🚀WCK calls for independent investigation into IDF strikes
🚀WCK calls for independent investigation into IDF strikes
Good Evening .
Since this morning, all media outlets have reported on Taylor Auerbach, the former producer of Seven, who claims that the Federal Court network paid for Bruce Lehrmann's use of sex workers and illegal drugs.
All right, let's get started with our evening post wrap.
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The S&P/ASX 200 closed 34.8 points higher, up 0.45%.
The S&P/ASX 200 (XJO) closed with a gain of 34.8 points at 7,817.3, just 0.45% above its session low and 0.22% below its high. In the wider S&P/ASX 300 (XKO), there were significantly more advancers than decliners, with a ratio of 207 to 72.
The Information Technology (XIJ) (+1.18%) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (XPJ) (+0.75%) sectors performed strongly today, showing signs of recovery after yesterday's downturn.
Two sectors that have consistently performed well recently are the Gold (XGD) sub-index, which saw a gain of 1.17%, and the Energy (XEJ) sector, which saw a gain of 0.67%. (Please note that Utilities (XUJ), which has a significant overlap in the Energy sector, also experienced a gain of 0.94%).
💡Evening’s Headlines
Tasmanian man charged with alleged child abuse material offences.
Former Seven Network producer Taylor Auerbach testified about his bombshell claims about the network's courtship of former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann.
A new investigation into financial abuse in Australia has been announced by Senator Deborah O'Neill, Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, and Zaneta Mascarenhas MP, a member of the committee and Federal Member for Swan.
🗳️ AUS POLITICS
Australia's leader calls Israel's explanation for the deaths of aid workers "not good enough."
Australia has demanded full accountability and a transparent investigation from the Israeli Government.
The seven international aid workers that were killed in Gaza were killed for reasons that Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese deemed "not good enough."
Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom, an Australian, was one of the people who perished in the strike on Monday.
"This happens in war," Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday, acknowledging the Israel Defence Forces' airstrike on three cars transporting relief workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK).
At a press conference on Thursday, Albanese seemed to make reference to that statement.
“We need to have accountability for how it's occurred. And what isn't good enough are the statements that have been made, including that this is just a product of war," he said. “This is against humanitarian law.” [ Continue reading]
📠 BUSINESS
Google is thinking of charging users for access to its new AI-powered search tools.
In a significant change that would see the tech giant charge users of its search engine for the first time in its 25-year history, Google is thinking of charging for some new artificial intelligence-powered features. This was reported by the Financial Times.
According to the report, the Silicon Valley behemoth intends to continue offering its core search engine in its conventional format for free while introducing a new suite of AI-driven search features that would only be accessible to subscribers.
Google stated that it is "not working on or considering" launching an ad-free search engine, but it is still "building new premium capabilities and services to enhance our subscription offerings across Google" in a statement provided to the Financial Times. [ Source - Louis Goss ]
🚨 Science
New Jurassic fossil findings provide insights into the development of the middle ear in mammals - Monash University
A major finding in fossils has been made by an international team of palaeontologists, providing important insights into the evolutionary transition of early mammals' jaw joint bones to middle ear bones.
The results, which were released today in the esteemed journal Nature, shed more light on how hearing evolved in mammaliaform animals.
The Jurassic Period fossils belong to two distinct species: a pseudotribosphenic shuotheriid species and a novel species resembling morganucodontans. The specimens exhibit distinct physical traits that point to a progressive shift in the jaw joint's function towards a hearing-specific specialisation.
The morganucodontan-like species have new postdentary bone structures, and both species have mandibular middle ears (MdME), which makes this discovery significant, according to author Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich of the Monash University School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment. [ Continue reading ]
🖥️ Technology
Unbuilt Homes Brought to Virtual Life by Aussie Tech - Enviz
Plans 3D and Plans 2D have been released by Enviz (formerly EnvisionVR), an Australian proptech company that is revolutionising virtual reality (VR) for the off-the-plan real estate market by offering virtual property experiences that significantly increase buyer engagement. These services are easily accessible and reasonably priced for architects and designers, helping them to realise their clients' residential home designs and revolutionising the way people view their homes before they are constructed.
