Monday, 26 July 2021, 10:19 am
Despite many parts of the world moving on from the worst
impacts of COVID-19, World Vision is warning that we will
see a significant loss of life in fragile countries if the
international community does not respond
urgently.
There have recently been dangerous increases
in the number of cases in many countries. Myanmar’s
massive spike in COVID-19 cases highlights the potential
impact that the virus can have on conflict-affected
countries where the Delta variant has yet to
spread.
One day last week Indonesia recorded 1,383
deaths. Myanmar reported 286 deaths in one day last week –
a new high.1 The UN is warning of limited access to hospital
Monday, 26 July 2021, 12:07 pm
Severe weather is affecting many parts of the country
today (Monday), then MetService is forecasting an easing
trend as the week goes on.
An active front with strong
northeasterlies is crossing Aotearoa today, and MetService
has Severe Weather Watches and Warnings in place for many
regions across both islands.
Several stations in the
northwestern ranges of the Tasman District have recorded
150mm of rain in the 18 hours leading up to 10am this
morning, with an additional 90-110mm still expected until
6am tomorrow.
MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan
elaborates, “Less rain is expected to fall over a shorter
Monday, 26 July 2021, 12:33 pm
Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft is urging the
public and media to respect the privacy and wellbeing of the
children returning with their mother from Turkey, following
the Governments’ announcement today.
“I am proud
that New Zealand has put the interests of the children in
this case first and allowed them safe passage to Aotearoa
with their mother,” Commissioner Becroft
says.
“Now the rest of us need to call on the same
compassionate spirit that saw us come together through Covid
and other tragedies. We need to protect and embrace the two
small children at the centre of this situation as they start
Monday, 26 July 2021, 12:49 pm
A University of Otago study that claims the transition
from cigarettes to vaping is not as straightforward as many
think is not helpful to the many Kiwis desperate to quit
smoking, says one leading Tobacco Harm Reduction
Advocate.
“The process of kicking cigarettes, via
vaping, is never straightforward and it does vary from
smoker to smoker. However, what the University of Otago
researchers fail to acknowledge is despite this, vaping
remains the most effective smoking cessation tool in the
world by a long shot. What’s more, ongoing personalised
support is key,” says Nancy Loucas, co-director of the
Monday, 26 July 2021, 1:48 pm
A motorway overbridge has been struck by
over height vehicles twice in the same weekend, prompting
urgent maintenance works, just a year after major repairs
following similar incidents.
“On both occasions
warning signs were illuminated, but the vehicles didn’t
reduce their speed, striking the bridge at speeds up to
100km an hour. It’s fortunate that nobody was hurt,”
says Waka Kotahi Auckland Systems Manager Andrea
Williamson.
Visible damage was immediately identified
by responding crews, with a structural inspection and
emergency works carried out to remove concrete debris from
roadway. Maintenance to the collision protection beam was