Author: Press Room

Andrius Kubilius is expected to draw up a White Paper on European Defence within his first three months in office, including ways to finance what he has described as a “big bang” in military spending. ADVERTISEMENTThe new European Commissioner for defence on Thursday reiterated his support for issuing common bonds to arm the continent, arguing that repaying the debt would be cheap for member states if part of their national defence budgets is pooled.Andrius Kubilius, in his first appearance in front of the Security and Defence (SEDE) subcommittee since taking office on Sunday, said that “for the time being, we are…

The future of the Green Investment Fund is being questioned by the Government over its stake in the collapsed company SolarZero.The fund, set up by the previous government to invest in sustainable projects, had put in more than $100 million of taxpayer funds into the solar energy equipment supplier.SolarZero was placed into surprise liquidation last week with its owner, multinational investment firm BlackRock, blaming “unsustainable losses”. Close to 200 workers are owed millions in holiday and redundancy packages.The fund’s chairwoman Cecilia Tarrant was today called in for a “please explain” meeting with Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Climate Change Minister…

Social media users have falsely claimed Keir Starmer’s net favourability score makes him the least-popular prime minister in British history. ADVERTISEMENTSir Keir Starmer’s approval rating has not plunged to the lowest of any UK prime minister on record, as social media users have falsely claimed.The misinformation was shared last week by a Reform UK candidate in a TikTok post, first spotted by fact-checkers at PA Media, which garnered over 25,000 likes.It includes a screenshot of another post published on social media platform X on 24 October, claiming that Starmer’s approval score of -38 is a “new record in British politics,”…

The Director-General of Health says she’s looking at the legal options for councils if they refuse to add fluoride to their drinking water. Fourteen councils around the country have been given a directive by Dr Diana Sarfati and health officials are actively looking at further areas to be added. Last week Whangārei District Council, which has a deadline of March next year to add fluoride, voted against doing so. That’s despite having the equipment — paid for by the Ministry of Health — already in place.Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo said there was a range of reasons councillors chose to vote…

Outgoing Vice President of the European Commission Věra Jourová told The Europe Conversation its “shocking” how some EU countries are replicating illiberal laws of others. ADVERTISEMENTJourová – a lawyer by trade – was EU Commissioner for Values and Transparency from 2019 until November 2024. During that time, rule of law issues in some member states have deteriorated, she said, speaking just before the end of her mandate. The EU has initiated infringement proceedings against several countries targeting freedom of the press, as well as LGBT communities which the Commission point out are in breach of EU values, as well as Article 2 of the Treaty…

Former politician and kapa haka exponent Tā Pita Sharples (Ngāti Kahungunu) has been recognised by the Arts Foundation as one of the most significant artists in Aotearoa New Zealand in a special ceremony at Government House in Wellington today.He was honoured alongside accomplished singer-songwriter Neil Finn with the Icon Award Whakamana Hiranga for 2024, and together they join 20 other living artists who have been celebrated for their extraordinary contributions to the arts sector.”If I can be accredited with anything positive with our people — that’s all I care about,” said Tā Pita on receiving the award.”I’ve been lucky. I’ve…

The family of Olivia Podmore says the adjournment of an inquest into the Olympic cyclist’s death has only added to the immense emotional and financial toll of the process.Warning: This story discusses mental health and suicide which may be distressing to some readers.On Thursday, the inquest into the suspected suicide of the 24-year-old athlete was adjourned until next year.The hearing before Coroner Louella Dunn, originally set down for three weeks, was due to wrap at the end of this week.However, Coroner Dunn informed the court that the case would be adjourned to next year to allow a continuation of evidence.RNZ…

Yan Petrovsky, also known as Voislav Toden, is charged with fighting against Ukrainian forces as part of the neo-Nazi Russian paramilitary unit Rusich. ADVERTISEMENTA Russian ultranationalist combatant who fought amid Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014 went on trial on Thursday in Finland on charges of alleged war crimes.Finnish prosecutors are seeking life imprisonment for Yan Petrovsky, who is also known as Voislav Toden, according to public broadcaster YLE.Petrovsky’s lawyer, Heikki Lampela, said his client — who has been in custody in Finland since entering the Nordic country in July 2023 — would deny all the charges.Petrovsky has been…

Ukrainian journalist Denis Trubetskoy believes the upcoming German election is less critical for Ukraine than the US election — but that Ukraine’s stability and resistance nonetheless depend on Germany’s long-term support. ADVERTISEMENTOn Monday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he visited wounded soldiers and pledged €650 million in military aid to be delivered in December.In subsequent speeches and posts on social media, he repeatedly emphasised that Germany stands by Ukraine.But on the home front, Scholz’s surprise visit was overshadowed by the campaign for the upcoming Bundestag snap elections…

Nelson’s Morrison Square will be demolished in the New Year.The commercial complex used to house 22 tenants, most of whom have now vacated the building after significant cladding issues caused by water ingress were discovered, making the buildings unsafe.But the owner of Italian restaurant Babagatto, who has been vocal against vacating the building ahead of the peak summer season, said he’ll continue to “fight ’til the end”.Ian Purdy, the portfolio manager property and infrastructure for the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)’s Investment Fund – the complex’s owner – confirmed the demolition but added that no decision had yet been made on…