Author: Press Room

Shoppers blindly accepting credit card surcharges need to understand the full impact they can have over the course of a month or a year, particularly if they’re allowed to compound, one investment adviser says.Credit card surcharges have become common as retailers try to recover the cost of increasing use of contactless payment technology.Use of the much cheaper eftpos network has fallen in recent years, as more shoppers opt for contactless debit and credit cards, as well as cards loaded on to phones.In January 2017, eftpos cards were used for about 40% of in-person payments. By July 2023, its share had…

The Russian leader suggested that Ukraine be under temporary UN control until a “competent” government was elected, despite it being contrary to Ukrainian law. ADVERTISEMENTWashington has dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal that Ukraine should be put under temporary UN control, according to reports.Putin said this could be done until a “competent” government is elected, amid further talks on a ceasefire and long-term peace that would end Moscow’s ongoing full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year.However, a White House National Security Council spokesperson responded to Putin’s pitch on Friday by stating that governance in Ukraine was determined by its constitution,…

Two people are in critical condition and State Highway 2 closed in both directions after a serious crash in Waikato this afternoon.Police said the crash occurred at Maungatāwhiri, near the Maramarua Golf Club.It was first reported at 4.24pm.“Two people are in critical condition, with a third person in serious condition.”Those in critical condition were set to be airlifted to hospital.Police said diversions were to be put in place, but advised motorists to take an alternative route if possible.“The Serious Crash Unit is being deployed to examine the scene.”(Source: Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust)Auckland Westpac Helicopter Trust said it flew a female…

Drones battling drones, fibre-optic warfare, and an AI-driven battlefield – Ukraine’s digital war strategy is evolving fast. Minister Mykhailo Fedorov spoke to Euronews on how technology is shaping Ukraine’s fight against Russia. ADVERTISEMENTInnovation and adaptability on the battlefield are crucial for Ukraine. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion started over three years ago, both sides have been engaged in a constant cat-and-mouse game of rapidly advancing drone technology. According to Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, about 95% of the drones used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces are domestically produced. However, some key components still come from China, Europe, or the US.…

Community groups throughout Auckland have gathered for an emergency meeting on youth homelessness.Dozens of frontline service workers and recently homeless rangatahi spoke at the hui hosted by Mā Te Huruhuru and Manaaki Rangatahi at the Lifeskills campus in Māngere on Friday.Although invitations were sent to all political parties, Green co-leader Marama Davidson was the only politician to attend.RNZ has approached key representatives in the National Party for comment.A representative for Minister for Social Development Louise Upston said she did not receive an invite directly.”It is [disappointing],” Davidson said. “I actually wish Government politicians were here today to hear directly how…

A woman was arrested at Auckland Airport last night after allegedly trying to smuggle $4.55 million of methamphetamine into the country.The 23-year-old’s baggage was searched after she arrived on a flight from Canada.Customs officers found 14 individually vacuum-sealed packages containing a “white crystal substance” weighing around 15kg.An initial test of the substance returned a positive result for methamphetamine.The woman was charged with importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug.Customs said the seized drugs had an estimated street value of up to $4.55 million, with an estimated social harm and cost of $15.9 million to New Zealand.The…

The AI-generated video has been shared widely on social media, often with captions alleging that Ukraine is a dictatorship that spreads “Russophobic” propaganda. ADVERTISEMENTA video has appeared online purportedly showing a Ukrainian TV advert encouraging young people to turn in their family members if they show any interest in Russian culture.The advert is attributed to the Ukrainian children’s channel PLUSPLUS and shows a cartoon boy, wearing a black t-shirt with a Ukrainian trident, discovering his sister listening to the Russian song “Sigma Boy” over a video of US President Donald Trump dancing.The boy then picks up the phone and reports…

Police have made arrests — including a 13-year-old boy — after an investigation into three aggravated robberies at Auckland jewellery stores revealed they were linked.Kayson’s Fashion Store in Glen Eden was robbed on March 16 and the Krishna Jewellery Store in Papatoetoe and Michael Hill at Mānawa Bay were both hit on March 23.Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said two arrests were made in recent days and further investigations were ongoing.”We are concerned with the violent actions of this group.“Our teams are still actively searching for the other offenders involved so that they can be held accountable.”A 13-year-old boy has…

Oxam official: ‘What’s happening at the border is a humanitarian and human rights crisis, and we need to find humanitarian and human rights solutions to it.’ ADVERTISEMENTHuman rights organisations have criticised Poland’s decision to temporarily suspend the right for migrants arriving via the border with Belarus to apply for asylum, fearing it may worsen the current humanitarian crisis.”What has already been a de facto reality at the Poland-Belarus border for the past three years may be further institutionalised with the implementation of the new law,” Oxfam wrote in a report published last week. Polish President Andrzej Duda, cemented the legislation…

A funeral director says Auckland Council should have moved faster to ease burial space demand at New Zealand’s largest cemetery.Waikumete Cemetery in West Auckland has paused the sale of adult burial plots until 2027 – when an additional 800 burial plots are set to be created.Funeral director Rachel Benns said there will be an impact on local families.”Waikumete has been well known to be running out of space for some time and the council seems to have taken a slow time to react to that,” Benns said.”This should have been in place prior to them running out of that land,…