Author: Press Room

Dodik, who serves as the president of the Western Balkan country’s Serb-majority entity of the RS, has the right to appeal Wednesday’s verdict. ADVERTISEMENTBosnia’s state-level court reached a first-degree verdict Wednesday against Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, sentencing him to one year in prison and barring him from politics for six years in a high-profile case that has sparked renewed tensions in the Western Balkan country and EU membership hopeful.The Sarajevo-based Court of BiH judges found Dodik, who serves as the president of the Serb-majority entity of the Republika Srpska (RS), guilty of criminal conduct over his defiance of the…

While Otago was the only region to dodge overall job losses in the past year, the reality is many people are still doing it tough, an economist says. According to the latest Infometrics quarterly economic monitor, for the three months to December, Otago was the only region in the country not to experience an overall decline in employment in the past year — recording a 0.1% rise in the number of estimated filled jobs. Southland and Canterbury fell 2.3% and 0.5% respectively, while the hardest hit were Nelson with a drop of 3.1% and Gisborne with a 3% decrease. Both…

Evacuations are underway as a large fire continues to burn through vegetation in Northland this afternoon.The blaze at the Waipoua River in Kaipara – about 6km south of giant kauri Tāne Mahuta – has spread to 70 hectares with a 4km perimeter and “is expected to grow”, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said this evening in a statement.Seven helicopters and “multiple” ground crews were helping tackle the fire. An additional three helicopters would be arriving in the region tomorrow from as far away as Taupō.”Police are assisting with evacuating dwellings in the Waipoua River Rd area. Structures are at risk…

Necessary for some, discriminatory for others, Hungary’s so-called “child protection law” has been the subject of a hearing at the Court of Justice of the European Union. Whatever its nature, the ruling could further determine the already tense relationship between Hungary and its EU partners. ADVERTISEMENTThe legal text restricts minors’ access to books, films and cultural products that “promote or portray the deviation of identity with respect to the sex at birth, gender reassignment or homosexuality.” It also limits sex education in schools, and only government-approved instructors can teach the subject. The Hungarian executive states that it seeks to protect…

The Hamilton City Council is wrestling with what to do about people showering in a central city fountain.Councillor Geoff Taylor told Morning Report people had been spotted showering in the Garden Place fountains.He said the fountain’s water is recirculates so it doesn’t drain off. He added that children then play in that water.However, it’s not just showering that is causing problems for Hamilton’s town square.Taylor said there are people defecating, hanging clothes lines, taking drugs, begging and displaying threatening behaviour in the square.”There’s obviously mental illness and addiction issues going on but Garden Place is an area where people like…

Suppose you own a café, restaurant, or eatery in New Zealand’s ever-changing weather. In that case, you already know that creating an inviting outdoor space can be the difference between a packed house and empty tables. That’s where outdoor cafe umbrellas come in—not just as functional shade providers but as branding powerhouses that make your business stand out. Whether in Auckland’s Viaduct, Wellington’s Cuba Street, or Queenstown’s lakefront, properly branded cafe umbrellas can enhance your customers’ experience, reinforce your brand, and even increase your revenue. The Power of Outdoor Cafe Umbrellas: Real Business Wins Many café and restaurant owners across…

The Romanian ultranationalist politician was picked up by police for questioning regarding false funding sources and false information in his last campaign, sources say. ADVERTISEMENTRomanian ultranationalist politician and 2024 presidential election candidate Călin Georgescu was picked up by police officers from a traffic stop on Wednesday and taken to the Prosecutor General’s Office. According to Euronews Romania sources, the prosecutors’ are to question Georgescu as part of an investigation reportedly looking into “zero expenses” declared by Georgescu for last year’s electoral campaign.Georgescu will be asked to provide information over two counts: “false statements regarding funding sources” and “communicating false information,”…

Auckland Council is set to issue 5500 infringement notices over the next few days to dog owners who have failed to register them.Chair of the regulatory and safety committee Councillor Josephine Bartley said dog registration is not optional.“This is the first time we’ve moved to last resort measures and issued infringement notices. Dog registration is a legal requirement designed to benefit both the community and pet owners.”The infringement notices will be sent out to owners of “sighted” dogs. These are dogs which were registered last financial year but were not registered this year, or dogs known to be still alive…

Media company NZME has reported a full year net loss after taking a non-cash writedown of $24 million on its publishing assets, along with a drop in underlying profit.The owner of the New Zealand Herald and various radio stations including Newstalk ZB, said there had been a slower than anticipated market recovery of its Communities publications, though the writedown did not affect its cash flow or operating profit.Key numbers for the year ended 2024 compared with a year ago:Net loss ($16.0m) vs $12.2m net profitRevenue $345.9m vs $340.8.6mUnderlying profit $54.2m vs $56.24mExpenses $296m vs $290.4mFinal dividend 6 cents a share…

Some have falsely claimed that the Ukrainian president did so in retaliation against Trump’s recent tirade against him. ADVERTISEMENTThe internet is awash with false claims that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has banned Truth Social, the social media platform owned by US President Donald Trump. Images have appeared on other social networks such as X, purportedly showing screengrabs of users unable to access Truth Social in Ukraine. It appears that both supporters and detractors of Ukraine have been spreading the message, with some commending Zelenskyy for banning Truth Social and others accusing the president of restricting free speech. The claims follow a war of…