Category : News
Author: Zane Small

To meet its Smokefree 2025 goal, the Government will create a smoke-free generation by making it impossible for Kiwis below age 14 to ever legally purchase cigarettes in the future. 

The Government will gradually increase the age of purchase restrictions every year, meaning eventually there will be an age cohort who won't be able to legally purchase cigarettes. 

Article: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/12/smokefree-2025-generation-plan-kiwis-below-age-14-will-never-be-able-to-purchase-cigarettes.html
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Note from Nighthawk.NZ:

 Freedom of choice... while I don't smoke, it is freedom of choice, and the government have no right to take this away.

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Category : News
Author: Reuters

BioNTech and Pfizer said on Wednesday a three-shot course of their COVID-19 vaccine was able to neutralise the new Omicron variant in a laboratory test and they could deliver an upgraded vaccine in March 2022 if needed.

Article: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2021/12/coronavirus-three-shots-as-good-against-omicron-as-two-were-against-original-covid-19-pfizer.html
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Category : Defence
Author: Peeni Henare
  • New Defence Priorities announced to guide Defence through an ongoing COVID-19 environment:
    • People –we will ensure our people are safe, well-trained and effective. Defence will also lift its focus on culture and diversity.
    • Infrastructure - ensuring our personnel can live and work in buildings that are healthy, safe and fit-for-purpose
    • Pacific – Assist Pacific partners to address security challenges to their livelihood, security and well-being, such as climate change and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.
  • New Defence Principles Angitu, Kotahitanga, Mana and Pono, Kaitiakitanga

Article: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/defence-priorities-and-principles-released
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Category : News
Author: Sarah Turnbull

OTTAWA -- Canada will proceed with a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, meaning government officials won’t attend but athletes can continue to compete.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement on Wednesday during a press conference alongside Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Sport Minister Pascale St-Onge.

Article: https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-announces-diplomatic-boycott-of-beijing-olympics-athletes-will-still-compete-1.5698625
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Category : News
Author: William Booth and Karla Adam

Britain is obsessed with a Christmas party, which either did or didn't happen at 10 Downing Street last year, in the middle of a strict lockdown, as the hospitals filled with the sick and dying.

The official spokesman for the prime minister says there was no holiday party, that no rules were broken, despite a scoop by the Mirror, a British tabloid that claims yes, there was a party, with guests "knocking back glasses of wine during a Christmas quiz and a Secret Santa while the rest of the country was forced to stay at home".

Article: https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/uk/300473681/boris-johnsons-staff-denied-holding-a-lockdown-christmas-party--then-they-were-caught-joking-about-it-on-camera
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Category : News
Author: Jamie Ensor

China says New Zealand athletes are welcome at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games despite Aotearoa not sending ministerial representatives, but hopes "all parties" can "stop politicising sports".

The United States on Tuesday confirmed it would not send government officials to next year's Winter Olympic Games given what it calls the ongoing "genocide against minority Muslims" in the Chinese region of Xinjiang. Athletes will still be able to attend and White House Press Secretary Jan Psaki said they had the country's "full support".

Article: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/12/china-says-new-zealand-athletes-welcome-at-beijing-winter-olympics-despite-no-ministerial-representation.html
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Category : News
Author: Jamie Ensor

Australian officials will boycott the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, following in the footsteps of the United States.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says athletes will be able to compete despite the diplomatic ban. He said the decision should come as "no surprise" given the poor relations currently between Australia and China.

Article: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2021/12/winter-olympics-diplomatic-boycott-heats-up-with-australia-not-sending-officials.html
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