Author: Press Room

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…

An estimated 104 journalists lost their lives in 2024, with Palestine the most dangerous territory. ADVERTISEMENTAn estimated 104 journalists were killed worldwide over the past year, according to data shared earlier this month by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).Another report by NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) puts the figure at 54, but its methodology means it only includes killings that are considered “directly related” to journalists’ professional activity.Both organisations say that Palestine is the deadliest place on earth for journalists. More than half (55) of the 104 killings reported by IFJ were Palestinian media professionals in Gaza, while a…

European leaders will be jostling for influence when Donald Trump re-takes office in a few weeks. We look at who could end up being his main interlocutor across the Atlantic. ADVERTISEMENTDonald Trump is set to re-take the White House within weeks, and European leaders will be fiercely competing for who can exert the most influence over his administration.  There’s everything to play for – given a promised US policy programme that could include imposing ruinous tariffs on, and withdrawing security protections from, Europe.  Contenders for the crown will face a host of challenges – not least Trump’s noted capriciousness, which…

For most of us, Christmas Day means unwrapping presents, settling in with a classic Christmas movie, indulging in endless glazed ham, and eventually passing out on the couch – basically, it’s a day of being lazy all day. But if you do find yourself needing to venture out, it can feel like a bit of a guessing game as to what’s open and what’s not.Here’s RNZ’s guide to what is and isn’t open on Christmas Day 2024.I need a last-minute Christmas gift, are any shops open?Christmas Day is one of four restricted trading days in New Zealand, meaning almost all…

Francis delivered his Sunday blessing from indoors with Vatican officials citing the cold weather and his upcoming busy Christmas schedule. ADVERTISEMENTPope Francis has called for a ceasefire on all war fronts in his Sunday Angelus prayer ahead of Christmas, condemning the “cruelty” of bombing schools and hospitals in Ukraine and Gaza.”Let the weapons fall silent and let the Christmas carols ring out,” Francis said, delivering his Sunday blessing from his Santa Marta residence due to a cold and as a precaution ahead of a busy Christmas period.”Let us pray that at Christmas there will be a ceasefire on all war fronts,…

A woman has been arrested after the death of a 67-year-old man in Gisborne in October.Police were called at about 4.20am on October 28 after a man was taken to Gisborne Hospital with severe injuries and later died.Initial inquiries indicated the man’s injuries were sustained at a residence on Tolerton Ave, Elgin, a spokesperson said at the time.He was later named by police as 67-year-old Wayne Tamahori Dewes.A 27-year-old woman will appear in Gisborne District Court today charged with murder in relation to the incident.Police investigating the death launched an appeal for sightings of a person on a bicycle in…