The Health Wrap: on the year of lies, healthcare in India, failures in aged care – and entrancing views In her first column for 2026, Dr Lesley Russell provides a detailed update on the Trump Administration, warning that while

First edition of THW for 2026:
- update on Trump Admin and health (all bad news)
- Moderna abandons vaccine development
- Australia’s aged care issues
- India’s efforts towards UHC
- what happened to Chalmers’ well-being budget?
And more ….

www.croakey.org/the-health-w...

From @bwolpe.bsky.social

This afternoon some of us hiked from Leith whaling station over tussocked Hills and shale slopes to Stromness whaling station. Seals hiding in the tussocks were a threat. Glorious weather, great views.
#ShackeltonFootsteps

Good morning from Grytviken, South Georgia.
We are here to explore the whaling history, pay homage at the graves of Shackelton and Wild - and there's a wedding! Two of our fellow explorers are getting married in the little church and we are all invited! #ShackeltonFootsteps

We hit a lovely strip of beach beneath towering cliffs and glaciers on Elephant Island - penguins, seals and sealions galore. Sadly Shackelton missed this! #ShackeltonFootsteps

Plan was then to zodiac in to Cape Rosa where the James Caird first landed 16 day trip from Elephant Is. Here they feasted on albatross before seeking better shelter at Pegetty Bluff. Sadly worsening weather prevented us from visiting this tiny cove.

More photos from Pegetty Bluff.
#ShackeltonFootsteps

Lunch at Possession Bay, named by Captain Cook when he claimed South Georgia for Britain in 1775. Surrounded by glaciers and suddenly the weather has turned. Wind at 50 knots - it's a whiteout. So now headed to Fortuna Bay looking for calmer waters.

Zodiac cruise of Prince Olaf Harbour, once a major whaling station, now home to lots of elephant seals, clustered around the shore - the bull and his harem and lots of pups.
#ShackeltonFootsteps

A 3:30am wakeup call for 4:00am zodiac trip to Salisbury Plain - largest penguin colony on South Georgia. Lots of king & gentoo penguins (moulting), seals + pups, sealions (aggressive). Seas calm but a steady rain. #ShackeltonFootsteps

As we ate lunch (ravenous after trip to penguin rookery at St Andrews Bay) sailed to Godthul for zodiac trip to Rookery Point (gentoos, albatrosses, terns). Back via Cobblers Cove (blocked by an iceberg). Currently en route to Cumberland Bay. #ShackeltonFootsteps

Photos from St Andrews Bay, South Georgia Island #ShackeltonFootsteps

Good morning from St Andrews Bay, South Georgia Island. Looks like fresh snow overnight but weather now clearing, maybe sunshine. Preparing to go ashore - lots of penguins.

Remains of a glorious day at Cumberland Bay, South Georgia Island. The Neumyer Glacier here is retreating very fast.
#ShackeltonFootsteps

It took us almost 3 hours to sail past this iceberg!
#SheackeltonFootsteps

Good morning from South Georgia Island as we sail up King Haakon Sound to Pegetty Bluff. Shackelton pulled in here after his epic crossing from Elephant Island. #ShackeltonFootsteps

It’s 4:30am and we are preparing for a pre-breakfast zodiac tour around Gibbs Island before heading to Elephant Island - just visible in the gap. #ShackeltonFootsteps

Then on round Cape Valentine (where Shackelton first landed) to Cape Wild where 22 men waited for rescue after Shackelton set off in the James Caird for South Georgia. Strikingly beautiful in sunshine but so inhospitable. #ShackeltonFootsteps

In late afternoon, on our 3rd zodiac trip of the day, finally got to land on what is left of tiny beach where 22 men lived for months under shelter of 2 rowboats waiting for rescue. Plenty of penguins & seals to eat. There's a bust of Chilean captain who rescued them. #ShackeltonFootsteps

We are currently in the Bransfield Strait headed to Penguin Island. Awoke early to a fine array of icebergs and snow on the deck. #ShackeltonFootsteps

It was too rough to land on Penguin Island - a distinctive extinct volcano - so a zodiac tour. Spectacular icebergs, penguins, sea lions, cormorants, petrels. Four fin whales sighted earlier. So another great day #ShackeltonFootsteps

Another exciting day in #ShackeltonFootsteps Landed at Brown Bluff - a tuya or subglacial volcano, now home to thousands of adelie and gentoo penguins. Then a zodiac trip around the calving glaciers.

After lunch we sailed to Herbert Sound looking for fast ice for a sea ice landing. Exciting! Definitely #ShackeltonFootsteps

And just a few more photos from a great day of Antarctic experiences
#ShackeltonFootsteps

Hike into Laguna Esmerelda - rain threatened but we were lucky. Imteresting to see lots of damage to wetlands from imported beavers.

Today a great if rather muddy trek to Laguna Esmerelda. Finally hiking in Terra del Fuego!

Exploring Ushuaia: a history very evocative of Tasmania. From 1884 to 1940s a penal colony. Local First Nations people (Yamanas) wiped out by disease, mistreatment, misunderstanding.
And our ship has come in - we board tomorrow.

#OsterlenWay Day 2. Our hike passed some charming houses - I especially loved the older homes with thatched roofs. Beaches are stinky with seaweed but amazing birdlife.

#OsterlenWay Day 2 24km from Kaseberga to Skillinge, then 2km more to our B&B. Hiking mostly along beaches with a few kms through oak/beech forest.

#OsterlenWay Day 3. 15km from Skillinge to Simrishamn. A beautiful day's walk along the seashore through farm fields and forests. We stopped for a fish burger at Branteviks.