Cole Swider finishes 7-for-10 from the field for the 2nd consecutive day at Summer League.
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NBA Summer League action continued on Sunday with a California Classic doubleheader featuring Spurs-Warriors and Lakers-Heat. Here’s a look at the top individual performers:
Cole Swider, L.A. Lakers
Swider showed out well for the second consecutive Summer League game, shooting an identical 7-for-10 from the field in each contest en route to 20 points in L.A.’s 103-83 win over Miami. The 26-year-old forward did most of his damage inside the arc, flashing the mid-range shooting skill that could be valuable in the right setting. Another positive sign: just three turnovers in nearly 60 total minutes of action. The 6-foot-8 Swider has bounced around the league since going undrafted in 2022, but the same Lakers franchise that took the first NBA look at him is getting another one now.
Cole Swider shined for the @Lakers today in their California Classic win!
The 23-year-old Jones-Garcia showed a little more of the scoring efficiency that marked his impressive G League rookie season with Mexico City. He shot 9-for-14 in Sunday’s win over the Warriors, finishing with a game-high 25 points. He looked as comfortable hoisting from outside as he does attacking the rim; the multi-level offense is intriguing if the turnovers (nine over the first two games) can be trimmed down.
LJ Cryer
Teams that hold to the idea that “too much shooting” doesn’t exist may take a look at Cryer. The undrafted guard made his name as a pure 3-point marksman in college, and it’s translating so far at Summer League. One day after a modest 2-for-3, eight-point outing off the bench, Cryer started and lit up the nets for five 3-pointers and 19 points in under 23 minutes.
As news spread that Vietnam would become just the second nation to reach an initial tariff agreement with Washington, shares in the clothing companies and manufacturers that have a large footprint in the country rose with optimism.
Just hours later though, they declined sharply, as it became clear that the devil would be in the detail, and the most striking part of the deal might in fact be aimed at Vietnam’s powerful neighbour China.
Dodging the severe levy of 46% that was threatened in April, Vietnam is instead facing a tariff of 20% for many goods, and in return US products coming into the country will have zero tariffs placed on them.
However, a 40% tariff will remain for so-called transshipments – a provision that is aimed at Chinese companies accused of passing their products through Vietnam, or elsewhere, to avoid US tariffs.
Businesses worry that “transshipment” is a politicised term, and that if the US defines it too broadly, many goods could be unfairly targeted.
“Vietnam is a manufacturing hub – and as a hub you take inputs from other countries and make value-added stuff in Vietnam, and then export it to other countries,” says Dr Nguyen Khac Giang, visiting fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute.
It is unrealistic, he adds, to expect most Vietnamese goods, other than agricultural products, would be made entirely in Vietnam. What remains to be decided is: what proportion of a product should be?
How transshipments will be defined under the agreement – and how this policy will be enforced – remains to be seen, but it could have significant implications for global trade and tensions with China.
Workers at a garment factory in Vietnam’s Thai Nguyen province. Photograph: Nhac Nguyen/AFP/Getty Images
“One lesson for other countries is that the US intends to use these deals to apply pressure on China,” said Stephen Olson, a former US trade negotiator.
Vietnam, a booming manufacturing hub, benefited during the last Trump administration when punishing tariffs placed on China prompted many Chinese companies to shift their supply chains.
However, this caused the Vietnamese trade surplus with the US to surge, attracting US ire and allegations that Vietnam was wrongly acting as a conduit for Chinese companies wanting access to the US market.
China’s commerce ministry spokesperson He Yongqian responded to the US-Vietnam deal on Thursday stating: “We firmly oppose any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests. If such a situation occurs, China will resolutely counter it to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
Vietnam’s manufacturing industry is closely intertwined with both the US and China. US exports account for 30% of Vietnam’s GDP, while China is Vietnam’s top import source, relied on for raw materials used to make anything from footwear to furniture and electronics.
Vietnam is not alone in relying on China for such components, especially across electronic sectors. “[China] is completely interwoven into global supply chains,” says Dan Martin, international business adviser at Dezan Shira and Associates, based in Hanoi.
If companies are expected to prove the origin of all goods, this could place an unwelcome burden on those in sectors such as textiles where margins are low, says Martin.
However, he cautions that it remains to be seen whether the higher 40% tariff on transshipments will be actively enforced. It is also possible that Vietnam could benefit if US policy encourages suppliers to set up shop in Vietnam, Martin adds.
