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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Young Aussie finds huge loophole in parking fines - and why he's now refusing to pay
A young law student is disputing a parking fine he received while at university, claiming the parking meter did not give him the option to pay in cash. Oliver Griffiths, who is studying law at the University of Wollongong, received a $97 fine earlier this month after parking his car on campus. The university changed its parking policy last year, introducing digital parking machines that accept card-only payments. However, Mr Griffiths claimed there was signage visible in the car park that stated payment could be made with 'credit card or coins' at the time he received the fine. In a video shared to Facebook, Mr Griffiths outlined his plan to challenge the fine in his fight against a cashless society. 'My name is Oliver and I have fallen victim to the incoming cashless society,' Mr Griffiths said. 'Last year, my university made parking only available through digital payment. 'Instead of following along with the modern digital currency agenda I left notes on my dashboard offering to pay in cash.' The cash crusader had left a handwritten note on the dash of his car, explaining he was happy to organise a cash payment for the parking. He left a $10 note next to the message and also provided his phone number for the parking inspector to call so that he could organise payment. 'Dear parking inspector, cash is Australia's legal tender. I am not available to pay by card right, but I can only pay in cash, I'll come down right now and pay. Here's my number, give me a ring,' the note read. However, the note did not do the trick, and Mr Griffiths was still fined for parking without a ticket. Mr Griffiths, who wore a T-shirt with the slogan 'cash is king' in his social media video, outlined his pro-cash argument — one he said resonated with many Australians. 'I, like so many other Aussies out there, believe that cash is king,' Mr Griffiths said. 'Cash is essential to the economic freedoms of people, and it sustains everyday purchases of small businesses and individuals daily. 'It's available in emergencies, it protects your privacy, it doesn't cost you to use it, and it allows families to budget better.' If a magistrate orders Mr Griffiths to pay the fine, the young law student has vowed he will take out his wallet and pay in cash. 'I am going to keep fighting and if I have to go to the High Court I will, because cash is legal tender,' Mr Griffiths said. Last year, the federal government announced a cash mandate would come into force on January 1, 2026, requiring businesses to offer customers a cash option. Under that mandate, businesses that sell essential items like groceries and fuel must accept cash as payment. This comes as an estimated 1.5 million Australians still prefer to use cash over digital payments, despite one in four businesses no longer accepting cash. Cash use in Australia has steadily declined over the past decade—a trend that accelerated sharply following the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Reserve Bank data, the number of in-person cash transactions halved between 2019 and 2022, dropping from 32 per cent of transactions to 16 per cent. Currently, cash makes up about 10 per cent of all transactions, with projections suggesting it could fall to just seven per cent by 2030. Meanwhile, debit and credit card payments have remained strong, with debit card usage increasing over the same period. Jason Bryce, from advocacy group Cash Welcome, led an initiative known as 'Cash Out Day' on April 22, encouraging Aussies to withdraw cash from ATMs and banks to demonstrate its continued importance. An estimated 1.6 million people withdrew cash—totalling around $500 million—in 2024. Mr Bryce also started a 'Cash Welcome' petition on which has garnered almost 210,000 signatures. The petition calls on the government to introduce an Australian cash and banking guarantee. It calls for: 'all Australians [to] have reasonable local access to cash and full banking services,' and insists that 'all Australians must be able to choose cash when paying for food and essentials at physical retailers.' 'Millions of Australian consumers and businesses trust and rely on cash for their everyday needs and for budgeting purposes. 'Even Australians that don't attend banks or use cash regularly need access to face-to-face banking services and physical money sometimes.'
