Wolfram Steinberg/picture alliance via Getty Images
Millions of birds are killed by power lines each year. Sometimes they collide with the lines when flying and are either electrocuted or fatally injured. Other times they are electrocuted when perching on power poles.
Power line collisions are one of the leading causes of injury and death for large birds of prey. In Tasmania, an endangered population of wedge-tailed eagles lost 110 individuals to power lines between 2017 and 2023.
New research I led, the first of its kind in Australia, used GPS tracking data to predict which power lines were most dangerous for these eagles.
We hope the findings will help protect birds and other wildlife from overhead wires as electricity networks expand.
Energy companies can reduce the risks through various measures. They include attaching objects to power lines to make them more visible to birds, and redesigning poles to reduce the likelihood of electrocution.
But these solutions can be expensive, and challenging to implement on a large scale. So, prioritising the riskiest power lines is the most cost-effective solution.
The presence of bird carcasses has traditionally been used as a way to identify high-risk power lines. But this approach can give a biased picture, because people are more likely to find dead birds in accessible, less vegetated areas.
New research by my colleagues and I explores a different approach.
Tracking Tasmania’s wedgies
We used GPS tracking of animal movements to predict which power lines were most dangerous for Tasmania’s wedge-tailed eagles.
GPS tracking can record a bird’s location, altitude and speed – as frequently as every few seconds. This detailed information can show how birds behave around power lines, helping identify when and where they’re most at risk.
In 2017, my colleagues and I attached lightweight GPS trackers to 23 Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles, then analysed six years of tracking data. We identified more than 9,400 power line crossings at risky altitudes.
We then linked these crossings to different landscape features. This allowed us to build a model predicting where eagles are most likely to cross power lines at dangerous heights across Tasmania.
Power line crossings were most likely at or near open land, forest edges, rural residential developments, wet forest and freshwater sources. Risky crossings peaked in autumn and winter.
Almost half of known collisions occurred on the 20% of Tasmania’s power line network with the highest risk.
Importantly, we tested our predictions against locations where eagles had collided with power lines. The model accurately predicted many of these collision sites, confirming that areas with more low-flying eagle activity carry a greater risk of collisions.
This means our model can not only pick up on known hotspots, but can reveal risky areas that would be missed if carcass records were used exclusively to identify risk. It also means dangerous power lines can be identified before birds have died.
GPS information can show how birds behave around power lines. Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance via Getty Images
A powerful new tool
Our research is part of a growing number of studies examining animal movement to improve wildlife management.
Risky animal behaviours have been monitored using GPS trackers and then used to inform models predicting the risk of wildlife interactions with road vehicles, wind turbines and aircraft.
Like ours, these studies can help guide where devices should be attached to lines and inform where new lines are built.
GPS tracking data offers a powerful tool to guide the sustainable design of power lines, target mitigation efforts, and make our expanding energy infrastructure safer for wildlife.
James Pay receives funding from the Australian Research Council (LP210200539), NRM South, Woolnorth Renewables, TasNetworks, the Bookend Trust, New Forests, Norske Skog, ACEN Renewables, Ark Energy and Goldwind Australia.
The South Australian parliament today passed a new law to conserve, restore and enhance biodiversity.
It brings together native vegetation management, protection for native species and habitat, and conservation on private land. When introducing the bill to the Parliament, Deputy Premier Susan Close said:
Just as South Australia has led the way on climate action, committing to net zero emissions by 2050, we must now take the same ambitious approach to biodiversity. (This) crucial piece of legislation … will modernise and strengthen protections for South Australia’s biodiversity to benefit us and our future generations.
SA is not the first state to revise its nature laws. But this is the first environment law in years to be drafted from scratch in Australia. Rather than waiting for federal reform, SA has leapfrogged the protracted process. This new legislation achieves some things no Australian law has done before.
National environment law reform has stalled
This all comes at a time when the federal law reform is up in the air.
The Albanese government failed to pass new national environment laws during its first term.
Environment protection even went backwards just before the election. The rushed amendments limited powers to reconsider certain environment approvals when an activity is harming the environment.
In the meantime, state and territory governments are forging ahead.
Time for states and territories to lead?
The last state to write a new nature law was New South Wales, in 2016. But a scathing 2023 review of the law recommended a major overhaul.
The NSW government committed to most of the recommendations, announcing big plans for nature law reforms in July last year. These plans include strengthening land-clearing codes, improving species protections and monitoring, and preparing a new “nature positive” strategy.
So far, the NSW government has only managed to pass legislation to fix problems with biodiversity offsets. Offset schemes allow developers to compensate for their destruction of vital habitat with gains elsewhere.
In Victoria, the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 was amended in 2019. These reforms inserted new principles around how the Act should be implemented, and a new approach to crucial habitat. The reforms also emphasised the need to improve species’ survival and adaptation to climate and environmental change.
The Nature Conservation Act and strategy in the ACT are also due for review. Early consultation concluded in July 2024. A revised Act is likely to be released later this year.
Does Australia really need two layers of environment laws?
The short answer is yes, Australia needs both state and federal environment laws. But the interactions between the two could be managed better.
The Australian Constitution doesn’t give the federal government explicit authority to make laws about the environment. That’s left to the states and territories, which means they make most laws about threatened species, waterways, native vegetation and protected areas.
The federal government has an overarching responsibility to protect environments that are important to all of us, in national laws. We call these “matters of national environmental significance”.
Some matters are significant because they involve Australia’s promises to the rest of the world. Australia has international obligations to protect world heritage areas and internationally significant wetlands, for example.
Other matters cross state borders. The orange-bellied parrot, for instance, migrates across three states to find food and nesting sites.
Individual states and territories do not have sufficient resources or the national perspective needed to protect these species and places.
Why do the South Australian reforms matter?
SA’s new Biodiversity Act does some things no Australian law has done before.
For example, it looks beyond species and ecosystems, offering protection to so-called “ecological entities”. Regulations will be needed to define what an ecological entity is. But the concept may protect refuges where species shelter from extreme events. It might also offer a new way to protect important landscape features such as coastal dunes.
Another new concept is “culturally significant biodiversity entities”. The Act defines a culturally significant biodiversity entity as:
a native species or ecological community
with cultural value to some or all Aboriginal people
which is critical to Aboriginal peoples’ relationships with and adaptation to Country.
The Act also sets up a new Aboriginal Biodiversity Committee. That committee will co-develop policies with the minister. One of these policies will explain how culturally significant biodiversity entities will be identified and managed.
Other policies will be developed in collaboration with the Aboriginal Biodiversity Committee. These include policies to guide cultural burning of native plants, or to consider and apply Aboriginal knowledge. At long last, Aboriginal people will have a “seat at the table”.
SA becomes the third state (after NSW and Victoria) to mention climate change in its nature law. This is an important reform. Laws are needed to help nature survive more frequent and severe droughts, floods and fires.
Environmental scientist and polar explorer Tim Jarvis on biodiversity (Department for Environment and Water)
All hands on deck
Australian environments are extraordinary, diverse and ancient. But Australia has long been an extinction hotspot. The continent’s ecosystems remain under serious pressure.
Our environment laws must be clear and avoid complex clashes or gaps between national and state responsibilities. But SA, NSW, Victoria and soon the ACT show law reform can also be more ambitious. Nature laws can truly help the environment to flourish even as the climate changes.
Phillipa C. McCormack receives funding from the Australian Research Council, Natural Hazards Research Australia, the National Environmental Science Program, Green Adelaide and the ACT Government. She is a member of the National Environmental Law Association and affiliated with the Wildlife Crime Research Hub and the Centre for Marine Socioecology.
In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called on former President Joe Biden to release documents showing that he consented to his staff’s use of the autopen.
“Today, I call on former President Biden and his staff: release the documents… Show us the documents where the President authorized the use of the pen for every single pardon and clemency and stay application. Let’s see it. Let’s see all of it. And if you won’t do it, we should subpoena those documents, and we should find out the truth of who was really running the White House because I think we can see it was not Biden,” Senator Hawley said.
