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SBS Australia
16 hours ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Welcome to Country opens 48th parliament of Australia
TRANSCRIPT Welcome to Country opens 48th parliament of Australia Australia signs a joint statement with a number of nations calling on Israel to end war in Gaza Nick Kyrgios defeated in ATP doubles match comeback. The Prime Minister paid homage to the Welcome to Country, which opened the first sitting day of the 48th parliament of Australia. Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan gave the Welcome to Country in the Great Hall. Mr Albanese says it's a ceremony which didn't take place until 2007, and was controversial then, adding that it's no longer controversial today. He says the ceremony is an opportunity for MPs to embrace and show a profound love of home and country. "And the welcome to Country lets us touch the very beginning of the story, our story, the Australian story in the 48th Parliament. We write the next chapter. Let us do it with the same sense of grace and courage that First Nations people show us with their leadership." 40 new senators and MPs are being sworn into Parliament today as Labor holds an increased majority, with 94 of 150 lower house seats. The Minister for Home Affairs has defended the timing of Australia's joint statement calling for an immediate end to Israel's war on Gaza. Tony Burke says parts of the statement reference recent events relating to how aid has been distributed and managed, adding the governmrnt was calling for a ceasefire when the conflict started in October 2023. He told ABC News Breakfast that the government hopes a joint statement with other countries will push Israel to end their war on Gaza. A joint statement signed by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and more than 20 of her global counterparts - barring the US - calls for an immediate end to Israel's offensive in the strip and condemns the denial of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. Israel's foreign ministry has rejected the joint statement, saying it was 'disconnected from reality', and failed to 'focus the pressure on Hamas' and their 'responsibility for the situation'. The Prime Minister's Assistant Minister says the government is ready to work for the Australian people on Parliament's first sitting day today. Patrick Gorman flagged the government's legislation on cutting student debt, as well as their new legislation to ensure award workers preserve vital penalty rates. Mr Gorman said he wants this parliament to work and for legislation to pass through more easily, while the Greens and Liberals have firmly stated they won't simply approve the government's policies before a thorough review. "I respect the parliament, i respect the role of each individual member of parliament, to do the job that their community, state or territory, sent them here to do, and we will continue to show them that respect. But equally, some of these things we are talking about, are not new propositions. It was last year that the PM was very clear that we want to cut student debt. If the Coalition are still unclear on where they stand on that, they should probably explain that to the Australian people." A United Nations political forum in New York has heard that the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine are pushing global Sustainable Development Goals further out of reach. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says a slowing of the global economy, tensions over trade and aid budget cuts, were also impacting Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all UN Member States in 2015 and this meeting is reviewing the 2030 Agenda and its 17 goals. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says a sense of urgency is essential if the global community wants to meet the UN targets. 'The Sustainable Development Goals are not a dream. They are a plan. A plan to keep our promises to the most vulnerable people, to each other, and to future generations. People win when we channel our energy into development. But we must face a tough reality - only 35 percent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress." Nick Kyrgios has come through his first match since March, completing an hour on court in a men's doubles defeat at the ATP Tour's Washington DC Open. Kyrgios had a tough opening draw alongside French veteran Gael Monfils, as they played against third seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys. While Kyrgios held his first service match both players were then broken to lose the first set 6-2. But being on court was as much of an achievement for the 30-year-old Australian who has been grappling with injuries since reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022.
