Latest news with #Walker
NZ Herald
8 hours ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Zuru nappy trial: Grant Taylor testifies on deleted emails, settling under ‘duress', and whether $40m buys happiness
The court heard how Taylor and his family founded Rascals in 2014 and spent two years developing the product and organising a manufacturer in China. It had only shipped one container of nappies to New Zealand by 2016 when Mowbray took a 40% shareholding and secured supermarket distribution that led to sales skyrocketing. Taylor had attended the private St Peter's School, Cambridge, alongside Mowbray, and both have told the court they had considered themselves good friends until the Rascals deal soured. This souring seems to largely stem from a 2020 buyout, which the Taylors claim was accompanied by commercial threats from the Mowbrays if their offer to take over the business was refused. Taylor's evidence at this hearing is both pivotal and problematic as he is no longer on trial. Zuru allege he was the conduit for confidential information that flowed between Rascals and the JJK group, a trio of businessmen who bought out the Treasures brand in 2021. Taylor also appears to have been Zuru's chief target in initial litigation, but he is no longer the subject of proceedings after settling on the eve of trial for $1 million. Taylor admitted to misusing Rascals information, diverting a corporate opportunity, and breaching confidentiality, restraint terms and fiduciary duties. JJK group is the sole remaining defendant, with Zuru seeking more than $75m in compensation and damages. JJK deny and is defending the claims. Unusually for a witness in the High Court, Taylor has two significantly different sworn affidavits submitted as evidence: One signed in early July when he was contemplating trial and mounting a defence that has been filed by JJK; and another signed at the end of that month provided as a condition of his settlement with Zuru. The court heard that providing new evidence for his recent opponents in court saw Taylor directly negotiate proposed testimony with Mat Mowbray, the Hong Kong-based Zuru co-chief executive. Campbell Walker KC, acting for Zuru, summed up the negotiations: 'The proposition was: 'We'll settle for $4m with no affidavit, or $1m with an affidavit.' Is that correct?' 'Correct. I couldn't raise $4m on short notice like that. They [Zuru] needed to go down that path, and I needed to get out. My family were very keen on getting it settled,' Taylor said. Taylor contested some parts of his new evidence prepared as part of the settlement, and claimed he had been under 'settlement duress'. A key point of contention emerged over how he characterised what Walker called a 'deletion session' where Taylor purged some of his electronic records after becoming aware the Mowbrays were going to sue him. 'I impulsively deleted those because I was scared, and I think I hoped that would make things go away. I knew that I had done nothing wrong, but I also knew that the Mowbrays would latch on to anything they could,' Taylor said. Taylor said further discovery of other parties had recovered 'most' of what he believed he had deleted. Walker queried how a Rascals pitch document referenced in other communications could not be discovered, and put it to Taylor that he had provided it to JJK and then covered his tracks. 'No one amongst the defendants has a record of you providing it to them, and I put it to you that's because you conspired to delete that document so her honour would not have it?' Walker said. 'I did not conspire to do anything,' Taylor responded. Walker drew attention to Taylor's earlier affidavit filed when he was a defendant that said he hadn't discussed deleting evidence with JJK, and his later evidence which confirmed such a discussion had taken place. Grant Taylor and Nick Mowbray were high school friends and later business partners, and then legal opponents. Photo / Supplied Taylor gave further details of buyout negotiations with the Mowbray brother, including a March 5 meeting at their Coatesville mansion where he said Nick Mowbray outlined what would happen if their buyout offer was refused. 'Nick then told us [if] we went down that path he would look forward to buying Rascals off us for $1, after he and his brother had ruined us and our business. He named a number of other companies that had been brought back for nothing in similar circumstances,' Taylor said. 