Author: Press Room

Parts of the South Island are not out of the woods yet after snowfall closed several state highways and caused power outages today with similar conditions expected on Sunday.MetService issued an orange heavy snow warning for Canterbury High Country south of the Rakaia River until 5pm and for inland Otago until midday today. Snow in Queenstown on September 13 (Source: 1News)Snow was expected to begin falling this afternoon on Arthur’s Pass (State Highway 73) and Porters Pass (State Highway 73).A road snowfall warning was also issued for Lindis Pass (SH8).The South Island woke to icy temperatures as a cold snap…

The four-party cabinet in the Netherlands has vowed to establish “the strictest asylum regime ever” to curb irregular migration. ADVERTISEMENTThe Dutch government of Prime Minister Dick Schoof has confirmed its intention to ask “as soon as possible” for an opt-out clause from the European Union’s migration and asylum rules, an unprecedented move from a founding member state.The plan, previewed in July after Schoof took office, is considered far-fetched and symbolic, with little to no chance of succeeding as it would require re-tweaking highly sensitive legislation and could open the floodgates for similar demands.It is unlikely that other capitals would be…

Some road safety experts believe many more people will be killed or seriously injured in New Zealand’s cities if the Government’s moves to reverse speed limit reductions are successful.The Government has promised to reverse the speed limit reductions brought in under the previous government, which saw speed limits on many city streets reduced from 50km/h to 30km/h. Some rural highways went from 100km/h to 80km/h.Public consultation on the proposed changes to the setting of speed limits closed in July.Criticism has come from road safety advocates and councils, while the National Road Carriers Association — the organisation representing supply chain companies…

MEPs and pressure groups have decried a €295mn planned cut to the Erasmus student-exchange programme, formalised by EU member states today. ADVERTISEMENTEU member states officially agreed on their position for the bloc’s 2025 budget today (13 September), including a controversial €295 million reduction to the Erasmus student exchange programme.  The EU’s Council, which represents national governments, described the plans as “prudent” and “realistic”, given financial strains from the war in Ukraine.  But lawmakers – who’ll get their own say on the budget next month – have opposed plans that could also see significant cuts to the bloc’s Horizon Europe research…

The ADHD community is hailing a decision to begin consultation on new medicine and an easier renewal process which could see changes in place by the end of the year.Pharmac is seeking feedback to fund the drug lisdexamfetamine, known as Vyvanse, and to scrap the bi-annual renewal criteria for stimulant medicines used in ADHD treatment by December 1.ADHD NZ spokesperson Darrin Bull said the changes being consulted on were “long overdue”.”It’s been in place for over 20 years and we know from research that a third of our community have significant barriers in getting the help they need because of…

Germany recently allowed the restricted consumption of cannabis, but clubs that grow and share the plant say they are experiencing challenging levels of bureaucracy. ADVERTISEMENTNico Schack was hoping to take advantage of Germany’s new laws permitting the possession of cannabis, but his dream of setting up a club to share the drugs with others in Berlin is on the move.Instead, he’s decided to set up an office in the neighbouring state of Brandenburg because he says the process for getting a licence in the capital city has been so slow and unclear.”I think that a lot of clubs are very…

Footage taken by a passing motorist showed a vehicle on fire on Auckland’s Southern Motorway this evening.The footage showed the front of the vehicle on fire, with a police car with flashing lights seen pulling in behind it.Police said the incident occurred near the Khyber Pass Rd on-ramp. “The car occupants were able to get out of the car safely and are reported to be uninjured.”Two lanes were blocked as emergency services attended the incident but have since been cleared.”Police thank motorists for their patience as emergency services worked at the scene.”

Post-mandate restrictions on members of EU institutions impose a cooling-off period between the end of a mandate and the possibility of carrying out lobbying activities. ADVERTISEMENTAfter a few weeks of summer break, MEPs are back in Brussels, reviewing their files and attending back-to-work meetups. Others who lost their seats in the June elections might be starting a new job in the EU bubble. But what rules apply to them? Following the so-called Qatargate, a political scandal that came to light in 2022 involving MEPs and lobbyists who allegedly received funds from the governments of Qatar, Morocco and Mauritania to promote…

Nicole Kidman has thanked fans for their support following her mother’s death.The 57-year-old actress was told her beloved mother Janelle Ann Kidman had passed away while she was in Italy attending the Venice Film Festival promoting her new movie Babygirl.She subsequently missed the film’s North American premiere in Toronto earlier this week as she was with her family.Kidman has now taken to Instagram to express her gratitude for the “outpouring of love and kindness” she’s received.Sharing three photos of Janelle, one solo portrait and two of her with Nicole and her sister Antonia Kidman, the star wrote: “My sister and…

The suspect allegedly planned to attack the soldiers with 40cm-long machetes. ADVERTISEMENTAn alleged Islamic extremist has been arrested in connection with plotting an attack on German soldiers during their lunch break in Munich, killing as many of them as possible and causing a feeling of insecurity among the larger population.The 27-year-old Syrian is a suspected supporter of radical Islamic ideology, the Munich public prosecutor’s office said on Friday. The suspect procured two machetes, each about 40 centimetres long, earlier this month, and allegedly planned to attack the soldiers with them.He was brought before a judge on Friday following his arrest…