Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: OSCE Mission Hands Over Specialized Vehicles to Kosovo Police to Improve Public Safety and Security
The OSCE Mission in Kosovo handed over five specialized vehicles to the Kosovo Police K9 unit on 24 June 2025 to enhance the operational capabilities of police canine teams.
The vehicles, specially modified to support the safe and efficient transport of police dogs and their handlers during critical missions, will improve the mobility and responsiveness of K9 teams deployed in various security operations.
In addition, the Mission has overseen essential repairs to the existing kennels used by the K9 unit. These upgrades include improved ventilation systems, structural reinforcements, and enhanced sanitation facilities to ensure the wellbeing and readiness of the police dogs. The kennel repairs are a vital part of maintaining high standards of care and ensuring that the canine officers are in optimal condition to perform their specialized duties.
“The safety and security of all communities living in Kosovo remains our key priority,” said Ambassador Gerard McGurk, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, speaking at the handover event. “The delivery of specialized vehicles and the renovation of the K9 kennels represent tangible steps towards strengthening public safety and building trust across all communities in Kosovo,” he added.
Kosovo Police General Director, Colonel Gazmend Hoxha, said that the longstanding co-operation with the OSCE has been instrumental in advancing the capabilities of the Kosovo Police. He underlined that the partnership is vital for improving the police’s ability to detect and confiscate illicit arms and explosives, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure Kosovo.
The initiative is part of an extra-budgetary project funded by the Government of Germany and the European Union, focused on strengthening the canine capacity of Kosovo’s police services to detect and confiscate small arms and light weapons (SALW), ammunition, and explosives — key priorities for maintaining public safety and security. As part of the same project, the Mission built a training polygon for the K9 unit in 2023.
Through this support, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo is contributing to the long-term development and modernization of the police K9 unit. These improvements not only enhance operational efficiency but also demonstrate a shared dedication to security, professionalism, and the welfare of police dogs. The strengthened K9 capacity will play a crucial role in countering illegal arms trafficking and explosives, thereby fostering a safer environment for all people of Kosovo.
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: OSCE Mission Hands Over Specialized Vehicles to Kosovo Police to Improve Public Safety and Security
The OSCE Mission in Kosovo handed over five specialized vehicles to the Kosovo Police K9 unit on 24 June 2025 to enhance the operational capabilities of police canine teams.
The vehicles, specially modified to support the safe and efficient transport of police dogs and their handlers during critical missions, will improve the mobility and responsiveness of K9 teams deployed in various security operations.
In addition, the Mission has overseen essential repairs to the existing kennels used by the K9 unit. These upgrades include improved ventilation systems, structural reinforcements, and enhanced sanitation facilities to ensure the wellbeing and readiness of the police dogs. The kennel repairs are a vital part of maintaining high standards of care and ensuring that the canine officers are in optimal condition to perform their specialized duties.
“The safety and security of all communities living in Kosovo remains our key priority,” said Ambassador Gerard McGurk, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, speaking at the handover event. “The delivery of specialized vehicles and the renovation of the K9 kennels represent tangible steps towards strengthening public safety and building trust across all communities in Kosovo,” he added.
Kosovo Police General Director, Colonel Gazmend Hoxha, said that the longstanding co-operation with the OSCE has been instrumental in advancing the capabilities of the Kosovo Police. He underlined that the partnership is vital for improving the police’s ability to detect and confiscate illicit arms and explosives, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure Kosovo.
The initiative is part of an extra-budgetary project funded by the Government of Germany and the European Union, focused on strengthening the canine capacity of Kosovo’s police services to detect and confiscate small arms and light weapons (SALW), ammunition, and explosives — key priorities for maintaining public safety and security. As part of the same project, the Mission built a training polygon for the K9 unit in 2023.
Through this support, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo is contributing to the long-term development and modernization of the police K9 unit. These improvements not only enhance operational efficiency but also demonstrate a shared dedication to security, professionalism, and the welfare of police dogs. The strengthened K9 capacity will play a crucial role in countering illegal arms trafficking and explosives, thereby fostering a safer environment for all people of Kosovo.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
​Following is a question by the Hon Mrs Regina Ip and a written reply by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):
Question:
There are views that the current practice of the Government repeatedly appointing the same group of individuals to its advisory and statutory bodies (ASBs) has failed to engage new members, including foreign nationals who are Hong Kong permanent residents. This approach runs counter to the principle stated by the State President in 2022 at the meeting to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region that everyone in Hong Kong who genuinely supports the principle of “one country, two systems”, loves Hong Kong, and abides by the Basic Law and the laws of the special administrative region, can do his or her bit for the region’s development. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective numbers of non-official members serving on various government ASBs in each of the past 10 years, together with a breakdown by ASB;
(2) of (i) the number of non-official members appointed by the Government in each of the past 10 years and, among them, the respective numbers of those who were (ii) re-appointed and (iii) appointed for the first time;
(3) of the respective numbers of (i) foreign nationals being Hong Kong permanent residents, (ii) ethnic minorities holding Chinese nationality, and (iii) other foreign nationals being non-Hong Kong permanent residents who were appointed by the Government as non-official members of ASBs in each of the past 10 years, together with a breakdown by the ASB to which they belonged;
(4) as there are views that foreign nationals who are Hong Kong permanent residents have unique advantages (e.g. enhancing the Government’s understanding of the Islamic culture so as to attract Islamic tourists to visit Hong Kong, etc.) in assisting the Government in taking forward policy initiatives under specific portfolios, but such persons are often excluded from the lists of candidates for non-official members due to their illiteracy in Chinese, what specific measures the Government has put in place to enhance the participation of such persons in ASBs;
(5) given that the Government has all along been adopting the “six-year rule” (i.e. a non-official member should not serve on the same ASB in the same capacity for more than six consecutive or cumulative years) and the “six-board rule” (i.e. a non-official member should not serve on more than six ASBs at any one time), so as to ensure a reasonable turnover of members and distribution of work, yet as at June 30 last year, 12 non-official members have been appointed to more than six ASBs and 227 non-official members have served in the same capacity of an ASB for over six years, of (i) the average number of ASBs to which such persons have been appointed as non-official members, (ii) the highest number of appointment as non-official members made to such persons, (iii) the average duration of such persons serving in the same capacity in an ASB, and (iv) the maximum duration of such persons serving in the same capacity in an ASB; whether the Government has assessed if the appointments concerned have violated the six-year rule; and
(6) given that in its reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on 3 July, 2024, the Government indicated that some non-official members also possessed experiences in other professional areas and these diverse experiences enhanced and broadened the discussion at ASBs, but there were views that these diverse experiences might constitute potential conflicts of interest, how the Government ensures that the business undertaken by such persons in their professional areas does not constitute a direct conflict of interest with the duties of the relevant ASBs when appointing non-official members to ASBs?
Reply:
President,
Advisory and statutory bodies (ASBs), being an integral part of public administration, play a significant role in assisting the Government in the consultation with stakeholders, formulation of policy objectives and performance of functions. There are currently 525 ASBs in Hong Kong, including advisory boards and committees, appeal boards, public bodies and regulatory bodies, etc.
In response to the question raised by the Hon Mrs Regina Ip, the reply is as follows:
(1) From 2015 to 2024, the number of non-official members appointed by the Government to ASBs is as follows:
Year
Number of Appointed Non-official Members (by post)
2015
6 433
2016
6 407
2017
6 653
2018
6 939
2019
7 030
2020
7 135
2021
7 195
2022
7 099
2023
7 281
2024
7 480
Note: Figures for 2015 to 2023 are as of December 31, and the figure for 2024 is as of June 30.
​Given that the functions or work of individual ASBs may be dissolved, merged or reorganised in response to the development needs of different policy areas, the number of ASBs varies each year. Besides, the scope of functions of some ASBs may be adjusted, making it difficult to ensure that long-term comparisons based on individual ASBs could accurately reflect the overall changes in the Government’s appointment of non-official members. In light of the above, the number of non-official members by ASBs since the current term of the Government from 2022 to 2024 is provided (at Annexes 1 to 3) for more timely reference.
(2) Furthermore, as the composition and appointment of members of individual ASBs are taken care of by the respective bureaux and departments (B/Ds), we do not compile and maintain breakdown figures for non-official members reappointed and those newly appointed.
(3) The Central Personality Index maintained by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) contains personal information of most members of ASBs. Since personal information is voluntarily provided by individual members and we do not mandatorily require them to provide nationality details, the HYAB is unable to provide figures on the nationality and ethnicity of non-official members of ASBs.
(4) The basic principle of the appointments of individuals by the Government as non-official members to ASBs is “merits”, so as to ensure that the appointed members are the most suitable candidates who are capable of meeting the specific requirements of the ASBs and will actively participate in their work. When making an appointment, the relevant B/Ds will take into account the candidate’s ability, expertise, experience, integrity and commitment to public service, with due regard to the functions and nature of the business of the ASB concerned. For statutory bodies, it is also necessary to take into account the relevant statutory requirements. Since the objectives, functions and nature of individual ASBs are different, the respective B/Ds are responsible for taking care of the composition, operation and appointment of members of respective ASBs. In addition to taking into account the operational needs of the ASBs under their purview, B/Ds will also consider appointing individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including Hong Kong permanent residents of foreign nationalities, ethnic minorities, or those familiar with Islamic culture, to ensure that the ASBs can effectively fulfil their duties while providing opportunities for individuals from different sectors of the community to participate in public service.
(5) According to relevant government guidelines, under the principle of appointment based on “merits”, B/Ds should, as far as possible, avoid non-official members to serve on more than six ASBs at any one time, or to serve in the same ASB for more than six years whether continuously or cumulatively in the same capacity, so as to ensure a reasonable distribution of workload and turnover of membership. Generally, B/Ds will adhere to these guidelines as far as possible when making appointments. However, there are instances where, based on actual needs, individuals may serve on more than six committees or have their terms extended beyond six years. As at June 30, 2024, 12 non-official members who were appointed to more than six ASBs served in approximately seven ASBs on average, with the highest number of appointments being eight ASBs. As for 227 non-official members who had served in the same capacity in ASBs for more than six years, the average tenure in the same capacity is 8.5 years, with the longest tenure being 37 years. It is worth noting that the appointment arrangement is based on the background of the establishment of relevant statutory body, which is related to commemorating the late husband of the member, representing a special exception.
(6) The Government has established a mechanism for handling situations involving conflicts of interest which may be faced by members of ASBs. While some statutory bodies have a declaration of interest system which is specified in their enabling legislation, two different systems for declaring interests, namely a “one-tier reporting system” and a “two-tier reporting system” are in place for ASBs. Under the “one-tier reporting system”, it is the responsibility of each member to judge and decide whether he/she should declare his/her interests, and members should declare interests in the meetings of the boards or committees during which the matters concerned are discussed and determined. For the “two-tier reporting system”, members should declare their interests on appointment to those boards and committees, in addition to the declaration of interests in meetings. Such declarations should be recorded. The B/Ds concerned should decide which system of declaration of interests is to be adopted having regard to the terms of reference of the ASBs concerned.
The HYAB has issued guidelines on declaration of interests on the recommendation of the Independent Commission Against Corruption for adoption by ASBs, and reminds B/Ds now and then that it is necessary to introduce a system of declaration of interests for each of the ASBs under their purview and to review from time to time the systems of declaration of interests adopted by the bodies concerned, in order to ensure that the systems meet their needs.
