Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: The Climate Council

THURSDAY 21 MAY, 2026 – The UN General Assembly’s historic adoption of a resolution affirming states’ legal duty to protect their own people from climate change leaves the Albanese Government with nowhere to hide on its massive fossil fuel exports. (ref. https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/05/1167561 )

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said: “This ruling establishes that the Albanese Government has a legal duty to protect Aussies from an escalating climate crisis that is already a clear and present danger. From farmers facing ruin, to regional communities pummelled by back-to-back disasters, this crisis is hitting home right now and upending our Australian way of life.

“While the government is ramping up renewable power, it is still giving fossil fuel giants a free ride. Continuing to wave through massive new coal and gas projects puts our kids' future at risk and is now clearly against international law.

“Australia rightly voted in favour of this resolution but a vote is just a symbolic gesture if it is not matched by action. Maintaining a $19 billion annual gravy train for multinational polluters is like pouring petrol on a fire while the rest of the world tries to put it out. To be a credible COP31 host, Australia must commit to an orderly phase-out of all fossil fuels.”

Climate Council Fellow Wesley Morgan said: “This landmark resolution is a massive victory for Vanuatu and the Pacific leaders who have spent decades fighting for survival on the frontlines of the climate crisis and a warning for Australian governments. For far too long, fossil fuel heavyweights have treated climate action as a political choice, but the UN General Assembly has now confirmed it is a binding legal duty.

“As the world's third-largest fossil fuel exporter, Australia can no longer ignore the catastrophic impacts our coal and gas exports are causing globally. We cannot continue to export climate pollution and expect to avoid accountability. The Australian Government must now take science-backed action to rapidly phase out fossil fuels and immediately end the approval of any new coal, oil, and gas projects.”

 

The Climate Council is Australia’s leading community-funded climate change communications organisation. We provide authoritative, expert and evidence-based advice on climate change to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au

Source: US State Department

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered opening remarks during a committee hearing on the nominations of Brock Dahl to be Legal Advisor of the Department of State, David Brat to be Ambassador to the Commonwealth of Australia, Michael Kavoukjian to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway, Eric Wendt to be Ambassador to the Republic of Albania and Michelle Steel to be Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

You can watch her opening remarks here:

https://youtu.be/DU5fL-WAezI?si=lw-wTrEMwy_aEzBQ

“Last year, at our nomination hearing for the Legal Advisor to the State Department, Mr. Dahl, I asked him whether he would commit to following the law and he actually struggled to answer,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “It was a yes or no question, but he couldn’t give me a yes answer. Over the last year, that attitude toward the law, including refusing to spend funds that congress has appropriated, has had real consequences. We have seen the termination of global health programs and now we’re seeing an Ebola outbreak in Africa. That has real implications for countries around the world. We have seen family planning commodities that have been left to expire in warehouses instead of reaching women and families who need them. Foreign assistance cuts have weakened our ability to stand with Ukraine against Russia, and none of that makes us safer or more secure.”

Ranking Member Shaheen pressed Mr. Kavoukjian, nominee for Ambassador to Norway, to strengthen our partnership with our Norwegian allies, who are on the frontlines of growing Russian aggression.

“When our Embassy in Oslo was targeted in a terrorist attack in March, we had no U.S. ambassador on the ground,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “As key posts across the Middle East remain vacant following Iran’s recent retaliatory attacks, it’s critical that we have ambassadors in U.S. posts around the world. Norway is on the front lines of growing Russian activity and sabotage efforts in the Baltics, the North Sea and in the Arctic. If confirmed, I hope you will work closely with our Norwegian allies to strengthen NATO’s presence in the Arctic and to counter Russian aggression. The United States needs to show up and lead in moments like these.”

Ranking Member Shaheen also emphasized the importance of the security of our Indo-Pacific allies and partners to Ms. Steel, nominee for Ambassador to South Korea, following the Senator’s recent bipartisan delegation to the region.

“Senator Curtis talked about your trip with him to Taiwan, but he and I and Senator Rosen from this committee recently traveled there with a bipartisan delegation,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “And across Asia, we heard the same message repeatedly: they want to see the United States stand by its allies. That’s why I was troubled when I heard the President suggest that arms sales to Taiwan might actually be an open item to negotiate with China. I think Taiwan’s security is not a bargaining chip; it’s central to deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. And allies like South Korea are watching closely to see whether American commitments remain firm. That matters not only for our security alliances, but for our economic partnerships as well. If confirmed, I hope you will work to strengthen our alliance with Seoul and reinforce deterrence in the region.”

