Monday, July 4, 2022

FORMULA 1

Sainz converts pole into maiden Grand Prix victory at Silverstone after scintillating race

Carlos Sainz first in Formula 1at British Grand Prix


Ferrari's Carlos Sainz has claimed his first Formula 1 victory after a breath-taking contest at the British Grand Prix, the Spaniard finishing ahead of the Red Bull of Sergio Perez and the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton.

Key to Sainz’s victory was a late Safety Car caused by Esteban Ocon retiring his Alpine – Sainz then attacking team mate Charles Leclerc on fresh tyres at the restart to claim P1 and check out for his first win on his 150th Grand Prix start.

The action was frenetic in the final laps, however, with Perez – who’d dropped to P16 after a pit stop, having had contact at the early race restart following a red-flag stoppage – coming out on top in a thrilling fight with Hamilton and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to take an unlikely P2.

Hamilton, meanwhile, delighted the crowd with his second straight podium and 13th at Silverstone - an all-time record at a single venue - in P3.

The drama that caused that early red flag came at the original race start, with Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu and Williams' Alex Albon both taken to the medical centre after separate Turn 1 incidents – with Zhou later released, as Albon was transferred to nearby Coventry Hospital for precautionary checks, with those two, plus Mercedes' George Russell, forced into retirement following the incidents.

Championship leader Max Verstappen could only take P7, the early race leader having suffered some form of damage that hobbled his Red Bull, the Dutchman holding off the Haas of Mick Schumacher in the final laps, as the German scored his first points in F1 in P8.


Pigeon Post News


Albon released from hospital after Lap 1 crash at Silverstone

Alex Albon Lap 1 Crash at British Grand Prix.

 

Williams have confirmed that Alex Albon has been released from hospital following precautionary checks, after the Thai driver was caught up in a Lap 1 crash at the start of the British Grand Prix.

There was carnage at the race start at Silverstone, as Zhou Guanyu, George Russell and Pierre Gasly came together, causing Zhou to barrel roll out of the race – while further behind, Albon was caught up in an incident involving Yuki Tsunoda, Sebastian Vettel and Esteban Ocon.

Zhou and Russell were both seen in the medical centre before being declared fit. But Albon was transferred by helicopter to Coventry Hospital for “precautionary checks” – but was later discharged on Sunday evening.

“All ok, the pets are ok,” wrote Albon on Twitter – referring to his custom ‘Albon Pets’ helmet for the race. “But more importantly I’m glad @ZhouGuanyu24 is ok! Thank you to the medical staff and for all the messages. Eyes already on Austria.”

Crash at F1


“We are pleased to confirm that Alex has been given the all clear and has been discharged from Coventry Hospital,” confirmed Williams on Twitter. “Thank you to everyone for your well wishes.”

Just got very good news from the hospital that Alex is fine,” said Team Principal Jost Capito in a post-race vlog on Williams’ website. “He’s released and he can go home and relax and get ready for next weekend. Unfortunately his race was over before the first corner – and I think it could have been quite a good race for him.”

Crash at F1


Pigeon Post News


Friday, July 1, 2022

INTERNATIONAL TANGUERA COMING TO NELSON

 

CECILIA GONZALEZ Tango dancer and teacher from Buenos Aires, Argentina
coming to Nelson 2-5 June 2023 expressions of interest to annemaree@tangolibre.com

Take note !  Tango dancers from Nelson, Tasman and the rest of New Zealand


Cecilia Gonzalez an Internationally renowned tanguera (tango dancer) from Buenos Aires, Argentina and she is planning her Australasian Tour in 2023.  Anne-Maree Therkleson, our local tango teacher based in Nelson and Richmond,  has known Cecilia for over 20 years and has invited her to Nelson, the only location in NZ where she will teach and enjoy all the region has to offer.  


With Covid putting the breaks on all international travel for a couple of years both Cecilia and Anne-Maree are very excited to be working together again to bring a quality experience to New Zealand dancers.


