Author: Press Room

An explosives dog was called out to investigate a “suspicious-looking” package left outside Napier’s MTG Hawke’s Bay museum this morning.It was later found to be harmless.Police were called out at around 9.30am after a package was left at the front entrance by a member of the public.Streets around the museum were closed while the package was investigated but have since reopened after police determined it posed no threat at around 2pm.”The individual who left the package has been spoken to and police have determined there was no malicious intent,” a spokesperson said.”We would like to thank the community for its…

A year after turning to comedian Jimmy Kimmel for the second time to host their big show, the Academy Awards will pivot to another familiar TV funnyman — Conan O’Brien.”America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars,” O’Brien said in a statement.It will be his first time as Oscar host, but he’s emceed other high-profile awards shows, like the Emmy Awards in 2002 and 2006 and the White House Correspondents’ dinner in 1995 and 2013.The Oscars will air live on ABC on March 2.O’Brien is best known for…

Members of the police dive squad have been called in amid the search for a man missing in the Manawatū River.The man fell into the river while walking his dog near Ahimate Reserve in Palmerston North yesterday afternoon. He “failed to resurface”.Police said today its dive squad is on the scene assessing conditions and “making preliminary inquiries”.”Searching began this morning and will continue until dark,” a spokesperson said.”The search will recommence tomorrow morning.”

Police say there have been no positive leads over the weekend in the search for a Porirua man missing since last Sunday.Graham Russell Smith, 77, was last seen on November 10 in the vicinity of the Doctor Track on the Rangituhi/Colonial Knob walkway.”Search and rescue personnel have continued to look for Graham through the weekend, however there have not been any positive leads at this stage,” police said today.”Police are now asking anyone who was on the was on the Rangituhi/Colonial Knob walkways last Sunday afternoon from 4pm onwards to contact us and describe where you went.”Even if you did…

Three years of appeals, rewards and searches have failed to find the three children taken into hiding by their fugitive father Tom Phillips. Locals say it’s time to try something different, writes Simon Mercep.This story of a new approach to locating the missing Marokopa children emerged unexpectedly.1News went to the western King Country town with private investigator Chris Budge to try and answer a question he said he has been asked by reporters from all over the world:”How can a man and three kids go into hiding for three years and not be found?”Watch a clinical psychologist unpack what she…

Putzkarade’s victory, with 180 points, gives Georgia its fourth win at Junior Eurovision, making it the most successful country in the history of the contest. ADVERTISEMENTAndria Putzkarade has won the 22nd Junior Eurovision Song Contest representing Georgia.The 11-year-old, from the western port city of Batumi, bagged 239 points in the final in Madrid with his song, ‘To My Mom’.”It feels so good,” said Putzkarade when he was announced as winner.Putzkarade’s victory gives Georgia its fourth win at Junior Eurovision, making it the most successful country in the history of the contest.Like its adult-oriented counterpart, the winner of Junior Eurovision is…

The Ministry for Primary Industries has issued a recall of five herb and spice products due to an undeclared presence of gluten.Some of the products are sold at supermarkets and retail outlets throughout New Zealand.MPI is recalling Mrs Rogers brand Naturals Butter Chicken (batch 8594), Curry Powder (batch 6206 and 8689) and Garam Masala (batch 8207 and 8690). These are sold in 35g, 38g, and 40g cardboard boxes.The affected spice mixes are sold at supermarkets and retails outlets across the country.The Classic Taste brand Fennel Powder with a batch number of 271126 has also been recalled. This product, imported from…

Zelenskyy claimed that Ukraine’s military has become one of the most powerful in the world but the country’s military is bolstered by millions of euros in aid packages from Western allies. ADVERTISEMENTUkraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he hopes the war with Russia will end in 2025 through diplomatic means.In a radio interview on Friday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine must do everything possible to end the war next year through talks rather than military force.”We are at war, I don’t want to compare, but we are at war with a state that does not value its people, that has a lot…

A Sāmoan community leader and educator was stunned to see former students step forward as potential kidney donors following a public appeal.For 20 years, Tauanu’u Perenise Sitagata Tapu has been a respected teacher at McAuley High School and in the community.He struggled with diabetes and kidney failure for decades, and despite being asked to consider a kidney donor multiple times, had accepted his situation.”I look at it this way: the Lord gave me life. I’ve lived a good life. I accept what’s happening in my life.”I do not want any other person’s life shortened because they have to help me.…

The aid, which was collected from donors by the charity Confederazione Nazionale delle Misericordie d’Italia, took off aboard a C-130J military aircraft from an airfield in the central city of Pisa. ADVERTISEMENTAn Italian charity has sent 15 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza for distribution among the civilian population.The aid, which was collected from donors by the charity Confederazione Nazionale delle Misericordie d’Italia, took off aboard a C-130J military aircraft from an airfield in the central city of Pisa.”We will continue to do everything possible to alleviate the suffering of the population of Gaza. Italy does not forget those who…