New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has issued an official statement condemning the violent protests in the US Capitol today.”Like so many others, I’ve been watching what’s happening in the United States. I share the sentiment…
All posts by FreeNews
Whangamatā riot: Blackies Cafe loses thousands in food products
Police have not made any further arrests in connection to a New Year’s Eve riot that left a Whangamatā cafe with a damaged roof and raided freezers.A spokesman for Blackies Cafe has described the chaos at the scene on the night,…
Summer outlook: Unusually hot weather in store, as north dries out again
Kiwis can expect more above-average temperatures for the rest of summer – and plenty of sticky humidity – amid a very atypical La Nina climate system.Niwa’s just-released outlook for the next three months predicted air temperatures…
Work commences to install additional traffic lights in downtown Basseterre
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The Ministry of Public Infrastructure began installing traffic lights in downtown Basseterre on January 5 to improve road, pedestrian safety and traffic flow.
“This project is intended to provide better road signs for pedestrians and drivers so that we can have road safety,” said Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Utilities, Posts and Urban Development, Daryll Lloyd.
“The ministry has done the groundwork of disseminating information to businesses and residents in the area so that people will know what is happening,” said Lloyd. The project is federally funded.
The Public Works Department has identified several areas where these new traffic lights will be installed. These areas are the junction of Wellington Road and Dickerson Street, the intersection of College Street and Cayon Street, and the intersection of College Street and the Bay Road.
Four areas along the Bay Road have been identified. These areas are Port Zante West Roundabout, Port Zante East Roundabout, at the bottom of Sand Down Road, and the intersection in Bird Rock Road.
The project is expected to be completed at the end of March 2021. The contractor for the project is Synergy Engineering Ltd.
The post Work commences to install additional traffic lights in downtown Basseterre appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.
Alleged Northland police shooter appears in court
One of three men accused of shooting at a police officer on Puketona Rd has appeared in a Northland court for the first time — but it will be at least a week before the public can find out who he is. The 38-year-old from Papakura…
Hundreds defy curfew as protests continue
Hundreds of demonstrators continue to congregate around the US Capitol building in defiance of a city-wide curfew in Washington DC following a day of chaos and unrest.
Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered the curfew from 6pm local time (10am AEDT) until 6am tomorrow.
LIVE UPDATES: US Capitol complex secured after violent protest
Police and National Guard are out in force to surround the US Capitol building, but crowds do not appear to have dispersed.
"Traitors get the rope," one was filmed shouting at police.
"Wait until we come back with rifles, motherf–er. You think that's an idle threat?"
The Capitol's sergeant-at-arms has said the building itself is now secure after the Metropolitan Police and National Guard cleared the building of protesters.
The entire DC National Guard has been mobilised to enforce the 12-hour long curfew, the New York Times has reported.
READ MORE: Twitter locks Donald Trump's account for 12 hours in wake of US Capitol riots
About 1,100 members of the District of Columbia National Guard and 650 Virginia National Guard troops — higher numbers than previously announced — will deploy in Washington tonight, National Guard spokesperson, Captain Tinashe T. Machona, said.
The troops are being sent to the DC Armory and will be deployed to the Capitol and other points around Washington.
DC's Metropolitan Police are now patrolling the halls of Congress after the failure of Capitol Police to secure the building earlier today.
Members of Congress are now returning to the Capitol to finalise the certification of the presidential election result.
"The US Senate must reconvene today and finish our constitutional work," Trump acolyte and South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham tweeted earlier.
"Calling for federal officials to form task force to identify those who breached the Capitol, vandalised our national institutions, and expect prosecutions to the fullest extent of the law."
Cricket fans embrace first match with new COVID-19 restrictions
The Sydney Test has begun amid strict new rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19 with spectators seen masking up to attend the game.
Only 10,000 people will be allowed to attend the first day of the series as the NSW government scales back the stadium's capacity to just 25 per cent.
