AS Inbank has approved the company’s Financial Calendar for the 2025 financial year, according to which Inbank plans to disclose information and hold the Annual General Meeting of shareholders as follows:
25.02.2025 Q4 and 2024 full year Unaudited Interim Report 05.03.2025 2024 Audited Annual Report 31.03.2025 Annual General Meeting 06.05.2025 Q1 Interim Report 05.08.2025 Q2 Interim Report 05.11.2025 Q3 Interim Report
Inbank is a financial technology company with an EU banking license that connects merchants, consumers and financial institutions on its next generation embedded finance platform. Partnering with 6,200 merchants, Inbank has 881,000+ active contracts and collects deposits across 7 markets in Europe. Inbank bonds are listed on the Nasdaq Tallinn Stock Exchange.
Additional information: Styv Solovjov AS Inbank Head of Investor Relations +372 5645 9738 styv.solovjov@inbank.ee
The evolving nature of warfare and threat perceptions in the Asia-Pacific region has increased the demand for robust maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) practices substantially. Disciplined MRO practices ensure higher operational availability rates of military platforms such as fixed-wing aircrafts, helicopters, naval vessels, and land vehicles. Against this backdrop, the cumulative maintenance cost burden of the military platform fleet of Asia-Pacific countries is estimated to be about $44 billion in 2025, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s dashboard on Annual Maintenance Cost (part of the Fleet Size database) reveals that, with 28% share of the total addressable market (TAM), the Asia-Pacific region will provide most number of opportunities for maintenance service providers throughout this decade. Within Asia-Pacific, China, India, and Japan are the top three countries with highest maintenance cost burden owing to their large fleet of in-service defense platforms as of January 2025.
Harsh Deshmukh, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The governments in the Asia-Pacific region have the highest maintenance cost burden on the Military Land Vehicles segment, which is estimated to be about $15 billion for 2025. This cost is further aggravated due to the large inventory of aging Soviet-origin main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and tactical trucks. Leading Asia-Pacific companies catering to this market segment include China North Industries Group Corp Ltd (Norinco), Dongfeng Motor Corporation Ltd, Poly Technologies, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, and LIG NEX1 Co.”
The annual maintenance cost burden on Asia-Pacific’s Military Fixed Wing Aircraft fleets is estimated to be about $13 billion for 2025. As countries in the region try to address the perennial issues related to the low availability rate of their Fixed Wing Aircraft fleet, significant opportunities exist for global primes and subcontractors.
Deshmukh concludes: “Growing tension and territorial disputes across the Asia-Pacific, especially in the South China Sea, will not just drive the countries to procure new defense platforms but will also compel policymakers to pay more attention to the maintenance of their in-service fleet. India, China, and Pakistan have seen several border skirmishes in recent years, which have necessitated the respective governments to increase their spending on maintenance activities. The efforts made towards the improvement of the defense readiness levels by these countries will continue to pave the way for maintenance contracts to both domestic and international companies with relevant product portfolios.”
India saw a notable improvement in venture capital (VC) funding activity in 2024 compared to the previous year. While both deal volume and total funding value increased, the growth was particularly significant in terms of value. The number of VC deals rose by 6%, from 1,102 in 2023 to 1,168 in 2024, whereas the total disclosed funding value surged by 43%, from $7.9 billion in 2023 to $11.3 billion in 2024, according to GlobalData a leading data and analytics company.
Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The dent in investor sentiment that the market experienced for the past few years seems to have faded, with the renewed appetite for big-ticket deals further underscoring this recovery.”
An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database revealed that the average size of VC deals announced in India, which stood at around $7 million in 2023, increased to around $10 million in 2024. Meanwhile, the number of VC deals valued more than or equal to $100 million announced in India increased from 14 to 21.
Some of the notable VC funding deals announced in India during 2024 include $665 million, $350 million, and $340 million secured by Zepto across three separate funding rounds. Other significant deals include Meesho raising $300 million, PharmEasy securing $216 million, and PhysicsWallah receiving $210 million, among others.
Bose adds: “It is noteworthy that driven by the improvement in funding activity, India’s share in the global space has improved.”
India, which accounted for 5.5% of the total number of VC deals announced globally during 2023, accounted for 7.1% share of deal volume in 2024. Meanwhile, India saw its share of the total disclosed funding value increase from 3.3% in 2023 to 4.2% in 2024.
Bose concludes: “India’s strong rebound in VC funding activity reflects growing investor confidence and the market’s resilience. The rise in big-ticket deals and the increase in India’s share of global VC investments highlight the country’s expanding influence in the startup ecosystem. As investor sentiment continues to improve, India seems to be well-positioned to attract further funding and drive innovation across key sectors.”
Note: Historic data may change in case some deals get added to previous months because of a delay in disclosure of information in the public domain.
The demand for nuclear imaging agents is expected to grow significantly, driven by an aging population and advancements in imaging technologies. The industry is shifting toward more targeted, patient-specific solutions, particularly in neuroimaging and oncology, where early detection and personalized treatment are critical. Lantheus’ acquisition of Life Molecular Imaging and Evergreen Theragnostics will strengthen its position in this evolving landscape and expand its capabilities in key diagnostic areas, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Ashley Clarke, Senior Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The nuclear imaging industry is increasingly driven by the demand for advanced neuroimaging agents in Alzheimer’s disease and targeted oncology solutions for more precise cancer detection and treatment. These innovations are helping drive a more patient-specific approach to disease management. The competitive landscape is evolving quickly, with multiple companies competing to establish leadership in this space.”
Lantheus’ acquisition of Life Molecular Imaging includes Neuraceq, an FDA-approved PET agent for detecting β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease, and ADvance (PI-2620), a tau PET imaging agent in late-stage clinical development. These additions complement its existing pipeline, which includes β-amyloid agent NAV-4694, acquired from Meilleur Technologies in 2024, and tau agent MK-6240, acquired from Cerveau Technologies in 2023.
Clarke adds: “Lantheus is building a robust neuroimaging portfolio that strategically balances short-term revenue growth with long-term innovation in Alzheimer’s diagnostics. Neuraceq provides immediate competition with established products such as Eli Lilly’s Amyvid and GE Healthcare’s Vizamyl. Meanwhile, the pipeline potential of ADvance positions the company as a strong player in the quickly growing tau-based imaging market.”
Beyond neuroimaging, Lantheus is expanding its presence in oncology. Lantheus has announced an agreement to acquire Evergreen Theragnostics, a radiopharmaceutical company specializing in the development and manufacturing of imaging agents for cancer diagnosis and treatment. This acquisition includes Octevy, a registrational-stage PET diagnostic agent targeting neuroendocrine tumors. Additionally, in mid-2024, the company licensed RM2 from Life Molecular Imaging, a theranostic agent that uses Lu-177 and Ga-68 to treat malignant tumors, including prostate, breast, and lung cancers.