Workers at a garment factory in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
Businesses are largely pausing decisions until a clearer picture emerges, say analysts.
Policymakers in Hanoi remain on a diplomatic tightrope. Vietnam has long sought to balance relations with Washington and Beijing. It considers the US not only a key export market but a security partner that serves as a counterbalance to China’s assertiveness.
However, if Beijing considers that Hanoi is helping Washington constrain it, this risks antagonising Vietnam’s northern neighbour. It could lead to economic measures from China, or pressure over the disputed South China Sea, a major flashpoint in the region, says Peter Mumford, head of practice for south-east Asia at Eurasia Group.
As things stand, “aggressive retaliation” by Beijing against Hanoi is unlikely, he says: “Hanoi may even have given Beijing a rough indication of the steps it would have to take to secure a US trade deal.”
Vietnam has made efforts to show goodwill towards China over recent months, while also courting Trump.
In exchange for the 20% tariff rate, Trump said Vietnam would open up its market to US goods. US-made SUVs, “which do so well in the United States, will be a wonderful addition to the various product lines within Vietnam”, said Trump.
However the market for cars remains small in Vietnam, where city streets are famously crammed with millions of motorbikes.
Tyagi, 49, shared a video montage of his pictures alongside Jariwala on his Instagram handle on Sunday morning.
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Actor Parag Tyagi penned a heartfelt note remembering his late wife, Shefali Jariwala, days after her death.
Popular TV actor Jariwala, who shot to fame with her breakout appearance in the remix track “Kaanta Laga”, passed away on June 27.
Tyagi, 49, shared a video montage of his pictures alongside Jariwala on his Instagram handle on Sunday morning.
Tyagi wrote- “PARI I WILL FIND YOU EVERY TIME YOU ARE BORN AND I WILL LOVE YOU IN EVERY LIFETIME ❤️😘 I LOVE YOU ETERNALLY MERI GUNDI MERI CHOKRI 😘❤️🤗
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#shefalijariwala #meri”
Shefali Jariwala’s untimely death has left the industry and media members shocked. As per reports, the 42-year-old star was taking anti-ageing treatment. After her demise, the debate of whether these drugs should be taken or not heated up on social media.
Amid this, Kareena Kapoor’s statement, where she spoke against botox treatment, grabbed eyeballs on social media. “I am against Botox. I am for natural remedies and self-defence to stay healthy, feel good. Self-defence also means protecting yourself and your talent… because this is my weapon,” said Kareena while talking to Barkha Dutt.
“This means defending myself and my talent, because it is my biggest weapon. Instead of going under the needle and knife, a better way to protect yourself is to take a vacation and spend quality time with your friends and family,” she added.
During the investigation, one of the biggest details that came out was
Shefali’s unsupervised and long-term usage of skin whitening and anti-ageing treatments, particularly glutathione and Vitamin C.
She was taking these treatments for eight years without active medical supervision after initial consultation, said police sources.
As per reports, a stockpile of anti-ageing pills, multivitamins, and glutathione vials was found in Shefali’s room, which was on her table, and even inside her fridge.
HONG KONG, July 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TECNO, an AI-driven innovative technology brand, today officially launched the new SPARK 40 Series, leading the class with exceptional slimness and performance. This latest line-up includes four devices that take SPARK Series to the next level: SPARK 40 Pro+, SPARK 40 Pro, SPARK 40, SPARK 40C — each designed to serve the evolving demands of users across global markets. Featuring class-leading slimness, flagship-grade AMOLED displays, superior performance and durability, the SPARK 40 Series sets a new benchmark for entry-to-mid-tier smartphones, all at an unbeatable value.
Class-Leading Performance with All-day Endurance
The SPARK 40 Series offers robust performance and long-lasting battery life. At the heart of the SPARK 40 Pro+ is the world’s first MediaTek Helio G200 processor, a cutting-edge 6nm 4G platform that delivers an AnTuTu score of approximately 470,000. The SPARK 40 Pro carries a G100 Ultimate processor, enabling powerful performance.
The SPARK 40 Pro+, SPARK 40 Pro, and SPARK 40 are all powered by a 5200mAh battery, supported by 45W Super Flash Charge for speedy power-ups. The Pro+ takes charging innovation further with 30W fast wireless charging, a first in its segment, plus support for 5W reverse wireless charging for quick top-up needs and bypass charging to keep temperatures low during gaming.
TECNO’s 5-Year Promise ensures peace of mind. Devices are guaranteed to deliver smooth performance and maintain over 80% battery health after 2,000 full cycles.
