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☆ The dark side of the 2024 Paris Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Read previewAs the 2024 Olympics Games plays out in Paris, some nonprofits are warning of a dark reality looming over the sporting event. Wijeyakumar said Rahab's Daughters had distributed pamphlets ahead of the Paris Olympics at a local refugee camp. Rahab's Daughters has identified labor and sex trafficking occurring mainly within the manufacturing, construction, retail, and hospitality industries in Paris. The US National Human Trafficking Hotline explains on its website, however, that human trafficking is "notoriously underreported." These figures are based on interviews with survivors, reports Rahab's Daughters has received, and data it has collected from online ads.

Persons: —, Sam Wijeyakumar, Rahab's, Wijeyakumar, Lauren Hersh, hadn't, Hersh, William Pinzón, Reyes, Jonathan Machler, Airbnb, Mark Godin Organizations: Service, Paris Games, Business, Volunteers, BI, Olympic, Paris, Labor, US Department of State, State Department, Olympics, National Institute of Justice, US Department of Justice, Coalition, CAP, Paris Olympics Locations: Paris, US, Poland, Germany, France, London

☆ Geert Wilders abandons Dutch PM bid despite election victory
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Populist firebrand Geert Wilders has conceded that he will not become the next prime minister of the Netherlands because his potential coalition backers have refused to back him. “I can only become Prime Minister if ALL parties in the coalition support it. Similarly, Swedish Prime Minister Ulif Kristersson relies on the votes of the increasingly Euroskeptic, anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats. Despite admitting defeat this time, Wilders pledged to continue his push to become prime minister in the future. “Don’t forget: I will still become Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

Persons: Geert Wilders, Wilders ’, “, Wilders, ” Wilders, ”, Mark Rutte, Pieter Omtzigt, sanitaire, Jean, Marie Le Pen, Marine, Lionel Jospin, Jacques Chirac, Petteri Orpo, Sanna Marin, Ulif Kristersson, Robert Fico, “ Don’t Organizations: CNN, Democracy Party, Social Contract Party, European Union, National, Socialist, Socialists, Finns Party, Swedish, Sweden Democrats, Georgia Meloni Locations: Netherlands, Europe, Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, Georgia, Italy, Slovakia

With 1% of the vote in, the Associated Press called the race for Trump, who had 98% of the vote, his most lopsided victory to date. The feat was made easier by the fact that his only competition was a nominal opponent who doesn't even register in GOP primary polling. Nikki Haley, wasn't on the ballot for Thursday's caucuses, instead opting to compete earlier this week in a primary where no delegates were awarded. Trump's only competition Thursday was Texas businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley, who had 2% of the vote when Trump was declared the winner. But it was a signal to Haley that a substantial chunk of Nevada Republicans wanted her out of the race to clear the path for Trump.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Ron DeSantis, Sen, Tim Scott of, Vivek Ramaswamy –, Nikki Haley, wasn't, Ryan Binkley, Haley, balking Organizations: Nevada Republicans, Associated Press, Trump, Florida Gov, South Carolina Gov, Donald Trump View, Republican Party, Republican National Convention Locations: Nevada, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Texas, South Carolina

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters arrives at a news conference after he attended an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey, March 22, 2019. The role of deputy prime minister, a key sticking point in the discussions, will be split between the populist NZ First party leader Winston Peters and ACT party leader David Seymour, the group announced in a statement. National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis will be finance minister and Peters will be foreign minister, the parties said. The coalition plans to repeal a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration and a ban on the sale of cigarettes to future generations introduced by the previous Labour government, according to coalition documents. "Foreign affairs does matter to this country.... all relationships do matter to this country," Peters said in a joint news conference in the capital Wellington after the announcement.

