The economic reform roundtable has commenced in Canberra, bringing together representatives from business, government, unions and academia. A recent poll found 60% of Australians doubt it will lead to meaningful change.

Canberra

A long-anticipated economic reform roundtable has commenced at Parliament House in Canberra, bringing together stakeholders from business, government, unions, and academia to discuss strategies for improving Australia's lagging productivity. The meeting began with a presentation from Reserve Bank Governor Michelle Bullock and covered topics such as global uncertainty, trade, and employer investment in training.

Despite the high-profile nature of the event, a recent YouGov poll indicates that 73% of Australians are unaware of the roundtable, and 60% of those who are aware doubt it will lead to meaningful change. Discussions are set to continue with a focus on future challenges, including artificial intelligence, as participants call for genuine efforts to support Australian businesses.

Leaders gather in Canberra for economic roundtable

It's been talked about and talked up for weeks and finally the long-awaited economic reform roundtable is underway at Parliament House. There's an appetite for ideas. And at this table there are plenty of hungry mouths to feed. From business, government, economics and academia, the union movement. All keen to have their say on how to boost Australia's sluggish productivity. It's about our living standards, we're falling behind. In a room with no windows or phones. I'm expecting riders cramp. Starting with a presentation from Reserve Bank Governor Michelle Bullock before discussions turned to global uncertainty and trade. There were no surprises. I've seen a lot of these policy ideas put forward before. We talked in the international space about nuisance tariffs. We have a problem in this country when it comes to employer investment in training. There is absolutely disagreement about how we get to the solution. But do everyday Australians even know this roundtable is happening? A new poll by YouGov has revealed 73% of people don't. As for those who do, 60% say the talks won't lead to any meaningful changes. That pessimism is shared by National Senator Matt Canavan who is holding his own economic roundtable tomorrow. I want no corporate gobbledygook. I want no bureaucratise. I just want plain English. As for the government's official roundtable, tomorrow's talks turn to the future. Specifically, artificial intelligence. Coming out of this roundtable, we do want to see a genuine effort made to back our businesses. Matthew Karstunen, 10 News.

European leaders who converged on the White House for talks on the Russia-Ukraine war demonstrated a united front regarding Ukraine's security on Monday, underscoring the issue as pivotal for the entire continent, not just Ukraine.

Washington

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Bolivia's presidential vote headed to an unprecedented runoff after elections Sunday that ended more than two decades of left-wing dominance in the Andean nation but signaled voters' trepidation about a major lurch to the right.

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All Air Canada planes were grounded on Monday (August 18) after its 10,000 flight attendants refused a return-to-work mandate from the Canadian government.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House Monday (August 18) for his meeting with President Donald Trump and other European leaders about Russia's war in Ukraine. CBS News White House reporter Taurean Small has more.

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Hamas on Monday informed mediators that it had accepted a ceasefire deal proposal submitted to it the day before, according to international and Israeli outlets.

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East Coast of the United States

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Ahead of his Monday meeting with President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymry Zelenksyy says his country will not give up any territory to Russia, even as the White House insists potential land swaps will be necessary. Willie James Inman reports.

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Thousands of Israeli protesters demanded a deal to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas in one of the biggest demonstrations since the war in Gaza began. Debora Patta reports.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flies to Washington on Monday under heavy U.S. pressure to agree to a swift end to Russia's war in his country, but determined to defend Kyiv's interests — without sparking a second Oval Office dust-up with Donald Trump.

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European leaders voiced strong support for Ukraine ahead of a Washington summit with U.S President Donald Trump. They emphasized unity, territorial integrity and security guarantees as essential to any peace deal.

Paris

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International condemnation and pressure from allies have done nothing to stop Israel's plan to displace the people of northern Gaza. Israel on Saturday (August 16) said it is preparing to move Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza.

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Thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday in a nationwide strike amid fears further fighting could endanger the 50 hostages believed to still be in Gaza.

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West Virginia's governor says he will send up to 400 National Guard troops to the nation's capital at President Trump's request. They'll join other National Guard troops and federal agents already deployed with local police on the streets of Washington, D.C.

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President Trump reversed course Saturday, saying he is no longer seeking an urgent ceasefire in Ukraine, but now agrees with Russian President Vladimir Putin that pursuing a peace deal is the best way to end the war.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin described his meeting with President Trump as "frank, substantive and bringing us closer to making the necessary decisions." But the Alaska summit couldn't have been more far removed from the battlefields of Ukraine.

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San Juan

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The Washington, D.C., police chief will remain in command of the local force following a settlement with the Trump administration over the federal takeover, but they are required to cooperate with the White House's immigration policy.

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The Atlantic Ocean's first hurricane of the season, Erin, has continued to gain strength and currently sits off the coast of Anguilla.

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President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Friday in Alaska to discuss the war in Ukraine. The leaders did not announce a peace deal, but Trump is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday.

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Israel's far-right finance minister approved the construction of a controversial new settlement in the West Bank, saying it "finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state." But it's unclear if this move will actually go through. Rights groups swiftly condemned the plan.

Breakdown