CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) This is probably not the page you’re looking for Raiders legend Jason Croker has called for Hudson Young to start for the NSW Blues after an irresistible opening to the NRL season.  The edge forward has been one of the form backrowers throughout the first eight rounds of the year and is on track to add to his three State of Origin appearances.  Young has played a key role in Canberra's rise to third on the ladder and can make a statement to NSW coach Laurie Daley when the Raiders take on Melbourne in the final game of Magic Round on Sunday night. "You see the backrowers who are playing and it's tough to get into the NSW side," Croker told NRL.com. "I'm sure Hudson will be in there somewhere.  "It's the best I've seen him play and if he picks up a Blue jersey he's better off starting. He's an 80-minute player so needs to start. "Hudson's just got to keep doing what he's doing. He can't do much more, he's scoring tries, making plenty of carries and defending well. What more can you do? I have no doubt he'll want to have a good game against Melbourne." While he has played in three Origin matches, Young has struggled for playing time as an edge forward.  On debut in Game 1 of the 2023 series, the forward was replaced by Cameron Murray after 30 minutes and didn't get back on the field. He managed 62 minutes in Game 2 of that campaign before receiving just 23 minutes off the bench in last year's series opener. Such is the depth of the NSW back row stocks, Daley faces a challenge in formulating a combination that maximises each of the players he picks. Young, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin, Angus Crichton and Haumole Olakau'atu are all 80-minute players, and the coach acknowledged he has a difficult decision to make in the coming weeks.  "There is a lot of depth in the back row," Daley told NRL.com. "There's a lot of depth out wide as well if they're all available. There will be some tough conversations and debate about who we think will be in those positions.  "I'd rather have that than the alternative where you're looking around for players. If you've got a lot of good players, which we have in those positions, it's a good position to be in." The Raiders have been among the surprise packets of the NRL season, riding a dominant pack to produce a series of entertaining victories. Young has been joined by English duo Morgan Smithies and Matty Nicholson, former Queensland representative Corey Horsburgh and veterans Joseph Tapine and Josh Papalii in blasting opposition packs off the park over the past two months.  Horsburgh's resurgence has been particularly impressive after he was banished to NSW Cup for large portions of last year. The prop is averaging 137 running metres per match while maintaining his fierce defensive presence and is banging on the door of a Maroons recall. If results go their way, Canberra can climb to the top of the NRL ladder with a victory over Melbourne on Sunday night. It would also mark their first 7-2 start to a season in 22 years. While the Raiders have flown under the radar, a win would send a major statement to the rest of the competition that they are a force to be reckoned with. One of the club's greatest players, Croker was a key figure in the 2003 charge to the top four and said the current side has the perfect mix of youth and experience to enjoy similar success. "They've got a good balance there of old and young players," he said. "The younger guys have a fair bit of experience now and are going really well.  "You can see in the way they're playing, they're playing with confidence, throwing the ball around and being creative.  "They're still pretty young but they've been around for a while now. As long as they all stay nice and healthy, the team should be focused on getting to the semis and then we'll see what happens after that." Kaeo Weekes' match-defining try in all its glory NRL Press Conference: Storm v Raiders - Round 9, 2025 Get ready for amazing vocal, dance, band, instrumental and drama performances when Youth in Performing Arts (YIPA) hits the Laycock Street Community Theatre stage from May 21-24. Since 1992, YIPA has been showcasing the best young talent the Central Coast has to offer in a series of annual variety concerts. YIPA provides a bridge between exceptional youth talent and the broader community, creating a space where diverse abilities are celebrated and appreciated. The YIPA team has auditioned more than 400 performance items and selected some exceptional talent for this year’s program. There will be four YIPA variety concerts, with each concert completely different to the next. For the youth of the Central Coast, YIPA is an important opportunity to perform in a professional venue. Along the way these young performers receive support and guidance from adults with extensive experience in the performing arts. Many friendships are created back stage as the young performers meet like-minded performers with a passion for the performing arts. The YIPA concerts will be held at Laycock Street Community Theatre at 7pm from May 21-24. Tickets are available at the theatre’s box office or online at laycockstreettheatre.com/ Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ace52ddc8d370388a6608aee563a9cd3" );document.getElementById("efb1a04fa5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); I travel on the new trains daily from Woy Woy to Central and vice versa. I love the new trains apart from (the fact) they are absolutely freezing. I bought… Ettalong Memorial Bowling Club in Springwood St, Ettalong Beach, and Everglades Country Club in Dunban Rd, Woy Woy, have both submitted revised plans to Central Coast Council for significant improvements… Humpty Dumpty Foundation has sprung into action to help Central Coast Local Health District provide seven breast pumps for its midwifery and Aboriginal health services. The Pumped For Life Mother’s… Dripping blood, fear, nostalgia, healing and late-stage capitalism – the young artists of the Yarra Ranges have come together to unveil a collective VCE showcase that does not disappoint. Four students from the exhibit spoke with Star Mail journalist Tanya Steele ahead of their official launch at Burrinja Cultural Centre on Friday 2 May sharing their works and process as developing artists. With an interest in the macabre and the detail in anatomy, Harrison from Upwey High School has created a giant interactive sculpture of human organs. Not just a visual, the piece has an interactive element with fake blood dripping from it, which Harrison said was partly inspired by an exhibit he saw in the city. “It was part of this whole thing with pipes and wires everywhere – It was really cool. I really liked the sound of the water actually dripping through it,” he said. After some trial and error, Harrison said he ended up creating the massive set of organs for his work. “They had a felt filling them with random, weird materials, so that when you actually feel the organs, they’re squishy and they’re sometimes crunchy,” he said. Artist Patience, also from Upwey High School, applied a nostalgic lens to her showcase piece. Titled ‘Golden Child’, the circular oil painting explores themes of perfection and anxiety, with two figures representing the transition and changes between school and adult life. “I think everyone in this exhibition– we’re at a point where we are going from childhood out of school into adulthood for the first time,” said Patience. Putting storytelling threads into her work, Patience said she looks back on like moments that might have been insignificant at the time, but now that she is older, she regards them quite fondly. “I actually got my friends to model – it was my first big oil painting,” she said. Milla from Mater Christie has focused her attention on sculpture work for the showcase, exploring themes of sexual violence. “I made it to represent the healing process victims of sexual assault experience,” she said. A set of pristine white wings with bloodied handprints explores Milla’s feelings and processing of the horrific numbers of women who experience sexual assault in Victoria. “I put red handprints on it to show the scars left on those girls’ lives,” Milla said. Last but not least, Dean from Lilydale High School chatted about his two paintings featured in the showcase that critiqued late-stage capitalism and planned obsolescence. His two different paintings show fine detail and slow decay in one, with a saturated oil pastel in another. Dean is inspired by the world around him and said his work represents the idea that despite the illusion of improvement in technology over the years, nothing’s really gotten better. “I like observing the world, specifically with how late-stage capitalism is sort of eating itself,” he said. All four artists met with others from the showcase on Friday 2 May, and celebrated their work and achievements together – a chance to collaborate and connect across the Yarra Ranges. The Creative Showcase will be on display for free until 18 May at the Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey. young people as the disposablesA frequent error is the assumption that to appeal to these demographics Liberals must change or compromise their values SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe or the jewels in the crown – there’s no crown left Of the seats held by Liberal leaders since the party’s founding in 1944 through to the present day only two – Malcolm Fraser’s old seat of Wannon and Scott Morrison’s old seat of Cook – are still in Liberal hands Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time It’s one of the world’s most thrilling cities – home to legendary eats But Hong Kong isn’t just a destination for adventure The city is the gateway to Southeast Asia’s stock markets – a global and financial hub in close proximity to Australia That makes it a great base for young Aussies looking to build international experience Initiatives like the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) are making it even easier for international talent to move to Hong Kong Several top Australian universities are on the eligibility list for the scheme providing a streamlined pathway for young people to enter Hong Kong’s job market – and enjoy low tax rates and high career prospects “Hong Kong stood out because of its solid finance and commerce foundations.” Hong Kong is not just a career growth destination but also a place one can make their home with a high standard of living Many who make the move also use the opportunity as a chance to grow and connect in one of the world’s most dynamic cities home to a unique blend of east-meets-west culture two Australians who’ve made the move to Hong Kong share their experience Hong Kong offered Jordan the perfect launchpad to pursue regional projects and career growth across North Asia and the Asia-Pacific Jordan moved to Hong Kong in early 2024 and now works as a Senior Manager at a commercial real estate agency He wanted opportunities to work on regional projects across North Asia and APAC – and Hong Kong just seemed like the best place to be but Hong Kong stood out because of its solid finance and commerce foundations,” he says Its proximity to travel destinations across Greater China and North Asia added to the appeal And he knew the city’s reputation as a global super-connector could spell big career opportunities But what really sealed the deal was Hong Kong’s lifestyle Jordan keeps busy setting off on local food adventures like enjoying the sweet and sour pork and Chinese fried noodles at the Sheung Wan wet market Jordan has found many parallels between Hong Kong and Australia infrastructure