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JASON DORDAY/ STUFF Stuff asks residents of Wellsford what they think about their new block of toilets, which cost more than $1 million. A toilet block in north Auckland once labelled “the worst in the country” has had a million-dollar upgrade, but not everyone is impressed. The toilet block at Wellsford looks like any other, but it cost Auckland Council $979,600 to build, $86,000 to design and $68,000 in project management fees for a grand total of $1.1 million. Rodney Local Board member Colin Smith said the toilets were long overdue, and the town had to “scream its guts out” to get them delivered. However, Smith said houses in Wellsford had sold for between $500,000 and a million, and he couldn’t understand how a toilet block could cost more. READ MORE: Traveller disgusted by state of Wellsford's public toilets Former caretaker says tourist toilets in Wellsford are not up to scratch Peep hole discovered in Nelson public toilet “If it was put out … [Read more...] about New million-dollar toilet block for Auckland’s ‘last stop’ town

OVER a million homeowners are set to see repayments rise by hundreds of pounds this year. Rising interest rates mean many will face higher bills next time they come to remortgage, adding a further squeeze to people's finances. Around 80% of people with a mortgage are locked into fixed deals right now, protecting them from rate rises. But 1.3million of them are due to end this year according to figures from UK Finance, the Telegraph reports . They will find mortgage deals pricier than before, adding hundreds or even thousands of pounds a year to repayments depending on the size of the home loan. The Bank of England has increased the base rate five times in a row - and could hike it for a sixth time in August. Read More on property BRUSH OFF Gardening pro reveals how to banish foxes with VERY common household items WATER SHAMBLES I expose dodgy work on new build homes - one job NEVER gets done properly … [Read more...] about Over a million homeowners warned mortgage bills could rise by thousands of pounds – what to do now

N orway has drawn up plans to ration electricity exports in a move that has heightened fears of energy shortages in the UK and Europe this winter. The government in Oslo on Monday announced new rules limiting the sale of power to foreign countries as heatwaves threaten Norway’s hydroelectric power generation. Experts said the restrictions threatened the UK’s plan to draw power from Norway this winter via the North Sea Link - leaving electricity supplies more stretched and risking even higher bills for consumers. The National Grid has already revealed that the UK is set to be more dependent than ever on the Continent for power, with interconnectors expected to provide up to 5.7 gigawatts of electricity at peak times. About one quarter of that total – or 1.4 gigawatts – is set to come from Norway. Kathryn Porter, an energy consultant at Watt-Logic, said the proposed restrictions “put at risk the ability of Britain to import from Norway this winter”. “National Grid ESO needs to … [Read more...] about Norway threatens to ration electricity in fresh blow for UK and European energy supplies

Jill Biden had to help Joe into his jacket after the US president struggled to put it back on after leaving his helicopter during a visit to Kentucky. A shaky Mr Biden, who is recovering from a bout of Covid-19, was seen on video trying for 30 seconds to put his arm through the sleeve of his suit, which was being blown by the wind from the Marine One helicopter’s blades. Moments later, the 79-year-old then dropped his signature aviator sunglasses to the ground and had to bend down to pick them up. The president and first lady were in Kentucky to meet with first responders and families who had lost homes after the worst flooding in the state’s history in late July. It was his first official trip after testing positive for Covid-19 last month, after which he was holed up in the White House for more than two weeks in isolation. He tested negative on Sunday and was deemed fit to safely return to public engagement and presidential travel by his doctor. He still appeared to … [Read more...] about Watch: Joe Biden gets stuck in his jacket as wife Jill comes to the rescue

Dieters should limit themselves to only eating between 7am and 3pm to lose more weight, a study suggests. Intermittent fasting is a popular dieting technique where a person can eat as much as they like, of whatever they like, within a set time frame every day. On its own it is a potent weight-loss tool, but when also combined with a healthy calorie-controlled diet the method can be highly effective at shifting pounds, shrinking waistlines and improving health. Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham recruited 90 obese individuals and put all of them on a diet, with half also told they can only eat for eight hours a day between 7am and 3pm. Both groups received expert guidance on how to follow a diet, were told to stick to it for at least six days a week, and to do between 75 and 150 minutes of exercise a week. Blood pressure improved The study found that people who stopped eating at 3pm lost almost a stone over 14 weeks, while the control group lost only … [Read more...] about Revealed: The time you should stop eating to ‘lose more weight’

