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A house fire that injured a woman and severely damaged her home was caused by a pot on the stove, fire investigations have revealed. The house was well ablaze when crews arrived at the house on Hope Drive, off Wither Rd in Blenheim, about 5.45pm on April 7. A woman received serious burns, while two other occupants were uninjured. Fire investigator Greg McLean said it seemed the fire was started by a pot on the stove, possibly containing burning fat or oil. “The fire is still under investigation at this stage ... but we know it was accidental, and caused through cooking on a stove.” READ MORE: Fires still off limits in south Marlborough despite rain Kitchen fire damages Blenheim house Blenheim a 'truly amazing community' says family following house fire McLean had assessed the house during his investigations and estimated up to half the house was severely damaged by the fire. “We just want to remind people of the dangers of not looking while you’re … [Read more...] about Woman still recovering from burns after house fire as investigations continue

Brendon Vercoe​, formerly of Blenheim and the brother of Redwoodtown School principal Aaron Vercoe​, has won the epic eight-day Tour of New Zealand cycling event. Vercoe dominated the event, winning most of the stages, despite taking a tumble on Stage 7 before boarding the ferry for Stage 8 and the final criterium race at Parliament in Wellington on Saturday. “I had a crash coming down into Ngakuta Bay on a corner with gravel and had to make a split decision between chewing gravel, or chewing the side of the road with some greenery,” Vercoe said. “I took the latter option.” “Thankfully it meant that I could get back onto a bike and keep going, and I decided early on that I would break away from the bunch and attack.” READ MORE: Broken cyclist heals in time for New Zealand Cycle Classic Mountain bikers to run half marathon in managed isolation facilities 'Critically essential' trust helping paraplegics now struggling to get funding “I was well ahead of the pack by … [Read more...] about Vercoe peddles his way to victory, winning epic Tour of New Zealand

A trial date is yet to be set for a company and its director accused of carrying out groundwork near an archaeological site. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga claims vegetation was removed and a trench dug near Marlborough’s Wairau Bar between September and December 2019. Archaeologists have found evidence at the Wairau Bar and surrounding areas of urupā (burials), stone ovens and tools, with the earliest known Māori settlement dating back to 1250AD. The charges allege the defendants knew, or should have suspected, that the land was an archaeological site, which breached the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014. READ MORE: Marlborough company and director deny carrying out works at archaeological site Consent to extract gravel from river - 'lifestyle destroying' Calls for 'birthplace of NZ' to be heritage-listed Charges were laid on June 3 last year, but a trial date had still not been set, as evidence from witnesses was still to be collected. Heritage … [Read more...] about Company allegedly behind earthworks near archaeological site faces hardship if named

Video Player Close BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- China's postal industry registered faster growth in revenue and business volume for the first quarter of 2021, official data showed. From January to March, the business revenue of the sector totaled 297.07 billion yuan (about 45.5 billion U.S. dollars), up 35.5 percent year on year, according to a statement released by the State Post Bureau. Business volume jumped 50.3 percent from the same period last year to 302.92 billion yuan in Q1, the statement said. In March alone, the business revenue and business volume of the sector gained 21.1 percent and 36.3 percent, respectively. China's express delivery firms in Q1 handled 21.93 billion parcels, surging 75 percent from one year earlier. The business revenue achieved by the express delivery firms during the period reached 223.77 billion yuan, up 45.9 percent year on year, the statement added. Enditem … [Read more...] about China’s postal sector sees rapid Q1 growth

Video Player Close People rally to protest against the Japanese government's decision to discharge contaminated radioactive wastewater in Fukushima Prefecture into the sea, in Tokyo, capital of Japan, April 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi) BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- China has expressed "grave concern" over Japan's decision to dump nuclear wastewater into the sea and urges the Japanese government to take a responsible attitude toward its own people and the international community, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said. Despite opposition from its own people and doubts from the international community, the Japanese government unilaterally made the decision without fully consulting neighboring countries and the international community and without exhausting the means of safe disposal, the ministry told Xinhua. "As a close neighbor of Japan and a stakeholder, we are seriously concerned about this decision," said a spokesperson with the ministry. It is hoped that … [Read more...] about China urges “responsible attitude” from Japan on disposal of nuclear wastewater

