Travel Alerts: Otago's eco win, NYC's budget-friendly summer, winter reds and bold burgers await
Dunedin's Otago Peninsula
Dunedin's Otago Peninsula has earned a spot on Wanderlust Magazine's 2024 Green List, the only New Zealand entry to make it this year. This internationally recognised
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Rhyl Journal
11 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Antisemitism an ‘urgent issue' for all of British society, Penny Mordaunt warns
The former Conservative minister joined Lord John Mann, the Government's antisemitism adviser, in chairing an independent commission on antisemitism on behalf of the Board of Deputies, Britain's largest Jewish community organisation. Writing in the Telegraph newspaper, the pair described themselves as 'hard-nosed politicians' who are 'used to dealing with the extremes of human emotions and catastrophe'. But they added: 'Even with decades of these experiences, we were still stunned into silence by the evidence that we received as independent chairs of the Board of Deputies Commission on Antisemitism, particularly from young people in the Jewish community.' 'This is an urgent issue not just for the Jewish community but for the United Kingdom as a whole,' the pair added. They also said: 'We are all harmed if we tolerate the abuse of some of our fellow citizens by those who hold warped or extreme views.' Their warnings of growing antisemitic prejudices across British society, from the NHS to arts organisations and the police, comes as the report they authored is set to be published on Tuesday. Among its recommendations are that the NHS should hold a summit to tackle the 'specific unaddressed issue of antisemitism' within the health service. Lord Mann and former defence secretary Dame Penny set out 10 recommendations calling for educators, public services and trade unions to do more to tackle antisemitism. Among them was a recommendation for every NHS trust to have 'basic training on contemporary antisemitism'. They stated: 'From evidence that we heard, we can identify that there is a specific unaddressed issue of antisemitism within the NHS. We recommend that a summit should be held with NHS leaders across the UK to begin to address this.' They noted an 'identifiable lack of consistency and capacity in antisemitism training' and recommended the creation of a specific antisemitism training qualification, adding that such training should be included within equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in organisations and institutions. Efforts to teach primary school teachers how to avoid passing on antisemitism and anti-Jewish tropes in their lessons should be rolled out in faith schools across the UK, the commission said. It added that professional organisations and trade unions should ensure that all Jewish members are treated equally and with respect, while there must be a consistent approach taken by police when dealing with antisemitic crimes. The commission said it had seen evidence of 'hidden barriers being put in front of Jewish involvement within the arts' and said there must always be a 'robust response for those who choose to discriminate and government at every level should ensure this'. Lord Mann said: 'It is unacceptable that the Jewish community has faced an onslaught of antisemitism since October 7th. 'Whilst this is not new, the commission heard shocking experiences that we will not ignore. Antisemitism is racism and it must be treated as such. We hope these recommendations will provide additional guidance and action for civil society.' Dame Penny said: 'No person should face abuse or discrimination whilst going about their business, whether it is pursuing the career of their choice or accessing public services. 'We wanted to suggest some very practical things that can be dealt with swiftly and will dramatically improve people's experiences.' Board of Deputies president Phil Rosenberg said: 'Overall, the challenge in civil society can be summarised as one of a failure to apply the protections rightly afforded to different vulnerable groups equally to Jewish people in the same positions. 'Many sectors promote strong Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) processes, which are very important, but too often, these protections seem to exclude Jews.' He said the board will insist that 'Jews must count' and will use the recommendations of the commission's report 'to ensure that they do'. An NHS spokesperson said: 'It is completely unacceptable for anyone to experience racism, discrimination or prejudice in the health service, whether staff or patient, and the NHS takes any instance of antisemitism or discrimination extremely seriously. 'The NHS provides care and treatment for everyone regardless of race, faith, or background and all NHS healthcare providers should have policies in place to address issues like this in the workplace.'