The Ranking Member’s remarks, as delivered, are below.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and welcome to our nominees today and thank you for your willingness to think about continuing to serve this country, and welcome to all of your family and supporters who are here this morning.

Last year, at our nomination hearing for the Legal Advisor to the State Department, Mr. Dahl, I asked him whether he would commit to following the law and he actually struggled to answer. It was a yes or no question, but he couldn’t give me a yes answer. Over the last year that attitude toward the law, including refusing to spend funds that congress has appropriated, has had real consequences. We have seen the termination of global health programs, and now we’re seeing an Ebola outbreak in Africa. That has real implications for countries around the world. We have seen family planning commodities that have been left to expire in warehouses instead of reaching women and families who need them. Foreign assistance cuts have weakened our ability to stand with Ukraine against Russia, and none of that makes us safer or more secure. Mr. Dahl, if confirmed as the State Department’s next Legal Advisor, I hope you will ensure that the Administration follows the law, because as we know, the law is not optional.

Mr. Brat, you have been nominated to be the U.S. Ambassador to Australia. Like the Chairman, I think Australia is a vital ally, particularly on AUKUS. It is going to be critical for U.S. ambassador to help encourage that AUKUS continues to move forward. It’s also important for critical minerals, for countering Chinese coercion in the Indo-Pacific, and the Administration’s prolonged review of AUKUS has created uncertainty that I think has been unnecessary at a critical time in the region. It took more than a year for the Administration to nominate someone to this post, and I am glad that they finally have. I am delighted because its delays like that weaken American credibility with our allies.

Mr. Kavoukjian, […] we are delighted you are going to have a chance to go back and see Norway firsthand. When our Embassy in Oslo was targeted in a terrorist attack in March, we had no U.S. ambassador on the ground. As key posts across the Middle East remain vacant following Iran’s recent retaliatory attacks, it’s critical that we have ambassadors in U.S. posts around the world. Norway is on the front lines of growing Russian activity and sabotage efforts in the Baltics, the North Sea and in the Arctic. If confirmed, I hope you will work closely with our Norwegian allies to strengthen NATO’s presence in the Arctic and to counter Russian aggression. The United States needs to show up and lead in moments like these.

Mr. Wendt, you have been nominated to serve as ambassador to Albania. And again, as the Chairman said, Albania is one of our closest partners in the Western Balkans and a NATO ally. And it has really stood with us in so many ways. It has also stood with Ukraine and supported sanctions on Russia. If confirmed, you will be the first U.S. ambassador to Albania in three years. At a consequential moment for the region, diplomatic leadership matters.

Ms. Steel, you have been nominated to serve as ambassador to South Korea. Senator Curtis talked about your trip with him to Taiwan, but he and I and Senator Rosen from this committee recently traveled there with a bipartisan delegation. And across Asia, we heard the same message repeatedly: they want to see the United States stand by its allies.

That’s why I was troubled when I heard the President suggest that arms sales to Taiwan might actually be an open item to negotiate with China. I think Taiwan’s security is not a bargaining chip; it’s central to deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. And allies like South Korea are watching closely to see whether American commitments remain firm. That matters not only for our security alliances, but for our economic partnerships as well. If confirmed, I hope you will work to strengthen our alliance with Seoul and reinforce deterrence in the region.

Let me conclude by highlighting that last week more than 250 Foreign Service Officers were separated from the Department of State. These are professionals with deep expertise, in whom the United States has invested time and resources. I am very distressed that we are hollowing out America’s diplomatic corps and at the time when America’s leadership needs to remain strong in the world. When growing threats around the world could move us in the wrong direction.

So again, I appreciate all of you being here this morning, your willingness to be nominated and considered for these critical posts. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Source: EIG

WASHINGTON – MidOcean Energy (“MidOcean” or the “Company”), a liquefied natural gas (LNG) company formed and managed by EIG, today announced a $120 million equity investment from The Arab Energy Fund (''TAEF''), a leading multilateral impact financial institution, as part of its current equity capital raise.

TAEF's investment further strengthens MidOcean's high-quality investor base and underscores continued strong interest in the Company's strategy to build a diversified, resilient and long-life global LNG business.