Appointing individuals of different professional areas to various ASBs under the principle of merits has, over the years, provided the Government with valuable insights in formulating various policies and measures, which have proven effective in practice. We believe that the aforementioned mechanism can effectively address actual or potential conflict of interest.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is a question by the Hon Jeffrey Lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):
Question:
It has been reported that in recent years, the popular artistic toy industry and the “goods economy” (i.e. economic activities relating to intellectual property (IP) peripheral products of animation, comics, games, idols, etc) have expanded rapidly worldwide. Last year, the global market of “blind boxes” (i.e. sealed boxes whose IP peripheral products are not made known to consumers in advance) reached US$14.5 billion (approximately HK$113.1 billion), with some IP merchandise created by Hong Kong designers generating hundreds of millions of dollars in value in the international market. However, there are views that the popular artistic toy industrial chain in Hong Kong is not yet mature and requires precise policy support. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it has compiled statistics for the period between 2022 and 2024 on (i) the number of companies registered in Hong Kong that were involved in the design, production or sale of popular artistic toys, (ii) the contribution of the popular artistic toy industry to Gross Domestic Product, (iii) the number of professional practitioners in the popular artistic toy industry, and (iv) among the projects approved under the Government’s funding schemes or funds for driving the development of the cultural and creative industries (e.g. the CreateSmart Initiative), the proportion of projects related to the popular artistic toy industry and the total amount of funding involved; if such data is unavailable, whether the Government will review if this emerging industry is outside the scope of the existing policy;
(2) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of registrations filed with the Intellectual Property Department by local designers for artistic toy character designs from 2022 to 2024, and the number of cases in which Hong Kong enterprises have successfully turned local IP into mass-produced merchandise;
(3) of the number of pop-up stores or exhibitions relating to the theme of popular artistic toys that were approved to be held in public venues (e.g. the West Kowloon Cultural District and galleries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department) in the past year, and the average duration of such exhibitions;
(4) among the events supported by the Mega Events Coordination Group last year, of the proportion of mega events that had the theme of popular artistic toys (e.g. designers’ autograph and sale sessions and blind box bazaars), as well as the data on the number of people who attended such events; and
(5) as the Financial Secretary pointed out earlier on in a blog post that some IP with Hong Kong elements created by Hong Kong designers has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in value, and there are views that this reflects that the calibre of the local creative industry is of an international standard, whether the Government has formulated specific measures to assist in the development of the industrialisation of Hong Kong’s IP and to promote the maximisation of the value of local IP; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Art toy refers to toys designed by designers and artists, and infused with rich cultural connotations and fashionable creativity. It can be traced back to figures in the 1960s of the 20th century which were mostly derivative models of anime characters for the purposes of appreciation and collection. Noting the emergence and development of art toy in recent years which bring in opportunities for the creative industries in Hong Kong, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) has been actively supporting projects related to Hong Kong’s art toy industry, including setting up Hong Kong pavilions at exhibitions in the Mainland and overseas to support the industry in the promotion of art toys originated in Hong Kong.
My reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Jeffrey Lam’s question, in consultation with the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) and the Intellectual Property Department (IPD), is as follows:
(1) The cultural and creative industries (CCI) form an integral part of creating a diversified economy in Hong Kong. CCI covers the design sector whereas art toy design is grouped under this sector. According to the C&SD’s latest statistics, the value added by the design sector reached over $4.2 billion in 2023, accounting for over 0.1% of Gross Domestic Product in Hong Kong, and 3.1% of that of CCI. The number of establishments and practitioners engaged in the design sector were around 7 490 and 18 650 respectively.
From 2022 till now, the CCIDA funded and fostered eight Hong Kong art toy-related projects through the CreateSmart Initiative (CSI). Overseas projects included driving the industry to participate in “Promote Hong Kong Designer Toys through Thailand Exhibitions”, “Promote Hong Kong Designer Toys through Thailand Toy Expo 2024”, “Promote Hong Kong Art Toys through Indonesia Exhibition 2024” and “Promote Hong Kong Art Toys through Thailand Toy Expo 2025”. These four projects facilitated over 20 business deals and more than 370 business enquiries and contacts, and ideal selling records were made for individual participating designers. For example, a Hong Kong art toy designer sold art toys of over $0.5 million and successfully reached out an Indonesian toy agent to expand his retail business in Indonesia. In the Mainland, the CSI funded the industry to participate in “Hong Kong Creative Pavilion@China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Expo and Trade Fair plus Hong Kong@Shenzhen Cultural Industry Expo”, “Hong Kong Creative Pavilion@2024 Hangzhou Cultural & Creative Industry Expo”, “China International Cartoon & Animation Festival (Hangzhou)” and “China International Animation Copyright Fair (Dongguan)”. The CCIDA set up Hong Kong pavilions in these exhibitions to promote Hong Kong’s art toy, animation, game and related industries. These four Hong Kong pavilions attracted a total of over 160 000 participants, reaching out over 1 300 business deals and more than 120 business enquiries and contacts. The eight projects obtained about $38 million of the CSI funding.
In fact, Hong Kong creators made great achievements in the global art toy industries in recent years. Their art toy characters designed and the products generated by their intellectual properties (IPs) successfully occupy a remarkable market share in markets of Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas. Among them, Hong Kong renowned designers Lung Ka-sing and Kenny Wong created iconic art toy products, making great profits for the art toy industries. Lung also won an illustration award in Belgium, being the first Chinese designer to win this prize. Besides, Wong’s designs have collaborations with various international trendy brands for rolling out IP products.
(2) According to the IPD, the Locarno classification published by the World Intellectual Property Organization is the system adopted for classifying articles under the local registered designs system. There is no specific class for “artistic toy characters”, which are instead classified under Class 21 (sub-class 01) – “games and toys”. The numbers of applications and registrations under this sub-class from 2022 to 2024 are as follows:
2022
2023
2024
Number of applications (Number of designs involved (Note 1))
31 (66)
39 (79)
59 (82)
Number of registrations (Note 2)
78
76
41
Note 1: Each design application may contain one or more designs. Note 2: Since it takes time to process applications, the number of registrations shown may not equal to the number of applications received in a particular year.
Other than obtaining protection for the design of an article under the registered designs system, the same may also be considered as a sign for registration under the trade marks system, or as an original artistic work protected by the copyright system (registration not required). Rights holders need to consider their overall IP protection and utilisation strategy, as well as the relevant legal requirements.
Over the years, there have been numerous examples of Hong Kong businesses transforming local cultural and creative IPs into mass-produced products. This may be done by various ways such as sales and licensing, and it also depends on the types of IPs being utilised. The Government does not have statistics in this regard.
(3) and (4) Different types of mega events in Hong Kong cover various areas, among which many of the events with profound IP elements are well received by the public. Events in 2024 include “100% DORAEMON & FRIENDS” Tour, Pokémon GO City Safari, PANDA GO! FEST HK, ComplexCon Hong Kong, Hypefest Hong Kong, and the annual Ani-com & Games Hong Kong that gathers animation, comics and figurines, etc. The CSTB supported these activities in different ways. As an estimate, these events attracted over five millions of participants.
In 2024, there were nine art toy-related projects exhibited in venues of the West Kowloon Cultural District and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Their average exhibition period was about 17 days. In addition, there were lots of activities relating to the theme of art toy held in different government and private venues (such as shopping malls).
(5) The Government has been promoting the development of the trading and commercialisation of local IPs, including various measures related to CCI.
In strengthening IP protection, the copyright system is an essential component of the IP regime, offering protection for original works including those in the literary and artistic fields, and is crucial to the development of the local creative industries and a knowledge-based economy. The Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 came into effect in May 2023 to enhance copyright protection in the digital environment. The IPD is also conducting a comprehensive review of the local registered design system and plans to launch a public consultation within this year to ensure that the system remains up-to-date, aligns with current international standards, and meets the needs of Hong Kong’s future economic development. Besides, the CCIDA is actively supporting cultural IP projects (including those related to art toy mentioned above) through the CSI, and driving applicants to make applications for IP protection for their cultural and creative products, formulate IP agreements and manage IP portfolios, etc. so as to assist creators in exploring business opportunities.
In enhancing capacity building, the IPD has in recent years provided more comprehensive and in-depth IP training courses and practical workshops for practitioners across various sectors, including those in the cultural and creative industries, with a target to benefit 5 000 practitioners across different industries within the current term of the Government. Besides, in collaboration with the Law Society of Hong Kong, the IPD has been providing free IP consultation services for small and medium enterprises through practising lawyers on a pro bono basis.
On promotion effort, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) continues to enrich large-scale activities such as the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market, the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and the Hong Kong Book Fair in order to support local original works to exploit the Mainland and international markets. The CCIDA has also funded the HKTDC to enhance the Asia IP Exchange portal, adding a database for arts, cultural and creative IPs to facilitate potential buyers in searching for relevant information, and introducing more elements of market transaction, such as business matching events, market information and professional service packages on IP trading to foster cross-sectoral collaboration. The CCIDA will facilitate more registration of local and non-local cultural and creative products on the Asia IP Exchange portal to promote the transactions of cultural IPs.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ1: Eradicating youth consumption of “space oil drug” Question:
The Government statistics show that 128 young people aged under 21 were reported to have consumed “space oil drug” in the first quarter of this year, accounting for over 67 per cent of all reported cases. The youngest among them was just 12 years old. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the respective numbers of cases of young people possessing and consuming “space oil drug” received by the authorities in the past three years; the specific measures in place to assist them in drug treatment and rehabilitation, and the total number of young people who have quit “space oil drug” with such assistance to date;
(2) whether it will establish a regular mechanism for primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong to handle cases of young people consuming “space oil drug”, while strengthening training for frontline personnel, including teachers and social workers, in order to enhance their ability to identify, handle, and prevent cases of students consuming “space oil drug”; and
(3) given that the Government launched the Healthy School Programme some years ago to establish a healthy and drug-free culture in schools by organising personal growth activities and voluntary school drug testing, whether the authorities will step up the promotion of this programme in primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, so that teachers and social workers can have opportunities to identify those young people who consume “space oil drug” at an early stage and provide them with immediate and appropriate assistance?
Reply:
President,
The Government attaches great importance to combating the emerging “space oil drug” problem. A number of targeted measures have been launched on multiple fronts to curb the use of “space oil drug”, which often illegally contains the anesthetic etomidate. Among these measures, we have already listed etomidate and its three analogues as dangerous drugs through legislation, and have recently proposed listing other analogues as dangerous drugs as well. Since the listing of etomidate as a dangerous drug on February 14, 2025, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have successfully stopped the supply of more than 220 000 drug-filled cartridges by the end of last month with a total of 405 persons arrested. Among those arrested, 153 were involved in trafficking dangerous drugs, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the arrests. Apart from legislation and law enforcement, the Government has also launched a number of publicity programmes to educate the public to stay away from “space oil drug” and raise awareness among young people of its serious harm.
