Author: Press Room

Drugs have been stolen in a burglary of an air ambulance in Otago.Helicopters Otago chief executive officer Graeme Gale said the theft took place from the Queenstown-based rescue helicopter which had just taken a critically ill patient to Dunedin Hospital at the weekend.“The helicopter and crew were forced to hold over at the base in North Taieri due to bad weather.”He said the stolen bag held critical medical equipment and supplies.“If the helicopter and crew had responded to an incident, unaware that the bag had been taken, there could have been fatal consequences.”Police acting area investigations manager Detective Sergeant Hayden…

Mayotte issued a red alert and people were ordered to stay in their homes and store food and water as Tropical Storm Dikeledi brought heavy rains and strong winds to France’s poorest department. ADVERTISEMENTThe French territory of Mayotte was battered by another tropical storm on Sunday, just weeks after the worst cyclone to hit the islands in nearly a century caused widespread devastation in December.Mayotte issued a red alert and people were ordered to stay in their homes or find a solid shelter and store food and water, as Tropical Storm Dikeledi brought heavy rains and strong winds to once again pound France’s…

Cooler than usual temperatures are set to continue for some this week, MetService says.While the air will be cool, MetService is forecasting the weather to be dry for much of the country as the week begins.Towards the end of the week, humid air with rain may move onto the country.MetService meteorologist Surprise Mhlongo said the cool temperatures are expected “especially in the eastern areas thanks to the southerly flow driven by a high pressure system that’s currently dominating New Zealand”.”However, western areas and the lower South Island continue to be the best places this summer, with Wānaka temperatures forecast to…

University classes have been suspended for weeks with students demanding accountability for the collapse of a concrete canopy at Novi Sad railway station in November that killed 15 people. ADVERTISEMENTUniversity students on strike in Serbia have protested outside the country’s top court to draw attention to what they say have been violations of their civil rights under the populist authorities, including pressure from the secret service.The rally began with thousands of people standing in silence for 15 minutes in front of the Constitutional Court in the capital, Belgrade, to commemorate the victims of a concrete canopy collapse in the northern city…

Drones with thermal imaging equipment will survey a vegetation fire on the Coromandel Peninsula tonight to identify deep seated pockets where the fire is burning, which firefighters will attack tomorrow.Multiple crews and helicopters continued to battle the vegetation fire today on the Coromandel Peninsula, after it was brought under control yesterday — but fully extinguishing the blaze was likely to take “several days”.Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said Black Jack Rd will open for access tonight once crews have stood down for the night, but stop/go traffic will resume in the morning to ensure safety to firefighters and the…

Officials have warned strengthening winds forecast for the coming days threaten to fan wildfires burning across Los Angeles — but the city’s fire chief promises crews are “ready for this next event”.At least 24 people have died in the fires, according to an updated death toll from the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner. Eight of the dead were found in the Palisades Fire zone and 16 in the Eaton Fire zone.More than 12,300 structures destroyed, including the homes of two New Zealanders according to the Consul-General, by three wildfires that remained not controlled or contained. Los Angeles…

Wellington will be without fan favourite David Ball after the long-time Phoenix servant brought an early end to his time at the A-League Men club.Ball announced on Monday he would be leaving the club despite six months remaining on his contract.The English forward did not elaborate on the reason after closing the chapter on his nearly six-year spell at Wellington, with the club stating they had mutually agreed to terminate his contract.He has been frozen out of the main squad under Giancarlo Italiano this season, featuring only in one match across their opening 11 fixtures.Ball described leaving the club as…

Hadyn Jones looks back at 15 years’ of Good Sorts, and how it came to be. Fifteen years ago, I was sent to the American Cable News Network (CNN) in Atlanta to learn how they operate and hang out with other journalists from around the world.I had just missed out on the European Correspondent’s job for 1News, and I suspected my bosses at the time thought it might cheer me up. It was an amazing experience, and the one thing that stuck in my brain on the plane on the way home was a show they had on called Heroes.…

A Dunedin-based cancer diagnostics company’s share prices halved after a decision by a United States healthcare provider to revoke coverage for its flagship product. After a trading halt over the weekend, Pacific Edge said in an announcement to the stock market this morning they “cannot believe” Medicare administrative contractor Novitas did not review its most recent evidence for its Cxbladder cancer tests, after committing to do so in writing, and is considering a legal challenge. Last week Novitas, which has jurisdiction for Pacific Edge’s US laboratory, dealt a blow to the company by denying coverage for the cost of its…

Multiple crews and helicopters continued to battle a vegetation fire on the Coromandel Peninsula this morning after it was brought under control yesterday.Firefighters were called to the scene on Black Jack Rd in Kūaotunu shortly before 4pm Saturday.Yesterday, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said the blaze had been brought under control but was not yet contained.In an update this morning, FENZ incident controller Shane Bromley said the fire had not grown overnight and that conditions were “calm” on the ground. Winds were expected to pick up during the day.Four crews of firefighters, supported by three helicopters, were back at…