Author: Press Room
SolarZero’s chief executive begged the energy company’s international owners to pay its nearly 200 employees what they were owed, just hours before it was put into liquidation, 1News can reveal.The company was placed into surprise liquidation two weeks ago with its owner, multinational investment firm BlackRock, blaming “unsustainable losses”.Former employee Magda Van Zyl told 1News she was “devastated” about the liquidation, adding that she “never saw this coming”.”Right before Christmas — no leave pay, no notice. It was quite a blow. It’s quite a hard blow for all of us,” she said. “There’s now two in our household that’s now…
A surfer has died after he was brought to shore by lifeguards at Whale Bay, near Raglan, this afternoon.Emergency services were called to the surf spot at around 2.25pm after receiving reports of a surfer needing medical assistance.Police said: “The man was unresponsive when brought to shore by Raglan Surf Life Saving. Lifeguards immediately began CPR but sadly the man was unable to be revived.”The death will be referred to the coroner.”
Lotto’s Powerball jackpot has rolled over after no tickets won the $20 million prize this evening.The winning numbers were: 32, 19, 25, 39, 35, 18, Bonus Ball 9, and Powerball 10.However, one ticket has won $43,182 with Lotto Second Division. Strike Four has also rolled over to Saturday’s draw.A spokesperson for Lotto said: Powerball and Strike have both rolled over tonight, meaning there is a combined prize pool of $24.8 million up for grabs on Saturday. “Powerball was not struck this evening and has rolled over to Saturday night, where the jackpot will be $23 million.”Lotto First Division will be…
Just-published research details EU lawmakers who take money from farmers’ lobbies and the car sector — while being active in the same areas of policy. ADVERTISEMENTAround 30% of the European Parliament’s 720 lawmakers collectively earn a side income of over €6.3 million per year, in addition to their MEP salary, according to research published on Thursday. The findings from Transparency International EU show MEPs working for farm lobby groups, in automotive consultancy and for major financial companies – blurring the lines between public and private interests. Topping the list is Gheorghe Piperea (Romania/European Conservatives and Reformists), who rakes in an estimated €657,000 per…
International tourists who have touched down in Queenstown now have a new option to get familiar with New Zealand roads, even before they get behind the wheel.A virtual reality (VR) driver training programme has been installed at the tourist town’s airport as part of a trial that could eventually be rolled out in other locations.At first glance, an area next to the rental car companies looks like a gamer’s lounge, but instead it is an introduction to New Zealand’s roads through an interactive learning tool.The tech, known as Co-DriVR, has been developed by Dunedin-based company Gfactor, with the goal to…
EU leaders describe increasing entries of migrants though Belarusian and Russian borders as a ‘hybrid threat’, but the expression is criticised by some organisations seeking greater adherence to international legal obligations. ADVERTISEMENTRight to asylum should not be considered as a ‘value’ but rather a principle of international law, Olivia Sundberg, migration expert from Amnesty International told Euronews in an interview featured in Radio Schuman today.Yesterday, the European Commission presented a communication focusing on measures against countries such as Russia and Belarus, which are accused of facilitating entry of migrants into EU territory.This phenomenon is described as a ‘hybrid threat’, and…
ACT leader David Seymour is spearheading a review of the hairdressing industry to address what he views as “unnecessary” regulations. It is the third sector review to be led by the Minister for Regulation in the coalition government. The others are the agriculture industry and early childhood education. “Hairdressers and barbers… 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.” He…
When Elsie Polosovai moved to New Zealand 11 years ago she says no one knew where she was from.”No one knew where the Solomon Islands were, and they didn’t really care to be honest.”Since 2006, the Pasifika population in Aotearoa has grown about twice as fast as the total New Zealand population. According to the 2023 New Zealand census, 442,632 people identify as Pacific peoples. The representation of Pasifika women and Māori women is the focus of new documentary Myths and Maidens.Myths and Maidens is about unpacking and reclaiming beauty standards and representation of Pasifika women. It is about sharing…
Actress and singer Selena Gomez is engaged to music producer Benny Blanco.The 32-year-old Emilia Pérez star made the announcement in an Instagram post showing off her stunning engagement ring.”Forever begins now..,” the hitmaker captioned the post. Her new fiancé, 36, commented: “Hey wait… that’s my wife”.Selena Gomez shows off her stunning engagement ring. (Source: Instagram)Gomez worked with Blanco on several songs before they began dating in June 2023.Celebrities were quick to congratulate the pair.”Congratulations to you both it must be the cooking,” chef Gordon Ramsay wrote. “Waiiiitttt hold on,” rapper Cardi B wrote.
New water testing results from across New Zealand shows a significant increase in methamphetamine and cocaine use over the last quarter, compared to the previous year.National Drugs in Wastewater Testing Programme results released by the police, showed methamphetamine consumption in the third quarter of 2024 doubled to 32.4 kilograms per week, compared to the average weekly quantity over the previous year of 16.8kg.The consumption of cocaine in the third quarter also nearly doubled to 5.5kg per week, compared to the average weekly quantity over the previous year of 3kg.The weekly social harm of methamphetamine use in this quarter was estimated…