Author: Press Room

Second edition of Euronews and European Travel Commission event will see debate on trends affecting sector, including addressing hotspot tourism backlashes. ADVERTISEMENTThe EU’s first sustainable transport and travel commissioner will outline priorities during the second edition of the Destination Europe Summit in Brussels on Thursday.Apostolos Tzitzikostas will share his vision and priorities for Europe’s tourism sector, which despite bouncing back following the COVID-19 pandemic remains under challenge from a range of issues ranging from geopolitical instability and inflation to extreme weather events.Increasing local resistance in Europe in popular hotspots has intensified the call for more sustainable tourism practices.EU policymakers, industry leaders…

Westpac has cut its 3-year special fixed home loan rate to 4.99% — the first major bank to offer a mortgage rate below 5%.The bank announced today it would drop 1-year, 18-month, 2-year, 3-year and 4-year for special and standard rates starting Friday.The biggest drop was for 3-year special rates, falling 0.60% to 4.99%. The special rates are available to customers with a minimum of 20% equity.Outside the 3-year rate, the other drops were between five and 10 basis points.Westpac also planned to lower some term deposit rates between 0.05% and 0.10%.Westpac NZ general manager of product, sustainability and marketing…

Carlo Nordio argued that the ICC’s arrest warrant contained contradictions and procedural flaws, leading Italy’s courts to order Ossama al-Masri’s release. ADVERTISEMENTItaly’s justice minister vigorously defended the government’s decision to repatriate a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), arguing on Wednesday that the court itself had made an “immense mess” of the case with an inconsistent and flawed arrest warrant.Carlo Nordio told the lower house of the Italian parliament that he had acted cautiously regarding the 18 January warrant against Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, who is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.Nordio…

Air New Zealand will end its seasonal service to Seoul, South Korea, the airline has announced.The final current seasonal flight from Incheon to Auckland will take place on March 29, and will mark the end of the service.The airline currently offers three return flights a week.Chief commercial officer Jeremy O’Brien acknowledged the disappointment the news may cause.”We sincerely apologise for the impact. Due to the ongoing challenges with engine availability, we have reviewed our network to ensure we are set up to operate our schedule effectively and best deliver for our customers’ needs.”Air New Zealand said the “small” number of…

Lammy’s trip comes two weeks after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a 100-year partnership agreement between the two countries. ADVERTISEMENTThe UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday morning, where he is expected to announce a new support package for Ukraine as Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbour nears its third anniversary. The financial package aims to support the war-torn country’s energy sector and grain exports, and contribute to its economic growth. Lammy is also expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit. Lammy’s trip comes two weeks after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer…

An Ashburton-based family-owned agri-business is teaming up with environmentalist, actor, and social entrepreneur Suzy Amis Cameron in plans to create a food and fibre business park in Mid Canterbury.Carrfields managing director Craig Carr confirmed they were in the process of acquiring land in the Ashburton Business Estate to build a food and fibre business.It was a joint venture between Inside Out LLC – a US-based entity founded and controlled by Suzy Amis Cameron – and the Carrfields Property Group.Amis Cameron is married to filmmaker James Cameron — the couple relocated to New Zealand in 2012.The pair lived on a farm…

Greenland’s national debate about independence will consider negotiating better terms in its relationship with Denmark and securing more significant investment from the EU. ADVERTISEMENTAs it faces a push for a takeover by US President Donald Trump, Greenland’s pro-independence leaders are being forced to seriously consider the implications of no longer being attached to Denmark at a time of serious geopolitical peril.“Indeed, we are talking about independence, but what does independence mean? No one is truly independent,” said Maliina Abelsen, chair of Greenland’s largest company, Royal Greenland — a state-owned fishing company that represents over 95% of Greenland’s exports.Between its reserves of…

The battle to return Wairarapa’s highway to 100km/h has been won but a new one is brewing.Wairarapa leaders have called for an independent review of safety improvements previously made to State Highway 2.“We’ve corrected one stupid decision. Now we have to focus on the other stupid decisions that have been made,” Carterton Mayor Ron Mark said.The Government recently increased the speed limit from 80km/h to 100km/h on State Highway 2 between Masterton to Featherston — a move that many in the community had been pushing for.Mark and Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell have asked Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick to “get the…

Poland will not be reimbursed the €320 million in EU funds that it lost during its protracted dispute with Brussels over judicial independence. ADVERTISEMENTThe European Commission acted correctly when it deducted €320,200,000 from Poland’s allocated share of the EU budget over the controversial judicial reform introduced by the previous government, the General Court has ruled.”In recovering the amounts payable, the Commission did not infringe EU law,” the judges in Luxembourg said on Wednesday.The Commission, which oversees the common budget and approves regular payments, has an “offset mechanism” that it can use when a member state refuses to pay the fines…

A Coromandel man accused of murdering a pig hunter and attempting to murder another has been granted bail until his trial in 2027, his lawyer says.Stuart Edmondson, 77, appeared at the High Court in Hamilton on Tuesday where, through his lawyer Ron Mansfield KC, he entered not guilty pleas to the charges.Kevin Mabbott died in the incident near Coromandel Town and another man was taken to hospital in a serious condition.Father-of-five Mabbot, 41, was described by his loved ones as a “loveable ratbag”.A trial date of May 17, 2027 was set – almost two-and-a-half years on from the initial incident.Edmondson…