Latest news with #AppleNews
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
British punk rockstar tragically dies at 63 as family make sad request
British punk rockstar, Colin Jerwood, has tragically died aged 63 after a short illness. The singer's band, Conflict, announced the sad news today, sharing: "It is with a very heavy heart to announce Colin passed away after a short illness. "We know for his supporters that this is difficult news to hear." They added: "We appreciate that many of you might want to share your condolences. We have set up this online memorial page that you can contribute to. You can also donate to charities in his memory." Sharing a heartbreaking request from Colin's family, they continued: "Colin's family meant the world to him and he would want their wishes to be respected. "We kindly request that you do not attend his funeral. His family will be reading through any comments on the memorial page and your presence will be felt. "We appreciate all your support for Colin and Conflict over the years." Punk group, Conflict, were originally based in Eltham, South London. **This is a breaking showbiz news story. Join The Mirror's ****WhatsApp Community ****or follow us on ****, ****, Apple News, ****, ****, ****, ****, ****, **** and **** - or visit The Mirror homepage**
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Billie Piper returns to Doctor Who in major twist as she replaces Ncuti Gatwa
Billie Piper has replaced Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, with the character regenerating during the finale of science-fiction series Doctor Who. - This is a breaking news story. Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, Twitter, Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.
CNET
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNET
Here's How You Can Cook Delicious Food at Home With Apple News Food
Apple will likely show off iOS 19 at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9. The tech giant hasn't revealed anything about the upcoming iPhone software, and rumors suggest iOS 19 will redesign apps, icons and more. Before you tune into WWDC to see what's coming to your iPhone, why not make yourself a snack with the help of the Food section in Apple News? Apple released iOS 18.4 on March 31, and that update made it easy to find new recipes to try at home with the new Apple News section. The new section features recipes from publications like Good Housekeeping, Food & Wine and more. You can find other food and restaurant related stories there as well. Read more: An Expert's Guide to iOS 18 Here's what you need to know about Apple News Food. What is Apple News Food? Apple News Food is a new section in the Apple News app that Apple made available with iOS 18.4. "With the new Food feature, users will be able to find stories curated by Apple News editors, as well as browse, search, and filter tens of thousands of recipes in the Recipe Catalog — with new recipes added every day," Apple wrote in an email. How do I access Apple News Food? 1. Open News. 2. Tap Following in the bottom-right corner of your screen. 3. Tap Food. Apple You'll see options for the Recipe Catalog and Saved Recipes near the top of the page, and you can scroll down to see other recipes and articles. You can also tap the fork and knife symbol in the top right corner of your iPhone screen at any time while in the Food section to access the Recipe Catalog. Once you're in the Recipe Catalog, the fork and knife symbol will be replaced with a box symbol you can tap to access your Saved Recipes. To save recipes, tap a recipe you're interested in and then tap Save. The recipe will be stored in your Saved Recipes. How much does Apple News Food cost? The Food section is free to everyone, but the free version only gives you access to a few stories and recipes each day. With the free version of this section, I could access recipes like million dollar sausage balls and this cucumber-avocado-tomato sandwich. I'm not a picky eater and will gladly try both of these, but I couldn't access many other recipes I was interested in with the free version. However, if you subscribe to Apple News Plus ($13 a month) or the premier tier of Apple One ($38 a month), you get full access to the Food section. That means you can browse a catalog of thousands of recipes and articles, save recipes in your own digital cookbook and access recipes offline. The recipe catalog makes it easy to find dinner ideas, vegetarian recipes and even cocktails. What else does Apple News Food offer? You can also access what Apple calls cook mode in Apple News Food, which shows step-by-step instructions in full screen on your device. You'll see one step at a time but will have to swipe on your screen to go to the next step. I tried to ask Siri to move on to the next step, and the digital assistant ignored my pleas. This could be a problem if you're cooking and your hands are covered in flour, grease or anything else you don't want to get on your phone, but you still have to go to the next step. Apple This feature does prevent your iPhone from going to sleep or dimming the screen. Which is nice, because then you don't have to unlock your phone every minute to make sure you're following the directions (not that I've ever done that or anything). Cook mode can also display the entire list of ingredients for each recipe by tapping Ingredients near the top of your screen, which means you don't have to write down an entire list of ingredients the next time you head to the grocery store. However, you can't copy and paste these ingredients or directions from News into another app, like Notes. You can share a link to the recipe, or save it as a quick note, but if you want to ask your roommate or partner to pick up a few ingredients while they're out, you can't easily copy and paste those ingredients into a message. To access cook mode, tap a recipe in the app you want to try then tap Cook. For more on iOS 18, here's all the features included in iOS 18.5 and iOS 18.4. You can also check out our iOS 18 cheat sheet and what we hope to see in iOS 19.
