Andy MacDonald / Stuff Twenty critically endangered kākāriki karaka (orange fronted parakeets) have a new home at the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary. One of the biggest populations of the rare New Zealand bird kākāriki karaka now resides in a sanctuary on the outskirts of Nelson. Just over 100 of the endemic orange-fronted parakeets were released in the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary between November and April. Chief executive Ru Collin said the threatened birds were thriving in the 700-hectare beech forest, surrounded by a pest-proof fence, but finding the money needed to run the sanctuary was “quite a challenge”. So news that a new market had been launched to match businesses with funding conservation projects was exciting, he said. READ MORE: Golden Kiwi helping bring kiwi home to Nelson sanctuary Baby saddleback spotted in sanctuary first in over a century Almost $42,000 debt owed by Brook Valley Community Group written off The sanctuary was exploring the … [Read more...] about New market to help restore and protect natural ecosystems
Markets
Oh dear, Brussels! City defies Brexit gloomsters to outgun EU and French rivals
Hermann Kelly slams financial burden of EU Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info In a major blow for Emmanuel Macron , British banks made more profit than French rivals for the first time since 2015, despite Brussels officials desperately trying to shift more jobs out of London and onto the continent since Brexit . The buoyant banking sector was fourth only behind the global financial powerhouses of China, the US and Canada. UK banks generated £46billion in pre-tax profits last year as big lenders were significantly boosted by a strong recovery from the economy after the Covid pandemic, as well as a private equity deal-making boom and a soaring housing market. … [Read more...] about Oh dear, Brussels! City defies Brexit gloomsters to outgun EU and French rivals
Deconstructing Tony
If the Sopranos, which returns this week for its fourth series, is arguably the most accomplished drama in television history, there is no doubt at all that it's the most analysed. Never before has a programme been subject to such extensive interpretation. While the story concerns a New Jersey mafia boss and his middle-class suburban family, no self-respecting critic would ever say that's what it was about. Ever since he first appeared on US television back in January 1999, Tony Soprano, the show's monumental anti-hero played by James Gandolfini, has been a gift to the metaphorically minded. He is the American Everyman, the embodiment of ruthless free-market capitalism, the defining figure of balding fat manhood in midlife crisis, and much else besides. It's no wonder Gandolfini stoops, carrying that weight of symbolism around on his shoulders. That Tony also visits a shrink to discuss his problems, and that shrink in turn visits another shrink to discuss the problem of seeing … [Read more...] about Deconstructing Tony
Ukraine war: Kyiv would only fall ‘if carpet bombed’ by Russia, Zelenskyy says
Speaking at a news conference Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia would have to carpet-bomb the Ukrainian capital and kill its residents to take the city. Meanwhile, the Russian troops are attempting to encircle Kyiv further, fighting against heavy resistance in the west and the north of the city. And after twelve days of siege, the strategic southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol is without water, gas, electricity or communications, and people were seen fighting for food in recent days. The situation is "almost desperate", warned Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The number of civilians killed during the siege of Mariupol reached 1,582, and some of the casualties had to be buried in mass graves. Local authorities fear that the actual number might be much higher. 03.12.2022 09:24 Saturday's main developments: The worst of the fighting overnight took place in Irpin, Mykolaiv and Sumy, according to the General Staff of the … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Kyiv would only fall ‘if carpet bombed’ by Russia, Zelenskyy says
Pound slides to two-year low against the dollar
By Tom Espiner Published 2 hours ago comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The pound has fallen to a two-year low against the dollar reflecting traders' increasing concerns about recession around the world as energy prices continue to soar. But sterling is also weak because markets are worried about future UK economic growth, analysts said. Sterling could fall even further after predictions of economic stagnation and as inflation rises, they added. London shares regained some ground on Wednesday following Tuesday's falls. The resignation of two senior government ministers on Tuesday evening, including former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, was not a significant factor in the pound's fall, Rabobank head currency strategist Jane Foley told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. UK household energy bills to hit £3,000 per year Sunak … [Read more...] about Pound slides to two-year low against the dollar
