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  • Japan’s GDP expands more than expected in second quarter as tariffs take hold

    Japan’s GDP expands more than expected in second quarter as tariffs take hold

    The Tokyo Tower stands amid buildings at dusk in Tokyo, Japan.

    Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

    Japan’s economy expanded 0.3% in the second quarter of 2025 from the previous first three months, outpacing forecasts despite tariff headwinds out of the United States.

    This was compared to the revised 0.1% growth seen in the first quarter, and was higher than the 0.1% increase expected by economists polled by Reuters.

    The GDP beat was mainly attributed to resilience in exports, which added 0.3 percentage points to GDP growth, compared to the 0.8% contraction in the first quarter of the year. Japan’s trade deficit narrowed from April to June compared to the first quarter, according to data from the country’s trade ministry.

    On a year-over-year basis, Japan’s GDP expanded 1.2% in the second quarter, falling short of the first quarter’s 1.8% growth.

    Annualized growth came in at 1%, more than double the 0.4% forecast.

    The benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.59% on the news, while the yen edged up 0.1% to trade at 147.6 against the dollar.

    Stock Chart IconStock chart icon

    This comes as Japan struggled to cope with an uncertain trade environment in the second quarter, with the country only reaching a trade deal with the U.S. on July 23.

    The deal sees Japan face a 15% blanket tariff on all exports to the U.S., including automobiles.

    Throughout the second quarter, Japan was spared the 24% tariff that was announced on “Liberation Day,” but had to face 25% duties on its key automobile sector.

    Auto exports to the U.S. are a cornerstone of Japan’s economy, making up 28.3% of all shipments in 2024, according to customs data.

    Marcel Theliant, Head of Asia Pacific at Capital Economics, said in a Friday note that Japan was “shrugging off U.S. tariffs.”

    However, Theliant pointed out that while the GDP rebound was “stronger than anticipated,” he expected a renewed slowdown over the coming quarters as investment spending was set to soften and exports to decline slightly.

    After its July 31 meeting, the Bank of Japan upgraded its forecast for the country’s economy to grow 0.6% in its 2025 fiscal year, running from April 2025 to March 2026. This was higher than the 0.5% in its earlier April forecast.

    However, the central bank also cautioned that trade and other policies globally would lead to a slowdown in overseas economies, as well as a decline in domestic corporate profits.

    Senior economist Masato Koike at Sompo Institute Plus said that there is a “strong sense of stagnation” ahead for Japan, according to a Google translation of his note in Japanese.

    Personal consumption is likely to continue on an upward trend as real wages recover on the back of wage increases, Koike said.

    “However, if the impact of tariffs affects bonuses and wage increases in 2026, this trend will likely be short-lived.”

    Koike also said that while demand for digital and labor-saving investments is strong, the decline in corporate profits due to tariffs will likely exert strong downward pressure on capital investment.

    There was a possibility that Japan could enter a recession, depending on the magnitude of the impact of tariffs, Koike added.

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  • Google Photos Gets Much-Needed Update Ahead Of Pixel 10 Launch

    Google Photos Gets Much-Needed Update Ahead Of Pixel 10 Launch

    Key Takeaways

    • Google Photos is testing new personalization upgrades ahead of the Pixel 10-series launch.
    • Changes align with Google’s “Material 3 Expressive” design philosophy.
    • New filtering options simplify finding shared albums

    Google Photos Updates Two Features

    Google Photos is testing some significant design upgrades, aligning with the upcoming launch of the Pixel 10-series. A new report from Android Authority indicates that key personalization functions will soon be updated in line with Google’s Material 3 Expressive design philosophy, expected to feature heavily on the Pixel 10 range.

    These updates, discovered in the app code for version 7.41 of Google Photos, follow earlier Material 3 updates reported by the same source, suggesting how Google Photos and other apps will continue to evolve.

    Google Photos Tests Easier Name-Changing

    The first update simplifies changing the picture you use as your default face in Google Photos, altering both the layout and wording of the interface. The new version replaces the existing, small circular face tiles with much larger, irregular shapes from Google’s updated Material Shapes Library, prioritizing faces over the accompanying text, which has also been simplified.