Notice something about the Dems’ side of the dais for this hearing on Biden’s mental capability? There’s NO ONE there
Why? Because Dems don’t want to answer for the 4 years of lies & hypocrisy they fed the American people about how Biden was “fit for office” pic.twitter.com/GeTJtCCg5d
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 18, 2025
Senator Hawley called out Democrats for lying to the American people about Biden’s mental acuity for years and for failing to take accountability or even attend the hearing.
“All you have to do is look over at this side of the dais to see that the stonewall continues… Where are they?” Senator Hawley said. “They lied to us for four years, and we know they lied. They know they lied. It’s why they’re not here. They don’t want to answer a single question. They can’t bear to show their faces in public.”
Senator Hawley has long raised concerns about President Biden’s mental fitness. In February 2024 following the release of the Hur Report, he called on then Attorney General Merrick Garland to invoke the 25th Amendment or prosecute Biden.
In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called on former President Joe Biden to release documents showing that he consented to his staff’s use of the autopen.
“Today, I call on former President Biden and his staff: release the documents… Show us the documents where the President authorized the use of the pen for every single pardon and clemency and stay application. Let’s see it. Let’s see all of it. And if you won’t do it, we should subpoena those documents, and we should find out the truth of who was really running the White House because I think we can see it was not Biden,” Senator Hawley said.
Notice something about the Dems’ side of the dais for this hearing on Biden’s mental capability? There’s NO ONE there
Why? Because Dems don’t want to answer for the 4 years of lies & hypocrisy they fed the American people about how Biden was “fit for office” pic.twitter.com/GeTJtCCg5d
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 18, 2025
Senator Hawley called out Democrats for lying to the American people about Biden’s mental acuity for years and for failing to take accountability or even attend the hearing.
“All you have to do is look over at this side of the dais to see that the stonewall continues… Where are they?” Senator Hawley said. “They lied to us for four years, and we know they lied. They know they lied. It’s why they’re not here. They don’t want to answer a single question. They can’t bear to show their faces in public.”
Senator Hawley has long raised concerns about President Biden’s mental fitness. In February 2024 following the release of the Hur Report, he called on then Attorney General Merrick Garland to invoke the 25th Amendment or prosecute Biden.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The capital’s non-profit organizations (NPOs) invite city residents to exciting events for children and adults. They will be held from June 26 to 30. Guests will enjoy a charity run, an intellectual game, “Cornflower Picnic” and a theater festival. To participate in some events, you must register and make a fee. All funds raised will go to support the wards of socially oriented NPOs, including seriously ill children and adults.
Those who want to support people with hearing and vision impairments should attend the foundation’s events. “Compound”. They will be dedicated to the Day of the Deaf-Blind Person. It is celebrated in Russia and other countries on June 27. Thus, the Tsvetnoy Theater (Tsvetnoy Boulevard, Building 11, Building 2) will host the Not Alone in the Dark festival on June 26 and 27. The So-edinenie Foundation is organizing it with the support of grants from the Mayor of Moscow for socially oriented NGOs. On the first day of the event at 18:30, there will be a presentation of the books I Speak: Conversations with Deaf-Blind People and Lost and Found Light: Monologues of Deaf-Blind People. After that, everyone will be able to attend a lesson on fingerspelling. Its participants will learn a special skill – conveying words using gestures. And at 20:00, the theater stage will show the play Carmen. Deaf-blind actors from the Inclusion Creative Projects Center will be involved in the modern production of Prosper Mérimée’s novella. For attending a performance You need to register.
The next day, June 27, Muscovites are invited to listen to performances by friends of the foundation and participants in the literary competition “Co-creation”. At 18:30 they will read works of various genres on stage, including their own compositions. At 20:00 guests will be presented with the play “Touchables 3.0”. The production was created jointly by the “So-edinenie” foundation and the Moscow Theater of Nations. Sighted and deaf-blind actors will tell the audience personal stories about love, dreams, fears and overcoming them. The play will be translated into sign language and subtitles. After the viewing, viewers will have the opportunity to attend a creative meeting with the artists. You can register for the play atlink.
And on June 30, the So-edinenie foundation will organize the intellectual game “What? Where? When?”. It will be held in two rounds of 12 questions each. The host will be the master of the game “What? Where? When?” Maxim Potashev. Anyone can take part. To do this, you need to register a team of up to six people onwebsite and make a charitable contribution. If there is no team, then when registering, you need to select the option “I’m alone for now”. The event will take place at 13 Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street, starting at 8:00 PM. The funds raised will go to help the ward of the So-edinenie foundation – twelve-year-old deaf-blind Maria. Thanks to this, the girl will be able to move around the house, study and do her favorite thing – music.
Sports enthusiasts are invited to join the “It’s Time to Live” race on June 28. It will be held in Victory Park on Poklonnaya Hill. The event is organized by Leukemia Foundation. People of any age can take part in the race. Four distances of one, two, five and 10 kilometers have been prepared for them. Participants will be able to choose a suitable route depending on their level of training and capabilities. In addition to the individual race, a team relay race will be held in Victory Park. Each of the four athletes in the team will have to run five kilometers. The winner of the competition will be awarded a special prize – the Leukemia Foundation Cup. To participate in all sports events, you must first obtain permission from a doctor and the appropriate certificate.
All participants and guests of sports events will be able to undergo typing – give a blood sample for molecular genetic testing for the possibility of becoming a bone marrow donor. This is a completely safe procedure, it will take no more than five minutes. Thanks to such assistance, patients who need a bone marrow transplant will have a chance to find a donor faster.
The Leukemia Foundation is holding such races for the fourth time. More than eight thousand Muscovites have already taken part in them. Over 32 million rubles have been collected for the organization. All funds were used to treat the people under its care. More detailed information about the “It’s Time to Live” program can be found atwebsite.
On the same day, June 28, you can visit the foundation’s “Cornflower Picnic” “Live now”. It will be held at the F.A. Ardalionov estate at 51 Dubininskaya Street. The event is organized to support people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This is a rare disease in which it becomes increasingly difficult for a person to move and breathe. With the support of the Live Now foundation, the wards receive the necessary assistance – medical, psychological, legal, their quality of life significantly improves. The symbol of ALS is a cornflower, as it resembles a human motor neuron, which is affected by this disease. That is why the Live Now foundation’s event is called Cornflower Picnic. It will be held for the 10th time this year. The wards of the foundation, their families, friends, volunteers and all caring people will gather at the F.A. Ardalionov estate. Creative master classes, educational quizzes and a Russian-style tea party with a samovar and bagels will be arranged for the guests of the picnic. The atmosphere of the summer holiday will also be created by musicians. They will perform classical and modern pieces. In addition, all visitors to the Ardalionov estate will be able to see a special exhibition dedicated to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and the Live Now Foundation until June 30. Those wishing to take part in the picnic must register atlink.
Non-profit organizations in the capital can receive financial support for their good initiative. To do this, you need to submit an application for the Moscow Mayor’s Grant Competition. In 2025, they will be accepted from June 3. Participants have 12 nominations to choose from. The total budget of the competition is 600 million rubles. The grant amounts depend on the length of the NPO’s work in the capital and the scale of the projects. Organizations with more than a year of experience receive up to five million rubles, with a registration period of six months – up to 500 thousand rubles. In 2024, more than 900 people took part in the competition preparation program. Applications will be accepted until July 3.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
From June 20 to 22, the N.E. Bauman Garden will host Ecological festival “Eco-Moscow”. It will be held as part of the Summer in Moscow project. For three days, the garden will become a platform for exchanging experiences in environmental protection, demonstrating ideas and projects. Guests will enjoy lectures, master classes, environmental quizzes, interactive art objects and photo zones. In total, more than 60 events will be held.
Get to know cutting-edge projects and talk to experts
The central alley of the N.E. Bauman Garden will host more than 10 interactive stands. Here visitors will learn about cutting-edge projects in the field of ecology, modern approaches to waste management, rules for recycling, and useful eco-habits.
