COVID-19

Six movies resuming production after coronavirus

Agreed? Agreed.

Well, fear not, because around the world some of the big-hitters are starting to re-commence production - which was of course halted by Covid-19 - in a variety of socially-distanced ways.

Here are just six of the films to keep your fingers crossed for then in 2021, when the cinemas are hopefully back in business.

Avatar 2

The long-awaited sequel to James Cameron's 2009 sci-fi blockbuster was able to re-start filming in New Zealand this week, because the country is almost coronavirus free.

HSBC to press on with 35,000 job cuts

New chief executive Noel Quinn gave the news to his 235,000 staff around the globe in a memo seen by the BBC and confirmed as authentic by the bank.

The lender had originally announced the plan in February, but put it on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic.

HSBC said it would try to find internal jobs for those affected but that redundancies were likely.

In April, the bank had said it would hold fire on the cuts, explaining that it did not want to leave staff unable to find work elsewhere during the coronavirus outbreak.

Australian borders likely to stay closed until next year, Tourism Minister says

Simon Birmingham said the decision to shut the border was one of the main reasons for Australia's success in suppressing COVID-19 and it would not be lifted for general travel any time soon.

"I do sadly think that in terms of open tourist-related travel in or out of Australia, that remains quite some distance off," Senator Birmingham told the National Press Club.

"Just because of the practicalities of the volumes that are involved and the need for us to first and foremost keep putting health first."

Women confront the dual impact of a pandemic and a tropical cyclone

Although the Pacific has largely been spared by the spread of the disease relative to other regions around the world – with Fiji hardest hit of the six countries the UN Women’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls programme works in, at 18 confirmed cases – all of which have since been cleared, and several countries without a recorded a case so far – the economic and social consequences have been deep.

Christchurch man who deliberately sneezed at shoppers fined

Raymond Gary Coombs was charged with offensive behaviour over the incident at Fresh Choice in Barrington, on 6 April.

He appeared in Christchurch District Court this morning.

The 38-year-old was also ordered to pay $150 in court costs.

Judge Raoul Neave said it was hard to imagine a more serious example of offensive behaviour.

Coombs was also sentenced today to 16 months in prison for two driving charges but may be able to serve it as home detention.

     

Vanuatu youth presidents mobilise young people for disaster response

Vanuatu was hit by TC Harold in April and residents on Tanna have been affected by ashfall from the Yasur volcano. 

The two disasters have caused devastation to properties and vegetation.

Vanuatu National Youth Council (VNYC) through the current leadership of President Morry Rueben and its executive would like to see that the VNYC secretariat and its members including young people be participative and supportive during these times.

NZ Govt unveils plan to improve Pacifika health

The New Zealand Government said an action plan launched today shows its commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of Pacifika in this country.

Associate Health Minister, Jenny Salesa, said "Ola Manuia - the Pacific Health and Wellbeing Action Plan for 2020-2025 - is about driving more effective and equitable health outcomes."

She said Pacific peoples are consistently over-represented across all the vulnerability indicators for health and wellbeing.

New Zealand moves to COVID-19 alert level 1 from midnight

Things will be just about back to normal for Kiwis after the move to level 1, with social distancing no longer required and no more limits on gatherings - but the border will remain closed to non-New Zealanders.

Hospitality providers will no longer have to ensure guests are seated and only served by one waiter, and night clubs will be able to fully open, with the Government hoping to control any potential future outbreaks with contact tracing.

COVID-19 vs climate change: What can we learn?

The Regional Director for Environment Programs at The Asia Foundation, Kim DeRidder, says with humans indoors, deer and monkeys are venturing out to explore Asia’s now empty urban jungles, songbirds are heard in cities and great leatherback turtles are laying eggs on Phuket beaches in record numbers.

“But is COVID-19 really a boon for the environment?  The jury is still out. While greenhouse gas emissions are significantly down, both China and the United States are already relaxing emission controls to ease economic pressures,” DeRidder states.

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NZ Pacific residents advised to check in about travel to the Pacific

Some Pacific countries are considering opening borders for repatriation and commercial flights.

The Ministry notes that requests for COVID-19 testing and quarantine for Pacific residents such as regional seasonal employment workers are being received by some District Health Boards and primary care providers.

The Ministry says it's working to ensure there's a consistent approach nationally that considers the risk of coronavirus as well as the health and welfare of Pacific peoples looking to return home.