There is significant further momentum from additional investors currently in documentation, and MidOcean will continue to raise capital, with a cumulative target of up to $2 billion from new investors.

R. Blair Thomas, MidOcean Chairman and EIG CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome The Arab Energy Fund as a shareholder in MidOcean. Their significant expertise in energy investments is a strong validation of MidOcean's strategy to build a leading global LNG business. In parallel, EIG and TAEF are seeking collaboration opportunities across energy infrastructure in the Middle East, with the aim of further deepening our relationship.”

De la Rey Venter, CEO of MidOcean, said: “This investment supports our strategy of building a diversified LNG portfolio and positions us well to execute on our identified growth opportunities. We welcome TAEF with its more than 50 years of experience in energy investing and focus on energy security and sustainability.”

Khalid Al-Ruwaigh, CEO of The Arab Energy Fund, said: “Our investment in MidOcean Energy reflects the Fund's commitment to supporting strategic energy platforms that contribute to global energy security and a more sustainable energy mix. LNG continues to play a critical role as a reliable and flexible energy source, and MidOcean's disciplined approach and high-quality asset base align well with our long-term investment strategy. EIG is a great partner and we look forward to unlocking further value through collaboration across energy infrastructure, particularly in the Middle East.”

Important Notice

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or purchase any securities. Any offering will be made only pursuant to applicable offering documents and in compliance with applicable securities laws.

About EIG

EIG is a leading institutional investor in the global energy and infrastructure sectors with $25.9 billion assets under management as of March 31, 2026. EIG specializes in private investments in energy and energy-related infrastructure on a global basis. During its 44-year history, EIG has committed – $53.9 billion to the energy sector through 426 projects or companies in 44 countries on six continents. EIG's clients include many of the leading pension plans, insurance companies, endowments, foundations and sovereign wealth funds in the U.S., Asia and Europe. EIG is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Houston, London, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong and Seoul. For additional information, please visit www.eigpartners.com.

About MidOcean

MidOcean Energy, an LNG company formed and managed by EIG, seeks to build a diversified, resilient, cost- and carbon-competitive global LNG portfolio. It reflects EIG's belief in LNG as a critical element of a lower carbon, competitive and more secure global energy system. MidOcean Energy has diverse LNG interests, including in LNG Canada, Gorgon LNG, Pluto LNG, QCLNG and Peru LNG. The company is headed by De la Rey Venter, a 30-year industry veteran who has held a variety of senior executive roles, including Global Head of LNG for Shell Plc. For additional information, please visit www.midoceanenergy.com.

About The Arab Energy Fund

The Arab Energy Fund (The Fund) is a multilateral impact financial institution focused on the MENA energy and utility sectors, established in 1974 by ten Arab oil-exporting countries. The Fund's mission is to support the energy ecosystem with debt and equity solutions to enable energy security and sustainability and to develop local value chains and services in the MENA region. The Arab Energy Fund creates impact by contributing to economic prosperity and enabling local communities via talent development and knowledge creation. The Fund offers a comprehensive range of funding solutions across the entire energy value chain to leading public and private sector business partners in over 35 markets. The Arab Energy Fund applies best-practice ESG principles across all operations, with environmental and socially linked projects comprising c.20% of its USD 5.8bn loan portfolio. The Arab Energy Fund is the only energy-focused financial institution in the MENA region rated 'Aa2' by Moody's, 'AA+' by Fitch and 'AA-' by S&P.

Source: Variational

Already powering $200B+ in crypto volume, Variational is using its zero-fee liquidity aggregation model to bring traditional markets on-chain.

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands – Variational, a protocol for on-chain derivatives trading, has announced a ~$50M Series A raise led by Dragonfly with support from Bain Capital Crypto, Coinbase Ventures, and other strategic investors. The funding coincides with the launch of the protocol's first Real-World Asset (RWA) markets. This initial rollout allows traders to access perpetuals on select commodities alongside their crypto portfolio, laying the groundwork for Variational to route liquidity directly from traditional markets in the coming months.

While the broader crypto industry is attempting to bootstrap RWA liquidity from scratch on isolated Central Limit Order Books (CLOBs), Variational introduces a fundamentally different architecture. Instead of starting new order books from scratch for each new market, Variational aggregates and routes liquidity from both existing traditional and on-chain markets.

By solving this “cold start” problem, Variational will allow traders to access a massive menu of global assets, from indices and single-name stocks to FX and crypto, all from a single account.