The Advertiser
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
The stakes are high when it comes to super scams
It was a quiet Friday - until my inbox exploded. A distressed reader had just seen what she thought was a government announcement: from 1 June 2025, nobody would be allowed to touch their super until age 70. She was shocked and panicky. It was all news to me, so I asked her to send a screenshot. What came back looked highly convincing. It was a professional-looking Apple News article featuring a photo of the prime minister, complete with quotes and policy details. It claimed the preservation age was being lifted to 70 and promised a "work bonus" to soften the blow. I told her it screamed fake news, and I was right. But within hours, dozens more emails flooded in from readers who had seen the same article and were equally alarmed. That's when I called the Tax Office. They confirmed what I suspected: it was total rubbish. We immediately issued a special bulletin to all my news subscribers to warn them it was a fake. This is AI and social media being weaponised. A few clicks, and boom - scammers whip up a fake news release so real it fools half the country. They blast it out on email or Facebook, and their goal's dead simple: get you to click. One wrong move, and your device is toast, your data's swiped, or your identity's gone. These scams aren't just dodgy texts anymore: they're polished, gut-punching lies built to spark fear and chaos. And when it comes to superannuation - one of your most important assets - the stakes are high. Let's be absolutely clear: any major changes to superannuation rules, such as lifting the preservation age, would be front-page news. They'd be announced through formal channels, usually as part of the Federal Budget, and covered extensively in mainstream media. If you haven't seen it on the evening news or read it in a major newspaper, chances are it isn't real. Here are the facts. The preservation age is currently 60, and there are no plans to increase it. Once you reach preservation age, you can access your super if you meet a "condition of release". That typically means retiring or ceasing employment - though it doesn't have to be from your main job. Even resigning from a casual job may be enough. And if you're 60 or older and can't satisfy a condition of release, you can start a transition-to-retirement (TTR) pension, which allows you to draw up to 10 per cent of your super annually, even while still working. It's a useful strategy for those wanting to cut back their hours without sacrificing income. From age 65, you can access your super regardless of your work status. For people on temporary visas, the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) scheme allows you to withdraw your super once you've left the country permanently. In limited cases, you can access super before preservation age: for example, if you're permanently incapacitated, terminally ill, suffering severe financial hardship, or facing large medical bills. Each situation has strict eligibility rules and requires approval from the ATO or your super fund. Super is a long-term investment. But it's also a tempting target for scammers, because it's where most Australians keep a large chunk of their retirement wealth. That's why you need to stay vigilant, question what you see online, and never act on anonymous messages without checking first. If something sounds extreme or sudden - like moving the preservation age to 70 overnight - don't panic. Don't click. Don't forward it. Just check with a reputable source like your fund, a licensed adviser, or government websites. A moment of doubt can save you a lifetime of trouble. Question: We own our own home valued at around $1,300,000 although we have an investment loan against the home equity, of $400,000. I have not paid this out as my investment return has to date exceeded the interest payable on the interest only loan. Does Centrelink deduct the value of the investment loan when calculating asset value to determine eligibility? Answer: It depends on how the loan is secured. If the mortgage is over your residence, the loan will not be deducted from the asset value - but if the loan is secured over the investment itself Centrelink will reduce the investment asset by the amount of that loan. Question: How will my superannuation be taxed when it passes to my daughters after my death? It is in pension mode, and all withdrawals are tax-free. When my daughters inherit their equal shares, will they be required to pay tax, or does its tax-free status continue? If tax is payable, would it be more beneficial to name my wife as the beneficiary so she can later transfer the funds to them? What effect would this have on her pension? Answer: If you pass away while in pension phase, your super pension will cease, and your daughters can only receive the remaining balance as a lump sum. Whilst withdrawals you make are tax-free, the taxable proportion of lump sum death benefits paid to your daughters (non-tax dependants) will be subject to tax at 15% plus 2% Medicare Levy. If you changed the beneficiaries from your daughters to your wife, then she can receive a tax-free lump sum death benefit. However, the amount received by your wife will be assessed as an asset by Centrelink and assuming she keeps the funds in the bank account, deemed income