Author: Press Room

Hundreds of paratroopers dropped out of near-cloudless skies over a heath in the central Netherlands on Saturday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of one of World War II’s most daring — but ultimately unsuccessful — missions, Operation Market Garden. ADVERTISEMENTParatroopers from the Dutch Air Mobile Brigade and 12 other NATO nations took part in a series of jumps over Ginkel Heath, watched by a small group of World War II veterans and some 60,000 spectators.Local mayor Rene Verhulst called the heath near Arnhem a place “where 80 years ago courage, sacrifice and hope came together in the shape of the…

One person has been assessed for minor smoke inhalation following a house fire in Tai Tapu, Selwyn overnight. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said it sent four fire trucks and two water tankers the the house on fire in Tai Tapu, Selwyn around 11pm last night. “Upon arrival, there was a well-involved fire on a deck, which had entered the roof space,” a spokesperson said. FENZ said one person was assessed by St John for minor smoke inhalation, but was not transported to hospital. A fire investigator is currently investigating the cause of the fire, although this is not…

The Russian Defence Ministry said over 100 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over Russia and occupied Crimea on Saturday, just as a Ukrainian drone was reportedly targeted and destroyed in the Kursk region a day earlier. ADVERTISEMENTAn ammunition depot and missile arsenal in southwestern Russia caught fire in an attack Saturday in the Krasnodar region of Russia, triggering evacuations after the blaze caused a series of blasts. Videos on social media showed bright orange clouds rising over the horizon, as dull thuds of detonations sounded almost continuously.Russia’s Defence Ministry early on Saturday claimed that its forces overnight shot down 101 Ukrainian…

Review: Auckland Theatre Company’s production of Girls & Boys cements itself as an eye-opening work that should be seen by all, writes Samantha Cheong.You could hear a pen drop inside the ASB Waterfront Theatre during the final act of Auckland Theatre Company’s production of Girls & Boys.I don’t mean pin, I mean pen. It serves as the only prop in the London-import’s current debut season in Aotearoa, and as a symbol of ownership.Acclaimed actress Beatriz Romilly portrays a nameless woman as full of potential as she is with secrets.Her character pockets the pen in the middle of the show, as…

An “evil” criminal element combined with the social media “sensationalism factor” are contributing to an increasing level of violence seen at illegal street racing, road police say.In the most recent incident, an officer suffered minor injuries after a ute rammed a police patrol car at a gathering of 1000 illegal street racers near Hamilton.It comes as Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport Minister Simeon Brown seek advice on legislative changes to crack down on illegal street racingWaikato District road policing manager Inspector Jeff Penno said several officers had a narrow escape from severe injury at the Horotiu meet in August.”They…

Travellers heading to Auckland Airport this weekend should allow extra travel time as the opening of a new outlet centre creates delays.Mānawa Bay, a premium outlet shopping centre next to the airport, opened on Thursday.An Auckland Airport spokesperson said temporary road changes were in place to prioritise traffic heading to and from the terminals.Jimmy Ward Crescent would be temporarily closed to through traffic, and Nixon Road would be closed to southbound traffic.”For travellers heading to the airport this weekend, we suggest allowing extra time to get here. There’s lots of change happening around the precinct, including some temporary changes to…

A man has been charged after he allegedly fled police on his motorcycle and was tracked from Auckland’s Epsom all the way to Clevedon in the city’s south. In a statement, police said the Drury man fled after being signalled to stop on Gillies Ave in Epsom shortly before 11pm last night. “The police Eagle helicopter tracked the bike for approximately 45 minutes until it came to a stop on Troopers Bridge, near Clevedon,” a police spokesperson said. The 31-year-old man was charged with failing to stop and dangerous driving. He was due to appear in court on October 4.

A section of Auckland’s Karangahape Rd is closed this morning following a fire on the first floor of a four-level commercial building. A police spokesperson said officers were called to the scene at around 8.50am.Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said it received a call “by someone in the affected site” around 9.30am. “The site was a four-level commercial building that includes a basement, with the fire on the first floor.”Eight fire trucks were in attendance at its peak, and left the scene shortly before 10.30am. The street remained closed to traffic between Pitt Street and Upper Queen Street.There were…

Two injured climbers stranded nearly 2500 metres up Aoraki/Mount Cook have been airlifted to safety, the Department of Conservation says.Helicopter crews were able to reach the men just before 8.30am on Saturday after they spent four nights hunkered down in Empress hut — beneath the west face of the mountain.Aoraki Search and Rescue supervisor George Loomes said the men were in good spirits and had been well prepared for a long stay in the mountains.Loomes praised the efforts of the pilots and crews for the Helicopter Line who managed to reach the men through a short window of good weather…

In this edition, we hear how Sweden wants to pay migrants to return to their countries of origin in a bid to improve integration. ADVERTISEMENTThis week, we are joined by three MEPs: German Green Sergey Lagodinsky, Dutch liberal Brigitte van den Berg and Slovenian conservative Matej Tonin.The panel discussed how to better manage migration, a topic once again creating disunity across the EU. In Germany, border checks have been reintroduced after a terror attack in August. The Hungarian government, meanwhile, has threatened to send busloads of irregular migrants on a one-way trip to Brussels. Matej Tonin feels it is time…