Page 12 - Australia

Australian permanent residency: How to apply for National Innovation Visa

The NIV is a permanent residency visa for individuals who can demonstrate exceptional and outstanding achievements in eligible fields

India, Australia assess progress in FTA talks, eye early agreement

Senior officials of India and Australia have reviewed the progress of talks on the proposed free trade agreement between the two countries, the commerce ministry said on Monday. The two countries had implemented an interim trade pact in December 2022 and now they are negotiating to widen the scope of the pact for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). "The three-day stocktake visit for the India-Australia CECA concluded in New Delhi on December 6," the ministry said. The stocktake discussions covered several critical areas of the agreement, including trade in goods, services, mobility, agri-tech cooperation, and more. "The discussions also centered on market access modalities that align with India's food security objectives," it said. Both parties evaluated the progress made so far and outlined a path forward for the early conclusion of the CECA. The Indian delegation was headed by Additional Secretary and Chief Negotiator, Department of Commerce, Rajesh Agrawal,

Young people in China evade video game ban, face growing troubles

In China, strict regulations limit children under 18 to just one hour of online gaming on specified days

Australia's new Skills in Demand visa offers path to permanent residency

The new visa allows most holders, including Indians, to work in Australia for up to four years, with a five-year option for Hong Kong passport holders

Australian synagogue fire deemed terrorism, boosting investigation efforts

Australian law enforcement authorities on Monday declared an arson attack on a synagogue last week a terrorist act in a decision that increases resources available to the investigation. Arson squad detectives have been investigating the blaze that extensively damaged the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on Friday. But the investigation was taken over on Monday by the Joint Counter-Terrorism Team which involves Victoria state Police and Australian Federal Police as well as the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, the nation's main domestic spy agency. The decision ... to transition the Adass Israel Synagogue fire attack to the Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team is a crucial turning point in this investigation, Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters. I want to thank Victoria Police investigators for the significant information they have gathered so far, which has helped lead us to believe that this is likely to be a politically ...

Australian lender ANZ names former HSBC wealth chief Nuno Matos as new CEO

Hong-Kong-based Matos has served in several of HSBC's largest regions, including Europe and Latin America, and was among the internal candidates vying to take over as CEO of HSBC

Australian PM blames antisemitism for arson that damaged synagogue

The suspected anti-Semitic arson attack, which left one worshipper injured, has been widely condemned by Jewish organisations

Australia banning social media for people under 16: All you need to know

It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history one that experts say could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success: keeping kids off social media until they turn 16. Australia's new law, approved by its Parliament last week, is an attempt to swim against many tides of modern life formidable forces like technology, marketing, globalisation and, of course, the iron will of a teenager. And like efforts of the past to protect kids from things that parents believe they're not ready for, the nation's move is both ambitious and not exactly simple, particularly in a world where young people are often shaped, defined and judged by the online company they keep. The ban won't go into effect for another year. But how will Australia be able to enforce it? That's not clear, nor will it be easy. TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram have become so ingrained in young people's lives that going cold turkey will be ...

Adani investor GQG's shares down by 13% after analyst downgrades stock

Swiss bank UBS downgraded GQG's stock rating from 'buy' to 'neutral' on Monday and reduced its price target from A$3.30 to A$2.30

In scrutiny, you must find the courage to challenge the status quo: Adani

Adani acknowledged the scrutiny faced by his group in recent years, citing challenges such as the coal mine resistance in Australia and allegations of compliance issues in the US

Australia's social media ban: Negative impact of the internet on teenagers

Debate over the internet use for children grows as Australia bans social media for teenagers under 16, sensing its negative impact. Here's how it is affecting them

Probe in US, protests in Australia: Global ambitions weigh on Adani Group

Indian conglomerate's rising international footprint has come with controversies

Australia 'rushed' social media ban for those under 16, says Big Tech

Govt had warned Big Tech of its plans, and first announced the ban after parliamentary inquiry earlier this year that heard testimony from parents of children who had self-harmed after cyber bullying

Australia hikes visa fee by 125%: Indian govt takes it up with officials

The visa fee hike could financially strain international students, including those from India, seeking education opportunities in Australia

TikTok, Meta brace for Australian social media ban for those under 16

A number of other nations and US states have attempted to curb children's access to social media, with limited success

Australia bans social media ban for under-16s with world-first law

A social media ban for children under 16 passed the Australian Parliament on Friday in a world-first law. The law will make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts. The Senate passed the bill on Thursday 34 votes to 19. The House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved the legislation by 102 votes to 13. The House on Friday endorsed opposition amendments made in the Senate, making the bill law. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the law supported parents concerned by online harms to their children. Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure the safety of our kids is a priority for them, Albanese told reporters. The platforms have one year to work out how they could implement the ban before penalties are enforced. Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said the

Australia passes law to impose ban on social media for children under 16

The law forces tech giants from Instagram and Facebook owner Meta to TikTok to stop minors logging in or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million)

Australian Senate debates first social media ban for children under 16

The Australian Senate was debating a ban on children younger than 16 years old from social media Thursday after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly supported the age restriction. The bill that would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to A$ 50 million (USD 33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts. It is likely to be passed by the Senate on Thursday, the Parliament's final session for the year and potentially the last before elections, which are due within months. The major parties' support for the ban all but guarantees the legislation will become law. But many child welfare and mental health advocates are concerned about unintended consequences. Unaligned Sen Jacqui Lambie complained about the limited amount of time the government gave the Senate to debate the age restriction, which she described as undercooked. I thought this was a good idea. A lot of people out there

Australia draws the line: New bill bans social media for children under 16

Australian parliament passes strict new rules: Social media platforms will face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars if they fail to prevent children under 16 from holding accounts

JSW Steel, SAIL seek Mongolian coking coal imports amid high steel demand

JSW Steel plans to purchase 2,500 metric tons, while SAIL aims to secure 75,000 metric tons of coking coal from Mongolian