29+ min ago (580+ words) Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency and appealed for international assistance as the death toll from floods and mudslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 153, with another 191 people missing. The extreme weather system has destroyed more than 20,000 homes, sending 108,000 people to state-run temporary shelters, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported. A further 798,000 people required assistance after being temporarily displaced by the floods, DMC spokesman Pradeep Kodippili said. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invoked emergency powers, granting him sweeping authority to manage the aftermath of the devastation caused by a week of torrential rain across the island. Kodippili confirmed that 153 people had been killed. Among them were 11 residents of an elder care home that was flooded in the north-central district of Kurunegala on Saturday afternoon (local time), police said. Troops from the army, navy, and air force have been deployed alongside…...

29+ min ago (826+ words) In a quiet warehouse on the outskirts of Raglan, lines of tall shelving units are filled with inoculated substrate bags. They are all at different stages of sprouting delicate, pale, coral-like fronds. It is here that the mysterious Hericium novae-zealandiae, a native New Zealand fungus, is being cultivated. Also known as pekepeke-kiore, it is a close relative to lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) - the world's most researched mushroom for brain health. It's recognised for its medicinal properties and support of focus, memory and nerve growth - a food for the brain. Seasoned mushroom grower Sean Mills already has an established mushroom business with his wife, Emily Eldin, supplying gourmet mushroom grow bags for people to grow at home. "I've always been interested in lion's mane and the extensive research demonstrating of how it can support brain function and health, but I wasn't…...

40+ min ago (99+ words) Labour party leader Chris Hipkins joins Francesca Rudkin to discuss the party's focuses for the next election. Follow the podcast on Labour has shifted into campaign mode as the party meets for its annual conference in Auckland. With less than a year until the next election, Labour party leader, Chris Hipkins opened with an emphatic message "Believe We Can Win. Hipkins told Francesca Rudkin that the party has been focusing on what Kiwis didn't like about their last election campaign. 'We've spent time really focusing on what didn't go well for us and what we need to change.'...

2+ hour, 20+ min ago (943+ words) A pregnant woman was advised that she didn't need to do further testing for Down syndrome because there was an extremely rare chance her daughter would have the genetic condition. But, the baby girl was born with the disability and multiple other conditions. Six months after giving birth, the mother applied to the Accident Compensation Corporation for cover for herself, and her daughter, on the basis that her decision to continue the pregnancy could be classed as a treatment injury. She said she wouldn't have continued with the pregnancy if she had known about the risk. The corporation declined hers and her daughter's applications, and, earlier this year, she took her fight to the District Court, where a judge found that the medical advice she had been given was incorrect. According to that ruling, the woman, who has name suppression,…...

4+ hour, 5+ min ago (412+ words) Ariana Grande has again responded to the ongoing speculation about her health. The Thank U, Next singer posted a clip of a 2024 interview on Instagram yesterday, captioned "resharing this from last year " as a loving reminder to all". Grande describes herself as a "specimen in a petri dish" in the video, emotionally addressing the impact of the time she has spent in the public eye, according to Page Six. "I think that it's something that is uncomfortable no matter what scale you're experiencing it on", she said. "In today's society, there is a comfortability that we shouldn't have at all " commenting on others' looks, appearance, what they think is going on behind the scenes or health or how they present themselves." The press tour for Wicked: For Good has reignited commentary around Grande's appearance, with fans discussing what has been…...

8+ hour, 54+ min ago (488+ words) Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has confirmed an action plan has been created for "move on orders" after a meeting between Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and mayor Wayne Brown. "Move on orders" would enable police or maybe a council officer to order a rough sleeper to leave for a period of time because of "anti-social behaviour". With a new convention centre, the City Rail Link set to open and cruise ships arriving over summer, Luxon told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking he wants the CBD to be seen as a safe place. Luxon confirmed a meeting took place last week between the Auckland mayor and the minister to create an action plan on what happens to the rough sleepers once they are moved on. He said he expected an announcement to be made by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith before Christmas. Additionally, Luxon…...

8+ hour, 54+ min ago (952+ words) Opponents of Auckland's planning rule changes for greater intensification argue that Christchurch has been given a softer target. Character Coalition chairwoman Sally Hughes said RMA Minister Chris Bishop had allowed Christchurch 30 years of zoned development, while she claims Auckland must provide more than 100 years. Auckland councillor Christine Fletcher and "r'kei Local Board member Troy Churton highlighted the contrast between the country's two largest cities, saying Auckland had capitulated to the Government's "golden number" that had to be met or exceeded. However, Bishop said Auckland Council was not required to zone for 100 years of development, and noted that the requirements for the two cities differed. Public consultation is under way on Plan Change 120, a controversial council proposal for a major makeover of Auckland's skyline. It would allow for greater intensification, which opponents claim would provide capacity for two million homes over…...

10+ hour, 41+ min ago (107+ words) The Prime Minister Chris Luxon joins Mike Hosking in the studio to discuss the 'big banks' not passing on the benefit of OCR cuts to the consumer. Follow the podcast on Chris Luxon says banks need to be passing on their OCR cuts to customers - and customers should be switching banks if they don't. Mortgage rates have been falling significantly, following recent OCR cuts. But the Reserve Bank says the banks still have room to move, to be cutting the rates further. The Prime Minister says [told Mike Hosking] banks should be competing for customers, and customers should be trying to get the best deal they can....

10+ hour, 50+ min ago (92+ words) Repeatedly low wheat prices are driving more farmers to turn to dairy. The Canterbury Regional Council says up to 25-thousand more dairy cows could be added to the region this year - with 32 new farms given the green light. Federated Farmers' confidence survey in July found 81 percent of dairy farmers surveyed were making a profit, compared to just 40 percent of arable. National Dairy Chair Karl Dean told Mike Hosking that dairy has a more consistent cash flow. He says arable farmers are the ones with the land to convert....

12+ hour, 48+ min ago (119+ words) A new era begins for TVNZ's 6pm bulletin tonight." After almost 20 years in the 6pm chair, Simon Dallow read his last bulletin on Friday, with Melissa Stok ... Follow the podcast on A new era begins for TVNZ's 6pm bulletin tonight. After almost 20 years in the 6pm chair, Simon Dallow read his last bulletin on Friday. His replacement starts tonight, with Melissa Stokes promoted to the 6pm duties. Stokes told Francesca Rudkin that she is nervous but prepared for the step up. 'I fill in for Simon when he's been away, so it is the same team that I'm going into, the same desk, the same login, the same password, the same news tonight.'...