Good afternoon. I'm Malcolm Jordan and this is your midday news fix for Thursday, the sixteenth of January. Health New Zealand has confirmed an infant died from hooping cough over Christmas. It's the first such death since a national epidemic was declared in November. Jamie Cunningham reports.
More than twelve hundred cases have been identified since, with one hundred and one children and adults hospitalized. Public Health medicine specialist doctor Matt Reid says immunization is more important than ever. He says parents or keygivers should seek medical advice if their children have a cough that ends with a hoop sound or vomiting.
In twenty twenty three, three infants died from the disease. There's hope a new ceasefire in Gaza can be a permanent solution for the beleaguered region. The war has killed more than forty six thousand people in fifteen months. Israel and Tamas have agreed to a deal in three phases, the first beginning in four days, with Hamas expected to release thirty three hostages. The agreement includes the exchange of prisoners and all Israeli hostages, A prolonged truce for a permanent ceasefire and the reconstruction of Gaza. Prime Minister Christopher Luxen is among many world leaders welcoming the ceasefire. US President Joe Biden says it's now up to the Trump administration to see the next phases through.
As I prepare to leave office, our friends are strong, our enemies are weak, and there's a genuine opportunities for a new future.
Nelson is mourning Senior Sergeant Lynn Fleming, whose funeral will be held at one this afternoon. Police gathered yesterday in a moment's silence honoring the life of the long serving policewoman killed on New Year's Day. Nelson Cathedral Dean Graham O'Brien says this gives people an opportunity to grieve together. Lynn has had a big impact on the Nelson community through sport, through police work, which's head a very wideness of connection. A union representing doctors welcomes a report finding racial bias in a medical exam, saying it's the first step towards improving The Royal Australasian College of Physicians launched an investigation into claims about its in person assessments that decide who continues pediatric specialist training. It's determined unconscious bias, including racism, did likely exist. The Resident Doctors' Association's Deborah Pale thinks thanks the college for releasing the report and apologizing. They're not trying to hide behind anything here.
They're saying we've got to do better. We're looking forward to working with them to make sure that these recommendations are implemented and that we can do much better.
Our newsroom understands police are investigating a complaint of shoplifting at an Auckland supermarket made against former Green MP Galery's government. The most recent incident is alleged to have occurred late last year at a pack and Safe Site supermarket in Royal Oak. Strong winds and low humidity are heightening the fire risk in Los Angeles. Forecasters are warning new or existing wildfires could grow rapidly under these conditions. The death toll is already at twenty five. To Sport All Blacks, loose forward Wallace Settiti could miss the entire Super Rugby campaign with a knee injury. Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan is addressing media today. Former Crusaders and New Zealand under twenties. First five Fergus Burke has been named in the Scotland squad for the Six Nations, and Arsenal have beaten Tottenham two to one in Premier League football, taking them to second on forty three point