A federal court dismissed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit against Pfizer, which alleged the company misrepresented the COVID vaccine’s effectiveness. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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US judge tosses Texas lawsuit accusing Pfizer of lying about COVID vaccine

A US federal court judge has dismissed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit against Pfizer, which alleged the company misled the public about its COVID vaccine’s effectiveness.

Judge Sam R. Cummings ruled that Pfizer is protected by the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act), granting immunity to vaccine makers during emergencies like the pandemic.

04 January 2025

Is ‘technoference’ hurting toddlers’ brain development?

“Technoference,” the disruption caused by parents’ screen use during face-to-face interactions with their toddlers, is raising alarms among experts.

Sabina Pauen, a developmental psychology professor, warns that this interference can cause stress and confusion in children, as they struggle to interpret their parents’ emotions and reactions when attention is divided.

04 January 2025

Winston Peters: NZ First is stronger than ever, ready for 2026

As the 2026 election approaches, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is pivoting from statesman to campaigner, determined to defy the party’s history of losing power after one term in government.

Peters insists internal polling places NZ First at 7% or higher, surpassing public poll estimates.

04 January 2025

How Kiwi kids are being lured into gangs and crime

A police intelligence report reveals young offenders in New Zealand are forming youth gangs within Oranga Tamariki facilities, with cultural and community factors driving recruitment.

The report, Youth Recruitment into Gangs, highlights that some young Kiwis know more about Los Angeles gang culture than their own heritage and identifies practices like urban dirt biking in South Auckland as linked to gang activities.

04 January 2025

How to land a job in New Zealand’s tight labour market

As the labour market tightens, jobseekers face intense competition, with recruiters reporting hundreds of applicants per role.

Frog Recruitment’s managing director Shannon Barlow advises against a “spray and pray” approach.

She advises applicants to target roles carefully and tailor their applications to match employers' desired skills.

04 January 2025

New Zealand is one of the top destinations for immigrants in the OECD

New Zealand stands out among OECD countries, with 27% of its population being foreign-born, one of the highest shares globally.

This ranks New Zealand fourth, following Luxembourg (50%), Switzerland (31%), and Australia (29%).

New Zealand’s position in the OECD is part of a broader trend in migration, where smaller, high-income countries are attracting large shares of foreign-born residents.

04 January 2025

New Zealand adopts electric air ambulances to cut costs and go carbon neutral

The New Zealand Air Ambulance Service (NZAAS) has announced the acquisition of two electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) from Beta Technologies, marking a significant shift toward sustainable air transport.

From 2028, these Alia eVTOLs will enable all-electric inter-hospital transfers, reducing costs and freeing up rescue helicopters for other missions.