After 37 years at the helm, fashion industry heavyweight Anna Wintour is stepping down from her position as editor-in-chief of American Vogue.
It’s not a retirement, though, as Wintour will maintain a leadership position at global fashion and lifestyle publisher Condé Nast (the owner of Vogue and other publications, such as Vanity Fair and Glamour).
Nonetheless, Wintour’s departure from the US edition of the magazine is a big moment for the fashion industry – one which she has single-handedly changed forever.
Fashion mag fever
Fashion magazines as we know them today were first formalised in the 19th century. They helped establish the “trickle down theory” of fashion, wherein trends were traditionally dictated by certain industry elites, including major magazine editors.
In Australia, getting your hands on a monthly issue meant rare exposure to the latest European or American fashion trends.
Vogue itself was established in New York in 1892 by businessman Arthur Baldwin Turnure. The magazine targeted the city’s elite class, initially covering various aspects of high-society life. In 1909, Vogue was acquired by Condé Nast. From then, the magazine increasingly cemented itself as a cornerstone of the fashion publishing.
Cover of a 1921 edition of Vogue. Wikimedia, CC BY
The period following the second world war particularly opened the doors to mass fashion consumerism and an expanding fashion magazine culture.
Wintour came on as editor of Vogue in 1988, at which point the magazine became less conservative, and more culturally significant.
Not afraid to break the mould
Fashion publishing changed as a result of Wintour’s bold editorial choices – especially when it came to the magazine’s covers. Her choices both reflected, and dictated, shifts in fashion culture.
Wintour’s first cover at Vogue, published in 1988, mixed couture garments (Christian Lacroix) with mainstream brands (stonewashed Guess jeans) – something which had never been done before. It was also the first time a Vogue cover had featured jeans at all – perfectly setting the scene for a long career spent pushing the magazine into new domains.
Wintour also pioneered the centring of celebrities (rather than just models) within fashion discourse. And while she leveraged big names such as Beyonce, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Kate Moss, Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey, she also featured rising stars as cover models – often helping propel their careers in the process.
Wintour’s legacy at Vogue involved elevating fashion from a frivolous runway to a powerful industry, which is not scared to make a statement. Nowhere is this truer than at the Met Gala, which is held each year to celebrate the opening of a new fashion exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
The event started as a simple fundraiser for the Met in 1948, before being linked to a fashion exhibit for the first time in 1974.
Wintour took over its organisation in 1995. Her focus on securing exclusive celebrity guests helped propel it to the prestigious event it is today.
This year’s theme for the event was Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. In a time where the US faces great political instability, Wintour was celebrated for her role in helping elevate Black history through the event.
Not without controversy
However, while her cultural influence can’t be doubted, Wintour’s legacy at American Vogue is not without fault.
Notably, her ongoing feud with animal rights organisation PETA – due to the her unwavering support for fur – has bubbled in the background since the heydays of the anti-fur movement.
Wintour has been targeted directly by anti-fur activists, both physically (she was hit with a tofu cream pie in 2005 while leaving a Chloe show) and through numerous protests.
This issue was never resolved. Vogue has continued to showcase and feature fur clothing, even as the social license for using animal materials starts to run out.
Fashion continues to grow increasingly political. How magazines such as Vogue will engage with this shift remains to be seen.
A changing media landscape
The rise of fashion blogging in recent decades has led to a wave of fashion influencers, with throngs of followers, who are challenging the unidirectional “trickle-down” structure of the fashion industry.
Today, social media platforms have overtaken traditional media influence both within and outside of fashion. And with this, the power of fashion editors such as Wintour is diminishing significantly.
Many words will flow regarding Wintour’s departure as editor-in-chief, but nowhere near as many as what she oversaw at the helm of the world’s biggest fashion magazine.
Rachel Lamarche-Beauchesne has been affiliated with the Animal Justice Party.
Jye Marshall does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: Supporting media development: OSCE promotes legal training for journalists in Kazakhstan
Participants work through theoretical concepts under the guidance of the expert at the legal training for journalists held in Astana, 16–17 June 2025. (OSCE/Assylbek Assylkhanov) Photo details
On 16 and 17 June in Astana as well as on 19 and 20 June 2025 in Almaty, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, in partnership with the Public Foundation “Legal Media Center” and Internews in Kazakhstan, organized two-day training workshops on “Legal Check-Up for Journalists.”
The event brought together 39 participants, including journalists from different regions of Kazakhstan, aiming to enhance their legal awareness and strengthen professional competencies in an evolving regulatory and technological environment. The workshop served as a platform to examine the practical implications of the updated Law on Mass Media, while also addressing broader challenges journalists face – such as navigating defamation and privacy legislation, understanding copyright in the digital age, and responding to the growing use of AI in media production.
Yuri Fenopetov, Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, highlighted: “Modern journalists work in conditions where technological changes are happening rapidly, and the legal and ethical burden on the profession is growing. In these conditions, it is especially important that journalists have access to up-to-date knowledge about legislation, tools for protecting their rights and responsibilities arising from the status of a professional communicator.”
The training combined theoretical presentations with practical group exercises, enabling participants to apply their knowledge through simulated case scenarios. In addition, experts covered critical aspects of journalists’ safety – both digital and physical – ethical journalism standards, and international principles on freedom of expression, offering participants tools to apply these concepts in their daily work.
Diana Okremova, Director of the Public Foundation “Legal Media Center”, emphasized the importance of such training: “Such trainings are an opportunity for journalists to strengthen their knowledge, better understand the legal nuances of the profession, and structure their work taking into account modern challenges and professional standards.”
Based on an interactive and hands-on approach, all participants successfully completed final practical assignments and are now prepared to share their knowledge with their journalist colleagues. The event also served as a space for exchanging experiences and developing practical recommendations to support sustainable improvements in media practice in Kazakhstan.
The training workshop highlights the OSCE’s commitment to supporting media freedom and strengthening journalists’ capacities to operate effectively and safely in a legal and digital environment.
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: Supporting media development: OSCE promotes legal training for journalists in Kazakhstan
Participants work through theoretical concepts under the guidance of the expert at the legal training for journalists held in Astana, 16–17 June 2025. (OSCE/Assylbek Assylkhanov) Photo details
On 16 and 17 June in Astana as well as on 19 and 20 June 2025 in Almaty, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, in partnership with the Public Foundation “Legal Media Center” and Internews in Kazakhstan, organized two-day training workshops on “Legal Check-Up for Journalists.”
The event brought together 39 participants, including journalists from different regions of Kazakhstan, aiming to enhance their legal awareness and strengthen professional competencies in an evolving regulatory and technological environment. The workshop served as a platform to examine the practical implications of the updated Law on Mass Media, while also addressing broader challenges journalists face – such as navigating defamation and privacy legislation, understanding copyright in the digital age, and responding to the growing use of AI in media production.
Yuri Fenopetov, Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, highlighted: “Modern journalists work in conditions where technological changes are happening rapidly, and the legal and ethical burden on the profession is growing. In these conditions, it is especially important that journalists have access to up-to-date knowledge about legislation, tools for protecting their rights and responsibilities arising from the status of a professional communicator.”
