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.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
U.S. public companies have reduced their white-collar workforces by a collective 3.5 percent over the past three years, according to employment data-provider Live Data Technologies, with one in five companies in the S&P 500 having shrunk over the past decade.
“The cuts go beyond typical cost-trimming and speak to a broader shift in philosophy,” reported The Wall Street Journal about the development. “Adding talent, once a sign of surging sales and confidence in the future, now means leaders must be doing something wrong.”
New technologies like generative artificial intelligence are allowing companies to do more with less. But there’s more to this movement. From Amazon in Seattle to Bank of America in Charlotte, North Carolina, and at companies big and small everywhere in between, there’s a growing belief that having too many employees is itself an impediment. “The message from many bosses: Anyone still on the payroll could be working harder,” noted the report.
All of the shrinking turns on its head the usual cycle of hiring and firing. Companies often let go of workers in recessions, then staff up when the economy picks up. Yet the workforce cuts in recent years coincide with a surge in sales and profits, heralding a more fundamental shift in the way leaders evaluate their workforces, it added.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
JINGDONG Logistics, the logistics arm of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, launched an express delivery service in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, as part of its efforts to expand globally.
According to a statement released by the company, the new service, named JoyExpress, is a self-operated B2C express delivery service.
Covering most regions of the kingdom, JoyExpress offers doorstep delivery options, including cash-on-delivery, and delivery as fast as the same day or next day.
“JINGDONG Logistics will provide leading-edge services to our customers in Saudi Arabia and align with Saudi Vision 2030 strategy with its focus on logistics and job creation,” said Charlie Peng, head of the Middle East section at JINGDONG Logistics, during the launch ceremony.
“JINGDONG Logistics’ investment in Saudi Arabia aligns with our national vision to become a global logistics hub,” said Rayan Albakri, deputy minister of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, during the ceremony.
In Saudi Arabia, JINGDONG Logistics is building a network of warehouses, transfer and sorting centers, and a growing number of delivery stations.
In China, JD.com operates more than 3,600 warehouses and 19,000 delivery stations and service outlets, employing nearly 510,000 front-line operational staff.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Qifa, a Chinese-founded B2B digital trade platform operating across the Russia-China corridor, inked a strategic partnership on Wednesday at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) to advance cross-border digital trade and expand bilateral commerce.
The collaboration agreement, signed on the sidelines of the forum, underscores joint efforts to modernize trade processes through technological integration. “RDIF and Qifa, a Russia-China B2B digital trade platform, have agreed to partner in developing digital trade and scaling bilateral trade volumes,” the fund stated in a press release.
According to RDIF, the initiative will harness AI-driven solutions to streamline trade workflows, enhancing transparency and operational efficiency for businesses. This, in turn, is expected to drive product assortment expansion and cost optimization — key levers for accelerating trade growth in line with bilateral strategic objectives.
“China leads in trade volume with Russia, with a robust e-commerce ecosystem already in place. RDIF’s focus on facilitating market access for Sino-Russian enterprises makes this partnership with Qifa an important step in elevating cross-border digital trade,” said Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of RDIF, in a statement.
The 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum runs from June 18 to 21 this year, gathering delegates from over 100 countries and regions.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Boca Juniors pair Ander Herrera and Nicolas Figal were suspended for four matches each after receiving red cards in the Argentine club’s FIFA Club World Cup opener against Benfica.
Angel Di Maria (front) of SL Benfica takes a penalty kick during the group C match between CA Boca Juniors of Argentina and SL Benfica of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Boca said it would appeal the decisions, arguing that the punishments are disproportionate after Benfica’s Andrea Belotti received a two-match ban for a head-high challenge on Ayrton Costa during Monday’s 2-2 draw in Miami.
“We have already contacted FIFA to submit an appeal,” a Boca spokesperson was quoted as saying in the Argentine press on Wednesday.
Herrera was sent off from the bench in the 45th minute after remonstrating with Mexican referee Cesar Ramos over a penalty decision against the Buenos Aires outfit.
Figal was dismissed for a studs-up challenge on Florentino Luis two minutes from time.
Boca’s next match in Group C will be against Bayern Munich at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Friday.
Christchurch Police are releasing the above CCTV images in a further appeal for information on the whereabouts of 79-year-old Elisabeth Nicholls.
