Trump says Greenland will ‘work out’ after Denmark fails to bridge gap
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, speaking after leaving the White House, said a US takeover of Greenland was “absolutely not necessary”. It’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland,” Lokke told reporters. Denmark promised before the meeting to ramp up its military presence further in the vast, sparsely populated and strategically located island. Trump has derided recent Danish efforts to increase security for Greenland as amounting to “two dog sleds”. In another show of solidarity with Denmark following Trump’s threats, Germany and France both said Wednesday they will send troops to Greenland.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 22:18 UTC
Call for public help over destructive scout hall blaze
Fire investigators are calling for public help as they probe the massive blaze which destroyed the Roslyn Scout Hall. Firefighters worked into the night to fully extinguish a large fire that engulfed the hall, in School St, yesterday. Police detectives have today been conducting a scene examination alongside with a fire investigator to determine the cause, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said. "He’s also interested in security camera or dashcam footage from School St taken between 3pm and 4pm yesterday." The hall, which was over 100 years old, was basically empty, had no power connected and was tinder dry.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 14, 2026 22:05 UTC
Amateur stuns star-studded field to win ‘One Point Slam’ in Melbourne
Australia's Jordan Smith celebrates with the trophy after defeating Taiwan's Joanna Garland in the One Point Slam exhibition event ahead of the 2026 Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Amateur stuns star-studded field to win ‘One Point Slam’ in MelbourneAustralia's Jordan Smith celebrates with the trophy after defeating Taiwan's Joanna Garland in the One Point Slam exhibition event ahead of the 2026 Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Photo / David Gray, AFPAmateur tennis player Jordan Smith sensationally upset a star-studded field to collect a A$1 million ($1m) prize on Wednesday by winning the pressure-packed “One Point Slam” before the Australian Open. The innovative sudden-death contest at a sold-out Rod Laver Arena pitted 24 professionals led by Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff alongside 24 amateurs and celebrity wildcards. Each match consisted of just one point – win and you advanced, lose and you were out.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 22:03 UTC
Here comes the advertising in AI chatbots
Google is the world’s biggest seller of ads, which makes anything it does with AI ads a potential trendsetter. How AI ads could go right or wrongGoogle probably won’t be alone in adding advertising to the AI you use. Nate Elliott, an analyst with the research firm eMarketer, said that AI companies are walking a tightrope with advertising. He also said it’s not an accident that AI companies are not saying much publicly about their advertising plans. AI ads might not be much different from the online ads you’re used to.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 21:35 UTC
Climate reporting rules loosened more than minister wanted – common sense or overkill?
Act leader David Seymour has pushed for the abandonment of mandatory climate-related reporting altogether. Turners Automotive Group said it spent $1m in the first year of mandatory reporting, establishing systems for data collection and making the disclosure. Act leader David Seymour wants mandatory climate reporting for companies ditched altogether. Oliver Mander said he finds the climate disclosures useful as part of his work heading the NZ Shareholders' Association. Australia and the European Union have pushed ahead with mandatory climate-related reporting.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 21:33 UTC
UK says dual NZ nationals told of passport change in good time
Dual nationals will now have to pay more to visit - through passport fees - than for someone born in New Zealand or any other visa-waiver country, he said. He was tearing his hair out when they found out about the new rule and that his son only had a New Zealand passport. The British High Commission said in a statement while the UK introduced an ETA requirement for non-British nationals, any British citizens visiting the UK 'must enter on their UK passport, or if they do not have a British passport, on the passport of another country with a UK certificate of entitlement.' "We have been posting about the requirements for dual nationals since 18 August 2025. "We encourage British nationals who plan to visit the UK to apply for, or renew their passports, as soon as possible."
