[Sign up for our Five Big Things That Happened Today newsletter here.]
1 Cantabs told to 'keep cool and hydrated' as the heat comes on
Te Whatu Ora have issued a warning for Cantabrians to "keep cool and hydrated" this week as temperatures soar.
The agency said hot weather is forecast for this Thursday, with temperatures predicted to get to a maximum of 32C.
Canterbury medical health officer Dr Matt Reid says a run of hot weather is appealing but the heat can affect everyone and overheating is a condition that can be fatal.
MetService said yesterday Ashburton is expected to reach 33C on Thursday. It said most of Canterbury is likely to crack 30C.
2 US plane blowout: Working iPhone found after near 5km fall
Days after an Alaska Airlines plane suffered a blowout that left a gaping hole in the side of the fuselage, an iPhone that "likely" fell from the plane has been recovered — and against the odds, it still works.
At a height of about 4880m (nearly 5km), a plugged exit door on the jet's side tore open, depressurising the plane. A teenage boy's shirt was ripped from his body by the sudden change in pressure.
And evidently, a number of other items went out the opening as well.
3 Pope Francis calls for a universal ban on surrogacy
Pope Francis has called for a universal ban on what he described as the "despicable" practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the "commercialisation" of pregnancy in an annual speech listing threats to global peace and human dignity.
In a foreign policy address to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, Francis lamented that 2024 had dawned at a time in which peace is "increasingly threatened, weakened and in some part lost".
4 Mel B teases big Spice Girls news involving 'all five of us'
Are the Spice Girls planning to spice up everyone's lives again?
Mel B – real name Melanie Brown – has sparked speculation the Spice Girls could be set for a reunion of sorts in 2024.
Appearing on US TV show Today with Hoda & Jenna this week, Brown revealed that fans can expect some Spice Girls-related news soon.
"Well, I've been saying this forever but now we're actually going to be releasing some really good news in about a few weeks that involves all five of us," Mel B said, via People.
5 Welsh rugby legend JPR Williams dies at 74
JPR Williams, the Welsh rugby great of the 1970s known for his fearlessness and swashbuckling attacking style, has died. He was 74.
His death was announced this morning by Bridgend Ravens, a club that Williams served as a player and club president.
“Bridgend Ravens are devastated to announce the passing of JPR Williams,” the club said in a statement on its website.
ONE USEFUL READ
Hate vegetables? Here's how to make friends with salad.
A quirk of evolution means vegetables aren’t all tasty to all of us — but you can train your tastes, writes Emma Beckett for The Conversation.
Do you hate salad? It’s okay if you do, there are plenty of foods in the world, and lots of different ways to prepare them.
For Beckett's tips and tricks, click here.
Analysis: While Christopher Luxon has been painting the fence and Chris Hipkins enjoyed some comedy on their summer breaks, it will soon be back to work. So what are the biggest challenges for the pair as we begin the new political year? 1News digital political reporter Felix Desmarais takes a look.
SHARE ME