A distress call on an Apple watch meant that a kayaker who had been swept 4km out to sea could be rescued by helicopter. The man had originally gone out with another kayaker on Sydney 's north shore - but they became separated. Strong currents and winds yesterday (Saturday, June 18) morning swept one of them out to sea, forcing him to use his Apple watch to make an emergency service call shortly after 9am. A search was then launched, with New South Wales (NSW) Police Marine Area Command seeking assistance from the rescue helicopter and surf lifesaving. Jetskis and inflatable rescue boats were also deployed by Manly lifeguards and Freshwater Surf Lifesaving Club. Rescuers spotted the bright orange kayak 4km out to sea ( Image: Westpac Rescue Helicopter Rescue) The orange kayak was spotted nearly 4km offshore by the rescue helicopter, with the kayaker struggling to stay upright at this point due to his fatigue. Helicopter rescuer Nick Pavlakis told 9 News, … [Read more...] about Kayaker swept 4km out to sea rescued after his Apple Watch sends out distress signal
North sea oil
GOOD TRUMP: U.S. Ends Reliance On Foreign Oil For First Time In 75 Years | The Daily Wire
For the first time in 75 years, the United States exported more oil than it imported, carrying out a pledge from President Trump that America can achieve “energy independence.” While the U.S. has been a net oil importer since 1949, over the final week of November, U.S. net imports of crude oil and petroleum products fell to minus 211,000 barrels per day (bpd) — which means America exported more than it imported, according to data from U.S. Energy Information and Administration. Oil production has been booming in the U.S. as the shale revolution swept the nation. America is now the world’s largest producer of petroleum, passing Russia and Saudi Arabia. As the U.S. oil boom spread, the power of OPEC was reduced and gas prices in the U.S. have dropped from the $4+ highs under former president Barack Obama. Net imports peaked in 2005, topping 14 million bpd, but in the last few months, the U.S. has imported an average of 2 million bpd. U.S. production has more than doubled since 2012 … [Read more...] about GOOD TRUMP: U.S. Ends Reliance On Foreign Oil For First Time In 75 Years | The Daily Wire
PETERSON: Russia Vs. Ukraine Or Civil War In The West? | The Daily Wire
We are now several months into the conflict with Russia. I say “we” because we are all pretending here in the West that the real war is between Russia and Ukraine but (nod nod wink wink) if we clandestinely, in some sense, provide full support to Ukraine then maybe the Russians, foolish and backward as they are won’t notice and we can simultaneously pretend that we aren’t flirting with the prospect of a long, arduous and inconceivably destructive war. I want to say at the outside that I think what Putin has done is unconscionable; God only knows what the impact will be, as all four of the horsemen of the apocalypse are on the march again. I think that the collusion of the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church is even more unforgivable. Be that as it may, I also believe that the attempt to deeply understand the motive forces for this war, as it is very difficult to set things right (let alone avoid a similar future catastrophe—or even to stop this conflict from spreading) in the … [Read more...] about PETERSON: Russia Vs. Ukraine Or Civil War In The West? | The Daily Wire
Weather: Heavy rain watches in place as storm prepares to sweep in on Friday
MetService Saturated parts of the North Island, which have been very wet in the last six weeks, are to get even more rain. Take a breath when the rain stops, because there’s now a bigger system on its way, with already sopping northern areas the first to face it. MetService has issued a severe weather watch for seven parts of Aotearoa that it anticipates will be hit the hardest by what is expected to be widespread rain late on Thursday and into a particularly wet Friday. A deep low, associated with fronts and troughs, are expected to approach New Zealand from the north Tasman Sea on Thursday, then over the country on Friday, according to MetService. A severe rain watch has been issued by forecasters, saying Northland and Coromandel would bear the initial brunt of the wet conditions. READ MORE: June temperatures 'well above average' in North Island; more rain for many western, inland areas Bluff residents asked to stay inside as building roof and powerlines come … [Read more...] about Weather: Heavy rain watches in place as storm prepares to sweep in on Friday
Changing ocean temperatures may affect Māori commercial fisheries
OPINION: Record high ocean temperatures and marine heatwaves have become increasingly common in the waters off New Zealand in the past decade. During the same period, commercial fisheries have landed lower volumes for several fish stocks, including hoki and tarakihi. Māori hold almost a third of commercial fisheries interests in Aotearoa, but these are constrained to certain areas. The impacts of warming seas on Māori communities’ cultural and economic future well-being are not well understood. For many Māori, fisheries are the most significant assets. With my colleagues Tony Craig and Katherine Short at Terra Moana, we explored how changing ocean temperatures may affect Māori commercial fisheries as part of the Moana Project . READ MORE: NZ urged to commit to stronger ocean, fisheries protection Push to ban commercial fishing of at-risk native eels reaches Parliament Wild weather battering fresh fish supplies around country Most of the fish species of … [Read more...] about Changing ocean temperatures may affect Māori commercial fisheries
