Muslim advocacy group to preference Greens above Labor in some seats despite disagreement on religious freedom

Muslim Votes Matter concerned about policy preventing religious schools from discriminating against teachers or students

A potentially influential Muslim advocacy group is planning to tell voters to preference the Greens above Labor on how-to-vote cards in several key seats, despite objecting to the minor party’s position on religious freedom in schools.

Muslim Votes Matter has expressed concern about the party’s plan to ensure religious schools cannot discriminate against teachers or students on the basis of their sexuality, but has welcomed a commitment to ensure “all rights are acknowledged and taken into account”.

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Axing Labor’s free Tafe would mean fewer builders and higher house prices, experts warn

The Coalition remains opposed to the scheme, claiming it is ‘badly designed and poorly targeted’

Australia’s construction worker shortage – and prospects for affordable housing – would worsen if Peter Dutton scraps Labor’s free Tafe program, experts warn, pushing housing prices even further out of reach of prospective buyers.

After a video emerged of Liberal frontbencher Sarah Henderson saying the fee-free Tafe policy was “just not working”, the opposition leader was asked on Tuesday if he would cut the scheme – designed to encourage people to work in priority industries like the construction sector.

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Would military strikes kill Iran’s nuclear programme? Probably not – Reuters

  1. Would military strikes kill Iran's nuclear programme? Probably not  Reuters
  2. How Close Is Iran to a Nuclear Weapon as Trump Eyes a Deal?  Bloomberg.com
  3. The Iran Threat Geiger Counter: Extreme Danger Grows | Institute for Science and International Security  Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS)
  4. Military strikes are unlikely to permanently destroy Iran’s nuclear program  The Times of Israel
  5. Don’t let Iran stall its way into going nuclear  New York Post
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French PM Bayrou warns Trump’s ‘hurricane’ has made France vulnerable – France 24

  1. French PM Bayrou warns Trump’s ‘hurricane’ has made France vulnerable  France 24
  2. French opposition parties raise spectre of no-confidence vote over 2026 budget  Reuters
  3. France risks ‘irreversible’ harm from overspending, PM warns  Financial Times
  4. France Needs €40 Billion in Savings to Reach 2026 Deficit Target  Bloomberg
  5. OPINION: 'Make the French work harder' - good luck convincing them  The Local France
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Netanyahu to Macron: Recognizing Palestine would be a win ‘for terrorism’ – politico.eu

  1. Netanyahu to Macron: Recognizing Palestine would be a win ‘for terrorism’  politico.eu
  2. Netanyahu, Macron Spar Over Recognition of Palestinian State  Bloomberg
  3. In the Netanyahu vs. Macron spat, the French president knows what's best for Israel | Opinion  Haaretz
  4. France's Macron tells Israel's Netanyahu to end Gaza plight  DW
  5. PA President Abbas, French President Macron discuss Israel-Hamas ceasefire, reject Gaza plan  The Jerusalem Post
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EU mulls plan to let importers break Russian gas contracts without penalties

European Commission may reportedly let companies declare force majeure as part of strategy to rid bloc of Russian fossil fuels by 2027

The European Commission is considering plans that would allow European companies to break long-term Russian gas contracts without paying penalties to Moscow, it has been reported.

Citing three officials with knowledge of the plan, the Financial Times reported that the commission was studying the possibility of allowing companies to declare force majeure, which would absolve importers of their obligations to pay penalty fees for ending contracts.

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Andrew Tate High Court case could be legal first, barrister says – BBC

  1. Andrew Tate High Court case could be legal first, barrister says  BBC
  2. Civil case against influencer Andrew Tate is first of its kind, UK judge told  The Guardian
  3. Andrew Tate faces UK civil trial in 2027 over abuse, coercive control allegations  Reuters
  4. Andrew Tate faces UK civil trial over allegations of rape, abuse and coercive control  Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  5. Andrew Tate faces 2027 civil trial accused of abusing four women in 'first case of its kind'  Sky News
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Another US aircraft carrier in Mideast waters ahead of second round of Iran-US nuclear talks – AP News

  1. Another US aircraft carrier in Mideast waters ahead of second round of Iran-US nuclear talks  AP News
  2. Aircraft Carriers Truman And Vinson Move In As Trump Plans To Corner Iran  NDTV
  3. It Took 73 C-17 Loads To Move Patriot Battalion From Pacific To Middle East  The War Zone
  4. Looming Indian Ocean showdown  Responsible Statecraft
  5. If US and Iran Clash, This Remote Base Could Be First To Fight  Newsweek
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Over 230 arrested as Europol dismantles four major drug smuggling networks – Euronews.com

  1. Over 230 arrested as Europol dismantles four major drug smuggling networks  Euronews.com
  2. Encrypted app intelligence exposes sprawling criminal networks across Europe  Europol
  3. Turkey detains 234 people in Europe-coordinated drug bust  Reuters
  4. 'Unprecedented' Europe raids net 200 arrests, drugs haul  Bangkok Post
  5. Operation BULUT: Encrypted Chats from Sky ECC, ANOM Lead to 232 Arrests  Hackread
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Opinion: NATO Secretary General’s joint press statement with President Zelenskyy in Odesa, Ukraine, 15-Apr.-2025 – NATO – Homepage

  1. Opinion: NATO Secretary General's joint press statement with President Zelenskyy in Odesa, Ukraine, 15-Apr.-2025  NATO - Homepage
  2. Nato chief in surprise Ukraine visit as US fails to condemn Sumy attack – as it happened  The Guardian
  3. NATO's Rutte, in Odesa, declares 'unwavering' support for Ukraine  Reuters
  4. Rutte visits military hospital in Odesa, reaffirms support for Ukraine.  The Kyiv Independent
  5. Ukraine: NATO chief in Odesa vows 'unwavering' support  DW
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