Persons: Winston Peters, Murad Sezer, David Seymour, Nicola Willis, Peters, Christopher Luxon, Luxon, ” Luxon, Jacinda, Helen Clark, Lucy Craymer, Praveen Menon, Diane Craft Organizations: Zealand's, of Islamic Cooperation, REUTERS, ACT NZ, National Party, NZ First, ACT, Party, Reserve, New Zealand, Bank of New, Labour, “, New Zealanders, Police, Thomson Locations: Istanbul, Turkey, WELLINGTON, Bank of New Zealand, Wellington, Niue

☆ Dutch election: what's at stake for markets after far-right Wilders' victory
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Yoruk Bahceli | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Dutch politician Geert Wilders, the leader of the PVV party, speaks during the final debate between the lead candidates in the Dutch election before polls open on Wednesday, in The Hague, Netherlands, November 21, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAMSTERDAM, Nov 23 (Reuters) - A shock win for Geert Wilders's far-right, anti-EU Freedom Party in Dutch elections has set the stage for months of uncertainty. However, Wilders took a more pragmatic approach during the campaign and he will need to collaborate with pro-EU parties if he wants to govern. Opponents of a critical pension fund reform, which went into effect in July, now have a majority in parliament. There is broad support for raising taxation on banks, including from Wilders' party, which also backs taxing lenders' windfall profits from higher interest rates.

Persons: Geert Wilders, de, Geert Wilders's, Mark Rutte, Wilders, Marcel Klok, Klok, WILDERS, Rutte, van Zanden, Rabobank's van Zanden, Banks, ING's Klok, Joost Beaumont, Yoruk, Amanda Cooper, Toby Chopra Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, EU, Party, ING, European Union, Rabobank, ABN AMRO, Thomson Locations: The Hague, Netherlands, Dutch, Europe

☆ Far-right anti-Islam candidate clinches shock Dutch election win. Here's what comes next
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Dutch voters have gone to the polls today in one of the most tightly contested general elections in recent years. Next stepsForming a coalition in the 150-seat Dutch parliament is typically lengthy and difficult, even where the victor is not a political pariah. There is still no guarantee Wilders will become the new prime minister, even with his Freedom Party (PVV)'s 37 seats. On fiscal policy, Wilders' party has a "clear populist" bent, said Ester Barendregt, chief economist at Rabobank. Certainly one wish of Geert Wilders is to pay less to Europe.

Persons: Geert Wilders, Carl Court, shockwaves, Wilders, Mark Rutte, Sarah de Lange, Pieter Omtzigt's, de Lange, CNBC's, Ester Barendregt, Barendregt, Liza Mügge Organizations: Party for Freedom, Getty, European Union, Freedom Party, Department of Political Science, University of Amsterdam, Party, Rabobank Locations: SCHEVENINGEN, NETHERLANDS, Dutch, Scheveningen , Netherlands, Netherlands, Brussels, Ukraine, policymaking, U.S, China, Europe

☆ Explainer: New Zealand voted for change, what happens now?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Christopher Luxon, Leader of the National Party arrives at his election party after winning the general election to become New Zealand’s next prime minister in Auckland, New Zealand, October 14, 2023. National won 50 seats and the right-wing, free-market ACT Party won 11, securing a majority of just one seat in the 121-seat parliament, according to provisional results from the Electoral Commission. If they do, National may need the support of populist New Zealand First and its leader Winston Peters to form a government. National's leader Christopher Luxon said he would wait for the final count to come in but was talking with both ACT and New Zealand First. Parliament has to meet with six weeks of the official election result but there is no date for when a government must be formed.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, Winston Peters, Luxon, Nicola Willis, Zealand First's Peters, Brooke van Velden, Lucy Craymer, Lincoln Organizations: National Party, New, REUTERS, Rights, Party, National, ACT Party, Electoral, ACT, New Zealand, WHO, Labour Party, APEC, BE, Zealand, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, Zealand, Wellington

