Arrest at airport in crackdown on student loan debts, UN humanitarian chief blasts Israel for blocking Gaza aid, and top tips for lowering your blood pressure.
1 Arrest at airport as tougher stance taken on student loan debts
The arrest of a person arriving at the border last month over unpaid student loan debt is an example of Inland Revenue "making up for lost time," one tax expert says.
Inland Revenue said at the end of April there were 113,733 people with student loans believed to be based overseas.
More than 70% were in default on their loans, owing $2.3 billion, of which more than $1b is penalties and interest. For about 24,000 of these overseas-based borrowers, the debt is more than 15 years old.
2 Teen denies murdering Kyle Whorrall at Auckland bus stop
The 16-year-old accused of murdering American PhD student Kyle Whorrall at a bus stop in Auckland's St Johns has pleaded not guilty.
He also denied a charge of aggravated robbery. A 32-year-old woman who was also charged with being an accessory to murder after the fact, also pleaded not guilty.
3 UN humanitarian chief blasts Israel for 'deliberately' blocking Gaza aid
The United Nations’ top humanitarian official has blasted Israel for “deliberately and unashamedly” imposing inhumane conditions on Palestinians, including the risk of famine — one of the strongest condemnations by a high-ranking UN official during the war in Gaza.
Tom Fletcher, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, briefed the Security Council, describing this work as a “grim undertaking” since Israel began blocking all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza more than 10 weeks ago.
4 Man charged after ambulance stolen while patient awaited transfer
A man has been charged after an ambulance parked outside Timaru Hospital was taken for a joyride while a patient awaited transfer to Christchurch early on Tuesday morning.
Dashcam footage provided to 1News showed the stolen ambulance travelling through thick fog at speeds of up to 82km/h.
5 New Zealand travellers warned of increased detention risk at US border
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has updated its travel advice for New Zealanders travelling to the United States in its first update since Donald Trump became president again.
The strengthened travel advisory comes as the ministry says 17 Kiwis have sought assistance since November 2024 after experiencing immigration difficulties in the US.
ONE SURPRISING BLOOD PRESSURE TIP
Following the launch of a campaign this week about the dangers of blood pressure, which affects one in three New Zealanders, here are top tips from researchers for keeping the condition at bay.
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