The RM2 and Octevy additions build on Lantheus’ established oncology portfolio, which includes Pylarify, a leading PSMA-targeting imaging agent, and a range of pipeline products addressing prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, and other solid tumors. The oncology imaging space is highly competitive, with companies such as Eli Lilly, GE Healthcare, Curium Pharma, and Novartis also developing targeted imaging and theranostic solutions.
Clarke concludes: “Looking ahead, nuclear imaging is set to become increasingly integrated with therapeutic applications. The next wave of innovation will likely introduce multi-targeted theranostics and agents with broader biomarker coverage, enhancing both diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes. As new imaging technologies emerge, companies that successfully align their portfolios with both clinical demand and market dynamics will be best positioned for long-term success.”
2024 was a good year for hyperscalers and cloud providers who capitalized on their clients’ need for access to more processing and storage due to escalating growth in data volumes. The hyperscalers continued to expand their solution portfolios, creating in some cases almost unfathomably vast catalogues. While some businesses opt to repatriate some workloads to private or on-premise environments for cost and other reasons, the expectation is that Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) expansion will continue in 2025, with AI being a major factor in this expansion, according to a recent advisory report by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s report titled “2025 Enterprise Predictions: Cloud Reconsidered,” reveals that cost-containment and new regulations will be important factors in enterprise cloud decision-making in 2025.
Amy Larsen DeCarlo, Principal Analyst, Enterprise Technology and Services at GlobalData, comments: “Even as economic uncertainty looms, the demand for more processing power and storage fuelled in large part by work in GenAI and synthetic AI will keep the hyperscalers and other cloud providers in excellent position in the coming year. Another byproduct of the increase in AI-powered applications will be greater interest in edge computing. Hyperscalers and their partners will both benefit from this.”
Concerns about costs on the part of enterprise and public sector entities will be a major influence on cloud investments this year.
Larsen DeCarlo adds: “The onus is on cloud providers to deliver solutions that help organizations refine their cloud implementations, a fact of which they are keenly aware.
“Organizations will advance their FinOps work internally, engaging individual IT operations teams with lines of business and finance to improve operational results and reduce expenses. The hyperscalers who deliver effective tools to support this work will gain a point of differentiation.”
GlobalData notes that even as organizations invest more in cloud services, regulatory changes will drive them to re-examine their current implementations and make changes in what they deploy to public and private clouds.
Larsen DeCarlo concludes: “Hyperscalers have maintained a focus on developing vertically specific solutions for industries such as finance and healthcare. They will continue to build these out in 2025 while also expanding local infrastructure in regions including the Middle East and Africa as well as Asia.”
On 27 December last year, astronomers using the ATLAS survey telescope in Chile discovered a small asteroid moving away from Earth. Follow up observations have revealed that the asteroid, 2024 YR4, is on a path that might lead to a collision with our planet on 22 December 2032.
In other words, the newly-discovered space rock poses a significant impact threat to our planet.
It sounds like something from a bad Hollywood movie. But in reality, there’s no need to panic – this is just another day living on a target in a celestial shooting gallery.
So what’s the story? What do we know about 2024 YR4? And what would happen if it did collide with Earth?
A target in the celestial shooting gallery
As Earth moves around the Sun, it is continually encountering dust and debris that dates back to the birth of the Solar system. The system is littered with such debris, and the meteors and fireballs seen every night are evidence of just how polluted our local neighbourhood is.
But most of the debris is far too small to cause problems to life on Earth. There is far more tiny debris out there than larger chunks – so impacts from objects that could imperil life on Earth’s surface are much less frequent.
The most famous impact came some 66 million years ago. A giant rock from space, at least 10 kilometres in diameter, crashed into Earth – causing a mass extinction that wiped out something like 75% of all species on Earth.
Impacts that large are, fortunately, very rare events. Current estimates suggest that objects like the one which killed the dinosaurs only hit Earth every 50 million years or so. Smaller impacts, though, are more common.
On 30 June 1908, there was a vast explosion in a sparsely populated part of Siberia. When explorers later reached the location of the explosion, they found an astonishing site: a forest levelled, with all the trees fallen in the same direction. As they moved around, the direction of the fallen trees changed – all pointing inwards towards the epicentre of the explosion.
The Tunguska event flattened trees over an area of around 2,200 square kilometres. Leonid Kulik / Wikimedia
In total, the Tunguska event levelled an area of almost 2,200 square kilometres – roughly equivalent to the area of greater Sydney. Fortunately, that forest was extremely remote. While plants and animals were killed in the blast zone, it is thought that, at most, only three people perished.
Estimates vary of how frequent such large collisions should be. Some argue that Earth should experience a similar impact, on average, once per century. Others suggest such collisions might only happen every 10,000 years or so. The truth is we don’t know – but that’s part of the fun of science.
The explosion, about 30 kilometres above the Earth’s surface, generated a powerful shock-wave and extremely bright flash of light. Buildings were damaged, windows smashed, and almost 1,500 people were injured – although there were no fatalities.
It served as a reminder, however, that Earth will be hit again. It’s only a question of when.
Which brings us to our latest contender – asteroid 2024 YR4.
The 1-in-77 chance of collision to watch
2024 YR4 has been under close observation by astronomers for a little over a month. It was discovered just a few days after making a relatively close approach to our planet, and it is now receding into the dark depths of the Solar system. By April, it will be lost to even the world’s largest telescopes.
The observations carried out over the past month have allowed astronomers to extrapolate the asteroid’s motion forward over time, working out its orbit around the Sun. As a result, it has become clear that, on 22 December 2032, it will pass very close to our planet – and may even collide with us.
At present, our best models of the asteroid’s motion have an uncertainty of around 100,000 kilometres in its position at the time it would be closest to the Earth. At around 12,000 kilometres in diameter, our planet falls inside that region of uncertainty.
Calculations suggest there is currently around a 1-in-77 chance that the asteroid will crash into our planet at that time. Of course, that means there is still a 76-in-77 chance it will miss us.
When will we know for sure?
With every new observation of 2024 YR4, astronomers’ knowledge of its orbit improves slightly – which is why the collision likelihoods you might see quoted online keep changing. We’ll be able to follow the asteroid as it recedes from Earth for another couple of months, by which time we’ll have a better idea of exactly where it will be on that fateful day in December 2032.
