David Pocock condemns Labor-Coalition deal on gambling bill as ‘betrayal of all Australians’
The Guardian

David Pocock condemns Labor-Coalition deal on gambling bill as ‘betrayal of all Australians’

Labor’s legislation to restrict gambling ads is set to pass this week, with the Greens calling the agreement ‘cowardly’Two Coalition MPs have crossed the floor after a deal between the major parties to pass Labor’s new restrictions on betting advertising and inducements, with cross-benchers and the Greens expressing anger and dismay at the contentious bill’s final form.Anthony Albanese and the com...

Wetherspoons pubs ban playing music or taking calls on phone speakers
The Guardian

Wetherspoons pubs ban playing music or taking calls on phone speakers

Chain tells customers to ‘pipe down’ and use earphones instead, calling its venues ‘an oasis of tranquillity’The pub chain Wetherspoons has banned customers from playing music or taking calls on speaker after growing complaints about the noise.The company announced it had introduced the ban across its 792 pubs, saying sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an “increasing problem i...

Oil prices jump after US-Iran ceasefire expires and Trump threatens Oman
The Guardian

Oil prices jump after US-Iran ceasefire expires and Trump threatens Oman

Brent crude rises above $90 a barrel for the first time since 30 July after US president tells Tehran to surrenderBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices have risen again after the two-month window to negotiate a peace deal in the US-Israel war on Iran expired on Monday with no end to the conflict in sight.Iran said on Monday that it would take a more aggressive stance if talks with the US failed...

Could the EU ban smoking? Commission to re-write rules for the next generation

Euronews

The EU is pursuing its biggest overhaul of tobacco taxation in a decade. The proposed Tobacco Taxation Directive (TTD) raises taxes on cigarettes and introduces taxes on vapes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches. After the Parliament rejected its position, Council negotiations continue.

Cook Islands PM re-elected despite row over China ties with New Zealand

Cook Islands PM re-elected despite row over China ties with New Zealand

SCMP

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown’s securing of another term, despite a dispute with New Zealand over his government’s deals with China, suggests voters are more focused on the cost of living than geopolitical concerns, analysts have said. Brown’s Cook Islands Party is on track to win a fifth consecutive term in government. According to preliminary results from last week’s general election, t...

Women were barred from Liechtenstein’s throne for 400 years; new rule lets the firstborn inherit regardless of gender

Women were barred from Liechtenstein’s throne for 400 years; new rule lets the firstborn inherit regardless of gender

Times of India

Liechtenstein has made a progressive move by updating its royal succession laws to favor gender equality. Now, the first-born child will inherit the throne, breaking traditional norms. This decision aligns with several European countries where female heirs are already established, like Great Britain, which pioneered similar reforms in 2011. Meanwhile, Japan still grapples with its frustrating male...

Australia politics live: Butler confident NDIS bill will pass Senate after deal with Coalition; regulator yet to contact gambling operators after Luke Bateman’s allegations

Australia politics live: Butler confident NDIS bill will pass Senate after deal with Coalition; regulator yet to contact gambling operators after Luke Bateman’s allegations

The Guardian

Government MPs agree to more than a dozen amendments made with the Coalition. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastChalmers calls gambling amendments ‘very substantial changes’Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the opt-out register on gambling advertising will be revenue neutral, because the gambling industry will have to cover the costs.These changes that we...

Trump leans on India’s election playbook in push to change how Americans vote

Trump leans on India’s election playbook in push to change how Americans vote

SCMP

US President Donald Trump cited India’s election system as a model for the US, bringing the world’s largest democracy into a contentious American debate over voter access and election security. Trump said the identification requirements make elections secure and pressed Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register for federal elections and photo ident...

Explainer: What's the EU's carbon market, and why does it matter?

Euronews

The European Commission proposed revising the bloc's major climate policy, the Emissions Trading System (ETS), on 17 July. Euronews explains what the ETS is, why it is being revised and why it has become an incredibly polarising topic on the EU agenda.

Malaysia holds off on pilot extradition request pending Indonesian drug probe

Malaysia holds off on pilot extradition request pending Indonesian drug probe

SCMP

A decision has yet to be made on whether Malaysian authorities will file an extradition request for a local pilot arrested in Indonesia, according to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Saifuddin said on Tuesday that investigations should be concluded first. “Let the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) complete their investigations first and decide the next step forward, including...

UK pay growth slows as Iran war prompts cost of living squeeze

UK pay growth slows as Iran war prompts cost of living squeeze

The Guardian

Unemployment rate remained at 4.9% in the three months to the end of June, ONS figures showWage growth in the UK slowed in June as workers come under pressure from a renewed cost of living squeeze amid the economic impact from the Iran war, official figures show.Figures from the Office for National Statistics show average growth in total earnings, including bonuses, fell to 4.1% in the three month...

War in Ukraine: 10 killed in Kharkiv while several wounded in drone attack on Moscow

War in Ukraine: 10 killed in Kharkiv while several wounded in drone attack on Moscow

France 24

10 people were killed and 8 wounded in a strike on Pechenigy, in the Kharkiv region. Meanwhile, a total of 620 drones targeted the Moscow region overnight, Russian officials said Monday, with several people wounded as buildings were struck. The capital city's mayor said that air defence units intercepted more than 180 of the drones over the region. 

War in Ukraine: several wounded in drone attack on Moscow region

War in Ukraine: several wounded in drone attack on Moscow region

France 24

A total of 620 drones targeted the Moscow region overnight, Russian officials said Monday, with several people wounded as buildings were struck. Moscow's mayor said that air defence units intercepted more than 180 of the drones over the capital region. 

Black drongos introduced for pest control later threatened Guam’s native birds

Black drongos introduced for pest control later threatened Guam’s native birds

Times of India

In 1935, the introduction of black drongos to Rota aimed to control agricultural pests. This effort led to the birds establishing their populations, eventually spreading to Guam. However, their aggressive behavior towards native bird species has contributed significantly to declines in local avian populations, highlighting the unforeseen consequences of introducing non-native species into ecosyste...