These CCTV images of Lis were taken during her last confirmed sighting at the Chateau on the Park in Riccarton, at around 7.54pm on Wednesday 4 June.
Since Elisabeth was reported missing, searchers and Police have gone door to door, reviewed CCTV footage, searched the Avon River, and made further extensive enquiries, but we have not been able to find Lis.
Today, Police deployed a drone in the Riccarton and Hagley Park areas between 8am and midday. We are now in the process of examining these images and reviewing what was captured.
Police are urging residents in the nearby area who have not yet done so to please check their backyards, sheds and sleepouts, and anywhere where a person could seek shelter on your property.
We, alongside Lis’ family, are seriously concerned for her wellbeing and are appealing to anyone with information to please contact us.
For anyone with CCTV, dashcam, or video footage in the Riccarton and Hagley Park areas between 6.40pm on Wednesday 4 June to 8am on Thursday 5 June, please review the footage you have and contact Police if you believe you see Lis.
When Lis went missing in the Riccarton area, she was physically strong, and may have walked some distance.
If you see Lis, please ring Police on 111 immediately. If you have information regarding her whereabouts, please contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.
The Government’s ensuring hundreds more students in Otago benefit from new, safe, warm and dry classrooms. A $27 million investment into new infrastructure will help make sure schools meet the needs of their communities and gets ahead of new growth. It will support the construction of:
Six new teaching spaces at Dunstan High School A twelve-teaching space expansion at Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau
The investment is in addition to the purchase of a site at Ladies Mile in Queenstown last year, which will accommodate a new primary school in the area. “Queenstown in particular, has had strong and steady growth over the last decade, and we are committed to ensuring they are equipped to teach the basics brilliantly. Planning for the two growth projects is underway and is expected to begin in the next 12 months. This means that students, families and the Otago community can benefit sooner,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Funding for the construction of the new primary school at Ladies Mile will be considered in future years. Securing the land at this time means that we will be able to hit ‘go’ on construction when capacity is needed.” This announcement builds on the Government’s commitment to ongoing investment in school property, and follows recent announcements to support growth in Canterbury, the Central North Island and provision of specialist education. “Quality education is crucial to growing the regions. These new classrooms are an investment in the future of young learners in Otago Central Lakes and builds on the 120 new classrooms announced for Canterbury in the last month,” South Island Minister James Meager says. “There is huge potential for Otago Central Lakes to become a hub for digital and tech investors, alongside our traditional backbone industries of tourism and agriculture. To enable that investment, we need to foster brilliance in our young people by investing in their future and building for growth. We also need a high-quality education infrastructure to attract the best quality workforce to our regions.” “Our efficiencies in school property delivery allows more schools, communities and children benefit sooner. The use of standardised building designs and offsite manufacturing have lowered the average cost of a classroom by 28%, allowing 30% more classrooms to be delivered last year compared to 2023. We will continue to drive costs down so more Kiwi kids can thrive,” Ms Stanford says.
Deloraine Police seize illegal firearms, drugs during targeted searches
Thursday, 19 June 2025 – 12:31 pm.
Two people have been separately charged after police seized multiple firearms and illicit substances during two unrelated searches in the Meander Valley area this week.
Deloraine Police conducted the first targeted search at a Weegeena residence on Tuesday 17 June.
During the search, police located and seized a .22 calibre rifle, a 22 Magnum rifle, an air rifle, and a Glock pistol as well as ammunition and quantities of illicit substances.
A 52-year-old Weegeena man has been charged with multiple drug and firearms offences, and will appear in court at a later date.
In a second, unrelated search at a Deloraine address on Wednesday 18 June, police located a hydroponic cannabis growing room and seized a large quantity of cannabis.
A 56 year old Deloraine man has been charged with multiple drug-related offences and will appear in court at a later date.
Inspector Craig Fox said police continued to target illegal drug and firearm activity throughout Tasmania.
“We know the impact drugs and firearms have on the community, and these searches are evidence of our continued commitment to community safety and holding offenders to account,” he said.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms or illicit substances is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au.
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 19, 2025.
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95 lawyers demand stronger NZ stand over Israel amid Middle East tensions Asia Pacific Report Ninety-five New Zealand lawyers — including nine king’s counsel — have signed a letter demanding Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and two other ministers urge the government to take a stronger stand against Israel’s “catastrophic” actions in Gaza. The letter has been sent amid rising tensions in the region,
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ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 19, 2025.
