Author: Press Room

The tech giant says it “strongly disputes” the allegations after the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) filed criminal complaints in France and Belgium. ADVERTISEMENTThe Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has filed criminal complaints in France and Belgium against subsidiaries of Apple, accusing the tech giant of using conflict minerals.Lawyers representing the Congolese government allege that Apple uses minerals pillaged from the DRC and laundered through global supply chains, making it complicit in crimes committed by armed groups that control some of the mines in the country’s east.The complaints were prepared by a team of international lawyers on behalf of…

The Marlborough Mayor says the reopening of Kenepuru Rd just in time for the holiday period would allow people to “rediscover” the region after three years of closures.A storm in July 2021 particularly damaged one of the main routes into the Kenepuru Sound, with repairs costing around $85 million. Before the repairs could be completed another storm hit in August causing widespread damage throughout the Marlborough Sounds.Following the completion of a retaining wall which Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor described as an “engineering work of art”, she told Breakfast it was “the best Christmas present ever” for those who use the…

Police are investigating a “suspicious death” after a person was found lying on a street in Napier’s CBD during the early hours of this morning.Police were called to the scene near the intersection of Emerson and Hastings streets at around 3.15am, following a report of a person lying on the street.”Emergency services responded to the location and CPR was performed on the person but sadly, they could not be revived,” a police spokesperson said.”Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed any incident in the area from around 2am.”If you have information or CCTV or dashcam footage that could…

Russia’s security service says it detained a 29-year-old man from Uzbekistan over the assassination of General Igor Kirillov. ADVERTISEMENTA 29-year-old Uzbekistan citizen has been detained in Moscow over the killing of top general Igor Kirillov, according to Russia’s security service.Russian state agency TASS reported on Wednesday that the man was recruited by Ukrainian intelligence. On Tuesday, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), claimed responsibility for Kirillov’s death.Kirillov, the head of the Russian military’s nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed in an explosion outside an apartment building on Tuesday from a remotely detonated device hidden in an electric scooter. His assassination…

The idea that wearing jandals while driving will mean you can’t claim on insurance if you crash is a common misconception, the Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman says.Karen Stevens said it was important that people checked their insurance was in order before summer, particularly if they were planning to travel.But she said the jandal myth was a common one.”Many people think that wearing jandals while driving will invalidate any insurance claim. But that’s not necessarily the case — insurers will decline your claim if you’ve been driving recklessly, but not just because you’re wearing jandals,” she said.”There are, however, other…

Human Rights Watch urged the EU to review its sanctions on Syria, arguing they hinder humanitarian efforts and worsen economic hardship for Syrians. ADVERTISEMENTToday Radio Schuman talks all things Syria with Adam Coogle, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Division at Human Rights Watch. What should the EU’s approach be to the new regime in Syria? Should the EU lift sanctions in the country and start a dialogue with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which is defined as a terrorist organisation by the EU?Radio Schuman also examines the next steps in the European Commission’s investigation into…

Tom Cruise has been awarded the US Navy’s highest civilian honour for being a “staunch advocate” for the service.The Mission: Impossible star received the Distinguished Public Service Award from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in a ceremony held at Longcross Film Studios in Surrey, England today to celebrate his movie work which has raised public awareness and appreciation for Navy personnel.Cruise said in a statement: “I’m happy I have been able to be a source of inspiration to many of the sailors who serve today or have served in the past.”The effort was not just on my end,…

Decisions have been reached on proposals to change 12 place names around New Zealand. Proposals to change the names of Wellington’s Petone and Manawatū-Whanganui’s National Park village were among those considered.The Minister for Land Information Chris Penk made the determinations on these proposals in his statutory role as final decision maker.Petone will remain Petone, The Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board said in a release. The proposal to change its name to Pito One was declined.But National Park village will be renamed to Waimarino, which is “the original Māori name for the area and refers to calm…

Numerous Chinese-language posts across social media platforms are spreading a narrative that the Russian president has allowed his son to fight in Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. ADVERTISEMENTA video is going around on social media which allegedly shows Russian President Vladimir Putin sending his son to the front line in Moscow’s war against Ukraine.The Chinese-language post on X says that, just like China’s Chairman Mao Zedong before him, Putin has sent his son off to war, in an act which shows he’s truly defending his country.The leaders of the supposed “aggressor countries” meanwhile just hide their children away, according to the…

The Workplace Relations and Safety Minister has revealed she will consult on engineered stone, a benchtop material that can lead to a lung disease in those working with the product. Engineered stone, a mixture of resin and quartz, is frequently used to make benchtops because it is cheaper and more durable than marble and granite. While it is much cheaper to buy, the material can be hazardous to manufacture as it contains 90% silica, which is a rate “considerably higher” than natural stone, according to WorkSafe.High exposure to silica dust can cause accelerated silicosis, a deadly progressive lung disease.In December…