Author: Press Room

Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović spoke to Euronews on how he sees his country’s path towards EU accession. ADVERTISEMENTMontenegro’s President told Euronews he’s optimistic about the country’s progress to EU accession by 2028 in an interview we feature on Radio Schuman today.Jakov Milatović, elected on a pro-EU, anti-corruption platform, has pushed for reforms to meet accession criteria. The country has opened 33 negotiation chapters, with three are provisionally closed. The country also joined NATO in 2017.Challenges remain, including press freedom, judicial independence, and reducing Russian influence, he said in the interview with Euronews’ Shona Murray. In the second segment of the…

The government has announced steps it will take to improve the competition in the banking sector, including giving Kiwibank access to more capital. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said today that Cabinet intended to implement all 14 of the Commerce Commission’s recommendations. The Commission’s report into the banking sector in August this year found the banking sector was uncompetitive and New Zealanders not well-served by it. Luxon said it meant there was “little strategic differentiation, and growth targets that focus on maintaining market share and protecting margins and profitability”. “This means there is limited investment in innovation, muted competition between the…

One person has died after a single-vehicle crash on the South Island’s Karamea Highway this afternoon.Police were called to the scene near Little Wanganui about 1.20pm. “The road remains closed while the serious crash united examines the scene,” police said.Police asked motorists to avoid the area if possible.

Te Pāti Māori have surged to their highest ever result in the latest 1News Verian poll following the national hīkoi protesting ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill.However, the results show the coalition Government still has a grip on power.The poll found that if an election were to be held today, the National-led coalition with ACT and New Zealand First would have 63 seats – enough to govern.That’s the same number of seats as forecast by the previous poll in October with support for both National (37%) and Labour (29%) remaining steady.Te Pāti Māori, however, have shot up by 3% to sit on…

Georgian protesters hopeful of keeping European Union membership dream alive as they take to the streets in an 11th consecutive day of protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party in Tbilisi. ADVERTISEMENTTens of thousands of people flooded the streets of the Georgian capital to demonstrate against the governing party’s decision to suspend EU accession talks for four years.  The rally took place outside the parliament building in Tbilisi and was met with considerable force.  Georgian police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters and quell the unrest.  Riot police units were also deployed to break up the rallies.…

Syria has been devastated by a bloody civil war since 2011 which has its roots in a failed uprising against Bashar al-Assad as part of the Arab Spring anti-government protest movement that swept across much of the Arab world in the early 2010s. ADVERTISEMENTWhile many of the regions’ rulers, from Libya to Tunisia to Egypt, either stepped down or were forcibly removed, Assad hung on.He directed the military to launch a brutal crackdown on the unrest with an estimated 3,500 thousand protesters killed.After months of violence by the security services, armed rebel groups began forming across the country and what…

Whakaari eruption survivor Jesse Langford and his rescuer Paul Kingi have spoken of their special bond ahead of the fifth anniversary of the tragedy which claimed 22 lives.Jesse, 24, lives in Sydney, and was travelling New Zealand with his father Antony, mother Kristine and sister Winona when they decided to take a trip to White Island on December 9, 2019.All three of Langford’s family members died in the eruption, and Winona’s body was never recovered.Langford was rescued by Kingi, who was a White Island Tours skipper at the time.”I knew there was another group there and finding Jesse appearing out…

By Jemima Huston of RNZ The economic downturn has taken a toll on the wedding industry with fewer bookings, smaller guest lists and people ditching luxuries like flowers and hair stylists. Summer is wedding season but celebrants, wedding planners, caterers and the like say business this year is tough. Valley D’Vine in Hawke’s Bay won’t cater a reception until 2025. Greg Miller runs the restaurant on the Linden Estate winery in Esk Valley and said he’s never had a season quite like it. “Normally I would have done ten weddings by now, from August on, but I haven’t done one…

At Hope Rising Farm, a unique approach to healing and personal growth is making a difference in the lives of people facing challenges, from learning disabilities, to high anxiety and depression. Located in Ngāruawāhia, the farm is a sanctuary for humans and animals alike, where the bonds formed foster emotional healing and personal development.Founder Rachel Ralph knows the power of transformation first-hand.After surviving a near-death motorcycle accident that left her with a broken neck, Ralph said she reevaluated her life and that she felt she had to do something meaningful. “The animals don’t judge, they don’t care where we come…

Firefighters battled a large vegetation fire, fanned by strong winds, west of Christchurch overnight — with efforts continuing this morning.Fire and Emergency NZ said the fire north of West Melton was reported around 9pm yesterday.A Fire and Emergency (FENZ) spokesperson said people who were evacuated have since been able to return home.This morning, FENZ assistant district commander Steve Kennedy confirmed the fire started in the Waimakariri riverbed.”[It] spread pretty quickly with the wind behind it last night,” he said. “By the time we contained the fire, it had burnt through around about 134 hectares.”I believe around about 30 residents were…