Author: Press Room

A Taradale man is facing charges after a machete was allegedly swung at police officers in the early hours of this morning.A police inspector said “a moment’s delay could have been fatal” for the one of the officers, saying training played a role but “nothing prepares you for seeing your colleague being threatened with a machete”.The incident began after a vehicle was seen driving with its headlights off at 1.30am on Kennedy Road in Napier.A member of public directed police toward Clive where the vehicle was spotted doing “double the speed limit”, said police inspector Lincoln Sycamore.Police were planning to…

Romania is the latest country to join a supermarket that has gained traction across the Balkans, with far-right ultranationalist Călin Georgescu calling on his supporters to join the initiative. ADVERTISEMENTA supermarket boycott that was started in Croatia last month has now reached Romania.The movement, which quickly caught on across the Balkans, began as a protest against rising grocery prices and a deepening cost of living crisis.In Romania, the far-right ultranationalist presidential candidate Călin Georgescu, who ran as an independent in the cancelled election that took place last year, has taken to social media in support of the boycott, urging his…

The senior official with oversight of the country’s public health services has stepped down amid ongoing restructuring of the wider public health sector.The Ministry of Health has confirmed to RNZ that the Director of Public Health, Dr Nicholas Jones, will finish up in the role on February 28.Deputy-Director General Dr Andrew Old, who heads the Public Health Agency, said Jones started a two-year secondment in August 2022, moving from his substantial role as Clinical Director and Medical Officer of Health for Hawke’s Bay.He agreed to stay another six months in August 2024, and will return to his job in Hawke’s…

This article was originally published in Russian As a series of drones hit Ukrainian cities, a new report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests Russia is “leveraging” technological innovation and experience gained in the war in Ukraine “directly against NATO states.” ADVERTISEMENTRussia launched a wave of overnight drone attacks on several Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv as well as cities in the Donetsk and Sumy regions. On Sunday evening, the Russian Armed Forces attacked Ukrainian territory with 83 drones, 61 of which were shot down while 22 were “locationally lost, without negative consequences,” according to the…

An Auckland woman has been arrested after allegedly attempting to steal three bags of groceries from a Pukekohe supermarket.Police said officers were conducting a prevention patrol yesterday at about 2.45pm when they were alerted to a woman allegedly taking items from the supermarket.Counties Manukau South area prevention manager inspector Matt Hoyes said officers approached a woman matching the description. A search of nearby bushes revealed three bags filled with items.Inside the bags, officers found 10 tubs of mayonnaise, 13 bottles of shampoo, and 66 blocks of chocolate.(Source: New Zealand Police)”None of the items had been paid for and she was…

The multipolarisation of the international order is challenging the EU’s liberal vision with Donald Trump’s return to the White House likely to accelerate the trend, a key report found. ADVERTISEMENTThe EU is facing a “perfect storm” of crises threatening its security, economic, and ideological models that it can weather only if it boosts defence spending and trade ties with other regions, the Munich Security Report 2025 warns.The annual report, released on Monday, days before world leaders, ministers and defence executives meet at the Munich Security Conference, states that the negative effects of the multipolarisation of the international order appear to…

Canterbury’s regional council is none the wiser on how to respond to large-scale solar farm applications, after seeking advice from a government agency last year.An Environment Canterbury (ECan) spokesperson said the council had yet to receive “any feedback or direction” from the Ministry for the Environment regarding the handling of large-scale solar farm applications.ECan gave its support in May 2024 to an Environment Protection Authority proposal to ask the Environment Minister to “call-in” a consent application for a large-scale solar farm in the Mackenzie district.The Environment Minister could be asked to “call-in” the decision-making process for resource consents when it…

A Kathmandu Coast to Coast veteran had a remarkable comeback over the weekend after snapping his bike in a dramatic a crash – before going on to complete the race on borrowed wheels.The endurance race, held every February, challenges athletes to run, kayak and cycle from the West Coast’s Kumara Beach to New Brighton in Christchurch.Despite completing the race 22 times, one of only seven to do 20 or more, Ian Walsh said this year’s event was his most exciting.The New Zealander smashed into a temporary traffic light 5km into the 55km cycle stage, which damaged his bicycle’s derailleur gearing…

This week’s key events presented by Euronews’ senior energy and environment reporter Robert Hodgson . Key diary datesMonday 10 February – Tuesday 11 February: AI Intelligence action summit, Paris. Tuesday 11 February: EU Parliament plenary to debate ‘preparedness for a new trade era’. Wednesday 12 February: EU Parliament plenary to debate Competitiveness Compass.In spotlightADVERTISEMENTDeregulation, lightening the burden on European companies or, as the European Commission prefers to call it, ‘simplification’.This week will see a divided European Parliament discuss the second von der Leyen commission’s controversial pro-business agenda, with left-wing and environmentalist groups highly suspicious of what they perceive as an opportunistic move by…

Two pedestrians have been injured by what appeared to be material falling from a building facade in Auckland’s CBD.Police said the fallen material appeared to be masonry that had come loose.A section of footpath was cordoned off on Queen St, and Hato Hone St John sent two ambulances and one rapid response vehicle to the scene, reported shortly after 11am.”Two patients, both in a moderate condition, were assessed and treated.”Police confirmed they were providing assistance to emergency services at a location on Queen St where an object had fallen and shattered glass.Police pictured at the scene on Auckland’s Queen Street.…