Author: Press Room

The Justice Department can publicly release special counsel Jack Smith’s investigative report on President-elect Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case, a federal judge said today in the latest ruling in a court dispute over the highly anticipated document days before Trump is set to reclaim the White House.But a temporary injunction barring the immediate release of the report remains in effect until tomorrow, and it’s unlikely US District Judge Aileen Cannon’s order will be the last word on the matter. Defence lawyers may seek to challenge it all the way up to the Supreme Court.Cannon, who was nominated to the…

Ecostore will invest around $323,000 in health and safety after an Auckland worker’s sight was permanently damaged by chemicals.The man had been working in a factory in the East Auckland suburb of Pakuranga when he suffered chemical burns to his eyes while making dishwasher powder in March 2023.The injury caused permanent damage, impacting his vision.He was trying to shut off a pressurised hose that had come loose and was spraying hazardous liquid into the air.Ecostore was later charged with one offence of the Health and Safety at Work Act.WorkSafe had found an inadequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly…

The search for a man who escaped from a police van in Taupō yesterday continues.Samir Derek Belhajjam, 30, fled from a police transport vehicle at the Taupō District Court at around 6pm yesterday.In an update this morning, a police spokesperson said officers were “continuing to make a number of enquiries to locate Belhajjam”.The spokesperson also said he now faces a charge of escaping from police custody.”Anyone who sees him should call 111,” police said.Belhajjam was last seen wearing green prison-issue shorts and T-shirt, along with an orange hi-vis vest.

The New Zealand dollar is trading at a nearly two-year low – meaning New Zealanders can expect more pain at the petrol pump. Falling to around 55.5 US cents to the NZ dollar, this rate has not been seen since October 2022. It means imported goods – including fuel – will cost more, but that is good news for exporters who will see higher returns. AA fuel price spokesperson Terry Collins told RNZ’s Morning Report programme today if people thought prices for petrol now were bad, they are from oil bought over a month ago, so will only get worse. “It’s…

Crews had to be ferried by the Harbourmaster across to the Boulder Bank offshore of Nelson to battle a building fire this afternoon.Fire and Emergency NZ said multiple calls were received to a fire on the Boulder Bank at around 2.50pm.Two crews were deployed, but the location meant one crew of four and a portable pump had to be ferried to the scene by the Nelson Harbourmaster.”Upon arrival, there was a single level building on fire that was well involved and partially collapsed,” a spokesperson said.”Crews are currently still on the scene and working to fully extinguish and dampen surrounding…

Police say they are working to locate a man who escaped a police transport van in Taupō this evening.Samir Derek Belhajjam, 30, fled from a police transport vehicle at the Taupō District Court at around 6pm.”He was wearing green prison-issue shorts and T-shirt, along with an orange hi-vis vest,” a police spokesperson said.”Residents may notice an increased police presence as staff work to locate him.”Anyone who saw Belhajjam or had information on his whereabouts was asked not to approach him but to call 111 immediately.1News has contacted the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Corrections for comment.

Elon Musk has taken the side of an MEP allied to Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán in a dispute over alleged electoral censorship by Brussels. Euronews looks at the details. ADVERTISEMENTHungarian MEP András László has hit out at what he sees as double standards from Brussels over foreign interference.For years, Fidesz, the ruling party to which László belongs, has complained about overseas actors — from Hungarian-American philanthropist George Soros to the US government — meddling in domestic politics. Fidesz leader Viktor Orbán has also been accused of limiting media and academic freedom as he attempts to maintain his nearly 15-year grip on…

Despite the cost-of-living crisis, Southland tourism operators are enjoying a booming summer season. A predominantly international market is lapping up the best of this season’s Murihiku tourism activities and has filled accommodation sites across the Southland region. “It’s been going pretty well and doing a little bit better than last year,” Beach Road Holiday Park Invercargill co-owner Arty Shirley said. “There’s been quite a few French people and quite a few from India. “And we’ve had a lot of Te Araroa [trail] walkers call in, and they stay a night. “We’re right until about mid-March.” Walking tour operator Cheeky Kiwi…

Ōamaru is back in the spotlight once again with the return of a big Hollywood film production.Netflix is making a seven-episode limited series based on Nobel Prize-winner John Steinbeck’s classic novel of the same name, East of Eden, in the South Island region.Filming is now in full swing this week with the town’s heritage precinct front and centre.Ōamaru Whitestone Civic Trust chairperson Richard Vinbrux told 1News: “There’s a huge crew around. “Most of our businesses will have some additional income from this. So it’s good for us. It’s also good promotion for Ōamaru — once again.”The series will feature Oppenhemier…

Drones with thermal imaging equipment will survey a vegetation fire on the Coromandel Peninsula tonight to identify deep seated pockets where the fire is burning, which firefighters will attack tomorrow.Multiple crews and helicopters continued to battle the vegetation fire today on the Coromandel Peninsula, after it was brought under control yesterday — but fully extinguishing the blaze was likely to take “several days”.Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said Black Jack Rd will open for access tonight once crews have stood down for the night, but stop/go traffic will resume in the morning to ensure safety to firefighters and the…