Author: Press Room

Two people have been seriously injured in a shooting at the West Auckland suburb of Hobsonville last night.Police were called after the pair arrived at a hospital with gunshot wounds around 11.20pm.Both people remained in hospital with serious injuries. “Enquiries are now ongoing to determine the full circumstances of what has occurred including who is responsible,” police said.Anyone with information which might assist police was asked to contact police on 105, online, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Following Renew’s decision to exclude the Bulgarian Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), its two members within Renew have announced their decision to leave the group, staying loyal to their party. ADVERTISEMENTElena Yoncheva and Taner Kabilov, both from the Bulgarian centre-left Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), announced Monday they were leaving Renew after the European Parliament’s liberal group threatened to exclude them for supporting the US-sanctioned DPS leader Delyan Peevski.“We terminate as of now our membership in the Renew Europe Group,” the two MEPs wrote in a letter that Euronews saw, which was sent Monday to president of the…

A man has been arrested after a person was allegedly shot in Paeroa this morning.Police say they were called to a house near the intersection of Corbett St and Albert St following reports shots had been fired just before 11am.One person sustained injuries “consistent with a gunshot wound”, police said.Hato Hone St John said one patient was “assessed and treated at the scene”.A firearm believed to be involved in the incident was seized by police.Anyone who saw a silver Subaru Imprezza hatchback with a boot full of wood around Paeroa this morning has been asked to contact police.A 33-year-old man…

Some religious and political ideologies opposed Christmas in European history, and festive traditions have proved divisive across the continent at times. ADVERTISEMENTFew things encapsulate Europe’s motto United in Diversity as much as Christmas traditions.From the Caucasus to the Atlantic coast, the way in which the continent celebrates the festive season and attributes importance to different days is extraordinarily varied and continues to change to this day.So, which nations banned Christmas celebrations in history?In 1640, the Scottish parliament passed a bill that outlawed “Yule vacations,” the festive period between 21 December and 1 January.The move was part of the nation’s fight…

Police have arrested a third man — this time aged 19 — in relation to the death of Napier man Boy Taylor.The latest to be arrested would be appearing in the Hastings District Court tomorrow, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.On December 18, police were called to Napier CBD near the intersection of Emerson and Hastings streets around 3.15am, following a report of a person lying on the street.Boy Taylor, 58, had sustained injuries consistent with assault, Detective Inspector David de Lange said.Two men, aged 21 and 33 — also charged with wounding with intent to…

Rome’s iconic fountain opened after roughly three months of renovations, a project that cost €327,000. ADVERTISEMENTRome’s iconic Trevi fountain re-opened to the public on Sunday after months of renovations, right in time for the inauguration of the Vatican’s Jubilee Holy Year, set to take place throughout 2025. Located in a high-traffic pedestrian area, the 18th-century monument is one of the capital’s main attractions. However, its location is also what contributed to its deterioration, contributing to limestone buildup and other issues in sections most exposed to water. The renovations lasted roughly three months, and cost €327,000, according to authorities. The works…

Buildings on the old polytech site in Ashburton have been marked for demolition after failing to find a new home.Earlier this year, the Ashburton District Council decided to relocate or demolish the buildings at Cameron St to turn the site into an unsealed gravel car park for $1.6 million.After failing to secure offers, the council offered community groups a chance to buy the three older prefab classrooms for $1 each but they would have had to pay to relocate them by March 14.Ashburton District Council chief executive Hamish Riach said two tenders were received for the prefab buildings which were…

Hundreds of struggling Canterbury households will be able to place gifts under the tree this Christmas after receiving hampers from generous Kiwis.This year, 680 people – including 377 children – are receiving the parcels as part of an initiative by the Christchurch Methodist Mission.Each year, the mission matches donors with a family in need of some festive cheer. “They might be businesses, they might be parishes, individuals, families. They’ve put together these hampers. They include their food for Christmas Day and their presents for each of the children,” the mission executive director Jill Hawkey explained. The recipients are “just a…

Russian independent news outlet Astra shared video of what it said was an explosion at the site, showing a massive orange blaze lighting up the night sky. ADVERTISEMENTUkrainian drones have hit a major Russian fuel depot for the second time in just over a week, according to a senior Russian regional official, as part of a “massive” cross-border attack on fuel and energy facilities that Kyiv says supply Moscow’s military.A fire broke out at the Stalnoi Kon oil terminal in Russia’s southern Oryol region, local Governor Andrey Klychkov said in a post on Telegram, adding that Russian forces downed 20 drones…

Seventeen people have died in recreational boating accidents so far this year.And there are some critical safety messages Maritime New Zealand wants Kiwis to be aware of this holiday season to avoid more deaths.Around two million New Zealanders like to get out on the water and that makes us one of the most boat-loving nations in the world — in everything from kayaks, jet skis and dinghies, to bigger fishing boats.But our “she’ll be right, mate” attitude is killing too many.So, here are five statistics that tell us about who is getting caught out while on the water.1. It’s a…