Tango dancers from all over New Zealand are invited to join them for the Queens Birthday long weekend in 2023, 2-5 June.  Anne-Mare says “this is an opportunity not to be missed and if you want to savour the wonderful teaching and dancing of Cecilia you should start lessons now so you can join in the fun. The weekend will be a mix of meet and greet, workshops, social dancing (milongas) and having fun together.”

Anne-Maree Therkleson Nelson and Richmond, Tasman, Tango dancer and teacher. Contact: annemaree@tangolibre.com


More information about Cecilia and videos of her dancing can be found on her website www.tangomotion.com and you can keep track of Anne-Maree’s classes and tango activities to get you ready for the workshops on her website www.tangolibre.com.


Anne-Maree also runs 4 Tango dance festivals a year, so there is plenty of dancing to be had once you have taken those first steps on your journey.   New friendships, a wonderful community, fun times, gorgeous shoes, a chance to dress up and a warm embrace all await you.


Next Tango Term in Nelson commences on 25 July in Nelson.  Contact Anne-Maree on annemaree@tangolibre.com to register.


Pigeon Post News


Bunk beds in economy class?

Air New Zealand's Skynest units are being billed as 'the world's first sleep pods in the sky for Economy travellers'


 The in-flight innovation we've been waiting for.

Air New Zealand will debut stacked sleeping pods for its economy and premium cabin passengers that can be booked in four-hour slots.


Air New Zealand has announced the introduction of stacked lie-flat beds in its economy cabin in what will be a landmark development for long-haul plane travel. 

The Kiwi carrier will debut its Skynest, comprising six units that are billed ‘the world's first sleep pods in the sky for Economy travellers’, on board its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners at the end of 2024. 

Prices are yet to be announced but passengers in Economy and Premium will be able to book a four-hour slot, limited to one person, once during the flight, with demand expected to be strong across more than 200 seats in the section. 

The stacked, bunk-style pods – reminiscent of Japanese hotel sleeping capsules – will feature a privacy curtain and USB charging, and cabin crew will change the bed linen after each slot. 

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said of the concept, which was first mooted in 2020: “New Zealand's location puts us in a unique position to lead on the ultra-long-haul travel experience. We have zeroed in on sleep, comfort, and wellness because we know how important it is for our customers to arrive well-rested. We wanted to offer our Economy customers a lie-flat option and that's how Skynest was born. It's going to be a real game changer for the economy travel experience."


Pigeon Post News

Thursday, June 30, 2022

All Blacks wing Leicester Fainga’anuku to debut against Ireland

 

All Black wing Leicester Fainga'anuku

Head Coach Ian Foster said the selectors were excited to name the first All Blacks test team for 2022. 


“This is doubly exciting for us playing at a packed Eden Park for our first test of the year, leading into a sold out Steinlager series.” 

“After what seems like a long time away from home, it couldn’t be scripted better to be back in front of our fans for this match.” 

“Whilst this week hasn’t exactly gone to plan for us, our overall preparation has gone really well.”

In selecting this team, Foster said they’ve had to take into account managing players coming from the Super Rugby Pacific series.

“We’ve prepared rigorously for this match, albeit only having a ten day period together.”

“We have huge respect for this Irish team and can’t wait to run out onto a packed Eden Park on Saturday to kick off the 2022 Steinlager series.”

The team sees George Bower named as loosehead prop, with Ofa Tu’ungafasi on the other side of the scrum.

Scott Barrett wears the number 6 jersey with Captain Sam Cane at 7 and Ardie Savea at the back of the scrum. Debutant Leicester Fainga’anuku gets his first start in the number 11 jersey with fellow Crusader Sevu Reece on the right wing. After getting called up as cover due to Covid affecting players, Braydon Ennor comes into the 23, and debutant Pita Gus Sowakula is also named in the 23, to potentially get his first cap as an All Black.

Named to play his 133rd All Blacks Test Sam Whitelock surpasses Keven Mealamu as the second most-capped All Black Test player of all time (behind Richie McCaw), in what is his 12th season with the team.

