STAMFORD, Conn., July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BPM Partners, the leading independent authority on business performance management (BPM), today announced the immediate availability of its new Performance Management Vendor Landscape Matrix (VLM) designed to provide an up-to-date view of vendors in the 2025 BPM/CPM/EPM market. This comprehensive document combines an industry expert’s assessment along with customer satisfaction ratings and pricing data. End user organizations can get a sample 2025-2026 report featuring two vendors of their choosing.
Building on the BPM Pulse customer satisfaction ratings already included in the VLM, we have added aggregated, AI-generated customer commentary summaries. These will explain vendor ratings and the level of passion behind them. We also include platform graphics for each vendor to illustrate how the components of their offerings work together to deliver results. Our AI coverage now identifies point solutions, platform-wide capabilities, and the rollout of agentic AI assistants/agents.
Vendors include Anaplan, Centage, deFacto Global, JustPerform from insightsoftware, Lumel, OneStream Software, Oracle, Pigment, Planful, Prophix, SAP, Unit4, Vena, Wolters Kluwer CCH® Tagetik, and XLerant. This year we also take a first look at Darwin Analytics and Una Software.
“This impressive list of vendors reflects the state-of-the-art in performance management. These vendors leverage the latest technology to deliver robust, easy-to-use solutions,” said Craig Schiff, President and CEO of BPM Partners. “Regardless of your industry, company size, or location, you will find several excellent choices on this list.”
The matrix objectively organizes vendors by market momentum (customer count/deal size) and customer success (overall satisfaction rating). The 2025-2026 VLM is a single report that presents the industry’s sole unified view of the solution choices available for budgeting and financial planning, financial consolidation and close, operational planning, financial reporting, AI and analytics.
Key Elements of the 2025-2026 VLM:
Categories for Premier Leaders, Leaders, Key Competitors, and Challengers layered atop customer satisfaction-based rows and market momentum-based columns
NEW: Expanded 3-page vendor profiles
NEW: Vendor platform graphics
NEW: AI-generated summary of customer feedback
Charts comparing all vendors in a market segment for customer ratings and pricing
AI technology features by vendor with descriptions of their benefits
Operational planning and analysis checkbox grid with delivery approach and customer ratings
Advanced financial consolidation checkbox grid for disclosure management, close management, account reconciliation, trial balance, regulatory compliance, and more
Radar charts using 16 attributes to compare vendor ratings against the industry average
Recommendation rate metric with an enthusiasm measurement
About BPM Partners BPM Partners is the leading independent authority on business performance management (BPM/CPM/EPM) and related business intelligence solutions and has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Management Consulting Firms. The company helps organizations address their budgeting, planning, financial consolidation, close and reporting, regulatory compliance, profitability optimization, key performance indicator (KPI) development, and operational performance challenges. Vendor-neutral experts guide companies through their BPM initiatives from start to finish while both reducing risk and minimizing costs. For further details, go to BPMPartners.com. Follow BPM Partners on X @BPMTeam and LinkedIn BPM Partners | LinkedIn.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA AND PERTH, AUSTRALIA, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Experience.com, a global leader in customer experience, reputation management, and online visibility, today announced the appointment of Locafy Limited (Nasdaq: LCFY), a recognized innovator in location-based digital marketing, as its newest partner in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
Under the partnership agreement, Locafy will resell Experience.com’s advanced review management platform across APAC markets. The collaboration merges two highly complementary technologies—Locafy’s AI-driven local search optimization and landing page automation with Experience.com’s industry-leading online presence and reputation management software.
The combined solution delivers an all-in-one platform that helps individual professionals and tradespeople elevate their online presence, strengthen trust with verified customer reviews, and drive meaningful consumer engagement—streamlining digital marketing into a single, unified experience.
“Locafy’s technology is built to help professionals get discovered online—faster and more frequently,” said Scott Harris, CEO of Experience.com. “By partnering with Locafy, we’re extending our reputation and search visibility management capabilities to a broader APAC audience as part of a comprehensive local marketing solution. Together, we’re enabling businesses to grow their digital footprint, build trust, and convert more leads.”
Locafy’s platform automates the creation of AI-optimized landing pages, manages local business listings, and enhances local search rankings through its patented Local Boost technology. With a database of over 1.2 million businesses in Australia alone, Locafy is uniquely positioned to accelerate the adoption of Experience.com’s solutions throughout the region.
“Our focus is on building smart, scalable tools that empower small businesses and professionals to thrive in the digital economy,” said Gavin Burnett, CEO of Locafy. “By integrating Experience.com’s powerful platform with our local search technology, we’re delivering a first-of-its-kind product that combines visibility, credibility, and customer engagement—driven by automation and AI.”
The APAC rollout will initially focus on service-based professionals and tradespeople aiming to increase inbound referrals, boost their online brand, and improve conversions through enhanced digital trust signals.
This strategic partnership underscores both companies shared vision: to transform local digital marketing through innovation, automation, and AI-powered performance.
About Experience.com A leader in the 2024 J.D. Power rankings, Experience.com caters to a wide-ranging target market, including both local professionals and multi-location brands seeking to fortify their online reputation through the power of AI and customer feedback.
Our platform is designed to help businesses & professionals boost their experience excellence, harness the insights from customer feedback, and establish unwavering trust among their audience. We empower them to not only maintain an exceptional online reputation but also to leverage it as a tool for acquiring new business. Our versatile solutions resonate with businesses of all sizes, offering the means to excel in Customer Experience (CX), Employee Engagement (EX), and Reputation Management across various industries. Our Search Rank Platform also allows professionals and organizations to take control of their entire online presence from one platform, and climb the search ranks with our tailored tools.
About Locafy Locafy (Nasdaq: LCFY, LCFYW) is a global software-as-a-service (SaaS) company specializing in local search engine marketing. Founded in 2009, Locafy aims to revolutionize the US$700 billion SEO sector by helping businesses improve visibility and search relevance in proximity-based searches. Its fast, easy, and automated platform is trusted by brands worldwide. Learn more at www.locafy.com.
Investor Relations Contact Matt Glover Gateway Group, Inc. (949) 574-3860 LCFY@gateway-grp.com
It’s such a familiar pattern. When a big scandal breaks publicly, governments jump into action, ministers rush out to say they’ll “do something” instantly.
But how come they hadn’t seen problems that had been in plain sight?
Who can forget then-workplace relations minister Tony Burke insisting he’d been unaware, before media revelations, that organised crime was in the CFMEU? After a Nine media expose, a large portion of the notorious union soon ended up in administration.
When a childcare worker was charged with some 70 offences last week, Education Minister Jason Clare immediately declared he’d introduce legislation in the new parliament’s first sitting for the removal of federal funds from errant providers.
After ABC reporter Adele Ferguson had exposed serious safety issues in the system on Four Corners in March, the Albanese government announced it would be “exploring” various measures to strengthen Commonwealth powers “to deal with providers that put profit over quality and child safety at risk”.
In another expose, Ferguson this week revealed substantial problems in the training system for childcare workers.
Federally, childcare comes under the education minister, and there’s also a dedicated minister for early childhood education (Anne Aly last term, now Jess Walsh). Basically, the federal government funds the system while the states and territories regulate it.
Anthony Albanese made major promises for expanding childcare in his 2022 and 2025 election pitches. The government also supported higher wages for workers in the sector. Albanese has nominated “affordable childcare” as the legacy he wants to leave.
It’s all the more surprising, then, that the government didn’t seem to spot a plethora of problems in an area so central to the prime minister’s ambitions.
The government points to the division of responsibility between Commonwealth and states.
But surely that explanation doesn’t wash or, if it does, the relevant federal and state ministers, public servants and the regulators have not been doing their designated jobs effectively.
In various human service policy areas, there are split responsibilities, which differ in specific arrangements.
Politically, this often brings blame-shifting, and arguments over money and accountability.
The federal government attaches conditions, for example, to funding agreements for hospitals and schools, which fall under state responsibility. But in practice, there are slippages.
Split responsibilities, whatever their precise form, can never be “set and forget” – rigorous, constant scrutiny needs to be built in.
Childcare policy has its complications. But, in terms of complexities, it is nothing like, say, running the nation’s defences. There are not unknowns.
The obvious issues within childcare include funding, safety, workforce numbers and training.
The childcare revelations will inevitably lead to new regulations – ironically just as a debate about the desirability of easing excessive regulation in some sectors has become fashionable. In many policy areas, there are tensions between regulation and costs, and no unanimity about where the trade offs should be struck.
The childcare imbroglio highlights the challenges when public policy is substantially delivered by the “for profit” private sector. Social services expert Gabrielle Meagher, professor emerita at Macquarie University, says, “It’s very difficult to regulate across the gaps governments open up when they fund policies that they don’t deliver themselves”.
The childcare issue also invites much wider questions about how “governing” is working. Such as, are ministers too distracted?
Today’s ministers spend more time than ever in the media, and travelling (part of the modern “permanent” election campaign). This takes a large amount of their attention. The prime minister is in the media most days.
One has to wonder how much of this is a diversion for ministers from detailed policy work, especially as they must bone up on “talking points” because, given the 24-hour news cycle, they will be quizzed about issues outside their portfolios. They usually feel obliged to offer an opinion, rather than saying “sorry, that’s not my bag”.
What about the public servants, who are formally responsible for policy advice, implementation and supervising?
We saw with Robodebt shocking behaviour by some bureaucrats. There have been substantial reforms since then and, apart from that, the Albanese government has boosted the numbers and strengthened the capability of the public service.
But is it fit-for-purpose? If it were, wouldn’t the problems in childcare, apparently well-known among many parents, have filtered up through the system to the ears of ministers – even allowing that regulation rests mainly with the states?
Apart from failures by state regulators, one issue is who is telling what to whom about the sector. The federal minister responsible for early childhood education visits dozens of childcare centres. But on those visits, the minister will be talking to managers, who will have their own set of concerns. The minister is less likely at the centres to encounter parents who have had a bad experience.
This goes to a wider problem: in areas of human service delivery, providers of services will usually be organised, while consumers lack the same coherent and forceful voice. Complaining through the media may be only way for families using a service to bring things to light.
But what about the complaints that do flow into government departments, and ministers’ offices? Surely these give a channel for the red flags that point to a policy failure?
Bureaucrats say all this communication amounts to a great deal of “noise”, but the challenge is to identify what it signifies, in terms of substantive problems to be addressed.
When programs are growing very fast, the risk is that corners are cut in delivery. We saw this, disastrously, years ago during the global financial crisis when the Rudd government rolled out the home insulation scheme. A royal commission was damning about the failures of the program, which was marked by several deaths and many household fires. Safety had been compromised in the pursuit of speed and the delivery framework was inadequate.
There are many lessons from the childcare policy failures. A big announcement does not automatically mean a successful policy delivery. Programs can be working on some fronts while flawed on others. All new or expanded policies should come with detailed evaluation arrangements which are then carefully monitored. And while ministers will boast publicly about how well a policy is doing, they should be constantly demanding to know from their bureaucrats where things might be going wrong.
Michelle Grattan 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.
