciprocal extradition agreement, it would be difficult to achieve. The mother of the baby who made global headlines a year ago when a stranger threw hot coffee in his face is pleading with authorities to not let the man allegedly behind the attack escape accountability. Luka, nine months old at the time, had the hot drink thrown in his face in a Brisbane park on August 27 last year. The alleged offender fled Australia to China and no significant updates on investigations has been provided by police. Luka's mother has since taken to social media to say she does not want to wait another year for justice. "He's received synthetic skin grafts, skin needling, and laser treatments for his burns," she wrote, according to the ABC. "Every procedure is a painful reminder of what was done to him — and of the justice that still hasn't come." Queensland Police told the ABC it is committed to securing justice for the family however criminal lawyer Glen Cranny SC told the public broadcaster without a reciprocal extradition agreement, it would be difficult to achieve. Two children inside home where woman found dead A woman has been found dead at a home in regional Victoria, where two children were inside at the time. Police were called to Christie Ave in Cobram - about 260km north of Melbourne - at about 5am on Tuesday. The body of a 32-year-old woman was found inside. Two young children - both unharmed - were also inside the home. A 45-year-old man, who police say was known to the woman, has been arrested. 'Detectives from the Homicide Squad are headed to the scene and will interview the man in relation to the woman's death,' a Victoria Police spokesperson said. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. - NewsWire A woman has been found dead at a home in regional Victoria, where two children were inside at the time. Police were called to Christie Ave in Cobram - about 260km north of Melbourne - at about 5am on Tuesday. The body of a 32-year-old woman was found inside. Two young children - both unharmed - were also inside the home. A 45-year-old man, who police say was known to the woman, has been arrested. 'Detectives from the Homicide Squad are headed to the scene and will interview the man in relation to the woman's death,' a Victoria Police spokesperson said. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. - NewsWire New wall along footpath causing drama on the Gold Coast Construction in the front yard of a property on one of the Gold Coast's most exclusive streets is causing quite a stir – but council says the owners have done nothing wrong. The property on Hedges Avenue, which runs along the coastline in Mermaid Beach, has undergone extensive changes recently and developers have opted to build a wall right up to its boundary. But that has severely restricted access for pedestrians, and with added fencing while construction occurs, it has forced people into the road. Councillor Nick Marshall ordered an investigation after receiving multiple complaints from the community but it turns out the owners are well within their rights. 'Neither the builder or the owner have actually done anything wrong because the boundary line for the property is just 80cm off the road and, at some point, the road was widened and the path crossed into the boundaries,' he said, the Gold Coat Bulletin reported. Construction in the front yard of a property on one of the Gold Coast's most exclusive streets is causing quite a stir – but council says the owners have done nothing wrong. The property on Hedges Avenue, which runs along the coastline in Mermaid Beach, has undergone extensive changes recently and developers have opted to build a wall right up to its boundary. But that has severely restricted access for pedestrians, and with added fencing while construction occurs, it has forced people into the road. Councillor Nick Marshall ordered an investigation after receiving multiple complaints from the community but it turns out the owners are well within their rights. 'Neither the builder or the owner have actually done anything wrong because the boundary line for the property is just 80cm off the road and, at some point, the road was widened and the path crossed into the boundaries,' he said, the Gold Coat Bulletin reported. Grim rain record broken for Sydney Well those in Sydney won't be too surprised to learn that its been the wettest August in 27 years. And while it's been a miserable few years in terms of rain, the past six-year period has actually broken an unwanted record. Analysis from the ABC's meteorologist Tom Saunders shows that the period from January 2020 to now is the wettest six-year stretch seen since records began at Sydney's Observatory Hill in 1858 – and there's still four months to go. Saunders says there has been stronger and more frequent winds from the east, bringing more moisture in from the Tasman Sea, and said it could lead to Sydney and other parts of the east coast shifting to wetter climates over time. Well those in Sydney won't be too surprised to learn that its been the wettest August in 27 years. And while it's been a miserable few years in terms of rain, the past six-year period has actually broken an unwanted record. Analysis from the ABC's meteorologist Tom Saunders shows that the period from January 2020 to now is the wettest six-year stretch seen since records began at Sydney's Observatory Hill in 1858 – and there's still four months to go. Saunders says there has been stronger and more frequent winds from the east, bringing more moisture in from the Tasman Sea, and said it could lead to Sydney and other parts of the east coast