Latest news with #Exploring
AU Financial Review
5 days ago
- Business
- AU Financial Review
ASX to rise, S&P 500 closes higher
Australian shares are set to open higher, tracking a recovery in New York from an opening drop amid competing data, trade and geopolitical headlines. US bond yields surged higher and the greenback extended its losses. The Australian dollar leapt 1 per cent. 'Short covering and new risk flows drove an increase in bullish positioning across US large cap indexes, with position levels now the highest observed over the past month,' Citigroup's Chris Montagu said. Still, investors 'remain cautious', Montagu also said. As US and China exchange allegations of trade agreement violations, the White House is pressing for direct talks in a phone call between President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at some point this week. Shortly after the closing bell, the US said it would extend its tariff pause on some Chinese goods until the end of August. Market highlights ASX futures are pointing up 74 points or 0.9 per cent to 8508. All US prices at 4.15pm New York time. Today's agenda A key focus on Tuesday will be the handing down of the annual award wage decision at 10am AEST. NAB said: 'With inflation back below 3 per cent, the decision is likely to be less consequential for overall wage growth, and result in an award wage rise of around 3.5 per cent.' Separately, the RBA will release minutes from its May meeting at 11.30am and Sarah Hunter, RBA assistant governor (economic) will give the keynote speech – Joining the Dots: Exploring Australia's Links with the World Economy – to the Economic Society of Australia Queensland Business Lunch, Brisbane at 1pm. eToro's Josh Gilbert said he's looking for the minutes to provide a deeper insight into the RBA's current outlook amid global economic uncertainty. 'The RBA remains cautious about inflation, and we can clearly see why. While the inflation figures aren't a reason to panic, they do mean that a rate cut in July is certainly not nailed on. Last week's rate cut, in which the cash rate decreased to 3.85 per cent, doesn't necessarily set the stage for back-to-back cuts.' There will be several GDP partial data points released on Tuesday, as well as NZ's international trade data, China Caixin PMI manufacturing, Eurozone CPI and later US durable goods, factory orders and JOLTS job openings. Top stories Greens senator defects to Labor on eve of super tax talks | The defection came just an hour after Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young suggested the minor party could compromise on its demands the government drop the threshold for the proposed tax and index it. | Assistant Minister for Productivity Andrew Leigh said government too often rewarded process over outcomes. Chanticleer: This is what the Soul Patts deal is really about | There's plenty of history in Soul Patts' merger with Brickworks, but at the heart of the deal is a $2 billion prize that completes Soul Patts' portfolio.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The ‘secret' UK island surrounded by the country's deadliest footpath
FOULNESS Island is a mere six miles from Essex, but anyone wanting to walk over will have to take on one of the deadliest paths in Britain. 5 Foulness Island is off the coast of Essex Credit: Alamy 5 Anyone wanting to walk there will have to take on The Broomway Credit: Alamy Foulness Island, which is separated from Essex by narrow creeks, is dangerous to get to if you travel on The Broomway because of rising tides. The path connects Foulness Island to the mainland and stretches along the sands for six miles. The Broomway is considered dangerous because of rapidly rising tides, soft mud and quicksand, and the unexploded ordnance. There is often poor visibility across the path, which makes it hard to navigate in bad weather and during winter months. Read More on UK Islands Over centuries, the path is said to have killed more than 100 people and at some points in history it was even called 'The Doomway'. As a result, The Broomway has earned itself the title of 'deadliest footpath in the country' by the BBC. Don't let that put you off though as some hikers have said a guided walk along the path is very special. One wrote on Most read in News Travel Another added: " A