Kiwis have been warned to dispose of or seek a refund for the Spanish-style chorizo.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) has released more unclassified video footage of its forces attacking.

The Hamilton man brazenly got into gyms, stole car keys, and took off in the vehicles.

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Just five years ago, her young son was diagnosed with cancer himself.

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Health officials say the traveller was likely infected before visiting NZ.

A fire ant nest has been detected in World Heritage-listed rainforest on the Gold Coast.

The nest was found in a forest clearing in Lamington National Park and has been destroyed, according to the Invasive Species Council.

The tiny red ants are considered one of the world's worst invasive species and can devastate agriculture and native wildlife.

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Native to South America, they were first detected in Australia in Brisbane in 2001, and are currently only known to be in south-east Queensland.

They have been detected and eradicated in parts of northern New South Wales.

The new discovery is deeply concerning, Invasive Species Council advocacy director Reece Pianta said.

"To find a nest inside one of the world's most ancient and beautiful rainforests is alarming," Pianta said.

"These places should be beyond the reach of invasive species.

"Rainforest is an unusual habitat for fire ants, which shows just how adaptable and dangerous they are and why every part of Australia is at risk of fire ant infestation.

"The program's rapid response meant the nest was found and destroyed before it could spread. That's exactly how eradication is supposed to work. The park is protected because the system responded fast.

READ MORE: RBA makes big call on the future of cash in Australia

Pianta said funding delays could impair the next phase of fire ant eradication.

"Every successful response protects irreplaceable natural heritage," Pianta said.

"But eradication only works if teams can move fast and have the resources they need."

The federal government's National Fire Ant Eradication Program aims to eradicate fire ants from Australia by 2032 at an estimated cost of between $200 and $300 million per year.

People can report fire ants using the government's online reporting form or by calling 13 22 68 (132 ANT).

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The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has backed calls to keep cash circulating in the economy, describing bank notes and coins as "vital" for regional and remote communities.

In an update on the future of cash in Australia during its Payments System Board meeting, the RBA agreed the "long-term sustainability" of the cash economy was crucial amid concerns over a cashless future.

The board also expressed support for the RBA's proposed ban on card surcharges.

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"Access to cash remains vital for many Australians, particularly in regional and remote communities," the RBA said in a statement.

"Members acknowledged the importance of the long-term sustainability of the cash distribution system and expressed support for the proposed regulatory framework for providers of cash distribution services.

"The framework would include crisis powers for the public sector to assist in managing risks to the continuity of cash distribution services across Australia."

Amendments to card systems regulations – including interchange fee regulation – were also identified as having "relative merit" in keeping cash flowing in Australia.

"Members expressed their support for industry efforts to strengthen resilience and contingency arrangements so that the payments system meets the high reliability standards expected by Australians," the RBA said.

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A consultation paper on regulatory action is scheduled for publication this month.

Swinburne finance expert Professor Steve Worthington said he welcomed the RBA's position, adding that Australians have the right to avoid credit card surcharges by using legal tender.

He also suggested the RBA "take over" the distribution of cash and run it as a public service.

"They could also assist in the creation of jointly owned distribution organisation by involving the major banks as operators of this service," Worthington said.

"This could run like The Link in the UK, who run the Link ATM network and distribute cash to every corner of the UK."

A recent Reserve Bank survey found consumer payments made in cash have fallen from about 70 per cent in 2007 to just 13 per cent in 2022.

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The nation's declining use of cash was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic when shoppers and retail workers were reluctant to handle potentially infected notes.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced last year that Australia will be introducing a cash mandate for grocery and fuel retailers in 2026.

Under the nine-page draft published in October, grocery and fuel retailers must accept up to $500 in cash payments.

The bigger grocery and fuel retailers that are captured under the mandate can still, however, be granted an exemption if they can prove an exceptional circumstance. 

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