EXPLAINER: Nato is the world’s most successful military alliance, central both to the West’s success in the Cold War and to securing the European order that followed. It has grappled with many doubts about its purpose in the post-Cold-War world. Yet it has expanded greatly over the decades, growing from the original 12 allies in 1949 to 30 today. The last to join was North Macedonia in 2020. Now Finland, and probably Sweden, are knocking at the door . Why do countries want to join Nato, and what does it take to become a member? The core attraction is Article 5 of the Washington treaty, Nato’s founding document, which sets out the mutual-defence promise: “ The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all ”. This is often taken as a guarantee to defend militarily an ally under attack; in fact, a member is committed only to “assist” and to take “such action as it deems necessary” to restore … [Read more...] about What does it take to join Nato?
Face the nation
Monkeypox: What is it, how does it spread and what are the symptoms?
EXPLAINER: Britain is currently experiencing its biggest ever outbreak of monkeypox, with seven known cases. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced on Monday that a cluster of four cases had been reported in England and they were not linked to the three other cases . Six of these are in London, and one is in the North East, with patients either self-isolating at home or being treated in specialist infectious disease wards at Guy’s and St Thomas, St Mary’s Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital or the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. It is rare for the virus to be seen in Britain and most previous cases in the UK have been linked to travel to other parts of the world where it is more prevalent, particularly West Africa. READ MORE: Sexual health expert calls for accelerated effort to eliminate syphilis and HIV HIV tests to be dispensed through vending machines, in first for NZ China’s new virus: What you need to know Gonorrhea may be transmitted by … [Read more...] about Monkeypox: What is it, how does it spread and what are the symptoms?
‘Goal to use blood as window to the brain’: Research’s potential for early detection of Alzheimer’s
New research has revealed the potential for Alzheimer’s disease to be detected through a blood test during its early stages – but it could be some time before it is part of your next wellness check. Researchers at Otago University have discovered changes in blood patterns as people progress through the stages of Alzheimer’s. Small molecules in the blood called microRNA changed dynamically as the symptoms of Alzeheimer’s worsened. The decade-long research was a collaboration with lead author Diane Guévremont and team leader associate professor Joanna Williams of the Department of Anatomy and the Otago Brain Health Research Centre, along with members of Otago’s psychology, biochemistry and medicine department, and colleagues in Australia. READ MORE: When dementia strikes at an early age Viagra could be a potent force in the fight against Alzheimer’s, study suggests These small changes can lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease Williams said the idea behind … [Read more...] about ‘Goal to use blood as window to the brain’: Research’s potential for early detection of Alzheimer’s
Waka Kotahi steers away from blanket 80kph plan for Northland, Auckland highways
RICKY WILSON/STUFF "A lot of us already find 100kph slow": Geoff Upson and his dog George are the faces of an informal campaign to prevent speed limit drops. New Zealand’s state highway officials have backed away from a region-wide speed limit reduction in Northland, instead proposing to cut speeds in danger areas like around schools. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency opened formal consultation on Tuesday for reduced speeds on 11 state highways in Northland and north Auckland. Tai Tokerau is the first area in the country to have a region-wide speed review under the agency’s Road to Zero campaign , which aims to cut deaths and serious injuries on New Zealand roads by 40% by 2030. But the agency originally planned to slash all state highway speeds limits, from 100kph to 80kph – a proposal which drew backlash from leaders fearing congestion and impatience on the roads. READ MORE: Northland leaders frustrated at plan to lower speed on state highways to cut … [Read more...] about Waka Kotahi steers away from blanket 80kph plan for Northland, Auckland highways
How fast is too fast? ‘Keep it 100’ campaigner takes on Waka Kotahi’s Road to Zero
RICKY WILSON/STUFF "A lot of us already find 100kph slow": Geoff Upson and his dog George are the faces of an informal campaign to prevent speed limit drops. The days of travelling 100kph on every stretch of major state highway are over. But Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says many of those who oppose its lowering of speed limits are spreading a gospel of misunderstanding that verges on “misinformation”. Can it slow them down? Chris Hyde reports. Waka Kotahi has the winding main roads of New Zealand in its sights. It doesn't necessarily want them to be 100kph any more. It would rather be certain they’re safe to drive. But it’s not been an easy sell. Standing in the way of speed reductions are a vocal subset of the population – from mayors, to those with freight interests, to those who just like travelling at high speeds. Perhaps the most committed of all of them is a man who used to draw pictures of penises on potholes. Geoff Upson has morphed from exposing the … [Read more...] about How fast is too fast? ‘Keep it 100’ campaigner takes on Waka Kotahi’s Road to Zero