will count under the income test. This may affect her age pension. Furthermore, if she then gifted this amount to your daughters, Centrelink will treat the amount gifted, less the first $10,000, as a 'deprived' asset, and count it under the means tests for 5 years. This is a complex issue and expert advice is essential. Question: I am 67 and retired from my banking career after 48 years. I now do handyman work to stay active, which I enjoy. It's not full-time - about 10 hours per week. I also spend 10 hours weekly at a paid woodworking course. I'm self-employed but not incorporated or registered (no ABN/ACN). I issue invoices for all my jobs. I've tried seeking clarification from the ATO and my super fund without success. If I'm self-employed, what evidence must I provide to the ATO/super fund to contribute to super and claim a tax deduction for concessional contributions? I wish to contribute the $30,000 maximum. Answer: An ATO spokesperson says the work test requires proof of gainful employment for at least 40 hours within 30 consecutive days, as an employee or self-employed, in the financial year of contribution. Australia's tax system relies on self-assessment, assuming your information is accurate. If reviewed and you lack evidence for a deduction, your claim may be disallowed. Keep records of your work hours to demonstrate compliance. You seem on the right track. Getting an ABN might be wise - it's free. It was a quiet Friday - until my inbox exploded. A distressed reader had just seen what she thought was a government announcement: from 1 June 2025, nobody would be allowed to touch their super until age 70. She was shocked and panicky. It was all news to me, so I asked her to send a screenshot. What came back looked highly convincing. It was a professional-looking Apple News article featuring a photo of the prime minister, complete with quotes and policy details. It claimed the preservation age was being lifted to 70 and promised a "work bonus" to soften the blow. I told her it screamed fake news, and I was right. But within hours, dozens more emails flooded in from readers who had seen the same article and were equally alarmed. That's when I called the Tax Office. They confirmed what I suspected: it was total rubbish. We immediately issued a special bulletin to all my news subscribers to warn them it was a fake. This is AI and social media being weaponised. A few clicks, and boom - scammers whip up a fake news release so real it fools half the country. They blast it out on email or Facebook, and their goal's dead simple: get you to click. One wrong move, and your device is toast, your data's swiped, or your identity's gone. These scams aren't just dodgy texts anymore: they're polished, gut-punching lies built to spark fear and chaos. And when it comes to superannuation - one of your most important assets - the stakes are high. Let's be absolutely clear: any major changes to superannuation rules, such as lifting the preservation age, would be front-page news. They'd be announced through formal channels, usually as part of the Federal Budget, and covered extensively in mainstream media. If you haven't seen it on the evening news or read it in a major newspaper, chances are it isn't real. Here are the facts. The preservation age is currently 60, and there are no plans to increase it. Once you reach preservation age, you can access your super if you meet a "condition of release". That typically means retiring or ceasing employment - though it doesn't have to be from your main job. Even resigning from a casual job may be enough. And if you're 60 or older and can't satisfy a condition of release, you can start a transition-to-retirement (TTR) pension, which allows you to draw up to 10 per cent of your super annually, even while still working. It's a useful strategy for those wanting to cut back their hours without sacrificing income. From age 65, you can access your super regardless of your work status. For people on temporary visas, the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) scheme allows you to withdraw your super once you've left the country permanently. In limited cases, you can access super before preservation age: for example, if you're permanently incapacitated, terminally ill, suffering severe financial hardship, or facing large medical bills. Each situation has strict eligibility rules and requires approval from the ATO or your super fund. Super is a long-term investment. But it's also a tempting target for scammers, because it's where most Australians keep a large chunk of their retirement wealth. That's why you need to stay vigilant, question what you see online, and never act on anonymous messages without checking first. If something sounds extreme or sudden - like moving the preservation age to 70 overnight - don't panic. Don't click. Don't forward it. Just check with a reputable source like your fund, a licensed adviser, or government websites. A moment of doubt can save you a lifetime of trouble. Question: We own our own home valued at around $1,300,000 although we have an investment loan against the home equity, of $400,000. I have not paid this out as my investment return has to date exceeded the interest payable on the interest only loan. Does Centrelink deduct the value of the investment loan when calculating asset value to determine eligibility? Answer: It depends on how the loan is secured. If the mortgage is over your residence, the loan will not be deducted from the asset value - but if the loan is secured over the investment itself Centrelink will reduce the investment asset by the amount of that loan. Question: How will my superannuation be taxed when it passes to my daughters after my death? It is in pension mode, and all withdrawals are tax-free. When my daughters inherit their equal shares, will they be required to pay tax, or does its tax-free status continue? If tax is payable, would it be more beneficial to name my wife as the beneficiary so she can later transfer the funds to them? What effect would this have on her pension? Answer: If you pass away while in pension phase, your super pension will cease, and your daughters can only receive the remaining balance as a lump sum. Whilst withdrawals you make are tax-free, the taxable proportion of lump sum death benefits paid to your daughters (non-tax dependants) will be subject to tax at 15% plus 2% Medicare Levy. If you changed the beneficiaries from your daughters to your wife, then she can receive a tax-free lump sum death benefit. However, the amount received by your wife will be assessed as an asset by Centrelink and assuming she keeps the funds in the bank account, deemed income will count under the income test. This may affect her age pension. Furthermore, if she then gifted this amount to your daughters, Centrelink will treat the amount gifted, less the first $10,000, as a 'deprived' asset, and count it under the means tests for 5 years. This is a complex issue and expert advice is essential. Question: I am 67 and retired from my banking career after 48 years. I now do handyman work to stay active, which I enjoy. It's not full-time - about 10 hours per week. I also spend 10 hours weekly at a paid woodworking course. I'm self-employed but not incorporated or registered (no ABN/ACN). I issue invoices for all my jobs. I've tried seeking clarification from the ATO and my super fund without success. If I'm self-employed, what evidence must I provide to the ATO/super fund to contribute to super and claim a tax deduction for concessional contributions? I wish to contribute the $30,000 maximum. Answer: An ATO spokesperson says the work test requires proof of gainful employment for at least 40 hours within 30 consecutive days, as an employee or self-employed, in the financial year of contribution. Australia's tax system relies on self-assessment, assuming your information is accurate. If reviewed and you lack evidence for a deduction, your claim may be disallowed. Keep records of your work hours to demonstrate compliance. You seem on the right track. Getting an ABN might be wise - it's free. It was a quiet Friday - until my inbox exploded. A distressed reader had just seen what she thought was a government announcement: from 1 June 2025, nobody would be allowed to touch their super until age 70. She was shocked and panicky. It was all news to me, so I asked her to send a screenshot. What came back looked highly convincing. It was a professional-looking Apple News article featuring a photo of the prime minister, complete with quotes and policy details. It claimed the preservation age was being lifted to 70 and promised a "work bonus" to soften the blow. I told her it screamed fake news, and I was right. But within hours, dozens more emails flooded in from readers who had seen the same article and were equally alarmed. That's when I called the Tax Office. They confirmed what I suspected: it was total rubbish. We immediately issued a special bulletin to all my news subscribers to warn them it was a fake. This is AI and social media being weaponised. A few clicks, and boom - scammers whip up a fake news release so real it fools half the country. They blast it out on email or Facebook, and their goal's dead simple: get you to click. One wrong move, and your device is toast, your data's swiped, or your identity's gone. These scams aren't just dodgy texts anymore: they're polished, gut-punching lies built to spark fear and chaos. And when it comes to superannuation - one of your most important assets - the stakes are high. Let's be absolutely clear: any major changes to superannuation rules, such as lifting the preservation age, would be front-page news. They'd be announced through formal channels, usually as part of the Federal Budget, and covered extensively in mainstream media. If you haven't seen it on the evening news or read it in a major newspaper, chances are it isn't real. Here are the facts. The preservation age is currently 60, and there are no plans to increase it. Once you reach preservation age, you can access your super if you meet a "condition of release". That typically means retiring or ceasing employment - though it doesn't have to be from your main job. Even resigning from a casual job may be enough. And if you're 60 or older and can't satisfy a condition of release, you can start a transition-to-retirement (TTR) pension, which allows you to draw up to 10 per cent of your super annually, even while still working. It's a useful strategy for those wanting to cut back their hours without sacrificing income. From age 65, you can access your super regardless of your work status. For people on temporary visas, the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) scheme