The center of professional dialogues will be the lecture hall. Guests will hear speakers on ecology and sustainable development. The first day of the lecture hall is dedicated to eco-projects and initiatives. The second day’s speeches are united by the theme “Eco-education”. The third day of discussions covers the issues of eco-innovations and technologies.
Experts will talk about the types and sources of plastic, what to replace it with in everyday life, how to sort waste and what happens to it at waste recycling plants, and what cosmetics are considered natural. Listeners will learn about environmental education in the city and tools for forming the environmental culture of residents. Speakers will give examples from Russian and international experience. In addition, the work of environmental startups and green offices, eco-habits, eco-footprint, the profession of an ecologist and debunking myths will be discussed. Visitors will be able to personally communicate with experts, ask questions and discuss real ways to solve environmental problems.
Learn to create things from recycled materials
The interactive zone will feature 15 sites where guests will learn how to create useful things from recycled materials during master classes. Here you can also watch presentations of modern waste recycling technologies.
The festival will feature eco-exchange points where you can bring used batteries, caps, books or clothes. City residents will be reminded of the extensive network for collecting secondary raw materials. Thus, within the framework of the “Moscow Ecopoints” project, more than 250 textile collection points have been opened throughout the capital, and recently 14 more points began accepting used car tires. Thus, with the active participation of Muscovites, a large volume of waste is reused. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, residents collected about 220 tons of unnecessary clothing and textiles.
On special platforms, you can take stylish photos related to the topic of ecology. In addition, quizzes will be held for guests. With the help of creative art objects, visitors will be shown how to create a tree from secondary materials, and a large-scale panel from hundreds of used plastic caps.
The Eco-Moscow ecological festival will become a space for inspiration and new solutions. It will allow even more city residents to join the culture of responsible attitude to the environment and implement their ideas in the field of ecology.
Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports events are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Since the beginning of this year, the city has selected and allocated more than 50 land plots for the construction of houses under the renovation program and related infrastructure. This was reported by Ekaterina Solovieva, Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Moscow Department of City Property.
“The city regularly allocates land to the Moscow Fund for Renovation of Residential Development for the construction of residential complexes, as well as the creation of related infrastructure – utilities and access roads. Since the beginning of 2025, the Department has concluded 53 agreements for the gratuitous use of land plots and lease of sites located in eight administrative districts of the capital. The total area of the allocated land exceeded 25 hectares,” said Ekaterina Solovyova.
For example, a plot of land has been allocated on Kaspiyskaya Street for the construction of a residential complex with a total area of about 40 thousand square meters. Another new building with an area of over 15 thousand square meters will be erected on the site of a vacated house on Dmitrovskoye Highway.
The first floors are designed to be non-residential. They will house various social, commercial and cultural facilities.
Earlier, Sergei Sobyanin said that the renovation program also included 131 sites for the construction of houses.
The renovation program was approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. Sergei Sobyanin ordered to increase the pace of its implementation in twice.
Moscow is one of the leaders among regions in terms of construction volumes. High rates of housing construction correspond to the goals and initiatives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The specialists supplemented and approved the subject of protection of the cultural heritage site of federal significance, pavilion No. 26 “Transport of the USSR” (former pavilion “Agriculture”). Now, not only the entire structure, but also the details of its decoration are under the protection of the state.
“Expanding the subject of protection of a cultural heritage site allows us to preserve and maintain in their original form the elements of the structure that have cultural and historical value. Specialists conducted comprehensive scientific research of the pavilion, which allowed us to expand the subject of protection. Now the document also includes the composition and architectural and artistic design of the facades and interiors of the pavilion. This is, for example, elegant stucco with a plant pattern, as well as picturesque panels that decorate the coffered ceilings,” explained the head of the Department of Cultural Heritage of the city of Moscow
He added that further restoration work in the pavilion, including the development of scientific and design documentation, will be carried out taking into account the expanded subject of protection and only after agreement with the department.
Pavilion No. 26 was built in 1937 according to the design of architects M.B. Schneider, V.K. Oltarzhevsky, M.A. Minkus and A.P. Ershov. Initially, it was called “Grain”. A year later, it was renamed “Cotton”. In 1954, after a major reconstruction, the pavilion received a new name – “Agriculture”. The appearance of the building was done in the Stalinist Empire style. Then a portico of 10 thin columns was added to the main facade, which symbolize the stems of plants. Inside the portico, a small loggia appeared, also with columns, the walls of which were decorated with stucco with plant patterns. At the top of the portico is a composition with sheaves, a sickle and a hammer, and on the sides of it are sculptures of a collective farmer and a tractor driver with a book and a sheaf. The corners of the portico are decorated with small sculptural compositions with sheaves and Soviet symbols. The author of the monuments is Lev Pisarevsky.
The exhibition of the Agriculture pavilion consisted of six thematic sections. They were devoted to methods of increasing soil fertility, production and use of fertilizers, development of new lands, work of advanced collective and state farms. In 1956, the pavilion was named Geology, Oil, Chemistry, and a year later it was renamed Chemical Industry. In 1967, Pavilion No. 26 housed the Transport of the USSR exhibition. In 2014, after the reconstruction of the pavilion, the Polytechnic Museum exhibition opened there, and since May 2021, Transport of the USSR has become the flagship site of the Moscow Transport Museum.
The portico of pavilion No. 26 is awaiting restoration. Scientific and design documentation is currently being developed and approved. Preparations for restoration work pavilion “Optics” (former “Leningrad and the North-West of the RSFSR”).
Today, work continues at VDNKh on five cultural heritage sites. These are pavilions No. 35 “Glavtabak”, No. 62 “Environmental Protection” (former “Construction Materials” pavilion), No. 70, built to present the achievements of the USSR at the Expo-67 exhibition in Montreal, No. 284 “Main Facade of the Zolotoy Kolos Restaurant” (former “Main Restaurant”) and No. 518 “Leto Cafe” (former “Tea Room”).
Since 2014, a total of 40 cultural heritage sites have been restored at VDNKh. Among them are not only historical pavilions, but also fountains, sculptures and landscape objects.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
This academic year, more than 600 students from the Moscow Palace of Pioneers took part in 23 research expeditions and hiking trips. The children studied the nature of different places in Russia – from Murmansk to Yamal.
“The Moscow Palace of Pioneers has opened more than three thousand children’s clubs. Among them are over 30 sections dedicated to tourism. Expeditions throughout Russia are organized for the children who attend them. This is an opportunity not only to see the nature of our country, but also to take their first steps in science. Such trips help to deepen knowledge in the field of biology, geography and ecology, and also teach teamwork,” the press service of the capital’s
Thus, the center for environmental education of the Moscow Palace of Pioneers organized three expeditions, where schoolchildren studied climate and soil. Practical classes and field research took place in the Moscow region – for example, the children identified species of animals, plants and mushrooms. Students from the third to the 11th grade took part in the trips.
Young geographers from the Na Donskoy center have been on six trips. For example, in the spring they studied the northern taiga and the White Sea coast in the Murmansk region. The children took water samples, analyzed the soil composition and studied rare birds from the Red Book. They compiled their observations into scientific articles, which they have already published. At the end of June, the schoolchildren will go on a new expedition – to Yamal.
“The expedition to the Kola Peninsula was the most interesting for me! This is not the first time I have participated in scientific trips – I study lichens and mushrooms. This time I discovered several species that had not been seen in these places before. Now this data will be published in a scientific journal,” shared his impressions Miron Alfimenkov, a pupil of the “Na Donskoy” center.
The Young Paratroopers Club held 14 hikes around the Moscow region. Schoolchildren learned to navigate the terrain, set up camp, and cover multi-kilometer routes. In addition, high school students completed special tasks – they transmitted coordinates and adjusted routes using maps and mobile applications.