In consultation with the Education Bureau (EDB), replies to each of the Member’s questions are as follows:
(1) The “space oil drug” has been gradually on the rise since 2023. From 2023 to May 31, 2025, the LEAs arrested a total of 566 persons for unlawful possession of etomidate, and among them, 134 persons or about 20 per cent were young people aged below 21. Regarding the number of abusers, data from the Central Registry of Drug Abuse show that from 2023 to May 31, 2025, there were 493 recorded “space oil drug” abusers, of whom 356 persons, or about 70 per cent, were young people aged below 21. These young people are being followed up by relevant drug treatment institutions or outreaching social work teams with a view to helping them to quit drugs. Indeed, drug treatment and rehabilitation services are an integral part of the Government’s anti-drug strategy. For young people addicted to “space oil drug”, drug treatment and rehabilitation agencies (e.g. Counselling Centres for Psychotropic Substance Abusers (CCPSAs)) provide education programmes, vocational training, and counselling on careers and studies, tailored to their personal growth stages, learning needs and interests. Anti-drug workers also provide young people with essential emotional support and mental health counselling.
(2) Schools are key partners in the Government’s anti-drug efforts. The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau (SB), in collaboration with the EDB, has established a regular mechanism for all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong to handle drug-related incidents, including cases involving the use of “space oil drug”. The EDB has also issued guidelines to schools in this regard. To assist schools in handling such cases, the ND of the SB has been working with non-governmental organisations to provide anti-drug professional training for frontline staff, including teachers and social workers, to enhance their capacity in identifying, handling and preventing “space oil drug” abuse cases among students.
(3) After years of implementation, the Healthy School Programme spearheaded by the ND has been proven capable of strengthening students’ resolve to stay away from drugs, thereby fostering an anti-drug culture in schools. In light of the latest drug scene, the ND plans to include etomidate testing in its voluntary school drug testing, targeting its introduction within the next school year. The ND has also required schools to incorporate knowledge on the prevention of “space oil drug” into the activities organised under the Programme, including understanding the harm of “space oil drug”, the serious consequences of committing relevant offences, and the skills to refuse “space oil drug”. While promoting the Healthy School Programme, the ND is also implementing the Beat Drugs with Sports Programme to help young people stay away from “space oil drug” and other drugs through sports activities. About 60 per cent of all secondary schools in Hong Kong have participated in these two anti-drug programmes.
Apart from the Healthy School Programme and the Beat Drugs with Sports Programme just mentioned, the ND has been promoting a healthy and drug‑free school culture through enhanced cross‑disciplinary and cross‑sectoral collaboration with various anti-drug service units and welfare service units. This collaboration provides teachers and social workers with opportunities to identify young people who have taken “space oil drug” at an early stage, and offer timely and appropriate assistance. In this regard, the ND arranges for the CCPSAs to reach out to schools and organise anti-drug school talks, including providing training for teachers and social workers, and educating students about the harm of “space oil drug”. Since 2024, over 170 schools with a total of 38 000 students, teachers and social workers have participated in these talks. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre will also organise a new round of interactive activities in July 2025 for candidates of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination and senior secondary school students. These activities aim to provide students with a stress-relieving occasion and reinforce their resistance against “space oil drug”. The ND also conducts free drama tours for schools to educate upper primary students in an interactive manner on the harm of “space oil drug”. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Police Force has staged a new play, “Interactive Anti-Drug Theatre – A Space Study Adventure”, to safeguard schools from the emerging “space oil drug”. Finally, on parental education, the ND works closely with the Committee on Home-School Co-operation and the Federations of Parent-Teacher Associations in various districts to provide parents and young people with timely and appropriate assistance related to “space oil drug”.
President, the Government has taken various measures to curb “space oil drug”. We have strategies in place to address the situation, ranging from legislation and law enforcement to treatment and rehabilitation. We will humbly listen to the views of the community, adjust our strategies as situation changes, and proactively adopt innovative and targeted approaches to combat drug harm together with the public.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​Following is a question by the Hon Yiu Pak-leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):
Question:
There are views that the road ancillary facilities and experience of walking to the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) are not satisfactory at present, and during festivals, holidays and large-scale activities, congestion often occurs on the roads in the vicinity. On improving the accessibility of the WKCD, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) as it has been reported that the southern landing facility of the WKCD is expected to come into operation in the fourth quarter of this year, of the specific timetable; of the specific measures in place to expedite the development of waterborne transport there, and whether it has studied developing the area into one of the distribution points for marine tours;
(2) as some members of the public and tourists have reflected that the current experience of walking from the Xiqu Centre along Austin Road West to the area around the M+ is not satisfactory, whether the authorities will consider prioritising the creation of a pleasant harbourfront promenade from the Xiqu Centre to the WKCD to facilitate access of members of the public and tourists to the area; and
(3) as there are views that the existing road design of Museum Drive outside the Hong Kong Palace Museum is unsatisfactory and prone to causing traffic congestion, and the authorities are conducting a road network study in the vicinity of Museum Drive, including a study on the construction of additional slip road exits to the West Kowloon Expressway, of the details of the study and whether the relevant works can commence as soon as possible?
Reply:
President,
The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD or the District) is an important strategic cultural infrastructure investment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The WKCD is not only a popular choice for local residents to participate in cultural activities, but also one of the must-visit cultural and creative attractions welcomed by tourists.
The Government and the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) have always attached great importance to the accessibility of West Kowloon. Currently, there are many public transport services and routes to the WKCD, including the MTR, seven franchised bus routes, five green minibus (GMB) routes as well as Water Taxis.
When large-scale activities such as fireworks displays are held at the WKCD or in its vicinity, the WKCDA will closely liaise with the Police and Transport Department (TD). The Police will implement temporary traffic management measures, including road closures, as needed within the WKCD and its vicinity whereas the TD will co-ordinate with public transport services providers to increase their services. Visitors can walk to the two MTR stations (i.e. Kowloon Station and Austin Station) or nearby places to access public transports when roads in the vicinity are still closed after the activities. During major festivals in the past two years, the said arrangements have been working smoothly.
Having consulted the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the WKCDA, my reply to the question raised by the Hon Yiu Pak-leung is set out below:
(1) The Southern Landing Facility (SLF) located opposite to M+ is expected to complete and open in quarter four of this year (2025). By then, the existing berthing point of Water Taxi at the New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter will be relocated to this new landing facility. The WKCDA is also liaisng with the TD in actively exploring the introduction of a new ferry route between the WKCD and Central, so as to fully utilise the new landing facility for further improving waterborne transport to and from the WKCD.
The SLF is a public landing facility. The WKCDA is currently formulating the future arrangements for the use of the SLF, including reservation arrangements for berthing public vessels other than Water Taxi, and will maintain close communication with the tourism industry and relevant Government departments to explore ways to maximise the utilisation of the SLF.
(2) The WKCD is situated on a 40-hectare site next to the High Speed Rail Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, the MTR Tuen Ma Line Austin Station as well as the Tung Chung Line Kowloon Station. Citizens and visitors can choose to use the nearest MTR station according to the different arts and cultural facilities in the District they want to visit.
Taking M+ as an example, visitors can use the MTR Kowloon Station and walk about 10 minutes via Elements Shopping Mall and the Art Square Bridge to reach it. As for the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM), visitors can go for Exit E of the MTR Kowloon Station, walk via Nga Cheung Road and the pedestrian footbridge of the former toll plaza of the Western Harbour Crossing to enter the WKCD West Gate, and then walk along the District’s roads to reach the HKPM in 15 minutes. Visitors going to the Xiqu Centre can use the Austin Road Pedestrian Linkage System at Exit E of the MTR Austin Station to reach the destination within 5 minutes on foot.
The development of the WKCD has always adopted the “City Park” design concept. The planning fundamental of the WKCD is pedestrian-oriented with emphasis on its connectivity, encouraging visitors to walk to and from different arts and cultural facilities within the District. For instance, from M+ to the HKPM, visitors can walk for about 10 minutes through the Art Park or along the WKCD Promenade, both of which are places where citizens and tourists love to linger. As for going from Xiqu Centre to M+, since there are still works in progress in the relevant waterfront and Austin Road West section, we recommend citizens to take about 15 to 20 minutes to walk via Austin Station, High Speed Rail Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, Elements, and the Artist Square Bridge at this stage.
If visitors choose to travel between the WKCD and the High Speed Rail Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and MTR Austin Station by public transport, they can take the GMB Route CX1, or take the Kowloon Motor Bus Route W4 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
(3) The Government and the WKCDA have been exploring various options for improving the road network of the WKCD, including the addition of an exit from Museum Drive to the West Kowloon Highway to improve vehicular accessibility of the northern part of the WKCD. The Government will continue to study with the WKCDA in this regard to meet the development needs of the WKCD.
Union Minister and BJP National President J.P. Nadda on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of continuing to carry the same “dictatorial mindset” that, according to him, marked the 21-month Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975.
Calling the period a “black chapter” in India’s democratic journey, Nadda said the events of that era remain a stark reminder of how democratic institutions were “subverted” under Congress rule.
Recounting the events of June 25, 1975, Nadda said, “India is the oldest and largest democratic country in the world. Some such incidents have also happened in the country where a malicious attempt has been made to tamper with the basic spirit of the Constitution. The country sees it as a black chapter in democracy. On this day, 50 years ago, the then Prime Minister (of Congress), Indira Gandhi, had declared Emergency, which was not just a political event but a direct attack on democracy. It was a blow.”
Referring to the midnight proclamation of Emergency by Indira Gandhi, Nadda alleged, “On the midnight of June 25, 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency on India on the pretext of internal unrest and murdered the Constitution of the country. Even after 50 years, Congress is living with the same mentality. Its intentions are still the same, dictatorial.”
Nadda noted that the Emergency followed a court verdict against Indira Gandhi.
“In 1975, the High Court held Indira Gandhi guilty of violating the code of conduct in the elections and declared her ineligible to hold any elected post for six years. Overnight, the electricity to the press was cut off. The entire opposition was put in jail. Freedom of the press was taken away. Democracy was trampled by misusing Article 352. Parliament and judiciary were paralysed and on the morning of June 26, the dictatorial government of Congress imposed Emergency on the country,” he stated.
Calling the resistance against the Emergency a broader fight for the soul of the nation, Nadda said, “The opposition to the dictatorship of Congress was not merely political. It was a movement to protect the soul of India and the Constitution in which nationalists put their lives at stake. Jai Prakash Narayan and Chaudhary Charan Singh, as well as Atal ji, Advani ji, Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia, Murli Manohar Joshi, and thousands of party workers and ‘Vichar Parivar’ workers were forcibly put in jail by Indira Gandhi’s government.”
He also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s contribution during that period and said, “Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a responsible worker, threw dust in the eyes of the dictatorial government and with the help of lakhs of dedicated volunteer workers, took the truth of Congress to every village, every street and every house.”
He mentioned that PM Modi has recorded the “struggles and unheard incidents” of that time in his book ‘The Emergency Diaries, Years that Forced a Leader’.
Reflecting on the current political context, the BJP chief added, “In the 50 years of the murder of the Constitution in the country, it is necessary to remember and remind people of the pain of the Emergency. Because even today, Congress is living with the same dictatorial mindset. We all must read this book to know how Congress had conspired to crush the democracy of the country. How the worshippers of democracy, without caring for their lives, foiled this conspiracy of Congress by highlighting the struggle.”
Nadda criticised the Congress leadership’s approach to governance and press freedom. “Slogans like ‘India is Indira, Indira is India’, reflected the mindset of Congress under which Indira Gandhi had turned the country into a laboratory of individualism and dynasty.”
He said that Congress supports the idea of only one family ruling the country, and that is why it had “placed a super PM above the Prime Minister of its government.”
