Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities in Northland are benefitting from $3.59 million in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief, two years later.
“Cyclone Gabrielle had a devasting impact on Northland, causing widespread destruction to property and requiring significant relief efforts. Now one year after grant applications closed, more than 161 community organisations have received funding to rebuild thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who bought tickets to the special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief,” says Ms van Velden.
Funds raised from the special Lotto draw were passed on to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust, which accepted grant applications until May 2024 and distributed all funds by October 2024. Grants were given to community organisations in regions where a state of emergency was declared for Cyclone Gabrielle, which were Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Tararua.
“As well as repairing and replacing community facilities that were damaged by the cyclone, the proceeds of the lottery draw went towards upgrading local emergency services organisations so they can be better prepared for any future severe weather events”.
Northland projects that received funding include:
$6,000 to Surf Life Saving Baylys Beach Incorporated to purchase a generator to supply power for future adverse weather events
$20,000 to the Waimamaku Community Civil Defence Group for equipment and supplies to set up the community hall as an emergency assembly point
$19,800 to Oakura Beach Reserve Board in Ōakura for a shipping container to store seven generators to be used in emergencies
“Raising funds for important community projects is at the heart of what Lotto does. I’m pleased that the funds raised from this special Lotto draw went towards better preparing impacted communities for future events.”
The special draw was a part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work that government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers did in raising money to help with the response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal. The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total across the regions affected to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023.
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities in Hawke’s Bay are benefitting from $4.77 million in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief.
“Cyclone Gabrielle had a devasting impact on Hawke’s Bay, causing widespread destruction to property and requiring significant relief efforts. Now, one year after grant applications closed, 178 community organisations have received funding to rebuild thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who bought tickets to the special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief,” says Ms van Velden.
Funds raised from the special Lotto draw were passed on to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust, which accepted grant applications until May 2024 and distributed all funds by October 2024. Grants were given to community organisations in regions where a state of emergency was declared for Cyclone Gabrielle, which were Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Tararua.
“As well as repairing and replacing community facilities that were damaged by the cyclone, the proceeds of the lottery draw went towards upgrading local emergency services organisations so they can be better prepared for any future severe weather events”.
Hawke’s Bay projects that received funding include:
$30,000 to Radio Kidnappers Charitable Trust to upgrade its AM transmission and expand emergency radio coverage across Hawke’s Bay
$9,300 to the Ashley Clinton Fire Brigade (Fire and Emergency New Zealand) to purchase and install a generator and starlink
$30,000 to Eskview and Districts Rugby Football Club to build an outside shelter facility for use as a hub in civil defence emergencies
$20,000 to Waipuka Civil Defence to upgrade the emergency stations and communication hub, and expand shelter space
“Raising funds for important community projects is at the heart of what Lotto does. I’m pleased that the funds raised from this special Lotto draw went towards better preparing impacted communities for future events.”
The special draw was a part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work that government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers did in raising money to help with the response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal. The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total across the regions affected to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023.
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities in the Waikato are benefitting from over $414,000 in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief.
“Cyclone Gabrielle had a significant impact on parts of the Waikato, causing destruction to property, blocked roads, and requiring coordinated relief efforts Now, one year after grant applications closed, 18 community organisations have received funding to rebuild thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who bought tickets to the special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief,” says Ms van Velden.
Funds raised from the special Lotto draw were passed on to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust, which accepted grant applications until May 2024 and distributed all funds by October 2024. Grants were given to community organisations in regions where a state of emergency was declared for Cyclone Gabrielle, which were Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Tararua.
“As well as repairing and replacing community facilities that were damaged by the cyclone, the proceeds of the lottery draw went towards upgrading local emergency services organisations so they can be better prepared for any future severe weather events”.
Waikato projects that received funding include:
$29,500 to the Sunset Beach Surf Lifesaving Trust in Port Waikato for a new power generator to provide power supply to the community civil defence hub
$30,000 to the Oparau Hall Society Incorporated for repairs to the hall and equipment
$29,875 to the Port Project to restore and improve community walkways damaged by the cyclone
Sunset Beach Surf Lifesaving Trust had its first use of the generator in May 2025 when the Port had a major power outage. Malcolm Beattie, president of the Sunset Beach Lifesaving Trust, says “it kicked in and the community had access to the Community Hub for full power immediately. Having this service immediately available for our community free of any charges was amazing.”
The special draw was a part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work that government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers did in raising money to help with the response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
“Raising funds for important community projects is at the heart of what Lotto does. I’m pleased that the funds raised from this special Lotto draw went towards better preparing impacted communities for future events.” says Ms van Velden.
The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal. The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total across the regions affected to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023.
Waikato Police have arrested and charged a 22-year-old following a serious, violent incident in Tahuna.
At around 7.20pm, Police were alerted to a group of people fighting on Tahuna-Ohinewai Road after a person who confronted three men in a vehicle doing burnouts was assaulted and other members of the public attempted to intervene.
After noticing the incident unfolding, an occupant of a nearby property has attempted to intervene. However, they were also assaulted by the alleged offenders.
Six people received injuries in total in relation to the incident. Two people received serious injuries, and one other received minor injuries, they were transported to hospital. Three others received minor injuries.
The offenders have then taken two vehicles from the Tahuna-Ohinewai address and moved them onto the street.
Upon Police arrival, the offenders have fled the scene, two fled on foot, while another left in a vehicle taken from the address.
A short time later, one of the offenders was located nearby and was taken into custody by Police.
An investigation into the serious assault and aggravated robbery has commenced, with Police working to establish what exactly has occurred.
Police are following multiple lines of enquiry to identify and locate the remaining two offenders and encourage them to do the right thing and hand themselves in.
As our enquiries are ongoing, members of the community may see an increased Police presence in the area.
While Police would like to thank those who tried to intervene and assist other members of the public, Police urge the public not to take matters into their own hands or confront individuals themselves as situations can escalate quickly.
Instead, stay in a safe location, gather as much information as you safely can, and contact Police on 111.
A 22-year-old man is due to appear in Hamilton District Court today, charged with aggravated robbery and injures with intent to injure.
If you have any information that may assist in Police’s investigation, please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.
Please use the reference number 250619/2309.
You can also provide information through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
The City of Greater Bendigo is pleased to announce Angela Hays as its new Director Corporate Performance.
Ms Hays joins the City following roles as Head of People & Customer at Melton City Council and Director Corporate Services at Mackay Regional Council.
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cooney said Ms Hays’ experience in providing high level strategic direction, financial management, and her sound understanding of Local government processes made her a strong candidate.
“Angela has built a diverse career in government roles, while leading and supporting capable teams across a diverse set of portfolios,” Mr Cooney said.
“Angela will be leading the Financial Strategy, IT, People and Culture, Governance & Performance and Customer Engagement & Communication units.