☆ New Zealand elects conservative Christopher Luxon as premier after 6 years of liberal rule
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Ivan Tarlton | AFP | Getty ImagesConservative former businessman Christopher Luxon will be New Zealand's next prime minister after winning a decisive election victory Saturday. "But I want you to be proud of what we achieved over the last six years," he told supporters at an event in Wellington. The seat has long been a Labour stronghold and was also held by another former Labour prime minister, Helen Clark. It has been the biggest, safest Labour seat forever," she said. Luxon has promised to axe the Māori Health Authority, which he says creates two separate health systems.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, Ivan Tarlton, Jacinda Ardern, Luxon, Amanda, Olivia, Chris Hipkins, Hipkins, Ardern, Helen Clark, Melissa Lee, It's, Lee, David Farrar, pollster Organizations: National Party, AFP, Getty, Conservative, ACT Party, Labour Party, Ardern, Labour, Mount, Associated Press, Health Authority, Zealand Locations: Zealand, Auckland, Ardern, Wellington, Mount Albert

☆ New Zealand PM Elect Luxon Expected to Start Coalition Negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Lucy CraymerWELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand’s Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon and his centre-right National Party are expected to start negotiations with the ACT Party Sunday, after the two parties won a slim majority in the general election. The conservative National Party won 50 seats and the ACT Party won 11, securing a majority of just one seat in the 121 seat parliament, according to provisional results from the Electoral Commission. Chris Bishop, National Party Campaign Chairperson, said on TVNZ political show Q+A that Luxon had already spoken with ACT leader David Seymour and senior National members would meet this afternoon to discuss coalition negotiations. Bishop said he expected National would lose at least one seat once these votes were counted. Under New Zealand’s mixed member proportional system it is very uncommon for a single party to form government, although Jacinda Ardern’s Labour government did in 2020.

Persons: Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Christopher Luxon, Luxon, Chris Bishop, David Seymour, Bishop, Lucy Craymer, Mark Potter Organizations: Reuters, Zealand’s, National, ACT Party Sunday, National Party, ACT Party, Electoral, TVNZ, ACT, New Zealand, Labour Locations: New Zealand

Christopher Luxon, Leader of the National Party waves to supporters at his election party after winning the general election to become New Zealand’s next prime minister in Auckland, New Zealand, October 14, 2023. He said he had spoken with the leader of the conservative ACT New Zealand, David Seymour, twice on Saturday and believed the two parties would work constructively. National "will be coalescing with the ACT party and also with New Zealand First and we just don't know yet what dynamic that's going to bring." National's campaign manager Chris Bishop warned the party might lose at least one seat when the special votes are counted. If National and ACT lose a seat, they would need to reach an agreement with the populist New Zealand First.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, ” Luxon, David Seymour, Bryce Edwards, Edwards, Chris Bishop, Luxon, Winston Peters, Peters, Anthony Albanese, Lucy Craymer, Mark Potter, Chizu Nomiyama, William Mallard Organizations: National Party, New, REUTERS, Rights, ACT New Zealand, National, ACT, Electoral, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, Labour, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, Auckland, Australia

☆ Voting closes in New Zealand election, counting set to begin
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] People head to the polls to vote in the general election in Auckland, New Zealand October 14, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Voting closed in New Zealand’s general election at 7:00 p.m. (0600 GMT) on Saturday and counting was set to start, with provisional results due later this evening. Polls predict that the nationalist New Zealand First Party will hold the balance of power. The party was Labour's coalition partner in 2017 but has said it will not work with Labour again. In the 2023 election a party or coalition needs 61 of Parliament's 120 seats to form a government.

Persons: David Rowland, Lucy Craymer, John Mair Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, ACT Party, New Zealand First Party, Labour, New, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, New, New Zealand

☆ New Zealand election campaign winds down with Labour facing defeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Prime Minister and Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins speaks at the New Zealand Labour Party’s election campaign launch event in Auckland, New Zealand, September 2, 2023. However, Hipkins, 45 said Labour was starting to see momentum build in the final hours of campaigning. “We are expecting a really huge turnout ... and we’re expecting a really strong result tomorrow night," Hipkins, 45, told reporters. Polls predict that the nationalist New Zealand First Party will hold the balance of power. The party was Labour’s coalition partner in 2017 but has said it will not work with Labour again.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, David Rowland, Hipkins, Jacinda Ardern, we’re, Christopher Luxon, you've, ” Luxon, walkabouts, ”, Kelly Eckhold, Lucy Craymer, Stephen Coates Organizations: Labour Party, New Zealand Labour, REUTERS, Rights, Zealand, Labour, ACT Party, New Zealand First Party, National Party, MMP, Zealanders, “, Westpac, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, Hipkins

