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Two paddleboarders and a family of kayakers had close calls over the Christmas holidays, highlighting the importance of safety measures and constant awareness on the water.

Japans government unveils a record-breaking budget for fiscal year 2026, allocating over $1.2 trillion for defense and social programs. The plan includes $29.58 trillion in new bonds, with defense spending reaching a high of $9 trillion, primarily for drones and long-range missiles. Social security receives over $39 trillion to address population aging. The budget, which needs parliamentary approval, also includes an $18.3 trillion supplementary budget for the remaining fiscal year 2025 to combat inflation. Despite debt concerns, the government maintains that the budget supports core policies and aims for economic growth.

Australian travelers to Turkey advised to exercise extreme caution due to increased terrorist risks, following the arrest of 115 suspected ISIS members plotting attacks on Christmas and New Years celebrations. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade updated its Smartraveller website, warning of potential targets including tourist spots, transport hubs, shopping malls, hotels, places of worship, and diplomatic areas. The US also struck 70 ISIS targets in Syria and retaliated in Nigeria, highlighting the ongoing global threat. Travelers should check Smartraveller for the latest safety tips.

ABCs summer lineup offers a captivating mix of documentaries, quirky tales, and human-centered stories. From a German kayakers epic journey to Australia to a scam victims life savings loss, these narratives highlight real-life impacts. New research uncovers trends like teen social media ad exposure, steroid abuse, and Australias divorce rate drop. Grassroots heroes fight to protect Australias unique wildlife from invasive species. Dont miss out on these engaging stories!

Melbourne court freezes Filippini familys assets in Shield Master Fund scandal A Melbourne court has seized nearly $50 million worth of properties and luxury cars belonging to the Filippini family, linked to the collapse of the Shield Master Fund, a superannuation scheme that vanished with investors money. The fund, with almost 6,000 clients and $500 million in retirement savings, fell apart due to mismanagement, including large payments to promoters and questionable investments. Robert Filippini, his wife Dimitra, and their children Antonio and Matilda are accused of receiving $158 million from the fund for building projects without proper contracts or licenses. The family is appealing the freezing orders, claiming they are unfair, and insisting the money was for legitimate projects. The assets frozen include a $15 million inner-city apartment, a $10 million five-story home in Toorak with a rooftop pool, city shops, and 15 vehicles. The family shifted $7.7 million to overseas accounts this year, and Dimitra and the children are on a long holiday. The appeal will head to court early next year, as liquidators push to claw back the cash and protect everyday investors still waiting for answers.

Christmas Day turned into a harrowing ordeal for a woman and a teenage boy paddleboarding off Victorias coast, as strong currents swept them far out to sea. After a desperate struggle, they were spotted and rescued, with the family expressing gratitude and relief. Meanwhile, other close calls occurred, including a family kayaking in Westernport Bay and a man in Lake King, all highlighting the unpredictable nature of coastal waters and the crucial role of first responders.

Cookies: The Unseen Heroes of Your Web Experience - Discover why cookies are essential for seamless browsing, how Facebooks app browser can disrupt them, and quick fixes for various browsers to ensure you never miss out on personalized content again.

Struggling with website features due to blocked cookies? This episode explains how to fix it. For Facebook users, enable links to open externally in app settings. For desktop browsers, adjust privacy settings in Firefox or Chrome. On Safari for iPhone/iPad, accept cookies from visited sites. Bypassing cookie issues ensures personalized content and seamless navigation.