Trump card looms large for foreign policy in 2025

Tonight’s $15 million Lotto Powerball draw was not won, with the numbers drawn being 19, 29, 28, 40, 31, and 3, along with a bonus ball of 2 and Powerball number 9. Additionally, both First Division and Strike were unclaimed, although two players did split a $700,000 Strike Four jackpot, each receiving $350,000. Want More Context? 🔎

Amo Jr Ioane Papalii, a 21-year-old disqualified driver, was sentenced after his reckless driving led to the death of his passenger, Iesha Heremaia, and a significant power outage in Auckland. Despite being on bail, he illegally drove three more times in eight months, speeding at 122 km/h in a 50 km/h zone before crashing while under the influence of cannabis and alcohol. Want More Context? 🔎

A man was removed from Air New Zealand flight NZ5047, which was set to depart Auckland for New Plymouth, due to "concerning remarks" that raised security alarms. The incident prompted police involvement, and the airline confirmed that the passenger was offloaded before the flight's departure. Want More Context? 🔎

Foreign tourists visiting New Zealand's popular Department of Conservation sites, such as Cathedral Cove and the Tongariro Crossing, will face a new charge of $20 to $40, announced by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. This fee aims to ensure that international visitors contribute to the maintenance of these locations, where they often make up 80% of visitors. Want More Context? 🔎

President Donald Trump has dismissed Erika McEntarfer, the commissioner of labor statistics, accusing her of manipulating employment data for political reasons after a report revealed disappointing US job growth. He claimed the jobs numbers were "RIGGED" to damage Republicans and asserted that recent revisions showed the weakest hiring levels since the pandemic. Want More Context? 🔎

US President Donald Trump announced the deployment of two nuclear submarines in response to provocative remarks from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, emphasizing the potential consequences of inflammatory statements. Trump did not specify whether the submarines are nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed and kept their locations confidential, highlighting the sensitivity of US-Russia nuclear relations. Want More Context? 🔎