Author: Press Room

A study conducted in 16 countries shows that people are now dining out earlier than in 2019, with new data indicating a growing trend in “early-bird” habits. ADVERTISEMENTPeople across most European countries are dining out earlier than they did before the pandemic, according to new research from Mastercard.The most significant shifts were seen in Austria (18 minutes earlier), Portugal (16 minutes), and Ireland (15 minutes).Dining earlier has several health benefits, including better digestion, reduced cardiovascular risks, and improved blood glucose levels.On average, Europeans are dining 10 minutes earlier than before.Previous studies on post-COVID-19 food habits revealed that people across Europe…

One person has died and another is seriously injured after a three-vehicle crash near Pūhoi in north Auckland this morning.The crash was reported on Pohuehue Rd at around 6.13am.Police said two vehicles had collided and then there was a “secondary crash” at the scene involving a third vehicle.”The driver of one vehicle has sadly died at the scene, with the driver of the second vehicle suffering serious injuries.”The driver of the second vehicle was taken to Auckland City Hospital.”The occupants of the third vehicle are shaken but have not required transport to hospital,” police said.Part of Pohuehue Rd is closed…

Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unexpectedly named Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi as her Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, provoking mixed reactions — to say the least. ADVERTISEMENTUrsula von der Leyen’s decision to nominate Olivér Várhelyi raised many an eyebrow in Brussels — and elicited a couple of hearty chuckles.When the European Commission president made the announcement during a press conference in Strasbourg earlier this month, it drew laughter from journalists and sent EU-themed meme-making social media accounts into overdrive. Várhelyi, a former Commissioner for enlargement, was Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s preferred candidate for a second…

Thousands of KiwiSaver members who switched their investments into less risky funds when Covid-19 first hit still haven’t switched back – and it could cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars.There was a surge in switching from growth funds to conservative funds in March 2020, when sharemarkets around the world wobbled.Westpac said it processed 18,140 requests to switch in that time.Markets soon recovered, but 27%of those KiwiSaver members never switched back to more growth-focused assets, Westpac said.Another 17% took more than a year to switch back and 12% switched back in between six to 12 months.If an investor is investing…

A Waitākere Ward councillor has raised concerns about the cost efficiency of Auckland Council’s bin removal project after dozens of bins were seen strewn at a depot on the outskirts of the city’s domain. In 2023, Auckland Council carried out a “rubbish bin optimisation project” with the aim of removing underutilised bins as part of a wider cost-saving initiative. In a statement to 1News, Auckland Council’s general manager of parks and community facilities Taryn Crewe said the council aimed to ensure rubbish bins removed as part of this project did not end up in landfill, but could be stored at…

From blockbuster Black Panther to biographical drama 12 Years a Slave, award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o is no stranger to the big screen.Nyong’o, whose starring role in the prequel A Quiet Place: Day One was lauded by critics, returns to the world of animation in the big screen adaption of author Peter Brown’s children’s book The Wild Robot.In the Chris Sanders-directed movie, Nyong’o voices Roz, a task-oriented robot from a futuristic world who washes onto the shore of a remote island inhabited by wild animals. Roz raises an orphaned gosling named Brightbill (voiced by Kit Connor) and develops a relationship with…

Fixing damage caused by “reckless” driving on a Tasman reserve will cost ratepayers thousands to fix.People driving motorbikes, quad bikes and four-wheel drives bypassed the bollards at the Appleby Bridge Reserve near Richmond and tore up the grass, crushed plantings, and vandalised signs.The cost of fixing the damage will cost about $10,000 and will likely result in the deferral of other reserve projects, or reducing levels of service such as litter bin collection, due to tight budgets.”This is a total disregard for the public who enjoy these community spaces,” said Richard Hilton, Tasman District Council’s team leader for reserves operations.Vandalism in…

Star Entertainment’s corporate lenders have committed to loaning it up to another $200 million, but the Queensland government says talks over possible tax relief are at a stalemate.Star announced on Wednesday evening its corporate lenders had agreed in writing to the $200 million debt facility at an interest rate of 13.5 per cent.All but $34 million of the casino group’s $334 million in existing debt has also been repriced at that moderately high rate, reflecting concerns about Star’s financial viability.Meanwhile, Queensland Premier Steven Miles said talks with Star on possible tax relief hit a stalemate over the issue of executive…

A Comancheros gang associate is facing charges after guns were found following a fleeing driver incident in Auckland last night. Area commander for Auckland City East, Inspector Jim Wilson said night shift officers spotted a vehicle linked to a wanted person travelling along Ellerslie-Panmure Highway just after 1am.The vehicle was signalled to stop near Karangahape Road, before it “immediately accelerated away from the unit” and the police Eagle helicopter monitored the vehicle’s direction of travel. “The vehicle was driven erratically further west towards Point Chevalier.” The car then stopped at a property on Moa Road, where the driver allegedly handed…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ An ageing population, combined with higher-than-expected government debt and structural fiscal deficits, poses a major financial challenge for New Zealand, Treasury’s deputy secretary and chief economic adviser says. Dominick Stephens made a speech today in which he outlined the impact of increasing longevity on public finances. He said while healthcare, society and economic advances had created improvements in living standards, society would have to adapt. “Including regarding government revenue and spending… I have every confidence that we can make the changes necessary to live sustainably in a society characterised by longer human lives.” In the…