In January 2025, Variational was released into an invite-only private beta. Since then, the trading platform has processed $200+ billion in trading volume across 50k+ accounts, accumulated over $750 million in open interest, and shared over $7 million in rewards with traders.

“You can't rebuild forty years of traditional market depth from scratch on a crypto order book,” said Lucas Schuermann, CEO of Variational. “Traditional finance solved this problem with the brokerage model–we're bringing that model on-chain, aggregating RWA liquidity from where it already exists rather than waiting for it to migrate.”

Variational's initial “Phase 1” RWA release includes gold, silver, copper, and WTI Crude. This initial rollout is intended to stress-test the protocol's cross-margin engine and on-chain settlement using aggregated crypto-native liquidity. Once the infrastructure is validated, “Phase 2” will begin routing liquidity directly from TradFi sources, aiming to bring over 100+ new markets on-chain this summer.

“Order books are fine when you have the liquidity to anchor them. But for the massive universe of RWAs, more often it's a mistake. Everyone else is trying to suck liquidity through a straw, spending millions on incentives just to end up with thin books and volatile pricing,” said Haseeb Qureshi, Managing Partner at Dragonfly. “Variational's model sidesteps that entirely, mainlining liquidity from traditional markets directly on-chain. It's what 'perps on everything' requires to work at scale.”

Variational's roadmap for 2026 includes listing more RWA markets, further deepening RWA liquidity with additional partnerships, and releasing a trading API. Progress can be followed on Variational's X Account.

About Variational

Variational is a peer-to-peer trading protocol for perpetuals and generalized derivatives that has processed $200B+ in trading volume. Variational powers Omni, a zero-fee trading platform that aggregates liquidity from both on-chain and traditional markets.

Variational is built by a veteran team with decades of experience from firms like Google, Meta, Virtu, IMC, and Jane Street, and backed by leading investors including Dragonfly, Bain Capital Crypto, and Coinbase Ventures.

For more information, visit https://variational.io.

About Dragonfly

Dragonfly is a $4B crypto-focused global investment firm. Since 2017, Dragonfly has been at the forefront of blockchain and crypto innovation with a long-term oriented, technical, and research-driven approach, having been early backers of some of the most influential protocols and companies in the industry.

Source: The Hague

The Hague, the Netherlands, 20 May 2026 – Heliora Energy and the Municipality of The Hague are developing a pilot “sand battery” that stores surplus electricity and residual heat as thermal energy for later use. The project, supported through the municipality’s CO₂ reduction programme, is expected to begin testing by the end of the year at a swimming pool in The Hague.

The system addresses a growing challenge in the energy transition: renewable electricity is often generated when demand is low, while electricity grids cannot always absorb the surplus. Heliora Energy’s technology converts excess electricity directly into heat and stores it in a specialised sand mixture that can be released when energy demand is high.

The idea originated from co-founder Peter Enting’s experience in the industrial sector, where he observed that materials such as sand and slag (a waste material derived from metals) can retain heat for extended periods.

The pilot will take the form of a 20-foot container with a storage capacity of around 1 MWh, equivalent to the daily electricity use of approximately 100 households. The team expects to install it at a location with a constant heat demand, such as a swimming pool. According to Heliora Energy, one container could reduce CO₂ emissions by an estimated 20 to 35 tonnes annually, depending on how the system is operated.

“At the moment, a large share of renewable energy is curtailed or underutilised, not because it cannot be generated, but because it cannot be stored or used at the right moment,” said Enting. “Heliora’s approach focuses on bridging that gap directly in the form of heat, where demand is constant and conversion losses can be avoided.”

The project moved forward after Heliora Energy won a CO₂ reduction challenge organised by the Municipality of The Hague and ImpactCity. The initiative is part of the wider Startup in Residence Intergov programme, which connects public organisations with early-stage companies working on societal challenges.

“The energy transition is not only about producing sustainable energy, but also about using it more efficiently,” said Arjen Kapteijns, Alderman for Energy Transition, Mobility, and Resources in The Hague. “By storing residual heat, projects like this can help reduce waste and CO₂ emissions, and ease pressure on the electricity grid.”

If proven successful, the technology could support larger-scale applications in industrial sites and district heating networks, helping cities make better use of renewable energy, ease pressure on the electricity grid, and reduce dependence on fossil-based heating.