Ultra-Slim Colorful Design Made for Gen Z
At just 6.49mm, the SPARK 40 Pro+ becomes the world’s thinnest curved wireless charging phone. The SPARK 40 Pro follows at 6.69mm, offering a lightweight feel without sacrificing toughness. Sophisticated matte finishes paired with colorful hues—including black, white, and the popular titanium—create a modern and vibrant aesthetic. Every model comes with a carefully curated palette of four distinctive color options.
All SPARK 40 Series devices are built with IP64-rated water and dust resistance, while the SPARK 40 Pro+ and Pro are reinforced with Corning® Gorilla Glass 7i, ensuring durability through daily wear and tear. Despite the slim frames, SPARK 40 Series promise all-round durability experience. Both the SPARK 40 Pro+ and SPARK 40 Pro meet up to 1.5-meter drop resistance standards, with reliable touch performance even with wet or oily finger.
Best-in-Class Immersive Audiovisual Experience
The SPARK 40 Pro and Pro+ elevate immersive visual experience via a 6.78″ AMOLED 1.5K display with 144Hz refresh rate, 2160Hz instant touch sampling, and an eye-popping 4500 nits peak brightness, the strongest combination in its class, enabling users to enjoy immersive visuals in any environment. The SPARK 40 Series features SGS Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution) Certification, reducing harmful blue light emissions for prolonged viewing comfort.
Audio is equally immersive, with dual stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos on the SPARK 40 Pro and Pro+ models for an elevated multimedia experience.
AI-Powered Intelligence and Smart Connectivity
With TECNO AI, the SPARK 40 Series elevates the user experience even more. Supported by platforms like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Gemini, it puts the intelligent Ella assistant directly in users’ hands. For learning and efficiency on the go, features like document-to-text conversion and Circle to Search allow users to instantly extract or explore information from what they see, making premium AI experiences both practical and accessible. Whether removing distractions from photos, translating, or summarizing phone calls in real time, users can unleash creativity and enhance communication without lifting more than a finger.
In regions with poor or no signal, TECNO’s FreeLink™ technology enables offline voice and file sharing via bluetooth with a theoretical range of up to 2 kilometers, delivering the best user experience within 200 meters even in complex environments. Enhanced with Super WiFi 2.0, GPS 2.0, NFC, and an IR remote control, the SPARK 40 Series delivers seamless connectivity wherever life takes you.
Regarding the camera capability, the Series also features a 50MP ultra-clear main camera with EIS electronic stabilization technology(available on Spark 40 Pro+) and RAW domain algorithms, enabling sharper, more natural image processing. The SPARK 40 Series is powered by HiOS 15, TECNO’s latest Android-based operating system, delivering a refreshed and AI-enabled user experience. Key features include AI assistant Ella, dual system, rounding out a polished, future-ready user experience.
With the SPARK 40 Series, TECNO challenges expectations of what affordable smartphones can deliver — combining style and strength, intelligence and endurance, all in a sleek body. Whether it’s a user’s first smartphone or their next upgrade, the SPARK 40 Series is built to keep up and built to last.
About TECNO
TECNO is an AI-driven innovative technology brand with a presence in over 70 markets across five continents. Committed to transforming the digital experience in global emerging markets, TECNO relentlessly pursues the perfect integration of contemporary aesthetic design with the latest technologies and artificial intelligence. Today, TECNO offers a comprehensive ecosystem of AI-powered products, including smartphones, smart wearables, laptops, tablets, smart gaming devices, the HiOS operating system, and smart home products. Guided by its brand essence of “Stop At Nothing,” TECNO continues to pioneer the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and AI-driven experiences for forward-looking individuals, inspiring them to never stop pursuing their best selves and brightest futures. For more information, please visit TECNO’s official site: www.tecno-mobile.com.
The rumours were true: Lewis Capaldi has officially confirmed he’s touring Australia and New Zealand this year.
The Scottish pop star will play shows in Christchurch, Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth this November and December (see full dates below).
These dates will be Capaldi’s first time performing in Australasia since Falls Festival in 2019/20, and his Auckland Town Hall show in 2019.
Tickets to Capaldi’s 2025 tour go on sale to the general public on Monday, July 14th at 12pm local time. The Secret Sounds pre-sale begins on Friday, July 11th at 11am local time. People who purchased tickets to his previously cancelled 2023 tour can also access a pre-sale on Thursday, July 10th at 11am local time (these customers will receive an email from Secret Sounds with pre-sale access information).
