Author: Press Room

Firefighters battled a large grass fire on the side of Māngere Mountain in Auckland this morning. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) spokesperson told 1News it received calls of a fire in Māngere Bridge at around 2am and sent crews from Māngere, Onehunga, Mount Roskill, Ōtāhuhu, Ōtara and Papatoetoe. FENZ said the fire on the side of the mountain had only damaged grass. (Source: 1News)At the height of the fire, a total of 36 firefighters and nine trucks were at the scene. FENZ said the fire on the side of the mountain had only damaged grass.At its peak, 36…

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Proponents of the EU-Mercosur deal argue it would boost economic ties between Europe and South America by removing tariffs on exports, notably for machinery, chemicals and cars. However, the deal is widely seen as not beneficial for the agricultural sector. ADVERTISEMENTFarmers in France continued protesting on Thursday, the fourth day of mobilisation against a free trade agreement with Mercosur countries, while calling for a decent income.Dozens of farmers mounted a procession of tractors from the Coordination Rurale du Lot-et-Garonne to block the Bordeaux commercial port at Bassens (Gironde).Many also dumped tyres to block access to the large seaport where cereals…

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Impacted workers at Kinleith Mill near Tokoroa are “upset” and “angry” at a proposed plan to shut down paper production, which could see 230 jobs go.The mill’s owners, Oji Fibre Solutions, told staff yesterday it was proposing to cease paper production by June next year, and focus on manufacturing pulp. Affected employees have until January to provide feedback. This morning, Breakfast spoke to Ian Farrell, who has worked at the mill for 38 years and is among those who may lose their jobs next year. He said many people were “upset” following yesterday’s announcement. “[I] talked to them late into…

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In 2023, Britain was first in terms of the number of migrants that settled to the country permanently relative to its population. In terms of the total number of new arrivals in OECD countries, it was second only to the US. ADVERTISEMENTPermanent migration to OECD countries is at an all-time high, with 11 countries seeing record numbers in arrivals.The total number of people who moved to an OECD member in 2023 is above 6.5 million. The amount – which doesn’t include Ukrainians under temporary protection status – is the highest on record with a 10% rise from 2022.The US was…

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The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found the fatal police shooting of Taranaki man Kaoss Price in 2022 was “unjustified”, but has not recommended police lay criminal charges against the officer. The report found that the officer was justified in arming himself but that he could have used a taser in the final confrontation. The officer was justified in shooting at Price on two earlier occasions. Price, 22, was fatally shot by police on the evening of April 16, 2022. Before the shooting, he was driving in convoy with another vehicle along State Highway 3 between New Plymouth and Waitara…

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As the 27 trade ministers gathered for the first time since Donald Trump’s re-election, the use of defensive trade tools against the US could be an option in case of Trump’s aggressive trade policy, according to French minister Sophie Primas. ADVERTISEMENTNew trade defence measures are ready for use should Europe’s relations with the US deteriorate following Donald Trump’s return to the White House, France’s trade minister said before a meeting of EU trade ministers in Brussels. “We don’t want to escalate to trade war, however Europe must also be ready to show its strength and use its new tools of protection,”…

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A former St Bede’s College staff member is facing four additional charges relating to historical sexual offending against students who boarded at the school.In October, police filed charges relating to offending against three individuals who boarded at St Bede’s College in Christchurch approximately two decades ago.Since then, Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons said three additional survivors and several new witnesses have come forward, and the accused now faces a total of 11 charges.Six relate to indecent assault on a boy between 12 and 16, three charges relate to indecent assault on a man/boy over 16 and a further two are…

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Authorities allege the prime suspect promoted violence through social media while living in Finland. ADVERTISEMENTPolice in Finland announced on Thursday that they have detained of five individuals linked to deadly violence in southeastern Nigeria, including a dual Finnish-Nigerian citizen. Authorities did not name the suspects but confirmed that the dual citizen, who was born in the 1980s, is the prime suspect. According to the Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, “the police suspect that the man has furthered his efforts from Finland in such a way that has resulted in violence against civilians and public authorities and in other crimes in Southeast Nigeria.”Hiltunen…

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A soldier whose body was found in the Manawatū River yesterday has been remembered as a “talented” and “outstanding young man”.Emergency services were called to Ahimate Reserve in Palmerston North at around 1.35pm on Saturday following a report that a man walking his dog had fallen into the river.Chief of Army, Major General Rose King said Gunner Nikau Minhinnick Gill was a “talented” and “highly respected member” of the 16th Field Regiment’s 161 Battery in Linton.”In what was a tragic accident on Saturday, he entered the Manawatū River in an attempt to rescue his dog and was swept away.”Anytime our…

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Former EU Commission José Manuel Barroso said Putin told him he didn’t want Ukraine to exist as an independent state. He said he told him his goals during the twenty five meetings he had with him during his tenure. ADVERTISEMENTFormer President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso said Putin once described Ukraine as an ‘artificial country created by the CIA and by the European Commission’.In an exclusive interview for Euronews, Barroso who was president from 2004 – 2014 said Putin told him that ‘his goal was to stop Ukraine from becoming a fully independent state. During his tenure he…

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