    Play Puzzles & Games on Forbes

    Once you’ve selected your new face image, you are then given the chance to change the name Google Photos uses to refer to you. This is a much-needed upgrade, not only because it complies with Google’s latest design rules, but also because changing a name in Google Photos is currently such a clunky process, which requires finding the person in the People and Pets collection and tapping on their name twice. What’s worse is that Google Photos provides no on-screen instructions for this procedure.

    Active Now! Improved Sharing To Google Photos Albums

    Google has also begun rolling out two powerful filters for album searches. You can now choose to display only albums shared by others, or those you’ve created yourself, simplifying the process of finding shared albums, especially when you want to add pictures to a shared album.

    Without these filters, users have to scroll through a lengthy list of albums or try to recall album names to type into the search box. This is particularly challenging when locating albums named and shared by others.

    This update is rolling out now, and many users are already seeing the new filters. Keep an eye out next time you’re searching for an album, as they do make the process a whole lot easier.

    The new Material 3 Expressive face picker isn’t currently available to users and may undergo significant refinement before release. However, its strong alignment with Google’s latest design principles suggests we’ll see these and similar updates rolling out to Google Photos and other apps soon. For example, Google recently revamped the Pixel Watch interface with Material 3, offering an insight into what’s to come.

    Expect to see even more Material 3 Expressive design when Google officially unveils the Pixel 10 series on August 20, 2025.

    Follow @paul_monckton on Instagram.

    ForbesGoogle Photos Tests Ingenious Backup Upgrade — And We Need It NowBy Paul MoncktonForbesGoogle Photos Just Got A Massive AI Upgrade. Here’s The Catch.By Paul Monckton


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  • Comedian Urvi Majumdar brings her new comedy stand-up show to Bendigo and Geelong!

    Fresh from the release of her own hit ABC TV Pilot Urvi Went To An All Girls School, Urvi Majumdar brings a brand-new hour of non-stop laughs to Bendigo and Geelong!

    Urvi is the Hannah Montana of comedy: Teacher by day, Comedian by night and hoping not to get recognised for the wrong one. Even though she’s a teacher, Urvi still feels like a student in most aspects of life. This is a show about teaching, learning and epic failing. And if Jayden from Year 8 asks if you know Urvi— you don’t.

    Nothing is off limits in this new hour of jokes from one of Australia’s most honest and exciting comedic voices. From surviving six periods of PE, to roasting teacher stereotypes, to embarrassing mishaps on Compass, Urvi’s seen it all and she’s been taking notes so that you don’t have to! Come along and catch up on all the staffroom goss over Friday knock-offs with Miss!

    Geelong and Bendigo Poster

    Urvi is quickly establishing herself as one of the most exciting and prominent creative voices on the Australian Comedy Scene.

    She has performed to sold-out crowds around the country at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival and Perth Comedy Festival.

    You might recognise her from ABC’s critically acclaimed hit shows Fisk and Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee, Network Ten’s The Cheap Seats or SBS’s Celebrity Letters and Numbers and The Cook Up with Adam Liaw. Her debut solo comedy show Urvi Went To An All Girls School was adapted by Screen Australia and ABC into an AACTA and AWGIE nominated Web Series, as well as a half hour pilot which aired on ABC and ABC iview.

    Some people might say Urvi is obsessed with schools and they’d be right – nerds rule!

     

    Tickets on sale now. For complete tour and ticketing details, visit: livenation.com.au 

    SOCIAL MEDIA

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urvimajumdar/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urvi_majumdar/?hl=en

    Website: https://www.urvimajumdar.com/

     

    ‘MISS!’

    BENDIGO COMEDY FESTIVAL

    BLACK SWAN HOTEL

    FRIDAY 3 OCTOBER

     GEELONG COMEDY FESTIVAL

    MANHATTAN BAR

    FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER

     

    About Live Nation Entertainment

    Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit livenationentertainment.com.

     

    For all media enquiries, contact:

    LIVE NATION

    Peta Sloley

    +61 417 338 730

    Peta.sloley@livenation.com.au


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  • Dubai’s Burj Khalifa lights up in green

    Dubai’s Burj Khalifa lights up in green

    On the occasion of Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day, the world’s tallest building in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) lit up in the vibrant colors of the green crescent flag on Thursday.

    Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations transcended borders and reached new heights when the iconic Burj Khalifa shone brilliantly in green and white. Thousands of people including Pakistanis gathered to witness this breathtaking spectacle.

    As soon as the Burj Khalifa donned the colors of the Pakistani flag, the skies of Dubai echoed with chants of “Pakistan Zindabad”. The melody of the national anthem created an atmosphere of joy and pride.

    Pakistani expatriates in the UAE attended with their families. Children wore clothes matching the colors of the national flag, women adorned green and white bangles, and men waved the flag proudly.

    The night sky was further lit up by a dazzling fireworks display. Participants said that freedom is a blessing, and its value is felt most by those living away from their homeland.

    The unity, harmony, love, and discipline displayed by Pakistanis at the Burj Khalifa was proof that Pakistan is not just a geographical entity, but a passion, an identity, a light that shines in the hearts of Pakistanis living in every corner of the world.

    The Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey was often illuminated with the colors of the Pakistani flag on the Independence Day, symbolizing the strong bond between the two countries.

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  • Highlights of Sport Climbing Men’s Speed Single at World Games-Xinhua

    Highlights of Sport Climbing Men’s Speed Single at World Games-Xinhua

    Gold medalist Chu Shouhong (C) of China, silver medalist Samuel Ryan Watson (L) of the United States, bronze medalist Long Jianguo of China pose during the awarding ceremony for the Sport Climbing Men’s Speed Single at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

    Chu Shouhong of China celebrates after defeating Samuel Ryan Watson of the United States during the Sport Climbing Men’s Speed Single Finals Gold Medal Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

    Chu Shouhong of China celebrates after defeating Samuel Ryan Watson of the United States during the Sport Climbing Men’s Speed Single Finals Gold Medal Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

    Long Jianguo (R) of China and Ludovico Fossali of Italy compete during the Sport Climbing Men’s Speed Single Semifinal at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

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  • CJ explains why he didn’t form full court

    CJ explains why he didn’t form full court


    ISLAMABAD:

    Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has justified his action to not constitute a full court to hear petitions challenging the 26th Amendment in November last year.

    The dispute began on October 31 last year, when Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar, being members of the committee, formally addressed a letter to CJP Afridi, urging him to hold a meeting under the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023.

    The two senior justices requested the meeting specifically to address the petitions contesting the 26th Amendment, which involves changes to judicial authority and tenure.

    With no response from the CJP, Justices Shah and Akhtar held an independent meeting in Justice Akhtar’s chambers to determine the next steps.

    Following this private session, the two justices decided by majority vote to fix the petitions against 26th Amendment before a full court on November 4 last year.

    Despite their decision, no cause was issued.

    As minutes of committee meeting has been issued on the SC website, CJP Afridi’s note is also attached wherein he gave justification for not constituting the full court.

    The CJP said that the constitutional mandate vesting jurisdiction to any bench in the Supreme Court to hear a petition under Article 184 of the Constitution is but very clear.

    The CJP had personally sought the opinion of all 13 judges of the Supreme Court, with nine favouring a constitutional bench over a full court for hearing challenges to the amendment.

    The disclosure came as part of the CJP’s detailed communication addressing the concerns of justices Shah and Akhtar regarding the bench composition for a key constitutional matter.

    The CJP stressed that the decision reflected the collective preference of the court’s majority and that he had acted in good faith to preserve institutional harmony.

    Freshly disclosed minutes of judges’ committee meetings covering the period from October 31, 2024, to May 29, 2025, provide a rare glimpse into the apex court’s inner sanctum, laying bare a paper trail of legal hair-splitting, procedural manoeuvring and judicial diplomacy surrounding one of the most politically charged amendments in the country’s recent memory.

    According to the disclosures, the chief justice informed Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Munib Akhtar of the majority view, cautioning that convening a full court could undermine collegiality among judges and expose the court to public criticism, as had happened in the recent past.

    The paper trail begins with an October 31, 2024 meeting in Justice Munib Akhtar’s chambers, where Justices Munib Akhtar and Mansoor Ali Shah proposed listing the case before the full court on November 4.

    They acted on the perception that the chief justice was not convening a judges’ committee meeting on the matter.