Daily Record
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scotland's most beautiful cities crowned as one with 'rich history' tops list
Three destinations across the country were singled out. Scotland's "most beautiful" cities have been named in a new roundup. An iconic settlement with a "rich history" came in at number one on the list. Across Scotland, there are eight cities. Each one has something unique to offer, and when it comes to a day out you can't go wrong with any of them. On July 4, EnVols shared a list of the "most beautiful" cities in Scotland. A total of three cities are included on the experts' roundup. Placing first on EnVols' list is Edinburgh. The Scottish capital was praised for its "rich history and the gothic architecture". Edinburgh is the second most populous city in Scotland, home to approximately 505,000 people. It is renowned for its culture and many attractions. One of the destinations in the city praised by EnVols is Edinburgh Castle, which dates back centuries. Dominating the city's skyline, the castle includes highlights such as St Margaret's Chapel and the Great Hall. The experts also singled out the Royal Mile, which is comprised of a series of historic streets that together form the main thoroughfare of Edinburgh's Old Town. During the Edinburgh Fringe in August, the Royal Mile hosts hundreds of street performers offering free entertainment. EnVols commented: "Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, and situated in the centre of the country. It is celebrated for its rich history and the gothic architecture of its Old Town. "Notably, it boasts Edinburgh Castle, which is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated on the top of a dormant volcano, it is a popular tourist destination. "Among its other noteworthy attractions are the Royal Mile, a famous street with shops and restaurants on each side, where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write the Harry Potter novels, and particularly where she drew inspiration for the fictional location of Diagon Alley." Following behind in second place on the experts' list of Scotland's top cities is Glasgow. The biggest city in the country was noted for being "lively and metropolitan". Glasgow is famed for its culture, featuring countless iconic music venues such as The Barrowland Ballroom, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, and the Sub Club. It is also home to the Scottish Ballet, The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, and the Theatre Royal Glasgow. EnVols praised the city's art scene, singling out Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Glasgow School of Art. The former is among Scotland's most popular free attractions and houses one of Europe's top art collections. Finally, the experts named Dunfermline as the third "most beautiful" city in Scotland. Situated in Fife, Dunfermline is the country's newest city—receiving the status in 2022. Among the attractions in Dunfermline that were praised by EnVols are Dunfermline Abbey and Pittencrieff Park. Dunfermline Abbey is where some of Scotland's most iconic medieval monarchs were laid to rest, while Pittencrieff Park is a public park covering 76 acres that offers everything from children's playgrounds to woodland walks.
What's On
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
A magical Harry Potter exhibition is coming to Abu Dhabi
Harry Potter fans, a magical exhibition is landing in Abu Dhabi at Manarat Al Saadiyat this July. Harry Potter: The Exhibition will bring together a cool collection of authentic movie props and costumes worn by the actors, all for your viewing pleasure. You will also be able to see and explore recreations of iconic scenes and settings. This includes locations such as Great Hall gallery, Hagrid's cosy hut, the lush Herbology greenhouse, Hogwarts classrooms, and more. Want to learn how to pot a Mandrake? Or maybe just practice your spells or up your Quidditch skills? You can do it all here in the capital when the exhibition opens. And speaking of Quidditch, as you wander around the exhibition, seek out the golden snitch medallions that will customise your experience based on your wizarding profile. You will have a wristband that will collect points for your Hogswarts house as you complete tasks. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for nesting dragons, fantastic beasts, and hidden Boggarts. At the moment, tickets are not on sale, but you can sign up for the waitlist here. If you miss the sign-up date, the tickets go on sale to the public on June 24, 2025 at 12pm. The exhibition begins July 25. Find out more information here. Want more Harry Potter? If you're a Harry Potter fan in the UAE, you would have most likely heard the news of a Harry Potter theme park coming to Abu Dhabi back in 2022. It will be located in one of the world's largest indoor theme parks – Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi and will be the first Harry Potter theme park to ever open in the Middle East. No news on the magical destination has been announced since, but we are keeping our Harry Potter glasses on for any updates. However, if news from an owl is correct, it could be opening up sometime in 2026. We will just have to wait for the owl delivery to know for sure. You can read about what we know here. If you want more of the magical world, there's a Harry Potter Film Concert Series concert taking place on September 6 and 7, 2025, at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. As the show suggests, the audience will be able to watch Harry Potter on the big screen, and