But it is unlikely we’ll be able to say for sure whether we’re in the clear at that point.
Recent observations of 2024 YR4 – the faint unmoving dot in the centre of the image. ESO, CC BY
Fortunately, the asteroid will make another close approach to the Earth in December 2028 – passing around 8 million kilometres from our planet. Astronomers will be ready to perform a wide raft of observations that will help us to understand the size and shape of the asteroid, as well as giving an incredibly accurate overview of where it will be in 2032.
At the end of that encounter, we will know for sure whether there will be a collision in 2032. And if there is to be a collision that year, we’ll be able to predict where on Earth that collision will be – likely to a precision of a few tens of kilometres.
How big would the impact be?
At the moment, we don’t know the exact size of 2024 YR4. Even through Earth’s largest telescopes, it is just a single tiny speck in the sky. So we have to estimate its size based on its brightness. Depending on how reflective the asteroid is, current estimates place it as being somewhere between 40 and 100 metres across.
What does that mean for a potential impact? Well, it would depend on exactly what the asteroid is made of.
The most likely scenario is that the asteroid is a rocky pile of rubble. If that turns out to be the case, then the impact would be very similar to the Tunguska event in 1908.
The asteroid would detonate in the atmosphere, with a shockwave blasting Earth’s surface as a result. The Tunguska impact was a “city killer” type event, levelling forest across a city-sized patch of land.
Meteor Crater in Arizona is believed to have been created by a 50m metallic meteorite impact around 50,000 years ago. NASA Earth Observatory / Wikimedia
A less likely possibility is that the asteroid is made of metal. Based on its orbit around the Sun, this seems unlikely – but we can’t rule it out.
In that case, the asteroid would make it through the atmosphere intact, and crash into Earth’s surface. If it hit on the land, it would carve out a new impact crater, probably more than a kilometre across and a couple of hundred metres deep – something similar to Meteor Crater in Arizona.
Again, this would be quite spectacular for the region around the impact – but that would be about it.
Living in a remarkable time
This all sounds like doom and gloom. After all, we know that the Earth will be hit again – either by 2024 YR4 or something else. But there’s a real positive to take out of all this.
There has been life on Earth for more than 3 billion years. In all that time, impacts have come along and caused destruction and devastation many times.
But there has never been a species, to our knowledge, that understood the risk, could detect potential threats in advance, and even do something about the threat. Until now.
In just the past few years, we have discovered 11 asteroids before they hit our planet. In each case, we have predicted where they would hit, and watched the results.
We have also, in recent years, demonstrated a growing capacity to deflect potentially threatening asteroids. NASA’s DART mission (the Double Asteroid Redirection Test) was an astounding success.
For the first time in more than 3 billion years of life on Earth, we can do something about the risk posed by rocks from space. So don’t panic! But instead, sit back and watch the show.
Jonti Horner does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Two scientists from the UK received Thailand’s Prince Mahidol Awards for 2024 for long and significant contribution in the field of Public Health and Medicine.
The Award Presentation Ceremony was held at Thailand’s Royal Palace. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, as the representative of His Majesty the King, presided over the Presentation Ceremony, in the company of the Privy Council, Bureau of the Royal Household and Cabinet members.
Dr Shepherd receives the Prince Mahidol Award (PMA) in Public Health for his creation of the ‘Cardiff Model of Violence Prevention’ which is an evidence-based, multisectoral approach to violence prevention which has been endorsed by the World Health Organisation and integrated into multisectoral approaches to violence prevention from South Africa to Australia. Dr Shepherd’s research and commitment to evidence-based public policy has contributed to the development of ‘What Works Network’. The Network, supported by the UK government, acts as an important interface between research and policymaking, ensuring that policy makers have access to the best evidence.
Professor Hunter who studied at the University of Cambridge in the UK, receives the Prince Mahidol Award in Medicine for his discovery of tyrosine kinase enzymes and the phosphorylation process, a crucial mechanism that transforms normal cells into cancerous cells. This breakthrough discovery led to the development of targeted cancer treatments and pharmaceutical innovation that can effectively inhibit cancer cells.
In 2024 the UK and Thailand established a Strategic Partnership, highlighting a shared commitment to advance global health by championing universal access to health care and strengthening partnerships to prevent, detect and respond to global health threats. This includes joint efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance and infectious disease outbreaks including through the development and application of innovative technology, such as genomics.
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed or considered as part of wider work later this year. A further 16 have been considered and noted, with the Government retaining flexibility to reconsider the response to these recommendations at any time. “New Zealand is an international leader on disability rights,” Louise Upston says. “Progressing these recommendations, which will involve a whole-of-Government response, will deliver better public services and achieve better results in areas including health, education, housing and employment.” Work is already underway or planned for 30 observations, while a further 17 will be considered as part of work to be done by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha to develop the next New Zealand Disability Strategy in 2025. Tracking progress against the recommendations is important, and steps will be added to support greater transparency and accountability. “Ensuring we demonstrate concrete, tangible progress is important for both the disability community and this Government. “To support progress, I have re-established a Ministerial Disability Leadership Group to drive collective action for disabled people across Government and to engage with the Independent Monitoring Mechanism. “I am committed to seeing real results for the disabled community and delivering progress on UNCRPD is one of the ways we will do so.” Notes for editors
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an independent international committee made up of 18 experts on disability rights and policy. The UN Committee reviewed New Zealand’s progress on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2022. Further information on New Zealand’s response to the UN Committee is available here. The Independent Monitoring Mechanism regularly reports on the Government’s progress in realising the rights of disabled people in New Zealand. It consists of the Human Rights Commission, Office of the Ombudsman, and the Disabled People’s Organisations Coalition.
Police urge boaties to be safe on metropolitan waters ahead of a hot weekend.
Over the recent long weekend, Water Operations Police had vessels and jet skis conducting patrols along metropolitan beaches.
Police conducted a number of drug and alcohol tests, with one person testing positive to drugs at Moana.
Police also work closely with Marine Safety to ensure compliance with safety and licence requirements and issued three general expiation notices over the long weekend on the coast.
With hot weather forecast, police expect many people will be heading out on coastal waters.
To ensure everyone has a good time while out on the water, make sure you have all the right equipment on board and don’t drink and drive.
The City of Wanneroo’s Community Funding Program has supported a plethora of community-led initiatives.
Disco events for people with disabilities
Intelife Group was one of the stand-out beneficiaries of the City’s community funding for its EasyBeatz events.
Two events were held at the Whale & Ale bar and bistro in Clarkson, with the aim of increasing opportunities for people with disabilities to attend nightlife venues, as well as better educating venue staff.