A black bear has been killed by wildlife officials after it attacked a jogger in Washington state. The jogger, described as an adult male, sustained multiple injuries to his hands and feet in the attack, which took place on a trail north of Lake Whatcom in central Whatcom County on the morning of August 3. The man received hospital treatment for his injuries and was released that same day, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). After being made aware of the attack, officers, accompanied by a Karelian bear dog, went searching for the animal. It was located and "lethally removed," according to a WDFW press release. It wasn't specified how the bear was killed. "We are extremely thankful that the victim is recovering and receiving medical care from this unfortunate encounter," Jennifer Maurstad, the WDFW Police North Puget Sound Captain, said in the press release. "He did everything right during the incident and we wish him a speedy recovery. Wild … [Read more...] about Bear attacks jogger on Washington trail causing multiple injuries

Therese Coffey is grilled by Justin Webb on cost of living crisis 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 Therese Coffey was pressed by BBC Radio 4 Today Programme host Justin Webb over muted plans from Conservative frontrunner Liz Truss to curb the soaring cost of living in the UK. Listeners and pundits blasted the interview, with Ms Coffey being singled out for being "evasive and formulaic" in the face of a gruelling barrage of questions from Mr. Webb. Related articles Brexit: Britain attracting major business from US Brexit LIVE: 'Great error' Truss warned Boris' departure will cripple Ms Coffey was pressed on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme by host Justin Webb to explain how potential Prime Minister … [Read more...] about ‘Excruciating!’ Therese Coffey in BBC black lash over cost crisis ‘Just want to turn off!’

Personal finance expert Gemma Godfrey has been answering your questions on the cost of living and money saving dilemmas: Could your pension contribution be put to better use for things like paying your bills? Mark A: Hello, I'm 37 years young and started a pension late. I had approximately £35,000 in there. With the world as it is, this has now dropped to £24,000. What on earth should I do? With the cost of living the extra money would be handy, rather than going in a pot which is disappearing. Gemma says: This is such a tough question because for some people, paying into a pension is no longer an option as they're struggling to cover their current basic costs to live. However, your question implies that you could continue to pay, you're just wondering if you should. The most important thing to say is that when making any financial decisions, it's important to speak to a financial professional who can review your particular situation and offer personal advice. … [Read more...] about Should I opt out of my pension and use the money to pay for the rising cost of living?

TICK TOCK, tick tock. Can you hear that Brendan Rodgers? It’s the sound of the clock counting down the days to Leicester’s first game of the new season. Five months since Rodgers declared the need for six new players to overhaul his ageing squad, he has yet to make a single signing. With their opening fixture at home to Brentford now just 16 days away, Leicester have been neither shaken nor stirred this summer. Worse still, word has got out around the rest of football that the Foxes need to sell before they can buy. Which might explain why they haven’t received a single bid for Youri Tielemans even though he is currently available for a bargain £30million . Read More in Football TIME TO DREAM Prem season starts TODAY - pick your Dream Team for chance to win £100,000 Because Premier League rivals are happy to keep Leicester sweating until the final few days of the transfer window, confident that they will be forced to further slash … [Read more...] about Leicester drifting towards mid-table mediocrity with cash-strapped Foxes unable to back Brendan Rodgers

A couple received an unexpected gift while celebrating their second wedding anniversary last week ⁠— an extra $100,000 won through a lottery game. Kenneth Smith, a 33-year-old real estate worker from Greensboro, North Carolina only stopped at a gas station while on vacation to buy a lottery ticket after a friend recommended he test his luck. ‘We wouldn’t have known about it if it hadn’t been for him,’ Smith told NC Education Lottery. Smith and his wife had been in Calabash, a small fishing town, to celebrate their anniversary with some friends when he found out he won the $100,000 prize from his $100 Million Mega scratch-off ticket. To celebrate his massive win, Smith took the friends and family who joined him and his wife on their beach trip out to breakfast. ‘I’ve always fantasized about winning a big prize in the lottery,’ he said. After tax withholdings, Smith took home a little over $71,000 on August 5, after stopping by the lottery headquarters in Raleigh to … [Read more...] about Couple win lottery while celebrating their wedding anniversary