it will be accompanied by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra performing live with the film being showcased on a 40-foot screen. All the different elements coming together means you will experience the magical world of Harry Potter all over again, but in a different light. Tickets are available on And speaking of magical openings Disney fans in the UAE have plenty to be excited about, as we are finally getting a Disneyland right here in the UAE. It will be located on the Yas Island waterfront, with the project being Disney's seventh entertainment destination in the world. Miral will be responsible for the development and construction of the project, while Disney will oversee the creative aspects and provide operational support. This will include design elements of the attraction to ensure it is in line with all things magical. You can read more about this upcoming attraction here. > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Perth Now
08-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Epic $10 million transformation coming to beloved WA brewery
Iconic WA brewer Little Creatures will celebrate its 25th birthday with a $10 million transformation of its Fremantle home. Due to welcome beer lovers in November, the new Little Creatures Fremantle will be located in the former Harbourside nightclub site at 42 Mews Road, next door to the current Great Hall and Brewhouse. Nestled between the existing venue at 40 Mews Road, which opened in 2000, and the derelict Joe's Fish Shack, the revamped space will span two levels and offer uninterrupted panoramic views of Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. Your local paper, whenever you want it. The new-look Little Creatures will have capacity for more than 1000 patrons and feature The Den, a new family-friendly zone with an outdoor play area to keep the kids busy while parents enjoy drinks and watch sport. The Brewhouse will serve as the new tasting room, offering tours, merchandise and a beer school. Lion field sales director for WA, Danny Connolly at Little Creatures in Fremantle. Credit: Supplied Little Creatures' kitchen will also get a renovation to offer a refreshed menu and streamlined service, according to the brewer's parent company, Lion. Lion's WA field sales director Danny Connolly said the company was excited to bring something new to the people of Fremantle as well as the many tourists that visit the venue. 'Little Creatures has been a part of the fabric of Fremantle for the past 25 years and this significant investment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the brand,' he said. Mr Connolly added that the refurbished brewery would inject 'new energy' into the Fremantle dining and entertainment precinct. Fremantle mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge welcomed the new venue on the Fremantle waterfront. 'We're thrilled Little Creatures can remain at their original site,' she said. 'The new space for Little Creatures will provide locals and tourists with an inviting place to enjoy some of the best views, beers and hospitality in WA.' The Great Hall will stay open until the end of October, before the launch of the new venue. Indigenous-owned builder Dundee Rock will oversee design and construction. Both 40 and 42 Mews are owned by the Department of Transport, which leases the land to Lion. The Great Hall building at 40 Mews Road originally housed the Kookaburra yachts competing in the 1987 America's Cup and then a crocodile farm before opening as an independent brewery in late 2000. Little Creatures was established by the original brewers of the Matilda Bay Brewing Company, marketing specialist Howard Cearns, restaurateur Nic Trimboli and master brewer Phil Sexton. Little Creatures has been a brewing institution since opening in Fremantle in November, 2025. Credit: Supplied The partners named the venture after Talking Heads' 1985 album Little Creatures, which also refers to the live yeast cells that turn sugars into alcohol. Little Creatures launched its first beer, a pale ale modelled on hop-driven American pale ales, in 2000. Lion bought Little Creatures' parent company Little World Beverages in 2012 for a reported $380 million before opening a bigger production brewery in Geelong the following year. A Little Creatures branded venue, operated by Three Pound Group, is due to open at Elizabeth Quay later this year. In September 2021, Lion announced plans for a purpose-built $30 million venue on the site previously occupied by Joe's Fish Shack. Those plans were scrapped in December 2022 when Lion, which is part of Japanese giant Kirin, purchased the ground lease for its existing hospitality venue and adjacent production facility.
Metro
05-05-2025
- Metro
Deep in the Cotswolds, I found the hotel of every history lover's dreams