Australia vs India Live Scores: Rain delay causes stoppage
People arriving to attend the match have so far complied with the new rules, wearing masks and having their tickets checked by authorities.
Thousands of residents across Sydney's south-west have been blacklisted from the cricket today following a spike in cases linked to the Berala BWS store.
Those suburbs include Wentworthville, Belmore, Auburn, Berala, Birrong, Lidcombe North, Potts Hill, Regents Park, Rookwood will face fines of up to $1000 if they attempt to attend the game.That includes anyone who works in or has visited the above areas.
READ MORE: NSW Health Minister 'nervous' as Sydney cricket test begins
An additional 450 extra bus and light rail services have been added to support the crowds expected to attend but those who can are being urged to drive instead, to avoid large crowds across the network.
Despite a mostly empty stadium and tough new rules, spectators arrived looking lively and ready to enjoy a day of sport.
Groups of friends and families were photographed wearing colourful costumes, with some getting creative with their masks to embrace the spirit of the game.
Some fans were seen dressed head to toe in COVID-themed costumes, with full body suits, masks and goggles.
The state's Health Minister Brad Hazzard this morning said he was confident the government had made the right decision in allowing the game to go ahead.
"Our government is very much focused on trying to give a sense of normalcy to people but in a safe way," Mr Hazzard said.
The restrictions introduced for the Sydney Test will be now be applied to all A-league sports matches under new restrictions announced today.
"We believe that the arrangement and place at the SCG cricket is one that has reduced risk the event as much as possible," Mr Hazzard said.
"We are not going pretend that there is no risk but if people follow the rules, wear masks and make sure they socially distance, we believe that we can put on a test today that will have minimal risk."
The new restrictions mean people attending the A-league game in Newcastle this weekend will be required wear a mask at all times, crowd capacity will be reduced to 25 per cent and people from blacklisted suburbs will be unable to attend.
The announcement comes as NSW records zero cases of local transmission to 8pm last night, however a new case connected to the Avalon cluster was diagnosed this morning.
The man, living in the northern zone of Sydney's Northern Beaches, will be included in tomorrow's official COVID-19 figures.
CEOs and business leaders condemn 'appalling events' at Capitol, push for unity
“The scenes from Washington, D.C., today are shocking and scary for all of us,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet.
Four nationals awarded Cuban Government scholarships
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — Four nationals are the proud recipients of academic scholarships from the Government of the Republic of Cuba to pursue tertiary studies in that country. Ms. Kaedida Fough and Ms. Dolicia Barry will pursue studies in Medicine; Ms. Kaliyana DeSuza will pursue studies in Stomatology (Dentistry); and Ms. Abiola Powell will pursue studies in Nursing.
At a meeting held at the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba on January 5, the students received scholarship documentation. All students expressed their delight at receiving the scholarships, which will provide them the opportunity to undertake studies in fulfilment of their dream careers.
Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to St. Kitts and Nevis, H.E. Abelardo Hernández Ferrer provided commendation and encouragement to the students stating, “I wish to congratulate all of you and wish you every success as you journey to Cuba to train for your respective careers. Remember to study hard and immerse yourself, so that you can quickly become competent in the Spanish language and excel in your course of study. Lastly, Cuba is a country with a vibrant culture, so take time to enjoy and explore Cuba.”
The students will leave the Federation soon for Cuba to commence their studies, after having their departure delayed for a few months due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation expresses its profound gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Cuba, for its continued commitment to aid in the human capacity development of nationals, specifically in the area of healthcare.
The post Four nationals awarded Cuban Government scholarships appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.
Rain set to ease in time for Sydney test cricket match
Intense rain, storms and winds are continuing in Queensland today after some places received 100mm of rain in just one hour last night.
Streets are awash in Ingham after more than 122mm fell in an hour, increasing to 185mm in two hours.
Mission Beach had almost 150mm in six hours, 264mm fell around Tully, 209mm at Halifax and 196mm at Innisfail.
