The Guardian · 18 Jun, 05:51
An inquest into the death of Melbourne influencer Stacey Warnecke, who died after a home birth without medical support, has been delayed due to new evidence from her mobile phone's forensic analysis. The inquest had been set to close, but will now continue at a later date.
Stacey Warnecke, a 30-year-old wellness influencer and nutritionist, died on September 29 in Frankston hospital in Melbourne after giving birth at home with the support of birthkeeper Emily Lal, who had no medical training. Warnecke had paid Lal $6,000 for her support in a 'freebirth', a birth without medically trained staff. After giving birth, Warnecke suffered a massive postpartum haemorrhage, and an ambulance was called approximately half an hour after the bleed was first noticed. The inquest into her death was set to close, but new evidence from a forensic analysis of Warnecke's mobile phone has delayed the closing submissions.
Why it matters: This case highlights the risks associated with 'freebirths' and the importance of medical support during childbirth. The inquest's delay and the new evidence from Warnecke's phone suggest that there may be more to uncover about the circumstances surrounding her death, and potentially impact the conclusions drawn about her care.
6,000: the amount paid to birthkeeper Emily Lal for her support; 26 September: the date Warnecke went into labour; 29 September: the date Warnecke died; October or November: the time period when Lal lost access to Warnecke's texts
I got a new phone and lost everything. - Emily Lal
The Guardian · 18 Jun, 05:47
Swiss voters have rejected a far-right referendum proposal to limit the country's permanent population to 10 million by 2050, with 55% voting against and 45% voting for. The proposal, which would have made Switzerland the first country to implement a population cap, was seen as a significant test of anti-immigration sentiment.
On Sunday, Swiss voters rejected a divisive referendum proposal that aimed to limit the country's permanent population to 10 million by 2050. The proposal, backed by the far-right Swiss People's Party (SVP), was defeated with 55% of voters rejecting it and 45% supporting it. The referendum was seen as a significant test of anti-immigration sentiment in Switzerland, a country with a high level of immigration and a population that has almost tripled from 3.3 million in 1990 to approximately nine million today. The rejection of the proposal suggests that Swiss voters are not in favor of implementing a population cap.
Why it matters: The rejection of the population cap proposal is significant because it suggests that Swiss voters are not willing to take a drastic measure to limit immigration, despite concerns about the strain on infrastructure and the country's character. The outcome also highlights the challenges of addressing anti-immigration sentiment through referendums, as voters may not be swayed by proposals that are seen as too radical. The result has implications for the country's immigration policy and its relationship with the EU.
10 million: the proposed population cap; 55%: the percentage of voters who rejected the proposal; 45%: the percentage of voters who supported the proposal; 3.3 million: the population of Switzerland in 1990; 9 million: the current population of Switzerland; 2050: the target year for the proposed population cap; 20: the number of times Swiss voters have voted on immigration-related issues in the past 60 years
There's a mentality of Switzerland as this calm fortress that is being stormed. That paradise could be lost. It's similar to the 'great replacement theory' being discussed in other European countries. But the Swiss attitude predates this. There's a mentality of Switzerland as a refuge, and that this picture-perfect, clean and calm fortress is being stormed. That paradise could be lost. - Joseph de Weck, associate fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations
The Guardian · 18 Jun, 05:08
The Australian government has announced 'generous' exemptions from capital gains tax for small businesses with an annual turnover of up to $10m, as well as concessions for startups and testamentary trusts, in an attempt to address criticism of its tax reforms.
The Australian government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has announced concessions on its proposed capital gains tax (CGT) reforms, following sustained criticism from industry groups and the opposition. The concessions include exempting small businesses with an annual turnover of up to $10m from the proposed changes, allowing 'genuinely innovative' startups and their early investors to stick with the existing 50% flat CGT discount, and exempting testamentary trusts from a proposed 30% minimum tax rate on discretionary trusts.
Why it matters: The government's proposed CGT reforms have been contentious, with critics labelling them a 'tax on growth'. The concessions aim to address these concerns and may help to secure support for the legislation from the Greens, who have indicated that they are still not prepared to support the bill. The fate of the legislation hangs on a deal with the Greens, with the Coalition remaining opposed to the reforms.
2.7m: number of small businesses in Australia; $10m: new annual turnover eligibility threshold for CGT exemptions; $2m: current threshold for CGT exemptions; 50%: existing flat CGT discount; 30%: proposed minimum tax rate on discretionary trusts; $475m: estimated cost of planned changes over the forward estimates; $8.1bn: expected revenue from negative gearing, capital gains, and trust changes over the forward estimates; 10,000: number of testamentary trusts; 180,000: number of small businesses with turnover between $2m and $10m.
We've still got a way to go, and really the government could have been so much braver and actually tackled the housing crisis, and instead we've seen them tinkering around the edges and now making even more carve outs - Larissa Waters, Greens leader.
Ars Technica · 17 Jun, 15:57
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Ars Technica · 17 Jun, 15:47
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Ars Technica · 17 Jun, 22:11
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NPR News · 17 Jun, 21:23
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NPR News · 17 Jun, 21:33
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NPR News · 17 Jun, 16:43
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