Read the full article on Stories of Purpose: https://storiesofpurpose.thehague.com/impact/the-hague-tests-sand-battery-by-heliora-energy-to-tackle-energy-waste

Learn more about Heliora energy: https://heliora-energy.com

Source: Anthony Lister Art Exhibition

# VISITORS WELCOME DAILY FROM 10AM AT 165 OXFORD STREET, DARLINGHURST

Modern art disruptor, street and adventure artist Anthony Lister, has made his long-awaited return to exhibiting a new collection of work entitled ‘Circle of Life’ after a launch event on Wednesday 13 May officially opened by KC Margaret Cunneen. The exhibition will open daily until Thursday 21 May 2026 at 165 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst.

One of Australia's most heralded inner city street artists, Lister has made a mark globally, exhibiting in the artistic Mecca's of the world: New York, Japan, London.

Says Lister, “This isn't just an art exhibition – it's a return from exile. After watching the physical world get swallowed by screens, exhibiting again feels like reclaiming territory.”

“It's about putting something real, tactile, and undeniable back into a culture that's become increasingly intangible. This show is less a comeback and more a correction.”

The theme of the exhibition is media, vanity, and collapse.

“I've placed myself on the covers of magazines – not as a celebration, but as a disruption. It's me inserting myself into a system that manufactures identity and calling out its absurdity from within,” he said.  

“Where I am now as an artist is somewhere between reflection and resistance. I'm not chasing relevance – I'm interrogating it. This work sits in that tension: between ego and critique, visibility and distortion, beauty, and something far less comfortable.”

For Lister, each piece that will feature in 'Circus of Life' had to hold tension.

“If it was too comfortable, it didn't make the cut. If it didn't challenge the viewer – or me – it wasn't strong enough,” he said.

“Together, the works operate like a magazine that's slightly unhinged – familiar on the surface, but fractured underneath.”

The exhibition will offer collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a limited selection of some of Lister's works.

www.anthonylister.com
www.listerdangerzone.com

Source: Equinor

19 MAY 2026 – Equinor has signed a 5-year agreement with the Dutch energy company Eneco for supplies of natural gas from the Norwegian continental shelf. The gas volumes will be delivered to Eneco’s wholly owned German subsidiary LichtBlick.

The agreement runs until the end of 2030 and covers annual volumes of around 2.2 terawatt‑hours (around 0.2 bcm/year), and deliveries to Germany started in April 2026. The gas supplied under the agreement has a greenhouse gas intensity lower than alternative supply into the German grid.

Eneco will purchase from Equinor guarantees of origin, named ‘sustainability qualities’, via the Attributes SAS platform. According to LichtBlick, gas under this contract has around 9% lower greenhouse gas intensity than their alternative sources.

“Norwegian gas plays an important role in supporting Europe’s energy security while also contributing to lower emissions compared with other gas sources. We are very pleased to strengthen our long‑standing partnership with Eneco through another agreement, supplying gas with a documented lower upstream emissions footprint than alternatives to support LichtBlick’s customers in Germany,” says Helle Ø. Kristiansen, senior vice president Gas & Power at Equinor.

Equinor is the largest supplier of pipeline gas to Europe, with production from the Norwegian continental shelf among the lowest‑emitting in the global gas industry. Electrification of offshore facilities and improvements across the value chain have reduced emissions from production and transport over time.

“Since its foundation, LichtBlick has been committed to the energy transition, and we work every day towards the goal of a fully renewable energy system. But we also bear responsibility for ensuring a secure energy supply for our customers – here and now. As long as gas is still needed, we are taking targeted measures to reduce emissions as much as possible. The agreement between Eneco and Equinor is one such measure. At the same time, the contract strengthens our security of supply in geopolitically uncertain times,” says Jonas Beck, director of Green Energy Markets at LichtBlick.

Natural gas is expected to remain part of Europe’s energy mix during the transition to a low‑carbon energy system, providing flexibility to support growing shares of renewable power and contributing to security of supply in a volatile geopolitical environment. The agreement with Eneco is part of Equinor’s broader portfolio of long‑term gas sales agreements with European customers, reflecting continued demand for reliable energy supplies with lower emissions while energy systems are transformed.

Attributes’ digital platform provide independent tracking of Equinor’s emissions data as reported to and published by Norwegian Authorities from Equinor to Eneco.

