Author: Press Room

Economic security and international conflicts are becoming more important than climate change policies in five EU countries. Germans and Poles think adapting to climate change matters more than reducing its causes. ADVERTISEMENTPeople have become more concerned about security and the cost of living, and less concerned with climate change between 2020 and 2024.  That is according to the latest report from Brussels-based think tank Bruegel analysing the views of 7,819 people in France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden.Outright climate change deniers are in a small minority in Europe.The number of people who say climate change “is not a big issue” rose from…

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has revealed a reshuffle of his caucus.In his State of the Nation speech to the Auckland Business Chamber today, Hipkins outlined the party’s focus on jobs, health and homes as it worked towards the next election and beyond.In a bid to achieve this, Hipkins unveiled his new line-up with a focus on the economy. In his State of the Nation speech to the Auckland Business Chamber, Hipkins outlined the party’s focus on jobs, health and homes. (Source: 1News)Barbara Edmonds will become the spokesperson for savings and investment, a new portfolio alongside her expanded finance and economy…

Porirua’s mayor Anita Baker has blasted Wellington’s mayor and councillors’ “disgraceful” proposal to sack Wellington Water board chairperson Nick Leggett.Two reports into the water entity released this week have found poor financial oversight and contractor management, and a maintenance spend far higher than some other councils.In a covering note attached to the AECOM report, Wellington Water said its higher spend was because the network was older and in poorer condition – so it broke frequently and cost more to fix.Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau and most councillors wrote to shareholding councils on Thursday asking it to remove Nick Leggett as board…

The Government will reinstate a board at Health New Zealand following last year’s appointment of Lester Levy as Commissioner and will outsource more elective surgeries to the private sector.Health Minister Simeon Brown made the announcement in a wide-ranging speech today, saying there would be a transition time as the recruitment process for a board began.He also revealed a $50 million spend on reducing the backlog of people waiting for elective surgeries by working with the private sector.Brown said he had directed Levy to “accelerate the shift” to local decision-making and service delivery and set a requirement for local delivery plans…

The Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, previously known as Te Pou Matakana, has lost its bid to continue commissioning Whānau Ora services, 1News understands. The organisation, led by John Tamihere, has held the contract for the last decade and was responsible for distributing funds to service providers throughout the North Island.Those providers offer a range of services that align with the Whānau Ora framework, including healthcare, education and addiction support.The Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency’s existing contract expires in June, and a new contract holder will be in place from July.The organisation was blindsided last year when the Government announced it would…

The West Coast’s three district councils have been put on notice to lift their game and fix dodgy sewerage plants.Householders relying on old septic tanks might also come under scrutiny in the coming months.The West Coast Regional Council was taking what it called “an enhanced approach” to wastewater compliance and monitoring, councillors heard this week.In other words, a crackdown – and one that has been a long time coming, according to a staff report.Regulatory manager Jocelyne Allen said investigations revealed all three districts had histories of non-compliance, including unconsented discharges from their sewage treatment plants.At least two were operating on…

A three-vehicle crash which previously blocked both southbound lanes on State Highway 1 in north Auckland has been cleared.In an update to X, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said motorists should “expect residual southbound lanes delays to ease”.Earlier, police said one person was transported to hospital.The crash was reported at 11.55am.

Local media reported that the bomb was found “in middle of the tracks” during overnight works nearby France’s Gare du Nord station. ADVERTISEMENTThe Eurostar and local trains were disrupted at Paris’ central Gare du Nord station following the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb nearby. France’s national train operator SNCF said in a statement that traffic would be stopped at the Gare du Nord until mid-morning at the request of police.“We invite travellers to postpone their trip,” it said.French Transport Minister Phillipe Tabarot warned traffic would “strongly disrupted” throughout the day and that limited service would resume in…

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has extended drought declarations to more regions in the North Island and the top of the South Island, classifying conditions as a “medium-scale adverse event”.The Northland, Waikato, Manawatū-Whanganui (Horizons), Marlborough and Tasman regions were all experiencing “hot, dry conditions”,” he said.”Below average rainfall continues to make it difficult for farmers as soil moisture levels dry out and stock feed and water become tight in some areas.”The Taranaki region had been declared as being in drought and classified as a “medium-scale adverse event” late last month.McClay said the Government was making a total of $100,000 available to…

This article was originally published in German The CDU/CSU and SPD are proposing to create a special fund of 500 billion euros for infrastructure and defence by reforming the country’s “debt brake” provision. In order to benefit from the majority of the old Bundestag, things will now move quickly. ADVERTISEMENTShortly after the elections and during the transitional period of forming a new government, Germany is forced to clarify its own position on defence.The likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, proposed a reform of the debt brake this week in order to create 500 billion euros in special funds for infrastructure and defence.”In…