“Having recently relocated to Bendigo with her family; Angela is excited about contributing to the community she now calls home. We look forward to Angela joining the team and bringing her leadership, skills, and experience to the organisation.”
Ms Hays said she was excited by the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of the City.
“Having previously worked in Local Government, I understand the important leadership role a council has in a community,” she said.
“The City is a highly regarded Local Government and I am delighted to accept this role and get to know the Corporate Performance staff and broader organisation.”
Ms Hays will start with the City on Monday July 7, 2025.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has concluded the successful Shanghai leg of his official visit to China, accompanied by Ministers Louise Upston and Mark Mitchell and a delegation of senior New Zealand business leaders from across the food and beverage, health and wellbeing, education, and tourism sectors.
“Our bilateral trade relationship with China is one of our most important, with two-way trade exceeding NZ$39 billion in the year ending March 2025.
“This relationship accounts for more than 20 per cent of New Zealand’s total goods and services exports,” Mr Luxon says.
“It’s been great to see $400 million of commercial agreements signed today between New Zealand businesses and their Chinese partners. This is a clear sign of the strength and momentum in our trade relationship.
“We also announced we would be making it easier for Chinese nationals to transit via New Zealand by removing the need to get a transit visa, instead being able to get a New Zealanders Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), significantly cutting costs and time for visitors.
“This resulted in one of the major announcements in Shanghai, that China Eastern Airlines was launching twice weekly flights to South America via Auckland.”
Mr Luxon participated in a tourism livestream event watched by over 10 million people, to promote New Zealand travel offerings.
“New Zealand welcomed 248,000 visitors from China in the past year, with holiday arrivals up 31 per cent. We’ve made recent changes to visa settings to make it easier for Chinese visitors to enjoy New Zealand’s natural beauty and warm hospitality,” Mr Luxon says.
Mr Luxon also visited Fudan University, one of China’s most prestigious academic institutions, to promote New Zealand as a destination for world-class research, study, and partnership.
“We’re focused on deepening our education links through student connections, institutional partnerships, and joint research that benefits both countries,” Mr Luxon says.
Mr Luxon also met with Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining to discuss Shanghai as a gateway for a high proportion of New Zealand goods, services and people-to-people flows, and other bilateral issues.
The Prime Minister will now travel to Beijing, where he will meet with China’s leaders.
Police have charged a second person after alleged interference in the murder investigation of 15-year-old Kaea Karauria.
A 21-year-old Napier woman was taken into custody earlier today, after Police learned while conducting follow-up enquiries, that she had provided instructions to another person to destroy evidence.
The alleged incident occurred on 11 May, the day of the fight in which Kaea was killed.
The woman has been charged with wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice, and will appear in the Napier District Court on 26 June.
Police will continue to act without hesitation when a witness is threatened, or attempts are made to sabotage an investigation. Any witness tampering will be treated very seriously.
We would still like to hear from anyone who has information about the incident. Our team continues to work hard on this investigation, as Kaea and his family deserve justice.
Information can be reported via our 105 service, either over the phone or online, referencing file number 250511/1317.
We have also set up a phoneline for those wanting to share information about the incident and people can leave a message on 0800 852 525.
The winter school holidays mean it’s time to wear a few more layers to the beach.
But school’s out also means maintenance is in for the Pekatahi Bridge.
The bridge, which is located north of Tāneatua on State Highway 2 (SH2) will close for 6 days for essential deck repairs from Monday 30 June.
This is part of much needed quarterly maintenance of Pekatahi Bridge for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
The bridge will close daily from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July for structural work, included bridge surface plank replacement. It will close again from 8.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday 5 July for sealing work. If the weather is wet on Saturday, the contingency day is Monday 7 July. Sealing requires dry weather, so if Monday is also unsuitable, sealing may have to be undertaken under stop/stop at a later date.
“The bridge is narrow, and due to nature of the work, full daytime closures are required,” says Sandra King, NZTA’s System Manager for the Bay of Plenty.
“We understand this is an important route and the closure is disruptive, but closing the bridge allows contractors to carry out repairs safely.
“This essential maintenance work has been programmed for the school holidays when traffic volumes are lower, and no school buses will be on the road.
“Contractors will be using the closure to its full potential by repairing and replacing broken and loose decking planks and carrying out other general maintenance such as checking surfacing screws and resurfacing,” Ms King says.
A detour will be in place for all traffic; northbound using Tāneatua Road, Arawa Road, Hinemoa Street and onto SH30 towards Awakeri and southbound traffic will use the same route in reverse. This detour is expected to add up to 20 minutes to journey times and is suitable for all vehicles, including High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMV).
NZTA thanks Whakatāne District Council for allowing the detour route on their local roads and road users for their co-operation.
The Government has expanded the criteria for medallic recognition for Defence personnel who have served in operations supporting the UN’s sanctions against North Korea, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This medal – the New Zealand General Service Medal (NZGSM) 2002 (Korea) – has already been awarded to 180 personnel and the move to widen eligibility means a further 350 personnel will be recognised,” Ms Collins says. “Personnel who have served as part of Operation Whio – which monitors the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – since 2018 are now eligible for this medal. “Over the past seven years, there have been 19 rotations of Operation Whio – including seven deployments of P-3K2 Orion and P-8A Poseidon aircraft, aircrew and support personnel, and the deployment of HMNZS Aotearoa in 2024. The aircraft and ship conducted and supported maritime patrols to detect and deter evasions of United Nations Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea. The other rotations were of small numbers of staff officers in headquarters roles. “This is another example of how we are contributing to upholding the international rules-based order. “Previously this specific medal, the NZGSM 2002 (Korea), was only awarded to United Nations Command activities relating to preserving the Korean Armistice Agreement,” Ms Collins says. “The men and women of our Defence Force rightly deserve this acknowledgement of their service. “Our people do what we ask of them, when we ask it, often in trying conditions, and medallic recognition such as this is one way we recognise this.”
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities in the Gisborne region are benefitting from $3.55 million in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief.
“Cyclone Gabrielle had a devasting impact on the East Coast, causing widespread destruction to property and requiring significant relief efforts. Now, one year after grant applications closed, 121 community organisations have received funding to rebuild thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who bought tickets to the special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief,” says Ms van Velden.
Funds raised from the special Lotto draw were passed on to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust, which accepted grant applications until May 2024 and distributed all funds by October 2024. Grants were given to community organisations in regions where a state of emergency was declared for Cyclone Gabrielle, which were Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Tararua.
“As well as repairing and replacing community facilities that were damaged by the cyclone, the proceeds of the lottery draw went towards upgrading local emergency services organisations so they can be better prepared for any future severe weather events”.