The City supported the group’s Christmas in July and Halloween themed discos, with the funding covering the venue and DJ hire costs.
The funding also allowed Intelife to create a video aimed at upskilling nightlife venues on how to provide an inclusive service to people with disabilities.
The events provided a place for people with disability to meet in a safe place, enjoy a night out and make friends – with positive feedback proving the value of the events for the community.
APM Community Connections Local Area Coordinator, Jean Van Veen, said the events were so popular, another six were in the works.
“These events, which welcomed people of all abilities, wouldn’t have been possible without the grant received from the City” she said.
“The video will help raise awareness and support other venues across Australia to host similar accessible and inclusive events, ensuring everyone can enjoy these experiences.”
Community Christmas party and support
A Community Christmas Party hosted by No Limits Perth set a new attendance record, highlighting the need for relief initiatives as cost-of-living pressures increase.
Over the past year, organisers have seen event attendance double, with 200 families who were in need of free Christmas hampers joining the 2024 party, which was supported by a $2,205 Community Grant from the City.
“The City’s funding program supported our Community Christmas Party by providing the entertainment, advertising, as well as ambulance services,” No Limits Perth Chairperson and Co-Founder, Janine Wood, said.
“We received feedback from families and single parents who were extremely grateful for the hampers and toys they received for their children and grandchildren at the event.”
No Limits provides support services for people experiencing hardship and homelessness, if you are struggling you can reach out through the No Limits Perth website.
Bilingual workshops
Last year, Multilingual Australia held three workshops at Girrawheen Hub, with a $500 Kickstarter grant from the City.
The “Raising Children in More than One Language” workshops were held to support City of Wanneroo families in fostering bilingual and multi-lingual environments at home.
Thanks to the popularity of the workshops, Multilingual Australia was invited to present at two additional child-care centres to 37 families and community educators.
Tet Trung Thu Full Moon Lantern Festival
Koondoola-based Westnam United Soccer Club saw 350 people join in its 2024 Tet Trung Thu Full Moon Lantern Festival.
The annual Vietnamese community cultural event for children was a hit with attendees who enjoyed lantern making, moon cake tasting and a lantern parade.
Westnam United Soccer Club received a $4,450Community Grant from the City to host the festival at its home ground, Shelvock Park.
Wanneroo Softball’s ‘Have a Go Day’
In a bid to rejuvenate its player numbers, Wanneroo Softball Club hosted a “Have a Go Day”, targeting new members of the community and shining a light on the social and physical benefits of softball.
The club received a $500 Kickstarter grant from the City to help host the event.
The City’s Funding Program offers a valuable opportunity for groups based in the City of Wanneroo, or with a primary interest in the City, to secure financial support for projects, activities and events.
Visit the Community Funding page for more information or phone the City’s Community Development team on (08) 9405 5600.
A man has been charged over an incident at Royal Park, Launceston on Friday morning. Police received multiple reports of a man exposing himself to members of the public in the area between 8am and 10.30am. A 43-year-old Launceston man was later arrested by police and charged with prohibited behaviour. He will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court in April. Police are calling for any witnesses to the incident, in particular anyone who may have witnessed a man acting in an offensive manner on the walking path between Royal Park and Kings Bridge. Information can be provided by calling police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at Crimestopperstas.com.au. Please quote OR765581.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
NT Fire and Emergency Services (NTFES) will deploy 3 members to Victoria to assist with the current fire response near the Grampians in western Victoria.
There are two major fires burning in the northern and southern parts of the Grampians, spanning a total of 18,000 hectares, with multiple “watch and act” warnings currently in effect for residents in the area.
The Victorian Government formally requested assistance from all jurisdictions throughout Australia last night, prompting an immediate response from the NT. Personnel were swiftly organised, with the three Incident Management Team members scheduled to depart tomorrow morning joining up with Queensland counterparts in a joint Incident Management Team.
The team, consisting of NTFES Fire and Rescue and Bushfires NT staff will assist with incident management roles alongside their Queensland counterparts.
NT Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, Andrew Warton, stated NT crews are highly skilled and ready to support our colleagues in Victoria.
The Northern Territory and Victoria share a strong relationship, with similar experiences in managing remote, challenging terrain and pastoral land. We’re more than happy to step up and assist during this critical time,” he said.
“Given the scale of the bushfire, Victoria requested additional capacity to aid in the response efforts. NTFES personnel, who are well-trained in incident management, will provide essential incident managements skills”.
“While large fires are not uncommon in Victoria, the size and intensity of these fires at this time of year are confronting. Our thoughts are with those impacted by the fires.”
This deployment highlights the dedication and core values of the NT Fire and Emergency Services. Many of these individuals put their personal lives on hold to assist communities, as well as others in need during times of crisis.
The recent formation of the NT Fire and Emergency Services, which combines the NT Fire and Rescue Service, NT Emergency Service, and Bushfires NT into one agency, enhances our ability to respond to emergencies while prioritizing community resilience.
Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture
31 January 2025
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including Master Consolidators, vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers and principal agents—associated with shipping or importing goods from BMSB target risk or native risk countries.
Seasonal Reminder
Hitchhiker pests can arrive in Australia on aircraft or vessels, cargo and containers,…
Anoto Group AB (”Anoto”) has as previously announced carried out a directed share issue, a set-off issue, and a rights issue of ordinary shares, which has resulted in a changed number of shares and votes in Anoto.
Through the directed share issue and the set-off issue, the number of shares and votes has increased by 125,043,750 and 230,636,107 respectively. Through the rights issue, the outcome of which was announced through a press release on 30 December 2024, the number of shares and votes has increased by 414,823,830.
The total number of shares and votes in Anoto as of 31 January 2025 amounts to 1,102,362,753.
This information is published in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 9 of the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act (SFS 1991:980). This information was submitted for publication on 31 January 2025, at 7 am CET.
For further information, please contact: Kevin Adeson, Chairman of the board of Anoto Group AB (publ) For more information about Anoto, please visit www.anoto.com or email ir@anoto.com Anoto Group AB (publ), Reg.No. 556532-3929, Flaggan 1165, SE-116 74 Stockholm
About Anoto Group Anoto is a publicly held Swedish technology company known globally for innovation in the area of information-rich patterns and the optical recognition of those patterns. It is a lead-er in digital writing and drawing solutions, having historically used its proprietary technology to develop smartpens and related software. These smartpens enrich the daily lives of millions of people around the world. Anoto currently has three main business lines: Livescribe retail, Enterprise Forms and OEM. Anoto also holds a stake in Knowledge AI, a leading AI based education solution company. Anoto is traded on the Small Cap list of Nasdaq Stockholm under ANOT.
