Latest news with #Blick
NZ Herald
04-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Auckland housing supply improves, 100,000 homes built in seven years
His report comes as the Government directs the council to allow buildings of at least 15 storeys near train stations close to the City Rail Link, and a wider intensification blueprint is being drawn up by the council. Blick said the median price for a house in Auckland was now about $1 million, or 7.5 times the median household income. In 2000, houses cost about five times the median household income. 'If we still had a multiple of five, the median house price would be $680,000, not $1m,' Blick said. New townhouses have been springing up across Auckland since the Auckland Unitary Plan came in. Photo / Michael Craig The report shows the housing boom 'hasn't happened by chance'. It was the result of more flexible planning rules in the Unitary Plan that came into effect in late 2016. What's more, Blick said, the vast majority of consented homes had been built. The practice of single homes being replaced with terraced housing or apartments on the same piece of land meant that about 89% of new homes were net additions to Auckland's housing stock. The shift towards terraced houses and apartments reflected budget constraints and people's preference for living closer to jobs, schools, public transport and other amenities. Council research into the projected supply and demand for housing over 30 years found the Unitary Plan had the capacity for 900,000 homes, of which 650,000 were commercially viable. A breakdown of the 100,000 new homes built over seven years showed numbers climbed from 10,200 in 2018 to a peak of 18,100 in 2023, driven by strong demand and falling interest rates. Blick said people took on more debt, money flooded into the housing market, pushing up prices, and developers built a lot more houses. Auckland Council chief economist Gary Blick says the focus should remain on building new houses close to town centres and major transport infrastructure. By 2021, he said, inflation got away, interest rates rose steeply and dampened people's demand and ability to take on debt. Consents eased to 14,000 last year, albeit still higher than pre-Unitary Plan levels. 'We do get fluctuations across the economic cycle… new homes took off like a rocket and then they cooled down a bit,' he said. Looking ahead, Blick said the focus should remain on building new houses close to town centres and major transport infrastructure, such as the City Rail Link, but he acknowledged some people wanted to live on the city fringes. The council and the Government have agreed on a new planning blueprint for the city, allowing greater housing density near major transport routes. The council has already signed off on more density in the central city and has until October 10 to finalise a plan across the wider city. As part of the negotiations, Housing Minister Chris Bishop has allowed the council to opt out of the previous Government's directive allowing three dwellings of up to three storeys on most sites in Auckland. Your first home should not be your dream home Natasha Thirani is close to buying her first home. Photo / Jason Dorday Natasha Thirani and her husband Vivek, both 32, are close to buying their first home. Mt Eden, where they rent an apartment, is a dream location, but it is too expensive for their budget of $850,000 for a townhouse with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a garage and a bit of outdoor space. They have been looking at properties at The Glade, a masterplanned community in Mt Wellington, but it's a little beyond their budget and has the added cost of body corporate fees. Natasha felt it was the best time to get into the housing market, with interest rates falling from 7% to about 4% and plenty of houses to choose from. However, the experience could be nerve-racking and there were many pros and cons, she said. Her advice for other first-time buyers was not to max out their home loan. 'If you're looking to buy your first car, you don't go for a Ferrari or a Porsche. It's the same when you are buying your first home. It is important you buy it as a first home and not a dream home,' she said. Asked if the Unitary Plan was doing a good job and about the Government's directive for greater intensification, Mayor Wayne Brown said the city's population was set to grow by more than 250,000 over the next decade, more than the population of Wellington City. 'I've heard from a heap of developers who're up for this growth and are prepared to deliver it. They've told us they're on board to provide it in the right places. 'We don't want growth just anywhere, but we certainly still need more of it. It will be focused where we have invested the most because that's what makes sense,' the mayor said. Blick said there were trade-offs with the Government's directive for greater housing density, saying change could be difficult at times, but the city must be mindful of housing becoming less affordable over time, especially for younger people. There is a shift towards townhouses and apartments, and living close to transport and other amenities, says Gary Blick. Auckland's long-running housing crisis appears to have turned a corner on the supply side with the city's largest real estate company, Barfoot & Thompson, reporting a glut of 6083 unsold homes at the end of May this year, nearly double the figure of 3013 in May 2016. Managing director Peter Thompson said in April this year: 'Buyer choice remains at an all-time high… through a combination of new builds reaching the market and existing properties.' A survey of real estate agents by economist Tony Alexander this year found that FOMO (fear of missing out) has been replaced with FOOP (fear of overpaying), and that buyers were conscious of house prices falling after they purchased. Derek Handley is the founder of Aera, a company specialising in helping first-home buyers from start to finish, including financial advice, mortgage brokerage and finding a newly built home. He said right now, there was a lot of housing available in Auckland, and he could take a young couple and show them five houses across five neighbourhoods in an afternoon. Auckland did not have a housing crisis, said Handley, it had a mindset crisis where people thought they couldn't afford a home. He said a couple, aged about 30, could combine their KiwiSaver balances for a deposit on a new townhouse, costing between $600,000 and $650,000. 