Author: Press Room

The closure comes amid rising tensions in Kosovo-Serbia relations, despite the 13-year-long normalisation of talks facilitated by the European Union which have failed to make progress. ADVERTISEMENTAuthorities in Kosovo have closed five parallel institutions working with the ethnic Serb minority, a move that could further raise tensions with neighbouring Serbia.Elbert Krasniqi, Kosovo’s minister of local administration, on Friday, confirmed the closure of five so-called parallel institutions in the north —where most of the ethnic Serb minority lives—writing in a Facebook message that they “violate the Republic of Kosovo’s constitution and laws.”According to the Kosovo police, the operation was carried out…

OPINION: New Zealand’s End of Life Choice Act is currently being reviewed. Both sides of the assisted dying debate share their thoughts on what should happen.Warning: This article contains content that could be upsetting for some people.New Zealand’s assisted dying law, the End of Life Choice Act, is reaching its third anniversary.Since the Act took effect in November 2021, terminally ill adults that meet certain criteria have been able to request medical assistance to end their lives.By law, the Act must be reviewed by the Ministry of Health within three years of coming into force and then every five years…

A man’s body has been recovered from the water off the coast of the Haumuri Bluffs, near Kaikōura.Police said a group of fishermen spotted the man in the water at about 1.15pm yesterday.Coastguard and police attended and recovered the body. The formal identification process is underway.”Police thank the fishermen for alerting authorities.”The man’s death will be referred to the coroner.”

A major police operation targeting organised crime across Australia and New Zealand has seen nearly 200 people arrested.Taskforce Vitreus was set up to tackle illegal drug sales, “slashing at the pockets of organised crime groups”.It involved all Australian state and territory police agencies, the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, the New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs.Detective Superintendent Greg Williams, director of New Zealand’s National Organised Crime Group, said this morning: “NZ Customs and Australian authorities seized more than A$93 million (NZ$101m) drugs in a week, a significant loss for criminal entities that wallow in the misery they create.”The…

The Government has proposed lifting the speed limit on State Highway 1 from Orewa to Warkworth in north Auckland.A new limit of 110km/h would apply to the stretch of motorway if the proposal goes ahead.”Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy. This proposal supports that outcome by reducing travel times and increasing efficiency for travel north of Auckland,” Transport Minister Simeon Brown said.”We know how critical these connections are for motorists and freight operators, and we’re committed to ensuring that state highways enable people get to where they want to…

MetService is warning the west of the South Island is likely to see the heaviest rain set to affect large parts of the country this weekend.The headwaters of the lakes and rivers of Otago and Canterbury are also expected to bear the brunt of the “strong northwesterly flow”, the forecaster warned.However, large parts of the country are also in the firing line for heavy rain and northwest gales, with a number of weather watches and warnings in place, including a severe thunderstorm watch for many North Island regions.An orange heavy rain warning is in place for the ranges of the…

Residents of a small Southland hamlet hammered by coastal erosion are living in limbo, as the river next to their properties inches closer.In February, Bluecliffs entered a state of emergency after the Waiau River ate away at the bank and began to threaten properties.But following a March meeting in nearby Tūātapere, hosted by key stakeholders, hope of a solution also began to erode.Further attempts at cutting into the river bar were viewed as unlikely to succeed, and other works came with a high price tag.Five months on from that meeting, some residents are none-the-wiser about their precarious situation, or what…

Friends of a New Zealander killed in a motorbike accident in Europe have raised close to NZD$30,000 to help pay for the funeral and make sure his family are able to attend.Mark Hillman, 45, died on August 27 in Germany.He is originally from Taranaki but has been living with his wife Lieke in the Netherlands.”This is a message I deeply wish I wouldn’t have to write,” Lieke wrote in a statement on Facebook.”My sweet husband Mark Hillman passed away after a motorcycling accident in Germany. Three days earlier we celebrated our marriage together with friends and family in The Netherlands.”Mark…

Four businesses on the main street of Mangawhai Heads have been burgled in the early hours of this morning.Police said it was investigating a string of burglaries on Wood St which began shortly after 1am on Saturday.A spokesperson said police received a report of the alleged offenders attempting to gain entry to a premises and failing to do so at around 1.15am.”The offenders moved to the second business where a vehicle was used to gain entry.”Cash and “a range of unknown items” were targeted.At a third premises the offenders broke in through a window using a tool and stole a…

The hospitality crunch is worse than it has ever been, café owners say, as job cuts and the cost of living bite.Kris Bartley, the owner of Sweet Release café in Wellington, said she had the worst day of sales in her 10 years in business this week.”People just don’t have money. People who do are saving their money in case they lose their jobs, which is totally fair.”Her customers were usually working professionals and students, but public sector job cuts had hit hard, and some customers had also expressed concerns about safety in Manners Street where the café was situated,…