Author: Press Room

Dresden commemorated the victims of World War II and the destruction of the city eight decades ago with several events on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENTDresden marked the 80th anniversary of the Allied bombing of the city in World War II. The annual event carries a lot of significance to Dresdeners and Germans at large.“My grandma was ten at the time and she pulled her little sister through a firestorm in a handcart. She told me so much about that time,” said a woman attending the events.“We’re actually from Berlin, but we come here every year and think it’s very, very good that…

Police have identified the man who died after being struck by three vehicles on Auckland’s South-Western Motorway, but none of the motorists have come forward so far.West Auckland man Joshua Nathanuel Love, 34, died in the early hours of last Friday after being hit by at least three vehicles on SH20 after walking onto the motorway.A police spokesperson said none of the drivers stopped after the incident.One witness who called the police after arriving at the scene said it was disgusting no one had stopped after hitting the victim.Police said officers were continuing to review CCTV footage and were working…

An Australian law firm has filed a class action against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson in the Auckland High Court today accusing it of selling and marketing ineffective cold and flu medicines. Lawyers at JGA Saddler allege the company manufactured and distributed several varieties of oral (tablet and syrup) cold and flu products that are ineffective at relieving the symptoms they were marketed to treat.It says brands including several varieties of Codral Cold & Flu and Sudafed PR contain phenylephrine, which has been marketed and sold as a nasal decongestant. An Australian law firm lodges Auckland High Court claim against…

This summer has not provided much sunshine for north Canterbury, but one Oxford farm has grown its very own.The field of sunflowers in South Eyre don’t just bring joy and great photos, but has also raised more than $50,000 for charity in the last three years.Owner Kerry McCorry said she grew the sunflowers for the cows one year.”I shared them in Oxford on the free food stall and people really loved them so that’s what gave me the idea.”The money raised from the $10 entry fee and $2.50 price per stem are all donated to charity.”It really makes me feel…

Tarras distillery Scapegrace has won a gold medal at the World Whisky Awards in London. The award was won by its Vanguard Whisky brand, which was judged best in category of the single-malt no-age statement category. Scapegrace co-founder Mark Neal said it was a “milestone moment” for the Scapegrace team. “The World Whisky Awards represent the pinnacle of international whisky competitions, so winning this award is a massive achievement for us.” Vanguard was distilled with glacial waters from the Southern Alps, using locally grown barley, he said. The end result was a “Highland malt-esque whisky, which is rich, elegant and…

A plane transporting prisoners from Auckland to Christchurch was forced to turn around after one of those onboard damaged an interior window.Corrections said eight prisoners were being taken from Auckland Region Women’s Corrections facility on a chartered flight on Wednesday, when one of the passengers began behaving disorderly.She damaged an interior window, suffering a minor hand injury in the process.The prisoners were securely escorted back to prison after landing in Auckland.The facility’s general manager Tanya Yandall said the woman responsible for the damage will be charged with misconduct, and a full review of what happened will be carried out.”This behaviour…

Syria will have a new government as of 1 March, the country’s interim foreign minister announced earlier ADVERTISEMENTMultiple Western and Arab countries pledged to help rebuild Syria during a conference in Paris on Thursday. The goal of the conference organised by the French government is to facilitate Syria’s political transition following the fall of longtime president Bashar al-Assad. The Paris Conference is the third of its kind, after meetings in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, since the fall of Assad’s regime. One of the main outcomes of Thursday’s conference is the signing of a declaration that states the group of nations wants to work…

One person has died after a collision between a shared bike and a car in Martinborough this morning.Police said the crash occurred on Puruatanga Rd, between Regent St and Todds Rd, at around 10.45am.Nearby vineyard workers responded to the crash on road with a 100km/h speed limit. (Source: 1News)Inspector Brad Allen said the deceased was critically injured but died at the scene before they were able to be airlifted to hospital.”Three other people, also on the bike, suffered serious injuries.” “Police’s thoughts, aroha, and condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” Allen said.The crash occurred…

The suspect, who has been taken into custody, is a 24-year-old Afghanistan-born asylum seeker, according to authorities. ADVERTISEMENTAt least 28 people, including children, have been injured after a car crashed into a crowd near the central train station in Munich on Thursday. Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder has indicated that the incident was likely an attack, reigniting concerns about security some 10 days before the upcoming federal election. A police spokesperson said the car approached a demonstration organised by Verdi, one of Germany’s largest trade unions, from behind, overtook a police vehicle, and deliberately ploughed into the crowd.The driver, identified…

Conservation staff are “shocked and angered” by a report of two boaties taking dogs ashore on one of Coromandel’s pest-free conservation islands last weekend.Department of Conservation Coromandel operations manager Nick Kelly said the most recent incident occurred on Kawhitu/Stanley Island on February 8 and that it was witnessed by two members of the public who called DOC.The informants saw two people, believed to be from a 660 Haines Hunter boat, ashore on Kawhiu at around 1.30pm with two pet dogs.”To see people flagrantly disregard the rules and, in this case, walk right past a sign telling them they shouldn’t be…