Capaldi heavily hinted at plans for an Australia tour during a TikTok livestream last week. When asked whether he planned to visit these shores for a tour, he teased: “I don’t know, maybe just stay tuned, my friend, keep a keen eye on social media, perhaps in the near future.”
Capaldi made a triumphant return to Glastonbury last month, returning to the iconic festival’s stage two years after he last performed there in 2023. That set saw him lose his voice and battle pronounced tics brought on by Tourette’s syndrome, which he was diagnosed with in 2022. Soon after, Capaldi announced he would take a break from touring to focus on his mental and physical health.
Back at Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage, Capaldi told the crowd he was there to “finish what I couldn’t finish.” He arrived shortly before 5pm and opened with “Before You Go”, followed by fan favourites “Grace” and “Bruises” from his 2019 debut album Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent. He also debuted a new song, “Survive”, in which he reflects on the challenges of the past two years.
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“I’m not going to say much up here today, because if I do, I’ll probably start crying,” he told the crowd. “It’s just amazing to be here with you all, and I can’t thank you enough for coming out and coming to see me. Second time’s the charm on this one.”
Lewis Capaldi 2025 Australia & New Zealand Tour
Past ticketholders pre-sale begins Thursday, July 10th (11am local time) Secret Sounds pre-sale begins Friday, July 11th (11am local time) General sale begins Monday, July 14th (12pm local time)
Ticket information available via secretsounds.com
Sunday, November 30th Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch, NZ
Tuesday, December 2nd Spark Arena, Auckland, NZ
Thursday, December 4th Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, QLD
Saturday, December 6th Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Friday, December 12th Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Monday, December 15th Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, SA
Mexico striker Raúl Jiménez made a pair of touching tributes to his late teammate Diogo Jota during the Concacaf Gold Cup final at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday.
Before kickoff, Jiménez walked onto the pitch wearing a Mexico jersey with the name “Diogo J” on the back. Jiménez was teammates with the Portuguese forward for two seasons at Wolverhampton Wanderers when the club was in the Premier League.
Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident in Spain when the Lamborghini they were driving in veered off a road and burst into flames, police said Thursday. Jota was 28 years old and his brother, André, was 25.
“Diogo was a great friend who was with me at Wolves. There were times that we stayed in communication, we shared wonderful moments aside from the important things we were chasing for that time. It is hard to see this, someone so close to you who was a great friend,” Jimenez said Saturday.
Then, when Jiménez scored the equalizer for Mexico against the United States in the 27th minute, Jiménez sat down and did Jota’s signature celebration, which involves sitting down and playing with an imaginary gaming controller. Jiménez also draped the custom Mexico jersey with Jota’s name on the back over his crossed legs.
(Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé did the same after his goal at the FIFA Club World Cup, as did Real Salt Lake winger Diogo Gonçalves, who came up in Portugal’s youth ranks with Jota.
Explaining the celebration
Diogo Jota was more than a massive fan of EA Sports FC (formerly EA Sports FIFA); he was an accomplished player. In April 2020, Jota famously went 30-0 in FUT Champions, the premier competition in EA Sports FC’s Ultimate Team. As a result of his undefeated record, Jota was ranked among the Top 20 players in the world — and it didn’t stop there.
Jota qualified for the FIFA Global Series Qualifier — one of the fiercest FIFA competitions in Europe — in 2022. He lost to 2017 world champion Gorilla in his tournament debut, but was heralded for holding his own.
(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Jota became the owner of esports team Galaxy racer in 2023 and merged it with his own team, Diogo Jota Sports, which was later renamed to Luna Sports. Luna Sports won the FC 24 Esports World Cup last year through EA FC pro João Vasconcelos.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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Gold price edges lower to near $3,320 in Monday’s early Asian session.
Strong US June employment data weighs on the Gold as Fed rate cut odds decline.
Middle East geopolitical risks and renewed trade tensions might cap the downside for the Gold price.
The Gold price (XAU/USD) attracts some sellers to around $3,320 during the early Asian session on Monday. The precious metal edges lower as the US June Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report altered the US Federal Reserve (Fed) policy expectations. Traders brace for the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Minutes later on Wednesday for fresh impetus.
The US NFP came in stronger than expected, rising by 147,000 jobs in June from 144,000 in May (revised from 139,000). Additionally, the Unemployment Rate held steady at 4.1% in June. These reports indicated continued labor market resilience, reducing the possibility of the Fed’s near-term monetary accommodation. This, in turn, underpins the US Dollar (USD) and exerts some selling pressure on the non-yielding assets like Gold.