1News
11 minutes ago
- 1News
WWI veteran's medals returned to grandson after theft
World War I medals stolen from the mailbox of a veteran's grandson have been anonymously returned to a war memorial museum in Wellsford, police say. The medals belonging to decorated soldier Elmer James Conlon were discovered in the returns bin at Wellsford War Memorial Museum yesterday. On Wednesday, grandson Pat Conlon made a report to police after the valuable parcel, containing the medals, was allegedly stolen from his mailbox. Pat told Breakfast earlier this week the theft was "gut-wrenching". Police then appealed to the public for information that could help locate the medals, or for any locals to report if they'd seen any suspicious activity in the area on the date of the theft. Photographs of Pat Conlon's grandfather, Elmer James Conlon. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Yesterday, police were contacted by Wellsford War Memorial Museum staff "advising that the medals had been located in their returns bin". Senior Sergeant Damian Lawn said it appeared someone had dropped them off overnight at the museum. "We're pleased that whoever took these medals did the right thing and returned them – obviously they are hugely significant to Mr Conlon and we are glad to be able to reunite him with them," he said in a media release. Police have fingerprinted the medals and are continuing inquiries into the theft. Earlier, police had established the parcel had been delivered on July 1, but had then gone missing before the war veteran's grandson could collect it. 'Gut-wrenching' loss for veteran's grandson Speaking to Breakfast earlier this week, before the medals were found, Pat said it was "gut-wrenching" to have his grandfather's war medals stolen moments before he was due to be reunited with them after more than 40 years. ADVERTISEMENT Pat Conlon said his grandfather's medals were stolen moments before he was due to pick them up after more than 40 years. (Source: Breakfast) The medals had been lost to the family for decades but, after a long search, they were finally tracked down and sent by courier to Pat. Just metres from their destination, the priceless family heirloom was stolen from a rural mailbox near Wellsford — before Pat could reach them. 'They were the only thing I had from my grandfather,' Pat said. 'To think they were finally coming back built my hopes up — I was overjoyed about the whole thing.' Elmer James Conlon, originally from Brooklyn, New York, served in the American Navy aboard the battleship Louisiana. He "jumped ship" in Auckland, New Zealand, and eventually settled in the small Northland town of Herekino. To gain New Zealand citizenship, Elmer fought in the First World War, including at the Battle of the Somme, where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his service. He is buried in the Soldiers' Section at Hamilton Gardens. Additional reporting by Marlo Donoghue ADVERTISEMENT
USA Today
11 minutes ago
- USA Today
This California golfer has shot his age more than 2,000 times
In a golf-crazed area like the Coachella Valley, with its older demographic, the idea of a golfer matching or beating their age for 18 holes is hardly unusual. It's not that unheard of for golfers to break their age dozens of times, or even hundreds of times. Then there is the ridiculous level that Ray Vanyo has achieved. The 87-year-old Vanyo, a former professional player and accomplished amateur golfer, has shot his age more than 2,000 times. To be precise, 2,040, as of last Saturday after a round at Mission Lakes Country Club in Desert Hot Springs, where Vanyo is a member. 'That's easy,' when Vanyo is asked when he first shot his age. 'I was 65 and it was here (at Mission Lakes). So like 2003.' These days, Vanyo is playing shorter tees than he's accustomed to at his two courses, Mission Lakes and Sun Lakes Country Club in Banning, where Vanyo lives. The shorter tees – 5,334 on Saturday at Mission Lakes – are the result of carpal tunnel disorder and now a bout with sciatica pain. 'I just can't hit the ball as far as I want right now,' Vanyo said. 'But I think in November, when this place opens again (after overseeding), I'll go back to the gold tees at 5,901 and get in the games with the boys again.' That Vanyo knows the number of his age-matching rounds is no surprise and not the result of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Having played high-level amateur golf until he was 50, then turning pro at 50 to chase senior events, then regaining his amateur status at 65, Vanyo has meticulously recorded his life as a competitive player. 'I just kept it in a book. I just keep track of it, like I said, the date, the course, and so on,' Vanyo said. More: With quicker rounds and lower prices, desert golf in the summer heat has its advantages Vanyo is clearly not your typical amateur golfer or senior golf. In the first of what he calls his three golf careers, Vanyo won big amateur tournaments like the Long Beach Match Play twice and the Southern California Public Links title twice. In winning the West Coast Amateur at Quail Lake, Vanyo defeated a young Mark O'Meara in a two-hole playoff. After turning pro at 50, Vanyo won by his recollection more than 30 events, mostly senior mini-tour tournaments. But he also qualified for five events on the PGA Tour Champions and missed by one shot of qualifying for five more. When he regained his amateur status at 65, he continued tournament play, winning two Southern California Golf Association Super Senior titles. It was about that time he started matching or breaking his age. He shot those rounds on courses throughout Southern California, but three years ago decided to stop traveling to courses in the Inland Empire, San Diego, Orange County or Los Angeles County. These days it's Mission Lakes and both the regulation and the executive courses at Sun Lakes where Vanyo plays the most. Vanyo admits there was a thrill in breaking his age, at least at first. 'Probably, just that first time. Then as I played along and I got to 1,000, that was okay,' Vanyo said. 'Then I hit 2000 four months ago. But it's not an allure, because I know I can do it and still play half decent. I don't know how long it will last.' Not surprisingly, Vanyo said shooting his age comes down to two hard and fast truths. 'You've got to have longevity, and you've got to be able to be half decent. It's tough,' he said. 'It's a lot easier to shoot my age now. But the green tees (5,334 yards) are perfect for me now when I am in recovery.' As for his run of more than 2,000 rounds at or below his age, Vanyo is realistic. 'I still miss a few times a year. I get a bad day or the wind or the rain, I don't do it every time,' he said. 'But I will just keep going. I'm going to be 88 in three months, and we have longevity in our family. And I can still play half decent.'
