30+ min ago (353+ words) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has kicked off high-stakes talks with a Ukrainian delegation in Florida, as the United States pushes to end Russia's war against its neighbour. "This is not just about peace deals. It's about creating a pathway forward that leaves Ukraine sovereign, independent and prosperous," Rubio said at the start of the meeting. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, were also attending the meeting. Ukrainian Security Council secretary Rustem Umerov led the Ukrainian delegation. "We are discussing about the future of Ukraine, about the security of Ukraine, about no repetition of aggression of Ukraine, about prosperity of Ukraine, about how to rebuild Ukraine," Umerov said as the talks kicked off on Sunday (local time). In a separate post on X, Umerov said he was in "constant contact" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy…...

1+ hour, 3+ min ago (674+ words) In a striking illusion, a train in Kagawa, Japan, seems to run across the open sea less than a minute after departing from a station. The train on the JR Yosan Line accelerates westward through the countryside after leaving Kaiganji Station in Tadotsu, Kagawa prefecture, filling the entire window with the blue open sea and islands of the Seto Inland Sea. The 5.5km section of the line through Takuma Station in Mitoyo in the prefecture opened in December 1913, offering an exceptional view free from seaside obstructions. "I'm used to it, so I don't think it's so special," said an 18-year-old high school student who uses the line daily on his commute. Typhoon No. 18, which made landfall in Shikoku in September 2017, brought a storm surge and waves that damaged an about 800m-long seawall between the two stations, causing it to shift in…...

1+ hour, 3+ min ago (1072+ words) The bystander effect may explain why no one intervened at a Tauranga fountain where a 4-year-old was lying "face down, a psychologist says. Tauranga girl Nia Lohchab drowned in the Memorial Park fountain on May 21, 2023. Coroner Matthew Bates released his findings in October and said he was "troubled that four people were captured on CCTV near the fountain, but no one pulled Nia out. He said at least three of the bystanders were "clearly aware of her lying in the water, and one appeared to be calling emergency services. Police removed Nia and began CPR when they arrived, about 13 minutes after she had entered the water. While it was "unlikely a bystander's intervention would have changed the outcome, the coroner said, minimising the time in water and starting CPR as soon as possible were "crucial steps for increasing the chances…...

1+ hour, 3+ min ago (809+ words) Rodrigo Olin-German is an HIV advocate who has lived with the virus since 2003. He is board chair of the Global Network of People living with HIV and head of services and outreach at the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa. Here, on World Aids Day, he talks to Paulette Crowley about what's it like living with HIV. Have you ever seen the movie Philadelphia? It's about a gay man with a very successful career as a lawyer. He had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which destroys your immune system. Like many people with HIV back when that movie was made in the 1990s, he got really sick and died. I watched that movie back in my homeland of Mexico when I was 20, while I was waiting for the results of an HIV test. I had symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection but doctors also tested…...

2+ hour, 3+ min ago (902+ 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…...

2+ hour, 3+ min ago (425+ words) Auckland Airport says salmon exports are taking off. Export volumes have been increasing at an average rate of 10% a year since 2017. And exports in the year to September were worth $140 million. More than 5200 tonnes of New Zealand salmon were sent overseas from the airport in the past year to September. Auckland Airport said more than two-thirds of air freighted salmon, 3445 tonnes, went to the US over the past year. China, Australia, Japan and Canada were the next largest markets. China was the fastest-growing market, with demand up 85% on the prior year. About 732 tonnes of salmon were sent to China. "We're seeing strong demand for high-quality seafood around the world," said Auckland Airport's chief customer officer, Scott Tasker. "Thanks to the speed and reach of air freight, New Zealand's salmon is arriving fresher than ever, going from our regions to restaurant…...

2+ hour, 3+ min ago (1019+ words) Ueneku Lodge is a 17-bedroom property on 217 Ponsonby Rd that is up for sale with a CV of $4.05 million. A couple who were among the largest recipients of the Government's emergency housing grants during the Covid-19 pandemic are selling their second multimillion-dollar motel this year. Auckland-based entrepreneurs Suresh and Seema Chatly ran nine motels in the region at the height of the Government's efforts to house rough sleepers during the pandemic. The Herald revealed the couple had received $22.4 million in Government emergency housing grants as of June 2022 over a six year period from 2017. But the pair are now selling a second large motel, Ueneku Lodge, in a prime Auckland location this year. The 17-bedroom property on 217 Ponsonby Rd is advertised as the "hottest trophy site in Ponsonby" with a CV of $4.05m. Data from the Ministry of Social Development show that,…...

8+ hour, 56+ min ago (387+ words) To celebrate his landmark album For The Working Class Man, esteemed rocker Jimmy Barnes is hitting the road for a 40th anniversary tour, which will see the legendary Australian artist stage two New Zealand concerts. Barnes will play at Christchurch's Wolfbrook Arena on Friday, April 17, followed by Auckland's Spark Arena on Sunday, April 19. The shows will see Barnes play his landmark album in its entirety, as well as some classics from his hit-making back catalogue. Released in December 1985, For The Working Class Man was Barnes' first solo record after fronting Cold Chisel and includes his first top 10 solo single I'd Die To Be With You Tonight. The titular track, Working Class Man is considered the unofficial national anthem of Australia. The album helped define Jimmy's hugely successful solo career, going straight to number one on the Australian chart, it stayed there…...

10+ hour, 1+ min ago (452+ words) By Delphine Herbert of RNZ New Zealand Pork chief executive Brent Kleiss believes the country should be concerned about Spain's confirmed cases of African swine fever (ASF). Spain has confirmed that two wild boars found dead near Barcelona tested positive for the virus. Among other countries, the United Kingdom quickly moved to temporarily ban imports from the country. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) was monitoring the situation in Spain and said New Zealand would not accept any pork from that region of the country. Kleiss agreed that measures like a temporary ban must be put in place. "I guess the big concern for me is that now, along with Spain, 43% of pork coming to New Zealand does come from countries with African swine fever, and these temporary bans don't always stay, even when the ASF does." NZ Pork statistics…...

11+ hour, 3+ min ago (715+ words) The Government is still considering allowing KiwiSaver withdrawals for farm purchases, despite warnings this could erode the scheme's credibility and hamper efforts to get people to contribute more to it. Finance Minister Nicola Willis, around the time of Fieldays in June, said that if someone could withdraw funds from their KiwiSaver to buy their first home, they should be able to do the same to buy a farm. While a spokesman for New Zealand First said the party was "very reluctant to expand the use of KiwiSaver withdrawals" and the matter would be discussed by the party's caucus "when appropriate", Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson said the potential change was still being pursued. "I am considering official advice, and Cabinet is yet to make any decisions on this matter. I will have more to say in due course,…...