and working environment are all similar to home And Hong Kong’s established Australian expat network means he’s never short of camaraderie He’s even found an unexpected home away from home: an Australian-rules football team None of it would have happened without the flexibility of Hong Kong’s TTPS visa Hong Kong is the chance to thrive in a dynamic “You can soak up the vibe and explore what the city has to offer,” he says “It’s the kind of place where you can grow professionally while living a life you love.” Hong Kong’s reputation as a global business hub perfectly complemented Jonas’ academic pursuits and professional ambitions As a Senior Consultant at a global accounting firm Jonas was drawn to Hong Kong’s status as a global business hub It also felt like a natural progression after completing a Master of International Business and gaining prior experience teaching English in Beijing Jonas found that Hong Kong’s blend of east and west actually felt a lot closer to home The city’s reputation as an international business centre also aligned perfectly with Jonas’ academic background and career aspirations I wanted a new challenge — one that would push me professionally while allowing me to explore Asia,” he says But it’s not just his career that’s benefited from being in Hong Kong Jonas loves discovering Hong Kong’s past and exploring a very layered historical heritage – from Qing Dynasty relics to Western-style architecture He likes to go on weekend walks past old forts while the city’s packed calendar of cultural exhibitions and museums keeps him busy “I love all the historical layers to Hong Kong along with its many cultural exhibitions and museums year-round.” Jonas now has the happy problem of having too much to choose from every weekend – whether it’s hiking cultural events or a quick getaway to nearby countries Despite arriving in Hong Kong without an established network – Jonas relocated under the Hong Kong Employment Visa for Non-Local Graduates – he quickly found community Joining a local rugby team was instrumental in forming friendships while his efforts to learn Cantonese have allowed him to have meaningful interactions with locals (especially when ordering dim sum and char siu fan at local neighbourhood eateries) Hong Kong already feels like home – something Jonas realised after a recent return from overseas “Stepping off the MTR into the familiar sights and sounds of Sai Ying Pun Learn more about Hong Kong’s dynamic opportunities, vibrant lifestyle, and welcoming environment here It\\u2019s one of the world\\u2019s most thrilling cities \\u2013 home to legendary eats But Hong Kong isn\\u2019t just a destination for adventure it\\u2019s also a great base for opportunities The city is the gateway to Southeast Asia\\u2019s stock markets \\u2013 a global and financial hub in close proximity to Australia providing a streamlined pathway for young people to enter Hong Kong\\u2019s job market \\u2013 and enjoy low tax rates and high career prospects and connect in one of the world\\u2019s most dynamic cities two Australians who\\u2019ve made the move to Hong Kong share their experience He wanted opportunities to work on regional projects across North Asia and APAC \\u2013 and Hong Kong just seemed like the best place to be but Hong Kong stood out because of its solid finance and commerce foundations,\\u201D he says And he knew the city\\u2019s reputation as a global super-connector could spell big career opportunities But what really sealed the deal was Hong Kong\\u2019s lifestyle And Hong Kong\\u2019s established Australian expat network means he\\u2019s never short of camaraderie He\\u2019s even found an unexpected home away from home: an Australian-rules football team None of it would have happened without the flexibility of Hong Kong\\u2019s TTPS visa which doesn\\u2019t require a pre-arranged job \\u201CYou can soak up the vibe and explore what the city has to offer,\\u201D he says \\u201CIt\\u2019s the kind of place where you can grow professionally while living a life you love.\\u201D Jonas was drawn to Hong Kong\\u2019s status as a global business hub Jonas found that Hong Kong\\u2019s blend of east and west actually felt a lot closer to home The city\\u2019s reputation as an international business centre also aligned perfectly with Jonas\\u2019 academic background and career aspirations I wanted a new challenge \\u2014 one that would push me professionally while allowing me to explore Asia,\\u201D he says But it\\u2019s not just his career that\\u2019s benefited from being in Hong Kong Jonas loves discovering Hong Kong\\u2019s past and exploring a very layered historical heritage \\u2013 from Qing Dynasty relics to Western-style architecture while the city\\u2019s packed calendar of cultural exhibitions and museums keeps him busy Jonas now has the happy problem of having too much to choose from every weekend \\u2013 whether it\\u2019s hiking Despite arriving in Hong Kong without an established network \\u2013 Jonas relocated under the Hong Kong Employment Visa for Non-Local Graduates \\u2013 he quickly found community Hong Kong already feels like home \\u2013 something Jonas realised after a recent return from overseas \\u201CStepping off the MTR into the familiar sights and sounds of Sai Ying Pun I felt a sense of belonging,\\u201D he says Learn more about Hong Kong\\u2019s dynamic opportunities \\u201CHong Kong stood out because of its solid finance and commerce foundations.\\u201D \\u201CI love all the historical layers to Hong Kong along with its many cultural exhibitions and museums year-round.\\u201D A young American expat has shared a scathing review of her experience living in Australia claiming the locals are 'so mean' and that bullying is far more accepted than anywhere else 'I am not saying this in a bad way or to generalise the whole country. This is just based off my personal experience. I've lived in Australia for half my life [including] all through high school,' she wrote on Reddit. It was in high school that things seemed to take a darker turn - and according to the poster, the teen environment in Australia proved deeply hostile. 'The people here (especially teenagers) are some of the worst people I've ever met,' she said. 'I've never felt more insecure and ashamed when I am around them. Bullying is so normalised here - even my school has had multiple people leave due to it, and even a death.' She added that while she's aware Australians don't always have warm feelings towards Americans, she didn't believe that justified the bullying she received. The post struck a nerve with many locals, who acknowledged that while her experience was unfortunate, it wasn't necessarily unusual - and may have more to do with a deeply embedded part of Australian culture: tall poppy syndrome. Tall poppy syndrome refers to the perceived tendency to discredit or disparage those who have achieved notable success, especially when they stand out or appear confident. In Australia, this attitude often translates into social environments where people who speak openly about their ambitions or show too much self-assurance are seen as needing to be 'cut down to size'. 'Americans tend to find the "tall poppy syndrome" of Australians our most difficult trait to understand, and foreigners generally often get bullied because of it,' one person explained. 'Americans tend to have a rugged individualism that is often upbeat and seeking to further oneself in all circumstances, and talk about it openly. Australians are taught to be constantly 'levelling' such behaviours, especially boys. 'There's a tendency to just sit down, shut up and not talk too loudly or too much and draw attention to oneself. If someone does become a little too upbeat or seeks to draw attention, they're often pulled down instantly, either to their face or behind their back.' They said the positive impact of this Australian trait is that it 'equalises social relations between classes of people' and means the 'biggest, loudest mouths get put in their place very quickly'. 'The downside is that it encourages mediocrity and allows unintelligent, low energy (and often socially inept) losers to cowardly pull others down while offering nothing in return,' they continued. 'I'm quite an upbeat and outgoing person, and being a bloke I've always had to deal with a bit of tall poppy syndrome from losers who want to "put me in my place" or whatever. Just take the hits in your stride, pick your battles and be clever about when to fight back.' Some defended the culture as a kind of rough-edged humility, arguing it keeps egos in check and discourages arrogance. 'Australians are proud of their banter culture, it's not just teens. To other people it comes off as mean,' one commenter noted. Others shared the sentiment that the country's social climate had worsened in recent years. 'I feel like we never used to be like this,' one user reflected. 'But in the last five years Australians have become a lot nastier, crueler and uncaring. I don't know whether COVID broke everyone's brains or it's social media rewarding bad behaviour, but the kindness is disappearing.' Several comments also pointed to broader issues with parenting, saying that bullying had become more prevalent due to a lack of accountability and poor role modelling.  'It's all good if your kid isn't the one being picked on,' one person wrote, adding that regional schools had become particularly tough environments. For some, the issue isn't just cultural - it's generational. 'High school kids are getting worse everywhere to be honest. Ours are bad, but everywhere has delinquents,' one Australian admitted. The original poster's experience may not reflect everyone's time in Australia, but it has tapped into a growing conversation about how the country treats confidence, ambition, and difference - especially when it comes from someone with an accent. Whether it's banter, bitterness, or something in between, the debate around tall poppy syndrome and everyday cruelty continues to strike a chord with Australians and expats alike. No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first. {{message}} Alex Moore lives in Australia's most expensive regional town Link copiedShareShare articleWhen Alex Moore walks out his front door he sees a "for sale" sign in front of the house across the road It's a reminder of a dream that feels completely out of reach "[It is] currently going for around $3 million — an average house The 21-year-old student lives in the idyllic beachside town of Kiama on the New South Wales South Coast it is the most expensive place to buy a home in regional Australia Labor and the Coalition have launched their pitches to help young voters hoping to get a foot on the property ladder Labor will allow all Australians to buy their first home with a 5 per cent deposit and is promising to build 100,000 homes reserved for first-home buyers The Coalition will allow people to dip into their superannuation for a house deposit and claim interest paid on a mortgage as a tax deduction providing it is a new build Young people like Alex Moore living in Australia's most expensive towns are disappointed with both major parties' housing policies "This is a bandaid solution — this isn't anything long term that is going to be suitable for people of my generation which includes the popular beachside town of Byron Bay is the least affordable seat in regional Australia by 57.4 per cent compared to 34.1 per cent in the capital cities Byron Bay continues to attract the rich and the famous but its housing crisis is repelling young people Chandre McSweeney does not feel the major parties are thinking about young people It took social worker Chandre