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5 Jan 2025

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Australia's southeast braces for extreme fire danger amid intense heatwave
Forecasters warned that temperatures could reach 45C in some parts of Victoria, prompting fire bans.

Australia claim series win as India pose little threat without Bumrah
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is back in Australia’s hands, after they won the fifth test by six wickets, with India’s leading seamer injured.

The survivors of recent crashes were sitting at the back of the plane. What does that tell us about airplane safety?
The old frequent-flyer adage is that sitting at the back of the plane is a safer place to be than at the front - but is that true?

Intricate carving found washed up in Northland
Mystery surrounds a large, ornate Maori carving found washed up on a Northland beach.

British tennis player accuses Jetstar of destroying her racquets
Olivia Nicholls posted pictures of her damaged racquets and bag, calling it “unacceptable”.

Tangi for Dame Tariana Turia welcomes figures from throughout the motu
Visitors and dignitaries from around the motu have been welcomed onto Whangaehu Marae, near Whanganui, as the tangihanga for the co-founder of Te Pati Maori enters its second day.

Golden Globes-nominated All We Imagine as Light captures Mumbai women's love and sisterhood
Review - All We Imagine as Light, which won the Grand Prix in 2024, leans on documentary experience to reflect the bustle and complexity of this world, Dan Slevin writes.

Weather: Cold snap brings summer snow, cancels ferry crossings
A cold snap is being felt across the country, with high winds forcing the cancelling of ferry crossings and North Island locals reporting snow during what should be summer.

Melbourne man, 20, reported missing after Auckland holiday
An Australian man on holiday has been reported missing by his family after missing a flight home.

Meet your local surf lifesaving club: Paekakariki
Every weekend this summer, RNZ's Summer Weekends is catching up with one of the many surf lifesaving clubs around Aotearoa.

‘Heartbroken’ dog owner offers huge reward for return of missing pet
It’s been a rough holiday season for Lena Mercer’s family, but even rougher for their bulldog Cooper, whose disappearance has led to the offer of a $5000 reward.

Crashes snarl holiday traffic in several regions
Holiday-makers heading home from holidays and a handful of crashes have slowed traffic in Waikato, Wellington and at the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound.

Two-vehicle crash blocks SH94 near Homer Tunnel in in Southland
Motorists are advised to expect delays.

Melbourne man missing in Auckland reportedly found
An Australian man on holiday said to be missing in Auckland has been reportedly found.

Austrian chancellor quits, coalition talks collapse
Austria's chancellor Karl Nehammer has announced he will step, after talks between the country's two main centrist parties on forming a coalition government without a far-right collapsed.

Crash on Auckland Harbour Bridge slows up motorists returning from holiday
The bridge is down to two northbound lanes at a crash site near the centre of the bridge.

‘Grave concerns’ for missing Melbourne man in Auckland
Liam James Drew was last seen in the North Shore suburb of Milford on Saturday night.

Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet among stars gathering for Golden Globes
Zendaya, Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande are among the nominees at the Los Angeles ceremony.

Fruit fly incursion: More than 100 new traps set up around South Auckland
Biosecurity NZ says more than 100 extra fruit fly traps have been set up since a fly was found in South Auckland.

Lutron Caséta smart lighting now encompasses smart shades
Lutron Electronics announced on Monday the incorporation of DIY smart window shade products into its Caséta smart lighting brand. Drawn from Lutron’s Serena smart shade product line, the window coverings have long been controlled by Lutron’s Caséta smart hub, apps, and remote controls. This new version of Lutron’s DIY-friendly smart shades look to be getting a new pricing model: Caséta smart shades—roller and honeycomb cellular types—in any width up to 48 inches wide and any length up to 80 inches long will be available for $399. Your color choices, however, will be limited to white or grey. Blackout options are available for a $30 upcharge. Larger shades—up to 96 wide and 104 inches long—are also on offer, but at additional cost. It seems Lutron’s smart wood window blinds will remain in the Serena family. Lutron Caséta smart shades will be available in roller and honeycomb (cellular) varieties.Lutron Electronics Those prices include the battery-powered motors in the shades, but you’ll need to purchase the hub, remotes, and/or in-wall controls to open, close, and schedule them separately (unless you wish to rely on the Caséta smartphone app and/or a smart speaker). If you already have Caséta smart lighting products, of course, you’ll already have at least the hub. While Lutron is a member of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, it has so far not jumped on the Matter bandwagon that body developed. But I don’t see the absence of Matter certification as a drawback. The Caséta ecosystem is already compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Sonos smart products, and a lot more. I reviewed Lutron’s Serena smart shades back in 2019 and was generally impressed with the product. That 34 x 58-inch shade cost $474 at the time, but I was able to choose from a wide variety of fabrics and colors.