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19 May 2026

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Court to decide if ‘abandoned’ land can be sold by council
The Kapiti Coast District Council could lease or sell off two plots of land at Otaki if the courts declare them to be abandoned, having not received rates on them for years.

Google just made big changes to Gemini usage limits
Google is changing how it calculates your weekly Gemini usage limits, and it’s another reflection of how powerful agentic AI features have broken flat-rate consumer AI plans. As of now, Google says it’s switching to “compute-based” usage rather than a fixed number of requests per day. As detailed in a Google support...

Cost of living pressures: Pensioners forgoing coffee, meat to keep budgets low
As a single pensioner living alone - you'd get $555.15 a week, so when bills add up, something has got to give.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to visit New Zealand
The New Zealand and Indian governments have indicated preparations are underway for the visit, which would be Modi's first.

Thousands of public servants to lose jobs, potentially saving government over a billion dollars
The Finance Minister will announce more details in a speech later today

PlayStation Plus to raise monthly subscription by £1 in UK
The videogame firm says the increase is due to "ongoing market conditions"

Chess-Bedside manner: Firouzja takes fight to the mattress

Forget Crash Tests. BYD Dropped a Palm Tree on Its Flagship SUV — and the Footage Is Wild

Four killed in protests during Kenyan strikes over high fuel prices

UN calls on Israel to prevent Gaza ‘genocide’

Blind Dunedin woman turns trash into treasure
Candle-making started out as a hobby for psychotherapist Megan Turnbull about a decade ago, and has now become a weekly donation to her local SPCA op shop.

You can reverse much of the damage alcohol has done to your body, science says
You see, for all the sobering news of alcohol's effects on your health, there's a silver lining.

Tech bros say AI can be your best friend. Experts explain why it can’t
Artificial intelligence offers a "friction-free pseudo-relationship", but it can't love you back.

Jury rules against Elon Musk in his feud with OpenAI, saying he filed his lawsuit too late
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A federal court on Monday dismissed claims filed against OpenAI and its top executives by Elon Musk, who accused them of betraying a shared vision for it to guide artificial intelligence’s development as a nonprofit dedicated to humanity’s benefit.

Live: Thousands of public sector jobs appear to be on the line with Budget set to introduce cuts target
Stuff has confirmed Finance Minister Nicola Willis intends to book cost savings from slashed jobs against this year’s Budget by introducing a target.

How Kiwis are Coping: Pensioners forgoing coffee, meat to keep budgets low
As a pensioner living alone you'd get $555 a week, so when bills add up, something has got to give.

Elon Musk just lost another lawsuit. Will he keep fighting?
Musk's loss against OpenAI is the latest in a string of courtroom defeats.

Two gloves and plastic iron covers: The unique habits of a major golf champion who dreamed of being an F1 driver
Aaron Rai stood straight with his arms behind his back, perfect posture, as he waited to be introduced as the latest — and among the most remarkable — winner of the PGA Championship.

Pacific news in brief for 19 May
A round-up of news from around the region, including a call for a regional strategy to combat the growing methamphetamine crisis in the region.

Meta Must Pay Italian Publishers, EU Court Rules in Landmark Decision

Croatian president not approving Israel’s proposed ambassador due to ‘policies of Israeli gov’t’

'Our best resource': Teachers a better investment than workbooks, school leaders say
Education Minister Erica Stanford has revealed a $131m package to boost performance in primary and intermediate schools.

Motorbike doco inspired by a quarter-life crisis wins international award
In Faster Than Fear, Brooke Darrow explores why people love riding motorbikes and what it is like for family members watching from the sidelines.