Author: Press Room
In the first public confirmation by the US, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday there is evidence that North Korean soldiers are present in Russia, and it remained to be seen what they would be doing there. ADVERTISEMENTWashington has proof North Korean troops are present in Russia, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters in Rome on Wednesday.”There is evidence that there are DPRK troops in Russia. What exactly they are doing? Left to be seen. These are things that we need to sort out,” Austin said.Austin’s comment is Washington’s first public confirmation of previous statements made by Ukraine…
Police have released the names of two people killed in a State Highway 1 crash, near Waiouru, last week. Kahu Alexandra Martin, 60 was from Taupō and Katarina Kaihau, 6, from Lower Hutt. Police are continuing to investigate the collision between the car and truck involved. The crash occurred on State Highway 1, south of Waiouru, on Tuesday, October 15. “Our thoughts are with their family at this incredibly tragic time,” police said.
Heat pumps are set to play at least as important a role in Europe’s energy transition as electric cars, but a drop in demand following record sales during the 2022 energy crisis has manufacturers looking to Brussels to address what they see as a taxes and subsidies that favour gas. ADVERTISEMENTReports out this week suggest governments and the EU are doing too little to promote the replacement of fossil fuel-fired heating systems with heat pumps, with support schemes of variable quality and gas prices artificially low compared to electricity.According to the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), sales fell 47% in the first…
A major police investigation has resulted in 28 arrests, and the seizure of “significant quantities” of illegal drugs and firearms after officers executed search warrants at gang pads across the North Island this morning.Police said their investigation also prevented a planned shooting at an Ōpōtiki gang tangi and the attempted murder of a rival gang member in Hamilton.Thirty search warrants were executed in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Auckland, Rotorua, Taupō and Hawke’s Bay as part of Operation Highwater – launched late last year following an increase in violent crime and other offending in Ōpōtiki.Police said the “concentrated operation…
Multiple crews and helicopters are working to fight a large fire affecting 200 hectares of scrub on Defence Force land in Canterbury.Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said it was notified about the incident near Tekapo just before 11.30am.”We can confirm that a scrub fire has broken out following planned ammunition disposal at Tekapo Military Training Area today. No personnel were injured,” a Defence Force spokesperson said. “Additional NZDF resources are moving to Tekapo to support our response.” The blaze, which has affected 200 hectares of scrub, is not yet contained. “There is currently no threat to any people or…
A water and shoreline search has been launched in Northland after an 83-year-old man, not seen since Saturday, was reported missing. The search in Onerahi, which is being carried out by police, Coastguard and Surf Life Saving, commenced after the man was reported missing yesterday. “The man goes for a daily swim in the Whangārei Harbour and wears a wet suit and pink swim cap,” a police spokesperson said.Police and search and rescue squads from Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club Whangārei Heads Volunteer Surf Life Saving Patrol, along with volunteers from Northland Coastguard Air Patrol and Coastguard Whangārei, are…
Georgia could potentially become the next Ukraine, given Russia’s past invasion and the ongoing threat of aggression, according an expert who spoke with Euronews. Its precarious geographic position makes the situation more complex, though it may not directly impact European security. ADVERTISEMENTOn Monday, Moldovans narrowly voted in favour of continuing the country’s path toward EU membership, with the “No” vote leading until the final moments. The country’s president Maia Sandu condemned Russian interference and accused “criminal groups” of attempting to undermine the vote in the former Soviet republic. Moldova will now hold the second round of presidential elections next month,…
Police are investigating after a man entered a South Auckland police station in the early hours of this morning, with injuries “consistent with stab wounds”.The man appeared at the Manukau Police Station at around 12.30am with “injuries consistent with stab wounds”, a spokesperson said.”He was transported to hospital in a critical condition.”Police are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.”Anyone with relevant information should contact police on 105.
Police have charged a man after the fatal shooting death of a hunter in Te Urewera Ranges last December.Michael William Bennett, 63, was “found dead by a hunting companion and a personal locator beacon was activated at around 2am” on December 1, 2023, according to police.”A 50-year-old man has been charged with careless use of a firearm causing death and recklessly discharging a firearm,” a police spokesperson said.”He is scheduled to appear in Rotorua District Court on Thursday, October 24.”Police would like to take this opportunity to again extend our condolences to Mr Bennett’s family for their loss.”
By Susan Edmunds of RNZ An Australian insurer has been told to unwind a 60 percent increase to a customer’s insurance premiums after the person complained – but New Zealand policyholders do not have the same recourse. ABC reported the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) ordered the massive increase be scrapped, because it was not convinced the insurer applied “the significant increase in premium fairly or that it justified its position”. Suncorp is one of Australia and New Zealand’s biggest insurers with brands including Vero and Asteron Life. Data earlier this year showed New Zealand home insurance premiums were up more…