An air traffic controller who had sex while on duty and instructing pilots has won his licence back after it was earlier revoked following an investigation.The director of the Civil Aviation Authority cancelled the man’s Air Traffic…
Tag Archives: oceania
Covid 19 Omicron outbreak: 34 deaths as jump in cases linked to weekend pattern
Thirty-four Covid-19-related deaths were reported today, the highest daily total reported since the outbreak began, as an expert warned New Zealand’s mortality rate underlined the virus’ deadly nature. The 34 deaths included people…
Mayoral candidates put Auckland Transport on notice over plans to remove kerbside parking
Auckland Transport has been put on notice by mayoral candidates over its controversial plans to remove kerbside parking on many of city roads over the next 10 years.In a big shake-up of parking, AT has demoted cars to the “lowest…
Paranoid meth-user shoots at innocent drivers on Napier-Taupo road
Paranoid after taking methamphetamine, Gino Cyruss Butler shot at cars on the Napier-Taupo road in the mistaken belief he was being chased by the Mongrel Mob. Instead, he was firing at people a judge described as “average Joe members…
Government unsure on keeping NZ presence in Solomons if Chinese troops arrive
By RNZ The government is yet to decide if it will withdraw the Defence Force from the Solomons if troops or police from China are stationed there, the prime minister says.A draft agreement – leaked online – has indicated Solomon…
Victorian school using sensors to help stop students vaping
Schools in Victoria are installing hi-tech sensors to stop students from vaping, with an increasing number of school kids becoming addicted to nicotine without realising it.
"There is just this smell of vape all the time and it's just really gross," Year 11 student from Sacred Heart College in Geelong, Eleanor Naylor said.
The Catholic girls college is one of many across the state equipped with the vaping sensors, which aim to detect and deter kids from inhaling the harmful chemicals.
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"We started noticing that it was coming on site and we want to keep our students safe," Sacred Heart College Deputy Principal, Catherine Gulli said.
The sensors are being installed in toilets, and alarms in them send an alert to teachers, which with the help of CCTV, can identify students who are most at risk from vape smoke.
Some educators think teenagers may have picked up vaping as a habit as a way of dealing with the lockdowns.
"They can't go an hour without vaping and it's really disruptive to their learning," Ms Gulli said.
Some students say their friends are addicted to vaping.
"[I] had a friend, she used to vape in class every now and then. We'd be working on a project, and she would just bring out her vape," Ms Naylor said.
READ MORE: Melbourne air quality 'very poor' as smoke blankets the city
Medical experts say the puff bars or disposable vapes, which come in bright colours and fruity and dessert flavours, can be appealing to children.
"It is highly sad to see some of the addictive behaviours developing in some children some as young as primary school aged," Director of the National Child Health Poll at The Royal Children's Hospital, Dr Anthea Rhodes said.
Vaping is considered a healthier option for adults who are trying to quit smoking.
But now minors are illegally buying them under the counter and some even dealing them in the school yard.
"This is the enemy. This is what's getting kids addicted. It's too high, too concentrated," Nick from The Geelong Vape Co said. Kids are buying products labelled as nicotine free, but they actually contain traces of the highly addictive substance.
A single pod of vape juice is equal to a pack of cigarettes.
Dr Rhodes says consuming nicotine can present "significant risks" to the lungs and airways of children and young teenagers.
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As schools are working to stop students from vaping, there are calls for vapes to be better regulated, subjected to tougher advertising laws and stamped with warning labels.
Since October, adults have been required to have a prescription to buy a vape containing nicotine.
Inquest hears Hannah Clarke told police she feared for her life before murder
An inquest has heard Brisbane mother-of-three Hannah Clarke told a police officer she feared her husband would kill her in a text message, a fortnight before her murder.
The message sent to senior constable Kirsten Kent detailed Ms Clarke's fear of her estranged husband, Rowan Baxter.
"I know given the opportunity he wouldn't hesitate to kill me, I can see it from the look in his eyes," Ms Clarke's text message read.
READ MORE: Hannah Clarke inquest shown video of estranged husband's temper
A fortnight later, Baxter killed Ms Clarke and all three of their children in an arson attack.
The message also detailed a distressing Facetime call Ms Clarke had had with Baxter.
Senior Constable Kent told the inquest she had been on leave and was without reception when Ms Clarke tried to reach her.
By the time she saw the messages on February 19, 2020, Ms Clarke and her family had already been killed.
The inquest also heard of an incident involving Ms Clarke's four-year-old daughter Laianah.
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Police footage played at the inquest today showed Ms Clarke in distress after her estranged husband abducted the four-year-old and refused to return her.
"He just took off with her," Ms Clarke is heard saying in the video.
"He's playing games with me.
"[He] just called me now and said, you know, you either bring the other two back or I keep her."
Ms Clarke is then told by police they are powerless because at the time, there was no custody or domestic violence order in place against Baxter.
She told police she feared applying for an order would make matters worse.
When eventually a DVO order was in place, Baxter breached it, assaulting Ms Clarke and injuring her wrist.
The inquest was played an audio recording of communication between Baxter and police after the assault.
"I done nothing wrong," Baxter is heard saying.
The inquest will continue tomorrow.
Pacific tensions: NZ raising concerns with China, Australia 'freaking out' over Solomon Islands
The Chinese ambassador is likely to be quizzed over his country’s possible military expansion in the Pacific.The Solomon Islands has signed a policing deal with China.And the Melanesian country’s government is thought to be mulling…
Auckland lawyer Helen Holland guilty of misconduct after siphoning money from parents' estate
An Auckland lawyer found guilty of misconduct was deemed “unhinged” after siphoning nearly $300,000 from her parents’ estate.The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal found Helen Holland’s conduct “fell so short…
Covid-19 Omicron outbreak: Auckland CBD outlets hope for returning workers, tourists
By Amy Williams of RNZ Auckland City’s golden mile has yet to stage its own recovery from lockdowns and the exodus of thousands of inner city workers.Two years into the pandemic, dozens of shops remain empty on the main street…