Author: Press Room

Record high temperatures last year fuelled demand for air conditioning, in turn driving an increase in dirty coal-fired power generation in a dangerous feedback loop revealed by a new global survey from the International Energy Agency. ADVERTISEMENTThe rate of increase in global energy demand shot up last year, driving increased greenhouse gas emissions even with renewable energy and nuclear power supplying bulk of new electricity generation capacity.The International Energy Agency reported on Monday a 2.2% increase in global energy demand last year, almost double the average of 1.3% a year recorded in the decade to 2023. But electricity use saw…

Waimakariri district councillor Philip Redmond is keen to hear if Pegasus youth share his enthusiasm for flying foxes.The Waimakariri District Council plans to consult on proposals to create spaces for children and young people in the Pegasus township, with a budget of $192,515 proposed in the Long Term Plan.A double flying fox is one of the proposed options, and it has caught the attention of Redmond.‘‘The options look exciting to me. I think a flying fox is great, but what I might like isn’t necessarily what young people are into, so we need to hear from them,” he said.‘‘If a…

Hundreds turned out for the 130th Turangawaewae Regatta held in Ngāruawahia on the banks of the Waikato River over the weekend – the first hosted by Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.The all-day whānau-friendly event featured single-hull canoe racing, cultural and musical performances as well as market stalls and amusement rides. The tribe’s fleet of waka taua were also on parade.Rahui Papa, spokesperson for the Kiingitanga, said when the waka make their salute “they’re saluting everybody down the river” but a dignitary is usually on hand to receive it.“We’ve had ambassadors, we’ve had royalty and other corporate…

The fire’s impact raised concerns about the resilience of Britain’s energy system to accident, natural disaster or attack. ADVERTISEMENTBosses at London’s Heathrow Airport have defended their response to a fire that shut down Europe’s busiest air hub for almost a day, after the national energy system operator suggested the airport had enough electricity from other sources to keep running.More than 1,300 flights were cancelled on Friday after a fire knocked out one of the three electrical substations that supply Heathrow with power.Some 200,000 passengers had journeys disrupted and industry experts say the chaos will cost airlines tens of millions of euros.Operations resumed…

The trial of those responsible for Greece’s deadliest crash may reportedly not begin until the end of 2025, as the case file continues to grow and legal complications mount. ADVERTISEMENTThe trial of those responsible for the deadly train crash in Tempi has been beset by delays, with investigations still ongoing two years on from the collision in Greece that killed 57.Hearings may not begin until late 2025, according to Greek newspaper Kathimerini, which attributed the delays to a range of factors, including requests by victims’ relatives for testimonies from further witnesses. The trial date is also being set back by factors…

Police are investigating two aggravated robberies at separate jewellery stores in Auckland which they say may be linked.The first robbery, which took place at Krishna Jewellers in Papatoetoe, occurred just after 4pm on Sunday, according to Counties Manukau CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Paea.Yash Raniga, who’s father owns the store, told 1News at the time of the robbery his parents and uncle were working when a car came onto the footpath outside the store and a group of five people “tried to barge themselves in”.“In the space of a few minutes they got in, took what they could see and…

This week’s key events presented by Euronews’ senior energy and environment correspondent Robert Hodgson. Key diary datesMonday 24 March – Agriculture and Fisheries Council.Monday 24 – Tuesday 25 March – Informal meeting of health ministers in Warsaw to discuss mental health and medicine security issues. Thursday 27 March – Ministers will focus on the environmental dimension of the clean industrial deal during an Environment Council in Brussels.In spotlightADVERTISEMENTAgainst the backdrop of a tit-for-tat trade dispute and US withdrawal from global climate and environmental negotiations, European environment ministers are due to convene in Brussels this week for their first EU Council…

A Bangladeshi couple have been found guilty on 40 charges of immigration and identity fraud spanning 20 years following a six-year-long Immigration NZ investigation.Jahangir Alam and Taj Parvin Shilpi were convicted on March 21 after a 13-day jury trial at the Auckland District Court.The court heard how Alam used his brother’s identity to obtain a visitor visa and enter New Zealand.He subsequently secured a work permit, residence visa and ultimately New Zealand citizenship and two New Zealand passports.This identity was used to support 14 applications for immigration permits and visas for his wife Shilpi and one for his mother.The application…

Frontex’s role in returning rejected asylum seekers should be monitored, especially in terms of the protection of fundamental rights, green MEP Tineke Strik tells Radio Schuman on Monday. ADVERTISEMENTFrontex’s role in returning rejected asylum-seekers should be monitored, especially in terms of the protection of fundamental rights, green MEP Tineke Strik tells Radio Schuman on Monday.Earlier this month, the European Commission presented a new regulation that would – if approved – enable EU countries to transfer rejected asylum seekers to distant countries where they have never been before.Although the law did not establish deportation centres or “return hubs”, it laid the…

A 22-year-old man has appeared in court over a crash in Auckland’s Penrose which killed a member of the Filipino community earlier this month. Inspector Peter Raynes said at the time a car was seen travelling at high speed on Great South Rd, in Penrose around 2pm on March 16. Officers said they signalled for it to stop but the speeding vehicle then collided with two other cars. Jessan Tampus and his family. (Source: Supplied)The man, who has been granted interim name suppression, appeared in the Manukau District Court charged with reckless driving causing the death of Jesan Tampus.He also…