McSweeney three months to find her share house in the Byron Shire town of Mullumbimby The 29-year-old lives with four housemates and is still paying more rent than ever but I just don't think as a single person that is a possibility," Ms McSweeney said Byron Bay and Mullumbimby sit in the electorate of Richmond the most difficult electorate in regional Australia to buy a home A housing affordability analysis by CoreLogic found it was also the least affordable electorate in the country to rent It would take a household a median time of 16.5 years to save a 20 per cent deposit while tenants were paying a median of almost half their income on rent Ms McSweeney doubts either major party will improve her situation "I don't think they really are thinking about young people like me," she said Want even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 federal election coverage Experts are worried that both major parties' policies are likely to drive up the cost of housing Research from the McKell Institute found the superannuation for housing policy could see median home prices increase by $150,000 in Adelaide and $70,000 in Sydney The public policy think tank's executive director said the scheme was particularly unhelpful for young people and women "It has been quite disappointing to see so much of the opposition's rhetoric has been around how this will help women and young people when these are the people who do not actually have those funds in their superannuation to begin with," she said Ms Thistleton said the Coalition's other policy of claiming interest as a tax deduction would mostly help wealthier individuals the more that policy actually rewards you," she said Ms Thistleton welcomed Labor's pledge to build new homes for first-home buyers but was sceptical about whether the scheme would move the needle on supply because of construction constraints but high prices make it hard for young people to live there The housing policy neither major party wants to talk about this election is tax reform many homes in both Kiama and Byron Bay are leased as short-term rentals "It is actually quite attractive for people to have an investment property in a coastal or a regional area and have it up on a short-stay website and negatively gear it," Ms Thistleton said Mr Moore and Ms McSweeney believe the policy settings in place favour people who already have homes and property investors at the expense of people such as them Neither major party is likely to get their vote at this election Kate Dezarnaulds says neither major party has the courage to tackle housing affordability who is running in the Kiama electorate of Gilmore says voters dissatisfied with the "short-term sugar hits" offered by the major parties are backing minor parties and independents "The status quo just seems to keep on keeping on and the gap between the haves and the have-nots gets bigger and bigger," she said "How are we going to get back to a place where there is housing as a human right and get out of this two generations of housing as an investment class that is benefiting an increasingly narrow group of our population?" Alex Moore doesn't think he'll ever be able to afford to live in his home town Ms Dezarnaulds wants government investment in long-term rental stock and establishing schemes to house essential workers in regional communities Mr Moore just wants a future in the town where he grew up "It is very difficult to have this idealism that we can have a better world when you're looking right in front of you and there's just no future ahead of it for you," he said Having trouble seeing this form? Try this link. Uni graduates pay more in HECS than the gas industry pays in PPRT University used to be free but is now more expensive than ever. After graduating with an arts degree a young Australian will now repay the government around $50,000 It’s almost impossible to save for a house deposit House prices are growing quicker than wages, so the amount a deposit costs has grown faster than most young workers can save. Our Chief Economist Greg Jericho has worked out that for most people if you started saving for a house 10 years ago you are now further from having a home deposit than when you started you needed $154,600 for an average Sydney house deposit meaning that even if you managed to save $126,000 over ten years Younger people pay more tax on the same income than older people The amount of tax you pay is mainly based on your income But there are a number of ways that older people end up paying less tax on the same amount of income The first is that younger people are more likely than older people to have a HECS/HELP debt This debt is taken out of their pay at the same time as income tax it comes out before it arrives in their account While this is technically a repayment of debt and not tax for the person making the repayment it acts and feels exactly like paying extra tax This comes on top of the fact that most older people paid less for their higher education than younger people This includes people who went to university when it when it was free from 1974 till 1989 People under the age of 30 get $6.5 billion Older people get a much larger benefit from these tax concessions because most of their benefit goes to the rich and older people are on average more wealthy than younger people The result of this is that older people are able to use these tax concessions to reduce the tax they pay considerably more than younger people Young people are forced to buy private health insurance to help make it cheaper for older people to get medical treatment Private health insurance is directly subsided by the government – it cost the Commonwealth $7.6 billion in 2024-25 But the Commonwealth subsidises private health insurance in another way that benefits older people at the expense of younger people If people who earn more than $93,000 per year fail to take out private health insurance the Commonwealth government charges them the Medicare levy surcharge which is a higher rate of income tax that costs more than a basic private health insurance policy The effect is that young people who earn more than $93,000 per year are forced to buy private health insurance young people are less likely to actually use private health insurance than older people This means that private health insurance companies pay out far less on claims for young people Without the Medicare levy surcharge many young people would choose not to buy health insurance Losing these highly profitable younger people would mean that private health insurance companies would need to put up premiums on older people The younger customers pay for the older ones The result is that younger people earning more than $93,000 per year are effectively subsidising older people’s private health insurance 5. Same job, less pay Even after a young person turns 18 and becomes an adult serve on a jury and be deployed to fight in a war they can still be paid less than other adults Australia’s industrial relations system mandates minimum wages across the economy many of which allow for ‘junior rates’ that mean staff under 21 years old can be paid less than older workers Other countries have moved away from junior rates and towards directly experience-based criteria. For example, in New Zealand, 16- to 19-year-old workers can be paid a ‘starting-out’ minimum wage if they do not yet have six months experience with a single employer This means that workers are paid according to their ability Proponents of junior rates argue that lower pay is necessary to encourage employers to hire younger workers But over the past decade New Zealand has had broadly similar levels of youth unemployment as Australia which suggests that junior rates do not lead to higher levels of youth employment Millennials and Gen Z voters will make up 47% of the electorate which makes them the single largest voting bloc But young people are being let down by timid governments that are unwilling to make policy changes that would improve their lives real action to lower the cost of tertiary education If Australian governments are unwilling to make these changes then what incentive do young people have to vote for them 1 The tax concessions used are superannuation contributions individual deductions for gifts and donations The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute Sign up A tobacco-style ban on fossil fuel advertising would be a decisive win for Australia – and the climate. When governments subsidise fossil fuels—coal, gas, diesel, petrol—they not only waste public money, they also make climate change worse. Subsidies and tax breaks make fossil fuels cheaper, making it harder to switch to renewable energy and cleaner technologies. Ending fossil fuel subsidies is common sense and good policy. The OECD has recently called for the end of Australia’s Fuel Tax Credits Scheme, which is growing in cost every year. Authorised by Ebony Bennett, The Australia Institute, Level 1, 113 Canberra Avenue, Griffith ACT 2603. The Australia Institute recognises the ancestral connections and custodianship of Traditional Owners throughout Australia. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. Richmond’s forward line has impressed across the first seven rounds of the season, with many of the Club's youngsters showcasing how dangerous they are in front of goal. The likes of Sam Lalor, Harry Armstrong, Jonty Faull, Seth Campbell, Rhyan Mansell, Steely Green, Jacob Bauer, Maurice Rioli, and Liam Fawcett have all booted goals and showed strong promise up forward across the first seven games of the season. Former 268-game Tiger, now Assistant Coach/Forwards Coach Chris Newman, said he is happy with the “progress” the young forward line is continuing to show. “There have been some positives to come out of our games so far,” Newman said. “Some patches in the games that we have played, perhaps we have fallen out of the contest at times and have allowed too many scores. “But there has also been some really good and pleasing passages of play where our younger guys have had some real impact in games. “I think with the group that we have got right now, we are trying to get that balance in games and trying to be as consistent as possible.” Assistant Coach Chris Newman speaks about his top moments from rounds 4 to 7 of the season. Newman credited the success of the forwards to the experience of two-time premiership player Tom Lynch, whose leadership has helped fast-track his teammates' development. “I’m happy with the progress that a lot of the forwards are making. We’ve got a relatively young group, apart from big Lynchy," Newman said. “But he has been really good in some of his leadership that he has providing some of those younger guys. “Particularly some of the keys that he is playing alongside, like Harry Armstrong, Liam Fawcett, Jonty Faull and those types of guys who have tried to absorb as much information as possible from him.” Newman also previewed this Sunday’s clash against Hawthorn, who are sitting in fourth spot. “They are obviously in some really good form and are playing some outstanding football,” Newman said. “We know we will have our work cut out for us, but a lot of our guys now have had a really solid week on the track, and I feel like we are prepared as well as we possibly can be to put on a good show.” All the game day information ahead of Richmond's Round 9 clash against West Coast at the 'G. Richmond has signed experienced AFLW defender and winger Lauren Brazzale to its AFLW list for the upcoming season. Several Richmond players have received fines after a melee in Sunday's MCG clash. Jacob Hopper will play his 150th AFL game this Sunday when Richmond faces Hawthorn. Richmond has