Inflation stays level at 2.2%, Trump sacks over 1000 presidential appointees in first full day in office, and research links an 'alarming rise' in under-50s' bowel cancer to lifestyle.
1 Inflation stays level at 2.2% — rent the biggest contributor
Official figures out today show inflation has stayed at 2.2%, latest figures from Stats NZ show.
The previous figures in October also had inflation at 2.2%, bringing it into the Reserve Bank’s target range for the first time in more than three years.
According to Stats NZ, the largest contributor to annual inflation was rent, which was up 4.2%. Almost one-fifth of the 2.2% increase was caused by rising rent prices.
2 'You’re fired!': Trump sacks over 1000 presidential apointees
US President Donald Trump is spending his first full day back in the White House meeting with congressional leaders, announcing an investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure and demonstrating one of his favoured expressions of power: Firing people.
Trump posted on his Truth social media network early Wednesday that he would fire more than 1000 presidential appointees "who are not aligned with our vision", including some high-profile names.
“YOU’RE FIRED!” Trump said in his post — his catchphrase from his reality TV show, The Apprentice.
3 Research links 'alarming rise' in under-50s' bowel cancer to lifestyle
Almost two million people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year. Also known as colorectal cancer, it’s the third most common cancer worldwide.
While the majority of people diagnosed with bowel cancer are over 50, recent years has seen an alarming increase in the number of young people being diagnosed with the condition. Research shows lifestyle is likely to be a major factor.
Sarah Allinson, a professor in biomedical and life sciences in the UK, reports.
4 Closing down sale as administrators appointed to The Body Shop NZ
Voluntary administrators have been appointed to Body Shop NZ — with stores remaining open as stock is cleared.
The Body Shop NZ has 16 stores across New Zealand with approximately 70 permanent employees and an online business. It sells skincare, make-up, haircare, and body products.
Customers were told of the closure in an email on Wednesday afternoon.
5 Nearly 40 jobs to go at media company NZME
NZ Herald owner NZME plans to cut 38 jobs as it reorganises its news operations.
It called staff into a meeting this morning and told them its plans to "reorganise and resize" its news operations across the national newsroom, including the NZ Herald, BusinessDesk, and Newstalk ZB.
It said it planned to publish and produce fewer stories, to focus on those that engage their audience. It said it would also further invest in video.
ROMANCE IN THE LETTERBOX
Mystery and intrigue is rippling through a Lower Hutt community, where random letterboxes have been stuffed with romantic literature over the past week.
Erotica and romance — or smut — has been soaring in popularity amongst Generation Z, but the books being delivered to letterboxes from Eastbourne to Lowry Bay are no modern reads.
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME COMET
A once-in-a-lifetime comet has been spotted over New Zealand skies this week.
Comet C/2024 G3 (Atlas), which last visited the Sun about 180,000 years ago, is expected to continue to be visible for the next few nights for those with clear skies.
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