The training combined theoretical presentations with practical group exercises, enabling participants to apply their knowledge through simulated case scenarios. In addition, experts covered critical aspects of journalists’ safety – both digital and physical – ethical journalism standards, and international principles on freedom of expression, offering participants tools to apply these concepts in their daily work.
Diana Okremova, Director of the Public Foundation “Legal Media Center”, emphasized the importance of such training: “Such trainings are an opportunity for journalists to strengthen their knowledge, better understand the legal nuances of the profession, and structure their work taking into account modern challenges and professional standards.”
Based on an interactive and hands-on approach, all participants successfully completed final practical assignments and are now prepared to share their knowledge with their journalist colleagues. The event also served as a space for exchanging experiences and developing practical recommendations to support sustainable improvements in media practice in Kazakhstan.
The training workshop highlights the OSCE’s commitment to supporting media freedom and strengthening journalists’ capacities to operate effectively and safely in a legal and digital environment.
A man is due back in court in two weeks charged with offending relating to alleged road rage in Tauranga last month.
On 20 May, Police received a number of reports from members of the public about the manner of driving of a utility vehicle, including an instance where the driver allegedly brandished a knife at a motorist.
Inspector Logan Marsh, Relieving Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander, says this week’s arrest comes after significant Police enquiries to locate the alleged offender, which culminated in Police executing a search warrant at a Welcome Bay address this week.
A 52-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday and appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday, charged with operating a motor vehicle recklessly, and possession of an offensive weapon.
He has been remanded in custody to reappear on 11 July.
“We’d like to thank the public for the information they provided, which was a key component to our investigation,” Inspector Marsh says.
“Our teams have worked to locate the person responsible and I’d like to acknowledge their hard work.
“Police will continue to take action where we can against any dangerous driving activity on our roads,” he says.
Police continue to urge anybody who witnesses any dangerous or illegal behaviour to report it to Police.
Please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report via 105 if it is after the fact. Information can also be reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Australian-Lebanese journalist and commentator Antoinette Lattouf’s unfair dismissal case win against the public broadcaster ABC in the Federal Court on Wednesday is a victory for all those who seek to tell the truth.
It is a breath of fresh air, after almost two years of lies and uncritical reporting about Israel’s genocide from the ABC and commercial media companies.
Lattouf was unfairly sacked in December 2023 for posting on her social media a Human Rights Watch report that detailed Israel’s deliberate starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.
Justice Darryl Rangiah found that Lattouf had been sacked for her political opinions, given no opportunity to respond to misconduct allegations and that the ABC breached its Enterprise Agreement and section 772 of the Fair Work Act.
The Federal Court also found that ABC executives — then-chief content officer Chris Oliver-Taylor, editor-in-chief David Anderson and board chair Ita Buttrose — had sacked Lattouf in response to a pro-Israel lobby pressure campaign.
The coordinated email campaign from Zionist groups accused Lattouf of being “antisemitic” for condemning Israel’s genocide and ethnic cleansing of Gaza.
The judge awarded Lattouf A$70,000 in damages, based on findings that her sacking caused “great distress”, and more than $1 million in legal fees.
‘No Lebanese’ claim Lattouf had alleged that her race or ethnicity had played a part in her sacking, which the ABC had initially responded to by claiming there was no such thing as a “Lebanese, Arab or Middle Eastern Race”, before backtracking.
The court found that this did not play a part in the decision to sack Lattouf.
The ABC’s own reporting of the ruling said “the ABC has damaged its reputation, and public perceptions around its ideals, integrity and independence”.
Outside the court, Lattouf said: “It is now June 2025 and Palestinian children are still being starved. We see their images every day, emaciated, skeletal, scavenging through the rubble for scraps.
“This unspeakable suffering is not accidental, it is engineered. Deliberately starving and killing children is a war crime.
“Today, the court has found that punishing someone for sharing facts about these war crimes is also illegal. I was punished for my political opinion.”
Palestine solidarity groups and democratic rights supporters have celebrated Lattouf’s victory.
An ‘eternal shame’ Palestine Action Group Sydney said: “It is to the eternal shame of our national broadcaster that it sacked a journalist because she opposed the genocide in Gaza.
“There should be a full inquiry into the systematic pro-Israel bias at the ABC, which for 21 months has acted as a propaganda wing of the Israeli military.”
Racial justice organisation Democracy in Colour said the ruling “exposes the systematic silencing taking place in Australian media institutions in regards to Palestine”.
Democracy in Colour chairperson Jamal Hakim said Lattouf was punished for “speaking truth to power”.
“When the ABC capitulated to pressure from the pro-Israel lobby . . . they didn’t just betray Antoinette — they betrayed their own editorial standards and the Australian public who deserve to know the truth about Israel’s human rights abuses.”
Noura Mansour, national director for Democracy in Colour, said the ABC had been “consistently shutting down valid criticism of the state of Israel” and suppressing the voices of people of colour and Palestinians. She said the national broadcaster had “worked to manufacture consent for the Israeli-US backed genocide”.
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance chief executive Erin Madeley said: “Instead of defending its journalists, ABC management chose to appease powerful voices . . . they failed in their duty to push back against outside interference, racism and bullying.”
Win for ‘journalistic integrity’ Australian Greens leader Larissa Waters said the ruling was a win for “journalistic integrity and freedom of speech” and that “no one should be punished for speaking out about Gaza”.
Green Left editor Pip Hinman said the ruling was an “important victory for those who stand on the side of truth and justice”.
“It is more important than ever in an increasingly polarised world that journalists speak up and report the truth without fear of reprisal from the rich and powerful.
“Traditional and new media have the reach to shape public opinion. They have had a clear pro-Israel bias, despite international human rights agencies providing horrific data on Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
“Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people around Australia continue to call for an end to the genocide in Gaza in protests every week. But the ABC and corporate media have largely ignored this movement of people from all walks of life. Disturbingly, the corporate media has gone along with some political leaders who claim this anti-war movement is antisemitic.
“As thousands continue to march every week for an end to the genocide in Gaza, the ABC and corporate media organisations have continued to push the lie that the Palestine solidarity movement, and indeed any criticism of Israel, is antisemitic.
“Green Left also hails those courageous mostly young journalists in Gaza, some 200 of whom have been killed by Israel since October 2023.
“Their livestreaming of Israel’s genocide cut through corporate media and political leaders’ lies and today makes it even harder for them to whitewash Israel’s crimes and Western complicity.
“Green Left congratulates Lattouf on her victory. We are proud to stand with the movement for justice and peace in Palestine, which played a part in her victory against the ABC management’s bias.”
Australian-Lebanese journalist and commentator Antoinette Lattouf’s unfair dismissal case win against the public broadcaster ABC in the Federal Court on Wednesday is a victory for all those who seek to tell the truth.
It is a breath of fresh air, after almost two years of lies and uncritical reporting about Israel’s genocide from the ABC and commercial media companies.
Lattouf was unfairly sacked in December 2023 for posting on her social media a Human Rights Watch report that detailed Israel’s deliberate starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.
