The Guardian · 24 Jun, 05:57
The Australian government faced questioning in parliament over the capital gains tax and its impact on housing, while two MPs were kicked out of question time for interjecting too much. Meanwhile, a third migratory bird has been confirmed to have the H5N1 bird flu virus in Western Australia, and Papua New Guinea has suspended imports of Australian poultry products.
During question time in the Australian parliament, the opposition pressed the government on the capital gains tax and its impact on housing, with Liberal MP Zoe McKenzie accusing the government of 'pulling up the ladder' for aspirational Australians. Two MPs, Pat Conaghan and another whose name was not specified, were kicked out of the chamber for interjecting too much. On a separate issue, the agriculture minister, Julie Collins, confirmed that a third migratory bird has been infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus in Western Australia. This follows the detection of the virus in two migratory birds near Esperance last week. Papua New Guinea has suspended imports of Australian poultry products in response to the detection of the virus.
Why it matters: The detection of the H5N1 bird flu virus in migratory birds in Australia is significant because it poses a risk to the country's agriculture and wildlife. The suspension of poultry imports by Papua New Guinea also has economic implications for Australia's poultry industry. The questioning of the government over the capital gains tax and its impact on housing is also important, as it highlights the ongoing debate over housing affordability in Australia.
1.3 million (the sale price of a negatively geared investment property owned by housing minister Clare O'Neil), 200,000 (the capital gain mentioned in a question about O'Neil's investment property), 14 June (the date when the migratory bird was first discovered in South Australia)
We are still very early in the investigation phase… what we do know though is the early advice from Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness is that the two birds in Western Australia were likely to be separate inductions. So there is no indication that it was spread between those birds. - Dr Beth Cookson, Australian Chief Veterinary Officer
The Guardian · 24 Jun, 05:47
The UK is experiencing a severe heatwave, with temperatures expected to break records and strain the country's infrastructure. The heatwave is having a significant impact on the UK's landscapes and wildlife, with many species struggling to adapt to the changing climate.
The UK is currently experiencing a severe heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 39C in some areas. The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning, and the country's infrastructure is straining, with millions of homes overheating, rail operators warning against non-essential travel, and hospital admissions set to surge. The heatwave is having a significant impact on the UK's landscapes and wildlife, with many species struggling to adapt to the changing climate.
Why it matters: The heatwave highlights the need for the UK to take action to protect its landscapes and wildlife from the impacts of climate change. The country's infrastructure and ecosystems are not adapted to the increasingly hot and dry conditions, and urgent action is needed to prevent further damage. The heatwave also underscores the importance of taking steps to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting natural habitats.
39C (forecast temperature in Bristol), 35.6C (previous June temperature record), 45C (predicted temperature by 2056), 2,300 (number of insect, fungi, bird, and mammal species supported by a single mature oak tree), 90% (percentage of wetland habitats lost in the UK over the last 500 years)
If we think this is bad now, we ain't seen nothing yet.
The Guardian · 24 Jun, 05:43
International students from countries where homosexuality is illegal are being targeted and extorted by individuals who threaten to 'out' them to their families and communities. A Victorian inquiry into hate crimes has heard that 95 attacks targeting gay and bisexual men have been identified in Victoria since June 2024, with many victims reluctant to come forward.
A Victorian inquiry into hate crimes has heard that international students from countries where homosexuality is illegal are being targeted and extorted by individuals who threaten to 'out' them to their families and communities. According to Thorne Harbour Health's chief executive, Chad Hughes, 95 attacks targeting gay and bisexual men have been identified in Victoria since June 2024, resulting in 42 arrests. However, Hughes believes the true number of attacks is likely higher, as many victims are reluctant to come forward due to mistrust of police or fear of being 'outed' to their families overseas. The attacks typically involve victims being lured into meetings via gay dating apps, physically assaulted, and then extorted for money with threats of sharing compromising footage with their contacts.
