Author: Press Room

The next Commission is to include a Mediterranean portfolio, highlighting the geopolitical importance the EU puts on its neighbouring region. ADVERTISEMENTJordan and Morroco are next in line to strike wide-ranging deals with the European Union in a bid to stem irregular arrivals of migrants and boost trade ties, the incoming Commissioner for the Mediterranean told lawmakers on Tuesday.Dubravka Šuica told European lawmakers in Brussels during a three-hour hearing that she will focus on signing so-called Strategic and Comprehensive partnerships with third countries if she secures a second term in the EU’s executive in charge of the Mediterranean portfolio. “We will…

A person is being sought by police after a fire was “deliberately lit” at a mosque in Auckland this morning. Emergency services were called to the mosque on Astley Ave in New Lynn at around 9am following a report of a fire, Detective Inspector Callum McNeill said.”Upon arrival, police and fire investigators have established the fire has been deliberately lit.”CCTV shows a person allegedly breaking into the building just before 1am and lighting the fire.The fire continued to smoulder “until just after 9am when it became visible and emergency services were called”.”The investigation remains ongoing, however police are following positive…

Police are investigating a fire at a previously targeted Lower Hutt property this morning that left an 81-year-old man in a critical condition.Emergency services, including fire crews from five stations, responded to a block of flats in Hanson Grove, Stokes Valley, at around 3.10am.Detective Inspector Haley Ryan said the area was cordoned and a forensic scene examination was being conducted alongside Fire and Emergency New Zealand and ESR.”The fire is being treated as suspicious and is suspected to be linked to two other fires at the same block of flats on Thursday 10 and Monday 14 October 2024, both of…

This week’s key events presented by Euronews’ EU news editor in chief Jeremy Fleming-Jones Key diary datesMonday 4- Friday 8 November: Hearings of commissioners designate in the European Parliament. Thursday 7 November: European Political Community summit in Biudapest.Friday 8 November: Informal summit of EU leaders in Budapest.In spotlightADVERTISEMENTHearings of EU commissioners-designate starting in the European Parliament today and continuing through to next week would need to be explosive to compete for attention with the US election.Even if they were not overshadowed by the landmark poll, expectations for political fireworks seem low, with candidates earmarked as endangered likely to survive the grilling…

Witnesses are being sought and inquiries are continuing into a crash involving a car fleeing from police in Invercargill last month.Police were called to a two-vehicle crash at the intersections of Ness and Janet streets at around 1.40am on October 20.Southern District Commander Superintendent Jason Guthrie said at the time that officers had attempted to stop a vehicle in Georgetown but did not engage in a pursuit “due to the manner of driving”.”A short time later the vehicle travelled through the intersection of Janet and Ness streets, colliding with another vehicle and causing damage to a property.”Four people were injured…

The Government has locked in its preferred plan to lower congestion in Wellington and create a faster route to the airport, including two new tunnels and grade separation at the Basin Reserve.The first new tunnel would run under Mount Victoria, at 0.7 km long, parallel to the existing tunnel, and the second would run parallel to the existing Terrace Tunnel, measuring 0.5 km.The Government previously floated the idea of a 4km “Long Tunnel” under the city.The changes, to be carried out by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, are part of the programme called Roads of National Significance (RoNS), and are…

A victory for Donald Trump in the US presidential election could upend relations with the EU on issues from trade to security and aid for Ukraine. ADVERTISEMENTWith voting underway on Tuesday in the knife-edge US presidential election, there is concern in Europe that a Donald Trump victory could spell trouble for the EU on matters from security and aid for Ukraine to trade tariffs, according to analysts.While Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris is seen as likely to maintain the status quo with the EU on such issues, Republican former President Trump has repeatedly criticised the bloc and threatened…

Shredded chicken and how it was handled is being investigated as the possible cause of illness for more than 150 students at University of Canterbury student accommodation, according to New Zealand Food Safety. Students reported falling ill in the middle of the busy exam period after eating a meal served on Sunday night. Residents at the hall who skipped the meal reportedly did not become ill.NZ Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle today said food safety officers were on site yesterday and today to determine the cause of the illness. “Our working assumption is that the cause was shredded chicken…

The Government will introduce the controversial Treaty Principles Bill this Thursday, Acting Leader of the House Simeon Brown has confirmed to 1News.It comes ahead of a national hīkoi opposing the Bill next week. The Bill was originally set to be introduced on November 18.The Waitangi Tribunal alerted lawyers to the development today, and has released the second part of its interim report into the Treaty Principles Bill to ensure it can be received by parties prior to the Bill being introduced to the House.Brown confirmed the Bill has gone before Cabinet.In its first report following an inquiry in May, the…

The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon is set to return in November, with Toyota showing support through its ties to local communities and grassroots sports.A total of 11 TRYathlons are scheduled nationwide through to the end of March 2025, the first of this season being in Manurewa in South Auckland on November 20.Alongside its long-standing support of the TRYathlon series, Toyota has backed the Sanitarium Weet-Bix TRY CHALLENGE in Schools since 2023. The three-week programme encourages Kiwi kids in schools to be active outside the events themselves.After several events were cancelled during the pandemic, organisers looked for opportunities to provide for…