Source: AMES

Volunteering to help individuals can build skills and knowledge, enhance employment opportunities, provide new and challenging experiences as well as deliver feelings of personal satisfaction through contributing, a new survey has found.

It also delivers measurable benefits to those being supported; including help in finding work and acquiring skills as well intangible and benefits such as friendship and building connections within communities, the survey found.

To mark National Volunteer Week 2026, the survey was commissioned by migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia. It canvased the attitudes of 85 of the organisation’s volunteers working mostly one-on-one with newly arrived refugees and migrants.

It found that overwhelmingly, volunteers believed they, themselves, benefitted directly through helping others.

Asked whether they benefited from their volunteering work, 32 percent of volunteers said they benefited ‘significantly’ and 78 percent said they benefitted ‘somewhat’.

Among the top benefits listed were ‘a feeling of satisfaction through contributing’ (96 per cent), ‘learning about new cultures (77 per cent), ‘building social and professional networks’ (59 per cent), ‘improving personal and communication (soft) skills’ and ‘enhancing employment opportunities’ (39 per cent).

The survey also found that volunteers believed their work delivered practical and intangible benefits to those being supported.

Ninety-six per cent of volunteers said their work delivered either ‘significant’ or ‘some’ benefits to those being supported and just 4 per cent were ‘not sure’.

Among the top benefits to those being supported listed were ‘language acquisition support’ (91 per cent), ‘friendship’ (96 per cent),  ‘building connections with local communities’ (68 per cent), ‘practical support in navigating life in Australia’ (53 per cent), ‘understanding how to access services’ (56 per cent) and ‘help in finding employment’ (38 per cent).

The survey found broad satisfaction with the experience of volunteering and a general feeling that it was productive.

Fifty-four per cent of volunteers were ‘very satisfied’ with the experience, while 38 per cent were ‘somewhat’ satisfied and 8 per cent were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.

Sixty-nine per cent of respondents said they felt their volunteering was ‘very productive’ and 21 per cent said it was ‘somewhat productive’ while ten per cent were ‘not sure’.

Among the challenges in volunteering cited in the survey were ‘time restrictions’ (39 per cent) and ‘language barriers’ (27 per cent).

Overwhelmingly, volunteers surveyed were likely to recommend the experience to family and friends with 62 per cent saying they were ‘very likely’ to do so and 23 per cent saying they were ‘likely’ to do so. Ten per cent said they were neither likely nor unlikely to do so.

More than half (47 per cent) of the volunteers surveyed were aged between 45 and 64 and 20 per cent were aged 25 to 34.

Indian migrant Shaleena Shaik says volunteering helps her meet people and understand more about Australia.

The former lawyer says she also find satisfaction in helping newly arrived people learn English and settle into a new community.

“I started volunteering a year ago and it has helped me meet people and better understand how things work in Australia,” Shaleena said.

“I’ve been helping out in English conversation classes for new arrivals. I’ve also helped out with Mother’s Day and Christmas events.

“I really enjoy volunteering. It is rewarding to be able to help people start new lives in Australia. But I have benefitted also in meeting new people and getting a better understanding how things work and the social and professional environment.

“It’s a great opportunity to learn about Australia.”

Shaleena volunteers for migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia in Werribee and Footscray.

“For me it is also an opportunity to gain some Australian workplace experience,” she said.

AMES Australia CEO Melinda Collinson said the survey showed the added value volunteers can bring to an organisation.

“Our volunteers at AMES Australia to an amazing job in supporting our refugee and migrant clients and making a real difference in their lives. This gives our organisation extra reach and extra capacity,” Ms Scarth said.

“But the survey shows that volunteers also get benefits out of volunteering; and not just the feel-good effect of doing something selfless but also valuable skills, experiences and knowledge,” she said.

Source: Law Council of Australia

An independent legal profession underpins the economic, political and social foundations of Australia.

“Across the country, Law Week is being celebrated,” Law Council of Australia President, Tania Wolff said. “This is an opportunity to honour the significant contribution made by the legal profession.

“Without an independent legal profession, the core elements that define Australian democracy face the risk of compromise or even collapse.”

An independent legal profession is vital to uphold the rule of law, protect human rights, and ensure fair, impartial justice by enabling lawyers to represent clients—including those opposing the government or unpopular causes—without fear of reprisal, interference, or pressure from external interests.

