Businesses are feeling optimistic they could be in for a better 2025.

The latest Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion from the Institute of Economic Research reveals a net 9% of firms are expecting general economic conditions to improve.

This is a jump from a net 4% feeling downbeat three months prior.

Infometrics’ Brad Olsen told Tim Beveridge that it’s definitely a good sign, however at the same time, around 26% of businesses said they had less business activity in the December quarter.

He says this could indicate the recession continued through until the end of the year.

Olsen says there’s quite a clear feeling that while last year was tough, there are better things to come.

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Ziggy Alberts is as dedicated to song-writing as they come.

The Australian musician picked up the guitar when he was 17, releasing his first EP the following year in 2012.

He’s best known for his studio album ‘Laps Around the Sun’, which peaked at number 2 on the ARIA charts.

Alberts told Tim Beveridge that when it comes to creating his music, the first step is relative insanity, the second is all the voices in his head.

“[Songs are] so mysterious to me,” he revealed.

“Writing a story that is actually cohesive or comprehendible, that part I’m quite particular about, but I guess that the inspiration of songs, whether it be playing the guitar or a melody, they’re so spontaneous.”

“They’re such a mystery to me, and have been my whole career.”

Alberts recently released a new single, ‘Where Does The Love Go?’ - the debut of his next album, ‘New Love’, which releases February.

‘Where Does The Love Go?’ discusses self-love and awareness, caring for ourselves so that we can care for each other.

“I read a lot of Buddhism, and it talks a lot about being responsible for that... not seeing the Buddha outside you, and you’ve gotta be, you’ve gotta be the Buddha,” Albert explained.

“I think we have to be the change we want to see in the world.”

“It’s so hard to be that kind of loving embodiment of, you know, conducting yourself and communicating in a way that is useful and hopefully breaks down barriers,” he said.

“I think that’s the challenge of humanity, really.”

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A humanitarian worker says a ceasefire in Gaza is desperately needed, with negotiations reaching the final stages.

The conflict has killed more than 46-thousand people in the region since the wars began with the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7.

CNN reports the agreement would see a phased release of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Doctors Without Borders Head of Programmes Simon Eccleshall told Tim Beveridge it'd mean aid can reach those who desperately need it.

He says before the crisis 500 trucks and supplies flowed into the area every day, but now there's a fraction of that.

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It's thought consistency is key as the Government moves to ban all under 18s from buying all Lotto products.

Currently, only Instant Kiwi products have an age limit.

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke Van Velden says neither Lotto nor retailers want to sell its products to children, but it's a legally grey area right now.

She told Tim Beveridge she expects little resistance to the change.

Van Velden says Lotto estimates just 0.2% of all tickets are bought by kids.

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LA officials say the destruction caused by the deadly wildfires is "massive", "unimaginable" and unprecedented.

Firefighters are a long way off containing the largest Palisades blaze, with 86% of it thought to be burning out of control.

The death toll remains at 24, while another 23 people are still missing.

Char Miller —a Professor of Environmental Analysis at LA's Pomona College— told Tim Beveridge the firestorm has been unrelenting.

He says while they're used to fires in California, this one is different, and it feels like they're constantly under siege.

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It's likely to be an anxious morning for 160-thousand secondary school students, who soon receive their NCEA exam results.

NZQA will upload the outcomes online, with students able to check if they've passed and if they've received Course and Certificate Endorsements or University Entrance.

PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Tim Beveridge for those disappointed with their results, it's not the end of the world.

He says one bad result won't shape someone's entire future, and there are always options available.

NZQA doesn’t reveal the exact time results will be released, but it's usually early in the day.

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Intense winds are once again fanning the flames of the LA wildfires.

Newstalk ZB's California correspondent Richard Arnold told Tim Beveridge it comes as officials are ramping up the emergency response.

He says there's an "army" of about 15 thousand firefighters on the frontline and he's never seen anything quite like it.

Arnold says it’s hard to stop embers from spreading in the blustery conditions.

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There’s a push to limit the amount of alcohol international passengers can drink before flights.

Budget airline Ryanair is asking European aviation authorities to enforce a two drink maximum.

Europe correspondent Catherine Field says passengers are limited in the amount of duty-free alcohol they can buy.

The airline argues that should apply to bars too.

Ryanair says changing the rules would create a safer experience for passengers, with improvements to behaviour.

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