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 20:51 UTC
Waitārere Beach shooting: Young girl called 111 after fatal Waitārere Beach shooting, family-harm call made days earlier
Police seized a dismantled firearm and ammunition at the Waitārere Beach Rd address hours before they responded to a fatal shooting there. Photo / Mike ScottEmergency services responded to a reported shooting at the property around five hours later. Police came across a confronting scene, and Grantham commended those involved for their efforts. “The call we received shortly after midnight was what we call a ‘non-speech emergency call’ – that is, the caller called 111 but did not speak. Police are expected to remain in and around Waitārere Beach over the coming days while a scene examination is conducted at the property.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 20:33 UTC
Singer Julio Iglesias accused of human trafficking by former staff
Judicial sources confirmed to AFP that a complaint was filed against Iglesias, without giving further details. The allegations were first detailed in an investigation published by US television network Univision and Spanish newspaper elDiario.es. Stop speculatingThe allegations have sparked strong reactions in Spain, where the Grammy-winning singer has long been a respected figure. We must stop speculating,” he added during an interview with Spanish television station Telecinco. Iglesias is one of the most successful Latin artists of all time, with more than 300 million records sold.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 20:28 UTC
Melissa Gilbert breaks silence following Timothy Busfield’s arrest
Melissa Gilbert supports her husband Timothy Busfield following his arrest for child sexual abuse allegations. Melissa Gilbert says she “stands with” her husband Timothy Busfield following his arrest in connection with child sexual abuse allegations. “During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected.”Gilbert’s lifestyle brand, Modern Prairie, has distanced itself from the scandal.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 20:21 UTC
SailGP Perth: Black Foils confirm changes in coaching unit ahead of first SailGP event of new season
Steven and McKenzie are strong signings for the Black Foils, having worked together in the 49er class. Really happy with where that’s landed and that wider high-performance unit,” Tuke said. While McKenzie is a proven talent on the water, Tuke was excited by the prospect of the 28-year-old’s technical input first and foremost. Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie claimed silver medals in the 49er class at the 2024 Paris Olympics. “We’re really fortunate that we’ve got a stable unit through the sailing team that continues on from last year.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 18:31 UTC
Difficult decision as cafe closes
The Duck owner and founder Emma Strybosch has made the difficult decision to close her Macandrew Bay cafe after five years in business. Photo: Peter McIntoshTough economic times have forced a Dunedin business owner to make the "heartbreaking" decision to close her small community cafe after five years in business. Macandrew Bay cafe The Duck announced on social media yesterday it had closed "for the forseeable future" after trading for the final time on Tuesday. Owner and founder Emma Strybosch said the past four months, December in particular, had been really difficult for the business financially. The cafe was supposed to be for people who lived in the area "because they deserve to have somewhere to go".
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 14, 2026 18:25 UTC
Coca-Cola taps into alcohol market with new Jack Daniel’s collaboration
Coca-Cola's Matthias Blume says the collaboration for a pre-mixed Jack Daniel’s whiskey and Coca-Cola drink makes commercial sense. The collaboration was made possible after Coca-Cola entered a global partnership with Brown-Forman, the owner of Jack Daniel’s, in late 2022. He recalled doing activations as a junior brand manager in the late 1990s with Jack Daniel’s, Coca-Cola and Bacardi in Germany. The company has already launched several aRTD products in Australia, including a Bacardi Rum drink. As for why companies do brand collaborations, Blume believed it was valuable to classify them under two categories.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 17:31 UTC
Weather: Heavy rain, thunderstorms forecast to drench most of North Island
🟧🟡Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings, ⚡Thunderstorms and Downpours⛈️⛈️The risk of downpours due to thunderstorms is there for all of the North Island and very top of the South Island, with the exception of Gisborne and northern Hawke's Bay. “There is also a risk of thunderstorms for quite a large portion of the North Island in the second half of the day.”Seth has a look at what's expected to be a busy day of weather on Thursday:⛈️ Areas of heavy rain and numerous thunderstorms will affect the North Island and upper South Island. pic.twitter.com/ocE0WynS5A — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) January 14, 2026That could be extended through the northern parts of the North Island. Taranaki Maunga is also under a heavy rain warning until 11pm, with up to 100mm of rain expected to fall and peak rates of up to 40mm/h. A heavy rain warning is in place for Marlborough, north of Ward, until 5pm.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 16:28 UTC
Auckland father’s bowel cancer death prompts warning on symptom-free risk
Sam Kenny, 44, died on January 3 after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2019. Photo / SuppliedBowel cancer is the second-highest cause of cancer death in New Zealand, second only to lung cancer. Bowel Cancer New Zealand said the incidence of bowel cancer in this country is one of the highest in the world, with more than 1200 people dying from it each year. She said she advised families going through something similar to reach out to charities such as Bowel Cancer New Zealand and the Cancer Society for support. Dai Henwood went public with his stage 4 cancer diagnosis in January 2023.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 16:26 UTC
Big crowd expected for A&P show
Taieri A&P Society president Dale Harris is ready for thousands of people to fill the Taieri Showgrounds for the 166th annual show next week. PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUEAnother bumper crowd is expected at the 166th Taieri A&P Show in Mosgiel next week. Taieri A&P Society president Dale Harris, who dairy farms in Henley, said he estimated nearly 10,000 people attended the event at the Taieri Showgrounds last year. An aim of the show committee was to provide entertainment for no extra cost to keep it an affordable event. • The 2026 Taieri A&P Show takes place on Saturday, January 24, 10am-4pm at the Taieri Showgrounds.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 14, 2026 16:06 UTC