Tit bits Tit bits

From Around The World

The news is supposed to tell us what’s happening in the world, it doesn’t and its mostly bad news, so this week here’s the good news you didn’t hear about.

Egypt used to have the highest rate of hepatitis C in the world. In 2018, the government decided to implement a massive and unprecedented campaign to screen and treat every citizen, crystallising into something called the 100 Million Healthy Lives Campaign. Today, both the World Bank and the WHO say Egypt has eliminated hepatitis C from its entire population.

Forbes

Maharashtra has become the first state in India to roll out universal healthcare, covering $6,900 in expenses for all residents. The government is also spending $362 million on upgrading hospitals and ensuring that every district in the state has a 50-bed critical care unit. In case the scale of this isn’t clear—Maharashtra is home to 120 million people, more than the Philippines or Japan.

Hindustan Times

Progress is slow on Africa’s Great Green Wall, but some bright spots bloom

Since 2007, Africa’s Green Wall has restored 18 million hectares of degraded land, an area the size of Cambodia. Senegal has led the most successful effort, inspiring an overall shift from merely tree-planting to a holistic, bottom-up approach that engages local communities to improve long-term livelihoods and incomes.

Mongabay

Supermarket plastic bag charge has led to 98% drop in use in England

Environmentalists are urging the UK government to ‘learn from its own successes’ after research showed the number of single-use supermarket plastic bags has plummeted by 98% since retailers started charging for them in 2015. ‘The success of the plastic bag charge shows that when the government takes real action it gets results, and the public gets on board.’

Guardian

How does land abandonment affect biodiversity?

The past half a century has witnessed an increased exodus of human populations from rural to urban areas, with over 55 percent of the world’s population currently living in cities (a percentage expected to rise to 68 percent by 2050). A major effect of this gradual decrease in rural populations is that the land they leave behind leads to a significant increase in abandoned fields and pastures, forestry areas, factories, mines, or even entire human settlements. That land can be restored. ‘In abandoned areas that were previously intensively farmed and where biodiversity was low, plant life, birds, and invertebrates have a new chance to thrive.’

Earth

Tiger populations grow in India and Bhutan

India and Bhutan have recorded significant increases in their wild tiger populations. After decades of conservation efforts, India now has 3,682 tigers, making it home to 75% of the global population. Bhutan has recorded 131 tigers, an increase of 27% since 2015.

BBC Scientists Release Record-Breaking Number of Baby Seahorses Into Sydney Harbour

380 baby seahorses were successfully released into Sydney Harbour, marking the fifth time captive-bred seahorses have been released into the wild. This latest attempt boasted a 90% survival rate, and scientists have created eight custom-built ‘seahorse hotels’ made from biodegradable metal to provide a safe place for the endangered fish to hide from predators.

Smithsonian

Bus use up 55% but still down on pre-Covid

By Paul Taylor

More than 1.25 million passenger trips were made on Queenstown’s Orbus in the past financial year, up 55% on the previous 12 months.

Patronage data reported to the Otago Regional Council’s Public and Active Transport Committee shows the huge increase, despite the service running a reduced timetable for much of financial year.

Timetable services were slashed in late July 2022 due to a driver shortage and only resumed on 1 June, 2023. The financial year (fiscal and financial reporting) runs 1 July to 30 June.

The removal of Covid-border restrictions have likely had an impact on the figures. There is actually 15% reduction in the number of passengers using buses compared to pre-Covid.

“We’re pleased to report that the number of trips made by bus is increasing across Otago,” ORC’s Manager Transport Lorraine Cheyne says.

“We will continue to monitor changes in bus patronage following the fare subsidies that came into effect on July 1 when the national half price fares scheme ended.

The half price fare scheme won’t have had a huge impact for Queenstown bus users, as the service is capped at a $2 fare.

Anyone younger than 13 can now travel for free, while there are a range of other discounts.

“Passengers are urged to check out the Community Connect information on the ORC website to see if they are eligible for discounted fares.”

