Latest news with #Grigg
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Pacific Trade Ministers To Meet In Fiji
Minister of State for Trade and Investment Minister of State for Trade and Investment Nicola Grigg will travel to Fiji this week to attend the Pacific Island Forum's Trade Ministers Meeting (FTMM). 'Trade plays a critical role in getting more money into your back pocket, helping you and your family to thrive. It drives employment, economic growth, and lifts the standard of living in NewZealand and across the Pacific,' Ms Grigg says. The Pacific Island Forum's (PIF) biennial Trade Ministers Meeting will be held in Suva on 18 July. It is a key regional event, bringing together Pacific trade ministers to discuss and shape the future of trade and economic integration. 'The Government is strongly committed to supporting Pacific Island countries to grow the positive impacts of trade. New Zealand's attendance at the FTMM signals our continued commitment to regional cooperation, resilience, and leadership in advancing Pacific trade priorities under the 2050 Strategy for the Pacific Blue Continent,' Ms Grigg says. 'This key regional meeting provides a timely platform to discuss the critical importance of the rules-based trading system, with the World Trade Organisation at its core. This structure is particularly vital for small countries like New Zealand and PIF members. We are best served by a world in which trade flows freely governed by rules. 'I will attend a Fiji NewZealand Business Council event where the Council will launch its strategy to help reach the joint NewZealand and Fiji goal of lifting two-way trade to NZ$2 billion by 2030. 'I also look forward to engaging with my PACER Plus Ministerial counterparts. PACER Plus is the largest and most comprehensive trade agreement in our region. It is helping both large and small businesses — including women-led businesses — to grow; reduce costs through e-commerce and enhance regulatory cooperation between governments, streamline customs processes, paperless trade, and provisions on investment that protect investors; and to promote cross-border investment flows. 'While PACER Plus is a trade agreement, with currently 10 parties, that also speaks to the bonds between our nations, as neighbours, partners, and family, whose interests, prosperity, and well-being are intertwined.' The goal of lifting joint two-way trade with Fiji and New Zealand was set by our Prime Ministers in June last year. The Joint Statement by the Prime Ministers of Fiji and New Zealand can be read here.
Hamilton Spectator
07-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Zorra Township receives provincial grant to upgrade community centres
The Ontario government is investing just under $500,000 to protect jobs and upgrade two recreation facilities in Oxford. Just over half of that money will go towards much-needed improvements in Zorra. The township will receive $259,667 to upgrade aging refrigeration components and lighting at the Embro Zorra Community Centre and Thamesford District Recreation Centre, enhancing energy efficiency, improving safety and ensuring optimal conditions for ice sports. The investments are part of the province's $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), a provincewide initiative that helps communities revitalize local facilities, grow the economy and promote active, healthy living across Ontario. Deputy Mayor Katie Grigg said it's exciting news for the township. 'These funding streams are highly competitive, so we are very fortunate to have been successful with our applications. Our recreation facilities are such important hubs in our communities, as they are in all municipalities. Beyond just places we go to play sports and attend events, they are vital to gathering, forming connections, building supports between each other, and the facilitator of what makes these places the best places to call home.' Both Zorra recreation centres, in Embro and Thamesford, are aging and the township is facing tax pressures to keep them reliable for residents, as well as identifying areas for improvement to be more energy efficient. 'This grant funding will help ensure we are able to stay active, keep gathering, and not feel the stress on our tax levy that is already under the pressures of so many other rising costs,' added Grigg. 'Investing in local recreation facilities is an investment in the health and well-being of our communities,' said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. 'I'm proud that our government is providing nearly $500,000 to support upgrades in Oxford. These improvements will ensure that families, youth, and seniors have safe, modern spaces to stay active and connected.' The province said it received over $1.2 billion in applications from across the province in what was a highly competitive grant application process. 'I have a background in fundraising and grant writing, however, I don't think that specific experience is necessary,' said Sofia Caldwell, the township's manager of recreation and facilities. 'Staff need to have a solid understanding of the project's need, value and alignment to the funder's goal to create a compelling case. There are also external professional grant writers available to support this work.' The total cost for all projects is approximately $500,000 spread across Zorra's 2025-2027 capital budgets. If projects come under budget, funds will return to reserves to be used for other high-priority initiatives and asset replacements. 