    Later, in a November 5, 2024 letter, CJP Afridi cited Article 191A and sub-clause 4 to stress that only the judges’ constitutional committee could fix such cases for hearing, and that petitions under Article 184(3) must go to a constitutional bench, not a full court.

    He disclosed that he had privately canvassed the views of all 13 judges and nine agreed with his position, and these findings were shared with the two ‘brother judges’ advocating otherwise.

    Warning that convening a full court in this instance could fray the spirit of essential collegiality and invite public criticism, as had occurred in the recent past.

    Later that afternoon, the CJP’s office received letters from the two judges, sealed and delivered to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) secretary for safekeeping until the commission’s November 5 meeting.

    At the meeting, the CJP proposed that the commission, excluding himself, nominate members of the constitutional bench to hear the petitions, in line with Article 191A(3)(a).

    November 26, 2024: committee vote

    In a regular judges’ committee meeting chaired by CJP Afridi and attended by Justice Shah and constitutional bench head Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Shah again proposed convening a full court.

    The majority, Afridi and Khan, decided that the CB would hear the case.

    January 17, 2025: tax case controversy

    At a subsequent committee meeting, Justice Shah was absent but had earlier submitted his views on a tax-related constitutional interpretation case, suggesting it could be heard by a regular bench instead of a constitutional bench.

    The CJP noted that the tax case had originally been set for January 27 before a regular bench, but a conflicting order scheduled it for January 16.

    By a 2–1 majority, the committee decided to transfer the case to a CB and ruled that all cases involving constitutional questions must go to the CB unless a regular bench had already issued an order.

    January 24, 2025: midnight roster dispute

    Later, Justice Shah’s letter, also made public, describes his objection to being informed at 9:33 pm, via his secretary, that a six-member larger bench, headed by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, had been formed to hear an intra-court appeal.

    Shah says he had earlier agreed in an informal meeting to a five-member bench of senior judges, excluding any with conflicts of interest.

    According to Shah, the CJP had suggested a four-member bench, but later that night, at 9:30 p.m. via WhatsApp, he was asked to approve a six-member bench. He objected, noting that two of its members — Justices Mandokhail and Muhammad Ali Mazhar — were part of the constitutional bench and therefore should not hear the case.

    Shah added that the case file was never provided to him.

    May 20, 2025: delegation of powers debate

    In a three-member committee meeting, Justice Shah argued that powers under the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, could not be delegated to the registrar, as the Act contained no such provision.

    He suggested replacing the word “quorum” with “majority” and filling vacancies with the next most senior judge.

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  • Highlights of awarding ceremonies for Billiards events at World Games-Xinhua

