Source: Australian Human Rights Commission
We’re pleased to announce the release of our updated General Aviation (GA) Workplan 2025, alongside the Forward Regulatory Program and the refreshed RPAS and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Strategic Regulatory Roadmap – 3 key initiatives shaping the future of aviation in Australia.
With CommBank data showing most small business tax refunds are processed in the first quarter of a financial year, here are some tax tips for business owners on staying financially fit and scam aware.
Key facts:
According to the data, based on funds deposited into small business customer accounts by the Australian Tax Office (ATO), states with the highest average tax refunds are ACT and Queensland ($5,700), followed by Victoria ($5,300), NSW ($4,900) and WA ($4,800).
Interestingly, electricians and plumbing businesses top the list for average tax returns in NSW and TAS, mining contractors unsurprisingly for WA, and education and communication services for VIC, while small agriculture businesses top the average tax return in Queensland.
Mixed emotions as tax time rolls around
Drew Campbell, co-founder of boutique travel company Reveling – Nestled on the Gold Coast, Reveling is redefining luxury travel with a focus on immersive, small-group and private experiences across Australia and Africa. Co-founded by a team of passionate adventurers, the company is powered by a growing collective of guides, hosts, artisans, and creatives who share a love for meaningful connection through travel.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing people connect deeply with nature and community,” said Drew Campbell, co-founder of Reveling.
Since its inception, Reveling has carved out a niche in the high-end travel space, offering curated experiences that blend authenticity with elegance. But behind the scenes of dreamy destinations and bespoke itineraries lies the reality of running a small business – especially during tax time.
“Honestly, it’s a bit of both stress and excitement,” Mr Campbell admits.
“It’s a good checkpoint to assess how we’re tracking and tidy up any loose
Source: New South Wales – News
Three alleged Rebels members were arrested for criminal association on Wednesday 30 July.
It will be alleged that three men were present together at the Adelaide Airport about 11.30am on Wednesday 30 July.
The Rebels, an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, is a declared criminal organisation and it is an offence for participants of a declared criminal organisation to be in a public place with two or more other persons who are also participants in a declared criminal organisation.
The three men, a 43-year-old man, 27-year-old man and a 34-year-old man all from Western Australia, were arrested and charged with criminal association.
They were all refused bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court later today.
Crime Gangs Task Force will continue to investigate reports of Outlaw Motorcycle Gang members gathering in public places in contravention of this law to ensure the safety of the public.
Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry
James Glenday:
Welcome back to the show. On this Thursday morning, you’re watching News Breakfast. It is always lovely to have your company.
Emma Rebellato:
We’ll get an update on the latest with the global tsunami alerts in just a moment. But first, borrowers will be hoping the latest inflation data will be the confirmation the Reserve Bank needs to cut rates next month.
Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, joins us now from Canberra. Treasurer, thanks for joining us this morning.
Jim Chalmers:
Thanks for having me back on, Emma.
Rebellato:
So homeowners are hoping for a rate cut. Are you worried though that if there is a cut it will encourage more investors into the market, and that will price out people wanting to buy their own home?
Chalmers:
I’m not going to pre‑empt decisions that the Reserve Bank takes independently. I think rate relief is welcome, certainly when interest rates were cut twice already this year, that provided some very, very welcome rate relief for millions of Australians with a mortgage. That’s how we see it, but I don’t want to make predictions or pre‑empt the decisions that the Reserve Bank will take.
What yesterday’s numbers showed when it comes to those inflation numbers is really quite remarkable progress. The progress that Australians have made together over the course of the last 3 years on inflation has been outstanding because we’ve been able to get inflation down at the same time as we deep unemployment low, we’ve got real wages growing again – but it’s never mission accomplished, because the global environment’s uncertain, we’ve got some persistent structural issues in our economy, growth in our economy is soft and people are under pressure. And that’s why the primary goal, the main priority of the first 2 weeks of the parliament sitting has been to roll out more cost‑of‑living help.
Rebellato:
Treasurer, your productivity roundtable is on in just a few weeks. Will you be looking – and we know housing going’s to be on the agenda – will you be looking specifically at property investors. Do you want to change the capital gains tax discount?
Chalmers:
That’s not why we’ve put this Economic Reform Roundtable together. It’s all about making our economy more resilient and more productive, and our budget more sustainable.
I expect and I hope that building more homes is one of the central considerations of the Economic Reform Roundtable. I’ve been working very closely with Minister Clare O’Neil with a number of people who will be at the roundtable and with a whole range of people around the country.
We’ve all got an interest in building more homes sooner; that’s the government’s priority. The primary focus there, I think, at the roundtable will be around how we speed up approvals and get the zoning for housing right, because we desperately need more homes. The Commonwealth government has come to the table with tens of billions of dollars in investment, our political opponents want to cut funding for housing, but overwhelmingly, people want to see where there’s common ground to build more homes, and that will be the focus.
Rebellato:
Treasurer, one of the stories we’re following today is the latest Productivity Commission report on closing the gap. Again, so many targets are showing so little progress, and some are worsening. How would you characterise this? Is this a failure by governments?
Chalmers:
We need to do much better. I think from memory, 10 of the 15 measures, we’ve seen a little bit of progress in the report released overnight, some have gone backwards in worrying ways.
I think every member of the government, and I think many Australians would acknowledge that we need to do better, and the reason why these reports are so important is because they make sure that we keep governments and the community more broadly up to the mark. We need to do better when it comes to closing the cap.
Minister Malarndirri McCarthy is working in her characteristically diligent way with all of the stakeholders, all of the communities to try and turn these numbers around. There has been progress in 10 of the 15, there has been some worrying outcomes in the rest, but overall, we need to do more and we need to do better.
Rebellato:
Treasurer, we know the issue in the Middle East is a big talking point in parliament and in the government at the moment. Is it now inevitable that Australia will recognise a Palestinian state; do you want to see that happen?
Chalmers:
I do, and I think it’s a matter of when, not if Australia recognises a Palestinian state for a long.
Rebellato:
So could we see it before September, before that UN meeting?
Rebellato:
I don’t want to put a timeframe for it, it’s been a long‑standing bipartisan policy that we see a two‑state solution in that part of the Middle East. From my point of view that progress that has been made, that momentum that we’re seeing in the international community is welcome, but it’s also conditional.
There are a number of obstacles still in the way to recognition of a Palestinian state, for example, the treatment, the release of the hostages, making sure that there’s absolutely no role for Hamas. These are the sorts of things that the international community is working through.
That statement that came out yesterday that we signed as Australians via our Foreign Minister Penny Wong is a really important one. It condemns the terrorist act on 7 October, it demands a ceasefire, the release of hostages and access for humanitarian aid; it encourages countries to work towards recognition as a really important part of that two‑state solution, and the reason we want to see a two‑state solution is because Israeli families and Palestinian families need and deserve to be able to raise their kids in peace, and that’s what this is all about.
Rebellato:
Treasurer, let’s stay with issues overseas, and the issue of tariffs. Now, Donald Trump has now said if he’s not negotiated with a country that they’re now looking at between a 15 and 20 per cent tariff. Is that what you’re working towards now; forget about 10 per cent, it’s now looking 15 to 20?
Chalmers:
We haven’t heard differently from the 10 per cent baseline that’s been levied on Australia; obviously we continue to engage with the Americans on this. It’s one of the main issues playing out in the global economy, it’s a major source of uncertainty in the economy, whether it’s what’s been said overnight about India, whether it’s the back and forth between the US and China or the tariffs levied directly on Australia. We’ve got the baseline rate as far as we are aware, and as we understand it, which is 10 per cent.
Rebellato:
So you don’t expect that to move?
Chalmers:
I think it would be a brave person to assume that there won’t be – whether it’s with other countries or – there will always be more announcements about this. These tariff announcements are a moving feast. But our understanding, our expectation is we get the baseline.
We think that the best outcome is zero because these tariffs are an act of economic self‑harm. We see inflation is going up in the US. Earlier in the year they had slowing growth, interest rates on hold again in the US overnight, they’ve got higher interest rates than we do in Australia.
We think these tariffs are bad for the American economy, certainly bad for the global economy. We’re better placed and better prepared than most countries to deal with that, but we won’t be immune. We’ll continue to engage with the Americans on it.
Rebellato:
Treasurer, just to change things up a little bit, this is possibly the hardest question you’ll be asked today, we’ve been talking about theme songs. Do you have a favourite theme song?
Chalmers:
It’s hard to go past the themes – the 2 theme songs in the Rocky movies, or the theme song to that great Eminem movie, 8 Mile. I’m a hip‑hop guy –
Rebellato:
Oh, yeah.
Chalmers:
– as James on the couch knows, but I think the best theme song, now that you put me on the spot, the best theme song I can remember is when Powderfinger, These Days kicks in during that wonderful Australian movie, Two Hands.
I think These Days by Powderfinger came in at number 14 on the week in the Triple J Hottest 100 Australian songs. Like everyone who loves Powderfinger, I think that should have been higher. But that’s an amazing theme song, and that’s an incredible, Two Hands, Heath Ledger, Bryan Brown, Rose, all the great Australian actors and a wonderful Australian theme song too by Powderfinger from Brisbane.