fascinating, eerie walk on firm sand with an inch or two of water swirling in the wind at our feet." Someone even said it's worth adding to the 'bucket list.' Exploring UK Islands: A Journey Through Beautiful Isles (1) 5 Foulness Island is owned by the Ministry of Defence Credit: Alamy For anyone wanting to visit Foulness Island, you can also go by car with access by road via Landwick Security Gate. However, Foulness is a 'closed island', meaning you can't just turn up. In order to step foot on the island, visitors will need to complete a registration form on the Foulness Island Heritage Centre website in advance of a visit. Non-residents can visit the island from 12pm-4pm on the first Sunday of every month from April to October. Anyone who wants to visit the Heritage Centre must declare so at the police checkpoint. The Inside is lots of artefacts and pieces of memorabilia covering 2,000 years of the island's history. Visitors to the island aren't allowed to freely explore, but there are organised excursions, including a visit to the church. Most other places on the island have closed in recent years, like The George and Dragon pub - schools and most shops have also closed. There is a post office which is also a general shop, but this is in one of the restricted areas of the island. 5 There are guided tours around the island - but the only pub has closed Credit: Alamy Foulness Island is home to around 200 residents who live mostly in the two villages on the north side of Foulness called Churchend and Courtsend. The reason why Foulness is a 'closed island' is because it's owned by the Ministry of Defence. It's allegedly used to test munitions like missiles, torpedoes and ballistics - although the exact nature of this work is classified. Here's another And here's a 5 The Broomway is one of the deadliest paths in the UK Credit: Alamy
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Daily Record
Inside creepy abandoned Scottish high school 'filled with decay and pigeons'
The photographer said it was "sad to see" the state of the building. Unsettling photos of an abandoned Scottish high school have been shared online. The former school is situated on the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde. On Monday, May 26, urban exploration blog Exploring with Natasha shared images of the former Rothesay Academy in the island's capital town of Rothesay. Once full of pupils, the site has been empty since the school relocated to a new campus in 2007. Exploring with Natasha is a photography blog run by urban explorer Natasha McCallum. She journeys to long-forgotten or abandoned sites across Scotland and shares images of how they look after being left to the elements. McCallum's latest photographs show how Rothesay Academy has changed since being deserted in 2007. According to the explorer, the building is "filled with decay and pigeons" and mould and greenery covers the walls. In the images, wallpaper can be seen peeling off and many of the windows are smashed. Additionally, the classroom equipment that remains is in a very poor state and beginning to disintegrate. Speaking to the Daily Record, McCallum commented: "On an exploring trip we decided to check out various islands, we found this school so decided to explore it. It was amazing to see the science rooms still intact with the old wooden desks. It's mainly filled with decay and pigeons, but the decay was beautiful to capture, especially with the big corridor shots." She added: "It was pretty amazing exploring the school and getting to see inside before it gets demolished. Especially a school with a lot of history like this one. The views from the top classroom windows looking over Rothesay I will never forget, it's very sad to see it go." Since being shared on the Exploring with Natasha Facebook page, the images have received more than 120 likes. With more than 20 comments, many Scots also shared their thoughts on the photographs. One Facebook user wrote: "Great find and pics. Thanks for sharing." A second agreed: "Great photos Natasha, you've really captured it well. Also a nice change to see natural decay over time rather than all out vandalism and destruction." Read on for a collection of images of the abandoned Rothesay Academy. More information can be found on the Exploring with Natasha page.