'It's a hell of a lot more achievable than what people have been telling themselves over the last X number of years, and it may have something to do with there are so many more brand new homes available,' Handley said. Auckland councillor Richard Hills says many people, especially younger people, find themselves locked out of buying a house. Photo / Dean Purcell Councillor Richard Hills, who chairs the policy and planning committee, said it was great to see progress on the housing front over the past eight years, with many new homes closer to transport and jobs, and options for people at different stages of their lives. Hills said this did not mean all the housing issues were fixed. There was an increase in homelessness across the city, rents were still too expensive for some, and many people, especially younger people, were finding themselves locked out of the dream of purchasing a home as the median house price was about 7.5 times the median household income, far more than 20 or 30 years ago. Hills said data showed Auckland needed at least 300,000 homes for future residents over the next 30 years, and the sensible place was close to transport corridors and hubs such as rail stations. 'Aucklanders have invested in projects like the City Rail Link, so it makes sense for more people to have good access to it,' Hills said. The final word goes to Blick: 'Auckland's housing story isn't perfect, but it is a tale of improvement.' Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
USA Today
18-06-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Roman Josi diagnosed with POTS. What it means and when Predators captain could return
Roman Josi diagnosed with POTS. What it means and when Predators captain could return The Nashville Predators have released a statement regarding captain Roman Josi's recent diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. "Roman Josi was diagnosed with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) toward the end of the 2024-25 season," the statement reads. "He has been undergoing treatment since that diagnosis and is progressing exceptionally well," In a recent interview with Blick, a Swiss digital media company, Josi revealed that he was diagnosed with POTS after investigating the after effects of a head injury. The injury occurred during a Feb. 25 game against the Florida Panthers, when Sam Bennett hit Josi into the wall, causing his head to hit the glass. What is POTS and when will Roman Josi return to Predators? After dealing with headaches, dizziness and lightheadedness, Josi said the diagnosis was made during a post-concussion check-up. POTS is a condition in which one suffers an increased heart rate after standing up and can be accompanied by dizziness, fatigue and brain fog, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Since his diagnosis, Josi has been given medicine for treatment and expects to be able to play the 2025-26 season. 'I've been feeling much better since then," he told Blick, via Google Translate. "I've regained the belief that I'll be 100 percent fit again and can fully attack with Nashville and the Swiss national team next winter.' The Predators' statement adds that the organization feels Josi will be fine to play in the 2025-26 season. "We concur with Roman that with continued management and treatment, he can return to the ice for the 2025-26 season and continue his elite hockey career," the statement read. Josi, who missed the final 25 games of the season with a concussion, scored nine goals and had 29 assists in 53 games for Nashville in 2024-25. The 35-year-old captain is the Predators' all-time leader in points (724) and games played (962). OLYMPIAN: Roman Josi to represent Switzerland, Juuse Saros on Finland roster for 2026 Olympics Predators reacquire Erik Haula The Predators have acquired forward Erik Haula from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a fourth-round pick (2025) and defenseman Jeremy Hanzel. Haula, 34, scored 11 goals and 10 assists for the Devils last season. In his 12-year career as a winger and center, Haula has 153 goals and 184 goals in 759 games for seven different teams. The trade brings Haula back to Nashville, where he spent the 2020-21 season. That year, he scored nine goals and 12 assists in 51 games with the Predators before leaving in free agency for the Boston Bruins. Haula is in the final year of a three-year contract he signed with New Jersey in 2023. He is owed $3.15 million for the 2025-26 season, after which he will be an unrestricted free agent. After accounting for Haula's $3.1 million cap hit, the Predators will have $14.2 million in cap space for the 2025-26 season, according to PuckPedia. Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@ Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
Libya Review
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Hannibal Gaddafi Seeks Political Asylum in Geneva
Hannibal Gaddafi, the son of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has formally requested political asylum in Switzerland, specifically in the city of Geneva, according to a report published by the Swiss newspaper Blick. The request comes from Hannibal's prison cell in Lebanon, where he has been held without trial since 2015. The report notes that Gaddafi, through his legal representatives, is seeking international intervention to end what his supporters describe as a politically motivated and unlawful detention. The request has not yet received a public response from Swiss authorities, and it remains unclear whether Switzerland is prepared to act on the appeal. Hannibal Gaddafi was arrested in Lebanon over alleged links to the 1978 disappearance of Lebanese cleric Musa al-Sadr. He was only three years old at the time. Despite no formal charges or trial, he has remained in detention for nearly a decade. His legal team has filed complaints with the United Nations and other international bodies, arguing that his prolonged detention constitutes a violation of international law. Sources close to the Gaddafi family say Hannibal is seeking asylum in Geneva due to the city's neutrality and his personal familiarity with it. He previously lived there during the early 2000s, enjoying a life of luxury before the fall of his father's regime in 2011. He still maintains a network of acquaintances in Geneva and views the city as a potential safe haven. The asylum request raises sensitive political memories in Switzerland. In 2008, Hannibal Gaddafi was arrested in Geneva for allegedly assaulting two domestic workers. The incident triggered a diplomatic crisis between Switzerland and Libya, including threats, sanctions, and the temporary detention of Swiss nationals in Libya. Swiss officials have refrained from commenting on the matter. The Foreign Ministry deferred inquiries to the State Secretariat for Migration, which has the sole authority over asylum matters. Legal experts note that requesting asylum from detention is possible under international law, but requires the cooperation of the detaining country, in this case, Lebanon. Tags: GenevaHannibal GaddafiLebanonlibyaPrison