On Wednesday night US time, a passenger jet and US Army helicopter collided at a low altitude near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and crashed into the the Potomac River.
A total of 60 passengers – including US and Russian champion figure skaters – and four crew were on board the American Airlines flight AA5342 from Wichita, Kansas. Three military personnel were in the chopper, which was conducting a routine training flight. Authorities say no one on board either aircraft survived.
This crash comes just over a month after a passenger jet crashed in South Korea – possibly as a result of a bird strike – killing all but two of the 181 people on board. The two incidents have focused attention on aviation safety around the world.
In the case of the most recent tragedy in the US, technology exists that is designed to help pilots avoid midair collisions with other aircraft. It is known as the Traffic Collision Avoidance System – or TCAS.
So how does it work? And why might it have failed to prevent disaster in this case?
What is a TCAS?
A TCAS is an aircraft safety system that monitors the airspace around a plane for other aircraft equipped with transponders. These are devices that listen for and respond to incoming electronic signals.
The system – also sometimes referred to as an ACAS (Airborne Collision Avoidance System) – operates independently of an external air traffic control system. Its purpose is to alert pilots immediately to nearby aircraft and potential midair collisions.
Since the technology was developed in 1974, it has undergone a number of advances.
The first generation technology, known as TCAS I, monitors what’s around an aircraft. It provides information on the bearing and altitude of any nearby aircraft. If there is a risk of collision, it generates what’s known as a “Traffic Advisory” – or TA. When a TA is issued, the pilot is notified of the threat, but must themselves determine the best evasive action to take.
The second generation technology, known as TCAS II, goes a step further: it provides a pilot with specific instructions on how to avoid a collision with a nearby aircraft or conflict with traffic, either by descending, climbing, turning or adjusting their speed.
These newer systems are also able to communicate with each other. This ensures the advice given to each aircraft is coordinated.
Any aircraft used for commercial purposes must be equipped with a TCAS in accordance with international regulations under what’s known as the Chicago Convention. There are specific provisions under the convention for noncommercial aircraft.
Military helicopters are not subject to the provisions of the Chicago Convention (although they are subject to domestic laws and regulations). And there are reports the military helicopter did not have a TCAS system on board.
Limitations of TCAS at low altitudes
Regardless of whether the military helicopter involved in the crash was fitted with a TCAS, the technology still has limitations. In particular, it is inhibited at altitudes below roughly 300 metres.
The last recorded altitude of American Airlines flight AA5342 was roughly 90 metres. The last recorded altitude of the US military helicopter that collided with the plane was roughly 60 metres.
It is not an accident that a TCAS is inhibited at low altitudes. In fact, this is part of the design of the technology.
This is primarily because the system relies on radio altimeter data, which measures altitude and becomes less accurate near the ground. This could potentially result in unreliable collision-avoidance instructions.
Another issue is that an aircraft at such a low altitude cannot descend any further to avoid a collision.
The site of several near misses
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States. Commercial, military and private aircraft share very limited airspace and corridors.
For example, in April 2024, a commercial plane pilot coming into land had to take evasive action to avoid a helicopter that was roughly 100 metres beneath it. In an incident report, the pilot said:
We never received a warning of the traffic from (air traffic control) so we were unaware it was there.
Many people, including Democratic US senator Tim Kaine, pointed to this near miss as evidence of why a plan to allow more flights into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport should not proceed. Despite this, the plan was approved the following month.
All of this will undoubtedly be examined as part of the investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board into this disaster.
Chrystal Zhang does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn has issued a statement on the Safeguarding the Union command paper, one year after its publication.
He said: “The Safeguarding the Union command paper that led to the restoration of power-sharing – one year ago today – was the result of painstaking negotiations, hard work and political courage.
“This UK Government is committed to protecting Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market, and we will continue to make progress in delivering Safeguarding the Union and taking forward the basis on which devolution was restored.
“I commend all those who are working to make sure Northern Ireland fulfils its full potential; and for our part the Government is committed to working in partnership to deliver for Northern Ireland within our United Kingdom”.
One of United States President Donald Trump’s more startling claims since taking office for his second term – and there have been many – is his insistence that the US will take control of Greenland.
Both prior to taking office and since, Trump has spoken about a desire for the US to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory that is part of Denmark. This revives a proposal he floated in 2019, and is now being advanced with serious intent.
Trump’s interest in Greenland is framed around US security. The island is strategically located in the GIUK (Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom) Gap. The gap gained prominence during the Cold War as an area where Soviet nuclear submarines could operate in the Atlantic Ocean proximate to the US and its NATO partners. Denmark’s limited naval capacity meant these Soviet submarine incursions were uncontested.
Washington has always appreciated the strategic significance of Greenland. It was used during the second world war as a US military staging point due to its relative safety from the European theatre of war and its capacity as a stopover for aircraft to refuel.
Later, during the Cold War, the Thule US Airbase was constructed on its northwest coast, later becoming the Pituffik Space Base.
Trump is particularly concerned about Russian and Chinese ships operating offshore near Greenland in the Arctic Ocean, and with ensuring US access to rare earth minerals on the island.
All of these are legitimate US security and strategic interests. It is often forgotten that the US is an Arctic nation by virtue of Alaska, and Greenland is adjacent to North America.
However, Greenland is not terra nullius ripe for American colonisation. It is recognised as Danish territory. Any dispute over a Danish claim to the island was resolved by an international court in 1933, and since that time Denmark has overseen Greenlandic affairs without challenge. Any suggestion Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland is contested has no foundation.
While Denmark has been a colonial power, there has been an active process underway to grant the 57,000 Greenlanders increased autonomy from Copenhagen. Home rule has been granted, a legislature has been created, and a road map exists for self-determination that may eventually see the emergence of an independent Greenland.
Seeking to honour the responsibility Copenhagen feels for ushering Greenlanders through this process, Denmark has made clear that Greenland is not for sale.
The most breathtaking aspect of Trump’s Greenland territorial ambitions has been the refusal to rule out the US using economic or military means to acquire it.
This ignores the fact that Greenland is part of Denmark (a NATO member) and that indigenous Greenlanders possess a right of self-determination. Moreover, any use of US military force to take Greenland would be in violation of both the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty on which NATO is founded and the 1945 United Nations Charter.
Respect for territorial integrity was one of foundations on which the UN Charter was built. The intention of the UN’s founders during the San Francisco Conference was to ensure military force could not be used to acquire territory through an act of aggression resulting in the annexation of territory.
