Defence & Security: The US has approved New Zealand’s $69m MK 54 lightweight torpedo sale, closing a key undersea warfare gap and strengthening anti-submarine capability across the Indo-Pacific. Rural Mental Health: Farmlands and Rural Support Trust are launching a free online mental health and wellbeing service for farmers and growers, offering over 1,500 sessions with vetted professionals. Biosecurity & Hunting: Government-backed wild deer control pilots will fund catchment groups in Rangitīkei, Wairarapa and North Canterbury to measure deer impacts and test control methods on private production land. Privacy Law Push: The Green Party wants the Privacy Commissioner to seek civil penalties up to $10m for companies over serious breaches, arguing people’s data is still treated “as an afterthought.” International Pressure: Six Western countries, including New Zealand, announced coordinated sanctions over alleged financing and support for settler violence in the occupied West Bank, alongside travel bans on key figures. Sport & Local Impact: A Tauranga GP-led at-home bowel screening test is expanding access for younger New Zealanders, while the ICC has rated Lord’s pitch “unsatisfactory” after England’s rain-shortened Test win over New Zealand.