Formula 1 races in Bahrain, Saudi cancelled due to Iran war
The Gulf has been battered by two weeks of Iranian drone and missile attacks after the United States and Israel started their war on Iran. Saudi Arabia has also weathered scores of strikes, some of them targeting the oil infrastructure that is crucial for the world’s biggest exporter of crude oil. “The FIA will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community and colleagues first,” FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said. “Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are incredibly important to the ecosystem of our racing season and I look forward to returning to both as soon as circumstances allow. The Formula Two, Formula Three and F1 Academy rounds will also not take place during their scheduled slots in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 04:33 UTC
Convicted sex offender Brodie Kingsford found with child sexual abuse material
‘52 images, nine videos’Police found Kingsford with two cellphones that had objectionable and child exploitation material. ‘750,000 sexual predators online’Court documents state there are more than 200 new child sexual abuse images circulated daily on the internet. The number of sexual predators online at any one time was estimated at 750,000. Demand for new child sexual abuse images resulted in a cycle of abuse for existing victims and demands for new ones. Since 1997, the number of child pornography images on the internet has increased by 1500%.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 04:31 UTC
Formula 3: Kiwi racer Louis Sharp admits luck after season-opening crash
“To be honest, there’s probably stuff we both could have done differently,” Sharp told the Herald. “I had so much pace but in hindsight I probably didn’t need to get the move done right then. “I got pushed off [turn four] and came into turn five and two into one didn’t really go. I’m not really allowed to do much, but I’m mobile and able to walk, so that’s a positive. “It’s a really big positive to know how strong the pace is, and to take that forward as a big confidence boost is really positive,” said Sharp.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 04:31 UTC
A 'fine line' between rough sex and sexual assault - report
The report said in some cases, the patients did not think what happened to them was sexual assault. The committee said it had been told there can be a "fine line" between rough sex and sexual assault and that some young people were presenting to accident and emergency departments rather than specialist sexual assault services. New sexual violence capability frameworks are expected to be published next year to help health professionals recognise more nuanced signs of sexual assault. Sexual health educators warn that violent pornography is normalising rough and dangerous sex among young people. Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa chief executive Jackie Edmond said pornography often portrayed rough sex as normal.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 04:30 UTC
Black Ferns Sevens secure back-to-back World Series crown in New York, chase third straight US Sevens title
NZ Herald Morning News Update | US Marines moved to Middle East, Israel strikes kill 800 in Lebanon, one dead in crash near Whanganui Airport. Video / NZ HeraldBlack Ferns Sevens secure back-to-back World Series crown in New York, chase third straight US Sevens titleThe Black Ferns Sevens have won the World Series title again, after making it to the semi-finals of the New York tournament. No other team can catch them in the overall standings after they reached the semis, which meant the Black Ferns have defended their regular season title. Three wins in Pool A have set the team up with a match against the USA to make the final and attempt to win the American Sevens title for the third straight year. “Winning the series has definitely been a goal of ours this season,” Black Ferns Sevens captain Risi Pouri-Lane said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 04:23 UTC
Fuel crisis: Gull stations run out of petrol, again
Photo: RNZ/Pretoria GordonSeveral Gull petrol stations have run dry for the second time in three days, as motorists worry about rising prices and supplies. Gull has 113 petrol stations, mostly in the North Island and said they were very busy on Sunday. Locals said the self-serve Gull petrol station at Rosebank roundabout in West Auckland ran out of fuel on Saturday night and the Gull at Rosebank East has a sign up saying "no fuel". Photo: RNZ/Pretoria GordonThe Tasman petrol station in Epsom, which was offering unleaded petrol at $2.72 on Saturday, also had a sign on the pumps saying "no petrol containers". Gull respondsIn response, Gull told RNZ customers continued to "flock to our stations in search of fair fuel prices".
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 04:20 UTC
Ireland keep Six Nations title dreams alive in dashing Scotland’s, only to be denied by France
Finn Russell converted to reach the 300-point mark in the Six Nations. Crowley converted for 14-7. Russell converted for 19-14. Russell converted to make it a five-point game again. Crowley converted for 33-21 with 12 minutes remaining.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 04:15 UTC
Do we owe our Covid conspiracy friends an apology? – Heather du Plessis-Allan
Hardly any of us listened when our conspiracy theorist friends and family tried to convince us the Government knew the risks but wasn’t telling us. The document explicitly advising against mandating the second jab never reached them. On another document, Verrall noted in the margins that there were safety concerns about the second jab. If not an outright apology, at least a small acknowledgement that they weren’t completely imagining things after all. Heather du Plessis-Allan is the Drive host for Newstalk ZB.