'The Thamesford District Recreation Centre and Embro Zorra Community Centre are reaching their 100th anniversary, and while there have been significant renovations over the years, they now face critical capital needs to ensure the continued delivery of reliable and safe programming,' explained Caldwell. 'Our refrigeration equipment has reached the end of its useful life, leading to an increased risk of system failure and service disruption, and the lighting in our parking lots is insufficient and poses safety and accessibility risks.' Our patrons will experience consistently high-quality ice conditions, enhancing sports, figure skating, and public skating experiences as well as improved parking lot lighting which will contribute to a greater sense of safety and accessibility. Caldwell added the township is grateful to the province for investing in the community and recognizing the importance of providing rural communities with access to high-quality recreational opportunities. 'These projects will ensure that our two centres can remain a place for our community to gather and be active together for years to come, while also reducing the environmental impact.' 'At a time when Ontario families are facing rising costs due to tariffs, our government is proud to support organizations focused on delivering better services for people while breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for children and young people,' said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. 'With investments in infrastructure like this, we are protecting Ontario jobs, strengthening our communities and building a more resilient and self-reliant economy.' CSRIF is a key part of the government's plan to protect Ontario workers, businesses and families by unleashing the economy and getting more shovels in the ground, with a historic $200 billion investment to build highways, hospitals, transit, schools and other critical infrastructure across the province. Error! 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Newsweek
20-06-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Americans Told to Stay Indoors in Two States
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. Air quality alerts for parts of Nevada and New Mexico were issued by The National Weather Service (NWS) Friday. In southwest Elko County in Nevada and areas downstream of the Trout Fire in Grant County, New Mexico, the general public was advised to limit outdoor activity, and vulnerable groups were advised to remain indoors to avoid potential health impacts. Why It Matters Severe air pollution and wildfire smoke can represent public health threats, particularly for children, older adults, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular issues. Air pollution was linked to an estimated 63,600 deaths in the U.S. in 2021, according to Statista. What To Know In Nevada, an air quality alert was posted for southwest Elko County—including Elko, Ryndon, Jiggs, Lamoille, Lee, South Fork, and Spring Creek. The alert cited "elevated particulate matter levels" likely to reach red/unhealthy air quality categories. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), at this level, some members of the general public may experience health effects, while members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. In New Mexico, the NWS warned of "unhealthy to hazardous" air quality due to wildfire smoke from the Trout Fire affecting the Sapillo Creek and Mimbres Valley along Highway 35 and Highway 152, between Santa Clara and San Lorenzo within Grant County. The advisory urged "everyone" to avoid any outdoor exertion, with specific warnings for those with asthma or other respiratory conditions, who "should remain indoors," according to the alert. "People with heart disease, symptoms such as a fast pulse or heartbeat, shortness of breath, or unusual weakness may indicate a health problem," it added. "If you have any of these, call your health care provider." The Trout fire, burning north of Silver City, had consumed more than 44,000 acres at the time of writing. What People Are Saying Professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine Jonathan Grigg, with Queen Mary, University of London, previously told Newsweek: "There are vulnerable groups and classically they are children because they've got an extra issue to do with their lungs developing, whereas our lungs are not developing as adults. "Their trajectory can be deviated so they don't actually achieve their maximum lung function." There are also "very clear links" between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, Grigg said. Additionally, Grigg said conditions such as asthma are also exacerbated by exposure to air pollution. What Happens Next At the time of writing, the air quality alert for New Mexico was set to remain in effect through noon Friday. Meanwhile, the alert for Nevada was in effect until 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Newsweek
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
US Air Quality Alerts Lifted Nationwide