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Mysterious ‘blobs' deep inside the Earth may cause deadly volcanic eruptions that wipe out life
Explosive volcanic eruptions don't just damage property or cancel flights; they can kill hundreds or even thousands of people with lethal 'pyroclastic' flows. Now, scientists in Australia have identified mysterious 'blobs' about 1,200 miles under the surface that could cause massive eruptions. Blobs are three-dimensional regions that span the length of continents and can be 100 time the height of Mount Everest. They sit at the bottom of Earth's rocky mantle above the molten outer core, a place so deep that Earth's elements are squeezed beyond recognition. The blobs are also the starting point for plumes of hot molten rock which flow up towards the Earth's surface. There they erupt as lava, gases and rock fragments with the capability of wiping out life as we know it. The scientists warn that giant, large-scale eruptions can have serious impacts, such as sudden climate change and mass extinction events. Volcanic eruptions can intensify global warming by adding greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere. Giant volcanoes also triggered events that led to the largest mass dying on Earth, the Permian-Triassic extinction 252 million years ago. 'These blobs have possibly existed for hundreds of millions of years,' say the researchers from the University of Wollongong, near Sydney. Earth is made up of three layers – the crust, the mantle and the core, which was recently separated into 'inner' and 'outer'. According to the team, blobs are at the bottom of Earth's mantle, betwee 1,200 miles and 1,800 miles below our feet. The mantle, the planet's thickest layer, is predominantly a solid rock, but blobs may be different compared with the surrounding mantle rocks. Blobs are made of rock just like the rest of the mantle, but they're thought to be hotter and heavier. For their study, the team used computer modeling to simulate 'mantle convection' – the movement of material in Earth's mantle powered by heat – over one billion years. Blobs, which are some 1,200 miles below Earth's surface, move over time and are connected to Earth's surface by 'mantle plumes' that create giant eruptions Their findings suggest that mantle plumes – columns of hot molten rock in the mantle – rise up from the continent-sized blobs. Mantle plumes are shaped a bit like a lollipop sticking upwards, with the 'stick' the plume tail and the 'candy' nearer Earth's surface the plume head. The researchers found that locations of volcanic eruption fall either onto, or close to, the location of blobs, as predicted by their models. This suggests that blobs, an acronym for Big LOwer-mantle Basal Structures, are essentially the deep-Earth origin of volcanic eruptions. Typically, deep Earth motions are in the order of 0.4-inch per year, so they only become significant over tens of millions of years. Blobs probably shift in a year at roughly the rate at which human hair grows each month, the team say. Although they have possibly existed for hundreds of millions of years, it's unclear what causes their movement. Mantle plumes rise very slowly from blobs through the mantle because they transport hot solid rock, not melt or lava. At lower pressures in the uppermost 125 miles of Earth's mantle, the solid rock melts, leading to volcanic eruptions. 'We used statistics to show that the locations of past giant volcanic eruptions are significantly related to the mantle plumes predicted by our models,' explain the authors in a piece for The Conversation. 'This is encouraging, as it suggests that the simulations predict mantle plumes in places and at times generally consistent with the geologic record.' The new findings, published in Communications Earth and Environment, suggest that the deep Earth is even more dynamic than we realized. Future research aims to explore the chemical nature of blobs, which might be possible with simulations that track the evolution of their composition.
Mid East Info
14-07-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Pearson Advances English Language Assessment with Enhanced PTE and New Express Test - Middle East Business News and Information
Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world's lifelong learning company, today announces updates to its English language testing portfolio. These include enhancements to the Pearson Test of English (PTE) and the launch of the Pearson English Express Test, bringing new advances in secure, accurate, and trusted assessments. Together, they demonstrate Pearson's commitment to improving the testing experience for governments, universities, and test takers worldwide. With over 30 million expatriates in the Middle East, English fluency is becoming essential for career and economic advancement. Driven by demand for international education, global job mobility, and digital transformation, the region is placing growing emphasis on English proficiency. According to Pearson, 85% of learners believe English is vital for professional growth, and in Saudi Arabia, fluent speakers can earn up to twice as much as their peers. In response, regional stakeholders are ramping up efforts to deliver effective language training, digital learning solutions and standardized assessments for the future workforce. Enhancements to the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Starting in August 2025, PTE Academic will introduce two new speaking tasks: 'Respond to a Situation' and 'Summarize a Group Discussion'. These additions precisely assess how test takers communicate in