Post-COVID, there is a significant increase in communicable diseases such as the common cold, measles, and tuberculosis, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by manyfold. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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New normal? Post-COVID surge in global illnesses as “immunity debt” takes toll

A comprehensive analysis by Bloomberg News reveals a global surge in communicable diseases following the COVID pandemic. This confirms that people worldwide are experiencing more frequent illnesses. The study, conducted with the disease forecasting firm Airfinity Ltd., shows that at least 13 infectious diseases, including the common cold, measles, and tuberculosis, are surpassing pre-pandemic levels by manyfold.

11 June 2024

The corporate culture wars are giving rise to a new wave of anti-woke shareholders challenging ESG initiatives

A new wave of conservative shareholder activism, known as "anti-woke" agitation, is targeting major corporations' environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.They want partisan politics out of business. Many are mimicking the tactics of their pro ESG counterparts. One consultant described the anti-ESG activists’ pitch this way: "Taking this action will result in a public relations crisis, causing consumers to boycott your products and subsequently lowering your stock value."

14 June 2024

Environmentalists face “inconvenient truths” including having to listen to people you disagree with and being realistic

At the recent Environmental Defence Society conference in Christchurch, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton challenged environmentalists to consider the broader economic implications of their advocacy.

Upton highlighted several "inconvenient truths," which include listening to people you may disagree with.

13 June 2024

Bureaucrats are undermining democratically-elected councillors in local government

“If you want to get along as a city councillor, then you’ve got to learn to go along.” That’s according to Chris Trotter who writes on the erosion of democratic power of Wellington’s elected councillors to bureaucratic council staff. Councillors accuse council staff of intimidating tactics, particularly over the controversial proposal to sell shares in Wellington Airport.

Trotter says that this situation raises broader questions about the authenticity of local democracy in New Zealand.

11 June 2024

Generation X are the first generation to face higher cancer rates than their parents

Due to the vagaries of interpreting data, Dr F Perry Wilson of the Yale School of Medicine says when it comes to cancer, the question is “What is the question?" He says: “In fact, it may be reasonable to think of cancer incidence not in terms of the calendar year but in terms of the risk by social generation. And if you do that analysis, you'll find something quite interesting. With each successive generation since the baby boomers, cancer incidence has decreased, with one exception: Gen X.”

16 June 2024

Half of hospitals’ critical IT hardware outdated and urgent investment needed to address “tech debt”, government warned

Health NZ - Te Whatu Ora has alerted the government that half of the critical IT hardware in hospitals is outdated, necessitating significant investment and effort to maintain operations. In a briefing to Health Minister Shane Reti, it was revealed that digital modernisation projects are urgently needed to address the extensive "tech debt" that hampers healthcare performance.

14 June 2024

House sales at risk due to finance delays, say brokers, as banks deny processing issues

House sales across New Zealand are on the verge of collapse due to delays in obtaining finance, according to real estate agents and mortgage brokers. Buyers are increasingly having to request extensions from sellers to secure finance and complete due diligence, with the standard 10 working days proving insufficient.