Why it matters: This is significant because it highlights a growing trend of hate crimes targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly international students from countries where homosexuality is illegal. The attacks are not only physically violent but also emotionally traumatic, with victims facing the threat of being 'outed' to their families and communities. The issue is also concerning because it involves the exploitation of young people, with some offenders as young as 13.
95: number of attacks targeting gay and bisexual men identified in Victoria since June 2024; 42: number of arrests made in connection with these attacks; 12: number of men who disclosed being attacked after arranging meetings through dating apps at a recent community forum; 197: number of LGBTQA+ hate-related violence incidents recorded in New South Wales between January 2023 and October 2025; 64%: proportion of LGBTQA+ hate-related violence incidents in New South Wales committed by young people, predominantly males aged between 12 and 24
We've heard a lot of stories of people who've been … contacted after the offence and asked to deposit tens of thousands of dollars in an account – 'otherwise, this video will be shared with everyone in your contacts,' - Jenna Tuke, Switchboard Victoria's chief executive
Ars Technica · 23 Jun, 22:07
The US government's climate.gov website, which was shut down by the Trump administration, has been relaunched by a nonprofit team. The website was taken down in compliance with an executive order, but volunteers preserved the content and created a new site, climate.us.
The US government's climate.gov website was shut down by the Trump administration in compliance with Executive Order 14303. The website was redirected to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) page. However, a team of volunteers and former climate.gov administrators preserved copies of the material and launched a new site, climate.us, which has now been completed to restore all the lost content.
Why it matters: This is significant because it shows that despite government efforts to restrict access to climate information, dedicated volunteers can work to preserve and make it available to the public. The relaunched website provides continued access to comprehensive climate resources, analyses, and datasets.
Ars Technica · 23 Jun, 22:30
The White House has shortened the deadline for government agencies and organizations to adopt quantum-resistant encryption systems to protect against quantum computer attacks. The new deadline requires transition to post-quantum cryptographic key establishment schemes by December 31, 2030, and to quantum-safe digital signature schemes by December 31, 2031.
The White House has issued an executive order titled 'Securing the Nation against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks', which requires government agencies and organizations to adopt new quantum-resistant encryption systems. The order sets a deadline for computing systems for 'high-value assets' and 'high-impact systems' to transition to post-quantum cryptographic key establishment schemes by December 31, 2030, and to quantum-safe digital signature schemes by December 31, 2031. This deadline is about five years sooner than the previous one. The move is in response to recent research showing that the resources and cost for building a cryptographically relevant quantum computer are lower than previously estimated.
Why it matters: This is significant because quantum computers have the potential to break current encryption systems, compromising decades' worth of secrets belonging to militaries, banks, governments, and individuals. The new deadline aims to protect these secrets by accelerating the transition to quantum-resistant encryption systems. This move is also in line with recent actions by companies like Google and Cloudflare, which have tightened their timelines for moving off vulnerable systems to 2029.
December 31, 2030: deadline for transitioning to post-quantum cryptographic key establishment schemes; December 31, 2031: deadline for transitioning to quantum-safe digital signature schemes; 2029: target year for Google, Cloudflare, and other companies to move off vulnerable systems
Ars Technica · 23 Jun, 20:43
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office used a drone with a magnet to remove a knife from a motionless suspect's hand, marking what they claim is a 'nationwide first' in drone usage for disarming a person.
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office deployed a drone to disarm a suspect who was described as a 'known felon and parolee-at-large' seen with a firearm. The suspect was found motionless in a garage, holding a knife in one outstretched arm. A drone equipped with a magnet was used to remove the knife from the suspect's hand.
Why it matters: This incident is significant as it marks a new use of drones by law enforcement to disarm suspects without risking the lives of officers. The use of drones in this manner could potentially become a new tactic for police departments in similar situations.
NPR News · 24 Jun, 05:54
Summary not available.
NPR News · 24 Jun, 02:41
Summary not available.
NPR News · 23 Jun, 22:33
Summary not available.