Rebellato:
Treasurer, thank you so much for joining us this morning, we appreciate it.
Chalmers:
Thanks very much.
Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry
Natalie Barr:
For more, we’re joined by Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Good morning to you.
Jim Chalmers:
Morning, Nat.
Barr:
So, when the godfather of AI begins to regret his contribution to the invention, should we be concerned?
Chalmers:
I think there’s a whole range of views about artificial intelligence. I’m optimistic that it will be transformational in a good way in our economy but only if we manage the risks right. And so our government is doing a heap of work, including with Scott Farquhar and others who will be part of our Economic Reform Roundtable, to make sure that we maximise the opportunities of AI at the same time as we manage the risks. The risks can be substantial in our labour market and more broadly as well. We need to manage those. But overwhelmingly, I think AI will be transformational in our economy and in our society, and we need to make it work for us, not against us.
Matt Shirvington:
It’s moving so fast, isn’t it, Treasurer? Let’s talk about that roundtable. You said tech billionaire Scott Farquhar is going to be a part of that. He’s for this. He wants more productivity, more investment to expand AI in Australia. Is that required? Is that what we’re going to do? Are we going to take advantage of the time being now?
Chalmers:
I think there are broadly 3 schools of thought here. There’s a group of people who say, let it rip. There’s a group of people who, I think unrealistically, say that we should kind of turn back the clock and pretend these technological developments aren’t happening. And then there’s a responsible middle path, which is the approach that the government intends to take. And that’s all about making sure that our people are beneficiaries, not victims of these big technological changes. This will be seismic. Artificial intelligence will have a massive impact on our economy and on our society. And it’s up to us as governments and as societies to work out how we make that work for us, not against us. To make people beneficiaries of these changes rather than victims of it.
Barr:
So this is the guy who resigned from Google because he wanted to warn the world about the dangers. Are you confident that our country has the safeguards against the bad parts of AI?
Chalmers:
I’m confident that we can manage the risks, but it won’t be easy. And something that is changing this quickly, the pace of change, the accelerating pace of these technological changes, is a big challenge because we need to catch up and keep up with the way that it’s changing our economy and our society. And we need to make sure that its impact is positive, not negative.
The risks are there, they are substantial. We focus on the risks, for example, in the labour market, but also more broadly, and we need to manage that. Every country in the world is grappling with this challenge. Trying to work out how AI can be a force for good in our economy, making us more productive, making our work easier, augmenting some of the tasks that people do at work. Those are the upsides of AI.
There are potential downsides as well, and that’s why we work so closely with the tech industry and with others – my colleague Tim Ayres and Andrew Charlton and Ed Husic before that. It’s a big focus of the government. It’ll be a big focus of our efforts at the reform roundtable next month as well.
Shirvington:
It’s good to hear, because you just don’t want to miss the boat. Just quickly on inflation figures. You know, you’ve been at the helm, you’ve seen them go down and down and down. Low 2s now, paving the way potentially, for a rate cut next month. What do you think?
Chalmers:
I try not to make predictions about decisions that the independent Reserve Bank will take about interest rates, but I’m really pleased that inflation has come down so substantially. It’s a powerful demonstration of the progress that Australians have made together in the fight against inflation. When we came to office 3 years ago, it was higher than 6 per cent and absolutely galloping. We’ve got it down now into the low 2s. That’s a good thing. But the job’s not finished. It’s not mission accomplished.
We know that people are still under pressure and that’s why the main goal of the parliament the last 2 weeks since it’s returned after the election has been to deliver all kinds of cost‑of‑living relief to help ease some of these pressures. But inflation coming down is a very good thing. The unemployment rate staying relatively low is a very good thing. Real wages are growing as well, but we know there’s always more work to do.
Barr:
Treasurer, thank you very much for your time.
Chalmers:
Appreciate it, guys.
Source:
Deputy Chief Officer South East, Trevor Owen, said it was amazing to see dedicated women taking on the challenge of leadership roles.
“These women are bringing fresh perspectives, strength, and dedication to their positions and inspiring the next generation of female leaders in CFA,” he said.
In Golden Beach Paula Grosveld is stepping down as Captain of the brigade after 20 years and will be stepping into the role of Group Officer for Banksia Group.
Her new role will involve supporting the brigades in her group to deliver the best for their communities as well as supporting members to achieve their personal goals within CFA.
“I hope I can bring a real sense of respect, kindness, and commitment to the role so that all the brigades know that if they need anything from the group, we will be there to support them,” she said.
Paula has been involved with CFA for 39 years and throughout that time has held various roles.
Paula is passionate about young people getting involved and hopes she can inspire those coming through the ranks to step up into leadership roles.
“Hopefully I can just carry on from the last few group officers and build on what we already have,” she said.
Golden Beach sits in CFA’s District 10 in East Gippsland and Paula said she is really proud to be from an area that has over 90 group management and brigade management positions filled by women.
“In District 10 we have huge representation of women in Brigade Management Teams and in group management teams,” she said.
‘It is just amazing that the women here put up their hand and they have a crack and it’s awesome to see these women grow and learn alongside them.”
Next door in District 11 Bronwyn “Bronnie” Jonkers from Wairewa brigade is the secretary, treasurer and now the fourth Deputy Group Officer of Orbost Group.
Bronnie is the first female DGO in Orbost Group. Bronnie has been a volunteer for just over five years, starting in Wairewa before moving to Stratford and then back to Wairewa.
Since then, Bronnie has been on a whirlwind of a ride, completing Women’s Challenge Camps, doing lots of training and was elected to the position of 4th Lieutenant at Stratford Brigade along with Fundraising Coordinator role before moving back to Wairewa.
As a mum of three kids Bronnie knows about keeping busy but hopes she can continue to learn and push herself in her new role.
“I have grown to love being able to help as much as I can,” she said.
“I signed up thinking I would just be a firefighter and fight fires but since being in CFA I have just continued to grow.”
She encourages all girls and women to think about getting involved in CFA.
“It is a great community to get involved in and you make a lot of new friends, all the women are supportive and you will be really supported in pushing yourself,” she said.
CFA’s District 8 is getting two new lieutenants, Alida Goodchild at Tyabb and Claire Maloney at Carrum Downs.
Stepping into the role of fourth lieutenant for the Tyabb brigade is an exciting new step for Alida Goodchild.
“There has never been a female lieutenant at Tyabb,” she said.
Alida said she is proud to be stepping into this role and hopes she can bring her strengths to the forefront.
“There are more women in the brigade than we have ever had,” she said
“I really want to lead by example and show that they too can enter these roles and step up in the brigade to take on leadership roles.”
In her role as fourth lieutenant Alida will be supporting the brigades mental health program, helping with fundraising and social events like brigade dinners, hydrant maintenance, and social media.
“They really tailor the portfolios to what you are good at and they move around depending on who is in the role so you can really thrive in your areas,” she said.
Claire Maloney is not only the first female lieutenant in the Carrum Downs brigade but she is the first fifth lieutenant the brigade has ever had.
On top of this she is stepping into the role of protective equipment manager, which is also a first for the brigade as they prepare to welcome a new breathing apparatus (BA) truck to their brigade.
“It’s fun to be at the decision table with the brigade management team and get a peek behind the curtain.”
Claire said over the years she has been involved with CFA, the desire to take on more challenges and leadership has developed.
“I don’t think I started off with that in mind but it has definitely grown on me,” she said.
The confidence Claire gets to take on leadership roles she attributes to developing and running a confidence course for crew trainers.
“I definitely learned lots through that and it helped me to get the confidence to step up into other roles.”
| Submitted by | CFA Media |
|---|
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kasey Symons, Lecturer of Communication, Sports Media, Deakin University
Sports fans might love their teams, cheer or curse each game’s result and admire their favourite athletes, but we rarely associate sports with romance.
However, that may be slowly changing thanks to the recent spike in the popularity of romance fiction, which has created an unlikely sub-genre.
Romance fiction sales in Australia are up, with an average growth rate of 49% over three years.
Dedicated romance bookstores are popping all over the world thanks to the visibility of social media communities such as “BookTok” and “Bookstagram” and the avenues digital and self-publishing are creating.
Sports romance titles are contributing to the growing romance numbers and are helping to attract new and non-traditional fans to sport.
Sports romance fiction is not a new phenomenon. But it has gained popularity in the past few years, predominantly through ice hockey titles.
Ice hockey romance has a growing, passionate following. Authors such as Elle Kennedy, Hannah Grace, Tessa Bailey and Emily Rath – all New York Times-bestselling writers – bring a wide-reaching visibility to the sub-genre.
Kennedy’s Off Campus series is currently being developed as a TV series.
Formula 1 romance fiction also has a strong following, while football (soccer) is popular too. Meryl Wilsner’s soccer-based romance Cleat Cute is also getting the TV treatment through sporting legends Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird’s production company A Touch More.
You name the sport and there will be a title for you: golf, chess, lacrosse, tennis, basketball, pickleball, Australian rules football, swimming, ballet, baseball and e-sports, the list goes on.
