Tag: Zealand

New Zealand: Indian-origin man sentenced for torturing, strangling woman to death

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Auckland: A 33-year-old Indian-origin man has been sentenced to more than 19 years in prison in New Zealand for sexually violating and fatally strangling a woman with Down syndrome in 2021, media reports said.
Shamal Sharma showed no signs of emotion in the High Court at Auckland this week as Justice Edwin Wylie set the minimum term of imprisonment for the mandatory life sentence, the NZ Herald reported.
Sharma was arrested in September 2021, two days after 27-year-old Lena Zhang Harrap’s body was discovered about a kilometre away from her Mt. Albert home.

According to court documents, Harrap encountered Sharma early in the morning when she had stepped out for a walk. He tortured her over a period of about two hours, inflicting multiple blows to her face before strangling her, which led to her death.
Sharma left the area after abandoning the victim’s body in the bushes and shrubbery, authorities said, adding that he was apprehended by police two days later.
Harrap received 13 bruises and abrasions to her head, as well as blunt force trauma that caused brain injuries but were not fatal, according to a pathologist.
Some injuries were so brutal that they could have independently caused her death, Crown prosecutor Matthew Nathan told the court while acknowledging Sharma’s history of schizophrenia, but said the attack was motivated by sexual desire.
“This has a degree of sadism through the infliction of pain,” he told the judge.

The court was told that barely 24 hours before the incident, Sharma had also violently preyed on a stranger jogging on the footpath, who managed to save herself and called the police from the nearest house.
“No sentence is long enough, and no justice can replace the life and love that was lost,” Harrap’s mother said after the court judgment.
Sharma’s lawyer Jonathan Hudson said his client is suffering from schizophrenia, and had been living in his car after being evicted from emergency housing, the stuff.co.nz reported.
The report quoted Justice Wylie as saying that Sharma’s offence included “a high level of brutality and callousness against a profoundly vulnerable woman, described by the family as childlike”.
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#Zealand #Indianorigin #man #sentenced #torturing #strangling #woman #death
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 7, 2023
Eid milap celebration in New Zealand

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Auckland: On 28 April, the Mana Andhra Telegu Society of New Zealand hosted its third Eid Milap event, which was attended by various dignitaries Members of Parliament Helen White and Melissa Lee, the Honorary Consul of India Bhav Dillon, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi Guest of Honour Ex M.P, Rahul Chopra, Representative ACT Party, and Ann Degia Pala.
The event was a show of unity by a committee comprising individuals of different faiths. Three community leaders were recognized during the event, including Anjum Rahman MNZM for her services to the community, Syed Mujeeb QSM for his contributions to community organizations and the Muslim community, and Ibrar Sheikh, the President of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand. The event began with a welcome speech by Dr. Reginald Samuel, followed by a recitation of Tilawat-E-Quran-E-Pak by Janaab Hafiz Junaid, and Hamd and Naat by Nisar Mirza and Rustom Khan, respectively.
First Anjum Rahman MNZM was recognised for her service to the community, which included being a founding member of women’s organisations such as the Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand and Shama Ethnic Women’s Trust. She has contributed to the Waikato Interfaith Council, is a board member of a major funder Trust Waikato, and on the governing council of InternetNZ. Internationally, she is a co-chair of the Christchurch Call Advisory Network and the Vice-Chair of the Independent Advisory Committee of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism.

Anjum Rahman
In receiving her award, Rahman recognised the work of her parents in building the Muslim community in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), as they were the first Muslim family to settle there permanently. They had provided an excellent example of generosity and service to others. While Rahman would prefer to contribute quietly, circumstances had required her to interact in the wider community to increase understanding and build belonging for Muslims and others. Her current role as co-lead of the Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono.
The next person recognised was Syed Mujeeb QSM, who has contributed significantly to community organisations such as the Mana Andhra Telegu Society and the Urdu Hindi Cultural Association. Syed Mujeeb is a highly respected journalist and the New Zealand correspondent for The Siasat Daily. He has made significant contributions to the Muslim community, earning him the title of “Eminent Personality of Islamic Community in New Zealand.” As the General Secretary of the Urdu Hindi Cultural Association of New Zealand, he plays an active role in organizing poetry programs and supporting social and community projects. Mujeeb Syed has received recognition for his work from notable figures, Melissa Lee, MP of the National Party, and Hon Helen White MP.
Finally, a special award was given to Ibrar Sheikh, the President of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand.
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#Eid #milap #celebration #Zealand

