Author: Press Room

Russia sentenced 72-year-old American Stephen Hubbard to almost seven years in prison for allegedly fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine’s conflict. ADVERTISEMENTA Russian court sentenced 72-year-old American Stephen Hubbard to around seven years in prison on Monday for allegedly fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. Hubbard, from Michigan, was accused of signing a contract with the Ukrainian military after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 and participating in the fighting until his capture two months later. He received a sentence of six years and 10 months in a general security prison despite prosecutors initially requesting seven years in a maximum-security facility. Hubbard…

Last week’s torrential rain provided good news for some after it refilled the country’s largest hydro storage lake. Meridian Energy general manager wholesale Chris Ewers said Lake Pūkaki had been at below average levels for more than 150 days before the recent bout of heavy rain. “All the rain we missed from April to August finally arrived in September,” Ewers said. “We’ve been managing our hydro lakes extremely carefully for months now, but there’s nothing like a helping hand from Mother Nature.” Over the last week, Lake Pūkaki rose 715mm to just over 525m above sea level – 102% of average…

A vegetation fire in Northland which burnt near Apihara over the weekend is now extinguished.On Saturday, 1News reported two helicopters were on the scene, and more crews were on the way.The area is no stranger to bushfires, which need an emergency response on a near yearly basis.Today, Fire and Emergency New Zealand incident controller Denis Cooper said specialist drone crews conducted thermal imaging over the fire ground yesterday evening to check for hotspots, and they found none.He said today FENZ worked with forestry firefighters and heavy machinery to make sure the fire ground was fully extinguished, which burned through approximately…

A new vaccine trial is under way in Rwanda as the country fights an outbreak of the highly deadly Marburg virus. ADVERTISEMENTRwanda is trialling vaccine doses against the Marburg virus as authorities work to end an outbreak of the deadly virus.The East African country received 700 doses of a vaccine candidate from the United States-based Sabin Vaccine Institute on Saturday.”Per the approved protocol, approximately 700 high-risk adults, starting with health care providers, will be dosed at six clinical trial sites in Rwanda,” the institute said in a statement.The single-dose vaccine is currently in phase two trials in Uganda and Kenya…

Beloved chat show host Graham Norton says he is “very excited” to bring his live Q and A style show to New Zealand for the very first time early next year. Speaking to Breakfast this morning, Norton said he had never been to Aotearoa as he “never had anything to bring before”. “I was doing a show here in the UK and it was supposed to be a book tour, but I kind of never really talked about the book and ended up just telling stories about my life and showing old clips of the chat show, telling stories about…

Residents on the south coast of Upolu in Samoa fear potential oil or chemical spillage from HMNZS Manawanui could be disastarous for the local environment and businesses.Local authorities are conducting environmental assessments after the $100 million specialist survey ship hit a reef on Saturday night and sank Sunday morning.Manager at Coconuts Beach Club at Maninoa, Brian Rose, said they are concerned about the potential impacts of the disaster on their lagoon, which has a sizeable turtle population — a major tourist attraction.”So far it looks like the impact directly on our shores has been minimal, but we know that with…

A new study has found that a visit to some of the continent’s most popular cities doesn’t have to break the bank. ADVERTISEMENTSome holiday destinations in Europe can be staggeringly expensive – think Monaco, Switzerland and the Amalfi Coast. However, the continent boasts 44 countries and territories, meaning there are trips on offer for every budget. If you’re looking for a European break which won’t break the bank, you’re in luck.Interrail Pass provider Eurail has compiled a handy list of the continent’s top ten most affordable cities. Many of them are within reach of the others, too, so a multi-city trip…

A man has been charged after another man was found critically injured in Wellington in the early hours of yesterday morning. Emergency services were called to Courtenay Pl outside the old Reading Cinema at around 3.20am, police said.A 21-year-old man was taken to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.A 29-year-old man was arrested following the incident.He is due to appear in the Wellington District Court today charged with wounding with reckless disregard.Police are now looking to hear from anyone who witnessed the assault — including two women who were sitting nearby when the incident occurred — or has…

Passengers and crew from HMNZS Manawanui are being flown back to Auckland this evening aboard a Air Force C-130J Hercules.Over the weekend, 75 people were rescued from the ship after it grounded on a reef in Samoa and sank shortly after.The C-130J flew to Apia on Sunday evening. It was carrying medical and welfare personnel, as well as a dive team and with light clean-up equipment.”It is returning tonight to RNZAF Base Auckland with 72 crew and passengers,” a New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) spokesperson said in a statement.”They will overnight at Defence facilities, have further de-briefings and be re-united…

Cities across Europe held events to remember over 1200 Israelis who were killed last year on 7 October and those taken hostage by Hamas. ADVERTISEMENTPolice targeted a group of protesters in Amsterdam on Monday, as they marched through the city in support of Palestinians amid Israel’s now year-long military campaign on Gaza.Protesters had gathered at Damrak, close to the Dutch capital’s better-known Dam Square, where a pro-Israeli gathering was taking place. Police met the pro-Palestinian protesters as they attempted to approach Dam Square, who used batons to hit the people in the crowd, in an attempt to prevent them from…