    Highlights of awarding ceremonies for Billiards events at World Games-Xinhua

    Gold medalist Xiao Guodong (C) of China, silver medalist Michael Georgiou (L) of Cyprus and bronze medalist Alexander Widau of Germany pose during the awarding ceremony for Men’s Snooker of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Xiao Guodong of China reacts during the awarding ceremony for Men’s Snooker of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Zhang Taiyi (C) of China, silver medalist Jason Theron (L) of South Africa and bronze medalist Tang Chunxiao of China pose during the awarding ceremony for Mixed Heyball Pool of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Han Yu of China poses during the awarding ceremony for Women’s Pool of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Zhang Taiyi of China poses during the awarding ceremony for Mixed Heyball Pool of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Bai Yulu of China poses during the awarding ceremony for Women’s Six-Red Snooker of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Cho Myungwoo (C) of South Korea, silver medalist Sameh Sidhom (L) of Egypt and bronze medalist Martin Horn of Germany pose during the awarding ceremony for Men’s Carom Three Cushion of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Silver medalist Michael Georgiou of Cyprus poses during the awarding ceremony for Men’s Snooker of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Oliver Szolnoki (C) of Hungary, silver medalist Gerson Martinez (L) of Peru and bronze medalist Joshua Filler of Germany pose during the awarding ceremony for Men’s Pool of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Silver medalist Miyashita Ayaka of Japan poses during the awarding ceremony for Women’s Carom Three Cushion of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Therese Klompenhouwer (C) of the Netherlands, silver medalist Miyashita Ayaka (L) of Japan and bronze medalist Jackeline Perez of Peru pose during the awarding ceremony for Women’s Carom Three Cushion of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Therese Klompenhouwer (2nd L) of the Netherlands celebrates during the awarding ceremony for Women’s Carom Three Cushion of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Bronze medalist Tang Chunxiao of China poses during the awarding ceremony for Mixed Heyball Pool of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Han Yu (C) of China, silver medalist Chezka Centeno (L) of the Philippines and bronze medalist Liu Shasha of China pose during the awarding ceremony for Women’s Pool of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Silver medalist Jason Theron of South Africa poses during the awarding ceremony for Mixed Heyball Pool of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Bronze medalist Ploychompoo Laokiatphong of Thailand poses during the awarding ceremony for Women’s Six-Red Snooker of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Silver medalist Chezka Centeno of the Philippines poses during the awarding ceremony for Women’s Pool of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Bronze medalist Alexander Widau of Germany poses during the awarding ceremony for Men’s Snooker of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Silver medalist Narucha Phoemphul of Thailand poses during the awarding ceremony for Women’s Six-Red Snooker of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Bai Yulu of China celebrates during the awarding ceremony for Women’s Six-Red Snooker of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Bai Yulu (C) of China, silver medalist Narucha Phoemphul (L) of Thailand and bronze medalist Ploychompoo Laokiatphong of Thailand pose during the awarding ceremony for Women’s Six-Red Snooker of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Bronze medalist Martin Horn of Germany poses during the awarding ceremony for Men’s Carom Three Cushion of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Therese Klompenhouwer of the Netherlands reacts during the awarding ceremony for Women’s Carom Three Cushion of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Silver medalist Gerson Martinez of Peru poses during the awarding ceremony for Men’s Pool of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Gold medalist Oliver Szolnoki of Hungary poses during the awarding ceremony for Men’s Pool of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

    Bronze medalist Jackeline Perez of Peru poses during the awarding ceremony for Women’s Carom Three Cushion of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

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  • Boy with fragile skin disorder given hope after new treatment

    Boy with fragile skin disorder given hope after new treatment

    Gabrielius Misurenkovas, 12, from east London, was diagnosed with an inflammatory disease called recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) when he was a baby.

    Many symptoms of the painful condition have been alleviated thanks to a new trial in which he received certain stem cells via an intravenous drip.

    Gabrielius was diagnosed with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa when he was a baby (Family handout/PA)

    The rare genetic disease is severely debilitating.

    People with the condition have extremely fragile skin which is easily damaged, leading to blistering, deep wounds and scarring.

    About 150 children in the UK are affected by RDEB, which is painful and causes itchiness.

    With no disease-modifying treatment available, patients and their families manage symptoms by dressing wounds and applying eye ointments.

    Over time, the condition can lead to severe complications and many patients with the condition develop a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma when they are young adults – this is the most common cause of death for RDEB patients.

    Gabrielius has been under the care of medics at the world-renowned children’s hospital Great Ormond Street (GOSH) since he was a baby.

    He said he jumped at the chance to join the clinical trial when it was suggested by his doctors.

    “I wanted to take part in the trial as I was excited to see if it could help improve my condition and so I could do more of the things I enjoy, like playing football and spending time with my friends,” he said.

    The youngster, who can speak three languages and is a big fan of footballer Lionel Messi, needed his bandages changing three times a day, or more if he was injured.

    His mother, Jolita Cekaviciene, said: “Gabrielius did really well on the trial.

    “His wounds healed quicker, and his skin was less red and inflamed.

    “His skin was also less itchy which also reduced him scratching.

    “His sleep was also less disturbed as he didn’t need to have his special wound dressings changed as often, so this was a great benefit.”

    She said Gabrielius has managed to do a few things that he was not able to before the treatment, including taking part in some sports at school, riding his bike in the park on the grass, and being able to play football with his friends, with a soft ball.

    Ms Cekaviciene said the trial has given her son more freedom than before, but he still needs to be careful in any activity to avoid falling over or bumps.

    Gabrielius was referred to GOSH as a baby after medics spotted a wound when he was born, and he was diagnosed with RDEB when he was two weeks old.

    Ms Cekaviciene said: “The first two years were really hard as you had to watch him constantly – even rubbing his eyes could cause painful blistering.

    “He couldn’t even tell us how much pain he was in or where he was hurting.”

