Meryl Streep jokes about ‘PTSD’ from heels on ‘Devil Wears Prada 2′ set
Meryl Streep jokes about having "PTSD from wearing high heels for 16 weeks" filming "The Devil Wears Prada" sequel. Photo / Getty ImagesMeryl Streep jokes about having "PTSD from wearing high heels for 16 weeks" filming "The Devil Wears Prada" sequel. Photo / Getty ImagesMeryl Streep has joked she’s suffering “PTSD from wearing high heels for 16 weeks” while filming The Devil Wears Prada sequel. But I almost had PTSD from wearing high heels for 16 weeks. The sequel reunites Streep with her co-stars, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, who return as Andy Sachs and Emily Charlton respectively.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 05, 2026 18:44 UTC
US seeks minerals trade zone in rare Trump move with allies
US Vice-President JD Vance announced the Agreement on Trade in Critical Minerals with 55 countries. The three-way partnership will include co-ordination including price floors for critical minerals, the US Trade Representative’s office said. The US also announced an agreement with Mexico and has already reached deals on critical minerals with Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Thailand. This week Trump unveiled “Project Vault” - a nearly US$12 billion ($20b) bid to stockpile critical minerals and effectively anything else needed by US industry. Vance accused former President Joe Biden of failing to address critical minerals, although the Democratic administration launched in 2022 a Minerals Security Partnership focusing on collaborative funding.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 05, 2026 18:42 UTC
European backpackers gate-crash Thailand funeral, confuse repast reception for food court
These German tourists were lost in translation, crashing a funeral reception dinner service they mistook for a food court. Photo / Facebook, Charantorn ChaloemkiadThese German tourists were lost in translation, crashing a funeral reception dinner service they mistook for a food court. Photo / Facebook, Charantorn ChaloemkiadTwo German tourists were left embarrassed and apologetic after crashing a funeral reception in Thailand, confusing the venue for a restaurant. Local man Charantorn Chaloemkiad said he was helping as an usher at the traditional event when he noticed the backpackers enter the backyard dinner service. “I went over to speak with them and they asked if the place was a food court,” he said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 05, 2026 18:38 UTC
Waikato grandmother with advanced breast cancer shares her motto
A national pictureMehdi Shahbazpour, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ head of research and strategic programmes, said advanced breast cancer was when the disease spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body,Shahbazpour said more than 350 people are diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in New Zealand every year, and many live with the disease long term. New research released by the foundation shows median survival for people with advanced breast cancer has increased, and Māori outcomes are now on par with non-Māori. “When we look at how Kiwis are doing when they’re diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, we are starting to see some improvements, which is great,” Shahbazpour said. “We need to do better at diagnosing advanced breast cancer earlier than we currently are,” he said. “My grandchildren growing up, getting married.”Living with advanced breast cancer has changed her priorities.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 05, 2026 18:34 UTC
Mount Maunganui cordon to lift but Mauao remains closed after deadly landslide
Photo / Tauranga City CouncilA rāhui is still in place for affected areas around Mauao and people are asked to respect it by not entering, swimming, gathering kaimoana, or undertaking recreational activities. “There are currently 40 landslips on Mauao, 29 of them are on the base track,” the mayor said. The road cordon around Mauao will be lifted, but the hill itself remains closed. Image / Tauranga City Council“Closing Mauao is to reduce the likelihood of injury or harm while further assessments and mitigation work is undertaken. Drysdale said any decision about the Mauao closure will be made with the council’s partners and will take into account the community’s aroha for it.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 05, 2026 18:21 UTC
Coldplay kiss cam scandal’s Kristin Cabot named keynote speaker at Crisis PR Conference
“Kristin Cabot’s life ‘blew up’ last July after a fleeting moment at a Coldplay concert became a global obsession,” a promotional social media post read. Cabot gained worldwide infamy after she was caught out in an affair with her boss, former Astronomer chief executive Andy Byron, at a Coldplay concert in Boston. Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” Coldplay frontman Chris Martin was heard saying in the moment. Cabot filed for divorce from her husband, Andrew, whom she later revealed was also in attendance at the show. That’s the price I chose to pay.”Social media response to the announcement was not favourable.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 05, 2026 17:41 UTC
Speeding teenager chastised by Queensland police after Sunshine Motorway joyride
“You’ve gone 89 kilometres per hour over the speed limit, and you’ve had your licence ... what’s that? A 17-year-old received multiple fines and had his licence suspended after Queensland Police clocked him driving 189km/h in a 100km/h zone. Photo / Queensland Police“I think, to be honest, you need to go home and have a long look at yourself. Photo / Queensland PoliceThe teenager was fined $2162.38 for driving more than 40km/h over the limit. Police noted the infringement is the highest category of speeding offence in Queensland, and comes with an automatic six-month licence suspension.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 05, 2026 17:35 UTC
Auckland entertainer Cole Johnston faces fresh underage sex charges, new complainants come forward
Johnston also faces three charges of committing an indecent act on a young person aged 12 to 15, and one of grooming. Sexual connection with a young person carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, the indecent act charges carry a maximum of seven years. Cole Johnston denies allegations, vows to clear his nameJohnston has performed internationally and spent years teaching child performers. In a statement after he lost name suppression last year, Johnston said he was “devastated, deeply shaken and utterly shocked”. Kerr said the charges were serious, the conduct alleged was not “fleeting” and naming him was in the public interest.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 05, 2026 17:33 UTC
Which streaming service in New Zealand is worth paying for and which should you cancel?