signed defender Lauren Brazzale. Check out her highlights. Check out all the Super Plays from our Round 8 clash against Hawthorn thanks to Hostplus. Hear from Richmond coach Adem Yze after the Tigers Round 8 loss to Hawthorn. Check out all the Match Highlights from the Tigers clash against Hawthorn. Richmond draftee Zoe Hargreaves will unfortunately miss the 2025 AFLW season through injury. We extend our deepest respect to First Peoples and Traditional Owners of the land, air and waterways where we live and work. Young defender Matt Whitlock and forward Robert Hansen jnr are the latest Roos to put pen to paper will now remain at North Melbourne until at least the end of 2027 while Hansen jnr has signed on until at least the end of 2026 Hailing from Shepparton in country Victoria Whitlock was selected from the Murray Bushrangers with the Roos’ second pick The 18-year-old made his AFL debut and sole appearance for the Roos so far in Round 4 against the Sydney Swans following consecutive strong performances in the VFL Round 4 debutant Matt Whitlock shares the news on a Snapchat call with his best mates Originally from Kalgoorlie in outback Western Australia Hansen jnr landed at Arden Street via pick No.2 in the 2023 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft The 21-year-old has since played 12 games in the royal blue and white North Melbourne's No.46 hits the training track "Matt has stood out to us with his athleticism clean hands and ability to play at both ends of the ground,” North Melbourne head of football talent Brady Rawlings said "For him to make his AFL debut as a key position player at just 18 is a testament to the great progress he’s already made during his short time at the club "Robbie has also taken some strides forward during his time at the club and showed he can bring a spark to our forward line with his speed "We look forward to watching both players continue their development." Whitlock and Hansen jnr's contract extensions follow the re-signings of fellow youngster Taylor Goad (2028) and star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke (2032) in April We are on the lookout for the next generation of talented athletes to join the North Melbourne Academy The North Melbourne Werribee Kangaroos have suffered their first loss of the season Wil Dawson's three majors have propelled North Melbourne to its third win in a row at VFL level North Melbourne's admission to the VFL in 1925 was an underdog story in itself so it was fitting that the club's first game in the competition was another triumph over the odds Extended highlights of the Bombers and Kangaroos VFLW clash in Round 3 The Bombers and Kangaroos clash in Round 6 NMFC Media speaks to Tristan Xerri following the three-point loss to the Bombers Senior coach Alastair Clarkson speaks to reporters after Round 8's match against Essendon A scan on Friday confirmed the extent of Jackson Archer's hamstring injury The North Melbourne Kangaroos acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation the traditional owners of our spiritual homeground at Arden Street We extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia Use el menú superior o el formulario de búsqueda para encontrar otros contenidos información y entendimiento entre culturas The 2025 Young Guns Series will be played over the next fortnight with the two-match talent showcase set to again feature a host of Victoria and Tasmania’s top prospects eligible for the AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft The series will pit the Young Guns against Victoria Metro and Victoria Country under 18 teams at Werribee’s Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval The Young Guns will take on Victoria Metro on Saturday The match will be followed be a clash between the Young Guns and Victoria Country on Sunday >> WATCH THE YOUNG GUNS v VIC METRO CLASH LIVE FROM 11am AEST ON SATURDAY IN THE PLAYER BELOW The Young Guns features players who are eligible to be selected in the 2025 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft Selection in the Young Guns is based on nominations submitted by AFL club recruiters VFL clubs and Coates Talent League programs also assist with the selection process Players selected in the Young Guns compete in the VFL or as overage players in the Coates Talent League Boys competition 1 picks in the AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft – Geordie Payne Ryan Maric and Jai Culley – represented the Young Guns in the year they were drafted Seven players who represented the Young Guns in 2024 went on to be added to AFL lists Joe Pike (Geelong Cats) and Iliro Smit (Collingwood) Other current AFL players who have represented the Young Guns in recent years include Hawthorn’s Massimo D'Ambrosio and Essendon midfielder Sam Durham For the Victoria Metro and Victoria Country under 18 teams the Young Guns Series provides opportunities for players to trial for selection in the final teams to compete at the 2025 Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys Players who aren’t named to play for Victoria Metro and Victoria Country in the Young Guns Series remain eligible for selection in the final squads for the National Championships Continue below to see the squads for this week’s match between the Young Guns and Victoria Metro Squads for the clash between the Young Guns and Victoria Country will be announced next week HOW TO WATCH: Both games in the 2025 Young Guns Series will be available to watch live and free on the AFL website 2025 YOUNG GUNS SERIES – GAME 1Young Guns vs Victoria Metro U18Saturday April 26 at 11:00amMelbourne Avalon Airport Oval Gold Coast Academy’s Usher on her ACL injury rehab battles and best friend Havana Harris incredible misses and more in our look back on the April action of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership season Three-time premiership coach Mick Malthouse gives host Bharat Sundaresan the rundown on how Australian football began and how it became such a significant part of Australian culture With a challenging month of away clashes ahead Fremantle needs to find a way to win on the road if it's to seriously contend in 2025 One of footy's famous rivalries will kick off the AFLW season to mark the 10th season of the competition Check out all the action from the state leagues around the country Damian Barrett and Matthew Lloyd with the latest news and opinions from Round 8 It's an increasingly clear trend for the game's biggest stars Footy Feed: Sarah Olle and Riley Beveridge with the latest news Check out the Rising Star for AFL’s Round 8 Will a hard tag from Jack Viney be the reason Harley Reid leaves the Eagles Vote now on your favourite marks from Round 8 of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season The Match Review findings for Sunday's round eight games are in In the spirit of reconciliation the AFL acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today What does this mean for young women?5 days agoShareSaveKatty KayShareSaveBBCYoung men in the US are struggling There's no shortage of statistics – about academic achievement even lack of sex – which indicate that the boys are not alright But even having the conversation about how to tackle the young man crisis is complicated girls and women have had centuries of inbuilt disadvantages to contend with don't they finally deserve a moment to shine those who try to spin the plight of struggling young men into a zero-sum rallying cry for vengeance against women and the conversation becomes trickier still One person trying to bring the discussion into a more positive space a professor at New York University who's become a media powerhouse in recent years He hosts several podcasts – including Lost Boys He's now counseling the Democratic Party on messaging around boys and men And he has a new book coming out this autumn I wanted to talk to Scott about what's going on with young men today and how all of this affects the lives of young women We had a really thought-provoking conversation Click to watch Scott Galloway talking to Katty KayBelow is an excerpt from our conversation which has been edited for length and clarity Katty Kay: Set out the landscape for me on why you're looking at men what the crisis is as you see it in the mental and physical health of young men the data's overwhelming: Four times as likely to kill themselves anxious and depressed generation in history a 30-year-old isn't doing as well as his or her parents were at 30 Women are making more money in urban centres under the age of 30 than men I think that's a sign of victory and [there's] also more women-owned single homes than men I don't think we should do anything to get in the way of that While loneliness is an issue for both genders or a lack of a romantic relationship seems to be especially damaging Women tend to channel some of that romantic energy if they don't have it into their friendships and into the professional career young men tend to channel it into things like video games or porn – or begin sequestering from society we just have a group of emotionally and economically unviable young men I sort of relate to it because I was one of those men And had it not been for just some of the incredible offerings of America and had we not had access to family planning and my mum had been forced to carry a baby to term KK: I want to look at this from the point of view of what this means for girls: A third of American women now earn more than their partners and I've spent quite a lot of time writing books about women and girls in couples where the wife earns more than the husband they will often lie about it in the US census data to make it look like the man earns more than the wife what does it mean for couples navigating a situation where women are doing better getting better educated while men are falling behind SG: Men have not kept pace in terms of picking up the slack. If they're not adding as much economically, are they picking up the slack emotionally or logistically or domestically around the house the man's contribution to the relationship has not kept pace with the woman's ascent and increased contribution women are just sort of doing the math and saying Two-thirds of women under the age of 30 has a boyfriend Women are dating older because they want more economically and emotionally viable men KK: Part of me gets very depressed by this conversation –  Is it zero-sum that if women are going to progress financially and educationally somehow it's not going to work between men and women I think we should do nothing to get in the way of women being financially independent They should be able to reap the rewards of their hard-fought victories they're footing their skills to an information age economy I do think there's a series of programs that would level up young people in general that would create more economic viability such that if two people get together I think if we raise minimum wage to $25 an hour such that in an economy where unemployment is at historic lows such that people could just make more money Mandatory national service such that we could demonstrate heroism and more than anything I think men and young people need more third places: religious institutions Let me throw out a very provocative idea: I think young people need to drink more There is an anti-alcohol movement that has gotten a lot of purchase Forty per cent of all nightclubs in London have closed down because young people don't have money and there's an anti-alcohol movement I think the risk to the 25-year-old liver of alcohol is dwarfed by the risk of anxiety and social isolation My advice to young people – and I'm being somewhat humorous here – is to go out get out