global-politics-and-policy13.565 min read
Australian Trade Minister Declares EU Deal Final, Defying Opposition
1 day ago•Source: Politico
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14.545 min•2 days ago
Deloitte’s $2.2M Australian childcare grant contract defies Labor’s anti-outsourcing pledge
Deloitte secured a $2.2 million Australian contract to manage childcare workforce grants, contradicting the Labor government’s 2024 policy to bring such 'core work' in-house. Critics argue this highlights a failure to reduce reliance on expensive external consultants.
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KPMG Secures AUD$38.5M in Australian Government Work Despite Contract Freeze
Politico•8 days ago
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Sustained Russian Drone Barrage Hits Kyiv Infrastructure and Black Sea Shipping
Politico•20 days ago
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Australia's Intergenerational Report Warns of Demographic Shifts and Productivity Stalls
Australia's 2026 Intergenerational Report projects a population of 39.3 million by 2065, down from previous forecasts, as deaths outpace births. Treasurer Jim Chalmers rejects deeper migration cuts proposed by opposition parties, calling them 'diabolical' for the economy, while acknowledging the need for tighter controls. The report highlights a reliance on artificial intelligence to boost productivity to 2%, as traditional growth drivers like population and participation rates decline. Critics argue that focusing on fertility incentives is futile, and that the government must prioritize infrastructure and technology to address housing shortages and aging demographics.
U.S. escalates strikes on Iran as diplomacy stalls
The United States carried out a fresh round of strikes against Iran, targeting coastal defense systems and cruise-missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb Island in the Strait of Hormuz, in a five-day campaign aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten shipping. The action follows the collapse of peace talks and remarks from President Trump suggesting the ceasefire is over, while oil prices rise and Congress was formally notified of resumed hostilities.
Open Campaigns: The New Global Playbook of Election Interference
POLITICO Magazine traces a shift from covert Cold War meddling to openly coordinated campaigns, arguing that foreign election interference now often plays out in public—from Trump endorsing foreign leaders to White House and Kremlin-backed efforts in Hungary and beyond—suggesting this public approach may become the norm as publics grow more accepting of external influence.
Iran War Strains U.S. Influence in Bahrain, Azerbaijan and Indonesia, Leaked Cables Warn
Leaked State Department cables show the Iran war weakening U.S. credibility and ties in Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and Indonesia as pro‑Iran narratives spread online; officials warn weak U.S. messaging and limited public diplomacy risk eroding trust and urge more agile social‑media engagement to counter Tehran’s influence.
Memo reveals Venezuela weighed Iranian missiles in 2020
A January 2020 Venezuelan Defense Ministry memo obtained by POLITICO shows Caracas planned to purchase a ballistic missile system from Iran for more than $400 million, detailing funds routed through state-owned companies and missiles to be operated from Venezuelan naval platforms; the plan progressed further than previously known but was blocked under U.S. pressure and ultimately did not result in weapons delivery, with analysts debating how extensive the Iran–Venezuela ties actually were.