Labor dumps misinformation bill after Senate unites against it

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Communications minister Michelle Rowland will also not unveil any gambling ad ban legislation in the last sitting week of the year

The Albanese government has dumped its controversial mis- and disinformation bill, conceding there is “no pathway” to getting the proposal passed through the Senate.

The communications minister, Michelle Rowland, insisted misinformation and disinformation remained a grave concern for democracy, national security and online safety, but said the government would not proceed with the proposal. It is the second time Labor has pulled the bill, after an initial version also failed to gain support and raised concerns about freedom of speech online.

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Parents of teenagers who died in suspected Laos methanol poisoning hope deaths ‘not in vain’

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Bianca Jones’s father urged Laos government to investigate deaths to the ‘fullest’ and ensure it could not happen again

Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones’s devastated families have pleaded with Laos authorities to get to the bottom of a mass methanol poisoning tragedy.

The Australians, both 19, are among six foreign tourists who have died from a suspected methanol poisoning event in Laos.

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Disappearance of Rabbi in UAE prompts Mossad investigation – BBC.com

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  1. Disappearance of Rabbi in UAE prompts Mossad investigation  BBC.com
  2. Rabbi feared kidnapped, killed by terrorists after going missing, prompting investigation  Fox News
  3. An Israeli citizen is missing in the UAE. Israel says ‘information’ suggests a terror incident  CNN
  4. Israeli Spy Agency Investigates Missing Jewish Community Leader in U.A.E.  The Wall Street Journal
  5. Chabad ‘deeply concerned’ by emissary’s disappearance, calls on public to pray for him  The Times of Israel
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French mass rape trial: Abused Pelicot family torn apart in public – BBC.com

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  1. French mass rape trial: Abused Pelicot family torn apart in public  BBC.com
  2. Thousands protest against sexual violence in France  Al Jazeera English
  3. Thousands march across Europe protesting violence against women  Euronews
  4. Thousands protest against femicides and sexual and sexist violence in France  The Associated Press
  5. Revealed: the post-court lunches and jokes shared by Pelicot accused  The Times
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Parents of surviving Bali Nine inmates ‘quietly hopeful’ as minister confirms talks under way to return them to Australia

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Five remaining members would continue to serve sentences upon returning under proposal, trade minister Don Farrell says

The parents of the surviving Bali Nine members are “quietly hopeful” their children will be repatriated to Australia in a deal with the Indonesian government, according to a pastor who has been in close contact with them for 20 years.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, raised their repatriation during a meeting with the Indonesian president, Prabowo Subianto, on the sidelines of the Apec summit in Peru last week. Senior Australian ministers have confirmed negotiations between the two nations are ongoing.

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What the ‘show me the money’ climate summit tells us about the new Trump era – POLITICO

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  1. What the ‘show me the money’ climate summit tells us about the new Trump era  POLITICO
  2. COP29: How is the world doing on tackling climate change?  BBC.com
  3. ‘It’s really an honour’: people of oil-rich Azerbaijan welcome climate summit  The Guardian
  4. COP29: The Dictatorship of the Petroletariat  Democracy Now!
  5. Editorial: Let’s not let political chaos distract us from the unfolding climate catastrophe  Los Angeles Times
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School bullies have moved online. But is banning all under-16s from social media really the answer? – Yahoo! Voices

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  1. School bullies have moved online. But is banning all under-16s from social media really the answer?  Yahoo! Voices
  2. Australia rejects Elon Musk's claim that it plans to control access to the internet  Yahoo! Voices
  3. Australia launches 'landmark' bill to ban social media for children under 16  Reuters
  4. Australia wants to ban kids from social media. Will it work?  BBC.com
  5. Social media ban for UK under-16s ‘not on the cards’ for now, says minister  The Guardian
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No ‘peaceful rationale’: US, UK, France, Germany back resolution against Iran’s nuclear program – The Jerusalem Post

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  1. No 'peaceful rationale': US, UK, France, Germany back resolution against Iran's nuclear program  The Jerusalem Post
  2. Iran says it is activating new centrifuges after being condemned by UN nuclear watchdog  CNN
  3. US, UK, France, Germany express 'serious concern' over Iranian plans to launch new nuclear centrifuges  The Times of Israel
  4. Iran Declares It Is Doing More Nuclear Enrichment After I.A.E.A. Rebuke  The New York Times
  5. Iranian minister to meet European counterparts after nuclear offer rejected  The Guardian
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Alcohol poisoning deaths in Laos renew concerns about methanol. Here’s what to know – NPR

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  1. Alcohol poisoning deaths in Laos renew concerns about methanol. Here's what to know  NPR
  2. Sixth person dies after suspected mass drink-spiking in Laos  Yahoo! Voices
  3. Young Danish women killed in Laos methanol poisoning are identified as death toll rises to six - as heartbreak  Daily Mail
  4. Laos government ‘profoundly saddened’ by deaths of tourists in Vang Vieng  The Guardian
  5. Deadly alcohol poisoning casts shadow over the Laotian backpacker town  The Associated Press
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Trump picks Brooke Rollins to lead Department of Agriculture

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Choice of president of America First Policy Institute completes top cabinet picks for president-elect

Donald Trump has chosen Brooke Rollins, president of the America First Policy Institute, to be agriculture secretary.

“As our next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American Farmers, who are truly the backbone of our Country,” the US president-elect said in a statement.

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