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21 Aug 2025

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Cancer patients told to buy chemotherapy drugs or go without - Fiji Cancer Society
The head of the Cancer Society says "we cannot stay quiet while lives are priced out of treatment" and is calling on the government to act on the issue.

Spark blames big profit drop on technology changes, cost of living difficulties
Its profit is down 18 percent to $260 million, driven by lower customer spending.

SkyCity reports 42% drop in underlying profit, fall in revenue
The casino operator also said revenue was down 11 percent, but reported a small net profit.

Kiwibank profit down as lending rises
Kiwibank reported a 5% drop in net profit after tax for the year to June, while lending rose 10%.

Planned closure of Eves Valley Sawmill would affect 142 jobs, mayor says
Carter Holt Harvey plans to close Eves Valley Sawmill in near Nelson, the mayor says.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews block central Israel highways, protest outside military prison

India bans real-money gaming, threatening a $23 billion industry

OpenAI CFO says these 3 things will help your company stay competitive in the AI era

Tech, chip stock sell-off continues as AI bubble fears mount

Sickness, reliever shortage forces schools across country to close
Schools are having trouble finding reliever teachers, forcing them to close entirely.

Prisoner comes down from Otago jail roof
The remand prisoner got on to the roof of a unit at Otago Corrections Facility, near Milton, on Wednesday.

Justin Marshall pays tribute to ex-All Black, his great uncle, who has died
Lloyd Ashby played one test in 1958 and was a stalwart for Southland in inspiring a famous win over Australia and a Ranfurly Shield success.

Highlanders sign three New Zealand under-20s stars
Wellington first-five/fullback Stanley Solomon and Otago halfback Dylan Pledger among a trio of young players snapped up by Jamie Joseph.

Dementia patient missing almost 24 hours in Auckland
Linda, who goes by her middle name Anne, went missing from a Mt Albert facility and was last seen on Allendale Rd around 11.30am on Wednesday.

Business banking 'a standout' as Kiwibank sees full-year profit drop
Kiwibank has posted a lower full-year profit on the back of increased costs and a fall in margins.

Auckland Airport's net income lifts strongly after last year's results hit by tax bill
The airport's underlying profit also rose, as rental income improved, it increased aeronautical charges and had lower interest and tax expenses.

�Shocked and scared�: Wrong-way police chase on Auckland�s North Shore
Police blocked off Glenfield Rd in rush hour after the incident.

Four people arrested after Rotorua homicide
The four are due in court today.

Firebolt opens Singapore hub to boost data & AI in APAC
Firebolt has launched a new hub in Singapore to support rising demand for real-time data analytics and AI solutions across the Asia Pacific region.

Two Labour bills pass into law
One stops employers enforcing gag orders on workers talking about their salaries, while the other extends protections for those giving evidence of sexual assaults or family harm.

Israel Calls Up 60,000 Reservists Amid Calls to End Gaza War

As IDF calls up 60,000 reservists, Israel wrestles with motivation, service, and sacrifice

Israel to call up 60,000 reservists as Gaza City takeover nears

OpenAI CFO Sees Firm Selling AI Infrastructure Service in Future

Adidas, Walmart, Home Depot, and other major brands that say Trump's tariffs are pushing them to raise prices

Pair charged over cryptocurrency, jewellery robbery four years ago
Police say information from a private investigator gave financial crime unit investigators a line of enquiry.

Nervous start for Lisa Carrington at world champs
Dame Lisa Carrington admitted to plenty of nerves as she returned to international competition in Italy.

Google snuck a new smart speaker into its big Pixel event
Over the past several months, the question surrounding Google�s next smart devices hasn�t been when they will arrive, but if they will arrive.� After all, Google�s been slowly but steadily discontinuing older smart products (the Nest Protect, the Nest x Yale Lock) while leaving their replacements to third parties. At time same time, its aging line of Nest smart speakers and displays has been languishing.� But Google has previously hinted that new Google Home smart devices are on tap for later this year, and during the company�s big Made by Google event today, we may have gotten a glimpse of one.� During some pre-recorded banter between Milwaukee Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo and F1 driver Lando Norris, the camera panned over to reveal a small, slightly squished sphere with a gray exterior and a telltale light ring encircling its narrow base.� That sphere was clearly a smart speaker housing Gemini, with Norris chatting with the assistant in its Gemini Live mode.� The speaker only appeared in passing and was never mentioned directly during the presentation, but it seems likely to be the first new Google smart speaker since the Nest Audio debuted in 2020. I hesitate to call it a new Nest speaker, as I�m not entirely sure Google will stick with the Nest branding in this new age of Gemini. (That�s just a guess on my part.)� Speaking of Gemini, note that Alexa-like light ring replacing the four pulsing LEDs that used to represent Google Assistant. Google did just tell us that Google Assistant will soon be replaced by Gemini on its existing and forthcoming smart devices, so perhaps the light ring on the new speaker visually calls out the changing of the voice-assistant guard. (Of course, the four LEDs will remain on Google�s older Nest speakers.)� So, when will we find out more about this mysterious new speaker? If Google holds a fall Made for Google event as it has in the past, the new speaker might officially break cover then. Stay tuned.� This news story is part of�TechHive�s in-depth coverage of the best smart speakers.