☆ New Zealand National Party's Luxon to lead new government
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Christopher Luxon, Leader of the National Party waves to supporters at his election party after winning the general election to become New Zealand’s next prime minister in Auckland, New Zealand, October 14, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - New Zealand's centre-right National Party led by Christopher Luxon will form a new government with its preferred coalition party ACT, as Prime Minister Chris Hipkins conceded his Labour Party could not form a government after Saturday's general election. The National Party, now in opposition, had 39% of the votes with 92% counted, while the ACT party had 9%. "On the numbers tonight National will be in the position to lead the next government," Luxon, a former executive who once ran Air New Zealand and entered politics just three years ago, told supporters in Auckland. The National-ACT majority is slim and the two parties may need support from the populist New Zealand First Party to form a government.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, Chris Hipkins, Ben Thomas, Jacinda Ardern, Hipkins, Maori's, Gareth Hughes, Nanaia Mahuta, Lucy Craymer, Edmund Klamann Organizations: National Party, New, REUTERS, Rights, ACT, Labour Party, Electoral, Air New, National, Zealanders, Labour, New Zealand First Party, Coalition, Green Party, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand, New Zealanders

☆ New Zealand election winner will face defence spending decisions
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Whoever wins New Zealand’s election on Saturday is going to have to make some difficult decisions on investment and staffing for a defence force struggling with aging equipment and personnel shortages. The centre-right National Party led by Christopher Luxon is expected to emerge as the largest party in the Saturday vote with Prime Minister Chris Hipkin’s Labour Party coming second. Both Labour and the National Party have said they'd like to increase defence spending but have not promised to do so. Underspending on the military and the challenges it faces are well documented and it is becoming increasingly difficult to postpone costly decisions, defence analysts say. The Labour Party has campaigned on a policy of introducing an authority to set pay rates.

Persons: Te, Romeo Ranoco, Christopher Luxon, Chris Hipkin’s, “, ”, Anna Powles, Lucy Craymer, Robert Birsel Organizations: Royal New Zealand Navy, REUTERS, Rights, New Zealand Defence Force, National Party, Chris Hipkin’s Labour Party, Labour, National, ACT, Gross, Centre for Defence, Security, Massey University, New Zealand, Labour Party, Thomson Locations: Manila, Philippines, New Zealand, Pacific, South Pacific

☆ New Zealand Labour party support rises, NZ First remains kingmaker, polls show
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Christopher Luxon, leader of the New Zealand National Party, holds a media conference after casting his vote in the general election in Auckland, New Zealand, October 2, 2023. In the Oct. 14 vote, the centre-right National Party, led by Christopher Luxon, is expected to emerge as the largest party with 34% of the vote, while Chris Hipkins' Labour Party is sitting on 30% of the vote, the Guardian Essential poll showed. A Newshub-Reid Research poll also released on Wednesday similarly found the populist party set to play kingmaker come election day. The poll also recorded a slight jump in support for Labour and a dip for the Nationals, who polled at 27.5% and 34.5%, respectively. Earlier polls gave the centre-right bloc of National and the ACT Party a larger proportion of the vote, although most recent polls put NZ First in position of kingmaker.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, Chris Hipkins, Te Pati, Reid, kingmaker, Luxon, Chris Bishop, Lucy Craymer, Sharon Singleton, Stephen Coates, Gerry Doyle Organizations: New Zealand National Party, REUTERS, Rights, New Zealand First Party, Labour Party, National Party, Guardian, National, ACT, Labour, Greens, Te, New Zealand, Reid Research, Nationals, New, ACT Party, NZ, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, New Zealand

☆ New Zealand farmers set for right-wing protest vote over climate change policies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Warning that livelihoods are at stake, farmers are looking to conservative candidates who will unwind or delay these Labour policies. The two will travel the length of New Zealand over 10 days to encourage rural communities to vote for a change. Farmers in New Zealand have staged several protests in the past two years against growing regulations and agricultural emission schemes. New Zealand will also become the first country in the world to tax farmer for methane from animals from 2025. Wayne Langford, president of farmer lobby group Federated Farmers, said recent policies had been impractical, difficult to implement and caused significant frustrations.

