The highest amount Victorian punters can put into poker machines at one time will be slashed from $1000 to $100 under major gambling reforms. or signup to continue reading Gaming Minister Melissa Horne will introduce the gambling legislation amendment to state parliament on Tuesday, almost 18 months after then-premier Daniel Andrews previewed the changes. The proposed reforms will include the introduction of carded play on pokies, which will require patrons to insert a player card to operate a gaming machine, mandatory closing times at venues and slower spin rates for new pokies. The cards will give people access to information about their gambling and allow set limits on how much they are willing to lose. A pilot of the carded play will start in mid-2025 in selected venues across Victoria. Under the reforms, any new gaming machines approved after December 2025 must have a spin rate of at least three seconds per game, compared to the current spin rate of 2.14 seconds. From the same month, the amount of money people can load onto a machine at any time will be reduced to $100, down from $1000. Mandatory closure periods from 4am to 10am for gaming areas in all Victorian hotels and clubs come into effect from August 30, 2025. Ms Horne said the reforms were aimed at stopping the far-reaching impact of problem gambling. "Almost 30 per cent of Victorians who play gaming machines experience gambling harm," she said. "Gambling harm has consequences, not just for the person gambling but for everyone around them." Some of Victoria's reforms were initially expected to be implemented by mid-2024 when first announced by Mr Andrews 12 months earlier. Tasmania was slated to implement similar cashless gaming card reforms before saying it would prefer to work with other states to come up with a pre-commitment solution earlier in November. Independent MP Kristie Johnson questioned Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff's decision to scrap plans for the card due to the findings of several reports which had yet to be publicly released. "The Deloitte report says the economic impact of the card is minimal on pubs and clubs but the economic impact on communities is significant when you think where that money could be spent elsewhere," she told ABC Radio on Tuesday. National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. 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Advertisement AdvertisementBy ROB GILLIES TORONTO (AP) — Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the United States should President-elect Donald Trump follow through on his threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products, a senior official said Wednesday. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across southern and northern borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. A Canadian government official said Canada is preparing for every eventuality and has started thinking about what items to target with tariffs in retaliation. The official stressed no decision has been made. The person spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a tit-for-tat response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Many of the U.S. products were chosen for their political rather than economic impact. For example, Canada imports $3 million worth of yogurt from the U.S. annually and most comes from one plant in Wisconsin, home state of then-House Speaker Paul Ryan. That product was hit with a 10% duty. Another product on the list was whiskey, which comes from Tennessee and Kentucky, the latter of which is the home state of then-Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell. Trump made the threat Monday while railing against an influx of illegal migrants, even though the numbers at Canadian border pale in comparison to the southern border. The U.S. Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone — and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian one between October 2023 and September 2024. Canadian officials say lumping Canada in with Mexico is unfair but say they are happy to work with the Trump administration to lower the numbers from Canada. The Canadians are also worried about a influx north of migrants if Trump follows through with his plan for mass deportations. Trump also railed about fentanyl from Mexico and Canada, even though seizures from the Canadian border pale in comparison to the Mexican border. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Related Articles National Politics | Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia National Politics | Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be different National Politics | Will Trump’s return lead to a new wave of bestselling books? National Politics | Trump transition says Cabinet picks, appointees were targeted by bomb threats, swatting attacks National Politics | Southwest states certify election results after the process led to controversy in previous years Canadian officials argue their country is not the problem and that tariffs will have severe implications for both countries. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports are from Canada. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. “Canada is essential to the United States’ domestic energy supply,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said. Trump has pledged to cut American energy bills in half within 18 months, something that could be made harder if a 25% premium is added to Canadian oil imports. In 2023, Canadian oil accounted for almost two-thirds of total U.S. oil imports and about one-fifth of the U.S. oil supply. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is holding a emergency virtual meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of Canada’s provinces, who want Trudeau to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States that excludes Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.”