LONGBOAT KEY, Fla., July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rumble (NASDAQ:RUM), the video sharing platform and cloud services provider, today announced an exclusive partnership with MoonPay, the world’s leading crypto payments infrastructure company, to revolutionize how creators monetize and thrive in a decentralized world. The collaboration marks a major leap forward in the fusion of free expression and financial freedom.
“Rumble Wallet will change the game for creators, and MoonPay is the perfect partner to bring that vision to life,” said Rumble Founder and CEO Chris Pavlovski. “We’re not just building tools – we’re building freedom. And we want partners who are as obsessed with empowering people as we are.”
Through this exclusive partnership, MoonPay will power all crypto on- and off-ramps inside the highly anticipated Rumble Wallet, slated to launch in Q3 2025. This integration will allow users to seamlessly buy, sell and swap crypto, putting control directly into the hands of the community.
Additionally, MoonPay’s award-winning creative agency, Otherlife, will begin leveraging Rumble Cloud for next-gen object storage and decentralized compute.
“We could not be more thrilled to partner with Rumble,” said Ivan Soto-Wright, CEO of MoonPay. “Crypto represents financial freedom, the same way Rumble represents freedom of expression.”
The Rumble x MoonPay partnership represents a shared commitment to building creator-first tools that prioritize free expression, user control and financial independence.
ABOUT RUMBLE
Rumble is a high-growth video platform and cloud services provider that is creating an independent infrastructure. Rumble’s mission is to restore the internet to its roots by making it free and open once again. For more information, visit: corp.rumble.com.
MoonPay simplifies access to buy, sell and trade crypto using everyday payment methods like cards, Apple Pay, PayPal and Venmo, while also providing simple tools to send, receive and manage stablecoins.
Whether you are new to digital money or a company exploring new ways to use it, MoonPay provides the trusted infrastructure to onboard users into the blockchain-based financial ecosystem safely and seamlessly.
With over 30 million customers and powering the infrastructure for nearly 500 companies across the decentralized economy, MoonPay is a key driver behind mainstream crypto adoption. It is fully licensed in the U.S. and regulated in the UK, EU, Canada and Australia—and has been certified for its enterprise-grade security.
LONGBOAT KEY, Fla., July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rumble (NASDAQ:RUM), the video sharing platform and cloud services provider, today announced an exclusive partnership with MoonPay, the world’s leading crypto payments infrastructure company, to revolutionize how creators monetize and thrive in a decentralized world. The collaboration marks a major leap forward in the fusion of free expression and financial freedom.
“Rumble Wallet will change the game for creators, and MoonPay is the perfect partner to bring that vision to life,” said Rumble Founder and CEO Chris Pavlovski. “We’re not just building tools – we’re building freedom. And we want partners who are as obsessed with empowering people as we are.”
Through this exclusive partnership, MoonPay will power all crypto on- and off-ramps inside the highly anticipated Rumble Wallet, slated to launch in Q3 2025. This integration will allow users to seamlessly buy, sell and swap crypto, putting control directly into the hands of the community.
Additionally, MoonPay’s award-winning creative agency, Otherlife, will begin leveraging Rumble Cloud for next-gen object storage and decentralized compute.
“We could not be more thrilled to partner with Rumble,” said Ivan Soto-Wright, CEO of MoonPay. “Crypto represents financial freedom, the same way Rumble represents freedom of expression.”
The Rumble x MoonPay partnership represents a shared commitment to building creator-first tools that prioritize free expression, user control and financial independence.
ABOUT RUMBLE
Rumble is a high-growth video platform and cloud services provider that is creating an independent infrastructure. Rumble’s mission is to restore the internet to its roots by making it free and open once again. For more information, visit: corp.rumble.com.
MoonPay simplifies access to buy, sell and trade crypto using everyday payment methods like cards, Apple Pay, PayPal and Venmo, while also providing simple tools to send, receive and manage stablecoins.
Whether you are new to digital money or a company exploring new ways to use it, MoonPay provides the trusted infrastructure to onboard users into the blockchain-based financial ecosystem safely and seamlessly.
With over 30 million customers and powering the infrastructure for nearly 500 companies across the decentralized economy, MoonPay is a key driver behind mainstream crypto adoption. It is fully licensed in the U.S. and regulated in the UK, EU, Canada and Australia—and has been certified for its enterprise-grade security.
NEW YORK, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced MTM Critical Metals Ltd (ASX: MTM; OTCQX: MTMCF), a pioneer in sustainable critical metals processing and recovery, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. MTM Critical Metals Ltd upgraded to OTCQX from the OTCQB® Venture Market.
MTM Critical Metals Ltd begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “MTMCF.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.
The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market from the OTCQB Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors.
“We are pleased to announce our upgrade to the OTCQX Market. With a growing number of US investors, this further enhances the accessibility and visibility of our shares to both institutional and retail investors and it provides them with an opportunity to participate in MTM’s growth. As a disruptor in the metal processing sector with our Flash Joule Heating technology, we look forward to sharing our equity story and warmly welcoming new investors to join us on this journey,” said Michael Walshe, Managing Director.
About MTM Critical Metals Ltd MTM Critical Metals Ltd is a pioneer in sustainable critical metals processing and recovery, serving advanced industries such as semiconductors, e-waste recycling and military defense. The company’s proprietary Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology offers a groundbreaking, low-carbon method for efficiently extracting critical materials, including rare earth elements, gallium, germanium, and other valuable metals, from mineral ore concentrates and high-value waste streams. These materials are vital for the production of semiconductors, advanced electronics, and defense systems. Through its U.S.-based subsidiary, Flash Metals, located in Houston, the company is advancing efforts to recover gallium, germanium and rare earth elements from domestic waste streams, contributing to the resilience and security of North America’s critical materials supply chain. The company will be able to recover high value precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum from e-waste which will generate near term revenue for the business. It continues to hold mineral exploration licenses in Australia and Canada.
About OTC Markets Group Inc.
OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our public markets: OTCQX® Best Market, OTCQB® Venture Market, OTCID™ Basic Market and Pink Limited Market.
Our OTC Link® Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.
OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN, OTC Link NQB, and MOON ATS are each SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC. To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.
NEW YORK, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced MTM Critical Metals Ltd (ASX: MTM; OTCQX: MTMCF), a pioneer in sustainable critical metals processing and recovery, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. MTM Critical Metals Ltd upgraded to OTCQX from the OTCQB® Venture Market.
MTM Critical Metals Ltd begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “MTMCF.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.
The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market from the OTCQB Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors.
“We are pleased to announce our upgrade to the OTCQX Market. With a growing number of US investors, this further enhances the accessibility and visibility of our shares to both institutional and retail investors and it provides them with an opportunity to participate in MTM’s growth. As a disruptor in the metal processing sector with our Flash Joule Heating technology, we look forward to sharing our equity story and warmly welcoming new investors to join us on this journey,” said Michael Walshe, Managing Director.
About MTM Critical Metals Ltd MTM Critical Metals Ltd is a pioneer in sustainable critical metals processing and recovery, serving advanced industries such as semiconductors, e-waste recycling and military defense. The company’s proprietary Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology offers a groundbreaking, low-carbon method for efficiently extracting critical materials, including rare earth elements, gallium, germanium, and other valuable metals, from mineral ore concentrates and high-value waste streams. These materials are vital for the production of semiconductors, advanced electronics, and defense systems. Through its U.S.-based subsidiary, Flash Metals, located in Houston, the company is advancing efforts to recover gallium, germanium and rare earth elements from domestic waste streams, contributing to the resilience and security of North America’s critical materials supply chain. The company will be able to recover high value precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum from e-waste which will generate near term revenue for the business. It continues to hold mineral exploration licenses in Australia and Canada.
About OTC Markets Group Inc.
OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our public markets: OTCQX® Best Market, OTCQB® Venture Market, OTCID™ Basic Market and Pink Limited Market.
Our OTC Link® Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.
OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN, OTC Link NQB, and MOON ATS are each SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC. To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday underlined the government’s continued focus on empowering India’s farming community, citing multiple initiatives aimed at ensuring agricultural sustainability, better incomes, and global competitiveness.
Speaking at the 16th Agriculture Leadership Conclave in New Delhi, Goyal said over 25 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers across the country, promoting balanced fertiliser use and improved productivity. The Kisan Credit Card scheme, he added, has enhanced access to institutional credit for millions of farmers.
Reiterating the Centre’s commitment to farmers, the minister said agriculture has remained central to the government’s development agenda under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Direct income support under the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme, he noted, has benefited a large number of rural families.
To strengthen agri-marketing, Goyal said 1,400 mandis have been integrated with the e-NAM platform, offering farmers real-time price information and wider market access.
Goyal also highlighted efforts to keep fertilisers affordable, pointing to the continuation of subsidies and uninterrupted supply during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lauding farmers for maintaining stable agri-exports despite global headwinds, he said exports from agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries stood at ₹4 lakh crore in 2023–24.
Basmati rice, spices, fresh produce, fisheries, and poultry continued to drive agri-export growth, supported by trade deals with Australia, the UAE, EFTA countries, and the UK, he added.
Looking ahead, Goyal identified key growth areas including seed production, organic farming, and drip irrigation. He said digital technologies like AI, geospatial mapping, and weather forecasting tools are being integrated to modernise agriculture and empower Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
The minister also stressed the need for value addition through food processing, branding, and improved packaging. He said the government is focusing on warehousing and storage infrastructure with dedicated funds for agriculture, fisheries, and animal husbandry.
“Under the vision of Viksit Bharat, agriculture will remain a core pillar of India’s growth story,” he stressed.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday underlined the government’s continued focus on empowering India’s farming community, citing multiple initiatives aimed at ensuring agricultural sustainability, better incomes, and global competitiveness.
Speaking at the 16th Agriculture Leadership Conclave in New Delhi, Goyal said over 25 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers across the country, promoting balanced fertiliser use and improved productivity. The Kisan Credit Card scheme, he added, has enhanced access to institutional credit for millions of farmers.
Reiterating the Centre’s commitment to farmers, the minister said agriculture has remained central to the government’s development agenda under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Direct income support under the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme, he noted, has benefited a large number of rural families.
To strengthen agri-marketing, Goyal said 1,400 mandis have been integrated with the e-NAM platform, offering farmers real-time price information and wider market access.
Goyal also highlighted efforts to keep fertilisers affordable, pointing to the continuation of subsidies and uninterrupted supply during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lauding farmers for maintaining stable agri-exports despite global headwinds, he said exports from agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries stood at ₹4 lakh crore in 2023–24.
Basmati rice, spices, fresh produce, fisheries, and poultry continued to drive agri-export growth, supported by trade deals with Australia, the UAE, EFTA countries, and the UK, he added.
Looking ahead, Goyal identified key growth areas including seed production, organic farming, and drip irrigation. He said digital technologies like AI, geospatial mapping, and weather forecasting tools are being integrated to modernise agriculture and empower Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
The minister also stressed the need for value addition through food processing, branding, and improved packaging. He said the government is focusing on warehousing and storage infrastructure with dedicated funds for agriculture, fisheries, and animal husbandry.
