World Athletics are considering the most radical overhaul of the long jump since it became one of the inaugural events of the first modern Olympics in 1896. In an attempt to make the sport more appealing, the governing body will trial a new ‘take-off zone’ from which competitors can leap into the pit instead of the usual fixed wooden board. “That doesn’t work - that’s a waste of time,” said Jon Ridgeon, the World Athletics chief executive, of all the ‘no jumps’. “So we are testing a take-off zone rather than a take-off board. ‘If you have dedicated your life to hitting that take-off board perfectly and then suddenly we replace it with a take-off zone, I totally get that there might be initial resistance.

There may be more than six feet between them, but the world’s tallest man and shortest woman found common ground when they were reunited this week. Sultan Kosen, who measures 8ft 3in (251cm), towered over his fellow Guinness World Record holder Jyoti Amge, who measures just over 2ft (62.8cm) tall, when they met in California on Monday. Sitting cross-legged together on the floor, their vastly different statures could not have been more apparent. One of Mr Kosen’s feet is 14.3in (36.5cm), more than half Ms Amge’s height.

The housing market is stagnant and the Reserve Bank is likely to raise interest rates twice more this year, according to ANZ New Zealand's economists. "The housing market looks stagnant," they state in their latest New Zealand Property Focus Report. The report said that housing sales are normally soft in January as buyers, sellers and agents all take a Christmas/New Year break. Days to sell in Auckland are back near their 2022 peak, with the average home taking around 48 days to sell. We send it out 3-5 times a week with all of our property-related news, including auction results, interest rate movements and market commentary and analysis.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told the country over the weekend in his State of the Nation Speech that New Zealand needed ‘tough love’ and cutbacks some would fund unacceptable. It is difficult taking a ‘tough love’ approach to our social woes from a multimillionaire who owns 7 properties and holidays in Hawaii. That juxtaposition is made more extreme when you consider the last week’s Government policy. Government’s have an obligation to lift everyone, not just their wealthy donors! This Government is asking the poor to pay for rich people’s tax cuts and calling that ‘democracy’.

The Rugby Football Union considered selling Twickenham and buying 50 per cent of Wembley Stadium, leaked documents have revealed. This radical move, part of a ‘leave’ option explored by the RFU, would have been an alternative to undergoing a £663 million redevelopment detailed in a 69-page blueprint entitled ‘Twickenham Stadium Masterplan Programme’ that has been seen by Telegraph Sport. Any loan of more than £150 million would need prior approval from the RFU Council. A statement from the RFU explained that the next year would be critical to organising the next steps. As per the RFU constitution, if borrowing of over £150m was needed, council members’ views and approval would be required.

Covid-19 Inquiry updateWe are happy to announce that the terms of reference on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response have been expanded. This includes what we committed to in our coalition agreement, to:Ensure, as a matter of urgency in establishment and completion, a full scale,

Christchurch District Court. File photo: NZ HeraldA sports star accused of dishonestly taking a vehicle and intentional damage has appeared in court for the first time in person since he was charged. The man - who listed his occupation on court documents as "athlete" - is facing two charges in the Christchurch District Court. An interim suppression order prevents the Herald from reporting his name and any other details that may identify him. The sportsman was granted name suppression when his case was first called in court last year.

Oliver Glasner has been named the new manager of Crystal Palace following an announcement that Roy Hodgson is stepping down over health issues. Glasner, 49, has been a long-term target of chairman Steve Parish and director of football Dougie Freedman in an appointment process that began at the start of this season. There were meetings since then and the process accelerated when Hodgson fell ill at the training ground on Thursday. There was no meeting between Parish and Glasner on Friday. “I am very happy to join Crystal Palace,” said Glasner.

In this episode, we discuss how many properties you can buy over the next 10 years. This includes new data from the Reserve Bank that reveals how many properties you can buy before and after the DTIs come in. We also talk about how many properties you can potentially buy if you invest outside of the DTI rules. Here is a debt-to-income calculator for those wanting to find out how much you can borrow under the new DTI rules for your next investment property.

Premier Li is urging officials to do everything they can to support the Chinese economy and "boost confidence". The UST 10yr yield starts today at 4.33% and up +5 bps from this time yesterday. The Kiwi dollar starts today at just on 61.4 USc and up +20 bps overnight. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just on 70.9 and up +20 bps from yesterday. The bitcoin price starts today at US$51,908 and a mere +0.2% up from this time yesterday.

In New Zealand, watermelon enthusiasts are enjoying lower prices this season; it is a stark contrast to the steep costs experienced last summer. Gordon McPhail, LeaderBrand's farm general manager, attributes this year's fruitful harvest to the high temperatures, which fostered ideal growing conditions. We're currently in the peak of the season, and the prices reflect the surplus, making it an ideal time for consumers to buy,” McPhail explained. Moreover, the trend of decreasing prices isn't limited to watermelons. Foodstuffs reported significant reductions in the cost of various fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, avocados, courgettes, and red capsicum.

Vote for which you think is the worst at the bottom and join the debate in the comments section beneath. Roy Keane (Manchester United) on Alf Inge Haaland (Man City)April 2001The Manchester derby has never been for the faint-hearted. United’s Roy Keane and City’s Alf Inge Haaland had history, stemming from the Norwegian’s time as Leeds. As Keane rather graphically described in his autobiography, Haaland had played the ball long before the Irishman steamed in with a studs-first tackle before standing over his nemesis, gloating. Keane was given a three-match ban and £5000 fine, upgraded to five games and then £150,000 when the autobiography emerged.

Locals are being allowed to return to their homes after a large scrub fire at north Canterbury's Waikari Valley near Waipara. Irving asked residents to have a grab bag ready of their important possessions, and a plan for their animals. Homes on Shell Rock Rd and Glenmark Drive were evacuated last night as firefighters worked to contain the blaze and affected residents haven't yet been able to return to their homes. He asked other residents nearby to avoid any lawn mowing, groundworks or hot works while this was going on, and revaluate tomorrow. "Fire and Emergency is working with displaced residents and farmers, and hope to return them to their homes as soon as possible."

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:06 pm, February 19th, 2024 - 21 commentsCategories: chris hipkins, labour, national, national/act government, polls, same old national - Tags:The presentation of the latest One News poll suggested that it was all good for the right and bad for the left. I guess I will not surprise you to say I thought the poll was actually pretty good for the Left. And you have to start wondering about the Curia Taxpayer’s Union poll which saw a huge boost for Act. The recent Talbot Mills poll also saw Act going backward. The recent polls show no honeymoon bump.

Hastings has Lamb flavoured ice creamDo you like the sound of Lamb and mint, honey, figs and fish and chips? Try it as a flavour in ice cream. Reporter Michaela Gower went along to taste test. Video Warren Buckland