Author: Press Room

US intelligence authorities have linked AI-enabled campaigns smearing presidential candidates to Russia’s hybrid warfare. ADVERTISEMENTTim Walz has become the latest candidate to be caught in the crossfire of Russia’s attempts to interfere in the US presidential elections.Viral allegations that spread last week against the Minnesota governor and Democratic vice-presidential nominee were created and amplified by Russian operatives, US intelligence agencies confirmed.Manipulated audio and video of men making baseless claims they were abused by Walz while they were his students ran rampant on social media platforms, including Instagram and X.They had “several indicators of manipulation that are consistent with the influence…

The Government has announced an extra $23.1m in funding over four years for four critical frontline volunteer service organisations aimed at improving New Zealand’s emergency response.In a joint statement, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey said the money would go towards replacing storm-damaged assets and training and equipment.”This funding will repair and replace Surf Life Saving assets that were damaged in the 2023 North Island weather events, including a replacement to the Surf Life Saving club at Bethels Beach and repairs to the Mangawhai Heads club that was damaged following a landslide,” said Brown.”Coastguard New Zealand…

The European Parliament’s lead negotiator on the next long-term budget, Siegfried Muresan, told Euronews in an interview how he thinks EU money should be spent after 2027. ADVERTISEMENTLinking EU programmes to overall macroeconomic reforms in the bloc’s next long-term budget (2028-34) would be a ‘mistake’ because citizens could be affected by their governments’ failure to deliver, the MEP leading the file has told Euronews in an interview.Siegfried Muresan (EPP/Romania) hit back at leaked proposals to reform the budget, seen by Euronews, under which the European Commission is seeking to link budget receipts to economic reforms.Negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial…

MetService is warning the long weekend may finish with thunderstorms in parts of the country.Poor weather conditions over the weekend have settled, with only scattered showers expected on Sunday, predominantly in western areas.But MetService meteorologist Alec Holden said in the North Island, thunderstorms are expected to stretch from southern Manawatū down to northern Wellington.Meanwhile in the South Island, Holden said afternoon thunderstorms are expected for north Otago and parts of Canterbury High Country.”Stretching down from southern Manawatū down to northern Wellington, and then over looking at the South Island, a similar sort of story of afternoon thunderstorms for northern Otago…

The rise of online shopping has led to swathes of store closures, casting doubt over the future of retail malls and high streets, but in Europe there are signs that shops are back in vogue and are important for helping to drive online sales. European retailers are investing in physical shops to stimulate both online and offline sales as they face increasing competition from giant e-commerce companies, such as fast-fashion group Shein. They also want to capitalise on people’s renewed appetite for visiting shops once Covid-19 lockdowns ended, which has made a Saturday afternoon shopping spree fashionable again. “I come to…

Police say they are treating a fire at an Auckland Kāinga Ora apartment block which saw people evacuated over the weekend as “suspicious”.The fire at the Ōtāhuhu complex began in the early hours of Sunday morning, with 10 crews responding at the peak of the inferno.Fire and Emergency assistant commander Dave Hatton said the blaze was “significant”.”It was an awesome effort from the firefighting crews, and it’s a credit to all of them.”They were professional in the way they carried out their duties and it’s always good for the guys when they can complete these rescues and make sure people…

Georgia’s parliamentary elections, described as a “referendum” on alignment with Europe or Russia, concluded with the ruling Georgian Dream party claiming victory at 53.92%—a result contested by the opposition. ADVERTISEMENTOn Saturday, Georgia held parliamentary election that have been framed as a “referendum” on the country’s choice between Europe and Russia. The country’s Central Election said the pro-Russian ruling party, Georgian dream had won 53.92 percent of the votes. However, the opposition disputed those results, and international and European observers spoke of a climate of hatred, intimidations and voting irregularities. Euronews spoke with different sides, including Maka Botchorishvili an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Reinhold Lopatka,…

Congestion has begun to build around New Zealand’s main centres as holidaymakers return home at the end of Labour Weekend.In Auckland, traffic on State Highway 1 was slow southbound at Wellsford. Google Maps data showed traffic congestion between Waiwhiu and Te Hana.NZTA said in a statement that road users could expect delays of between 30-40 minutes while travelling through the area.NZTA said road users could expect delays of between 30-40 minutes while travelling north of Auckland. (Source: 1News)”Road users are advised to plant their journey accordingly and allow extra time.”To the south of the city, traffic was backed up for…

Low growth, high debt and escalating wars topped the official agenda at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings, but finance leaders spent much of their energy worrying about the potential impacts of a return of Donald Trump to power in the US presidential election. Republican candidate Trump’s gains in recent polls to erase much of the early advantage of his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, was part of nearly every conversation among finance officials, central bankers and civil society groups attending the meetings in Washington this past week. Among concerns were Trump’s potential to upend the global finance system with massive…

Hollywood celebrities filming in New Zealand is helping bring in more than $1 billion to Auckland’s economy.The latest film in the works is action comedy The Wrecking Crew starring Jason Momoa, Morena Baccarin, and Dave Bautista.A Piha campground was the latest to get the Hollywood treatment, with a landscape of a few birds and tents being transformed into a bustling movie set.Campground kaitiaki Fiona Anderson told 1News there were up to 150 crew cars coming through daily and 30 trucks on site – as well as a string of trailers for actors, makeup, and wardrobe.”The catering was amazing. They had…