“Under the vision of Viksit Bharat, agriculture will remain a core pillar of India’s growth story,” he stressed.
The Portsmouth Baton of Hope countdown is on and Portsmouth Football Club’s historic Fratton Park will be one of the many exciting destinations it will pass through.
The Baton of Hope is the UK’s biggest suicide prevention initiative and it’s coming to Portsmouth for the very first time on Friday 26 September 2025.
With less than 80 days to go, the full route was announced at Pompey’s iconic home, Fratton Park, where the baton will be carried through the stadium – one of many city locations it will pass through on the day.
The 105 bearers have now been confirmed, all impacted in some way by suicide. They will carry the Olympic torch-style baton through key locations including Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the Mary Rose, Spinnaker Tower, and across the water and back to Gosport, through Explosion Museum.
On average 19 people a day die by suicide in the UK. It’s something the thousands taking part in the Baton of Hope UK are determined to raise awareness of and prevent.
Portsmouth Baton of Hope Project Leader Lara Kynvin said:
“We are so incredibly proud to bring the baton to Portsmouth.
“The community and organisations across the area have all shown such great support and are keen to be involved to help us to get people talking about suicide, breaking the stigma around it, and saving lives.”
Lina Small, Portsmouth FC’s Head of People & EDI said:
“We’re incredibly proud to support and host the Baton of Hope route announcement at Fratton Park. Suicide affects far too many lives, and this initiative is a powerful reminder that hope, conversation and support can save lives.
At Portsmouth Football Club, we stand with those impacted and are committed to playing our part in breaking the stigma and standing up to suicide.”
Portsmouth City Council is supporting the major event, and Victoria Park – Portsmouth’s ‘People’s Park’ – will host the Baton Bearer Village, with the baton passing through the park and then ending the tour there.
Cllr Chris Attwell, Portsmouth City Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Central Services, said:
“Suicide is the biggest killer of under-35s and the biggest killer of men under 50. Those figures are barely believable, and behind each of them are devastated friends and families left behind.
“The truth is that every single person will have been impacted in some way by suicide. Our Portsmouth Lord Mayor and council staff will be among the 105 people proudly carrying the baton through the Portsmouth route.
“Portsmouth shares the Baton of Hope’s powerful message that we must stand up to suicide. I hope local people come and show their support on 26 September and give a loud cheer to all those taking part.”
The Portsmouth event will kick off on Portsdown Hill in the north in early morning and finish in Victoria Park. Along the route will be ‘hubs’ with taster events and activities for people and families to take part in throughout the day. The baton also is visiting venues where support services are provided to vulnerable people in the area.
The Baton of Hope’s first tour was in 2023. For 2025 it’s back even bigger, starting in Blackpool on 1 September and touring 20 UK locations and finishing in London on 10 October.
Keep up with all the news by following the Baton of Hope Tour25 – Portsmouth Facebook page, where you’ll find video stories from some of the bearers plus up-to-date information.
Historic Telegraph Tower Opens to the Public as New Visitor Attraction in Alderney.
The historic Telegraph Tower, a remarkable survivor from the Napoleonic era, will officially open to the public as a visitor attraction on Wednesday 23rd July, in a ceremony led by the Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey, Sir Richard Cripwell CB, CBE.
Built in 1809, the Telegraph Tower was part of a short-lived but crucial communication network used to report on the movement of French shipping around the Channel Islands. Designed to relay signals between Alderney and Sark, it remains the only building of its kind in the Islands, offering a unique glimpse into the island’s strategic importance and early optical telegraphy.
Now carefully restored and repurposed, Telegraph Tower will serve as a new heritage site celebrating Alderney’s military and maritime past, with engaging displays on early signalling technology, the history of the tower, and its role in the island’s defences.
Members of the public are warmly invited to attend the opening ceremony and explore this fascinating piece of Alderney’s history from 10.45am. “This is a proud moment for Alderney,” said Caroline Gauvain of Visit Alderney. “Telegraph Tower is not only a rare and historic structure — predating the Victorian forts and Breakwater — but it also tells a powerful story of communication, defence, and island resilience.”
Visit Alderney would like to thank historian Colin Partridge and our dedicated volunteers Nigel Clarke, Andy Mileham, Neil Collings, John Walker, and Nick Collier, without whom this project would not have been possible.
From 23rd July, the Tower will be open daily from 10am to 4pm, with free admission.
Event Details Opening Ceremony: Wednesday 23rd July 2025, 10.45 AM Location: Telegraph Tower, Alderney Admission: Free Visitors are encouraged to walk if possible, or park in the nearby car parking area. Please ensure the Airport Perimeter Road remains clear at all times. ENDS Contact: Caroline or Alex at Visit Alderney Email: tourism@alderney.gov.gg Phone: 01481 822333 visitalderney.com
Governor Josh Green, M.D., today concluded the bill signing season by holding the final two bill signing ceremonies, which highlighted measures focused on addressing some of Hawai‘i’s most pervasive challenges. The newly enacted laws focus on providing effective remediation for claims of construction defects and delivering essential funding to support critical nonprofit organizations impacted by federal funding reductions.
“Today represents the full scope of what policymaking is all about,” said Governor Green. “Sometimes, it takes many sessions to pass legislation and show foresight for long-term change. Other times, it is about the flexibility to pivot quickly when urgent challenges arise. Signing these two bills reflect both ends of that spectrum and truly demonstrates the best of what this bill signing period stands for.”
HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES
A recent UHERO report indicates a surge in litigation related to construction defect claims, which has resulted in costly and time-consuming delays of housing projects across the state. These delays, in turn, leave many awaiting construction in limbo and drive up the cost of housing, all of which have major implications throughout the state’s housing pipeline. House Bill 420 (Act 308) amends the Contractor Repair Act and Statute of Repose to address the exploitative litigation practices currently hindering Hawai‘i’s housing market.
“This bill is a couple years in the making, and today’s signing marks a step toward removing roadblocks for affordable, accessible housing in Hawai‘i,” said Governor Green. “HB 420 is a solution-based measure that tackles one of many contributing factors to our rising cost of living in the islands. It supports a broad range of stakeholders across the housing market, helping to move projects forward and bring real relief to our communities.”
HB 420 aims to streamline and improve the efficiency of the Hawai‘i Contractor Repair Act for its proper utilization in lieu of litigation. Amendments to the act provide defined timelines and processes related to the notice of claims between claimants and contractors, including the acceptance or rejection of contractor’s offer of settlement or authorized repair. To support prompt repair and remediation, the measure establishes standardized requirements that must be included in a construction of defect claim to ensure contractors are given sufficient evidence to address the matter.
The bill further establishes clear timelines regarding inspections, testing, and mediation to provide homeowners and contractors with a comprehensive roadmap for remedies.
Together with these procedural improvements, the bill includes provision to deter unnecessary litigation through clarifying the statute of repose and limitation periods. HB 420 clarifies the applicability of the 10-year statute of repose, which applies to all actions, including contracts, torts or statutory claims. Pre-filing of a lawsuit is not to occur more than six months before the litigation or repose period ends.
“HB 420 is a meaningful step forward for Hawai‘i’s communities because it helps with the process of getting homes repaired and built faster, without getting caught up in long, costly lawsuits,” said Senator Jarrett Keohokālole (Senate District 24 – Kāne‘ohe, Kailua), who chairs the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. “By encouraging builders and homeowners to work together early on, this law protects families from unnecessary delays and high costs, helping to make housing more affordable and accessible for everyone across the islands.”
“HB 420 is about restoring balance and fairness to the construction defect process,” said Representative Lisa Marten. “For too long, certain legal strategies have delayed critical repairs and driven up costs. This bill strengthens protections for both homeowners and builders by requiring a good-faith opportunity to inspect and repair before litigation begins. It’s a practical fix that helps move housing projects forward and ensures we’re not putting unnecessary barriers in the way of affordable housing in Hawai‘i.”
“We sincerely thank Governor Josh Green for signing HB 420 into law. This legislation brings critical reform to the Contractor Repair Act by prioritizing cooperation and timely resolution over costly and prolonged litigation,” said D.R. Horton Hawai‘i Division President Tracy Tonaki on behalf of Housing No Kākou. “HB 420 strengthens consumer protections by prioritizing cooperation before litigation so that we can collectively preserve access to essential government backed loan programs, ensure legitimate repairs are made in a timely manner and continue to build much needed housing for Hawai‘i’s families.”
SB 933: RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET
Senate Bill 933 (Act 310) serves as a targeted measure to support Hawai‘i’s nonprofit sector. Due to the federal funding freeze, many valuable nonprofits that provide essential community services, including child care, housing services, and healthcare, will be adversely affected and face significant reductions in funding.
To help offset these losses, SB 933 appropriates $50 million for fiscal year 2026 to fund grants-in-aid for non-profit organizations across Hawai‘i. The Office of Community Services, within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, will oversee the selection and distribution of these grant awards.
“It is not fair that organizations dedicated to supporting the people of Hawai‘i are being forced to scale back due to federal funding cuts,” said Governor Green. “This state funding is a critical lifeline — not just for the nonprofits themselves, but for the individuals and families who depend on the essential services they provide everyday. We are stepping in to ensure our communities do not lose access to the care and support they need.”
A selection committee will be established to evaluate applications from non-profit organizations that demonstrate a termination or reduction of funding, or whose beneficiaries have been adversely impacted by the changes in federal funding.
To carry out the provision of the bill and to assist with the distribution of grants, the measure establishes temporary full-time positions within the Office of Community Services. Through this measure, the Office of Community Service authorizes the to contract the services of Aloha United Way, Inc. to provide administrative support and assist in the distribution of grant awards.
“This investment is more than just funding—it’s a vote of confidence in Hawai‘i’s nonprofit sector” said Michelle Bartell, President & CEO, Aloha United Way. “We’re grateful to the State Legislature for acting swiftly and to HANO for their tireless advocacy. Together, we’re helping ensure essential services remain strong and responsive for those who rely on them every day.”
“Senate Bill 933 is a timely and targeted response to protect the nonprofits that form the backbone of our communities,” said Senator Troy Hashimoto (Senate District 5 – Wailuku, Kahului, Waihe‘e, Waikapu Mauka, Wai‘ehu). “As federal funding declines, it’s our responsibility to make sure that vital services like childcare, housing and healthcare continue to be accessible to those who need them the most. This law helps keep critical support systems intact for Hawai‘i’s families.”
“We recognize the vital role that nonprofit organizations play in the health and resilience of our communities in Hawai‘i,” said Representative Daniel Holt. “SB 933 responds to an urgent need, ensuring essential services like childcare, housing, and healthcare remain accessible despite federal funding cuts. This measure reflects our collective commitment to mālama our communities and support those who serve them every day.”
The complete list of bills signed include the following. Click the link to see full details of the bill enacted into law.
HB 431 (ACT 309) RELATING TO HOUSING
Video of the bill signing can be seen here and here. Photos of the bill signing ceremony, courtesy Office of the Governor, will be uploaded here.