Supplementary education programs develop creative and critical thinking in schoolchildren, and form skills that will be useful to them in their future profession. The events held within the framework of such classes contribute to the project “All the best for children” of the national project “Youth and Children”.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The capital’s enterprises will be provided with modern domestic technologies and solutions in the field of information security (IS). A number of special events will also be organized for them to exchange experience and test advanced information systems. The corresponding agreement was signed at the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum by the Minister of the Moscow Government, the head of the capital’s Department of Investment and Industrial Policy Anatoly Garbuzov and the general director of the Solar Group of Companies (GC), vice president for information security of the public joint-stock company Rostelecom Igor Lyapunov.
“Information security of the industrial sector plays a key role in ensuring national security. It is especially relevant in the context of growing digitalization of production and the increase in the volume of data processed by enterprises every day. The city’s initiative will allow industrialists to improve their competencies in the field of information security on the basis of the capital’s Bank of Technologies service and ensure reliable protection of corporate resources, technological processes, confidential data and personal information from cyber threats,” noted Anatoly Garbuzov.
The parties will organize joint work with industrial enterprises of Moscow to inform about modern domestic technologies in the field of information security and to improve the efficiency of production processes. In addition, comprehensive solutions in the areas of information security, multifunctional platforms and systems that combine advanced Russian developments and expertise will be tested. Thematic events are also planned to develop the theoretical and practical skills of the organizations’ employees.
In 2024, the Bank of Technologies service included nine information security solutions from the Solar group of companies for the capital’s business and the public sector. The list included a DLP platform, a next-generation firewall, and a service for controlling user access to the Internet.
The service also includes technologies in the field of monitoring the efficiency of employees’ working hours and protecting workstations from targeted attacks, an IdM system, a platform for managing privileged access and a solution for monitoring access to confidential information. The secure development segment features a Russian application code analyzer.
“Moscow is home to the largest and most significant companies, federal agencies and control centers of critical information infrastructure facilities, which daily repel the most powerful flow of cyberattacks in Russia. Many of these organizations are protected by Solar Group. Our information security products are based on attack-centric technologies, deep expertise in repelling cyber threats, and experience in implementing and operating in the largest infrastructures in Russia. In this way, we help provide turnkey protection for corporations, small and medium-sized businesses,” said Igor Lyapunov, CEO of Solar Group.
“Bank of Technologies”— a free Moscow service that helps save time and quickly select the necessary high-tech tools and innovative IT solutions for digitalization and automation of production, product lifecycle management, information security, mathematical modeling, expansion of new lines. The online registry contains over 530 advanced proven domestic developments.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Five commercial premises in the Voykovsky district have been put up for open auction. All the properties are located in residential buildings and have a flexible designation. This was reported by the head of the capital’s Department of Competition Policy Kirill Purtov.
“Voykovsky District has a developed transport and social infrastructure. There are metro stations and the Moscow Central Circle, parks and squares, one of the largest shopping centers in Moscow, as well as several educational institutions. The premises put up for auction have a flexible purpose, a separate entrance and are suitable for almost any type of business. Their area varies from 53.6 to 493.5 square meters. Bid campaigns end between June 24 and July 16, depending on the lot,” said Kirill Purtov.
The properties on Narvskaya Street and 6th Novopodmoskovny Lane have electricity, water supply, and sewerage. The property on 3rd Novopodmoskovny Lane also has gas supply. The property on Leningradskoye Shosse only has electricity, while the property on Kosmonavta Volkova Street only has sewerage.
The auction will be held from July 3 to July 25 on the electronic platform. “RoselTorg”To participate, you will need registration and an enhanced qualified electronic signature.
The capital is putting various properties up for auction, and the showcase for them is Moscow investment portal. In the section “Property from the city” Information about the lots is published, including photographs, documentation, conditions and form of implementation.
Development of electronic services for business corresponds to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau today welcomed the Consumer Council’s appointment of Alaina Shum as its Chief Executive from August 21.
The appointment was made following an open recruitment and selection process.
Mr Yau said Ms Shum is well placed to lead the Consumer Council due to her extensive management experience in public organisations.
Ms Shum is currently Vocational Training Council Deputy Executive Director, responsible for strategic development work on the Mainland and overseas, and for the promotion of collaboration among various stakeholders.
“I hope that the Consumer Council, under Ms Shum’s leadership, will continue to join hands with various sectors to further enhance the protection of consumer rights and interests,” Mr Yau added.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Police have arrested two female youths in relation to an aggravated robbery in Darwin City yesterday evening.
Around 6:30pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a 25-year-old woman had been robbed along Garramilla Boulevard.
It is alleged that three female youths approached the woman, with one attempting to steal her bag. When the victim resisted, one of the offenders allegedly produced a pair of scissors and threatened to stab her. The victim then surrendered her bag, and the group fled the scene on foot.
There were no reported injuries during the incident.
Police conducted patrols of the area and subsequently arrested two 13-year-old females. One of the alleged offenders was found in possession of items belonging to the victim at the time of arrest.
One offender remains outstanding.
The two 13-year-old youths remain in police custody with charges expected to follow.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number P25163904. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.
In between writing Straight from the source each month, I’m quite active on LinkedInExternal Link, sharing regular reminders and messages. I hope you’ve also been seeing my updates to the not-for-profit (NFP) sector there, especially about lodging the 2023–24 NFP self-review return.
I’ve met and spoken to many NFPs at various events across Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin and Alice Springs over the last 6 weeks, and I’m always encouraged by the passion and commitment of people making a difference in the community.
My message remains constant: ‘we’re here to help you get it right!’
NFP self-review return helping NFPs identify their correct status
The NFP self-review return was introduced to enhance transparency and integrity across the NFP population who self-assess as income tax exempt. As anticipated, with the first year of lodgment now behind us we’ve seen some shifts in the NFP population, with some NFP organisations identifying their correct taxable status at law.
While our data is still being assessed, our preliminary observations indicate that as of 31 May 2025:
Over 29,000 NFPs have lodged their self-review return for the 2023–24 income year – these organisations will have their future year returns pre-populated making it easier to lodge the 2024–25 return. Around 97% of NFPs who have lodged have confirmed their eligibility to an income tax exemption.
Around 4,000 NFPs have registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) as a charity, having realised they cannot self-assess as income tax exempt.
Almost 1,000 NFPs have lodged a non-lodgment advice (NLA) with the ATO to indicate that they are taxable NFPs with taxable income less than $416. Around 600 NFPs have lodged income tax returns disclosing combined total income in the millions.
Many NFPs have also cancelled their ABN because the NFP no longer exists, which is a legislative requirement of holding an ABN.
We expect a continued shift in the NFP population as organisations continue to review their purpose, activities and identify their correct taxable status. Here is what you need to know.
Charitable NFPs
NFPs with solely charitable purposes must be registered with the ACNC and endorsed by the ATO to access an income tax exemption. There’s no provision in the tax law for a charitable organisation to self-assess an income tax exemption. So, unless you’re registered with the ACNC, you are a taxable NFP.
Charitable NFPs should pay particular attention to the following points:
ensure you’re compliant with the ACNC governance standards, external conduct standards and that your Annual Information Statement (AIS) is lodged with the ACNC as non-lodgment can affect your income tax status and access to other tax concessions
meet all your tax and employer obligations as this is a requirement of maintaining your taxable status
reach out for assistance early if you’re having difficulty with any of your tax, super and registry obligations.
Lodgment obligations for NFPs with an active ABN that self-assess as income tax exempt
Since 1 July 2024, NFPs that have an active ABN and self-assess as income tax exempt have been required to lodge an annual NFP self-review return. The self-review return is due between 1 July and 31 October each year. It can be lodged using Online services for business, through the self-help phone service or by a registered tax agent.
To demonstrate that the entity is operating as an NFP, it needs to have and follow requisite NFP clauses in their governing documents. We’ve provided additional time through to 30 June 2026 for NFPs to update their governing documents. To be eligible for this additional time your organisation must not have made any distribution of income or assets to particular individuals or members.
NFPs that haven’t lodged their first self-review return are required to lodge their 2023–24 return as soon as possible. Once the 2023–24 return is lodged, we can prepopulate future returns to make compliance even easier.