allows you to withdraw your super once you've left the country permanently. In limited cases, you can access super before preservation age: for example, if you're permanently incapacitated, terminally ill, suffering severe financial hardship, or facing large medical bills. Each situation has strict eligibility rules and requires approval from the ATO or your super fund. Super is a long-term investment. But it's also a tempting target for scammers, because it's where most Australians keep a large chunk of their retirement wealth. That's why you need to stay vigilant, question what you see online, and never act on anonymous messages without checking first. If something sounds extreme or sudden - like moving the preservation age to 70 overnight - don't panic. Don't click. Don't forward it. Just check with a reputable source like your fund, a licensed adviser, or government websites. A moment of doubt can save you a lifetime of trouble. Question: We own our own home valued at around $1,300,000 although we have an investment loan against the home equity, of $400,000. I have not paid this out as my investment return has to date exceeded the interest payable on the interest only loan. Does Centrelink deduct the value of the investment loan when calculating asset value to determine eligibility? Answer: It depends on how the loan is secured. If the mortgage is over your residence, the loan will not be deducted from the asset value - but if the loan is secured over the investment itself Centrelink will reduce the investment asset by the amount of that loan. Question: How will my superannuation be taxed when it passes to my daughters after my death? It is in pension mode, and all withdrawals are tax-free. When my daughters inherit their equal shares, will they be required to pay tax, or does its tax-free status continue? If tax is payable, would it be more beneficial to name my wife as the beneficiary so she can later transfer the funds to them? What effect would this have on her pension? Answer: If you pass away while in pension phase, your super pension will cease, and your daughters can only receive the remaining balance as a lump sum. Whilst withdrawals you make are tax-free, the taxable proportion of lump sum death benefits paid to your daughters (non-tax dependants) will be subject to tax at 15% plus 2% Medicare Levy. If you changed the beneficiaries from your daughters to your wife, then she can receive a tax-free lump sum death benefit. However, the amount received by your wife will be assessed as an asset by Centrelink and assuming she keeps the funds in the bank account, deemed income will count under the income test. This may affect her age pension. Furthermore, if she then gifted this amount to your daughters, Centrelink will treat the amount gifted, less the first $10,000, as a 'deprived' asset, and count it under the means tests for 5 years. This is a complex issue and expert advice is essential. Question: I am 67 and retired from my banking career after 48 years. I now do handyman work to stay active, which I enjoy. It's not full-time - about 10 hours per week. I also spend 10 hours weekly at a paid woodworking course. I'm self-employed but not incorporated or registered (no ABN/ACN). I issue invoices for all my jobs. I've tried seeking clarification from the ATO and my super fund without success. If I'm self-employed, what evidence must I provide to the ATO/super fund to contribute to super and claim a tax deduction for concessional contributions? I wish to contribute the $30,000 maximum. Answer: An ATO spokesperson says the work test requires proof of gainful employment for at least 40 hours within 30 consecutive days, as an employee or self-employed, in the financial year of contribution. Australia's tax system relies on self-assessment, assuming your information is accurate. If reviewed and you lack evidence for a deduction, your claim may be disallowed. Keep records of your work hours to demonstrate compliance. You seem on the right track. Getting an ABN might be wise - it's free. It was a quiet Friday - until my inbox exploded. A distressed reader had just seen what she thought was a government announcement: from 1 June 2025, nobody would be allowed to touch their super until age 70. She was shocked and panicky. It was all news to me, so I asked her to send a screenshot. What came back looked highly convincing. It was a professional-looking Apple News article featuring a photo of the prime minister, complete with quotes and policy details. It claimed the preservation age was being lifted to 70 and promised a "work bonus" to soften the blow. I told her it screamed fake news, and I was right. But within hours, dozens more emails flooded in from readers who had seen the same article and were equally alarmed. That's when I called the Tax Office. They confirmed what I suspected: it was total rubbish. We immediately issued a special bulletin to all my news subscribers to warn them it was a fake. This is AI and social media being weaponised. A few clicks, and boom - scammers whip up a fake news release so real it fools half the country. They blast it out on email or Facebook, and their goal's dead simple: get you to click. One wrong move, and your device is toast, your data's swiped, or your identity's gone. These scams aren't just dodgy texts anymore: they're polished, gut-punching