Question for written answer E-002712/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Tom Berendsen (PPE), Christian Ehler (PPE)
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a key tool for achieving climate neutrality in Europe, especially in hard-to-abate industrial sectors. In the light of this, the EU has set a target of 50 million tonnes (Mt) of annual operational CO2 injection capacity by 2030[1]. However, this supply-side target is set irrespective of projected demand. Keeping in mind the need to capture 250 Mt of CO2 annually by 2040[2], the EU must develop the CCS business case and ensure that demand meets supply in the CO2 storage market.
1.Considering that Member States plan to capture 42.4 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2030 (based on the information available[3]), to what extent does the Commission expect actual demand to meet the targeted supply of 50 Mt storage capacity in 2030, and how does it expect the market to develop beyond 2030?
2.What measures does the Commission plan to propose to ensure there is sufficient demand in 2030 and beyond, and if total demand for storage falls short of 50 Mt, is it willing to propose solutions to address the lack of a sound business case for entities obliged to ensure the supply of storage capacity?
3.How does the Commission plan to integrate European Economic Area projects into the Net Zero Industry Act target and the broader Industrial Carbon Management Strategy[4]?
Submitted: 2.7.2025
[1] Net Zero Industry Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1735, consolidated version), Article 20, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02024R1735-20240628.
[2] Commission Communication on Industrial Carbon Management (COM/2024/62), p.12, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52024DC0062.
[3] EU-wide assessment of the final updated national energy and climate plans (COM (2025) 274), p.6, https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/97168210-2a5c-4d1a-9ed8-6a063e011537_en?filename=COM_2025_274_1_EN_ACT_part1_v6.pdf.
[4] Towards an ambitious Industrial Carbon Management for the EU, COM(2024) 62, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2024:62:FIN.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is the keynote speech by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the “Paris Seminar: Hong Kong Legal Services – Gateway to China and Beyond” organised by the Department of Justice in Paris, France on July 9 (Paris time):
His Excellency Mr Deng Li (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the French Republic), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. Firstly, on behalf of the Department of Justice, I would like to welcome all of you joining our seminar this afternoon. I have to express my gratitude to Mr Deng Li for giving the very important opening remarks, and for helping the Department of Justice in organising this very important seminar. Second, I also wish to express my gratitude to all the supporting organisations, which include the legal professional bodies in Hong Kong, the important arbitration institutions, and leading law firms. This is in fact my first official visit to this part of the world, including France, and I think this is also the first occasion that the Department of Justice organised a seminar focusing on the legal services of Hong Kong. I’m very pleased and honoured to be able to invite very eminent speakers from both Hong Kong and France to share their experience with you in a minute. There will be two panel discussions this afternoon. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank all the speakers.
What I intend to do is just to set the scene and give an overview of the theme of today’s seminar. The topic for today is Hong Kong’s legal services. There is only one important message that I wish to convey successfully at the end of today, that is Hong Kong’s common law system serves as a unique gateway to China and beyond.
Why Hong Kong is a unique gateway? The short answer is that under the very important principle of “one country, two systems”, on the one hand, Hong Kong’s common law system has a number of very essential elements which are crucial and important to the business community. But at the same time, precisely because Hong Kong is a part of China, we also have very unique and important connection with the Mainland’s legal system, which is unparalleled. So this is the short answer. But to make good my point, I would like to focus on, in my belief, six very important characteristics of Hong Kong’s common law system.
My first point is that Hong Kong’s common law system is very stable. Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction within China and the continuation of the practice of common law system is guaranteed by the Basic Law, which is a constitutional document. So this is something that is not going to change. I also wish to use a very recent example to demonstrate the confidence that both China and the international community has in Hong Kong. On May 30, 2025, the convention concerning the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation was signed in Hong Kong. It was signed by 33 countries around the world including China and many countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and even in Europe. I think the population of all these countries added together, cost you about one third of this world’s population.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Yi, came to Hong Kong and gave a very important speech. He explained why the party decided to hold the signing ceremony in Hong Kong, and more importantly, to set up the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong. The reason is that, because of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong has the best of both worlds. On the one hand, we have a very strong common law tradition. But on the other hand, the People’s Republic of China is a civil law system. So we are a common law system in the context of a civil law system. That gives us a unique strength which makes it the perfect place to host the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation. This is my first point – Hong Kong’s common law system is very, very stable.
The second point is that Hong Kong’s common law system is very user-friendly. Hong Kong is in fact the only bilingual common law system in the world, using both English and Chinese. So all our statutes will be written in both languages. And of course, English is the language for the international business community. But apart from language, we have been working very hard to ensure that our legislation and common law will meet the demand of the changing needs of the international community, or make it even more attractive. I wish to cite one recent example. In mid-May this year, we have just amended our company law to make it easier for companies being operated overseas to re-domicile to Hong Kong, so that these overseas companies can take advantage of the tax policy and regulatory regime in Hong Kong. And I understand that two major insurance companies have indicated that they will re-domicile to Hong Kong in November this year.
My third point is that Hong Kong’s common law system provides a very safe and secure environment. Under the Basic Law, free flow of capital is guaranteed, free movement of properties including money in all forms of property is guaranteed. For as long as your investment, your money, your property, your business in Hong Kong, they are well protected by a very sophisticated regulatory regime administered by bodies such the Securities and Futures Commission, our Independent Commission Against Corruption and so on and so forth. One of the good reputation that Hong Kong enjoys is that corruption or malpractice is almost absent. So there’s no concern of corruption and other sort of malpractice. At the same time, we also make tremendous effort in ensuring that people can explore new opportunities in the safe environment. The recent example is the Stablecoins Ordinance. The Stablecoins Ordinance was enacted and will come into effect on August 1. Under this new ordinance, there will be a licensing regime for people or for traders in stablecoins. So we will allow trading and use of stablecoins subject to a very strict set of regulation to ensure that people will not be exposed to unnecessary risks. So this is my third point – Hong Kong’s common law system provides a very safe and secure environment.
The fourth point is that Hong Kong’s common law system is extremely credible. One of the key reasons is that Hong Kong has a very independent and reputable judiciary. Our courts enjoy the final power of adjudication. And one special feature is that in our Court of Final Appeal, we have invited eminent judges from other common law jurisdictions to sit on a part-time basis. So at the moment, there are six foreign non-permanent judges. Two come from England, they are Lord Hoffmann and Lord Neuberger, three from Australia and one from New Zealand. The most recent appointment was made and confirmed in June, Sir William Young, who used to be a judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. Apart from Court of Final Appeal, we also invite judges from other common law jurisdictions to sit in our Court of First Instance.
But litigation is not the only means of resolving disputes. Hong Kong is also very famous for its international arbitration service. In the very recent Queen Mary University of London’s survey, which is the most important international survey on arbitration, Hong Kong ranked second in the world after London, Hong Kong and Singapore both ranked the second. The important thing that’s worth noting is that among the cases handled by the most important institution, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), almost 70 per cent of those cases are international in nature in the sense that either one of the parties would be a party not from Hong Kong. Even more importantly, around 15 per cent of cases handled by the HKIAC, in those cases, neither party came from Asia. So the only reason that they chose Hong Kong is, of course, because they’re confident in our arbitration service. This is my fourth point – Hong Kong’s system is very credible.
My fifth point is that Hong Kong has an abundant supply of high-quality legal professionals with rich experience in handling cross-boundary or transboundary matters. Hong Kong’s legal profession is divided into two branches based on the English system. We have around 1 700 barristers who are specialists in dispute resolution. They will be engaged and instructed to appear in court in litigation and very often in arbitration. There are around 110 Senior Counsel, which will be equivalent to King’s Counsel in England. And on top of that, we adopt a very open policy. So on some cases, we will allow London Silk, a Senior Counsel, a King’s Counsel from London to take part in litigations in Hong Kong.
Turning to another branch of the legal profession, the solicitors, I think there are more than 11 000 solicitors in Hong Kong, more than 900 law firms, and almost 400 of these law firms would either have offices outside Hong Kong or representative offices in Mainland China. And insofar as France is concerned, I think there are around 14 law firms in Hong Kong which have offices in France and there are also five French law firms having office in Hong Kong. So France does have a significant presence in Hong Kong. And also we have offices, lawyers practicing here in Paris. The point that I wish to make is that the legal service provided in Hong Kong is very international, so if you instruct a Hong Kong lawyer, you are not simply receiving Hong Kong legal service, you are receiving global legal service, so this is my fifth point.
The last point is the very special and unique connection between the Hong Kong’s common law system and the Mainland’s civil law system. I wish to use a few examples. Up to the present, Hong Kong and the Mainland have signed nine very important mutual legal assistance arrangements. And the most often used arrangement concerns the recognition and enforcement of arbitration awards. So an arbitration award in Hong Kong can be easily enforced and recognised on the Mainland under the scheme substantially the same as that under the New York Convention. And more importantly, back in 2019, Hong Kong and Mainland China have entered into a very special arrangement, under which for arbitrations administered by specific arbitration institution in Hong Kong, the parties will be at liberty to appear or to apply before the Mainland Court for interim measures. For example, interim injunctions preserving assets or evidence that turn out to be an extremely important practical tool. So ever since the scheme came into effect on October 1, 2019, up to May this year, there were around 146 applications and the amount involved in these interim injunctions will be in the region of about US$5 billion. That’s a piece of evidence demonstrating the practical utility of this measure.
My last example concerns a very recent measure introduced in February this year. It concerns the Greater Bay Area, which consists of Hong Kong, Macau, and also nine important cities in the Guangdong Province. The size of the Greater Bay Area is more like Croatia, and the population is around 86 million. And the GDP of the Greater Bay Area has already exceeded Australia, which would be the top 10 to consider as a single economic entity. So back in February, we introduced a new measure, which allows Hong Kong enterprises in certain cities in the Greater Bay Area to have the option of choosing Hong Kong law as the governing law to regulate their contracts, and also to choose Hong Kong as the seat for arbitration. Because in the past, if a foreign company or even a Hong Kong company set up an establishment on the Mainland, you have to use Mainland law. And for arbitration, you can only do the arbitration on the Mainland, so the options that I’ve just mentioned were not open. The other important point is that, insofar on the definition of Hong Kong enterprise is concerned, it doesn’t matter the percentage of interest owned by the Hong Kong party. For example, it’s very easy for a French company to come to Hong Kong to find a partner, a Hong Kong partner, which may hold a very small interest, say one per cent. So as long as there’s some common interest, it will be qualified as a Hong Kong enterprise, and that will give you the liberty to choose Hong Kong law or to use Hong Kong as a place of arbitration, so this is my sixth point.
To sum up, Hong Kong’s common law system is stable, it’s very user-friendly, it’s very safe and secure, it’s very credible, and we have an abundant supply of international legal professionals. And lastly, we have very unique connection with the Mainland system. And my dear friends, it’s really the combination, it’s really the sum total of these six elements, which in my view, render Hong Kong a unique gateway. Hong Kong is definitely not the only gateway, but I’m very confident to say that because of the matters that I mentioned, Hong Kong as a gateway is unique. It’s unparalleled. It’s something that you cannot find elsewhere.