real-world situations, demonstrating key skills needed for academic and professional success. The scoring model is also being enhanced, with advanced AI working alongside human experts to better detect copied or unoriginal responses. To help test takers perform at their best, Pearson has introduced new preparation resources tailored to the enhanced PTE Academic, including scored practice tests, PTE expert courseware, test taker webinars, and video content. Trusted fundamentals remain The core features of PTE remain: it is fully computer-based, primarily AI scored, and delivers fast results, typically within two days. The test continues to be trusted by more than 3,500 institutions and millions of learners worldwide. Growth in global test center network PTE's secure test center network continues to expand worldwide, with 30 centers opened so far in 2025, bringing the total to 517 locations. New openings across Canada, China, Australia, India, Vietnam, and 12 other countries are supporting growth in key migration and study abroad markets. In the UAE, leading universities including the University of Wollongong in Dubai, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, Middlesex University Dubai, and the American University of Ras Al Khaimah already accept PTE Academic as part of their admissions process. Introducing the Pearson English Express Test Responding to demand for a trusted, accessible test for US-bound learners, Pearson is launching the Pearson English Express Test, a new online assessment to expand access to secure testing. The one-hour test can be taken anytime, anywhere, offering an affordable alternative for those without access to a test center. Results are available within minutes, with a certified report delivered in under 48 hours. Meeting university needs The Pearson English Express Test addresses the growing demand from universities for secure and accurate English proficiency assessments. Institutions can set scores using Pearson's Global Scale of English (GSE) proficiency scale and receive results through the same secure platform used for PTE Academic. Universities will receive samples of written and spoken responses for added assurance. Security features leverage Pearson's 30 years of expertise, and include identity and equipment checks, human oversight, and dual-camera monitoring of the test environment. Sharon Hague, President of English Language Learning at Pearson, said: 'Across the Middle East, demand for high-quality English language assessment is growing rapidly as learners pursue global education, career, and migration opportunities. We are investing in the future of assessment. We know that English tests must reflect the skills people need to thrive in academic and professional settings and deliver results institutions can trust when the stakes are high. We're responding with enhanced test security and new tasks that better reflect real-world communication. And because these are life-changing moments for test takers, we're providing new preparation tools to help them feel confident and ready on test day.' Helping more learners take the next step Pearson's latest investments meet the different needs of governments, institutions, and learners worldwide, as part of an ongoing programme of innovation and development. Enhancements to PTE Academic take effect from 7 August 2025, with further information available on our website. The Pearson English Express test will be available from Q4 in Brazil, Mexico, the US, Japan, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain, with additional markets to follow in 2026.
The Irish Sun
14-07-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Map of Earth's underworld shows hidden ‘blobs' blamed for wiping out almost all life & killing the dinosaurs
MYSTERIOUS 'BLOBS' lurking beneath the Earth's surface could be responsible for the cataclysmic volcanic eruptions that helped kill off the dinosaurs. While an asteroid impact was the main force behind the demise of the dinosaurs, a chain of violent volcanic eruptions that followed the impact is also thought to have played a role. Advertisement 4 These so-called 'BLOBS' - which stands for big lower-mantle basal structures - lie thousands of kilometers below Earth's surface Credit: Cucchiaro et al., Communications Earth & Environment, 2025 4 While an asteroid impact was the main force behind the demise of the dinosaurs, a chain of violent volcanic eruptions that followed the impact is also thought to have played a role Credit: Getty 4 There are two giant 'BLOBS' that are both the size of continents hiding under the African and Pacific hemispheres, according to researchers Credit: Cucchiaro et al., Communications Earth & Environment, 2025 Volcanic eruptions can wipe out entire cities - just look at Pompeii - and even wipe out life on Earth. The source of these Earth-shattering eruptions can be traced back to specific features deep within Earth's underworld, called 'BLOBS', according to a new study. These so-called 'BLOBS' - which stands for big lower-mantle basal structures - lie thousands of kilometers below Earth's surface. And they move just like the tectonic plates above them. Advertisement READ MORE ON EARTH SCIENCE There are two giant 'BLOBS' that are both the size of continents hiding under the African and Pacific hemispheres, researchers said. Volcanologist Annalise Cucchiaro from the University of Wollongong in Australia, discovered these 'BLOBS' with her colleagues. They say these deep Earth structures have a direct influence on volcanic activity above ground. Giant volcanic eruptions occur when deep mantle plumes - scorching columns of rock - rise from nearly 3,000 kilometers below the surface. Advertisement Most read in Science Analysing three different datasets on large volcanic eruptions that occurred around 300 million years ago, the researchers concluded that the 'BLOBS' are the source of these plumes. "This work highlights the importance of mantle plumes in acting as 'magma highways' to the surface, creating these giant eruptions," Cucchiaro World's smallest volcano found by locals after bursting from ground in Peru "It also shows that these plumes move along with their source, the BLOBS." Although some mysteries remain - like whether the BLOBS are fixed in place or if they travel across the underworld. Advertisement "This research cracks open one of the questions that has long plagued scientists – are the BLOBS stationary or mobile and how do they relate to giant volcanic explosions – so it is a thrill to finally [be able] to unravel these mysteries," added geoscientist Nicholas Flament. What the new research suggests is that they are part of a dynamic system that has direct repercussions for all living things above ground. "We used statistics to show that the locations of past giant volcanic eruptions are significantly related to the mantle plumes predicted by our models," Cucchiaro and Flament wrote in "This is encouraging, as it suggests that the simulations predict mantle plumes in places and at times generally consistent with the geologic record." Advertisement With all the devastation volcanic eruptions can cause, it is important to know what causes them to blow. 4 Some mysteries remain - like whether the BLOBS are fixed in place or if they travel across the underworld Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
14-07-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Map of Earth's underworld shows hidden ‘blobs' blamed for wiping out almost all life & killing the dinosaurs
There are two giant 'BLOBS' that are both the size of continents hiding under the African and Pacific hemispheres, researchers said BLOB-POCALYPSE Map of Earth's underworld shows hidden 'blobs' blamed for wiping out almost all life & killing the dinosaurs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MYSTERIOUS 'BLOBS' lurking beneath the Earth's surface could be responsible for the cataclysmic volcanic eruptions that helped kill off the dinosaurs. While an asteroid impact was the main force behind the demise of the dinosaurs, a chain of violent volcanic eruptions that followed the impact is also thought to have played a role. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 These so-called 'BLOBS' - which stands for big lower-mantle basal structures - lie thousands of kilometers below Earth's surface Credit: Cucchiaro et al., Communications Earth & Environment, 2025 4 While an asteroid impact was the main force behind the demise of the dinosaurs, a chain of violent volcanic eruptions that followed the impact is also thought to have played a role Credit: Getty 4 There are two giant 'BLOBS' that are both the size of continents hiding under the African and Pacific hemispheres, according to researchers Credit: Cucchiaro et al., Communications Earth & Environment, 2025 Volcanic eruptions can wipe out entire cities - just look at Pompeii - and even wipe out life on Earth. The source of these Earth-shattering eruptions can be traced back to specific features deep within Earth's underworld, called 'BLOBS', according to a new study. These so-called 'BLOBS' - which stands for big lower-mantle basal structures - lie thousands of kilometers below Earth's surface. And they move just like the tectonic plates above them. There are two giant 'BLOBS' that are both the size of continents hiding under the African and Pacific hemispheres, researchers said. Volcanologist Annalise Cucchiaro from the University of Wollongong in Australia, discovered these 'BLOBS' with her colleagues. They say these deep Earth structures have a direct influence on volcanic activity above ground. Giant volcanic eruptions occur when deep mantle plumes - scorching columns of rock - rise from nearly 3,000 kilometers below the surface. Analysing three different datasets on large volcanic eruptions that occurred around 300 million years ago, the researchers concluded that the 'BLOBS' are the source of these plumes. "This work highlights the importance of mantle plumes in acting as 'magma highways' to the surface, creating these giant eruptions," Cucchiaro said in a statement. World's smallest volcano found by locals after bursting from ground in Peru "It also shows that these plumes move along with their source, the BLOBS." Although some mysteries remain - like whether the BLOBS are fixed in place or if they travel across the underworld. "This research cracks open one of the questions that has long plagued scientists – are the BLOBS stationary or mobile and how do they relate to giant volcanic explosions – so it is a thrill to finally [be able] to unravel these mysteries," added geoscientist Nicholas Flament. What the new research suggests is that they are part of a dynamic system that has direct repercussions for all living things above ground. "We used statistics to show that the locations of past giant volcanic eruptions are significantly related to the mantle plumes predicted by our models," Cucchiaro and Flament wrote in The Conversation. "This is encouraging, as it suggests that the simulations predict mantle plumes in places and at times generally consistent with the geologic record." With all the devastation volcanic eruptions can cause, it is important to know what causes them to blow.