While a majority of sports romance texts reflect heteronormative relationships and depict some of the more stereotypical, idealised body types and aesthetics often associated with the romance genre and athletic bodies, there are also diverse titles. These explore relationships across genders, sexualities, ethnicities, body shapes and different sports.
The ability to self-publish and reach an audience through social media allows sports romance authors and the creator community to be responsive and representative.
Authors are motivated to create narratives that reflect their own experiences and identity or contribute perspectives they feel are missing in the sporting landscape.
What makes these diverse contributions significant is how the authors present their sporting narratives within the romance genre storytelling structure. This means the majority of texts conform to what romance readers call, the “HEA”: the happily ever after.
While some narratives will have drama, tension and tragedy, the “happily ever after” framework allows for stories and relationships to end on a happy note.
In sports romance, there are many authors using this approach to challenge social norms, restrictive sporting environments and advocate for inclusion by presenting narratives where these tensions are resolved and everything works out.
Examples include K.T. Hoffman’s The Prospects, which features a trans man as the protagonist who makes it onto a Major League Baseball team and finds true love. Esha Patel’s Offtrack presents a Middle Eastern woman as the first woman driver for a Formula 1 team this century — who also finds true love. Australian author Abra Pressler’s Love and Other Scores shares the coming out journey of a professional male tennis player while competing at the Australian Open — after he finds true love. You get it.
The romance genre allows these fictional stories to play out with the authors placing love and care for diverse communities at their centre, showing us a world where the inclusion for these diverse lived experiences are possible in sport.
There are opportunities for sports organisations to think more creatively about connecting with fans who may be interested in different elements of sporting culture and fandom.
That could be through sports romance, new forms of narrative storytelling such as docuseries like Netflix’s Drive to Survive, or intersections with pop culture such as Taylor Swift’s recent impact on NFL fandom.
What is important is understanding the community and serving that community rather than trying to retrofit diverse fans into preexisting fan engagement strategies.
Sports should understand fans are not a homogeneous group, and not all diverse fans will respond to and connect with this content.
There are also risks for sports that try to shoehorn non-traditional fans into their space without fully understanding the community, such as when the National Hockey League’s Seattle Kraken targeted the sports romance audience in 2023. The initiative went horribly wrong when the organisation misguidedly promoted social media engagement which led to some users crossing the line and allegedly harassing players.
But there are rewards when it is done right. Australian Ice Hockey League discovered this after developing a genuine connection with author Emily Rath and facilitating welcoming and safe spaces for romance readers at games. The result? A surge in attendances and fan connection.
The sports romance genre is a space for sport to pay attention to, and with the second annual Sports Romance Convention taking place in Minneapolis next year, its community will continue to grow.
Kasey Symons has received funding from the Victorian Government, and national and state sport governing bodies, including the Australian Football League and the National Rugby League. She is also one of the co-founders of Siren: A Women in Sport Collective.
– ref. Sporty spice: how romance fiction is adding a new dynamic to sports fandom – https://theconversation.com/sporty-spice-how-romance-fiction-is-adding-a-new-dynamic-to-sports-fandom-261569
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force continues to hold serious concerns for the welfare of 26-year-old Gach, who has not been seen or heard from since 5:30pm on Monday 28 July 2025.
Gach is described as a 6-foot-tall male of Sudanese appearance with a lean build, short curly hair, and was last seen wearing a red or orange puffer jacket, cream-coloured tracksuit pants, and dark-coloured runners.
The NT Police Search and Rescue Section (SRS) is leading an intensive search operation, now into its third day, approximately 21 km west of Alice Springs. The operation is being supported by over 50 personnel, including members from local police units and partner agencies such as NT Emergency Services, NT Fire and Rescue Service, and Parks and Wildlife NT.
The coordinated search effort includes foot teams, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), drones, and helicopter support, with more than 500 km² of challenging terrain already covered.
Search Coordinator Acting Sergeant Chris Grotherr said, “Search efforts have been extensive, with significant contributions from local resources. These efforts will continue into day 3. However, forecasted sub-zero overnight temperatures over the coming days are increasing our concerns for Gach’s welfare.”
Police are appealing to the public for any information that may assist search efforts.
Anyone who may have seen Gach in the vicinity of Larapinta Drive, Standley Chasm, or Simpsons Gap on the evening of Monday 28 July, or who has any knowledge of his current whereabouts, is urged to contact police on 131 444.
Source: Reserve Bank of Australia
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) have today published an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to further strengthen their cooperation and coordination arrangements in support of financial stability in Australia. The updated MOU sets out the RBA and APRA’s respective roles and responsibilities for contributing to financial stability, as well as arrangements for consultation, liaison and information sharing between the two agencies. The MOU also sets out specific arrangements for coordination between the RBA and APRA in relation to macroprudential policy, liquidity support, payments policy and crisis management.
Both the RBA and APRA have responsibilities in relation to financial stability in Australia, and it is therefore important that they continue to engage closely with one other. The RBA and APRA also cooperate and coordinate with each other and other regulatory agencies on a multilateral basis through the Council of Financial Regulators. The Council of Financial Regulators has today published an updated Charter.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force holds concerns for the welfare of 26-year-old Gach, who was last seen leaving his home in Alice Springs yesterday afternoon at 3:30pm.
Gach last spoke to family later in the day at 5:30pm via phone, however he failed to attend work for a rostered shift that night.
Gach was driving his red Mazda CX5 with NT registration CG05CH, which was located this morning by police 14.5km west of John Flynn’s Grave Historical Reserve on Larapinta Drive.
He is described as being of Sudanese appearance, with dark skin and a slim build. He was last seen wearing cream tracksuit pants, a black t-shirt and black shoes.
Police are urging anyone who may have been travelling along Larapinta Drive between 5:30pm Monday 28 July and 8:00am this morning that may have seen Gach or his vehicle, or has dash cam footage, to please contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number NTP2500075979.
Source: Airservices Australia
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) have today published an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to further strengthen their cooperation and coordination arrangements in support of financial stability in Australia. The updated MOU sets out the RBA and APRA’s respective roles and responsibilities for contributing to financial stability, as well as arrangements for consultation, liaison and information sharing between the two agencies. The MOU also sets out specific arrangements for coordination between the RBA and APRA in relation to macroprudential policy, liquidity support, payments policy and crisis management.
Both the RBA and APRA have responsibilities in relation to financial stability in Australia, and it is therefore important that they continue to engage closely with one other. The RBA and APRA also cooperate and coordinate with each other and other regulatory agencies on a multilateral basis through the Council of Financial Regulators. The Council of Financial Regulators has today published an updated Charter.
Source: New places to play in Gungahlin
We’re hosting virtual consultation sessions about Public country-by-country (CBC) reporting exemptions on:
To express your interest in participating, email PublicCBC@ato.gov.au with:
We’ll be updating our web guidance on Public CBC reporting over the coming weeks with more information on reporting exemptions and exclusions.
Remember you can also submit your comments on draft Practice Statement Law Administration PS LA 2025/D1: Public country-by-country reporting exemptions until 5 September 2025.
We have tailored communication channels for medium, large and multinational businesses, to keep you up to date with updates and changes you need to know.
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Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
(“Falcon”)
Notice of Annual General and Special Shareholder Meeting and Management Information Circular
29 July 2025 – Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. (TSXV: FO, AIM: FOG) will hold its Annual General and Special Shareholder Meeting at the Conrad Hotel, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, Ireland on 27 August 2025 at 11:00 a.m. (Dublin time). A complete notice and related documents are now available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and Falcon’s website at www.falconoilandgas.com and are being sent to shareholders of record as at 21 July 2025.
Ends.
For further information, please contact:
CONTACT DETAILS:
| Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. | +353 1 676 8702 |
| Philip O’Quigley, CEO | +353 87 814 7042 |
| Anne Flynn, CFO | +353 1 676 9162 |
| Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (NOMAD & Broker) | |
| Neil McDonald / Adam Rae | +44 131 220 9771 |
About Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. is an international oil & gas company engaged in the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas assets, with the current portfolio focused in Australia, South Africa and Hungary. Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. is incorporated in British Columbia, Canada and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.
For further information on Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. please visit www.falconoilandgas.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Europe’s leading digital asset manager delivers institutional access to SEI, a breakthrough layer 1 blockchain with staking rewards
29 July 2025 | SAINT HELIER, Jersey | CoinShares International Limited (“CoinShares” or “the Group”) (Nasdaq Stockholm: CS; US OTCQX: CNSRF), the European leading investment company specialising in digital assets with over $9 billion in assets under management, today launched the CoinShares Physical Staked SEI (Ticker: CSEI, ISIN: GB00BSLNZT73) – the world’s first zero fee exchange-traded product offering regulated exposure to SEI’s high-performance blockchain infrastructure.
This launch combines CoinShares’ proven track record of delivering institutional-grade digital asset innovations with SEI’s layer 1 technology engineered to power the next generation of decentralized applications.
Strategic Timing Meets Market Demand
As European institutional appetite for diversified blockchain exposure accelerates, CoinShares has identified SEI as a standout performer in the competitive layer 1 landscape. SEI is designed to combine scalability, speed, and developer simplicity into one high-performance chain, providing industry leading infrastructure for digital asset trading with institutional-grade performance.