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Daily Record
Abandoned Scottish hostel seen in photos as Scots share childhood holiday memories
An urban explorer has posted pics from her visit to a former holiday spot that has fallen into ruin. Photographs of an abandoned Scottish hostel have been shared online after an urban explorer made the trip to the Isle of Arran. Natasha McCallum is an urban adventurer based in Scotland. She heads the Exploring with Natasha blog, which is dedicated to uncovering abandoned and long-forgotten destinations in her home country. On May 16, McCallum shared photos of former holiday accommodation on the Isle of Arran that has since fallen into ruin. The hostel was previously known as the Corrie Croft Bunkhouse, and was a popular staycation spot amongst Scots going back decades. According to McCallum, she visited Arran for a drive around the island to explore abandoned places. When she arrived at the Corrie Croft Bunkhouse, she discovered that the building was open. Inside, McCallum found the old original wooden bunk beds and shower rooms. She also captured photographs of the sitting area, which still has the sofa and kitchen. Speaking to the Daily Record, McCallum commented: " Nature is claiming the entire place now, some of the buildings you can't get into with it being so overgrown. It's in such a beautiful area it's sad to see it rot and decay like this. "It's sad that no one could take it over and make it into a place for children like it was before or something good for the community. It was such a great explore. Something very different, I definitely would have loved to have stayed there as a child. I really hope someone can save it." McCallum shared the images onto her Exploring with Natasha Facebook page. Since being posted, Scots who visited the hostel as children or grew up nearby have shared their thoughts on the photographs. One wrote: "What a shame. I stayed there for a week in June '76 and again for a weekend later in the year. Fantastic staff and the activities were great." A second shared: "What a sorry state it's in, I stayed there for a winter week in 1978. We climbed Goatfell in the snow and travelled about in the Land Rover." Another posted: "Corrie Croft. I grew up a few fields across from here." Read on for a selection of photographs of the abandoned Corrie Croft Bunkhouse shared by Exploring with Natasha.
USA Today
08-02-2025
- General
- USA Today
Boy Scouts of America officially changes its name to be gender inclusive
Boy Scouts of America officially changes its name to be gender inclusive Scouting America President and CEO Roger Krone said "now would be a good time" for the name change, following the organization's exit of a years-long bankruptcy, in tandem with membership growth. Show Caption Hide Caption Boy Scouts will change name to Scouting America The Boy Scouts of America announced its plan to rebrand to Scouting America, beginning in February 2025. For the first time in 115 years, Boy Scouts of America officially changed its name to Scouting America on Saturday. The scouting organization began allowing girls to join Cub Scouts in 2018 and Boy Scouts in 2019. Girls were first involved with the organization in 1969, with the advent of Exploring, a co-ed, career-readying program. Boy Scouts of America, as it has been known for 115 years, is now officially Scouting America. The name change went into effect on Saturday. The organization announced the name change last spring, almost exactly one year after emerging from a three-year bankruptcy tied to the largest child sex abuse case involving a national organization in U.S. history. The name change coincides with the organization's aim to be more inclusive − a little more than five years after girls were permitted to join Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The Boy Scouts program, open to girls and boys ages 11-17, dropped "Boy" from its name in 2018, resulting in Scouts BSA. The most recent name change serves as a rebrand for the national umbrella organization, which has not been done since the organization's founding in 1910. While the name change may feel drastic to onlookers, Rhett Hillard, scoutmaster of Scouting America Troop 50 in Fulton, Missouri, said the new name doesn't appear to be on the minds of people he works with in the organization. It "doesn't rank highly" in comparison to the other changes the organization has made over the past six to seven years, he said. As new handbooks are printed, headquarters change signage and websites are updated, here's what to know about the Scouting America name change. Why the name change? "The board, executive committee and myself, we kind of looked at where we were and said, 'Probably now would be a good time,'" Scouting America President and CEO Roger Krone told USA TODAY of the name change, citing the organization's exit from bankruptcy and growth since allowing girls to join. The organization exited bankruptcy in 2023 after a federal judge approved Scouting America's plan to create a $4.6 billion trust fund for survivors of sexual assault related to the organization. The ruling came more than two years after the organization filed for bankruptcy protection, as ultimately 82,000-plus abuse claims were filed against it. In January, the organization reported that the fund had paid about $70 million to approximately 12,300 survivors of 58,000 claims submitted. As for membership, from 2023 to 2024, Scouting America saw a 1.43% increase, according to the organization's Membership