Author: Press Room

The National Rally (RN) could topple the government of French Prime Minister Michel Barnier over its proposed 2025 social security budget. ADVERTISEMENTFrance’s far-right National Rally (RN) party threatened again on Monday to back a no-confidence vote over a budget dispute that could bring down Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s centre-right government within days.RN president Jordan Bardella said that his party would trigger the motion unless “there is a last-minute miracle” over the proposed 2025 social security budget that aims to save the state €60 billion through tax increases and spending cuts. The party’s mainstay Marine Le Pen had previously given Barnier…

Twelve people were arrested and more than 180 infringement notices were issued as police monitored a gang gathering in rural Nelson today.Just one of the dozen arrests was for wearing gang insignia which became illegal under legislation that came into force last week.Other arrests were for breaching bail and release conditions, drug possession, and driving offences.Three vehicles were impounded by police and 182 infringement notices were handed out.Around 2800 breath screening tests had been conducted at checkpoints around the Nelson area since Friday morning. Just two returned over the legal limit. Tasman district commander Superintendent Tracey Thompson said locals that…

Former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa is now President of the European Council. If his experience raises hopes for his ability to lead the EU’s 27 member states – he takes on the role at a difficult time. ADVERTISEMENTHow will the new President of the European Council differ from his predecessor, Charles Michel? What are his main challenges, and how does he plan to reshape the Council, representing the 27 member states? Radio Schuman focuses on António Costa today.Costa is widely recognised for his bridge-building abilities, extensive political experience—as former Prime Minister of Portugal, Mayor of Lisbon, and Member of…

Waikeria Prison will be one step closer to becoming the largest in Aotearoa after opening its new facility next year.Built south of Hamilton, the new Waikeria Prison will have capacity to hold 600 prisoners — and construction is underway on another unit set to hold hundreds more.It is set to begin accepting prisoners in the middle of next year.Corrections chief executive Jeremy Lightfoot told 1News the new prison is creating a new environment where staff can “do their best work safely to enable people to leave as better and brighter prospects”.Meanwhile, prison director Jack Harrison said they have tried to…

The new von der Leyen Commission must have a radical rethink of laws on climate change, investment and data if Europe is to compete, AXA’s Frédéric de Courtois told Euronews. ADVERTISEMENTThe European Commission is just starting its new mandate – and financial sector lobbyists already have a shopping list of laws they’d like it to trim or abandon.  Ursula von der Leyen has promised to make competitiveness the watchword of her second term in office, with economic data showing the bloc is trailing far behind performance in the US – and businesses are happy to point to EU laws they say…

As summer begins, New Zealand is on track to make 2024 a “landmark year’ for water safety with drowning fatalities down 26% compared to the 10-year average.However, Water Safety NZ warns the upcoming months are the “most dangerous” as more Kiwis head to the water.Sixty-one people have died in water-related incidents this year, 22 less than the 10-year average and 17 less than this time last year.Chief executive Daniel Gerrard said the decrease was a “fantastic achievement and reflects the efforts of individuals, families, and communities across the country”.”It’s worth celebrating, but it’s also a reminder that we can’t let…

The visit comes weeks before the German leader is set to ask his parliament for a vote of no confidence, which he is widely expected to lose. ADVERTISEMENTGermany’s Olaf Scholz arrived in Ukraine on Monday for his second trip to the region during his tenure as Chancellor. His visit comes both at a time on escalated Russian attacks on Ukraine and as his government faces political crisis at home that looks likely to remove him from power during elections in February next year. Scholz promised an additional aid package to Ukraine during his visit, saying that Germany would deliver “further…

Gisborne district councillors fear a proposed nationwide environmental standard will prevent the council from creating and enforcing rules to safeguard Tairāwhiti’s “unique terrain”.During a council meeting last week, councillors questioned staff about whether they would be able to maintain control of their consenting process for commercial forestry with proposed changes to the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF).Councillor Rob Telfer said he was concerned some farming properties in the district were about to be approved to go into forestry.“As soon as this comes out, councillors get it in the ear,” he said.“At the moment the whole focus is on…

People are being urged not to swim at some inner city Auckland beaches amid water quality issues caused by wastewater overflow and faecal bacteria.Four beaches — Herne Bay, Home Bay, Judges Bay and Te Tinana — are affected by wastewater overflow, according to Safeswim, putting swimmers at “very high risk”.”A wastewater overflow has been detected in the area,” a notice on the Safeswim website read. “Overflows are more common in wet weather but they can happen in dry weather if pipes are blocked or damaged.”Wastewater overflows occur when wastewater — sewage — spills out from gully traps, manholes, engineered overflow…

France has fervently opposed the free trade agreement between the EU and five South American nations. ADVERTISEMENTAfter decades of negotiations, the Mercosur treaty continues to stir up controversy. Hundreds of farmers have been protesting for the past weeks in France and other European countries against the free trade agreement between the EU and the South American bloc comprising of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia (also known as Mercosur). Euronews looked into why the Mercosur treaty is so controversial and whether opposing countries, such as France, can block the deal. What is the Mercosur treaty?It is a free trade agreement…