Three hundred earthquakes will hit New Zealand this week, but many of them will be too small to be felt, when a big earthquake shakes the country, the scientists at the National Geohazards Monitoring Centre are the first responders. The centre operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the seismologists on call are the first line of defence, always on alert for catastrophe. Monitoring the more than 500 seismic sensors is one of the country’s most important jobs. Since earthquakes cannot be predicted, a fast reaction time is critical, especially for a country situated between two tectonic plates.

An independent external investigator will look into claims that census data was misused for election campaigning. Stats NZ has hired former State Services Deputy Commissioner Doug Craig to lead the investigation. He will investigate claims that private data was photocopied and entered into a database to help the Te Pāti Māori Party’s campaign. The party’s president has denied the claims.

New Zealand's Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is calling for a crackdown on the availability and price of alcohol to reduce its social harm. Police reportedly estimate that alcohol causes around $7.2 billion in social harm. There are 84 alcohol harm prevention officers in New Zealand’s police force, which makes up just 0.84 percent of the total force..

Astrophysicist and cosmologist Dr Brad Tucker discusses the passing of Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders who took a famous photo of the Earth rising over the lunar horizon from his spaceship in 1968. Mr Anders was one of the first three people to orbit the moon. He died in a plane crash aged 90. “The story is amazing, the risk is amazing, and he will definitely be missed in the community,” Dr Tucker told Sky News Australia.

Astrophysicist and cosmologist Dr Brad Tucker discusses the China National Space Administration’s lunar mission in which they successfully landed a probe on the far side of the Moon. The Chinese probe is currently sending samples back to Earth. “China is the only country to land on the far side of the m=Moon,” Mr Tucker told Sky News Australia. “This mission is the first to extract samples from the surface, including rock, and bring them back.”

Astrophysicist and cosmologist Dr Brad Tucker discusses SpaceX’s Starship which completed its first full test flight. “The first test exploded at 30 kilometres, the second test six months later reached nearly orbit, but both the Starship and the booster, the bottom part separated and broke apart,” Dr Tucker told Sky News Australia. “Now, in this fourth mission, they did what they wanted to do. “Have the starship top and booster separate; they both come back down and orientate themselves. “Because in the future, SpaceX will be landing both Starship and the booster on a landing pad to be reused.” “Assuming everything else is going according to plan, Starliner will enter, hopefully, NASA service and be a regular option for astronauts going to the space station.”

Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen says Peter Dutton “doesn’t have the courage to stare down the climate changer deniers” in the Coalition. Mr Bowen used a media conference on Saturday to spruik Labor’s progress on renewable energy and to criticize the Opposition’s differing proposals. “Mr Dutton would rip up the pathway to renewable energy,” Mr Bowen said of the Opposition Leader. “He would take Australia backwards for no good reason other than the fact he doesn’t have the courage to stare down the climate changer deniers in his Party room.”

Australian low-cost airline Bonza appears to have collapsed. More than 300 staff have been stood down while customers were issued a warning from the low-cost carrier that there is no money left for refunds. Administrators say interested parties had until the end of business hours yesterday to place any offers on buying out the airline.

The NSW government has stumbled onto a costly accounting error which will blow a $1 billion hole in the 2024 state budget. The property sales of buildings above train stations for the flagship Sydney Metro project were counted twice in 2018. It means the state's net debt has been underreported by a billion dollars for the last five years. Former New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet was Treasurer at the time.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his warning he could send weapons to Russian allies to target Western countries. He also asked nations not to speak of nuclear engagement lightly and referenced the multitude of alternative weapons Russia could use instead. Mr Putin also claimed the Russian economy has grown due to increased economic ties with Africa and Asia.

