Author: Press Room

Published on 28/07/2025 – 15:03 GMT+2 •Updated 16:05 ADVERTISEMENT The European Commission is considering suspending Israel’s access to the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme in response to Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza, according to several EU sources familiar with the issue.  EU Commissioners are meeting today to discuss the move in response to the failure of Israel to implement a negotiated agreement to “substantially” improve access to food and medical supplies to Palestinians in Gaza.  “The partial suspension of Horizon will be discussed in the College of Commissioners today,” a high-level EU source confirmed to Euronews.  Until recently, EU Commissioners…

Four new retailers, including three major chains, are part of a promising future for Dunedin’s main street, a property investor says. Data shows retail occupancy in George St is sitting at 84% and, despite improving for the past three consecutive quarters, is 1% more vacant than it was one year ago. Golden Centre Mall director and property investor Jason La Hood confirmed footwear retailer Ugg would be moving into a vacant lot on the street, as well as homeware and linen brand Wallace Cotton. An agreement was also being finalised with an “internationally recognised brand” that would be making its…

English pop superstar Ed Sheeran has added a new Auckland show next year amid overwhelming demand by his fans. The Shape of You hitmaker will play a second show at Go Media Stadium on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Sheeran announced last week he would kick off the Australasia leg of his Loop Tour with shows in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch next January.He would be playing Go Media Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on January 16 and 17, at Sky Stadium in Wellington on January 21, and Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on January 24.The Christchurch show would be his first…

ADVERTISEMENT The European Commission is scrambling to defend the trade deal struck by Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump amid mounting criticism over its lopsided nature, arguing the tentative compromise represents the most realistic chance to avert a havoc-wreaking tariff war between the two sides of the Atlantic. “This is clearly the best deal we could get under very difficult circumstances,” Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commissioner for Trade, said at a press conference on Monday. The announced deal foresees the introduction of an across-the-board 15% tariff for EU products bound for the US market. At the same time, the…

Honest Wolf is resisting the urge to go full mode into export sales of its luxury felted woollen bags and accessories until ready to take the next step. The business was launched in 2020 in the middle of the North Island by Sophie and Sam Hurley. After seeing single-use plastic bags being phased out two years beforehand, Mrs Hurley, who grew up on a Canterbury farm, began thinking about an alternative from New Zealand-grown wool. From this first idea of a shopping bag, the couple have developed a baggage and accessories business with a range of about 60 products from…

The Government is proposing a ban on surcharges for most in-store payments, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announced today.“By May 2026 at the latest, we will ban surcharges for in-store payments,” Simpson said. “Shoppers will no longer be penalised for their choice of payment method, whether that’s tapping, swiping or using their phone’s digital wallet.”Transactions made through the Visa and Mastercard networks, and by EFTPOS, were the main method of card payment in New Zealand, and Simpson said surcharges on some purchases were “a hassle and an unwelcome surprise when shoppers get to the till”.”That pesky note or…

ADVERTISEMENT The ongoing burden of rising global crises has exacerbated hunger in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, UN agencies warn. According to the UN’s State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 report, also known as the SOFI report, trade tensions, conflicts and climate change are the primary causes of global food inflation. The report, which gathers data from five international organisations — FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO — was drafted by IFAD, a Rome-based UN agency that provides grants and low-interest loans to fund projects in developing countries. “The situation is quite alarming, especially in…

More than 40,000 LSD tabs were intercepted in Auckland last week by a joint police and Customs operation — marking one of New Zealand’s largest-ever seizures of the psychedelic drug.Four search warrants were executed across the region under Operation Spin by the National Organised Crime Group, resulting in the discovery of 40,800 LSD tabs with a street value of more than a million dollars.Sheets of LSD tabs adorned with sc-fi motifs. (Source: NZ Police)Detective Senior Sergeant Reece Sirl said it was the largest quantity of LSD for New Zealand located in the possession of one person.”LSD is a potent psychoactive…

ADVERTISEMENT French President Emmanuel Macron announced on social media on 24 July that France will recognise Palestine as a state at the United Nations General Assembly in September. Macron shared his letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in an X post, alongside a statement which read: “The French people want peace in the Middle East. It is up to us, the French, together with the Israelis, the Palestinians, and our European and international partners, to demonstrate that it is possible.” France will become the first G7 country and the first permanent member of the UN Security Council (France, United States,…

Two meteor showers will light up the dark skies on Tuesday night, but whether the forecast will allow Kiwis to gaze upon the stars is an entirely different story.Southern delta-Aquarids and alpha-Capricornids will peak at the same time late tomorrow night until the the early hours of Wednesday morning.Stargazes should be able see 10 to 20 meteorites every hour of the Southern delta-Aquarids meteor, while it’s rare to see more than five of the alpha-Capricornids in any one hour, but it can appear as bright as any star.This is expected be most visible between midnight and 1am, as the radiant…