    Gabrielius on a hike
    Gabrielius is one of 30 children who tested the first disease-modifying treatment for RDEB (Family handout/PA)

    RDEB is a genetic condition which is caused by a fault in the gene that makes a protein which holds layers of skin together – collagen VII.

    Medics wanted to assess whether regular infusions with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) improved symptoms for children with the condition, after studies suggested that MSC treatments could promote wound healing, reduce inflammation and stimulate tissue regeneration.

    In the trial, funded by NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the charity Cure EB, children were given a treatment called CORDStrom, manufactured by INmuneBio.

    Gabrielius is one of 30 children who took part in the new clinical trial at GOSH and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

    Patients would go into hospital and have a drip which delivers the cells over 10 to 15 minutes.

    In the study patients were split into two groups, about half were given the treatment, which is made from umbilical cord tissue, as an infusion, twice over two weeks.

    The other half were given a placebo, also known as a dummy drug.

    They then had a nine-month gap, known as a wash-out period, where the group that were initially given the dummy drug were given the treatment, while the group that received therapy first were given a dummy drug.

    The study, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, reported a positive outcome of the treatment.

    The largest effects were in children under the age of 10, and in the children with intermediate type of RDEB.

    Families involved in the study reported a positive impact on daily life and well-being, with a reduction in both pain and itching.

    The treatment was said to be well tolerated by the children.

    INmuneBio have agreed to provide CORDStrom free of charge for a year for all children who took part in the trial, so researchers can continue to study them, and patients are expected to get two infusions of the treatment every four months.

    The company is seeking regulatory approval for the treatment so it can be approved for use in the UK and other countries.

    Chief investigator of the study, Dr Anna Martinez, paediatric dermatologist at GOSH, said: “Our study has demonstrated that CORDStrom was safe and can help reduce disease activity in some patients with RDEB.

    “Administering the treatment early and at regular intervals appears to reduce itch and improve wound healing, which over time we hope will reduce inflammation, modify the condition and may reduce over time the future risk of squamous cell carcinoma.

    “It’s fantastic to see how the patients, like Gabrielius, had improvements in their symptoms and their quality of life.”

    She added: “The 12-month open label study will allow us to collect more data to hopefully show an increased benefit from treatments administered in children and young people with RDEB, to continue research in support of the treatment being rolled out more widely.”

    Sharmila Collins, founder trustee of Cure EB, said: “Since funding the first trial and by contributing to Mission EB we have been working towards bringing MSC infusions forward for all children in the UK with RDEB.

    “We hope these cells will become part of routine clinical care to alleviate the significant suffering of children with this condition.”


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  • With back against wall, Viktor Hovland finds swing feel and early success at BMW Championship – PGA Tour

    1. With back against wall, Viktor Hovland finds swing feel and early success at BMW Championship  PGA Tour
    2. Viktor Hovland has another swing thought (of maybe 72?); he’s near top at BMW Championship  MSN
    3. Viktor Hovland’s Trying Not to Lose His Mind While Avoiding ‘Dumb’ Mistakes at BMW Championship 2025  EssentiallySports
    4. Viktor Hovland insists he has been misconstrued by the media but admits he is ‘a little disappointed’ in himself  The Golfing Gazette

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  • Google Contacts rolls out Material 3 Expressive redesign

    Google Contacts rolls out Material 3 Expressive redesign

    Following Messages and Phone, Google Contacts is getting Material 3 Expressive with a fairly straightforward redesign that is now widely rolling out.

    All contacts in the main tab are now placed in rounded cards for a less flat design. Besides color, the Highlights tab is mostly the same, while there are no other changes to the “Create contact” page. The various options in Organize and search results also get the same container treatment.

    Old

    Meanwhile, the bottom bar is now shorter, with Google reversing Material You’s preference for taller navigation. (At the moment, the Phone app’s redesign still uses a tall bottom bar.)

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    New

    On the actual contacts page, the Call, Message, Video, Email, and Location sharing shortcuts are now pill-shaped buttons instead of circles. Containers were already leveraged here for each line, but Material 3 Expressive makes them more prominent.

    Google Contacts 4.6.1.x enables Material 3 Expressive and is now widely rolling out via the Play Store. The Wear OS app is also set to get updated M3E Tiles.

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