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Time Out
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The world's biggest queer culture museum is in Australia — and it shines during Pride Month
It's here, it's queer… it's Pride Month! And there's no better place to celebrate than at Qtopia Sydney – the world's largest centre for LGBTQIA+ history and culture, right here in Australia. This colourful museum and cultural hub in the heart of Sydney's Rainbow Precinct dazzles in June with more than 150 events spotlighting the nation's top queer artists. Down here in Australia, our Pride celebrations generally take place earlier in the year when the weather is warmer, with the world-famous Sydney Mardi Gras Parade taking over Oxford Street in late February or early March. However, with growing awareness around International Pride Month happening in June, Qtopia's Pride Fest is spreading the love and creating more opportunities for connection and community (which is especially important when LGBTQIA+ rights are under threat globally). And the sparkle isn't just seasonal – it shines year-round as a proud beacon of identity, creativity and inclusion for Australia's LGBTQIA+ community. Despite only opening recently in February 2024, Qtopia Sydney has been a long time in the making. It was born from the vision of the late Professor David Cooper, a pioneering HIV/AIDS researcher who dreamed of building a space to honour those impacted by the disease. His dream was brought to life by David Polson AM, one of the first Australians to be diagnosed with HIV, who participated in 28 drug trials under Professor Cooper's care, helping pave the way for the life-saving medications we have today. Although Polson sadly passed away earlier this year, his legacy – and the legacy of those who stood loud and proud before him – lives on at Qtopia. At Qtopia, LGBTQIA+ stories aren't just recorded, but are vibrantly told and celebrated. The cultural centre hosts up to 17 thought-provoking exhibitions at any one time – all guided by five major themes: Human Rights, Sexuality and Identity, Media Representation, First Nations stories, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Throughout the year, Qtopia also comes alive with a dazzling program of theatre, cabaret, visual art, music, comedy, drag, literature events and burlesque shows. Qtopia's Artistic and Programs Director Carly Fisher describes it as "a place where stories come to life and where we strive to amplify voices that deserve to be heard. Pride Fest is one of our most powerful expressions of that mission. In just one year, it's grown by more than 180 per cent, with over 150 events and 400 artists taking part. We've built a festival that elevates bold voices, showcases emerging talent and invites audiences into a space that's vibrant, inclusive and unapologetically proud." Headlining this year's Sydney Pride Fest are three of the most awarded Queer acts on the Fringe circuit, including A Friend of Dorothy: Anthems of Pride, Skank Sinatra and The Platonic Human Centipede. Headliner artist Jens Radda (Skank Sinatra) reflects: 'Pride Fest is a fabulous reminder that while we revel in joy and glitter now, the fight for equality is ongoing and spaces like Qtopia Sydney help keep that fire alive with every show, story and sequin. I'm proud to be headlining Pride Fest and even prouder to be part of the Qtopia family, a place that honours our past while lighting the way forward.' Beyond the glitter of Pride Fest, Qtopia's doors – and arms – are open year-round. We asked some local people who identify as LGBTQIA+ what the space means to them, and here's what they had to say: Steve Spencer, LGBTQIA+ advocate and Qtopia Sydney ambassador, says: "As a proud bi man, it took me years to find my voice – but places like Qtopia Sydney give us all a place to find our voice and make a difference. It is here, where we come together to activate and celebrate, where I am reminded just how vital and joyful our stories are. Having a Queer home in the heart of the city where we connect, learn and celebrate together is life-changing for so many people." Rebbell Barnes, activist, Qtopia Sydney ambassador and the youngest person to participate in the first Mardi Gras protest in 1978, says: "As the youngest 78er and a proud ambassador for Qtopia Sydney, I'm thrilled to celebrate Sydney's vibrant Pride Month and the incredible space Qtopia Sydney has created in the heart of Taylor Square. It's a welcoming hub where artists and the community are coming together to host over 150 diverse events this Pride Month. Qtopia Sydney's mission to educate, honour our history and share stories ensures our community's rich history is celebrated and preserved. Given the global attack on gay and trans rights, it is more important than ever to stand proud and stand together. Here's to a month of pride, remembrance and unity!" You can check out our top picks for Sydney Pride Fest 2025 here, or plan your visit to Qtopia here. 🌳