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. As of early Friday morning, the United States has no active air quality alerts after a week of warnings, partly related to smoke from widespread Canadian wildfires. The National Weather Service's (NWS) online map showed the removal of all advisories that had covered the Midwest, Northeast, and other regions earlier in the week. Why It Matters The clearing of air quality alerts marks a significant improvement after days of hazardous smoke drifted from Canada into the U.S., leading to unhealthy air in cities from Minneapolis to New York. Widespread exposure to wildfire smoke heightened health risks, particularly for sensitive groups, and prompted public health warnings in multiple states. What To Know On Thursday, 10 states were affected by air quality alerts, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Montana, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. While not all were explicitly linked to wildfire smoke, an alert for Minnesota warned that smoke had caused levels of fine particles to climb in to "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category, which includes infants and older adults. "Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible," the alert said at the time. It also suggested reducing other activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning. On Monday, Ohio, Maine, and New Hampshire were under air quality alerts, with officials in Maine recommending that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. Tuesday saw alerts issued for parts of Arizona and Ohio. On Wednesday, six Michigan counties were under air quality alert, with mapping from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showing high levels of air pollution in several other states, including Montana, and North Dakota. The sun is shrouded by smoke from wildfires in Canada as it rises behind the skyline of midtown Manhattan in New York City on June 11 as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey. The sun is shrouded by smoke from wildfires in Canada as it rises behind the skyline of midtown Manhattan in New York City on June 11 as seen from Jersey City, New People Are Saying Professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine Jonathan Grigg, with Queen Mary, University of London, previously told Newsweek: "There are vulnerable groups and classically they are children because they've got an extra issue to do with their lungs developing, whereas our lungs are not developing as adults. "Their trajectory can be deviated so they don't actually achieve their maximum lung function." There are also "very clear links" between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, Grigg said. Additionally, Grigg said conditions such as asthma are also exacerbated by exposure to air pollution. What Happens Next? Though there may be no air quality alerts for now, forecasters at AccuWeather are predicting that smoke from Canadian wildfires could continue to impact the U.S. through the summer, leading to hazy skies and potentially promoting additional air quality alerts in the coming months.
Newsweek
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Americans Urged to Avoid Driving in 10 States
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. Air quality alerts were issued for 10 states across the U.S. on Thursday, with officials in some states advising residents to take actions to reduce air pollution. Why It Matters Specialists warn that deteriorating air quality increases health dangers for at-risk populations, such as seniors, children, and individuals with respiratory illnesses What To Know At the time of writing, air quality alerts had been issued for parts of 10 states. These included: Montana Minnesota Wisconsin Indiana Ohio Pennsylvania Maryland Virginia New York New Jersey An air quality alert had also been issued for the District of Columbia due to ground level ozone. In Minnesota, where air quality alerts covered more than half the state, smoke from Canadian wildfires caused levels of fine particles to climb in to "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category, which includes infants and older adults. "Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible," the alert said. It also suggested reducing other activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning. What People Are Saying AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham previously told Newsweek: "Ozone is a secondary pollutant, meaning it's not emitted directly from sources, but is formed through chemical reactions. These reactions require sunlight and higher temperatures, making warmer months more prone to ozone formation. When air is stagnant, pollutants don't get dispersed, allowing ozone to build up to unhealthy levels. "Ozone pollution is often more severe in urban areas where there are higher concentrations of pollutants from sources like cars, power plants, and industrial activities." Professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine Jonathan Grigg, with Queen Mary, University of London told Newsweek previously: "There are vulnerable groups and classically they are children because they've got an extra issue to do with their lungs developing, whereas our lungs are not developing as adults. "Their trajectory can be deviated so they don't actually achieve their maximum lung function." There are also "very clear links" between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, Grigg said. Additionally, Grigg said conditions such as asthma are also exacerbated by exposure to air pollution. What Happens Next At the time of writing, the air quality alerts were in effect for Thursday, with the latest set to expire at midnight. The NWS provides forecast updates on its website regularly. Forecasters at AccuWeather have predicted that wildfire smoke could impact multiple U.S. states through to August, with areas under the thickest smoke risking additional periods of reduced air quality.
