https://www.rnz.co.nz/assets/news_crops/117509/eight_col_IMG_1604.jpg?1613328848 Otago University epidemiologist Professor David Skegg says it’s no surprise Auckland is going back into lockdown. Auckland’s border checkpoints are back with the latest Covid-19 cases. Photo: RNZ / Kate Gregan “I don’t think we should see this as a surprise, I’ve been saying this all along. There will be more lockdowns in 2021 I’m afraid,” he told Nine to Noon. The prime minister confirmed this morning the latest cases had the UK variant, which Sir David says is more infectious and serious. But he said what was even more concerning was that they’ve been unable to trace any link to managed isolation and quarantine facilities (MIQ). “That immediately raises the question of how this person became infected and how many other people might’ve been infected in the chain that led to them. “I think the most likely thing, and obviously this is speculation, is that this woman was ...

https://www.rnz.co.nz/assets/news_crops/63050/eight_col_xlarge_TeMihi_Ext_G9C7311.jpg?1534110536 The country’s biggest power company, Contact Energy, has reported a rebound in its half year profit and is raising fresh capital to pay for a new geothermal plant. Te Mihi power station. Photo: Contact Energy The net profit for the six months ended December was up a third to $78 million compared with $59m last year. It said it would raise $400m and proceed with a geothermal power station at Tauhara, near Taupō. Contact chief executive Mike Fuge said the improvement was a result of strong management of its assets and business, which allowed it to benefit from high wholesale prices. “We’re pleased to have delivered a strong financial result despite challenging headwinds in the form of ongoing uncertainty around gas availability, and the doubt swirling around the future of the Tiwai Point smelter until the extension announced a month ago.” Its operating earnings were up 11 percent to ...

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https://www.rnz.co.nz/assets/news_crops/104194/eight_col_Prof_Michael_Baker_-_HighRes-2.jpg?1592696874 The exact source of Auckland community cases is the “big unknown” and there could be other cases, epidemiologist Michael Baker says. University of Otago epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker Photo: University of Otago, Wellington / Luke Pilkinton-Ching​ Auckland is in alert level 3 lockdown and the rest of the country in level 2 in response to the community cases announced yesterday afternoon. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed the community cases are the UK variant of the virus according to genomic sequencing. She said it was unlikely to have been a breach from managed isolation and quarantine facilities. The cases are a mother, father and daughter who live in the South Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe. Another household contact has tested negative. The mother works for laundry and catering company LSG Skychefs, which services planes at the airport. “It’s very much a repeat of the Auckland August outbreak. Hopefully it will ...

https://www.elanka.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/by-train-across-sri-lanka.jpg × For nearly two decades eLanka has reliably reported the facts, good news stories, photos, events at no charge, but our work is far from free to produce. Make an unconditional contribution today and help ensure the internet’s most trusted fact-checking site endures — and grows. Thank You! Source link ...

https://www.rnz.co.nz/assets/news_crops/113495/eight_col_Post-Cab-9Nov-1.jpg?1606095765 The Prime Minister says genome sequencing hasn’t linked the latest Covid-19 community cases to anyone in managed isolation. A long line of cars stretches more than 1km at a border checkpoint at Mercer. Photo: RNZ / Kate Gregan The restrictions in Auckland started at midnight and will last three days, although the government will revise the status daily. The rest of the country is under alert level 2. Police say Auckland boundaries will be set mostly in the same locations as the last time the city was in alert level 3 in August, to ensure there is no non-essential movement through the region. Auckland mayor Phil Goff said travel exemptions would be made for those needing to get home. Under the restrictions, Aucklanders need to stay home, and should also work from home if possible. Non-essential shops will close, and schools and early childhood centres will only be open ...

https://www.rnz.co.nz/assets/news_crops/114992/eight_col_rod_oram2.jpg?1607968232 Infratil is interested in windfarm development. Photo: 123rf Key New Zealand companies including a phone business, energy firms and airport could end up in foreign hands for good after a multi-billion dollar bid for their majority owner. AustralianSuper’s $5.4 billion bid for the New Zealand sharemarket darling Infratil has been described as hostile, audacious and predatory.  The $7.43-a-share offer’s been rejected as too low but the battle’s not over, and it will be in the spotlight tomorrow at Infratil’s annual investor day when the company talks about the value of its assets, and investors mull over just what price they would sell at.  Vodafone New Zealand, Wellington Airport and Trustpower are among the many assets Infratil has significant shares in.  It is in the top 10 listed companies and many thousands of New Zealanders have a stake in Infratil through KiwiSaver. News of the surprise offer by the $200b ...

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2017-11/beehive-red-og_0.png A historic collaboration between iwi groups in Northland to tackle Kauri dieback is being funded through the Government’s Jobs for Nature programme, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. Up to 30 jobs will be created with the Te Roroa, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Wai, and Ngāti Kurī to address the spread of the disease, which has been a threat for many years. “Without urgent action, it will devastate iconic Northland forests,” Kiri Allan said. “The $3.5 million Jobs for Nature project will cover approximately 50 per cent of Kauri forests in the region and include the two most significant old-growth forests in Northland (Waipoua and Warawara) and two of the country’s most significant tourist destinations, Tane Mahuta and Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga). “This significant investment in kauri recovery is vital to māori culture, mana, and identity. What we learn through undertaking this work at a scale will be invaluable and ...

https://www.elanka.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Alexander-Obeyesekere.jpg Alexander Obeyesekere Source:Dailynews Alexander Indrajit Obeyesekere was born on March 9, 1918 to a boxing family. His father, Donald Obeyesekere who followed boxing at the Cambridge University in 1898, pioneered the introduction of boxing to Sri Lanka and is known as the ‘father of boxing’ in this country. In addition, Alexander’s brother, Danton Obeyesekere won several National Boxing Championships and also served as a judge at the London Olympic Games in 1948. Alexander took to boxing at the age of 10 under the guidance of his father and brother and displayed his talent at several Inter-Schools Boxing Meets. He also played a major role in helping Royal College to clinch the Stubbs Shield Boxing Championships on several occasions. Alexander won the heavyweight ‘B’ class at the Stubbs Shield in 1935 and took the heavyweight ‘A’ class title in the following year. Alexander first participated in the National Boxing Meet ...