Business Wire
15-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
AviadoBio Announces ASPIRE-FTD Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial in the UK at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, and University College London
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AviadoBio, a pioneering gene therapy company dedicated to developing and delivering potentially transformative medicines for neurodegenerative disorders, today announced that its Phase 1/2 ASPIRE-FTD clinical trial is now open in the UK. The trial is evaluating AVB-101, an investigational gene therapy, in people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with GRN gene mutations (FTD-GRN). Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH), which hosts an internationally renowned center of excellence in providing support and care for families affected by FTD, is now recruiting patients. University College London (UCL) is also expected to open for patient recruitment shortly. The Advanced Neurotherapies Centre at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, one of the first surgical centers in Europe currently able to perform MRI-guided infusions of gene therapies, will provide the capability to dose clinical trial participants from the UK and beyond in the ASPIRE-FTD study. FTD is a devastating form of early-onset dementia that varies in each individual. Symptoms of FTD can include changes in personality or uncharacteristic behaviors, progressive loss of language, loss of executive function and cognitive abilities, apathy, and reduced mobility. 1-3 People with FTD who have disease-causing GRN mutations produce a reduced amount of progranulin protein. AVB-101 is an investigational one-time therapy designed to deliver a functional copy of the GRN gene directly to the brain, thereby potentially restoring progranulin levels and stopping disease progression in patients with FTD-GRN. 'Launching ASPIRE-FTD and treating our first patients with AVB-101 have been significant milestones in FTD-GRN research and gene therapy development,' said David Cooper, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of AviadoBio. 'AviadoBio was built on pioneering research from King's College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute. The opening of our UK clinical trial sites reflects this strong research heritage, and we're proud to bring this clinical trial to the UK to make it more accessible to people living with familial FTD in the region.' 'We are delighted to be able to surgically deliver AVB-101 in the ASPIRE-FTD trial in Cardiff, offering hope to patients living with FTD in the UK and beyond. The Advanced Neurotherapies Centre is funded by Health and Care Research Wales and is currently the only center in the UK, and one of two European centers, conducting these groundbreaking first in human clinical trials, delivering advanced gene and cell therapies directly to the brain for neurodegenerative diseases. This trial represents a major step forward in the search for a treatment in FTD, potentially bringing a new therapy to reality for patients,' commented Professor William Gray, Local PI and Neurosurgeon at Cardiff University and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. 'The potential to halt FTD-GRN with a single procedure could be truly transformative for patients and their families,' said Professor James Rowe, Consultant Neurologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital and Professor of Cognitive Neurology at the Cambridge Centre for Frontotemporal Dementia. 'Combining excellence in clinical care with cutting-edge research is vital to driving progress in this extremely challenging field. Through studies like this we hope to one day be able to provide a potential cure for FTD.' 'UCL is a leader in the Genetic Frontotemporal dementia Initiative, a group of research centers across Europe and Canada with expertise in familial frontotemporal dementia. We are proud to be included in this groundbreaking trial where targeted delivery of a single low dose of AAV gene therapy to the thalamus could be potentially disease-modifying for FTD,' said Jonathan Rohrer, Professor of Neurology at the UCL Dementia Research Centre. AVB-101 is delivered as a one-time-only treatment using a minimally invasive stereotactic neurosurgical procedure directly to the part of the brain called the thalamus. The thalamus is a key hub for connectivity in the brain with widespread projections across the brain including the cortex – a key area affected in FTD-GRN. The neurosurgery procedure to deliver AVB-101 bypasses the blood-brain barrier, thereby limiting it to only the brain itself, where it is needed the most. At the same time, this potentially reduces the amount of dose required and