Author: Press Room

A special summit of European leaders is to be held on 6 March. ADVERTISEMENTThe EU’s top diplomat said on Monday that she is “optimistic” leaders will quickly agree on fresh money to boost short-term military aid to Ukraine as Europe grapples with being sidelined from talks to end Russia’s three-year-old war against its neighbour.”Ministers broadly supported the new initiative for military aid for Ukraine, and of course, the details, and especially the numbers, will be decided and discussed at the extraordinary European summit on 6 March,” Kaja Kallas told reporters after a meeting of foreign affairs ministers in Brussels.The meeting,…

Nelson Airport is one step closer to extending its runway despite mounting opposition from the local community with one business saying it’s likely to go to the Environment Court. Nelson Airport today gave notice to the council of the plan to extend the main runway in the next 10-15 years. The plan would move the runway around 370m towards Tāhunanui. Airport chief executive Brendan Cook, who started in October, said the extension was important for the local economy. “It’s really important that as we grow naturally in the future and our passenger numbers increase as the population grows and business…

This week’s key events presented by Euronews’ head of EU news, Jeremy Fleming-Jones. Key diary datesWednesday 26 February – Commission to publish Action Plan for Affordable Energy and Clean Industrial Deal.Wednesday 26 February – Commission to publish ‘omnibus’ package to lighten reporting requirements for businesses.Thursday 27 February – College of Commissioners to visit India to launch negotiations for a strategic partnership.In spotlightADVERTISEMENTThis week’s publication by the Commission of its ‘omnibus’ proposal – set to contain measures designed to clip back at onerous reporting obligations for business – will likely chime with Germany’s new political landscape.European People’s Party lead environment MEP…

Firefighters are battling an “uncontrolled” scrub fire in a Northland coastal settlement this afternoon, which Fire and Emergency says has endangered local properties.Crews received multiple calls reporting the fire in Ngunguru at around 3.30pm.”There are 11 crews at the scene, and approximately 44 fire fighters in attendance. Three helicopters are also fighting the blaze,” a Fire and Emergency (FENZ) spokesperson said.They added that firefighters were battling the blaze from one side while helicopters handled the other side. FENZ said the fire was currently endangering properties. One resident told 1News that several locals have left their homes as a precaution.A fire…

EU greenhouse gas emissions fell between Q3 2023 and Q3 2024, mostly due to reductions in the electricity and gas supply chain. ADVERTISEMENTGreenhouse gas emissions in the EU decreased by 0.6% between the third quarter of 2023 and the third quarter of 2024, totalling 767 million tonnes, Eurostat has reported.Emissions went down in 16 out of 27 member states, most notably in Austria (-7.8%), Hungary (-3.3%) and Denmark (-2.8%). On the other end of the spectrum, Lithuania reported the highest increase (+7.8%), followed by Luxembourg with 6.6% and Sweden with 6%. Results hampered by rise in water supply and wasteThe…

A dozen leaders from Europe and Canada were in Ukraine’s capital Monday to show their support on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. ADVERTISEMENTEuropean leaders, including EU Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, arrived in Kyiv on Monday, to show their support on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion full-scale invasion of Ukraine.They and several world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Spanish Prime Minister President Pedro Sánchez, were greeted at the Ukranian capital’s train station by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and the president’s chief of staff, Andrii Yermak.In a post on X, von der Leyen…

The governing body for high school sport in New Zealand is considering changes to its eligibility rules as a group of principals push for a ‘year 14’ ban to be implemented across all national secondary schools events.It comes after schools voted overwhelmingly in favour of a rule change for rowing’s Maadi Regatta last month, making students returning for their sixth year of high school ineligible to compete at the prestigious event.The rule change will erase what one Auckland principal describes as a “black mark” on rowing’s national secondary schools event, with the controversial practice having been a source of tension…

Major banks are continuing to jockey for rate advantages following last week’s OCR cut, with Westpac joining ASB and ANZ by cutting its two-year special rate to 4.99%.ANZ was the first to cut its two-year fixed home loan rate special to 4.99% on the same day as the OCR cut last week. ASB cuts two-year rate to 4.99%Earlier today, ASB lowered its one-year mortgage rate by 24 basis points to 5.25%, its two-year rate by 30 basis points to 4.99% and its three-year rate to 5.35%.ASB Bank (file image). (Source: 1News)”We are serious about giving our home loan customers and…

The number of New Zealanders expecting house prices to rise has returned to 2020 confidence levels.ASB’s latest Housing Confidence Survey for the three months that ended in December found a net 33%of respondents thought house prices would rise and a net 23% thought it was a good time to buy a house.However, there was a slight drop in the proportion of people expecting interest rates to fall to a net 51% from a net 57%, though the survey predated the Reserve Bank’s (RBNZ) most recent cut to the official cash rate to 3.75%.ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley said the results…

Many motorists have seen it towering over State Highway 1 in Auckland’s Manukau – but few so far have seen its interior.The massive new temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is set to open soon, and, for a short period of time, it has invited members of the public to take a look inside.The recommend desk inside the temple. (Source: Supplied)It is the second temple of its kind in New Zealand. The first was built in Hamilton in 1958, and resource consent for a proposed 37-metre tall temple in Porirua has been granted.Elder Peter Meurs told…