On the other hand, the potential downside of yellow metal might be limited amid the renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Israel stated late Sunday that the country’s military had attacked Houthi targets at three ports and a power plant in Yemen. Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the attack, saying they were carried out due to repeated attacks by the Iranian-backed rebel group on Israel. Any sign of escalation could boost the safe-haven flows, benefiting the gold price.
Gold traders will closely monitor the developments surrounding tariff policies. CBBC reported on Sunday that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that US President Donald Trump will send letters to some trading partners saying tariffs will return to April 2 levels on August 1 if there is no progress on the trade agreement. Renewed trade tensions might lift the Gold price in the near term.
Gold FAQs
Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government.
Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves.
Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal.
The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.
Smith explains ‘different’ grip used in second Test victory
Six balls are not much of a sample size, but it proved more than enough for Steve Smith to adapt his game between innings on a “tricky” Grenada pitch and produce the defining knock of the second Test to keep the Frank Worrell Trophy in Australia’s hands.
Renowned as one of the best problem solvers in world cricket, such was the ease at which Smith scored his 71 runs from 119 balls in his second innings on Saturday that it led batting partner Cameron Green to quip that it seemed like the batting maestro was “batting on a different wicket”.
After top-edging Alzarri Joseph to fine leg six balls into his return from a dislocated finger on day one at the National Stadium in St George’s, Smith had seen enough to prompt tweaks his approach in the second innings.
“I stayed a lot stiller, I was batting on middle stump and just trying to access the ball as much as possible and if one (delivery) shot low, try to get my bat jammed down on it,” Smith told cricket.com.au after Australia wrapped up a 133-run win over West Indies on day four, along with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
“When I go across my stumps normally, that’s when the bounce is pretty consistent and I can trust the balls aren’t going to shoot (low).
“When the balls are shooting, I want to try and keep my bat as straight as possible and access that one as much as you can when it stays low.
“I got into a couple of good positions with ones that did shoot and got my bat underneath it … which I was happy with.”
The right-hander also had the added – and unfamiliar – challenge of batting while wearing splint on his right little finger after dislocating it fielding at slip in last month’s World Test Championship final loss to South Africa, which led to him missing Australia’s series-opening win in Barbados last week.
He revealed post-match the splint had prompted another change between innings, switching to his T20 grip in the second after being forced to use his top hand more than usual with the affected digit “stuck straight” due to the heavy strapping.
“It was a little bit different (to normal) because I can’t bend it really, it’s stuck straight almost,” he said.
“But I felt good out there; I had to change a couple of things with my grip going from first innings to second innings with my finger, and it took me a little while to just get my placement.
Day 4 Wrap | Bowlers get it right as Aussies seal series
“I hit the field a couple of times where I probably wouldn’t have hit it normally, but after that, I started to feel good, and it was nice to contribute.
“I probably have to just use my top hand a little bit more than I normally would, but I can adapt to those things – it’s almost my T20 grip that I’m using at the moment.”
It was perhaps that T20 grip that contributed to it being one of Smith’s quicker half-centuries of late, reaching the milestone from 79 balls and finishing with a strike-rate of 59.66 – his sixth fastest innings of 50 or better in the past five-and-a-half years.
Smith will face a fresh problem to solve in the series finale beginning on Saturday in Jamaica, which will be Australia’s first day-night Test abroad to be played with a pink Dukes ball as opposed to the Kookaburra variety used in home Tests.
The 36-year-old’s most recent visit to Kingston’s Sabina Park during the 2015 tour almost yielded the first double-century of his Test career, adjudged lbw on 199 (he would go on to score 215 a month later at Lord’s), but as the veteran batter noted, that innings was against the red ball.
Smith dominates Windies but denied double-ton
“The pink ball is not really my best friend to play against,” said Smith, whose average in 12 day-night Tests (38.10) is almost 20 runs fewer than his career mark of 56.34.
“Maybe the Dukes ball is a little bit different to the ‘Kooka’.
“We’ll have a couple of sessions with it see how it responds and how it reacts off the surface.
“I don’t really know what to expect yet … so we’ll see once we get there.”