systemic exposure in other parts of the body. More information about the ASPIRE-FTD study can be found at About ASPIRE-FTD ASPIRE-FTD is a Phase 1/2 open-label, multi-center study designed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of AVB-101 in patients with FTD-GRN. In the study, eligible patients receive a one-time administration of AVB-101 delivered as a set of MRI-guided infusions into the thalamus during a minimally invasive stereotactic neurosurgical procedure at an expert neurosurgical center in the US, UK, or EU. More information about the ASPIRE-FTD study can be found at or About AviadoBio At AviadoBio, we are relentlessly chasing cures by translating groundbreaking science and precision delivery into life-changing medicines for people living with neurological conditions. With our deep understanding of the brain and suite of proprietary gene therapy platforms and delivery technologies, AviadoBio is working to overcome the challenges of delivering the right drug to the right place. Its innovative, neuroanatomy-led approach is designed to maximize the therapeutic potential of gene therapy to halt or potentially reverse neurodegenerative diseases. AviadoBio was founded on pioneering research from King's College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute and has a leadership team with extensive gene therapy development, delivery, and commercialization experience which uniquely positions the company for success in bringing transformative medicines to patients. AviadoBio's investors include New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Monograph Capital, F-Prime Capital, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc., SV Health Investor's Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF), Advent Life Sciences, EQT Life Sciences (Dementia Fund), LifeArc Ventures, and Astellas Pharma. For more information, please visit and follow us on X @AviadoBio and LinkedIn at AviadoBio. References: Pressman PS and Miller BL. Biol Psychiatry 2014;75:574–81; Young JJ et al. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2018;8:33–48; Hogan DB et al. Can J Neurol Sci 2016;43 Suppl 1:S96–109. Notes to editors: The Advanced Neurotherapies Centre, formerly known as the BRAIN Unit, is funded by the Welsh Government through Health and Care Research Wales. About GENFI The Genetic Frontotemporal dementia Initiative (GENFI) is a group of research centers across Europe and Canada with expertise in familial frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and is coordinated by Professor Jonathan Rohrer at University College London. GENFI collaborates closely with other similar studies around the world through the FTD Prevention Initiative, which is helping to design clinical trials for genetic FTD.
South Wales Argus
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
How to add value to your house by building a garage
For those planning to sell up, there is one often-overlooked area of their home they may want to spruce up, in order to get the best sale price. According to new research by the garage door experts at Garolla, most house hunters (57%) consider a garage to be a 'must-have' for any new property they move to. The survey of 2,000 Brits also found that many 23% would even prefer to have a home with a garage than one with an en-suite in the master bedroom. A garage was also considered to be more important than a big garden (for 15%), a utility room (for 14%), a dining room (for 12%), off-street parking (for 11%) and a spare bedroom (for 8% ). And one in 20 said they'd pick a home that had a garage over one that didn't, even if it meant compromising on property location. Garolla also consulted David Cooper, a valuations expert and director at estate agency Redbrik. Mr Cooper said: 'The benefits of a garage vary depending on the property, but typically a single garage adds around £10,000 to a property's value, while a double garage can add around £20,000. 'The exact increase depends on the property's overall value, location, and type. For example, garages are in higher demand in urban areas, or where parking is limited, which will be sure to add more value to your home. ' Tips for first-time buyers Mr Cooper also said that the look of a garage matters, so tidying the exterior up or adding a new door can make a big difference. 'When looking at what makes a garage attractive, the door style and colour is important to consider,' he continued. Recommended reading: 'A modern, well-maintained, and complementary garage door can enhance curb appeal, whereas an outdated or clashing design may detract from the overall value to buyers. 'Similarly, high-quality security features such as reinforced doors, smart locks, and automated systems can make a garage more appealing. 'Buyers often value added security, which can contribute to the overall desirability and potential price of the property.'
