Search warrants used when 70 New Zealand police raided the mansion of the suspected kingpin of an Internet piracy ring were illegal, a New Zealand court ruled on Thursday, dealing a blow to the FBI's highest profile global copyright theft case. German national Kim Dotcom, also known as Kim Schmitz, was one of four men arrested in January as part of an investigation of his Megaupload.com website led by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Prosecutors say Dotcom was the ringleader of a group that had netted $175 million since 2005 by copying and distributing music, movies and other copyrighted content without authorization. Dotcom's lawyers say the company simply offered online storage. On Thursday, High Court Judge Justice Helen Winkelmann found the warrants used in the seizure of property from Dotcom's mansion near Auckland were illegal and that moves by the FBI to copy data from Dotcom's computer and take it offshore were also unlawful. "The warrants did not … [Read more...] about New Zealand court finds Megaupload search warrants illegal
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New Zealand hopes to end whaling deadlock
WASHINGTON - New Zealand's foreign minister has voiced hope that Japan would find a way to compromise in coming years on whaling, despite a long and bitter deadlock in international negotiations. Japan each year infuriates New Zealand and Australia by killing hundreds of whales in the Antarctic Ocean, skirting a global moratorium as Tokyo classifies its expeditions as scientific research. New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said on Wednesday that the International Whaling Commission, which opens its annual meeting next month in Panama, was in a "holding pattern." But he voiced hope for the future. "I'm hopeful that at some point in the next year or two, there will be an opportunity provided by, if you like, political windows for us to re-engage constructively," McCully said in an interview on a visit to Washington. "I've kept close to my Japanese counterparts on the issue and just hope that we'll get at some point into a space where they regard themselves as able to … [Read more...] about New Zealand hopes to end whaling deadlock
11 dead in New Zealand balloon crash
A hot air balloon burst into flames and crashed to the ground in New Zealand on Saturday, killing all 11 people on board, after apparently hitting a power line. The balloon came down in calm weather near Carterton, a small town north of the capital Wellington and a popular area for ballooning, in New Zealand's worst aviation disaster in more than 30 years. "It appears a fire has ignited on board, causing the hot air balloon to crash in farmland. Sadly, the pilot and 10 passengers onboard have not survived," Wellington district police commander Mike Rusbatch said. One witness, David McKinlay, told reporters he looked up to see one side of the basket on fire and "all of a sudden there was just 10 metres of flames". "It was like a rocket coming down; it was just unbelievable," he said. McKinlay, who alerted the emergency services, said the balloon was about 150 metres in the air when it suddenly plummeted to the ground. Another witness told Fairfax News he was waving to the … [Read more...] about 11 dead in New Zealand balloon crash
New landmark in Vietnam- New Zealand relations
Party leader Nong Duc Manh has successfully concluded his official visit to New Zealand with the adoption of an important agreement to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership. The agreement presents a new landmark in the Vietnam-New Zealand relationship, opening up great prospects for bilateral and multilateral cooperation. NZ's Opposition leader, Phil Goff, who was formerly the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade said he was impressed by the Vietnamese people's determination to build the country, the rapidly developing economy and their efforts to sharpen competitiveness. Bilateral trade ties have strongly developed over the past few years and both countries should continue to boost cooperation in such fields as consultancy, aviation, education, training and tourism, said Mr Goff. Entrepreneurs from both countries gathered for the Vietnam-New Zealand business forum held in Auckland, NZ's biggest city and its primary commercial and tourist centre to … [Read more...] about New landmark in Vietnam- New Zealand relations
New Zealand wins rugby World Cup on home ground
New Zealand's All Blacks pulled off a historic 8-7 victory against France Sunday, taking the Rugby World Cup in front of a home crowd and winning the title of world champions for the first time in 24 years. For the home team it was undoubtedly the biggest game of their lives -- a chance to hold aloft the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time since they last held it after the very first Rugby World Cup final against France in 1987. The French had derailed New Zealand's championship dreams twice before in 1999 and 2007 -- and they came within one point of thwarting the All Blacks' ambitions again on Sunday. Nerves were showing on the pitch in the first half at Auckland's Eden Park and the All Blacks' Piri Weepu missed opportunities for eight points, sending two penalties and a conversion wide of the posts. The French put on a determined face from the start, lining up in a V-formation and marching forward as the All Blacks performed their traditional pre-match haka. But Les … [Read more...] about New Zealand wins rugby World Cup on home ground