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Israel rocked by protest over Supreme Court reform

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These reforms would limit the Supreme Court’s power to make rulings on the parliament in a move critics argue will favour conservative and religious groups

Israel’s parliament ratified the first bill of a judicial overhaul sought by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, following the collapse of last-minute compromise efforts to ease a constitutional crisis that had gripped the country for months.

The approved amendment limits the Supreme Court’s powers to void some government decisions if it deems them “unreasonable,” passing with a 64-to-0 vote after opposition lawmakers abandoned the session in protest, exclaiming “For shame!”

The day’s demonstrations began with police forcibly removing protesters who had chained themselves to posts and blocked roads outside the parliament. By evening, thousands had taken to the streets across the country, blocking highways and clashing with police, leading to the arrest of at least 19 people.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a key figure behind the legislative package, portrayed the vote as a “first step” towards creating a more balanced system of government. The broader judicial changes, announced by the government in January after being sworn in, were presented as necessary to address the Supreme Court’s perceived political interventionism and overreach.

However, critics voiced concerns that the amendments would weaken checks on executive authority and potentially lead to abuses of power. The proposed changes sparked months of unprecedented nationwide protests and raised international apprehension about Israel’s democratic integrity.

In response to the vote, a political watchdog group and the centrist opposition leader announced their intention to challenge the law in the Supreme Court.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, addressing the nation on television as protests continued, expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with the opposition to reach an all-inclusive agreement by the end of November.

“We all agree that Israel must remain a strong democracy, that it must continue protecting individual rights for everyone, that it will not become a state of (Jewish law), that the courts will remain independent,” said Netanyahu.

U.S. President Joe Biden warned Netanyahu that such drastic changes should be only enacted with broad support, or else risk instability in the country.

The crisis deeply divided Israeli society and even affected the military, with protest leaders warning that thousands of volunteer reservists would not report for duty if the government proceeded with its plans. Former military leaders also raised concerns that Israel’s war-readiness could be compromised.

Protests in Jerusalem saw demonstrators blocking highways, being forcefully removed by police using water cannons and other measures. In Tel Aviv, mounted police tried to disperse crowds, while protesters lit small fires on the main highway.

Outside the city, a disturbing incident occurred when a driver rammed into a small crowd blocking a road, resulting in three people being lightly injured. The driver was later arrested by the police.

Internationally, the White House reiterated its call for Israel’s leaders to seek “as broad a consensus as possible” through political dialogue.

The Knesset’s approval had an immediate economic impact, with Tel Aviv’s main share indices tumbling by up to 2.5%, and the shekel sliding 1% against the dollar.

In response to the controversial amendment, opposition leaders pledged to challenge the change, and the head of the Histadrut labour federation threatened to declare a general strike if the government pursued “unilateral” measures.

The situation remains tense as the country grapples with the aftermath of this significant judicial overhaul and its potential implications for Israeli democracy and stability.

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Cyber security shifts redefine critical infrastructure in APAC

Cyber security evolution prompts redefinition of critical infrastructure in Asia Pacific amid rising digital threats

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Cyber security evolution prompts redefinition of critical infrastructure in Asia Pacific amid rising digital threats.

In Short:
– Cyber security incidents in Asia Pacific redefine critical infrastructure, expanding its scope beyond just industrial machinery.
– New strategies emphasise visibility to protect crucial sectors like banking, finance, and telecommunications from cyber threats.

The rise in cyber security incidents in Asia Pacific is reshaping the definition and protection of critical infrastructure. New digital and operational technology risks are prompting stakeholders to reconsider conventional beliefs that critical infrastructure is primarily industrial machinery behind high fences.

Michael Fisher from Garland Technology discusses this evolving landscape. Critical infrastructure now encompasses essential services such as banking, finance, and telecommunications, expanding beyond traditional definitions.

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The convergence of IT and operational technology (OT) networks increases cyber security risks. Many OT services were not designed with cyber security in mind, leaving them vulnerable to cyber attacks. Industries most at risk include telecommunications, banking, finance, and utilities, where any disruption can significantly impact society.

Increased Visibility

Fisher highlights that traditional cyber security alone is insufficient to secure these infrastructures. Effective protection requires a new approach focused on visibility. Garland Technology’s mission is to provide visibility to upstream cyber security platforms, eliminating blind spots.

Governments and businesses must recognise their roles in combatting cyber threats. Australia’s Security of Critical Infrastructure Act is a step towards increasing corporate responsibility in recognising critical infrastructure and ensuring compliance with security measures.


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Electric vehicles transform last mile delivery market

Australia’s last-mile delivery is rapidly adopting electric vehicles, fueled by green initiatives and insights from expert Joe Sofra.

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Australia’s last-mile delivery is rapidly adopting electric vehicles, fueled by green initiatives and insights from expert Joe Sofra.


The shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) for last mile delivery is accelerating globally, with Australia expected to see significant growth.

Companies and retailers are increasingly adopting greener solutions, driven by supporting government initiatives.

Joe Sofra from ANC discussed the current state of the last mile EV market.

#ElectricVehicles #Sustainability #LastMileDelivery #Innovation #Australia


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Trump gives Hamas ultimatum for Gaza peace plan acceptance

Trump gives Hamas deadline to accept Gaza peace plan amid rising pressure from Arab states and ongoing conflict in the region

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Trump gives Hamas deadline to accept Gaza peace plan amid rising pressure from Arab states and ongoing conflict in the region

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In Short:
– Trump gives Hamas three to four days to accept a U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan, warning of consequences.
– Hamas calls the plan biased and insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal before considering any agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump has given Hamas three to four days to accept a U.S.-backed peace plan for Gaza, warning of severe consequences if they reject it.The plan, shared by mediators Qatar and Egypt, emerged after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed it during a visit to the White House. Hamas, which was not part of the talks, is expected to review the proposal that calls for disarmament, a previously rejected demand.

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Trump stated that support for the plan came from both Israeli and Arab leaders, and he emphasised the need for Hamas to respond promptly. The proposal includes a ceasefire, hostage exchanges, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and disarmament of Hamas, along with a transitional government.

A Hamas source described the plan as biased towards Israel and containing unacceptable conditions.

The group maintains that a complete Israeli withdrawal is a prerequisite for their agreement to any deal, while they are unwilling to disarm.

Pressure Mounts

Hamas faces significant pressure as foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, and Egypt have supported the initiative. Turkey’s intelligence head is also set to join discussions in Doha, marking a new level of mediation.

Despite expressing initial support, Netanyahu is cautious about the plan’s implications for Palestinian statehood and faces pressure from his coalition. Public sentiment in Gaza reflects a desire for peace, albeit with scepticism about the sincerity of both Trump and Netanyahu’s commitments.


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