Australian citizens in Iran and Israel are desperate to leave. Is the government required to help? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane McAdam, Scientia Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Sydney As thousands of Australian citizens and permanent residents stuck in Iran and Israel continue to register for repatriation flights, the government is scrambling to find safe ways to evacuate them. With
Popular period-tracking apps can hold years of personal data – new NZ research finds mixed awareness of risk Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Friedlander, PhD Candidate in Sociology, University of Waikato Shutterstock/Krotnakro Period-tracking apps are popular digital tools for a range of menstrual, reproductive and general health purposes. But the way these apps collect and use data involves risk. Many apps encourage users to log information well beyond their
Migrating bogong moths use the stars and Earth’s magnetic field to find ancestral summer caves each year Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eric Warrant, Professor of Zoology at the University of Lund, Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University, and Adjunct Professor, University of South Australia Vik Dunis/iNaturalist, CC BY-NC It’s a warm January summer afternoon, and as I traverse the flower-strewn western slopes of Australia’s highest mountain, Mount
Jaws at 50: how a single movie changed our perception of white sharks forever Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Long, Strategic Professor in Palaeontology, Flinders University Shane Myers Photography/Shutterstock 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
Robot eyes are power hungry. What if we gave them tools inspired by the human brain? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam D Hines, Research Fellow, Centre for Robotics, Queensland University of Technology A hexapod robot navigating outdoors. Adam Hines Robots are increasingly becoming a part of our lives – from warehouse automation to robotic vacuum cleaners. And just like humans, robots need to know where they are
Winter viruses can trigger a heart attack or stroke, our study shows. It’s another good reason to get a flu or COVID shot Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tu Nguyen, PhD Candidate, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Irina Shatilova/Shutterstock Winter is here, along with cold days and the inevitable seasonal surge in respiratory viruses. But it’s not only the sniffles we need to worry about. Heart attacks and strokes also
School playgrounds are one of the main locations for bullying. How can they be set up to stop it? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Arts and Education, Charles Sturt University Dan Kenyon/ Getty Images Children spend thousands of hours in playgrounds at school. A lot of this time does not have the same levels of teacher preparation and supervision as classrooms do. Research shows
Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert B Whait, Senior Lecturer in Taxation Law, University of South Australia Soon, more than 15 million Australians should be lodging a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office in the hope of receiving at least a small refund. About 60% of taxpayers use an accountant to
Companies are betting on AI to help lift productivity. Workers need to be part of the process Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Llewellyn Spink, AI Corporate Governance Lead, Human Technology Institute, University of Technology Sydney The Conversation, CC BY-NC Australia’s productivity is flatlining, posting the worst vitals we’ve seen in 60 years. Politicians and chief executives are prescribing artificial intelligence (AI) like it’s the new penicillin – a wonder
Is Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend album cover satire or self-degradation? A psychology expert explores our reactions Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katrina Muller-Townsend, Lecturer in Psychology, Edith Cowan University Island Records 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,
Kicked out for coming out: more than half of LGBTIQ+ flatmates face discrimination for their identity Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brodie Fraser, Senior Research Fellow, He Kāinga Oranga Housing and Health Research Programme, University of Otago Sangar Akreyi/Getty Images People who belong to the LGBTIQ+ community say flatting is fraught with difficulties that go well beyond learning new routines and sharing space with strangers. Our new research
Tracing the Drax family’s millions – a story of British landed gentry, slavery and sugar plantations Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Lashmar, Reader in Journalism, City St George’s, University of London ‘Planting the sugar-cane’: vast fortunes were made from the trades in both sugar and human slaves in the Americas. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Photographs and Prints Division, The New York Public Library Rich
Nineteen Eighty-Four might have been inspired by George Orwell’s fear of drowning Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan Waddell, Associate Professor in Twentieth-Century Literature, University of Birmingham George Orwell had a traumatic relationship with the sea. In August 1947, while he was writing Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949) on the island of Jura in the Scottish Hebrides, he went on a fishing trip with his young
What happens when aid is cut to a large refugee camp? Kenyan study paints a bleak picture Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olivier Sterck, Associate professor, University of Oxford Humanitarian needs are rising around the world. At the same time, major donors such as the US and the UK are pulling back support, placing increasing strain on already overstretched aid systems. Global humanitarian needs have quadrupled since 2015, driven
Grok’s ‘white genocide’ responses show how generative AI can be weaponized Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Foulds, Associate Professor of Information Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Someone altered the AI chatbot Grok to make it insert text about a debunked conspiracy theory in unrelated responses. Cheng Xin/Getty Images The AI chatbot Grok spent one day in May 2025 spreading debunked conspiracy