Gisborne projects that received funding include:
$49,916 to St John Gisborne Area to protect the ambulance station from flooding
$29,839 to the Pehiri Emergency Management Group for communications systems, emergency supplies, and equipment
$30,000 to the Ruatoria Volunteer Fire Brigade (Fire and Emergency New Zealand) to purchase and install additional water storage tanks to increase brigade water capacity and resilience for fire emergency response
$25,000 to the Tahunga Residents Association Incorporated for amenities and upgrades to the community hall so it can be used as an emergency hub
“Raising funds for important community projects is at the heart of what Lotto does. I’m pleased that the funds raised from this special Lotto draw went towards better preparing impacted communities for future events.”
The special draw was a part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work that government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers did in raising money to help with the response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal. The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total across the regions affected to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023.
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities across Auckland are benefitting from $1.8 million in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief.
“Cyclone Gabreille had a devasting impact on parts of Auckland, causing widespread damage to property and requiring significant relief efforts. Now, two years on, 71 community organisations have received funding to rebuild thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who bought tickets to the special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief,” says Ms van Velden.
Funds raised from the special Lotto draw were passed on to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust, which were then distributed to the community in regions where a state of emergency was declared for Cyclone Gabrielle, which were Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Tararua.
“As well as repairing and replacing community facilities that were damaged by the cyclone, the proceeds of the lottery draw went towards upgrading local emergency services organisations so they can be better prepared for any future severe weather events.”
Auckland projects that received funding include:
$20,000 to the Titirangi Volunteer Coastguard Incorporated to replace equipment damaged in the cyclone
$21,921 to Karekare Surf Life Saving Club for essential search and rescue equipment to support lifeguard operations during extreme weather events
$30,000 to South Kaipara Good Food for water tanks, generators, irrigation systems and other equipment to support food resilience
$24,733 to Bethells Beach Emergency Resilience Group for equipment and resources for emergency support
“Raising funds for important community projects is at the heart of what Lotto does. I’m pleased that the funds raised from this special Lotto draw went towards relief for Aucklanders doing it tough in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.”
The special draw was a part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work that government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers did in raising money to help with the response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal.
The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total across the regions affected to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023.
“Dressed up in the language of freedom and liberty, this Bill promotes a fringe libertarian worldview that individuals and corporations are entitled to harm nature and others, and if restrictions are placed on them, then they should be compensated.”
“This ideology is fundamentally at odds with our nation’s deeply-rooted values of fairness, care, and collective responsibility.”
“At its core, this Bill is an attempt by a far-right politician to create a bill of rights for corporations, at the expense of the rights of New Zealanders, the rights of nature, and the rights of Māori guaranteed to them under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”
“If enacted, it will, without doubt, erode environmental protection, lead to the extinction of precious native wildlife, and impair the Government’s ability to take action on climate change.”
The Greenpeace Aotearoa submission goes on to warn that the Bill would open the floodgates for corporations to expect taxpayer handouts for any regulation that protects public health and the environment, or tries to manage the cost of living. It gives a series of chilling examples:
If rules were strengthened to prevent catastrophic oil spills such as the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the executives at BP oil would expect millions from the taxpayer.
Basic protections for our drinking water or lakes and rivers, would see Fonterra making complaints to an unelected regulatory standards board and expecting a public payout.
Supermarket giants would expect compensation for any efforts to limit price gouging and bring down grocery prices.
Offshore shareholders of multinational forestry companies would expect a payout for any new laws compelling them to prevent further deaths of New Zealand forestry workers.
Even the Tobacco industry would expect taxpayer dollars simply for efforts to save New Zealanders’ lives and get us to a smoke-free reality.
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is congratulating Mercury Energy’s terminating its contract with Israel’s Ormat Technologies to design the Ngatamariki geothermal power station near Taupo.
PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzal says it appears Mercury has acknowledged the legal jeopardy of Israeli companies operating throughout the world.
“The International Court of Justice last year declared Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is illegal and called on everyone to stop giving ‘aid or assistance’ to Israel which will help it to maintain its illegal occupation.”
“Mercury’s decision is in line the ICJ findings and we welcome it as a victory for the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions campaign to isolate Israel.”
“No New Zealand companies should have any dealings with Israel, either directly or indirectly.”
“Israel is a rogue genocide and apartheid state – a threat and an embarrassment to all of humanity,” Nazal says.“But the Ormat contract with Mercury is not the only one. We are now renewing our calls on Contact Energy to do the same and cut its links with Ormat Technologies.”
“If Contact doesn’t follow Mercury, then I’m sure many electricity consumers will take the Israeli connection in mind and so switch from Contact to Mercury.”
Maher Nazzal
Co-Chair PSNA
Here is a copy of the letter we sent to Contact Energy in November last year:
15 November 2024
Mike Fuge
Chief Executive Officer
Contact Energy
c/o Louise Wright
Head of Communications and Reputation
Kia ora Mr Fuge,
Contact Energy partnering with the racist apartheid state of Israel
We noted your media release of 13 November 2024 (“Contact invests to redevelop Wairakei”) which confirms Contact is investing to begin replacing the Wairakei geothermal power station.
What your release doesn’t mention is that you are intending to partner with an Israeli company, Ormat Technologies, through an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract to build the new plant. Ormat has confirmed this in their own announcement dated a day earlier.
It is not tenable for Contact Energy to sign off on this agreement and we are requesting the company withdraw from doing so immediately. Signing this proposed agreement would be a kick in the teeth for Palestinians suffering from industrial-scale slaughter at the hands of the apartheid state of Israel in which Ormat Technologies is embedded.
Ormat Technologies has its main production facilities based in Yavne, Israel. Yavne is a city build over the Palestinian town of Yibna from which Palestinians were ethnically cleansed in 1948 and to which they have sought their right of return since 1948, only to be denied by racist Israeli policies.
That Contact would even consider signing an agreement with an Israeli company in light of Palestinian calls for BDS (Boycott Divestment and Sanctions) against Israel and particularly after 13 months of genocide where most of the 43,000 confirmed victims have been women and children – is an outrage which makes a mockery of your carefully-crafted corporate story which claims to be based on “tikanga” and principles of respect for people and the planet.
We urge you to do the right thing today and dismantle your links with Ormat and any associated Israeli companies. Palestinians and Palestinian New Zealanders have the right to demand no less from you.
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
SUVA, Fiji (June 13, 2025) Operations Specialist 1st Class Ashley Stanley, left, with the Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25) team, bids farewell to students of Waiqanake District School after a rugby match as part of PP-25 in Suva, Fiji, June 13, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
SUVA, Fiji (June 14, 2025) U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Derek Chipmon, left, a public health planner with the Pacific Partnership 25 (PP-25) team, is given an apiary tour by a local beekeeper in Suva, Fiji, during PP-25, June 14, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
SUVA, Fiji (June 14, 2025) U.S. Navy Lt. Corey Day, left, entomologist assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness Training Command, and Lt. j.g. Derek Chipmon, center, public health planner with the Pacific Partnership 25 (PP-25) team, are given an apiary tour by a local beekeeper in Suva, Fiji, during PP-25, June 14, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
Iran and Israel traded further air attacks on Thursday as President Donald Trump kept the world guessing about whether the United States would join Israel’s bombardment of Iranian nuclear facilities.
