Author: Press Room

Top German politicians and chancellor candidates faced off one last time in a debate on local broadcaster ZDF ahead of Sunday’s federal elections. The war in Ukraine dominated an agenda packed with contentious topics which included immigration and the economy. ADVERTISEMENTThe debate got off to a quick start with moderators centring the conversation on the threat of war and continental security.A recent survey revealed that 45% of Germans considered peace and security to be the most important issue for them and how they vote.German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock – who’s the co-chair of the Greens party – says the threat…

A man has been sentenced for his part in a massive 700kg liquid meth importation concealed in beer and kombucha bottles.The man, who has permanent name suppression, will serve 22 years in prison with a minimum period of imprisonment of 10 years. The case involved the largest importation of meth to make it across the New Zealand border and come before the courts.The unnamed man’s co-accused Himatjit Kahlon was found guilty last year of the manslaughter of 21-year-old Aiden Sagala, who died after innocently drinking a Honey Bear-branded beer can which instead contained liquid methamphetamine.Sagala was hospitalised after consuming a…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ Dunedin’s median property price has increased a whopping 500 percent since 2000, the biggest increase of any of New Zealand’s main centres, new data from Corelogic shows. The property research firm has delved into the capital gains experienced by property markets around the country since 2000. Top of the list was Mackenzie District, which had a 1074 percent increase, from a median value of $64,723 in 2000 to $690,578. Invercargill and Central Otago both had increases of 775 percent. Waitaki was next, with 745 percent, to a median of $490,223 and Queenstown Lakes 699 percent…

Four people have been taken to hospital, three of them in a serious condition, following a “chemical incident” onboard a ship at Lyttelton Port this morning.Police confirmed that two people were found unconscious in a tank aboard a ship after emergency services were called at 9.40am.St John said it responded to the “chemical incident” with four ambulances, two rapid response units and two operations managers.”Four patients, three in serious conditions and one in a moderate condition, have been transported by ambulance to Christchurch Hospital,” a St John spokesperson said.Four people have been taken to hospital with three of them in…

In a James Bond shakeup that stirred the film industry, Amazon MGM announced that the studio has taken the creative reins of the 007 franchise after decades of family control. Longtime Bond custodians Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they would be stepping back.Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson and Broccoli formed a new joint venture in which they will co-own James Bond intellectual property rights — but Amazon MGM will have creative control.Financial terms weren’t disclosed. The deal is expected to close sometime this year.”With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the…

A former Colorado sheriff’s deputy was convicted today in the shooting death of a 22-year-old New Zealand-born man in distress who called 911 for help after his car got stuck in a small mountain community.Jurors found Andrew Buen guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the June 2022 death of Christian Glass, whose death drew national attention and led to changes in how officers are trained to respond to people in mental health crises under a $19 million (NZ$32.9 million) settlement with his family.Murder convictions of police officers for actions taken while they were on duty is rare and have happened…

Genesis’ earnings rose strongly as it benefited from the surge in wholesale prices for its coal and gas electricity last winter, raised consumer prices, and gained from the increased value of its hedging contracts.Chief executive Malcolm Johns said the company’s range of power generation options – from hydro to coal and gas – worked to its advantage.”During the winter period, Genesis demonstrated its growing ability to leverage its flexibility, navigating a dry winter, being long gas in the spring and a wet start to summer.”However, Johns said Genesis was not going to carry the cost by itself for ensuring nationwide…

The Government has announced it will commit up to $200 million to help remove railway level crossings in Auckland’s Takanini and Glen Innes.The money would be in addition to funding covered by Auckland Council. According to the Government, the project would include constructing new train station access bridges at Glen Innes, Te Mahia and Takanini, and three new grade-separated road bridges in Takanini at Manuia Rd, Taka St, and Walters Rd.Two unsafe crossings would also be closed at Spartan Rd and Manuroa Rd.Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the “universally loathed” road level crossings, where streets and train lines intersect, would…

Chaka Khan, known as the Queen of Funk, has announced a one-off Auckland show.The 71-year-old will play at The Civic on Wednesday, April 16.In 2023, Khan celebrated a pinnacle moment in her musical career when being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.The 10-time Grammy winner spans a range of genres, from soulful R&B to classical music.Coming from Chicago, Khan first captured the attention on the music scene as the lead singer in funk band Rufus, through the Stevie Wonder-penned classic, Tell Me Something Good.(Source: Supplied)She continued her trajectory with a string of hits on I’m Every Woman,…

A fight over the Government’s Treaty Principles Bill has prompted a brutal history lesson for Taranaki Regional Council – and an apology.Councillors have voted to investigate why a debate on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill was shut down by conservative councillors at the Taranaki Regional Council’s December meeting.The council will also apologise to the people – mostly Māori – who wanted to discuss the contentious bill, which aims to change how Te Tiriti is interpreted and applied.The response has neutralised a threatened High Court judicial review.For the December meeting, staff were asked to draft a submission to…