Politics with Michelle Grattan: an ‘impatient’ Jim Chalmers on taking political risks in Labor’s second term Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images While the world’s media is largely focused on conflict in the Middle East, the focus for many Australians remains at home, with the government preparing the long task ahead of trying to lift Australia’s productivity. Last week,
View from The Hill: Jim Chalmers wants to get on with economic reform and tax is in his sights Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Jim Chalmers speaking to the National Press Club June 18, 2025. Screenshot from the ABC Broadcast, CC BY-NC Jim Chalmers cast his Wednesday National Press Club speech as a second instalment in a two-part presentation that was kicked off by
Iran’s long history of revolution, defiance and outside interference – and why its future is so uncertain Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Victoria University Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone beyond his initial aim of destroying Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons. He has called on the Iranian people
95 lawyers demand stronger NZ stand over Israel amid Middle East tensions Asia Pacific Report Ninety-five New Zealand lawyers — including nine king’s counsel — have signed a letter demanding Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and two other ministers urge the government to take a stronger stand against Israel’s “catastrophic” actions in Gaza. The letter has been sent amid rising tensions in the region,
Gay and bisexual men will soon be able to donate blood and plasma Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yasmin Mowat, Clinical Project Manager, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney AnnaStills/Getty Images Many gay and bisexual men have been excluded from donating blood and plasma (the liquid portion of blood) for decades because of rules developed during the HIV crisis in the 1980s. The Australian Red Cross’ blood
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
Padilla, Schiff Raise Concerns Over Transfer of Health Data for Immigration Raids, Demand End to Sharing of Personal Data
California Senators Demand Department of Health and Human Services Identify the Authority Used to Share Personal Information from Medicaid with Homeland Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) raised the alarm on potential violations of federal privacy laws in the transfer of the personal data of millions of Medicaid recipients to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that could be used to facilitate additional immigration raids furthering the Trump Administration’s mass deportation agenda.
California is one of seven states that was reportedly targeted by DHS for the disclosure of this personally identifiable data.
“We are deeply troubled that this administration intends to use individuals’ private health information for the unrelated purpose of possible enforcement actions targeting lawful noncitizens and mixed status families. The decision by HHS to share confidential health information with DHS is a remarkable departure from established federal privacy protections that should alarm all Americans,” wrote the Senators.
The Senators asked DHS and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to provide details and legal justification for how the sharing of data without individuals’ consent did not violate federal law under the Privacy Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and other regulations guiding the government’s use of personal information, including addresses and private health information.
The Senators also demanded that DHS destroy any data already shared to prevent any misuse of this personally identifiable information, and to cease these data sharing partnerships with HHS.
“Authorized access, use, and disclosure of sensitive [personally identifiable information] health data are subject to federal and state laws enacted to protect individuals and their right to privacy,” continued the Senators. “We demand that this administration immediately reverse all actions contrary to existing privacy laws and restore trust and integrity to the Medicaid program.”
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
Dear Secretary Kennedy, Secretary Noem, and Administrator Oz:
We write to you today to express our alarm regarding reports that Trump administration officials at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ordered the transfer of highly sensitive personally identifiable information (PII) belonging to millions of Medicaid enrollees to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These actions not only raise ethical issues but are contrary to longstanding HHS policy and raise significant concerns about possible violations of federal law under the Privacy Act of 1974, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and the Social Security Act. We demand immediate clarification of the actions taken by HHS officials to provide DHS access to any such data. Additionally, we demand that HHS immediately cease sharing access to such data with DHS, and we request that DHS destroy any and all such data provided on the terms of any information sharing agreement between the agencies.
According to reports, on June 10, 2025, two senior advisors at HHS ordered the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide Medicaid enrollees’ PII – including addresses, names, social security numbers, and immigration status – to DHS, even though CMS officials made clear that “multiple federal statutory and regulatory authorities do not permit CMS to share this information with entities outside of CMS.” This comes as the Trump administration continues to target noncitizens. We are deeply troubled that this administration intends to use individuals’ private health information for the unrelated purpose of possible enforcement actions targeting lawful noncitizens and mixed status families. The decision by HHS to share confidential health information with DHS is a remarkable departure from established federal privacy protections that should alarm all Americans.
