Author: Press Room

Police found forged bank notes and the equipment used to make them yesterday while searching two properties in Waikato. The searches took place in Te Kauwhata and followed reports of fake notes reportedly being used around the region. During the searches, police found ammunition, forged bank notes, equipment to make the notes, and drug utensils. A stolen vehicle was also found at one of the addresses. The searches came after $5000 in forged cash was found in a vehicle stopped in Huntly last week. “Police will continue to make inquiries following these search warrants,” Inspector Will Loughrin said. The discoveries…

Dutch commissioner recommits to a 90% emissions cut by 2040, pledges not to revise deadlines for the phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars, and brushes off a far-right climate denier during a grilling by MEPs. ADVERTISEMENTInterim climate and tax commissioner Wopke Hoekstra is on his way to serving a full term in president Ursula von der Leyen’s incoming second EU executive after convincing MEPs in a European Parliament hearing.Hoekstra was appointed last year following the departure of compatriot and EU green deal director Frans Timmermans.Following a three-hour hearing before the European Parliament’s environment, industry and economy committees, he was…

Southern directors Carla Harper and Kate Faulks have been presented with Institute of Directors Emerging Director Awards. Ms Harper, who is based in Invercargill, is an intern director for South Port Ltd — New Zealand’s southernmost commercial deepwater port and the only NZX-listed company in Southland. In a statement, she said she was passionate about advancing her expertise in governance, strategic thinking and community impact. Ms Faulks, who has an MBA in chemical engineering and is a Wonder Project Ambassador for Engineering NZ, spent her early career as a project engineer and terminal manager with ExxonMobil. Managing technical queries, procurement,…

Tiny oxygen bubbles are being touted by some as a potential game changer for irrigating pastures and helping cut farm water use.Nanobubble Agritech has been researching the potential of nanobubbles on 11 farms over the last four years.At around two-and-a-half thousand times smaller than a grain of salt, the smallest known bubble is invisible to the naked eye.Their tiny size gives them special physical properties. Unlike other bubbles, they don’t rise to the surface and burst but stay suspended in water, and can last for weeks or months, all the while slowly releasing oxygen into the water.Company founder Leon Power…

Five people have been taken into custody after a vehicle of interest crashed into a digger while driving through a closed section of the Waikato Expressway this evening. Police say officers spotted a vehicle of interest on Mahia Rd in Manurewa around 7.15pm. The police Eagle helicopter kept watch of the vehicle as it travelled towards Waikato. “At some point near Waikato, the driver has entered a section of road that was closed due to roadworks,” police said. At around 8.15pm, the vehicle crashed into a digger near the Tahuna Rd on-ramp.None of the road workers or the vehicle’s occupants…

Europe needs to be ready to defend itself, not because of Trump’s victory in the US, but because of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the new commissioner for defence and space told MEPs during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENTThe EU must spend more, better, together and European, the future commissioner for defence and space told MEPs during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday evening.  “If we want to defend ourselves, we need to spend at least €10 billion up to 2028,” said former Lithuanian prime minister Andrius Kubilius (European People’s Party), who is set to become the bloc’s first ever defence…

The aid model follows the rapid response approach used by the EIB after the floods in Central Europe last September. ADVERTISEMENTThe European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced a €900 million aid package to help reconstruction efforts in parts of Spain recently hit by devastating floods.The initiative aims to speed up the rebuilding of critical infrastructure and support affected homes, businesses, and public organisations, using a rapid response model similar to the one the EIB applied after floods in Central Europe in September.EIB President Nadia Calviño stressed the need for urgent reconstruction that addresses the challenges posed by changing climate conditions.…

Toitū Te Tiriti hīkoi organisers are unfazed by the shift of date to introduce the Treaty Principles Bill earlier than expected to the House. The Bill was originally set to be introduced on November 18, a day before the nationwide hīkoi was due to arrive at Parliament, but the date has been brought forward to tomorrow.Eru Kapa-Kingi of Toitū Te Tiriti said the change won’t affect any plans already in place for the nationwide hīkoi that’s set to take its first step on Monday from Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) at the top of the North Island.”Ehara i te mea…

Ministers in the German government are reshuffling after its ruling coalition effectively collapsed. The opposition have called for an earlier vote of no confidence. ADVERTISEMENTGerman leader Olaf Scholz has replaced his finance minister with current state secretary in the chancellery Jörg Kukies, according to domestic outlets.Kukies, who worked at Goldman Sachs for 17 years, is considered a close advisor of Scholz and belongs to his centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD).The politician was previously state secretary for financial market policy and European policy.Kukies will replace former Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who was sacked from the country’s unpopular ruling coalition on Wednesday…

The Lotto Powerball jackpot has grown to $10 million after no tickets won this evening.The winning numbers were: 07, 17, 30, 31, 38, 40, bonus ball 14, and Powerball 02.Two tickets from Auckland and Lower Hutt have won $500,000 with Lotto First Division.The winning tickets were sold at MetroMart Alicetown in Lower Hutt and on MyLotto to a player from Auckland.In addition, one MyLotto player in Auckland has won $200,000 with Strike Four.