Author: Press Room

New Zealand influencers are on average making less than the minimum wage, even when it is their main stream of income.New data released by Inland Revenue based on annual tax returns shows what people are making when working as influencers online – often being paid by companies that want to promote products to their followers.The data covers self-employed or “other” income declared in the most recent tax year and does not include people working for an organisation or business.Inland Revenue said there were 181 people who fit the definition.For 36%, influencer income was their main income source. This group had…

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This week’s key events presented by Euronews’ senior finance and defence reporter Jack Schickler. Key diary datesMonday 2 September: European Parliament  begins work after summer recess.Monday 2 September: President von der Leyen in Slovenia with Prime Minister Robert Golob, delivers keynote speech at the Bled Strategic Forum.Wednesday 4 September: Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi to present findings on competitiveness to the European Parliament’s conference of presidents.Wednesday 4 – Thursday 5 September: Annual meetings of think tank Bruegel to launch memos to EU’s 2024-2029 leadership.In spotlightADVERTISEMENTMario Draghi’s long-awaited – and long-delayed – report into European competitiveness is due to get an…

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An Air New Zealand turboprop plane has been evacuated on the runway at Wellington Airport after smoke could be seen coming from one of its engines while landing.The incident occurred as the plane landed just after 4pm. An Air New Zealand spokesperson said the flight involved was NZ5366 travelling from Christchurch to Wellington. The cause of the incident is not yet known. All passengers involved are safe and there have been no injuries reported. A spokesperson for Fire and Emergency said there had been an “engine fire”.A live stream of the airport’s runway showed the propeller plane landing with a…

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Here’s a quick roundup of the four main things we learned from this weekend’s elections in Saxony and Thuringia. ADVERTISEMENTThe far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved the first electoral victory in its history in this weekend’s vote, which saw the eastern states of Thuringia and Saxony head to the polls.In Thuringia, the much-criticised hard right party scored a clear win with about 33% of the vote, and in neighbouring Saxony, it won around 30%, coming in a close second.Meanwhile, the months-old leftist party led by the former Die Linke leader Sahra Wagenknecht, BSW, came in third in both states.Voters punished…

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George Clooney and Brad Pitt returned to the Venice Film Festival today for the world premiere of Wolfs.Before hitting the red carpet, the Hollywood stars reflected on reuniting, the rise of streaming and Clooney’s New York Times op-ed urging US President Joe Biden to end his reelection bid.Asked about the impact of his piece, Clooney said he’d not yet had to answer that question.”The person who should be applauded is the president who did the most selfless thing anyone’s done since George Washington,” Clooney said. “All the machinations that got us there, none of that’s going to be remembered. And…

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They divide some of our busiest roads — but some say there aren’t enough median barriers across New Zealand.”The other thing is when we do put in median barriers, it becomes crucial that we’re keeping them well maintained,” AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen told 1News. 1News asked NZTA Waka Kotahi how much of the State Highway network is covered by median barriers.A spokesperson confirmed the total length of the state highway network in NZ is approximately 11,000km, while the total length of median barriers in New Zealand is 682.4km.This means about 6.2% of the total state highway network is…

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A barge that ran aground on a Westport beach could be stuck there for days, authorities say.Manahau, a Westland Mineral Sands barge, ran aground at Carters Beach about midnight Saturday during a storm.It had 11 people on board. No-one was injured and there were no leaks, Maritime NZ said.There was also no cargo on board at the time.Work was being undertaken on Sunday to ensure the grounded barge “remains stable” at the beach, Maritime NZ said.”The work to date has involved our people, representatives from the vessel’s operator, as well as from local and regional authorities,” incident controller Blair Simmons…

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Matthew Perry’s cashmere “Chandler Bing Sweater” from Friends is being auctioned.The actor shot to fame playing neurotic Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom from 1994 to 2004 and died on October 28, 2023, aged 54 from the “acute effects” of anaesthetic ketamine after receiving three injections of the drug – with five people now under investigation in connection with his death.A lot marked the “Chandler Bing Sweater” is now up for grabs from Julien’s Auctions, which is also putting up a string of other memorabilia from Friends in a September 23 live auction that is already taking online bids.Titled The…

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The captain of a superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily, killing seven, says he did everything possible to save those on board, according to local media.New Zealander James Cutfield was at the helm of the Bayesian when it went down in August during a storm.British tech magnate Mike Lynch, the yacht’s owner, and his teenage daughter Hannah were among those killed.Cutfield is now under investigation by Italian authorities for manslaughter and shipwreck, along with two other crew members.Being investigated does not imply guilt and does not mean formal charges will follow.Cutfield was now suffering through the darkest days…

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A child was located with critical injuries and rushed to hospital after a reports of a violent altercation in Hamilton this evening.Police and ambulance were called to the incident in Anthony Crescent, Bader at about 5.20pm.On arrival, the child was located and rushed to hospital.Police said two other adults at the address were also injured, and remain in Waikato Hospital with moderate and serious injuries respectively.”A person of interest has been taken into custody, and Police are not currently seeking anyone else.”Officers will remain at the property overnight, as a scene examination continues.”

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