Author: Press Room

And ethnic tensions between Kosovar Albanians and Serbs remain tense from the 1998-1999 war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian separatists. ADVERTISEMENTKosovars cast their votes on Sunday in a parliamentary election considered a key test for Prime Minister Albin Kurti as talks on normalising ties with rival Serbia remain stalled and foreign funding for one of Europe’s poorest countries in question. At 1500 CET turnout was a low 28.7%, according to the Central Election Commission.Kurti’s left-wing Vetevendosje!, or Self-Determination Movement Party, is seen as the front-runner but is not expected to win the necessary majority to govern alone, leaving open…

This week’s Good Sort is trying to change the world for the next generation with the help of the next generation.Debra Atwood is sharing her knowledge with kids of all ages, keeping them safe and showing them how to save the environment in her roles at Coromandel’s preschool and swim school.She’s an avid recycler, and the expert on what to do with lunch leftovers.”It’s better for the planet if we recycle what we can.”In fact, she’s so determined that she used to drive to Hamilton to recycle soft plastics until a local bin was installed.”It’s a 100-metre walk rather than…

Christchurch software company Lumin wants 1billion-plus documents passing through its cloud-based business a year now that it has crossed the 100-million-user mark. Founder and chief executive Max Ferguson is confident the goal is within reach of the platform after going through a large growth phase. Initially a cloud-based PDF editor, the business has expanded to take on artificial intelligence (AI) and e-signature services. This has brought in international customers such as Netflix, Airbnb and Uber as well as F&M Bank in the United States and domestic clients including Renti and Bayleys. Lumin now employs about 100 staff with software building…

The Baltic states connected to electricity supplied via Finland, Sweden and Poland after disconnecting from Russia, which had supplied them electricity for decades. ADVERTISEMENTLatvia, Estonia and Lithuania all joined the European electricity system on Sunday with a ceremony highlighting the historical significance of no longer relying on Russia for its electricity.”We did it!” Edgars Rinkēvičs, the president of Latvia, posted on X:It came more than three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, ending the Baltics’ final ties to oil- and gas-rich Russia. For the three countries, as well as the rest of Europe, the move was steeped in…

A new programme to teach young people with physical and intellectual disabilities surf lifesaving skills has launched in Canterbury.Organisers want all young people to have the opportunity to benefit from the skills, fitness and community Surf Lifesaving offers. Called “All Star Nippers”, the initiative was developed by Waimairi Surf Lifesaving Club’s Junior Manager, Maia Smith. “Our all-stars program really focuses on that water safety and that teamwork and just having that social interaction with each other. And it’s so much fun the kids just have a blast… all the while learning how to keep themselves safe at the beach,” she…

Three men have been winched to safety this morning after being reported missing overnight while rafting on a Southland river.Police were alerted at 9.30pm yesterday that the men failed to reach their designated pick-up point after a planned trip on the Waikaia River near Piano Flat.”After making initial enquiries overnight, police search and rescue began the search at first light this morning,” a spokesperson said.A Southern Lakes helicopter responded and located two inflatable watercraft in a gorge section of the river around 6.5km north of Piano Flat at around 11.30am.One of the men was seen from the helicopter near the…

Tourism operators want more certainty on the future of Milford Sound-Piopiotahi after years of waiting for a decision on a multi-million dollar infrastructure plan. Milford Sound Tourism chief executive Haylee Preston told 1News that visitors had returned in droves to the idyllic fiord in the South Island’s Fiordland National Park, which he said was “back up to 96% [of adult cruise passengers] pre-Covid”.”There’ll probably be [between] 3500 and 4000 visitors in there today,” she said. While high visitor numbers were great for business, they were also highlighting some “severe infrastructure challenges” for what’s been described as the “Eighth Wonder of…

Auckland Art Gallery says it has been forced to close its doors today due to “unexpected building issues”.Acting director Margaret Young said a leaking pipe had been detected on the second floor.”The safety of the collection, staff, and visitors are the Gallery’s top priority, and we are taking precautionary measures to ensure the building and collection are safe.”A comprehensive assessment is in progress after which time we hope to provide more information.”Ticket holders for Olafur Eliasson: Your curious journey can reschedule their visit or receive a refund.”The three Auckland Pride Festival events scheduled for today – Queer Zinemaking, Queer Yarns,…

The far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany is currently polling in second place as the country prepares to head to the ballot box on 23 February. ADVERTISEMENTMore than 200,000 protesters have rallied in the southern German city of Munich against far-right extremism ahead of the country’s general election.The far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is currently in second place in recent polls and that has prompted widespread protests across the country before voters head to the ballot box on 23 February.The protest at Munich’s Theresienwiese, where Oktoberfest takes place each year, attracted a significantly larger crowd than expected, according to the German dpa…

A change to corporate tax rates has been floated by the Finance Minister as part of the Government’s growth agenda, but a senior tax expert has warned that such a move could come with risks.Corporate tax rates are one of the factors businesses consider when choosing whether to invest in a country.Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the current rate was “reasonably high” compared to other countries, saying it made the country less competitive.At 28%, New Zealand has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the OECD.Of these 38 economies, only five have a higher corporate tax rate than New…