A former minister of the Andrews government has criticized Victoria Police for overlooking terror symbols in Melbourne and is urging state Labor to adopt stricter protest regulations akin to those in New South Wales.

Philip Dalidakis, who served from 2015 to 2018, linked the recent arson attack on the Adass Israel synagogue to a failure in public safety measures.

He is advocating for the introduction of protest permits and enhanced police authority to disperse gatherings.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has labeled the synagogue attack an act of terrorism, a stance not shared by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who refrained from such a designation to avoid hindering police investigations.

She characterised the attack as designed to instill fear within the Jewish community.

Community fear

Albanese signaled that the attack fits the definition of terrorism due to its intent to incite community fear.

He highlighted Labor’s commitment to Jewish community safety, referencing $25 million allocated to enhance security and an additional $32.5 million pledged.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton condemned the attack as a national disgrace and accused Labor of failing to address rising antisemitism.

He, along with former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, called for a formal terrorism designation and the formation of a police taskforce against antisemitism.

Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have been granted political asylum in Moscow, according to a source from the Kremlin reported by TASS.

Assad, who was last in Damascus on Saturday, fled the country early Sunday, as confirmed by both Syrian and Arab security officials.

Russia’s foreign ministry indicated that he had officially stepped down and left the country.

Though Assad planned to address the nation Saturday evening, the speech never took place.

His wife and children had previously departed for Russia in late November, with his brothers-in-law moving to the United Arab Emirates.

Potential risks

President Biden referred to the fall of the Assad regime as a “historic opportunity” for Syrians to shape their future.

He acknowledged both the potential and risks involved.

Biden credited his administration’s actions, such as supporting conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, for weakening Assad’s position by diverting the resources of his allies: Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah.

He reiterated the ongoing U.S. sanctions against Assad’s regime.

The U.S. plans to send senior officials to the region and provide humanitarian aid to support the Syrian people during this transition. Biden confirmed that the U.S. military presence in eastern Syria will continue, particularly to secure prisons housing Islamic State members.

Young men are increasingly taking risks in cryptocurrency and political betting, reporting substantial gains as markets rise.

Investments by young men are significantly outperforming traditional ones.

A diverse portfolio consisting of bitcoin, gold, GameStop, and DraftKings yielded a 62% return in 2023.

Many young male investors view their speculative trades as a pathway to traditional goals, supported by the entertainment aspects of mobile trading. However, owning cryptocurrency and meme stocks is influenced by gender attitudes. Data from the Pew Research Center shows a stark disparity between young male and female investors in crypto ownership.

Political expectations

The recent surge in bitcoin prices is partly due to favorable political expectations surrounding the newly elected administration. Political betting has also grown, with a majority of participants being male and under 30.

Many young men feel compelled to pursue risky investments due to economic pressures and perceived barriers. While they report higher earnings, nearly half claim to face discrimination, contributing to feelings of alienation.

The pandemic fueled increased retail participation in investing, especially among younger demographics. Influencers on online platforms significantly impact investment decisions, often promoting risky behavior.