We request that you provide the following information by July 9, 2025:
1. Identify the federal authority or authorities that HHS relied on to share states’ Medicaid data with other federal agencies, including whether it was for the purposes of immigration enforcement.
2. Identify each state Medicaid program whose data was shared with DHS officials and the total number of Medicaid enrollees whose data was shared, including state-by-state totals.
3. Identify each type of personal data shared with DHS, such as name, address, and other personally identifiable datapoints.
4. Provide copies of each written request from DHS regarding the transfer of state Medicaid data to CMS, including the date of each request, the specific information requested, and the justification for DHS needing such information.
5. Provide detailed information on the method used to transfer state Medicaid data from CMS to DHS.
6. Provide a copy of a CMS memorandum, dated June 6, 2025, per public reports, signed by Medicaid’s Deputy Director, that outlines legal, regulatory, and ethical prohibitions to sharing state Medicaid data from HHS to DHS.
a. Include any additional records, such as correspondence within HHS and between HHS and DHS, in response to the June 6, 2025, memorandum regarding the request and ultimate decision to share this data with DHS.
b. Include a copy of the June 10, 2025, email from HHS directing the transfer of “the data to DHS by 5:30 ET today.”
7. Provide a copy of any Memoranda of Understanding or Agreement between HHS and DHS regarding the framework of sharing states’ Medicaid data.
8. Provide a detailed description of how DHS intends to utilize this information.
9. Provide a list of all federal, state, and local agencies with existing access to this information and why it is necessary for each agency to have access to such information.
10. Provide a list of all federal, state, and local agencies that your agencies intend to provide this information to and why it is necessary for each agency to have access to such information.
Authorized access, use, and disclosure of sensitive PII health data are subject to federal and state laws enacted to protect individuals and their right to privacy. We demand that this administration immediately reverse all actions contrary to existing privacy laws and restore trust and integrity to the Medicaid program.
Sincerely,
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
Padilla Slams Energy Secretary for Budget Cuts Gutting American Renewable Energy, Technological Innovation, and Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to question Secretary of Energy Chris Wright on President Trump’s America-last budget bill that would decimate the renewable energy economy, hamper American innovation and competitiveness with China, and hinder critical industrial development. Padilla called out Wright’s blatant hypocrisy for directly contradicting the three priorities he outlined during his confirmation hearing:
1. To “unleash American energy at home and abroad to restore energy dominance;”
2. To “lead the world in innovation and technology breakthroughs;” and
3. To “build things in America again and remove barriers to progress.”
Despite his stated support for American energy dominance, Wright’s budget request proposes a 74 percent reduction in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy budget and zeroing out the Wind and Solar Energy Technologies Offices. It also defunds the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, which was authorized in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Padilla emphasized that solar energy was the fastest growing energy source in the world last year, and criticized the Trump Administration for undermining American energy leadership by trying to eliminate the Solar Energy Technologies Offices.
Padilla blasted Wright for backtracking on his goal to restore American global leadership in technological and science innovation, highlighting the 14 percent cut to the Office of Science and a 57 percent cut to ARPA-E in the Trump Administration’s budget request. He pressed Secretary Wright on his previously stated support for the United States’ national labs — including premier research institutions in California — which Wright has called “crown jewels.” Padilla pushed Wright to preserve federal funding for these labs to protect America’s global competitiveness and national security.
PADILLA: There seems to be a disconnect between what you say are priorities and your budget requests. It’s already been raised that these reductions would also lead to staff reductions in national labs, which we’ve recognized, you’re on the record, these are premier research institutions. When you came to California, you reaffirmed your commitment to the national labs, and you said that they were important to maintain and secure our “competitive advantage and security.” So unless I got that wrong, how do you expect the United States to lead the world when your budget proposal seeks to decimate our research and development capabilities?
WRIGHT: It does hurt me to cut expending in science.
PADILLA: Then don’t do it.
WRIGHT: I share that passion with you.
PADILLA: Then don’t do it.
WRIGHT: I share that passion with you.
PADILLA: Then don’t even propose it.
