News

Sheriff video shows aftermath of ‘Rust’ film shooting

Published

4 years ago

April 27, 2022

Reuters

There are fresh details emerging about the fatal Rust shooting, after police released footage from the film set

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot by actor Alec Baldwin while he rehearsed with what he believed to be a safe gun.

New bodycam footage shows the chaotic moment when officers arrived on the “Rust” film set after a gun went off in actor Alec Baldwin’s hand, killing the film’s cinematographer and injuring its director.

“32 Santa Fe one female shot in the chest, male shot in the stomach requesting air flight.”

Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office released the video on Monday (April 25), which showed medics and officers tending to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and film director Joel Souza.

They are then brought out on stretchers and rushed into an ambulance.

Baldwin, who’s dressed as an Old West gunslinger, speaks with a police officer at the scene.

OFFICER: ”How’s it going sir, my understanding, you were in the room when the lady was shot?”

BALDWIN: “I was the one holding the gun…what do you need?” (flash)

BALDWIN: “She handed me an empty gun (inaudible)…everything was prepped”

42-year-old Hutchins was killed during filming in October when the revolver Baldwin was holding fired a live round that struck her in the chest and lodged in the shoulder of Souza.

Souza survived the gunshot wound.

“He’s (Film director Joel Souza) good, he’s got a broken shoulder blade.”

Baldwin was later questioned by police.

“What I’m curious about is what came out of that bullet that went through her (cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’s) body and into his (director Joel Souza’s) shoulder. (UNIDENTIFIED POLICE OFFICER: That’s very powerful to do that.)

He told them the gun that went off in his hand was given to him by armorer, Hannah Gutierrez.

“She hands me the gun – I’m assuming she’s done it the right way as she has done the last two weeks. I put it in the holster, I pull it out slow – we’re rehearsing. We’re not filming anything. I pull it out slow, turn, cock the pistol – bang – it goes off, and she hits the ground. And then he starts screaming.”

Baldwin, who is also a producer on the film, has been named in several lawsuits filed in connection with Hutchins’ death, including one by her husband.

He denies responsibility for Hutchins’ death and says live rounds should never have been allowed onto the set of the Western film at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico.

“Somebody put a live round in the gun. If that’s a bullet that was pulled out his shoulder, then someone loaded a live round into the gun I was holding.”

The body camera footage also showed an initial conversation with Gutierrez, the film’s armorer.

Police said a formal decision on criminal charges would depend on further forensic work.

Baldwin said in his police statement that a “very important question” for Gutierrez is whether she ever co-mingled live rounds with theatrical rounds in her kit.

The state of New Mexico last week fined Rust Movie Productions the maximum amount possible, $137,000, for what it called “willful” safety lapses leading to the death of Hutchins.

News

Australian beef industry warns of major export losses under new China tariff

Published

5 hours ago

January 1, 2026

Harvey Vargas

China slaps 55% tariff on Australian beef as trade and geopolitical tensions rise

China has imposed a 55% tariff on Australian beef imports that exceed quota limits, a move that threatens more than $1 billion in annual trade and has reignited tensions between Canberra and Beijing. The restrictions, effective from January 1 for three years, cap Australia’s beef quota at 205,000 tonnes—below the volume China imported in 2024—prompting industry claims the decision undermines the spirit of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

Calm fears

Beef producers warn the impact could be severe, with exports to China potentially falling by as much as one-third compared to 2025 levels. Industry groups say the move advantages rival exporters, with Brazil and Argentina receiving far larger quotas, raising concerns Australia could permanently lose market share in a key global market. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sought to calm fears, saying Australia is not being singled out and describing the beef sector as the strongest it has ever been.

The tariff decision comes against the backdrop of growing geopolitical strain, days after Australia criticised China’s “Justice Mission 2025” military drills near Taiwan as destabilising. Opposition figures are urging the government to leverage diplomatic ties with President Xi Jinping to ensure Australia is not swept up in broader trade retaliation, as industry calls mount for urgent talks to stabilise relations.

News

Five global escapes executives are booking for 2026

Published

2 days ago

December 31, 2025

Ahron Young

Where to switch off, reset and travel well for a week

For executives in their 40s, travel has shifted. It is less about ticking off sights and more about space, comfort and coming back sharper than when you left.

In 2026, the most appealing one-week holidays are destinations that combine calm, quality and a sense of being ahead of the curve.