'We no longer trusted the Mowbrays, and they had threatened to destroy our business if we did not agree to sell. It was toxic and painful.' He cited communications at the time with colleagues that said: 'I was only going through with the deal to get away from the Mowbrays, and it sucked, because I had lost both my business and my mates.' Taylor's evidence said a valuation from their accountant valued his family's share in Rascals as being worth $51m, and a separate assessment by Deloitte at $59.7m. They agreed to sell to the Mowbrays for $30m, and claimed a restrictive restraint clause was inserted late in negotiations that they felt they had no leverage to contest. Taylor said he had disengaged from negotiations to sell the business in early 2020 as 'I was struggling with the toll these events were taking on my mental health'. Towards the end of yesterday's testimony, Walker questioned Taylor on what his family had got out of its dealings with the Mowbrays. With dividend payments included, Taylor said they had earned more than $40m from Rascals. Walker asked: 'I have the figure of $44m, but whatever the figure was, your family became extremely rich as a result of this?' Taylor was philosophical: 'I've learned that money doesn't buy you happiness, that's for sure.' Walker pressed, 'I appreciate you might have a different view now, but that would have been a source of pride for you?' 'A source of pride, which I learned afterwards - very much so - was actually from building the business. That's what I didn't realise until after I had sold it, that I had cherished the most.' The trial, and Taylor's testimony, continued and is scheduled to run until the end of next week. Matt Nippert is an Auckland-based investigations reporter covering white-collar and transnational crimes and the intersection of politics and business. He has won more than a dozen awards for his journalism – including twice being named Reporter of the Year – and joined the Herald in 2014 after having spent the decade prior reporting from business newspapers and national magazines.
Metro
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Huge movie franchise drops on Netflix starring beloved late actor
Netflix has quietly dropped seven huge films from one of the biggest movie franchises of all time – and they all star a beloved late actor. The Fast and Furious franchise, which first started 24 years ago, has produced a whopping 10 films in its main story and one spin-off movie, Hobbs & Shaw. Starring – among many others – Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jason Statham, the Fast and Furious franchise has grossed over $7billion (£5.2bn) at the global box office. And on Saturday, Netflix sneakily dropped seven films from the franchise, which all star late actor Paul Walker, as well as spin-off movie Hobbs & Shaw. That means Netflix viewers in the UK can now watch The Fast and the Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6, Fast & Furious 7, and Hobbs & Shaw. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. However, rather curiously, despite the recent Netflix drop, Fast & Furious – the fourth film in the series – is still not available to watch on Netflix in the UK. Walker – who played Brian O'Connor in the Fast and Furious series – was the passenger in a Porsche GT travelling at 90mph when it spun out of control, killing both Walker and his driver friend Roger Rodas. At just 40 years old, Walker's death saddened millions of movie fans across the world, and 2015 film Fast & Furious 7 was dedicated to his memory. After starring in the 90s teen comedy She's All That, Walker joined the Fast and Furious series for its very first film – 2001's The Fast and the Furious. He then appeared in sequel films 2 Fast 2 Furious and Fast & Furious after skipping the third film Tokyo Drift, which featured almost none of the original cast and was an informal prequel film to the main series. After apparently being reluctant to reprise his role for the fourth film, Walker was fully on board for films five and six, which saw the Fast and Furious achieve its best-ever box office finishes. Walker hadn't finished filming for Fast & Furious 7 by the time of his death, resulting in his brothers Caleb and Cody standing in for him while producers used CGI to add the final touches. In an emotional farewell scene – constructed after Walker's death – his character Brian drives off into the sunset while Vin Diesel's character Dom Toretto rides alongside him. The tearjerker moment helped Fast & Furious 7 become the best-reviewed film of the entire franchise at the time, and the song playing in the scene – See You Again by Wiz Khalifa – reached number one in the UK and US charts. More Trending While the Fast and Furious main series has carried on since then, reaching 10th film, Fast X, in 2023, some fans consider Fast & Furious 7 to be the end of an era for the franchise. To date, the 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes for Fast & Furious 7 still makes it the most highly rated and critically acclaimed film in the whole series. While it wasn't made available on Netflix this time around, the fourth film Fast & Furious – which stars Walker as Brian in his third appearance in the series – is available on Amazon Video. View More » Watch seven Fast and Furious films on Netflix. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Hidden gem streaming service offers British thrillers for half Netflix's price MORE: Period drama branded 'fantastic' available to stream on Netflix MORE: Amanda Holden suffers blow as controversial Netflix show axed despite storming global charts
