America and China are on a collision course
Following the May G7 summit in Hiroshima, US President Joe Biden claimed that he expects a “thaw” in relations with China. Yet despite some recent official bilateral meetings – with US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen expressing hopes for a visit to China soon – relations remain icy. The US, Japan, Europe, and their friends and allies made it clearer than ever that they intend to join forces to counter China. It criticizes Chinese expansionism in the East and South China Seas, and it includes a clear warning to China not to attack or invade Taiwan. In taking steps to “de-risk” their relationships with China, Western leaders have settled on language that is only slightly less aggressive than “de-coupling.” But more than the diplomatic argot has changed.
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2023 12:42 UTC
30th anniversary of the Mid Island Cat Club's show
A cat show which delighted visitors was held on Saturday, May 20. This was the 30th Anniversary Championship Show which was held at the Te Awamutu ASB Events Centre Stadium. The show featured 127 cats in total with a nice variety of breeds on display.
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 31, 2023 12:40 UTC
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Man arrested after armed police descend on central Dunedin property
31 May, 2023 01:32 AM 2 mins to readPolice on London St. Photo / ODTA man has been arrested after armed police locked down a central Dunedin street responding to a “potential firearms incident” this morning. Armed police descended on a property in a central Dunedin street in what one witness compared to the popular action film franchise John Wick. A squad of five armed officers was seen entering a Heriot Row address at around 11.15am. A witness earlier said there were two armed police officers in Constitution St. Photo / ODTAbout 10.45am, a female officer with a gun was behind a tree outside a property, another armed officer had gone up a driveway.
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 31, 2023 11:56 UTC
'Escape the vape' - demystifying habit's impact
The vape escape has begun. To mark World Smokefree Day today, Tūhura Otago Museum has launched the "Escape the Vape!" national poster competition, which encourages young people to design a poster portraying "the reality of vaping and vaping culture" as they see it. Launching the Escape the Vape! national poster competition are (from left) Balmacewen Intermediate pupils Finlay Lloyd (13) and Liam Van Waard (12), and Otago Museum communicator Christine Wierda.
Source:Otago Daily Times
May 31, 2023 09:06 UTC
Stuff's 'fact checking' is stuffed - Winston Peters
So how can she possibly ‘fact check’ anything if she starts her article admitting she doesn’t know what she is fact checking in the first place? It will be an interesting foray for her into ‘fact checking’ the British Parliament MPs too - although that might give balance to her article and destroy her predetermined narrative. She firstly states that critics’ views are "not the case" and "are not true" - as a statement of proven fact. Worse still, she rounds up her ‘fact check’ with "But there is still a long way to go before anything is finalised." Katie Kenny might want to ‘fact check’ this statement with a phone call - I’m not holding my breath.
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2023 08:09 UTC
'The RBNZ perceives widespread sogginess across the economy...We aren't so sure'
"Most inflation indicators eased. Inflation expectations inched a little lower, and the proportion of firms expecting to raise their prices and wages also fell. However, the proportion of firms expecting costs to increase in the next three months remained stubbornly high," she said. Zollner said the Reserve Bank (RBNZ) perceives "widespread sogginess" across the economy, "making them more relaxed about the extra stimulus being provided by super-strong net migration and more fiscal spending this year than anticipated". "We also survey firms’ expected costs in three months’ time relative to today.
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 31, 2023 05:29 UTC
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Air New Zealand named best airline in the world, but still work to be done
Air New Zealand has been named best airline in the world, but CEO Greg Foran says there is still work to be done. Air New Zealand has been named best airline in the world, but CEO Greg Foran says there is still work to be done. Air New Zealand has been crowned the world’s best airline at this year’s Airline Excellence Awards. Read More: Everything we know about the SkyNest sleeping podsThe airline also won Best Economy Class, while Best Premium Economy went to Emirates. ‘Best’ Awards for 2023Best First Class: Singapore AirlinesBest Business Class: Qatar AirwaysBest Premium Economy: EmiratesBest Economy Class: Air New ZealandBest Catering: Qatar AirwaysBest Cabin Crew: Virgin Australia/Virgin AtlanticBest-In-Flight Entertainment: EmiratesBest Lounges: Qantas
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 31, 2023 05:09 UTC
Is Jan Tinetti a dumb Minister of Education?