If you haven’t yet lodged your 2023–24 return, when you log into online services this tax time you will see you have 2 NFP self-review returns due. You need to lodge your return for 2023–24 first, as they need to be lodged sequentially. Here are some handy tips:
Refer to our update, connect and lodge flowchart on the ATO website for a step-by-step guide on how to update your ABN details and set up access to Online services for business. You can find the flowchart by visiting ato.gov.au/NFPlodgmentsteps.
If you’re having trouble lodging online, you can still lodge your return using our automated self-help phone service on 13 72 26.
Check out our tailored guidance that supports NFPs at ato.gov.au/NFPtaxexempt and we encourage you to subscribe to our NFP newsletter at subscribe.news.ato.gov.auExternal Link. You’ll be kept up to date with how to meet your tax and super obligations.
We also maintain a dedicated NFP Advice Service on 1300 30 248. If you have a question, you can call our team.
Taxable NFPs
If you don’t meet the requirements of the self-assessing income tax exempt categories, or you’re charitable, haven’t registered with the ACNC and have been endorsed by us, you’re a taxable NFP.
Taxable NFPs may have to lodge income tax returns and pay income tax, or in some instances notify us of a non-lodgment advice.
The following points are important for taxable NFPs:
Identify all sources of income. This may include income from your members such as membership fees, income from non-members and income earned from other sources such as bank interest.
Use our mutuality guide to find out if you can apply the mutuality principle when calculating taxable income. The guide will help you to identify your members and non-members, and how to correctly classify revenue and expenses.
If you’re a taxable NFP company and your taxable income is $416 or less, you can meet your lodgment obligation by downloading and completing the non-lodgment advice form.
If you do have income tax to pay but can’t pay on time, reach out to us early to discuss support options you can access to meet your tax and super obligations.
Other news
Engage early if you have a debt to pay – NFPs aren’t exempt from our debt collection action. Our key message is for NFPs to seek early support from us when they’re having difficulty meeting their reporting and/or payment obligations. Employer obligations is a significant focus area for us given the NFP sector employs 10% of Australia’s workforce.
Giving fund reforms – Treasury has opened consultation on Giving fund reforms and invites your feedback on the following proposed changes:
renaming ancillary funds to giving funds in the tax law
aligning the annual distribution rate between public and private giving funds
increasing the annual distribution rate
allowing funds to smooth distributions across years.
ATO Vulnerability Framework – Our draft ATO Vulnerability Framework to support people experiencing vulnerability has been published and is open for public consultation.
You’re invited to share your feedback to help us refine our final version so that it reflects the needs and experiences of the people it’s designed to support. Responses can be submitted up until 18 July 2025.
Super guarantee rate – A reminder that the super guarantee (SG) rate will increase to 12% on 1 July 2025. This is the final scheduled increase. The 12% rate will need to be applied for all salary and wages paid to eligible workers on and after 1 July. This is even if some or all of the pay period it relates to is before 1 July. Employers need to remember to pay SG in full, on time and to the right fund. The next quarterly due date is 28 July. Contributions must be paid quarterly but can be paid more frequently.
In summary
We remain committed to supporting NFPs through education and guidance as part of our transitionary approach. Our goal is to help organisations understand and meet their tax, super and registry obligations with confidence.
We encourage early engagement, and when organisations reach out before issues escalate we can work together to find practical solutions. We want to avoid situations where delaying action to meet lodgment and payment obligations can lead to more complex challenges.
Our focus continues to be on prevention and tailored support. Whether it’s understanding income tax obligations, applying the mutuality principle, or accessing support when facing financial difficulty, we’re here to help you get it right.
Let’s keep the conversation going – because when we work together, we can ensure the NFP sector remains strong, sustainable and compliant.
I look forward to speaking with many of you at future events.
Earlier today, Iranian officials urged the country’s citizens to remove the messaging platform WhatsApp from their smartphones. Without providing any supporting evidence, they alleged the app gathers user information to send to Israel.
WhatsApp has rejected the allegations. In a statement to Associated Press, the Meta-owned messaging platform said it was concerned “these false reports will be an excuse for our services to be blocked at a time when people need them most”. It added that it does not track users’ location nor the personal messages people are sending one another.
It is impossible to independently assess the allegations, given Iran provided no publicly accessible supporting evidence.
But we do know that even though WhatsApp has strong privacy and security features, it isn’t impenetrable. And there is at least one country that has previously been able to penetrate it: Israel.
3 billion users
WhatsApp is a free messaging app owned by Meta. With around 3 billion users worldwide and growing fast, it can send text messages, calls and media over the internet.
It uses strong end-to-end encryption meaning only the sender and recipient can read messages; not even WhatsApp can access their content. This ensures strong privacy and security.
Advanced cyber capability
The United States is the world leader in cyber capability. This term describes the skills, technologies and resources that enable nations to defend, attack, or exploit digital systems and networks as a powerful instrument of national power.
But Israel also has advanced cyber capability, ranking alongside the United Kingdom, China, Russia, France and Canada.
Israel has a documented history of conducting sophisticated cyber operations. This includes the widely cited Stuxnet attack that targeted Iran’s nuclear program more than 15 years ago. Israeli cyber units, such as Unit 8200, are renowned for their technical expertise and innovation in both offensive and defensive operations.
Seven of the top 10 global cybersecurity firms maintain R&D centers in Israel, and Israeli startups frequently lead in developing novel offensive and defensive cyber tools.
A historical precedent
Israeli firms have repeatedly been linked to hacking WhatsApp accounts, most notably through the Pegasus spyware developed by Israeli-based cyber intelligence company NSO Group. In 2019, it exploited WhatsApp vulnerabilities to compromise 1,400 users, including journalists, activists and politicians.
Another Israeli company, Paragon Solutions, also recently targeted nearly 100 WhatsApp accounts. The company used advanced spyware to access private communications after they had been de-encrypted.
These kinds of attacks often use “spearphishing”. This is distinct from regular phishing attacks, which generally involve an attacker sending malicious links to thousands of people.
Instead, spearphishing involves sending targeted, deceptive messages or files to trick specific individuals into installing spyware. This grants attackers full access to their devices – including de-encrypted WhatsApp messages.
A spearphishing email might appear to come from a trusted colleague or organisation. It might ask the recipient to urgently review a document or reset a password, leading them to a fake login page or triggering a malware download.
Protecting yourself from ‘spearphishing’
To avoid spearphishing, people should scrutinise unexpected emails or messages, especially those conveying a sense of urgency, and never click suspicious links or download unknown attachments.
Hovering the mouse cursor over a link will reveal the name of the destination. Suspicious links are those with strange domain names and garbled text that has nothing to do with the purported sender. Simply hovering without clicking is not dangerous.
Enable two-factor authentication, keep your software updated, and verify requests coming through trusted channels. Regular cybersecurity training also helps users spot and resist these targeted attacks.
David Tuffley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Israel’s major military operation against Iran has targeted its nuclear program, including its facilities and scientists, as well as its military leadership.
In response, the United Nations Security Council has quickly convened an emergency sitting. There, the Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon defended Israel’s actions as a “preventative strike” carried out with “precision, purpose, and the most advanced intelligence”. It aimed, he said, to:
dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme, eliminate the architects of its terror and aggression and neutralise the regime’s ability to follow through on its repeated public promise to destroy the state of Israel.
So, what does international law say about self-defence? And were Israel’s actions illegal under international law?
All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.
There are only two exceptions:
when the UN Security Council authorises force, and
when a state acts in self-defence.
This “inherent right of individual or collective self-defence”, as article 51 of the UN charter puts it, persists until the Security Council acts to restore international peace and security.
So what’s ‘self-defence’ actually mean?
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has consistently interpreted self-defence narrowly.
In manycases, it has rejected arguments from states such as the United States, Uganda and Israel that have sought to promote a more expansive interpretation of self-defence.
The 9/11 attacks marked a turning point. The UN Security Council affirmed in resolutions 1368 and 1373 that the right to self-defence extends to defending against attacks by non-state actors, such as terrorist groups. The US, invoking this right, launched its military action in Afghanistan.
