Does Australia's biggest contribution to global dining come from ... McDonald's?
'I don't think it would be crazy to argue that Australian coffee culture is the country's biggest culinary contribution to the world, within which McCafe plays a major role as the delivery vehicle,' says Gary He, author of McAtlas: A Global Guide to the Golden Arches.
The self-published book won the Reference, History and Scholarship category at the prestigious James Beard food media awards in June, held in Chicago.
He, a US-based writer and photographer, travelled to McDonald's outlets across six continents to document the fast-food chain's surprising diversity. The project, started in 2018, has taken him to more than 50 countries, from Sweden's McSki to Germany's McBoat and New Zealand's Taupo location which incorporates an actual plane.
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West Australian
26 minutes ago
- West Australian
Inheritance tax wake-up call for all expat Brits in Australia still with private pensions in the UK!
A major tax change in the UK could have serious consequences for thousands of British expats living in Australia with pension savings left behind in the old country. From April 2026, pension pots inherited after the age of 75 will no longer be tax-free for beneficiaries. Instead, they'll be taxed as income, at the recipient's marginal rate — potentially as high as 45 per cent.. And from April 2027, the UK is going a step further — pensions will be brought into the scope of inheritance tax, too. This 2027 change is a fresh move from the UK Treasury. Pensions, which were previously exempt from UK estate taxes, will now potentially face double taxation — income tax plus inheritance tax. If you're an Australian tax resident with a UK pension and you're assuming it'll all pass seamlessly to your family one day, then think again. Historically, UK defined contribution pensions — also known as 'private pensions' — were a handy estate planning tool. If the pension holder died before age 75, the entire pot could pass to beneficiaries tax-free, and even after 75 it was only subject to income tax when withdrawn. More importantly, pensions were excluded from the estate for UK inheritance tax purposes, meaning they avoided the UK's hefty 40 per cent estate tax altogether. But from April 2026, that income tax exemption ends for people who die over age 75. And from April 2027, the pension itself will be counted as part of the estate for inheritance tax purposes. The UK government has confirmed that from April 2027, defined contribution pensions will be reportable for inheritance tax, with the responsibility falling on executors. In some cases, families could have just six months to report and pay tax or face late penalties. If that sounds like a nightmare for grieving families navigating two tax systems, it's because it probably will be. In contrast, Australian superannuation is relatively generous when it comes to estate planning because: Adding further complexity is a lesser-known change to how the UK defines inheritance tax exposure. From April 6 this year, the UK moved to a residence-based system. If you've been a UK tax resident for 10 out of the last 20 tax years, you may be classified as a long-term resident and subject to UK inheritance tax on your worldwide assets. So, even if you've been living in Australia for years, you may still be caught by UK inheritance tax, because the new rules apply a 'tail' period of up to 10 years after you leave. For many, transferring UK pensions to Australia via a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme has for a long time — and in the right circumstances — made financial sense. It consolidates retirement savings, aligns your money with your tax residency and gives you more control. Now, with the emergence of this new tax regime, the argument for a transfer grows stronger. It also removes the burden from your family of having to deal with HM Revenue and Customs, complex executor responsibilities and international tax reporting. Of course, it's not always straightforward because: But with professional advice, the process can often be navigated smoothly and the long-term benefits can be significant. The UK's planned tax changes are a wake-up call for British expats in Australia because: So, if you have UK pension savings and live in Australia, it's time to reassess your strategy. A well-considered pension transfer, in the right circumstances and with the right personalised advice, could mean more of your hard-earned savings stay in the hands of your family — and not in the UK tax office. Nicholas Hart is a financial adviser and UK Pensions expert at Empire Financial Group
The Advertiser
26 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Electric expectations as mining conference goes nuclear
The Diggers and Dealers mining forum will take on a radioactive yellow hue as uranium miners take centre stage on opening day. While goldminers dominate the speaking program of the three-day mining industry networking fest, uranium will be the focus of the curtain-raiser keynote on Monday morning. For the first time in the conference's 34-year history, the keynote will take the form of a panel discussion. Canadian physician turned nuclear evangelist Chris Keefer has been flown into the Western Australian gold-mining town of Kalgoorlie, alongside Centre for Independent Studies energy analyst Aidan Morrison and the free market think tank's executive director Tom Switzer. The panel was scheduled before the coalition's catastrophic federal election meltdown in May, when their nuclear power ambitions went up in flames. But Diggers chairman Jim Walker says the setback doesn't dim the importance of the topic. As Australia grapples with the question of how to power its energy transition, it's worth listening to an international perspective, he says. "Look, we've seen a change going from diesel-powered submarines to nuclear-powered submarines," he told AAP. "We are non-political, all right. We are definitely non-political. We just thought, from the interest we've had from miners around the place asking the question about where we're going to get our power from, let's grab hold of these people and let them give their presentation." Paul Hemburrow, chief operating officer of the ASX's largest dedicated uranium miner, Paladin Energy, will try to drum up investor interest as he follows up the keynote with the first presentation of the forum. Even without the evaporated prospect of a domestic