There is an incredibly rich history between the two teams which first met in 1905. Saturday will mark the 34th Test between the All Blacks and Ireland but just the fourth played at Eden Park.

Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock are the three current All Blacks who played Ireland when they last visited Eden Park in 2012.

The matchday 23 is:

1. George Bower (11)
2. Codie Taylor (66)
3. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (44)
4. Brodie Retallick (92)
5. Samuel Whitelock (132)
6. Scott Barrett (48)
7. Sam Cane (77) - Captain
8. Ardie Savea (59) 
9. Aaron Smith (102)  
10. Beauden Barrett (101)
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku* (0)
12. Quinn Tupaea (7)
13. Rieko Ioane (47)
14. Sevu Reece (17)
15. Jordie Barrett (36)
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (9)
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (25)
18. Angus Ta’avao (20)
19. Pita Gus Sowakula* (0)
20. Dalton Papalii (12)
21. Finlay Christie (5)
22. Richie Mo’unga (32)
23. Braydon Ennor (4)

 *Denotes All Blacks debut


Pigeon Post News




Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Tourism New Zealand - Spring and Family deals now open for submission

 FOR TOURISM PROVIDERS IN TASMAN

 AND NELSON





Tourism New Zealand are inviting all Qualmarked operators to load deals for their upcoming Spring, Families and Gifting campaigns.


Spring campaign is launching in both New Zealand and Australian markets and operators can submit a deal to participate in both markets activity.


Domestic Families campaign will launch in August - operators can submit Family suitable deals and packages now. This campaign is a trial, enabling operators to participate in year-round Domestic family marketing activity. Qualmark members will have the chance of featuring in paid media, with selection made from those who submit early into the campaign.


Gifting campaign this is always on, and amplified during key retail moments such as Fathers Day and Christmas. Operators can load vouchers into the Gifting Voucher Hub at any time for the duration of 2022.


THIS LINK IS FOR MORE INFORMATION AND HOW TO LOAD DEALS:  https://www.newzealand.com/int/utilities/tourism-business-database-deals-for-campaigns/






Donna Adlam

International Marketing Lead












PIGEON POST NEWS



Saturday, June 25, 2022

News in Brief. UPDATE TODAY —Nanaia Mahuta UNDER FIRE

News in Brief 

Nanaia Mahuta under fire 


Nanaia Mahuta

1/ Under fire for criticising Roe v Wade ruling despite voting against NZ's abortion reform



The US Supreme Court has struck down the Roe v. Wade ruling  — and reaction has been fierce.


The Minister for Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta is being criticised after she called the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade "draconian" despite voting against abortion reform two years ago. 

In 2020, the Abortion Legislation Bill, which took abortion out of the Crimes Act, was voted in with 68 votes in favour to 51 against. It meant abortion was no longer a crime in Aotearoa. 

It was a conscience vote which meant MPs could vote based on what they believed, not on party lines. 

Of the 46 Labour MPs who voted, 37 voted for and 9 voted against. The MPs who voted against it were Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki, Nanaia Mahuta, Damien O'Connor, MPfor West Coast-Tasman, Greg O'Connor, Adrian Rurawhe, Jenny Salesa, Jamie Strange, Rino Tirikatene, and Meka Whaitiri. 

Of the 55 National MPs, 19 voted in favour and 35 voted against. The nine Green MPs all voted in favour along with ACT leader David Seymour. 


2/ New Seats



DONATED SEAT BY MENZSHED MOTUEKE



Two new seats have been installed recently along Saxton Creek within Saxton Fields.

From the tag on the sides they appear to have been donated by the Menzshed Motueka. Thank you Menzshed Motueka they are very comfortable after walking Vincent around the creek.


3/ Elections

The Local Body Elections are coming, so if you are thinking of standing now is the time.

Both Tasman and Nelson Councils have nomination forms availably between the nomination period 15 July 2022 and 12pm 12 August 2022.

Tasman District Council is running a candidate information evening at 5.30pm on Thursday 21 July.

