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There are multiple indications the record drought across southern Australia is finally loosening its grip. Firstly, a much-anticipated rainband is engulfing most of the country and will stretch nearly 3,000 kilometres this weekend from tropical Queensland to Tasmania, falling as heavy snow across the Alps. Essential, though, for drought recovery is follow-up falls, and a second bout of rain is predicted from Sunday to Thursday, ensuring this month becomes the wettest for southern Australia since June 2023. Hope of a more permanent drought relief is also backed by the latest long-range outlooks, which now firmly favour wetter conditions this spring. Most widespread rain in years The current rain event commenced through Wednesday and Thursday as a powerful cold front surged well north across Western Australia to the Pilbara, drenching parts of Perth with more than 50 millimetres and spawning a destructive tornado. The extreme northward penetration is the key to this system — it allowed the front to not only drag in tropical moisture, which is a prerequisite for inland rain, but also cause the formation of a low-pressure system near the WA south coast. A powerful cold front surged across Western Australia. (ABC Perth) The low then traversed the South Australian coast on Friday, spreading the rainband across the interior and into south-east states. Clare in the Mid North welcomed more than 25mm — already the town’s heaviest rain since late 2023. By sunset, the parched Mallee had picked up 10mm, hardly a deluge, but for Mildura, already the heaviest fall so far in 2025. The front has now shifted the band well into Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales. However, because a low is trailing near the southern coast, showers will continue across SA and Victoria for at least another 48 hours. By late Monday, the southern Murray Basin and most farming regions of SA are likely to receive between 15 and 30mm of rain, including what has already fallen in the past 24 hours. The deep low is also generating strong winds and heavy alpine snow, which will not completely clear until later on Monday, when the low retreats into the Southern Ocean. For the Alps, around 50 centimetres of fresh snow should accumulate on the higher slopes during the next three days, continuing a much-improved ski season relative to the past two years. Follow-up rain only days away While the current rain event is crucial, a rebound from drought requires more than just an aberration — and thankfully, modelling is promising follow-up falls during the coming week. Yet another vigorous front, the third in less than a week, will arrive on the WA west coast tomorrow, and like its predecessor, will lead to the formation of a low near the state’s south coast. However, this next system will only draw in a small plume of tropical moisture and therefore, for most areas, rainfall intensity will be limited. Nonetheless, the low will still bring widespread showers, starting in WA on Sunday, reaching western SA on Monday, then spreading throughout south-east Australia from Tuesday to Thursday. Most of southern Australia can expect at least 25mm of rain during the next week. (ABC News) This will boost the weekly totals to around 25 to 50mm across most of southern Australia — comfortably the most widespread week of rain in two years. For the Alps, the arrival of another low means more snow, and an injection of polar air could lower the snow level to around 1,000 metres along the Great Dividing Range. A swing to wetter seasons The BOM’s latest three-month outlook is tipping above-median rain across much of Australia between August and October. (ABC News) Full recovery from the worst drought on record will require sustained wet months, a scenario becoming more likely according to the latest extended outlooks issued this week. The Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) long-range model called ACCESS–S now shows up to an 80 per cent chance of above-median falls through parts of eastern Australia from August to October. Using one model in isolation can be problematic in forecasting. However, an ensemble of nine different global models, shown below, supports the wet outlook. A combination of global modelling shows a clear swing of the pendulum to favour a wet start to spring for Australia. (ABC News) The model average indicates a 70 to 90 per cent chance of above-median rain across the whole of central and eastern Australia. But why are models consistently tipping the following months will be wet？ One clue is ocean temperatures across the tropical Indian and Pacific oceans. Long-range forecasts are hinting at both a weak La Niña and a weak negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) signal — both drivers of wet conditions in Australia. However, without a clear consensus and no observable trend so far indicating their development, basing forecasts on either La Niña or a negative IOD would be premature. So, can we trust the outlook? Seasonal rain forecasts without active climate drivers should be viewed with caution, but when analysed in conjunction with the current wet weather, it is becoming increasingly likely the worst of the drought, at least from a meteorological perspective, is coming to an end. Read More

Credit: shutterstock/hyotographics Australia’s government is exploring whether to make wage-fixing and no-poach agreements punishable by criminal sanctions as part of proposed reforms to the country’s antitrust statute. To read more Subscribe to Global Competition Review Register for limited access Register to receive our newsletter and gain limited access to subscriber content. Register now Subscribe to unlock unlimited access Get news, unique commentary, expert analysis and essential resources from the Global Competition Review experts. Subscribe now Already have access? Login below Read More

