Trailwalking fundraiser to be held in Taranaki
Art Green introduces the Oxfam Trailwalker campaign, which is being held in Taranaki in 2021. A large charity walking and running event is to be held in Taranaki for the next three years. The Oxfam Trailwalker, which raises money for Oxfam's humanitarian work, will be held in New Plymouth from 2021. The first Taranaki event, which usually attracts about 1000 entrants, as well as 1500 supporters, will be held from March 20-21. Artur Francisco/Oxfam/Supplied The Oxfam Trailwalker charity event will be held in Taranaki from 2021 until 2023.
Source:Stuff
June 01, 2020 00:00 UTC
$50 takes flight in sale of kiwi-shaped feijoa
Carl Meyer found this feijoa, allegedly shaped like a kiwi. Or just call it a feijoa shaped like a kiwi. One lucky bidder has snaffled the flightless bird-shaped fruit with a winning offer of $50. Carl Meyer, of Wellington, listed the curious fruit on Trade Me after picking it on a recent Ōtaki retreat. It's $50 going to charity that otherwise wouldn't have."
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2020 23:48 UTC
President Trump threatens to label 'antifa' movement as terrorist group following protest violence
Violence has escalated in the US as protests over the death of George Floyd continue across the country. US President Trump blamed far-left anarchists for a flare-up of street violence amid nationwide protests against police brutality, even as critics denounced him for stoking divisiveness at a moment when Covid-19 and economic ruin are already causing upheaval across the country. The 46-year-old black man died after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Just as with the coronavirus outbreak, competing political narratives have emerged over the root cause of the civil unrest. Nate Smallwood/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review via AP A police vehicle burns in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 30, 2020, during a protest over the death of George Floyd who died in Minneapolis police custody on May 25.
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2020 23:46 UTC
Black Lives Matter march: Thousands at Kiwi protest say 'no justice, no peace'
Chants of “No Justice, No Peace” and “Black Lives Matter” are ringing out across central Auckland, as thousands of people take part in Black Lives Matter protest events across New Zealand. Abigail Dougherty/Stuff Protesters gather in central Auckland, before the Black Lives Matter march gets underway. Not-For-Syndication Parris Goebel, pictured in Northern Uganda with World Vision, is encouraging Kiwis to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. However, more than 100 Black Lives Matter protesters were marching from Frank Kitts Park to Parliament in Wellington on Monday afternoon. Dominic Lipinski/PA A woman is led away by police during a Black Lives Matter protest outside the US Embassy in London Sunday, May 31, 2020.
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2020 23:23 UTC
Woman, local pilot killed in glider crash in Tāupo
A Wellington couple’s holiday weekend jaunt to Tāupo has ended in tragedy after a paid glider flight crashed into a mountain, killing a woman and the pilot. The 43-year-old woman and the Tāupo pilot, a man in his 70s, both died when the glider struck Mt Tauhara, about six kilometres out of Tāupo , on Sunday afternoon. The woman who died and her husband had been visiting Tāupo for the long holiday weekend from their home in Wellington. The husband took the first trip up in the glider piloted by a local Tāupo man, Bay of Plenty Police area commander for Tāupo , Inspector Warwick Morehu told Stuff. A rahui has been placed on the mountain for five days, ending sunrise on Saturday out of respect for the families, the Tauhara Mountain Trust said.
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2020 23:18 UTC
Covid-19 becoming less lethal: Italian doctor
The new coronavirus is losing its potency and has become much less lethal, a senior Italian doctor says. Italy has the third highest death toll in the world from COVID-19, with 33,415 people dying since the outbreak came to light on February 21. "We should instead invite Italians to maintain the maximum caution, maintain physical distancing, avoid large groups, to frequently wash their hands and to wear masks." A second doctor from northern Italy told the national ANSA news agency that he was also seeing the coronavirus weaken. "It is clear that today the COVID-19 disease is different."
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 31, 2020 22:59 UTC
Hundreds attend funeral of Palestinian shot by police
Protesters gather over the shooting of a Palestinian man who was shot by Israeli Police, hundreds attended his funeral. Photo: Getty ImagesHundreds of people attended the funeral of a Palestinian who was fatally shot by Israeli police in an incident for which Israel's new defense minister later apologized. Palestinian officials said the 32-year-old man, Iyad Khayri, suffered mental health issues and decried his killing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not mention the incident in his remarks. The Palestinians, Arab states, the United Nations and European states have warned against the move and the Palestinians have declared an end to security cooperation with Israel and its ally, the United States, in protest.