“We don’t just follow trends – we identify the crypto technologies that will define the future of digital finance. SEI represents exactly what institutional investors have been waiting for: a blockchain that speaks their language of performance, reliability, and scale, backed by top-tier VCs and leading platforms.” commented Jean-Marie Mognetti, CEO and Co-Founder of CoinShares
Three Critical Market Problems Solved
The launch addresses three critical market gaps:
The Perfect Partnership
This launch represents the strategic alignment of two institution-focused organisations. CoinShares’ rigorous due diligence process identified SEI as a rare combination of technological superiority and institutional readiness.
“This launch reinforces CoinShares’ position as the institutional gateway to digital asset innovation. We’re not just offering exposure to SEI – we’re delivering institutional-grade access to the future of high-performance blockchain infrastructure, with unique cost-effectiveness.” – Jean-Marie Mognetti, CEO and Co-Founder of CoinShares
Jay Jog, Co-Founder of Sei Labs, commented, “We’re honored that CoinShares has chosen to launch the world’s first SEI ETP. CoinShares has been instrumental in bridging the gap between institutional capital and crypto innovation, and this partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering institutional-grade blockchain infrastructure. The Sei network is uniquely positioned to meet the performance demands of sophisticated financial markets, and through CoinShares’ proven platform, institutional investors can now access this next-generation infrastructure with the reliability and regulatory certainty they require.”
Product Highlights
About CoinShares
CoinShares is a leading global digital asset manager that delivers a broad range of financial services across investment management, trading, and securities to a wide array of clients that include corporations, financial institutions, and individuals. Founded in 2013, the firm is headquartered in Jersey, with offices in France, Stockholm, the UK, and the US. CoinShares is regulated in Jersey by the Jersey Financial Services Commission, in France by the Autorité des marchés financiers, and in the US by the Securities and Exchange Commission, National Futures Association and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. CoinShares is publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker CS and the OTCQX under the ticker CNSRF.
For more information on CoinShares, please visit: https://coinshares.com
Company | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com
Investor Relations | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com
About SEI
Sei is the fastest Layer 1 blockchain, Providing high performance rails for digital asset markets. Sei launched its mainnet in 2023, and has since processed billions of transactions across more than 35 million wallets. Currently on Devnet, Sei’s V3 Giga update will make Sei 50x more performant than any existing EVM chain, serving as a groundbreaking new scaling approach for the Ethereum ecosystem. The team is backed by Multicoin, Jump, Coinbase Ventures, and many more.
The CoinShares Physical SEI ETP (CSEI) begins trading on SIX exchange starting 28/7/2025 in USD, with the product passported across the same European markets as CoinShares’ existing CSDS product suite, providing broad institutional and retail access.
PRESS CONTACT
CoinShares
Benoît Pellevoizin
bpellevoizin@coinshares.com
M Group Strategic Communications
Peter Padovano
coinshares@mgroupsc.com
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
IDEX Biometrics ASA today announced its first official technology partner agreement with Savyint Group, a leading digital identity and trust services provider in Vietnam. This strategic agreement will bring IDEX’s innovative biometric FIDO Access cards to market across Vietnam and Southeast Asia, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commercial expansion and demonstrating market acceptance for IDEX’s new product line in ID/Access.
The agreement addresses the rapidly growing demand for secure digital authentication solutions in Southeast Asia, where organizations across finance, government, enterprise, healthcare, and education sectors are increasingly adopting passwordless authentication and zero-trust security frameworks.
The global digital identity solutions market is experiencing explosive growth, projected to grow from $43.07 billion in 2025 to $153.63 billion by 2032, driven by escalating cybersecurity threats and regulatory compliance requirements. The FIDO authentication market specifically is expanding at an exceptional 24.4% CAGR, reaching an expected $5.72 billion by 2029, as organizations rapidly adopt passwordless authentication to combat rising phishing attacks and credential theft. Southeast Asia represents a particularly dynamic opportunity, with the region’s digital economy already reaching $295 billion in 2024 and on track to become a $1 trillion market by 2030, while Asia Pacific is anticipated to register the fastest growth rate in digital identity solutions globally.
The IDEX Total Access card represents a breakthrough in secure authentication technology, combining the convenience of traditional access cards with advanced fingerprint biometric authentication. These FIDO-certified cards eliminate the need for passwords while providing the highest levels of security through on-card biometric matching. Users simply place their finger on the card’s integrated sensor for instant, secure authentication to access digital services, making it ideal for enterprise access control, secure login applications, and digital identity verification across multiple platforms.
“Digital trust represents the confidence users place in people, technology, and processes to create a secure digital ecosystem,” said Mr. Steve Hoang – CTO & Chairman at Savyint Group. “IDEX’s biometric FIDO Access cards enable us to significantly strengthen and expand our identity solutions portfolio, providing the robust authentication foundation that transparent and secure digital services require.”
“Savyint Group has established itself as a trailblazer in digital identity and trust services throughout Vietnam and APAC, with an impressive customer base spanning finance, government, enterprise, healthcare, and education,” said Anders Storbråten, CEO of IDEX Biometrics. “Their proven expertise in customer authentication and commitment to building comprehensive digital trust ecosystems makes them an ideal partner for introducing our biometric access technology to this dynamic market.”
This agreement represents a crucial step in building IDEX’s distributorship channel strategy, providing a proven go-to-market pathway for the company’s Total Access cards in the high-growth Southeast Asian region. The agreement positions both companies to capitalize on the accelerating shift toward biometric authentication solutions while establishing a foundation for broader regional expansion.
About SAVYINT
Savyint is an IT security company based in Sydney, Australia with an R&D center in Hanoi and international offices in Singapore, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and Sofia (Bulgaria).
With over 20 years of experience, Savyint is among the world’s leading IT companies, providing software platforms, system solutions, and services for digital transformation. Its expertise includes open banking, information security, and FinTech, particularly in the Finance & Banking, FSI, Government, Manufacturing, Telecommunications, Healthcare, Education, and Media sectors.
Website: https://savyint.com/
About IDEX Biometrics
IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity. Our solutions bring convenience, security, peace of mind and seamless user experiences to the world. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, our biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry-enabler we partner with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring our solutions to market. For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com
For further information, please contact:
Anders Storbråten, CEO and CFO, Tel: +47 416 38 582
E-mail: ir@idexbiometrics.com
About this notice:
This notice was issued by Kjell-Arne Besseberg, COO, on July 29, 2025 at 08:00 CEST on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to the Norwegian Securities Trading Act section 5-12.
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Police have arrested a 19-year-old male in relation to a violent disturbance in the Darwin CBD yesterday evening.
Around 7:35pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a group of people fighting in a car park along Cavenagh Street, with one individual reportedly armed with a machete and others throwing rocks.
Security intervened and confiscated the machete from a male who was allegedly swinging it at others involved in the altercation before the group fled the scene.
Police attended and arrested the 19-year-old male nearby. He remains in custody and has been charged Going armed in public, Breach of bail and Furnish false particulars. He is expected to appear in Darwin Local Court on 29 July 2025.
Further investigations are being undertaken to identify an additional primary alleged offender involved in the incident.
Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444 and quote reference number P25201385. Anonymous reports can also be made via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amra Lee, PhD candidate in Protection of Civilians, Australian National University
Israel partially lifted its aid blockade of Gaza this week in response to intensifying international pressure over the man-made famine in the devastated coastal strip.
The United Arab Emirates and Jordan airdropped 25 tonnes of food and humanitarian supplies on Sunday. Israel has further announced daily pauses in its military strikes on Gaza and the opening of humanitarian corridors to facilitate UN aid deliveries.
Israel reports it has permitted 70 trucks per day into the strip since May 19. This is well below the 500–600 trucks required per day, according to the United Nations.
The UN emergency relief chief, Tom Fletcher, has characterised the next few days as “make or break” for humanitarian agencies trying to reach more than two million Gazans facing “famine-like conditions”.
A third of Gazans have gone without food for several days and 90,000 women and children now require urgent care for acute malnutrition. Local health authorities have reported 147 deaths from starvation so far, 80% of whom are children.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed – without any evidence – “there is no starvation in Gaza”. This claim has been rejected by world leaders, including Netanyahu ally US President Donald Trump.
Famine expert Alex de Waal has called the famine in Gaza without precedent:
[…] there’s no case of such minutely engineered, closely monitored, precisely designed mass starvation of a population as is happening in Gaza today.
While the UN has welcomed the partial lifting of the blockade, the current aid being allowed into Gaza will not be enough to avert a wider catastrophe, due to the severity and depth of hunger in Gaza and the health needs of the people.
According to the UN World Food Programme, which has enough food stockpiled to feed all of Gaza for three months, only one thing will work:
An agreed ceasefire is the only way to reach everyone.
Air-dropping food supplies is considered a last resort due to the undignified and unsafe manner in which the aid is delivered.
The UN has already reported civilians being injured when packages have fallen on tents.
The Global Protection Cluster, a network of non-governmental organisations and UN agencies, shared a story from a mother in Al Karama, east of Gaza City, whose home was hit by an airdropped pallet, causing the roof to collapse:
Immediately following the impact, a group of people armed with knives rushed towards the house, while the mother locked herself and her children in the remaining room to protect her family. They did not receive any assistance and are fearful for their safety.