of the house more and drink more and make a series of bad decisions that might pay off KK: One of the things that we've talked about and written about in our research was this notion of kind of broadening the concept of care and that obviously women are still doing the majority of the housework and the chores and the caregiving for both kids and for elders I feel like you are looking at something similar which is redefining almost the concept of being a provider and a protector because you've done it in a way that I think we're actually getting you and I at something similar which is understanding what it means to be a provider and a protector in a slightly different way from the traditional words which might be a little off-putting to some women SG: I'm trying to figure out a way to thread the needle here I think everybody needs a code to help them guide them through the thousands of decisions that they make every day professionally and personally Some people get their code from their church could really lean into this notion of masculinity And I think of it as three very basic pillars: provider Provider: I think every man at the outset of his career in a capitalist society should assume or aim to take economic responsibility for his household And by the way sometimes that means realising your partner is better at this whole money thing and being more supportive of her career she was working at Goldman Sachs making a lot more money than me because I realised how important economic responsibility was for our house When I had this conversation five years ago, I was called Andrew Tate with a graduate degree. I was called a misogynist – Scott GallowayKK: Did you find that emasculating in any way? Did any part of you struggle with the role of being the sort of primary provider but the hard reality is and I don't think we want to admit this: I think women are less sexually attracted to men when they lose their economic viability I think your default mechanism as a man should be a protector Think about the jobs that you think of as being masculine: firemen It breaks my heart that women in New York say they don't feel safe on the subway or that if they see a group of men coming down the sidewalk We have to train our boys from an early age – I think being a man is when people are gossiping and criticising other people behind their back your default mechanism as a man is you defend that person You may not agree with the transgender community You may not think we need a law forcing a third bathroom for corporations But when you see a community being demonised that can be a fantastic motivator and means for being a better man The whole point of all of this is so you can establish deep and meaningful relationships And most people would say the deepest and most meaningful relationships they have are the relationships that have been fostered by finding someone to mate with and their kids what is the most rewarding thing in your life It's my relationship with my husband and the four children that we have SG: Sixty per cent of 30 year olds had a kid in their house 40 years ago Is it because they've decided they don't want a family or maybe they can't afford it And I'm not asking women to lower their standards I'm asking us to raise the viability to level up all young people I appreciate the fact that you're tackling stuff that is awkward But there are bad actors online who are taking some of this disconnect between the achievement levels of young men and young women and turning it into a victim story and turning it into a vengeance story we feel like we had 2,000 years of disadvantage inbuilt We were finally getting ahead and now we're being put back in a box again.' How do you navigate that first off is to acknowledge that the gag reflex is understandable and natural and maybe even makes sense America registered unbelievable prosperity and economic growth And all of that prosperity was crammed into a third of the population specifically white dudes born heterosexual my generation just registered massively unfair prosperity I always acknowledge the majority of my success is not my fault and now your hair's on fire when men aren't doing well But what I would urge is the following: empathy is not a zero-sum game and there's five people who died by suicide And you know who wants more economically and emotionally viable men Our country and our women are not going to continue to flourish unless we have more viable men And also just to recognise a 19-year-old male maybe his mother's addicted to opiates has big tech companies trying to get him to engage in porn he's got a much more risk-aggressive brain Civil rights didn't hurt white people Gay marriage didn't hurt heteronormative marriage When I had this conversation five years ago I was called Andrew Tate with a graduate degree And the conversation has become so much more productive because the people who are leading the conversation now are mothers And what I tell young men when I'm coaching is the way you know you have failed as a man is when you start blaming other people You start blaming women for your lack of sexual prospects and you start blaming immigrants for your economic problems That means you have jumped the shark and you really have lost the script So, there is an aspirational form of masculinity and I'd like to think it'll be a fantastic code for young men but we can also acknowledge our young men are struggling and they need our help If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features, videos and can't-miss news, delivered to your inbox twice a week. Rome's most stunning optical illusions revealedFrom the Malta Knights keyhole to a set of vanishing columns, discover the Eternal City's visual secrets. Steven Isserlis: 'I want to be a voice in their heads'In an intimate portrait, acclaimed cellist Steven Isserlis opens up about why he loves teaching young musicians. Watch rare sperm found by AI in IVF labWe go inside a New York City lab developing new tech to increase IVF success rates for patients. Just how dangerous is space debris?In the past decade, the dramatic surge in satellite launches has left space cluttered with junk. How your 'second brain' changes the way you thinkThe connection between our brain and gut has a profound effect on our wellbeing. We look at ways to improve it. Seven images that transformed our world viewWatch how the maps and images of our planet from above have changed over the last two millennia. Lemur mom has ingenious idea to save newborn from ticksNewly discovered behaviour shows a group of lemur mothers inventing a self-medication method involving ants. Uncovering a hangar full of rare historic campervansWatch what happens when we try to take one of the world's oldest motor homes, a 1935 Pontiac, for a spin. Lilly Sabri talks after two year silence on social mediaThe fitness influencer went silent after a story about her fiancee allegedly cheating went viral. Highly unlikely for tariffs to be ratcheted up, expert saysDavid Waddell says markets have sniffed out that there are reasons to be less pessimistic in this environment. Week in Markets - 25 Apr 2025A weekly summary of the big stories from financial markets around the world. Exploring the desert secrets of a lost Nabataean worldAn art critic uncovers mysteries from this ancient culture within Saudi Arabia's sandy landscape. The tech that can help you pick better perfumesCan AI help this BBC reporter simplify her perfume choices? Watch rare Gobi bear's reaction to finding waterSo rare they were thought to be a myth and undertake arduous journeys of up to 100 miles to find water. The spectacle of a great Pelican feeding bonanzaThe dam at Marsh Lake, Minnesota, has created an unexpected opportunity for pelicans. The ancient history of Iceland's warring Viking familiesThe Travel Show visits an immersive experience that brings to life a brutal battle between Iceland's Vikings. Yannick Nézet-Séguin: From child podigy to modern maestroThe renowned conductor and music director of the Met Opera reveals how a calling became his lifelong journey. Explore the tiny biodegradable pacemaker for newbornsResearchers have created a pacemaker smaller than a grain of rice that does not require open surgery to implant. Why you might be younger than you think you areThere is a difference between our chronological and biological age, which we have the power to control. Malaysian trade minister on US tariffsMalaysia's minister Zafrul Aziz will be representing the ASEAN bloc in its negotiations with the US. In 1956, Commander "Buster" Crabb disappeared during a visit to the UK by Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev. In 2006, a BBC reporter read the files that detailed his secret mission. Grip strength is associated with a range of health outcomes, from type 2 diabetes to depression. Here’s how to check yours. Invented to satiate pregnancy cravings, Dubai chocolate is a rare combination of creativity, flavours and social media success that has broken all industry records. Astronomers have spotted around a dozen of these weird, rare blasts. Could they be signs of a special kind of black hole? For just two weeks each spring, a rare violet artichoke is harvested by hand on Venice's northern islands – and locals go to great lengths to keep it authentic. MELBOURNE forward Jake Melksham and Port Adelaide's Willie Rioli have escaped suspension for incidents on Saturday but young West Coast player Bo Allan has copped a one-match ban for striking Melksham shoved West Coast's Jeremy McGovern in a marking contest and the Eagles defender was concussed as he collided with Demons tall The incident had some similarities to that earlier in the season in Richmond's game against St Kilda which saw Tiger Rhyan Mansell cop a three-game ban the Match Review Officer has ruled Melksham has no case to answer and is free to play Hawthorn next week Jeremy McGovern takes his time getting up after a push from Jake Melksham sends him into a heavy contest Melksham makes contact with McGovern's back and simultaneously Melksham makes contact with McGovern's foot as he positions himself to take the mark resulting in McGovern being put off balance and his head making contact with Petty's back while Petty is contesting the mark," the AFL said in a statement "It was the view of the MRO that the contact from Melksham was not of a forceful nature and that having regard to all of the circumstances it was not reasonably foreseeable that McGovern and Petty would make contact in the manner that occurred." Rioli is also free to play in next week's Showdown against Adelaide after escaping with a fine for striking Bailey Dale off the ball in Ballarat Willie Rioli may face a nervous wait from the MRO after appearing to collect Bailey Dale high away from the play has copped a week for a late strike on Demons veteran Jack Viney on Saturday night who was immediately remorseful for the incident as he arrived late to a contest will miss next week's game against Richmond West Coast first-gamer Bo Allan reacts instantly after collecting Jack Viney with a stray arm while contesting the footy Follow all the action from Sunday's round eight games “Lets Roll Again,” rallying the American car industry to “protect our children” by manufacturing electric vehicles at a rate to match China which is “way ahead—they’re building clean cars.” (“That’s hard to swallow!” he adds.) Check out the video below In verses to the tune of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” Young zeroes in on Elon Musk: “If you’re a fascist then get a Tesla/If it’s electric/It doesn’t matter/If you’re a Democrat then taste your freedom/Get whatever you want and taste your freedom.” The video accompanies the verse with a “Heil Tesla” image depicting Musk’s Nazi-style salute Talkin to the Trees is out June 13. It includes Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts’ debut single, “Big Change.” All products featured on Pitchfork are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. 