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 30, 2023
New Zealand inks pact with IIT Delhi

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New Delhi: Demonstrating its overall commitment to India, New Zealand on Tuesday announced an investment of 400K NZ dollars towards internationalisation and student mobility initiatives. These include further engagement with the New Zealand Centre at IIT Delhi to include fellowship grants and the re-launch of the partial scholarships under the New Zealand Excellence Awards. Around 10 different projects are currently going on at the IIT Delhi’s New Zealand centre.
The announcements were made at a roundtable session hosted at the New Zealand High Commission in the presence of David Pine, the New Zealand High Commissioner to India.
Speaking about the several initiatives taken to strengthen the educational ties between India and New Zealand, Pine said, “New Zealand and India share a longstanding relationship that has been growing through various mutually beneficial initiatives.

“The New Zealand-India Education Week, which started on April 17, allows us to lay our ear to the ground and hear the key stakeholders so that New Zealand can continue its varied partnership and collaboration in India’s leading institutions.”
According to Pine, over 3,000 visa applications from India have been approved recently by New Zealand and most of these applications came from students. Over 90 per cent visa applications seeking higher education opportunity in New Zealand have been approved, the official said.
Education experts from New Zealand said that the educational ties between New Zealand and India are set to strengthen following one of Education New Zealand’s biggest events of the year, the India-New Zealand Education Week.
It will encourage a dialogue on research while fostering innovation and cultural exchange and cooperation in the context of international education.
Also, the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) is a unique scholarship scheme designed exclusively for Indian students. The awards are jointly funded by Education New Zealand and all the eight New Zealand universities. Since the launch of the scholarship in 2016, it has supported over 200 Indian students to pursue overseas study at the world-class universities in New Zealand.

Education New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Grant McPherson, said, “New Zealand’s education system is future focussed and multicultural, offering the students an opportunity to earn work-ready degrees.”
“India is one of New Zealand’s priority partner countries for collaborations, exchanges and student mobility. We are excited that today’s announcements around the New Zealand Centre and the launch of the New Zealand Excellence Award scholarships demonstrate our commitment to India as an education partner,” said McPherson.
IIT Delhi’s James Gomes, Dean International, said, “The New Zealand Centre embodies IIT Delhi’s efforts to embrace internationalisation, providing opportunities for new research collaborations and global exposure to our students. The first round of jointly-funded research collaboration, awarded in 2022, has helped foster collaborative, sustainable and self-supporting research programmes.
“Today’s MoU has further enhanced the partnership and cooperation in research, teaching and fellowships between India and New Zealand and provides an opportunity to explore other innovative ventures.”
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#Zealand #inks #pact #IIT #Delhi
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 19, 2023
I am innocent, claims TSPSC suspect in email to SIT from New Zealand

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Hyderabad: A suspect in the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) paper leak case, Prashant Reddy, sent an email to Special Investigation Team (SIT) claiming that he is innocent.
Prashant Reddy, who is reportedly hiding in New Zealand after absconding, is a close relative of S Rajasekhar Reddy, the prime suspect in the case.
He had allegedly obtained the Group 1 prelim question paper from Rajasekhar Reddy. After appearing for the exam, he reportedly fled the country.

In his email, Prashant Reddy claimed that he prepared for the exam on his own and that he has no connection with the paper leak issue.
During the investigation, the SIT found that Rajasekhar Reddy installed a remote desktop access application on the computer of TSPSC employee Shameem and sent the question paper to Prashanth Reddy.
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#innocent #claims #TSPSC #suspect #email #SIT #Zealand

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 16, 2023
New Zealand: Stuart Nash dismissed from Cabinet

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Auckland: This evening New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has advised the Governor-General to dismiss Stuart Nash from all his ministerial portfolios.
Late this afternoon Chris Hipkins was made aware by a news outlet of an email Stuart Nash sent in March 2020 to two contacts regarding a commercial rent relief package that Cabinet had considered.
In the email, he sets out both his opposition to the decision Cabinet reached and the position that other Cabinet members took.
This is a clear breach of collective responsibility and Cabinet confidentiality.
Stuart Nash has fundamentally breached Chris Hipkins’ trust and the trust of his Cabinet colleagues and his conduct is inexcusable.
In addition, the two recipients of the email were donors; Troy Bowker and Greg Loveridge, via GRL Holdings Ltd, have both donated to Stuart Nash.
They are also commercial property owners who had an interest in the Cabinet decision.
That crosses a line that is totally unacceptable to Chris Hipkins.