Justice Darryl Rangiah found that Lattouf had been sacked for her political opinions, given no opportunity to respond to misconduct allegations and that the ABC breached its Enterprise Agreement and section 772 of the Fair Work Act.
The Federal Court also found that ABC executives — then-chief content officer Chris Oliver-Taylor, editor-in-chief David Anderson and board chair Ita Buttrose — had sacked Lattouf in response to a pro-Israel lobby pressure campaign.
The coordinated email campaign from Zionist groups accused Lattouf of being “antisemitic” for condemning Israel’s genocide and ethnic cleansing of Gaza.
The judge awarded Lattouf A$70,000 in damages, based on findings that her sacking caused “great distress”, and more than $1 million in legal fees.
‘No Lebanese’ claim Lattouf had alleged that her race or ethnicity had played a part in her sacking, which the ABC had initially responded to by claiming there was no such thing as a “Lebanese, Arab or Middle Eastern Race”, before backtracking.
The court found that this did not play a part in the decision to sack Lattouf.
The ABC’s own reporting of the ruling said “the ABC has damaged its reputation, and public perceptions around its ideals, integrity and independence”.
Outside the court, Lattouf said: “It is now June 2025 and Palestinian children are still being starved. We see their images every day, emaciated, skeletal, scavenging through the rubble for scraps.
“This unspeakable suffering is not accidental, it is engineered. Deliberately starving and killing children is a war crime.
“Today, the court has found that punishing someone for sharing facts about these war crimes is also illegal. I was punished for my political opinion.”
Palestine solidarity groups and democratic rights supporters have celebrated Lattouf’s victory.
An ‘eternal shame’ Palestine Action Group Sydney said: “It is to the eternal shame of our national broadcaster that it sacked a journalist because she opposed the genocide in Gaza.
“There should be a full inquiry into the systematic pro-Israel bias at the ABC, which for 21 months has acted as a propaganda wing of the Israeli military.”
Racial justice organisation Democracy in Colour said the ruling “exposes the systematic silencing taking place in Australian media institutions in regards to Palestine”.
Democracy in Colour chairperson Jamal Hakim said Lattouf was punished for “speaking truth to power”.
“When the ABC capitulated to pressure from the pro-Israel lobby . . . they didn’t just betray Antoinette — they betrayed their own editorial standards and the Australian public who deserve to know the truth about Israel’s human rights abuses.”
Noura Mansour, national director for Democracy in Colour, said the ABC had been “consistently shutting down valid criticism of the state of Israel” and suppressing the voices of people of colour and Palestinians. She said the national broadcaster had “worked to manufacture consent for the Israeli-US backed genocide”.
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance chief executive Erin Madeley said: “Instead of defending its journalists, ABC management chose to appease powerful voices . . . they failed in their duty to push back against outside interference, racism and bullying.”
Win for ‘journalistic integrity’ Australian Greens leader Larissa Waters said the ruling was a win for “journalistic integrity and freedom of speech” and that “no one should be punished for speaking out about Gaza”.
Green Left editor Pip Hinman said the ruling was an “important victory for those who stand on the side of truth and justice”.
“It is more important than ever in an increasingly polarised world that journalists speak up and report the truth without fear of reprisal from the rich and powerful.
“Traditional and new media have the reach to shape public opinion. They have had a clear pro-Israel bias, despite international human rights agencies providing horrific data on Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
“Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people around Australia continue to call for an end to the genocide in Gaza in protests every week. But the ABC and corporate media have largely ignored this movement of people from all walks of life. Disturbingly, the corporate media has gone along with some political leaders who claim this anti-war movement is antisemitic.
“As thousands continue to march every week for an end to the genocide in Gaza, the ABC and corporate media organisations have continued to push the lie that the Palestine solidarity movement, and indeed any criticism of Israel, is antisemitic.
“Green Left also hails those courageous mostly young journalists in Gaza, some 200 of whom have been killed by Israel since October 2023.
“Their livestreaming of Israel’s genocide cut through corporate media and political leaders’ lies and today makes it even harder for them to whitewash Israel’s crimes and Western complicity.
“Green Left congratulates Lattouf on her victory. We are proud to stand with the movement for justice and peace in Palestine, which played a part in her victory against the ABC management’s bias.”
Three people were arrested today following investigations into a violent assault in the city earlier this week.
About 6.30pm on Tuesday 24 June, a 29-year-old man was assaulted in a car park at Topham Mall, Waymouth Street, Adelaide.
It will be alleged he was set upon by three young males armed with a knife and a bottle and sustained significant lacerations. The victim was taken to hospital by ambulance. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Following investigations, Youth and Street Gangs Task Force attended a northern suburbs home today (Friday 27 June) and arrested three suspects.
A 15-year-old boy from Blakeview, a 16-year-old boy from Semaphore Park and a 20-year-old man from Brahma Lodge were all charged with aggravated assault cause harm.
The youths were refused police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Youth Court on Monday 30 June.
The 20-year-old man was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 10 August.
Police wish to reassure the public that this was not a random incident.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
    Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Pat Heung in the small hours today (June 27) in which a man died.
At about 2.10am, a taxi driven by a 63-year-old man was travelling along Fan Kam Road towards Sheung Shui, while a private car driven by a 54-year-old man was travelling along Fan Kam Road towards Yuen Long. When reaching the vicinity of Wang Toi Shan Chuk Hang Chuen, the two vehicles reportedly collided head-on.
   The taxi driver and two male passengers, aged 41 and 43 respectively, were trapped inside the taxi and rescued by firemen. The 41-year-old male passenger sustained serious injuries and was rushed to North District Hospital in unconscious state, and was certified dead at 3.02am.
    The taxi driver sustained serious injuries to his chest and limbs and was sent to Prince of Wales Hospital in conscious state; the 43-year-old male taxi passenger sustained injuries to his head and hand and was sent to Tuen Mun Hospital in conscious state; while the private car driver sustained injuries to his waist and was sent to North District Hospital in conscious state.
    Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories North is under way.
    Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3857.
STUTTGART, Germany – General Michael Langley, Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and USMC Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, command senior enlisted leader, visited Djibouti, Somalia and Ethiopia June 16-20 to meet with African partner leaders and attend the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa change of command.
During the official trip to Djibouti City, Langley and U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti Cynthia Kierscht met with Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoulkader Houssein Omar; Minister of Defense Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan; and Chief of Defense General Zakaria Chiek Ibrahim on Tuesday, reiterating the United States’ commitment to security cooperation and counterterrorism in the region.
“Despite the growing threats of terrorist groups like ISIS and al Shabaab, our continued partnership with Djibouti furthers our ability to counter terrorism and promote peace and security,” Langley said.
On Wednesday, the general flew to Hargeisa and Berbera Airfields in Somalia, and, alongside U.S. Ambassador Richard Riley IV, met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), Minister of Defense Muhammad Yusuf Ali, Chief of Staff of the Army, Brig Gen Nimcaan Yusuf Osman, and Coast Guard Commander, Adm. Ahmed Hurre Huriye.
