December 9, 2023
Australia will ban imports of disposable vapes in January, the Health Minister said on Tuesday, the first step in a crackdown aimed at curbing the growing popularity of these nicotine-filled devices with young people. The ban will be expanded in March to include all non-therapeutic vapes, including refillable devices, while importers of vapes for medical
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A leading Australian vape advocate has called for an urgent overhaul to the government’s approach to regulating vaping across the country, claiming the current approach is leading to China staging a “reverse opium war”. Health authorities have routinely called for better regulation of the growing crisis, with NSW Health earlier this week linking a fatal
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In the past few months, protests have repeatedly erupted in the Pakistani port town of Gwadar against restrictions on trade, especially in Iranian oil across the Pakistan-Iran border. Part of an operation by Pakistani authorities against all informal trade activities in the country, the crackdown at the border is aimed at shoring up the country’s falling
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Social media platforms are facing fines of up to $787,000 if they don’t crack down on hate speech and disturbing use of Artificial Intelligence. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is set to announce a review of the Online Safety Act, which expands rules for platforms to protect public safety. The new rules will ensure children’s best
READ MOREMore than 400,000 Afghans returned to their home country following the ongoing crackdown on illegal foreigners in the country, Pakistani authorities said Monday. Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesperson of the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, confirmed the number and told The Associated Press that the majority have been using the border crossings of Torkham and Spin Boldak
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The EU has learnt its lesson on China, according to former European trade commissioner Karel De Gucht. The bloc is ramping up pressure on Beijing over its ballooning bilateral trade deficit, and, De Gucht said, its policy must be influenced by the outcome of a previous bout of trade tensions. Back in 2013, De Gucht
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Does Paris have too many SUVs? The mayor is putting that question to voters in the runup to next year’s Olympic Games, the latest salvo in her long-running campaign to make the city more friendly to pedestrians and the planet, and less friendly to cars. Voters will be asked on Feb. 4 whether to impose
READ MOREWestern countries on Monday repeatedly called on Russia to end domestic repression of dissident voices and end its war in Ukraine — and human rights violations related to it — as Russia came under a regular review at the U.N.’s top rights body. A delegation from Moscow, led by State Secretary and Deputy Justice Minister
READ MOREPakistan on Monday opened three new border crossings to expedite the deportation of Afghans living in the country illegally, officials said. Nearly 300,000 Afghans have left Pakistan in recent weeks since authorities started arresting and deporting foreign nationals without papers after the Oct. 31 deadline for migrants without legal status to leave the country voluntarily.
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Companies will soon be forced to report cyber ransom demands. This is part of the country’s first no-fault mandatory reporting system. The new requirements are a centrepiece of the Albanese government’s new cyber security strategy, which is set to be released next week. Another key element of the strategy will require major telcos to implement
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