Solar storm causes spectacular Aurora Australis
Major geomagnetic solar storm happening right now. Musk has good reason to be worried, as an earlier solar storm in February 2023 saw Starlink lose 49 satellites. We're not done with Solar Cycle 25 which started in December 2019 and which will probably continue until 2030. In 2003, a G5 solar storm caused a power outage in Sweden, disabled transformers in South Africa and damaged satellites. Similarly, a 1989 solar storm caused serious problems in North America, including a nine-hour outage for the Quebec power grid.
Source:Stuff
May 12, 2024 10:12 UTC
Woke sushi, genocide bread and his foot – the many things David Seymour is putting in his mouth
Not content to attack woke sushi, David leapt to the defence of a genocidal bread. TDB Recommends NewzEngine.comThe weirdest part of this pro-Zionist virtue signal is that David is suggesting he’s never heard of Vogels before? ACT’s Treaty Referendum Bill is dangerous and disingenuous…1. Let’s be very clear, what the right are arguing for here with this Treaty Principles Referendum Bill is not Democracy, but Majoritarianism. ACT’s Treaty Referendum Bill is dangerous and disingenuous.
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 12, 2024 07:57 UTC
Whakaari/White Island disaster: WorkSafe sought more funding for prosecutions prior to trial
Photo: Supplied/ University of Canterbury*Correction: This story has been updated to correct the amount the levy is expected to generate. WorkSafe alerted officials that it was running out of money to fund its prosecution over the deadly Whakaari/White Island disaster a month before the trial began last year. WorkSafe initially charged 13 parties following its investigation, after the disaster killed 22 people and injured 25 others. A briefing paper prepared by Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) policy officials shows in June last year, a month before the trial began, WorkSafe expected to run out of funds within two months. The extra funding will be recovered from the Health and Safety at Work Levy, which also funds WorkSafe's general activities.
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 12, 2024 05:20 UTC
Returning to roots
Wanaka outdoor retail institution Racers Edge is returning to its roots as an independent outdoor equipment retailer in Wānaka. But in February, the Warehouse Group sold Torpedo7 for $1 to Tahua Partners, allowing Racers Edge to "de-couple"from the chain. Racers Edge has three co-owners: Mr Cochrane, Mr Schikker and Destination Queenstown chief executive Mat Woods. "Racers Edge was focused on delivering the specialist customer experience ranging quality international brands whilst T7 was pushing more into the home-brand space." Work to uncouple the two businesses began late last year, preparing Racers Edge to return to its independent roots from mid-March.
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 12, 2024 04:01 UTC
Family finds their place
The Vaugh family Kenny Vaugh, his wife Carrie, their son Rory (4) and twin daughters Ivy and Maisie (2). Mr Vaugh, originally from Ireland, and his Scottish wife Carrie moved to Wānaka after falling in love with the region. "We came here for the lifestyle and then realised that we never want to leave," Mr Vaugh said, echoing a sentiment common among many who move to Central Otago. "For us, I think our purchase price was around $430,000," Mr Vaugh said. Today, Mr Vaugh and his family are active, stable members of a thriving community.
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 12, 2024 04:01 UTC
Open mike 12/05/2024
issues underpinning the tribunal’s urgent inquiry into the Government’s intention to remove Section 7AA from the Oranga TamarikiNewsroom writer Aaron Smale, in an article triggered by the High Court’s ruling on whether a sitting MP must respond to a summons to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal, reports on...
Source:Stuff
May 11, 2024 23:54 UTC
Tradie exposes shoddy roadside paint job: 'People are just dumbfounded'
The local tradie has called out city authorities over the dodgy road job. Road contractors were tasked with administering a fresh line of paint along the side of an Auckland road to allow drivers to more easily see where they're going. However unfortunately for motorists, and taxpayers, the fresh paint won't be there for long. He told Yahoo News Australia he spotted the paint job as he drove past on Friday. The line on the side of the road was painted on top of dirt and easily brushed away.
Source:Stuff
May 11, 2024 22:17 UTC
Stunning aurora lights up NZ skies – plus the best place to catch it tonight
An aurora australis danced across Aotearoa’s skies this morning to the delight of photographers nationwide. Video / WISP MediaAn aurora australis danced across Aotearoa’s skies this morning to the delight of photographers nationwide. The aurora australis above Pohara, Golden Bay, around 6.30am on May 11. The aurora australis above Blockhouse Bay, Auckland, at 6am on May 11. And to actually see it with the naked eye, that was just incredible.”The aurora australis lit up the skies at Ruapuna this morning.