A week of Israeli air and missile strikes against its major rival has wiped out the top echelon of Iran’s military command, damaged its nuclear capabilities and killed hundreds of people, while Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed two dozen civilians in Israel.
The worst-ever conflict between the rivals has raised fears that it will draw in world powers and rock regional stability already undermined by the spillover effects of the Gaza war.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Wednesday, Trump declined to say if he had made any decision on whether to join Israel’s air campaign. “I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do,” he said.
Trump in later remarks said Iranian officials wanted to come to Washington for a meeting and that “we may do that.” But he added, “It’s a little late” for such talks.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rebuked Trump’s earlier call for Iran to surrender in a recorded speech played on television, his first appearance since Friday.
The Americans “should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage,” he said. “The Iranian nation will not surrender.”
Iran denies it is seeking nuclear weapons and says its program is for peaceful purposes only. The International Atomic Energy Agency said last week Tehran was in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years.
The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain plan to hold nuclear talks with their Iranian counterpart on Friday in Geneva to urge Iran to return to the negotiating table, a German diplomatic source told Reuters.
But while diplomatic efforts continue, some residents of Tehran, a city of 10 million people, on Wednesday jammed highways out of the city as they sought sanctuary from intensified Israeli airstrikes.
The Wall Street Journal said Trump had told senior aides he approved attack plans on Iran but was holding off on giving the final order to see if Tehran would abandon its nuclear program.
Senior U.S. officials are preparing for the possibility of a strike on Iran in the coming days, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
DRONE ATTACKS
Early on Thursday, air defences were activated in Tehran, intercepting drones on the outskirts of the capital, the semi-official SNN news agency reported. Iranian news agencies also reported it had arrested 18 “enemy agents” who were building drones for Israeli attacks in the northeastern city of Mashhad.
Israel’s military said sirens sounded in northern Israel and in the Jordan Valley on Thursday and that it had intercepted two drones launched from Iran.
The Iranian missile salvoes mark the first time in decades of shadow war and proxy conflict that a significant number of projectiles fired from Iran have penetrated defences, killing Israelis in their homes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video released by his office on Wednesday, said Israel was “progressing step by step” towards eliminating threats posed by Iran’s nuclear sites and ballistic missile arsenal.
“We are hitting the nuclear sites, the missiles, the headquarters, the symbols of the regime,” Netanyahu said.
Israel, which is not a party to the international Non-Proliferation Treaty, is the only country in the Middle East believed to have nuclear weapons. Israel does not deny or confirm that.
Netanyahu also thanked Trump, “a great friend of the state of Israel,” for standing by its side in the conflict, saying the two were in continuous contact.
Trump has veered from proposing a swift diplomatic end to the war to suggesting the United States might join it.
In social media posts on Tuesday, he mused about killing Khamenei.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, asked what his reaction would be if Israel did kill Iran’s Supreme Leader with the assistance of the United States, said on Thursday: “I do not even want to discuss this possibility. I do not want to.”
Putin said all sides should look for ways to end hostilities in a way that ensured both Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear power and Israel’s right to the unconditional security of the Jewish state.
A source familiar with internal discussions said Trump and his team were considering options that included joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear installations.
Since Friday, Iran has fired around 400 missiles at Israel, some 40 of which have pierced air defences, killing 24 people, all of them civilians, according to Israeli authorities.
Iran has reported at least 224 deaths in Israeli attacks, mostly civilians, but has not updated that toll for days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, emplaned for New Delhi after completing a successful visit to Croatia, the last leg of the three nation tour, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral ties between the two countries.
The Prime Minister’s first stop was Cyprus, followed by Canada, where he attended the G7 Summit, and then Croatia, making it the first visit by an Indian PM to the European nation.
During his visit, PM Modi was warmly welcomed by the people and government of Croatia. He expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and highlighted the visit’s significance in ushering in a new chapter in the shared journey of friendship and extensive cooperation between India and Croatia.
“Grateful to the people and Government of Croatia for the warm welcome during what has been a truly landmark visit. This visit ushers in a new chapter in our shared journey of friendship and extensive cooperation,” PM Modi posted on X.
He noted that the visit marked an important milestone in bilateral relations, with many significant decisions made to strengthen India-Croatia ties.
His remarks came after a day of high-level engagements, including talks with his Croatian counterpart Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and a ceremonial welcome in the capital city of Zagreb, which he shared highlights of on Wednesday.
Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi posted a series of updates on his engagements during the visit. He wrote, “Grateful to my friend, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic for the special gesture of showing me the city centre of the historical and culturally rich city of Zagreb.”
He also shared glimpses of the ceremonial reception accorded to him in Zagreb, saying, “Pictures from the ceremonial welcome in Zagreb, Croatia.”
Following his meeting with the Croatian Prime Minister, PM Modi posted, “Held productive talks with my friend, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb. Our talks covered many sectors, aimed at making the India-Croatia bond even stronger. We will be working closely in the fields of defence and security, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, IT, renewable energy, technology and more. Synergies in areas like semiconductors, shipbuilding, connectivity and more will also be greatly beneficial.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that India and Croatia will promote cooperation in several areas including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and information technology.
He added that a Defence Cooperation Plan will also be formulated for long-term collaboration in the defence sector. In a joint press statement with Croatia PM Andrej Plenkovic after their delegation-level talks, PM Modi said the two countries have emphasised joint research and collaboration between their academic institutions and India will share its space experience with Croatia.
PM Modi reached Croatia earlier in the day in the last leg of his three-nation visit. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Croatian Prime Minister and the Croatian government for the enthusiasm, warmth and affection with which he has been welcomed.
“This is the first visit of any Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, and I have had the good fortune of it. India and Croatia are connected by common values like democracy, rule of law, pluralism and quality. It is a happy coincidence that last year the people of India have given me and the people of Croatia have given the opportunity to Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, to serve for the third consecutive time,” he said. The Prime Minister was earlier accorded ceremonial welcome on his arrival in Croatia. (IANS)
Since 2018, the number of African sites on the World Heritage List has risen from 93 to 108. Today, UNESCO is supporting the remaining 11 non-represented African countries to prepare new nominations while mentoring the next generation of heritage professionals, as highlighted at the International Conference on Cultural Heritage in Africa that took place recently in Kenya.
“We need to make sure that World Heritage is truly benefiting Africa and African communities,”
She was one of many heritage professionals gathered at the UNESCO International Conference on Cultural Heritage in Africa, which took place from 6 to 9 May 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya. Bringing together 54 countries and global experts, this event aimed to redefine how heritage is understood and managed across the continent.
Communities at the heart of heritage preservation and promotion
This conference comes at an important time: since 2018, the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has committed to increasing the representation of African sites on the World Heritage List. As a result, the number of sites in the sub-Saharan region has risen from 93 to 108 in recent years.
