Author: Press Room

A new survey reveals EU citizens are growing more and more US-sceptic, and think it’s time for the bloc to pursue its own foreign policy and reduce ties with Washington. ADVERTISEMENTA growing number of EU citizens are distancing themselves from the US, according to a survey by the Bertelsmann Stiftung Foundation on over 26,000 people in the 27-member states.Around 49% believe Washington is no longer their most important ally, instead preferring other countries, such as the UK (13%) or China (10%).The most US-sceptical country was Belgium, with only 43% of people considering the US their prominent military partner, while Poland…

Police have released the name of a woman found deceased at a property on Muller Road, Blenheim on Monday.She was 78-year-old Phyllis Sheehan, of Blenheim.Police extended their condolences to her family and friends.”The 55-year-old man charged with her murder has been remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance in the High Court at Wellington on December 13.”

Brussels recently scored a win when judges ruled Apple should reimburse €13bn in underpaid taxes – but a high-profile tax havens blacklist is undermined by weak sanctions, and warnings of cross-border schemes often go unheeded, auditors said. ADVERTISEMENTThe EU’s fight against €100 billion in corporate tax avoidance is plagued by poor enforcement and weak sanctions, a report by the European Court of Auditors has said.  Brussels scored a recent victory in its fight against tax-dodging when judges ruled Apple had to repay €13bn in back taxes, after the European Commission argued the deal the big tech firm had cut with…

Startup Dunedin programme facilitator Grace Esterman (fourth from left) celebrates Dunedin winning the inaugural regional trailblazer award at the recent Global Entrepreneurship Network New Zealand ecosystem awards. Startup Dunedin general manager Rachel Butler said the award was “very much a team effort” involving a wide variety of stakeholders. “This award doesn’t just recognise this year’s work, but the 20 years of past Dunedinites and alumni that have committed to the best regional ecosystem as founders, as supporters and mentors,” she said.

One person has died and two others have critical injuries after a car and bus crash at Piarere on State Highway 1, near Tirau.Police said the crash occurred just after 2pm today. Emergency services, including the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter, have responded from across the North Island and taken the injured to four hospitals.The Associated Press reported the small bus was carrying 11 international tourists and their driver. There were three people in two other vehicles.Footage from the scene showed a small white bus with a baggage trailer, damaged and off the side of the road. Two other vehicles, a…

Recent interference in undersea cables in Germany, Sweden, Finland and Lithuania an example of growing cyber and hybrid interference by Russia, says NATO expert. ADVERTISEMENTNATO’s senior expert on cyber and hybrid threats says the persistent attacks on undersea cables across Europe is “the most active threat” to Western infrastructure. Acting Assistant Secretary General for Innovation Hybrid and Cyber, James Appathurai says recent attacks on the communications cables attributed by the alliance to Russia is part of a significant growth in cyber, hybrid and other interference in Europe. Early in November two cables were severed in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Lithuania and another between…

Kiwibank has been fined $1.5 million after it pleaded guilty to “systemic” and “long-running breaches” that led to 35,000 customers being overcharged a total of $6.8 million.The bank was sentenced at the Auckland District Court yesterday after pleading guilty to 21 criminal charges under the Fair Trading Act for making “misleading representations to its customers about its services, which Kiwibank did not provide on the stated and agreed terms”.According to the Commerce Commission, which prosecuted the case, there were “significant failures” in which the bank did not provide services as agreed.The issues were first identified by Kiwibank and reported to…

Alcohol outlets in Auckland will have shorter and stricter trading hours next month, including no booze being sold from bottle shops and supermarkets after 9pm.The rule is the final phase of the implementation of Auckland Council’s new Local Alcohol Policy.Auckland Council policy general manager Louise Mason said the changes to trading hours would apply to all off-licenses, on-licences and clubs from December 9.”At off-licences, such as bottle shops and supermarkets, alcohol sales will end at 9pm,” Mason said.Before this, bottle shops and supermarkets could operate until 11pm, if permitted.”On-licences, such as bars and restaurants that are permitted by the District…

The Greek migration minister warned that worsening winter weather and ongoing geopolitical turmoil are making Mediterranean crossings even more dangerous. ADVERTISEMENTFour people, including two children, lost their lives when a boat carrying migrants ran aground on the rocky shores of the eastern Greek island of Samos, officials reported on Thursday. Sixteen people were rescued, but it remains unclear how many passengers were on board. The Greek coast guard launched a search-and-rescue operation involving patrol vessels, lifeboats, and land teams to locate any potential missing individuals. The Greek migration minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, warned that the danger of small boat crossings is only rising…

The man accused of murdering Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao was seen washing his car on the side of a rural road on the day she disappeared.Chinese national Tingjun Cao, 53, is on trial at the High Court at Christchurch for killing Bao on Wednesday 19 July last year.Cao’s six-hour police interview — recorded after his arrest at Christchurch Airport on Saturday, July 22 — was played to the court over two days.Cao was interviewed by Detective Sergeant Caroline Johnson, with translation assistance by Detective Constable Wei (David) Zhu.When Johnson told Cao he had been seen washing his car…