News
Operation Paw-dom: The race to evacuate rescue pets from Kabul
Kabul-based animal-rescue organisations are calling for international support as they work to evacuate their four-legged patrons out of Afghanistan.
International citizens and Afghans aren’t the only ones fleeing war-torn Afghanistan, with four-legged residents also trying to find a spot on a plane out of the country.
Non-for-profit organisation and veterinary clinic, Kabul Small Animal Rescue, provides safe boarding options and medical care to hundreds of cats and dogs.
They also act as an adoption clinic, rehoming Afghan cats and dogs with new families internationally.
But the recent Taliban takeover has the organisation calling upon international leaders for more support.
With the Taliban’s foreign troop evacuation deadline fast-approaching, the organisation – where one-third of its employees are women – desperately need a way to leave the country.
However, with rising flight costs, a lack of access to the Kabul airport and a permit required to board animals on and off planes, evacuating the large number of animals in their care isn’t an easy task.
Brutal and uncertain conditions for both man, cat and dog
Charlotte Maxwell-Jones, founder of Kabul Small Animal Rescue, says the conditions are brutally hard, uncertain and that her staff are scared.
“Our animals are receiving nonstop care, and will continue to until we can evacuate them,” Maxwell-Jones wrote in a statement.
“It is heartbreaking to have to leave the place we have put so much blood, sweat and tears into…We built this from the ground up and it breaks us all to have to leave it.”
Nowzad, a similar non-for-profit animal-rescue organisation is also affected by the Taliban takeover.
The Kabul-based organisation plays a role in uniting stray cats and dogs with international soldiers, many becoming service members while their owners were on-duty.
But with a number of international soldiers having completed their rounds and returning home, Nowzad also needs to transport their staff and a number of animals adopted by soldiers internationally.
“If we are able to secure any kind of evacuation for Pen [the organisation’s founder] and our team it simply can’t happen without guaranteed safe passage from their compound into and through Kabul airport,” the organisation wrote.
“If any move was to happen without this security in place, we risk the safety and lives of many.”
A plea to foreign leaders
In efforts to help global leaders recognise the urgency of this matter, the CEOs of Compassion in World Farming and World Animal Protection, alongside RSPCA are calling for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab’s support.
Phillip Lymbery, Compassion in World Farming CEO and Steve McIvor, CEO of World Animal Protection addressed the British leaders in a letter, as they work to raise awareness about the situation of non-for-profit animal-rescue groups in Afghanistan.
“As CEOs, we strongly urge you to effect the safe evacuation from Kabul of all Nowzad’s staff, their families and the animals in their shelter as a matter of urgency,” Lymbery and McIvor wrote.
“Please do everything in your power to get them to safety.”
Here’s what you can do to help
While subtle progress is made at snail pace, Charlotte Maxwell-Jones of Kabul Small Animal Rescue says there is plenty that individuals outside of Afghanistan can do to lend such organisations a helping hand.
“We need continued help fundraising because we are working on charter flight options for both our staff and our animals,” Maxwell-Jones wrote.
“We [also] need to keep up the publicity. This is an ongoing need, ongoing danger, and although we have plans in place, it is not resolved until every foot and paw is off the ground.”
Kabul Small Animal Rescue is also asking for cash due to closed banks and empty ATMs.
Additionally they’re asking for any support available to help acquire a landing permit for animal charter planes.
There are also several animals up for adoption and fostering opportunities.
For those interested, the animal-rescue organisation asks that you contact them at KSARadopt@gmail.com.
“It is likely that most of our staff will be allowed to move before the animals, because the US military will not grant a landing permit for a plane whose only manifest is animals,” Maxwell-Jones wrote.
“We will keep with us a small contingent of staff to help us get through the interim period, myself included.”
Written by Rebecca Borg
China slaps 55% tariff on Australian beef as trade and geopolitical tensions rise
China has imposed a 55% tariff on Australian beef imports that exceed quota limits, a move that threatens more than $1 billion in annual trade and has reignited tensions between Canberra and Beijing. The restrictions, effective from January 1 for three years, cap Australia’s beef quota at 205,000 tonnes—below the volume China imported in 2024—prompting industry claims the decision undermines the spirit of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
Calm fears
Beef producers warn the impact could be severe, with exports to China potentially falling by as much as one-third compared to 2025 levels. Industry groups say the move advantages rival exporters, with Brazil and Argentina receiving far larger quotas, raising concerns Australia could permanently lose market share in a key global market. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sought to calm fears, saying Australia is not being singled out and describing the beef sector as the strongest it has ever been.
The tariff decision comes against the backdrop of growing geopolitical strain, days after Australia criticised China’s “Justice Mission 2025” military drills near Taiwan as destabilising. Opposition figures are urging the government to leverage diplomatic ties with President Xi Jinping to ensure Australia is not swept up in broader trade retaliation, as industry calls mount for urgent talks to stabilise relations.