Our independent judiciary – the third arm of government, along with Parliament and the Executive – depends in turn on an independent and thriving legal profession.  Both serve the administration of justice.  

“This independence helps maintain confidence that legal decisions and advice are based on law and facts, not political influence or popular demand.

“As the independence of the legal profession and judiciary is increasingly being undermined around the world; it is more important than ever that we vigorously defend it here in Australia.
“Changes to our laws and deeply worrying safety-net funding gaps to help Australians most desperately in need are tearing holes in the fabric of this independence and the rule of law.”

The legal profession also contributes to Australian society in a myriad of other ways.

“Coincidentally, it is also National Volunteer week and lawyers are prolific volunteers,” Ms Wolff said. “From working with local not-for-profits and community organisations to volunteering their services in the wake of major disasters, lawyers step up to help.

“The number of pro bono hours provided each year by our profession continues to grow. In 2024-25, Australian lawyers provided 781,596 hours of pro bono work.  This is an extraordinary contribution.  We are unaware of any other profession which works for free to this extent.  
 
“Private practitioners are also central to the ongoing delivery of legal assistance services in this country.

“Lawyers help people experiencing disadvantage including young people and children, older Australians, people with disability, asylum seekers, people who are homeless, victim-survivors of family violence and First Nations people.

“And they often do so at great personal and financial cost to themselves and their practice because they believe in access to justice for all.

“The direct employment and economic benefits provided by the legal profession are immense,” Ms Wolff said. “Over 135,000 Australians are employed within the legal sector, and the total market size of the legal services sector is estimated to be approximately $33.6 billion.”

This stimulates our economy and assists local communities through payment of taxes and rates; commercial leases and investment; and lawyers, paralegals and administrative staff salaries help support families, pay mortgages or rent, and buy goods and services from other Australian businesses.

Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

18 May 2026; Following the official declaration of an Ebola Virus Disease outbreak by the Ministry of Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 15 May, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is preparing to rapidly scale up its medical response in Ituri province, in the country’s northeast.

On the weekend of 9 and 10 May, MSF received alerts of an increased number of deaths from a suspected viral haemorraghic fever in Mongwalu health zone, an area northwest of Bunia, the capital of Ituri province. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, a team went to assess the situation and found that 55 people had died since the beginning of April. MSF also received subsequent reports that cases had been identified in Bunia and Rwampara health zones.

According to the Congolese authorities, a total of 246 suspected cases and more than 80 deaths have been reported across the three health zones. This outbreak has been caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus. The Bundibugyo strain is distinct from the more common Zaire strain in that there is no approved vaccine, and no approved treatment.

On 15 May, health authorities in neighbouring Uganda also confirmed one case of Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease in a 59-year-old Congolese male, who died on 14 May. MSF has informed the Ugandan Ministry of Health that it is ready to support the public health authorities’ response.

“The number of cases and deaths we are seeing in such a short timeframe, combined with the spread across several health zones and now across the border, is extremely concerning,” says Trish Newport, MSF Emergency Programme Manager. “In Ituri, many people already struggle to access healthcare and live with ongoing insecurity, making rapid action critical to prevent the outbreak from escalating further.”

MSF currently has teams in the affected areas of Ituri to asses medical needs, and is coordinating closely with the Congolese health authorities. In MSF’s Salama clinic in Bunia,  we have three suspected cases, who have now been isolated.

Right now, MSF is mobilising more teams comprising medical, logistical, and support staff experienced in responding to viral haemorraghic fever outbreaks, as well as essential supplies, to launch a large-scale response as quickly as possible.  MSF will also work to ensure strict prevention measures are in place in its existing projects in order to protect our staff, our patients and their access to healthcare.

The estimated case fatality rate of the Bundibugyo strain is between 25 and 40 percent. This is the third detected outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain, following outbreaks in Uganda in 2007-2008 and in DRC in 2012.

Ebola is an infectious viral haemorrhagic fever, transmitted to humans through direct contact with blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected animals. Human-to-human transmission occurs through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals

MSF has responded to multiple Ebola outbreaks in DRC over the past years. This outbreak marks the country’s seventeenth since the first case was discovered in 1976.

MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation.  MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. Every year more than 120 Australians and New Zealanders go on assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières  working as: doctors, midwives, psychologists, laboratory technicians, human resource/finance coordinators, pharmacists, mental health specialists and logisticians. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au