“Congress is not able to digest the fact that a poor person has become the Prime Minister of the country. The law and order situation in Congress-ruled states is the same today as it was during the Emergency. Suppression of opposition, religious appeasement and arrogance of power are openly visible,” he added.
Referring to the judiciary, Nadda said, “Indira Gandhi did not make an honest judge like Justice H.R. Khanna the Chief Justice, despite him being senior. Because he had made a decision against the government. Congress had ensured that any officer or judge who did not follow their orders should either be removed or transferred. Indira Gandhi changed the basic spirit of the Constitution by making anti-democratic amendments in the Constitution to keep her power safe.”
Highlighting the repression during the Emergency, he added, “During the Emergency, even if a citizen was shot, he did not have the right to go to court. Even today, Rahul and Congress are seen to be lying about the Constitution. During the Emergency, people imprisoned were not even allowed to attend the last rites of their relatives. Congress has never apologised for its actions during the Emergency to date.”
Nadda also cited Congress’ conduct ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when the party had officially issued a list of “boycotted journalists” whose debates the party spokespersons were “forbidden from attending.”
“On one hand, they file cases against journalists during their rule, while on the other hand, they boycott them when they are in the opposition,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Nadda paid tribute to those who resisted the Emergency, stating, “Today, on this occasion, I pay tribute, on my behalf and on behalf of crores of Bharatiya Janata Party workers, to the true soldiers of democracy who risked their lives to free the country from the curse of Emergency, and thank them for protecting the Constitution and the country.”
With countries in danger of failing to meet their Sustainable Development Goals targets – and their human rights obligations – leaders attending theFinancing for Development Conferencemust act fast to avert climate catastrophe and guarantee the human rights of billions of people currently being denied socio-economic justice, said Amnesty International.
The 4th International Conference for Financing for Development will take place from 30 June to 3 July in Seville, Spain.It provides aunique opportunity to reform development financing at all levels and address financing challenges preventing the urgently needed investment push to achieve theSustainable Development Goals (SDGs)by 2030. The SDGs were put in place 10 years ago to guarantee peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future.
“Years of underinvestment by all states mean the majority of the Sustainable Development Goals are way off track from their 2030 target. This conference must confront the immediate crisis linked to the cutting of international assistance by major donors, whilst committing to structural reforms that could provide sustainable sources of financing for the longer term – from advancing international tax cooperation and addressing the debt crisis, to reforming international financial institutions and promoting more inclusive systems of financing and development,” said Riva Jalipa, Amnesty International’s Financing for Rights Lead Adviser.
“A series of robust measures must be put in place if the SDGs are to become a reality. The US and other governments must reverse cuts to aid budgets. Wealthy states must support the UN tax treaty process whilst providing debt relief for countries in or at risk of debt distress including cancellation where appropriate. Fossil fuels subsidies must be redirected towards investment in clean energy and leaders must commit to a full, fast, fair and funded fossil fuel phase out across all sectors and invest adequately in a just and equitable transition. Adopting these measures will go a long way to rescuing the SDGs and ensure social, economic and climate justice for millions across the world.”
Amnesty International will also be co-hosting a Virtual Side Event at the Financing for Development Conference, Seville:Reparative Justice in Financing for Development. The session will focus on development financing and reparative justice as a means through which a human rights-based economy which redresses both existing and historical injustices can not only be conceptualized but also practically actioned.Register to attend via Zoom.
Background
TheSustainable Development Goals (SDGs)were put in place 10 years ago to guarantee peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future. The 17 goals aimed to address global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice – to ensure no one was left behind. However,years of underinvestment by all states meanover 80% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’ targets are off track due to underinvestment by all states.
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) will commemorate the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. A central event will be held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, with Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, B.L. Verma, attending as the Chief Guest.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), the nodal agency for drug demand reduction in India, has been spearheading efforts to prevent drug abuse, assess the extent of substance use, and provide treatment and rehabilitation services. As part of its ongoing mission, the Ministry is implementing the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), an ambitious nationwide campaign to spread awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse.
The NMBA, currently operational across all districts of India, focuses particularly on youth, with outreach efforts targeting universities, colleges, schools, and communities. The objective is to transform the campaign into a Jan Andolan—a people’s movement—through active community involvement and ownership.
As of June 2025, over 15.78 crore people have been sensitized through NMBA activities, including 5.26 crore youth and 3.31 crore women. More than 4.31 lakh educational institutions have participated in spreading awareness. Additionally, over 20,000 trained Master Volunteers have been deployed to lead these efforts at the grassroots level.
To support digital outreach, the NMBA maintains active social media accounts and has developed a mobile application available on the Google Play Store. This app allows districts and volunteers to upload real-time data, feeding into a national NMBA dashboard. The official NMBA website (http://nmba.dosje.gov.in) provides comprehensive information, including an e-pledge, online forums, and detailed reports on the campaign’s impact.
A notable achievement under NMBA has been the National Online Pledge initiative, where more than 1.67 crore students from nearly one lakh educational institutions have pledged to live a drug-free life. The Ministry has also hosted a series of engagement programs such as Nashe se Azaadi – A National Youth and Students Interaction Programme, Naya Bharat, Nasha Mukt Bharat, and special interactions with NCC cadets.
In collaboration with spiritual and social organizations—including The Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Sant Nirankari Mission, Ram Chandra Mission (Daaji), ISKCON, and All World Gayatri Parivaar—the Ministry has expanded the campaign’s reach through mass awareness events.
To enhance public access to services, all government-supported de-addiction centers have been geo-tagged.
Substance use and dependence remain critical public health challenges that impact not just individuals but also families and communities. The misuse of psychoactive substances often leads to serious health conditions including neuropsychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and increased risk of accidents, suicides, and violence. The Ministry emphasizes that substance use should be approached as a psycho-social-medical issue requiring coordinated and compassionate intervention.
To mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, all States and Union Territories, along with NGOs and Voluntary Organizations supported under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), have been directed to organize awareness programmes from June 1 to June 26.
A 36-year-old man is in hospital following a two-vehicle crash on Cambridge Road at Cambridge about 2pm today (Wednesday).The man was driving what was believed to be a stolen vehicle, a white Mitsubishi Express van, when he was observed by police.Police attempted to intercept the vehicle, activating their lights.The driver then allegedly evaded police, driving dangerously before crashing, rolling the van, and colliding with another vehicle.The man, who was the sole occupant of the van, was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital.The female driver, and sole occupant of the second vehicle, was not physically injured in the crash.Cambridge Road was closed for about 4.5 hours while the scene was examined. As at 6.35pm, the road was clear.As is normal practice, a Professional Standards investigation will be conducted into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.Police are calling for witnesses of the crash or any person who observed a white Mitsubishi Express van being driven around the time of the crash to come forward.Anyone with dash cam footage or information should contact Police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au. Please quote OR778445.
To reflect the Department of Health’s commitment to improving Aboriginal health and wellbeing, we’ve commissioned an artwork: Bayi Dha-ang: Walk Strong (Dhudhuroa language) by Bitja (Dixon Patten Jnr).
We’ll use this artwork across our work – our offices, policy documents, reports, as a symbol of the cultural connections that influence the work we do with Aboriginal communities in Victoria and what we can all learn from the thousands of years of knowledge and wisdom contained in the lands we all live.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On June 24, 2025, the State University of Management Assembly Hall hosted a solemn awards ceremony for the winners of the International Patriotic Competition “Family History. Immortal Memory”.
Opening the award ceremony, the rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev reported that 745 applications from 1,443 people from 66 regions of Russia and 5 regions of Belarus were received for the competition.
“Our university initiated the competition, which we have been working on for six months. GUU is closely connected with the Great Patriotic War, because in 1941 many of our students, teachers and even representatives of the university administration voluntarily went to defend the Motherland. Many of them, even the majority, died in the battles for Moscow, to which the memorial in our yard is dedicated. That is why the theme of the competition is so important for us, because every family in one sense or another took part in that war, if not in direct combat, then in providing the front with everything necessary. This was not only our war, it was a fight for the life and freedom of all mankind,” said Vladimir Stroyev.
The Chairperson of the Coordination Council of the League of Higher Education Teachers, Elena Lyapuntsova, admitted that it was difficult, sensitive and responsible to evaluate the competition entries.
“All the participants are great, but a competition is a competition, let the losers not be upset, because the main thing is that you were able to tell the whole country about your relatives. If we do not know history, then we will have no future, so it is doubly important to pass on to the next generations not only the information from textbooks, but also your family, personal stories,” noted the Chairperson of the Coordination Council of the League of Higher Education Teachers.
Elena Lyapuntsova also thanked the State University of Management for its cooperation and invited everyone to the All-Russian Forum of Higher Education Teachers, the first day of which, like last year, will be held at the State University of Management, and also announced free advanced training courses for teachers, including on project activities.
A welcoming letter from State Duma deputy Biysultan Khamzaev was read by his assistant Natalya Belova. In it, the deputy emphasized the importance of patriotic initiatives for the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory and noted that such competitions inspire young people to study history, and also wished further creative success to the participants and organizers.
Competition results
Nomination: “Best Video” (students aged 18 to 25): 1st place – “A Soldier’s Feat”, team of Kuzma Dashchenko, Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics; 2nd place – “There Are Twenty Million of Us Unforgotten”, Ksenia Kovalenko, N.M. Fedorovsky Polar State University; 3rd place – “When the Poppies Bloom”, team of Victoria Spanake, Kazan branch of the All-Russian State University of Justice (RPA of the Ministry of Justice of Russia).
Nomination: “Best Video” (young teachers aged 18 to 35): 1st place – “Until the Next Waltz”, Grigory Sotnikov’s team, Siberian Federal University; 2nd place – “Letter from a Peer”, Maria Brokar’s team, Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University; 3rd place – “The Holy Name of My Great-Grandfather”, Sofia Atrokhova, Moscow Finance and Law University MFUA.
Nomination: “Best Video” (young teachers aged 35 and above): 1st place – “Generation of the Unconquered”, Anna Bychkova, A.S. Pushkin State Institute of the Russian Language; 2nd place – “1941. Evacuation. Memories of E.A. Kosyreva”, Lyubov Belyaeva’s team, N.V. Vereshchagin Vologda State Dairy Farming Academy; 3rd place – “Turning the Pages of Memory”, Yulia Morudenko, N.F. Katanov Khakass State University.
Nomination: “Best Literary Work” (students aged 18 to 25): 1st place – “The Last Letter”, Aleksey Zemsky, Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin; 2nd place – “From My Grandmother’s Wartime Childhood”, Olesya Taras, Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin; 3rd place – “A Letter from Grandmother Hannah”, Maria Karabun and Sofia Antonova, Belarusian State University.
Nomination: “Best Literary Work” (young teachers aged 18 to 35): 1st place – “Step, Step, Another Step!”, Ekaterina Bugrysheva, Russian State University for the Humanities; 2nd place – “Frontline Album of My Family”, Natalia Bogoslovskaya, Lipetsk State Pedagogical University named after P. P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky; 3rd place – “Where the Steel Was Tempered”, Maxim Sokolov, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI.
Nomination: “Best Literary Work” (young teachers aged 35 and above): 1st place – “Childhood Scorched by War”, Elena Fayzieva, Elektrostal branch of Moscow Polytechnic University; 2nd place – “Petka’s Childhood”, Iya Suslova, International Innovation University; 3rd place – “The Last Battle of Red Army Soldier Bogdan”, Marina Borisova, Yaroslav the Wise Novgorod State University.