New Zealand’s first round of Russia sanctions includes Vladimir Putin, Russian bank, and tech firm
PARLIAMENT TV Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta speaks on the Russia Sanctions Bill as its introduced into the House to be urgently passed on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. The Government’s first round of Russia sanctions have targeted President Vladimir Putin and his key supporters, Russian-backed militia, technology manufacturers, and a state-backed bank. The first tranche of sanctions under the Russia Sanctions Act, which was passed last week, were published in legislation on midnight Thursday, after being signed off by Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro. Putin and 12 others on the sanctions list have been banned from travelling to New Zealand, from having ships or aircraft owned, controlled, or chartered by them entering the country, and have been prohibited from having assets in New Zealand. Russian businessman Alexander Abramov, who has considerable assets in New Zealand, does not appear on the sanctions list. Abramov has not been sanctioned by the UK, US, or Europe, … [Read more...] about New Zealand’s first round of Russia sanctions includes Vladimir Putin, Russian bank, and tech firm
‘Inevitable’ Sunak to bring in windfall tax as Brits hit with ‘extraordinary’ daily costs
Sunak to bring in windfall tax as Brits hit with 'extraordinary' bill increase Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Rishi Sunak has been pushed to introduce an emergency windfall tax against energy companies in order to ease the cost of living crisis across the UK. The Chancellor has so far withheld the introduction of additional tax measures against energy giants as he argues a windfall tax would stifle investment in domestic energy infrastructure. Economist and political theorist Michael Jacobs declared a windfall tax against energy companies was an ‘inevitable’ economic measure that the Conservative Government will be forced to instigate. Related … [Read more...] about ‘Inevitable’ Sunak to bring in windfall tax as Brits hit with ‘extraordinary’ daily costs
‘Absolutely desperate’ UK authority first to declare major emergency over energy crisis
Energy bills: Chairman reveals 140% increase in calls for help Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info On Wednesday, the seaside resort of Eastbourne will become the first town in the country to declare a " Cost of Living Emergency" in response to soaring energy bills and prices. Josh Babarinde OBE, Eastbourne Liberal Democrat councillor and Parliamentary Candidate, told Express.co.uk: “It has been harrowing for me to see the huge rate of people accessing food banks. My inbox is full of local residents from the very estate that I grew up on saying ‘we are struggling and not getting enough support’." Related articles Sunak to bring in 'inevitable' … [Read more...] about ‘Absolutely desperate’ UK authority first to declare major emergency over energy crisis
Energy bill prices explode 70% – Britons paying extra £60 per MONTH and it will get worse
Rishi Sunak says he ‘stands ready’ against inflation Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Hard working Britons have been hit by an explosion in costs in recent months due to the fall out from the war in Ukraine and the end of the Covid pandemic. Today the Office of National Statistics warned national inflation has risen to nine percent, the highest rate in 40 years. Related articles Reeves erupts she demands cost of living pressure relieved now UK energy firms face £50m fine for failing to meet heat pump targets However, new analysis indicates that the bottom 10 percent of the population in terms of income faced an inflation rate of … [Read more...] about Energy bill prices explode 70% – Britons paying extra £60 per MONTH and it will get worse
Commons erupts in laughter at Blackford after he orders Boris to ‘sack Rishi and Treasury’
PMQs: Blackford calls for Boris Johnson to ‘sack the Treasury’ Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Ian Blackford fumed at Boris Johnson in his address to the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions. The SNP Westminster Leader declared the Prime Minister should “sack” Rishi Sunak and the Treasury as the price of living in the UK continues to soar. MPs in the House of Commons erupted in laughter as the SNP representative raged at the Conservative handling of the cost of living crisis. Mr Blackford said: “Every day this Prime Minister remains out of touch, people remain out of pocket.” Related articles Why Protocol is unworkable … [Read more...] about Commons erupts in laughter at Blackford after he orders Boris to ‘sack Rishi and Treasury’