Qantas Tour of the West Indies
First Test: Australia won by 159 runs
Second Test: Australia won by 133 runs
Third Test: July 12-16, Kingston, Jamaica (4.30am AEST)
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
West Indies Test squad: Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales
First T20I: July 20, Kingston, Jamaica (July 21, 11am AEST)
Second T20I: July 22, Kingston, Jamaica (July 23, 11am AEST)
Third T20I: July 25, Basseterre, St Kitts (July 26, 9am AEST)
Fourth T20I: July 26, Basseterre, St Kitts (July 27, 9am AEST)
Fifth T20I: July 28, Basseterre, St Kitts (July 29, 9am AEST)
West Indies T20 squad: TBC
Australia’s T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshius, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa
There are probably very few similarities between cooking a meal in a kitchen on Earth and preparing one on the International Space Station (ISS). There is, however, one surprising link.
A process behind a technology being used to keep astronauts alive is also key to a popular method of making e-methane — a promising fuel of the future that one day we could be using for cooking, heating and more.
The connection lies in something called the Sabatier reaction. Synthetic methane is made by combining hydrogen produced from water via electrolysis with CO₂, often using a nickel catalyst in a process invented over a century ago by French chemist Paul Sabatier. On the ISS, this process is being used to take the CO₂ exhaled by astronauts and recycle it into water needed for oxygen production.
Back on Earth, e-methane holds promise as a low-emissions fuel with near-identical chemical and physical properties to natural gas. For that reason, amid the race to decarbonize, companies and countries across the globe are exploring its use as an alternative to gas in both domestic and industrial settings.
E-methane could be used without refitting existing natural gas infrastructure, such as LNG carriers
A low-emissions alternative to natural gas?
Emitting less CO₂ than other fossil fuels, natural gas is often described as an important fuel as the world transitions to more renewable energy sources.
Because it is interchangeable with natural gas, e-methane has the potential to help decarbonize gas networks in the future without the need to retrofit existing infrastructure such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminals, LNG tankers, gas pipelines and consumer equipment. E-methane can be stored in a variety of ways — in salt caverns, porous formations in gaseous form, and LNG storage tanks. This means it could support the integration of renewables by storing energy to meet swings in demand.
It can also help bring together future hydrogen and methane networks, with surplus hydrogen being converted into e-methane before being injected into the methane system.
An ambitious goal for e-methane
Thanks to this potential, enthusiasm for the future role of e-methane is growing globally, with projects recently being announced in Finland, the US, Australia and more.
The Japanese gas industry, meanwhile, is targeting e-methane to make up 1% of its gas supply network by 2030, and aims to increase that share to 90% by 2050.
The country’s largest gas company, Tokyo Gas, is testing e-methane synthesis in Yokohama City with researchers at Osaka University and the Japanese space agency. Part of this project is devising new processes to create e-methane that are less heat-intensive and more efficient, including an update to the Sabatier method.
Ensuring e-methane is clean
While e-methane does create CO₂ emissions when burned, it is made by recycling captured CO₂. This means the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere does not increase in real terms, making its emissions effectively zero.
As the industry scales up, however, ensuring that e-methane has been produced with low emissions will be crucial to meeting decarbonization goals in this area. To this end, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group has entered into a partnership with Japan’s Osaka Gas to launch the first digital platform to manage clean gas certificates for the country’s city gas industry. The platform uses MHI’s CO₂NNEX technology, which was originally developed to visualize and manage the carbon capture, utilization and storage value chain.
The digital platform from MHI and Osaka Gas will enable companies to seamlessly manage and transfer to other organizations information on e-methane, including the amount of hydrogen and CO₂ used as raw materials, the method of production and recovery, and CO₂ emissions throughout the life cycle.
The CO₂NNEX platform is being used during the 2025 World Expo in Osaka to support Osaka Gas’s e-methane production and utilization demonstration. The companies intend to use the results of this trial to help support the wider application of e-methane technology across society.
The CO2NNEX platform helps track information that certifies the environmental value of e-methane
Creating demand is key
Challenges remain to the uptake of e-methane. As the International Energy Agency (IEA) points out, the complex value chain supporting its production means that investment and operating costs are currently high — leaving a large gap between the cost of production and those willing to pay. Availability of feedstocks — low-emissions electricity, fresh water and renewably sourced CO₂ — is another hurdle.
Demand creation, the agency says, will be crucial to support final investment decisions. If that happens, the IEA projects that e-methane production could reach more than 1 billion cubic meters across the globe by 2030.
Sabatier’s process continues to be used by space agencies exploring the universe — and as the technology used to make e-methane evolves, it could prove to be a big step for decarbonization on Earth.