Chris Hipkins expects Ministers to uphold the highest ethical standards and his actions raise perceptions of influence that cannot stand.
In recent weeks Chris Hipkins has sought and been given assurances from Stuart that there were no other instances or allegations of misconduct that he should be aware of.
While Stuart was on a final warning, Hipkins want to be clear that this incident would have resulted in his dismissal in its own right. Hipkins considers the matter to be a very serious one.
Minister Megan Woods will be the Acting Minister for Economic Development and Acting Minister of Forestry, and Minister David Parker will be Acting Minister for Oceans and Fisheries.
Meka Whaitiri will lead the Hawkes Bay Cyclone response on an acting basis.
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#Zealand #Stuart #Nash #dismissed #Cabinet
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 28, 2023
New Zealand to provide further humanitarian support for Turkey, Syria

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Wellington: New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support for Turkey and Syria where devastating earthquakes earlier this month killed more than 57,300 people, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said on Tuesday.
“The earthquakes on February 6 have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more have been injured,” she said.
This represents the third tranche of humanitarian funding provided by the New Zealand government, totaling NZ$4 million ($2 millio) in order to support those in urgent need in the two heavily hit countries, Xinhua news agency quoted the Minister as saying.
The sum includes NZ$1.4 million to the UN Population Fund to deliver essential healthcare services for expectant and new mothers, and protection services for vulnerable women and girls in Turkey, she said.
New Zealand is also contributing NZ$2.1 million for Unicef’s operations in Syria to provide education, water and sanitation, medical care and protection services for children and their families, said the Foreign Minister.
A total of NZ$500,000 in funding will also be made available to accredited New Zealand non-governmental organisations working with their local partners in Turkey to deliver essential relief, she said.
The funding was pledged at an International Donors’ Conference in support of the two quake-hit nations in Brussels on Monday, hosted by the European Commission, the government of Sweden and Turkish authorities.
Tuesday’s announcement brings New Zealand’s total humanitarian funding for the response to NZ$8.5 million.

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#Zealand #provide #humanitarian #support #Turkey #Syria
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 21, 2023
New Zealand: Tsunami likely as 7.1 magnitude earthquake hits Kermadec Islands

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Kermadec Islands: An earthquake of magnitude 7.1 hit the Kermadec Islands region in New Zealand on Thursday morning.
As per the USGS statement, tsunami waves are likely to hit the costs located within 300 km of the epicenter of the earthquake. However, there is no threat to Australia.
On the other hand, National Emergency Management Agency said there was no tsunami threat for New Zealand.
There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the M7.0 earthquake in the Southern Kermadec Islands.
Remember, if an earthquake is long or strong, get gone.
For more info about tsunami preparedness go to https://t.co/Gn7YO8831i
— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) March 16, 2023
The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) tweeted that an earthquake occurred on Thursday at around 6:25 am IST and it has a depth of 41 km.
New Zealand witnesses many tremors annually
New Zealand is situated at the convergence of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates, making it susceptible to earthquakes.
Additionally, it falls on the periphery of the Ring of Fire, a region of heightened seismic activity.
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#Zealand #Tsunami #magnitude #earthquake #hits #Kermadec #Islands
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 16, 2023
India secure WTC final berth after New Zealand beat Sri Lanka in thriller

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Delhi: India on Monday qualified for the prestigious World Test Championship (WTC) final after New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by two wickets in a thrilling last-ball finish in the Christchurch game.
India will play Australia in the WTC final at The Oval from June 7.
This is India’s second successive entry into the WTC final, with the previous one coming in the inaugural cycle in 2021, where they lost to New Zealand.
With the Dimuth Karunaratne-led side’s only shot at the WTC final berth hinging on a 2-0 victory against the Kiwis in the away series, the loss for the Islanders ended their hopes of securing a spot.
Australia was the first team to secure a WTC final berth after humbling India by nine wickets in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series at Indore, leaving the hosts praying for a favourable result in the first Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
The result in Christchurch took the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series in Ahmedabad out of the equation as earlier India had to win the contest to secure the WTC final spot.
Australia is sitting atop the WTC table with 68.52 percentage points (PCT).
Had Sri Lanka won the Test on Monday and strived for victory in the second match at Wellington, their PCT would have jumped from 53.33 to 61.11 — higher than India’s 60.29 before the start of the fourth Test in Ahmedabad.

