Nick Reiner’s attorney withdraws, plea postponed in parents’ murder case
Nick Reiner’s arraignment has been postponed until Feb. 23, while a public defender takes over his case. The Los Angeles County district attorney charged him two days later. His attorneys spoke to the judge briefly and intermittently conferred with Reiner before Jackson announced his withdrawal from the case. Los Angeles County Public Defender Ricardo García appeared with Nick Reiner’s new attorney, Kimberly Greene, at a news conference after the hearing. He said they had learned only Tuesday night their office would be taking over Reiner’s case.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 20:58 UTC
ICE officer fatally shoots woman during Minneapolis operation amid unrest
DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that “rioters” obstructed ICE officers and one driver attempted to “run over” law enforcement officers, which she called an “act of domestic terrorism”. Two ICE agents pulled up, exited their vehicle and approached the SUV. Some Republicans defended ICE, citing a reported rise, according to DHS, in assaults against federal immigration officers. “Radical Leftist RIOTERS are attacking our law enforcement officers who are just trying to keep our country safe,” Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) wrote on X. Frey had previously expressed concern that ICE’s presence in Minneapolis could spill over into violence, and damage already frayed relations between citizens and law enforcement.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 20:25 UTC
Tributes flow after body found in search for missing tramper Connor Purvis
Connor Purvis went missing near Lake Ōhau. “[We] wish to extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Connor Purvis on the tragic loss of Connor,” a statement said. Connor Purvis intended to climb Mt Huxley in the Southern Alps and descend via the Huxley River South Branch. Photo / NZ PoliceHowever, he failed to return as expected, prompting what police earlier said was a “significant search effort”, using drones, helicopters and land search and rescue teams. Drones, helicopters and land search and rescue teams searched for the missing tramper for almost a week.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 20:25 UTC
Biosecurity op under way after fruit fly found in Auckland
The single male fruit fly was found in Mount Roskill. Photo: Supplied / Biosecurity New ZealandA biosecurity operation is under way in Auckland after the find of a Queensland fruit fly. The male fruit fly was in a surveillance trap and identified this morning in the suburb of Mt Roskill. In Australia, the Queensland fruit fly costs growers hundreds of millions of dollars a year in damage and pest control. Queensland fruit fly maggots ate more than 200 different types of fruit and vegetables, Biosecurity NZ said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 07, 2026 19:51 UTC
Makarora jetboat crash injures three
Two people were flown to Dunedin Hospital with moderate injuries. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN (file)Two people have been flown to hospital following a jetboat crash in Otago.Emergency services were called to Makarora, in the Queenstown-Lakes district, shortly before 3.30pm yesterday. The injured pair were flown to Dunedin Hospital in a moderate condition. St John said another person was treated at the scene, but did not need transportation. Maritime New Zealand said that it had asked the commercial jetboat operator to not repair the damaged boat until it had inspected it.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 07, 2026 19:20 UTC
ICE officer fatally shoots woman during Minneapolis operation
An ICE officer fatally shot a 37-year-old woman Jan. 7 during an operation in Minneapolis. Responding to the shooting death of a 37-year-old woman, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) had a fiery message for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. ”He called on the country to stand by law enforcement officers. Some Republicans defended ICE, citing a reported rise, according to DHS, in assaults against federal immigration officers. “Radical Leftist RIOTERS are attacking our law enforcement officers who are just trying to keep our country safe,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) wrote on X.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 18:46 UTC
Police still seeking man
Caleb Lynn. Photo: NZ PolicePolice are still looking for a man wanted in connection with an aggravated robbery thought to be in Dunedin and urge people not to approach him.On Tuesday, police appealed for information on the whereabouts of Caleb Lynn, wanted over aggravated robbery and other alleged offences. A spokeswoman confirmed last night the appeal was still active. Contact police on 105, reference number 251219/6171 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111. — Allied Media
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 07, 2026 18:25 UTC
Mourners pay tribute to Brigitte Bardot at Saint-Tropez funeral
She admitted that Bardot, who died in late December, aged 91, had “a small streak of racism too, but it wasn’t malicious – she wasn’t just that”. No frills eventBardot’s best-known associations – to the heyday of the New Wave French film industry, animal rights campaigning, and far-right politics – were all represented at Friday’s church service. Well-wishers take pictures as they arrive to lay wreath of flowers and photographs to pay a tribute to late French actress Brigitte Bardot at her grave at the marine cemetery. Photo / Valery Hache, AFPA host of fellow campaigners against animal cruelty and the son of late film star Jean-Paul Belmondo attended, as did French far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen. A dog sits among wreath of flowers and photographs of late French actress Brigitte Bardot placed around her grave at the marine cemetery, following the funeral ceremony at Notre-Dame de l'Assomption church.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 17:55 UTC