The Department of Energy’s recent cancellation of 24 projects totaling $3.7 billion in investments under the Industrial Demonstrations Program undercut Wright’s commitment to restoring American industrial development. Padilla emphasized that these funds are meant to promote groundbreaking innovation in heavy industries like cement, glass, chemicals, and iron, among others, including three large California industrial projects that support thousands of jobs.
PADILLA: It’s not just because billions of the public and private dollars are in California and the thousands of jobs related, but how does canceling industrial grants that lead to more industrial jobs further the goal of building things in America again?
WRIGHT: Because an evaluation showed that the projects at the end were not viable. If we built, there’s no point in building a bridge to nowhere. If you make a factory, make a product 25 percent more expensive, but customers won’t pay 25 percent, where’s the win?
PADILLA: Well, the projects that are being cut are more than just viable. I would argue they are critical, and we’ll be following up with you.
Video of Senator Padilla’s questioning of Secretary Wright is available here.
Earlier this year, Senator Padilla questioned Secretary Wright in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee nomination hearing amid the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Padilla called out Wright for his 2023 LinkedIn post denying the link between climate change and the rise in more frequent and severe fires.
More information on the hearing is available here.
The Government is making New Zealand more attractive to international shipping lines with the first major investment in navigation services in more than 30 years.
Land Information Minister Chris Penk says the $28.6 million Budget 2025 funding secures the future of shipping, tourism and the maritime economy – highlighting the Government’s commitment to back economic growth.
“The investment enables safer and faster access to New Zealand’s ports, keeping trade flowing smoothly and reliably and provides confidence in shipping. This is key as more than 99 percent of our imports and exports move by sea.
“Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) and Maritime New Zealand are working together to create high-tech digital navigation tools based on the global S-100 standard. These tools will make navigation more precise, helping ships save fuel and cut costs while operating in our waters.
“The initiative will transform how mariners access and use data such as electronic charts, water levels, ocean surface currents and navigational warnings.”
Associate Transport Minister James Meager says the investment benefits both economic growth and maritime safety.
“Modern digital maritime data and services will enable freight-efficient, environmentally responsible shipping routes that boost trade and investment across the Pacific.
“The investment in high-tech infrastructure ensures our maritime and tourism sectors are ready to thrive, while enhancing safety and efficiency.
“Importantly, it positions New Zealand at the forefront of the shift to digital navigation technology, and signals to the world that we’re serious about supporting innovation, sustainabilitty and welfare at sea.
“Beyond New Zealand’s coastline, this initiative supports safer, more efficient shipping across our wider maritime region – including Antarctica and South-West Pacific nations such as the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, and Tokelau.
“As we celebrate Matariki and reflect on New Zealand’s rich cultural history of navigating by the stars, now is the perfect time to look ahead toward building a resilient maritime economy for future generations.”
Police are reminding road users that there will be zero tolerance for unsafe driving this Matariki Weekend.
“There was an unacceptable number of road deaths over King’s Birthday weekend, and we don’t want a repeat of that this weekend. If you are driving in a way that puts your own, or someone else’s, safety at risk, expect there to be consequences,” says Director Road Policing, Superintendent Steve Greally.
“We have zero tolerance for selfish drivers gambling with other people’s lives.”
Emergency services see first-hand the devastation that dangerous road behaviours cause, and the harm doesn’t end at the scene.
“One of the hardest parts of our job is knocking on a door in the middle of the night to tell a family that their loved one isn’t coming home,” Superintendent Greally says.
“Matariki is a time for families to come together and be with each other – please don’t do anything which would prevent that from happening.”
Police will be out on the country’s roads in increased numbers this weekend, with the clear intention to stop and prevent unsafe driving behaviour, day and night.
Our officers and road safety partners are undertaking a large amount of work to ensure the safety of everyone on our roads.
Many of us make long journeys over long weekends. We know that tired drivers make mistakes, so take regular breaks and split the driving with someone if you can.
Having your seatbelt on, driving to the conditions and not being distracted while driving can be the difference in walking away from a crash or being seriously injured or worse.
“Time, memory and history must always be revisited and questioned. Art gives us the freedom to do so without constraint.”
