Latest news with #Dinner
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
New Zealand Winegrowers Celebrates 2025 Fellows
Press Release – New Zealand Winegrowers The 2025 Fellows will be inducted at the industrys annual Celebration Dinner in Christchurch at the end of August. Their contributions span the breadth of the industry across research and innovation, winemaking, marketing, governance, and sustainability. New Zealand Winegrowers is celebrating its annual honours list by announcing the 2025 roll of New Zealand Winegrowers Fellows. Fabian Yukich, Chair, says, 'New Zealand Winegrowers Fellows are a peer-nominated group of highly respected and influential individuals whose hard work, innovation, and passion have helped to drive the success of the New Zealand wine industry'. The 2025 Fellows will be inducted at the industry's annual Celebration Dinner in Christchurch at the end of August. Their contributions span the breadth of the industry across research and innovation, winemaking, marketing, governance, and sustainability. In 1987, Mark Allen moved to Hawke's Bay, shifting from growing kiwifruit and avocados to grapes. It was then that he discovered a passion for viticulture that would set his future endeavours. He developed and managed numerous vineyards nationwide initially for Morton Estate and then Villa Maria until 2004. He then moved to Marlborough and established his own advisory company. Since then, he has supported clients across Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, and Central Otago with vineyard development, management advice, and grower liaison. Known for his expertise in vine research and knowledge sharing, Mark remains a respected industry presenter and works closely with New Zealand Winegrowers and Bragato Research Institute. Hawke's Bay Winemaker Jenny Dobson spent 16 years in France before returning to New Zealand in 1996. Jenny has been an active contributor to the industry since then, notably in her work with the New Zealand Society for Viticulture and Oenology (NZSVO). She has served on its Executive Committee and has been on the organising committee for the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium, whose next event is in 2026. Jenny provides inspiration to those around her, mentoring many who are just starting their own winemaking careers. Judy Finn and husband Tim planted the first vines at their acclaimed Neudorf winery in Nelson in 1978. Judy has been a significant contributor to the industry at both regional and national levels with a particular focus on marketing and branding. She has served on Nelson Winegrowers, the Marketing Committee of the Wine Institute, and for three terms on the organising committee of New Zealand's Pinot Noir celebration. Judy has helped to raise the profile and reputation of the New Zealand wine brand for the benefit of the whole industry. Clive Jones has worked in the NewZealand wine industry for over 30 years, beginning with a wine science degree and a career in winemaking. He has been General Manager of Nautilus Estate since 1998 and has held leadership roles with Wine Marlborough and New Zealand Winegrowers, serving as Chair of both. As Chair of New Zealand Winegrowers from 2020 to 2024, he guided the industry through the challenges of the pandemic. A strong proponent for diversity, Clive's governing influence has helped to drive dynamic change in the industry. Gwyn Williams' early career was in the New Zealand Army. Swapping camouflage for Swandri, a Diploma in Farm Management led Gwyn to owning his own vineyard and becoming a viticulturist based in North Canterbury. Passionate about sustainability, he represented the Waipara Wine Region on the Hurunui Tourism Board for over a decade. From 2007 to 2016, Gwyn served on the New Zealand Grape Growers Council and later the New Zealand Winegrowers Board, chairing the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) programme during a period of key development. He now chairs the SWNZ Technical Group and the Project Raumatatiki Fresh Water Farm Planning Technical Group. Through his committee and working group activities across our regions, Gwyn continues to help shape the industry's sustainable future. In February this year, Dr Richard Smart was the first to be inducted as a 2025 Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers. Sadly, Richard passed away in early July after a long illness. Over six decades, Richard has made major contributions to wine science through research, two doctorates, hundreds of articles, and the acclaimed Sunlight into Wine handbook. His achievements include New Zealand Wine Industry Personality of the Year (1989), Honorary Life Membership of the New Zealand Society for Viticulture and Oenology (1990), and induction into the New Zealand Wine Hall of Fame (2007). He was also named one of Decanter magazine's 50 Most Powerful Names in Wine in 2005. Speaking at his induction (held online in January), Richard said working as New Zealand's Viticultural Scientist was the professional highlight of his life, thanks in large part to the research accomplished and published during that time. 'This was because I was able to work with such an impressive team of coworkers spread throughout the country.' Richard said he felt 'immense gratitude' for the opportunities and the 'exceptional individuals' he has worked with. 'To New Zealand Winegrowers, thank you for this incredible honour. It is a privilege to be recognised by an industry I hold so dear.'
Newsweek
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Oprah Winfrey Responds to Claims Private Road Closed During Hawaii Tsunami
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Oprah Winfrey has responded after viral social media posts claimed she kept a private road on her sprawling Maui estate closed off amid evacuations in Hawaii following a tsunami warning. In a statement shared with Newsweek a spokesperson for Winfrey said: "As soon as we heard the tsunami warnings, we contacted local law enforcement and FEMA to ensure the road was opened. Any reports otherwise are false." Oprah Winfrey attends the 2025 Literacy Partners Evening of Readings & Gala Dinner at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on June 09, 2025 in New York City. Oprah Winfrey attends the 2025 Literacy Partners Evening of Readings & Gala Dinner at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on June 09, 2025 in New York Wednesday morning, a powerful 8.8.-magnitude undersea earthquake off of Russia's eastern coast triggered tsunami alerts. The first waves hit Hawaii, Russia's Kuril Islands and Japan's north island of Hokkaido. Tsunami warnings remain active for Hawaii. This is a developing story and will be updated.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa's proactive approach to finding new trade partners as US tariffs loom
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says the country was working on minimising the impact of the looming US 30% tariff hike on its exports. Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers South Africa is quickly expanding its global trade partners as a solution to the United States of America's 30% tariff on its exports, said Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen. Steenhuisen made the statement as the US tariff increase on South Africa is expected to come into effect on August 1. 'The real solution lies not just in playing defence, but in going on the offensive. This is why we are doubling down on market access expansion,' said Steenhuisen, who is the leader of the DA in the Government of National Unity. The tariff deadline will come as the country waits for the outcome of the proposed US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025, which seeks to impose sanctions against some ANC leaders accused of, among others, supporting China, Russia, and Iran, and mismanaging state resources. Delivering a keynote address at the RSA Group Stakeholder Dinner in Muldersdrift outside Johannesburg on Thursday, Steenhuisen said his department was reaching out to other countries looking for markets to sell the country's agricultural products. He called on the country not to waste time by being overly reliant, but to be productive. He said the country was already strengthening its trade alliances with the likes of Chile, Peru, and New Zealand 'to jointly lobby for fair and stable trade treatment of fresh produce' through the Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters. 'Over the past six months alone, we have finalised new phytosanitary protocols for the export of avocados to China; table grapes to Vietnam and the Philippines; and maize to India,' he said. Steenhuisen said there were trade negotiations with Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh. 'Our goal is simple — to ensure that no South African fruit producer is ever left dependent on the goodwill of a single trading partner.' He said the country was also strengthening its plant health systems, expanding traceability capabilities, and digitising its export certification platforms to align with the European Union's Green Deal and Asia's growing demand for sustainability-linked imports as part of 'investments that are not just defensive; they are the launchpad for new growth'. He said the country's agriculture has always been one of ingenuity, grit, and partnership. 'We have overcome political transitions, trade embargoes, droughts, pandemics, and port crises. We will overcome these current headwinds (tariff increase) too,' he said. Steenhuisen said that to avert the effects of new tariffs more quickly and effectively, the country must be united and pull together. 'My department is open for business, open for reform, and open for ideas,' he said. Steenhuisen said the tariffs will damage the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is set to expire in September and is already under threat of not being renewed due to strained relations between South Africa and the US. 'Let me be clear: South African agriculture did not deserve this treatment. We do not dump, we do not distort, and we do not play geopolitical games with food,' he said. He said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) was leading the country's formal engagement with the United States. 'And we continue to work hand in hand with Minister Tau and his team to ensure that the full impact on the agricultural sector is well understood,' he said. Soon after taking over the US presidency for the second time, Donald Trump came down heavy on South Africa by signing an Executive Order alleging that the country was mistreating its Afrikaner community by enabling genocide and passing oppressive policies. He also accused the country of being aggressive towards his country and its allies, 'including accusing Israel, not Hamas, of genocide in the International Court of Justice, and reinvigorating its relations with Iran to develop commercial, military, and nuclear arrangements'. 'The United States cannot support the government of South Africa's commission of rights violations in its country or its undermining of United States foreign policy, which poses national security threats to our Nation, our allies, our African partners, and our interests,' read the order. In reaction, Ramaphosa led a delegation, which comprised Steenhuisen and influential businessman Johann Rupert, to correct misinformation about Afrikaners' treatment and straighten the relationship with Trump's administration. However, the first phase of passing the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025, which, according to its author, US Congressman Ronny Jackson, seeks to punish ANC leaders, raised eyebrows. The act, which is now awaiting tabling at the full House of Representatives, accused the ANC's government leaders of undermining human rights by having a military and political relationship with the Russian government, which is at war with Ukraine. It accused the country of having allowed a US-sanctioned Russian cargo ship, the Lady R, to dock and transfer arms at a South African naval base in December 2022. 'The ANC published an article in their newspaper, ANC Today, in October 2024, promoting Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine,' read the proposed act, which also accused ANC leaders of mismanaging Eskom and Transnet, and enabling the cholera outbreaks. University of South Africa's Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs' international affairs expert, Dr Bongiwe Ngcobo, said the US actions were designed to force South Africa to abandon the International Court of Justice case against Israel on the Gaza conflict. She said South Africa's BRICS membership was also a concern for the US. 'If BRICS strengthen and grow, then it means they will have a challenger, and it means they will have less control over smaller countries like South Africa and other countries from the Global South,' she said. [email protected]
Barnama
7 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
BIM Annual Dinner 2025 Celebrates Professional Excellence and Nation-Building
PUTRAJAYA, July 24 (Bernama) -- Balai Ikhtisas Malaysia (BIM) hosted its highly anticipated Annual Dinner on 23 July 2025 at the Millennium Ballroom, Le Meridien Putrajaya, celebrating the spirit of professionalism and its vital role in Malaysia's progress under the theme 'Empowering Professionals, Advancing the Nation.' The event was graced by YB Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, Deputy Minister of Works, as the Guest of Honour, alongside Prof. ChM. Dr. Juan Joon Ching, President of BIM, and leaders of BIM's 23 professional member institutions.
Daily Express
24-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Palliative group visits 120 homes monthly
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 Text Size: Liew (seated centre), flanked by Dr Jaswant (on her right) and Lim, with the rest of the delegation displaying the 'Simply The Best - A Tina Turner Tribute Show' promotional banner. Kota Kinabalu: The State Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) will support the Palliative Care Association of Kota Kinabalu's (PCAKK) 26th Charity Concert & Dinner on Aug 8 at the Sabah International Convention Centre. 'I understand that the care services provided by the Association have touched the lives of over 5,200 patients and their families during their most challenging times,' said minister Datuk Christina Liew after meeting President Dato' Dr Jaswant Singh. Organising Chairman cum PCAKK Management Adviser Datuk Margaret Lim said the annual event is the main source of funding for the Association established in 1998. 'We need to raise the primary funds to support our Home Care and Daycare programmes for the benefit of those who require this essential service in our community,' she said. Lim said the one-hour performance dubbed 'Simply The Best - A Tina Turner Tribute Show' will feature the talented Rebecca O'Connor who is currently on a world tour as the iconic Tina Turner. 'We anticipate a 1500-strong appreciative audience.' The Association's Home Care Programme and Development, Dr Jaswant said is aimed at providing compassionate care and support to patients with life-limiting diseases, including incurable cancers and end-stage organ failures, and post-stroke patients, among others, in the last journey of their life. PCAKK has been working in collaboration with the Palliative Care Unit (PCU) at QEH 1, QEH Cardiology Unit, and Likas Women and Children's Hospital for over 20 years. 'Under the Home Care Programme, we see some 120 cases per month for pain control, counselling and carer support,' said Dr Jaswant, adding that some patients require more visits. Also present were PCAKK Vice-President Morna Chua, Assistant Honorary Secretary Shirley Ong, Committee Members Caroline Paxton and James Ngu, and Executive Secretary Benzie Richard. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
