Latest news with #RachelNoble
Gizmodo
05-08-2025
- Health
- Gizmodo
A ‘Flesh-Eating' Germ Is on the Rise This Summer
A bacterial infection that can cause 'flesh-eating' disease is becoming a bigger problem in the U.S.—and climate change is at least partly to blame. Several states along the Gulf Coast and Eastern Seaboard have already reported a higher than usual tally of Vibrio vulnificus cases and deaths this summer. Last week, for instance, the Louisiana Department of Health issued a warning to residents over increased reports of V. vulnificus. Experts argue that milder winters and hotter summers are allowing these bacteria to thrive more easily than before in warmer waters. 'Every water sample we collect along the coast now contains some kind of Vibrio. That wasn't true two decades ago,' Rachel Noble, a microbiologist at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill's Institute of Marine Sciences, told local outlet WRAL Monday. North Carolina has seen 59 reported cases of V. vulnificus and one death as of July 31, according to health department data cited by WRAL—the second highest midsummer toll seen in 5 years. 'Flesh-Eating' Bacteria Surge in Florida Floodwaters After Back-to-Back Hurricanes V. vulnificus is a relative of the bacteria that cause cholera in people. It's found in warm seawater or brackish water and usually enters the body through open cuts or by consuming raw shellfish. Wound infections can trigger a life-threatening condition called necrotizing fasciitis, which quickly kills off skin and tissue surrounding the wound (though this decay resembles eaten flesh, the bacteria themselves aren't feeding off our skin). Only around 150 to 200 cases of V. vulnificus are reported annually to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but it can kill one of every five people who catch it, sometimes within days. And there's growing evidence its presence in the U.S. is growing and expanding in range over time. A 2023 study found that reported cases in the eastern United States increased eightfold from 1988 to 2018, for example. Extreme weather events like heat waves and hurricanes can also drive spikes of the infection. Florida experienced a record high of 82 cases last year, with many arriving in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Florida has only seen 13 V. vulnificus cases and four deaths so far in 2025, not far from its usual trends. Other areas have seen an uptick, however. 17 cases have occurred in Louisiana so far, for instance, with all victims hospitalized and four dead as a result—well above the typical toll. Over the preceding decade, the state had seen an average of seven cases and one death a year from V. vulnificus. These 'flesh-eating' infections will remain a rare occurrence for the foreseeable future, but factors like climate change and extreme weather events have and will make them more common. So we should be more careful in the waters that carry these bacteria. Health organizations recommend that you avoid salt or brackish water if you're sporting an open cut, for example, or at least that you wear a waterproof bandage before getting into the water. You should also thoroughly wash any cuts exposed to these waters or raw seafood. And you should seek immediate medical care if you develop a worsening skin infection around your cuts after these exposures, since necrotizing fasciitis can rapidly progress and turn lethal if untreated.
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
3,000 billionaires added $6.5 trillion in wealth over past decade: Report
The rich are getting richer by the day, with the wealth of the world's 3,000 billionaires shooting up by $6.5 trillion in real terms over the past decade. The average billionaire wealth rose by more than 1,000 percent since 1990.(Representational image) The data came to light through an Oxfam report. The surge in wealth of the 3,000 billionaires is equivalent to 14.6 percent of global output. According to the report, the richest 1 percent of the global population have gotten richer by at least $33.9 trillion in real terms. The charity said such wealth was 'enough to end annual global poverty 22 times over'. According to figures released by Equality Trust, the UK alone has added 150 billionaires in the last 34 years, rising from 15 in 1990 to 165 in 2024. There have been strong calls to introduce a wealth tax on the superrich in various parts of the world, and the new data suggests it might be time for governments to act on the demand. The average billionaire wealth rose by more than 1,000 percent since 1990. According to Oxfam, billionaires pay 'effective tax rates close to 0.3 percent of their wealth. The figure is well below the effective tax rate of an average worker. Private wealth grew eight times faster than the net wealth of governments in the period between 1995 and 2023. Oxfam has urged the UK government to address the 'extreme inequality'. 'The government must fairly tax the trillions of pounds that are locked away in the bank accounts of the super-rich and prioritise the fight against inequality, gendered oppression and the climate crisis,' Rachel Noble, a senior policy adviser at Oxfam, told the Guardian. How are some countries addressing wealth inequality? Spain, Brazil, Germany and South Africa signed a motion at the G20 last year for a minimum 2 percent tax on the super-rich to reduce inequality and raise public funds. Forecasts on its potential impact vary, but a study by the leading French economist Gabriel Zucman found that it could net up to $250 billion in extra revenue. The four countries have called on other governments to support the campaign, saying that a levy on the ultra-wealthy would complement negotiations on the taxation of the digital economy and ongoing efforts to bring in a global minimum corporate tax of 15 percent for multinational businesses. Ministers from Spain, Brazil, Germany and South Africa have argued that there would need to be steps to counter the use of tax havens, and a levy would be designed to prevent evasion by billionaires who choose to live in, for example, Monaco or Jersey, but make their money in bigger economies such as the UK or France. A survey by Oxfam found that 86 percent of people supported paying for public services by 'closing loopholes' that allow wealthy individuals and large corporations to use tax havens.