President Xi Jinping said that the rule of law provides the best business environment (法治是最好的營商環境). I think Hong Kong offers the best business environment because we have a very strong rule of law based on a common law system, which has all the unique characteristics that I said. I think Hong Kong’s reputation is very recognised internationally. According to a survey done by the IMD, the International Institute for Management Development based in Switzerland very recently, in terms of global competitiveness, Hong Kong ranked the third. Hong Kong actually ranked the second in terms of government efficiency and business efficiency. When it comes to our tax policy and business legislation, Hong Kong actually ranked the first. I think this is a very objective assessment of the reputation enjoyed by Hong Kong.
Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sure that you will be more convinced by what I have just said after hearing from our very eminent speakers who will share their experience in handling legal matters or in relation to China, Hong Kong and also France in the next two hours or so. Now, to conclude, I would like to thank all of you again for joining this legal seminar, and I sincerely hope that you will find today’s seminar constructive and enjoyable. Thank you very much.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A new English-language version of “Ne Zha 2,” already the world’s highest-grossing animated film, is set to open in cinemas in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand from Aug. 22, with Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh joining the English voice cast.
A still from “Ne Zha 2.” [Image courtesy of CMC Pictures]
A24 and CMC Pictures will distribute the English-language version, the companies announced Wednesday. The film will be released in IMAX, 3D and other premium large formats.
“I’m honored to be part of ‘Ne Zha 2,’ a landmark in Chinese animation and a powerful reminder of how universal our stories can be,” Yeoh said in a statement. “Sharing this with audiences in English is such a joy, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience the wonder, heart, spectacular artistry, and magic of this film on the big screen.”
The announcement did not say which character Yeoh will voice or disclose other members of the English cast.
Directed by Yang Yu, better known as Jiaozi, the film follows mythological figures Ne Zha and Ao Bing, who are reborn in lotus-formed bodies after a catastrophe and must unite against vengeful dragon kings and a scheming god.
The film combines traditional Chinese mythology with action, humor and advanced visual effects. The production took five years, with a crew of 4,000 and the involvement of 138 Chinese animation and special effects companies.
“Ne Zha 2” has emerged as a box office sensation since its release earlier this year, ending its China run on June 30 with 15.45 billion yuan ($2.13 billion) to become the highest-grossing Chinese film ever.
Its worldwide total has reached $2.19 billion, making it the top-grossing animated film globally, the highest-grossing non-English-language film and the fifth highest-grossing film of all time, trailing only “Avatar,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Titanic.”
The film is the highest-rated animated feature of 2025, earning a 96% approval rating from critics and a 99% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It also ranks among the top-rated releases on Letterboxd. Critics have called it “animated cinema on a scale rarely seen” and “a technical marvel that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible.”
CMC Pictures, the film division of CMC Inc., released a Chinese-dubbed, English-subtitled version of “Ne Zha 2” overseas in February, grossing more than $20 million in North America. The English-dubbed version is expected to further boost the film’s global box office.
Chinese Malaysian actor Michelle Yeoh at an Olympic event in 2023. [File photo/Xinhua]
“Children, teenagers and families in international markets rarely watch subtitled foreign-language films, and the language barrier remains a key distribution challenge,” said Catherine Ying, vice president of CMC Inc. and president of CMC Pictures. “The English-dubbed version of ‘Ne Zha 2’ is aimed at reaching mainstream audiences and building long-term franchise potential.”
CMC Pictures has operated internationally since 2016, handling film development, production, investment and distribution in 100 countries.
A24, the entertainment company behind Oscar-winning films such as “Moonlight” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and the series “Euphoria,” has a catalogue of more than 150 films and 50 television series, with 21 Academy Awards, 18 Golden Globes and 18 Emmys. CMC Pictures said the partnership aims to expand the franchise’s global reach, promote Chinese culture and attract a broader international audience.
Wang Changtian, chairman of Beijing Enlight Media and producer of “Ne Zha 2,” said at a forum during the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival on June 15 that he expects the film’s final international box office receipts to exceed $100 million.
LONDON, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitdu, a next-generation global cryptocurrency exchange, has officially announced the launch of its most ambitious event to date: the “Battle of the Peak” Global Trading Challenge. With a total prize pool exceeding $50 million in cash and platform tokens, the competition marks the largest trading event in Bitdu’s history and one of the most lucrative challenges in the digital asset industry.
The competition will run from July 10 to August 10, 2025 (UTC), and is open to verified traders worldwide. With a participation cap of 10,000 users, the event requires a minimum entry fund of $10,000 and supports major assets including USDT, USDC, BTC, and ETH. Traders can compete using spot trading only, and withdrawals during the contest will be treated as a forfeit.
Participants will be ranked by net profit, calculated as the difference between final account value and total funds invested (including any top-ups). Rankings will be updated daily, with the top 100 traders published publicly and the top 10 receiving high-visibility visual leaderboards.
The event will be strictly monitored by Bitdu’s dual-layered compliance system, combining AI-based behavioral tracking and manual reviews. The top 100 winners will undergo deep audits post-competition. Any form of market manipulation, multi-accounting, or abnormal transfers will result in disqualification and profit reset.
“Bitdu is committed to creating a competitive yet fair environment where the best traders can rise to the top,” said a Bitdu spokesperson. “This event is not only about the size of the prize pool, but about setting a new standard in transparent, compliant, and rewarding trading competitions.”
About Bitdu Bitdu is a globally regulated cryptocurrency exchange offering spot, futures, and staking services to millions of users. The platform holds MSB licenses in the U.S. and Canada, is registered as a VASP in the EU, and operates with DCE approval in Australia. Bitdu is committed to building a secure, compliant, and high-performance trading ecosystem.
Company: Bitdu UAB Contact Person: Yvonne Bennett, Global Communications Manager Email: bitdu@bitdu.com Website: www.bitdu.com Telephone: 447933919784 City: London
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
LONDON, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitdu, a next-generation global cryptocurrency exchange, has officially announced the launch of its most ambitious event to date: the “Battle of the Peak” Global Trading Challenge. With a total prize pool exceeding $50 million in cash and platform tokens, the competition marks the largest trading event in Bitdu’s history and one of the most lucrative challenges in the digital asset industry.
The competition will run from July 10 to August 10, 2025 (UTC), and is open to verified traders worldwide. With a participation cap of 10,000 users, the event requires a minimum entry fund of $10,000 and supports major assets including USDT, USDC, BTC, and ETH. Traders can compete using spot trading only, and withdrawals during the contest will be treated as a forfeit.
Participants will be ranked by net profit, calculated as the difference between final account value and total funds invested (including any top-ups). Rankings will be updated daily, with the top 100 traders published publicly and the top 10 receiving high-visibility visual leaderboards.
The event will be strictly monitored by Bitdu’s dual-layered compliance system, combining AI-based behavioral tracking and manual reviews. The top 100 winners will undergo deep audits post-competition. Any form of market manipulation, multi-accounting, or abnormal transfers will result in disqualification and profit reset.
“Bitdu is committed to creating a competitive yet fair environment where the best traders can rise to the top,” said a Bitdu spokesperson. “This event is not only about the size of the prize pool, but about setting a new standard in transparent, compliant, and rewarding trading competitions.”
About Bitdu Bitdu is a globally regulated cryptocurrency exchange offering spot, futures, and staking services to millions of users. The platform holds MSB licenses in the U.S. and Canada, is registered as a VASP in the EU, and operates with DCE approval in Australia. Bitdu is committed to building a secure, compliant, and high-performance trading ecosystem.
Company: Bitdu UAB Contact Person: Yvonne Bennett, Global Communications Manager Email: bitdu@bitdu.com Website: www.bitdu.com Telephone: 447933919784 City: London
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
It is a great honour to address you on the 100th anniversary of the Economics Society of Australia.
It’s an honour because, over that past century, Australian thinkers have helped develop some of the most important building blocks in open economy macroeconomics – the branch of economics that seeks to understand how the global trading economy works.
Those were significant – sometimes world-leading – intellectual achievements.
But they were more than just that. Because they also shaped the policies and institutions that helped Australia navigate the global economy of that period so successfully, delivering wealth and stability for its citizens.
Indeed Australian macroeconomic research has pulled that trick off twice. First, powering the ideas that lifted the country out of the Great Depression to flourish after the Second World War. And, second, helping to design a reform program that rescued the country from the slump of the 1970s, and led to more than a quarter century of recession-free growth.
Two Golden Ages, marshalling thought into action.
But to thrive in the next 100 years, Australia’s researchers will need to go for the hat-trick.
Police have been conducting enquiries throughout the day in relation to the whereabouts of a 29-year-old man from Salisbury regarding breach of bail matters.
Elizabeth CIB members have arrested the man this evening just after 5pm when he presented to the Elizabeth Police Station.
He will be refused bail and appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court tomorrow.
On July 6, an arson attack targeted the East Melbourne Synagogue. It was the latest in a series of antisemitic incidents recorded across Australia since October 7 2023, when Hamas carried out a horrific terrorist attack, killing about 1,200 Israelis. These domestic incidents have escalated in both number and severity.
Australia has not previously experienced antisemitism at this scale. In response, the Albanese government appointed Jillian Segal as the nation’s first special envoy for combating antisemitism, and commissioned a plan with recommendations to address the issue.
1. Preventing violence and crime, including a proposed law enforcement framework to improve coordination between agencies, and new policies aimed at stopping dangerous individuals from entering Australia.
2. Strengthening protections against hate speech, by regulating all forms of hate, including antisemitism, and increasing oversight of platform policies and algorithms.
3. Promoting antisemitism-free media, education and cultural spaces, through journalist training, education programs, and conditions on public funding for organisations that promote or fail to address antisemitism.
The government has said it will consider the recommendations.
These measures are broadly reasonable and make practical sense. Some – such as those aimed at preventing violence and crime – are more straightforward to implement than others. It would also be logical to apply them to all forms of hate, not just antisemitism.
But that needs to be done with caution. We don’t want to create an environment in which any criticism of a community or group is shut down by regulation.
In a democracy, open and robust debate is essential. The challenge lies in the details: how we define hate, and where we draw the threshold for what counts as hate.
The document ignores the elephant in the room: whether the plan could be used to silence legitimate criticism of Israel.
The special envoy’s plan notes antisemitism has risen since October 7, but it does not fully explain the context. Israel’s military response in Gaza, which has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, has prompted a wave of global protest and criticism of Israel, including accusations of genocide.
In this context, the line between antisemitism and criticism of Israel has become more difficult and contested than ever. Some people who attack Israel or Zionism may be expressing antisemitic views. Others may not. Distinguishing between the two is complex, but essential.
The envoy adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which covers both direct attacks on Jewish identity and certain criticisms of Israel, such as comparisons with Nazi Germany.
In my experience as a researcher working on online hate (including antisemitism), even members of the Jewish community adopting this definition often disagree on how to apply it.
The threshold varies – for example when deciding whether an online post or a statement crosses the line into antisemitism.
So where should we draw that line? It’s a crucial question. If the envoy’s recommendations are implemented, decisions about funding, visas, and even criminal charges could depend on it.
