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3 Jun 2025

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How Telstra’s new satellite-to-mobile messaging lets you text using Starlink
Telstra has become the first Australian telco to activate “direct to cell” functionality with SpaceX’s Starlink satellites.

Pacific news in brief for 3 June
A round-up of news in brief from around the region, including an attack on a bus in PNG.

Universities will be weakened by Budget focus on STEM and science - professor
The Budget allowed an emergency two-year four percent funding boost to lapse.

Emotional immigration wait after ballot draw error in a system with no queue
Migrants want to see the end of the lottery system, which they say is unfair, inhumane and unstructured - and a queue introduced instead.

Russia, Ukraine agree on prisoner swap, no breakthrough on ceasefire
Talks in Istanbul between the two warring sides lasted barely an hour.

Wellington average property asking price rises nearly $95,000 in a year - report
At the same time, new listings in the capital dropped 32.1 per cent compared to the same month last year, a possible driver behind the price rise.

Shares and US dollar tumble as tariff tensions flare
Shares in Asian and European steelmakers dropped in reaction to Trump's latest tariff threats.

New Zealand’s air quality improving, but winter smoke still an issue
The overall improvement in air quality was thanks to individuals making good decisions about how they heated their homes or travelled around their cities.

Inquest into the death of LynnMall knife attacker Ahamed Samsudeen to begin
An inquest into the death of the man shot dead by police after stabbing shoppers at an Auckland supermarket in 2021 is to begin.

Wellington students win big at world's oldest and largest science fair
No New Zealand students have competed in the International Science and Engineering Fair for more than a decade.

This Anker power bank with built-in USB-C cable is a steal at $13
One thing you should always have in your bag, backpack, or pocket—especially with summer coming up—is a portable power bank. You never know when your battery is going to fail, like when you’re stuck in the city and still haven’t Ubered home. Don’t have one? Today’s your lucky day. This Anker power bank is only $12.94 right now, which is 50% off for one of my favorite power bank designs of all time. With a 10,000mAh capacity, the Anker Zolo power bank holds enough juice to charge your phone about two times over (more or less depending on the actual model of your device). The 30W charging power is fast, too, able to charge an iPhone 16 Pro Max about halfway in under 30 minutes. Plus, it’s about the size of a credit card and weighs under 8 ounces, so it’s extremely portable and won’t bog you down. But the best thing about this Anker portable battery is that it has a built-in USB-C cable, alleviating you of the need to pack your own. The cable loops back and locks into place when not in use, serving as a handle of sorts that you can use to carry the power bank around. There are also extra USB-C and USB-A ports on the side, meaning you can simultaneously charge up to three devices with it. The Anker Zolo power bank is an absolute bargain now that it’s 50% off and available for $13 on Amazon. Grab it before this deal ends! $13 for Anker's power bank with built-in USB-C cable is a stealBuy now at Amazon

Modern and traditional technology combined in Vanuatu vulcanology expedition
"When [Epi islanders] saw an eruption rising from the ocean off their coast... that was a shock to the people, and so when we arrived, they immediately wanted to know more about it."

Rain, wind and snow to hit parts of the country as temperatures fall
MetService says the coming snowfall will give us a taste of the winter to come.

Luxon speaks to Hosking as Seymour becomes Deputy PM, road cone hotline launched
David Seymour is now Deputy PM, following Winston Peters.

What a load of crap': Chris Bishop caught 'ranting' during Stan Walker performance
The Cabinet minister he should have kept his comments at the Aotearoa Music Awards to himself.

WorkSafe to shift focus from enforcement to guidance under government reforms
The changes form part of a broader set of health and safety reforms - and include a tipline on excessive use of road cones.

The disruptor that's sent diamond price tumbling
Lab-grown diamonds, indistinguishable from the mined kind, are flooding onto the market at a tenth of the price .

Engineering firm strips doors off Pukaha aviary after $245,000 bill unpaid for months
BK Engineering says it's had to take out loans to stay afloat after its work at Pukaha Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre went unpaid.

A little boy's violent death - and why police didn't charge anyone with killing him
Ashton Cresswell was just four when he died from "shameful" violence and neglect.

This ultra-thin 15.6-inch portable laptop monitor is at its lowest price
Working remotely has its perks because your office can be anywhere you want, including your garden or your local café. But if you’re used to working with multiple screens, you may have a hard time being productive while working on the go. In that case, you’ll want something like this portable laptop monitor that’s only $60 on Amazon, which is a hefty 33% discount on its original $90 price. This 15.6-inch IPS display by MNN is a solid portable monitor with a 1080p resolution and a matte finish. Not only does it deliver bright and accurate colors, but it also has a 178-degree viewing angle. Plus, it’s easy to carry around thanks to its featherlight build that measures 0.3 inches thin and 1.5 pounds light. You can pack it alongside your laptop and you won’t even notice it in there. It’s perfect for travel, whether you’re working at the park or waiting out a layover at the airport. This monitor will fit in nicely with your setup, featuring two USB-C and one Mini HDMI ports for wide compatibility. Use it with more than just your laptop, including your phone, Nintendo Switch, Xbox or PlayStation, and more. It even comes with a scratch-resistant case so you won’t risk damaging the screen—a case that doubles as a monitor stand, allowing you to prop up the display for maximum convenience. Grab this plug-and-play portable monitor for only $60 while this deal is still available! Save 33% on this portable 15.6-inch laptop monitorBuy now at Amazon