Trump 'pauses' Ukraine military aid, Queensland braces for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, traffic congestion could soon be costing Auckland $2.6 billion a year.
1 Donald Trump hits 'pause' on US military aid to Ukraine
The US President has paused US military assistance after a disastrous Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
A White House official said Trump was focused on reaching a peace deal to end the more than three-year war sparked by Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, and wanted Zelensky "committed" to that goal.
The official added that the US was "pausing and reviewing" its military aid to "ensure that it is contributing to a solution".
2 Christopher Luxon: 'If you don't like the lunches, just go make a Marmite sandwich'
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says parents unhappy with provided school lunches should "make a Marmite sandwich and put an apple in the bag".
There have been issues with the revamped lunch programme since it replaced a previous version at the start of the year.
Luxon said a loaf of bread, a jar of Marmite and an apple was "not rocket science" and parents should take responsibility for lunches.
3 Southeast Queensland braces for Tropical Cyclone Alfred — a 50-year first
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to cross the southeast Queensland coast, home to cities such as Brisbane and the Gold Coast, late this Thursday as a Category 2 storm.
The last tropical cyclone to make landfall in the region was ex-Tropical Cyclone Zoe in 1974, half a century ago.
4 Pak'nSave apologises after customer grilled over $1000 grocery spend
Taysha Williams alleged she was asked for private information by Pak'nSave staff after spending more than $1000 – and told she could not leave the supermarket without doing so.
A spokesperson said Pak'nSave Whanganui acknowledged Williams' experience "and take this opportunity to provide some clarity".
"Businesses are required to collect certain details for purchases over $1000 to ensure compliance with tax rules. Unfortunately, in this instance, we didn't explain this properly, and we sincerely regret the frustration and confusion caused."
5 Traffic jams could cost Auckland $2.6 billion a year by 2026 — report
The report, entitled Auckland's Cost of Congestion and commissioned by Mayor Wayne Brown, backs his push for a time of use or congestion charge which he said could help manage demand on motorways and major roads.
The report, prepared by EY and ARUP with support from Auckland Transport, estimated the average Aucklander would waste more than 17 hours in traffic every year by 2026, with a total of around 29 million hours each year across the city.
ONE CLEAR MONEY SAVER
Look around the room you’re in right now. Everything in there with you used to be money. Chuck out your junk, tidy those shambolic drawers and cupboards and watch your savings grow, writes Frances Cook.
SHARE ME