Lawyer’s murder hints at secrets of Australia mafia
Published 24 March 2016 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The killing of criminal lawyer Joseph "Pino" Acquaro in Melbourne sheds light on the hidden machinations of the 'Ndrangheta, says Australian crime writer Adam Shand. Liborio Benvenuto, who died in 1988, was the last of the old-time Australian godfathers. He understood his power but also its limits. His protege Joseph "Pino" Acquaro, who was murdered in a Melbourne street last week, was not so wise. Benvenuto became the leader of The Honoured Society, a Melbourne-based Calabrian mafia group, after a bloody internal battle in the early 1960s dubbed the Market Wars. He presided over a quarter century of relative peace until he died of natural causes in 1988. It was Benvenuto who encouraged Acquaro, the son of a prominent accountant in the Calabrian community, to become a lawyer. Violence was bad for business, so a … [Read more...] about Lawyer’s murder hints at secrets of Australia mafia
Subsea cable doubles NZ’s internet capacity and offers reduced lag
Chris McKeen/Stuff The Auckland segment of Southern Cross Cable's Next cable came ashore last year and is now live (video first published in July 2021). An internet cable that roughly doubles New Zealand’s internet connectivity to the rest of the world is now in service. The US$350 million ($570m) SX Next cable runs between Auckland, Sydney and Los Angeles and will also provide the first fibre-optic broadband connections to Tokelau and Kiribati. Spark spokesperson Sam Smith said the new cable, which it part owns through the Southern Cross Cable joint venture, would reduce the lag on internet traffic between Auckland and Los Angeles by about 5% thanks to its more direct route. “While it may not seem like much, it tends to be very important for users with time-sensitive requirements such as financial traders, and gamers,” she said. READ MORE: The cables that keep New Zealand connected to the world Telstra and Spark team up for $440m internet cable between NZ, … [Read more...] about Subsea cable doubles NZ’s internet capacity and offers reduced lag
Wednesday evening UK news briefing: Cabinet ministers poised to tell Boris Johnson he must resign
This looks like the endgame. A group of Cabinet ministers - including the new Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi - are planning to confront Boris Johnson this evening and tell him that he must step down as Prime Minister. The Telegraph understands that Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary, Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, and Simon Hart, the Welsh Secretary, are among those who are preparing to make the intervention . Mr Zahawi is also understood to be involved, with the push against the Prime Minister being coordinated by Chief Whip Chris Heaton-Harris. It comes as Mr Johnson continues to suffer a brutal wave of resignations. As this email was sent, 35 Tory MPs had left Government roles in the last 24 hours. Yet Mr Johnson told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions and the liaison committee that he intends to "keep going". Our live blog is your first point of call for breaking news. Our Government resignation tracker tells you who has quit and when they … [Read more...] about Wednesday evening UK news briefing: Cabinet ministers poised to tell Boris Johnson he must resign
‘We’ve had enough’ – Labour risks civil war as Remainers attack new EU policy
Sunak and Javid resignations slammed by Keir Starmer Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info But now the Labour Party is at risk of its own civil war after Remainers hit back at Sir Keir Starmer for rejecting the EU. It was widely thought that Labour’s stance on Brexit was one of the reasons why swathes of Red Wall seats turned blue in the 2019 general election. Related articles Chris Pincher by-election: Who would win if Tory MP resigns? Keir Starmer beergate: When we will know if Labour leader was fined Richard Hewison, leader of the Rejoin EU Party, slammed Labour and called its policy nothing more than empty wordplay. He said: … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve had enough’ – Labour risks civil war as Remainers attack new EU policy
Arsenal tried ‘huge intervention’ to hijack Bayer Leverkusen transfer as Newcastle watched
Gabriel Jesus' first Arsenal interview Sign up HERE for the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Arsenal tried to hijack Bayer Leverkusen’s move for Czech Republic international Adam Hlozek according to the player’s father. The winger, who also attracted interest from Newcastle , has since signed a five-year deal in Germany after a successful season at Sparta Prague. Related articles Youri Tielemans 'sold on' Arsenal transfer and 'waiting' for bid Leeds give Barcelona Raphinha ultimatum after Prem duo 'make offers' Hlozek enjoyed a good season in his home country, scoring 12 times and contributing a further 15 assists as he helped Sparta to finish … [Read more...] about Arsenal tried ‘huge intervention’ to hijack Bayer Leverkusen transfer as Newcastle watched