Other than Denmark, its Scandinavian neighbours and some NATO members, Trump’s Greenland territorial ambitions have been met with diplomatic silence. What is taking place behind closed doors and in the foreign ministries of US allies and partners can only be imagined.
For Australia, this raises fundamental issues regarding the US alliance. Would Australia be prepared to stand beside the US if it used its economic and military might to acquire Greenland?
Australia has a bipartisan position of both supporting the American alliance and the “rules-based” international order on which the UN is based. AUKUS is founded on these assumptions. Any US economic or military aggression over Greenland may force Australia into making a choice between America or the rule of law.
Donald Rothwell receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP Minister for Social Services Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Member for Kingston
The Hon Kate Thwaites MP Assistant Minister for Social Security Assistant Minister for Ageing Assistant Minister for Women Member for Jagajaga
The Albanese Labor Government is supporting communities across Australia to be strong and resilient.
Assistant Minister for Social Security, Ageing and Women, Kate Thwaites, this week visited A Brave Life in Brisbane to learn about the Equip and Empower project.
A Brave Life Ltd will receive almost $190,000 through the Strong and Resilient Communities Activity grant program to deliver the project.
Equip and Empower will identify and support vulnerable young mothers in the Moreton Bay area through a 10-week innovative group program focused on social inclusion, resilience and education from local specialists. It will help young mothers build community connections and access a variety of support services.
Assistant Minister Thwaites said: “In 2025 A Brave Life marks ten years of supporting vulnerable mothers and their babies across Queensland. With this new funding they will help support more young mothers to forge better, healthier, more stable lives for themselves and their children.”
“The Equip and Empower group program will offer a safe and supportive place where mothers can connect with each other, access important supports like counselling and case management, and learn a range of skills to improve their wellbeing and resilience,” Assistant Minister Thwaites said.
“The Albanese Government is proud to be supporting organisations including A Brave Life as part of our ongoing commitment to finding new ways to support at-risk cohorts across the country, including young mothers.”
Minister for Social Services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amanda Rishworth said organisations funded under the SARC grant program deliver targeted services to help build capacity at a local level.
“Our Government is committed to building strong and resilient communities, and to helping Australians who need extra support,” Minister Rishworth said.
“To do this, we need to invest into the communities that need it most and with the organisations that can make the biggest difference to the future of community members.
“We know that the successful organisations are well placed to help some of our most vulnerable, including young people, people with disability, unemployed people, women and First Nations people.”
Since 2022 the Albanese Labor Government has invested $47.5 million into SARC grants.
The funding builds on the Labor Government’s record to help Australians with cost of living relief, including:
providing every Australian taxpayer a tax cut
increasing Commonwealth Rent Assistance for nearly one million households
boosting funding for emergency and food relief services, along with financial counselling
extending the freeze on deeming rates for 876,000 income support recipients.
More information about the SARC Activity is available on the Department of Social Services website.
One of United States President Donald Trump’s more startling claims since taking office for his second term – and there have been many – is his insistence that the US will take control of Greenland.
Both prior to taking office and since, Trump has spoken about a desire for the US to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory that is part of Denmark. This revives a proposal he floated in 2019, and is now being advanced with serious intent.
Trump’s interest in Greenland is framed around US security. The island is strategically located in the GIUK (Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom) Gap. The gap gained prominence during the Cold War as an area where Soviet nuclear submarines could operate in the Atlantic Ocean proximate to the US and its NATO partners. Denmark’s limited naval capacity meant these Soviet submarine incursions were uncontested.
Washington has always appreciated the strategic significance of Greenland. It was used during the second world war as a US military staging point due to its relative safety from the European theatre of war and its capacity as a stopover for aircraft to refuel.
Later, during the Cold War, the Thule US Airbase was constructed on its northwest coast, later becoming the Pituffik Space Base.
Trump is particularly concerned about Russian and Chinese ships operating offshore near Greenland in the Arctic Ocean, and with ensuring US access to rare earth minerals on the island.
All of these are legitimate US security and strategic interests. It is often forgotten that the US is an Arctic nation by virtue of Alaska, and Greenland is adjacent to North America.
However, Greenland is not terra nullius ripe for American colonisation. It is recognised as Danish territory. Any dispute over a Danish claim to the island was resolved by an international court in 1933, and since that time Denmark has overseen Greenlandic affairs without challenge. Any suggestion Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland is contested has no foundation.
While Denmark has been a colonial power, there has been an active process underway to grant the 57,000 Greenlanders increased autonomy from Copenhagen. Home rule has been granted, a legislature has been created, and a road map exists for self-determination that may eventually see the emergence of an independent Greenland.
Seeking to honour the responsibility Copenhagen feels for ushering Greenlanders through this process, Denmark has made clear that Greenland is not for sale.
The most breathtaking aspect of Trump’s Greenland territorial ambitions has been the refusal to rule out the US using economic or military means to acquire it.
This ignores the fact that Greenland is part of Denmark (a NATO member) and that indigenous Greenlanders possess a right of self-determination. Moreover, any use of US military force to take Greenland would be in violation of both the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty on which NATO is founded and the 1945 United Nations Charter.
Respect for territorial integrity was one of foundations on which the UN Charter was built. The intention of the UN’s founders during the San Francisco Conference was to ensure military force could not be used to acquire territory through an act of aggression resulting in the annexation of territory.
Other than Denmark, its Scandinavian neighbours and some NATO members, Trump’s Greenland territorial ambitions have been met with diplomatic silence. What is taking place behind closed doors and in the foreign ministries of US allies and partners can only be imagined.
For Australia, this raises fundamental issues regarding the US alliance. Would Australia be prepared to stand beside the US if it used its economic and military might to acquire Greenland?
Australia has a bipartisan position of both supporting the American alliance and the “rules-based” international order on which the UN is based. AUKUS is founded on these assumptions. Any US economic or military aggression over Greenland may force Australia into making a choice between America or the rule of law.
Donald Rothwell receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement after reports that three Delawareans were among those killed in last night’s plane crash near Washington Reagan National Airport:
“I’m devastated to hear the news that at least three Delawareans died during last night’s air collision. Sasha Kirsanov, Sean Kay, and Angela Yang went to Wichita to pursue their passion for figure skating. It is a tragedy that none of them returned home to our state. Delaware is a state of neighbors, and tonight we hold all of our neighbors a little closer. My heart goes out to Sasha’s wife Natalia, the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, and every other Delawarean touched by the three of them.”
Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued the following statement after the Senate confirmed, by a vote of 79-18, Doug Burgum to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior:
“Idaho is home to some of our nation’s most unique landscapes and vast natural resources, as well as home to five Native American Tribes. Consultation with local and Tribal officials on the appropriate balance of conservation and economic needs is of paramount importance. Doug Burgum pledged to consult with local and tribal leaders on managing public lands, ensuring local, on-the-ground voices are heard. Further, our country is home to natural resources integral to increasing American energy independence and countering China’s control of critical minerals. As President Trump’s new ‘energy czar,’ Burgum has recognized the need for American energy independence is a matter of national security. He is well-qualified for his confirmation to Secretary of the Interior.”
In the underwriting auction conducted on January 31, 2025, for Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) of the undernoted Government securities, the Reserve Bank of India has set the cut-off rates for underwriting commission payable to Primary Dealers as given below:
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, issued the following statement after voting to confirm Doug Burgum to serve as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior:
“Doug Burgum has a strategic vision to maximize America’s vast natural resources while preserving clean air, clean water, and our most scenic public lands. I was proud to vote to confirm him to lead the Department of the Interior, and I look forward to working with him and the Trump administration on their vision to chart a new course for unleashing American energy and maximizing the use of our resources,” Senator Capito said.
Police in Ōpōtiki have again interrupted the sale and supply of drugs following a search warrant at an address linked to a gang, executed yesterday Thursday 30 January.
A 47-year-old woman is facing a number of drug and firearms charges after the warrant uncovered methamphetamine, firearms and ammunition at the address.
Police located and have seized a .22 calibre pistol, 18 rounds of ammunition, six grams of methamphetamine and a small quantity of cash.
Police see firsthand the harm drugs have within our community, and will continue to work to ensure the offenders are held to account and drugs are not causing harm to members of our community.
The 47-year-old is due to appear in the Ōpōtiki District Court on 20 February.
Shen Wei, the character designer behind China’s top-grossing animated film “Ne Zha,” recently spoke with China.org.cn about his challenging journey in designing characters for “Ne Zha 2,” following the overwhelming success of the original film in 2019.
Shen Wei, the character designer for the “Ne Zha” series. [Photo courtesy of Coloroom Pictures]
“Ne Zha 2” joined the highly vibrant Spring Festival film season lineup and debuted on Jan. 29. Building on the remarkable success of its predecessor, this five-year project continues to draw inspiration from the mischievous yet endearing character from the Ming dynasty novel (1368-1644) “The Investiture of the Gods.” It also introduces a “dimensional upgrade” that includes new characters, thrilling battle scenes, more than 1,900 visual effect shots, and enhanced details for IMAX.
When discussing the challenges of character design amid high audience expectations after a five-year wait, Shen emphasized the importance of two concepts: continuity and innovation.
“I believe finding the right balance between continuity and innovation is essential,” Shen said. “The audience has already embraced elements of the original, so it’s impossible to completely break away from the established framework. Our approach is to carry forward the essence of the first film into the sequel while innovating and improving on existing techniques.”
“Ne Zha 2” includes a substantial increase in new characters, tripling the number from the first film. A promotional video reveals that nearly every character has received unique battle designs instead of reusing previous designs. Shen noted that this approach demanded considerable effort and time. His goal was to immerse the audience in a story that feels authentic and engaging, ensuring that each character is fully developed and relatable.
Designs for several characters from “Ne Zha 2.” [Image courtesy of Coloroom Pictures]
“I’d like to clarify that while I contributed to many of the characters in the films, such as the soldiers and sea creatures, I did not create them alone. They were created by many team members due to the substantial workload,” Shen explained. “However, we all share the same principle that our character designs must serve the film and its storytelling.”
One new character that impressed Shen is Ao Shun, a legendary dragon king. His complex armor, made entirely of blades, along with his unique fighting style, presented significant development challenges. Shen worked closely with Yang Yu, the creator of the “Ne Zha” film series, known by his nickname Jiaozi, to explore various iterations of the character’s costume and performance style. Despite these challenges, overcoming obstacles in designing Ao Shun made the creative process particularly memorable for Shen.
Shen also shared an intriguing behind-the-scenes story about Jiaozi. “There were times when I might not fully grasp the specific points Jiaozi wanted to convey,” Shen said. “In those cases, he often performed the characters in person or via video calls to help me understand them better. Pure textual descriptions could be difficult to fully comprehend. When you incorporated performance elements – such as actions, expressions, and tone, as Jiaozi did – everything changed.”
In 2019, the first installment grossed over 5 billion yuan ($690 million) in the Chinese market and $726 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. It received a positive response from international audiences. Regarding his expectations for “Ne Zha 2,” Shen expressed hope that the film would convey Eastern culture, aesthetics, and the core spirit of the Chinese nation to global viewers, further promoting cultural heritage worldwide.
A poster for “Ne Zha 2.” [Image courtesy of Coloroom Pictures]
Enlight Media’s Coloroom Pictures has announced that “Ne Zha 2” will open in a wide range of global markets, including North America, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and South Africa, though specific release dates have yet to be set.
Looking ahead, Shen expressed a strong interest in exploring projects that involve extraterrestrial and futuristic creatures amid the resurgence of Chinese animation. Such themes, he said, “allow me to explore new ideas and unleash my imagination.” He noted that character design is a creatively rich and rewarding process.
“As part of the industry, we look forward to a vibrant landscape where diverse types of animation can be presented, enabling various audiences to discover what they enjoy,” added Shen.
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
Padilla Questions FBI Director Nominee Kash Patel on Lack of Independence, Experience During Nomination Hearing
WATCH: Padilla slams Patel for dodging questions on background checks and civilian machine gun ownershipWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) questioned Kash Patel, nominee for Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Padilla raised serious concerns about Patel’s fitness to lead the FBI independently, citing his lack of law enforcement experience, history of spreading falsehoods, and threats to weaponize the Bureau against political opponents.
Patel has published a political enemies list, threatened to prosecute journalists, and has even said he plans to “shut down the FBI Hoover Building on Day 1 and reopen it the next day as a museum of the “deep state.” Padilla directly challenged Patel on his past public statements that FBI agents and officials are “corrupt gangsters.”
As FBI Director, Patel would oversee the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and regulate machine gun distribution. Yet Patel repeatedly dodged questions on the constitutionality of universal background checks for firearm purchases and on whether civilian ownership of machine guns should be legal. His nomination has been praised by Gun Owners of America, a group that opposes background checks and claims that machine guns are protected under the Second Amendment — positions far outside the mainstream of law enforcement and public safety policy.
Padilla also confronted Patel about his role in financially supporting insurrectionists convicted for their roles in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He has raised money for the families of convicted January 6th rioters — yet he has not made similar efforts to support the police officers who were beaten, tased, and attacked defending the Capitol that day. Patel’s selective advocacy raises serious concerns about where his loyalties lie and whether he would prioritize law enforcement or political extremists as FBI Director.