In order to take all the scenarios out of the equation, India had to win the Ahmedabad Test — which would have taken their PCT to 62.5 — and retain their second position on the WTC table.
But with New Zealand acing a record chase of 285 runs on Monday, thanks to former captain Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 121, Sri Lanka were left ruing their chances.
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#India #secure #WTC #final #berth #Zealand #beat #Sri #Lanka #thriller
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 13, 2023
India to face Australia in the 2023 World Test Championship Final at The Oval after Sri Lanka lose to New Zealand by 2 wickets

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New Delhi, Mar, 13: With Sri Lanka losing the first Test against New Zealand in the two-match series, Australia and India have been locked in as the 2023 World Test Championship finalists.
On their tour of New Zealand, Sri Lanka had a possibility to pip India and join Australia in the final at The Oval, London starting June 7. This, only if they could have won the series 2-0, and India didn’t win the final Test in Ahmedabad. Two wins in New Zealand would’ve propelled Sri Lanka’s points percentage (PCT) to 61.11. Whereas, if India are unable to win the fourth Test to Australia, their PCT would be 58.79 or lesser depending on the outcome. With the result in Christchurch being a two wicket win for New Zealand, the permutation and combinations have been thrown out of the window.
Chasing 285 on the final day, New Zealand batters approached a win with Kane Williamson scoring a century in the second innings at the Hagley Oval. With eight runs needed off the last over, New Zealand would seal the game on the last ball of the day with two wickets in hand.
While India and Australia are still in action on the final day of the four match Test series, with the hosts leading 2-1, the result in Ahmedabad won’t effect any of their chances now to feature in the 2021/23 Test cycle final this summer.
Australia had sealed off their place in the final after their nine wicket win in the Indore Test last week, with a 68.51 PCT after that last result. The result in Indore had hit India’s PCT in the tally, as it dipped from 64.06 to 60.29. To not be dependent on Sri Lanka for qualifying in the final, India had to win the series 4-0 or 3-1 but the current holders of the ICC Test mace have done them a favor.
For India, it will be a second consecutive qualification in the summit clash, in which they squared off against New Zealand in the 2019/21 cycle, losing by eight wickets to the Black Caps. Australia on the other hand, had missed out on a final spot last time around by a 0.8 point difference to their Trans-Tasman rivals.
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#India #face #Australia #World #Test #Championship #Final #Oval #Sri #Lanka #lose #Zealand #wickets

( With inputs from : roshankashmir.net )

March 13, 2023
Meta rolls out its paid verification in Australia, New Zealand

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San Francisco: Meta has rolled out its paid subscription plan for Facebook and Instagram to users based in Australia and New Zealand.
The subscription plan known as “Meta Verified” offers a verified label, improved reach, better protection from impersonation, access to customer support and exclusive stickers on Facebook and Instagram, reports TechCrunch.
Last week, the company announced that it is testing paid verification for Instagram and Facebook for $11.99 per month for the web and $14.99 per month for mobile.
Moreover, users can look at the benefits offered by the subscription and the procedure to join on the company’s website.
As the company is doing a slow rollout of the plan, many users might not see the option to purchase it right away, said the report.
There are separate plans for Instagram and Facebook, and currently, only the web plan is available for Facebook.
So, if users want to purchase Meta Verified for both platforms, they will have to pay $27 per month.
For Meta Verified, users must be at least 18 years old, have a history of recent activity, such as posting, and have a profile photo that matches the government ID they provide.

As of now, Meta subscribers cannot change their profile name, username, date of birth, or profile picture without unsubscribing and reapplying.
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#Meta #rolls #paid #verification #Australia #Zealand
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 25, 2023