nuclear market, it's been a tricky time for the uranium sector. Prices have slumped in 2025 after the emergence of Chinese AI disruptor DeepSeek challenged assumptions that the technology would fuel a massive increase in energy demand globally. Uranium has rebounded slightly since but Paladin faced a further setback in late July when its Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia missed its output guidance. Traders dumped shares in the Perth-based miner, which is down nearly 21 per cent since the start of 2025. Paladin has taken the title of the most shorted stock on the ASX, while second-placed Boss Energy suffered an even more brutal 40 per cent sell-off after it warned traders it would miss its projected output at its Honeymoon uranium mine in South Australia. Boss Energy chief executive Duncan Craib will be second cab off the rank to deliver a presentation at Diggers. The previous prime target for short sellers - lithium miners - will be feeling slightly more bullish as they look to revive interest in the industry at the forum. There is increasing optimism that prices for the battery ingredient may have bottomed out following a dire three-year bear market, as China looks to stamp out oversupply. The Diggers and Dealers mining forum will take on a radioactive yellow hue as uranium miners take centre stage on opening day. While goldminers dominate the speaking program of the three-day mining industry networking fest, uranium will be the focus of the curtain-raiser keynote on Monday morning. For the first time in the conference's 34-year history, the keynote will take the form of a panel discussion. Canadian physician turned nuclear evangelist Chris Keefer has been flown into the Western Australian gold-mining town of Kalgoorlie, alongside Centre for Independent Studies energy analyst Aidan Morrison and the free market think tank's executive director Tom Switzer. The panel was scheduled before the coalition's catastrophic federal election meltdown in May, when their nuclear power ambitions went up in flames. But Diggers chairman Jim Walker says the setback doesn't dim the importance of the topic. As Australia grapples with the question of how to power its energy transition, it's worth listening to an international perspective, he says. "Look, we've seen a change going from diesel-powered submarines to nuclear-powered submarines," he told AAP. "We are non-political, all right. We are definitely non-political. We just thought, from the interest we've had from miners around the place asking the question about where we're going to get our power from, let's grab hold of these people and let them give their presentation." Paul Hemburrow, chief operating officer of the ASX's largest dedicated uranium miner, Paladin Energy, will try to drum up investor interest as he follows up the keynote with the first presentation of the forum. Even without the evaporated prospect of a domestic nuclear market, it's been a tricky time for the uranium sector. Prices have slumped in 2025 after the emergence of Chinese AI disruptor DeepSeek challenged assumptions that the technology would fuel a massive increase in energy demand globally. Uranium has rebounded slightly since but Paladin faced a further setback in late July when its Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia missed its output guidance. Traders dumped shares in the Perth-based miner, which is down nearly 21 per cent since the start of 2025. Paladin has taken the title of the most shorted stock on the ASX, while second-placed Boss Energy suffered an even more brutal 40 per cent sell-off after it warned traders it would miss its projected output at its Honeymoon uranium mine in South Australia. Boss Energy chief executive Duncan Craib will be second cab off the rank to deliver a presentation at Diggers. The previous prime target for short sellers - lithium miners - will be feeling slightly more bullish as they look to revive interest in the industry at the forum. There is increasing optimism that prices for the battery ingredient may have bottomed out following a dire three-year bear market, as China looks to stamp out oversupply. The Diggers and Dealers mining forum will take on a radioactive yellow hue as uranium miners take centre stage on opening day. While goldminers dominate the speaking program of the three-day mining industry networking fest, uranium will be the focus of the curtain-raiser keynote on Monday morning. For the first time in the conference's 34-year history, the keynote will take the form of a panel discussion. Canadian physician turned nuclear evangelist Chris Keefer has been flown into the Western Australian gold-mining town of Kalgoorlie, alongside Centre for Independent Studies energy analyst Aidan Morrison and the free market think tank's executive director Tom Switzer. The panel was scheduled before the coalition's catastrophic federal election meltdown in May, when their nuclear power ambitions went up in flames. But Diggers chairman Jim Walker says the setback doesn't dim the importance of the topic. As Australia grapples with the question of how to power its energy transition, it's worth listening to an international perspective, he says. "Look, we've seen a change going from diesel-powered submarines to nuclear-powered submarines," he told AAP. "We are non-political, all right. We are definitely non-political. We just thought, from the interest we've had from miners around the place asking the question about where we're going to get our power from, let's grab hold of these people and let them give their presentation." Paul Hemburrow, chief operating officer of the ASX's largest dedicated uranium miner, Paladin Energy, will try to drum up investor interest as he follows up the keynote with the first presentation of the forum. Even without the evaporated prospect of a domestic nuclear market, it's been a tricky time for the uranium sector. Prices have slumped in 2025 after the emergence of Chinese AI disruptor DeepSeek challenged assumptions that the technology would fuel a massive increase in energy demand globally. Uranium has rebounded slightly since but Paladin faced a further setback in late July when its Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia missed its output guidance. Traders dumped shares in the Perth-based miner, which is down nearly 21 per cent since the start of 2025. Paladin has taken the title of the most shorted stock on the ASX, while second-placed Boss Energy suffered an even more brutal 40 per cent