USA Today
17 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Falcons LB visiting with Miami Dolphins, expected to sign
Matthew Judon spent the 2024 season in Atlanta, recording 5.5 sacks. The Atlanta Falcons did not re-sign outside linebacker Matthew Judon following the 2024 season, but it appears the four-time Pro Bowler may soon land a deal with the Miami Dolphins. According to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Judon is visiting with the Miami Dolphins on Monday. The Falcons traded for Judon ahead of the 2024 NFL season, sending a third-round pick to the New England Patriots as a last-ditch effort to improve their abysmal pass rush. Judon, 33, was largely a disappointment in Atlanta last season, finishing with 5.5 sacks and lacking consistency from week to week. However, former Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake certainly shares some responsibility for Judon's underwhelming season. Lake regularly had Judon drop into coverage, which isn't exactly his strong suit. Atlanta fired Lake after the season. Over nine NFL seasons, Judon has appeared in 137 games (97 starts), recording 72 sacks and 174 QB hits. Judon and the Miami Dolphins are reportedly "motivated to reach a deal," per Schultz. Atlanta went in a different direction at the edge rusher position during the 2025 offseason. Instead of re-signing Judon, the team drafted edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. Pearce has been impressive thus far, while Walker has been banged up for a large portion of training camp. Head coach Raheem Morris held Walker out of Friday's loss to the Titans. On Monday, Morris said the team is handling Walker with "an abundance of caution" and that the rookie will be held out of practice with a groin injury. The Falcons also signed free-agent quarterback Ben DiNucci to their 90-man roster on Monday morning. DiNucci will likely replace Emory Jones, who was injured during Friday's loss to the Titans.
IOL News
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
American brand Ram previews Hilux rival - here's how it could come to South Africa
The Ram Dakota Nightfall concept closely previews the brand's upcoming Hilux rival. Image: Stellantis Ram is one of the top producers of pick-up trucks in the US, or bakkies as we prefer to call them. The Ram 1500 is their big seller Stateside - Chuck Norris even drove one while attempting to intimidate us all as Walker, Texas Ranger in the 1990s - but due to its left-hand-drive configuration, this Ford F150 rival was never an option for South Africa. Today, Ram is owned by global auto giant Stellantis, and although there has been no indication that the American brand will be introduced to South Africa, a recent development appears to make it more plausible. Ram has just revealed its Dakota Nightfall Concept, which closely previews a new one-tonne bakkie for South American markets, which will rival the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. The Dakota appears to be based on the Peugeot Landtrek. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading But look closer, particularly at its bodyshell, and the new Ram appears to be based on the Peugeot Landtrek, which is derived from the Changan F70 from China. With Stellantis planning to build the Peugeot Landtrek in South Africa once its Coega plant in the Eastern Cape is up and running, is it really such a stretch to speculate that the Ram Dakota production model could also be built alongside it? This is assuming they're as closely related as they appear. No technical information on the Dakota has been released, but we do know that it will launch in 2026 in South American markets and will be built in Argentina. 'The new Ram Dakota will be the second product to emerge from our Stellantis pickup hub in Córdoba, Argentina. The brand is strategic for the company globally and in our region. It's a benchmark in the segment, capable of offering the most luxurious, powerful, and robust pickups on the market,' said Emanuele Cappellano, president of Stellantis South America. The Ram Dakota will likely adopt the new 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine that's being fitted to facelifted Landtrek models abroad, with outputs listed at 147kW and 450Nm. The current 1.9-litre turbodiesel could also be offered as an entry option. While any potential Ram introduction to South Africa is no more than speculation, Stellantis is forging ahead with its new plant in Coega, with the earthworks now completed. The company's managing director for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, Mike Whitfield, recently revealed that Stellantis had scaled down its initial ambition to build 50,000 Landtreks per year locally for export into Africa. However, the bakkie will remain a core product for the plant, and two other products will be added, including a new energy vehicle. These additional product plans will be revealed at a later date, he said. IOL Motoring