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 31, 2020 22:41 UTC
Canterbury music lover Christopher Marshall receives Queen's Birthday Honour
Kaiapoi's Christopher Marshall has received the Queen's Service Medal for services to music. A music lover who has brought live music to audiences across Canterbury for more than 30 years has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Christopher Marshall, of Kaiapoi, has received the Queen's Service Medal for services to music. He has provided extensive financial support to organisations including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand String Quartet, Chamber Music New Zealand and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and to many emerging young musicians. Marshall received the Marie Vandewart Memorial Award from Chamber Music New Zealand in 2018.
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2020 22:30 UTC
Black ice causes multiple crashes
There have been multiple crashes around Dunedin this morning as black ice makes southern roads treacherous. Police issued a warning this morning about black ice around the city, saying it was believed to be a factor in two crashes and a grit truck had been sent out. A police spokeswoman said there were four crashes reported this morning, all minor. Another single vehicle crash occurred on Waikouaiti-Waitati Road at 7.40am, when a car went off the road. Two further crashes, one on Coast Rd near Warrington at 9am and another on Russell Rd at Seacliff at 9.30am, were also reported.
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 31, 2020 22:30 UTC
Heavy rain, strong winds batter North Island
People in those areas are being warned that heavy rain could lead to streams and rivers rising rapidly. Motorists in parts of the North Island are being warned to drive carefully after heavy rain and wind downed trees and caused slips. It comes as a deep low and associated fronts are expected to move south over the upper North Island during today. MetService's heavy rain warning is in place until 6pm, and rain continues to fall across most of the North Island. Meanwhile, there are strong winds Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Rotorua and Gisborne.
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 31, 2020 22:07 UTC
Vettori donates part of salary to low-income staff
Photo: Getty ImagesDaniel Vettori has been described as having a "heart of gold" after donating some of his coaching salary to low-income Bangladesh cricket staff. Vettori (41), is reported to be on $400,000 for a 100-day contract as the country's spin bowling coach. This would have taken him up to the T20 World Cup in Australia, which is now under threat. Reports about Vettori did not specify how much money he was contributing. "Vettori has said that we should donate a specific part of his salary to the BCB's low-income staff," Chowdhury told the Dhaka Prothom Alo newspaper.
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 31, 2020 21:22 UTC
Queen's Birthday Honours 2020 - full list
The New Zealand Order of MeritDNZMDames CompanionDistinguished Prof Jane Elizabeth Harding, ONZM, Auckland, services to neonatology and perinatology. Adjunct Associate Prof Rosemary Ann Du Plessis, Christchurch, services to women and education. James Arthur Griffin, Auckland, services to the television and film industries. Georgina Beyer, JP, Wellington, services to LGBTIQA+ rights. Neil Malcolm McCorkindale, JP, Auckland, services to hockey administration.
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 31, 2020 21:07 UTC
British elite sport could get quarantine exemption: report
Riyad Mahrez controls the ball as Manchester City plays Manchester United in one of the English Premier League's last games before the coronavirus shut down. Photo: Getty ImagesBritish quarantine rules are set to be relaxed for elite sport in a boost for football clubs in European competition and Formula One's plans for races at Silverstone, the Times has reported. The Times reported that the government was prepared, however, to exempt elite sports events if detailed plans regarding movements and activities were approved. A Formula One spokesperson said in response to the report that the sport welcomed "the government's efforts to ensure elite sport can continue to operate and their support for our return to racing. Manchester City and Chelsea are still in soccer's Champions League while Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Glasgow Rangers are playing in the Europa League.
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 31, 2020 21:03 UTC
Firefighters battle house fire in Queenstown
A home in Queenstown was damaged in a fire early on Monday. Firefighting crews were called to a house fire on Tucker Beach Rd in Queenstown early Monday morning. Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman Daniel Reilly said the emergency call was received at 5.45am. Crews from Queenstown, Frankton and Arrowtown volunteer fire brigades responded. The fire has been contained, but we are just working to fully extinguish it.”It is not known whether the residents were inside the house when the fire started, but no injuries were reported.
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2020 20:46 UTC
Heavy rain causes slips, flooding on Coromandel Peninsula
Parts of the Coromandel Peninsula were closed due to flooding as the first day of winter made its presence felt. Coromandel Peninsula got a drenching overnight causing slips, closing roads and making travel treacherous on the long weekend. READ MORE:* Heavy rain causes slips, flooding on Coromandel Peninsula* Weather: Flood warnings as heavy rain, gales forecast for Gisborne, Bay of Plenty* First the pestilence, then the flood - Coromandel farm park's post-lockdown reopening drenchedThose who made the trip to the peninsula for Queen's Birthday were asked to delay any urgent travel or plan for delays due to surface flooding. Heavy rain already closed a Coromandel farm park due to flooding on the first day of reopening after the Covid-19 lockdown. More heavy rain was expected to pass over the North Island on Monday as a deep low moves south, Metservice reports.
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2020 20:46 UTC