Air-dropped pallets of food are also inefficient compared with what can be delivered by road.
One truck can carry up to 20 tonnes of supplies. Trucks can also reach Gaza quickly if they are allowed to cross at the scale required. Aid agencies have repeatedly said they have the necessary aid and personnel sitting just one hour away at the border.
Given how ineffective the air drops have been – and will continue to be – the head of the UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine has called them a “distraction” and a “smokescreen”.
De Waal has also made clear how starvation differs from other war crimes – it takes weeks of denying aid for starvation to take hold.
For the 90,000 acutely malnourished women and children who require specialised and supplementary feeding, in addition to medical care, the type of food being air-dropped into Gaza will not help them. Malnourished children require nutritional screening and access to fortified pastes and baby food.
Gaza’s decimated health system is also not able to treat severely malnourished women and children, who are at risk of “refeeding syndrome” when they are provided with nutrients again. This can trigger a fatal metabolic response.
Gaza will take generations to heal from the long-term impacts of mass starvation. Malnourished children suffer lifelong cognitive and physical effects that can then be passed on to future generations.
The UN has characterised the limited reopening of aid deliveries to Gaza as a potential “lifeline”, if it’s upheld and expanded.
According to Ciaran Donnelly from the International Rescue Committee, what’s needed is “tragically simple”: Israel must fully open the Gaza borders to allow aid and humanitarian personnel to flood in.
Israel must also guarantee safe conditions for the dignified distribution of aid that reaches everyone, including women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities. The level of hunger and insecurity mean these groups are at high risk of exclusion.
The people of Gaza have the world’s attention – for now. They have endured increasingly dehumanising conditions – including the risk of being shot trying to access aid – under the cover of war for more than 21 months.
Two leading Israeli human rights organisations have just publicly called Israel’s war on Gaza “a genocide”. This builds on mounting evidence compiled by the UN and other experts that supports the same conclusion, triggering the duty under international law for all states to act to prevent genocide.
These obligations require more than words – states must exercise their full diplomatic leverage to pressure Israel to let aid in at the scale required to avert famine. States must also pressure Israel to extend its military pauses into the only durable solution – a permanent ceasefire.
Amra Lee 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.
– ref. Air-dropping food into Gaza is a ‘smokescreen’ – this is what must be done to prevent mass starvation – https://theconversation.com/air-dropping-food-into-gaza-is-a-smokescreen-this-is-what-must-be-done-to-prevent-mass-starvation-262053
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Australia completed a 5-0 sweep of the West Indies in their Twenty20 international series with Ben Dwarshuis’s bowling paving the way for a three-wicket victory in Basseterre, Saint Kitts on Monday.
Mitchell Owen top-scored for Australia with 37 off 17 balls, while Cameron Green (32), Tim David (30) and Aaron Hardie (28 nout out) all made valuable contributions as the visitors reached their target of 171 with 18 balls to spare.
The win sealed the first T20 series sweep by an Australian men’s team in the West Indies, and saw them end the tour with a perfect 8-0 record after a similar sweep in the three-test series.
“I didn’t expect 5-0 at the start of the series,” Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said. “But we played some great cricket. It was something we spoke about after the fourth game.
“We knew no Australian team had completed a clean sweep. We’ve had guys come in and played different roles for us.”
The match featured 15 sixes, which Marsh attributed to the size of the venue.
“I think it’s a small ground, so there’s always going to be more sixes than normal,” he said.
“But I think if you look down our batting order in all the five games, we had a lot of power and I guess the messaging was just to play their natural game.”
Marsh also lauded the performance of his relatively inexperienced bowlers in the death overs.
“I’m pretty sure in the last four overs, we didn’t go for more than 40 or 50 across the five games,” he said.
“It’s really hard to do. So I think all of them executed. Nathan Ellis was outstanding, Sean Abbott was brilliant. Ben Dwarshuis hasn’t played a lot, did a really good role, and even Xavier Bartlett has grown and grown as a bowler.”
West Indies fans must have feared the worst when Australia won a fifth straight toss and bowled the hosts out for 170, a total they reached thanks in large part to Shimron Hetmyer’s knock of 52 off 31 balls.
Dwarshuis picked up Hetmyer’s wicket as well as those of openers Brandon King (11) and Shai Hope (9).
“It was a little bit of a slower wicket so we tried to hit the wicket hard and use the slower balls as well,” said Dwarshuis, who was named player of the match.
Australia return home for a limited-overs series against South Africa, while the West Indies play Pakistan in three T20Is and three one-day internationals.
(Reuters)
Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority
In a major public health breakthrough, an Australian trial of the school-based OurFutures Vaping Prevention Education program has demonstrated real-world outcomes in preventing youth vaping.
Published in leading global health journal, The Lancet today, a randomised controlled trial involving more than 5,000 students across 40 schools found students who participated in the program were 65 per cent less likely to have used vapes after 12 months compared to those who did not do the course and 80 per cent said the information they learned will help them handle vaping situations in future.
Funded by the Albanese Government through the Medical Research Futures Fund and National Health and Medical Research Council, the trial is the first Australian school-based eHealth intervention proven to prevent vaping use in adolescents.
The program uses cartoon-based stories, quizzes, and classroom activities to engage and inform students. It was co-designed with young people and teachers to fit the national curriculum.
These positive findings come as the latest data from Generation Vape reveals that young people are vaping less and that vaping is increasingly seen as uncool and socially unacceptable among young people.
The OurFutures vaping program will be rolled out in schools across the country until 2028, with long-term follow-up data expected in 2026.
All secondary schools can register their interest to participate in the program and sign up today.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The OurFutures Vaping Prevention Education program is helping young Australians make informed choices and resist the pressures of vaping. It’s smart, scalable, and evidence shows that it works.
“This is exactly the kind of evidence-based, preventive action we need to protect the health of our kids.
“Young people are turning away from vaping. They’re seeing it for what it is –harmful, addictive, and pushed by Big Tobacco.
“That’s a testament to the power of education, community, and strong government
action.”
Quotes attributable to Minister Clare:
“Vaping is a major public health issue – and a major problem in our schools.
“Principals and teachers will tell you that vapes are causing serious behaviour problems in the classroom.
“Evidence-based programs like OurFutures will be critical to getting young people off vapes.
“On the back of these positive results, this program will now roll out more broadly to give teachers across the country the tools they need to educate young people and change behaviour when it comes to vaping.”
Quotes attributable to Our Futures Institute CEO Ken Wallace:
“Giving young people the knowledge and skills to resist Big Tobacco’s deliberately predatory tactics and make healthier choices is what world-leading public health action looks like.
“We’re proud to be offering a proven program to schools across the nation to protect our children’s future and stop a generation from suffering from deadly,
preventable health conditions.
“Rates of vaping among young people remain unacceptably high, and vaping is an established risk factor for tobacco smoking. We know there is more to do. Prevention is our best shot at breaking the cycle of addiction, before it starts.”
Source:
Now in its eighth year, the annual high-intensity simulation is designed to strengthen the collaboration and capabilities of all agencies in serious road incidents.
CFA crews responded to two simulated two-vehicle collisions involving patients mechanically trapped with critical injuries.
Werribee Fire Brigade Captain Michael Wells said the exercise is vital to ensuring agencies can operate seamlessly at real incidents.
“These training events allow our crews to practise advanced extrication techniques in realistic conditions,” Michael said.
“In times of crisis, training like this makes the response run much smoother. It also gives all agencies a greater understanding of what each service can bring to the scene.
“It’s more than just cutting up cars. There’s a lot involved in how we support AV and ultimately benefit the patient.”
Michael said the focus is on ensuring crews understand the full scope of road crash rescue operations.
“This exercise shows the complete picture of what our crews can do, what our equipment is capable of, and the timeframes involved at every stage,” he said.
“Road crash rescue is a vital part of the trauma care continuum. While paramedics provide pre-hospital medical care, CFA’s role is to create access so patients can be reached, treated, and transported as quickly and safely as possible.”
He said the collaboration also helps paramedics plan their interventions more effectively.
“If someone’s going to be trapped for 10 minutes versus an hour, that makes a huge difference in how AV manages the patient,” he said.
“These exercises also strengthen our relationships with hospitals. Last year, our brigade worked with The Alfred Hospital’s trauma fellows in similar training, showing the full continuum of care from the time of impact to hospital treatment.”
| Submitted by | CFA media |
|---|
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Geoff Isaac, Research Fellow, Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney
What springs to mind when you’re asked to think of plastic chairs? Do you picture the ubiquitous lightweight, stackable polypropylene chair sold cheaply in hardware stores worldwide?
Or perhaps you picture something more glamorous, such as Shiro Kuramata’s Miss Blanche (1988). This limited-edition artwork, featuring imitation roses suspended in acrylic resin, now sells for more than US$500,000 at auction.
I research industrial design, exploring the symbiotic relationship between technology, commercial design and sustainability. The 80-year history of the plastic chair was the focus of my PhD.
This humble, ubiquitous object offers unique insights into society’s shifting attitudes to plastic, and the changes to come.
The story of the plastic chair began in the United States in the 1930s, when petrochemical manufacturers DuPont and Röhm & Haas started mass-producing acrylic glass.
The material, available in rods and sheets, enabled industrial designers to produce a wide range of consumer products using traditional manufacturing techniques.
Widespread shortages of traditional materials during World War II drove further development of plastics.
After the war, designers and manufacturers quickly embraced plastics. They were seen as the foundation of a new, plentiful future, allowing the masses to access products previously reserved for the elite. Many household items such as televisions, toys and upholstery became cheaper, thanks to plastics.
Fibreglass manufacturing advanced during WWII to support the US Navy. This involves weaving strands of glass into a loose mat, which is then placed into a mould. Polyester resin is poured in to bind the fibres together before it hardens into a solid shape. Fibreglass is strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant and can be moulded into complex shapes.
The first fibreglass chair designs were Charles and Ray Eames’ Plastic Armchair and Eero Saarinen’s Tulip Chair. Then the Space Age (1957–69) inspired enthusiastic experiments with technicolor-saturated glossy surfaces and futuristic curved shapes, all made possible by fibreglass.
Designers could handcraft prototypes, perfecting comfort and form. Many designs from this era are still in production and often feature in science fiction films.
Looking back at Earth from space was a turning point for humanity. The famous Earthrise photo captured the precarious nature of our existence and dependence on finite resources, such as fossil fuels. Oil was used to make most plastic at that time.
In the 1970s, the price of oil shot up tenfold when Arab nations banned petroleum exports and cut oil production during the Arab–Iraeli War. The Iraq–Iran war followed. In 1981, oil reached US$31 per barrel. Suddenly, plastics were expensive.
Early plastics also had drawbacks. Colours faded and surfaces scratched, eroding consumer confidence. Disillusioned consumers began to favour traditional materials such as metal and timber. Few noteworthy plastic chair designs appeared during the next two decades.
In response, the plastics industry changed tactics. If consumers favoured wooden furniture, then woodchips and veneer – held together by polymer adhesives and varnished with polyurethane – offered a cost-effective solution. Plastics were simply camouflaged within an ever-increasing range of products.
As the environmental impacts of plastics became evident, the industry recognised it had an image problem and launched a major public relations effort around recycling. It worked. By the end of the century, plastics were fashionable again.
From the late 1990s, leading designers enthusiastically embraced injection moulding. This was much cheaper and faster than labour-intensive fibreglass.
Philippe Starck’s LaMarie for Kartell launched a new trend for translucent chairs. Karim Rashid launched the affordable Oh Chair and Jasper Morrison introduced air injection moulding to the industry with the Air Chair.
The revival was brief. The limitations of mechanical recycling gradually became more widely understood. Of the 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic produced by 2020, just 9% had been recycled, or more accurately “downcycled” such as by turning PET bottles into polyester for clothing.
Ocean pollution became a focus when it was shown that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in our seas. Alarm further intensified over the impact of chemical additives used in plastics and their effects on human health and the ability to reproduce.
In response, designers and manufactures are now exploring plastics made at least partly from recycled plastics or renewable organic resources such as plants, algae or even carbon dioxide (bioplastics).
My study of 60 such chairs identified the Bell Chair as the best of the bunch. Made from just 2.8kg of plastic waste, the design minimises the amount of energy required to make and transport the chair.
These chairs come off the automated production line stacked 12-high for efficient transport. The manufacturer Magis also claims Bell Chairs can be recycled at end-of-life. But the lack of a resin identification code mark, and the inclusion of fibreglass, make it unlikely the product will actually be recycled.
I thought my study would identify chairs made from bioplastics as delivering superior environmental outcomes. However, designers working with these materials were forced to compensate for inferior material strength by bulking up their designs, or mixing bio-based material with traditional plastics.
Bulky designs demand higher energy consumption during manufacture and transport, while hybridised materials are problematic as they cannot be recycled and are not biodegradable.
Bans on single-use plastics, and measures to reduce plastic packaging and increase recycled content in packaging and products, are beginning to take effect. Manufacturers are also experimenting with renewable plastics in consumer goods.
But to achieve global emissions-reduction targets, the transition from virgin fossil-based plastics to renewable plastics must accelerate. Government intervention will be crucial where voluntary industry agreements are failing, both at home and abroad.
It’s likely the plastic chair of the future will be made entirely from renewable organic resources. Creating a more circular plastics economy is not only possible, it’s imperative.
Read more:
Curious Kids: why can some plastics be recycled but others can’t?
Geoff Isaac 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.
– ref. From futuristic design icon to environmental villain – the 80-year history of the plastic chair – https://theconversation.com/from-futuristic-design-icon-to-environmental-villain-the-80-year-history-of-the-plastic-chair-257470
Source: World Health Organisation
As the world braces for increasingly complex climate and health challenges, local innovations, Indigenous knowledge, and community-rooted practices take centre stage at the 2025 Global Conference on Climate and Health, co-hosted by the Government of Brazil, WHO, and PAHO, from 29 to 31 July in Brasília.
A key feature of the Conference, the Ideas Lab, spotlights a bold new wave of thinking and doing, showcasing pioneering efforts that span from predictive malaria mapping and clean air advocacy to artificial intelligence and sustainable healthcare. Designed to complement the official programme, the Ideas Lab serves as a platform to amplify innovative local and Indigenous knowledge, youth-led and technological solutions, and cross-sector policy approaches that link climate action with better health outcomes.
Over three days, participants are presenting replicable solutions that will inform and bolster the forthcoming Belém Health Action Plan across three key tracks: 1) Health Surveillance and Monitoring, 2) Evidence-Based Policy and Capacity Building, and 3) Innovation and Production.
“The Ideas Lab is about more than showcasing innovations. It’s about equity, participation, and policy relevance,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization. “These sessions create space for communities to speak for themselves, to be heard, and to input into the COP30 process to put health at the heart of climate decisions.”
Ideas Lab contributors span Community-Based Organizations to universities, specialist networks to NGOs, with representation from across the globe.
Sessions include, among others:
Equity is at the heart of the Global Conference and equitable solutions are highlighted throughout the Ideas Lab, with sessions exploring how climate change disproportionately impacts women, migrants, Indigenous peoples, and youth, and how these groups are also leading in climate and health action. Examples include the Emerge Study which examines the relationship between climate extremes, forced migration, and health in Latin America, and how migration can be supported as an adaptive strategy, and Youth for One Health, a proposal that is grounded in intergenerational justice and builds on youth councils globally to advocate for biodiversity, planetary health, and green cities.
The Ideas Lab will feed directly into conference outcomes and COP30 preparations, helping generate actionable tools and knowledge products that can be adapted by countries, particularly through the Belém Health Action Plan. By fostering participation across regions and sectors, it aims to seed long-term collaboration across and between climate change action and human health.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The first images of Earth were captured in 1946 through a motion camera picture. The world stood still from far above while its floor held the chaos on its surface and beneath all the land. Almost eight decades from then, the world will now see what is on and under Earth in remarkable detail, all thanks to the collaborative project between ISRO and NASA called “NISAR.” Slated to be launched on July 30 from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Center,the mission is set to change the course of how we see this planet.
What exactly is NISAR?
NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) aims to monitor Earth’s surface using advanced radar imaging. A three-dimensional view of Earth will be generated through the two radars of NISARthat will be able to track changes in the surface with accuracy of a fraction of an inch. This project, which cost around $1.4 billion, is more than just a testament of collaboration between NASA and ISRO but a scientific marvel in itself. NISAR is the most advanced radar system that will generate around 80 terabytes of data per day. That is equivalent to one hundred and fifty hard drives that can store 512 GB. This is the maximum amount of data that will be generated per day by any Earth satellite that has ever been launched by NASA or ISRO. TheS-Band Radar of NISAR was developed by ISRO’s center in Ahmedabad, and the L-Band Radar was produced by NASA in Southern California. The labelling “L and S Band” is attributed to the microwave bandwidth regions from which the radar will collect the data.
How will this data from NISAR change things for scientists?
NISAR will map changes on the surface of Earth.Broadly, the applications can be seen in natural hazard monitoring, assessment of sea, ice, and glaciers, and also in crop management. The satellite will be able to see through clouds, rain, and in both day and night. The data will be able to provide insights into the time of glacial melting and provide unprecedented coverage ofAntarctica. Moreover, through NISAR, it will be possible to identify the parts of fault lines that move slowly and detect land movement essential for understanding and detecting earthquakes. Earthquakes have damaged large dams, like Koyna in 1967 and Shih-Gang in 1999, due to shaking or fault movement. NISAR satellite data can help prevent such failures by mapping ground shifts and fault risks with high precision.
The satellite will be used for ecosystem monitoring for land and ice-covered surfaces twice every twelve days and will also include parts of Earth that were not monitored so rigorously and with such frequency in the past. From forest canopies to croplands and from ice melts to land movements, NISAR will cover everything. Such detailed monitoring with advanced radar systems will thus paint a fresh picture of the planet in front of scientists. The data collected by NISAR is open access and is expected to unravel details of land movement and of ecosystems that may provide novel insights.From scientists to policymakers, this data will revolutionize our understanding of the planet.
Space Diplomacy and India’s new chapter in space
The NISAR project is critical to the US and India’s pioneering year of civil space cooperation. It was only in February 2025 when PM Modi visited the US and met President Donald Trump; the leaders hailed 2025 as a pioneering year for the U.S.-India civil space cooperation. The cooperation saw a bright beginning with the AXIOM Mission where Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla traveled to space in a collaborative mission with NASA, making him only the second after Rakesh Sharma after a gap of almost four decades. It is clear that India is scripting a new chapter in space diplomacy, and it is not restricted only to the USA. ISRO has ongoing collaborative missions with other countries like France,Japan, Australia, Russia, Italy, and Europe. Given the success rate of ISRO, it has also become a key player in foreign launches with 433 foreign satellite launches from 34 countries. ISRO is pioneering space diplomacy through strategic international collaborations, fostering global cooperation and scientific advancement. By sharing expertise, resources, and satellite data, ISRO enhances global space research, promotes peaceful exploration, and positions India as a leader in space diplomacy.
Radar, Real-Time, and Responsibility
The NISAR mission marks a monumental leap in Earth observation, uniting ISRO and NASA in a shared vision to unravel our planet’s dynamic processes. By delivering unprecedented radar data, NISAR will empower scientists and policymakers to tackle climate change, natural disasters, and sustainable resource management with newfound precision. Beyond its scientific impact, the mission underscores India’s growing stature in space diplomacy, forging global partnerships that advance peaceful exploration and collective knowledge. As ISRO continues to collaborate with nations like the U.S., France, and Japan, NISAR stands as a beacon of innovation, cooperation, and India’s leadership in shaping the future of space exploration.
(Pooja Mishra is a Content Researcher at DD India)
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
LONDON, July 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Natural catastrophes continue to put a strain on global insurance markets, according to the latest Natural Catastrophe Review published today by Willis, a WTW business (NASDAQ: WTW).
Worldwide, insured losses from natural catastrophes now consistently exceed USD 100 billion per year. It’s been six years since the insurance industry last experienced a year with low losses from natural catastrophes. Events so far in 2025 indicate that losses exceeding USD 100 billion will very likely continue for at least another year.
The Willis Natural Catastrophe Review is a biannual publication that provides insights into recent natural catastrophes and shares expert views on the risks posed by major perils. It sets out the causes and effects of major catastrophes in 2025 to date and goes beyond the headlines to identify the underlying factors that made them possible. The Review also provides an expert outlook for the rest of the year and into 2026, exploring potential threats from hurricanes, drought, flood and other hazards.
Other key trends to note:
Peter Carter, Head of Climate Practice, Willis, said: “2024 continued a 6-year streak of natural catastrophe losses in excess of USD 100 billion. The wildfires in Los Angeles early in 2025 will drive estimated losses of USD 40 billion alone so the streak looks set to continue. With global efforts likely failing to keep the temperature below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, our focus must now turn to adapting and building resilience in the face of this new reality.”
Cameron Rye, Director, Natural Catastrophe Analytics, Willis said: “The Los Angeles wildfires of January 2025 resulted in insured losses more than USD $40 billion, equivalent to nearly one-third of global insured losses the previous year. The scale and timing of the event placed immediate pressure on insurers’ catastrophe loss budgets at the beginning of the year and prompted a renewed focus on how wildfire risk is modelled, particularly in high-exposure areas like the urban-wildland interface. With an above-average number of storms predicted for the North Atlantic hurricane season, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the costliest years on record for (re)insurers.”
The full Natural Catastrophe Review can be accessed here.
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Source: APO – Report:
The fourth AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025) opened today in St. George’s under the theme “Resilience and Transformation: Enhancing Africa-Caribbean Economic Cooperation in an Era of Global Uncertainty.”
In a passionate keynote address, Prof. Benedict Oramah, outgoing President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, declared the region’s readiness to shift from slogans to systems, unveiling a slate of tangible milestones that signal the deepening of Africa-Caribbean economic and cultural integration.
“In under four years, we’ve ratified the Partnership Agreement in 11 CARICOM countries, providing the Bank a solid legal foundation to operate, support, and invest in their economies,” said Oramah. This, he acknowledged, represents a “sovereign declaration, that the CARICOM States see in Africa, not just its past, but also its future.”
These bold initiatives, shared by President Oramah during his address, demonstrate Afreximbank’s commitment to transforming Afri-Caribbean cooperation from aspiration into action:
The ACTIF2025 also serves as President Oramah’s final address at the Forum, as he prepares to hand over leadership to Dr. George Elombi, Afreximbank’s long-serving Executive Vice President nominated as incoming President by shareholders at the Bank’s 32nd Annual Meeting in Abuja in June 2025.
“At this critical moment in our collective history, I have no shred of doubt that he is the right person to lead us in the next phase of the Bank’s journey. I am convinced that he will give the Bank’s work in this region a renewed impetus,” he stated.
Looking beyond the Forum, President Oramah urged the establishment of a sovereign Global Africa Commission to drive forward the long-term integration of Africa and the Caribbean. He proposed that the Commission be jointly supported by Afreximbank, the CARICOM Secretariat, and the African Union, and tasked with advancing the trade, cultural, education, and creative agenda of the growing pan-African alliance.
“What we have done so far is prove the concept, we now need to institutionalise it,” Oramah said. “We should consider creating a Commission that becomes fully responsible for delivering on the Africa-Caribbean and broader Global Africa initiative… This move will give more focus to the initiative, reduce the administrative burden on Afreximbank and create an environment for innovation.”
In closing, President Oramah declared “In America, America is first. In Europe, Europe is first. In China, China is first. We are the only ones who put ourselves last,” noting that it is time that Africa changes this posture.
Meanwhile, Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada praised the vision and leadership of President Benedict Oramah, describing his presidency as a turning point in the Africa-Caribbean relations.
Recognising the strategy, integrity and relentless drive employed, PM Mitchell, stated that President Oramah carved out a space for ‘our regions to trade, collaborate, and thrive’. “In the annals of history, you will go down as a pioneer for African people everywhere,” the Caribbean leader declared.
Prime Minister Mitchell announced a recommendation by the region’s leaders to confer the region’s highest honour to President Oramah; the Order of the Caribbean Community.
Building on Oramah’s keynote call to institutionalise the Global Africa Initiative through the creation of a permanent Commission, Prime Minister Mitchell voiced full support.
His message was punctuated by a deeply personal interaction with a young volunteer who asked why Grenada chose to host ACTIF2025; a question he said cut to the heart of the Forum’s purpose.
“It’s about money. It’s about trade. It’s about investment… our very survival, prosperity and dignity depends on the economic decisions we make today,” he stated. “To that young man, I say: our political will to support Global Africa is unwavering. We are not starting from scratch. We are starting from strength. And we will not leave ACTIF2025 with another communiqué, we will leave here with a commitment to act, to build together, to trade together, to succeed together and rise together.”
In a sobering, yet empowering close, he added “no one is going to save Global Africa but Global Africa itself.”
More than a dozen sitting and former Heads of State, and Government representatives from Africa and the Caribbean are attending ACTIF2025. Among them are:
Meanwhile, five transformative deals totaling over US$290 million were signed on Day 1 of ACTIF2025, showcasing Afreximbank’s deepening investment in trade-enabling infrastructure and economic development across the Caribbean. Among the signings was a US$50 million Heads of Terms with the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis for an Education Construction and Rehabilitation Climate-Linked Facility, and a US$40 million public-private partnership with Gemini Integrated Commodities Trading Company Ltd. to develop a modern commercial port in Saint Kitts. In The Bahamas, two landmark transactions were formalised: a US$100 million Receivables Discounting Facility for the Bahamas Striping Group of Companies to rehabilitate over 200 miles of road infrastructure, and a US$40 million facility with Cat Island Infrastructure Company Ltd. for critical roadworks. Rounding out the signings was a US$61.25 million agreement with Speedbird House Ltd. to finance a 150-room Homewood Suites by Hilton in Bridgetown, Barbados—under Afreximbank’s tourism-linked financing initiative, CONTOUR.
ACTIF2025 continues through 30 July, with panel discussions, business matchmaking sessions, cultural showcases, and deal signings that reflect the Forum’s commitment to moving from rhetoric to results. More than 1,700 people registered to attend ACTIF2025, reflecting the highest level of interest recorded across all four editions.
– on behalf of Afreximbank.
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Email: press@afreximbank.com
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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
Anthony Albanese will recall well when another Labor prime minister was feeling the heat over Palestinian status.
It was 2012 and then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard was forced into a corner over the stand Australia should take on a motion to give Palestine observer status at the United Nations.
Gillard and her foreign minister, Bob Carr, clashed over the matter. Gillard wanted to oppose the motion, siding with the United States and Israel. Carr and others pushed back hard, and eventually Australia abstained.
In his book, Diary of a Foreign Minister, Carr records that in the cabinet debate earlier, “Albanese gave a no-holds-barred robust presentation of the case for voting ‘yes’ or abstaining”.
