Otago Daily Times News Feed

Agent Ewok is playing at the Crown Hotel tonight. Photo: supplied We emerged from the tiny practice room on Baldwin St trembling and sweaty. It wasn’t a warm day, but the doors and windows had to be kept closed otherwise the neighbours would complain about the noise, so it had become pretty hot. Guitarist and vocalist Oscar Francis immediately rolled a cigarette.

An Iranian Woman in traditional bavarian dress stands in front of protesters at Chancellor Angela Merkel's (CDU) last big election campaign rally before German federal elections overnight. Merkel currently has a double-digit lead over her rivals, though the final election outcome remains uncertain as a significant percentage of voters have so far remained undecided. Photo: Getty Images Germans began voting in a national election on Sunday night (NZ time) that is likely to see Chancellor Angela Merkel win a historic fourth term and a far-right party enter parliament for the first time in more than half a century.

The New Zealand dollar is set for more volatility in coming weeks after the election left New Zealand's major parties with no majority to govern, forcing them to enter negotiations with the nationalist New Zealand First Party.

bill_election.jpg Bill English, waiting... Photo: Getty Images National Party leader Bill English expects a phone call with Winston Peters in the next few days to start negotiating the formation of a new government.

simonlawrenceturnbull.jpg Simon Lawrence Turnbull last year admitted his role in a mortgage fraud. Photo:NZ Herald An Auckland man involved in a $33 million mortgage fraud has been released on parole after spending just over a year in jail.

2017-09-05t203407z_1915764529_rc1164cf8e80_rtrmadp_3_usa-trump-tax.jpg Donald Trump. Photo: Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump said on Twitter on Saturday North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho and leader Kim Jong Un "won't be around much longer" if Ri echoed the thoughts of "Little Rocket Man", an apparent reference to Kim.

sonnybillseesred.png Sonny Bill Williams. Photo: NZ Herald Sonny Bill Williams is reportedly in demand in English rugby.

ibd.jpg University of Otago Christchurch paediatrician professor Andrew Day is working on research to help his young inflammatory bowel disease patients. Photo:Christchurch Star Rates of debilitating inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease among South Island children are up to three times higher than their North Island counterparts, the first New Zealand prevalence study has found.

Winston Peters has called for an inquiry into whether a member of the National Party has been working for China's intelligence services.

2017-09-22t025926z_1081562591_rc17d9a79110_rtrmadp_3_newzealand-fuel-shortage.jpg Workers at the site of the damaged pipeline in Northland that supplies Auckland Airport. Photo: Reuters A damaged pipeline that resulted in a fuel shortage across New Zealand and grounded hundreds of flights was restarted on Sunday after repairs were completed, officials said.

Mexican and international rescue teams remove a painting as they search for survivors in a collapsed building on Saturday. Photo: Reuters A magnitude 6.2 earthquake that shook Mexico on Saturday was blamed for five deaths, spreading fear among a population reeling from multiple natural disasters and interrupting the search for survivors from a bigger tremor earlier this week.

gettyimages-852614510.jpg Labour leader Jacinda Ardern and finance spokesman Grant Robertson at her Auckland home on Sunday. Photo: Getty Images Labour leader Jacinda Ardern says she is confident a Labour, NZ First, Greens government could provide stable government despite having just a one-seat majority.

Labour's Clare Curran says she feels "fantastic" at being voted in again as the MP for Dunedin South, as the party vote has resurged in the electorate.

In an interview with the ODT, a philosophical Metiria Turei says she has no regrets about her career-changing admission of benefit fraud, one of the turning points of the election campaign, that saw her resign as the Greens' co-leader.

voting-ballot-box.jpg Photo: ODT files Special votes will likely make New Zealand's tight election tighter, with the likelihood the Green Party and Labour will take votes off National.

leroy_sane_3.jpg Leroy Sane looks to strike for Manchester City against Crystal Palace. Photo: Getty Images Manchester City ran riot in the second half at the Etihad to thrash Crystal Palace 5-0 in the Premier League, while Manchester United made hard work of their 1-0 win at Southampton.

kieran_foran_3.jpg Warriors and Kiwis five-eighth Kieran Foran. Photo: Getty Images In what will be a massive blow to New Zealand's hopes of winning the Rugby League World Cup, star half Kieran Foran is reportedly set to pull out of the tournament due to lingering injury concerns.

2017-09-23t124029z_642343868_rc1e85b740f0_rtrmadp_3_newzealand-election.jpg Bill English speaks to supporters in Auckland on election night. Photo: Reuters Former Prime Minister Sir John Key says the election result is an emphatic one and a victory for Bill English.

joseph_parker_title_defence.jpg Joseph Parker with trainer Kevin Barry after his title defence against Hughie Fury. Photo: Reuters Joseph Parker has defended his WBO world championship title with a dramatic majority decision victory, the crowd kept on tenterhooks until the end.

Stephen Lowe A large team has resumed the search for missing Dunedin man Stephen Lowe in South Otago.