When freedom advances, tyrants panic – Jonathan Ayling
The rules-based international order rests on the same insight. Do we still care about the international rules-based order? When tyrants fall, appeals to sovereignty and international law suddenly multiply. When China, Russia, and Iran are the countries demanding respect for the rules-based order, it is quite possibly an indicator you are on the right track. Treating it as such empties the rules-based order of meaning and hands its language to those most eager to destroy it.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 17:31 UTC
US seizes Russia-flagged oil tanker chased to North Atlantic
The United States military on January 7, 2026, announced the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic for sanctions violations, bringing an end to a multi-week pursuit by American forces. The North Atlantic operation came despite Russia reportedly sending a submarine and other naval assets to escort the tanker. Since then, Trump has said that the United States will run Venezuela and US companies will control its critical oil industry. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright added on Wednesday that Washington will control sales of Venezuelan oil indefinitely, while state oil company PDVSA said negotiations for the sale of crude to the United States were underway. Leavitt said proceeds from the sale of Venezuelan crude will go to US-controlled accounts and then “will be dispersed for the benefit of the American people and the Venezuelan people”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 17:01 UTC
Weather: Scorching temperatures sweep New Zealand, heat alerts likely for Hawke’s Bay
“I would say it will be quite likely we will be issuing heat alerts.”In Auckland, temperatures are forecast to reach into the high 20s during the weekend. Fire and Emergency Hawke’s Bay assistant fire commander Jason Hill said firefighters were concerned about the Napier-Heretaunga [Hastings] area, through to Central Hawke’s Bay and northern Te Rerenga areas. There are fears of more fires this weekend with high temperatures forecast. MetService has issued a heavy rain watch for the western areas of Fiordland about and north of Doubtful Sound, and Westland south of the Haast River. “The heavy rain will spill over a bit to places like Invercargill, Dunedin, and maybe Christchurch could see a few showers as well,” White said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 16:40 UTC
Auckland crash Facebook post misidentifies ‘drunk driver’, police warn
One claimed the SUV driver caused the crash and another said the SUV was struck by another vehicle. The driver doesn’t remember taking photos of the crash scene or the man later accused online of being responsible. Checkpoint page used in social huntCheckpoint Watch Auckland is a Facebook page dedicated to alerting followers where police stage checkpoints, including those for testing drivers for intoxication, allowing them to avoid being processed. They believed they were asked because posts on the Facebook page could go viral. Numerous comments highlighted the irony of posting a search for an alleged drunk driver on a Facebook page that could be seen to help intoxicated motorists avoid police detection.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 16:27 UTC
Research into peptides to fight food spoilage wins grant
University of Otago researchers are working to harness the power of peptides in a spray to help the red meat industry combat bacterial contamination and spoilage. The red meat industry in New Zealand contributes $10.8 billion annually to the economy, accounting for about 15% of the country’s total export earnings. However, up to 1% of exported products are returned or rejected due to bacterial spoilage or contamination, resulting in financial losses amounting to tens of millions of dollars each year. Because biofilms were stubbornly effective at blocking traditional cleaners and antibiotics, scientists had engineered solutions like anti-biofilm coatings for surfaces, Assoc Prof Pletzer said. The country’s primary sector stood out as an obvious area that could benefit, and they started working with major red meat co-operative, Alliance Group NZ.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 07, 2026 16:17 UTC
$50 for levy hand-drawn in protest
A climate activist attempted to pay a court levy with a hand-drawn $50 note in a publicity stunt. It came after he held an A3 paper sign saying "it’s a climate emergency" at Dunedin Airport in July last year. Yesterday, outside the Dunedin Courthouse, he explained the $50 note he drew featured a portrait of Shane Jones, a vulture instead of kōkako and cannabis leaves. Bruce Mahalski holds the $50 note he drew to pay his court levy. The listing noted the highest bidder would also receive the payment receipt and an "it’s a climate emergency" T-shirt.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 07, 2026 16:17 UTC
Aussie firm buys central Queenstown building
Australian-based real estate investment company Marprop plans to convert Queenstown’s The Forge building into a 264-bed backpackers’ hostel. PHOTO: TRACEY ROXBURGHAn Australian real estate investment company has snapped up one of Queenstown’s most central buildings, planning to turn it into a 264-bed "premium backpackers". The ODT understands Marprop recently bought The Forge, a three-level, mixed-use commercial building which fronts Athol, Shotover and Camp Sts. It is Marprop’s second property interest in Queenstown, the company having previously bought a mixed-use building, home to Patagonia clothing store, which fronts Beach and Shotover Sts. Thirteen rooms, in different configurations, are planned for the first floor, along with communal bathrooms and an entry/self check-in/lounge, and another 17 rooms and communal bathrooms on the second floor.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 07, 2026 16:13 UTC