The Guardian
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Billionaires' wealth surged $6.5tn over past decade, Oxfam reports
The wealth of the world's 3,000 billionaires has surged by $6.5tn (£4.8tn) in real terms over the past decade, according to Oxfam, equivalent to 14.6% of global output. In total the richest 1% of the global population has gained at least $33.9tn in real terms, which the charity said was 'enough to end annual global poverty 22 times over'. The figures come as various governments face growing calls to introduce a wealth tax on the international elite. In the UK, the number of billionaires has grown sharply, from 15 in 1990 to 165 in 2024, according to separate figures from the Equality Trust, which found their average wealth rose by more than 1,000% over the same period. Billionaires pay 'effective tax rates close to 0.3% of their wealth, well below what average workers contribute', Oxfam said. The charity called on the UK to work with other governments to oppose 'extreme inequality', with private wealth growing eight times faster than the net wealth of governments between 1995 and 2023. Rachel Noble, a senior policy adviser at Oxfam, said: 'This government is in danger of careering way off course on international development if it does not recommit to proven approaches to tackle poverty through public investment and fair taxation. 'The government must fairly tax the trillions of pounds that are locked away in the bank accounts of the super-rich and prioritise the fight against inequality, gendered oppression and the climate crisis.' Last year Spain, Brazil, Germany and South Africa signed a motion at the G20 for a minimum 2% tax on the super-rich to reduce inequality and raise public funds. Forecasts on its potential impact vary, but a study by the leading French economist Gabriel Zucman found that it could net up to $250bn in extra revenue. The four countries have called on other governments to support the campaign, saying that a levy on the ultra-wealthy would complement negotiations on the taxation of the digital economy and ongoing efforts to bring in a global minimum corporate tax of 15% for multinational businesses. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Ministers from Spain, Brazil, Germany and South Africa have argued that there would need to be steps to counter the use of tax havens, and a levy would be designed to prevent evasion by billionaires who choose to live in, for example, Monaco or Jersey, but make their money in bigger economies such as the UK or France. Spain's economy minister, Carlos Cuerpo, said during a visit to London last November that the world's richest countries needed to 'be brave', saying recent elections had shown citizens were demanding 'redistribution of wealth'. A survey by Oxfam found that 86% of people supported paying for public services by 'closing loopholes' that allow wealthy individuals and large corporations to use tax havens. The government was approached for comment.
The Guardian
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Billionaires' wealth surged $6.5tn over past decade, Oxfam reports
The wealth of the world's 3,000 billionaires has surged by $6.5tn (£4.8tn) in real terms over the past decade, according to Oxfam, equivalent to 14.6% of global output. In total the richest 1% of the global population has gained at least $33.9tn in real terms, which the charity said was 'enough to end annual global poverty 22 times over'. The figures come as various governments face growing calls to introduce a wealth tax on the international elite. In the UK, the number of billionaires has grown sharply, from 15 in 1990 to 165 in 2024, according to separate figures from the Equality Trust, which found their average wealth rose by more than 1,000% over the same period. Billionaires pay 'effective tax rates close to 0.3% of their wealth, well below what average workers contribute', Oxfam said. The charity called on the UK to work with other governments to oppose 'extreme inequality', with private wealth growing eight times faster than the net wealth of governments between 1995 and 2023. Rachel Noble, a senior policy adviser at Oxfam, said: 'This government is in danger of careering way off course on international development if it does not recommit to proven approaches to tackle poverty through public investment and fair taxation. 'The government must fairly tax the trillions of pounds that are locked away in the bank accounts of the super-rich and prioritise the fight against inequality, gendered oppression and the climate crisis.' Last year Spain, Brazil, Germany and South Africa signed a motion at the G20 for a minimum 2% tax on the super-rich to reduce inequality and raise public funds. Forecasts on its potential impact vary, but a study by the leading French economist Gabriel Zucman found that it could net up to $250bn in extra revenue. The four countries have called on other governments to support the campaign, saying that a levy on the ultra-wealthy would complement negotiations on the taxation of the digital economy and ongoing efforts to bring in a global minimum corporate tax of 15% for multinational businesses. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Ministers from Spain, Brazil, Germany and South Africa have argued that there would need to be steps to counter the use of tax havens, and a levy would be designed to prevent evasion by billionaires who choose to live in, for example, Monaco or Jersey, but make their money in bigger economies such as the UK or France. Spain's economy minister, Carlos Cuerpo, said during a visit to London last November that the world's richest countries needed to 'be brave', saying recent elections had shown citizens were demanding 'redistribution of wealth'. A survey by Oxfam found that 86% of people supported paying for public services by 'closing loopholes' that allow wealthy individuals and large corporations to use tax havens. The government was approached for comment.
ABC News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Can Albo trust Trump with our secrets?
The Australian Signals Directorate is one of Australia's most secretive agencies, responsible for decoding enemy messages, protecting us from cyber threats and collaborating with allied intelligence services. Rachel Noble knows how the machine works, as the former head of ASD she helped shape Australia's role in the Five Eyes alliance. With the return of Donald Trump and Signal-gate leaks, can Australia still trust its closest ally? Guest: Rachel Noble, former Director-General of Australia Signals Directorate Recommendations: Geraldine: The Crisis of our Time by Christopher Clark Hamish: East West Street by Philippe Sands GET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at