“We greatly value the security partnership we have with the Federal Government of Somalia as we work together to counter the threats of al Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia.”
Langley and Woods attended the CJTF-HOA change of command on Wednesday, and then traveled with U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga to Addis Ababa to meet with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Chief of the General Staff Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, and Head of Military Cooperation Major General Teshome Gemechu to reaffirm AFRICOM’s commitment to Ethiopia’s critical role in counterterrorism operations and regional security in the Horn of Africa. He noted that AFRICOM’s partnership with Ethiopia is part of a wider strategy to help African nations build resilient and self-reliant security sectors.
Throughout the trip, Langley emphasized that U.S. military engagement in Africa is based on enabling African-led solutions, strengthening capable institutions, and addressing the root causes of instability. AFRICOM works closely with African partners to counter terrorist organizations like al Shabaab and ISIS, which threaten U.S., regional, and international security. Langley also met with Selma Malika Haddadi, deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission and reiterated U.S. support for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia.
General Langley also addressed the growing security threats across the continent, including the rise of terrorist activity in the Sahel and along West Africa’s coastal regions. At the African Union, Gen Langley paid respects at the African Union Memorial Wall, honoring heroes and heroines of the AU who paid the ultimate sacrifice in support of AU missions. The visit reaffirmed AFRICOM’s long-term commitment to its partnership with the continent and to collective efforts for lasting security in the region.
AFRICOM is one of seven U.S. geographic combatant commands, responsible for military engagement across 53 African nations. Working with partners and allies, the command counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, strengthens African security forces, and supports U.S. government efforts in Africa to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.
An alleged car thief in Napier picked the wrong location to try her luck – getting arrested within 10 minutes of stealing a vehicle parked opposite the Police station.
Shortly before 10am today, a courier driver was delivering a parcel to a premises on Station Street, opposite the Napier Police Station.
Senior Sergeant Su Robinson says the driver left his vehicle running, as was his usual practice, when a woman got into the vehicle and drove off with the van loaded full of parcels.
“The driver has urgently run into the front counter of the Police Station and let front desk staff know,” she says.
“An immediate call went out to all staff on the radio with the details, and staff have sprung into action.”
Officers have made area enquiries, and located both the van and the woman on Masefield Avenue.
The 27-year-old woman was arrested, and she is due in Napier District Court on 3 July charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
Senior Sergeant Robinson says the woman will also face a burglary charge, after the arresting officer located property on her relating to a previous burglary.
“While officers were fortunate to make an incredibly quick arrest on this occasion, we’d urge anyone leaving their vehicle even for a short time to please ensure it is locked – as it only takes a second for someone to steal it.”
Auckland City Police is continuing to look for Solomon Kapua Apihai.
The 41-year-old man has a warrant for his arrest and is continuing to evade Police.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Kirk says Police staff have been actively searching for Apihai in recent days.
“He is wanted to arrest for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm,” she says.
“We are advising the public to contact us if they see Apihai, and not to approach him.”
Apihai is known to frequent areas around Mt Roskill and Auckland’s CBD.
“We know Apihai is also a frequent user of the bus network, so we are asking anyone who sees him to contact us,” acting Detective Senior Sergeant Kirk says.
If you see Apihai, please call 111.
Anyone with further information on his whereabouts can update Police online now or call 105.
Please use the reference number 250623/5869.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force attended a large disturbance at Willowra community yesterday afternoon.
About 5pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of up to 60 people armed with various weapons involved in a disturbance. Two vehicles are also believed to have been deliberately set on fire.
Ti-Tree Police deployed to the community and the group dispersed.
Investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to make contact on 131 444. Anonymous reports can be made via Crime Stopper on 1800 333 000.
Investigations are continuing into the murder of a 39-year-old man in Port Lincoln earlier this month.
Police wish to reassure the public that the accused a, 34-year-old local woman Tamika Chesser, remains in custody charged with murder, and that this was not a random incident.
Just before 3.30pm on Thursday 19 June, police and emergency services were called to a unit on Flinders Highway, Port Lincoln after reports of a small fire.
When police entered the property, they located a deceased man. He is believed to be the occupant and Tamika’s partner, Julian Story, 39 years old.
It was a confronting scene for police and emergency services personnel as Julian’s body had been dismembered. Julian’s head had been removed during the dismemberment and, despite extensive searches, has not yet been located.
Investigators believe Julian was killed around midnight on the Tuesday 17 June.
Police are trying to track Tamika’s movements in the week of the murder, particularly between midnight on Tuesday night and the report of the fire at 3.30 pm on Thursday afternoon.
Major Crime detectives have released images of the clothing she was wearing during this time in the hope that it will jog people’s memories. Police are appealing to local residents to review any CCTV or dashcam footage they have which may assist the investigation. (Images below)
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said, “All murders cause pain and grief for victims’ families and friends. The circumstances of this murder are particularly harrowing, confronting and distressing. Major Crime detectives have spoken with Julian’s family who are devastated by his loss and also by the circumstances surrounding his death.
“We are releasing the details of this horrific crime because it is vital for Julian’s family to peacefully lay him to rest.
“We know that Tamika did not drive a vehicle and regularly walked around the township of Port Lincoln. We are appealing to anyone who can help us to identify Tamika’s movements to please contact police.”
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.
CO2500025517
Statement from Julian Story’s family:
On behalf of our family, we want to sincerely thank the South Australian Police, emergency services, and first responders for their compassion and professionalism during this devastating time. We are navigating an unimaginable loss, and your care has brought comfort amid the chaos. We are also deeply grateful to our family and friends and this extraordinary community whose kindness and support have helped carry us through. Your prayers, presence, and quiet strength mean more than words can say. This will be our only statement. For any further information, please direct all enquiries to the South Australian Police.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today issued a strong condemnation of remarks by Consul General of the US to Hong Kong Gregory May, stating that they are untrue, biased and deliberately intended to mislead the public and smear the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Hong Kong SAR’s work to safeguard national security.
In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that as legal proceedings in the case involving Lai Chee-ying are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the details of the case. It urged US politicians to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong’s internal affairs and the independent exercise of judicial power by its courts.
The statement emphasised that governments have an inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, in accordance with international law and international practice based on the UN Charter.
It added that as the US has at least 21 laws safeguarding national security, US politicians who point fingers at the Hong Kong SAR’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms display only hypocrisy and double standards while entirely disregarding the constitutional and practical needs of Hong Kong, as well as the positive effects brought about by Hong Kong’s national security legislation on its economic development and protection of human rights.
The Hong Kong SAR Government highlighted that Hong Kong’s law enforcement agencies take actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law, and that such actions have nothing to do the political views, backgrounds or occupations of persons or entities concerned. It added that anyone charged with a criminal offence in Hong Kong will receive a fair trial as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.
The statement charged that attempts by any country, organisation, or individual to interfere with the judicial proceedings in Hong Kong to procure a defendant’s evasion of criminal justice amount to blatant acts undermining the rule of law and should be condemned.
