Author: Press Room
The European Parliament has de facto approved a change to EU legislation that will allow investment in “controversial weapons” to be included in the bloc’s sustainability framework – a move that mean companies producing incendiary weapons, depleted-uranium ammunition, and even nuclear weapons could now be eligible for the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) label. Earlier this year, the European Commission proposed to reduce the number of companies in the weapons industry that are excluded from the EU’s sustainability benchmarks in order to avoid confusion and uncertainty for the companies’ investors. In practice, this means that companies involved in the production…
Dunedin pharmacists say prescription fees and competition with chain stores are putting community retailers under pressure, which could lead to more closures. Green Island Boutique Pharmacy announced in a post on social media it would be permanently closing at noon tomorrow after nine years of business. “This decision has not been easy, but with the current funding challenges facing small independent pharmacies, it has become increasingly difficult to remain sustainable while providing the level of care we have always strived for,” it said. Its two pharmacists were both locally trained at the University of Otago and had more than a…
When Kiwis tune in for the twice-a-week Lotto draw, they simply see the bright balls bouncing in the tumbler – ever hopeful that their lucky numbers will be read out on screen. But for a process that may look straightforward on screen, there is a surprising amount of precision and organisation that goes on behind closed doors. Seven Sharp’s Hilary Barry went behind the scenes at the Lotto studio and found that the magic of the nation’s favourite prize draw is a tightly run operation described as a “well-oiled machine”. Hilary Barry learns the secrets of the life-changing live draw…
Marine researchers in Auckland have discovered what is making up the majority of microplastics in New Zealand’s ocean.They found tiny pieces of vehicle tyres were polluting coastal waters and almost half of the rubber that shed on our roads ended up on the environment.The tyres contributing most to the problem were found on both EVs and utes.Dr Samantha Ladewig, a marine microsplastics researcher at the University of Auckland, told Checkpoint, the size of the particles could get down to nano size and could not be seen with a microscope, while larger fragments could be as big as one to two…
By Euronews Published on 26/11/2025 – 19:35 GMT+1 In this edition, brought to you from the European Parliament in Strasbourg, we are joined by centre-right EPP’s MEP Hildegard Bentele and European Parliament’s Vice President Javi López, from the Socialists & Democrats. At a time when Europe’s fight against climate change is at a turning point, the 27 are trying to find a balance between economic growth and climate responsibility. But can the EU still speak with one voice on climate action? The Ring is anchored by Maria Tadeo, produced by Luis Albertos Altarejos, Nikos Michos and Amaia Echevarria. Edited by Zacharia…
Police have charged three people accused of helping run a five-year organised criminal operation that allegedly used a medicinal cannabis licence as cover to illegally distribute cannabis in Canterbury.Officers executed a search warrant in the Christchurch suburb of Middleton today following an investigation that found a group “operating under the guise of a medicinal cannabis licence” was cultivating cannabis legally but allegedly distributing it illegally.Individuals were alleged to have acted as part of an organised criminal group.Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Brad Grainger said the medicinal cannabis licensing system existed to support patients who require cannabis-based products.”The alleged actions of these…
Any peace deal to end Russia’s war on Ukraine should impose obligations on the aggressor, rather than the victim, to avoid a repeat of the invasion in the future, High Representative Kaja Kallas has said as a chaotic US-led push to strike an agreement continues. The original 28-point draft of the proposed deal, written by US and Russian officials, featured sweeping provisions that clearly favoured Moscow, among them demands that Ukraine relinquish its NATO ambitions, surrender territory it still controls and limit the size of its military to 600,000 personnel. But for Kallas, the approach should be the opposite. “If…
When Kiwis tune in for the twice-a-week Lotto draw, they simply see the bright balls bouncing in the tumbler – ever hopeful that their lucky numbers will be read out on screen. But for a process that may look straightforward on screen, there is a surprising amount of precision and organisation that goes on behind closed doors. Seven Sharp’s Hilary Barry went behind the scenes at the Lotto studio and found that the magic of the nation’s favourite prize draw is a tightly run operation described as a “well-oiled machine”. Hilary Barry learns the secrets of the life-changing live draw…
An “elusive” mudfish that is unusual for never leaving its wetlands environment has staged an expected comeback in a muddy pocket of Auckland.Adults and juveniles of the regionally endangered species, also known as Waikaka, were recently found in a Helensville wetland during a joint Auckland Council/Watercare survey.Auckland Council freshwater senior regional advisor Matt Bloxham said the council was “cautiously optimistic” about the discovery as the wetland was choked with invasive vegetation, reducing the area the fish could live in.“But discovering nine fish, including juveniles, hiding in isolated, shaded, water-filled depressions show these fish are making a go of things and…
Only a small minority of European Union countries are on track to meet the bloc’s recycling goals for municipal waste, including reuse and recycling for packaging waste such as plastics, metals and paper, according to a report published on Wednesday by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Slovenia are leading the recycling race, all poised to reach the 55% reduction target for municipal waste and the 65% target for packaging waste by 2025, as set out in EU law. Despite EU waste policy rules being in place for the past…