Written by Sofia Pizzinato

COP31 deadlock threatens Australia’s green energy ambitions    

As COP30 unfolds in Belém, Brazil, Australia’s bid to host COP31 has been unsuccesful, with Turkey securing the hosting rights.

Australia had been considered the frontrunner, hoping to showcase its renewable energy transition and deepen ties with Pacific nations, for whom climate change is a critical issue.  

While losing the hosting rights is a major blow, the Albanese government has secured a prominent role for Climate Minister Chris Bowen as COP President of Negotiations, along with a pre-COP meeting to be held in the Pacific.

Asbestos in play sand prompts school closures across Australia 

 More than 70 schools in the ACT and several in Tasmania were closed this week after the ACCC recalled children’s sand products sold at Officeworks, Kmart and Target that could contain asbestos.   

Experts say the risk to children is very low. Tests found no respirable fibres, and any contamination is unlikely to release particles fine enough to be inhaled.

 Schools nationwide are being guided on safe handling and disposal as authorities assess and clean affected sites.  

The closures highlight the difficulty of ensuring the safety of imported products. Some lower-risk goods, like coloured play sand, are not subject to strict testing, allowing contamination to slip through. Officials continue to monitor the situation and urge importers to check for potential contamination.   

Menulog’s closure shows marketing alone cannot save a business  

Australia’s second-largest food delivery platform, Menulog will close its Australian operations on 26 November, ending almost 20 years in the local market.   

The company said ongoing challenges made the business unsustainable, as it struggled to compete with dominant players like Uber Eats, Door Dash, and Deliveroo.  

The brand was known for high-profile campaigns and celebrity endorsements, from Katy Perry to Snoop Dogg, and its catchy ‘Did somebody say Menulog’ jingle.  

 The closure highlights how long-term success requires a fully integrated approach across logistics, technology and customer experience. In a competitive market, memorable advertising alone cannot compensate for operational gaps or declining market share.   

BBC unites APAC media and streaming operations  

BBC Studios is combining its media and streaming businesses across Australia, New Zealand and Asia into a single division.  

The restructure follows earlier leadership changes in the company’s scripted and unscripted divisions, including new appointments in production, post-production, and digital partnerships.   

The move is aimed at streamlining operations and driving growth across the region.   

Robi Stanton, will lead the unified division as president Asia Pacific media and streaming president. Joining the broadcaster in March, she brings extensive leadership experience from her previous senior roles at CNN International, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Turner International.    

BBC Studios’ global channels, streaming and UKTV CEO, Marcus Arthur, said that “uniting the businesses under Stanton’s leadership would unlock new opportunities and strengthen collaboration across APAC”.