Metro checks in to Ellenborough Park, a history lover's dream hotel with an elegant spa in the Cotswolds. Dusk light pours through the stained glass windows into the lavish wood-panelled room, as a sommelier tops up my champagne flute. I take a bite of my smoked salmon blini with Oscietra caviar, all while a crackling fireplace roars nearby. I'm at a Taittinger tasting in the Great Hall of Ellenborough Park in the Cotswolds, a 15th-century manor house turned five-star hotel at the foot of Cleeve Hill with history in every corner. It's a stone's throw away from Cheltenham Racecourse; you can see the tips of the iconic white tents through the window. I'm suited and booted under high ceilings and chandeliers, as portraits of Catherine Parr – the sixth, and last, wife of King Henry VIII – and Richard Sackville stare me down. I have never felt so bougie. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Getting to Ellenborough Park from London is a breeze – a two-hour train from Paddington to Cheltenham Spa, then about 20 minutes in a taxi. Alternatively, it's a two-and-a-half hour drive from London. Originally constructed in 1485 as a humble home to local farmer Thomas Goodman, the manor went on to host King George III and later became a girls' boarding school, before transforming into a hotel in 1973. After closing for a major renovation in 2008, it was restored to its original glory and expanded to 90 acres. Today, there are 61 rooms and suites on offer (including converted stables) all complete with modern amenities and ensuite bathrooms with roll-top baths. During my tour of the grounds, I'm told it's a popular wedding destination – I can see why. The Old Chapel can hold up to 120 guests and there are versatile events spaces, including bright, leafy areas under the Decar Pavilions. Throughout my stay, friendly and attentive staff are happy to guide me through the snaking hallways that I get lost in on more than one occasion. There's even more history on Ellenborough Park's doorstep, too. A short 10-minute taxi takes me to Sudeley castle. Owned and maintained by Lady Ashcombe, it's most famous for being the lost burial site of Catherine Parr (sensing a common thread here?). After the monarch's death, she married Thomas Seymour (the brother of Jane Seymour – Henry's third wife) and moved to Sudeley Castle, where she had her first child, Mary. Sadly, she died after complications from childbirth and was buried in the private church on the castle grounds. Walking through the castle and elaborate gardens (with a collection of Six The Musical songs playing on a loop in my head), I marvel at the history before me. After my private tour (£40, I'm lucky enough to have tea and scones with Lady Ashcombe herself and her two curious dogs. The crown and jewel of Ellenborough Park is its new Scandinavian-designed Spa Garden Retreat (from £35 per person for 60 minutes). Tucked away in a secluded, cobbled area of the 90-acre grounds, it's the perfect place to sweat it out in the sauna, plunge into the ice bath, and relax in the hot tub under the glass pergola. I can't refuse a glass of champagne while another form of bubbles from the jacuzzi jets swirl around me. In one of the spa's six treatment rooms, I opt for a 50-minute traditional Swedish massage and spend every second of it melting into the table, as a piano version of Sting's Fields of Gold plays softly in the background. Afterwards, I take a dip in the outdoor heated pool (which averages between 28 and 30 degrees) and recline on a lounger in the sun. There is even a dog spa, which I don't personally try but have heard it gets a real round of a paws. Sorry. If there's such a thing as too much relaxation, you can get your sweat on at the gym. Or rent a pair of Dubarry boots to go for a hike around the countryside. The hotel also offers unique experiences, including chocolate-making workshops with Cheltenham Chocolates (starting from £70) or the aforementioned Taittinger tastings (£55) with an in-house sommelier. If I had more time, I'd spend all day in the spa – the perfect little staycation. Ellenborough Park has two restaurant options, including the Horse Box Brasserie (open from 12:30pm to 9pm daily) and the main restaurant in the lavishly-decorated dining room. The latter showcases the original features of the former stately home, with stained-glass windows, wood panelling and a carved fireplace. At the Horse Box Brasserie, I try a decadent charcuterie board (£35 per head) and a delightfully refreshing aperol spritz. But the real show-stopper is in the main restaurant's dinner menu – specifically the king prawns with chorizo starter and the roasted Creedy Carver duck breast and confit leg (£34) as a main. All with free-flowing bubbles too. For dessert, the fluffy passionfruit souffle with mango iced parfait is deliciously light, while the first crack of the cinnamon creme brulee triumphantly echoes around the room. I swear I can still hear it the next morning during the buffet breakfast in the same spot. During spring and summer, I'm told alfresco dining is available in the quirky carriages on the hotel's front lawn. Walking through a tour of the grounds and some of the suites, it's clear that every room is unique. The overall vibe is affluent country chic: floral wallpaper, rustic wood beams, ottoman boxes at the end of four-poster beds. My room is at the top of a spiral staircase in a flagpole tower. As soon as I enter, I clock the bathtub in the corner of the living room, right next to the bed and TV. I can see everything from the window – the heated pool, gym, garden, and Cheltenham Racecourse in the distance. More Trending I can also make out the Lodge, which is a self-contained one-bedroom bolthole with a cosy sitting room, wood burner, fully-equipped kitchen, private garden, dining area, and an outdoor swing. For a prime Cotswolds location dripping in history, Ellenborough Park room rates start from £269 per night for a double room on a B&B basis. Train tickets from London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa start at £70.90 for a super off-peak return journey. James Besanvalle was a guest of Ellenborough Park Hotel. MORE: The lesser-known Greek 'floating village' with return flights for just £100 MORE: I thought bird-watching was for pensioners until I flew 8,000 miles from home MORE: 9 reasons a Galapagos cruise should be on every travel bucket list