shifting to wetter climates over time. Flybuys rolls out checkout savings at Bunnings Those with a Flybuys account will be pleased to learn they can now opt to use their points at the checkout in Bunnings. "Whether it's potting mix, power tools, or prepping for a weekend DIY project, members can unlock value when they shop in-store, with every 2,000 points equivalent to $10 off, applied directly at the checkout," Bunnings and Flybuys announced on Tuesday. The option will commence today across Australia following a successful trial in WA, and mirrors a system successfully rolled out by Coles previously. Those with a Flybuys account will be pleased to learn they can now opt to use their points at the checkout in Bunnings. "Whether it's potting mix, power tools, or prepping for a weekend DIY project, members can unlock value when they shop in-store, with every 2,000 points equivalent to $10 off, applied directly at the checkout," Bunnings and Flybuys announced on Tuesday. The option will commence today across Australia following a successful trial in WA, and mirrors a system successfully rolled out by Coles previously. Tragic details after baby found in drain Police have launched a major investigation after a baby's body was discovered inside a stormwater drain in Perth's northern suburbs. Tradesmen cleaning the drains on La Salle Road made the tragic discovery in Alexander Heights at about 1pm on Monday. The baby was 'just days old' and found wrapped in a sheet, The West Australian has reported. A police spokesman said multiple resources had been sent to the location as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. It is understood ambulance crews were initially called but were stood down. Police also issued an emergency alert on Monday evening to all Perth maternity hospitals with concerns for the welfare of the mother. Detectives remained at the scene late on Monday, after police spent the afternoon doorknocking nearby residents. It has been reported a large portion of the road remained blocked off to the public well into Monday evening. - NewsWire Police have launched a major investigation after a baby's body was discovered inside a stormwater drain in Perth's northern suburbs. Tradesmen cleaning the drains on La Salle Road made the tragic discovery in Alexander Heights at about 1pm on Monday. The baby was 'just days old' and found wrapped in a sheet, The West Australian has reported. A police spokesman said multiple resources had been sent to the location as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. It is understood ambulance crews were initially called but were stood down. Police also issued an emergency alert on Monday evening to all Perth maternity hospitals with concerns for the welfare of the mother. Detectives remained at the scene late on Monday, after police spent the afternoon doorknocking nearby residents. It has been reported a large portion of the road remained blocked off to the public well into Monday evening. - NewsWire Australia slams Israel's 'unjustified' visa move Foreign Minister Penny Wong has slammed Israel's decision to revoke visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority as 'unjustified'. Her counterpart in Israel, Gideon Sa'ar, announced the move overnight in response to Australia cancelling a visa for a far-right Israeli MP. It is the heaviest blow to the bilateral relationship, which has been severely strained by the Albanese government's opposition to large-scale civilian suffering in Gaza. 'At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu Government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution,' Senator Wong said in a statement. 'This is an unjustified reaction, following Australia's decision to recognise Palestine. 'We will continue to work with partners as we contribute international momentum to a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.' Read more from NewsWire here. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has slammed Israel's decision to revoke visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority as 'unjustified'. Her counterpart in Israel, Gideon Sa'ar, announced the move overnight in response to Australia cancelling a visa for a far-right Israeli MP. It is the heaviest blow to the bilateral relationship, which has been severely strained by the Albanese government's opposition to large-scale civilian suffering in Gaza. 'At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu Government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution,' Senator Wong said in a statement. 'This is an unjustified reaction, following Australia's decision to recognise Palestine. 'We will continue to work with partners as we contribute international momentum to a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.' Read more from NewsWire here. Trump laughs at Zelensky's suit joke Donald Trump couldn't help but laugh. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who of course is a former comedian, took control in the White House on Monday (local time), just months after a difficult encounter with Trump where he was heavily criticised in front of the cameras. One of Trump's qualms that time was Zelensky's attire. His olive green military-style outfit was called out by suit-wearing Trump, and some reporters in the room appeared to share the opinion a more formal outfit was needed. Zelenskiy's garb at that February meeting featured in a disastrous session with Trump in which the two leaders bickered and the Ukrainian president was escorted out of the White House early, without lunch. On Monday, backed by European allies, Zelensky showed up for his talks with Trump wearing more formal attire, with Trump visibly impressed. A reporter who had asked Zelensky in February why he was not wearing a suit complimented the Ukrainian leader on the attire he chose for his latest visit. "You look fabulous in that suit," the reporter said. Trump chimed in: "I said the same thing". Clearly far more comfortable with proceedings, he managed to get a cheeky last response to the journalist. "You're wearing the same suit," he told the reporter, drawing laughter from the room. "I changed." You can watch the moment below. Donald Trump couldn't help but laugh. