Author: Press Room

Two people have been charged with murder after the death of a man who appeared to have been “run over by his own vehicle” in Auckland’s Point England over the weekend.Auckland City Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves said a homicide investigation was launched after the man was found in the middle of Point England Rd at 11.15pm on Saturday.He said the victim suffered “multiple injuries and it appears the man has been run over by his own vehicle, which was also stolen during the incident”.”The vehicle was recovered on Sunday morning and is now undergoing a forensic examination.”Greaves said…

Syrians remain the largest group among asylum seekers, while Germany, Spain, Italy and France face the most cases. ADVERTISEMENTFirst-time applications from people seeking asylum in the EU have declined by 17% this summer, according to Eurostat.Syrians are still the largest group of people seeking asylum with more than 10,000 first-time applicants. Venezuelans followed them with 6,340 and Afghans with 5,930 applications. Germany, Spain, Italy and France still host the highest number of first-time asylum applicants. These four countries are processing 76% of all first-time applications in the EU. According to the report, in June the EU total of first-time asylum applicants…

A West Auckland homeowner says he’s been told to consider social housing as he faces financial ruin once he’s sold his home to the council through the buyout scheme.After saving for seven years, Alex Young bought his first home in 2021 at the height of the market.When the market dipped he went into negative equity, but Young said that wasn’t a problem until his home flooded on Auckland Anniversary Weekend last year.It’s been assigned Category 3 – deemed unsafe to stay – meaning he is eligible for a buyout.However, he said it’s an offer he can’t accept.”I’ll be left with…

This article was originally published in Portuguese Experts say Hamas is keen to keep bringing in new fighters despite losses, with new leader Yahya Sinwar pushing for continued armed conflict and no regrets over past attacks. ADVERTISEMENTThe Palestinian militant group Hamas, which carried out the attack on Israel on 7 October last year, is regenerating to continue the fight in the Gaza Strip, experts claim. In addition to recruiting more fighters, the group which controls Gaza will continue to stake its claim over shaping the future of the territory.”It is said, for example, that Hamas has lost 6,000 fighters, but it…

Conservationists are concerned the recent tightening of commercial fishing bycatch rules to provide better protections to critically endangered seabirds could be “too little, too late”.Since October 1, the start of the fishing season, surface longline boats have had to either set gear at night, use bird-scaring devices and weighted lines, or use hook shields to prevent seabird bycatch.New Zealand is widely considered “the seabird capital of the world”.Nearly half of all seabirds species are found in our waters but bycatch has been killing several critically endangered birds.Some of the biggest concerns are for the Antipodean albatross, a species that has…

Water inundated South Dunedin once again after the city recorded its wettest day in more than a century earlier this week – a recurring flooding problem partly rooted in the area’s very foundation.A state of emergency was declared in Dunedin and Clutha on Friday with more than 80 residents forced to evacuate their homes as more than twice the usual monthly October rainfall drenched east Otago in 40 hours.Flooding and slips effectively cut off Dunedin from the state highway network and locals were urged to conserve water and stay off the roads.South Dunedin was hit particularly hard by the deluge,…

Thousands of people have reported feeling shaking from an earthquake near Wellington early this morning.The magnitude 5.7 earthquake at about 5.08am was 25km west of Wellington at a depth of about 30km, GeoNet said.By 6.10am, more than 37,000 people had reported feeling the earthquake on GeoNet’s website.The shaking was “strong”, GeoNet said, adding on X: “Another reminder that earthquakes can occur anywhere in New Zealand at any time. “In the event of a large earthquake: Drop, Cover and Hold.”If you are in bed, Stay, Cover and Hold.”If an earthquake is Long or Strong: Get Gone.”Fire and Emergency (FENZ) and police…

Police are investigating after a man was found dead on an Auckland road overnight.The man was found “in the middle of” Point England Rd at about 11.15pm yesterday, police said.”Police are working to determine the circumstances of his death,” a spokesperson said.Anyone with information was urged to contact police by calling 105.Footage from the scene near Point England Reserve showed an ambulance and a tent being set up.A spokesperson said St John sent one ambulance to the scene.”Our crew was not required for transportation. Please refer all further enquiries to police.”

Police are appealing for the public’s help after a dirt bike rider was spotted outside Gisborne Police Station with a “lit incendiary device” early this morning.The incident occurred at about 4.50am.”A police unit was leaving the station and observed a dirt bike sitting outside the station,” a spokesperson said. “The rider was holding a lit incendiary device.”Upon seeing the police unit, the rider dropped the device and fled on the dirt bike.”Efforts to locate the bike and its rider have so far not been successful.”There was no damage to property and there were no injuries, the spokesperson added.”The item has…

Key diary datesMonday 7 – Thursday 10 October: European Week of Regions and Cities.Monday 7 October: European Parliament committee to adopt position on EU 2025 budget.Thursday 10 October: the European Court of Auditors (ECA) will publish its annual report on the EU budget.In spotlightADVERTISEMENTMembers of the European Parliament (MEPs) head to Strasbourg today for the first of two plenary sessions in October – with an important vote in the budget committee already scheduled for Monday evening.MEPs will consider 978 amendments tabled to the Council’s position on the Commission’s draft budget for 2025 and decide on the Parliament’s position, which will…