Author: Press Room

The top four parties’ chancellor candidates, Friedrich Merz, Olaf Scholz, Robert Habeck and Alice Weidel took to the stage for a fiery, televised debate on Sunday evening. ADVERTISEMENTA fiery final election debate between Germany’s four leading chancellor candidates featured the economy, Ukraine, migration and US Vice President JD Vance. The quartet sparred on Ukraine, with Friedrich Merz, the chancellor candidate for the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), saying Germany was “not neutral; we are on the side of Ukraine.”Alice Weidel, the pick for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, insisted that “peace and war will decide this election”. She…

NZX-listed company Bremworth is beginning a strategic review of its ownership structure following recent approaches from parties interested in the wool-carpet manufacturer. The announcement also followed finalisation of the company’s $104.2 million insurance settlement earlier this month, following the damage and disruption caused by Cyclone Gabrielle at its yarn-spinning plant in Napier two years ago. In a note to the NZX yesterday, Bremworth said the review was expected to take several months and there was no certainty any transaction or other change would result. Independent investment banking firm Montarne had been engaged to assist with the review. The company would…

Maintaining Tasman’s infrastructure this financial year is expected to cost $3 million more than was budgeted for, and the district’s councillors aren’t happy.Actual figures up until 31 December 2024 show an overspend of almost $3.3 million dollars, largely driven by unexpected water supply and transportation repairs.Forecasts to 30 June 2025 – the end of the Tasman District Council’s financial year – show a slightly reduced maintenance overspend but will still be more than $3.1 million over budget.Elected members were frustrated by the forecast deficit when presented with the figures on Thursday.Councillor Christeen Mackenzie wanted greater input into mitigating measures to…

Starmer’s comments are the first time the leader has publicly and explicitly said he would be willing to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. ADVERTISEMENTUK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday he would be prepared to send British troops to Ukraine if Moscow agreed to a deal requiring the presence of European peacekeepers.This marks the first time the British leader has explicitly said he would be willing to deploy the UK army to Ukraine and comes right before an emergency meeting of European leaders in Paris. Starmer is set to attend the meeting, an EU source close to the matter…

New Zealand’s marine economy could make a bigger contribution to the government’s goal of doubling the value of exports over the next 10 years if it transitions to more sustainable practices, a new report by Westpac NZ says. The report estimated the marine economy — defined as activities that use ocean resources — contributed more than $10 billion to the New Zealand economy, or 3.9% of GDP, in 2022. It found that figure could increase to $14b by 2035 if the sector was able to transition to more sustainable practices. The report highlighted various drivers for the transition to a…

Tonight’s Good Sort is Faith Trail, a dedicated teacher aide who goes above and beyond to ensure Cassius, a 10-year-old boy with a rare brain malformation, feels included and celebrated at school.Casius was born with a rare birth defect called lissencephaly, and his mother Courtney said she remembered being told he wouldn’t reach the age of two or be able to walk or talk or show emotion.”We basically got told to take him home and make him comfortable.”Ten years on, Casius continues to defy the odds and is often the loudest in the classroom at his Masterton school despite being…

Euronews’ chairman Pedro Vargas David announced that the news outlet returned to profitability for the first time in a decade, heralding in a new chapter of pan-European journalism as Euronews expands across the continent and beyond. ADVERTISEMENTEuronews, Europe’s largest news media, has returned to profitability for the first time in 10 years, with the first positive EBITDA in 2024, announced Euronews chairman Pedro Vargas David marking “an amazing turning point for Euronews.”Following a three-year “painful and difficult restructuring,” the Euronews chairman announced “a whole new beginning” for the network, strengthening its position as Europe’s leading news provider.With the recent move…

Google’s AI has been breaching name suppression orders put in place by New Zealand courts.Both AI overviews, and a website function showing things people have also searched for, have given the names of people granted suppression while going through a court case.RNZ can’t reveal cases where the Google AI is naming individuals, due to current suppressions, but one such person was former ACT Party president Tim Jago, who sexually abused two teenage boys in the 1990s.Jago’s name suppression had recently lapsed, having been in place for two years.Tim Jago (Source: 1News)But a simple Google search last year asking the name…

This week’s key events presented by Euronews’ senior agriculture and health reporter Gerardo Fortuna. Key diary datesMonday 17 February: European Parliament’s special committee on European Democracy Shield to discuss Romania and Germany.Wednesday 19 February: European Commission to present its ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’. Wednesday 19 February: European Parliament exchange of views with the Commission on US trade restrictions on AI chips exports and state of play of EU/US trade relations.In spotlightADVERTISEMENTWatch out for the European Commission’s upcoming communication, set to be unveiled on Wednesday, outlining a vision for Europe’s agri-food system in 2024.This paper is expected to replace the much-criticised…

New Zealand’s internet safety agencies took aggressive legal action against the Human Rights Commission, after it called out social media giants for failing to protect Jacinda Ardern from vicious online abuse.Documents leaked to RNZ show that in October 2023 Paul Hunt – Chief Human Rights Commissioner at the time – wrote to NZ Tech chief executive Graeme Muller, saying X and Meta had left Ardern exposed to hatred and violence.The Human Rights Commission (HRC) was also highly critical of New Zealand’s new online safety code, saying it was not fit for purpose, the documents show.In response, a barrister acting for…