‘HIGH’ STANDARDS: Australian experts were positive after inspecting Taiwan’s guava production facilities, disease management and post-harvest processing By Yang Yuan-ting and Lery Hiciano / Staff reporter, with staff writer Taiwan could start exporting guavas to Australia within a year, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency said yesterday. The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on Monday last week released a draft risk assessment report for Taiwanese guava exports to the country, the agency said. After a two-month public notification period, discussions can begin about details and procedures for managing guava exports to Australia, with shipments likely starting within one year, it said. A guava tree bearing fruits is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Agriculture Guavas could be vulnerable to the oriental fruit fly, or Bactrocera dorsalis, which is endemic to Taiwan. In December 2009, the agency submitted pest control management information on eradicating oriental fruit flies to the Australian quarantine unit. After years of communication and Taiwan submitting supplementary documents, Australia in November 2023 sent experts to Taiwan for on-site inspections and verifications of guava orchards, it said. The specialists inspected production facilities, pest and disease management, and post-harvest processing and packaging, which served as the basis for the draft risk assessment report, the agency said. The experts affirmed Taiwan’s “high” operating and management standards, it said. The draft assessment focused on fruit flies and other pests that could enter the country via fruit imports, it said. Australian experts agreed to a proposed cold treatment disinfection technique for fruit flies, in addition to visual inspections and sorting prior to exports, it said. After the public notification period is completed, Australian authorities would finalize their assessment, taking into account the public comments gathered, it added. After that, the two countries could confirm quarantine and production conditions, it said. The time between the consultation period and final agreement on imports varies by country, but it usually takes a few months to a year, the agency said. Taiwanese officials will continue negotiations with their Australian counterparts as soon as possible, it said. Taiwan currently exports guavas to the US, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macau, Brunei, Indonesia, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates. For exports to the US, guavas have to be stored in an environment below 1°C for 17 consecutive days before arriving in the US to minimize the risk of fruit fly infestation. Read More

Burleigh Heads beach on a perfect Gold Coast day, Queensland, Australia getty Beach destinations are a great option for travelers looking to unwind and rest while traveling — but the definition of unwinding and resting can differ greatly from person to person. If you’re looking for beach clubs and a party scene, for example, you likely won’t care as much about noise pollution or well-maintained green spaces. However, if you’re looking for a peaceful beach destination where you can truly unwind and relax in a serene space, a new analysis from long-haul travel specialists at Travelbag has just uncovered some of the most peaceful beach destinations worldwide. The analysis looked at things like noise and light pollution, overall cleanliness, and the number of green spaces and parks in order to rank the best options. Here are some of the most peaceful beach destinations for travelers really looking to relax and unwind in serenity: The Seychelles View on the Anse Lazio beach in the island Praslin, Seychelles, Indian Ocean, Africa. getty The Seychelles earned top spot as the most peaceful beach destination. It’s famous for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters — but it also has the lowest noise and light pollution, low water pollution levels, and a high overall cleanliness score. Cairns, Australia Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island, Cairns area, Queensland, Australia, part of Great Barrier Reef. getty The first of three Australian destinations on the list, Cairns earned second place thanks to its low noise and light pollution, high cleanliness score, and its easy access to green spaces, well-maintained public spaces, and a serene yet vibrant atmosphere. Gold Coast, Australia An aerial view of the Surfers Paradise skyline on a clear day in Queensland, Australia getty The third most peaceful beach — and second Australian destination on the list — is the infamous Gold Coast. Despite its slightly higher noise and pollution score, it boasts some of the highest-rated beaches in the world and a high cleanliness score when it comes to water cleanliness and pollution specifically. Sydney, Australia Bondi beach, Sydney, NSW, Australia: People swimming in the fresh water swimming pools built in to the sea with waves rolling in to Bondi and breaking against the edge of the pool getty You might not expect a big city like Sydney to hit the top of the list but the quality of green spaces and parks, as well as the overall cleanliness, positions Sydney as a very good option for a peaceful beach vacation with a side of bustling city life. Auckland, New Zealand Elevated wide angle view of bay and beach with moored yachts on Rakino Island getty Auckland, New Zealand earned fifth spot on the list thanks largely to its cleanliness score and the quality of its green spaces and parks. It earned a slightly higher than average level of noise and light pollution but makes up for it with its clean and well-maintained nature-focused spaces. Barbados Bathsheba, East coast of Barbados, Lesser Antilles. getty With a low noise and light pollution score, low water pollution, and very high average beach reviews, Barbados is another standout spot for a peaceful beach destination. Its crystal clear waters and white sand beaches are some of the top-rated in the world. The next most peaceful beach destination was Dubai, UAE, followed by Honolulu, Hawaii, Havana, Cuba, and Cancun, Mexico. Read More

On World Drowning Prevention Day (July 25), a Statewide survey in West Bengal has revealed that 25 people die from drowning every day, of whom 12 are children. The annual toll, estimated at 9,191 deaths, is nearly three times higher than previous official estimates.  The study conducted by The George Institute for Global Health described

U.S. President Donald Trump. | Photo Credit: Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump accused Hamas on Friday (July 25, 2025) of not wanting to reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza as Israel said it would explore “alternative options” to rescue hostages after negotiations collapsed. An Israeli official meanwhile told AFP air drops of aid would resume