The classic understanding of self-defence – that it’s justified when a state responds reactively to an actual, armed attack – was regarded as being too restrictive in the age of missiles, cyberattacks and terrorism.
This helped give rise to the idea of using force before an imminent attack, in anticipatory self-defence.
The threshold for anticipatory self-defence is widely seen by scholars as high. It requires what’s known as “imminence”. In other words, this is the “last possible window of opportunity” to act to stop an unavoidable attack.
As set out by then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2005:
as long as the threatened attack is imminent, no other means would deflect it and the action is proportionate, this would meet the accepted interpretation of self defence under article 51.
As international law expert Donald Rothwell points out, the legitimacy of anticipatory self-defence hinges on factual scrutiny and strict criteria, balancing urgency, legality and accountability.
This argued new threats – such as terrorism and weapons of mass destruction – justified using force to forestall attacks before they occurred.
Critics, including Annan, warned that if the notion of preventive self-defence was widely accepted, it would undermine the prohibition on the use of force. It would basically allow states to act unilaterally on speculative intelligence.
if there are good arguments for preventive military action, with good evidence to support them, they should be put to the Security Council, which can authorise such action if it chooses to.
If it does not so choose, there will be, by definition, time to pursue other strategies, including persuasion, negotiation, deterrence and containment – and to visit again the military option.
This is exactly what Israel has failed to do before attacking Iran.
Lessons from history
Israel’s stated goal was to damage Iran’s nuclear program and prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon that could be used against it.
This is explicitly about preventing an alleged, threatened, future attack by Iran with a nuclear weapon that, according to all publicly available information, Iran does not currently possess.
This is not the first time Israel has advanced a broad interpretation of self-defence.
As international law stands, unless an armed attack is imminent and unavoidable, such strikes are likely to be considered unlawful uses of force.
While there is still time and opportunity to use non-forcible means to prevent the threatened attack, there’s no necessity to act now in self defence.
Diplomatic engagement, sanction, and international monitoring of Iran’s nuclear program – such as through the International Atomic Energy Agency – remain the lawful means of addressing the emerging threat posed by Tehran.
Preserving the rule of law
The right to self-defence is not a blank cheque.
Anticipatory self-defence remains legally unsettled and highly contested.
So were Israel’s attacks on Iran a legitimate use of “self-defence”? I would argue no.
I concur with international law expert Marko Milanovic that Israel’s claim to be acting in preventive self-defence must be rejected on the facts available to us.
In a volatile world, preserving these legal limits is essential to avoiding unchecked aggression and preserving the rule of law.
Shannon Bosch does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
It’s been 50 years since Steven Spielberg’s movie Jaws first cast a terrifying shadow across our screens.
At a low point during production, Spielberg worried he’d only ever be known for “a big fish story”. The film, however, did not tank.
Jaws broke box office records and became the highest-grossing movie at the time, only surpassed by the first Star Wars released two years later in 1977.
A combination of mass advertising, familiar “hero” tropes and old-school showmanship launched Jaws as the first modern blockbuster.
Hollywood, and our relationship to oceans and the sharks within them, would never be the same.
In Peter Benchley’s 1974 novel that Jaws is based on, the shark is 6 metres long. For added screen excitement, in the movie it grew to a whopping 7.6 metres.
However, that’s unrealistically large.
The average size of a mature great white (Carcharodon carcharias, also known as the white shark) is between 4.6 and 4.9 metres for female sharks and up to 4 metres for male sharks.
The largest recorded living specimens peak at about 6 metres, with one monster specimen caught in Cuba in 1945 reaching 6.4 metres.
Earth’s oceans have seen bigger predatory sharks in the past. The biggest one of all time was the megalodon (Otodus megalodon) which lived from 23 to 3 million years ago, and may have been up to 24 metres in length. However, it looked nothing like the modern white shark.
But white sharks are not directly related to the megalodon, whose lineage began with a shark called Cretalamna during the age of dinosaurs about 100 million years ago.
By contrast, the white shark lineage began with an ancient mako shark, Carcharodon hastalis. It was 7 to 8 metres long and had large, similarly shaped teeth to the modern white shark but lacking serrated edges.
A fossil intermediate species, Carcharodon hubbelli shows the transition over time from weakly serrated to strongly serrated teeth.
White shark fossil species. Left, the serrated fossil tooth teeth of the extant white shark; right, a similarly shaped unserrated tooth of the extinct giant mako shark which gave rise to white sharks. John Long, CC BY
How did Jaws affect white shark populations?
Last year, the International Shark Attack File reported 47 unprovoked shark bites to humans worldwide, resulting in seven fatalities. This was well below the previous ten-year average of 70 bites per year; your chances of getting bitten by a shark are extremely rare.
Following the movies that made up the Jaws franchise, there was an increase in hunting and killing sharks – with a particular focus on great white sharks that were already going into a decline due to overfishing, trophy hunting and lethal control programs.
When Jaws first aired, scientists didn’t know how long sharks took to reproduce, or how many offspring a white shark could have each year. We now know it takes about 26 years for a male and 33 years for a female to sexually mature before they can start having pups.
Now that we know just how slow they are to breed, it’s clear it will take many decades to reestablish the “pre-Jaws” population of white sharks – important apex predators in the marine ecosystem.
Charlie Huveneers from Flinders University about to take a tissue sample for research on white sharks. There is still a lot we don’t know about their biology. Andrew Fox, Adelaide, CC BY
This classification means if we don’t change the current living conditions for white sharks, including impacts caused by human activities such as commercial fishing, and the impacts of climate change and ocean pollution, they will continue to decline and eventually could go extinct.
Currently, white sharks are protected in several countries and form the basis for an important tourist industry in Australia, South Africa, western United States and most recently Nova Scotia, Canada.
These sharks are iconic apex predators that fascinate people. One of us (John) went cage diving with them recently off the Neptune Islands of South Australia and can attest to how breathtaking it is to watch them in their natural environment.
In terms of economic impact, they are worth far more alive than dead.
White sharks are a growing tourism draw in several countries. Andrew Fox, Adelaide, CC BY
There’s still much we don’t know about white sharks
The complete white shark genome was first published only in 2019. It has 4.63 billion base pairs, making it much larger than the human genome (3.2 billion base pairs).
The genome revealed some surprising things, like how white sharks show strong molecular adaptations for wound-healing processes, and a suite of “genome stability” genes – those used in DNA repair or DNA damage response.
The transcriptome (or sum total of the messenger RNA) of the white shark showed greater similarity to the human transcriptome than to that of other fishes. This hints that “unexpressed genes” in the shark could one day play a role in uncovering genetic pathways for potential cures in human diseases.
Jaws and its sequels certainly brought white sharks to the attention (and nightmares) of humans, with devastating impacts on how we treated them as a species.
Our relationship with white sharks reflects our relationship with nature more broadly – a feared antagonist within the current capitalist paradigm; an enemy to be tamed, contained or consumed.
As we learn more of the peril and potential of these remarkable creatures, we can learn how to live with them, to see beyond our fears and value their role within our delicate ocean ecosystems.
John Long receives funding from The Australian Research Council.
Heather L. Robinson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend album cover has fans divided.
Carpenter poses on all fours, her glossy blond hair grasped by a male figure cropped from the frame. Her wide-eyed expression intensifies an ambiguous performance of subservience, tapping into a visual language tied to female objectification, from classic pin-up imagery to contemporary pop culture.
The emotionally loaded image plays on her hyper-feminine, tongue-in-cheek pop star persona, forcing us to question where irony ends and objectification begins.
Is it satire, or self-degradation?
Up for debate
At first glance, the cover seems like just another stylised, provocative pop image. It delivers what we’ve come to expect: a bold, ironic twist on the exaggerated Juno-style pose she reinvents on stage.
To some fans, it’s clever satire: a pop star reclaiming and amplifying her image to mock industry norms. Satire uses exaggeration, irony, or humour to critique power structures – and Carpenter’s pose walks that tightrope.
To others it crosses a line, reinforcing regressive attitudes about women’s sexuality and drawing criticism from domestic violence advocates.
