Author: Press Room

Euroverify breaks down what we know about the carbon footprint of the centrepiece of Christmas decorations. ADVERTISEMENTIt’s a big dilemma at Christmas: is a real or artificial Christmas tree better for the environment?It seems there’s not one clear answer and many elements to factor in when making the decision.Experts also say that comparing the relative carbon footprint of the real and artificial options could simply be the wrong question to consider and that we should contemplate whether having a tree is necessary, given the toll on the environment.Let’s first break down what we know about the real option.An estimated 60…

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is alerting swimmers to look out for great white sharks after sightings in the Kawhia harbour in Waikato over recent weeks.A video posted on a Kawhia community Facebook page showed what appeared to be a great white approaching a fishing boat.”Two great whites were seen in the harbour yesterday by our local kids swimming quite close to the wharf,” the post read. “Thought I better post before everyone lets their tamariki go swimming.”DOC has issued a warning on its social media page, urging people to avoid swimming in areas where sharks have recently been seen.”If…

Mariah Carey thought she was too young to record a Christmas album.The 55-year-old singer is celebrating 30 years since she released her Merry Christmas LP and its most famous track, All I Want For Christmas Is You, but she admitted she was very hesitant about the project when it was first suggested.She recently told Best magazine: “I remember that I really wasn’t sure about doing a Christmas album, even though the record company thought it would be a good idea.“I thought you did a Christmas album when you got older, not when you’re in your 20s, as I was at…

Christmas music is echoing through the halls of a Christchurch hospital thanks to some generous pianists.Almost every day, musicians have volunteered their time to play the piano in the foyer of Burwood Hospital to spread some cheer. “I think it’s great and it’s a beautiful atmosphere so you can hear the piano all over the hospital – literally,” one woman said. The instrument was given to the hospital by an anonymous donor.Volunteer Aynsley Ward, 89, said tapping on the keys “has been a lifesaver for me” since his wife’s death four years ago. “It’s something I could do, something I…

Denmark moves to boost Greenland’s defence capabilities after US President-elect Donald Trump doubles down on controversial remarks of US dire to control the arctic nation. ADVERTISEMENTThe Danish government has announced a major plan to bolster Greenland’s defence capacity just hours after US President-elect Donald Trump publicly repeated his desire to purchase the arctic country, home to just 56,000 people.Without giving specifics, the Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told Danish media outlet Jyllands-Posten that Copenhagen would invest a “double digit billion amount in Danish krone to upgrade the country’s defences.The unspecified defence spending could amount to anywhere from €1.34 billion…

A child has died after being struck by a vehicle in a driveway in Masterton this afternoon.Emergency services were called to Atkinson St just after 3.10pm, police said.”Police are currently investigating the circumstances of how this incident occurred.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave his Christmas greetings to the nation in his nightly address as the country officially marks the second Christmas held on the revised 25th of December day, and the third Christmas in total since Russia’s invasion. ADVERTISEMENTZelenskyy’s Christmas Eve address took a slightly different tone than normal as the Ukrainian leader attempted to instil hope into a nation battered by three years of brutal Russian onslaught.The Ukrainian president officially marked the religious occasion and gave his greetings to the people.Ukraine is observing Christmas on the 25th of December for only the second year. In July of…

A person has been seriously injured following a water-related incident at a beach in Whangaparaoa this morning.Emergency services were called to Army Bay around 11.28am.A Hato Hone St John spokesperson told 1News it responded with one ambulance, a rapid response unit, an operations manager, and one helicopter. One person was taken to Starship Hospital in a serious condition.

Justin Baldoni’s podcast co-host has quit their show.The 40-year-old actor has fronted The Man Enough Podcast with Liz Plank and Wayfarer Studios president Jamey Heath since 2021, but in the wake of Blake Lively filing a lawsuit accusing her It Ends With Us co-star and director of sexual harassment and waging a campaign to discredit her reputation, Plank has announced she is stepping down.The author wrote on Instagram: “I have had my representatives inform Wayfarer that I will no longer be co-hosting The Man Enough Podcast.“Thank you for trusting me with your hearts and stories, for holding space for mine,…

MetService says Christmas Day could feature showers or rain for much of the motu, but it’s still going to be a great day, a collection of mayors say.Rain was expected to arrive in the morning along the western side of the South Island, and extend eastwards in the afternoon.In the North Island, rain was forecast for during the afternoon on Christmas Day for the western parts, and to reach the rest of the North Island later in the day.During Christmas morning, MetService issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of the South Island until 8pm Wednesday, and for inland Canterbury,…