Where to switch off, reset and travel well for a week
For executives in their 40s, travel has shifted. It is less about ticking off sights and more about space, comfort and coming back sharper than when you left.
In 2026, the most appealing one-week holidays are destinations that combine calm, quality and a sense of being ahead of the curve.
For executives, switching off from work is essential, but true rest comes from being gently engaged rather than completely idle.
The most rewarding breaks offer just enough stimulation, culture, nature or conversation, to quiet the mind without replacing one form of busyness with another.
Here are five global locations quietly rising to the top of travel wish lists.
East Coast Barbados
Barbados has long been associated with polished beach holidays, but the east coast offers something different.
Wild Atlantic surf, boutique retreats and fewer crowds create a slower rhythm that suits travellers who want proper rest without sacrificing style.
Days are spent between long coastal walks, ocean-facing spas and unhurried dinners, with just enough local culture to keep things interesting.
Barbados: Book a holiday package (flights + hotel) to Barbados here.
Phu Quoc
Vietnam’s largest island is emerging as a refined alternative to more established Asian beach destinations.
Phu Quoc blends thoughtful luxury with a grounded, local feel. Resorts are discreet rather than flashy, wellness is taken seriously, and the pace encourages doing very little very well.
It is an easy week of warm water swims, exceptional food and genuine mental downtime.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam: Find holiday packages and deals for Phu Quoc here.
Peloponnese
For travellers who want culture without crowds, the Peloponnese is becoming Greece’s most compelling region.
Ancient ruins sit alongside olive groves, quiet beaches and wellness-focused resorts designed for long lunches and early nights.
It offers the Mediterranean experience executives love, without the intensity of Santorini or Mykonos.
Peloponnese, Greece: Browse and book Peloponnese holiday packages with flights and hotels here.
The Red Sea
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast is one of the most ambitious luxury travel projects in the world.
Opening progressively through 2025 and 2026, it promises adults-focused resorts built around sustainability, privacy and high-end wellness.
For those seeking something genuinely new, this is a destination that feels exclusive, restorative and future-facing.
Red Sea Coast (gateway for Red Sea resorts): Book a Red Sea Coast holiday package (flight + hotel) here.
Margaret River
Margaret River continues to refine its appeal for travellers who value space and quality. World-class wineries, dramatic coastline and understated luxury accommodation make it ideal for a reset without jet lag.
It is a reminder that a great week away does not need excess. It needs good food, good wine and room to breathe.
In 2026, the best holidays for executives are not about escape in the dramatic sense. They are about intention. A change of pace, fewer decisions, and environments designed to help you slow down properly. These destinations understand that luxury is not about doing more, but about feeling better when you return.
Margaret River, Western Australia: Find Margaret River holiday packages (accommodation + flight) here.
News
Iran’s currency collapse sparks mass protests as inflation spirals
Iran president engages protesters amid economic crisis as currency tumbles and inflation surges
Iran’s president engages protesters amid economic crisis as currency tumbles and inflation surges
– Iranian President Pezeshkian urged action to meet protesters’ demands amid economic crisis and currency devaluation.
– Protests intensified with shop closures in Tehran, following significant inflation and political unrest after Mahsa Amini’s death.
Iran is grappling with its most severe economic crisis in years. Mass protests erupted across Tehran following the dramatic collapse of the national currency. The rial plunged to 1.42 million against the U.S. dollar over the weekend, briefly recovering to 1.38 million. This marks a loss of more than two-thirds of its value since 2022.
Annual inflation soared to 42.2 percent in December, with food prices up 72 percent year-on-year. Many Iranians are struggling to make ends meet, fueling public anger and unrest.
In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered his government to engage directly with protest representatives. Calling the demonstrations “legitimate,” he emphasized the need for reforms in the monetary and banking sectors. Officials announced a dialogue framework to hear the voices of demonstrators.
The unrest coincided with the resignation of Central Bank Governor Mohammad Reza Farzin. Former Economy Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati is set to replace him, signaling possible shifts in economic policy.
Tehran’s commercial districts were paralyzed as shopkeepers in the Grand Bazaar and major streets closed businesses in solidarity. Videos on social media showed crowds chanting slogans as security forces used tear gas to disperse them.
International pressure is also rising. U.S. officials warned they would support action against Iran if the country resumes nuclear or missile development, following recent airstrikes on Iranian facilities.
The World Bank forecasts Iran’s GDP will contract 1.7 percent in 2025 and 2.8 percent in 2026, deepening economic concerns. How the government responds to these protests and reforms its economy may shape the country’s stability in the months ahead.
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