Source:Stuff
March 15, 2026 04:03 UTC
Changing sexual norms among young people a growing concern, report warns young people harmed by rough sex may be sexual assault victims
The report said in some cases, the patients did not think what happened to them was sexual assault. Photo / 123rfThe report said in some cases, the patients did not think what happened to them was sexual assault. The issue was raised in a report by the Justice Committee, reviewing the work of the Executive Board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence. The committee said it had been told there can be a “fine line” between rough sex and sexual assault and that some young people were presenting to accident and emergency departments rather than specialist sexual assault services. In some cases, the patients did not consider what happened to them to be rape or sexual assault.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 03:46 UTC
Thousands cross the FreshChoice City2Surf finish line
Thousands of people hit the pavement in Christchurch on Sunday for the FreshChoice City2Surf fun run. One runner thought they had taken the long route after crossing the finish line. "Not entirely sure how I managed to run 13.5km in a 12km event… but hey, we’ll count it as bonus training." What a great day, great effort, and great vibes all the way to the finish," she said. "It's a great way to get active and enjoy our great city."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 03:27 UTC
Spectacular aurora captured over Lake Ruataniwha
Twizel photographer Jeff Ng took took the photo at Lake Ruataniwha. Photo: Jeff NgTwizel astrophotography enthusiast Jeff Ng says the region has seen a few auroras lately, after he captured a magnificent view on Saturday night. The Airbnb owner with a passion for photography took the colourful photo at Lake Ruataniwha about 10.30pm. Twizel is located within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of two reserves in the country, with the other being in Wairarapa. The reserve spans 4367 square kilometres, with other parts of the South Island certified as dark sky sanctuaries, including the more recent Tāhuna Glenorchy Sanctuary.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 03:27 UTC
One dead, three injured in serious crash on Lindis Pass
Police have confirmed one person has died following a serious two-vehicle crash on the Lindis Pass, which also left three others injured this afternoon. A Police spokeswoman said the incident happened between Old Faithful Rd and Omarama, near the Lindis Pass scenic lookout, about 12.20pm. "Sadly, despite best efforts of emergency services, one person died at the scene." She said three other people were injured in the two-car crash. The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 03:27 UTC
Wrestling ref kicked out of the way by performers while convulsing in the ring
NZ Herald Morning News Update | US Marines moved to Middle East, Israel strikes kill 800 in Lebanon, one dead in crash near Whanganui Airport. Video / NZ HeraldWrestling ref kicked out of the way by performers while convulsing in the ringA wrestling referee was kicked aside by performers while having a seizure in the ring at an event in Louisville, Kentucky. Edwards lay motionless on the mat and was checked on by one of the performers, but other performers soon entered the ring and the match continued. The referee began to convulse in the ring with one of the wrestlers trying to pull him away in to the corner and then moving him away with his foot. “Referee Dallas Edwards is in some trouble here, guys,” one of the commentators said as the camera panned away from his body.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 03:01 UTC
Gull petrol stations run out of fuel as petrol hits the $3-a-litre mark
Gull has 113 petrol stations, mostly in the North Island and it said it was very busy on Sunday. Locals said the self-serve Gull petrol station at Rosebank roundabout in West Auckland ran out of fuel on Saturday night and the Gull at Rosebank East had a sign up saying “no fuel”. Photo / RNZ, Pretoria GordonMeanwhile, the Tasman petrol station in Epsom was offering unleaded petrol at $2.72 on Saturday and had a sign on the pumps saying “no petrol containers”. The Tasman petrol station in Epsom, which was offering unleaded petrol at $2.72 on Saturday, also had a sign on the pumps saying “no petrol containers”. Gull respondsIn response, Gull told RNZ that customers continued to “flock to our stations in search of fair fuel prices”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 02:19 UTC
NZ Herald expert speculates on future All Blacks coaching assistant picks
An impasse could be brewing between Dave Rennie and New Zealand Rugby as the new All Blacks coach seeks to finalise his coaching team next week. No contracts at this stage have been offered to any All Blacks assistants, but speculation indicates an announcement will be made soon. NZ Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul joined D'Arcy to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 02:13 UTC