Author: Press Room
The latest GDP figures show the New Zealand economy has contracted again, with Kiwibank saying the country has “effectively” been in a recession for two years.The economy shrank by 0.2% in the three months to June, Stats NZ announced this morning.The industry sectors to fall in the quarter were retail trade and accommodation, agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Wholesale trade industries also fell.The numbers were slightly better than those forecast by economists and come after a difficult 18 months in which growth has been stagnant, sitting either side of the 0% mark.The annual rate of growth to the end of June…
Some broke it off, some got dumped, and some just prefer the single life. Euronews examines how the EU’s 32 unattached MEPs got that way. ADVERTISEMENTThere’s been a “back-to-school” atmosphere in Strasbourg, as MEPs head back to work after the summer break: but for some the return has been a solitary one. 32 non-attached MEPs don’t belong to any political group, and must take their seats at the back of the hemicycle — whether by choice or otherwise. Being a lone wolf comes with its perks: independents can participate or vote without worrying about wider calculations, and they even get a dedicated secretariat for administrative…
The jury in the Philip Polkinghorne murder trial has been released for the day — and the week after indicating they would not reach a verdict today.Jurors have been deliberating since just before 10.30am.Deliberations will resume at 11am on Monday because of a commitment held by one juror.Justice Lang wished jurors a pleasant weekend but urged them not to discuss the case with anybody.”This is the most vulnerable part of the trial as far as you’re concerned,” he told them.Polkinghorne sobs as 111 call again played to jurorsEarlier today, murder-accused Polkinghorne placed his head in his hands, loudly sobbing as…
Exotic hybrid portfolios, overlapping policies, and candidates with a problematic past could all plague plans for the new European Commission outlined by Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen yesterday. ADVERTISEMENTCommission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged to get rid of “rigid stovepipes,” as she unveiled plans for her second mandate on Tuesday. She may indeed seek to avoid the kind of stiff structures that can lead to isolated and contradictory policymaking. But complex compound portfolios and overlapping responsibilities risk making her Commission look more like tangled spaghetti. Weird pairingsOne common theme of the new portfolios she has handed to her 26 lieutenants is the creation of…
A water safety advocacy group has praised a Bay of Plenty rule change that will see more people don lifejackets while boating.The Bay of Plenty Regional Council last week approved its Navigational Safety Bylaw review.This included changing a rule that previously allowed skippers aged 15 and older of a recreational boat under six metres to decide if passengers could take their lifejacket off while moving.The council will instead impose a rule that makes jacket use compulsory when a vessel is underway.Bay of Plenty harbourmaster Jon Jon Peters said the council received two submissions relating to the rule change during consultation…
Authorities have reported 23 deaths from floods in four Central European countries. ADVERTISEMENTSoldiers and volunteers in southwestern Poland have laid sandbags near swollen rivers around the city of Wrocław to protect homes and businesses after days of flooding across Central Europe.Poland joins Austria, the Czech Republic and Romania in being hard hit by floods following record rains in the region starting last Thursday. Authorities have reported 23 deaths, with seven each in Poland and Romania, five in Austria and four in the Czech Republic.The floods in Central Europe combined with deadly wildfires in Portugal are joint proof of a “climate…
An updated gas reservation policy intends to keep a lid on bills with more supply unlocked, but critics say it could turn one of Australia’s iconic landscapes into an “industrial wasteland”.Western Australia Premier Roger Cook announced the changes on Thursday that will apply to the state’s new onshore gas projects or existing onshore projects seeking to expand production.”The Domestic Gas Policy has been crucial to keeping WA’s gas and electricity prices among the lowest in the nation,” he said.”This update provides certainty for gas producers and users, helping to facilitate new onshore gas projects – creating local jobs while ensuring…
Hawke’s Bay Airport’s brand new fire truck has a brand new name – with ‘Judy Drench’ winning the naming competition.About 1500 different names for the truck were submitted, and more than 6700 people voted for the final top five that were shortlisted:Fred (Fire Rescue Emergency Deployment)Judy DrenchSpraying MantisTe Wai Wai (water in abundance)Toa Ahi (Fire Warrior)But ‘Judy Drench’ has been a clear favourite right from the start, taking out more than 62% of the votes.”And just like the grand dame who inspired the winning name, we are looking forward to our Judy Drench having a long and stellar career with…
Facing claims of bullying and a secret office affair, shopping giant Super Retail Group is trying to keep the lid on how much it allegedly agreed to pay its former top lawyer after she threatened to sue the company.Rebecca Farrell is pursuing the retailer and a slew of its top executives in the Federal Court to enforce a settlement offer she said was agreed in May 2024.Super Retail Group, which owns Supercheap Auto, Rebel Sport, BCF and Macpac, allegedly entered into the confidential deal with Ms Farrell and a second senior lawyer Amelia Berczelly to quash potential legal claims they…
NASA has shared an ‘otherworldly’ Otago cloud formation spotted by one of its satellites.The image of an elongated lenticular cloud near Middlemarch was taken by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 on September 7, 2024.NASA then shared the image on X this week where it got nearly 40,000 views so far and comments about the image insisting it was extraterrestrial technology rather than a cloud.”Stop trying to give things that aren’t clouds, cloud names, that you are only trying to hide to cover your butt’s,” one person commented.”Oumuamua,” another person wrote, referencing the first interstellar object to pass…