Sherry Rehman terms rain casualties ‘national tragedy’ as death toll climbs to 77
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman on Wednesday said that at least 77 people have lost their lives as monsoon rains wreak havoc across the country, with 39 deaths reported from Balochistan alone. The current monsoon rains left hundreds of homes destroyed and hampered rescue operations in remote areas of the country. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister termed the casualties a "national tragedy" and said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has prepared a national contingency plan to deal with the situation during the monsoon season. The NDMA has also called on people to stay alert to prevent further damage, she added. “We need a comprehensive plan to avert these [deaths and devastation] as all of this destruction is taking place due to climate change." The rains have not stopped and will continue till July 8, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which has also warned of water logging in low-lying … [Read more...] about Sherry Rehman terms rain casualties ‘national tragedy’ as death toll climbs to 77
Current spell of monsoon rains claim 77 lives in Pakistan: Sherry Rehman
ISLAMABAD: The current spell of monsoon rains has claimed at least 77 lives in the country so far, revealed Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman Wednesday. Addressing a press conference in the federal capital, Rehman said that out of the total, 39 rain-related fatalities were reported from Balochistan alone — the most from any province. The climate change minister termed the deaths a “national tragedy” as hundreds of homes have been destroyed and rescue operations in remote areas are being hampered due to heavy rains. She added that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has prepared a national monsoon contingency plan, but also called on people to stay alert to prevent further damage. “We need a comprehensive plan to avert these [deaths and devastation] as all of this destruction is taking place due to climate change,” the federal minister said. The rains have not stopped and will continue till July 8, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department … [Read more...] about Current spell of monsoon rains claim 77 lives in Pakistan: Sherry Rehman
Australia flood, boosted by climate change, making history in Sydney
A potent weather system near Australia's east coast has unloaded tremendous rainfall in the state of New South Wales for days, putting Sydney on track for its wettest year on record . The torrents have spurred widespread flooding in eastern parts of New South Wales, for the fourth time in less than 18 months. The flooding has triggered more than 100 evacuation orders. Since Friday, Sydney has observed 220mm of rain, while surrounding areas have seen far more - some approaching 700mm – which is around the amount London sees in an entire year. Sydney amassed the same amount of rain over four days that it typically sees in 1.5 months, according to Weatherzone, an Australian weather information company. READ MORE: PM: Flood assistance talk shows 'fundamental change' in Australian government view of Kiwis living there Stormy weather conditions in Sydney cause flight delays Sydney floods: Fresh deluge expected, residents warned not to return to flood zones The … [Read more...] about Australia flood, boosted by climate change, making history in Sydney
Germany’s Scholz: Ukraine war calls for faster energy transition — live updates
Kyiv rejects Russia's announcement that it destroyed two US-made HIMARS in eastern Ukraine Germany to replenish weapons' stock for countries supplying Ukraine New requirements for Ukrainian conscripts scrapped after Zelenskyy's criticism Lavrov to meet some G20 foreign ministers despite G7 threats The article was last updated at 17:43 UTC/GMT Scholz says Germany must speed up energy transition due to war Germany must implement the transition to green energy faster because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. Speaking at an event hosted by the Renewable Energy Association Scholz said Russia was using oil and gas exports as a political weapon. "Energy policy is not just a question of price. Energy policy is also security policy," according to the German leader. "That's why we now have to turbo charge the expansion of renewable energy," he said. Russia to create youth movement reminiscent of Soviet-era Russian lawmakers approved … [Read more...] about Germany’s Scholz: Ukraine war calls for faster energy transition — live updates
Short Story: O
A yellow taxi circles the airport; mist over LaGuardia; rumor of improvised explosive device; a bald Nigerian hack listening to incensed propagandists on WOR, his cab merging with the vortex; and behind the Plexiglas, an entrepreneurial American capitalist half his age, iPhone perpetually to her perfect pink ear, hair dark as a tiger’s stripe. “You could cut it with a knife,” she says. Having left a message with her lover, she speaks now to her sister. “That much is definite. The bomb is speculation.” To which big sister petulantly replies, “Everything happens to you.” The younger woman’s lover, in a Houston high-rise, listens to the message she left, thinking—he cannot help himself—that her flight isn’t really delayed but that she no longer loves him, the churning in his gut forcing him to pace the apartment. He ignores the window’s glittering panorama for the blank frame of the smartphone in his trembling hand, daring it to ring, demanding that it ring, although her calls do not … [Read more...] about Short Story: O