01 Family Life02 Dark Mirage03 Fire Fire of Winter04 Silver Eagle05 Lets Roll Again06 Big Change07 Talkin to the Trees08 Movin Ahead09 Bottle of Love10 Thankful In this week’s Young & Restless Soapbox column that the “terrible” thing that Mariah did while out of town had taken place off screen As if viewers wouldn’t want to watch actual drama unfold But what struck me wasn’t that — by now I’m used to this show avoiding excitement at every turn — it was Sharon’s reassurance of her daughter having a psycho like Ian Ward as a guiding force in her life would have warped anybody But Mariah has a looong history of misdeeds from her criminal past in Portland to her deal with Victor to gaslight Sharon by pretending to be Cassie the show has altogether forgotten the fact that Mariah stalked ex-fiancé Tyler after cheating on him She also terrorized his then-significant other Abby Young & Restless has also decided to whitewash Tessa’s checkered past Sharon reminded Mariah that her wife was kind and good she’s been on the straight and narrow for a while now Do we need to do a flashback to the time that during “Teriah’s” relationship Tessa blackmailed Nikki into paying her a quarter of a million dollars to keep from revealing evidence that she’d been involved into J.T.’s “death” These characters are supremely flawed — damaged So why is Young & Restless trying to rewrite history and tidy up the messiness to make them both out of be saints While you’re pondering the answer to that question, review the whole twisty “Teriah” love story in the below photo gallery Mason Wood will not be available for selection in Round 8 with the 31-year-old entering concussion protocols after failing to pass a SCAT-5 test during Saturday’s match Mattaes Phillipou will put his hand up to play his first game of footy this year pending a fitness test during tomorrow’s main training session The 20-year-old had been enjoying his best pre-season to date before being sidelined with a stress fracture in his femur at the end of January An exclusive look at rising star Mattaes Phillipou as he gears up for 2025 with the assistance of our medical and strength and conditioning teams has attacked his rehabilitation with immense maturity and diligence Our hope is to see him get a good run at it for the rest of the season.” EGM of football David Misson said Max King is continuing to recover well post undergoing a knee arthroscope with a more definitive timeline to be provided in the coming weeks “Max’s long-term career and health are our top priority which we’ve been very open about,” Misson said “Following in-depth consultation and specialist recommendations we’re confident with the path we’ve chosen for Max’s recovery and look forward to seeing him progress across the coming months.” Paddy Dow is continuing to increase his running and rehabilitation load through his knee while Zaine Cordy has commenced his own rehab program three-weeks post pectoral surgery Honouring the past with eyes towards an ambitious future Check out where and when you can see the Saints in 2025 Jaimee Lambert has clinched her second Best & Fairest in St Kilda colours A considerable amount has changed between Jack Sinclair’s football career and his grandfather's white and black and an iteration of the famed club Crest have persisted A new era for St Kilda Football Club has begun with the club today unveiling its modernised club Crest to take the red Emerging Saint Hugo Garcia has been rewarded for a strong performance on Friday night Help us build a resilient community through various programs and initiatives championed by the Danny Frawley Centre Jack Macrae has polled a perfect 10 coaches votes in the Saints' big win over the Dockers on Friday night Club historian Russell Holmesby uncovers the tale of Dave Strickland Lenny Hayes delivers Hugo Garcia the news of his Rising Star nomination Re-live all the goals from our huge win against Fremantle Senior coach Ross Lyon discusses the Saints' big win over the Dockers Cooper Sharman delivers an unforgettable performance with four goals featuring a towering speccy and a Goal of the Year contender St Kilda Football Club wishes to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which the club sits all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples whose lands and waters we work 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 Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK View all partners Alarming trends show that colon – or bowel – cancer is increasing in younger people colorectal cancer is projected to become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among young adults globally by 2030 Until recently, the reasons for this surge were largely unclear or unknown. Now research points to a surprising suspect: gut bacteria Colon cancer is currently the second biggest cause of cancer death, yet only one in three cases are diagnosed in the earliest stages. Often symptomless in its early forms colon cancer typically begins as polyps and can take ten to 15 years to develop This slow progression makes regular screening crucial especially because many patients experience no early warning signs an international team analysed the complete DNA sequences of 981 colorectal cancer tumours from patients across 11 countries They discovered striking geographic patterns in the mutations that lead to cancer Two specific mutational signatures – SBS88 and ID18 – stood out for their association with colibactin a DNA-damaging toxin produced by some E coli strains These bacterial “fingerprints” were 3.3 times more common in patients diagnosed before age 40 than in those over 70 these mutations appear early in tumour development suggesting the damage may occur years – even decades – before cancer is diagnosed Colibactin doesn’t cause random DNA damage. The study found it tends to target the APC gene a vital tumour suppressor that normally controls cell growth about 25% of APC mutations bore the toxin’s unique signature This direct hit to the body’s internal “brake system” could explain why these cancers appear earlier in life Molecular analysis indicated that colibactin-associated mutations often emerge within the first ten years of life. While this suggests the toxin may silently colonise children’s guts and initiate cancerous changes early, it’s important to note that this remains a theory; the study didn’t directly examine children or young adults Still, the research maps out a microbial pattern of cancer risk. These gut bacteria are not the same as those that cause food poisoning – they often live within us and perform beneficial roles But their composition can vary widely by region and Russia – where colorectal cancer rates are climbing – showed higher levels of colibactin-related mutations This may reflect regional differences in gut microbiomes influenced by diet (particularly ultraprocessed foods) where rates are historically high but stable suggesting other causes may dominate there Perhaps the most provocative finding relates to when this bacterial damage occurs Unlike lifestyle risks that build up over decades colibactin seems to strike during a narrow window – when the microbiome is still forming in childhood or early adulthood Potential triggers could include repeated antibiotic use that disrupts healthy gut bacteria coli growth and urban living that reduces exposure to diverse microbial environments These findings may also point to new prevention strategies Screening programs could focus on younger adults carrying these high-risk bacterial strains using stool tests to detect colibactin genes Diets high in fibre and low in processed foods might promote a healthier gut microbiome The research also adds weight to calls for lowering colorectal cancer screening ages worldwide since many early-onset cases go undetected under current guidelines While this study is a major step forward, many questions remain. Why do some people carry colibactin-producing bacteria but never develop cancer? How do modern lifestyle factors amplify – or mitigate – these microbial risks? What we do know is that cancer results from the complex interplay between our genes and our environment – including the microscopic world within us. As researchers continue to connect the dots, one thing is clear: the colorectal cancer epidemic of the 21st century may have begun with silent microbial battles in our guts, decades before diagnosis. This emerging view of cancer not just as a genetic or lifestyle disease, but also as a microbial one – could fundamentally reshape how we think about prevention for future generations. Illustration by Jan BuchczikMay 1, 2025 ShareSave Listen-1.0x+0:008:56Produced by ElevenLabs and News Over Audio (Noa) using AI narration Want to stay current with Arthur’s writing? Sign up to get an email every time a new column comes out We’ve heard a lot lately about how miserable young Americans are. In the recently released World Happiness Report the United States dropped to its lowest ranking since that survey began—and that result was driven by the unhappiness of people under 30 in this country but it collects much more comprehensive data on well-being in about half a dozen distinct dimensions and in 22 countries from more than 200,000 individuals whom it follows over five years the survey shows that although young people’s emotional and psychological distress is more pronounced in wealthy industrialized nations such as the United States we might expect that left side to be pushed down in newer estimates this is exactly what the new GFS study finds and around the world: The flourishing scores don’t fall from early adulthood because they now start low; they stay low until they start to rise at the expected age The flourishing survey discovers one notable exception to this global pattern: a more traditional U-shaped curve among those young people who have more friends and intimate social relationships This dovetails with my own research into how young adults in today’s era of technologically mediated socializing are lacking real-life human contact and love—without which no one can truly flourish This exception created by greater human connection is the starting point for how we might address this pandemic of young people’s unhappiness Arthur C. Brooks: Eight Ways to Banish Misery How to account for this paradox that a practice that gives so many people a tangible well-being boost is in such clear decline? Researchers have hypothesized that the phenomenon’s predominance in well-to-do countries is essentially a function of that affluence: As society grows richer people become less religious because they no longer need the comfort of religion to cope with such miseries as hunger and early mortality I have my doubts about this economic-determinist account the new survey shows that people who attend a worship service at least weekly score 8 percent higher in flourishing measures than nonattenders But it further reveals that this positive effect is strongest among the richest and most secular nations wealth is not a great source of metaphysical comfort—and the well-being effect of religious attendance is relatively independent of economic factors This leads to the question of what exactly is missing for so many people in wealthy countries when religion declines Community connection and social capital are two answers one of the study’s categories of flourishing which it