Plans 3D brings virtual property experience walk-throughs to residential design, while Plans 2D offers a new way to interact with floorplans at scale. These two tools complement Enviz's property experiences for multi-level residential developments or project home designs, which enable property developers, sales agents, and buyers to engage in-person or remotely.
Through the submission of a complete set of 2D architectural floorplans, Plans 2D and Plans 3D enable common Australians to evaluate the design of their new home from any location in the world prior to construction. With the help of Plans 2D, users can view floorplans at 1:1 scale on a tablet or mobile device and see their design at their feet no matter where they are in the globe. Plans3D goes above and beyond by producing a 1:1 scale model of the whole house with an immersive and captivating AR/VR experience that can be accessed from any location via a computer, tablet, or VR headset. [ Continue reading ]
🌎 World Tonight
Chef Jose Andres, the founder of World Central Kitchen, has charged that the Israeli military "systematically" targeted the seven aid workers from his organisation that were killed in Gaza this week and calls for independent Investigation.
Israel was held accountable for Monday's deadly attack on Tehran's consulate in Syria by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who declared that Tehran "will not go unanswered." The US maintained that it was not involved in the attack, which claimed 13 lives, despite the Pentagon's assessment that Israel was at fault.
As pressure over the Gaza conflict mounts, Israeli minister Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet and Netanyahu's chief adversary, has called for early parliamentary elections in September.
Following the earthquake that rocked the island's northern Hualien County, 663 people are still stranded, according to an update released by Taiwan's National Fire Agency (NFA) on Thursday. The agency reports that 1,067 people have been injured and that the death toll is still at nine.
🏅 Fact Check
New research highlights mental health struggles among Australian primary schoolers and their families - HCF
New research commissioned by HCF, Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund, has provided a nationally representative snapshot of the challenges faced by primary school-aged children and their families, revealing some concerning findings.
Over half (53%) of parents surveyed reported that their primary schooler had displayed mental health challenges in the past 12 months, and approximately one in three parents (37%) stated that their child had been formally diagnosed with a mental health or neurodevelopmental condition, with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and anxiety being among the most common diagnoses.
The study also highlighted gaps in accessing mental health support, with over a third (35%) of parents admitting to not seeking any form of assistance for their child.
"These statistics underscore the critical need for proactive measures to support the mental health of children and their families,” said Kirrilie Smout, clinical child psychologist and founder of Calm Kid Central.
Calm Kid Central is an online program designed to assist children dealing with emotional, social, or life challenges through interactive lessons, games, and access to an online forum of child psychologists to support parents and caregivers.
"Research suggests early intervention is linked with better outcomes for children later in life," said Ms Smout. [ Continue reading ]
📰 Good News, Inspiring, Positive Stories
703-Carat L'Heure Bleu Tanzanite Carving Sets New GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS(TM) Title as World's Largest Cut Tanzanite
It was an exciting day at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon, when artist Naomi Sarna's 703-carat L'Heure Bleu tanzanite carving set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title as the world's largest cut tanzanite, on March 9.
A standing room only crowd witnessed the "weigh in" as Guinness World Records adjudicator, Michael Empric, verified and announced the results. Gemstone experts, Jessie English, J.S. English Appraisals and Madeline Saunders, Oregon Estate Jewelry, were the official witnesses for the weighing. Rice Museum board president Gail Spann and museum director, Kim Vagner were also on hand for this historic event.
"As the Director of the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals board, and long-time supporter of this wonderful ‘gem' in Hillsboro, I couldn't have been more delighted that we hosted Naomi Sarna on her adventure with Guinness World Records that was enjoyed by many attendees! We are lucky to have such talent grace our Museum's doorstep," said Gail Copus Spann, president, board of directors, Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals.