Latest news with #Stuff
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
New Zealand braces for strong currents as tsunami waves barrel across Pacific after Russia's Kamchatka earthquake
A massive earthquake of 8.8 magnitude in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday (July 30, 2025) triggered a warning in coastal regions of New Zealand. According to New Zealand media, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a warning of strong and unusual currents along all coastal areas of the country. According to the agency, the first tsunami-affected waves were expected around midnight, near Lottin Point. It is a coastal region on the East Cape of New Zealand, known for fishing and diving. "The first tsunami activity may not be the most significant," NEMA said. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category As part of the advice issued, those in the water and nearby areas are asked to get out and stay away. "People on boats, liveaboards, and at marinas should leave their boats/vessels and move onto shore. Do not return to boats unless instructed by officials," NEMA said, according to news website Stuff. The unpredictable surges were expected to continue for several hours, and the threat was real until the advisory was cancelled, the agency said. A tsunami has hit coastal areas of Russia's Kuril Islands and Japan's large northern island of Hokkaido following the powerful earthquake in Russia. Warnings are also in place for Alaska, Hawaii, and other coasts south toward New Zealand. Emergency mobile alert sent Live Events An emergency alert was sent to people across New Zealand. "Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, and anyone in or near the water close to the shore. People on boats, liveaboards, and at marinas should leave their boats/vessels and move onto shore. Do not return to boats unless instructed by officials," the alert said, as quoted by the New Zealand Herald. "If you are onshore, you do not need to evacuate. But stay away from the water," the alert read. The warning was for all coastal areas of the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands. Kamchatka Earthquake: Alerts sounded in multiple places The earthquake that struck Russia's Kamchatka was the sixth-largest on record. It prompted tsunami warnings in Hawaii, Alaska, California, and Japan, leaving millions across the Pacific anxiously awaiting waves that forecasters said could reach up to 10 feet. The earthquake, about 78 miles east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, took place at 7:24 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Several warnings, as well as advisories and watches, were issued along the entire West Coast of the continental United States. It reverberated across vast stretches of the Pacific, triggering alerts from Alaska to parts of Asia and as far as South America. As far as Alaska is concerned, the warnings were concentrated along a chain of volcanic islands in the North Pacific Ocean. Just before 11:30 p.m. Eastern time, forecasters issued a warning for a region in California near the state line with Oregon, where they said waves could reach up to 5 feet. That stretch of coastline has had frequent experiences with tsunamis over the past century. Crescent City, about 20 miles south of the Oregon border, has been hit by 32 tsunamis since 1933. The Russian authorities raised tsunami warnings for two of the Kuril Islands, Paramushir and Shumshu, and the Kamchatka region. The first small wave was estimated to have hit the Kurils around noon local time, authorities in the Sakhalin region said on Telegram. Warning in Japan Authorities in Japan said waves along the country's Pacific coast could reach 3 meters, or 10 feet. A ferry linking the main Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido was suspended, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported. The impact of the quake swept vast stretches of the Pacific Ocean, prompting advisories as far away as Chile, where the U.S. Tsunami Warning System warned that waves could be nearly 10 feet high.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- General
- NZ Herald
High Court judge criticises Oranga Tamariki, awards $108,000 to former foster parents
However, in 2021 Oranga Tamariki decided Moana should be removed from the Smiths and placed with a Māori mother and daughter in Wellington. The pair, the elderly 'Mrs Taipa' and her adult daughter 'Ms Taipa', were already caring for Moana's younger brother. Oranga Tamariki has been criticsed by more than one judge over the case. Photo / RNZ The Smiths successfully contested the bid in the Family Court, with Judge Peter Callinicos ruling in their favour and taking aim at Oranga Tamariki, its chief executive and members of its staff for putting ideology ahead of Moana's best interests, Stuff reported at the time. The girl's iwi also wanted her removed, telling Stuff they didn't think the Smiths could meet her cultural needs, but the couple claimed Oranga Tamariki had scuttled their attempts to provide cultural support. Moana had bonded with the Smiths and a new placement risked further psychological trauma, Judge Callinicos said at the time, outlining a plan where all parties could have input into the then 6-year-old's upbringing, including meeting her educational, cultural and health needs. An appeal to the High Court – made by Moana's mother with the support of Oranga Tamariki – was dismissed in November 2022. The Smiths subsequently applied for just over $108,000 indemnity costs against Oranga Tamariki. In a recently released High Court ruling Justice Helen Cull found in the couple's favour. Although it was Moana's mother who appealed the Family Court decision, Oranga Tamariki had supported her, Cull said. Fresh allegations were also made that the couple wasn't providing for Moana's cultural needs. 'I accept the Smiths' submission that there was a campaign by OT [Oranga Tamariki] against them to discredit them and this was pursued on appeal. 'The egregious aspect of this approach is that [Oranga Tamariki] continued to discredit and undermine the Smiths on appeal … the Smiths had no other option than to defend themselves in order to continue to care for Moana, to whom they were committed.' The case was also the principal case on which the amended provisions of the OT Act were considered and interpreted, Cull said. 'It drew significant public attention because a Pākehā couple, who had cared for a Māori child, were under scrutiny for their lack of cultural background and connection.' It was clear there'd been a policy change within the agency after Moana's placement with the Smiths, which was being driven by the organisation's senior management, she said. 'This led the frontline social workers to prioritise kinship placement over other considerations, such as the psychological attachment of Moana to the caregivers.' The Smiths stopped being Moana's foster parents after the appeal because 'ongoing personal attacks' made their living situation 'untenable', Mrs Smith told Stuff. 'I do hope she's safe and happy wherever she is, because that's all we ever wanted for her.' It 'spoke volumes' that indemnity costs were awarded, given they were done so only in 'exceptional circumstances', Smith told Stuff. Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.
Stuff.tv
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Stuff.tv
The Porsche 911 GTS taught me hybrids can be a riot when they want to be
Stuff Verdict Keeps the 911 in the conversation without adding a plug socket. The GTS T-Hybrid is a confident first step towards electrification that's just as dynamic to drive as you'd expect from a Porsche Pros Astounding performance only aided by hybrid system Rides and handles superbly, as a 911 should Luxury cabin feel with plenty of tech Cons Only available with a PDK transmission Introduction Are you one of the small portion of petrolheads that refuse to put the whole 'electrification means the death of combustion' argument in the rear view mirror? Have a blast in the latest 911 GTS. Porsche's new T-Hybrid powerplant will soon change your mind. OK, so one of the world's most recognisable sports cars isn't actually ditching petrol for protons entirely just yet. Porsche's familiar flat-six engine has instead been mated with a single turbocharger – rather than the two seen on the last-gen model – that slots an electric motor between its compressor and turbine. The resulting extra horsepower reduces turbo lag by two thirds at 2000rpm, and improves fuel efficiency to boot. Another e-motor inside the PDK gearbox lends even more assistance when you really get going. Not too shabby for a 50kg kerb weight increase. The first electrified 911 can't use its 1.9kWh battery for propulsion, so you'll still need to head to the Taycan – or wait for the electric Cayman – if you want zero emissions driving. But neither have the sports car pedigree of the GTS. I spend a week with the four-wheel drive Cabriolet, which might just be the best of the bunch. How we test cars Every electric car reviewed on Stuff is tested on a range of road surfaces and, where possible, in varying weather conditions. We use our years of experience to compare with rivals and assess ergonomics, technology features and general usability. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. The styling: subtle evolution The 911 silhouette is as distinctive as ever for this latest generation, albeit a larger one than it used to be. The 992.2 refresh added bolder styling front and rear, including LED Matrix headlights that neatly integrate the indicators, aero-optimised flaps in the front bumper, and an updated LED light bar on the back. You get a few extra black trim accents on the GTS, along with model-specific black alloys – 20in front and 21in rear – that give it a purposeful stance. Then there's the dramatic central dual-exit exhaust, influenced by Porsche's GT division. In the right colour, this car can look properly menacing. Yet it's still a 911 at heart, meaning it can be used for pretty much all your driving needs. I got an infant car seat in the front, my wife in the back seat (just), and the fold-down pushchair fit in the front boot. That officially makes it a family car, dads. Clever packaging also means the extra hybrid gubbins hasn't forced the driving position to change, so you still get the same low-slung view of the road ahead, peeking out over the iconic headlight bulges. You can have one in coupe, cabrio, or targa bodystyles; the latter is only available with four-wheel drive, while the hard- and soft-tops have rear-driven options as well. All have a PDK automatic gearbox, necessary for the hybrid system. Arguably that makes the manual transmission Carrera T more of a driver's car, though I've not driven one to confirm. The Cabriolet's roof retracts in twelve seconds, or more than enough to go tops-off at a set of traffic lights. If they do turn green, you're good to keep the button held up to 31mph. There's very little wind turbulence at 50mph, even with the wind deflector stowed. The drive: electrifying The GTS fires up like any combustion 911, the hybrid system preferring to lurk in the background until called upon by your right foot. Once it is, there's an immediacy to the powertrain that you just don't get elsewhere in the range. The turbocharger fires up almost instantly, letting the flat six put its power down with real ferocity. That's not to say the other cars are lethargic, or that we've entered EV-levels of instant acceleration; more that it makes the engine feel that bit more ready to respond to your inputs. It takes total power to a heady 534bhp, a 60 horsepower gain over the last-gen GTS, and means the Cabriolet driven here manages the 0-62mph sprint in just 3.1 seconds. That doesn't leave much legal room to reach the upper end of the rev range, where the exhaust note lets out an imposing roar even without reaching for the Sport setting. You get just the slightest electrical hum from the hybrid system, and even then you've got to really go searching for it. While the hybrid does add extra weight, on top of that gained by optioning the convertible roof, this is still a wonderfully balanced sports car. With rear-axle steering as standard and a sublimely weighted, Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, you're given ample feedback and you feel properly connected with it as you make swift progress. The four-wheel drive system ensures stability as you attack corners, and propels you out of them with authority. The ride is firm, even in the softest damper setting, but it in no way hampers the driving experience. When called for, the more dynamic modes help you feel hunkered own on the road, giving a reassuring amount of grip but keeping some rear-end playfulness accessible if you go looking for it. The technology: preserves the lineage It would've been easy for Porsche's engineers to draw a line under the outgoing car and go all-in on tech for the 922 generation, but instead the 911 keeps one foot in the past. The 12.6in curved digital dashboard has a classic five dial view reminiscent of the 997-era car, and the Sport Chrono clock hasn't gone anywhere. Sure, I miss having to turn an analogue switch to fire up the engine; pressing a button isn't quite as engaging. But the new dash is far more practical, letting you pick and choose which vital stats get shown next to the tachometer. There are plenty of physical buttons, and while the climate controls take some learning, it all falls easily within reach. I'm not entirely sold on the centre console's high gloss finish, but materials quality is otherwise excellent. The 10.9in central infotainment system is easy to navigate and comprehensive. It's got all the goodies you'd expect, including wireless Android Auto – because while a significant portion of Porsche drivers are also iPhone owners, the firm isn't leaving anyone out. Wireless Apple CarPlay is beamed onto the digital cluster. That said, there are no plans to add the dash-transforming Apple CarPlay Ultra to this generation. Naturally the press car came fully loaded with all the toys, including a Surround View camera with active parking support (that'll be £1298, please) and adaptive cruise control (£1468). The latter doesn't include lane change assist as standard – if you want it, expect to spend an extra £739. The 12-speaker Bose surround sound system will set you back a substantial £1468, but it's a box well worth ticking. Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid verdict I was never in doubt the GTS would be a corker of a 911, but was still surprised at how little it strays from the established formula, despite the extra technology – and extra weight. It's a reassuring sign of what's to come. It also creates a considerable gap to the regular Carrera in terms of potency, which only adds to the driver appeal. The cabriolet wins out for me over the hard-top: it makes even short drives at pedestrian speeds an event, and doesn't entirely sacrifice rear occupant space to achieve it. That said, in coupe form the GTS can be had with a rear spoiler that looks particularly menacing. There's also the small matter of the price: the most powerful non-Turbo 911 will set you back £154,400 before options, or £168,145 as tested here. On the other hand, you're getting faster acceleration than either a McLaren GTS or Ferrari Roma, with quite a bit of change to boot. If you're in the market for a junior supercar, this looks like an excellent addition to your shortlist. Stuff Says… Score: 5/5 Keeps Porsche's iconic sports car in the conversation without adding a plug socket. The 911 GTS T-Hybrid is a confident first step towards electrification that's just as dynamic an experience as you'd expect from the badge. Pros Astounding performance only aided by hybrid system Rides and handles superbly, as a 911 should Luxury cabin feel with plenty of tech Cons Only available with a PDK transmission Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid technical specifications Powertrain 3.6-litre turbocharged flat six petrol engine Battery 1.9kW Power 534bhp Torque 450lb ft 0-60mph 3.1sec Top speed 194mph Fuel economy 25.7-26.4mpg Cargo volume 135 litres
Stuff.tv
4 days ago
- Politics
- Stuff.tv
I just proved I'm an adult online – and I'm torn about what that really means
I just received an email confirming I've successfully verified I'm an adult. Exciting! Except no, because age verification is now going to be a regular thing for me. Why? Because the UK Online Safety Act went into effect on 25 July. And this isn't just something affecting the land of tea, crumpets and queues. Governments worldwide are implementing similar measures to prevent minors from accessing high-risk and age-inappropriate content. Mostly, that means porn. But various jurisdictions are merrily lobbing social media and even search engines into the mix. My first verification came from Bluesky, the Twitter cosplay act I mostly lurk on to gripe about politics and be yelled at by strangers for omitting their favourite games from Stuff's retro lists. Bluesky became the canary in the age-verification coal mine, warning Brits they'd soon lose access to DMs and 18+ content. Brits went bonkers (well, they tutted, which for a Brit is tantamount to furious rage), unaware all sites must comply or risk massive fines. Honestly, I'm conflicted. Which might sound odd. After all, there is a real problem with children accessing inappropriate content online. The least-effort approach of ticking a pinkie promise box to claim you're of age is insufficient. Addictive user interfaces prey on us all, but kids are especially vulnerable. And these rules could force companies to invest in stronger moderation, along with providing unambiguous access policies. So I'm not against the broad principle of the checks. But their application must be done with great care – which isn't conducive to modern politics. Even though the UK's implementation is barely a day old as I write this, we're already seeing signs of overreach. Far more than porn is being locked behind verification walls, including LGBTQ+ subreddits and subjects deemed 'inappropriate' for ideological reasons, such as sex ed. Age rage Things get worse when you look at how verification is done. Like others, the UK allows companies to outsource the process to third parties, who use techniques like face scans, document uploads and credit card checks. Some have sketchy privacy guarantees. Beyond that, the added friction of verification and onerous burdens placed on small high-quality sites may change how people use the web, stymying the free flow of information. And if age verification becomes second nature, we risk people blithely handing over personal data like they today blindly accept every terms-and-conditions notice. There are privacy and surveillance concerns. Forcing people to register for accounts begins the process of eliminating online anonymity – a genuine danger to some. It expands scope for wider surveillance. So we'll have to trust companies won't retain, misuse or monetise deeply personal data. Which, given historical precedent, makes me wonder how long it'll take to get from 'we'll remove your personal age verification details within seven days' to a data breach revealing countless people's selfies and most personal browsing histories. Even if that doesn't come to pass, other unintended consequences might. Age gates could create complacency, giving parents a false sense of security that anything 'ungated' is automatically safe. Yet bad actors won't comply; their sites will be darker and less regulated. Some overseas organisations might block the UK entirely. And individuals may get so fed up, they'll reach for VPNs, which themselves can be sketchy – especially free ones. Once governments notice that workaround, you can bet they'll legislate to age-gate VPNs too. So there are no quick and easy answers, which is why it's infuriating when politicians act like there are. As a famous social network once said: it's complicated.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ITV The Chase star Anne Hegerty 'happy in own company' after struggling to pay bills