The debate reflects our unresolved discomfort about gender, power and control. There is a tension between Carpenter’s ironic persona and the submissive pose, creating uncertainty for the viewer.
We can use psychology to better understand this dichotomy.
The schema violation
This mismatch between expectation and perception is a schema violation.
A schema is a mental shortcut: a template built from experience and unspoken rules that helps us make sense of the world and predict what to expect. When something breaks that pattern, it’s called a schema violation.
Carpenter’s brand is cheeky, self-aware irony – so when she adopts a pose steeped in submission and hyper-femininity as in this album image, it feels off.
That can trigger cognitive dissonance: the mental tension we feel when two ideas (here, empowerment and obedience) don’t align.
To resolve the conflict, some fans reinterpret the image as feminist sarcasm. Others reject it, fearing it panders to outdated, dangerous norms.
Both reactions reflect our emotional and ideological investments in who Carpenter is or should be.
Exploring confirmation bias
Part of this conflicted reaction is driven by confirmation bias: our tendency to filter information to support what we already believe.
Fans who see Carpenter as witty and empowered interpret the image as intentionally ironic. Others – more sceptical of the industry’s history of exploiting female sexuality – view it as a throwback to damaging norms.
Either way, our interpretations often reflect more about ourselves than about Carpenter’s intent.
When her image contradicts both her public persona and our social values, it creates a gap between what we think is right and what we want to be right. So, we try to explain it away, by either defending the image or criticising it.
Satire and scandal
Carpenter’s cover follows a long tradition of female artists whose work straddles satire and scandal, complicating public reception.
Madonna’s Like a Prayer drew outrage for mixing religion with sexual imagery. Yet it positioned her as a provocateur – a woman resisting the lack of agency that so often defines sexualised media.
Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz era shocked fans with a bold shift from Hannah Montana innocence to hypersexualised rebellion, challenging the narrow roles women in pop culture are confined to.
These women, like Carpenter, force us to confront our own discomfort with women who won’t stay in one lane.
Performer and provocateur
Audience reaction is also shaped by emotional investment in Carpenter’s persona. Through carefully curated social media, interviews and lyrics, fans build intimate narratives forming parasocial relationships – one-sided emotional bonds with celebrities.
When an image contradicts that imagined persona, it can feel jarring, even like betrayal.
Audiences often expect idols to be empowering but not polarising, sexy but safe, to challenge norms – but only in ways that affirm our own values.
Carpenter’s image breaks that implicit contract, which creates discomfort for some viewers.
Carpenter’s cover raises uncomfortable but necessary questions about how much freedom female artists have to be both critical and complicit. Can they play with society and play along, to be both performer and provocateur?
This highlights the double bind many women face in media and popular culture. Female artists are expected to both subvert and satisfy; to entertain without offending; empower without alienating. The burden to be palatable and provocative is one male artists rarely face.
It’s what we make of it
Is Carpenter undermining herself or subverting the system? Perhaps both. Or perhaps the image isn’t the message: our reaction is.
The image forces us to confront not only our perception of Sabrina Carpenter but also our cultural discomfort with women who defy neat categorisation. Satire demands interpretation, especially when it comes from women addressing sex or power.
More than provocation, Carpenter’s cover mirrors our cultural struggle to accept women who defy simple labels of satire or submission. The image can reflect broader social ideals and tensions projected onto public figures.
What we see says more about our assumptions than her intent. Understanding those reactions doesn’t kill the fun – it deepens it.
Katrina Muller-Townsend does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Senator Markey is an author of Juneteenth National Independence Act signed into law in June 2021
Watch: Senator Markey in conversation with “Boston Ben” Haith, organizer, activist, and designer of the Juneteenth flag
Boston (June 18, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Senate author of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act of 2021, released the following statement today in anticipation of Juneteenth and in celebration of the fourth anniversary of Juneteenth’s commemoration as a federal holiday.
“This Juneteenth, families, neighbors, and communities will come together to celebrate, remember, and reflect on the day when word of emancipation finally reached enslaved people in the Deep South in 1865. But Juneteenth isn’t only about what happened 160 years ago—it’s about everything that happened after, and what we are still fighting for today: civil rights, equity, and inclusion. On Juneteenth, we are reminded that freedom didn’t come all at once, and it still must be claimed, defended, and expanded.
“With Trump and Republicans trying to eradicate diversity programming and cut funding to institutions and schools for recognizing our diverse history, we must stand together to say that people and history will not be erased. We must make sure our systems—our schools, our courts, our hospitals—treat Black Americans with dignity and fairness. This President has no regard or respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, or our most sacred values as a nation. He is testing our democracy day in and day out. And in the face of this test, we must recommit ourselves to the fight for justice, liberty, and freedom for all.
“This movement for faith and freedom will not be stopped. Juneteenth is about progress and truth and never giving up on the idea that our country can be better. I am proud to commemorate Juneteenth, and I will continue to fight for liberty and justice for every community.”
Last Friday, Senator Markey met with “Boston Ben” Haith, a long-time organizer, activist, and designer of the Juneteenth flag, to discuss the enduring legacy of Juneteenth. Senator Markey and Mr. Haith met at Roxbury State Heritage Park, the same park where the official Juneteenth flag raising occurred in June of 2000. For a video of their discussion, click here.
Te Whatu Ora theatre nurses and health care assistants at Whangārei Hospital who are NZNO members will strike next Tuesday over concerns about chronic and ongoing staff shortages.
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) perioperative nurses and health care assistants – from the surgical admission unit, theatre and post anaesthetic units – will undertake three rolling four-hour strikes beginning at 7am and ending at 7pm on Tuesday 24 June.
NZNO delegate and perioperative nurse Steph Moule says the nurses and health care assistants are standing up for their patients.
“This stand is part of the current collective agreement bargaining between NZNO and Te Whatu Ora. Our patients deserve safe staffing levels. Not burnt out nurses and health care assistants who don’t have time to give them the care they need.
“Our patients deserve better. Our members will not accept patient safety being threatened by unrealistic budget cuts.”
Steph Moule says overworked nurses and health care assistants are also facing an effective pay cut.
“The latest offer made by Te Whatu Ora offered a 1% wage increase this year backdated and a further 1% next April. That doesn’t keep up with the cost of living and will see nurses and health care workers and their whānau going backwards financially,” she says.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Federico Valverde of Real Madrid takes a penalty kick during the group H match between Real Madrid C. F. of Spain and Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Croatian President Zoran Milanović in Zagreb on Wednesday and held wide-ranging discussions aimed at deepening India-Croatia relations. The talks focused on enhancing cooperation in commerce, culture, defence, and innovation.
“Met Zoran Milanović, the President of Croatia. Had extensive discussions on the full range of India-Croatia friendship, including ways to boost linkages of commerce and culture,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthening the close and friendly ties between the two countries, based on shared democratic values, the rule of law, and a common vision for global peace and stability.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the growing diversification of bilateral cooperation, particularly in emerging areas such as defence, start-ups, sports, and innovation. PM Modi also thanked President Milanović for Croatia’s steadfast support to India in its fight against terrorism.
The leaders acknowledged the deep-rooted cultural connections between India and Croatia, tracing back centuries.
They also exchanged views on regional and global developments and noted that the growing India-EU strategic partnership could further enhance India-Croatia relations.
“The two leaders agreed to work together to unlock the full potential of India-Croatia ties,” the MEA said.
After eight months of work, the south end of Aotea Lagoon in Porirua is open for the public to enjoy.
The project to make this popular place in Porirua safer, more inviting and modern was officially opened on Thursday (19 June) and the upgrade includes:
– New toilets
– A wider and more open entrance
– Updated lighting
– A new lawn and events space, with a Rotary boardwalk and native wetland planting (about 2000 plants have been put in)
– A pathway out to the Aotea Lions train (there used to be just one way in and out), with the train station area repaired and painted
– Increased shade with three large trees planted, and shade over the seated area too
– A more prominent spot for the Guy Ngan sculpture
– An additional disabled car park in the southern car park
The work, carried out by John Fillmore Contracting, has made this part of Aotea Lagoon accessible and safer, Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says.
