Author: Press Room
A post on social media wrongfully claims that Alexander Stubb supports the Biafra separatist movement in Nigeria. ADVERTISEMENTA video shared widely on social media appears to show Finland’s President Alexander Stubb throwing his weight behind the Biafra movement, which hopes to secede from Nigeria.In the video, Stubb appears alongside an image of Simon Ekpa, a Finnish politician and Biafran political activist who has declared himself the leader and prime minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile.Stubb evokes the Finnish Winter War and how Finns understand what the intended audience of the video is going through, vowing his country’s support…
Today marks 20 years since a 9.2-9.3 magnitude earthquake set off a tsunami in the Indian Ocean. More than 200,000 people were killed in the natural disaster – most of them in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. While communities have been rebuilt, survivors are still haunted by the scenes of devastation and lives lost. “It was like a very, very tall wall of mist, like dust covering the whole area. It filled up the sky as I watched from here,” survivor Banlue Choosin said. The waves were up to 30 metres in some parts, smashing into the coast at…
A group of prisoners will spend the rest of the festive season in solitary confinement after they were caught drinking homebrew liquor on Christmas Eve.The 12 inmates at Waikeria Prison, south of Hamilton, were found to have consumed homebrew on December 24. All of the inmates are to be charged with misconduct.Waikeria Prison general manager Jim Watson said ten prisoners had been placed in segregation and two had been moved to another prison.”There were no injuries to staff or prisoners, and the unit is now operating normally after being temporarily locked down to deal with the incident.”He said the incident…
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a delegation of rabbis in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv to light the first candle of Hanukkah. On the eve of the Jewish celebration, Kyiv inaugurated the largest menorah in Europe to mark the festival of lights. ADVERTISEMENTThe Jewish religious holiday, Hanukkah, also known as the festival of lights, officially began on Wednesday evening. This year’s Hanukkah festival coincides with Christmas Day for only the fifth time since 1900.Hanukkah means “dedication”, and the holiday marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated…
Scattered thunderstorms are expected about parts of the North Island on Thursday morning, with localised heavy rain and hail.MetService have issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua.It said there could be downpours of between 25 and 40mm/h, or possibly even more.”Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips.”Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.”MetService said a broad area of low pressure was bringing unsettled weather…
The mayor of Auckland has taken a swipe at critics in his Christmas message.In a post to social media, Wayne Brown said he had made the video “against his better judgement”.”Against my better judgement… I sifted through the comment section to see what gifts of feedback you had for me this year.”From the good and the bad, to the downright bizarre. There’s enough opinions on here to build a second Harbour Crossing out of sheer hot air.”Let’s end 2024 with a chuckle and a reminder that democracy isn’t always polite, but it’s never boring.”Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and…
A pilot boat at Bluff’s South Port is being inspected after it ran aground in the early hours of this morning.Takatimu II reportedly hit rocks near Stirling Point as it was preparing for a vessel movement into Bluff just before 5am, according to police.Three people were on board and were uninjured.The Coastguard confirmed that volunteers from Coastguard Bluff responded.South Port general manager Geoff Finnerty said the crew was safe and that the vessel had been taken back to the port for inspection.”An investigation into the incident is now underway.”
More than 4600 unwanted Christmas presents had been listed for sale on Trade Me by mid-morning on Boxing Day, with the online trading site saying it expects that number to climb. A second-hand Epilady shaver, a ceramic unicorn pen holder and a banana taped to a wall were among those posted early. The sales continue a heart-warming tradition for New Zealanders to hawk off gifts that have missed the mark, with some people (33.4 percent according to Trade Me) intending to donate the proceeds to charity. Trade Me spokesperson Emma Bacon said New Zealanders had a “relaxed” approach to gift-giving,…
A prisoner who escaped custody during a visit to Waikato Hospital on Monday afternoon is still at large.Although police said 48-year-old Damon Anderson was not considered an immediate risk to the public, they still urged people not to approach him, and instead report any sightings by calling 111.Anderson was last seen wearing green shorts and was shirtless.On Monday, Spring Hill general manager Scott Walker said Anderson was handcuffed and wearing a GPS monitor when he escaped.Police could not say what time the GPS tracker went off due to operational reasons.Walker said public safety was the prison’s top priority and any…
One person has been critically injured in a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 35 northwest of Gisborne.Police said the crash between Hicks Bay and Cape Runaway was reported at around 11.15am.”Initial information from the scene indicates one person has critical injuries,” a spokesperson said.The road was closed and would likely remain so for several hours, they added.”Motorists planning to travel between Hicks Bay and Cape Runaway today are advised to delay travel.”