It said the notion that people or organisations with certain backgrounds should be immune from legal sanction for their illegal acts is tantamount to granting them privileges to break the law, perverts the course of justice, and runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.
The Hong Kong SAR Government also outlined that extraterritorial effect for offences under the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) fully aligns with the principles of international law and international practice, and is both necessary and legitimate.
It added that absconders hiding in the US and other Western countries are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security, such as inciting secession and requesting that foreign countries impose “sanctions” or blockades and engage in other hostile activities against the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong. Such persons, it emphasised, continue to collude with external forces to cover their evil deeds, making it necessary for Hong Kong’s law enforcement agencies to take all lawful measures to combat these acts.
The Hong Kong SAR Government said that that it will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the National Security Law, the SNSO and other relevant laws safeguarding national security to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security.
It added that it will concurrently uphold the rights and freedoms of its people in accordance with the law so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems”.
A large crowd of devotees has gathered at the Jagannath Temple in Puri as the grand Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath begins today. Also known as the Chariot Festival or Shree Gundicha Yatra, this major Hindu festival is celebrated annually in Odisha with great devotion and enthusiasm.
The Rath Yatra is observed on Dwitiya Tithi—the second day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) of the lunar month. This period is considered spiritually auspicious due to the increasing brightness of the moon.
Renowned scholar of Jagannath culture, Suryanarayan Rath Sharma, speaking to IANS, said, “The Rath Yatra is the most ancient chariot festival in the world. It is believed that having darshan of Lord Jagannath during this Yatra grants a devotee moksha (liberation).”
Millions of devotees have gathered to witness the divine journey as Lord Jagannath, along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, embarks on a nine-day sojourn from their 12th-century abode to the Gundicha Temple.
Devotees, filled with spiritual ecstasy, will pull the three majestic chariots—Nandighosh (for Lord Jagannath), Taladhwaja (for Lord Balabhadra), and Darpadalan (for Goddess Subhadra)—along a 3-kilometre route to the Gundicha Temple. According to some legends, this temple is believed to be the birthplace of the Chaturddha Murti—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Maa Subhadra, and Sudarshan.
To ensure a smooth and peaceful celebration, various departments of the state government have made elaborate preparations.
“We are fully prepared for the grand Rath Yatra. All rituals and arrangements have been meticulously planned and will be carried out with equal dedication. I seek the blessings of Mahaprabhu and the cooperation of all devotees to ensure a smooth and sacred celebration,” said Puri Collector Sidharth Shankar Swain on Thursday.
The city of Puri has been placed under a five-tier security blanket for the nine-day-long festival. As many as 200 platoons of police forces and eight companies from the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and other central agencies have been deployed throughout the holy town.
Additionally, around 10,000 personnel from the Odisha Police, Central Armed Police Forces, and Home Guard have been stationed in and around the city to manage the massive crowd.
For the first time, an integrated command-and-control system has been established to monitor the event. Police officers at central and sub-control rooms are keeping an eye on traffic and crowd movement through live feeds from approximately 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras installed from Uttara Square to Puri Town, as well as along the Puri-Konark route.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The NT Police Force arrested an 18-year-old male after he allegedly assaulted a shop attendant in Millner yesterday afternoon.
About 2pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of male allegedly threatening shop attendants at a local grocery shop on Sabine Road. The male allegedly went behind the counter and attempted to open the register before the shop attendants and members of the public intervened.
One of the shop attendants was struck with a stapler that was thrown at his head causing a minor laceration. The male fled the scene before police arrival.
The Dog Operations Unit and Territory Safety Division officers responded. Patrol Dog Wedge was deployed and tracked the male to a location nearby where he was arrested without incident.
The 18-year-old male has since been charged with Assault with intent to steal, Assault a worker – Suffers harm and two counts of Assault a worker. He was remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today.
Strike Force Trident has carriage of the investigation.
Anyone with information in relation to this incident is urged to contact police on 131 444. You can make an anonymous report via Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000.
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (June 26, 2025) U.S. Navy Cmdr. Christina Carter, center, and Lt. William Douthitt, right, both deployed in support of Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25), lead a tabletop training exercise with local nurses of Vaiola Hospital during PP-25 in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 26, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
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NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (June 26, 2025) U.S. Public Health Service Lt. Sung Jik Park, left, Environmental Health Officer with Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25), trains local public health officials in the quality testing of public water sources during PP-25 in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 26, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (June 26, 2025) U.S. Public Health Service Lt. Sung Jik Park, left, Environmental Health Officer with Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25), trains local public health officials in the quality testing of public water sources during PP-25 in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 26, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
Associated Press: Sen. Grassley calls delays at a benefits program for deceased officers ‘absolutely unacceptable’ By Ryan Foley June 24, 2025
A powerful U.S. senator on Tuesday called on the Trump administration to fix a growing backlog and longtime management problems at the program that promises benefits when police and firefighters die or become disabled in the line of duty.
Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program is failing the spouses and children of deceased and disabled first responders and needs new leadership. He said the mismanagement has caused significant hardship for grieving families, who often experience yearslong delays in processing and approving claims.
“This is absolutely unacceptable,” he wrote in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, in which he suggested she consider replacing longtime program leader Hope Janke.
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Grassley cited a Government Accountability Office report issued last year that detailed deficiencies in the program’s management dating back to 2009. He said the program had failed to make changes recommended by outside reviewers but that “government bureaucrats” such as Janke have never been held accountable.
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Grassley demanded the Department of Justice (DOJ) provide updates and documents within two weeks related to the status of those changes.
Texas widow Lisa Afolayan, who is still fighting the program for benefits 16 years after her husband died while training for the Border Patrol, welcomed Grassley’s oversight of the program.
“We need movement. We need change and not only for my family,” she said. “They’ve lost sight of why the program was started.”
SASEBO, NAGASAKI, Japan (U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 374th Airlift Wing along with members of the Japan Air Self‑Defense Force and community officials gathered atop Mount Shizuhata, June 21, 2025, for the annual B‑29 Memorial Ceremony. The event paid tribute to 23 U.S. aircrew members killed in a midair collision on June 20, 1945, during a B‑29 Superfortress air raid over Shizuoka, which also claimed nearly 2,000 Japanese civilian lives.
SASEBO, NAGASAKI, Japan (U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 374th Airlift Wing along with members of the Japan Air Self‑Defense Force and community officials gathered atop Mount Shizuhata, June 21, 2025, for the annual B‑29 Memorial Ceremony. The event paid tribute to 23 U.S. aircrew members killed in a midair collision on June 20, 1945, during a B‑29 Superfortress air raid over Shizuoka, which also claimed nearly 2,000 Japanese civilian lives.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)—a top member and former chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies that funds the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)—and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) announced with U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) that the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NH MEP) will receive $924,376 in funding from NIST to help New Hampshire’s small and medium-sized manufacturers fully participate in the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network National Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network.
“Investing in American manufacturing is critical in order to grow our economy, advance American national security and out build competitors, like China,” said Senator Shaheen. “New Hampshire is a small business state, and this funding will help ensure that Granite State manufacturers have the support they need to drive that progress. MEPs are proven winners that bolster our economy, generate growth and support good-paying jobs in Granite State communities. I’ll continue working to secure investment in them.”