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who of course is a former comedian, took control in the White House on Monday (local time), just months after a difficult encounter with Trump where he was heavily criticised in front of the cameras. One of Trump's qualms that time was Zelensky's attire. His olive green military-style outfit was called out by suit-wearing Trump, and some reporters in the room appeared to share the opinion a more formal outfit was needed. Zelenskiy's garb at that February meeting featured in a disastrous session with Trump in which the two leaders bickered and the Ukrainian president was escorted out of the White House early, without lunch. On Monday, backed by European allies, Zelensky showed up for his talks with Trump wearing more formal attire, with Trump visibly impressed. A reporter who had asked Zelensky in February why he was not wearing a suit complimented the Ukrainian leader on the attire he chose for his latest visit. "You look fabulous in that suit," the reporter said. Trump chimed in: "I said the same thing". Clearly far more comfortable with proceedings, he managed to get a cheeky last response to the journalist. "You're wearing the same suit," he told the reporter, drawing laughter from the room. "I changed." You can watch the moment below. Children targeted in e-bike crackdown Children are the target of Queensland Police's latest e-bike crackdown as momentum to get to grips with their illegal use continues to grow nationally. Police in Brisbane have launched Operation X-ray Stamp this month to target the illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters and e-bikes along the city's popular Kedron Brook Bikeway. "With many offences involving children, the operation strongly focuses on educating both children and their parents about their responsibilities and the consequences of allowing their child's illegal use of these devices," Queensland Police said on Tuesday. 'The main issues we see with e-scooters and e-bikes include unlicensed driving of unregistered vehicles, speeding, dangerous driving such as swerving in and out of pedestrians, and illegal modifications," Senior Sergeant Saskia Toohey said. 'Our focus is on education and engagement, but the QPS will take enforcement action, including issuing fines or confiscating non-compliant devices, if necessary, to stop unsafe behaviour." So with the latest effort to get to grips with the issue, we're asking you if you think authorities are doing enough when it comes to the illegal use of e-transport. Have your say below. Children are the target of Queensland Police's latest e-bike crackdown as momentum to get to grips with their illegal use continues to grow nationally. Police in Brisbane have launched Operation X-ray Stamp this month to target the illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters and e-bikes along the city's popular Kedron Brook Bikeway. "With many offences involving children, the operation strongly focuses on educating both children and their parents about their responsibilities and the consequences of allowing their child's illegal use of these devices," Queensland Police said on Tuesday. 'The main issues we see with e-scooters and e-bikes include unlicensed driving of unregistered vehicles, speeding, dangerous driving such as swerving in and out of pedestrians, and illegal modifications," Senior Sergeant Saskia Toohey said. 'Our focus is on education and engagement, but the QPS will take enforcement action, including issuing fines or confiscating non-compliant devices, if necessary, to stop unsafe behaviour." So with the latest effort to get to grips with the issue, we're asking you if you think authorities are doing enough when it comes to the illegal use of e-transport. Have your say below. Trump makes big promise to Ukraine Donald Trump has told President Volodymyr Zelensky the US would help guarantee Ukraine's security in any deal to end Russia's war there, though the extent of any assistance was not immediately clear. Trump made the pledge during an extraordinary summit at the White House, where he hosted Zelensky and a group of European allies days after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and months after a disastrous Oval Office meeting that saw Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticise the Ukrainian leader. A peace deal appeared far from imminent, however. Just before the talks began, Russia's Foreign Ministry ruled out the deployment of troops from NATO countries to help secure a peace deal, adding complications to Trump's offer. Both Trump and Zelenskiy said they hoped Monday's gathering would eventually lead to three-way talks with Putin. The Kremlin has not yet publicly accepted such a meeting, and it remains to be seen whether Putin, whose forces have been slowly grinding forward in eastern Ukraine, is prepared to sit down with Zelenskiy or make meaningful concessions. Read more here. Donald Trump has told President Volodymyr Zelensky the US would help guarantee