Author: Press Room

The development comes the day before an EU exemption, which has allowed the Czech Republic to continue receiving Russian oil, is due to expire. ADVERTISEMENTThe flow of oil from Russia to the Czech Republic via the Druzhba pipeline was interrupted on Wednesday, Czech authorities confirmed. It was not immediately clear what had caused the problem. “The Czech refiners are well prepared for such a situation and we have a robust system of state reserves,” Czech Industry and Trade Minister Lukas Vlcek said. Mero, the state company that operates the pipeline, said it was monitoring the situation, adding that the country’s…

A 23-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of Robert Nattie Albert at Lake Horowhenua in Levin last month.Police launched a homicide investigation after the 56-year-old’s body was found in a building in Muaūpoko Park on October 17.Manawatū area investigations manager Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thompson said a number of lines of inquiry have since been completed, resulting in a murder charge being filed.”This is a huge step in the investigation, but it is only the beginning.”He said a team of investigators combed through CCTV footage along with information provided by members of the public.”We know there…

The government collapsed after it failed to gather the support of the far-right National Rally party of Marine Le Pen for its budget. ADVERTISEMENTMichel Barnier on Wednesday became the French Fifth Republic’s shortest-serving prime minister after the leftist New Popular Front (NFP) alliance and the far-right National Rally (RN) party joined forces to bring him down during a no-confidence vote.Barnier’s government was toppled with 331 votes backing the motion of censure. A majority of 288 votes was required. The 73-year-old will have lasted just 91 days in office, while his government, made up of centrist and right-wing ministers, served just 74…

A former roading contract manager has been jailed after he orchestrated fraudulent schemes and accepted more than $1 million in gifts over maintenance contracts in south Auckland.Jason Koroheke was sentenced to four years and five months in jail at the Auckland District Court earlier today. In July, he pleaded guilty to three charges of obtaining by deception and 14 charges of acceptance of gifts by agent between 2015 and 2018The court heard the former Broadspectrum manager was the architect of several schemes where he accepted gifts in exchange for awarding work, and submitted false invoices to obtain significant benefits for…

The Pope will use the the electric Mercedes G-Class to greet crowds during General Audiences and official ceremonies. ADVERTISEMENTThe Vatican unveiled Pope Francis’ new ‘Popemobile’ on Wednesday, a Mercedes G-Class, which will be used to drive through St Peter’s Square to greet pilgrims.The four-wheel-drive marks the first all-electric Popemobile and will have zero carbon emissions, aligning with the Pontiff’s stance on climate protection, as the Pope has been vocal about addressing environmental issues.CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group Ola Källenius said it is a great honour to provide the Pope with his next installment of the Popemobile, which he says is part…

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has sold another investment property – potentially making a significant tax-free capital gain.Records show the Grey St, Onehunga property in Auckland was last purchased in 2015 for $620,500. It was sold on 25 November. The sale price has not been made public yet but the property was advertised for $930,000. Homes.co.nz gave it an estimated value of $970,000.That means Luxon may have made about $300,000 on the sale – although from that gain he would have had to have paid for the costs of sale, including real estate commission, and he may have had work done…

Five secret reports from different Romanian institutions and agencies have been made public by the country’s president upon their request. ADVERTISEMENTDeclassified information from Romania’s intelligence agencies has revealed that the sudden rise of populist hard-right candidate Calin Georgescu in the first round of last month’s presidential election was “not a natural outcome”. Instead, the reports show that it was the result of a coordinated social media campaign, most likely orchestrated by a “state actor.”Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis released on Wednesday five classified reports from various national institutions and agencies on election interference, following requests from the institutions that authored them.A…

Almost two dozen long-finned pilot whales stranded in Tasman have been returned to the water by a massive effort by volunteers under the guidance of Project Jonah.In an update early this afternoon, the conservation group said: “A huge effort this morning saw the whales regrouped and refloated on the incoming tide. The whales spent some time socialising before swimming strongly into deeper water.”Project Jonah said the whales were being monitored from a boat close by and from shore.Long-finned whales which restranded in Golden Bay. (Source: Project Jonah)”The efforts of the almost 80 people on this third day of strandings was…

Once Michel Barnier formally resigns, he will become the shortest-serving prime minister in France’s modern history. ADVERTISEMENTFrance’s National Assembly — the lower house of the Parliament — toppled Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government on Wednesday night.A total of 331 MPs, from the left-wing coalition New Popular Front (NFP) and the far-right National Rally, voted in favour of the no-confidence motion, out of 577 lawmakers.The move has thrown the country into a period of political and economic uncertainty, just six months after President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the National Assembly following his party’s heavy loss in the EU elections.How different parties reacted…

Woolworths supermarket in Papakura. Photo: Supplied Police are investigating after needles were found in two different food products at a supermarket in Auckland. The needles were reportedly found at the Woolworth’s in Papakura yesterday.  Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle said food safety officers would be at the store today to support police. “Police are making initial inquiries into the matter, with New Zealand Food Safety’s support, to ensure that consumers are not at risk.” The affected product has been removed from the shelves, Arbuckle said. “We are closely monitoring the situation. Based on information to date there is…