However, 11 African countries are still not represented on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The continent also has a significant number of endangered sites. To preserve and promote African heritage, the conference identified a number of solutions – first and foremost the need for African-led initiatives that engage local communities.
For young Africans in particular, the cultural and creative industries offer promising professional opportunities. To develop their expertise, UNESCO launched a Mentorship Programme for African Heritage Professionals in 2021, in partnership with the African World Heritage Fund, ICCROM, ICOMOS and IUCN. To date, 60 experts – 30 men and 30 women – from 46 countries have already received mentoring, notably in the 11 non-represented African countries.
“The UNESCO mentorship Programme for African heritage professionals has given me deeper insights into the intrigues of nominating heritage sites,”
Beyond new inscriptions, UNESCO programmes bring greater visibility and protection to these African sites.
“The purpose of heritage management is not just to keep it in isolation. We need to talk about it and tell it and educate people about it”
These efforts are yielding real results: in July 2025, two nominations from non-represented countries will be presented to the World Heritage Committee: the Réserve de Biosphère de l’Archipel des Bijagos in Guinea-Bissau, and the Gola Tiwai Complex in Sierra Leone. Seven more are expected to submit their first nominations by 2027.
Several sites have also been removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger, including the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi in Uganda and Niokolo-Koba National Park in Senegal, thanks to cooperation between national authorities, local experts and UNESCO.
The Nairobi Document on Heritage Authenticity
To guide this increase in African World Heritage inscriptions, participants at the conference adopted the Nairobi Document on Heritage Authenticity. Designed to act as a blueprint, it includes provisions to improve the preservation of the sites already listed, and to increase the involvement of local and Indigenous communities.
“It all began in Africa, in Abu Simbel – when the world came together to save the Nubian Temples, inspiring the World Heritage Convention. Today, this international conference in Nairobi reflects and bolsters all our efforts to support African Member States and to recognize and protect African heritage.”
This means recognizing the richness, vibrancy and complexity of natural and cultural sites across Africa.
As emphasized throughout the 2025 Nairobi Conference, African heritage is plural, dynamic, and community centred. The Outcome Document reflects the depth of African perspectives and sets a forward-looking agenda for enriching the global understanding of authenticity in heritage. I am honoured to officially receive the Nairobi Outcome Document on Heritage Authenticity. May it guide us towards a more just, inclusive, and representative global heritage future.”
Waikato Police uncovered methamphetamine, cannabis, a firearm, ammunition and a homemade taser during search warrants in Waihi yesterday.
Police, including the Armed Offenders Squad and drug detector dogs, executed the two search warrants in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Drugs, drug paraphernalia, firearms and ammunition, stolen property and a homemade taser were found. A firearm was also found in a concealed cavity in a wall.
“We see the harm that drug dealing causes to our communities daily,” says Inspector Mike Henwood.
“These warrants represent local police’s ongoing commitment to tackling drug offending in our rural towns and the associated crime that follows.
“Drug dealing takes a huge toll on our local communities and leads to other offending like thefts and burglaries from innocent residents and hard-working businesses.”
“I am really proud of the work the teams did investigating this offending – being able to hold these offenders to account shows our commitment to stamping out drugs in our community.
“Recovering the drugs and dangerous weapons that were present, alongside evidence of dealing, is a great result.”
A 33-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman are due to appear Hamilton District Court on drug dealing and weapons charges today.
If you have concerns about illegal drug use in your community, please call 111 if there is an immediate public safety risk or contact us via 105 online or by phone to make a report.
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
The All-Russian competition “Student Families of Russia” was organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia together with the Tambov State University named after G.R. Derzhavin and Gzhel State University as part of the implementation of the federal project “Family Support” of the national project “Family”. Young families in which both spouses aged 18 to 35 are officially married and are university students could take part in it. In the selection stage, the couple needs to record a video business card, pass a psychological test and submit a portfolio of achievements. As a result, 30 couples made it to the finals, who will go to Gzhel to represent their universities.
NSU will be represented in the final by a married couple, Vyacheslav and Maria Kolobenko. Maria is graduating this year. Faculty of Natural Sciences, and Vyacheslav – Mechanics and Mathematics. The couple met in 2023 at Miss NSU. Vyacheslav was the organizer, and Maria was a participant. After the competition, the guys began to actively communicate.
– We got to talking and were surprised to learn that we were both from Primorsky Krai. I am from Ussuriysk, and Masha is from Arsenyev, that is, only 100 kilometers from each other. We started dating on February 14 last year, and in May I realized that “well, that’s it, mine!” We went to Primorsky Krai and met our parents. Later, at the end of 2024, I proposed to Masha, and in April of this year we got married.
The university invited us to participate in the competition, and we were not against it. We applied and passed. It’s cool that there is such an opportunity to go somewhere together, compete, spend time together, and even usefully, – said Vyacheslav Kolobenko.
In July, the young couple will go to Gzhel. The final program includes thematic areas, master classes, round tables, discussions and research in focus groups on strengthening and popularizing family values, as well as meetings with government officials on issues of supporting young families.
We wish victory to Vyacheslav and Maria!
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.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)
Chicago Members of Congress Denied Entry to ICE Processing Center in Broadview, IL
CHICAGO — Today, Members of Congress Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), and Jonathan Jackson (IL-01) joined immigration lawyers and advocates to conduct a visit to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center in Broadview, Illinois. The Members were unlawfully denied entry, even after identifying themselves with their official Congressional voting cards.
The visit was prompted by reports that the center is unlawfully being used against city and state ordinances as a detention center, where migrants are being denied access to their attorneys and held in inhumane and unsanitary conditions, sleeping on the floor, and without complete meals. Under appropriation laws, Members of Congress have the authority to enter any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) used to detain or otherwise house people without advance notice.
“Today, I visited the Broadview Processing Center in our district to stand with my colleagues and families navigating the uncertainty of Homeland Security processes. Providing direct services—legal counsel, translation help, connection to community support—is not just a gesture, it’s a responsibility,” said Congressman Davis. “Our constituents deserve dignity and clarity, especially when they’re at their most vulnerable. I’ll continue to advocate for transparency and fair treatment, and fight to ensure federal agencies in our district operate with accountability and humanity.”
“We came to this center today and respectfully asked to be allowed to conduct an oversight visit, but were denied entry. Last week about 200 people received texts and emails ordering them to report to this processing center and then were detained,” said Congressman García. “Some families were told to come to the processing center on a day when families should have been celebrating Father’s Day. But with the cruelty that has characterized this administration, their children found themselves not knowing where their dads were or when they would see them again. These are not criminals. These are hard working people who are contributing to our country.”
