Russia Increases Chemical Attacks Ukraine Amid Escalating Conflict

In 2025, Byron Shire Council's 'Climate Conversations' project returns with 'Rise and Fall,' an installation by Indigenous artist Karla Dickens that addresses climate catastrophe from a First Nations perspective, inspired by her experience in the 2022 Lismore floods. The project includes free community events at Lone Goat Gallery, focusing on topics like plastic recycling and community collaboration, running from July 12 to August 9. Meanwhile, global concerns persist as Russia reportedly increases use of prohibited chemical weapons in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, prompting calls for tougher sanctions from Dutch officials. President Trump engaged in separate calls with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy and Russian President Putin, with Trump expressing no progress with Putin but offering support to Ukraine's air defense amid escalating Russian attacks. Additionally, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi privately conveyed to the EU that China cannot accept Russia losing the war in Ukraine, contradicting China's public stance of neutrality. Ukraine claims a significant strike on a Russian air base following one of the largest Russian drone and missile attacks to date.