“When Granite Staters are given a fair shot and the freedom to compete and thrive, there’s no limit to what they can do, and the NH Manufacturing Extension Partnership provides vital technical support and assistance that help manufacturers succeed,” said Senator Hassan. “Thanks to the advocacy of the leaders of New Hampshire MEP, we overcame attempts by the Trump Administration to dismantle the Manufacturing Extension Partnership in New Hampshire and across the country and got this funding restored. I look forward to continuing to get New Hampshire’s small businesses the support that they need.”
“Smart investments in American manufacturing can grow our economy, create jobs, increase our global competitiveness, and bolster national security. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Network is one effective way we do this,” said Congressman Pappas. “This funding will support their work to help small and medium-sized New Hampshire manufacturers make more products and create more good-paying jobs in our state. I’ll always support investing in American innovation and manufacturing.”
“Today is a good day for the future of manufacturing in New Hampshire,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “The federal funding we are announcing today for New Hampshire manufacturers is going to strengthen the economic and national security of hardworking people across our state. I’ve been on the frontlines of the fight to protect and strengthen the Manufacturing Extension Partnership because in the midst of lawless and costly trade wars that threaten to put small businesses out of business, these investments will actually bring good paying manufacturing jobs back to New Hampshire.”
The CHIPS and Science Act, which Shaheen, Hassan and Pappas supported, created the National Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network, a supply chain and manufacturing resiliency initiative designed to assist small and medium-sized manufacturers build resilient, local supply chains and strengthen manufacturing capabilities. The MEP National Network helps manufacturers to meet critical needs, ranging from process improvement and workforce development to specialized business practices, including supply chain integration, innovation, and technology transfer.
Since 1988, MEP has worked with over 150,000 manufacturers, leading to nearly $150 billion in sales, creating or retaining more than 1.6 million jobs, and saving firms nearly $31.6 billion. In the past year alone, firms assisted by MEP served as critical parts of our defense industrial base supply chain, made innovations in hazardous waste removal for the industries that power American energy production and invested in workforce development programming and certifications.
During an Appropriations Committee hearing earlier this month, Shaheen raised concerns over U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s plans to eliminate the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, noting that in Fiscal Year 2023, every dollar of federal investment in the program generated $24.60 in new sales growth and $27.50 in new client investment.
Goodlander and Pappas have been advocating to protect NH MEP funding in the House since potential cuts were first announced in April of this year. Goodlander and Pappas sent a letter to the Trump Administration urging support for domestic manufacturers in New Hampshire and across the country in the wake of the Trump Administration’s move to end contracts for 10 Manufacturing Extension Partnership programs. They also urged Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Meng to support NH MEP funding in the FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
UK joins ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime for the first time
This was done in partnership with Vietnam to propose joint action against human trafficking and scam centres, reinforcing commitment to regional security and law enforcement cooperation.
The United Kingdom has participated for the first time in the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) open consultation, marking a significant milestone in its growing partnership with Southeast Asia on regional security and law enforcement cooperation. The UK was represented by the Home Office Director of International Strategy, Engagement and Devolution.
During this event, the UK and Vietnam presented a joint proposal for future regional activity on the critical areas of trafficking in persons and scam centres, which was warmly welcomed by the group. These issues cause immense harm across the world and continue to devastate lives and undermine security.
This engagement builds on the UK’s existing collaboration with ASEAN, including through the UK’s National Crime Agency’s formal partnership with ASEANAPOL and the UK’s active role in supporting the establishment of an ASEAN Money Laundering Working Group, in collaboration with Malaysia and UNODC.
SOMTC Viet Nam said:
As Country Coordinator for ASEAN-UK Dialogue Relations for the 2024–2027 period, Viet Nam is pleased to support the strengthening of this important partnership, grounded in mutual trust and a shared commitment to regional peace and stability. The ASEAN-UK Open Consultation at SOMTC represents a timely and meaningful step forward in our collective efforts to address transnational crime, particularly in areas of growing concern such as trafficking in persons and scam centres.
The joint proposal led by SOMTC – Viet Nam and the United Kingdom reflects our common resolve to foster practical, forward-looking cooperation. We welcome the UK’s continued engagement with ASEAN and remain committed to working closely with all partners to promote a rules-based regional order, reinforce law enforcement collaboration, and protect the safety and well-being of our communities.
Malaysia, as 2025 ASEAN Chair said:
Malaysia together with ASEAN welcomes the United Kingdom’s inaugural participation in the SOMTC Open Consultation, which reflects ASEAN’s shared commitment in tackling the evolving threats of transnational crime.
Malaysia looks forward in deepening collaboration with the UK and ASEAN partners, particularly in strengthening financial integrity, addressing online scams, and dismantling criminal networks that exploit regional vulnerabilities.
The UK’s participation in SOMTC reflects its broader commitment as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner to support ASEAN centrality, regional stability, uphold international norms, and promote a safe and secure Indo-Pacific. Through continued collaboration, the UK and ASEAN aim to build more resilient institutions, strengthen law enforcement cooperation, and protect the rights and safety of people across the region.
UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Sarah Tiffin, said:
Transnational crime knows no borders, and neither should our cooperation. The UK is proud to stand alongside ASEAN in tackling the serious threats posed by trafficking, fraud and illicit finance (including money laundering). These crimes not only harm individuals and communities—they also erode trust, fuel corruption, weaken governance and threaten the rule of law. Our shared commitment to addressing these challenges is stronger than ever.
The UK is pleased to work jointly with ASEAN to tackle fraud and the flow of dirty money that fuels organised crime, corruption, and instability across the region.
The UK has committed to supporting the UNODC-INTERPOL Global Fraud Summit, taking place in March 2026, and will be hosting an Illicit Finance Summit, both of which will convene a diverse coalition of countries to accelerate the implementation of global standards and enhance long-term cooperation between governments, law enforcement and the private sector.
The first case of Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) has been detected in the City of Wanneroo.
The City is working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to enact a Tree Management Plan for the affected tree and will continue to monitor the location closely in the coming weeks.
First detected in Perth in 2021, the PSHB is a tiny, wood-boring beetle native to Southeast Asia. About the size of a sesame seed, PSHB excavates tunnels in trees where they cultivate fungus as a food source, resulting in tree dieback and death.
Mayor Linda Aitken said the City remained committed to prioritising effective and timely management of the PSHB.
“The PSHB could significantly impact the City of Wanneroo’s urban canopy if it were to become established here,” she said.
“It’s important that we all check our trees for signs and report any suspected sightings, to allow DPIRD to investigate.
“Protecting and increasing our canopy cover and vegetation is a key goal for the City, as set out in our Urban Forest Strategy.”
The City will continue to follow DPIRD’s lead in managing the spread of the PSHB and encourages the community to use the MyPestGuide app to report suspected sightings.
To learn more about the PSHB and how you can help prevent its spread, visit our PSHB webpage.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
A 30-year-old male has been arrested after he escaped custody yesterday evening in Alice Springs.
