Author: Press Room
With politicians focussing on poverty in old age, many are calling on the German government to reform the pension system. But how serious really is the situation? ADVERTISEMENTAs political parties including Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) promise more money for pensioners, pensions has become a hot topic in Germany ahead of the federal election next year. The coalition government has also found itself in political hot water, after Finance Minister Christian Lindner announced plans to shake up private pensions earlier in 2024, a few years after significant unrest broke out in France when President Emmanuel Macron…
They say the apple does not fall far from the tree. But when it comes to Central Otago’s Rhoades family, the crumbs do not scatter far from the cookie. Chris Rhoades and his identical twin sons Tim and Tony all work in the Cookie Time business, based in Cromwell. Chris Rhoades is a finalist in the franchisee of the year — small business category — in this year’s New Zealand Franchise Awards which will be announced at a gala dinner at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland on November 9. The franchising sector contributed the equivalent of 12% of New Zealand’s…
A large vegetation fire in Waikato is “now under control”, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said in an update this evening.The fire, which has been burning for three days, is located near Meremere, which includes the Whangamarino wetlands.In an update this evening, incident controller Mark Tinworth said Fire and Emergncy “was able to stand down its air operations around 5pm with the fire now contained and controlled”.”This is a significant milestone for us as we do not expect the fire to grow any larger in size,” he said.”We will have drones operating overnight to keep an eye out for reignition…
“How we respond to Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine tells the world who we are and the values we stand for,” Kaja Kallas has said in a letter to the European Parliament ahead of her confirmation hearing. ADVERTISEMENTKaja Kallas, the former primer minister of Estonia, has made her pitch to become the next foreign policy chief of the European Union by issuing stark warnings against Russia’s “imperialistic dream” and China’s “unfair competition”.Both nations, together with Iran and North Korea, are seeking to exploit supply chains and societal openness to sow chaos across the bloc, she adds. “I will…
One ticket has won Lotto Powerball’s mammoth $30 million jackpot this evening. The winning ticket was sold at Albany Central Superette in Auckland. The prize is made up of $30 million from Powerball First Division and $200,000 from Lotto First Division. Tonight’s winner is the 17th Powerball multi-millionaire this year.The winning numbers are 32, 17, 28, 30, 21, 12, bonus ball 36, and Powerball 10.In addition, four other Lotto tickets have also won $200,000 each in Lotto First Division. The winning First Division tickets were sold at Whau Valley Dairy in Whangārei and on MyLotto to players from Auckland, Christchurch…
Living with a disability in Europe today is still all too often a journey littered with obstacles and discrimination. The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have put the issue back on the agenda. But the task ahead is enormous. ADVERTISEMENTIn the European Union as a whole, 101 million adults have some form of disability: that’s in excess of a quarter of the European population. More than half of them say they are discriminated against. A third of disabled people are at risk of poverty. The national inclusion policies of the EU Member States vary widely. Europeans’ Stories visited the Netherlands, where…
The glittering new centrepiece of Whanganui city’s $70 million art gallery redevelopment reflects a changing city where iwi heritage and partnership are valued, the gallery’s director says.Andrew Clifford said local and tribal stories are front and centre in the expanded Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery and its contemporary new wing. The gallery was named as one of the top 20 cultural spots in National Geographic’s “Best of The World” list for 2024.A grand reopening on November 9 is expected to be one of the year’s most significant creative industry events. The black-granite addition – named for Whanganui River rangatira,…
More details have emerged about a worker who Cabinet Minister Andrew Bayly admitted calling a “loser” during a business visit, and which he has since apologised for.The workers’ account of Bayly’s conduct first emerged publicly last Friday, when the Small Business Minister made a “fulsome” apology over the interaction. 1News has since obtained an unredacted copy of the workers’ complaint after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon faced more questions about the incident at Parliament today.The unredacted letter reveals the worker identified themselves as a former member of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) when complaining to the Government.The worker wrote: “I…
‘The EU budget cannot be a prisoner of interest rates by reducing our programmes,’ said leading lawmaker Victor Negrescu, as MEPs signalled clear opposition to proposed cuts setting stage for tense negotiations over the EU budget for 2025. ADVERTISEMENTMEPs rejected the EU Council’s proposed €1.52bn cuts to key EU programmes such as the Erasmus+ student mobility programme and the Horizon Europe research programme on Wednesday and called for more funding. “By cutting the budget, we will not be able to deliver [on citizens’ needs],” leading MEP Victor Negrescu (S&D/Romania) told reporters in Strasbourg, adding that the EU budget also needs some flexibility…
Police are seeking the public’s help locating a man wanted for arrest in Northland.Michael Invictus-Sirius, 35, has a circular tattoo on his forehead. Anyone with information on Invictus-Sirius’ whereabouts has been asked to contact police.Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.