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Why it could pay off to wait on running backs in your fantasy football draft
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. Drafting running backs in fantasy football has gone through a dramatic change over the years. In the days of LaDainian Tomlinson and Shaun Alexander, the position was at its peak in drafts and the first round was filled with them, because any of the top backs could win a week for you. Fantasy hipsters didn't like that, so they forced PPR-scoring and Zero-RB draft strategies down our throats to try to level the playing field. This worked for a short time, but last season's Year of the Running Back has now brought the position back to the level where it belongs. And though we are seeing more running backs taken in the first and second rounds this year, it is important to realize where the best values at the position are and what you can do to take advantage. Not everyone is going to land a Bijan Robinson or Saquon Barkley, but you still can find high-end running backs at lower prices. Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III runs the ball during the NFL football team's training camp Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in Renton, Wash. AP Perhaps opening your draft with a Ja'Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson is the way to go when you know there are strong running back options in the third and fourth rounds. Kenneth Walker and Chuba Hubbard are the perfect examples. Though the fantasy football ADP doesn't say so, Walker's value took a serious increase when Seattle hired Klint Kubiak as its offensive coordinator. He, in turn, brought in legendary offensive line coach Rick Dennison, and the two are installing their run-first, outside-zone scheme. Kubiak watched for years as his father, Gary, along with Dennison, churned out 1,000-yard rushers from the most obscure names. In Denver, it was Orlandis Gary, Mike Anderson and Reuben Droughns. In Houston, they did it with Steve Slaton and Arian Foster. They even took a solid Dalvin Cook and made him elite. The next steps for Walker are expected to be huge. Fantasy Football DVQ: The only draft rankings you need The latest incarnation of the Fantasy Madman's football rating system has arrived. The nuts and bolts have been tweaked and strengthened, the breadth of the database was expanded, some ingredients were added to the soup, and some that were souring the stew were removed. So we're leaner and more flavorful. Now allow us to serve you the latest helping of the Draft Value Quotient (DVQ). The DVQ is a system that rates players across the board, balancing value based on positional depth. A player's DVQ rating represents the point in the draft where projected production meets draft value. Each draft slot is assigned a value for expected production, which descends at a constant rate (same amount of expected points substracted from each descending pick). However, a player's real-world production forms an arc (steep fall at top, then flattening out), therefore there are gaps in the ratings. Example: The top player might have a 1.0 DVQ, but the second-ranked player might have a DVQ of 13.3. Deeper in the draft pool, instead of big gaps, players will only be separated by percentage points. So saddle up, study up, then queue up a draft, and take a ride with the DVQ. A little further down the ADP charts is Hubbard, who, with the help of head coach Dave Canales, turned the Panthers' ground game into a fantasy goldmine last season. Canales, if you remember, had a mediocre running back in Rachaad White at Tampa Bay and turned him into a top-five fantasy back thanks to the volume he received. Last year, Canales did the same for Hubbard, elevating him from a 900-yard, five-touchdown player into a 1,200-yard, 10-touchdown player. How? Volume. Chuba Hubbard of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of America Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getty Images Hubbard is the only running back to own in Carolina because Canales is a throwback and likes to only use one guy. While everyone is chasing yardage and touchdowns with De'Von Achane and James Cook in the second round, you have that production, and potentially more, sitting there in the fourth. They say you should always zig when the rest of the draft room zags, and that is, again, appropriate advice. If you understand the depth at the running back position this year, you don't need to be a mindless drone and follow their lead. You can grab elite receivers in the first two rounds and add comparable running backs in the third and fourth. In the end, you're easily coming out on top. Howard Bender is the head of content at Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning 'Fantasy Alarm Radio Show' on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to for all your fantasy football news and advice.