— Basim Magdy, renowned artist
Basim Magdy is a visionary Egyptian artist whose work merges dreamlike imagery with thought-provoking, philosophical narratives. Through layered photography and vibrant, otherworldly visuals, he invites viewers into worlds shaped by memory, myth and speculative futures. Now featured on Samsung Art Store as part of the Art Basel in Basel collection, his distinctive aesthetic brings moments of reflection into daily life.
Magdy’s work reimagines living spaces as portals to imagined futures and poetic memories. Available exclusively on Samsung Art TVs, these pieces blur the line between art and atmosphere to deliver a gallery-quality experience at home. Expert-validated colors reveal every detail of his layered textures and experimental techniques — encouraging deeper engagement and sparking conversation.
Samsung Newsroom sat down with Magdy to explore his creative process and the transformative power of art in everyday environments.
▲ Artist Basim Magdy poses at Samsung ArtCube at Art Basel in Basel.
Partnerships, Presence and Possibilities
Q: How has Art Basel in Basel played a role in your career?
For over a decade, I’ve attended Art Basel in Basel every year — it continues to be one of the most exciting and inspiring art events for me. A recent highlight was having a large-scale photographic work presented in Art Basel Unlimited in 2022.
This year, alongside the presentation of my work at the Samsung ArtCube lounge, I’m exhibiting expanded photography with Gypsum Gallery (Cairo) and paintings with hunt kastner (Prague).
▲ “An Intergalactic Messenger Teleported us to a Cave Settlement Ruled by Shared Compassion and Humility” (2022) by Basim Magdy
Q: What led to your partnership with Samsung Art Store for this year’s Art Basel in Basel?
It happened naturally. I was drawn to the idea of my work existing in a different context — one where it could reach new audiences including those who may not typically visit galleries or museums but who are still curious about art.
Reframing Time Through Art
Q: How did your visual and conceptual style develop into something both surreal and poetic?
It took years of curiosity, experimentation and a desire to create a visual language that reflects who I am. Both poetry and the strange layers of reality have long shaped my thinking. Over time, my style evolved as I explored different artistic tools and mediums. Creating something surreal and poetic has allowed me to propose new ideas and reinterpret familiar ones in unexpected ways.
“Art expresses what can’t be said in words.”
— Basim Magdy, contemporary artist
Q: Storytelling, memory and imagined futures are recurring themes in your art. What drives your interest in these narratives?
I’ve become increasingly interested in how we perceive time. I think that awareness deepens with age — the realization that each passing moment is gone and what lies ahead will be different yet oddly familiar.
Though time is a construct, its rhythms — like sunrises and sunsets — form the backdrop of our lives. History shapes how we understand the past and determines how memories are kept alive — an incredibly subjective process, often told through one point of view.
That’s what fascinates me. It raises questions about what gets recorded and what was deemed unworthy of preservation. What about the countless lives that pass without being remembered or documented? Time, memory and history must always be revisited and questioned. Art gives us the freedom to do so without constraint.
Art Without Rules, Technology Without Limits
Q: Your media include chemically altered film and layered photography. How do you preserve their texture and nuance when translating these physical processes into digital formats for display?
The urge to experiment is what drives me to work across different media. It’s rooted in asking questions and pushing limits. Translating analog processes into digital form is one of those explorations — and with it comes the challenge of maintaining texture, depth and complexity.
▲ Artist Basim Magdy is well known for his fusion of dreamlike imagery with thought-provoking, philosophical narratives.
Q: With technology playing a bigger role in creating and experiencing art, how has it shaped your creative process or your approach to audience engagement?
Technology is evolving constantly, and with it, the way we experience the world — not just art. Today, reality often exists simultaneously in physical space and on screens. In the end, I think my lived experiences — whether encountered in real life or on a screen — inform my art just as much as my imagination does.
For me, art expresses what can’t be said in words. Technology is largely shaped by scientific research that operates within defined rules and systems. Art, on the other hand, is free from those constraints — so when artists engage with new technologies, the results are often surprising.
▲ Basim Magdy experiences the new Art Basel in Basel Collection at Samsung ArtCube.
From Exhibition to Everyday
Q: Your work is now featured on Samsung Art Store and displayed in homes around the world. How does being part of someone’s everyday environment shift your perspective on your art?
It’s humbling. We each experience art through our own lens — shaped by who we are and where we’ve been. I hope my work resonates in ways that invite thought, emotion or a quiet moment of connection. For me, that kind of unspoken, personal response is the most fulfilling outcome.
