Author: Press Room
The Director-General of Health says she’s looking at the legal options for councils if they refuse to add fluoride to their drinking water. Fourteen councils around the country have been given a directive by Dr Diana Sarfati and health officials are actively looking at further areas to be added. Last week Whangārei District Council, which has a deadline of March next year to add fluoride, voted against doing so. That’s despite having the equipment — paid for by the Ministry of Health — already in place.Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo said there was a range of reasons councillors chose to vote…
Outgoing Vice President of the European Commission Věra Jourová told The Europe Conversation its “shocking” how some EU countries are replicating illiberal laws of others. ADVERTISEMENTJourová – a lawyer by trade – was EU Commissioner for Values and Transparency from 2019 until November 2024. During that time, rule of law issues in some member states have deteriorated, she said, speaking just before the end of her mandate. The EU has initiated infringement proceedings against several countries targeting freedom of the press, as well as LGBT communities which the Commission point out are in breach of EU values, as well as Article 2 of the Treaty…
Former politician and kapa haka exponent Tā Pita Sharples (Ngāti Kahungunu) has been recognised by the Arts Foundation as one of the most significant artists in Aotearoa New Zealand in a special ceremony at Government House in Wellington today.He was honoured alongside accomplished singer-songwriter Neil Finn with the Icon Award Whakamana Hiranga for 2024, and together they join 20 other living artists who have been celebrated for their extraordinary contributions to the arts sector.”If I can be accredited with anything positive with our people — that’s all I care about,” said Tā Pita on receiving the award.”I’ve been lucky. I’ve…
The family of Olivia Podmore says the adjournment of an inquest into the Olympic cyclist’s death has only added to the immense emotional and financial toll of the process.Warning: This story discusses mental health and suicide which may be distressing to some readers.On Thursday, the inquest into the suspected suicide of the 24-year-old athlete was adjourned until next year.The hearing before Coroner Louella Dunn, originally set down for three weeks, was due to wrap at the end of this week.However, Coroner Dunn informed the court that the case would be adjourned to next year to allow a continuation of evidence.RNZ…
Yan Petrovsky, also known as Voislav Toden, is charged with fighting against Ukrainian forces as part of the neo-Nazi Russian paramilitary unit Rusich. ADVERTISEMENTA Russian ultranationalist combatant who fought amid Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014 went on trial on Thursday in Finland on charges of alleged war crimes.Finnish prosecutors are seeking life imprisonment for Yan Petrovsky, who is also known as Voislav Toden, according to public broadcaster YLE.Petrovsky’s lawyer, Heikki Lampela, said his client — who has been in custody in Finland since entering the Nordic country in July 2023 — would deny all the charges.Petrovsky has been…
Ukrainian journalist Denis Trubetskoy believes the upcoming German election is less critical for Ukraine than the US election — but that Ukraine’s stability and resistance nonetheless depend on Germany’s long-term support. ADVERTISEMENTOn Monday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he visited wounded soldiers and pledged €650 million in military aid to be delivered in December.In subsequent speeches and posts on social media, he repeatedly emphasised that Germany stands by Ukraine.But on the home front, Scholz’s surprise visit was overshadowed by the campaign for the upcoming Bundestag snap elections…
Nelson’s Morrison Square will be demolished in the New Year.The commercial complex used to house 22 tenants, most of whom have now vacated the building after significant cladding issues caused by water ingress were discovered, making the buildings unsafe.But the owner of Italian restaurant Babagatto, who has been vocal against vacating the building ahead of the peak summer season, said he’ll continue to “fight ’til the end”.Ian Purdy, the portfolio manager property and infrastructure for the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)’s Investment Fund – the complex’s owner – confirmed the demolition but added that no decision had yet been made on…
The Yale Humanitarian Research Lab released a new report on Russia’s coerced adoption of Ukrainian children. According to it, Moscow launched the programme together with its all-out invasion, pointing to crimes against humanity. ADVERTISEMENTTaken from homes, detained for months and subjected to intense propaganda before coerced adoption — a new report by Yale’s School of Public Health has shed light on Russia’s forceful deportation of Ukrainian children and revealed information and details unknown until now. The researchers were able to track down how exactly Moscow is removing children from their homes, forcefully re-educating them and then placing them with Russian families under…
A Kapiti Coast motorcyclist was taken into custody yesterday for failing to stop and dangerous driving, shortly after appearing in court on the same charges.The 32-year-old was arrested yesterday afternoon after his court appearance earlier in the morning.Police said the man had appeared in Porirua District Court charged with failing to stop and dangerous driving. “Stunned” officers then observed the man doing a wheelie past a patrol unit on Cedar Drive just before 4pm, police said in a statement.He was spoken to by officers at his address minutes later and taken into custody.His motorbike was impounded.”Police will not tolerate this…
Auckland Council is moving to sell its remaining stake in Auckland International Airport.Trading in the airport company’s shares has been suspended while the deal was being completed.”Auckland Future Fund Trustee has invited a relatively large group of brokers to submit offers for a parcel of 163,231,446 shares (a 9.71% shareholding) in Auckland Airport,” the airport company said, in a filing to the NZX.It said the brokers would be expected to on sell to investment funds and clients.On Auckland Airport’s closing price on Tuesday night, the stake was worth about $1.3 billion, although such a large parcel of shares would likely…