Author: Press Room

Legendary bassist Steve Harris is set to arrive in New Zealand with the world-famous Iron Maiden and his side project, British Lion. Ahead of his two shows in Auckland, 1News’ Jack Horsnell spoke with Harris to chat about the tours, his journey from football to music, and his advice for young musicians. Rock legend Steve Harris will play two shows in Auckland in the coming days – one in front of thousands as Iron Maiden perform at Spark Arena – while the second will be a more intimate affair as he takes the stage at a 400 person capacity venue…

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Five cases of mpox have now been linked to the recent Winter Pride Festival in Queenstown, health officials have announced.It’s an increase of three cases from the total tally reported yesterday.A spokesperson for Te Whatu Ora Health NZ said testing to date confirms the virus as the clade II variant of the disease.”Te Whatu Ora wish to reassure the public that the cases related to the festival are not linked to recent clade I cases in Africa.”All local mpox cases have been clade II since reporting began in 2022.People who believe they may have been exposed to mpox or have…

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A paraglider has crashed into a cliff at Auckland’s Muriwai Beach, with a man left critically injured. Emergency services were called to the crash at the southern end of the West Auckland beach at about 2pm today. A man in his 40s was airlifted from a cliff face using a winch, according to the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopters. He was flown to Auckland City Hospital. The injured man remains in a critical condition, according to St John, which deployed an ambulance and two rapid response vehicles. “A paraglider had crashed and become stuck on a cliff,” a police spokesperson said…

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“We need to de-escalate military tensions and use this opportunity to urge all sides to pursue this path,” said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell during his visit to Beirut. ADVERTISEMENTEU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell visited Lebanon on Thursday on a mission to discuss regional issues amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. The high representative for the EU’s foreign affairs and security policy urged Lebanon and Israel to work on de-escalating tensions along the border, as members of the militant Hezbollah group and Israel’s military carried out cross-border attacks along the tense frontier.Western and Arab officials have visited Beirut…

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State Highway 1 near Brynderwyns has reopened after an earlier vehicle fire between Auckland and Northland.No injuries were reported in the incident which took place just south of the State Highway 12 intersection at Brynderwyn.Police were alerted to the incident at 2.30pm. The road was previously closed in both directions, according to police.Footage captured by a motorist shows the front of a van on fire near the Brynderwyns. No injuries have been reported. (Source: Supplied)Police told 1News it handed over the road clean-up to NZTA at about 3.30pm.

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Europe is suffering from a healthcare crisis, with chronic staff shortages, low pay and overtime prompting strikes in Germany, Slovenia, and Sweden. In France meanwhile, a controversial medicine education reform has students and doctors up in arms. ADVERTISEMENTHospitals across Europe appear to be on life support.Whether it’s in France, Slovenia or Sweden, hospitals are facing staff shortages, lower wages and increasing levels of overtime, prompting industrial action across the healthcare sector which inevitably impacts patient care.In Sweden, healthcare workers went on strike for the first time in 16 years to protest against their working hours and low pay over 78…

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Whales may typically be Kaikōura’s star attraction — but tonight — the stars themselves are taking the spotlight.The coastal community has officially been designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, a dream which has been more than a decade in the making.It is the third sanctuary in New Zealand alongside Aotea Great Barrier Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura.It’s an important achievement for the Kaikōura Dark Sky movement that began more than a decade ago to help protect the endangered Hutton’s shearwater.The recognition also underscores the continued commitment to preserving the natural darkness of the Kaikōura night sky. The Kaikōura Sanctuary covers 98%…

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited Gisborne today, assessing ongoing recovery efforts and the urgent need for long-term investment in a region still grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.During his visit to Tairāwhiti, Luxon took part in the construction of much-needed housing, with those on the East Coast concerned about long-term financial investment plans.The region needs around 500 new homes to address the housing shortage exacerbated by the cyclone.”We need long-term commitments to ensure sustainability and provide safe, affordable housing for families,” Annette Wehi from Toitū Housing said. “We need to know that once workers are brought in, there will…

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A person has died following a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 54 near Feilding.Emergency services were alerted to the serious crash on Cheltenham Hunterville Rd at about 4.45pm. The crash happened near an intersection with Benson Rd in Beaconsfield.Police gave an update on the crash just before 9pm, where they confirmed one person had died.”Two people were transported to hospital in a serious condition,” police said.”The serious crash unit is conducting a scene examination. The road is closed and diversions are in place, motorists are advised to take an alternate route and expect delays.”

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The selection of Marta Kos could create a headache for Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting the many different, sometimes controversial ways in which the EU’s 27 members make their Brussels pick. ADVERTISEMENTWe now won’t know the line-up of the next European Commission for at least another week, thanks to a hold-up in parliamentary proceedings in Slovenia.It’s not the only time selection of a Commissioner has caused political problems, given the many different ways the 27 member states pick their candidates for the EU executive. Euronews takes you through some highlights.Ursula von der Leyen, the Commission chief who’s been appointed to…

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