In an industry that’s popular for its long-running shows, Karan Kundrra says that he is not afraid of taking breaks. That probably explains his absence from fiction shows for more than three years. However, he has now returned to daily soaps with Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (YRKKH). Talking about his long break and the decision to join a show midway, he says, “I was busy with OTT projects and films. Also, I like to take breaks in between two shows to start with a fresh approach. When you play a character for too long, it becomes boring. One should never overrun the life of a character and a show. I don’t want to commit myself to a new project, and then not be able to do anything else for years.” He adds, “It’s true that YRKKH has been running for 12 years, but for me, my journey on the show started recently. The best part is that my track won’t be dragged. I prefer to be part of a show for a definite period and then take up something new.” Meanwhile, on the personal front, he … [Read more...] about Exclusive! Anusha might have moved on, but I have not: Karan Kundrra

The TRP report card of the previous week dated (April 3 - April 9) is out and the reality singing show Indian Idol 12 made a smashing entry in the top 5 shows. The singing show judged by Neha Kakkar, Himesh Reshammiya and Vishal Dadlani acquired the third spot on the chart. Previous week, veteran musicians Kalyan-Anand had visited the set and singer Pawandeep, who is quarantine due to being affected by the coronavirus, performed virtually. Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai is on the fifth position, Sirat and Kartik's story has kept the audience engaged and entertained. Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin shows a dispute between lovebirds Virat and Sai. Sai went against Virat and stood with Pulki by getting her married to Devyani and Pakhi's evil plans against Sai has kept the audience hooked. Anupamaa starring Rupali Ganguly and Sudhanshu Pandey has been unshakeable from the numero uno spot. Rupali aka Anupamaa was infected by the coronavirus, due to which she was missing from the … [Read more...] about Indian Idol makes smashing entry in top 5; Anupamaa and Imlie remain most-watched

A MODERNA vaccine haul set for Britain has been delayed after the US drug firm confirmed it would miss dose deadlines in the UK & Canada. It came after Canada revealed it would only receive around half of the expected 1.2 million doses by the end of the month. The company announced in a statement: “The trajectory of vaccine manufacturing ramp-up is not linear, and despite best efforts, there is a shortfall in previously estimated doses from the European supply chain. “Vaccine manufacturing is a highly complex process, and a number of elements, including human and material resources, have factored into this volatility.” Swiss drug makers Lonza have increased three new production lines to produce the active ingredients for the Moderna vaccine to aid supply outside of the United States. Meanwhile experts said Covid variants could "scupper" the UK's roadmap out of lockdown. Imperial College's Danny Altmann said "we should be terribly concerned" after 77 cases of a … [Read more...] about Coronavirus UK news – Britain’s fourth Covid jab DELAYED as Moderna misses deadline due to ‘Europe supply chain issues’

ANGELA Scanlon sees her beautiful, brilliant red hair as her crowning glory. It’s what makes her stand out in a crowd, it’s part of what makes her who she is. But getting to this point has been a battle – the path to self-acceptance (or to her “f**k it” moment) has, at times, been tumultuous. “I love my hair, it’s part of my identity,” she says, “but it has definitely been a journey and something I had to fight for. “When I was a kid it felt a bit special. I’m one of four girls and three of us have red hair, so if we went on holidays we were like the travelling circus! It was quite exciting. "But as a teenager you want to copy and paste your friends, you want to be part of that collective, and I always felt like it was a club I couldn’t enter. "I longed to have bronzed, tanned skin and be blonde and have dreadlocks like Faye from Steps . So I did grapple with it.” She recalls being approached at a party a few years ago by a woman who complimented her on her hair, … [Read more...] about I felt so vulnerable as a new mum I threw myself into work but I won’t make that mistake again, says Angela Scanlon

Myanmar police tightened security in Hlaingthaya, Yangon in March 2021 (Photo: AFP/VNA) Jakarta (VNA) - Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will convene a meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia on April 24 to discuss efforts in building the ASEAN Community , external relations and regional issues, including the crisis in Myanmar . Plans for the meeting have been in the works. Earlier on April 16, regional news sources revealed that leaders of 10 ASEAN members, including Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of Myanmar Sen. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, are to attend the meeting. The meeting was advocated by host Indonesia and its Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi in the past few weeks, with support from Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore and the Philippines. Cambodian AKP news agency on April 16 reported that Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen has confirmed his attendance. Brunei, which currently holds the rotating Chairmanship of ASEAN , showed … [Read more...] about ASEAN leaders announce plan for in-person special summit