Q: Samsung Art Store turns a screen into a gallery. How do you feel your work resonates differently in a digital home setting compared to a traditional gallery or museum?
Seeing art in a gallery or a museum is still ideal — but it’s also limited. A piece only exists in one place and not everyone can travel to see it, especially if it’s halfway across the world.
Samsung Art Store offers a more intimate way to experience art. Someone can engage with a piece they connect with at their own pace, free from the limitations of gallery hours or institutional settings. The platform also gives access to audiences who may not have a chance to view my work through traditional means.
Digital representations of art continue to evolve — and so do the ways we engage with them. I look forward to a future where we can project fully detailed images into space and where the digital experience of art might one day include touch, texture or even scent.
“[Through Samsung Art Store, one] can engage with a piece at their own pace, free from the limitations of gallery hours or institutional settings.”
— Basim Magdy, contemporary artist
Q: If someone is encountering your work for the first time through Samsung Art Store in their home, what would you like them to notice or feel?
I hope they experience something that stays with them — whether it’s a thought, feeling or subtle moment of curiosity. The way someone connects to art is deeply individual, and I try not to shape or influence that. It’s more meaningful when that sense of intimacy is preserved.
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) — China’s National Development and Reform Commission on Wednesday said it has allocated 60 million yuan (about 8.36 million U.S. dollars) from the country’s central budget to support south China’s Guangdong Province in flood relief.
The funds will be used to restore infrastructure and public service facilities in affected areas of Guangdong Province.
Severe floods have hit Guangdong Province recently, with the area around Zhaoqing City suffering the worst damage. According to official data, as of midday on Wednesday, June 18, 300,000 residents of Huaiji County, which is under Zhaoqing City, were affected by the disaster, with 70,000 people evacuated to safe areas. -0-
Royal fern can colonise natural areas rapidly, growing up to 2 m high, and crowding out native species in already pressured wetlands and swamps. A deciduous fern, the bright green paper-thin fronds turn yellow and rusty orange in autumn, and each plant produces thousands of tiny spores easily spread by the wind, birds, and humans.
Surveillance and control work in partnership with iwi, landowners and regional councils is happening in Taranaki, Waikato, Rotorua, and Northland. Susan Emmitt, Technical Advisor at DOC, says despite the intensive work, the fern is still spreading.
“Royal fern is still being found in new places, as the spores disperse over long distances allowing new plants to establish in remote areas,” says Susan.
“The fern has been targeted for eradication in Northland, and is being controlled in the Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, and Auckland. To try and halt its spread, we’ve drawn a containment line roughly halfway down the North Island.
“We’re asking the public to report any sightings of the plant south of this line.”
Royal fern is challenging to remove, as it thrives in wetland sites which are difficult to access on foot.
“It can be dug out, roots and all, but this is slow and very labour intensive. We’re working alongside field teams to find the most efficient control methods.
“It’s very easy to spread the spores around when we’re clearing the area, so we wear gloves and disposable overalls, and carefully double or triple-bag the fertile fronds once they’ve been cut. We also have rigorous decontamination procedures, so we don’t accidentally spread them from one site to another.”
Drones are a valuable tool in the control of the invasive fern.
“The distinct bright green leaves are easily visible from the air in wetlands, so we can use drones to monitor existing or treated sites,” says Susan. “This saves a lot of time and effort, letting us work faster and more effectively.”
Autumn and early winter are the perfect time to spot this plant; royal fern fronds change colour in autumn, making the plants stand out. Members of the public are being asked to report sightings of royal fern from the Bay of Plenty and Taranaki southwards via iNaturalist or info@doc.govt.nz, including a photo and location.
“Nature is in trouble, but all of us can help protect our species and habitats. Reporting royal fern is a small action to make a big difference; thanks to a report at Farewell Spit in March 2024, the site was able to be treated immediately and prevent a potentially catastrophic invasion.”
Background information
Royal fern (Osmunda regalis) is an Unwanted Organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993. This wetland weed has been targeted for eradication in Northland, and is being controlled in the Bay of Plenty and Auckland under the Regional Pest Management plans.
It has spread southwards over the past few decades. Our surveillance operation aims to gain a better understanding of the southern distribution of royal fern with the aim of controlling and containing its spread and protecting high priority sites.
