Author: Press Room
Investigators have concluded the pilot of a cruise vessel Fiordland Navigator was asleep at the wheel when it grounded last year.The boat ran aground in Doubtful Sound on the 24 January, 2024.It was moderately damaged, including a small hole below the waterline, and several of the 57 passengers on board suffered minor injuries.Following a comprehensive investigation, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission released a report on Thursday noting it was “virtually certain the fatigued master fell asleep at the helm”.Chief investigator of accidents Naveen Kozhuppakalam said operator RealNZ had lax safety standards.”RealNZ’s safety system didn’t monitor actual rest hours or effectively…
ADVERTISEMENTThe European institutions should be more open and honest to avoid creating the impression that something is being hidden from citizens, the newly elected EU Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho told Euronews in an interview featured in Radio Schuman today.She emphasized the need to bridge the gap between expectations and actual powers, warning that failing to do so would contribute to an increasingly polarised world and further erode public trust.The EU Ombudsman has just launched an own-initiative inquiry into the so-called revolving door phenomenon – when EU officials move into roles in the private sector, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest…
Jillian Lauren, author and wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner, was shot and injured by Los Angeles police and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after pointing a gun at officers from her front yard, authorities said.The 51-year-old had injuries that were not life threatening after the shooting in the northeast Los Angeles neighbourhood of Eagle Rock the LAPD said in a statement.Her representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment and there is no indication Scott Shriner was involved in the incident. Weezer is scheduled to play the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Saturday (local time).Police…
A Hawke’s Bay woman discovered she had leukaemia after her Apple Watch notified her of an elevated heart rate.Psychiatrist Amanda Faulkner, 51, had been using her husband Mike’s Apple Watch for a number of years before deciding to treat herself to her own. The watch measures health metrics while the wearer sleeps that can signal changes in the body, including heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, blood oxygen, and sleep duration.But, being fit and healthy, she believed her new watch to be faulty as her resting heart rate was too high.However, a heart rate notification and vitals app then began…
ADVERTISEMENTWithout them, no parish would function. They prepare ceremonies, care for the churches, and accompany the grieving. And yet, in the Catholic Church, they remain shut out of decision-making, leadership, and the altar.Now, for the first time, Catholic women across France are going on strike.”Fasting from sexism”“Catholic woman on strike,” reads the small badge pinned to Mathilde’s coat. She wears it alongside another that reads “Fasting from sexism.”The 32-year-old lawyer and regular churchgoer based in Paris has had enough and decided to join the movement. “The idea is really to protest, during these 40 days of Lent, to express a…
Pope Francis met privately with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Vatican during the royal couple’s four-day state visit to Italy and on the occasion of their 20th wedding anniversary, the Vatican announced.It was the first known meeting since the pope’s return to the Vatican after five weeks in the hospital for life-threatening double pneumonia. Francis had planned to have an audience with Charles, but the official state visit to the Vatican was postponed due to the pope’s health.The pope issued a new invitation for a private audience, but it was subject to his health and only confirmed…
By Susan Edmunds of RNZ If you owe money to Inland Revenue, you might soon be contacted by Baycorp, chasing it. IR is cracking down on tax compliance. Earlier, it said it told 200 business owners that they should be able to use their multiple properties to clear their debts to IR. It was also “actively monitoring” the border movements of the largest student loan debtors and contacting them when they arrived in New Zealand. Now, it says it will use a third-party provider to contact about 3000 customers who owe less than $5000. Spokesperson Jane Elley said it was…
The felling of more than 20 oak trees in the Christchurch suburb of Shirley has seen an outpouring of emotion from many who live there.Residents have even thrown a goodbye party for the 80-year-old oaks with the community gathering in Emmett St to sing waiata as they enjoyed their shade for one last time.Bec Roper-Gee, who has lived in Shirley for 20 years, said while some people are ready to say goodbye to the trees, she had received a message from someone who would miss them greatly.”She’s been out to hug the tree closest to her that’s going to go.”The…
Product Safety NZ has ordered the immediate recall of a range of reusable coffee cups sold at Kmart, warning there is “risk of serious injury”.The Anko Double Walled Coffee Cups with Lids have caused an injury already and anyone who has purchased them should return them for a refund.”When the cup is filled with hot liquid, the lid may rapidly release and pop off as there is no pressure release valve,” Product Safety NZ said on its website.”Risk of serious injury from hot liquid or steam burns if the cup lid unexpectedly ejects from the cup.”The products were sold at…
The New Zealand stock exchange has held on to big gains after the US paused hefty tariffs. Shortly after midday the benchmark top-50 index was up more than 430 points or 3.7%, the biggest one day gain since March 2020. The strong rally has followed gains of between 8 and 12% on US markets. Heavyweight stocks with exposure to the US market including Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, logistics company Mainfreight, and dairy company A2 Milk have posted gains of 5 percent or more. A large number of investment funds based on US assets are also strong performers. The Australian market…