Around 9:30pm, the male was arrested at a casino on Barrett Drive for engaging in disorderly behaviour and drinking in a public place.
As he was being walked to the police vehicle, two males aged 32 and 34 began harassing the police member maintaining custody of the offender.
The 30-year-old escaped custody and fled into the Todd River, evading police attempts to apprehend him.
Additional units attended and a cordon was established. At 10:20pm, the male was re-arrested without incident. He has since been charged with Escape from custody, Disorderly behaviour in a public place and Nuisance public drinking. He was bailed to appear in court on 29 July.
The 32 and 34-year-olds were taken into protective custody.
Anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour is urged to contact police on 131 444. In an emergency, dial 000. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
NT Police are investigating a large disturbance that occurred in Alice Springs in the early hours of this morning.
At 3:45am, police received a report of up to 30 people fighting, allegedly armed with various weapons, on Bougainvilia Avenue in East Side.
Police responded immediately and the group dispersed upon police arrival. No injuries were reported to police and high visibility patrols were commenced.
A 20-year-old male was located in possession of a knife and arrested. No further disturbance was identified.
Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference NTP2500065303. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Associate Professor, New Testament, & Director of The Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy, University of Divinity
Wars are often waged in the name of religion. So what do key texts from Christianity, Islam and Judaism say about the justification for war?
We asked three experts for their views.
The Bible
Robyn J. Whitaker, University of Divinity
The Bible presents war as an inevitable reality of human life. This is captured in the cry of the Teacher in Ecclesiastes:
for everything there is a season […] a time for war and a time for peace.
In this sense, the Bible reflects the experiences of the authors and communities who shaped the texts over more than a thousand years as they experienced both victory and defeat as a small nation among the large empires of the ancient near east.
When it comes to God’s role in war, we cannot shirk from the problematic violence associated with the divine. At times, God orders the Hebrew people to go to war and enact horrendous violence. Deuteronomy 20 is a good example of this: God’s people are sent to war with the blessing of the priest but told to first offer terms of peace. If peace terms are accepted, the town is enslaved. Certain enemies, however, are decreed worthy of total annihilation, and the Hebrew army is commanded to destroy anyone and anything that doesn’t produce food.
On other occasions, war is interpreted as a tool, a punishment where God uses foreign nations against the Hebrew people because they have gone astray (Judges 2:14). You can also find an underlying ethic to treat the captives of war justly. Moses commands that women captured in war are to be treated as wives, not slaves (Deuteronomy 21), and in 2 Chronicles, captives are allowed to return home.
In contrast to war as divinely authorised, many of the Hebrew prophets express hope in a time where God will bring peace and people will “neither learn war any more” (Micah 3:4) but rather turn their weapons into tools for agriculture (Isaiah 2:4).
War is viewed as a result of human sinfulness, something that God will ultimately transform into peace. And that peace (Hebrew: shalom) is more than an absence of war. It is about human flourishing and unity between peoples and God.
Most of the New Testament was written during the first century CE, when Jews and emerging Christians were a minority within the Roman Empire. The military power of Rome is harshly critiqued as evil in resistance texts such as the Book of Revelation. Many early Christians refused to fight in the Roman army.
In this context, Jesus says nothing specific about war but generally rejects violence. When Jesus’s disciple Peter seeks to defend him with a sword, Jesus tells him to put away his sword because a sword only leads to more violence (Matthew 26:52). This is consistent with Jesus’s other teachings such as “blessed are the peacemakers” or his commands to “turn the other cheek” when struck or to “love your enemies”.
The reality is that we find various war ideologies in the Bible’s pages. If you want to find a justification for war in the Bible, you can. If you want to find a justification for peace or pacifism, that is there too. Later Christians would develop ideas of “just war” and pacifism based on biblical ideas, but these are developments rather than explicit within the Bible.
For Christians, Jesus’s teaching provides an ethical framework for interpreting earlier war texts through the lens of love for enemies. This counterpoint to divine violence and war points readers back to the prophets, whose hopeful visions imagine a world where violence and suffering are no more and peace is possible.
The Quran
Mehmet Ozalp, Charles Sturt University
Islam and Muslims emerged onto the world stage in the hostile environment of the seventh century. In response to major challenges, including warfare, Islam introduced pioneering legal and ethical reforms. The Quran and the Prophet Muhammad’s example laid out clear legal and ethical guidelines for the conduct of war, well before similar frameworks appeared in other societies.
Islam did this by defining a new term, “jihad” rather than the usual Arabic word for war, “harb”. While harb refers broadly to warfare, jihad was defined within Islamic teachings as a legal, morally justified struggle, which includes but is not limited to armed conflict. In the context of warfare, jihad refers specifically to fighting in a just cause under clear legal and ethical guidelines, rather than belligerent or aggressive warfare.
Between 610-622, Prophet Muhammad practised active non-violence in the face of the constant suffering, persecution and economic embargo he and his followers endured in Mecca, despite insistent approaches by his followers to take up arms. This showed that armed struggle cannot be taken up within the members of the same society, as this would lead to anarchy.
After leaving his home town to escape persecution, he established a pluralistic and multi-faith society in Medina. He took active steps to sign treaties with neighbouring tribes. Despite following a deliberate strategy of peace and diplomacy, the hostile Meccans and allied tribes attacked the Muslims in Medina. Engaging these attackers in an armed struggle was unavoidable.
The permission to fight was given to Muslims by the Quran verses 22:39-40:
The believers against whom war is waged are given permission to fight in response, for they have been wronged. Surely, God has full power to help them to victory. Those who have been driven from their homeland against all right, for no other reason than that they say, “Our Lord is God” […]
This passage not only permits armed struggle but also offers a moral justification for just war. It means war is clearly just when defensive — while aggression is unjust and condemned. Elsewhere, the Quran emphasises this point:
If they withdraw from you and do not fight against you, and offer you peace, then God allows you no way (to war) against them.
Verse 22:39 outlines two ethical justifications for warfare. The first is when people are driven from their homes (and land) – in other words, through occupation by a foreign power. The second is when people are attacked because of their beliefs to the point of violent persecution and attack.
Importantly, verse 22:40 includes churches, monasteries and synagogues. If believers in God do not defend themselves, all places of worship would be destroyed, so this is to be prevented by force if necessary.
The Quran does not allow for aggression, since “God loves not the aggressors” (2:190). It also provides detailed regulations on who is to fight and who is exempted (9:91); when hostilities must cease (2:193); and prisoners should be treated humanely and with fairness (47:4).
Verses such as 2:294 emphasise that warfare and any response to violence and aggression must be proportional and within limits:
Whoever attacks you, attack them in like manner as they attacked you. Nevertheless, fear God and remain within the bounds.
In the event of unavoidable war, every opportunity to end it must be pursued:
But if the enemy inclines towards peace, then you must also incline towards peace and trust in God.
The aim of military action is to end hostilities and remove the reason for warfare, not to humiliate or annihilate the enemy.