NetflixNetflix is still the world’s most popular streaming service, with more than 300 million paid subscribers and more than 700 new releases annually. NeonWhile a New Zealand-based streaming service - and a division of Sky Network Television in New Zealand - Neon truly holds its own with big prestige shows and its HBO catalogue. Price: $16.99 a month for standard (full HD) or $21.99 for premium (4K UHD) and ad-free streaming. Prime Video includes 4K UHD streaming on all plans, whereas some competitors charge a higher premium for 4K access. Price: $10.99 per month for a basic membership with some ads, or remove ads for an $2.99 per month.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 05, 2026 17:02 UTC
Floods not its fault: council
Claims it is responsible for any flooding in South Dunedin are wrong, the Dunedin City Council says. ‘‘We have pipes that don’t work and pumping stations that don’t work. ‘‘That’s the story.’’The council spokesman said there were plenty of waterways in South Dunedin. Water follows the path of least resistance, typically downhill and South Dunedin lies at the bottom of the catchment. Mrs Newell suggested people affected by flooding should approach the council to pay for any repairs or property damage, but the council said it was ‘‘not responsible ... for insurance payments’’.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 05, 2026 16:26 UTC
Missing cockatiel finds new home
Jessie McFadzien holds an 8-week old cockatiel that has had quite a journey after a tree fall led to it fleeing Gore Aviary last week. PHOTO: SUPPLIED/MARION MCFADZIENA cockatiel on the loose from the Gore Aviary has been found on a dairy farm 20km away. The cockatiel escaped last week after a golden elm tree, which was built into the aviary, fell and broke the enclosure. Searching around Gore, many birds were recovered, but the cockatiel was not found until last Sunday night. About half a dozen birds are still at large, including Mack, another cockatiel, who has been at the aviary for 18 years.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 05, 2026 15:46 UTC
Mixed response to variation approval
Photo: ODT filesA government-mandated district plan variation aimed at enabling denser, more affordable housing in the Queenstown Lakes district’s urban areas has been approved. They were considering a report and recommendations on the variation by an independent panel, which held public hearings over three weeks in Arrowtown, Queenstown and Wanaka last July and August. The council had to approve the panel’s recommendations in full, without amendments, or start the variation process from scratch. He supported the panel’s recommendations, which gave the council some control over how the district’s urban areas developed — ‘‘growing up and not so much growing out’’. She expected the Friends of Arrowtown Village group would appeal that part of the variation in the Environment Court.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 05, 2026 15:46 UTC
Two more candidates put hats in ring
Conrad StedmanHe latest person to announce their candidacy for the Dunedin City Council by-election is calling for balance to be restored at the table. He felt the council had more progressive leanings, rather than conservative, since the death of councillor Jules Radich last month. Pamela TaylorMs Taylor wanted Dunedin to be a great place for families and to have affordable rates, she said. He was part of the Future Dunedin ticket in last year’s council elections and finished 18th in the race for 14 councillor positions. His nomination form for the by-election was signed by ticket leader and councillor Andrew Simms and Future Dunedin candidate Bruce Ranga.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 05, 2026 15:37 UTC
Bendigo decision date set
Jane BorthwickA decision on the Bendigo goldmine should be made by the end of October. A decision would require 140 working days and would be made on October 29, she said. The Waihi extension was approved after 112 working days. Judge Borthwick said 60 working days was‘‘insufficient given the scale, nature and complexity of the approvals sought and matters arising’’. She also noted Kā Rūnaka sought a separate hearing on the need for consideration of cultural evidence.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 05, 2026 15:33 UTC
Name for new civic building sought
A public workshop was held on Thursday to discuss how the new $45million civic building in Cromwell should be named — and how the community should be consulted on that decision. The session preceded the Cromwell Community Board meeting and followed a December call from Central Otago District Council for residents across the district to suggest a formal name for the venue, due to open in July. Councillor Sarah Browne said strong views were expected and the consultation needed to be wide-reaching. Deputy mayor Tracy Paterson noted the decision affected the whole district. A consultation on how to get community input for the name was held yesterday.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 05, 2026 15:20 UTC