Persons: Praveen Menon, Bryce McKenzie, Laurie Paterson, John Deere, ”, McKenzie, Chris Hipkins, James Shaw, Wayne Langford, it's, Langford, Lucy Craymer, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, New Zealand Labour Party, Farmers, ACT, Taxpayers, Union, Curia, National, Labour, Green Party, Federated Farmers, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: Hawke's Bay , New Zealand, Southland, New Zealand, Rural, Zealanders, Netherlands, Zealand

☆ New Zealand National Party prepared to join forces with NZ First to get into power
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Christopher Luxon, Leader of the National Party, speaks at the New Zealand National Party’s election campaign launch in Auckland, New Zealand, September 3, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - New Zealand's National Party leader said on Monday he is prepared to work with the populist New Zealand First if there are numbers needed to form a majority after the election. The centre-right National Party is currently leading the polls but is unlikely to be able to govern without the support of at least one smaller party. However, he added he would be prepared to form a coalition with New Zealand First if that would get his party into power. Leader of New Zealand First Winston Peters is a one-time National Party member and his party has previously been a coalition partner in both Labour and National-led governments.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, Winston Peters, Lucy Craymer, Chizu Organizations: National Party, New Zealand National, REUTERS, Rights, New Zealand, Party, ACT, National, New, Labour, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand’s economy is expected to remain sluggish for another two years, although the overall picture is rosier than many observers had feared, new figures released Tuesday indicate. The nation’s Treasury released the projections ahead of an election next month. Net debt as a percentage of the economy is expected to peak at 23% in 2025. Political Cartoons View All 1152 Images“I think what these books represent is a turning of the corner for the New Zealand economy,” said Finance Minister Grant Robertson. New Zealand's economy dipped into a shallow recession this year after COVID-19 recovery funds dried up and higher interest rates put the brakes on consumer spending.

Persons: ”, Grant Robertson, David Seymour Organizations: Treasury, New, ACT Party Locations: WELLINGTON, New Zealand, “

☆ Poll indicates New Zealand heading toward change in government
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Hipkins attends a meeting of the North Atlantic Council during a NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - New Zealand looks to be heading towards a change of government after an October election, according to a new poll showing the opposition National Party and likely coalition partner ACT holding 50% of the vote. The latest 1News Verian poll published late on Monday forecasts a centre-right bloc of the National Party and the ACT party winning 65 seats. Less than two months out from the election, the gap for preferred prime minister is also narrowing. The poll put minor party New Zealand First at 4%, still below the threshold of being able to get back into parliament without a candidate being elected.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Ints, Christopher Luxon, Lucy Craymer, Stephen Coates Organizations: Zealand's, North Atlantic Council, NATO, REUTERS, Rights, National Party, ACT, National Party and, Labour Party, Greens, Labour, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: Vilnius, Lithuania, Zealand, New

☆ New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins under fire for bringing backup plane on China trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Isaac Yee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has been criticized for bringing a backup plane on his visit to China this week, with opposition leaders pointing to excess planet-warming emissions created in the middle of the climate crisis. A “backup aircraft” was “pre-positioned” in the Philippine capital Manila in case the primary aircraft carrying Hipkins and a trade delegation broke down, the spokesperson said. The leader of the opposition National Party Chris Luxon said Hipkins’ use of two planes wasn’t a good look environmentally, according to CNN affiliate Radio New Zealand (RNZ). The 757s are “around 30 years old, are nearing the end of their economic lives, and are due for replacement between 2028 and 2030,” Hipkins’ spokesperson said. Former New Zealand prime ministers have faced political embarrassment after their planes broke down on official trips.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, “, ”, National Party Chris Luxon, David Seymour, ” Seymour, Seymour, ” Hipkins, John Key, RNZ, Jacinda Ardern, Hipkins Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Zealand’s, CNN, National Party, Radio New Zealand, ACT Party, Ford, Defense Force, RNZAF, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Boeing, New Zealand Defense Force, Former New Zealand, RNZAF Boeing, Air Force Locations: Hong Kong, China, Philippine, Manila, India, Australia, Melbourne, Auckland, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai

☆ The New Zealand prime minister's plane is so old they sent an empty backup plane so he didn't get stranded in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

New Zealand uses Betty, an aging Boeing 757, to transport Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Betty's so prone to breakdowns that they sent an empty backup so he didn't get stranded in China. The twin Royal New Zealand Air Force planes are about 30 years old and due to be replaced by 2030. Back in New Zealand, acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni was left to explain. In 2016, then Prime Minister John Key was on his way to India with a delegation when they got stuck in Australia until a backup plane was sent from New Zealand.

Persons: Betty, Chris Hipkins, Chris Hipkins didn't, Carmel Sepuloni, John Key, Key, Sepuloni, David Seymour, We're Organizations: Boeing, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Morning, Air Force, ACT Locations: China, WELLINGTON , New Zealand, United States, New Zealand, Manila, Wellington, Beijing, India, Australia, Mumbai

☆ NZ electoral review recommends widespread changes including lowering voting age
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WELLINGTON, June 6 (Reuters) - New Zealand’s electoral system needs significant changes such as a lower voting age of 16 to ensure democracy is more accessible, according to a draft report release on Tuesday. The report is part of an independent review commissioned by the New Zealand government in 2021 to ensure parliamentary rules remain fit for purpose. It suggested wide-ranging changes that include modifying financing rules, lengthening the parliamentary term and lowering the threshold for political parties to get into parliament. "While many parts of Aotearoa New Zealand’s electoral system work well, we think it can be better," said Deborah Hart, chair of the Electoral Review Panel. A party must currently gain at least 5% of the party vote, or win an electorate seat, to gain representation in parliament but the review suggests this threshold should be lowered to 3.5%.

Persons: Deborah Hart, ACT Party David Seymour, Lucy Craymer, Lincoln Organizations: New, Aotearoa New, New Zealand, ACT Party, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Aotearoa

☆ New Zealand's top PM contender wants to change central bank mandate, Ardern's policies
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WELLINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - New Zealand's main opposition party leader and top prime ministerial contender, Christopher Luxon, wants to change the central bank's mandate and reverse some of former leader Jacinda Ardern's polices if he is elected. Luxon's conservative, centre-right National Party is leading over the governing centre-left Labour Party in opinion polls. There is a general election set for October and with inflation tracking near three-decade highs the cost of living is the key election issue. Luxon said if elected prime minister, he would change the mandate of New Zealand's central bank to focus solely on inflation, provide tax relief and widen immigration settings in an effort to dampen price inflation. Critics say the dual focus has contributed to inflation tracking at near three-decade highs, which has led to aggressive interest rate increases.

☆ Tom Brady, Larry David and other celebrities named in FTX lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

A class-action lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges that the crypto platform FTX and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried violated Florida law, misled customers and cost investors billions of dollars in damages. Garrison says he lost money after the crypto exchange was forced to stop customers from withdrawing funds. The suit blames Bankman-Fried and the bevy of celebrities who promoted the company for the losses suffered by the investors. Also named in the lawsuit is Larry David, the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star who appeared in a Super Bowl commercial for FTX. Larry David stars in a Super Bowl commercial for the cryptocurrency exchange FTX.

The crypto giant FTX and its affiliated companies have started the process of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with founder Sam Bankman-Fried stepping down as CEO. Bankman-Fried sent out a series of tweets on Friday stating his hope that FTX would be able to continue as a going concern following its bankruptcy. Media outlets have reported that the Securities and Exchange Commission and Justice Department are now investigating FTX. In the days following the report, rival crypto exchange Binance announced it was liquidating its FTT holdings. Unable to find an out, FTX announced its bankruptcy filing Friday morning.

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