The competition was organized by the State University of Management and the Moscow City Branch of the Russian Military Historical Society with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation under the auspices of the activities of the Association of Student Patriotic Clubs “I am proud”.
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.
Legislation strengthening independent monitoring and oversight of the children’s system will help better protect young New Zealanders.
The Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation passed its third reading in Parliament tonight and also gives visibility to the advocacy role of a single Children’s Commissioner.
“By returning to a single Children’s Commissioner, the Bill also makes it crystal clear to children and young people who their advocate is.
“These changes intend to build public trust in independent monitoring and advocacy and improve governance of the oversight of the children’s system by clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the agencies that oversee it.” Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.
The Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Bill amends the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022 and Children and Young People’s Commission Act 2022, specifically to transition:
the Monitor from a departmental agency to an independent Crown entity with a small multi-member board; and
the Children and Young People’s Commission from an independent Crown entity led by a multi-member board to an independent Crown entity led by a single Children’s Commissioner.
“This Bill fulfils a commitment from the ACT-National Coalition agreement and responds to feedback on previous reforms to the oversight of the children’s system in 2022. There is significant public support to strengthen the oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, and these changes will contribute to that,” Louise Upston says.
“The changes will take effect from 1 August 2025, making it clear to children, young people and their families that the Monitor is independent and separate from government, and that the Children’s Commissioner will advocate effectively for all children and young people.”
The Monitor’s current Chief Executive, Arran Jones, will remain in his role from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026 to oversee and support the organisation’s transition.
Current Chief Commissioner of the Children and Young People’s Commission Board, Dr Claire Achmad, also will continue in her role for one year from 1 August 2025.
“Dr Achmad is a respected voice for children and young people. I am confident that she will ensure the interests and concerns of children and young people will continue to be heard in this role,” Louise Upston says.
“During the Committee stage, an important addition to the Bill was made to strengthen accountability for agencies that are the subject of specific reports by the Monitor, by requiring additional reporting measures.
“This additional reporting will give Ministers the ability to take decisive action earlier to ensure relevant agencies are improving compliance and enhancing the wellbeing of children and young people in care.”
Notes to editors:
Under the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022, the Oranga Tamariki system includes several government agencies and their contracted partners that are responsible for providing services or support to children, young people, and their families and whānau.
This includes Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children, Police, the Ministries of Health, Social Development, Education, and Justice, and the Department of Corrections.
The Children and Young People’s Commission Act 2022 established the Children and Young People’s Commission, equipping it with the functions, duties, and powers to protect and advocate for the interests and wellbeing of all children under 18 years old and young people over 18 and under 25 years old who are in care or have been in care or custody.
The Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022 established the Independent Children’s Monitor as the monitoring agency of the Oranga Tamariki system and appointed the Ombudsman to investigate issues and handle complaints that relate to services of support delivered by Oranga Tamariki or other care and/or custody providers.
The Bill does not propose any changes to the roles and responsibilities of the Independent Children’s Monitor, the Children’s Commissioner, or the Ombudsman (in relation to complaints that relate to the Oranga Tamariki system).
The cost of implementing these changes will be met by reallocating existing funding.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
The ACT Government is progressing critical infrastructure planning to ensure ACT Policing can continue to meet the needs of our growing city and keep our community safe.
A Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) will be issued by Infrastructure Canberra (iCBR) this week for third parties interested in providing property options and solutions to replace City Police Station and Winchester Headquarters.
Over $3.8 million has been allocated to plan the new infrastructure.
It is intended that both new facilities will be situated in the city precinct to ensure strong functional links to ACT Courts, ACT Government buildings and the Australian Federal Police.
iCBR has identified suppliers within the target area and will release invitations to submit an expression of interest to them this week.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson said the new facilities will support ACT Policing service levels, operational efficiency and business continuity, ensuring Canberrans have appropriate access to policing services when needed.
“It is the ACT Government’s priority to deliver modern facilities that support ACT Policing to meet the needs of our growing city and keep the community safe,” Dr Paterson said.
“This is an important step forward, and we look forward to seeing innovative proposals through the EOI process that will help shape the future of policing infrastructure in Canberra.”
Chief Police Officer for the ACT, Deputy Commissioner Scott Lee said he appreciates the positive progress being made and the significant investment by the ACT Government on critical infrastructure for ACT Policing.
“The approach to market is a significant milestone to consider options to ensure that ACT Policing has a modern, fit for purpose headquarters facility and City Police Station that enables us to meet the needs of the Canberra community well into the future” said Chief Police Officer Lee.
“These buildings will have modern workspaces to support the health and wellbeing of our people, combined with specialist facilities that enable best practice support to victims and responses to crime. They will support our dedicated workforce as they strive to keep the community safe.”
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 25 (Xinhua) — An international academic conference dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War is being held at Heilongjiang University in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, from June 23 to 25, the Zhongxinshe News Agency reported.
The event, with the main theme “Archives and the Memory of War Trauma,” brought together experts in archival science and history from China and Russia to discuss the key role of archival documents in recording, preserving and transmitting the memory of war trauma.
“Archives are faithful witnesses of history, carrying the memory of the trauma caused by war,” said Cui Benqiang, vice-president of Heilongjiang University.
Yuan Lili, secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Information Management of Heilongjiang University, said experts and scholars are discussing the role of archives in preserving and transmitting the memory of war trauma from various aspects, making their contribution to the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War.
The event also featured speeches from scholars from Blagoveshchensk State Pedagogical University, Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, Harbin Institute of Technology, the Museum of Crime Evidence of Unit 731, etc. -0-
Police are seeking assistance from the public to locate a Maremma who was dog-napped from an eastern suburbs backyard in the early hours of Tuesday.
Just after midnight Tuesday 24 June, a white three-year-old Maremma sheepdog was stolen from a home on Ashbrook Avenue at Payneham. CCTV captures a woman in the area at the time of and in the hours prior to the incident who may be able to assist police with locating Alfredo.
The woman is described as Caucasian, medium build with brown shoulder length hair and was seen wearing a dark top with brown pants. She was driving a white Toyota Echo two-door hatch.
If you know this woman, spot Alfredo or have any information about this incident, please contact police. You can anonymously provide information to Crime Stoppers online at https://crimestopperssa.com.au or free call 1800 333 000.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Beijing on Tuesday.
Xi congratulated Wong on his second term in office. Noting that this year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, Xi highlighted that the two sides have consistently upheld mutual understanding and respect, which has provided a solid foundation for the stable and healthy development of bilateral relations.
Cooperation between the two countries has aligned with China’s development priorities at various stages, yielding substantial outcomes such as the Suzhou Industrial Park, significantly contributing to each country’s modernization efforts, and also setting a benchmark for cooperation among regional nations, Xi noted.
He called on both sides to draw experience and wisdom from the development process of bilateral relations, inherit and carry forward fine traditions, and enable the tree of China-Singapore friendship to thrive and bear abundant fruits.
Xi emphasized that China and Singapore should firmly grasp the general direction of bilateral friendship, and continuously observe and develop China-Singapore relations from a strategic height and a long-term perspective.
He called for consolidating the political foundation of China-Singapore friendship, supporting each other’s core interests and major concerns, and enhancing political mutual trust to facilitate the development of bilateral relations.
China welcomes Singapore’s continued deep engagement in China’s development, Xi said, calling on both sides to promote Belt and Road cooperation, create landmark achievements in areas such as digital economy, green development and artificial intelligence, promote the improvement and upgrading of major projects, and continue to write a new chapter in high-quality cooperation.
Both sides should encourage frequent people-to-people exchanges to deepen cultural exchanges and cooperation and strengthen the popular support for China-Singapore friendship, Xi said.
China has always believed that peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit are the unstoppable trend of the times, Xi said, adding that the world must not revert to hegemonism or be dragged back to the law of the jungle.
China is willing to work with Singapore to stand on the right side of history and uphold fairness and justice, and jointly advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, Xi added.
Wong said that Singapore and China share a deep-rooted and enduring friendship, and the two sides have always respected and trusted each other, ensuring the stable development of bilateral relations and close cooperation.
Singapore will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and oppose “Taiwan independence,” Wong said.
Singapore stands ready to fully leverage the opportunities brought about by China’s prosperity and development, expand bilateral trade and investment, enhance cooperation in digital economy, artificial intelligence, new energy and other fields, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and advance Singapore-China relations to new heights, Wong said.
In the face of a turbulent global landscape, Singapore is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China on regional and multilateral platforms to jointly uphold multilateralism and the international order, Wong added.
Met Police officers have arrested 10 people as part of an investigation into a series of robberies at phone shops in London and across the south of England.
Flying Squad detectives worked to identify an organised crime group believed to be behind 13 robberies between February and early June.
The arrests are part of the Met’s continued focus on tackling phone robbery and theft across London. As well as targeting organised gangs, officers have also increased patrols in phone snatch hotspot areas.
The Met took on the investigation after identifying a number of similar incidents where suspects stole thousands of pounds worth of new phones from secure store rooms at high street phone stores.
Staff reported being threatened by the suspects who often had their faces covered and were sometimes armed with weapons.
On Thursday, 19 June eight men, aged between 20 and 31, and two 17-year-old boys were arrested at addresses in London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery.
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Hillier, who is leading the investigation from the Met’s Flying Squad, said:
“Phone robbery has boomed globally, and London is not immune. There is a concerted effort by criminal gangs to steal phones and sell them overseas as part of a multi-million-pound industry.
“The Met is catching more of these criminals and operations such as this are vital to disrupting offenders who cause fear and misery to shop workers and communities.”
They were charged and remanded in custody with conspiracy to commit robbery.
The Met continues to focus on tackling phone theft across London with increased patrols in hotspot areas and better use of technology to identify perpetrators. A recent two-week focus on prolific offenders resulted in 292 arrests across London.
Details of the offences
Staines High Street on Saturday, 1 March Ilford High Street on Wednesday, 19 March Mare Street in Hackney on Sunday, 23 March St Benedict’s Court in Huntingdon on Friday, 4 April Orpington High Street on Friday, 25 April London Road in East Grinstead on Tuesday, 29 April Alton High Street on Saturday, 10 May Pier Avenue in Clacton-on-Sea Sunday, 11 May West Street in Horsham on Saturday, 17 May The Broadway in St Alban’s on Monday, 2 June Tavern Street in Ipswich on Thursday, 5 June Stamford High Street in Lincolnshire on Friday, 13 June Market Street in Eastleigh on Friday, 13 June
A new way for Londoners to hear about policing in their area is being rolled out by the Met.
Local officers will use Met Engage to provide crime prevention advice, updates on ongoing incidents and investigations, and information about successful outcomes and operations.
The new documentary film Joh: The Last King of Queensland offers a dramatised account of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s premiership from 1968 to 1987.
Directed by Kriv Stenders, using reenactments (Bjelke-Petersen is played by Richard Roxburgh), archival footage and contemporary interviews, the film portrays him as a complex and polarising figure.
We are given a man who is socially conservative, economically ambitious and politically divisive. A man who profoundly shaped Queensland’s governance and development.
But while the film effectively captures his popular appeal and role in the state’s economic transformation, it simplifies key aspects of his political ascent.
In particular, it doesn’t capture the complexities of electoral mechanics, internal party maneuvering and the influence of the public service.
