Author: Press Room

The United States says 104% duties on imports from China will take effect, even as the Trump administration moves to quickly start talks with other trading partners targeted by President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff plan. US stocks dropped on Tuesday for a fourth straight trading day since Trump’s tariffs announcement last week, with the S&P 500 closing below 5000 for the first time in almost a year. The index is now 18.9% below its most recent high on February 19, close to the 20% decline that defines a bear market. S&P 500 companies have lost $US5.8 trillion ($NZ10.5 trillion) in stock market value since Trump’s tariff…

Takapuna Grammar on Auckland’s North Shore will be closed to both students and teachers today due to water supply issues, the school has said.In an email sent to families yesterday , it said two-thirds of the school was without a functioning water supply, leaving only two or three useable toilet blocks and one working water fountain.It said this supply is not sufficient to safely accommodate the 2200 students which attend the school.Schoolwork was to be posted via Google Classroom for students, and teachers would be available by email.In a further email this morning, acting principal Will Scovell said a water…

Passwords, documents and even bank details are usually retrievable from old laptops and phones, even when you think they’ve been thoroughly wiped and reset. Tech expert Ritesh Chugh on the serious risks of old devices and how to discard them safely. You’re about to recycle your laptop or your phone, so you delete all your photos and personal files. Maybe you even reset the device to factory settings.You probably think your sensitive data is now safe. But there is more to be done: hackers may still be able to retrieve passwords, documents or bank details, even after a reset.In fact,…

ADVERTISEMENTKing Charles III and Queen Camilla met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Tuesday, marking the second day of their state visit to Italy. The royal couple were escorted to the palace by a group of more than 30 mounted presidential guards where they enjoyed a joint flyover by Italy’s Frecce Tricolori and the RAF’s Red Arrows.Following the meeting, King Charles and Queen Camilla toured some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Piazza Venezia, where they laid a wreath. They also enjoyed a special tour of the Colosseum, walking past the Temple of…

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has urged Kiwis to be “resilient” in the face of the global economic turmoil brought on by hard-hitting US trade tariffs this week. Last week, President Donald Trump announced a range of tariffs that have sent markets reeling, and has doubled-down with a threat of an additional 50% against China. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand will consider its next move when it addresses the official cash rate (OCR) on this afternoon, but Willis is adamant the government will not overreact to world events outside its control. “Of course, we are monitoring international developments very carefully and…

Do you think you can beat the Chaser? You might get that opportunity soon, as applications have opened for potential contestants for an upcoming four-episode special of The Chase New Zealand. The four-part special would be filmed at The Chase Australia’s studio in Sydney. “New Zealanders taking part as contestants will go head-to-head with The Chase Australia’s Chasers, including the possibility of global superstar ‘The Governess’, Anne Hegerty,” TVNZ said. Those wanting to take on the Chaser can apply here. Travel and accommodation costs in Sydney would be at the participant’s expense. The Chase New Zealand’s host and premier date…

From a young Muslim’s journey through grief after the Christchurch terror attack to a Māori photographer’s mission to flood social media with positivity about te ao Māori, the new series Ahi Wānanga shows how people from different cultures find connection in their differences. Re: News speaks to the directors behind the new series.Director Jessica Sanderson (Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Ātiawa, Pākehā) went through a really long and difficult labour with her first child in 2020.She says a midwife, who was Muslim, looked after her in what was the “most vulnerable position” to be in right after childbirth. Not only was the…

ADVERTISEMENTInspections against foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia have caused traffic jams on the D2 highway heading towards the Czech Republic.Officials reported that tailbacks on both lanes were approximately 12 kilometres long, with Slovak police warning the situation could get worse. Police said they have advised motorists to use smaller border crossings to travel to the Czech Republic, although drivers should still expect delays there.In late March, Slovakia declared a state of emergency in a bid to rid the country of foot-and-mouth disease after an outbreak of three cases in separate premises housing cattle.On Friday, new cases were reported, bringing the total…

A new research paper has found misogyny and racism are pervasive in the harassment of female politicians, their staff and their families.It comes as the Justice Minister is getting advice on law changes to better protect publicly elected officials, particularly at their homes.University of Otago researchers interviewed 11 MPs across the political divide in 2023, who reported being assaulted with weapons, threatened with rape and subjected to death threats.One MP said she received “deeply, deeply vile” abuse, including a threat to cut her throat, while another told researchers “[threats of] rape just get thrown about all the time”.Two MPs said…

ADVERTISEMENTUS President Donald Trump’s tariff regime has already faced one lawsuit, and further legal challenges are reportedly being prepared by business leaders and conservative lawyers amid growing opposition from influential right-wing figures. New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA), a conservative non-profit legal group based in the US, filed a lawsuit last week on behalf of a stationary company based in Florida after Trump announced a 20% import levy from China as part of his sweeping tariffs. The NCLA said the tariff imposed on China is “harmful” as the stationary company, Simplified, depends on materials imported from China that are not available…