Author: Press Room

Hundreds of people were involved in the drug-related violence in the western French city of Poitiers, with teenagers among those injured. ADVERTISEMENTFive people, including three teenagers, have been seriously injured following a shootout linked to drug trafficking in western France, in the latest such violence to involve children.The violence erupted in front of a restaurant overnight in the western city of Poitiers and turned into a brawl involving up to 600 people, France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on Friday.”It started with a shootout at a restaurant and ended with a brawl between rival gangs that involved several hundred people,”…

The families of the men who lost their lives in last year’s severe Auckland weather want the response to the events investigated.A scope hearing was held at Auckland District Court earlier today to decide what issues will be considered by the coroner looking into the deaths from Auckland Anniversary Weekend flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle.A second hearing will be held next month at the Hastings District Court to address nine deaths linked to Cyclone Gabrielle in the region. Four men died during the Auckland floods — Daniel Miller, Dave Young, Daniel Newth and Dave Lennard. Two volunteer Muriwai firefighters, Craig Stevens…

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council has not approved a new version of the controversial Ruataniwha Dam — but its councillors were told their decision to endorse a trust deed that could help revive it, could in future be seen as their definitive stake in the ground.Amid backlash from speakers at the Waipawa meeting, the council voted on Thursday to endorse the Hawke’s Bay Community Water Trust Deed.The purpose of the Hawke’s Bay Water Trust and its draft deed, is to explore water security in Central Hawke’s Bay, and initiatives that could help it, including a new version of the failed…

Keto, paleo, vegan: Our diets have a wide variety of climate impacts, with one almost four times more polluting than veganism. ADVERTISEMENTLast year, a first-of-its-kind study compared the carbon footprints of six of the most common diets.It’s well-known that around a third of greenhouse gas emissions come from the food system, and that beef production is one of the biggest culprits – emitting around 10 times more gases than chicken.But while the environmental burden of different foodstuffs is much discussed, less research has gone into how different diets – composed of a wide variety of foods – compare.“Climate change is…

A man who died in hospital after he sustained injuries at a Gisborne address earlier this week has been named by police.He was Wayne Tamahori Dewes, 67.Police were called at 4.20am on Monday after a man was taken to Gisborne Hospital with severe injuries.”Tragically, the man passed away a short time later,” a police spokesperson said.Initial inquiries indicate the man’s injuries were sustained at a residence on Tolerton Ave, Elgin.Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Moorhouse said a scene guard remained at the address and police hoped to release the scene later today.”Police are supporting the family of the deceased at this…

A recent “checkup” on EU candidate countries reveals how well the nine hopefuls align with the bloc’s health standards. ADVERTISEMENTCountries aspiring to join the EU have significant work ahead to meet the bloc’s health standards, which involve aligning with the EU’s complex health regulations.As Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, who is tapped to take on the role of Health Commissioner in the next mandate, put it: “Enlargement is among the top three issues our leaders are discussing nowadays.”This year’s evaluation of candidate countries’ progress toward becoming EU members sheds light on the health-related reforms still needed for EU alignment.Many candidates must still adapt…

A motorcyclist has been seriously injured in a fleeing driver incident that blocked lanes in Auckland’s Waterview Tunnel this afternoon.Police received reports of a motorcyclist riding on the wrong side of the road in the northbound lane of the Southwestern Motorway near Walmsley around 2.30pm.Inspector Juliet Burgess said police signalled for the motorcyclist to stop but they failed to do so and fled from police.”Police blocked the northern end of the Waterview Tunnel and again signalled for the motorcycle to stop. It did not stop and fled back into the tunnel.”Footage seen by 1News showed two police cars blocking the…

A delegation of MEPs travelling to Texas to meet American counterparts three days after the US elections next week is aiming to make first contact with a new regime, whether Trump or Harris wins, according to its members. ADVERTISEMENTSome 16 MEPs are expected to mingle with 12 US Congressmen and women, in Fort Worth, Texas, during the 89th EU-US inter-parliamentary meeting for a transatlantic legislators’ dialogue on 8 and 9 November. The inter-parliamentary meeting is usually an opportunity for lawmakers from both side of the Atlantic to exchange views on their legislative agenda and priorities. But this time, the trip has…

KiwiSaver helps thousands of buyers through the doors of their first homes each month. But data shows that, although the process goes smoothly for most, hundreds are having to give their money back. Inland Revenue data shows that in September, 108 people returned $4.4 million in funds they had withdrawn from KiwiSaver for a first home purchase. In the same month, 3430 people withdrew money. The month before, 131 people returned money. Key Mortgages mortgage adviser Jeremy Andrews said it was becoming more common. “The main time we’d see this is when timeframes on purchase agreements are tight.” He said…

Labour has called for the Government to “pause” and review funding for mental health programme Gumboot Friday after comments by its leading ambassador Mike King about alcohol and mental health. King first made the comments about alcohol and mental wellbeing on Newstalk ZB yesterday. “Alcohol is not a problem for people with mental health issues. It’s actually the solution to our problem,” he said.King later said: “I would suggest to you that alcohol has prevented more young people from taking their own lives than it actually takes their own lives.”I’m a drug addict, an alcoholic; my whole life, I’ve used…