“Under Kristi Noem’s leadership, ICE has spent billions of dollars to terrorize our communities and violate our rights. We have heard of inhumane conditions in which our neighbors are unlawfully held in these detention centers, without access to their medication, legal counsel, or basic necessities. The abuses must stop,” said Congresswoman Ramirez, who serves on the Homeland Security Committee. “We came to the ICE Processing Center at Broadview to observe the conditions here and fulfill our oversight authority, granted under appropriation laws. But this Administration continues to break the law and bypass Congressional authority because they do not want us to see the cruelty behind these doors. They do not want us to shine a light on the ways they are abusing the power of DHS to violate our rights, undermine due process, and tear our communities apart. For my constituents, our neighbors, and our country, I will continue to call for Noem’s resignation and do everything in my power to hold her accountable.”
“Our visit to Broadview today was absolutely essential, a vital step in our unyielding fight for transparency and accountability in our immigration system. As elected officials, it is our sacred duty to witness these facilities firsthand, to look into the eyes of those being processed, and to ensure that operations align with every fiber of our American values and uphold the inherent dignity of every single human being,” said Congressman Jackson. “What I faced yesterday in the South Loop as well -being actively barred from performing congressional oversight- is an outrage. It doesn’t just underscore the urgent need for open access; it demands immediate answers from ICE regarding their deplorable practices and the well-being of those trapped in their custody.
“The Broadview processing center has been a central site in the Chicago area that ICE has used to entrap and disappear immigrants, trampling on due process and other constitutional protections. NIJC demands that ICE end this inhumane practice of using check-ins to tear apart our families and communities,” said Cecilia Mendoza, Associate Director of Government Relations for NIJC.
“After being denied access to the ICE processing center in Broadview today, we are forced to ask: what is ICE trying to hide?” said Lawrence Benito, Executive Director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. “It’s clear that ICE is trying to hide inhumane conditions inside their facilities as they terrorize our communities in broad daylight. We thank Congress members Davis, Garcia, Ramirez, and Jackson for standing up for immigrant communities today by calling for accountability and transparency from ICE. We further ask them to continue fighting in DC to stop deportations, and stop Trump’s efforts to cut healthcare to fund even more aggressive ICE enforcement.”
BACKGROUND:
Under the Trump administration, multiple media outlets and human rights organizations have reported inhumane conditions at ICE facilities. Reports include the unlawful detention of citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented immigrants in facilities without access to basic necessities, medical assistance, due process, and legal counsel. At the moment, ICE seeks to expand detention space in the U.S. and abroad. Given the lack of legal protections, immigrants are being wrongfully deported to offshore prisons, including in El Salvador, Guantanamo, and Djibouti.
To meet the detention and deportation quotas set by the Trump Administration, it is estimated that the cost of ICE’s operation has exceeded by $1 billion the budget approved for the fiscal year 2025. DHS recently shifted approximately $500 million within its accounts to continue immigration operations and is requesting that Congress allocate at least $2 billion more by the end of September. It is expected that the agency will run out of money by next month, putting DHS at risk of violating federal spending laws.
A fire that destroyed a shed in Maldon has prompted fresh warnings about the risks posed by lithium-ion battery devices.
11 CFA units from the local area responded to the incident on Maldon-Newstead Road at 4.05pm on Monday 16 June. On arrival, crews found the shed well alight and quickly began suppression efforts to stop the blaze spreading to a nearby house.
Firefighters brought the fire under control in around 40 minutes, preventing it from reaching the residence.
The fire is believed to have started in a device containing a lithium-ion battery stored in the shed.
Acting Maldon Fire Brigade Captain Bruce Clement was the CFA incident controller and said the fire presented several challenges on the ground.
“Our crew was first on scene and found the structure fully alight, with heavy smoke swirling throughout the area. Once suppression started, we identified what appeared to be a lithium-ion battery pack near the front of the building,” Bruce said.
“Access was difficult due to trees, other structures and general clutter, and we had to position crews carefully while maintaining a safe distance due to poor visibility.”
“There was no mains water available, so we established a relay system using a nearby dam, with Newstead’s big fill pumping water up to our tankers. That setup was key to getting the fire under control.”
CFA District 2 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Dean Simmons said Victorians need to be cautious when storing or charging lithium-ion battery-powered devices.
“When dealing with lithium-ion batteries, only use the charger that came with your device, or one that’s been certified as compatible,” Dean said.
“Only purchase and use devices and equipment from reputable manufacturers and suppliers.”
Dean also highlighted the importance of interconnected smoke alarms in the home, particularly in areas where devices are charged.
“Interconnected smoke alarms are a must, especially in areas where you regularly charge devices,” he said.
“Early detection gives you the best chance to act quickly if something goes wrong.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The 2025-26 ACT Budget is investing in a safer community.
The ACT Government is providing more support for community safety through the 2025-26 ACT Budget.
The investment will support ACT Policing’s workforce and infrastructure.
This will ensure police can continue responding to the needs of a growing city and keep the community safe.
The Budget includes funding for the recently agreed Australian Federal Police Enterprise Agreement.
This investment will support salary increases, leave entitlements and allowances for ACT Policing staff, in addition to enabling services.
The Budget provides support for:
detailed design of critical infrastructure upgrades at Winchester and City Police Stations, including mechanical, electrical, fire and hydraulic systems
detailed planning and analysis of future police accommodation in the Woden Patrol Zone and a Molonglo Police Station.
The Government will also implement the Sexual Assault Advocate Pilot Program. This was a key recommendation of the Sexual Assault (Police) Review.
The program includes:
establishing a fourth Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team within ACT Policing to manage high investigative caseloads
dedicated sexual assault advocates to support victim-survivors during police engagement
a new Witness Assistant Scheme officer in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
These reforms will improve support and outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual violence in Canberra.
Strengthening access to justice for vulnerable Canberrans
The ACT Government is investing in practical, targeted justice initiatives.
These will ensure vulnerable Canberrans can continue to access the legal services they need, when they need them.
The 2025–26 ACT Budget is supporting key legal assistance services, justice reform initiatives, and the growing need for responsive support for victims of crime, people on low income, women, First Nations peoples and culturally diverse communities.
These initiatives will strengthen frontline legal services and improve outcomes for people facing disadvantage, hardship or discrimination.
Key measures in the 2025–26 ACT Budget include:
appointment of a 10th Magistrate to the ACT Magistrates Court, to improve processing times and address growing demand in civil and criminal matters
additional funding for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Witness Assistance Scheme and to meet the increased demands of an expanded judiciary
funding for legal assistance providers, including the Women’s Legal Centre, Canberra Community Law, the Aboriginal Legal Service, and CARE Financial Counselling
investment in the ACT Human Rights Commission, to continue the Intermediary Program, which provides targeted services for vulnerable complainants, witnesses and accused persons in the criminal justice system.
support for Legal Aid ACT’s services across a number of programs
additional funding for the Victims Services Scheme and Financial Assistance Scheme administered by Victims Services ACT
implementation of a sexual assault advocate pilot program to support victims’ access to specialist services, and conducting of investigations in a more victim-centric and trauma-informed way
support for the ACT Government Solicitor’s Office to meet increased demand for legal advice under the Human Rights Act 2004. A new regulatory prosecution function will also strengthen enforcement and compliance across government
funding to enhance the Coroner’s Court with increased resourcing to manage caseloads. It will also support efficient and sensitive handling of matters that often involve vulnerable individuals and families.
