Average renter would take 8.3 years to save enough for a house deposit, new Victorian analysis shows

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Exclusive: PBO report based on wage growth, house prices and rent rises says nearly a decade needed if 20% of gross income is put aside

It could take almost a decade for the average Victorian renter who puts aside 20% of their gross income to save enough money for a home deposit, according to analysis from the state’s independent Parliamentary Budget Office.

But if rents were to increase in line at the historically high rate seen in 2022 and 2023, the time needed to save for a deposit could blow out to more than 65 years.

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Trump’s NATO Vision Spells Trouble for the Alliance – The Wall Street Journal

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  1. Trump’s NATO Vision Spells Trouble for the Alliance  The Wall Street Journal
  2. Trump says NATO countries are 'taking advantage' and should contribute 5% of GDP  USA TODAY
  3. UK foreign policy chief says Trump is right to urge higher military spending from NATO  The Associated Press
  4. Europe splits on Trump’s call to dramatically boost defense spending  POLITICO Europe
  5. Post-cold war peace ‘well and truly over’, warns David Lammy  The Guardian
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Pump Russian gas or face the consequences, Fico threatens Ukraine – POLITICO Europe

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  1. Pump Russian gas or face the consequences, Fico threatens Ukraine  POLITICO Europe
  2. Fico says Slovakia could withhold Ukraine aid over halted gas supply  Reuters
  3. Slovakia's PM Urges, Threatens EU To Restart Ukraine Gas Deal  OilPrice.com
  4. Slovakia ramps up anti-Zelenskyy rhetoric amid gas transit spat  Euronews
  5. Slovak PM ramps up threats to Ukraine over its suspension of Russian gas transit  Ukrainska Pravda
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Iranian general says Assad blocked Tehran’s effort to open Syrian front against Israel – The Times of Israel

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  1. Iranian general says Assad blocked Tehran’s effort to open Syrian front against Israel  The Times of Israel
  2. Top Iranian General Admits ‘Big’ Defeat in Syria  The New York Times
  3. The Iran Opportunity: What America Needs to Do to Achieve a Breakthrough  Foreign Affairs Magazine
  4. 'Turkey and Israel begin 2025 in a position of strength in the Middle East'  Le Monde
  5. Report: Iran's top general in Syria said Assad rejected attacking Israel after Oct. 7  Haaretz
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France’s top tabloid sparks outrage with photo of grieving Le Pen – POLITICO Europe

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  1. France’s top tabloid sparks outrage with photo of grieving Le Pen  POLITICO Europe
  2. Jean-Marie Le Pen, Rabble-Rousing Leader of French Far Right, Dies at 96  The New York Times
  3. Jean-Marie Le Pen revived extremist politics in France  The Economist
  4. Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of France’s far-right National Front party, dies at 96  CNN
  5. Thousands gather to celebrate death of French far-right figure Jean-Marie Le Pen  Euronews
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Attack on Chad’s presidential palace leaves 19 dead – CNN

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  1. Attack on Chad’s presidential palace leaves 19 dead  CNN
  2. Chad’s presidency attacked: Coup attempt, Boko Haram or ‘drunk’ fighters?  Al Jazeera English
  3. Gunshots are heard near Chad’s presidential palace. Foreign minister says it’s under control  The Associated Press
  4. Chad investigates foiled attempt to storm presidential compound  Reuters
  5. Attack on Chad presidential palace kills 19 after China minister visits  Financial Times
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Hamas claims it made concessions for Gaza ceasefire – The Jerusalem Post

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  1. Hamas claims it made concessions for Gaza ceasefire  The Jerusalem Post
  2. Hamas Approves List of Hostages It May Free Under a Cease-Fire Deal With Israel  The New York Times
  3. Updates: Blinken says ceasefire and captives deal in Gaza is ‘very close’  Al Jazeera English
  4. Biden: ‘Real progress’ being made in hostage talks, but Hamas ‘in the way’ of a deal  The Times of Israel
  5. Biden aides express optimism about Gaza ceasefire negotiations  NBC News
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Kurdish general urges Trump to leave US troops in north-east Syria

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Exclusive: SDF leader says removal of 2,000-strong force would leave door open for Islamic State resurgence

The leader of the Kurdish forces that control north-eastern Syria has called on Donald Trump to maintain a US military presence in the region, warning that a retreat would risk a resurgence of Islamic State in the country.

Gen Mazloum Abdi, the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said IS had increased its strength in the desert after seizing arms from the collapsed Assad regime, while the Kurdish forces were coming under increased pressure from Turkey and its Syrian proxies.

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Baby born at sea to migrant off Spain’s Canary Islands – NBC News

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  1. Baby born at sea to migrant off Spain's Canary Islands  NBC News
  2. Baby born at sea on migrant dinghy en route to Spain  CNN
  3. A photo captures rescue of a baby born on dangerous sea crossing to Spain's Canary Islands  The Associated Press
  4. Picture shows baby girl moments after birth on packed migrant dinghy heading for Canary Islands  Sky News
  5. Dramatic photo shows rescue of baby girl born at sea on migrant ship off Spain's Canary Islands  CBS News
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