measures by asking participants whether they feel their daily activities are worthwhile and whether they understand their life’s purpose is inversely correlated with this sense of meaning: The wealthier a country gets the more bereft of meaning its citizens feel The researchers also found that these results were likely explained by secularism in richer nations This raises the issue of whether something about material success in a society naturally drives down religion or spirituality Many writers and thinkers throughout history have made this case we could go back to the Bible and the New Testament story in which a rich young man asks Jesus what he needs to do to gain admission to heaven Jesus tells the young man to sell all he has “At this the man’s face fell,” the Gospel says Arthur C. Brooks: Nostalgia is a shield against unhappiness The Global Flourishing Study exposes many interesting patterns and will undoubtedly stimulate additional research for years to come But you don’t have to wait for that to apply the findings to your life—especially if you are a young adult living in a wealthy Here are three immediate things you can do: Put close relationships with family and friends before virtually everything else avoid using technological platforms for interactions with these loved ones; focus on face-to-face contact Humans are made to relate to one another in person 2. Consider how you might develop your inner life. Given the trend toward being a none, which I’ve written about in an earlier column But let’s define spirituality broadly as beliefs and experiences not confined to organized religion—even a philosophical journey that can help you transcend the daily grind and find purpose and meaning but they’re no substitute for what your heart truly needs Money can’t buy happiness; only meaning can give you that But truisms do have the merit of being true—and the flourishing survey reveals how we’re in danger of forgetting these important verities hard data are what we need to remind us of what we always knew but had come to overlook it’s no secret that young people are the biggest voting group While no demographic fits neatly into either the Labor or Coalition camp – or completely agrees on any given issue – it will be a relief for many young Australians to know they are more than an afterthought this election Neither party has been exceedingly visionary but as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton jet around the country in a final scramble to cement their messages in the dying days of the election campaign one leader will be tossing and turning far less when they hit the hay every evening Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits the Nova studio in Perth on Thursday voters have tended to be “rusted on” to the major parties there wasn’t much anyone could do to change their minds in the weeks leading up to election day – and “safe” seats where one party was practically guaranteed to win But young people have thrown a spanner in the works Not only do Gen Z (born after 1996) and Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) make up more than 40 per cent of the national vote – outnumbering Baby Boomers for the first time – but they are increasingly pulling their support from the major parties The Greens have taken a bigger bite of the youth vote in recent elections and the Australian Electoral Study – which has surveyed voters after every election since the mid-1980s – has found support for the major parties more widely has dropped to the lowest level they’ve seen That may also be thanks to the rise of independent or teal candidates who have offered platforms more in tune with issues such as climate change – especially hurting the Coalition in wealthier While there is diversity within the youth cohort shared experiences and grievances that have clearly shaped the major parties’ campaigns – and which will ultimately determine the result of the election climate change and cost of living consistently dominate polling among young people With house prices continuing to slip out of reach of younger Australians (which their parents and grandparents are also seeing secondhand) both Labor and the Coalition have put housing policies front and centre in their campaigns Greens leader Adam Bandt and influencers Abbie Chatfield (centre) and Holly MacAlpine pose for photos with toothbrushes symbolising the minor party’s plan to put dental care in Medicare The Greens have taken a bigger bite of the youth vote in recent elections.Credit: Dan Peled Their demand-side policies are not especially helpful for dampening house prices because they increase the number of people bidding for a new home (and therefore push up house prices) Labor has guaranteed to allow all first home buyers to buy a place with a 5 per cent deposit and the Coalition has promised to allow first home buyers to withdraw some of their superannuation and reduce their income tax by deducting their mortgage payments But these policies are short-term carrots that both parties know will appeal to first home buyers – many of whom are younger wage growth failing to keep up with the growth in everyday prices and a pandemic which could have a long-term drag on their career progression a seemingly lower hurdle to enter the housing market may be welcome for many young people It’s also more immediate than policies aimed at increasing supply such as the Housing Australia Future Fund aimed at building thousands of homes and the Coalition’s less direct promise to invest in housing infrastructure such as water Both Labor and the Coalition know voters do not have the patience to wait (more) years to be able to crack into the housing market While cost of living has persistently been the number one issue for voters one party has taken the extra step when it comes to easing pressures for young people is a compelling proposition – especially for recent graduates who have racked up record levels of debt amid higher course fees It’s a policy that has strong support – even among young Coalition voters include the tendency of voters to “punish” or kick out whoever is in power during hard times even if those hard times had little to do with the government and the possibility of young people – who tend to be more progressive – choosing to back minor parties such as the Greens who have pushed for more radical policies such as capping rents While there’s recent evidence some young men are leaning more to the right and holding more conservative views than older generations meaning action on top offenders: housing affordability climate change and cost of living are crucial to gaining their support Opposition Leader Peter Dutton visited Club Pine Rivers with members of the Salvation Army Pine Rivers district Red Shield Appeal on Thursday while arguably lacking extraordinary charisma He has relentlessly hammered home announcements on urgent care clinics the campaign period has revealed some of the cracks and weaknesses in the Coalition While their fuel excise cut is undeniably one of the policies with the strongest cut-through this election they have been slow in releasing their costings backflipped on their policy to end work-from-home for public servants and only spoken about their nuclear policy when prodded Albanese has consistently demonstrated he has a solid grasp of how systems work – focusing on small improvements but never backing down or straying from their core policies Albanese has also connected more effectively in the social media space where young people tend to reside Dutton’s refusal to engage with influencers has narrowed his reach while missteps such as his declaration that he would prefer to live in Sydney’s Kirribilli House over Canberra’s Lodge While Albanese has made his fair share of mistakes and neither leader has a natural flair for social media, the prime minister’s quips, vulnerability when speaking about his mother, and ability for banter may have put him in a stronger position on platforms such as TikTok where a sense of authenticity and personality are key to connecting with users Young people may have an appetite for bolder reform and back in more independents and minor party candidates this election but Albanese will almost certainly secure a second term as prime minister While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to attracting young voters doing the “ordinary” well is probably enough to get Labor across the line The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning it\\u2019s no secret that young people are the biggest voting group While no demographic fits neatly into either the Labor or Coalition camp \\u2013 or completely agrees on any given issue \\u2013 it will be a relief for many young Australians to know they are more than an afterthought this election voters have tended to be \\u201Crusted on\\u201D to the major parties there wasn\\u2019t much anyone could do to change their minds in the weeks leading up to election day \\u2013 and \\u201Csafe\\u201D seats Not only do Gen Z (born after 1996) and Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) make up more than 40 per cent of the national vote \\u2013 outnumbering Baby Boomers for the first time \\u2013 but they are increasingly pulling their support from the major parties and the Australian Electoral Study \\u2013 which has surveyed voters after every election since the mid-1980s \\u2013 has found support for the major parties more widely has dropped to the lowest level they\\u2019ve seen That may also be thanks to the rise of independent or teal candidates who have offered platforms more in tune with issues such as climate change \\u2013 especially hurting the Coalition in wealthier shared experiences and grievances that have clearly shaped the major parties\\u2019 campaigns \\u2013 and which will ultimately determine the result of the election But these policies are short-term carrots that both parties know will appeal to first home buyers \\u2013 many of whom are younger It\\u2019s also more immediate than policies aimed at increasing supply and the Coalition\\u2019s less direct promise to invest in housing infrastructure such as water is a compelling proposition \\u2013 especially for recent graduates who have racked up record levels of debt amid higher course fees It\\u2019s a policy that has strong support \\u2013 even among young Coalition voters include the tendency of voters to \\u201Cpunish\\u201D or kick out whoever is in power during hard times and the possibility of young people \\u2013 who tend to be more progressive \\u2013 choosing to back minor parties such as the Greens who have pushed for more radical policies such as capping rents While there\\u2019s recent evidence and holding more conservative views than older generations work \\u2013 focusing on small improvements but never backing down or straying from their core policies Dutton\\u2019s refusal to engage with influencers has narrowed his reach while missteps such as his declaration that he would prefer to live in Sydney\\u2019s Kirribilli House over Canberra\\u2019s Lodge While Albanese has made his fair share of mistakes and neither leader has a natural flair for social media vulnerability when speaking about his mother and ability for banter may have put him in a such as TikTok where a sense of authenticity and personality are key to connecting with users While there\\u2019s no one-size-fits-all approach to attracting young voters doing the \\u201Cordinary\\u201D well is probably enough to get Labor across the line The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories The much-anticipated debut of a prized draftee plus the returns of Tim Kelly and Tyler Brockman have been confirmed for Saturday