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Last week, the peak body for equestrian sport in Australia suspended a prominent member after footage allegedly depicted Australian Olympic dressage rider Heath Ryan whipping a horse more than 40 times.
He explained the horse, Nico, had belonged to a friend who had been hospitalised for serious injuries inflicted by the animal.
Ryan wrote Nico had “always been a problem child” and was about to be sent to slaughter.
However, Ryan, an experienced trainer and instructor, intervened to “salvage” the horse.
Footage appears to show Heath Ryan whipping a horse repeately. DressageHub, CC BY
But horses, just like humans, feel pain, which is why more needs to be done to minimise the use of whips on horses.
What happened next?
The footage depicts Ryan mounted on Nico, forcefully whipping him.
Both the whoosh of the whip travelling at speed and the sound of it contacting Nico’s flesh are audible.
Nico kicks out several times in response, yet the whipping continues.
Nico seems “shut down” – a term used to describe a horse when they appear to have no understanding of what they need to do to make an adverse experience stop.
Whipping causes horses pain. The skin in the gluteal area of the horse, which Ryan repeatedly struck with the whip, is sensitive to pain just like the skin of humans.
This is not the first time whipping has been in the spotlight. In July 2024, footage emerged of three-time Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin repeatedly whipping a horse on the hind legs.
This led to the International Equestrian Federation fining her CHF 10,000 (A$18,867) and imposing a 12-month suspension.
More recently in Australia, in May 2025, the RSPCA prosecuted a case against trainer Liandra Gray, who was recorded striking a horse with a padded racing whip more than 40 times. A Tasmanian court found Gray had caused unreasonable and unjustifiable pain and the whip use constituted cruelty.
Despite stating he “hated” whipping Nico, Ryan argued he was acting in the horse’s interests.
After an undisclosed period, Nico was re-homed, and according to Ryan “is now thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future”.
Does the end justify the means?
Ryan’s justification of his treatment of Nico is based on the positive consequences for the horse (avoiding slaughter) and the current owners (Nico can continue to be ridden).
This justification is a type of consequentialism, where an outcome is judged to be good or not based on the consequences it brings about. This raises an important question: what counts as a “good” outcome and by whose standard are we judging?
Ryan’s justification points to a culture where horses’ needs and interests are not respected and where they are valued solely for their utility to humans.
But we know horses are sensitive, sentient beings, capable of suffering.
The relationship between a rider and horse is often described as a partnership. In reality, horses have little choice.
The equipment and cues riders rely on to control horses work because they are aversive and even painful. Because horses are motivated to escape from painful stimuli, they rapidly learn to perform in the desired way.
Because of this reliance on aversive stimuli to control horses, it is essential riders remove it as soon as the horse performs the desired behaviour (for example, releasing tension on the reins).
Why was Nico a ‘problem child’ in the first place?
During riding, a horse knows it has responded correctly if the rider removes the aversive stimulus that was used to cue the horse.
If the rider removes the stimulus at the wrong time or not at all, the horse may become confused, stressed and express unwanted behaviours.
If this is repeated, the unwanted responses can quickly become a habit and the horse may be labelled a problem.
Based on the footage, it seems that instead of learning to move forward to escape pressure from the rider’s heels or whip, Nico appears to have developed a habit of stalling (slowing or coming to a stop instead of moving forward).
The combination of personality, stress, fear and rider inconsistencies can quickly lead to the development of unwanted behaviours.
It is likely Nico’s behaviour reflects these factors.
It’s time for a change
This incident likely taught Nico to fear humans and to expect that being ridden will involve inescapable pain unless he does exactly what his rider wants.
This is because there is ample scientific evidence showing the modification of unwanted behaviour in ridden horses can be achieved without resorting to violence to force them into submission.
While Ryan has justified his intervention as the only possible solution to Nico’s unwanted behaviour, the scientific evidence shows it is neither necessary nor ethical to violently whip a horse to teach it a lesson.
Anne Quain has consulted for animal welfare organisations including the RSPCA. She is a member of the Australian Veterinary Association, the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, and the European College of Animal Welfare and Behaviour Medicine in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law. She has been a recipient of an Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation Grant. She has undertaken two residencies at The Ethics Centre.
Cathrynne Henshall receives funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Welfare Research Funding
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China once again urges the G7 to see the overwhelming global trend, abandon the Cold War mentality and ideological bias, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, stop instigating conflict and confrontation, and act in the interest of the international community, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.
On June 17 local time, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in his chair’s summary after hosting the G7 Summit that they stressed the importance of constructive and stable relations with China, while calling on China to refrain from market distortions and overcapacity, and expressed serious concerns about China’s destabilizing activities in the East and South China Seas and the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
In response to a related query, spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a daily news briefing that the G7 Summit once again manipulated issues related to China. The G7 made irresponsible remarks on Taiwan, the South China Sea, and the East China Sea, falsely accused China of “overcapacity” and “market distortion.”
“This constitutes interference in China’s internal affairs and violation of the basic norms governing international relations. China firmly opposes this and has lodged strong protests with relevant parties,” Guo said.
The biggest factor undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and interference by external forces, Guo said, adding that if the G7 truly cares about peace in the Taiwan Strait, it should abide by the one-China principle, categorically oppose “Taiwan independence,” and support China’s reunification.
At present, the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea is generally stable. The G7 should respect the joint efforts of regional countries to resolve issues through dialogue and consultation and maintain peace and stability, and stop using maritime issues to sow discord between regional countries and escalate regional tensions, Guo noted.
The so-called “market distortions” and “overcapacity” accusations are absolutely false. The G7 use them as an excuse for their trade protectionist practices, and to essentially contain and suppress China’s industrial progress, and politicize and weaponize economic and trade issues, Guo said.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Pregnant Tibetan antelopes are pictured under a rainbow in Qiangtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, June 16, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
China has released its most detailed map yet of grassland vegetation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, using a scale of 1:500,000.
The map, developed by a team led by Wang Yanfen, a professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), was officially unveiled on Tuesday during an academic seminar on grassland vegetation mapping.
Experts at the seminar noted that the map, based on field surveys and multi-source remote sensing data, accurately depicts plant formation distributions and holds significant implications for climate adaptation, sustainable development, and future research on ecosystem functions across the plateau.
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the “roof of the world” and “Asia’s water tower,” serves as a vital ecological security barrier for China. Its ecosystem is dominated by grasslands, which are ecologically fragile and highly sensitive to global climate change.
