Author: Press Room

Police officers arrested 18 people at worker-led protests at Microsoft headquarters on Wednesday as the tech company promised an “urgent” review of the Israeli military’s use of its technology during the ongoing war in Gaza.Two consecutive days of protest at the Microsoft campus in Redmond, Washington called for the tech giant to immediately cut its business ties with Israel.But, unlike Tuesday, when about 35 protesters occupying a plaza between office buildings left after Microsoft asked them to leave, the protesters on Wednesday “resisted and became aggressive” after the company told police they were trespassing, according to the Redmond Police Department.The…

A man with plans to open a brothel in Hastings’ central city says he’s been forced to abandon it because of what he claims is intolerable pressure from local body election candidates.Hardeep Singh had applied to the Hastings City Council’s District Licensing Committee for a liquor licence for a premises on Heretaunga St West, in a block of shops between Nelson St and King St.The application said the nature of the business set to be conducted under the licence was “brothel”.On Wednesday, Hastings councillor Damon Harvey — who is running for mayor — posted a photo of the application on…

Dairy co-operative Fonterra has sold its consumer businesses to global dairy giant Lactalis for $3.845 billion. The businesses being sold include major brands such as Mainland, Anchor and also processing operations in Australia and Sri Lanka. The sale to the French-based dairy company included a long-term agreement for Fonterra to sell milk and ingredients to Lactalis. “As the world’s largest dairy company, Lactalis has the scale required to take these brands and businesses to the next level,” Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell said. “Fonterra farmers will continue to benefit from their success, with Lactalis to become one of our most…

Five, one of the biggest boy bands of the 90s, has announced a one-off show in New Zealand as part of their tour to celebrate the group’s return after a long hiatus.The group behind hits like If Ya Gettin’ Down and Everybody Get Up announced they were reforming after 25 years for a world tour. The group said they would play a one-off show at Auckland’s Trusts Arena on Monday, May 25. Speaking about the group’s return, member Scott Robinson said: “This has been a long time coming and it really does feel right for all of us now –…

Carter Holt Harvey’s planned closure of Eves Valley Sawmill would have a huge impact on the region, Tasman’s mayor says.The facility, 21km out of Nelson, was built in the 1980s.Company management told Tasman Mayor Tim King on Thursday it planned to shut the plant near Nelson and consolidate resources at its Kawerau plant in Bay of Plenty, with the potential loss of 142 jobs.”There have been rumours around the future of this mill for some considerable time, but it still comes as a huge shock when you actually hear that it’s intended to close. The implications are very significant for…

Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi adopted a daughter, the first child for the married couple, they announced today.“We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy,” the couple wrote in a social media statement. No further details were released.Brown, 21, and Bongiovi, 23, were married in a private ceremony in May 2024. Representatives for Brown and Bongiovi did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment.Brown gained recognition for her starring role as Eleven in the Duffer brothers’ sci-fi series Stranger Things. The fifth and final season will…

Two men have been arrested following a series of search warrants in Southland over illegal hunting and associated criminal activity.Police seized three firearms, ammunition, methamphetamine, cannabis and a four-wheel drive vehicle in Invercargill and Mataura Island as a part of Operation Hawk, which targets illegal hunting activity. Senior Constable Nicky Herbert told 1News that illegal hunting posed serious risks to public safety and the environment. “The presence of firearms and drugs in these contexts significantly escalates the potential for harm.”These actions are not only criminal but dangerous, and they will not be tolerated.”The two men now faced charges of unlawful…

A typical new borrower is now about $270 a month better off thanks to drops in interest rates.BNZ chief economist Mike Jones said the average mortgage rate paid in June was 5.66%.That is down from 6.39% when rates were at the highest point of this cycle.He said it was likely that the average rate being paid would drop to 5% by the end of the year.At a rate of 6.39%, the average new first-home buyer mortgage of $575,000 would cost $3593 a month or $829 a week.At a rate of 5.66%, that drops to $767 a week or $3323 a…

Budget airline Jetstar has apologised to New Zealand customers as it anticipates a hefty fine after pleading guilty to misleading passengers about their rights.The Commerce Commission took Jetstar to court over charges that it discouraged consumers from seeking compensation they were legally entitled to for delayed or cancelled flights.Representatives from both parties appeared in the Auckland District Court on Thursday for sentencing, however Judge Brooke Gibson reserved his decision for a later date.The Commerce Commission argued that Jetstar’s offending was not just careless but reckless, and continued despite multiple warnings and similar charges from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission…

Award-winning Christchurch real estate professional Sam Staite has no plans to stop after selling more than $1 billion of commercial and industrial property. Another award has been added to the mantelpiece after he was named individual commercial and industrial salesperson of the year for the third year in a row at the REINZ Awards for Excellence. Colliers’ Canterbury industrial sales and leasing director has played a part in most of the major industrial properties changing hands in the South Island. Among highlights have been the $75 million Countdown Fresh Distribution Centre, a nearly $54m group of 13 buildings known as…