News

Cyclone Gabrielle leaves thousands without power

Published

2 years ago

February 13, 2023

ticker NEWS

Cyclone Gabrielle is lashing New Zealand as other nations are placed on high alert

Thousands are without power in New Zealand as a tropical cyclone hits part of the country.

Gabrielle was downgraded from a category two to a category one storm before it made landfall.

“It’s a one in 100 year weather event and we seem to be getting a lot of them at the moment,” said Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

But New Zealand is bracing for even more severe weather.

The regions of Northland and Auckland are under a state of emergency.

Professor Ian Young from the University of Melbourne said climate change is prompting western countries to act.

“Right now, the annual impact of coastal flooding is about 0.3% of global GDP. And we estimate that if we do nothing that will rise to about 3% of GDP,” he said.

Air New Zealand has cancelled over 500 flights with services expected to resume on Tuesday.

The airline is adding 11 extra flights to help with the recovery effort.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Defence Force has located 150 staff throughout Auckland and neighbouring regions.

“This is part of a growing problem for low lying countries. Look at developed nations particularly those in Asia, places like Bangladesh, in particular areas in Egypt, in the Delta of the Nile, for instance.

“These are relatively low elevation areas, so they’re particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and to extreme coastal flooding,” Professor Young said.

News

Kamala Harris targets Black male voters ahead of Election Day

Published

13 seconds ago

October 16, 2024

Ahron Young

Economic outreach and celebrity appeal take the spotlight

Vice President Kamala Harris is stepping up efforts to win over Black male voters, just weeks before the election.

She’s crisscrossing key battleground states, from Pennsylvania to Michigan, promoting her economic plan for Black entrepreneurs.

Alongside Harris, actor Don Cheadle and NFL star Thomas Booker are getting in on the action, hosting events like a “Monday Night Football” watch party in Detroit.

But there’s tension after former President Barack Obama’s remarks urging Black men to back Harris, comments some worry may backfire.

Harris’s team is counting on a mix of policy and engagement, with polling showing early signs of a tough battle ahead.

As early voting starts, Harris is pushing for more Black male turnout in cities like Detroit, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.

News

US warns Israel over Gaza crisis and potential military aid cuts

Published

1 min ago

October 16, 2024

Ahron Young

Humanitarian pressures and diplomatic warnings take centre stage

The U.S. has sent its strongest message yet to Israel, urging immediate action to improve conditions in Gaza or face possible military aid restrictions.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned Israel’s government that failure to act could change U.S. policy, marking a significant shift in their stance.

Concerns are growing as Israel imposes restrictions on commercial imports and humanitarian movements, drawing criticism from Washington.

The letter was meant as a wake-up call, not a threat, U.S. officials say, but the urgency to act is clear.

Israeli officials have not yet responded, while the U.S. has outlined steps to improve the humanitarian situation within the next month.

Leaders

Navigating the future of work: Microlearning in the gig economy

Published

17 hours ago

October 15, 2024

Ahron Young

Insights on adapting to rapid change and empowering gig workers

In a rapidly evolving work landscape, microlearning platforms are crucial for the gig economy. Helen Doukas, CEO of Nuvo Work, emphasises how technology is enabling flexible work opportunities and necessitating agile learning methods.

She predicts that the gig economy will continue to grow, driven by a demand for skill-sharing and collaborative learning. Nuvo Work’s expertise-sharing platform is leading this transformation, providing gig workers with tailored resources to enhance their skills. By fostering continuous learning, Nuvo Work is helping create a more adaptable and prepared workforce for the future.