lies built to spark fear and chaos. And when it comes to superannuation - one of your most important assets - the stakes are high. Let's be absolutely clear: any major changes to superannuation rules, such as lifting the preservation age, would be front-page news. They'd be announced through formal channels, usually as part of the Federal Budget, and covered extensively in mainstream media. If you haven't seen it on the evening news or read it in a major newspaper, chances are it isn't real. Here are the facts. The preservation age is currently 60, and there are no plans to increase it. Once you reach preservation age, you can access your super if you meet a "condition of release". That typically means retiring or ceasing employment - though it doesn't have to be from your main job. Even resigning from a casual job may be enough. And if you're 60 or older and can't satisfy a condition of release, you can start a transition-to-retirement (TTR) pension, which allows you to draw up to 10 per cent of your super annually, even while still working. It's a useful strategy for those wanting to cut back their hours without sacrificing income. From age 65, you can access your super regardless of your work status. For people on temporary visas, the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) scheme allows you to withdraw your super once you've left the country permanently. In limited cases, you can access super before preservation age: for example, if you're permanently incapacitated, terminally ill, suffering severe financial hardship, or facing large medical bills. Each situation has strict eligibility rules and requires approval from the ATO or your super fund. Super is a long-term investment. But it's also a tempting target for scammers, because it's where most Australians keep a large chunk of their retirement wealth. That's why you need to stay vigilant, question what you see online, and never act on anonymous messages without checking first. If something sounds extreme or sudden - like moving the preservation age to 70 overnight - don't panic. Don't click. Don't forward it. Just check with a reputable source like your fund, a licensed adviser, or government websites. A moment of doubt can save you a lifetime of trouble. Question: We own our own home valued at around $1,300,000 although we have an investment loan against the home equity, of $400,000. I have not paid this out as my investment return has to date exceeded the interest payable on the interest only loan. Does Centrelink deduct the value of the investment loan when calculating asset value to determine eligibility? Answer: It depends on how the loan is secured. If the mortgage is over your residence, the loan will not be deducted from the asset value - but if the loan is secured over the investment itself Centrelink will reduce the investment asset by the amount of that loan. Question: How will my superannuation be taxed when it passes to my daughters after my death? It is in pension mode, and all withdrawals are tax-free. When my daughters inherit their equal shares, will they be required to pay tax, or does its tax-free status continue? If tax is payable, would it be more beneficial to name my wife as the beneficiary so she can later transfer the funds to them? What effect would this have on her pension? Answer: If you pass away while in pension phase, your super pension will cease, and your daughters can only receive the remaining balance as a lump sum. Whilst withdrawals you make are tax-free, the taxable proportion of lump sum death benefits paid to your daughters (non-tax dependants) will be subject to tax at 15% plus 2% Medicare Levy. If you changed the beneficiaries from your daughters to your wife, then she can receive a tax-free lump sum death benefit. However, the amount received by your wife will be assessed as an asset by Centrelink and assuming she keeps the funds in the bank account, deemed income will count under the income test. This may affect her age pension. Furthermore, if she then gifted this amount to your daughters, Centrelink will treat the amount gifted, less the first $10,000, as a 'deprived' asset, and count it under the means tests for 5 years. This is a complex issue and expert advice is essential. Question: I am 67 and retired from my banking career after 48 years. I now do handyman work to stay active, which I enjoy. It's not full-time - about 10 hours per week. I also spend 10 hours weekly at a paid woodworking course. I'm self-employed but not incorporated or registered (no ABN/ACN). I issue invoices for all my jobs. I've tried seeking clarification from the ATO and my super fund without success. If I'm self-employed, what evidence must I provide to the ATO/super fund to contribute to super and claim a tax deduction for concessional contributions? I wish to contribute the $30,000 maximum. Answer: An ATO spokesperson says the work test requires proof of gainful employment for at least 40 hours within 30 consecutive days, as an employee or self-employed, in the financial year of contribution. Australia's tax system relies on self-assessment, assuming your information is accurate. If reviewed and you lack evidence for a deduction, your claim may be disallowed. Keep records of your work hours to demonstrate compliance. You seem on the right track. Getting an ABN might be wise - it's free.
