This is Australia Daily News Summary by NewsCard for Friday, November 21, 2025 ... your briefing on the stories from Australia and around the world ...

We begin in Perth, where cricket fever is at full pitch as the Ashes series opens tonight ... Australia face off against England at Perth Stadium in a sold-out test, with Steve Smith stepping in as captain while Pat Cummins recovers from injury ... Smith calls England’s Ben Stokes the “man to keep quiet,” as Australia introduces debutants Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett ... The Ashes always electrify summer in Australia, pulling in crowds and uniting sports fans across the country ...

In Canberra ... the Albanese government moves forward with new tax reforms targeting multinational companies ... Treasury’s draft legislation to align with global Pillar Two rules—aimed at curbing profit-shifting by big corporates—is now in its final day for public feedback ... The changes could impact both local and international businesses, cementing Australia’s place among leading economies committed to fairer global taxation ...

Now to our region where cybersecurity takes centre stage ... Australia, alongside the US and UK, imposes tough new sanctions on Russian tech firms accused of helping ransomware gangs attack businesses worldwide ... Authorities say these so-called “bulletproof hosting” companies provide safe havens for cybercriminals, and the sanctions freeze assets and warn others off doing business with them ... It’s a strong signal that Australia is committed to protecting national and business interests against the rising tide of global cyber threats ...

Back in Melbourne ... housing affordability remains in the headlines, with state-level discussions ramping up on innovative ways to boost new home builds and help first-home buyers enter the market ... Advocates call for swift action as rental pressures and migration drive demand, while developers and local councils debate planning changes to unlock more supply and cut red tape ... The quest for affordable housing touches families throughout Victoria and beyond ...

Overseas, in the US ... world leaders watch for ripple effects as the Federal Reserve hints at a shift in interest rate policy—markets in Australia are on alert for potential changes to borrowing costs and the value of the Aussie dollar ... Economists say any significant move from the Fed could influence mortgage rates and business loans at home, impacting everything from housing affordability to local investment ...

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