“There is better visibility, more than one exit, and it’s a lovely, open space that Porirua residents and the many visitors that come, will enjoy,” she says.
Julian Emeny, Manager Parks, says working with Rotary – who built the original rose garden 40 years ago – for a positive outcome has made the project special.
“What we have now, for an area of Aotea Lagoon that was starting to show its age, is a place where we can hold different events, like concerts and school performances, and somewhere the public can book,” he says.
Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
The National Anti-Scam Centre is warning Australians to remain vigilant following reports scammers have been impersonating phone numbers belonging to the ACCC in an attempt to steal personal information.
The ACCC and the National Anti-Scam Centre, which operates under the ACCC, have become aware of scammers using publicly available ACCC phone numbers, which are listed on the agency’s official website.
In some reported cases, the scammers claimed to be representatives of the ACCC and requested sensitive information over the phone. In others, they misused the ACCC acronym to impersonate an unrelated organisation and spoke in a language other than English.
The National Anti-Scam Centre warns that the ACCC phone numbers have been ‘spoofed’. The ACCC does not make calls from its reception numbers.
“Spoofing is when scammers disguise their phone number to make it look like they’re calling from a trusted organisation — including government agencies like the ACCC — to deceive people into answering and sharing personal information,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
“This is a tactic that helps scammers hide their true identity while posing as trusted institutions – it’s designed to lower your guard. If a call or message feels off, trust your instincts and hang up. It’s safer to end the call and check in directly with us.”
The ACCC and the National Anti-Scam Centre will never ‘cold’ call or email consumers and ask for your personal information such as your passwords, bank details or answers to security questions. The ACCC does not charge money for its services and would never threaten or pressure you to stay on the line.
If you receive a call claiming to be from the ACCC where personal information such as passwords or bank details are requested, do not provide this information and hang up.
“We encourage all Australians to report scams — every report helps us track patterns and protect others,” Ms Lowe said.
The National Anti-Scam Centre also reminds the community to be extremely wary of urgent requests asking people to act immediately, and to never provide personal information if unsure. Do not click on any links or download attachments from messages unless you are sure it is someone you can trust.
How to spot and avoid scams
STOP – Don’t give money or personal information to anyone if you’re unsure. Scammers will create a sense of urgency. Don’t rush to act. Say ‘no’, hang up, delete.
CHECK – Ask yourself could the call or text be fake? Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Contact the organisation using information you source independently, so that you can verify if the call is real or not.
PROTECT – Act quickly if something feels wrong. Contact your bank immediately if you lose money. If you have provided personal information call IDCARE on 1800 595 160. The more we talk the less power they have. Report scams to the National Anti-Scam Centre’s Scamwatch service at scamwatch.gov.au when you see them. If you’re contacted on a messaging platform like WhatsApp or iMessage, please also report the scam in the app.
The first flight carrying 110 Indian citizens, including 90 students from Jammu and Kashmir, arrived in New Delhi on Thursday after being successfully evacuated from Iran amid the escalating military conflict in the Middle East.
All the evacuees were flown to the capital aboard IndiGo flight 6E 9487.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, welcomed the evacuated students at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The evacuation was part of Operation Sindhu, a mission launched by the Indian government to ensure the safety of its citizens in Iran.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday evening that Indian students residing in Tehran had been safely moved out of the city through arrangements coordinated by the Indian Embassy.
“Indian students in Tehran have been moved out of the city for safety reasons through arrangements made by the Indian Embassy,” the Ministry stated in an official release.
The students departed from Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, Armenia, on a special flight at 14:55 IST on June 18, with their arrival in New Delhi expected in the early hours of June 19.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced the launch of the operation on X, saying, “Operation Sindhu begins. India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran. India evacuated 110 students from northern Iran who crossed into Armenia under the supervision of our Missions in Iran and Armenia on June 17.”
This is one of several steps taken by the Indian government over the past few days to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals stranded in Iran, following appeals for assistance due to the worsening situation in the Middle East.
The Indian government also expressed gratitude to the governments of Iran and Armenia for their cooperation in facilitating the evacuation process.
“India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad,” the MEA said in a statement. “As part of the ongoing operation, the Indian Embassy in Iran has been assisting large numbers of Indian nationals in relocating from areas witnessing increased hostilities to relatively safer regions within the country, and subsequently evacuating them through available and feasible options.”
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 19 (Xinhua) — The first freight train departed from Jinhua City in east China’s Zhejiang Province on Wednesday for the port of Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan, marking the official opening of the trans-Caspian international transport corridor from the economically developed Chinese province.
The train loaded with 100 standard containers of clothing, accessories, metal parts and other goods will arrive at the port of Turkmenbashi. The containers with cargo will then be transported from the port by water across the Caspian Sea to the Azerbaijani port of Baku.
The train will cross the Chinese-Kazakh border through the Khorgos checkpoint, and then pass through major cities such as Almaty, Tashkent and Ashgabat, the China News Service reported, citing a source from the railway logistics service in Jinhua.
The new transport route is expected to reduce the load on the logistics line from the port of Aktau /Kazakhstan/ to Baku and speed up the delivery of Chinese goods to the markets of Central Asia and Central and Eastern Europe, the service said.
As it became known, this is already the 26th logistics route opened by Zhejiang Province within the framework of international railway freight transportation China-Europe. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 19 (Xinhua) — Trade volume between northern China’s Hebei Province and five Central Asian countries increased 2.1 times year-on-year to a record 3.03 billion yuan in the first five months of this year, the Zhongxinshe News Agency reported, citing local customs data.
In particular, the province’s exports increased by 100 percent to 2.5 billion yuan, while its imports of foreign goods amounted to 530 million yuan, up 160 percent.
During the reporting period, the province’s trade turnover with Kazakhstan reached 1.53 billion yuan, up 130 percent, with Uzbekistan – 860 million yuan, up 81.4 percent, with Kyrgyzstan – 400 million yuan, up 87.4 percent, with Tajikistan – 120 million yuan, up 230 percent, and with Turkmenistan – 120 million yuan, up 120 percent.
The list of popular goods from Central Asia included sun oil from Kazakhstan and raw cowhide from Kyrgyzstan. The volume of their supplies to Hebei Province amounted to 160 million and 38 million yuan, with an increase of 72.6 percent and 54.4 percent, respectively.
From January to May this year, the province’s automobile exports to Central Asian countries totaled 580 million yuan, up 2.4 times from the same period last year. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Tashkent, June 19 /Xinhua/ — The China-Central Asia mechanism is a strategic platform aimed at strengthening Chinese-Central Asian cooperation. Uzbekistan attaches priority importance to developing relations with China. Afzal Artikov, chief researcher at the Center for Economic Research and Reforms under the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan, said this in an exclusive interview with Xinhua recently.
According to him, since its establishment, the China-Central Asia Dialogue Format has become an important tool for strengthening multi-vector cooperation, developing political, economic and cultural ties between Central Asia and China, and also serves as a platform for dialogue on key issues, including economic development, security and cultural exchange.
Afzal Artikov noted that in Uzbekistan, taking into account the priorities of the country’s foreign policy and efforts aimed at ensuring socio-economic development, interaction within the framework of the China-Central Asia format is considered an important tool for attracting investment, expanding export opportunities, developing infrastructure and increasing regional connectivity.
Particular importance is attached to areas of cooperation that directly contribute to the implementation of national strategies in the field of industrial modernization, digitalization, food and energy security, he said, adding that in this context, Uzbekistan is actively promoting initiatives to develop transport and logistics corridors, participate in Green Belt projects, joint scientific and educational programs, as well as deepen humanitarian and cultural exchange.
Uzbekistan attaches priority importance to the development and strengthening of relations with China, which is one of the key strategic partners for all Central Asian countries. Such cooperation is considered not only as an important element of foreign policy, but also as an effective mechanism for supporting sustainable economic growth in the region, the expert concluded. –0–