night’s clash against Melbourne the Eagles’ top pick in last year’s national draft with two bouts of illness hampering his selection bid But senior coach Andrew McQualter has pulled the trigger and the competitive 19-year-old will become the fifth Eagle to debut this season when he runs out in front of West Coast’s members and fans at Optus Stadium Kelly returns after missing last round’s loss to Hawthorn after his toe was stood on at training while Brockman was the travelling emergency for the clash against his former team It will be Kelly’s 150th AFL match – and 102nd for West Coast – while co-captain Oscar Allen will reach his 100-game milestone against the Demons Allen has been named at centre half-back after playing in defence last round and showing some promising signs West Coast has omitted emerging trio Hamish Davis Tyrell Dewar and Noah Long for the 5.35pm bouncedown Bailey Williams and Davis are the emergencies The Eagles are aiming for their maiden victory of 2025 on Saturday night with the match broadcast live on Fox Footy and Kayo and delayed until 7pm AWST on Channel 7 and 7-plus in Western Australia The club’s 2025 Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey has been revealed Bo Allan will miss the Eagles’ round nine clash with Richmond West Coast pulled levers to combat Melbourne's star Max Gawn The Eagles coach touched on a range of topics in his media conference on Thursday morning Steve Bandy is joined by AFL.com.au reporter Nathan Schmook to run through our round 8 clash against the Demons here are the Round 8 nominations for goal of the year Head to our Facebook page to vote for the winner Jack Graham joined us after the game tonight after losing to the Demons Melbourne's midfield dominance was too much for West Coast on Saturday night The West Coast Eagles Football Club acknowledges and pays respect to the Wadjuk people of the Noongar nation the traditional custodians of land on the swan coastal plain and east beyond the hills We pay respect to Elders both past and present and extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples The West Coast Eagles is committed to reconciliation and empowering First Nations Peoples through the establishment of the Waalitj Foundation in 2005 but it’s Young & Restless itself that needs an intervention and a belief that it can be brought back to its full potential It’s not an exaggeration to say that the entire soap has come to revolve around mental health stories and threatened corporate takeovers/job swaps… even involving companies that don’t yet exist It’s gone beyond repetitious and exhausting we get the odd psycho popping in to liven things up The type of drama we’d like to see is inexplicably dodged even when it’s right there for the taking We finally got a glimmer of something juicy this week with Mariah’s transgression we continued to be force-fed low-chemistry pairings and tedious conversations about an endless array of trivialities we couldn’t care less about but there’s no escaping the fact that we’ve reached a point where it appears the writing team has lost touch with its audience The opinions expressed are my own. Please feel free to share your thoughts on this week’s Young & Restless in the comments after taking a peek at our May Sweeps previews and predictions in the photo gallery below Dr Hannah Pitt has received funding from the Australian Research Council ACT Office of Gambling and Racing Commission She is currently a member of the Editorial Board of Health Promotion International Grace Arnot has received funding for gambling related research from the ACT Office of Gambling and Racing Commission Grace is currently a member of the Editorial Board of the journal Health Promotion International Professor Samantha Thomas has received funding for gambling and related research from the Australian Research Council She is currently Editor in Chief for Health Promotion International Dr Simone McCarthy has received funding for gambling and related research from ACT Office of Gaming and Racing Commision the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Deakin University provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU Do something about it before it gets worse This was a response from a 16-year-old boy in one of our recent studies when asked what he would say to the prime minister about gambling in Australia Even before they can legally gamble at the age of 18 young people recognise the harms that the gambling industry (and those who profit from gambling such as sporting codes) can cause to Australians And they are frustrated by a lack of government action to protect them from these harms They tell us that rather than prioritising the wellbeing of the community the government is prioritising the profits of a harmful business Politicians are also hearing concerns about gambling from the young people they represent in their communities Urging parliamentary action on gambling advertising, former Australian rugby captain and Independent ACT Senator David Pocock told parliament: They’ll talk about the odds for the upcoming games of their favourite teams What I’m hearing from people here in the ACT that I represent is that this is not the direction they want to go in For more than a decade, our team has been talking to young people and their parents about the normalisation of gambling in Australia. We have carried out multiple studies that show how pervasive marketing tactics are normalising gambling for young Australians Young people tell us they see innovative marketing strategies for different gambling products (including betting, lotteries and casinos) everywhere including during family-friendly television shows through watching and attending sport and even while walking down the street They increasingly see promotions on social media sites such as TikTok and Snapchat They can name multiple gambling brands from a young age and think gambling gives you a reason to watch sport When asked why, they say gambling adds to the fun and excitement of the game. Some tell us they would be convinced to gamble if they got a good “deal” from a company Newer forms of app-based gambling also make it is easier for young people to gamble anywhere a young person couldn’t sit in a classroom and drink alcohol when they reach the legal age but it is not unusual for young people to tell us that classmates use apps to bet on major events while at school Some researchers have also documented the extent to which young people gamble before the age of 18 One study found 31% of 12- to 17-year-olds had ever gambled and 6% had gambled in the past month They found 8% were at some level of risk of gambling harm Their concern about the risks of gambling are similar to their concerns about alcohol: 70% are at least somewhat concerned about the risks associated with gambling for their children They comment that gambling products are “highly accessible” When parents try to talk to their children about gambling they say it is almost impossible to “get the message across” given the constant exposure to ads that their children see in their everyday lives It’s advertised to children every day of the week when they watch their favourite sport stars Government decisions about how to respond to the gambling industry will have a major impact on young people’s futures But young people have rarely (if ever) been given an opportunity by the government to put forward their views Research shows when they are given the opportunity to comment on gambling policy (and gambling industry tactics) They are also able to use their own experiences to suggest strategies that would help protect them and other young people from gambling industry harm The United Nations states children have the right to be consulted about issues that matter to them and impact their futures. This includes strengthening engagement with children and young people, recognising their “agency, resilience and their positive contributions as agents of change” Young people have been central actors in the climate justice movement, and have been key stakeholders in initiatives to respond to the tactics of the junk food and tobacco industries While we talk a lot about the impact of the gambling industry on young people governments rarely consult them about the policies that are needed to protect them from harm Yet their message to the government in our research is clear are concerned about the influence of gambling marketing on the normalisation of gambling for young people believe current restrictions aimed at protecting young people are ineffective are critical of the overwhelmingly positive messages about gambling they are exposed to with very limited information about the risks and harms associated with the industry and its products The following comment from a 15-year-old sums it up best: The wellbeing of the population is more important than the revenue that comes in from these sorts of businesses Another milestone achievement for 20-year-old David Young after breaking the 25-year-old 100-metre freestyle national record during the YR Fort Lauderdale Pro Series with a time of 49.98 seconds The national record was set by Carl Probert during the Summer Olympics on September 15th then followed up with a spectacular 49.98 seconds in the evening finals establishing a new record for Fiji Aquatics and surpassing a long-standing mark that had remained for 25 years Young recorded a time of 24.31 seconds in the heats finishing 16th overall while setting a new national record by breaking his previous Commonwealth Youth Games record of 24.47 seconds He also excelled in the B finals with a remarkable time of 23.96 seconds further improving his record and placing him as the 7th fastest competitor in the 50 metes butterfly event Tolu achieved a personal best of 22.29 seconds finishing 9th overall in the heats and breaking his prior record of 22.71 seconds that was set at the Olympics in July 2024 He subsequently secured 4th place in the B finals Young has qualified for the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Singapore this August Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations Copyright © 2025 Communications Fiji Limited FM96 Legend FM Viti FM Navtarang Radio Sargam PNG Haus Bung Yumi FM Nau FM Legend FM Facebook TikTok Instagram X YouTube Threads Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Message Invalid character found in the request target The valid characters are defined in RFC 7230 and RFC 3986 Description The server cannot or will not process the request due to something that is perceived to be a client error (e.g. Note The full stack trace of the root cause is available in the server logs Tickets & Hospitality Matches Shop LUTV Foundation More... xemailLeeds United are delighted to announce that Willy Gnonto has been named the club’s Young Player of the Year for the 2024/25 campaign The 21-year-old has impressed throughout this term for the Whites making 43 appearances in the Sky Bet Championship and scoring nine goals Gnonto opened his account for the season with a well-taken effort against Portsmouth on the opening day and would cause problems for defences throughout with his pace The Italian international has been in scintillating form to end a tremendous campaign for United scoring in memorable Elland Road victories against Stoke City and Bristol City as promotion to the Premier League was secured the forward netted a timely equaliser against Plymouth Argyle before assisting Manor Solomon’s incredible last-gasp winner to crown Daniel Farke’s side as champions the attacker has received recognition with his country making three appearances for Italy’s Under-21s team to add to his international honours Map Pinkvilla