Military jihad cannot be pursued for personal ambition or to further nationalistic or ethnic disputes. Muslims cannot wage war on nations that have no hostility towards them (60:8). But if there is open hostility and attack, Muslims have a right to defend themselves.
The Prophet and the early caliphs specifically warned military leaders and all combatants that they must not act treacherously or engage in indiscriminate killing and pillage. He said:
Do not kill women, children, the elderly, or the sick. Do not destroy palm trees or burn houses.
Because of these teachings, Muslims have had legal and ethical guidelines throughout much of history to help limit human suffering caused by war.
The Torah
Suzanne D. Rutland, University of Sydney
Judaism is not a pacifist religion, but in its traditions it values peace above all else, and prayers for peace are central to Jewish liturgy. At the same time, there is a recognition of the need to fight defensive wars, but only within certain boundaries.
In the Torah, the Five Books of Moses, the recognition of the need for war is clear. Throughout their journeying in the desert, the Israelites (Children of Israel) fight various battles. At the same time, in Deuteronomy, the Israelites are instructed (chapter 12, verse 10):
When you go forth against your enemies and are in camp, then you should keep yourself from every evil thing.
The story of Amalek is the symbol of ultimate evil in Jewish tradition. Scholars argue this is because his army attacked the Israelites from the rear – killing defenceless women and children.
The Torah also stresses that army service is compulsory. Yet, Deuteronomy elaborates four categories of people who are exempt:
someone who has built a home but has not yet dedicated it
someone who has planted a vineyard but has not yet eaten of its fruit
someone who is engaged or in his first year of marriage
someone who is afraid, in case he influences other soldiers with his fear.
Judaism is not a pacifist religion, but in its traditions it values peace above all else. Shutterstock
It is important to point out that the disdain of war is so strong that King David was not permitted to build the temple in Jerusalem because of his military career. His son, Solomon, was allocated this task, but no iron was to be used in the building because this represented war and violence, while the temple was to represent peace, the ideal virtue.
The vision of peace for all humanity is further developed in the prophetic writings and the concept of the Messiah. This is seen particularly in the writings of the prophet Isiah, who envisaged an age when, as he describes in his idyllic vision:
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
The Mishnah, the first part of the Talmud, raises the concept of an “obligatory war” (milhemet mizvah). This encompasses the biblical wars against the seven nations said to inhabit the Promised Land, the war against Amalek, and the Jewish nation’s defensive wars. It is, accordingly, a clearly defined and recognisable class.
Not so the second category, “permitted war” (milhemet reshut), which is more open-ended and, as scholar Avi Ravitsky writes, “could relate to a preemptive war”.
After the Talmudic period, which ended in the 7th century, this debate became theoretical, since Jews living in Palestine and the diaspora no longer had an army. This was largely the case from the time of the defeat of the Bar Kokhba Rebellion against the Romans (132–135 CE), apart from a few small Jewish kingdoms in Arabia.
However, with the return of the early Zionist pioneers to the Land of Israel in the late 19th and 20th century, the rabbinic debates of what constitutes an obligatory, defensive war and what is a permitted war, as well as the characteristics of a forbidden war has reignited. This is a subject of deep concern and controversy for both academics and rabbis today.
Robyn J. Whitaker is affiliated with The Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy.
Mehmet Ozalp is affiliated with Islamic Sciences and Research Academy
Suzanne Rutland has received an Australian Research Council grant for her research on the Australian Jewry and funding from the Pratt Foundation, as well as an Australian Prime Ministers Centre (APMC) fellowship for her research on Soviet Jewry and Australia. She is also involved with numerous NGOs, including the Australian Jewish Historical Society (patron), the Australian Association for Jewish Studies (past president and committee member), and the Australian government’s expert delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. In addition, she is a board member of the Freilich Project for the Study of Bigotry at ANU; she is on an academic advisory committee at the Sydney Jewish Museum; she is the director of the Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism; and she is an Australian board member for Boys Town Jerusalem and a board member of Better Balance Futures for faith communities These roles are all undertaken in an honorary capacity. She is also writing the history of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry in an honorary capacity.
Police are asking spectators to avoid the Motueka River area near Ngatimoti where emergency services have the road blocked off.
Police continue to urge motorists in the wider area to avoid non-essential travel, however if you cannot delay travel, please take care when travelling through water-damaged roads.
There are still significant slips, detours and water hazards across the wider area so if possible, please stay home.
Addressing the National Consumer Congress in Melbourne, Ms Cass-Gottlieb outlined the importance of the ACCC’s role in protecting consumers from unsafe products and announced five priority areas.
Among the priorities is addressing unsafe products in the digital economy.
“Reducing the prevalence of high-risk unsafe consumer products online will be key. We will focus on systemic and high-risk product safety issues for consumers. And we will use a combination of regulation, education for consumers and for businesses, compliance and enforcement tools, where appropriate,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
“The risks in the digital economy are layered, they include not only physical harm from unsafe or non-compliant goods, but also the associated economic harm and decline in consumer trust in markets.”
“Addressing these harms is essential to maintaining trust in digital markets and ensuring those markets are competitive and safe,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
The other four priorities are consumer and product safety issues impacting young children, lithium-ion battery safety, updating mandatory standards and improving product safety data to identify safety risks. Aligned with these priorities, the ACCC will maintain strong relationships across the regulator network, including information sharing and responding to harm.
“The ACCC will continue to prioritise product safety affecting young children, who can be at greater risk of injury or death from consumer products,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
“We will focus on compliance with button battery standards and continue to raise awareness about new infant sleep and toppling furniture standards.”
“The dangers of button batteries, unstable furniture, and unsafe infant sleep products impact families every day and we want to ensure the standards don’t just exist, but are understood, implemented and enforced so children are kept safe,” Ms Lowe said.
The ACCC will continue to support the safe use of lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from smartphones to e-bikes, and are used in home solar systems. As the use of lithium ion batteries grows, the ACCC continues to focus on the safety of these products.
“Raising consumer awareness about the safe purchase, storage, use and disposal of lithium-ion batteries, and monitoring recalls of unsafe lithium-ion battery products, will be another major focus this year,” Ms Lowe said.
The ACCC will begin a series of expedited reviews of existing mandatory standards from July 2025, following recent amendments to the Australian Consumer Law. These reviews will consider which voluntary overseas and international standards should be added as compliance options for mandatory standards. This will help ensure that mandatory standards are up to date, and can lower compliance costs for businesses.
The ACCC will also work to continue to improve product safety data to help us identify risks and protect consumers. This will include strategies to increase reporting of product safety incidents to the ACCC, working with other regulators and stakeholders to increase data sharing and undertaking new consultation and research to understand the key risks affecting Australian consumers.
“The priorities I have outlined today reflect the environment we’re operating in – one defined by digital acceleration and rising complexity,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
“These priorities are designed to respond to known harms, and to anticipate the emerging risks that could shape the future of consumer safety. They reflect our commitment to protect Australian consumers and build and maintain their trust in markets in an era of change and uncertainty.”
We are looking to expand the pledge and strengthen its commitments and reporting requirements to address the unsafe products available for sale on online marketplaces.