Source:Stuff
May 11, 2024 21:02 UTC
NZ First tries to introduce controversial bathroom bill
New Zealand First is introducing its controversial Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill to Parliament today. The bill would require all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. - HipkinsLabour Party leader Chris Hipkins. (Source: Getty)Speaking on the bill today, Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins said in almost all places there are a "variety" of bathroom options available, including unisex bathrooms. When asked about Luxon's criticism of the bill, Hipkins said it can be added to "the pile" of problems in the coalition government.
Source:Stuff
May 11, 2024 19:10 UTC
UN vote: NZ supports 'enhancing Palestine's status' - Peters
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand has made "a finely balanced decision" at the UN. Photo: RNZNew Zealand has voted in favour of a resolution to broaden the Palestinian role at the United Nations General Assembly. Overnight the UN's general assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of Palestine being granted full membership of the United Nations. "New Zealand will make a clear statement to the UN later this morning explaining its vote, indicating that while it supports enhancing Palestine's status at the UN, this does not amount to recognition of Palestinian statehood," Peters said. That can only be achieved by the parties ending this conflict and returning to the negotiating table," Peters said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 11, 2024 08:59 UTC
Open mike 11/05/2024
issues underpinning the tribunal’s urgent inquiry into the Government’s intention to remove Section 7AA from the Oranga TamarikiNewsroom writer Aaron Smale, in an article triggered by the High Court’s ruling on whether a sitting MP must respond to a summons to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal, reports on...
Source:Stuff
May 11, 2024 02:50 UTC
Bitcoin Price to $1 Million? Jack Dorsey Thinks So – Crypto News BTC
Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has says Bitcoin may attain and even high $1 million by the 12 months 2030. Bitcoin to Hit $1 Million and Past, Says Jack DorseyHe emphasized that whereas the potential worth milestone is notable, the true intrigue of Bitcoin lies in its ecosystem. The OG of social media and crypto fanatic, @jack Dorsey, predicts Bitcoin will attain a staggering $1 million by 2030. Wooden Revises Bitcoin Timeline, Million-Greenback Mark Could Be NearerDorsey isn’t the one one who’s optimistic relating to the Bitcoin worth. Keep in mind, Cathie Wooden stated her base case is $600,00 by 2030 and her bull case is $1.5 million.
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 10, 2024 22:43 UTC
Remembering a high-achieving bloke
Former local mayor Jim Boult, Rob’s youngest brother, says ‘‘he was my role model in life, he was just a high-achieving bloke’’. He joined his family’s apparel manufacturing business, and in his early 20s relocated to London with his wife Marjorie and attended the rag trade’s ‘university’, The Tailor and Cutter Academy. ‘‘He was one of those blokes who would try anything, he was never short of a good idea,’’ Jim says. Jim says it was also Rob’s idea, which he took up himself, to run the then-beleaguered Kingston Flyer steam train between Queenstownand Arrowtown. Rob’s survived by Marjorie, his wife of 65 years, and their children Simone and Kurtis.
Source:Stuff
May 10, 2024 18:21 UTC
Feeling the burn at the chilli comp in Tauranga
On Saturday, May 11, The Barrel Room will host the Tauranga heat of the NZ Chilli Eating Champs 2024. Among them is Tauranga’s very own Shannon Leigh, who took out 2023′s NZ Chilli Eating Champs title as a first-timer and placed second in the 2023 League of Fire — Chilli Eating Champions Oceania. Tauranga’s Shannon Leigh, who is 2023’s NZ Chilli Eating Champ, feeling the burn at the Awakeri heat of the competition. “That was not a pleasant experience, but I’m ready to try it all.”Tauranga’s Shannon Leigh chomping down on a chilli. The Tauranga heat for the NZ Chilli Eating Champs 2024 is at The Barrel Room, Wharf St, Tauranga, from 3pm, Saturday, May 11.
Source:Stuff
May 10, 2024 11:47 UTC
Breakfast briefing: New jump in global freight rates
Here's our summary of key economic events overnight that affect New Zealand, with news that there is a surprise renewed jump in global shipping freight rates underway again. There was an unexpected rise in global freight rates for containerised cargoes last week, up +16% in the week, principally on outbound rates from China. Meanwhile, bulk cargo rates rose +30% last week as well although they are "only" 57% higher than year ago levels. The China 10 year bond rate is is back up to 2.33%, a +2 bps rise. The NZ Government 10 year bond rate is now at 4.80% and up +7 bps from yesterday.
Source:Stuff
May 10, 2024 04:48 UTC