sell-off after it warned traders it would miss its projected output at its Honeymoon uranium mine in South Australia. Boss Energy chief executive Duncan Craib will be second cab off the rank to deliver a presentation at Diggers. The previous prime target for short sellers - lithium miners - will be feeling slightly more bullish as they look to revive interest in the industry at the forum. There is increasing optimism that prices for the battery ingredient may have bottomed out following a dire three-year bear market, as China looks to stamp out oversupply. The Diggers and Dealers mining forum will take on a radioactive yellow hue as uranium miners take centre stage on opening day. While goldminers dominate the speaking program of the three-day mining industry networking fest, uranium will be the focus of the curtain-raiser keynote on Monday morning. For the first time in the conference's 34-year history, the keynote will take the form of a panel discussion. Canadian physician turned nuclear evangelist Chris Keefer has been flown into the Western Australian gold-mining town of Kalgoorlie, alongside Centre for Independent Studies energy analyst Aidan Morrison and the free market think tank's executive director Tom Switzer. The panel was scheduled before the coalition's catastrophic federal election meltdown in May, when their nuclear power ambitions went up in flames. But Diggers chairman Jim Walker says the setback doesn't dim the importance of the topic. As Australia grapples with the question of how to power its energy transition, it's worth listening to an international perspective, he says. "Look, we've seen a change going from diesel-powered submarines to nuclear-powered submarines," he told AAP. "We are non-political, all right. We are definitely non-political. We just thought, from the interest we've had from miners around the place asking the question about where we're going to get our power from, let's grab hold of these people and let them give their presentation." Paul Hemburrow, chief operating officer of the ASX's largest dedicated uranium miner, Paladin Energy, will try to drum up investor interest as he follows up the keynote with the first presentation of the forum. Even without the evaporated prospect of a domestic nuclear market, it's been a tricky time for the uranium sector. Prices have slumped in 2025 after the emergence of Chinese AI disruptor DeepSeek challenged assumptions that the technology would fuel a massive increase in energy demand globally. Uranium has rebounded slightly since but Paladin faced a further setback in late July when its Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia missed its output guidance. Traders dumped shares in the Perth-based miner, which is down nearly 21 per cent since the start of 2025. Paladin has taken the title of the most shorted stock on the ASX, while second-placed Boss Energy suffered an even more brutal 40 per cent sell-off after it warned traders it would miss its projected output at its Honeymoon uranium mine in South Australia. Boss Energy chief executive Duncan Craib will be second cab off the rank to deliver a presentation at Diggers. The previous prime target for short sellers - lithium miners - will be feeling slightly more bullish as they look to revive interest in the industry at the forum. There is increasing optimism that prices for the battery ingredient may have bottomed out following a dire three-year bear market, as China looks to stamp out oversupply.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Electric expectations as mining conference goes nuclear
The Diggers and Dealers mining forum will take on a radioactive yellow hue as uranium miners take centre stage on opening day. While goldminers dominate the speaking program of the three-day mining industry networking fest, uranium will be the focus of the curtain-raiser keynote on Monday morning. For the first time in the conference's 34-year history, the keynote will take the form of a panel discussion. Canadian physician turned nuclear evangelist Chris Keefer has been flown into the Western Australian gold-mining town of Kalgoorlie, alongside Centre for Independent Studies energy analyst Aidan Morrison and the free market think tank's executive director Tom Switzer. The panel was scheduled before the coalition's catastrophic federal election meltdown in May, when their nuclear power ambitions went up in flames. But Diggers chairman Jim Walker says the setback doesn't dim the importance of the topic. As Australia grapples with the question of how to power its energy transition, it's worth listening to an international perspective, he says. "Look, we've seen a change going from diesel-powered submarines to nuclear-powered submarines," he told AAP. "We are non-political, all right. We are definitely non-political. We just thought, from the interest we've had from miners around the place asking the question about where we're going to get our power from, let's grab hold of these people and let them give their presentation." Paul Hemburrow, chief operating officer of the ASX's largest dedicated uranium miner, Paladin Energy, will try to drum up investor interest as he follows up the keynote with the first presentation of the forum. Even without the evaporated prospect of a domestic nuclear market, it's been a tricky time for the uranium sector. Prices have slumped in 2025 after the emergence of Chinese AI disruptor DeepSeek challenged assumptions that the technology would fuel a massive increase in energy demand globally. Uranium has rebounded slightly since but Paladin faced a further setback in late July when its Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia missed its output guidance. Traders dumped shares in the Perth-based miner, which is down nearly 21 per cent since the start of 2025. Paladin has taken the title of the most shorted stock on the ASX, while second-placed Boss Energy suffered an even more brutal 40 per cent sell-off after it warned traders it would miss its projected output at its Honeymoon uranium mine in South Australia. Boss Energy chief executive Duncan Craib will be second cab off the rank to deliver a presentation at Diggers. The previous prime target for short sellers - lithium miners - will be feeling slightly more bullish as they look to revive interest in the industry at the forum. There is increasing optimism that prices for the battery ingredient may have bottomed out following a dire three-year bear market, as China looks to stamp out oversupply.
