Author: Press Room

Brussels has had a limited role in brokering a fragile Middle East peace deal – but hopes are high it can help improve Gaza’s grim humanitarian situation. ADVERTISEMENTThe EU has warmly welcomed the prospect of a truce in the Israel-Gaza war that has raged for 15 months – and today pledged €120 million in aid as the region faces up to its terrible legacy.Brussels played only a limited role in forging the peace deal, but hopes are high it can play a stronger role in the region’s future – including via political and logistical support.  “The ceasefire and hostage release…

It sounds like something from nightmares, but ACC figures suggest that having a cockroach stuck in your ear may not be as uncommon as you’d think.ACC has received 326 new claims relating to cockroaches in the past five years, with the total number of active cockroach-related claims costing taxpayers nearly $520,000 since 2019.GPs Dr John Cameron, from Westmere Medical Centre, and Dr Tim Malloy, of Coast To Coast Health Care in Wellsford, think that most of these claims would be the result of insects in ears.Neither has ever encountered a cockroach, but they’ve both removed plenty of moths from patients’…

The government wants to change the constitution to remove Swedish citizenship from dual nationals who commit crimes against the state. ADVERTISEMENTSweden is planning to change its constitution to remove citizenship from dual citizens who obtain their passports fraudulently or commit crimes that threaten national security.The move would mean people convicted of crimes such as espionage or treason could be stripped of their Swedish passports, as could individuals with dual nationality who obtained citizenship through bribery or with false information, the government said on Wednesday.The proposals were put forward by a cross-party committee, and will be voted on in parliament next…

A Northland family is devastated by the theft of a trophy they say is a priceless piece of New Zealand woodchopping history.The Mick Griffin Memorial Trophy is also precious for the gold plaques that adorn its base, which the family fears will be prised off and melted down.Cherry Daly, a granddaughter of champion axeman Mick Griffin, said one person had so far been arrested in relation to the burglary – but the trophy had not been recovered.Daly said an investigating officer told her police were unable to carry out a search of suspects’ homes because of budget cuts.The former Bay…

Twenty-five of the 34 minerals found in Greenland were identified as “critical raw materials” in a European Commission study in 2023. ADVERTISEMENTGreenland wants a stronger EU presence over the territory’s critical raw materials needed to build new clean energy technologies such as solar panels and batteries, Aaja Chemnitz, a member of the Danish parliament for Greenland’s left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) separatist party, told Euronews. “We (IA) would like to see the EU much more engaged when it comes to rare earths. We know that 73% of everything the EU needs when it comes to rare earths can be found in Greenland,…

An irregular mess has been found at several Far North toilets over the holiday period – and is estimated by the local council to have caused $2000 worth of damage to ratepayers.The Far North District Council said toilets at Te Tii Beach in Paihia were vandalised over the weekend when all the toilets and urinals were filled with soil or potting mix.Two contractors were then engaged by the council to clean up the dirty loo.However, the damage had been done – the council confirmed it soiled the plans of cruise ship visitors and other tourists hoping to use the bathroom…

Croatian tax laws breached the EU principle of free movement by effectively removing any financial benefit from the popular student-exchange programme, judges said. ADVERTISEMENTCroatia broke EU law when it effectively taxed an Erasmus bursary intended to help study for a Master’s degree in Finland, the EU’s top court said on Thursday.  The student’s mother made a legal complaint after the €1,800 bursary her child received led to a higher income tax charge – effectively removing any benefit from the EU scheme that’s intended to promote student exchanges.  “If a Member State participates in the Erasmus+ programme, it must ensure that the arrangements…

Swarms of midges are terrorising a Christchurch beachside community as wet weather creates perfect breeding conditions near the city’s wastewater treatment plant.New Brighton locals report being unable to open their windows or spend time outdoors as clouds of the non-biting insects descend on the area.”Last night, I had to run inside and shut the door behind me,” local resident Alex Hewison said. “Some of our residents are actually temporarily moving out because of how bugging these flies have been.”Hewison said the midges were making outdoor activities impossible. “You can’t hang out with your family outside in the evenings. It’s summer.…

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in Ukraine’s capital on Thursday with a pledge to help guarantee the country’s security for a century, days before Donald Trump is sworn in as U.S. president. ADVERTISEMENTBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv, where he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will sign a so-called “100-Year Partnership” treaty.Pledging to help guarantee Ukraine’s security for a century, the treaty covers areas including defence, science, energy and trade.Starmer’s unannounced visit is his first trip to Ukraine since he took office in July. He visited the country in 2023 when he was opposition leader, and…

An infant died from whooping cough over the Christmas period, Health New Zealand has confirmed. Officials declared a national epidemic in November last year, with 1232 cases notified and 101 people hospitalised since the onset.”Today we are acknowledging the death of an infant from whooping cough over the Christmas period,” National Public Health Service public health medicine specialist Dr Matt Reid said.”Our hearts go out to the family who have lost their child to this highly infectious disease.”Reid said it was “more important now than ever” to prioritise getting pregnant women, infants and those who are vulnerable immunised against whooping…