There is, of course, broad agreement on some cases. Setting fire to a synagogue is clearly antisemitic – it targets a Jewish place of worship.
Similarly, attacking a Jewish-owned business or damaging property in a Jewish neighbourhood suggests the target was chosen because it was Jewish.
Some people – often those already harbouring anti-Jewish views – treat the entire Jewish community as if it represents the Netanyahu government or the Israel Defense Forces.
This ignores the diversity of views within Jewish communities. That lack of nuance fuels antisemitism.
Few would disagree that antisemitic acts include attacks on Jewish people or property carried out indiscriminately, or when anti-Israel protests attempt to hold the whole Jewish community collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government.
But we also need to be realistic. We are unlikely to eliminate all forms of antisemitic hate or intimidation from public life. Hate can be expressed without breaching laws, and people can intimidate others while staying just within legal boundaries.
Humour, sarcasm and coded language are often used to incite hatred without triggering any formal consequence. That kind of harm is much harder to prevent – and it may be something we have to learn to live with, while continuing to push back against it.
Rebuilding trust
In the long term, the only real solution is building mutual understanding. That’s why personal relationships matter.
Knowing someone who is Jewish is one of the strongest antidotes to antisemitism. When you have a Jewish friend, you’re less likely to believe or spread the myths that circulate online and offline about what Jewish people think, believe or represent.
The same applies to all forms of hate. Direct contact helps break down stereotypes across all communities.
The problem is that the current context is pushing communities apart. Segregation and isolation are increasing. Before October 7, there was meaningful interfaith work happening – Jewish students visiting the Islamic Museum, Muslim students visiting the Holocaust Museum. That work has largelystopped.
Now, people are retreating into fear, distrust and generalisations. All nuance is lost. The “other” becomes a single, threatening enemy.
It will take time to rebuild that trust – and the longer the war continues, the harder it will be.
Matteo Vergani receives funding from the Campbell Collaboration, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Home Affairs.
On July 6, an arson attack targeted the East Melbourne Synagogue. It was the latest in a series of antisemitic incidents recorded across Australia since October 7 2023, when Hamas carried out a horrific terrorist attack, killing about 1,200 Israelis. These domestic incidents have escalated in both number and severity.
Australia has not previously experienced antisemitism at this scale. In response, the Albanese government appointed Jillian Segal as the nation’s first special envoy for combating antisemitism, and commissioned a plan with recommendations to address the issue.
1. Preventing violence and crime, including a proposed law enforcement framework to improve coordination between agencies, and new policies aimed at stopping dangerous individuals from entering Australia.
2. Strengthening protections against hate speech, by regulating all forms of hate, including antisemitism, and increasing oversight of platform policies and algorithms.
3. Promoting antisemitism-free media, education and cultural spaces, through journalist training, education programs, and conditions on public funding for organisations that promote or fail to address antisemitism.
The government has said it will consider the recommendations.
These measures are broadly reasonable and make practical sense. Some – such as those aimed at preventing violence and crime – are more straightforward to implement than others. It would also be logical to apply them to all forms of hate, not just antisemitism.
But that needs to be done with caution. We don’t want to create an environment in which any criticism of a community or group is shut down by regulation.
In a democracy, open and robust debate is essential. The challenge lies in the details: how we define hate, and where we draw the threshold for what counts as hate.
The document ignores the elephant in the room: whether the plan could be used to silence legitimate criticism of Israel.
The special envoy’s plan notes antisemitism has risen since October 7, but it does not fully explain the context. Israel’s military response in Gaza, which has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, has prompted a wave of global protest and criticism of Israel, including accusations of genocide.
In this context, the line between antisemitism and criticism of Israel has become more difficult and contested than ever. Some people who attack Israel or Zionism may be expressing antisemitic views. Others may not. Distinguishing between the two is complex, but essential.
The envoy adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which covers both direct attacks on Jewish identity and certain criticisms of Israel, such as comparisons with Nazi Germany.
In my experience as a researcher working on online hate (including antisemitism), even members of the Jewish community adopting this definition often disagree on how to apply it.
The threshold varies – for example when deciding whether an online post or a statement crosses the line into antisemitism.
So where should we draw that line? It’s a crucial question. If the envoy’s recommendations are implemented, decisions about funding, visas, and even criminal charges could depend on it.
There is, of course, broad agreement on some cases. Setting fire to a synagogue is clearly antisemitic – it targets a Jewish place of worship.
Similarly, attacking a Jewish-owned business or damaging property in a Jewish neighbourhood suggests the target was chosen because it was Jewish.
Some people – often those already harbouring anti-Jewish views – treat the entire Jewish community as if it represents the Netanyahu government or the Israel Defense Forces.
This ignores the diversity of views within Jewish communities. That lack of nuance fuels antisemitism.
Few would disagree that antisemitic acts include attacks on Jewish people or property carried out indiscriminately, or when anti-Israel protests attempt to hold the whole Jewish community collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government.
But we also need to be realistic. We are unlikely to eliminate all forms of antisemitic hate or intimidation from public life. Hate can be expressed without breaching laws, and people can intimidate others while staying just within legal boundaries.
Humour, sarcasm and coded language are often used to incite hatred without triggering any formal consequence. That kind of harm is much harder to prevent – and it may be something we have to learn to live with, while continuing to push back against it.
Rebuilding trust
In the long term, the only real solution is building mutual understanding. That’s why personal relationships matter.
Knowing someone who is Jewish is one of the strongest antidotes to antisemitism. When you have a Jewish friend, you’re less likely to believe or spread the myths that circulate online and offline about what Jewish people think, believe or represent.
The same applies to all forms of hate. Direct contact helps break down stereotypes across all communities.
The problem is that the current context is pushing communities apart. Segregation and isolation are increasing. Before October 7, there was meaningful interfaith work happening – Jewish students visiting the Islamic Museum, Muslim students visiting the Holocaust Museum. That work has largelystopped.
Now, people are retreating into fear, distrust and generalisations. All nuance is lost. The “other” becomes a single, threatening enemy.
It will take time to rebuild that trust – and the longer the war continues, the harder it will be.
Matteo Vergani receives funding from the Campbell Collaboration, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Home Affairs.
1 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –Samantha Beltran, left, Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center Army CID FXD latent print examiner, demonstrates fingerprint analysis techniques to French Forces in Djibouti personnel at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 12, 2025. The JTFAC analyzes evidence from the field, including DNA, fingerprints, firearms, and electronic media, to provide actionable intelligence in support of U.S., allied, and partner nation operations across Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hardy-Bannerman) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman) VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –Natassha Robinson, Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center Army CID FXD latent print examiner, demonstrates fingerprint analysis techniques to Japanese Self-Defense Force members at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 19, 2025. The JTFAC collaborates with various partner forces across the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility to support operations to enhance regional security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hardy-Bannerman) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman) VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –A sign for the Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center is displayed at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 5, 2025. The JTFAC is U.S. Africa Command’s sole provider of comprehensive forensic capabilities across the range of military operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek) (Photo Credit: Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek) VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –Emily Rue, Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center, observes a color test to isolate the compound in the sample in Bizerte, Tunisia, April 28, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25) is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve Photo By Lt. Col Dale D. Barnes.) (Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Dale Barnes) VIEW ORIGINAL5 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –The Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center and Tunisian Armed Forces use a variety of chemicals to retrieve serial numbers removed from equipment in Bizerte, Tunisia, April 28, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25) is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Lt. Col. Dale D. Barnes.) (Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Dale Barnes) VIEW ORIGINAL6 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –Lauren Kraul, Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center, discusses methods to retrieve serial numbers removed from equipment with Tunisian Armed Forces in Bizerte, Tunisia, April 28, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25) is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve Photo By Lt. Col Dale D. Barnes.) (Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Dale Barnes) VIEW ORIGINAL7 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –The Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center and Tunisian Armed Forces collaborate during exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Bizerte, Tunisia, April 28, 2025. Fluorescent lighting is used to view fingerprints on items being tested. AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Lt. Col. Dale D. Barnes.) (Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Dale Barnes) VIEW ORIGINAL
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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)
VICENZA, Italy – When U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) identified a need to gather evidence, the U.S. Army’s Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center (JTFAC) answered the call. Its forensic team launched into action at sea, turning expertise into real-world impact.
At the request of the CENTCOM and AFRICOM, JTFAC personnel deployed to collect and analyze forensic evidence from a vessel carrying Iranian-supplied advanced conventional weapons. The seized cargo included ballistic missile components, anti-ship ballistic missile parts and a warhead, all bound for Houthi rebel forces in Yemen.
The forensic evidence helped secure a June 5, 2025, federal conviction of the ship’s captain, Muhammad Pahlawan, a Pakistani national who worked closely with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, on six charges related to smuggling Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry destined for the Houthis in Yemen, as well as threatening multiple witnesses.
“The JTFAC forensic team conducted rapid sensitive site exploitation at expeditionary locations, including within the maritime environment,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kyle Thomason, provost marshal for U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), which provides oversight to JTFAC operations.
To meet the unique demands of a maritime environment, the team rapidly adapted its Fly Away Kit, a mobile forensic toolkit designed for land and sea missions. This self-contained toolkit enabled JTFAC scientists to conduct on-site analysis, including chemical trace detection, biometric collection, and confirmed and inventoried types of weapons and equipment aboard the vessel.
The vessel’s initial interdiction resulted in the deaths of two Navy SEALs off the coast of Somalia in Jan. 2024, making international headlines at the time. However, the loss of service members was not in vain.
The interdiction successfully prevented anti-ship ballistic missiles from targeting U.S. and partner-nation vessels. The type of weaponry found aboard the vessel was consistent with the weapon systems used by the Houthi rebel forces during the time of the charged conspiracy against merchant ships and U.S. military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Israel.
“The JTFAC services the Joint Interagency Intergovernmental Multinational community within AFRICOM,” said Thomason. “Their mission enables U.S. and partner nation forces to accomplish AFRICOM campaign objectives.”
Along with AFRICOM and CENTCOM, U.S. European Command was also involved in this offshore mission, highlighting JTFAC’s reach across geographic boundaries and interagency lines.
“We’re glad to have had the opportunity to fit into the seams of multiple commands to support this consequential operation,” added Thomason.
The mission not only demonstrated the center’s technical capabilities, but also deepened collaboration between defense, justice and diplomatic agencies operating in the AFRICOM area of responsibility. It marked a significant milestone in JTFAC’s expanding role as a forensic enabler for both military and civilian partners.
“The lab is internationally accredited, meaning its scientists can serve as expert witnesses in both the U.S. and abroad,” said Greg Sanson, the JTFAC liaison officer to SETAF-AF. “This comes in handy when either the U.S. or a partner nation wants to take legal action against subjects identified through our forensic analysis.”
JTFAC’s recent support of African Lion exercises laid the groundwork for this success. During those multinational events, Forensic Exploitation Team (FXT) scientists provided hands-on training to host-nation forces in Tunisia and Morocco, covering topics such as latent fingerprint development, DNA analysis and post-blast evidence recovery.
