Scientists have revealed some of the strongest evidence yet that Covid-19 can harm our brains – particularly in areas linked to smell and memory. But they caution that more investigation is needed to understand whether the clear…
Tag Archives: oceania
Mark McGowan takes the stand in defamation fight with Clive Palmer
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan is on the east coast for the first time in two years, ordered to travel to Sydney to give evidence in his defamation fight with billionaire Clive Palmer.
The legal battle dates back to 2020 when the mining magnate launched a challenge to the state's hard border.
Mr Palmer likened the WA leader to murderous dictators and accused him of lying about the need for such the tough measures.
READ MORE: Death toll nears six million as pandemic enters its third year
Mr McGowan hit back, labelling Mr Palmer as "the enemy of Western Australia".
The back-and-forth resulted in the men suing each other for defamation.
In court today, Mr McGowan described the ordeal as a "demonstrably untrue… verbal assault".
He said being compared to "some of the worst dictators in history… mass murderers… made me feel angry, hurt, offended and exasperated".
EXPLAINED: Why does Ukraine need foreign planes?
Mr McGowan admitted the measures were unorthodox but worked in protecting 2.6 million people, who are now footing his legal bill.
He argued Mr Palmer's comments have stirred up anger in the community, revealing his family has received death threats and now has 24/7 security.
At lunchtime at the hearing, the premier remained holed up inside while protesters waited to confront him.
The demonstrators waited for hours, surrounded by police, but were left disappointed when Mr McGowan was snuck out a back door at the end of the day.
93-year-old flood victim reunites with her rescuers
As floodwaters rose in Mary McDonaugh's Lismore home, she clung to her mattress with determination.
The 93-year-old's head was touching the ceiling of the house by the time two New South Wales police officers came to her aid.
Senior Constable Ben King dived into Ms McDonaugh's house from a boat but it seemed almost impossible to get her out.
https://twitter.com/SophieUpcroft/status/1500715080874295296
He called back to Senior Constable Adam Davis, who spotted a boogie board in a tree nearby.
This was exactly what the pair needed to float the 93-year-old through a narrow gap in a window.
READ MORE: Insurance nightmares underway for the thousands of flood victims
Mr Davis and Mr King reunited with Ms McDonaugh today for the first time since the rescue.
Ms McDonaugh admitted to them she fell off the mattress once but "got back up and said to whoever was listening, 'no bloody way am I going to go today'".
The 93-year-old is a grandmother to 18 and a great grandmother to 24.
Watch the reunion in the video above
Ukraine crisis: Travel ban list a who's who of tycoons, military figures, pro-Putin influencers
More than 100 people including President Vladimir Putin and corporate executives have been banned from travelling to New Zealand after the invasion of Ukraine.Those banned include figures nicknamed “Putin’s Chef”, “Putin’s Cook”…
The Spinoff: The protest lost at Parliament – but it unequivocally won the social media war
Originally published by The Spinoff A University of Otago researcher watched in awe as misinformation overwhelmed the mainstream truth-based channels on social media. Sanjana Hattotuwa tells a story about growing up in a country…
Dr Shane Reti's column and graphics removed for more analysis
The Northern Advocate today published a column by Whangārei List MP and National Party Health spokesman Dr Shane Reti headlined “No covid victory parade for mental health”.The article said New Zealand should not have a “victory…
Queenstown chiropractor defrauds ACC after faking 1000 appointments
A chiropractor who faked more than 1000 appointments managed to defraud ACC of more than $130,000 in just under two years. Queenstown chiropractor Matthew Richard Cochrane was today stripped of his registration and fined nearly…
Woman, 52, who ran illegal flounder operation fined, has boat seized
An amateur Bay of Plenty fisher who caught and sold over 200 flounder for a profit has been fined and had her boat seized after fisheries officers pursued a prosecution.Patricia Jean Townsend, 52, appeared before Tauranga District…
Woman alleges she was raped next to her sleeping son but defence calls for charges to be dismissed based on her evidence
A Taranaki man is on trial for allegedly raping a woman as she lay next to her young son – but his lawyer wants the case thrown out, saying she gave consent but just can’t remember doing so. Defence lawyer Julian Hannam has today…
Covid 19 Omicron outbreak: National leader Christopher Luxon tests positive
National leader Christopher Luxon has tested positive for Covid-19.”Today I tested positive for Covid-19. I have not been showing Covid-19 symptoms, but have been testing myself regularly as a precaution, including on Sunday morning,…