Over the past 50 years, intensified climate change and growing human activity have altered vegetation distribution patterns, rendering existing maps outdated.
The launch of the second scientific expedition on the plateau in 2017 provided a new opportunity to update the grassland vegetation map.
Wang said that 65 plant formations or formation groups have been identified, and compared to previously published versions, the new map reveals significant vegetation changes over the past 40 years.
For instance, the proportion of alpine meadows that prefer wet and cold conditions has increased from 50 to 69 percent in the grasslands, which strongly confirms the ongoing trend of warming and wetting on the plateau, she added.
In the process of preparing the map, the research team integrated in situ surveys, multi-temporal satellite remote sensing data, and artificial intelligence technology.
This approach synthesized spectral, structural and functional characteristics of plants alongside environmental factors like terrain and hydrothermal conditions, Wang explained.
This innovative approach overcomes the challenges of accurately identifying and classifying plant communities in complex high-altitude environments, which has traditionally been a difficult task.
“Unlike conventional mapping techniques, it places greater emphasis on the intrinsic relationship between plant community attributes and their corresponding habitat characteristics, thereby ensuring objectivity and efficiency in the mapping process,” said Wang.
Mr. Wang Ruihe, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress
Ms. Zheng Bei, vice chairwoman of the National Development and Reform Commission
Mr. Wang Zhenjiang, vice minister of justice
Ms. Cong Lin, vice minister of the National Financial Regulatory Administration
Mr. Fang Guanghua, vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce
Chairperson:
Ms. Xing Huina, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO
Date:
May 8, 2025
Xing Huina:
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). The 15th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) voted to pass the Private Sector Promotion Law of the People’s Republic of China on April 30, which will come into effect on May 20, 2025. To help everyone better understand the law, today we have invited Mr. Wang Ruihe, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee; Ms. Zheng Bei, vice chairwoman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); Mr. Wang Zhenjiang, vice minister of justice; Ms. Cong Lin, vice minister of the National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA); and Mr. Fang Guanghua, vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), to brief you on the Private Sector Promotion Law and answer your questions.
Now, I’ll give the floor to Mr. Wang for his introduction.
Wang Zhenjiang:
Good morning, everyone. I am very pleased to attend this morning’s press conference together with colleagues from the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, the NDRC, the NFRA and the ACFIC. Thank you all for your concern and support for the legislative work associated with the Private Sector Promotion Law. Next, I will introduce the research, drafting and formulation of the law.
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council attach great importance to the development of the private economy. Since the reform and opening up in 1978, China’s private economy has developed rapidly under the guidance of the Party’s lines, principles and policies. Especially since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has taken a series of major measures to promote the development of the private economy. The private economy has continued to play an increasingly important role in China’s national economy and social development. At the same time, due to a combination of multiple internal and external factors, such as changes in the external environment and inadequate policy implementation, the private economy faces some difficulties and challenges in areas including fair participation in market competition, equal access to production factors, obtaining investment, financing and services, and the protection of legitimate rights and interests. There is an urgent need to codify the guiding principles and effective practices of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on the private economy, in order to consolidate the achievements of reforms. It is also necessary to promptly improve relevant institutional measures to address prominent issues in practice, respond to public concerns, boost confidence and unleash the internal dynamism of private enterprises. These efforts will foster a legal environment and social atmosphere conducive to the development of all forms of ownership, including the private economy, enable us to stay focused on managing our own affairs well, and further consolidate the momentum of economic recovery and long-term growth. We will counter the uncertainties of a rapidly changing external environment with a firm commitment to high-quality development. Formulating the Private Sector Promotion Law is a major decision and deployment made by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. The need to formulate this law was clearly stated at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. The 2024 Central Economic Work Conference explicitly called for the introduction of this law.
In accordance with the work plan, the Ministry of Justice and the NDRC requested the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee to take the lead in forming a drafting task force composed of 17 relevant departments from central and state organs. The task force thoroughly studied and comprehended the guiding principles of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions and the key points of his speech delivered at the symposium on private enterprises on Feb. 17 this year. The task force, in line with the guidelines and policies of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, widely solicited public opinions, conducted in-depth research and analysis, and drafted the law. After the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, the task force revised the draft in alignment with the session’s guiding principles, solicited public opinions again, and further refined it based on public feedback. After being discussed and approved at a State Council executive meeting, the draft was submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for deliberation in December 2024. The NPC Standing Committee reviewed the draft three times — in December 2024, February 2025 and April 2025 — and released it again for public comment during the period. On April 30, 2025, the 15th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee voted to pass the Private Sector Promotion Law of the People’s Republic of China, which will officially come into effect on May 20.
The law consists of nine chapters and 78 articles, establishing and improving relevant systems and mechanisms around fair competition, investment and financing promotion, scientific and technological innovation, regulatory guidance, service support and the protection of rights and interests. It translates the CPC Central Committee’s commitment to equal treatment and protection of the private economy into concrete legal provisions, in a bid to continuously improve a stable, fair, transparent and predictable environment for its development. As the first foundational law dedicated to the development of the private economy, the law marks a major step in implementing the decisions of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the important remarks made by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the symposium on private enterprises. It is a vivid embodiment of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law and Xi Jinping Thought on Economy, a landmark event in building China’s socialist market economy, and a milestone in the development of its private sector. The law marks several breakthroughs. It is the first to enshrine into legal doctrine the principle of “unswervingly consolidating and developing the public sector and unswervingly encouraging, supporting and guiding the development of the non-public sector.” It is the first to clearly define the legal status of the private economy, and the first to explicitly state that “promoting the private sector’s sustained, healthy and high-quality development is a long-term major national policy.” This fully demonstrates the firm commitment of the CPC Central Committee in supporting the growth of the private sector and sends a clear message that developing the private economy remains a consistent and enduring policy of both the Party and the state. This will further unleash the internal drive and creative vitality of the private economy, boost confidence among private business operators, and inspire their entrepreneurial spirit and determination, fostering a strong sense of commitment to the nation and strengthening their resolve to be builders of socialism with Chinese characteristics and contributors to Chinese modernization.
Laws alone cannot implement themselves. We hope all regions and government departments will take the adoption of the Private Sector Promotion Law as an opportunity to rigorously implement its provisions, ensuring thorough and accurate publicity and interpretation of the law and full compliance with its requirements, and promote the promulgation and implementation of supporting regulations as soon as possible. Efforts should be made to coordinate and refine the supportive and guarantee measures, and improve the institutional system for the development of the private sector. We need to further improve the law-based business environment, and effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of private economic organizations and their operators in accordance with the law. We will step up efforts to foster a positive social atmosphere that supports the development of private businesses, and promote their sustained, healthy and high-quality development.
That is all for my introduction. Now, my colleagues and I are ready to answer your questions. Thank you.
Xing Huina:
The floor is now open for questions. Please raise your hand and state the news outlet you represent before asking your questions.
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