Professional quizzer Anne Hegerty is a firm favourite of ITV The Chase fans, where she is known for playing her straight-laced role as the 'Governess' It's been a long journey for professional quizzer Anne Hergerty, 66, - and she has come far from the days when, during a difficult period in her life, a council worker had to help her open her post. A firm favourite amongst The Chase fans for her straight-laced persona of 'The Governess' on ITV, Anne has become a staple part of the British quizzing scene. But her love for general knowledge and competitive streak goes well beyond the last few years, which have taken her career to new heights of success - even back in the mid-1980s, she made a television appearance, showing off her intellect. A stint on I'm a Me Out of Here, made her something of a household name, and earned her dedicated fans beyond those hooked to quiz shows. The Chase's Anne Hegerty vents true opinion on 'dominatrix' outfit she's 'always hated' ITV The Chase rejected nicknames for Chasers - including one that was too 'racy' Back in the eighties, Anne took a turn in the Mastermind chair, with the special subject of The Life and Works of Lorenz Hartand she looked totally unrecognisable with a curly short hairdo and a patterned dress - that was pretty emblematic of the loud styles that were all the rage then. Her appearance took place in 1987, when she was 30 years old, and working as a freelance journalist - but it isn't the only unlikely throwback of the TV personality that has shocked her fans. An old photo of Anne, when she was even younger, with long curly locks and a cheeky smile, the snap from 1983 was pretty much unrecognisable to her fans, who are so used to her formidable governess persona. These days, Anne is almost always seen in a smart suit that is reminiscent of a schoolmarm, something she has called "stupendously unflattering" but does admittedly fit her quizzing persona perfectly. The governess character is "a bit creepy" Anne has said, revealing she based the persona in part on Professor Dolores Umbridge from the Harry Potter series. "But a friend of mine said 'you won't be able to sustain that', so I went down the more of the standard scary rout and, in recent years, at least one American viewer has compared me to Professor McGonagall from the Harry Potter films," she previously told Stuff. "So McGonagall, not Umbridge: I'll take that." Before becoming a star on The Chase, Anne was going through a difficult time in her personal life. She had been working as a freelance proofreader, but found things getting on top of her. Anne, who is autistic, found it tricky to stay on top of her accounts due to her condition. She was living in council housing when a worker from the Housing Association came to her home because she had fallen behind on paying her rent. "I just simply couldn't keep it going and the result was I wasn't paying my bills, but I was trying not to go on benefits on the grounds that I just thought that was sort of giving up. I wasn't giving up," Anne has said. The TV star explained that during the visit, the women from the Housing Association stepped in to help Anne get back on top of things. "She was stepping over piles of unopened mail and realised we had a problem. She said 'we will fix this, I will get someone to help you,'" Anne explained. Anne was also put in touch with a social worker who helped her sort out her finances and made sure she was receiving the benefits she was entitled to, the Disability Living Allowance. It wasn't long after this that Anne got her big break on The Chase, and whilst she has said she is incredibly grateful for her job, she has also admitted some aspects of fame can be tricky to deal with. "It is difficult to go down the street without being recognised. It's weird and interesting," she said of her celebrity status. "There are times when you're not absolutely crazy about it.. but I hope I never take it for granted." Anne has also appeared on Fifteen to One, Today's the Day, Are You an Egghead? and Brain of Britain - and in 2016 came in at 55th in the World Quizzing Championships, the second highest woman placing in the competition. Anne is undoubtedly a massive brainiac and general knowledge superstar, but she has admitted her autism has got in the way of forging romantic connections. In a candid moment on The Chaser's Roadtrip she confessed to her co-stars Mark Labbett and Shaun Wallace that her longest relationship had been only four months. "He was a lovely bloke, but I am just not good with the sort of attention that people need," she admitted. Anne has never shied away from the topic of her personal life, telling the Guardian that "I think the problem is I find it really difficult to fall in love with real people. I've thought: 'Am I in love with this guy?' And then we kind of get together and I think 'damn it, no, oh dear'." She explained further to OK! magazine that she struggles at times to stay in the moment, "I get overwhelmed in the presence of actual people and everything shuts down. I've found that with sex, too. It's like I can't be fully in it. That much intimacy, I almost zone out." However, there is a long list of single men hoping for an opportunity to take out Anne - who is based in Watford - if she ever changes her mind about preferring her "own company". "Let's say I would not be short of offers if I went looking. But I am happy with my own company," she told The Sun. "I've had relationships go wrong precisely because I could not devote the mental energy to it, and I just thought 'No, no, no, this is not a good idea'. I find men make such great friends - so let's keep them like that."