Donald Trump has confirmed he will announce his vice-presidential pick at July's Republican convention. The development was revealed during a sit-down interview with Dr Phil. During the course of the one-hour interview, the former US president accused Democrats of orchestrating his recent felony conviction.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has slammed Peter Dutton for “taking Australia backwards” with proposed energy policies which would see the nation removed from the Paris Accord and become an "investment wasteland". Mr Bowen pointed out, Australia leaving the accord would place us amongst Libya, Yemen, and Iran on emissions reductions policy. “Being inside the Paris Accord is important for Australia’s leadership in the world but it is also vital for investment in the jobs of the future to tell the world’s investors that they can invest in Australia,” Mr Bowen said. “Not being in the Paris Accord would mean Australia becomes an international pariah and an investment wasteland.”

A Sydney father has begun building an online community which encourages and supports parents who are holding off from giving their children smartphones and access to social media. Thousands of parents concerned about the mental health impacts of social media on their young children have joined the online movement. The mounting concerns are placing pressure on the federal government to increase the age limit for social media access from 13 to 16 years old. Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help. Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au 13YARN: Speak to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter on 13 92 76 or visit 13yarn.org.au Are you anxious? Take the Beyond Blue quiz to see how you’re tracking and whether you could benefit from support

US President Joe Biden has paid tribute to veterans of D-Day and used the anniversary to emphasise support for Ukraine. Speaking in Normandy, Mr Biden drew comparisons between soldiers who landed in Northern France during World War II and members of the Ukrainian armed forces standing up to Russia. In his speech, the US President sent a message to Moscow that they would “not bow down,” before going on to describe Vladimir Putin as a “tyrant bent on domination.”

Sky News Digital Editor Jack Houghton says US media is following the lead of “crazy actors” in their condemnation of former US president Donald Trump.

Obesity has overtaken smoking and alcohol as the number one risk factor for liver cancer in Australia. Rates of liver cancer in Australia have more than doubled since 1996. Researchers have found that geographic location and socioeconomic status do not impact the likelihood of a positive diagnosis. Experts warn that a sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet can contribute to poor liver health.

New South Wales SES Acting Assistant Commander Dallas Burnes has provided an update on the evacuation warnings in place across Greater Sydney. Anumber of warnings are in place following days of heavy rain which led to the Warragamba Dam and neighbouring weirs reaching capacity on Friday. Mr Burnes has urged residents in the areas concerned to be careful, make sensible decisions and check any routes ahead of travelling.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud says Andrew Giles can’t take all the blame for the hurt caused by Direction 99, condemning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for signing the paperwork to keep things “friendly” with New Zealand. It follows the Immigration Minister’s announcement the controversial directive, which enabled a number of criminals to remain in Australia, is to be revoked on June 21 with new guidance being introduced in its place. “Anthony Albanese signed our sovereign security away to New Zealand for a friendship with Jacinda Ardern, rather than standing up for Australia, and protecting Australia. “We want to make sure that the priority, main and first priority of any order, or any direction, is to keep your people safe, that’s what this government has failed to do. “It’s all too late for many people who have been hurt by these decisions by Anthony Albanese and Andrew Giles.”

Nationals leader David Littleproud says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is only taking aim at nuclear energy because he “doesn’t want to talk” about Andrew Giles and the detainee debacle. The Prime Minister used the Sky News-Australian Economic Outlook forum on Friday to firm his government’s position against nuclear, arguing it would send Australia down a 15 year “wasteful rabbit hole.” “The Prime Minister is talking about nuclear because he doesn’t want to talk about Andrew Giles at the moment,” Mr Littleproud told Sky News in response. “That’s the only reason he’s taking an interest in nuclear energy."

Nationals leader David Littleproud has backed Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s claim he is the “most qualified” leader on economics since John Howard. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph Dutton pitched himself as Australia's next Prime Minister, and described economics as “second nature” to him. “Well he is, and I think it’s not just because of his own personal business acronym, but also his experience in the parliament as assistant treasurer and expenditure review committee for many years,” Mr Littleproud told Sky News Australia in response. “What you are going to get from Peter Dutton, and David Littleproud is just upfront truth.”