"There's been a very wet 24 hours right across Queensland," Jonathan Howe from the Bureau of Metrology told Today.
"We saw pretty big thunderstorms west of Brisbane, 112mm at Amberly but we did see tropical an northern parts of Queensland, 100mm to 150mm overnight with heavy rainfall, particularly around Mackay, around Townsville as well and more heavy rain is on the way."
There are flood warnings in place for the Don And Proserpine Rivers today.
"Do keep an eye on those flood warnings and possible warnings for heavy rainfall as well. So certainly isn't over just yet," Mr Howe said.
Northern NSW is also expected to cop wet conditions today after storms hit the Northern Rivers district overnight.
Meanwhile, a front is bringing cool winds and showers to southeast of the state with rain expected to ease just in time for the annual test cricket match in Sydney.
A trough in the west is maintaining heat in the west and storms in the north.
Here's your state by state weather forecast for Thursday January 7 2021:
New South Wales and ACT
Showers, cool-to-mild in the northeast. Showers easing, cool-to-mild in the southeast. Mostly sunny, very warm-to-hot in the west.
Sydney will be partly cloudy with a minimum of 18C and top of 23C. Medium chance of showers this afternoon.
https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1346888465665974283
The Byron and Coffs coast are also being warned of strong winds today.
Sydney's 10-day wet streak is set to ease just in time for the New Year Test Cricket match to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Three of the last six matches have ended in rain-affected draws but this year could be different despite significant rainfall over the last week.
Here's the forecast from Weatherzone:
- Thursday January 7 (day one) and Friday January 8 (day two): windy, with temperatures in the low 20s during the day. Mostly cloudy with a moderate chance (40%) of light showers.
- Saturday January 9 (day three): Partly cloudy. Top of 25 degrees.
- Sunday January 10 (day four): Mostly sunny. Top of 27.
- Monday January 11 (day five): Partly cloudy. Top of 27.
Canberra will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower a maximum temperature of 23C.
https://twitter.com/weatherzone/status/1346582163932647425
Queensland
Showers, mild-to-warm in the southeast. Showers/storms, very warm in the northeast. Mostly sunny, hot in the west.
Brisbane will be cloudy but warm with a minimum of 24C and top of 28C. High chance of showers, affecting the coast from early morning and spreading inland from late morning.
Victoria
Mostly sunny, cool-to-mild in the southwest. Clearing shower, cool-to-mild in the southeast. Mostly sunny, very warm-to-hot in the north.
Melbourne will be mostly sunny with a low of 14C and top of 26C.
South Australia
Mostly sunny, mild in the southeast. Sunny, warm in central. Mostly sunny, mild-to-warm in the west. Windy, mild-to-warm in north.
Adelaide will be mostly sunny with a low of 14C and top of 27C.
Tasmania
Thursday Mostly sunny, mild in the south. Mostly sunny, cool-to-mild in the north.
Partly cloudy. Winds W/SW 15 to 25 km/h tending SE/SW 25 to 40 km/h in the middle of the day. Daytime maximum temperatures between 17 and 23.
Western Australia
Mostly sunny, hot in the southwest. Sunny, warm in the south. Mostly sunny, very warm in the northwest. Showers, very warm in the northeast.
Perth's temperatures are set to soar today with a maximum of 38C possible later today.
The hot conditions are combining with wind gusts up to 70 km/h possible about the hills and foothills during the morning making for dangerous fire conditions.
There is a warning for extreme fire danger for the Coastal Central West and severe fire danger for the following the Inland Central West, Lower West (including Perth), Gascoyne Inland and North Interior.
Northern Territory
Showers/storms, very warm in the north. Windy, very warm over the interior. Sunny, warm-to-very warm in the south.
Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely from late this morning.
The chance of a thunderstorm, with gusty winds from late this morning. Daytime temperatures will range between 25C and 34C.