Author: Press Room

A fire which broke out at a Whangārei property early yesterday morning while five people slept inside is being treated as arson.Police were called to the address on Raumanga Valley Rd around 6.20am on Wednesday.It appeared a couch on the front deck had been deliberately set alight, Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer said.Five people were asleep at the time of the fire and managed to evacuate safely.”It’s fortunate that no one has lost their life, and a homicide investigation is not being commenced.”The property sustained “extensive damage” in the blaze, which is now being treated as an arson, Pilmer said…

When a Kaikōura conservationist made a plea to her local council earlier this year for help to protect local seabirds, she never imagined it would lead to a new bylaw just weeks later.Ailsa McGilvary-Howard and her husband Ted Howard made a presentation at a Kaikōura District Council workshop in March calling for help to protect the banded dotterels, which nest in the area.Councillors adopted a new animal bylaw and dog control policy, which will come into effect on October 1, at a council meeting on Wednesday, September 24.McGilvary Howard said it was “a win for nature”.”I’m very happy. I didn’t…

Published on 26/09/2025 – 15:33 GMT+2 ADVERTISEMENT Former Brexit Party MEP Nathan Gill has pleaded guilty to bribery charges relating to statements in favour of Russia, the BBC and other UK media have reported. Gill served as an MEP from 2014 to 2020, first representing Wales for the UK Independence Party (UKIP), and then from 2019, for the Brexit Party. During his first legislative term, he allegedly made statements in the Parliament “supportive of a particular narrative” which would “benefit Russia regarding events in Ukraine”. According to the charges, Gill “agreed to receive financial advantage, namely money” to make these…

The Electoral Commission says official election results won’t be available any sooner based on changes proposed by the Government’s Electoral Amendment Bill.That’s despite the alterations primarily being made to improve the timeliness of the official vote count, and the Justice Minister responsible said he’s sure New Zealanders can manage getting enrolled early.The Justice Committee is considering the bill, which makes a suite of changes including ending same-day voter enrolment, banning prisoner voting, changes to treating on Election Day and expanding anonymous political donation limits.Submissions made on Thursday have been overwhelmingly in opposition.Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne fronted the Justice…

ADVERTISEMENT The European Union’s high-tech trade balance is back in the black. These include technologies ranging from semiconductors and AI-powered machinery to renewable energy technologies and medical equipment. In 2024, its global market exports reached more than €501 billion, marking an 8% increase from 2023, Eurostat figures showed. By comparison, the United States exported €447 billion worth of high-tech goods in 2024. Meanwhile, EU imports remained stable at €478 billion following a marginal 0.2% drop. This means that after four consecutive years of deficit, EU high-tech businesses can finally post a surplus, totalling €23 billion. The US was the bloc’s largest export…

A glut of vacant rentals in the capital city has shifted the dynamic between landlords and renters, with some tenants knocking close to $100 off their weekly rent.Landlords are offering all kinds of incentives to entice people to viewings, and those who are looking for a home have found they’ve got their pick of the bunch.Property experts say it’s a stark contrast to a couple of years ago, when the market was a “little bit crazy the other way,” with rents rising every year.TradeMe’s August data showed that while the national median rent remained flat at $620 a week, Wellington…

ADVERTISEMENT It’s a subject that has caused a stir in French politics: the so-called Zucman tax. The proposal involves levying a minimum 2% tax on top of regular income tax on individuals who have assets of more than €100 million. In France, this new tax rate would apply to roughly 1,800 people. For its supporters, this idea represents tax justice at a time when European member states are being called on to spend more on security and defence. Giulia Varaschin, policy adviser at the EU Tax Observatory, points out that it is not only “a very popular measure” with the…

The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including new social media safety measures for teens, Diddy’s back in court, and a mass robbery caught on camera. Meta expands the use of ‘teen accounts’ to include Facebook and Messenger, but experts say that won’t keep young people any safer. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been back in court trying to get his convictions overturned. A mass robbery at a San Francisco jewellery store has been caught on camera.Jorja Miller will be back for the Black Ferns’ World Cup bronze medal match against France. Jahrome Hughes is returning for the Melbourne Storm’s preliminary final,…

Social media company Meta says it will roll out restrictions for teenagers across Facebook and Messenger from today, but critics say they don’t go far enough in curbing harmful content.Meta’s regional director of public policy, Mia Garlick, said teen accounts are automatically made private, with the ability of users to restrict who can message them, notifications are muted from 10pm, and harmful content is restricted.Those over 16 can opt out of the measures, while under 16-year-olds need their parents’ consent to opt out. There’s also a feature where parents can choose to see who is messaging or to set daily…

Published on 26/09/2025 – 12:05 GMT+2 ADVERTISEMENT EU countries are preparing to double a 2019 payment for those countries most affected to adapt their economies to climate change at the upcoming COP30, according to a Council document seen by Euronews, whilst many in the global south are calling for a tripling of the funding. The offer will be one of the key negotiations at the November UN climate summit in Belém, Brazil, when world leaders will discuss the way forward to tackle climate change and likely formalise the Global Goal on Adaptation, a collective commitment under the Paris Agreement, where countries…