News

Tech giants face new Australian news payment policy

ByteDance joins Meta, Google in Australia’s new news payment policy; potential charges for social media platforms begin January 1.

Published

1 year ago

December 12, 2024

ticker NEWS

TikTok’s parent company ByteDance will join Meta and Alphabet in paying new levies for Australian news unless they reach agreements with publishers.

Apple and Microsoft may also be affected if their revenues in Australia exceed $250 million annually.

Labor’s policy seeks to compel Meta to negotiate after it previously refused to pay for news.

Under the proposed legislation, the Australian Taxation Office will impose an annual levy on social media and search companies, exceeding the current news media bargaining code’s value of about $200 million annually.

Companies that negotiate payments to news publishers can offset these payments against their levy.

For example, if a platform faces an $11 million levy with a 10% uplift, it must secure at least $10 million in deals to avoid paying the ATO.

News Distribution

Any shortfall between deals and the annual charge will be collected by the ATO and distributed to publishers.

Final policy details will emerge after consultations early next year.

The law takes effect on January 1, emphasizing quick negotiations with tech companies.

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones clarified that the policy aims to facilitate negotiations, not increase government revenue, stating that digital platforms benefit financially from Australia and should support quality journalism.

Labor’s decision follows Meta’s refusal to renegotiate under the existing bargaining code, which could lead to significant job losses in journalism.

The Labor-controlled committee has deemed the current code “broken” and called for an alternative.

News

Trump declares US ready to support Iranian protesters

Trump pledges US support for Iranian protesters as regime arrests 100 amid escalating crackdown on dissent

Published

17 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Ahron Young

Trump pledges US support for Iranian protesters as regime arrests 100 amid escalating crackdown on dissent

In Short:
– Trump supports Iranian protesters and promotes their quest for freedom amid government crackdowns.
– Iran reports arrests and increased military threats against protesters, with international demonstrations in solidarity emerging.

Donald Trump has warned Iran’s clerical regime that the US is “ready to help” anti-government protesters facing a crackdown. He stated on his social media platform, Truth, that the nation is witnessing a push for freedom like never before.On Saturday, Iran’s government reported the arrest of 100 “armed rioters” amid ongoing demonstrations. Rights groups claim at least 116 protesters have been killed, with unrest erupting over Iran’s currency collapse and demands for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Iranian military has intensified threats against protesters, warning that anyone participating could be deemed “enemies of God”, carrying a potential death sentence. There have been claims of “terrorist agents” linked to the US and Israel stirring unrest.

Protester Responses

International protests have also emerged in solidarity with Iranian demonstrators.

In London, an individual was seen tearing down the Iranian flag from the embassy, drawing attention to the global dissent. Iranian state media has accused “rioters” of violence and targeting military bases, amidst a climate of increased government scrutiny and restrictions.

With the internet down in Iran, accurate assessment of the situation remains challenging. Reports indicate scattered protests continue, but fear of government retaliation complicates participation.

The Iranian government’s response highlights the volatility of the political situation, and the growing international pressure on Tehran.

News

Minneapolis protests erupt after fatal ICE shooting

Tensions rise in Minneapolis after fatal shooting by ICE agent, sparking protests and unrest as investigations unfold.

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Tensions rise in Minneapolis after fatal shooting by ICE agent, sparking protests and unrest as investigations unfold.

Tensions in Minneapolis have escalated following the fatal shooting of a mother by a U.S. Immigration agent. The incident has sparked outrage across the city, with residents taking to the streets to demand justice. Authorities are struggling to contain the unrest as public anger continues to mount.

State and federal officials are now at odds over the investigation. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has stepped back after the FBI assumed control, while the state attorney general has warned that state-level charges could still be pursued independently. The political divide adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.

In response to the protests, schools in Minneapolis have closed and the National Guard has been activated to maintain order. Citizens are being urged to stay safe as tensions remain high and the city braces for further demonstrations.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#MinneapolisProtests #ICEShooting #USNews #FBIInvestigation #NationalGuard #StateVsFederal #JusticeForAll #TickerNews

News

Iran protests escalate as economy crumbles

Iran faces widespread protests as currency collapse and soaring inflation strain household budgets, fueling public anger.

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Iran faces widespread protests as currency collapse and soaring inflation strain household budgets, fueling public anger.

Protests are spreading across Iran after the country’s currency suffered a dramatic collapse, pushing inflation to more than 42 percent in December. Rising prices are squeezing household budgets, with basic goods becoming increasingly unaffordable for millions of Iranians.

What began as frustration over the cost of living has quickly grown into widespread public anger, as families struggle to keep up with soaring expenses amid a weakening rial and economic uncertainty.

These economic pressures have become the catalyst for demonstrations across major cities, marking one of the most serious waves of unrest linked directly to inflation in recent years.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#Iran #Inflation #GlobalEconomy #MiddleEast #Protests #CurrencyCrisis #WorldNews #Ticker