Highlights, presented at the 2024 National Annual Meeting. Specifically, Cub Scouts saw a 4.68% increase, while Scouts BSA experienced a 3.15% decrease, the highlights say. Krone said co-ed scouting organizations also represent the "global model." Scouts Canada, Scouts Australia, Scouts UK, and The Singapore Scout Association are just a few of countless scouting organizations around the world that welcome both boys and girls. How else is the organization changing? Largely, the changes associated with the new name are cosmetic. The organization's mission and programming is not changing. The iconic navy blue Cub Scout uniform and tan Scouts BSA uniform will "essentially be the same," Krone said. However, these uniforms do feature "Boy Scouts of America" or "BSA" sewn over the right shirt pocket. Krone said a new sew-on patch to cover the old name is available at Scout Shops and online. The patch is $2. A new Eagle Scout badge, earned when the highest rank in Scouting America is achieved, will also be released, Krone said, as the existing badge reads, "Boy Scouts of America." The Cub Scout and Scout BSA flags have also been updated to reflect the new name. A new handbook has been printed and the website has been updated to feature the new name and logo. Over the next year or two, Scouting America buildings will be updating their exterior signage, Krone said. Though the program formerly known as Boy Scouts, now Scouts BSA, includes the "Boy Scouts of America" acronym, it doesn't appear that this name will be changing, at least not right away. Scouts BSA is trademarked, so the name will remain for now, according to "Scouting," the official magazine published by Scouting America. What are people saying? Since Scouting America began allowing girls to join in 2018-2019, there has been pushback. "Now, I agree that scouting shouldn't be something that's just exclusive to boys, but isn't that the whole reason why there's Girl Scouts? When scouting exists for both boys and girls and the boys organization switches it to allow girls in it, it almost implies that if you're a Girl Scout, you're not a real scout," Ryan Quinlan, known as But That's My Opinion on social media, said in a TikTok video last year. In 2018, Girl Scouts of America filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Scouting America, claiming the organization didn't have the right to use terms like "scout" or "scouting" by themselves when rebranding the Boy Scouts program to Scouts BSA. However ultimately, in 2022, the two organizations entered into an agreement to end the litigation. Girl Scouts of America declined comment on the Scouting America name change. Since its founding in 1912, Girl Scouts has only been open to girls. Men are allowed to be leaders within the organization. For girls who have been a part of the Scouting America organization, the recent name change is validating. Sara Rubelee. 14, has been a member of Scouting America Troop 235G in Springfield, Missouri since 2017, when the organization opened an early adopters program for girls. Now, Sara is working on her Eagle Scout Project − collecting musical instruments for an under-privileged school in her community. Troop 235G is an all girls unit. At the Cub Scout level, packs are co-ed, but at the Scouts BSA level, troops are separated by gender. Joining the organization when she was in the second grade, Rubelee said she enjoys "every second" of it, from attending summer camp and earning merit badges − Oceanography is her favorite − to competing in the annual Pinewood Derby and getting started on her Eagle Scout Project. "All these events, and so many more, have absolutely changed the way I view the world, and the way I can help make it a better place," she said. "This organization has led me to having so many friends and gaining new ones almost everywhere I go. As scouting as evolved, so have the scouts, but the morals have always stayed the same: helping youth grow into successful young adults and prepare them for the promising future ahead of them." Krone said the changes the organization has made over the past few years are in attempt to keep up with the "youth of today." "I am much, much more interested in what a 35-year-old parent thinks about child development and what their youth needs than perhaps someone who was a Boy Scout with me," said Krone, who joined the organization in the third grade in 1967. But not everyone in the organization feels the name change is for the best reasons. Scoutmaster Hillard said he thinks it's "a money issue." "They're mostly dwindling numbers, wanting to bolster enrollment numbers in the organization. I never really heard a great reason," he said. In 2018, Scouting America reported that about 2.3 million members made up the organization, down from 2.6 million in 2013, USA TODAY previously reported. Girls have been involved with the program since 1969 It's been a bit longer than just the past decade that girls have been able to join Boy Scouts, now Scouting America. Girls were first welcomed to join the organization in 1969, with the advent of the Exploring, a career-readying program. Girls were then permitted to join Venturing, a co-ed program centered around outdoor adventuring, in 1998. Adult women have been able to be a part of the organization for even longer, with the creation of the Den Mother position in 1936, according to the Scouting America website. The Den Mother position, originally only open to women, is a leadership role within a Cub Scout den. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
