Australian Government Introduces Levy on Tech Platforms to Support Local News Publishers

The Albanese government proposed the News Bargaining Incentive to protect publishers from financial harm caused by big tech platforms' use of news content from established media companies. Local news matters to local communities and these stories can’t be told without Australian journalists, Albanese said.

Big tech companies, including Meta, Google and Oracle, stand to be affected by the incentive, which functions as a levy on platforms.

U.S. in technology and AI for infrastructure and workforce expansion. S. TikTok underwent restructuring in the United States, with its algorithm now controlled by Oracle.

Larry Ellison and his son acquired Paramount and CBS. Guests at the White House dinner for the state visit of King Charles included Ruth Porat of Alphabet and Google, Dina Powell McCormick of Meta, and David Ellison of Oracle.

The tech companies' lobbying in Washington remains exceptionally effective. S. ambassador to Australia.

U.S. embargo on Iran in the Persian Gulf. At a cabinet meeting in March 2026, Trump said with respect to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, 'Australia was not great.

In April 2026, Trump added, 'I’m not happy with Australia because they were not there when we asked them to be there. , reported on April 3, 2026. Australia said it would not raise drug prices after the tariff.

U.S. pharmaceutical companies, but Australia has dodged much of Trump’s tariffs on medicines so far. Trump’s interactions with media have included sharp rebukes.

Trump sued the BBC for defamation seeking $10 billion in damages for its documentary on the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Earlier this year, ABC’s John Lyons asked Trump about Trump family business deals and finances in a media scrum on the South Lawn of the White House. An attempt was made on Trump's life.

Trump gave an interview to CBS’ 60 Minutes the day after the White House Correspondents dinner. In the CBS interview, Norah O’Donnell quoted from the alleged shooter’s manifesto on hatred toward officials involved with Jeffrey Epstein. ” Trump continued, “Yeah he did write that, I’m not a rapist … I read the manifesto.

You know, he’s a sick person. ” On May 5, 2026, the world marked International Day of the Midwife, with this year's theme 'one million more,' reflecting a shortage of midwives. Research published in February 2026 found a shortage of almost 1 million midwives globally.

Africa has about 47% of the global shortage of midwives. A 2020 study published in the Lancet Global Health forecasted that increasing midwives to universal coverage levels could avert 67% of maternal deaths, 64% of neonatal deaths, and 65% of stillbirths, equating to more than 4 million lives saved each year.

In Ethiopia, the country had just over 1,000 midwives in 2008 and now has over 20,000 midwives. Dawit Tamiru heads the school of midwifery at Haramaya University Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

The traditional birth attendant advised waiting to see if another baby would come after the placenta was not delivered. Midwives at the hospital saved Dawit Tamiru's mother's life by removing the placenta.

More than 80% of Ethiopia is rural. Dawit Tamiru launched a local campaign in Ethiopia to boost awareness of the midwifery profession. Dawit Tamiru placed large posters in high traffic areas at university gates.

Dawit Tamiru spoke at schools, community gatherings, and public spaces about maternal and newborn health and the role of midwives. They reassure.

They ease fears. This International Day of the Midwife, we thank midwives for their competence, skills, compassion, and for being there at the very beginning of life. m.

ET.