4/ Building fire, Motueka

Saturday, 25 June 2022 - 12:58pm | Tasman Police


Police are appealing for information from the public, following a building fire on Greenwood Street, Motueka yesterday morning.

Police, alongside Fire and Emergency New Zealand, are working to establish the circumstances around the fire, which is now being treated as suspicious.

Police would like to hear from anyone with any information about the fire.

We are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who was in the immediate vicinity of the fire, between 6:45am and 8:30am on Friday and saw anything out of the ordinary.


5/ Inflation

I’ve glimpsed our hyper-inflationary future.


The Bank of England says it expects inflation to rise to “around 11%” this year in England. 


Commentators reckon "they're a bit behind the curve there, chaps. My Planet Normal co-pilot, the economist Liam Halligan, has been saying for several months that inflation is already well into double digits. Who knows, if the complaisant bankers were to lift their bespectacled gaze from their mathematical models and pop down the corner shop to buy a loaf of bread and a few other bits they might see what everyone who lives in the real world sees. Prices are rising…"

The same thing with inflation is happening in God's own. You can't shut down countries and fork out millions of dollars without some consequences that will come home to roost. Our 6% inflation could very well be much higher and shooting towards double digits. All those who shop well know it.


6/ An ailing Queen hands more power to Prince Charles to act on her behalf:

Queen's Platinum Jubilee official photo supplied


Prince Charles gives blessing to Commonwealth countries that sever ties with Royal family.


The Prince of Wales gave his blessing on Friday (Saturday NZT) to Commonwealth countries that want to sever ties with the Royal family, insisting that such change can be made “calmly and without rancour”.


Prince Charles, 73, told prime ministers and presidents gathered for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, that whether members wanted the Queen as head of State or become a republic was a matter for them alone.


His comments come at a pivotal time with several countries, including Jamaica and Australia, poised to follow Barbados in removing the Queen as head of state.

There are fears that many others will become republics when the Prince becomes King, having maintained ties with the Royal Family only out of respect and loyalty to the Queen.


7/ Worlds biggest cruse ship the Global Dream 11’s Maiden Voyage to a Scrapyard

Global Dream 11

What was set to be the world’s largest curse ship by passenger capacity is being sent to the scrapyard - before it ever had a chance to set sail.


The 9,000-passenger, 20-deck vessel, Global Dream II, was designed with an outdoor waterpark and a plush cinema, but has never left the dock.

Unfortunately, you read that right. The Global Dream II is heading nowhere but to a scrapyard instead.

According to a report by The Guardian, the lower hull of Global Dream II is scheduled for disposal. Construction of the cruise ship has almost been completed in Germany. 

Why is this so? The ship's builders, MV Werften, filed for banktruptcy in January. Per the report, "the ship needed to be moved out of MV Werften's Wismar shipyard by the end of the year because the yard had been sold to Thyssenkrupp's naval unit, which plans to build military vessels there."

A report by Interesting Engineering notes that, given the bankruptcy filing, administrators have been trying to monetize MV Werften's assets.

Global Dream II's hull has been completed with engines already and "the insolvency administrators are looking to sell the engines and machine parts, after which the hull will be sold at scrap value," the report adds. 


8/ Oslo shooting

Two people killed and many injured in attack at gay bar

Oslo Norway (Late Saturday our time) Twitter


Two people have been killed and more than a dozen others injured in a mass shooting near a gay bar in the Norwegian capital Oslo, according to the police.

The shooting took place early on Saturday in the downtown area of Oslo, the police said.

The shooter reportedly opened fire right outside a popular gay bar called The London Pub and it extended to a neighbouring club and nearby streets.


“Two people are confirmed dead,” the Oslo police department said in a tweet. Some 14 people were taken to hospital, several with severe injuries, police said.

A male suspect believed to be the sole perpetrator was apprehended, police told reporters. The identity of the suspected has not been revealed. 

Norway's Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and prime minister Jonas Gahr Store visit the scene of the shooting at the London Pub in Oslo.