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Apple News+: The Good, The Bad, And Where It Goes From Here
As Elon Musk's X has grown toxic in recent years, news consumers like me have migrated to other destinations around the web — to services ranging from Bluesky to Substack — in order to keep up to speed with current events. I've certainly cycled through a number of those apps over the last few years, before ultimately deciding that one of the most reliable alternatives to X (for a news consumer, at least) is Apple News+, thanks to everything from its clean aesthetic to its easily scannable user interface that more or less replicates the X experience. Minus the chaos and drama. Having said that, the app is certainly not for everyone. In this post, I'm going to explain why I use it and why I think it (mostly) does a good job of providing a news reader experience. Bear in mind, this is coming from someone who's worked as a professional journalist since before iPhones existed, so my perspective is not only colored by my experience as a writer but also from having tried out a slew of different apps in an effort to find an X replacement. For $12.99 a month, Apple News+ subscribers get access to hundreds of magazines and paywalled newspapers, a list that includes The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic, and all of it wrapped up in a package that features Apple's signature design polish. For what it's worth, there's also a lot for news publishers to like, since the app gives them access to Apple's tens of millions of users. And then there are the human editors who help curate the product, a rare commodity in an era when Google's algorithms routinely give and take away traffic. In terms of usage, Apple hasn't disclosed updated user figures since confirming the app had a combined free and paid usage of 125 million monthly active users in 2020 (the year after the subscription service launched). However, Consumer Intelligence Research Partners estimated back in the fall that the Apple News+ subscription growth rate had increased from 15% to 24% between 2020 and 2024. For comparison, that's a rate of growth four times faster than major news sites like The New York Times and The Washington Post saw during that same period. Now, let's take a closer look at what Apple News+ gets right, where it still feels lacking, and what the future looks like for the app. I should add, this is also coming from someone who's used the product pretty much every day since its launch in early 2019. As noted above, there's a lot that Apple News+ gets right. One reason I particularly love the app is its inclusion of The Wall Street Journal for $12.99 a month. Subscribe directly to the WSJ, and you're looking at a normal yearly price of above $200 after the initial discounts go away. Apple News+ also gets high marks from me for glanceability — the app makes good use of screen space to place a lot of content in front of you before you even need to scroll. And as you do begin to scroll, the design makes it comfortable to consume (or quickly ignore) plenty of content. The tweet by tweet nature of X always used to trip me up in that regard, meaning it's easy to get sucked into one post after another there, making the whole time start to feel like a time suck. And speaking of scrolling — I prefer Apple News+ to Flipboard for this very reason. The core mechanic of Flipboard, of course, is right there in the name; with Flipboard, users 'flip' stories one at a time, like turning the pages of a magazine. By default, that means you're spending more time in the app getting caught up than you would using something like Apple News+. Among other things Apple gets right, the app's human editors routinely surface important stories. Users can also fine-tune what they want to see more or less of. Now, the cons. I can imagine a scenario where the elegant interface I've described might actually overwhelm an Apple News+ user who's not actively curating and fine-tuning their preferences as they go (by 'liking' stories, for example, or adding topics to your list of favorites). That's because this is Apple we're talking about. The app tries to walk a fine line between reflecting a user's interests but also not invading their privacy. Meaning, if you're not regularly making your preferences known, you'll see content from time to time that makes you scratch your head and wonder, 'What's this doing here?' That's to be expected from Apple, which has built a respect for its users' privacy into the company's brand. But still. Another important limitation to note: Not every partner publication makes all of its content available to Apple News+. Some keep their most popular pieces behind a paywall, and you'll figure out who does that and for which pieces as you go. The app does have a free tier, but I've found that you'll regularly bump up against paywalls if you use it. As for the app's future, what I'd personally like to see more of comes in the realm of personalization. It would be nice to see more collections curated by the app's editors, as well as less guesswork involved in what a user might want to see (based on their activity in the app, such as by liking stories). If I've shown no interest whatsoever in sports and am following no sports publications, for example, it feels like it should be a given that I don't want a lot of sports in my feed. Nevertheless, I run into this kind of situation often while using the app. I'd also like to see the app expand its audio stories, which can be an increasingly useful alternative to news consumers who don't want to listen to a long-form podcast. To that end, Apple has built a team of narrators and producers who offer daily readings of top feature stories from a small selection of outlets like Time. To expand its reach, I'm sure the app will also lean even more into its non-core news offering (including games, plus live sports scores and its burgeoning food/recipes section). For now, Apple News+ remains a more than adequate news app for a consumer like me, someone who appreciates clean design and doesn't want the distracting cruft of social media drama. In short, it feels like an app built for readers, as opposed to advertisers.