Jordan Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Jordan Times
Eurovision says 'wait and see' on Celine Dion
A giant screen shows Canadian singer Celine Dion giving a recorded message during the dress rehearsal for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 at the St Jakobshalle Arena in Basel on Friday (AFP photo) BASEL, Switzerland — Just hours before Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest grand final, organisers were tight-lipped about whether ailing superstar Celine Dion might make an emotional appearance, 37 years after winning the competition. "Father Christmas exists, and you'll have to wait and see," Eurovision director Martin Green told a press conference, when asked directly if Dion might show up. At both of Friday's dress rehearsals for the final, as at Tuesday's semi-final, a video message from Dion was played, with the presenters announcing that she could not be with them in Basel, Switzerland for the world's biggest televised live music event. But Eurovision 2025 co-executive producer Moritz Stadler said on Saturday that the show was still being adapted. "There are constant changes. Our team has been working overnight until very late," he said. "We continue changing it for the grand final." BBC television reported that Dion's private plane was in Basel, but did not know if she was on it. And Swiss newspaper Blick said that selected staff with printed schedules for the final "can see that the recorded greeting from the rehearsals and the first Eurovision semi-final is no longer included". "This indicates that the clip played during rehearsals has been replaced," the tabloid added. Dion's health 'top priority' Dion, 57, is now a global music icon. But she has never forgotten the role the song contest played in launching her on the international stage. Dion was 20 and little-known outside her native French-speaking Quebec province in Canada when she won Eurovision in 1988, representing Switzerland with the song "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi". Switzerland duly hosted Eurovision 1989, where Dion opened the TV extravaganza with her winning French-language song. She then premiered the single "Where Does My Heart Beat Now" -- heralding her career switch into English, which set her on the path to global chart domination. With Eurovision 2025 returning to Switzerland, organisers reached out to Dion. However, the singer is now battling a debilitating health condition and rarely appears in public. "We are still in contact with Celine Dion. As always, her health remains our top priority," a Eurovision 2025 spokeswoman told AFP on Friday. 'Music unites us' Dion first disclosed in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a painful autoimmune disorder which is progressive and for which there is no cure. She was forced to cancel a string of shows scheduled for 2023 and 2024, saying she was not strong enough to she gave a surprise, show-stopping performance from the Eiffel Tower at the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony. "I'd love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now," Dion said in her video clip. "Winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me. "Music unites us -- not only tonight, not only in this wonderful moment. It is our strength, our support, and our accompaniment in times of need."
eNCA
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Eurovision says 'wait and see' on Celine Dion
Just hours before Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest grand final, organisers were tight-lipped about whether ailing superstar Celine Dion might make an emotional appearance, 37 years after winning the competition. "Father Christmas exists, and you'll have to wait and see," Eurovision director Martin Green told a press conference, when asked directly if Dion might show up. At both of Friday's dress rehearsals for the final, as at Tuesday's semi-final, a video message from Dion was played, with the presenters announcing that she could not be with them in Basel, Switzerland for the world's biggest televised live music event. But Eurovision 2025 co-executive producer Moritz Stadler said on Saturday that the show was still being adapted. "There are constant changes. Our team has been working overnight until very late," he said. "We continue changing it for the grand final." BBC television reported that Dion's private plane was in Basel, but did not know if she was on it. And Swiss newspaper Blick said that selected staff with printed schedules for the final "can see that the recorded greeting from the rehearsals and the first Eurovision semi-final is no longer included". "This indicates that the clip played during rehearsals has been replaced," the tabloid added. - Dion's health 'top priority' - Dion, 57, is now a global music icon. But she has never forgotten the role the song contest played in launching her on the international stage. Dion was 20 and little-known outside her native French-speaking Quebec province in Canada when she won Eurovision in 1988, representing Switzerland with the song "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi". AFP | Fabrice COFFRINI Switzerland duly hosted Eurovision 1989, where Dion opened the TV extravaganza with her winning French-language song. She then premiered the single "Where Does My Heart Beat Now" -- heralding her career switch into English, which set her on the path to global chart domination. With Eurovision 2025 returning to Switzerland, organisers reached out to Dion. However, the singer is now battling a debilitating health condition and rarely appears in public. "We are still in contact with Celine Dion. As always, her health remains our top priority," a Eurovision 2025 spokeswoman told AFP on Friday. - 'Music unites us' - Dion first disclosed in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a painful autoimmune disorder which is progressive and for which there is no cure. She was forced to cancel a string of shows scheduled for 2023 and 2024, saying she was not strong enough to tour. AFP | SEBASTIEN BOZON But she gave a surprise, show-stopping performance from the Eiffel Tower at the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony. "I'd love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now," Dion said in her video clip. "Winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me. "Music unites us -- not only tonight, not only in this wonderful moment. It is our strength, our support, and our accompaniment in times of need."