Padilla called out Patel for his reckless actions during a high-stakes national security operation. While serving as Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, Patel provided false information to senior leadership during a SEAL Team hostage rescue mission in Nigeria. According to former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Patel falsely claimed that the United States had secured permission to fly over foreign airspace, a misrepresentation that delayed the mission and put American lives at risk. When confronted by Padilla, Patel failed to own up to his serious lapse in judgement in this situation.
Key Excerpts:
PADILLA: Mr. Patel, do you believe that background checks for firearm purchases are constitutional?
PATEL: I don’t know the in-depths of it, but I think that’s what the Supreme Court has said, Senator.
PADILLA: So the word would be Y-E-S, yes. Can you say yes, are background checks constitutional?
PATEL: I can say whatever the Constitution and the Supreme Court ruled is the rule of the land.
PADILLA: And what is the rule, the law of the land at the moment?
PATEL: I’m not an expert on state-by-state background checks.
PADILLA: … Let me ask you another question. Do you believe that civilian ownership of machine guns are protected by the Second Amendment?
PATEL: Universal background checks are different. That’s not–
PADILLA: I asked you a separate question. Do you believe civilian ownership of machine guns is protected by the Second Amendment?
PATEL: Whatever the courts rule in regards to the Second Amendment is what is protected by the Second Amendment.
PADILLA: Yet another telling response, colleagues, on another important issue.
PADILLA: … Colleagues, we’ve been hearing a lot of partial responses and lack of recollections throughout the day, and I can’t help but identify the pattern of Mr. Patel calling FBI leadership corrupt, labeling agents as gangsters, accusing them of being part of a criminal “Deep State” conspiracy. We’ve heard of his experience with the J6 prison choir, a group of individuals convicted for their roles in the January 6 insurrection. We’ve heard his false claims that the U.S. has secured airspace permissions during a high stakes SEAL team hostage rescue mission in Nigeria. I can go on and on. These positions are inconsistent with the role of FBI director, a position that demands independence, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law. Mr. Patel, your loyalty to President Trump and the MAGA movement may score you points in some quarters, but they are certainly not the qualities necessary to serve as director of the FBI.
Video of Padilla’s first round of questioning is available here. His second round of questioning is available here.
Yesterday, Senator Padilla joined all Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee in requesting urgent access to critical materials directly pertaining to Kash Patel’s nomination.
Young people’s access to gender-affirming medical care has been making headlines this week.
Today, federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced a review into health care for trans and gender-diverse children and adolescents. The National Health and Medical Research council will conduct the review.
Yesterday, The Australian published an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for a federal inquiry, and a nationwide pause on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors.
This followed Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls earlier this week announcing an immediate pause on access to puberty blockers and hormone therapies for new patients under 18 in the state’s public health system, pending a review.
In the United States, President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week directing federal agencies to restrict access to gender-affirming care for anyone under 19.
This recent wave of political attention might imply gender-affirming care for young people is risky, controversial, perhaps even new.
But Australian courts have already extensively tested questions about its legitimacy, the conditions under which it can be provided, and the scope and limits of parental powers to authorise it.
What are puberty blockers?
Puberty blockers suppress the release of oestrogen and testosterone, which are primarily responsible for the physical changes associated with puberty. They are generally safe and used in paediatric medicine for various conditions, including precocious (early) puberty, hormone disorders and some hormone-sensitive cancers.
International and domestic standards of care state that puberty blockers are reversible, non-harmful, and can prevent young people from experiencing the distress of undergoing a puberty that does not align with their gender identity. They also give young people time to develop the maturity needed to make informed decisions about more permanent medical interventions further down the line.
Young people in Australia need a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria to receive this care. Gender dysphoria is defined as the psychological distress that can arise when a person’s gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth. This diagnosis is only granted after an exhaustive and often onerous medical assessment.
After a diagnosis, treatment may involve hormones such as oestrogen or testosterone and/or puberty-blocking medications.
Hormone therapies involving oestrogen and testosterone are only prescribed in Australia once a young person has been deemed capable of giving informed consent, usually around the age of 16. For puberty blockers, parents can consent at a younger age.
Gender dysphoria comes with considerable psychological distress. slexp880/Shutterstock
Can a child legally access puberty blockers?
Gender-affirming care has been the subject of extensive debate in the Family Court of Australia (now the Federal Circuit and Family Court).
In research for my forthcoming book, I found the Family Court has heard at least 99 cases about a young person’s gender-affirming care since 2004. Across these cases, the court examined the potential risks of gender-affirming treatment and considered whether parents should have the authority to consent on their child’s behalf.
When determining whether parents can consent to a particular medical procedure for their child, the court must consider whether the treatment is “therapeutic” and whether there is a significant risk of a wrong decision being made.
However, in a landmark 2017 case, the court ruled that judicial oversight was not required because gender-affirming treatments meet the standards of normal medical care.
Sometimes parents disagree with decisions about gender-affirming care made by their child, or each other.
As with all forms of health care, under Australian law, parents and legal guardians are responsible for making medical decisions on behalf of their children. That responsibility usually shifts once those children reach a sufficient age and level of maturity to make their own decisions.
However, in another landmark case in 2020, the court ruled gender-affirming treatments cannot be given to minors without consent from both parents, even if the child is capable of providing their own consent. This means that if there is any disagreement among parents and the young person about either their capacity to consent or the legitimacy of the treatment, only a judge can authorise it.
In such instances, the court must assess whether the proposed treatment is in the child’s best interests and make a determination accordingly. Again, these principals apply today.
Across the at least 99 cases the court has heard about gender-affirming care since 2004, 17 have involved a parent opposing the treatment and one has involved neither parent supporting it.
Regardless of parental support, in every case, the court has been responsible for determining whether gender-affirming treatment was in the child’s best interests. These decisions were based on medical evidence, expert testimony, and the specific circumstances of the young person involved.
In all cases bar one, the court has found overwhelming evidence to support gender-affirming care, and approved it.
Supporting transgender young people
The history of Australia’s legal debates about gender-affirming care show it has already been the subject of intense legal and medical scrutiny.
If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For LGBTQIA+ peer support and resources, you can also contact Switchboard, QLife (call 1800 184 527), Queerspace, Transcend Australia (support for trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary young people and their families) or Minus18 (resources and community support for LGBTQIA+ young people).
Matthew Mitchell has a contract with Bristol University Press for a forthcoming book on the legal regulation of gender-affirming hormones for transgender young people in Australia.