National Party dominance
We start with Bjelke-Petersen’s rural upbringing. Stenders emphasises the formative impact of his Lutheran faith, personal abstinence, strong work ethic and family values. These would be foundational to his leadership style.
Roxburgh highlights Bjelke-Petersen’s rhetorical simplicity. He presented himself as an advocate for “ordinary” Queenslanders, especially in rural and conservative communities.
A central critique of Bjelke-Petersen was his manipulation of Queensland’s electoral system.
The film illustrates how electoral malapportionment advantaged rural constituencies, fuelling the National Party’s dominance. But this treatment lacks nuance.
Richard Roxburgh plays Joh Bjelke-Petersen, highlighting his rhetorical simplicity. Stan
Former MP David Byrne’s claim that Bjelke-Petersen remained premier solely due to the electoral system is presented uncritically.
The National Party outpolled the Liberals from 1977 on. Labor failed to win a statewide majority until 1989, under boundaries drawn by Bjelke-Petersen’s administration in 1986.
While Roxburgh’s character mentions this legacy, his claim that there was “not a peep” of dissent overlooks sustained criticism from opposition leader Frank Nicklin throughout the 1950s.
The party apparatus
The film omits several key figures whose contributions were instrumental to the success of the Bjelke-Petersen era.
The organisational acumen of National Party president Robert Sparkes and state secretary Mike Evans played a critical role in constructing a highly efficient party apparatus.
Through the coordination of financial resources and the strategic mobilisation of grassroots support, Sparkes and Evans substantially reinforced Bjelke-Petersen’s leadership and electoral resilience.
Also excluded are prominent members of the premier’s personal staff, such as media advisor Allen Callaghan and policy researcher Wendy Armstrong. Both contributed significantly to shaping public messaging and policy development.
Bjelke-Petersen was premier of Queensland from 1968 to 1987. Stan
We do not hear about the contributions of senior public servants such as Sydney Schubert, coordinator-general, and Leo Hielscher, under-treasurer.
Schubert was instrumental in expediting infrastructure development across the state. Hielscher ensured Queensland maintained its AAA credit rating and successfully attracted international investment.
These administrative achievements were central to the state’s economic growth.
Bjelke-Petersen was frequently detached from the formal processes of cabinet and Westminster governance. But his reliance on a capable and loyal bureaucracy underscores a distinct, if unconventional, mode of operation.
This model, characterised by strong administrative delegation, contributed to the longevity and effectiveness of his premiership.
Winning seats, suppressing rights
The film addresses his opposition to the Whitlam government and his promotion of states’ rights. Both cemented his popularity. It highlights his decision to abolish death duties – a move that allowed him to present a low-tax, pro-development agenda.
Bjelke-Petersen’s authoritarian style is explored through archival footage of the 1971 protests during South Africa’s rugby tour of Australia. But the film fails to contextualise electoral reaction.
The government won seats, including central Brisbane and Maryborough, in by-elections held at the height of the protest activity.
His later suppression of civil liberties, particularly against students, unions and Indigenous activists, is acknowledged.
Corruption flourished under Bjelke-Petersen’s administration due to insufficient oversight and a permissive political culture. Stan
The depiction of the “Joh for PM” campaign presents it as a significant strategic miscalculation. Stenders illustrates the limits of Bjelke-Petersen’s political judgement beyond the state level.
Investigative journalist Chris Masters is interviewed about his role in creating the Four Corners exposé which served as a catalyst for the Fitzgerald Inquiry (1987–89).
This inquiry uncovered extensive political and police corruption. It exposed entrenched institutional malpractice, and contributed decisively to the erosion of Bjelke-Petersen’s political legitimacy.
Such corruption was longstanding and predated Bjelke-Petersen’s tenure. It flourished under his administration due to insufficient oversight and a permissive political culture.
Emotional resonance, but not fully nuanced
While the film suggests that Bjelke-Petersen was never personally corrupt (and he was never convicted of any criminal offence) it omits a pivotal episode in his political downfall.
According to journalist Matthew Condon, Springwood MP Huan Fraser publicly accused the Premier of corruption during a 1987 National Party meeting.
Fraser’s confrontation, reportedly triggered by Bjelke-Petersen’s push to approve what was then the world’s tallest building, marked a significant rupture within the party.
The proposed project symbolised growing concerns about impropriety and unchecked executive power during his premiership.
Joh: The Last King of Queensland succeeds in capturing the emotional resonance of Bjelke-Petersen’s political persona. But it stops short of delivering a fully nuanced account.
His legacy continues to polarise. To supporters, he remains a visionary who championed economic growth and conservative values. To critics, he presided over an era of democratic erosion, civil rights suppression and entrenched corruption.
His story reflects the enduring tension between executive authority and democratic accountability in modern Australian political history.
Joh: The Last King of Queensland is on Stan now.
John Mickel does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Police have arrested and charged a man over a fatal crash in Rotorua on 15 June.
Police conducted search warrants in Hamilton and Rotorua today, which led to the arrest of a 31-year-old Hamilton man. He was arrested at a property in Hamilton.
The arrest relates to the crash on Edmund Road, Rotorua on 15 June that killed a 24-year-old Rotorua man.
“We are glad to get this result and hope it provides some relief to the family,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen.
“We still have a long way to go, but today’s arrest marks an important milestone in our investigation, and the public has played a significant part in today’s arrest.
“What happened on 15 June was a tragedy and was felt through our community, and I want to thank everyone who has assisted us throughout the investigation.”
The man is due to appear in Hamilton District Court on Thursday 26 June, charged with manslaughter, failing to stop to ascertain injury or death, and driving while disqualified.
ENDS
Notes for media:
The family of the victim ask for privacy at this time.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Police have arrested a 48-year-old male in relation to an attempted sexual assault in Darwin City on Saturday afternoon.
Around 1:30pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that a man was attempting to sexually assault a woman on Peel Street.
A short-time later, Darwin general duties officers responded and arrested a 48-year-old man nearby.
The victim and offender are not believed to be known to each other.
He has since been charged with Attempted sexual intercourse without consent, Aggravated assault and Indecent touching or act and remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court 20 August 2025.
Detective Acting Sergeant Tanya Holliday said, “This was a despicable act in broad daylight.
“I would like to commend the community for coming forward and reporting the incident.
“We continue to urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference number NTP2500063293. Anonymous reports can be made via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
The number seven is widely considered to be lucky across many cultures, and today seven new Police Security Officers (PSO) graduated from the South Australia Police Academy’s Qualification Program 7!
While hard work, determination and skill, rather than luck, saw today’s graduates successfully complete weeks of training, the new PSOs feel lucky to play a vital role in safeguarding the community.
Six men and one woman bring a wealth of valuable employment experience to the role, including from retail, sales, truck driving, and hospitality.
Before joining SAPOL, Scarlett worked in various roles including in retail, working as a barista while studying a Bachelor of Science.
“I was drawn to the variety of PSO roles, and the idea of every day being different,” she said.
When reflecting on the academy experience, the new PSO valued her course mates.
“We would encourage each other whenever any of us struggled with anything,” Scarlett said.
“We would catchup out of work to build up our rapport and become closer as a team.
“The mentors, as well as your course mates are always there to support you if you are ever concerned about anything.”
Fellow graduate Tynan studied and completed a Bachelor of Criminology at Flinders University before joining SAPOL.
“I studied this due to my interest in crime rehabilitation of offenders,” he said.
“This study exposed me to the world of law enforcement and was a major contributor as to why I wanted to join SAPOL.”
Tynan has a passion for football, which has developed his teamwork skills – of great value in this new role.
He was attracted to SAPOL knowing that every day has the potential to be new and different, and he hopes to one day become a police officer.
“SAPOL offers many pathways and extensive opportunities to branch off into different aspects of the organisation,” he added.
“As a PSO, the variety of working in the cells, working at static sites, and conducting patrols is an attractive aspect of the role.”
Today’s PSO graduates will be posted to Police Security Services Branch (PSSB), in the District Support Section.
SAPOL is currently recruiting for Police Security Officers and is keen to hear from people who are committed to the state’s safety and security.
If you are looking for job security, career progression pathways and a chance to make a real difference in local communities visit Achievemore – Join Us (police.sa.gov.au)
Tynan and Scarlett are among seven new Police Security Officers to graduate today from the South Australia Police Academy.
Broadcast journalist Antoinette Lattouf was sacked by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) for her political opinions concerning the war in Gaza, the Federal Court has found.
Lattouf has been awarded $70,000 in damages for non-economic loss, based on findings that her sacking caused her what the judge called “great distress”.
Justice Darryl Rangiah said this was obvious from her demeanour in the witness box. She had given evidence of feeling shock and humiliation at being sacked, and that this had affected her sleep and put strain on her personal relationships.
However, the court found Lattouf’s race or ethnicity had played no part in the ABC’s decision to sack her, as she had claimed.
The decision to sack her had been made by Chris Oliver-Taylor, who at the time was chief content officer of the ABC. His decision had been fortified by the views of the then managing director and editor-in-chief of the ABC, David Anderson, that Lattouf had expressed antisemitic opinions.
The court found Oliver-Taylor was under pressure from many sources: the external complaints, Anderson’s view of the matter, and the wishes of the then chair Ita Buttrose to put an end to it.
There was also a desire to appease the pro-Israel lobby, to defend the ABC’s reputation for impartiality, and to mitigate the impact of a story that he knew The Australian newspaper was about the publish on the issue.
The case arose from events that occurred in December 2023.
The ABC hired Lattouf, a journalist of Lebanese heritage, as a relief presenter on the mornings program of Sydney ABC Radio for one week leading up to Christmas. The mornings program consisted of light entertainment interspersed with hourly news bulletins. It did not otherwise offer news or current affairs content.
Lattouf had worked for the ABC previously and was well-regarded inside the organisation. Her appointment was uncontroversial among those involved in making it, and she started work on Monday December 18.
Before this stint began, Lattouf had made a series of personal social media posts accusing Israeli soldiers of using rape as a weapon of war. Then, early in the week she was on air, she posted on her personal social media profile a report by Human Rights Watch alleging Israel was using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. A few days earlier, the ABC had also posted this report on its own website.
Like the ABC, Lattouf posted it without comment.
However, an orchestrated campaign by the Jewish lobby to have her taken off air had already begun, on the basis of what she had previously published on her private social media account, and Justice Rangiah observed that this had caused consternation among senior ABC management.
This consternation turned to panic after the posting of the Human Rights Watch report, and the campaign intensified. A coordinated email campaign by a pro-Israel lobbying group called “Lawyers for Israel”, and another group called “J.E.W.I.S.H creatives and academics”, demanded Lattouf be sacked, threatening legal action if she was not.
Messages from a WhatsApp group leaked to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age showed that in this way, the campaigners put intense pressure on the ABC’s most senior officers at the time, Anderson and Buttrose.
On December 20, Lattouf was told when she came off air she would not be required for the final two days of her engagement. The Fair Work Commission subsequently found this amounted to sacking her. She then sued the ABC in the Federal Court for unlawful termination, alleging she had been dismissed because of her race and political views.
When the matter came before the Federal Court in February 2025, the ABC argued she had been dismissed not because of her race or political views but because she had disobeyed a lawful instruction not to post anything “controversial” on social media while working for the ABC.