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New tax cuts mostly favor the rich across states this year
Lawmakers are seen in the Missouri Senate chamber in Jefferson City, Mo. Missouri may become the first state with an income tax to exempt capital gains, but several states have considered tax cut proposals that would benefit the wealthy during this year's legislative sessions. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent) Missouri Republicans may take their tax-cutting efforts to new heights this year as lawmakers consider exempting profits from the sale of stocks, bonds and real estate from state income taxes. Part of a broader push to eliminate the state income tax altogether, legislation making its way through the Capitol would provide an unprecedented benefit to the wealthy by excluding capital gains, the long-term earnings from the sale of assets. If approved, tax experts say, the legislation would mark the first time a state with an income tax has eliminated capital gains tax. The Republican sponsors say the move would make the state more attractive for businesses and families. 'This bill is intended to energize Missouri's economy,' Republican Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins said upon introducing the measure. But state Democrats — and even some of their GOP colleagues — have criticized the measure as being overly favorable to the wealthy. Most states' tax systems already put a higher tax burden on lower-income households. That trend only accelerated in this year's legislative sessions, worrying advocates who want to see the rich pay a larger share. 'It is so egregious in just how grossly concentrated the benefits of the [Missouri] proposal would go to the richest people in the state and shift the state's tax system to really privilege the owners of wealth over people who are earning a regular paycheck,' said David Cooper, an analyst at the left-leaning think tank Economic Policy Institute. The institute advocates for progressive state taxes — those that put the proportionately largest tax burdens on the highest earners. While Cooper advises against eliminating state income taxes, he said the Missouri move would be more harmful than eliminating the income tax outright. 'If you're wiping away the income tax altogether, there's at least some tax benefit going to lower-earning folks who are still paying income taxes,' he said. 'If you're just eliminating capital gains income taxes, you are just giving away money to the wealthiest people in the state, period.' It is so egregious in just how grossly concentrated the benefits of the proposal would go to the richest people in the state. – David Cooper, Economic Policy Institute analyst Some Democratic-led states, including Maryland and Washington, have moved to increase taxes on the wealthy this year. But several states — including Kansas, Kentucky and Mississippi — have made more regressive tax changes. Jared Walczak, vice president of state projects at the conservative-leaning Tax Foundation, noted that states still prioritize progressive spending through social service programs aiding the most vulnerable residents. He said states compete against each other for business and residents in much more immediate ways than the federal government competes against other nations. 'So states are very focused on the competitive advantages associated with a pro-growth tax regime,' he said, 'and that has led to less of an emphasis in many states on achieving progressivity through the tax code.' While several states have enacted high-profile tax cuts this year, the momentum is actually slowing, Walczak said. With booming economies and an influx of federal cash in recent years, conservative and liberal states alike passed significant tax cuts. Of the 43 states that have some sort of income tax, 28 have made rate reductions since 2021, Walczak said. 'In many states, lawmakers simply accomplished much of what they had set out to do,' he said. Economic uncertainty and the prospect of reduced federal aid also have made many lawmakers more cautious this legislative season, he said. But lawmakers in several states — including Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia — have continued their march to eliminate state income taxes. 'Taxing people's wages is bad because it undermines liberty,' Oklahoma state Sen. Dusty Deevers, a Republican, said this month in support of a proposed income tax cut, the Oklahoma Voice reported. 'It undermines people's freedoms. If government controls income, then it controls your life.' Cutting services or raising taxes: State lawmakers weigh how to fill big budget gaps This session, Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear signed a bill cutting the state income tax rate from 4% to 3.5%. Republican lawmakers have been slashing rates for years with the ultimate aim of eliminating the income tax altogether, despite concerns that more reliance on sales tax would disproportionately burden the poor. To partially offset the income tax reduction, the legislature expanded sales taxes to more services in 2018. And Republican lawmakers in Kansas overrode a veto from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to move away from the state's graduated income tax toward a flat tax of 4% that will mostly benefit the highest earners. Last month, Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed legislation granting another cut in the state income tax. Officials there aim to phase out the income tax altogether over the coming years with gradual rate reductions, which Reeves characterized as 'a generational change' for the state. The Mississippi law also reduces the sales tax on groceries and increases the gas tax. Though the governor is already celebrating the end of state income tax, the law provides for incremental reductions in the coming years only if the state hits certain revenue targets. Republican state Rep. Trey Lamar, a legislative sponsor, said income taxes disincentivize work — a particular problem for the state with the nation's lowest workforce participation rate. 