ORC also runs the Dunedin service, where there was an 18% increase in passengers, with nearly 2.8 million trips made - that’s a 10% increase on preCovid numbers.

Dunedin’s reduced timetable ran for six months, returning to a full service on 1st February 2023.

Queenstown drugs busts

By Paul Taylor

Eight people have been charged after police seized drugs, cash and firearms in a series of raids in Queenstown and Dunedin last week. The Southern District Police Organised Crime Unit executed six warrants and confiscated a “significant quantity” of MDMA, cocaine, cannabis, methamphetamine and LSD, along with more than $50,000 cash and illegal firearms.

The eight people arrested are aged between 25 and 35 and face a raft of charges related to the supply of drugs and firearms related offences. They are due to appear in the Dunedin and Queenstown District Courts in due course.

Detective Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh says the arrests and seizures are the result of ongoing investigations across the district and city into organised crime and drug dealing.

“The six separate warrants focused on significant drug dealing activity which have contributed to harm within the community.

“The arrests should serve as a warning to organised crime groups or anyone involved in the possession of drugs to supply.

“The Organised Crime Unit work are dedicated to disrupting this illegal activity which causes significant social harm, and holding those involved to account.”

QUEENSTOWN TENNIS CLUB AGM. WEDNESDAY 30TH

AUGUST 2023 - 7pm Queenstown Tennis Clubrooms. All Welcome

NEW TO THE AREA OR GOT MORE time on your hands & looking to give back to your community? Altrusa International Qtwn is looking for volunteers just like you to join our woman’s charitable & service org. supporting our local community. Want to know more? Email: altrusaqueenstown@gmail.com or message us on Facebook.com/AltrusaQueenstown

FREE IMMIGRATION CLINIC. IF YOU NEED IMMIGRATION information or advice the Citizens Advice Bureau run an immigration clinic every Wednesday from 7pm. To make an appointment call them on 03 442 6679

WHAKATIPU DRIVE MY LIFE ARE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS to become mentor buddies to help our vulnerable people achieve their drivers licence. If you are interested or have any questions contact Louise Ward louise@reap.co.nz

SPCA OP SHOP – 51 GORGE RD. Open Monday – Saturday

9.00 – 5.00. Pre-loved goods and clothing at great prices. Help support the ongoing work done by the SPCA. Your old goods, or your time, could help save a life. Accepting donations (no electrical at the moment) and volunteers now. Volunteers wanted!

WSCA – ROOMS FOR HIRE - SPACIOUS, sunny rooms are available for hire to Queenstown Community Groups. The rooms hold up to 90 people, with seated dining for 40. Located on the 1st floor of Malaghan House, 10 Memorial Street, Queenstown with lift access. There are kitchen facilities, toilets, Wi-Fi, media equipment for projection onto large screen plus large screen TV. Contact us on 03 4429214 or info@wsca.org.nz for more details.

ST JOHN ROOMS FOR HIRE. 1 X office space with free WIFI. 1 x room seats 30, 1 x room seats 100 with whiteboards, smart TVs, projector screens, free WIFI, shared kitchen and fantastic views! Contact Sarah on 027 206 6340 or queenstownreception@stjohn. org.nz for bookings and more info.

Everything Else

NEED AN IDYLLIC SPOT IN KINGSTON TO rent for your tiny home or caravan? Please text 022 404 3545.

HAVE THAT NIGGLING ACHE OR PAIN THAT just won’t go away? A recurring condition, or maybe you’re looking for something to assist alongside your more traditional treatments to speed up recovery? Two Feathers can help, an Alternative & Holistic Health Service including Tuning Forks, Energy Healing & Reiki Master. For more info contact Amy on: healing@twofeathers.co.nz or 022 454 8288

FREE INLAND REVENUE WORKSHOPS 23 AUGUST 2023

Introduction to business: what taxes to pay, maintaining a cashbook, expenses, using online services and more.

GST: what is GST, GST registration, record keeping-cash book, basic adjustments, GST filing and payment Register online at www.ird.govt.nz - enter the keywords

“seminars Queenstown” into the search box