The ABC alleged her act of disobedience was the posting of the Human Rights Watch report. In the course of the proceedings, emails between Anderson and Buttrose were admitted into evidence. They showed Buttrose telling Anderson she was “over” getting these complaints about Lattouf, and asking “can’t she come down with flu or COVID or a stomach upset? We owe her nothing.”
Giving evidence during the court hearing, Buttrose said she had proposed this as a face-saving device for Lattouf’s benefit.
In making a formal determination that Lattouf had been terminated, Justice Rangiah dismissed the ABC’s argument that she had simply been told there would be no work for her on the final two days of her contracted period of employment.
He also found Lattouf had not been instructed not to post on her social media account but had merely been told she would be ill-advised to publish anything “controversial” while on air.
In dismissing Lattouf for her political opinions, the ABC breached section 772 of the Fair Work Act, and by depriving her of an opportunity to defend herself before dismissing her it also breached the ABC’s enterprise bargaining agreement.
The question of whether the ABC should suffer a financial penalty for these breaches will be decided at a later date.
It was evident throughout the proceedings that the ABC had been concerned not just to put an end to the complaints about Lattouf but to protect the organisation’s reputation for impartiality.
In the event, the way the case was handled has done substantial damage to the ABC’s reputation, not just for impartiality but for its capacity to stand up for its journalists and presenters when they come under external attack.
Lattouf is one of several journalists whom the ABC has failed to defend from attacks by politicians, pressure groups and News Corporation. The latter’s flagship newspaper, The Australian, has conducted virulent campaigns against ABC journalists, most notably Stan Grant, as well as Lattouf and others.
The managerial consternation and panic observed by Justice Rangiah in Lattouf’s case were discernible also in the Grant case and in the way the ABC handled the controversy over star journalist Laura Tingle’s observation at a writer’s festival that Australia was a racist country.
This is a cultural weakness in the ABC. Its editorial leadership seems not to understand that the first duty of an editor is to create a safe space in which their staff can do good journalism.
It is a malaise that goes back at least as far as the 2018 debacle in which a former chair, Justin Milne, and former managing director, Michelle Guthrie, showed themselves susceptible to pressure from the Turnbull government.
Both resigned within a few days of each other after a stream of sensational allegations leaked to the press about Milne allegedly calling on Guthrie to fire the chief economics correspondent, Emma Alberici, and the political editor, Andrew Probyn.
Perhaps the Lattouf case will at last stiffen their sinews and make standing up for their journalists a primary qualification for editorial leadership.
The Lattouf case also leaves unresolved the question of the extent to which a media organisation is entitled to place restrictions on a staff journalist’s private activities to protect its interests and reputation.
Denis Muller does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
In our guides to the classics, experts explain key literary works.
Ibn Battuta, was born in Tangier, Morocco, on February 24, 1304. From a statement in his celebrated travel book the Rihla (“legal affairs are my ancestral profession,”) he evidently came from an intellectually distinguished family.
According to the Rihla (travelogue), Ibn Battuta embarked on his travels from Tangier at the age of 22 with the intention of performing the Hajj (the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca) in 1325. Although he returned to Fez (his adopted home-town) around the end of 1349, he continued to visit various regions, including Granada and Sudan, in subsequent years.
Over the course of his almost 30 years of travel, Ibn Battuta covered an astonishing distance of approximately 73,000 miles (117,000 kilometres), visiting a region that today encompasses more than 50 countries. His journeys covered much of the medieval Islamic world and beyond, excluding Northern Europe.
In 1355, he returned to Morocco for the last time and remained there for the rest of his life. Upon his return he dictated his experiences, observations and anecdotes to the Andalusian scholar Ibn Juzayy, with a compilation of his travels completed in 1355 or 1356.
The work, formally titled A Gift to Researchers on the Curiosities of Cities and the Marvels of Journeys, is more commonly referred to as Rihlat Ibn Battuta or simply Rihla.
A painting of Ibn Battuta (on right) in Egypt by Leon Benett. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY
More than a travelogue or geographical record, this book provides rich insights into 14th-century social and political life, capturing cultural diversity across nations. Ibn Battuta details local lifestyles, linguistic traits, beliefs, clothing, cuisines, holidays, artistic traditions and gender relations, as well as commercial activities and currencies.
His observations also include geographical features such as mountains, rivers and agricultural products. Notably, the work highlights his encounters with over 60 sultans and more than 2,000 prominent figures, making it a valuable historical resource.
The travels
His travels began after a dream. According to Ibn Battuta, one night, while in Fuwwa, a town near Alexandria in Egypt, he dreamed of flying on a massive bird across various lands, landing in a dark, greenish country.
To test the local sheikh’s mystical knowledge, he decided if the sheikh knew of his dream, he was truly extraordinary. The next morning, after leading the dawn prayer, he saw the sheikh bid farewell to visitors. Later, the sheikh astonishingly revealed knowledge of Ibn Battuta’s dream and prophesied his pilgrimage through Yemen, Iraq, Turkey and India.
At the time, the Middle East was under the rule of the Mamluk sultanate, Anatolia was divided among principalities and the Mongol Ilkhanate state controlled Iran, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
Ibn Battuta initially travelled through North Africa, Egypt, Palestine and Syria, completing his first Hajj in 1326.
He then visited Iraq and Iran, returning to Mecca. In 1328, he explored East Africa, reaching Mogadishu, Mombasa, Sudan and Kilwa (modern Tanzania), as well as Yemen, Oman and Anatolia, where he documented cities like Alanya, Konya, Erzurum, Nicaea and Bursa.
His descriptions are vivid. Describing the city of Dimyat, on the bank of the Nile, he says:
Many of the houses have steps leading down to the Nile. Banana trees are especially abundant there, and their fruit is carried to Cairo in boats. Its sheep and goats are allowed to pasture at liberty day and night, and for this reason the saying goes of Dimyat, ‘Its wall is a sweetmeat and its dogs are sheep’. No one who enters the city may afterwards leave it except by the governor’s seal […]
Farmland on the banks of the Nile river today. Alice-D/shutterstock
When it comes to Anatolia (in modern-day Turkey), he declares:
This country, known as the Land of Rum, is the most beautiful in the world. While Allah Almighty has distributed beauty to other lands separately, He has gathered them all here. The most beautiful and well-dressed people live in this land, and the most delicious food is prepared here […] From the moment we arrived, our neighbors — both men and women — showed great concern for our wellbeing. Here, women do not shy away from men; when we departed, they bid us farewell as if we were family, expressing their sadness through tears.
A judge and husband
In 1332, Ibn Battutua met the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos III Palaiologos. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY
Since Ibn Battuta dictated his work, it’s difficult to assess the extent of the scribe’s influence in recording his narratives. Despite being an educated man, he occasionally narrates like a commoner and sometimes exceeds the bounds of polite language. At times, he provides excessive detail, giving the impression he may be quoting from sources beyond his own observations.
Nevertheless, the Rihla stands out for its engaging style and captivating anecdotes, drawing readers in.
Ibn Battuta later journeyed through Crimea, Central Asia, Khwarezm (a large oasis region in the territories of present-day Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), Bukhara (a city in Uzbekistan), and the Hindu Kush Mountains. In 1332, he met Byzantine Emperor Andronikos III Palaiologos and travelled to Istanbul with the caravan of Uzbek Khan’s third wife. He mentions a caravan that even has a market:
Whenever the caravan halted, food was cooked in great brass cauldrons, called dasts, and supplied from them to the poorer pilgrims and those who had no provisions. […] This caravan contained also animated bazaars and great supplies of luxuries and all kinds of food and fruit. They used to march during the night and light torches in front of the file of camels and litters, so that you saw the countryside gleaming with light and the darkness turned into radiant day.
Ibn Battuta arrived in Delhi in 1333, where he served as a judge under Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq for seven years. He married or was married to local women in many of the places he stayed. Among his wives were ordinary people as well as the daughters of the administrative class.
Miniature painting in Mughal style depicting the court of Muhammad bin Tughluq. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY
The Sultan’s generosity, intelligence and unconventional ruling style both impressed and surprised Ibn Battuta. However, Muhammad bin Tughluq was known for making excessively harsh and abrupt decisions at times, which led Ibn Battuta to approach him with caution. Nevertheless, with the Sultan’s support, he remained in India for a long time and was eventually chosen as an ambassador to China in 1341.
In 1345 his mission was disrupted when his ship capsized off the coast of Calcutta (then known as Sadqawan) in the Indian Ocean. Though he survived, he lost most of his possessions.
After the incident, he remained in India for a while before continuing his journey by other means. During this period, he travelled through India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. He served as a judge in the latter for one and a half years. In 1345, he journeyed to China via Bengal, Burma and Sumatra, reaching the city of Guangzhou but limiting his exploration to the southern coast.
He was among the first Arab travellers to record Islam’s spread in the Malay Archipelago, noting interactions between Muslims and Hindu-Buddhist communities. Visiting Java and Sumatra, he praised Sultan Malik al-Zahir of Sumatra as a generous, pious and scholarly ruler and highlighted his rare practice of walking to Friday prayers.
On his return, Ibn Battuta explored regions such as Iran, Iraq, North Africa, Spain and the Kingdom of Mali, documenting the vast Islamic world.
Back in his homeland, Ibn Battuta served as a judge in several locations. He died around 1368-9 while serving as a judge in Morocco and was buried in his birthplace, Tangier.
Historic copy of selected parts of the Travel Report by Ibn Battuta, 1836 CE, Cairo. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY
The status of women
Ibn Battuta’s travels revealed intriguing insights into the status of women across regions. In inner West Africa, he observed matriarchal practices where lineage and inheritance were determined by the mother’s family.
Among Turks, women rode horses like raiders, traded actively and did not veil their faces.
In the Maldives, husbands leaving the region had to abandon their wives. He noted that Muslim women there, including the ruling woman, did not cover their heads. Despite attempting to enforce the hijab as a judge, he failed.
He offers fascinating insights into food cultures. In Siberia, sled dogs were fed before humans. He described 15-day wedding feasts in India.
He tried local produce such as mango in the Indian subcontinent, which he compared to an apple, and sun-dried, sliced fish in Oman.
Religious practices
Ibn Battuta’s accounts of the Hajj (pilgrimage) rituals he performed six times provide a unique perspective. He references a fatwa by Ibn Taymiyyah, prominent Islamic scholar and theologian known for his opposition to theological innovations and critiques of Sufism and philosophy, advising against shortening prayers for those travelling to Medina.
Ibn Battuta’s accounts, particularly regarding the Iranian region, offer important perspectives into religious sects during a period when Iran started shifting from Sunnism to Shiism. He describes societies with diverse demographics, including Persians, Azeris, Kurds, Arabs and Baluchis. His observations on religious practices are especially significant.
Inclined toward Sufism, Ibn Battuta often dressed like a dervish during his travels. He offers a compelling view of Islamic mysticism. He considered regions like Damascus as places of abundance and Anatolia as a land of compassion, interpreting them with a spiritual perspective.
His accounts of Sufi education, dervish lodges, zawiyas (similar to monasteries), and tombs, along with the special invocations of Sufi masters, are important historical records. He also observed and documented unique practices, such as the followers of the Persian Sufi saint Sheikh Qutb al-Din Haydar wearing iron rings on their hands, necks, ears, and even private parts to avoid sexual intercourse.
While Ibn Battuta primarily visited Muslim lands, he also travelled to non-Muslim territories, offering key understandings into different religious cultures, for instance interactions between Crimean Muslims and Christian Armenians in the Golden Horde region.
