Author: Press Room

EU citizens work an average of 36 hours a week, but the rate is much higher in some countries. ADVERTISEMENTFor millions of people across the EU, working long hours is the norm.Eurostat defines “long hours” as 49 or more per week, which applies to 7.1% of the bloc’s workforce of the bloc.In the EU, the highest rates are in Greece (11.6%), Cyprus (10.4%) and France (10.1%).In general, the percentage is much higher among self-employed people (29.3%) compared to employees (3.6%).Turkey has the highest rate of all countries analysed, 27.2%, followed by Iceland with 13.8%.Which countries have longest working week?Turkey also…

Contributions to culture have been recognised with a number of entertainers, filmmakers, designers, and foodies receiving New Year Honours. Kate Sylvester Designer Kate Sylvester is now an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit, but it comes with poignant timing as she prepares to close her business. “It’s very much recognition of what we’ve achieved in the 30 years that we’ve been in business, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve contributed to the culture and the economy of New Zealand,” Sylvester said.”Fashion is equally as important as art, as sport, as music. It creates the New Zealand culture that…

The full list of New Year Honours recipients, released on December 31, 2024.The New Zealand Order of MeritDNZMTo be Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:Mrs Julie Clare Chapman – For services to children and the communityMrs Nea Ingrid Collins, MNZM – For services to Māori, business and health governanceMs Bogyung Ko (Lydia Ko), MNZM – For services to golfKNZMTo be Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:Mr John Allan Gallagher, CNZM, KStJ – For services to business, education, philanthropy and the communityMr Edward Colin Manson, CNZM – For services to philanthropy, the community and businessHonorary…

This article was originally published in French Gisèle Pelicot’s ex-husband invited dozens of other men to rape her while she was unconscious and kept recordings of his and their actions. ADVERTISEMENTThe ex-husband of Gisèle Pelicot has declined to appeal his 20-year prison sentence for drugging and raping his wife and allowing dozens of other men to rape her as she lay unconscious in a case that appalled France. Dominique Pelicot’s lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, told broadcaster France Info on Monday that he wanted to spare his ex-wife the ordeal of another trial, though she also admitted a new trial could also deliver…

The tech billionaire and close Trump ally has sent shockwaves through German politics by publicly endorsing the far-right Alternative to Germany party weeks before snap federal elections. ADVERTISEMENTThe co-leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), Lars Klingbeil, has compared tech billionaire Elon Musk to Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying his decision to weigh in on German politics weeks before the country’s snap elections is an example of “interference”.Musk caused uproar in Germany last week by publicly supporting the extreme party Alternative for Germany (AfD) on his social media platform, X. Despite the barrage of criticism that ensued, he doubled down…

Police are monitoring an incident unfolding at a youth justice facility in the Auckland suburb of Wiri this evening.”Police are aware of and monitoring an incident at a facility in Wiri,” a police spokesperson told 1News in a statement. 1News understands a number of youths are on the roof of a youth justice facility on Kiwi Tamaki Rd. It’s understood two police officers have entered the facility.The group are on the roof of a facility on Kiwi Tamaki Rd in Wiri. (Source: 1News)Thirteen youths climbed onto the roof of the same youth justice residence in October.In a statement, Children’s Minister…

The suspects face charges of endangering public safety and improper construction practices, with potential prison sentences of up to 12 years. ADVERTISEMENTSerbia’s public prosecutor announced on Monday that 13 people, including a former minister, have been indicted over the collapse of a concrete canopy that claimed 15 lives last month and sparked weeks of mass anti-government demonstrations.The suspects, charged in the northern city of Novi Sad where the incident occurred on 1 November, face accusations of severe criminal offences against public safety and irregular execution of construction work.If convicted, they could face prison sentences of up to 12 years.The collapsed…

Skin cancer experts are warning against a concerning TikTok trend encouraging young people to tan in dangerous UV radiation conditions despite constant sun safety warnings. Videos posted to the app encouraging people to tan during high levels of ultraviolet radiation have gone viral, leading many to see UV as a good thing. According to the Cancer Society, UV radiation is the leading cause of melanoma and other forms of cancer in New Zealand. The videos promote using the UV index, a measurement of the amount of UV reaching Earth and its potential to damage the body, as a tool rather…

Some of Germany’s neighbours do have operable nuclear plants, but they don’t line the borders as the map suggests. ADVERTISEMENTAn old, misleading map has resurfaced online, showing Germany’s borders lined with 30 nuclear power plants.The plants are spread across Germany’s neighbours: the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Denmark, according to the map.It’s been shared across social media platforms and captioned as showing what the German power grid will look like in the coming years.For example, a post on TikTok suggests that this is what Germany will look like in 2025, while a Facebook post…

With shoulder-length curly hair and a baggy hoodie, Ben Ackerley is far from the typical example of a “birder”.But as he stood in the Ashley Estuary north of Christchurch, with the wind billowing and black billed gulls circling overhead, there was no denying his passion. “It’s got a longer beak and more elegant flight,” the 15-year-old said, binoculars in hand. “You usually won’t find it as much by the coast, as you would inland.”The Canterbury high school student is part of a group of teenagers hoping to change the image around birding, a hobby more often associated with retirees. Ben,…