Author: Press Room

Director Francis Ford Coppola, actor Viola Davis, director Paul Feig and actor-director Clint Eastwood are among those paying tribute to Gene Hackman after his death at age 95. Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog were found dead in their New Mexico home, authorities said Thursday.”The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity, I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.” — Francis Ford Coppola on Instagram.”There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false…

New Zealand and Vietnam have agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relationship to the highest level and the two countries will now negotiate a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Prime Ministers Christopher Luxon and Pham Minh Chinh announced the plan together in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi on Wednesday.Luxon told New Zealand media the new diplomatic partnership would have practical benefits for New Zealand and would hopefully put more money in their back pockets. Prime Ministers Christopher Luxon and Pham Minh Chinh announced the plan together in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi. (Source: rnz.co.nz)”This significant upgrade in the relationship is a major milestone and demonstrates the high…

The French president is doubling down on his social media presence – an approach that has positioned him as the EU’s top influencer-slash-leader for an internet-native audience in France and beyond, propelling himself at the forefront of Europe’s leadership during these crucial times. ADVERTISEMENTImages of Emmanuel Macron’s White House meeting with Donald Trump this week were Instagrammed by the Elysee under the title “Everything is possible, so let’s do it together!”, clearly signalling the French president’s seizure of prime spot as Europe chief interlocutor with the US president.Images of Emmanuel Macron skilfully negotiating tough questions from less-than-friendly US outlet Fox…

A lack of a sufficient warning from China about its live-fire naval exercises in the Tasman sea has been labelled a failure in the New Zealand-China relationship, by the Foreign Minister Winston Peters.The issue of China’s three navy ships being in the Tasman Sea and conducting live exercises, has dominated talks between Peters and his counterpart in Beijing overnight.Winston Peters has met with China’s FM Wang Yi for one of the more significant NZ China meetings in recent times.  (Source: 1News)Peters said while he didn’t seek any assurances or explanations about what China was doing in the Tasman, noting it had a…

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 129 people trying to reach Europe have already disappeared or died in the Mediterranean so far this year. ADVERTISEMENTAround 112 migrants rescued off the coast of Libya have arrived in Tuscany, in Central Italy. The Ocean Viking ship, operated by the SOS Méditerranée, docked in the port of Livorno on Wednesday morning, local media reported.According to the NGO, the migrants, mostly from Bangladesh, Egypt, Somalia, and Syria, were rescued in two operations over the weekend. The group said its crew members stepped in to help a fibreglass boat on Saturday…

A lucky player from Waihi has won $10.5 million in Lotto Powerball.Last night’s winning numbers were 29, 22, 11, 23, 21, and 38. The bonus ball was 2 and the Powerball was 4.The ticket was sold at Paper Plus Waihi & Toyworld in Waihi.The prize is made up of $10 million from Powerball First Division and $500,000 from Lotto First Division.Earlier this month, a Hamilton woman won $10.5 million after returning from a trip away. One other Lotto player won $500,000 with Lotto First Division. The winning ticket was sold on MyLotto to a player from Whangārei.Meanwhile, Strike Four has…

At the entrance of the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Catholic faithful and well-wishers lit candles, placed cards, drawings, and balloons, and stood in solidarity. ADVERTISEMENTHundreds of people have gathered outside the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy’s capital, to support and pray for Pope Francis. Francis, who has been in the hospital for two weeks, is being treated for pneumonia in both lungs and continues to make a recovery.At the entrance of the hospital in Rome, Catholic faithful and well-wishers lit candles and placed cards, drawings, and balloons as they stood in solidarity.The 88-year-old pope was suffering from a…

Christchurch electric vehicle smart charger manufacturer Evnex is set to double overall sales over the next 18 months in New Zealand and Australia. Chief executive Ed Harvey started the business after the engineer converted his 1997 Honda Accord to electric as a university project. Over the past 10 years, 8000 home and workplace chargers have been sold in New Zealand and Australia, having expanded there in 2023. Evnex sees a positive sales environment emerging in Australia, hoping to repeat this performance over a far shorter timespan, and this week released two chargers on to the market. The E2 Core is…

The head of one of the government’s free school lunch providers says his company is providing numbers of wasted school lunches to the Ministry of Education on a daily basis.Compass Group boss Paul Harvey told Checkpoint, it was “mission critical” to meet KPIs.Compass is one of the three companies that make up the School Lunch Collective, which is responsible for running the scheme.”We are starting to track [wastage] now, school by school, we are sharing that information with the ministry and again that information will be made available,” Harvey said.”We are going to listen we are going to learn we…

A man has been hospitalised after a group of men were reportedly fighting on Galway St in Auckland’s CBD early this morning.Auckland City CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend said police were called to an aggravated assault in central Auckland around 3.15am.On arrival, he said officers found a man who had suffered serious injuries, and he was transported to hospital.”The man is in a serious but stable condition. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening,” Friend said.Galway Street in Auckland’s CBD, as picture don Google Maps. (Source: Supplied)An investigation was now underway into what occurred and to identify the…