Author: Press Room

This article was originally published in French Gisèle Pelicot’s ex-husband invited dozens of other men to rape her while she was unconscious and kept recordings of his and their actions. ADVERTISEMENTThe ex-husband of Gisèle Pelicot has declined to appeal his 20-year prison sentence for drugging and raping his wife and allowing dozens of other men to rape her as she lay unconscious in a case that appalled France. Dominique Pelicot’s lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, told broadcaster France Info on Monday that he wanted to spare his ex-wife the ordeal of another trial, though she also admitted a new trial could also deliver…

The tech billionaire and close Trump ally has sent shockwaves through German politics by publicly endorsing the far-right Alternative to Germany party weeks before snap federal elections. ADVERTISEMENTThe co-leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), Lars Klingbeil, has compared tech billionaire Elon Musk to Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying his decision to weigh in on German politics weeks before the country’s snap elections is an example of “interference”.Musk caused uproar in Germany last week by publicly supporting the extreme party Alternative for Germany (AfD) on his social media platform, X. Despite the barrage of criticism that ensued, he doubled down…

Police are monitoring an incident unfolding at a youth justice facility in the Auckland suburb of Wiri this evening.”Police are aware of and monitoring an incident at a facility in Wiri,” a police spokesperson told 1News in a statement. 1News understands a number of youths are on the roof of a youth justice facility on Kiwi Tamaki Rd. It’s understood two police officers have entered the facility.The group are on the roof of a facility on Kiwi Tamaki Rd in Wiri. (Source: 1News)Thirteen youths climbed onto the roof of the same youth justice residence in October.In a statement, Children’s Minister…

The suspects face charges of endangering public safety and improper construction practices, with potential prison sentences of up to 12 years. ADVERTISEMENTSerbia’s public prosecutor announced on Monday that 13 people, including a former minister, have been indicted over the collapse of a concrete canopy that claimed 15 lives last month and sparked weeks of mass anti-government demonstrations.The suspects, charged in the northern city of Novi Sad where the incident occurred on 1 November, face accusations of severe criminal offences against public safety and irregular execution of construction work.If convicted, they could face prison sentences of up to 12 years.The collapsed…

Skin cancer experts are warning against a concerning TikTok trend encouraging young people to tan in dangerous UV radiation conditions despite constant sun safety warnings. Videos posted to the app encouraging people to tan during high levels of ultraviolet radiation have gone viral, leading many to see UV as a good thing. According to the Cancer Society, UV radiation is the leading cause of melanoma and other forms of cancer in New Zealand. The videos promote using the UV index, a measurement of the amount of UV reaching Earth and its potential to damage the body, as a tool rather…

Some of Germany’s neighbours do have operable nuclear plants, but they don’t line the borders as the map suggests. ADVERTISEMENTAn old, misleading map has resurfaced online, showing Germany’s borders lined with 30 nuclear power plants.The plants are spread across Germany’s neighbours: the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Denmark, according to the map.It’s been shared across social media platforms and captioned as showing what the German power grid will look like in the coming years.For example, a post on TikTok suggests that this is what Germany will look like in 2025, while a Facebook post…

With shoulder-length curly hair and a baggy hoodie, Ben Ackerley is far from the typical example of a “birder”.But as he stood in the Ashley Estuary north of Christchurch, with the wind billowing and black billed gulls circling overhead, there was no denying his passion. “It’s got a longer beak and more elegant flight,” the 15-year-old said, binoculars in hand. “You usually won’t find it as much by the coast, as you would inland.”The Canterbury high school student is part of a group of teenagers hoping to change the image around birding, a hobby more often associated with retirees. Ben,…

A man who died after falling off the top of a car in Napier on Friday is being remembered as a loving father and beloved teammate.Police reported that the man was travelling on a mattress on the roof of a station wagon from the Marewa shops, when he fell onto the road at Nuffield Ave.Family posting on social media have named the man as Reif Cotter, and a Givealittle page has been set up for his three young children and their mother.A post by the children’s mother Holly Te Ngahue said he was “the most loving” Dad, brother, son and…

A turbulent year has seen voters send a shockwave. Who used it best to secure influence in Europe? ADVERTISEMENT2024 saw multiple political shockwaves: that some EU leaders rode, and others were submerged by. Elections from Paris to Bucharest, an ongoing war, an economy that continues to disappoint, and a shock victory by Donald Trump in US elections are all causing an extended political headache.Some politicians managed to use that to their advantage, and wield influence over the Brussels machine – while others were left floundering. Euronews looks at the winners and losers from a turbulent year.1. THE WINNERSDonald TuskThe pushback Poland, long…

Immigration border staff will begin strike action on New Year’s Eve during the busy summer travel period, following the Government’s refusal to offer a pay rise.About 3000 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) union members began striking earlier this month but border staff, who are essential workers, had to give longer notice.The action – beginning 6am tomorrow and ending on January 20 – includes about 100 Public Service Association (PSA) members working at the border not doing any unpaid work, and taking rest and meal breaks together at specific times.PSA acting national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said staff had been…