Now Albanese, in the wake of France having just declared it will recognise Palestine as a state, faces another, albeit different, iteration of the Palestinian status issue. The circumstances are much more direct and acute. On this occasion, he is arguing for time.
Carr is still out there advocating. But a more central voice is former minister Ed Husic (who was around in 2012, too, but still on the backbench). The Labor rank and file are strongly pro-Palestine. They are backed by the ALP platform, which calls for Palestine to be recognised as a state.
Even as a minister in the last parliamentary term, bound by cabinet solidarity, Husic pushed the boundaries when speaking out about the Middle East conflict. Having been dumped from the frontbench in factional manoeuvring after the election, he is free to say bluntly what he thinks. Now he is putting his shoulder to the wheel to advocate recognition.
In a Guardian article on Monday he reminded his Labor peers and betters “that our party has twice agreed at its highest decision-making forum – the National Conference of the Australian Labor party – to recognise the state of Palestine.
“The time to do so is absolutely right now.”
Albanese is caught between his party and his caution.
It is a fair assumption the prime minister, with his long history of being pro-Palestinian, would like to follow the lead of French President Emmanuel Macron.
Equally, however, he would want Australia to move in concert with like-minded countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. Australia has previously banded with these countries in joint statements about the Middle East conflict.
Albanese said at the weekend Australian recognition of a Palestinian state wasn’t imminent – although last year Foreign Minister Penny Wong opened the way for possible recognition as part of a peace process (rather than only accorded at the end of it).
The prime minister put a context around recognition. “How do you exclude Hamas from any involvement there? How do you ensure that a Palestinian state operates in an appropriate way which does not threaten the existence of Israel? And so we don’t do any decision as a gesture. We will do it as a way forward if the circumstances are met.”
In caucus on Tuesday, Husic pressed his point, asking how long the preconditions for statehood could be expected to take. Albanese essentially went through what he’d said before.
Labor’s Friends of Palestine group is pressing for sanctions, as well as recognition.
The group’s spokesperson Peter Moss says: “Over the past 21 months, Labor members in branches and conferences have repeatedly urged the government to join 147 UN member states and now France in recognising Palestine.
“By making recognition contingent on a non-existent peace process, the government has effectively ruled out delivering on policy that has broad public support.
“We call on the Australian government to implement official platform policy and immediately and unconditionally recognise a Palestinian state on the pre-4 June 1967 borders.”
In recent weeks more than 80 Labor branches and other party units have passed a strong motion calling for sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel.
In the last few days, the group wrote to Wong, seeking a meeting to discuss its calls for sanctions and for the Albanese government “to work with international partners to develop a practical plan for the establishment of a free and independent Palestinian State”. No meeting has yet been arranged.
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.
– ref. View from The Hill: Albanese wants international cover before Australia recognises Palestine as a state – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-albanese-wants-international-cover-before-australia-recognises-palestine-as-a-state-262028
Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Amra Lee, PhD candidate in Protection of Civilians, Australian National University
Israel partially lifted its aid blockade of Gaza this week in response to intensifying international pressure over the man-made famine in the devastated coastal strip.
The United Arab Emirates and Jordan airdropped 25 tonnes of food and humanitarian supplies on Sunday. Israel has further announced daily pauses in its military strikes on Gaza and the opening of humanitarian corridors to facilitate UN aid deliveries.
Israel reports it has permitted 70 trucks per day into the strip since May 19. This is well below the 500–600 trucks required per day, according to the United Nations.
The UN emergency relief chief, Tom Fletcher, has characterised the next few days as “make or break” for humanitarian agencies trying to reach more than two million Gazans facing “famine-like conditions”.
A third of Gazans have gone without food for several days and 90,000 women and children now require urgent care for acute malnutrition. Local health authorities have reported 147 deaths from starvation so far, 80% of whom are children.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed – without any evidence – “there is no starvation in Gaza”. This claim has been rejected by world leaders, including Netanyahu ally US President Donald Trump.
Famine expert Alex de Waal has called the famine in Gaza without precedent:
[…] there’s no case of such minutely engineered, closely monitored, precisely designed mass starvation of a population as is happening in Gaza today.
While the UN has welcomed the partial lifting of the blockade, the current aid being allowed into Gaza will not be enough to avert a wider catastrophe, due to the severity and depth of hunger in Gaza and the health needs of the people.
According to the UN World Food Programme, which has enough food stockpiled to feed all of Gaza for three months, only one thing will work:
An agreed ceasefire is the only way to reach everyone.
Air-dropping food supplies is considered a last resort due to the undignified and unsafe manner in which the aid is delivered.
The UN has already reported civilians being injured when packages have fallen on tents.
The Global Protection Cluster, a network of non-governmental organisations and UN agencies, shared a story from a mother in Al Karama, east of Gaza City, whose home was hit by an airdropped pallet, causing the roof to collapse:
Immediately following the impact, a group of people armed with knives rushed towards the house, while the mother locked herself and her children in the remaining room to protect her family. They did not receive any assistance and are fearful for their safety.
Air-dropped pallets of food are also inefficient compared with what can be delivered by road.
One truck can carry up to 20 tonnes of supplies. Trucks can also reach Gaza quickly if they are allowed to cross at the scale required. Aid agencies have repeatedly said they have the necessary aid and personnel sitting just one hour away at the border.
Given how ineffective the air drops have been – and will continue to be – the head of the UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine has called them a “distraction” and a “smokescreen”.
De Waal has also made clear how starvation differs from other war crimes – it takes weeks of denying aid for starvation to take hold.
For the 90,000 acutely malnourished women and children who require specialised and supplementary feeding, in addition to medical care, the type of food being air-dropped into Gaza will not help them. Malnourished children require nutritional screening and access to fortified pastes and baby food.
Gaza’s decimated health system is also not able to treat severely malnourished women and children, who are at risk of “refeeding syndrome” when they are provided with nutrients again. This can trigger a fatal metabolic response.
Gaza will take generations to heal from the long-term impacts of mass starvation. Malnourished children suffer lifelong cognitive and physical effects that can then be passed on to future generations.
The UN has characterised the limited reopening of aid deliveries to Gaza as a potential “lifeline”, if it’s upheld and expanded.
According to Ciaran Donnelly from the International Rescue Committee, what’s needed is “tragically simple”: Israel must fully open the Gaza borders to allow aid and humanitarian personnel to flood in.
Israel must also guarantee safe conditions for the dignified distribution of aid that reaches everyone, including women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities. The level of hunger and insecurity mean these groups are at high risk of exclusion.
The people of Gaza have the world’s attention – for now. They have endured increasingly dehumanising conditions – including the risk of being shot trying to access aid – under the cover of war for more than 21 months.
Two leading Israeli human rights organisations have just publicly called Israel’s war on Gaza “a genocide”. This builds on mounting evidence compiled by the UN and other experts that supports the same conclusion, triggering the duty under international law for all states to act to prevent genocide.
These obligations require more than words – states must exercise their full diplomatic leverage to pressure Israel to let aid in at the scale required to avert famine. States must also pressure Israel to extend its military pauses into the only durable solution – a permanent ceasefire.
Amra Lee 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.
– ref. Air-dropping food into Gaza is a ‘smokescreen’ – this is what must be done to prevent mass starvation – https://theconversation.com/air-dropping-food-into-gaza-is-a-smokescreen-this-is-what-must-be-done-to-prevent-mass-starvation-262053
MIL OSI –
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SYDNEY, July 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global broker Axi proudly announces a major milestone in its trader funding program, Axi Select, as it celebrates its 5th $1 million funded trader, and surpasses $5 million in profit payouts year-to-date.
The latest trader to reach the $1 million mark is Yoleny G, a trader who identifies as a proud wife and mother of two. Her achievement is particularly significant as she becomes the 5th trader to reach this milestone with Axi. Yoleny’s accomplishment is not only a testament of her trading discipline but also marks a personal goal on her path to Axi’s elite Pro M stage.
“I’m incredibly proud of my achievement. Reaching $1 million funded status has been a personal mission, and this is just the beginning.” – Yoleny G.
Yoleny joins an elite group of traders who have reached the $1 million funding threshold under the Axi Select program. The first two Pro M traders recently came together for an exclusive visit to Axi’s global headquarters in Sydney, where they shared insights, met the Axi team, and celebrated their collective success.
The Axi Select community has rapidly grown to over 30,000 members, making it one of the most dynamic traders funded ecosystems globally. Axi’s recent collaboration with Bloomberg further reinforces its commitment to providing high-quality resources, transparency, and market insight for retail traders striving to reach the next level of their trading journey.
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This milestone reflects Axi’s continued focus on empowering skilled traders with real opportunities to grow, backed by capital, education and access to key trading tools. As Axi continues to expand the Axi Select program and its global trading community, milestones like these reinforce the company’s commitment to providing serious traders with the tools, capital, and support they need to succeed. With more traders advancing toward higher funding levels and new initiatives on the horizon, Axi remains focused on being a market leader in this space.
About Axi
Axi is a global online FX and CFD trading company, with thousands of customers in 100+ countries worldwide. Axi offers CFDs for several asset classes including Forex, Shares, Gold, Oil, Coffee, and more.
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