Author: Press Room

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch’s criticism of the sandwich sparked a retort from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and fierce debate in Britain. ADVERTISEMENTThe UK’s political leaders have traded barbs again, not over immigration, the economy or multiple crises overseas — but Britain’s much-loved lunchtime staple: the sandwich. The row, of sorts, started on Thursday after the new Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch declared that she was “not a sandwich person” in an interview. “Lunch is for wimps,” Badenoch told the Spectator magazine. “I have food brought in and I work and eat at the same time.””Sometimes I will get a…

The Government has ordered a review of ACC and has confirmed the earners and business levy and those paid by motor vehicle owners are increasing. The levy rises were subject to a consultation period in September and October.”Today I am announcing that the earners and business levy is having to be increased by up to 5% a year for three years to meet the rising costs of the scheme,” ACC Minister Matt Doocey said.Examples to demonstrate new annual ACC levy payments for earner’s account. (Source: Supplied)“For somebody on the median full-time wage of about $70,000 a year this equates to…

For Syrians in Europe, watching the fall of al-Assad’s regime was a euphoric moment that gave way to uncertainty and anxiety over their country’s still uncertain political future. ADVERTISEMENTSince 2015, nearly 4.5 million Syrians made their way to Europe, fleeing an unending civil war and a deep humanitarian crisis. Many of them watched in disbelief over the weekend as rebels led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group moved through the country, eventually taking the capital Damascus. Bashar al-Assad’s sudden departure to Moscow ended a decades-long dynasty characterised by brutal crackdowns and human rights abuses. “My whole family was crying,”…

Volcanologists say Whakaari / White Island is currently emitting larger steam and gas plumes than normal — however, no ash has yet been detected.Volcanologist Yannik Behr of GNS said scientists had noticed a “general increase in sulphur-dioxide emissions from the volcano” seen above the island, 48km offshore of Whakatāne, over the past two weeks. A Volcanic Alert Level 2 remained in place, indicating moderate to heightened volcanic unrest, and the Aviation Colour Code remained at Yellow.Behr said the larger steam and gas plume was seen on webcams and satellite images on December 10, and on clear days could also be…

Russia left Bashir Al-Assad’s regime in the lurch last week, merely offering the dictator sanctuary, but the Kremlin remains keen to maintain its interest in the country and has established relations with new Syrian government, MEPs and experts tell Euronews. ADVERTISEMENTRapidly collapse of Syrian regime was even for experts following topic big surprise. The same surprising was that Russia – traditional Assad’s ally – this time did not decide to react and to support Syrian dictator. What was the reason? Russia is not enough strong to deal with several conflicts in the same time. Moscow had to choose priority and…

A 33-year-old man has been charged with alledgedly presenting a gun at a member of the public in Auckland’s Manurewa. Counties Manukau West Area Commander Inspector David Christoffersen said officers initially received a report about a man approaching a resident of a Manurewa complex at around 12.30am on Wednesday. Following a brief conversation, the offender allegedly retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and pointed it at the resident before leaving the area, Christoffersen said. He said the vehicle involved was found outside a property on Manston Rd, Māngere just before 9am on Wednesday. “A man was seen exiting the vehicle,…

Mikhail Shatsky, who is said to have overseen the modernisation of Kh-59 and Kh-69 missiles used by Russia against Ukraine, was reportedly shot dead near his home. ADVERTISEMENTA Russian weapons expert who helped to develop cruise missiles used in the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine has reportedly been assassinated in a forest in the Moscow region.Mikhail Shatsky, deputy general designer and head of design at the Mars Design Bureau — which develops missiles used by the Russian military — was shot dead this week in Kuzminsky forest, about 13 kilometres from the Kremlin, according to Ukrainian media. Exiled Russian journalist Alexander…

Three years after the alleged murder of a Far North farmer with a bottle of poisoned port, a $50,000 reward for information about his death remains unclaimed.Dave Davan died in December 2021 after drinking a mouthful of his favourite fortified wine from a bottle left in his letterbox at remote Herekino, south of Kaitāia.Police found the bottle had been laced with a deadly, and restricted, weedkiller.As Davan lay in hospital, he was able to name a suspect — but police have so far been unable to find enough evidence to charge anyone over his death.Long-time friend Brett Evans has confirmed…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ  Wellington City has lost more than 10% of its jobs in a year, data shows. As more Health New Zealand cuts are revealed, data indicates the depth of the impact of the economic downturn, and political cuts, on the centre of the capital. Economist Shamubeel Eaqub compiled data that showed that from a year ago, the number of jobs in Wellington City has dropped 19,430. That is equal to 11.6% of the jobs in that area. He said the impact on the region would be grim. Auckland as a region – a much larger area…

The Government has announced a sector review into rules for hairdressers and barbers, with David Seymour saying it will seek to give the industry a regulatory “buzz cut”. The review will be “short and sharp”, the Minister for Regulation said.”Hairdressers and barbers provide a valuable service in every community. They make up a billion-dollar industry of more than 5000 mostly small businesses employing around 13,000 people,” Seymour said in a statement.”The review will seek to give the industry a regulatory ‘buzz cut’, as barbers and hairdressers deal with regulations which have been out of style since the ’80s.”Some of the…