New Zealand
From Taiwan to Germany, Iceland to New Zealand, the nations led by women have been doing very well during the coronavirus pandemic, with early interventions, swift lockdowns and sufficient testing.
New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed to children worried about the Easter Bunny during the coronavirus outbreak that both the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are considered essential workers. In Monday’s coronavirus press conference, she warned it may be “a bit difficult at the moment" for the bunny to make it to all homes and suggested younger viewers to draw an Easter egg for their front windows instead. The country has been put under a strict four-week lockdown for nearly two weeks now, with all residents having to stay at home and only key workers allowed to work.
The mother of murdered backpacker Grace Millane told her killer she is tormented over “the terror and pain she must have experienced at your hands”. Speaking via video-link at Auckland High Court, Millane said: “As a mother I would have done anything to change places with her. I sit full of guilt knowing I couldn’t help her, that I should have been there. She died terrified and alone in a room with you”.
The 28-year-old man who murdered the backpacker still cannot be named despite being handed a life sentence.
A 28-year-old New Zealand man was last year convicted of murdering the British backpacker.
The 32-year-old went missing in the South Island after flooding hit the area.
The death toll has risen to 19, with more than two dozen others suffering severe burns.
Six more bodies have been recovered, while two remain missing.
Six people died when the New Zealand volcano – also known as Wakaari – erupted. Survivors have up to 95% burns.
Tragedy on volcanic island killed at least five people.