UPDATE:

Terrified revellers at a gay bar in Oslo hid in a basement and desperately called loved ones as a gunman went on the rampage, killing two people and injuring 21 on the day the city was due to celebrate its annual Pride parade.

Authorities said the suspect, a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin, was believed to be a radicalised Islamist with a history of mental illness who had been known to intelligence services since 2015.

The suspect will be subjected to a psychiatric evaluation in the coming days as part of the investigation, police said.

The attack took place in the early hours of Saturday, with victims shot inside and outside the London Pub, a long-standing hub of Oslo's LGBTQ scene, as well as in the surrounding streets and at one other bar in the centre of the Norwegian capital.

The deceased were two men in their 50s and 60s, police said.

"Everything indicates that this has been an attack by an Islamist extremist," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told a news conference.

"We don't (yet) know if the queer community was the intended target, but we know it is a victim."

Bili Blum-Jansen, who was in the London Pub, said he fled to the basement to escape the hail of bullets and hid there along with 80 to 100 other people.

"Many called their partners and family, it felt almost as if they were saying good-bye. Others helped calm down those who were extremely terrified," he told TV2.

"I had a bit of panic and thought that if the shooter or shooters were to arrive, we'd all be dead. There was no way out."

Rainbow flags symbolising the Pride community were on prominent display across Oslo this week, but Saturday's planned parade was cancelled on the advice of police.

"Last night the rainbow was coloured black," said Anette Trettebergstuen, Norway's minister of culture and equality and herself a prominent campaigner for LGBTQ rights.

'Crying and screaming'

While the official parade was called off, several thousand people held a spontaneous march in central Oslo, waving rainbow flags and chanting in English: "We're here, we're queer, we won't disappear."

Norway's Crown Prince Haakon, his wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit and their youngest child, 16-year-old Prince Sverre Magnus, later joined the prime minister and other officials to lay red and white roses near the London Pub.

"We must protect the right in Norway to love whomever we want," Haakon told reporters.

The suspect was detained minutes after embarking on the shooting spree, according to police, who said they believed he acted alone. Two weapons, including a fully automatic gun, were retrieved from the crime scene, they added.

The man has declined to be interrogated by police, his lawyer John Christian Elden told public broadcaster NRK.

Witnesses described the chaos that erupted inside and outside the London Pub, which has been open since 1979.

"Many people were crying and screaming, the injured were screaming, people were distressed and scared - very, very scared," said Marcus Nybakken, 46, who had left the bar shortly before the shooting and returned later to help.

"My first thought was that Pride was the target, so that's frightening."

Journalist Olav Roenneberg of broadcaster NRK said he was in the area at the time and saw a man arrive with a bag, take out a gun and start to shoot: "Then I saw windows breaking and understood that I had to take cover."

Widespread condemnation

European leaders condemned the shooting, as did the White House.

"I am shocked by the heinous attack on innocent people in Oslo," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted.

"No-one should have to fear for their life or well-being simply for who they are."

French President Emmanuel Macron, writing in both French and Norwegian on his official Twitter account, expressed his sympathies. "We stand stronger against hate if we stand together," he said.

John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House's National Security Council, told reporters on board Air Force One the Biden administration had been in touch with Norway to offer condolences and support.

"We're all horrified by the mass shooting in Oslo today targeting the LGBTQI+ community there and our hearts obviously go out to the all the families of the victims, the people of Norway, which is a tremendous ally, and of course the LGBTQI+ community there and around the world," he said.

Norwegian security authorities raised the country's terrorism threat assessment to its highest level following the attack, in which 21 people were also wounded, 10 of them severely.

The police, who are not normally armed, will carry guns until further notice, it said.

Other major events in the capital went ahead as planned on Saturday, police and organisers said, including a large outdoor music festival and a soccer match between the women's teams of Norway and New Zealand.

The shooting took place just months after Norway marked 50 years since the abolition of a law that criminalised gay sex.

The Nordic nation of 5.4 million has lower crime rates than many Western countries, though it has experienced hate-motivated shootings, including when far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 people in 2011.

- Reuters





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