Author: Press Room
ADVERTISEMENTThe European Commission is preparing for a possible no-deal scenario in negotiations over a future free trade agreement with Ukraine as time is slipping away with the existing scheme set to expire on 5 June.“There are time constraints, therefore we are also exploring potential transitional measures in case the negotiations for reviewing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) are not finalised and applied by 6 June,” a Commission spokesperson said on Wednesday.The spokesperson added that these potential measures are now also being discussed with Ukrainian counterparts.“I’m not saying transitional measures will definitely be needed,” he continued. “What I am…
A woman has been charged with the murder of a man found injured at a property in the Auckland suburb of Manurewa yesterday morning. Emergency services were called to a house on Mahia Rd just before 10am following a report of a person with serious injuries. The man died at the scene.“Our inquiries have progressed in identifying a person of interest in this case, and a woman presented at the Manukau Police Station this morning,” Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers, from Counties Manukau CIB, said.“This woman has been spoken to and has now been charged with murder.”Vickers said police were not…
The strange reproductive habits of a large, carnivorous New Zealand snail were once shrouded in mystery. Now footage of the snail laying an egg from its neck has been captured for the first time, the Department of Conservation said today.What looks like a tiny hen’s egg is seen emerging from an opening below the head of the Powelliphanta augusta snail, a threatened species endemic to New Zealand.The video was taken at a facility on the West Coast, where conservation rangers attempting to save the species from extinction have cared for a population of the snails in chilled containers for nearly…
The family of a South Auckland boy who escaped an attempted abduction outside his school has spoken of the youngster’s bravery and presence of mind during the incident.Yesterday, a stranger allegedly tried to force the boy into a car outside Rowandale School before bystanders intervened and the man drove off. The boy, 8, who was earlier reported as being nine years old, was first offered lollies outside the Manurewa school, which he declined.Rowandale School. (Source: 1News)The boy’s close uncle, William, said: “I have no words to describe the feelings that we have.“As he walked away, he felt that this man…
ADVERTISEMENTTwo Belgian teenagers found with 5,000 ants have been fined $7,700 (€6,775) or the option of serving 12 months in prison by a court in Kenya for violating wildlife conservation laws.The teenagers were found with the ants, which authorities said were destined for European and Asian markets, in an emerging trend of trafficking lesser-known wildlife species.Belgian nationals Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, both 19 years old, were arrested on 5 April with 5,000 ants at a guest house.They were charged on 15 April with violating wildlife conservation laws.Magistrate Njeri Thuku, sitting at the court in Nairobi’s main airport, said in…
The country’s largest tourism trade event, TRENZ, is underway in Rotorua showcasing some of the best places and experiences the region and country has to offer in a bid to attract more visitors to our shores, and the local Māori tourism industry is putting its best foot forward.Sean Marsh, Te Puia – New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute’s sale and marketing general manager, said it was important that international visitors returned home having “fallen in love with Rotorua”.Last night, Te Puia hosted the welcoming event where Te Matatini 2025 champions Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue made a surprise…
ADVERTISEMENTPolice need to be better prepared to manage the risk online content poses to the public and prioritise intelligence around disorder, a review examining the force’s response to the summer 2024 riots has found.Public disorder in the UK was fuelled by a string of online fake claims which emerged after three young girls were murdered at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the north-western town of Southport in July 2024. Some online posts falsely alleged that the attacker was a Muslim migrant who had recently arrived in the UK. Claims gained traction and rioters turned to target housing for asylum-seekers,…
The Palmerston North City Council has gone flat on a proposal to ban fizzy drinks and voted it out today — disappointing the Dental Association who wants restrictions nationwide.Today, council members met set to decide whether to spread a restriction on sugary sweetened drinks further to council-owned facilities and events.One councillor pulled out his own bottle of cola at the council meeting while venting frustration with the policy.”We risk turning Palmerston North into a nana city,” one councillor said.”Can’t have a slushie but can have a full sugar RTD,” another added.The proposal would have restricted the sale of sugar sweetened…
ADVERTISEMENTThe European Commission referred Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union for not complying with EU laws on migrant smuggling on Wednesday, claiming in a statement that Hungary violated its obligations to impose effective sanctions for people smuggling offences.The European Commission recalled that in April 2023 Hungary adopted a government decree that converted prison sentences related to migrant smuggling into “reintegration detention”. As a consequence, more than two thousand foreign nationals left Hungarian prisons early and quit the country.”This Government Decree undermines the objective to effectively tackle migrant smuggling, the deterrent factor of the EU Facilitators legislation…
The “mastermind” of a drug importation and syndication ring has been jailed for more than 11 years after supplying and sourcing about $11 million worth of drugs into Christchurch from an overseas supplier codenamed “Pinnokkio”.Elliot James Mitchell, 29, and another man, Patrick James Moore, 30, were sentenced in the Christchurch District Court today by Judge Tony Zohrab after earlier pleading guilty.Mitchell’s offending related to importing cocaine, LSD, MDMA and ketamine into New Zealand as well as supplying the drugs. Moore’s offending related to supplying MDMA, cocaine and ketamine. The pair were also charged with participating in an organised criminal group.The…