The Warehouse Group has reported a first half net profit after tax of nearly $16 million.

CEO Mark Stirton told Heather du Plessis-Allan he is 'pleased' with the result

But, like most of the world, concerns over Iran and fuel costs plague future outlooks.

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A Los Angeles ​jury recently found Meta and Google guilty of designing harmful social media platforms that encourage addictive behaviour in users.

The jury found Meta liable for $4.2 million in damages and Google for $1.8 million, and it's expected this case will inspire similar legal cases.

Senior public health researcher at UOA, Dr Samantha Marsh, says this is a historic moment for social media.

"This is the first time that they've actually been taken to court, they've been found liable for their product. Up until now, it's just been about what people post on their platforms and they can't be held responsible for that. But this kind of changes everything."

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Labour may still hand a lifeline to the Government's much-touted surcharge ban.

The policy was announced with much fanfare last year - with Minister Scott Simpson promising it would be in force by May.

But he now says the bill's on pause, after David Seymour confirmed ACT won't back it.

National's now hoping for Labour's support for it to pass, with the Opposition keen to see amendments made so retailers don’t bear the costs of the payments themselves.

Retail NZ's Carolyn Young says she think's it's unlikely the banks can be forced to absorb them.

"If they can get the banks to absorb the fees, that would be a great outcome."

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