He also documented churches, icons and monasteries, such as the tomb of the Virgin Mary in Jerusalem. His observation of Muslims openly reciting the call to prayer (adhan) in China is significant.
Other anecdotes include the division of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus into a mosque and Christian church. Most importantly, his encounters with Hindus and Buddhists in the Indian subcontinent and Malay Islands provide rich historical context.
His accounts of death rituals reveal diverse practices. In Sinop (a city in Turkey), 40 days of mourning were declared for a ruler’s mother, while in Iran, a funeral resembled a wedding celebration. He observed similarities in cremation practices between India and China and described a chilling custom in some regions where slaves and concubines were buried alive with the deceased.
Ibn Battuta’s Rihla, widely translated into Eastern and Western languages, has drawn some criticism for containing depictions that sometimes diverge from historical continuity or borrow from other works. Ibn Battuta himself admitted to using earlier travel books as references.
Despite limited recognition in older sources, the Rihla gained prominence in the West in the 19th century. His legacy remains vibrant today. Morocco declared 1996–1997 the “Year of Ibn Battuta,” and established a museum in Tangier to honour him. In Dubai, a mall is named after him.
Notably, Ibn Battuta travelled to more destinations than Marco Polo and shared a broader range of humane anecdotes, showcasing the depth and diversity of his experiences.
Ismail Albayrak does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
It’s almost a decade since San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started a worldwide trend and sparked fierce debate when he knelt during the US national anthem.
In 2016, Kaepernick refused to follow the pre-game protocol related to the national anthem and knelt instead, saying:
I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour.
Soon, many athletes and teams began “taking a knee” at sports events to express their solidarity with victims of racial injustice.
Following the intense public debate over the appropriateness of Kaepernick’s act, the ritual quickly spread worldwide, with athletes in major soccer leagues, cricket, rugby, Formula 1, top-tier tennis and the US’s Major League Baseball and National Basketball Association taking a knee.
Athletes didn’t always kneel during national anthems, with the majority kneeling at certain points pre-game.
Despite the occasional “defection” of a small number of players who would stand while their teammates knelt – such as Israel Folau in rugby league, Wilfried Zaha in soccer and Quinton de Kock in cricket – the ritual was widely embraced by teams and athletes and helped raise awareness of the issue.
Even major sports organisations notorious for prohibiting any type of political activism generally accepted the kneeling ritual. For example, soccer’s International Football Federation (FIFA) showcased kneeling as a “stand against discrimination” and as human rights advocacy.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) initially stood firm by its Rule 50, which states “no kind of demonstration or political, religious, or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas”.
But just three weeks before the 2021 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, the IOC relaxed its interpretation, and athletes were permitted to express their views in ways that included taking a knee.
A surprising turn of events
Despite permission and even encouragement from sports governing bodies, our research shows the practice is disappearing from major sports competitions.
Take soccer, for example. At the FIFA World Cup 2022, England and Wales were the only national teams that knelt at their games in Qatar.
At the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, no teams or players knelt.
The same happened at the 2024 Olympic soccer tournament in Paris.
That only a handful of teams knelt in Tokyo at the 2021 Olympics, two at the FIFA Mens’ World Cup in Qatar in 2022, none at the FIFA Womens’ World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023, and again none at the Paris 2024 Olympics indicates a growing reluctance throughout the sports world.
This surely cannot mean athletes have become indifferent to racial injustice or other forms of oppression in the interval between the late 2010s and the mid-2020s.
The explanation must be sought elsewhere. A hint was provided when Crystal Palace soccer player Zaha, the first player of colour in the UK who refused to kneel, explained:
I feel like taking the knee is degrading, because growing up my parents just let me know that I should be proud to be Black no matter what and I feel like we should just stand tall.
The explanation may therefore be, at least in part, the players’ uncomfortable feelings related to the kneeling posture.
In sociology, this bothersome state of mind is called “cognitive dissonance”: the mental conflict a person experiences in the presence of contrasting beliefs.
A history of kneeling
The body posture of kneeling is not deemed, in any culture, as expressing solidarity.
Ancient Greek and the Roman societies, on whose values Western civilisation was built, rejected kneeling as improper, even when praying to gods.
When performed outside the church, kneeling meant submission to nobility or royalty.
The significance of kneeling as humility is not limited to the Western world.
In African tribal culture, the young kneel in front of elders, and everyone kneels before the king.
In China in 1949, Chairman Mao famously proclaimed at the first plenary of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference:
From now on our nation […] will no longer be a nation subject to insult and humiliation. We have stood up.
With this in mind, kneeling may be deemed unfit at sporting events, which often feature a powerful cocktail of emotions, values and social expectations.
The inconsistency between the excitement of competition and the expectation to kneel — a gesture associated with submission and humility — likely creates a bothersome state of mind for athletes.
This potentially motivates some players to reject one of the two – in this case, the kneeling – to restore cognitive harmony.
What could replace the kneeling ritual?
After refusing, by unanimous players’ vote, to take a knee before their October 2020 game against the All Blacks, the Australian rugby union team chose instead to wear a First Nations jersey.
The same year, several teams in German soccer’s top league chose to show their support for Black Lives Matter by wearing distinctive armbands.
So it appears wearing a distinctive jersey or at least an armband is more easily accepted by modern-day athletes. This may be challenging given the governing bodies of many sports, such as FIFA, ban athletes from wearing political symbols on their clothing.
Depending on whether sports code accept this type of activism in the future, wearing suportive clothing could replace taking a knee as symbolic communication of solidarity with oppressed minorities.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Last week, one of the dark web’s most prominent drug marketplaces – Archetyp – was shut down in an international, multi-agency law enforcement operation following years of investigations. It was touted as a major policing win and was accompanied by a slick cyberpunk-themed video.
But those of us who have studied this space for years weren’t surprised. Archetyp may have been the most secure dark web market. But shutdowns like this have become a recurring feature of the dark web. And they are usually not a significant turning point.
The durability of these markets tells us that if policing responses keep following the same playbook, they will keep getting the same results. And by focusing so heavily on these hidden platforms, authorities are neglecting the growing digital harms in the spaces we all use.
One of the most popular dark web markets
Dark web markets mirror mainstream e-commerce platforms – think Amazon meets cybercrime. These are encrypted marketplaces accessed via the Tor Browser, a privacy-focused browser that hides users’ IP addresses. Buyers use cryptocurrency and escrow systems (third-party payment systems which hold funds until the transaction is complete) to anonymously purchase illicit drugs.
Usually these products are sent to the buyer by post and money transferred to the seller through the escrow system.
Archetyp launched in May 2020 and quickly grew to become one of the most popular dark web markets with an estimated total transaction volume of €250 million (A$446 million). It had more than 600,000 users worldwide and 17,000 listings consisting mainly of illicit drugs including MDMA, cocaine and methamphetamine.
Compared to its predecessors, Archetyp enforced enhanced security expectations from its users. These included an advanced encryption program known as “Pretty Good Privacy” and a cryptocurrency called Monero. Unlike Bitcoin, which records every payment on a public ledger, Monero conceals all transaction details by default which makes them nearly impossible to trace.
Despite the fact Archetyp had clearly raised the bar on security on the dark web, Operation Deep Sentinel – a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies in six countries supported by Europol and Eurojust – took down the market. The front page has now been replaced by a banner.
While these publicised take-downs feel effective, evidence has shown such interventions only have short-term impacts and the dark web ecosystem will quickly adapt.
A persistent trade
These shutdowns aren’t new. Silk Road, AlphaBay, WallStreet and Monopoly Market are all familiar names in the digital graveyard of the dark web. Before these dark web marketplaces were shutdown, they sold a range of illegal products, from drugs to firearms.
Yet still, the trade persists. New markets emerge and old users return. In some cases, established sellers on closed-down markets are welcomed onto new markets as digital “refugees” and have joining fees waived.
What current policing strategies neglect is that dark web markets are not isolated to the storefronts that are the popular target of crackdowns. These are communities stretched across dark and surface web forums which develop shared tutorials and help one another adapt to any new changes. These closures bind users together and foster a shared resilience and collective experience in navigating these environments.
Law enforcement shutdowns are also only one type of disruption that dark web communities face. Dark web market users routinely face voluntary closures (the gradual retirement of a market), exit scams (sudden closures of markets where any money in escrow is taken), or even scheduled maintenance of these markets.
Ultimately, this disruption to accessibility is not a unique event. In fact, it is routine for individual’s participating in these dark web communities, par for the course of engaging in the markets.
This ability of dark web communities to thrive in disruptions reflects how dark web market users have become experts at adapting to risks, managing disruptions and rebuilding quickly.
The other emerging issue is that current policing efforts treat dark web markets as the core threat, which might miss the wider landscape of digital harms. Illicit drug sales, for example, are promoted on social media, where platform features such as recommendation systems are affording new means of illicit drug supply.
This is all alongside the countless cases of celebrities and social media influencers caught up in crypto pump-and-dump schemes, where hype is used to artificially inflate the price of a token before the creators sell off their holdings and leave investors with worthless tokens.
This shows that while the dark web gets all the attention, it’s far from the internet’s biggest problem.
Archetyp’s takedown might make headlines, but it won’t stop the trade of illicit drugs on the dark web. It should force us to think about where harm is really happening online and whether current strategies are looking in the wrong direction.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Tasmania Police to honour Constable Keith Smith with funeral procession and guard of honour
Wednesday, 25 June 2025 – 12:57 pm.
This Friday, Tasmania Police will farewell Constable Keith Smith with full ceremonial honours in recognition of his dedicated service and the lasting impact he made both on and off duty. Western District Commander Stuart Wilkinson said community members are warmly invited to pay their respects after the funeral service. “While the service itself is not open to the public, we encourage members of the community to line the streets and join us in paying tribute to Keith as he makes his final journey,” he said. “After the service, Tasmania Police members will march in a funeral procession from the Paranaple Centre through the Guard of Honour along Victoria Parade.” “The procession will then continue to Ulverstone and pass through Victoria and Reibey Streets.” “The outpouring of kindness and support from across Tasmania and beyond over recent days has been deeply moving,” Commander Wilkinson said. “Keith was a proud member of Tasmania Police who was deeply respected by his colleagues and his community. His service and spirit will not be forgotten.” A live stream of the funeral will be available online. Community members are encouraged to observe the procession at the following times:
Devonport (from 2:30 pm): Members of the public are encouraged to line Victoria Parade (from Nicholls Street) as the procession travels along Bluff Road, up to William Street. Ulverstone (from 3:30 pm): The procession will travel past Ulverstone Police Station along Victoria Street, turn into Reibey Street, and continue to Kings Parade.
National NAIDOC Week (6-13 July) is a time for all Australians to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year’s theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities and the legacy of our ancestors.
The City of Wanneroo is running a variety of free events and activities throughout July, and the community are encouraged to get involved.
On Friday 4 July, a formal Flag Raising Ceremony will take place in the Jacaranda Amphitheatre as symbol of respect and appreciation for the City’s local Aboriginal heritage, culture and community. The event will feature a Welcome to Country by Aboriginal elder Vaughn McGuire and a special cultural performance by students from Butler College.
The City is also running series of bushtucker sessions where participants will learn about native botanicals and bushfood plants for the backyard, Nyungar culture sessions at City youth centres, and special Six Seasons Storytime sessions at Wanneroo and Clarkson libraries.
