One of New Zealand’s longest-serving and beloved broadcasters has died suddenly – sparking an outpouring of grief from colleagues and listeners.Newstalk ZB’s Bruce Russell, in his early 70s, was working right up until his death…
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Police investigating firearms incident after West Auckland home shot-up, occupants escape without injury
Police are investigating after a house was shot at in West Auckland early this morning. Police were called to the scene at a residential property on Royal View Rd in Te Atatū South shortly before 12.30am.A police spokesperson…
'Heartbroken': Families, communities rocked by deaths of four teens in Invercargill crash
A constant trickle of visitors came and went from the sombre family homes of the four teenagers killed in an Invercargill crash as their loved ones awaited the return of their bodies yesterday.The parents of the three Bluff teens,…
Letters to the editor: Putin lifts right wing in West
Putin lifts right wing in West Hayden Munro’s opinion piece (Herald on Sunday, April 24) covers how the pandemic has resulted in many world leaders facing worsening poll outcomes. This is reported as the effects of Covid-19 which…
Hamilton’s letter to Richards
April 19, 2022 My dear Brother and Political Leader Shawn On Sunday you raised among other things two critical issues for me to contemplate. A third issue emerged from later conversation among the persons present I will characterize the issues as follows:- Whether I would accept the position as Prime Minister as an interim measure […]
The post Hamilton’s letter to Richards appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.
Commissioner Brandy informs Richards its unethical to change police reports
Commissioner of Police Hilroy Brandy has informed Deputy Prime Minister Shawn Richards that he cannot ethically alter a police report as it relates to the last lap bar incident that mentions Richards’ name. Richards claimed in recent weeks that his name being mentioned in the police report in the matter where Tourism Minister Lindsay Grant […]
The post Commissioner Brandy informs Richards its unethical to change police reports appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.
Hamilton disagrees and warns of the implications of the Party’s move
Government Minister and Constituency representative for constituency 8 has disagreed with the position taken by his party the People’s Action Movement and partner the Concerned Citizen Movement to write to the Governor-General seeking to oust Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris as leader of the government. Hamilton in a letter to his party’s leader Shawn […]
The post Hamilton disagrees and warns of the implications of the Party’s move appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.
Reporter's special Anzac Day story with her dear 'gramps'
Les Cook is one of our last surviving World War II veterans, having served under the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps banner.
On Monday, the 99-year-old will be front and centre at the War Memorial in Canberra.
He served seven years with the Australian Imperial Force, and he also just happens to be the dearest gramps of 9News reporter Sophie Walsh.
READ MORE: Your complete guide to Anzac Day Dawn Services around the country
In 1940 he enlisted at the age of just 17, alongside his dad, after they both tweaked their ages.
"He was four years too old and I was four years too young," Les said.
He was spurred on by a sense of duty and strong will to stop Nazi Germany.
"It would have taken greater courage not to enlist. It was a responsibility," he said.
From battles across northern Africa, Greece, Crete, Borneo and Syria, to trekking the impossible jungles of Kokoda, in moments of darkness, letters from Betty got him through.
In 1945 he was resting on a beach in Borneo when news broke — the war had ended.
READ MORE: Anzac Day trading hours: What will and won't be open
"Soon after midnight there were loose shots fired and then heavy guns firing and we hastily reloaded everything," he said.
"When the dawn came we found that that was just people who heard the war was over, celebrating."
He returned to Papua New Guinea for the 50th anniversary of Kokoda, and again in 2012 with Prince Charles and Camilla.
READ MORE: 'Come in spinner!': A guide to the game of two-up
He also met Princess Anne during the height of the pandemic
In another nine months he'll get a letter from the Queen for his 100th birthday.
Until then, there's Monday's commemorations.
Each year it gets a little tougher, "your hearing gets worse and your eyesight gets worse but emotion gets stronger," he said.
Walsh said it was an honour to walk in her grandfather's shadow.
"Gramps is one of the last remaining survivors of World War II and tomorrow there will be many families whose loved ones are no longer here.
"But the Anzac legacy lives on in their children, their grandchildren, their great-grandchildren, sharing their stories of courage, of mateship, and sacrifice that ultimately shaped this country."
READ MORE: Will you get a public holiday for Anzac Day this year?
Person dies after crash at Palmerston North speedway
One person has died following a crash at a speedway track in Palmerston North this evening. Emergency services were called to the track at around 6.15pm.Worksafe has been notified and police will be investigating on behalf of…
Owner and dog abscond after police pepper spray pitbull terrier in fatal attack on pet pooch
Police have pepper sprayed a pitbull terrier that attacked and killed another dog in Tairāwhiti.The owners of 11-year-old cavalier king charles spaniel Ruby were walking her near the corner of Frances St and Moana Rd in Okitu…