Christmas family fare | Otago Daily Times Online News

A judge has sentenced 20-year-old Alexander Lucas Kerr to prison after he drove under the influence of cannabis, resulting in a crash that killed his friend, Wade William Crosbie, 19, and severely injured another passenger. The ruling emphasizes the serious consequences of driving while impaired, regardless of the offender's lack of prior convictions. Want More Context? 🔎

A Glen Eden eatery, Lixiri’s Kitchen, which serves Vietnamese cuisine, has highlighted the significant financial impact of using corporate food delivery services like Uber Eats, receiving only $85.36 from $300 in orders—just 28% of the total value. The restaurant shared this information in a local community group to raise awareness about the hidden costs of such platforms. Want More Context? 🔎

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has urged Israel to permit "unfettered access" for humanitarian agencies to Gaza, following a UN-backed report indicating that 500,000 people in the region are facing famine due to Israel's food supply obstructions. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher emphasized that the crisis is entirely preventable and warned of escalating mortality if aid delays continue. Want More Context? 🔎

Argentina achieved a historic victory by defeating New Zealand 29-23 in their first-ever home test match against the All Blacks, significantly impacting the Rugby Championship standings. Santiago Carreras' second-half penalties were crucial, resulting in all four teams having one win each after two rounds of the tournament. Want More Context? 🔎

A man in his 20s was critically injured at Muriwai Beach, Auckland, after a sand dune collapsed while he was digging a hole, burying him headfirst. Emergency services, including the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust, responded and airlifted him to Auckland City Hospital in critical condition. Want More Context? 🔎

Social media personality Millie Elder-Holmes is under scrutiny from Internal Affairs for promoting online gambling, with new complaints emerging from followers. This follows a prior $5,000 fine for breaching gambling regulations, and Internal Affairs is currently investigating the additional allegations, according to Director Vicki Scott. Want More Context? 🔎