Author: Press Room

A senior doctor has been found in breach of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights after a woman with chest pain and shortness of breath was discharged from hospital with a prescription for indigestion medication.She was readmitted the following day and died the next morning from an aortic dissection – a torn main artery.The case was outlined in a report published by Deputy Commissioner Carolyn Cooper today.The report states the incident happened in 2018 when the woman collapsed at her daughter’s home from chest pain and shortness of breath. She was then taken to hospital after her…

Prime Minister Donald Tusk has declared a month-long state of natural disaster as Poland braces for further flooding. ADVERTISEMENTPoland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk says more than €1 billion of funding will be needed for relief efforts after widespread flooding has caused devastation in Poland.His call for support came after days of heavy rainfall in Central Europe caused severe flooding in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Austria. Speaking at a joint news conference with the head of Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity charity Jerzy Owsiak in Wroclaw, Tusk said “it will be well above €1 billion, €1.5 billion. Not for…

The Government will introduce its promised sentencing reforms to Parliament this week, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced. Goldsmith said the legislation will “ensure criminals face real consequences for crime and victims are prioritised” as Cabinet agreed today to introduce a bill for consideration.The changes have been previously announced and are not new, except for the inclusion of two additional aggravating factors brought in from existing anti ram-raid legislation currently moving through select committee.These aggravating factors respond to “adults who exploit children and young people by aiding or abetting them to offend” and “offenders who glorify their criminal activities by…

The European Commission recommends that member states extend smoking bans to outdoor areas, including for electronic cigarettes and nicotine-free products. ADVERTISEMENTThe European Commission presented today (17 September) its long-awaited proposal to achieve smoke- and aerosol-free environments, replacing the current recommendations, in place since 2009.   The proposal, aimed at tackling the risks posed by aerosols and tobacco, broadens the scope of the previous rules and introduces smoking bans to outdoor areas, including innovative products that don’t contain nicotine, as confirmed by a draft leaked document seen by Euronews.  “Many cancers and other diseases can be prevented entirely through simple changes to…

The Government is at risk of missing two of its public service targets for violent crime and student achievement as it releases its first quarterly report.It was “feasable” targets surrounding emergency department and elective wait times, Jobseeker benefits, student attendance and youth offending could be achieved. And according to the report summary, emergency housing numbers and net greenhouse gas emissions were considered probable or on track – although there isn’t enough data to measure the latter. Its target of having 20,000 fewer people the victim of a violent crime has instead recorded 30,000 more victims as of June. The crime…

From Austria’s unexpected assignment to Spain’s mega portfolio, the next Commission of Ursula von der Leyen has Brussels talking. ADVERTISEMENTAfter several delays, multiple leaks, a political feud in Slovenia and a dramatic last-minute resignation, Ursula von der Leyen has presented her new team of European Commissioners for the next five years.The 26 nominees still need to undergo confirmation hearings at the European Parliament and some might succumb during the grilling due to their past controversies, lack of competence or just good old-fashioned partisan retaliation.Nevertheless, von der Leyen’s proposed structure offers a unique insight into how she wants to reshape the…

Five Black Power and Mongrel Mob gang members have been charged as police cracked down on gang conflict in Wairoa last week. The arrests were made after police carried out 15 vehicle stops in the area.The gang members have been charged with a range of offences, including possession of offensive weapons, possession of methamphetamine and cannabis, driving while disqualified, and breach of bail.Various quantities of methamphetamine and cannabis, along with knives and other weapons — including a set of knuckle dusters with a blade attached — were also found. Three vehicles were impounded.The arrests were made after Eastern District Police…

The approved bill is the latest in a string of laws seemingly taken from Moscow’s playbook. ADVERTISEMENTGeorgia’s parliament has approved draft legislation curtailing LGBTQ+ rights, a measure echoing similar laws adopted in neighbouring Russia.The bill was voted through on Tuesday and was originally introduced by the ruling populist party Georgian Dream earlier this year.It includes bans on same-sex marriages, adoption by same-sex couples, gender-affirming care, public endorsement of LGBTQ+ relations and people, and depictions of them in the media.This extends to outlawing Pride events and public displays of the rainbow flag, as well as censoring them in films and books.Georgian…

A group of local and international road safety experts, academics and health professionals have penned an open letter to the Government over its proposed moves to reverse speed limit reductions, saying it will result in lost lives if it proceeds.The letter, headed by the Global Road Safety Partnership, is addressed to the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister of Transport Simeon Brown.Non-profit Global Road Safety Partnership is based in Geneva and was created in 1999 in an attempt to minimise the lives lost or altered due to road accidents. The letter is co-signed by 46 New Zealanders, and 51 people…

With a slowdown in demand for EVs, hundreds sit idle in a busy Belgian port’s car park, waiting for buyers and drivers. ADVERTISEMENTUp to three million electric vehicles are shuttled from cargo ships onto trucks every year at the western Belgian port of Zeebrugge.With one in every four vehicles now electric, Zeebrugge’s port operator has had to change the landscape to accommodate the precious cargo. This includes constructing a dozen wind turbines on the quayside; on-site battery recharging options; quality control and a ruthless hunt for the slightest defect to deliver ready-to-use cars to customers.”This is the future,” said Anne…