'A tax on work is a tax on productivity,' he said. The left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy says the law will make the state's tax system more inequitable. Its analysis found that when fully implemented, the top 1% of households, who have average annual incomes of $1.4 million, will receive an average cut of $41,420, or roughly 3% of their annual income. But the bottom 20% of earners, who have average annual incomes of $13,400, would realize a tax cut of just $42 per year. Lamar noted the legislation did not increase sales taxes across the board. With average sales tax burdens already lower than neighboring states like Alabama, he said the income tax elimination will only help Mississippi workers. 'We need more people working,' he said. 'So if helping the working man is somehow seen as regressive, then I'd have to say I don't fully understand that.' Blue and red states slash taxes despite warnings of hard times ahead Walczak, of the Tax Foundation, said the state can afford the initial rate reduction. But it's unclear whether state revenues will hit the targets needed — and whether lawmakers will reassess the aim of eliminating income taxes. As one of the nation's poorest states, Mississippi is heavily reliant on federal funding and would be particularly vulnerable to an economic downturn. 'There's not a guarantee that the state could afford that in the future, and Mississippi does not have a large budget to begin with, so that would be harder than in most other states if the economy slid,' he said. 'It does require a willingness on lawmakers' parts to be honest with themselves if the economy changes and decide whether a pause might be necessary.' Economic uncertainty and slowing revenues have put many states into budget holes this year, forcing lawmakers to consider spending cuts or tax increases. To close budget gaps, some conservative and liberal states have considered new or higher taxes on marijuana, tobacco and soda. But some liberal-led states are looking to taxes more focused on the wealthy. In Rhode Island, Democratic Gov. Daniel McKee has proposed a 10% tax on digital advertising revenue. In Washington state, lawmakers approved raising capital gains taxes and business taxes to close a looming deficit, though it's unclear whether Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson, who has voiced skepticism, will sign off on those measures. Maryland lawmakers, facing a $3 billion deficit, recently approved $1.6 billion in new taxes and fees. That includes two new high-income tax brackets and a new 3% sales tax on information technology and data services. Child tax credits, long a liberal priority, find favor in Republican states Moves like those that ask more of the wealthy could make some state tax systems more progressive, said Aidan Davis, the state policy director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. But most state tax proposals approved this year have primarily benefited the highest earners. That's particularly concerning because most state systems already favor the wealthy. In 41 states, the top 1% of earners pay a lower effective tax rate than any other group, according to an institute study. In Missouri, the fate of the first-of-its-kind capital gains tax elimination remains up in the air. Though versions of the proposal have passed both chambers, there are differences between the Senate and House legislation. That means the bill could go back to conference committee for further negotiation or go on to Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe, who has identified capital gains among his tax cut priorities this year. Missouri's Department of Revenue estimated the exemption could cost $111 million per year. But an Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy analysis of IRS data projects the change could cost $600 million or more. If approved, the top 5% of Missouri households — those making more than $273,000 per year — will receive more than 80% of the benefit from capital gains exemption, Davis said. 'Doing so would let wealthy people collect tax-free passive income while you're continuing to tax middle class workers and people with savings,' Davis said. 'It's just a really extreme proposal.' Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at khardy@ SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Man killed after van and lorry collide on A90 near Laurencekirk
A man has been killed after the van he was travelling in was involved in a crash with a lorry on the A90. At around 10.20am on Wednesday, 12 February, 2025 emergency services were called to the scene near Laurencekirk following a crash involving a silver Mercedes Vito and a grey Mercedes HGV. A 62-year-old man, who had been travelling as a passenger in the van, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 43-year-old male driver of the van was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment, while the 52-year-old driver of the lorry was taken to Ninewells Hospital. Read More: Teen arrested after man found dead in Arbroath home Bodies found in Aberdeen river identified as Hungarian twin sisters One person airlifted to hospital after crash leaves road shut The road was closed for around 12 hours while investigations were carried out. Road Policing Sergeant David Cooper said: 'Our thoughts are with the man's family at this extremely difficult time. "Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash and who have not already spoken to officers. "I would also ask drivers to please check your dash-cams and if you have any footage that could help with our investigation, contact officers.' Anyone who can assist is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0924 of 12 February, 2025.
