Author: Press Room

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said that protecting borders is a ‘sacred duty’, but humanitarian organisations have expressed concerns. ADVERTISEMENTWatched by drones and guarded by a five-and-a-half-metre steel barrier, a border crossing near the Polish town of Połowce encapsulates the security challenges facing the EU, Poland has said. On the other side of the fence lies Belarus, a close ally of Russia which has used migration as a weapon against the bloc, according to Warsaw. As a result, Poland has recently toughened its migration policies, something the country says is vital to its and the EU’s interests. “We have…

A body has been found in the search for a jetskier seen struggling in the water on Lake Taupō yesterday.Police received a report around 12.40pm on Sunday that a person or people on a jetski were in trouble in the lake off Acacia Bay.”While one person and the jetski made it to shore with assistance from Police and Taupō Coastguard, a second person sadly did not, and was last seen struggling in the water,” Senior Sergeant Andy Livingstone said yesterday.A body was found this afternoon, police said today in an update.”Police offer condolences to the family and friends of the…

The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) has called for a bonfire of EU red tape in a three-page statement adopted at a gathering of conservative leaders in Berlin. ADVERTISEMENTA raft of incoming climate, environmental and corporate sustainability law should be “put on hold for at least two years” and its scope limited to only the largest companies, the largest group in the European Parliament has said, setting a clear policy direction as the European Commission prepares a package of measures to boost EU competitiveness.The centre-right EPP had already launched a campaign to reverse key Green Deal legislation like tougher car…

The charges, which Arena has denied, are the latest in the Qatargate allegations that foreign lobbyists attempted to purchase influence in the European Parliament. ADVERTISEMENTMaria Arena, a former socialist party member of the European Parliament (MEP), has been charged with membership of a criminal organisation, the Belgian federal prosectuor has confirmed to Euronews.  The move follows the Qatargate scandal that rocked the Parliament in 2022, that has seen mulitple MEPs and staffers charged with corruption and money laundering. The charges were confirmed following revelations in newspaper La Libre, but the spokesperson declined to comment further on the investigation into the alleged…

A new turning lane will be constructed on State Highway 1 to make it easier for motorists heading to a new caravan park near Picton.The site has been the scene of three known crashes within a five-year period — including one involving a vehicle towing a caravan.That park will be open only to New Zealand Motor Caravan Association members, a condition of a resource consent granted after an appeal to the Environment Court.The association was initially denied consent for the site because there was no right-turn lane on the highway. It had applied to the Marlborough District Council to subdivide…

European friends of Donald Trump have accepted invitations for a ringside seat at today’s inauguration of the 47th President of the United States. ADVERTISEMENTAs Donald Trump is sworn in today at around 12pm EST (6pm CET) as the 47th President of the United States, European politicians will be listening attentively to his second-term inaugural address, while several of the his political allies will attend in person.Trump’s statements since his election victory on 5 November have raised concerns in Europe over the speed at which a ramp up of contributions from NATO member states will be sought and how quickly and…

Police are investigating a report of an aggravated robbery at a restaurant in Auckland’s Takapuna last night.At about 9.25pm, police received report of two people entering Tokyo Bay on The Strand.According to police, the offenders entered the property armed with weapons, which were not firearms, and threatened staff.Two people, armed with weapons that weren’t guns, took a number of items from Tokyo Bay. (Source: 1News)No one was injured. However, the offenders took a “number of items” before leaving in a vehicle prior to the arrival of police, it said.“Police are working hard to find those responsible and are appealing to…

Two vehicles have been impounded as their drivers face charges of illegal street racing after search warrants were executed in Southland last week.Police descended simultaneously on addresses in Tuatapere and Winton on Friday in relation to an incident that occurred in November last year.A report was received at around 6.50pm on November 5 of a vehicle crashed into a paddock outside Tuatapere after it failed to make a turn on Grove Burn Rd while participating in alleged anti-social road behaviour.”The vehicles were believed to have been travelling around three times the posted 50km/h speed limit before the crash,” a police…

Alerts have been issued as heavy rain and strong winds return to parts of the North Island, with bad weather forecast to begin later today.NZTA Waka Kotahi was urging drivers to be extra cautious as MetService issued orange heavy rain warnings for the Coromandel Peninsula and Northland. MetService warned of strengthening easterly winds, heavy rain and the potential for thunderstorms from this afternoon into Tuesday. A subtropical low and preceding fronts would be moving south across northern parts of the North Island until Wednesday morning, bringing easterly gales and periods of heavy rain.Rain was also expected to spread into the…

Australia’s Labor government has pledged $A2 billion ($NZ 2.2 billion) in production credits to help support the country’s four aluminium smelters switch to renewable power before 2036. Aluminium is one of the most polluting nonferrous metals to make, as its current production is mostly powered by coal. Green aluminium usually refers to metal produced using solar, wind or hydropower. The country’s four aluminium smelters are run by Rio Tinto and Alcoa.  Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in his latest election pitch, said the smelters would receive government support for each metric ton of low-carbon aluminium they produce. His centre-left government has…