Author: Press Room

Despite anti-immigration politicians recently gaining support, France, Germany and Italy would face big population problems in a zero-immigration scenario. ADVERTISEMENTThe EU’s population will be 6.6% lower by 2100, bringing the population down to 419 million from 449 million in 2024. However, if migration were to freeze today, the population would decline by more than a third, according to the latest projections from Eurostat.An ageing population, increased longevity and consistently low levels of fertility are among the reasons for these figures.On the current migration trend, Latvia and Lithuania’s populations are set to see a record drop of 38%.  France and Germany will see…

Drought conditions in Taranaki have been classified as a medium-scale event by Agriculture Minister Todd McClay today.He said it is a challenging situation which faces farmers and growers in the region.”Conditions on the ground are becoming extremely difficult with limited feed and pasture available.”McClay added Taranaki is experiencing hot and dry conditions with below average rainfall.”This has affected pasture growth and farmers have had to feed-out or sell livestock earlier to fill the gap.”The Government is set to make $30,000 available to rural support groups who work closely with farmers on the ground in the area.”I know farmers and growers…

Despite discrepancies between west and east, Europe’s democratic health remains buoyant in the face of worldwide decline, according to a study released on Thursday by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EUI). ADVERTISEMENTDespite divisions between east and west, Europe’s standards of functioning democracy remain high, even as global standards decline, according to a study released on Thursday by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The latest Democracy Index shows that after a year of elections worldwide, global democracy has weakened, with 2024 continuing a trend of “democratic malaise”, the report finds. “While autocracies seem to be gaining strength, as shown by the index trend since…

The Government has agreed to introduce legislation that would allow the parliamentary term to be extended to four years – subject to a referendum – Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.Previously, coalition partners New Zealand First and ACT have both voiced support for four-year political terms, and the proposed Bill was modelled on the ACT Party’s draft Constitution (Enabling a 4-Year Term) Amendment Bill.The current three-year limit is entrenched — meaning it can only be overturned through a supermajority in Parliament or a referendum. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has previously indicated the Government planned to propose a referendum for four-year Parliamentary…

Talks to form a new government have stretched on for five months, longer than any coalition negotiation in the country’s history. ADVERTISEMENTAustria’s centrist parties have agreed to form a coalition government five months after elections in which the country’s leading far right party won the largest share of the national vote.The centre-right People’s Party (ÖVP), centre-left Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the liberal Neos party will take office next week, provided the agreement is signed by all three parties. The deal still requires the approval of Neos’ grassroots members, who will vote on the pact on Sunday. The ÖVP’s Christian Stocker…

A homicide investigation has been launched after a man was found deceased on a doorstep in Kawerau yesterday morning. Police were called to the scene on Onslow Street at about 8.45am.It said the man was located deceased on the “front doorstep” of the address.”A scene guard remains in place at the property while inquiries are carried out.”Police asked anyone who has information which can assist the investigation to get in touch via 105 or online.Kawerau District Mayor Faylene Tunui said the council acknowledged the death “with deep sadness”.”Our hearts go out to everyone affected, and to the community at large.”Please…

The former president of the European Commission also told Euronews he regrets not being firmer on newer member states Hungary and Slovakia, which have been found to breach the EU’s rule of law, adding that Brussels needs to be “very careful” before admitting new countries to the bloc. ADVERTISEMENTUkraine is not ready for full-fledged membership in the European Union, and instead should be offered a limited one, says former European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker. In an interview with Euronews, Juncker cautioned that the EU needs to be “very careful” about admitting new members. Corruption, a weak economy and a lack of…

A New Zealand tourist was fined more than NZD$900 after he drunkenly jumped into Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain over the weekend.Three visitors from New Zealand were stopped on Sunday night (local time) as they began to wade into the historic fountain in the heart of the Italian capital, CNN reports.A spokesperson for Rome’s Capital Police said one of the tourists, a 30-year-old man, broke free from the police and jumped into the fountain.”Alcohol was definitely involved,” they told CNN.The man was fined 500 euros (NZD$920) and banned from visiting the landmark for life.About a dozen tourists are fined annually for…

Air superiority is critical as a deterrent to potential Russian aggression – and European NATO air forces are likely to struggle to achieve this without reform towards mission specialisation, a new RUSI report said. ADVERTISEMENTEuropean NATO air forces should shift towards greater collective mission specialisation to rapidly increase their ability to deter potential Russian aggression, according to a new report published by the London-based think tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).  “As NATO’s European air forces attempt to transition towards a primary focus on the threat from Russia, most are likely to struggle to do so without reducing the breadth of…

An Auckland landlord who operated an illegal boarding house for “vulnerable” tenants has been ordered to pay more than $20,000 for multiple breaches of tenancy laws. Licensed real estate agent Angela Sun was found responsible by the Tenancy Tribunal for “multiple breaches” at a property she rented out in Takapuna. Sunny Rental Limited, a company of which Sun is a director, was also found responsible for breaches at a separate property it rented out in Pinehill, also on Auckland’s North Shore. Issues at the properties included exposed wires and a lack of fire safety precautions. Some tenants living at the…