Pure Storage Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial ResultsHEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a young RAF specialist following his tragic death. David Enbom, 21, passed away on Saturday, leaving his loved ones devastated. Advertisement 3 David Enbom, 21, passed away on Saturday Credit: RAF 3 David was based at RAF Lossiemouth Credit: Alamy The young recruit, known as Davey, was a class 1 air specialist and based at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray since August last year. He has been described as a hugely popular member of the engineering and logistics wing. His colleagues hailed him as a "sharp-witted character with a real spark". David was a former pupil of St Geradine's Primary School and Lossiemouth High School, impressing in sports. Advertisement Read more Scottish news BEAST JAILED Scots hotel boss who abused sleeping boy & shared pics given extended sentence 'SCARRED FOR LIFE' Husband ‘stabbed wife nine times on Scots isle before shooting spree' After leaving education, he joined the RAF last year, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. David completed the first stage of his training at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire , before training to become a logistics supplier at MOD Worthy Down in Hampshire . Wing Commander, Sharon Evelegh-Hall, who commands RAF Lossiemouth's engineering and logistics wing said: "The tragic and untimely loss of AS1 David Enbom has sent shockwaves not only through his Flight and Squadron but across the whole unit. "In spite of his relatively short time in the RAF, his impact was extensive. An extremely professional and popular individual, he invested a great deal of his time enhancing the social fabric of the Wing, organising functions and volunteering for duties to help out his friends and colleagues. Advertisement Most read in The Scottish Sun THIS IS THE STRIFE Amy Macdonald slams BBC's Scottish football coverage in X-rated blast LAST WORDS Mum wrote 'I was murdered' before she 'took own life after years abuse from ex' Gossip GELD STAR Rangers 'keen to land Championship star labelled human wrecking ball in January' SCOTT WHEELS McTominay spotted buying stunning new car with unique personalised feature "David will be sorely missed but his legacy and our memories will endure. My thoughts, and those of everyone on the Engineering and Logistics Wing, are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time." Squadron leader Jack Savage, who commands Lossiemouth's logistics and supply squadron, said: "The news of AS1 Enbom’s death has hit the Squadron hard. Although he initially came across as quiet, it quickly became clear that Davey was a sharp-witted character with a real spark. Prince William is taking to the skies in a new helicopter donated to the London Air Ambulance Charity at RAF Northolt "He had become a very popular lad during his 15 months with us and could usually be found at the centre of the Squadron’s social activities. He put his hand up for everything - guard duties over Christmas, Poppy Appeal collections, organising our Christmas Draw. "Davey loved his job, and had a lot of potential, but the most important thing to remember is that a family has lost a son, brother, and grandson at far too young an age, and a large number of our enlisted aviators have lost a friend. I’d like to offer our condolences to his family at this terrible time." Advertisement Warrant Officer Neil Mackie, warrant officer of the logistics support squadron, said: "AS1 David Enbom was a genuinely very polite character who was hard working and always willing to get involved in wider aspects of Sqn & Service life. "Being a very popular member of the Logistics Support Squadron, his tragic loss has been devastating and he will be sorely missed by everyone whom he worked with, the wider Station and local community. "My sincere condolences and thoughts go out to David’s family and friends at this extremely sad time." RAF Lossiemouth's chaplaincy and welfare staff are supporting David’s heartbroken family and friends. Advertisement A statement from the base read: "It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Air Specialist Class 1 David Enbom who sadly passed away on Saturday 23 November. "AS1 Enbom, known as Davey to his friends, was a hugely popular member of the Engineering and Logistics Wing, who had served at RAF Lossiemouth since August 2023. "David attended St Geradine’s Primary School and Lossiemouth High School, where he excelled at sports, until he followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather when he joined the RAF in 2023. Read more on the Scottish Sun REY-LY EXCITING US pop superstar announces first Scots show in almost 10 years BALLSED UP Lorraine apologises on air for using phrase she 'didn't know' was a swear word "After completing his initial training at RAF Halton in May 2023, David trained as a Logistics Supplier at MOD Worthy Down, before returning home to Moray for his first RAF posting last August. Advertisement "His passing is deeply felt by all at RAF Lossiemouth and our thoughts remain very much with his mother Donna, father Steven, sister Chelsie, his Grandparents and his wider family and friends at this sad time." 3 David's RAF colleagues paid tribute describing him as "a real spark" Credit: Facebook
The forthcoming vote on assisted dying has sparked a furious red-on-red row within the Labour Party , fuelled by claims of Islamophobia by proponents of a change in the law. On Sunday, a key ally of Keir Starmer ’s and a party grandee Charlie Falconer accused Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood of imposing her religious beliefs on others, after she explained to constituents why she will be opposing a change in the law. He accused her of being motivated by “religious beliefs” which “shouldn’t be imposed on everyone else”. Despite a number of senior Labour politicians opposing assisted dying, including Wes Streeting, Jonathan Reynolds and Bridget Phillipson, Lord Falconer’s singling out of Ms Mahmood has sparked furious criticism. The Labour Muslim Network accused him of perpetuating “the culture of Islamophobia” and demanding an apology. The Justice Secretary was also backed by Labour Christian MP Rachael Maskell, demanding he apologise for the “offensive and discriminatory” comments. This morning Home Office minister Jess Phillips insisted that the debate around assisted dying has been handled in an “exemplary” way. She denied there is any “bad blood” within government over the divisions. The forthcoming vote will be a ‘free vote’, meaning MPs will be able to decide for themselves whether they back the changes or not, free from the interference by party whips. The Cabinet itself remains divided, despite the Cabinet Secretary asking members not to get actively involved in the debate. 14 members of the Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, are thought to be supportive, while 9 are expected to vote it down. Yesterday the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall reiterated her support for Assisted Dying, insisting that the safeguards in the Bill “are much stronger” than the last time it was voted on in 2015. She argued: “I believe in giving people as much power, say and control as possible over the things that matter to them most”. “I believe the Bill has the right safeguards to make sure that can be done properly.” In an astonishing intervention this weekend, the Justice Secretary blasted the legislation as a “state death service”, warning constituents she is “profoundly concerned” in a letter to her Birmingham constituents. She argued that recent scandals in the public sector, including Hillsborough, infected blood and the Post Office Horizon affair, should act as a reminder that the State and those acting on its behalf “are not always benign”. She continued: “I have always held the view that, for this reason, the state should serve a clear role. It should protect and preserve life, not take it away. The state should never offer death as a service.” “It cannot be overstated what a profound shift in our culture assisted suicide will herald. In my view, the greatest risk of all is the pressure the elderly, vulnerable, sick or disabled may place upon themselves.