Ukraine's security in any deal to end Russia's war there, though the extent of any assistance was not immediately clear. Trump made the pledge during an extraordinary summit at the White House, where he hosted Zelensky and a group of European allies days after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and months after a disastrous Oval Office meeting that saw Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticise the Ukrainian leader. A peace deal appeared far from imminent, however. Just before the talks began, Russia's Foreign Ministry ruled out the deployment of troops from NATO countries to help secure a peace deal, adding complications to Trump's offer. Both Trump and Zelenskiy said they hoped Monday's gathering would eventually lead to three-way talks with Putin. The Kremlin has not yet publicly accepted such a meeting, and it remains to be seen whether Putin, whose forces have been slowly grinding forward in eastern Ukraine, is prepared to sit down with Zelenskiy or make meaningful concessions. Read more here.
CNBC
13 minutes ago
- CNBC
Trump administration weighs 10% stake in Intel via Chip Act grants, making government top shareholder
The Trump administration is discussing taking a 10% stake in Intel, according to a Bloomberg report on Tuesday, in a deal that could see the U.S. government become the chipmaker's largest stakeholder. As part of a potential deal, the government is also considering converting some or all of Intel's grants from the 2022 U.S. CHIPS and Science Act into equity in the company, the report said, citing a White House official and other people familiar with the matter. At the embattled chipmaker's current market value, a 10% stake would be worth roughly $10.4 billion. Meanwhile, Intel has been awarded about $10.9 billion in Chips Act grants, including $7.9 billion for commercial manufacturing and $3 billion for national security projects. The report noted, however, that it remains unclear if the idea has gained traction broadly within the administration or whether officials have broached the possibility with affected companies. It added that the exact size of the stake remains in flux, and it remains unclear whether the White House will actually proceed with the plan. Intel and the White House did not immediately respond to CNBC's queries regarding the report. Intel, once a dominant force in the U.S. chip industry, has fallen behind global competitors in advanced chip manufacturing. Reviving the former U.S. chip champion has become a national priority in Washington, with reports about a potential government stake in the company first circulating last week. The company has been the largest recipient of the 2022 Chips Act, passed with bipartisan support under the Biden administration, as part of efforts by Washington to revitalize U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing. The bill allocated $39 billion in grants for American semiconductor manufacturing projects, with funding committed to many of the world's chipmakers such as TSMC and Samsung, as well as American chip companies such as Nvidia, Micron and GlobalFoundries. U.S. President Donald Trump, though supporting the general goals of the Chips Act, has been a vocal critic of the bill and even called for its repeal earlier this year. While republican lawmakers in Washington have been reluctant to act on that call, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in June that the administration was renegotiating some of the bill's grants. If Intel's Chip Act funds were to be converted into a potential government stake in the company, it could decrease the total amount of capital infused into the company as part of any deal by Washington. However, it would serve as the latest example of the Trump administration's interest in building government-backed national champions in strategic industries. Intel has struggled to gain an advantage in the artificial intelligence boom and has yet to capture a significant customer for its manufacturing business despite spending heavily on it. Some analysts have argued that government intervention is essential for the struggling chipmaker and for the sake of U.S. national security. Others contend that Intel's problems are deeper than funding, and it is not clear how the government can help with that. Analysts have also noted that Trump may be able to sway companies to buy Intel chips or assist indirectly, through tariffs and regulation. On Tuesday, it was announced that SoftBank was investing $2 billion in Intel. According to LSEG, the investment is worth about 2% of Intel, making SoftBank the fifth-biggest shareholder. Masayoshi Son, Chairman & CEO of SoftBank Group, said: "This strategic investment reflects our belief that advanced semiconductor manufacturing and supply will further expand in the United States, with Intel playing a critical role." Intel investors had initially welcomed news of the government investment, which resulted in a share rally of nearly 9% on Aug. 14. Shares of Intel fell over 3% on Monday on the Bloomberg report, but rebounded by more than 5% in overnight trading on the trading platform Robinhood following news of a Softbank investment. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who was appointed in March 2025, met with Trump at the White House last week, after the U.S. president had called for his ousting due to his past ties to China. After the meeting, Trump had changed his tune on the Intel chief, saying he had "an amazing story." It's unclear if a potential government stake in the company had been discussed at the time. Read the full Bloomberg story here.
