An unplugged Mercedes-Benz EV caught fire in an underground car park in Incheon, South Korea, sparking safety fears due to the challenging nature of extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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South Korea EV explosion sparks warnings and safety fears

An unplugged Mercedes-Benz EV ignited in an underground car park in Incheon, South Korea, causing extensive damage and power outages.

Several office buildings are now reportedly banning EVs from parking and residents are being urged to exercise caution. This is concerning in a country where most people live in high-density apartments. Many charging stations are located in underground garages and new apartments and large buildings are legally required to install EV chargers.

9 August 2024

Children’s Minister calls Oranga Tamariki a ‘Cash Cow,’ PSA demands retraction

Minister for Children Karen Chhour has labelled Oranga Tamariki a “cash cow” for external community service providers who, she claims, fail to deliver on their promises. Chhour, an abuse survivor and former child in care, stated that Oranga Tamariki had been overly generous with contracts worth over $500 million, funding services that were not adequately provided.

9 August 2024

Caveat emptor: Buyers spend up to $10,000 on subpar building reports prompting growing calls for regulation

The real estate market in Auckland is in turmoil as buyers spend thousands on building reports that often fail to meet standards. Industry professionals are calling for regulations to better standardise the inspection process. One agent reported that buyers are spending up to $10,000 on inspections, causing many deals to fall through over minor issues.

9 August 2024

Youth hit hard by rising unemployment ahead of Reserve Bank OCR decision

Recent labour data shows unemployment increased to 4.6%, the highest rate in three years. Nearly half of the newly unemployed are between the ages of 15 and 24. Unemployment rates for those aged 15 to 19 exceed 20%, while for those aged 20 to 24, the rate is 8%.

Some economists are concerned about potential lasting economic damage and “wage scarring.”

9 August 2024

Could a compound found in Manuka honey be promoting cancer?

While manuka honey is celebrated for its antibacterial properties, new evidence suggests its high methylglyoxal content may carry risks. Recent research indicates that methylglyoxal could support tumour growth by helping cancer cells evade programmed cell death. This means cancer cells might survive longer, continue dividing, and potentially spread more aggressively.

9 August 2024

UK MPs demand profitable social media giants be held accountable for riots

MPs are demanding that social media platforms like X, TikTok, and Facebook be held to the same legal standards as newspapers and TV stations amidst concerns over their role in inciting violence. This follows the arrest of a man in the UK city of Leeds for stirring up racial hatred on social media.

9 August 2024

Government confirms no military involvement in youth offender boot camp

Minister for Children Karen Chhour confirmed that no New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel would be working directly with the youth offenders in the “military-style academy” pilot programme at Te Au rere a Tonga Youth Justice Residence. Despite earlier claims of “heavy defence involvement”, NZDF staff are only involved in background policy work, not frontline interaction.