For executives, switching off from work is essential, but true rest comes from being gently engaged rather than completely idle.

The most rewarding breaks offer just enough stimulation, culture, nature or conversation, to quiet the mind without replacing one form of busyness with another.

Here are five global locations quietly rising to the top of travel wish lists.

East Coast Barbados

Barbados has long been associated with polished beach holidays, but the east coast offers something different.

Wild Atlantic surf, boutique retreats and fewer crowds create a slower rhythm that suits travellers who want proper rest without sacrificing style.

Days are spent between long coastal walks, ocean-facing spas and unhurried dinners, with just enough local culture to keep things interesting.

Barbados: Book a holiday package (flights + hotel) to Barbados here.

Phu Quoc

Vietnam’s largest island is emerging as a refined alternative to more established Asian beach destinations.

Phu Quoc blends thoughtful luxury with a grounded, local feel. Resorts are discreet rather than flashy, wellness is taken seriously, and the pace encourages doing very little very well.

It is an easy week of warm water swims, exceptional food and genuine mental downtime.

Phu Quoc, Vietnam: Find holiday packages and deals for Phu Quoc here.

Peloponnese

For travellers who want culture without crowds, the Peloponnese is becoming Greece’s most compelling region.

Ancient ruins sit alongside olive groves, quiet beaches and wellness-focused resorts designed for long lunches and early nights.

It offers the Mediterranean experience executives love, without the intensity of Santorini or Mykonos.

Peloponnese, Greece: Browse and book Peloponnese holiday packages with flights and hotels here.

The Red Sea

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast is one of the most ambitious luxury travel projects in the world.

Opening progressively through 2025 and 2026, it promises adults-focused resorts built around sustainability, privacy and high-end wellness.

For those seeking something genuinely new, this is a destination that feels exclusive, restorative and future-facing.

Red Sea Coast (gateway for Red Sea resorts): Book a Red Sea Coast holiday package (flight + hotel) here.

Margaret River

Margaret River continues to refine its appeal for travellers who value space and quality. World-class wineries, dramatic coastline and understated luxury accommodation make it ideal for a reset without jet lag.

It is a reminder that a great week away does not need excess. It needs good food, good wine and room to breathe.

In 2026, the best holidays for executives are not about escape in the dramatic sense. They are about intention. A change of pace, fewer decisions, and environments designed to help you slow down properly. These destinations understand that luxury is not about doing more, but about feeling better when you return.

Margaret River, Western Australia: Find Margaret River holiday packages (accommodation + flight) here.

News

Iran’s currency collapse sparks mass protests as inflation spirals

Iran president engages protesters amid economic crisis as currency tumbles and inflation surges

Published

2 days ago

December 31, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Iran’s president engages protesters amid economic crisis as currency tumbles and inflation surges

In Short:
– Iranian President Pezeshkian urged action to meet protesters’ demands amid economic crisis and currency devaluation.
– Protests intensified with shop closures in Tehran, following significant inflation and political unrest after Mahsa Amini’s death.

Iran is grappling with its most severe economic crisis in years. Mass protests erupted across Tehran following the dramatic collapse of the national currency. The rial plunged to 1.42 million against the U.S. dollar over the weekend, briefly recovering to 1.38 million. This marks a loss of more than two-thirds of its value since 2022.

Annual inflation soared to 42.2 percent in December, with food prices up 72 percent year-on-year. Many Iranians are struggling to make ends meet, fueling public anger and unrest.

In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered his government to engage directly with protest representatives. Calling the demonstrations “legitimate,” he emphasized the need for reforms in the monetary and banking sectors. Officials announced a dialogue framework to hear the voices of demonstrators.

The unrest coincided with the resignation of Central Bank Governor Mohammad Reza Farzin. Former Economy Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati is set to replace him, signaling possible shifts in economic policy.

Tehran’s commercial districts were paralyzed as shopkeepers in the Grand Bazaar and major streets closed businesses in solidarity. Videos on social media showed crowds chanting slogans as security forces used tear gas to disperse them.

International pressure is also rising. U.S. officials warned they would support action against Iran if the country resumes nuclear or missile development, following recent airstrikes on Iranian facilities.

The World Bank forecasts Iran’s GDP will contract 1.7 percent in 2025 and 2.8 percent in 2026, deepening economic concerns. How the government responds to these protests and reforms its economy may shape the country’s stability in the months ahead.