Forbes
13 minutes ago
- Forbes
Work Doesn't Have To Hurt: Bree Groff's Radical Reframe
What if the most radical act in today's workplace isn't disruption or innovation—but joy? Bree Groff, transformation consultant and author of Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously), believes we've misunderstood the role of joy in professional life. 'We're told 'work is called work for a reason,'' she says. 'There's a prevailing notion that greatness requires struggle, and if we're having fun, maybe we're not working hard enough.' In her view, this cultural script is not only outdated—it's harmful. Groff's book is a spirited manifesto for rethinking how we approach our workdays. With humor, candor, and a dose of irreverence, she dismantles the myth that productivity and play are mutually exclusive. 'We get paid because we create value,' she says. 'The pain is entirely optional.' The Busyness Trap One of Groff's sharpest critiques is aimed at the cult of busyness. 'Busyness is fight-or-flight,' she explains. 'It's living in a constant state of low-grade (or high-grade!) stress.' Citing Microsoft's Infinite Workday report, she notes that the average knowledge worker receives 117 emails a day and is interrupted every two minutes. 'That's not joy—that's damage control.' Groff argues that this hyperactive pace erodes not just productivity, but our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. 'We forego exercise and doctors' appointments because they're too hard to fit in. We let stress erode our relationships. We forget that this very day will come only once in our lifetimes, and once we spend it, it's gone.' Her antidote? Slowing down enough to notice the beauty around us. 'In the words of Henri Matisse, 'There are always flowers for those who want to see them.' But we must first slow down enough to look around.' Rethinking Fun at Work Groff is quick to clarify that fun at work isn't about ping-pong tables or happy hours. 'We can think of those things like icing on the work cake,' she says. 'But the cake itself can also be rich.' For her, fun is found in the substance of work—collaborating with colleagues, growing skills, creating value, and yes, even making money. She encourages leaders to help teams imagine their 'best working day.' What would they be working on? How would their day be structured? What are they learning or creating? From these insights, leaders can experiment with changes that enhance both joy and productivity—like instituting protected 'heads-down' time or increasing feedback loops so employees feel pride and purpose. Spotting and Multiplying Joy One of Groff's most compelling ideas is the practice of 'spotting and multiplying joy.' It's a mindset shift—one that invites us to notice what brings us energy and then intentionally create more of it. 'Joy isn't a perk,' she writes. 'It's a practice.' This philosophy runs throughout Today Was Fun, which is filled with practical prompts, playful rules, and vivid stories that challenge conventional wisdom. Whether it's declaring 'Do Nothing Days' to reset creative energy or applying the 'Fast Food Rule' to ensure every team member feels heard, Groff's approach is both serious and seriously fun. A New Metric for Success Groff's message is especially timely as organizations grapple with burnout, disengagement, and the search for meaning in a post-pandemic world. Her call to action is simple but profound: make joy a central metric of success. 'Most work, most days, should be fun,' she insists. Not because it's easy—but because it's human. And when we design work that honors our humanity, we don't just feel better—we perform better. In Today Was Fun, Groff dismantles the myth that professionalism requires stoicism and sacrifice. Through vivid anecdotes, sharp humor, and actionable insights, she invites readers to reimagine work as a source of vitality rather than exhaustion. Whether you're a leader seeking to build 'cozy teams' or an individual craving more meaning in your day-to-day, Groff's book offers a compelling blueprint for making joy a central metric of success.
