Author: Press Room

ADVERTISEMENTProtesters have rallied in cities across Slovakia to condemn legislation approved by parliament that they say could curb free expression and hamper the work of nongovernmental organisations.Protesters at Freedom Square in the capital Bratislava compared the measure to Russia’s “foreign agent” law, which has been criticised as repressive, before marching to the presidential palace to urge President Peter Pellegrini to veto the bill.”No to the Russian law,” they chanted, and “Slovakia is Europe.”Parliament passed the measure on 17 April and it’s supported by Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has frequently attacked NGOs.Pellegrini, an ally of Fico, has not commented on the bill though…

A “significant operation” is underway across Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay in relation to gang activity, police say.Today, Eastern District Police said it obtained a Gang Conflict Warrant, following several incidents stemming from “ongoing tensions” between Mongrel Mob and Black Power in the two regions.The warrant gave police powers to search vehicles of suspected gang members, along with the ability to seize firearms, weapons and vehicles.Shots fired at houses linked to both gangsOne recent incident police noted occurred at 10.45pm on Tuesday in Wairoa.Police said shots were fired at houses in the area belonging to both gangs. A separate house in…

ADVERTISEMENTThe UK government has said it is lifting sanctions against a dozen Syrian entities, including government departments and media outlets, to help the country rebuild after President Bashar al-Assad was toppled in a lightning rebel offensive in December.The UK had put the sanctions in place against those who supported Assad’s repressive rule, helped violently suppress civilians and spread misinformation.”The Syrian people deserve the opportunity to rebuild their country and economy and a stable Syria is in the UK’s national interest,” Hamish Falconer, minister for the Middle East, said in a statement.Syria’s new leaders have struggled to begin rebuilding the country’s decimated…

A woman and her boat have been missing from Aotea/Great Barrier Island for almost three weeks, police say.Julie Butler, 55, usually lives aboard her yacht Blazing Shadz moored in Kaiarara Bay.Police said they were notified by a partner agency about concerns for Butler on April 4.Adverse weather hampered inquiries until April 7, when it was confirmed Blazing Shadz was not moored in its usual location.”Inquiries have been ongoing since this time, including with the Police Maritime Unit and Coastguard,” a spokesperson said.Julie’s yacht Blazing Shadz is usually moored in Kaiarara Bay. (Source: NZ Police)Extensive inquiries with Butler’s friends, whānau and…

Her lightbulb moment came literally at an electrifying event. Invercargill-based oral health therapist Georgina Welsh was attending Electrify Aotearoa in Christchurch, an event for women founders, startup leaders, supporters and investors to fuel the growth of women-led high-growth ventures in New Zealand. While there, she was struck with an idea to create something like MoleMap, the comprehensive skin and mole check service, but for teeth, and she was spurred into action to establish Map My Mouth. Her aim was to improve access to oral health services throughout the country by providing triage and referral to a dental practitioner for treatment…

A medal honouring fallen rugby-playing Anzac soldiers, killed on the same day in 1917, is the latest addition to a fixture pushing for permanency on the Super Rugby calendar.The Queensland Reds and Auckland Blues will meet at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, marking the Reds’ first Anzac Day game since 1998.Last year, the teams played on Saturday and produced arguably the match of the season as the Blues came from behind to win 41-34 with an after-the-siren try.The Queensland Rugby Union this week unveiled a plaque honouring the 60 players that served their country during wartime and the 11 who died.Flyhalf…

ADVERTISEMENTAt least one person has been killed and three others seriously injured in a knife attack at a school in the western French city of Nantes, police say.According to police sources, several people were stabbed by a fellow student at the Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides High School in Doulon.The motive for the attack is not immediately clear.The alleged attacker was arrested at the scene after being restrained by a member of the teaching staff.The French radio station Europe1 said the attacker allegedly stabbed a female student after an argument on the second floor of the high school before stabbing three others on the…

Fire and Emergency NZ is at the scene of a large fire on Auckland’s North Shore this evening, coming from the Abilities Group Recycling Depot in Wairau Valley.Large dark plumes of smoke could be seen stretching across multiple suburbs.Abilities Group, where the fire is taking place, is a recycling charity which has “a heart for people with disabilities”. “Our aim is to enrich their lives by offering fulfilling work opportunities,” its website states.FENZ said it was alerted to the fire at 5.24pm.“It is understood there are batteries on fire inside the factory,” it said.Fire in Glenfield on Auckland’s North Shore.…

ADVERTISEMENTWith the war in Ukraine entering a new phase, the number of Ukrainians heading to Europe to seek asylum appears to be in decline.Currently, the EU hosts over 4.3 million Ukrainian refugees, with 254,000 others in the UK alone, and tens of thousands more across other extra-EU countries.February saw the lowest number of new asylum decisions (41,435) made by the EU since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, according to Eurostat, a 25% drop since February 2024.Germany has the highest share of Ukrainian refugees, nearly 1.8 million, or 27.3% of the bloc’s total. Two weeks ago, Berlin became the latest…

Fewer than 50 families are likely to receive National’s full $252 fortnightly tax break, based on the FamilyBoost scheme’s lower than expected uptake, the Council of Trade Unions says.The revelation comes as a result of figures showing just 249 families have consistently been receiving the full $75-a-week FamilyBoost rebate for ECE costs, a key plank of National’s tax cuts package.When confirming the policy last March, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said about 21,000 families would receive the $75 a week.Figures provided by the Government show 1846 families received the full entitlement in the most recent three months the data covers, January…