Author: Press Room

EU Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi has signalled that revisiting the EU’s medical device regulations is inevitable, marking a shift from the previously cautious stance of the European Commission. ADVERTISEMENTIn his debut appearance before EU health ministers, Hungarian Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi declared that a review of the EU’s medical device regulations is practically guaranteed.This marks a departure from the European Commission’s prior ambiguity to commit to such a move.Current medical device rules were agreed in 2017, and govern a wide range of products from high-tech devices like X-ray machines and pacemakers to everyday items such as contact lenses and bandages.Repeated extensions of…

Transport in our biggest city will soon face a major shake-up as the Government strips Auckland Transport (AT) of an array of planning powers while devolving decision-making for some changes on local streets to local boards.Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced a package of changes to transport planning alongside Auckland mayor, Wayne Brown, late this afternoon. The former said the changes would “restore democratic decision-making” over the city’s transport system.”The existing transport governance model in Auckland is falling short of meeting the expectations of the Government, Auckland Council, and, most importantly, Aucklanders themselves,” the Transport Minister said.”By returning decision-making power to…

In hearings held on Tuesday, six candidates battled to win MEPs’ favour and be elected EU Ombudsman. Even for this neutral role, politics is never very far from the surface. ADVERTISEMENTOn Tuesday, six candidates duked it out in their bid to become the EU’s next ombudsman, and investigate malpractice among Brussels bureaucrats. Hopefuls from Austria, Portugal, Estonia, the Netherlands and Italy (twice) each had over an hour to make their pitches to the European Parliament’s Petitions Committee, ahead of a series of secret ballots to be held in mid-December. Whichever of them succeeds in winning MEPs’ support will succeed Ireland’s Emily O’Reilly,…

Police have returned an envelope of cash to the Head Hunters after misreading a handwritten note on it as “drugs profit”.The envelope, seized alongside a semi-automatic pistol during a search of the West Auckland gang pad in August, actually read “drags profit”.According to the NZ Herald, the cash inside the envelope was actually the proceeds of a regular motorcycle racing event held at the Meremere Dragway in northern Waikato.In a statement to 1News, police said it had “since clarified the handwriting on the envelope contained an ‘a’ instead of a ‘u'”.”The money has since been returned.”Police searched the Head Hunters…

Allies are keen to bolster Ukraine’s defence and footing in the war before Donald Trump retakes office in the US in just over a month. ADVERTISEMENTNATO allies need to focus more on delivering military assistance to Ukraine so it can stop Russia’s slow but steady advance than discuss what a possible peace deal could look like, the alliance’s chief said on Tuesday.Foreign ministers from the military alliance’s 32 member states are gathering in Brussels for a two-day summit with Ukraine high on the agenda. Secretary-General Mark Rutte told reporters in a press conference hours before the start of the summit that…

More whales have restranded in Golden Bay, as a team of volunteers work to refloat them.Thirty-seven long-finned pilot whales stranded on Farewell Spit yesterday afternoon, Project Jonah said. Two had died by about 6.20pm yesterday, the Department of Conservation said.In an update earlier this morning, the marine mammal rescue charity said on its Facebook page that the whales had restranded.”Another six have passed away,” the post said, and one whale had to be euthanised “due to poor condition”.”The whales have restranded further out so will have water around them mid-morning before high tide.”The whales were refloated just before high tide…

This is the second consecutive year of record-breaking numbers, surpassing last year’s total of 39,910 arrivals. ADVERTISEMENTThe number of migrants reaching Spain’s Canary Islands by precarious vessels from West Africa has hit a record high, with 41,425 arrivals recorded between 1 January and 30 November, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry. This marks the second consecutive year of record-breaking arrivals, highlighting the ongoing challenges of irregular migration to the archipelago.Located off the northwestern coast of Africa, the Canary Islands serve as a key entry point for migrants seeking better opportunities in Europe, according to local media.Most arrive on overcrowded, open-topped boats, adding…

A licensed gun owner has been charged after a rifle and shotgun they were supposed to be in possession of were allegedly found in the hands of a Mongrel Mob prospect. Police said the guns were not reported stolen. The charges come after police executed a search of a Kapiti Coast address last month.During the search, officers found a .22 rifle, a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, two .22 magazines, more than 400 rounds of .22 ammunition, 25 shotgun slugs, and buckshot shotgun ammunition. They also found two rifle silencers and a “significant amount” of cannabis. A check on the serial numbers…

Change in status under Bern Convention on nature protection could expose burgeoning wolf populations to culling and hunting for sport. ADVERTISEMENTThe Council of Europe has backed an EU proposal to downgrade the protection status of wolves from ‘strictly protected’ to ‘protected’ in a move that has prompted a wave of outrage from conservationists who say the move was political rather than science-based.The European Commission proposed the change to the Bern Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats last December as a necessary prequel to amending the EU’s own nature protection law.This would allow “more flexibility in managing…

PM Christopher Luxon has refused to set a timeline for delivering National’s promised $22,500 of student loan support for graduate nurses, as he says the health portfolio has been the Government’s most challenging.Earlier today, about 36,000 nurses, midwives and other health workers walked off the job today in an eight-hour nationwide strike over staffing and pay levels.Luxon’s pre-election promise would have provided new and recently registered nurses and midwives up to $4500 annually towards student loan repayments, totaling $22,500 over five years. It was announced by the National leader in May 2023.Watch 1News’ full interview with the Prime Minister on…