Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing.
Germans want subsidy to keep kebabs affordable
The cost of living crisis in Germany has motivated some to demand that the government curbs the rising cost of one of the country’s favourite street foods by initiating a subsidy. That’s right, Germans want to be able to consume one of their favourite snacks without taking out a loan to do so – makes sense.
“The German Left Party has reportedly proposed using state funds to cap the price of kebabs at €4.90 (£4.20) – and €2.50 (£2.10) for young people.
“The meaty flatbread meal – one of Germany’s de facto national dishes – currently averages around €7.9 (£6.80), a number that the Left Party says is going up with inflation.” (Source: “Political party in Germany ‘calls for kebabs to be subsidised,'” 7th May, www.news.sky.com).
You have to admire the pluck of consumers thinking that their government may help out to make food more affordable. Here we are still struggling to initiate any change to rising costs, despite the huge profits of our supermarkets duopoly!
5 stars – seems like a great idea and I wish them every success.
Auckland Transport attempts to make inner city even more unattractive than they have already made it
To many Kiwis who live outside of the city of sales, Auckland is an annoyance, a distraction, another country. To those of us who do live here we deserve some kudos for having to put up with a transport organisation that pays more attention to the millions of traffic cones in the city than it does to its citizens.
In the 20 years I’ve lived in Auckland I’ve seen the central city transform from a vibrant, attractive, focal point to a ghost town most Aucklanders avoid. There are many reasons for this, least of all Covid and the thousands of workers who now work at home, rather than commuting to the city. So, you’d imagine the city council and Auckland transport would want to do all they could to breathe new life into the city, encourage Aucklanders to go there, to help retailers and those in hospitality? You would eh? Think again.
In a tone deaf response to the council’s demand to monetise whatever they can, Auckland Transport has informed inner city residents that street parking charges will soon change to 24/7 – weekends and public holidays included. For those struggling to pay rising rents, utilities, and food bills, the news that they will be forking out money they don’t have for parking will, I imagine, be a motivator to avoid the city and I don’t blame them.
Apparently, the mayor and Auckland Transports chiefs are disputing who said what, or knew what about what, and when, in an effort to point blame elsewhere. You can read more about that here.
0 stars – it’s such a shame that a beautiful city, with so many wonderful people, has to put up with such below average governance.
Phoenix one game away from A-League final
The capital’s football team, and the rest of the country’s too (until the Auckland franchise kicks off next season), have had a fantastic season and only just lost out on taking the minor premiership in Australasia’s top competition. After a goalless draw in the away leg against the Melbourne Victory in the weekend, they host the return game at home at the Cake Tin on Saturday. To win that game and move on to the final would be a fantastic achievement for New Zealand football.
The beautiful game has long played second fiddle to rugby in New Zealand but has been growing in popularity steadily over the years. For the Phoenix to make the A-League final would be a further boost for the game and with two Kiwi teams in contention from next season, the future is looking very bright indeed.
5 stars – fingers crossed for a great game on Saturday!