In addition, AFRICOM’s exercise Cutlass Express included 21 legal advisors from 12 countries converging in Victoria, Seychelles, Feb. 10-14, 2025. The multinational team discussed legal processes and examined possible scenarios that support search and seizure operations such as the type of mission which brought about this latest conviction.
“These engagements not only enhance the forensic science capabilities of our partners across the African continent, but also reinforce our center’s readiness for real-world contingencies,” added U.S. Army Maj. Lucas Poon, the JTFAC director at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
JTFAC’s capabilities stem from both military and civilian personnel, operating under the umbrella of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID). The Army CID’s Forensic Exploitation Division (FXD) staffs the majority of JTFAC positions. While the JTFAC is operationally controlled by SETAF-AF, a unique team from multiple U.S. Army commands enables this function.
The FXD supports numerous annual partner nation engagements and deploys on six-month rotations as part of the JTFAC in Djibouti.
“The lab’s ongoing mission provides multiple other benefits to partner nations, civilians and service members who operate in this area,” said Sanson. “Accurate forensic assessments lead to updated tactics, techniques and procedures, as well as revisions to protective equipment and policies to keep people safe now and into the future.”
As threats grow more complex and transnational, JTFAC continues to prove that science, when deployed with precision, can be a decisive force for justice and security.
About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with Southeast Asian counterparts on Thursday in his first visit to Asia since taking office, and will try to reassure them the region is a priority for Washington, even as President Donald Trump targets it in his global tariff offensive.
Washington’s top diplomat will meet foreign ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathered in Kuala Lumpur, and also hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who is in the Malaysian capital, according to the U.S. State Department.
Rubio’s trip is part of an effort to renew U.S. focus on the Indo-Pacific and look beyond the conflicts in the Middle East and Europe that have consumed much of the Trump administration’s attention, with Rubio balancing dual responsibilities as secretary of state and national security adviser.
However, Trump’s global tariff strategy is likely to cast a shadow over the trip, after the president announced steep tariffs to take effect on August 1 on six ASEAN members, including Malaysia, as well as on close Northeast Asian allies Japan and South Korea.
Rubio will nevertheless seek to firm up U.S. relationships with partners and allies, who have been unnerved by the tariffs, and is likely to press the case that the United States remains a better partner than China, Washington’s main strategic rival, experts said.
“This is significant, and it’s an effort to try to counter that Chinese diplomatic and economic offensive,” said Victor Cha, president of the geopolitics and foreign policy department at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Rubio will also meet with Lavrov later on Thursday, according to the U.S. State Department schedule. It would be the second in-person meeting between Rubio and Lavrov, and comes at a time when Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin as the war in Ukraine drags on.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also expected to join talks from Thursday, but it was unclear if Rubio would meet with him.
‘BETTER LATE THAN NEVER’
A senior U.S. State Department official told reporters on Monday that among Rubio’s priorities on the trip was reaffirming Washington’s commitment to the region, not just for its sake but because it promotes American prosperity and security.
“It’s kind of late, because we’re seven months into the administration,” Cha said of Rubio’s trip. “Usually, these happen much sooner. But then again, it is extraordinary circumstances. But I guess better late than never.”
Security cooperation is a top priority, including the strategic South China Sea, and combating transnational crime, narcotics, scam centers, and trafficking in persons, said the State Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
As well as their unease about Trump’s tariff policies, many in the Indo-Pacific have doubts about the willingness of his “America First” administration to fully engage diplomatically and economically with the region.
Trump said this week he would impose a 25% tariff on Japan and South Korea and also took aim at ASEAN nations, announcing a 25% levy on Malaysia, 32% on Indonesia, 36% on Cambodia and Thailand, and 40% on Laos and Myanmar.
Trump has also upset another key Indo-Pacific ally, Australia, which said on Wednesday it was “urgently seeking more detail” on his threat to raise tariffs to 200% on pharmaceutical imports.
According to a draft joint communique seen by Reuters, ASEAN foreign ministers will express “concern over rising global trade tensions and growing uncertainties in the international economic landscape, particularly the unilateral actions relating to tariffs.”
The draft, dated Monday, before the latest U.S. tariff rates were announced, did not mention the United States and used language similar to an ASEAN leaders’ statement in May. Both said tariffs were “counterproductive and risk exacerbating global economic fragmentation.”
The State Department official said Rubio would be prepared to discuss trade and reiterate that the need to rebalance U.S. trade relationships is significant.
The export-reliant ASEAN is collectively the world’s fifth-biggest economy, with some members beneficiaries of supply chain realignments from China. Only Vietnam has secured a deal with Trump, which lowers the levy to 20% from 46% initially.
Cricket minnows Italy are on the cusp of sealing their first appearance at the Twenty20 World Cup after stunning Scotland in the European qualifying tournament on Wednesday.
Their 12-run victory in Voorburg, the Netherlands, kept Italy top of the Europe Regional Final standings and in pole position for the 20-overs showpiece to be held in India and Sri Lanka next year.
A win over the Dutch, who are second in the standings, in their final match on Friday would seal their place but Italy’s superior net run rate means even a narrow loss could send them through if other results go their way.
“I am really proud of the boys for this moment,” said captain Joe Burns, who played 23 tests for Australia before switching allegiance to Italy last year.
“Hopefully this is the stepping stone for a lot to come. It’s a very emotional group at the moment. Being on the verge of a World Cup? It’s very surreal.”
With the top two in the standings to advance, Scotland can still qualify but need a big win against Jersey on Friday and an Italy victory against the Dutch.
“A lot of the credit has to go to Italy, who outskilled us with the ball in those conditions,” Scotland captain Richie Berrington said.
“Obviously today’s a tough one, but it’s important we learn what we can from this game. We will be looking to come back strong.
“We have to focus on coming back on Friday and looking to win that game then the rest takes care of itself.”
Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations
1.We, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia, gathered in Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with Australia on 10 July 2025.
2.We welcome the adoption of the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, including the ASEAN Community Vision 2045: “Resilient, Innovative, Dynamic and People-Centred” (ACV 2045) and its Strategic Plans, and reaffirmed our shared commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. Australia commits to supporting ASEAN in implementing the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future through practical initiatives and increased cooperation. We reiterate our collective resolve to work towards a more secure, resilient and prosperous future.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Georgette Leah Burns, Associate Professor, Griffith School of Environment and Science, Griffith University
Luciano Gonzalez/Anadolu via Getty Images
Last weekend, a woman was mauled by a lioness at Darling Downs Zoo in Queensland, and lost her arm. The zoo, which keeps nine lions, has been operating for 20 years and had never experienced an incident such as this.
The victim was a relative of the zoo owner, Steve Robinson, who told the media the lions were not aggressive and the lioness was thought to be “just playing”.
Although attacks like this are extremely rare, they are obviously of great concern. The incident should prompt a rethink of our approach to wild animals in captivity, and whether it’s morally acceptable – or safe – to keep them there at all.
Why do zoos exist?
Zoos, aquariums and other settings where wild animals are kept captive exist for two main reasons: human entertainment and profit-making.
Surveys show zoo visitors have a preference for large mammals such as elephants, primates and big cats.
Some animals are more tolerant of captivity conditions and exposure to humans than others. Fish, for example, seem to respond more neutrally to human presence than most other species.
But a recent study found captive animals generally demonstrate abnormal behaviour more often than non-captive ones.
For most wild animals, captivity deprives them of the ability to engage in natural behaviour, which harms their welfare. For example, free-living dolphins and whales have long-range migration patterns which require vast ocean spaces. They are also highly social and display complex communication behaviour.
Captive dolphins were once common in aquariums and marine parks across Australia. But now only one facility, Sea World in Queensland, still breeds dolphins for entertainment.
Another important welfare question is whether the captive animal has “agency” – that is, whether it can make choices as it would in the wild.
Can it choose, for example, which other animals it has relationships with? Or whether it has privacy? Having control over such decisions enhances the quality of life for the captive animal.
It’s important to note that some zoos can deliver positive outcomes for animals. Many play an important conservation role, such as running captive breeding programs for endangered species.
An example is a long-running program across several Australian zoos and other organisations to recover populations of the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater. The program has released more than 400 zoo-bred birds into the wild.
However, such conservation programs do not necessarily need to involve zoos to succeed.
Weighing up the risks
No matter how domesticated they might seem, some wild animals in captivity will always pose a risk to humans. Their behaviour can be unpredictable and, as the recent Queensland example shows, even a “playing” lioness can cause enormous physical harm to people.
Wild animals are called wild for a reason. To be kept in captivity, most animals require training so they can be safely handled. The Darling Downs Zoo incident shows despite this precaution, things can still go wrong.
But humans will, understandably, always be fascinated by other animals, and want to see them up close. So what are the alternatives to zoos?
Open range-zoos, such as the one to which the Perth elephants were moved, can offer a better option for some animals.
Another option is to recreate the zoo experience using technology. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality can be used to create images of animals that look and seem real.
Questions about animals kept in captivity require us to consider how much risk to human safety we accept, and the extent to which we prioritise human amusement over animal welfare. In searching for answers, we can start by asking whether we need zoos at all.
Georgette Leah Burns 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: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 41-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident in the Darwin CBD yesterday.
About 11:50pm, police received reports of a female being assaulted by a male.
Darwin general duties officers attended, and the male fled by foot before climbing up a tree, about 12 metres high, on the Esplanade. The offender allegedly threw sticks at the officers while up in the tree.
Police negotiators were called out after members were unable to take the male into custody. The negotiators attended, resulting in the male surrendering to police and being arrested without incident.
He is expected to be charged at a later date.
If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.
Australia’s drug approval system is under fire, with critics in the United States claiming it is too slow to approve life-saving medicines.
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration balances speed with a rigorous assessment of safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness.
So does Australia really lag behind the US Food and Drug Administration? And do we need to change how we approve medicines?
The drug development pipeline
Drug development usually begins when something new is discovered about a disease. This usually involves identifying either a change in an important protein or finding a new protein involved in the disease.
When scientists know the shape of the protein, they can design a drug that can block or activate it.
Scientists will then undertake laboratory, petri dish-type, experiments to see if the drug works on the protein in the way they designed. If it passes those tests, they will then move onto animal testing and formulation.
Formulation is the step where scientists decide what form the medicine will take, such as a tablet, injection or patch. There are more than 150 different pharmaceutical dosage forms to choose from.
The final steps are human testing. This requires the completion of three types of clinical trials. Each seeks to answer different specific questions about the drug:
Phase I trials: is the drug safe? What are its side effects?
Phase II trials: does the drug work?
Phase III trials: is the drug better than currently available medicines?
At the end of the trials, a company can apply to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for approval to market and sell the drug.
Getting a drug to market is time-consuming and costly. It takes around 15 years from the initial concept and design to government approval and costs more than A$3.5 billion.
But the failure rate is high: more than 90% of drugs that undergo development never gain government approval.
How are drugs approved in Australia?
The decision to approve new medicines for sale in Australia is made based on safety and efficacy evidence provided by the sponsoring company.
