Author: Press Room

Police have announced a nationally focused operation that will support the enforcement of new legislation targeting gangs which comes into effect next week.The Gangs Act 2024, passed into law earlier this year, gives police new powers to disrupt and target gang activity from November 21.The legislation prohibits the display of gang insignia in public and provides police the power to issue dispersal notices on gang members who are believed to be unreasonably disrupting the activities of the public.It also provides for the making of non-consorting orders, which prohibits association and communication between specified gang offenders for three years.Assistant Commissioner Paul…

An abandoned building fire in Auckland sent smoke billowing above homes in the suburb of Ōtara this afternoon.Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) was called to the incident at 4.50pm.At the height of the fire, six fire trucks were in attendance from Papatoetoe, Ōtara and Ōtāhuhu.FENZ said no people were involved, and the fire was inside an abandoned building.1News understands a preschool is located nearby.Police and ambulance were notified, and a fire investigator was requested.FENZ added there was no risk to any other properties.

Rātana Pā will receive $10.1 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to fix failing marae buildings.The funding will be used to make structural upgrades including improvements to two of the Rangitīkei settlement’s main buildings, Manuao — the iconic building at the centre of large events — and Orakeinui, the original Rātana family homestead.Thousands of people gather at Rātana Pā, near Whanganui, in January each year to celebrate the birthday of prophet and founder of the Rātana Church, Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana.”This is an extremely important day, not just for Rātana members, but marks the beginning of the new political year, where…

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz previously suggested new vote could be held in March, following the breakdown of his ruling coalition. ADVERTISEMENTGermans are set to head to the polls on 23 February according to domestic media reports, after internal conflict left the country’s ruling coalition ruptured last week. Leader Scholz and the head of the country’s largest opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Friederich Merz came to agreement that a no confidence vote should be set for 16 December, with elections to follow in February of next year. Scholz previously suggested a no confidence vote to be held 15 January,…

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is considering options for realigning part of State Highway 6 in Westland to increase the road network’s resilience in future weather events, but such a fix would take years and is likely to cost hundreds of millions.The highway between Haast and Knight’s Point on the West Coast closed during heavy rain on Saturday and is not expected to re-open for at least a week.Rockfall is still occurring at the site and further heavy rain is forecast.A state of emergency was declared in South Westland on Saturday, with Franz Josef experiencing its wettest 24 hours…

Согласно соцопросу службы Евростат, почти половина граждан ЕС (47,2 %) не прочитали за год ни одной книги. Больше других (по крайней мере, один фолиант в год) читают в Евросоюзе жители Люксембурга – 75,2%. ADVERTISEMENTСогласно соцопросу службы Евростат, почти половина граждан ЕС (47,2 %) не прочитали за год ни одной книги.Наименьший интерес к литературе проявили граждане Румынии : здесь читают менее трети населения (29,5%). Далее следуют Кипр (33,1%) и Италия (35,4%).В абсолютном выражении самый высокий показатель людей, читающих книги (по крайней мере, одну в год), отмечен в Люксембурге – 75,2%, за ним следуют Дания – 72,1% и Эстония – 70,7%. Самыми…

A person who recently returned from Asia has been diagnosed with measles on Auckland’s Waiheke Island, prompting health warnings over two exposure sites.The National Public Health Service is supporting the case and their household, “with those most at risk now in quarantine to help reduce the chance of further spread,” according to a spokesperson for Te Whatu Ora Health NZ.”The person with measles has travelled recently to Asia where they are thought to have caught the virus but was not infectious while flying home. There are a number of public locations on Waiheke Island where the person has been while…

Survivors of the abuse, particularly those targeted by John Smyth, a prominent figure who abused young men for decades, expressed relief at Welby’s decision, seeing it as a step toward accountability. ADVERTISEMENTArchbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, announced his resignation on Tuesday following an investigation that revealed he failed to promptly report serial physical and sexual abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps. The pressure on Welby intensified after the investigation’s findings were published last Thursday, sparking outrage over the church’s lack of accountability. Criticism grew, with Newcastle Bishop Helen-Ann…

Good staff and “good, honest trading” have kept a Mosgiel transport engineering firm trucking along for a century. TL MacLean Ltd marked 100 years in business last month with a function for about 150 customers, friends and staff, past and present. The company, now based in Dukes Rd North, was founded in 1924 and began as a general engineering and specialist welding company, before moving into transport engineering about 25 years ago under the direction of managing director Barry Armour. It also manufactured horse ambulances for the New Zealand market and overseas, and introduced Dunedin’s first portable electric welding machine…

Raffaele Fitto has been nominated by Giorgia Meloni to be Italy’s pick for the new Commission. Fitto demonstrated political versatility as he dodged questioning on domestic Italian issues and pledged to serve the EU. ADVERTISEMENTThe Italian nominee for Commission Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms focused on technical aspects of his portfolio during a European Parliament confirmation hearing on Tuesday, saying that he would not represent his party or his country.“If I delve into political matters, I would be violating the code of conduct because I am representing the European Commission for the next five years,” said Raffaele Fitto, nominated by Giorgia…