Wow this is dumb…Jan Tinetti referred to Privileges Committee for possible contemptEducation Minister Jan Tinetti has been referred to Parliament’s Privileges Committee by the Speaker and could be found in contempt of Parliament after she failed to correct a false statement she made in the House quickly enough. Tinetti would be the first MP in 15 years to be found in contempt of Parliament. The issue at the heart of the matter is that Tinetti told the House in February that she had no responsibility for the release of school attendance data. Parliament sat on February 23, when Tinetti could have corrected the answer. If you can’t contribute but want to help, please always feel free to share our blogs on social media
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2023 04:59 UTC
IPL 2023: CSK opener Devon Conway backtracks on 'biggest victory of career statement' after final win
By India Today Sports Desk: CSK opener Devon Conway has backtracked on his big claim that the IPL 2023 final win on Monday was the biggest victory of his career, after receiving backlash from the New Zealand cricket team fans. advertisementAfter the win, the CSK opener said, as quoted by ANI, that it was the biggest win of his career. Conway also said that the WTC final win was very, very special for him. “I think it’s the best T20 victory of my career, I wouldn’t say it’s overall my best. But certainly best T20 victory or achievement in my career,” Conway told RNZ, backtracking from his original statement.
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2023 04:12 UTC
We have juicy intel about what REALLY goes down behind the scenes on MasterChef Australia
Where do the MasterChef contestants live during filming? Despite the confusion caused by the behind-the-scenes greenroom photos, Refinery29 confirmed that the MasterChef contestants live in serviced apartments during filming. The MasterChef contestants live in serviced apartments. Yawn, that sounds tiring…Do the MasterChef judges try every dish? The MasterChef judges try every single dish prepared for them.
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2023 03:27 UTC
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Beckenridge mystery: Stepfather, boy used code names in texts, witness says
John Beckenridge, left, disappeared with his stepson Mike Zhao-Beckenridge, right, in March 2015. John Beckenridge, left, disappeared with his stepson Mike Zhao-Beckenridge, right, in March 2015. He said prior to their disappearance a phone used by Beckenridge sent some cryptic messages:“Falcon, the one that has 603 at the end. The one that ends on 603, okay.”The 603 number seemed to refer to the phone Beckenridge used, the hearing was told. He said Beckenridge had an air-to-ground phone that looked very similar to a satellite phone, but sold it in 2014.
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 31, 2023 03:22 UTC
Large sum of money stolen from ATM on Christchurch street
The burglary happened on Stanmore Rd in Linwood, Christchurch, early on Sunday, May 14. (File photo)A large sum of money was stolen from an ATM on a Christchurch street, prompting a police call for help from the public. The burglary happened on Stanmore Rd in Linwood sometime between 4.30am and 6am on Sunday, May 14. *CORRECTION: Police initially said the ATM was stolen. They later said the ATM was broken into and a large sum of money was stolen from it, but the ATM itself was not taken.
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 31, 2023 02:01 UTC
Breakfast briefing: Pandemic consequences bedevil China
The Dallas Fed survey of factories in their oil patch is quite subdued in May which is probably no surprise given the languishing oil price. And with today's oil price retreat it will probably be even lower in June. And staying in China, a strong echo from their brutal pandemic lockdown is starting to play out in their economy. In Japan, their jobless rate fell back to the 2.6% level it was a few months ago, which was a better result than expected. But oil prices are a lot lower today from yesterday at just over US$69/bbl in the US and that is down -US$4/bbl.
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2023 01:28 UTC
Open mike 31/05/2023
The passing of the Fair Pay Agreements Bill last year was described as one of the most significant changes to New Zealand’s employment relations landscape for a generation. Yesterday, hospitality workers took a major step towards gaining an FPA of their own. More than 150,000 hospitality workers and 24,000 employers ...
Source:Stuff
May 31, 2023 00:58 UTC
Allan gives wrong speech on freedom camping bill
Justice Minister Kiri Allan was given the wrong speech to read by Labour whips. Photo: NZ HeraldLabour Cabinet Minister Kiri Allan has read the wrong speech at the third reading of a freedom camping bill in Parliament. Allan was roped in to speak on the bill at the last minute and Labour whips gave her the wrong speech to read. She should have realised it was the wrong speech, the wrong reading." It's not the first time MPs have read the wrong speech.
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 31, 2023 00:17 UTC