Listing a medicine on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is a separate process from approval, and is based on financial considerations and a cost-benefit analysis, rather than safety and efficacy.
The TGA typically takes 240 to 260 working days (around a full calendar year) from receiving a new medicine application to an approval decision. This is longer than it takes the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – 180 to 300 days.
Where there is a pressing need, the approval process can be faster. The first COVID treatment was approved in Australia just two weeks after it was submitted for consideration.
Then why do Americans often get medicines first?
There can be several reasons why a drug approval can be delayed in Australia when it has already been approved overseas.
First, with a population of 27 million out of 8 billion world-wide, Australia is a relatively small market. So it is not always a high priority for companies to apply for approval here. Regions with large populations such as China, India and Europe are a bigger focus for companies. This can therefore delay when they submit to Australia.
Other reasons for delays can be that the TGA requires additional safety or efficacy evidence other regions did not request, or because new information about the drug has come to light since the drug was approved overseas.
What about delays getting drugs onto the PBS?
When a drug is listed on the PBS, Australians can access the medicine for $31.60 (or $7.70 concession) instead of the cost of a private prescription which might be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
The time it takes for medicines to be approved on the PBS has also been a focus of criticism.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), which makes PBS listing recommendations to the Federal Minister of Health, only sits three to six times per year.
US Chamber of Commerce vice president John Murphy claims the PBAC takes, on average, 32 months to make a recommendation about listing a drug after an application has been submitted.
Once a recommendation is made, the minister usually takes a minimum of five months to make a final decision.
To speed up the process, the TGA does allow parallel applications for drug approval and PBS listing.
The time taken to make a PBS listing decision is reasonable, given the scheme’s overall cost. In 2023–24, the total cost of the PBS to the government was $17.7 billion. So a decision to list can’t be made lightly.
So should Australia change how it approves medicines?
Criticising the time it takes to get regulatory approvals appears to be part of a wider plan of attack by the US government. It is putting pressure on Australia to open its market to higher prices for medicines made by US pharmaceutical companies.
Australia has a world-class regulatory agency in the TGA which ensures medicines that are approved are both safe and effective. And the PBS scheme is a key part of our public health care system and the envy of the world.
The Australian government should resist any changes to the regulatory approval processes that come from the US.
Nial Wheate in the past has received funding from the ACT Cancer Council, Tenovus Scotland, Medical Research Scotland, Scottish Crucible, and the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance. He is a fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Nial is the chief scientific officer of Vaihea Skincare LLC, a director of SetDose Pty Ltd (a medical device company) and was previously a Standards Australia panel member for sunscreen agents. He is a member of the Haleon Australia Pty Ltd Pain Advisory Board. Nial regularly consults to industry on issues to do with medicine risk assessments, manufacturing, design and testing.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally nominated United States President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. He says the president is “forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other”.
Trump, who has craved the award for years, sees himself as a global peacemaker in a raft of conflicts from Israel and Iran, to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
With the conflict in Gaza still raging, we ask five experts – could Trump be rewarded with the world’s most prestigious peace prize?
Emma Shortis
Adjunct Senior Fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University
Nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize is like entering a hyena in a dog show.
Of course Trump does not deserve it. That we’re being forced to take this question seriously is yet another indication – as if we needed one – of his extraordinary ability to set and reset the terms of our politics.
There is no peace in Gaza. Even if Trump announced another ceasefire tomorrow, it would not last. And it would not build genuine peace and security.
Trump has neither the interest nor the attention span required to build long term peace. His administration is not willing to bear any of the costs or investments that come with genuine, lasting diplomacy. And he is not anti-war.
There is no peace in Iran. Trump’s bombing of Iran simply exacerbates his decision in 2018 to end nuclear negotiations with Tehran. It pushes the world closer to, not further from, nuclear catastrophe.
Under the Trump administration, there will be no peace in the Middle East. Both the US and Israeli governments’ approach to “security” puts the region on a perpetual war footing. This approach assumes it is possible to bomb your way to peace – a “peace” which both Trump and Netanyahu understand as total dominance and violent oppression.
The Trump administration is deliberately undermining the institutions and principles of international and domestic law.
He has deployed the military against American citizens. He is threatening the United States’ traditional allies with trade wars and annexation. His administration’s dismantling of USAID will result, according to one study, in the deaths of 14 million people, including 4.5 million children, by 2030.
Indulging Trump’s embarrassing desire for trophies might appease him for a short time. It would also strip the Nobel Peace Prize of any and all credibility, while endorsing Trump’s trashing of the international rule of law.
What kind of peace is that?
Ali Mamouri
Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University
The nomination of Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize by a man who is facing charges of war crimes is an unprecedented and deeply dark irony that cannot be overlooked.
Trump’s role in brokering the Abraham Accords was hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough. It led to the normalisation of relations between Israel and several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco.
But this achievement came at a significant cost. The accords deliberately sidelined the Palestinian issue, long recognised as the core of regional instability, and disregarded decades of international consensus on a two-state solution.
Israeli soldiers guarding Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. Dom Zaran/Shutterstock
His silence in the face of a growing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza was equally telling. Perhaps most disturbing was the tacit or explicit endorsement of proposals to forcibly relocate Palestinians to neighbouring Arab countries, a position that evokes ethnic cleansing and fundamentally undermines principles of justice, dignity and international law.
In addition, there is Trump’s unconditional support for Israel’s military campaigns across the region, including his authorisation of attacks on Iranian civilian, military and nuclear infrastructure. The strikes lacked any clear legal basis, contributed further to regional instability and, according to Tehran, killed more than a thousand civilians.
His broader disregard for international norms shattered decades of post-second world war diplomatic order and increased the risk of sustained and expanded conflict.
Against this backdrop, any serious consideration of Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize seems fundamentally at odds with its stated mission: to honour efforts that reduce conflict, uphold human rights and promote lasting peace.
Whatever short-term diplomatic gains emerged from Trump’s tenure are eclipsed by the legal, ethical and humanitarian consequences of his actions.
Ian Parmeter
Research Scholar, Middle East Studies, Australian National University
Netanyahu’s nomination of Donald Trump for one of the world’s most coveted awards was clearly aimed at flattering the president.
Trump is clearly angling for the laurel, which his first term predecessor, Barack Obama, won in his first year in office.
Obama was awarded the prize in 2009 for promotion of nuclear non-proliferation and fostering a “new climate” in international relations, particularly in reaching out to the Muslim world.
Given neither of these ambitions have since borne fruit, what claims might Trump reasonably make at this stage of his second term?
Trump has claimed credit for resolving two conflicts this year: the brief India–Pakistan clash that erupted after Pakistani militants killed 25 Indian tourists in Kashmir in May; and the long-running dispute between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi disputes Trump brokered peace. He says the issue was resolved by negotiations between the two countries’ militaries.
With regards to the Rwanda–DRC conflict, the countries signed a peace agreement in the Oval Office in June. But critics argue Qatar played a significant role
which the Trump administration has airbrushed out.
Trump can legitimately argue his pressure on Israel and Iran forced a ceasefire in their 12-day war in June.
But his big test is the Gaza war. For Trump to add this to his Nobel claim, he will need more than a ceasefire.
The Biden administration brokered two ceasefires that enabled the release of significant numbers of hostages, but did not end the conflict.
Trump would have to use his undoubted influence with Netanyahu to achieve more than a temporary pause. He would have to end the war definitively and effect the release of all Israeli hostages.
Beyond that, if Trump could persuade Netanyahu
to take serious steps towards negotiating a two-state solution, that would be a genuine Nobel-worthy achievement.
Trump isn’t there yet.
Jasmine-Kim Westendorf
Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict and Co-Director of the Initiative for Peacebuilding, The University of Melbourne
Although controversial or politicised awards are not new, awardees are generally individuals or groups who’ve made
significant contributions to a range of peace initiatives.
They include reducing armed conflict, enhancing international cooperation, and human rights efforts that contribute to peace.
Inspiring examples include anti-nuclear proliferation organisations and phenomenal women peacemakers. And Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege, who won in 2011 for their work trying to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.
Trump has declared his “proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier”. But he is neither.
There has been a concerning trend towards using the Nobel Peace Prize to encourage certain political directions, rather than reward achievements.
Barack Obama’s 2008 Prize helped motivate his moves toward diplomacy and cooperation after the presidency of George W. Bush.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s 2018 award was for efforts to resolve the 20-year war with Eritrea. The peace prize encouraged Ahmed to fulfill his promise of democratic elections in 2020. Embarrassingly, within a year Ahmed launched a civil war that killed over 600,000 people and displaced 3 million more.
This week’s nomination follows efforts by global leaders to flatter Trump in order – they hope – to secure his goodwill.
These motivations explain why Netanyahu has put forward Trump’s name to the Nobel Committee. It comes at the very moment securing Trump’s ongoing support during ceasefire negotiations is critical for Netanyahu’s political survival.
They will never give me a Nobel Peace Prize […] It’s too bad. I deserve it, but they will never give it to me.
Prizes to genuine peacemakers amplify their work and impact.
1984 winner Desmond Tutu said: “One day no one was listening. The next, I was an oracle.” A Nobel can be a powerful force for peace.
Trump is no peacemaker, he doesn’t deserve one.
Shahram Akbarzadeh
Director, Middle East Studies Forum (MESF), Deakin University
Benjamin Netanyahu would have us believe Donald Trump is a peacemaker.
Nothing could be further from the truth. His record is stained with blood and misery. The fact Trump believes himself to be worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize only attests to his illusions of grandeur in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
The war in Gaza has gone into its 20th month because Trump did not use the levers at his control to bring the senseless war to a close.
Some estimates put the true Gaza death toll at 100,000 people, and counting. They have been killed by American-made bombs Israel is dropping across the densely populated strip; from starvation because Israel has enforced a blockade of the Gaza Strip and prevented UN food delivery with the blessings of America; and from gunshots at food distribution centres, set up with US private security.
All under Trump’s watch.
Trump could do something about this. Israel is the largest recipient of US aid, most of it military support.
This has multiplied since Israel commenced its attack on Gaza in response to Hamas terrorism on October 7 2023. Trump has approved the transfer of US military hardware to Israel, knowing full well it was being used against a trapped and helpless population.
This is not the act of a peacemaker.
Now the Israeli government is planning to “facilitate” population transfer of Gazans to other countries – a euphemism for ethnic cleansing.
This is the textbook definition of genocide: deliberate and systematic killing or persecution of people. Trump legitimised this travesty of decency and international law by promising a Gaza Riviera.
The outlandish extent of Trump’s ideas would be laughable if their consequences were not so devastating.
When Israel attacked Iran in the middle of nuclear talks, Trump had a momentary pause, before jumping to Netanyahu’s aid and bombing Iran. He then claimed his action paved the way for peace.
Trump’s idea of peace is the peace of the graveyard.
Emma Shortis is Director of International and Security Affairs at The Australia Institute, an independent think tank.
Jasmine-Kim Westendorf has received funding from the Australian Research Council.
Shahram Akbarzadeh receives funding from Australia Research Council.
Ali Mamouri and Ian Parmeter do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
