Author: Press Room

A US team that spent nine months on Cyprus has produced a detailed report outlining specific recommendations and proposals including additional staff training, upgrading high-tech systems and amending existing legislation. ADVERTISEMENTAuthorities in Cyprus have said they will adopt the recommendations of a security initiative developed with help from the US to fight money laundering, sanctions evasion and other financial crimes.The announcement comes after a team from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was seconded to the Mediterranean island nation for nine months.The FBI team helped to train Cypriot police to identify and prosecute cases of illegal financing and attempts to evade…

A 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged following an aggravated burglary in Miramar, Wellington earlier this month.Police were called to a Darlington Rd address around 2am on March 17, where the occupants located an intruder, unknown to them, inside their home.At the time, Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch said after an alleged altercation with the occupants of the house, the alleged offender fled.One person in the house received minor injuries and the other three were uninjured, Leitch said.In an update, Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard said police have arrested and charged a 28-year-old man with aggravated burglary and aggravated injury.The…

The strikes mostly targeted residential areas, injuring at least 12 civilians, and come as a limited ceasefire between the two sides was agreed on Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENTAt least 12 people have been injured, including a 12-year-old girl, in a Russian strike late on Wednesday on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, according to local officials.The State Emergency Service (SES) reported that Russia launched a “massive drone” attack, with explosions causing fires in various locations. A video shared by them shows the moment of one of the explosions. The attacks targeted both civilian infrastructure and a residential sector of the city and sparked…

A driver who scraped another car with his vehicle while leaving a bar carpark has had an insurer’s decision to turn down his claim on the basis he had been drinking overturned.The man was at a restaurant bar in June last year, dispute service Financial Services Complaints Ltd (FSCL) said, when he drank two handles of beer over an hour-and-a-quarter without food.When he left, he misjudged the turn out of the carpark and scraped another vehicle.He exchanged insurance details with the driver of the other car, dropped a friend home and then went home himself.The car was a company vehicle…

The “unconditional withdrawal” of Russian forces from the territory of Ukraine is a key precondition to amend or lift sanctions, the European Commission has said in reply to the Kremlin’s demand. ADVERTISEMENTThe European Union has emphatically rebuffed the Kremlin’s demand that the Russian Agricultural Bank, known as Rosselkhozbank, and other financial entities involved in the agrifood trade be re-connected to SWIFT as a pre-condition to halt attacks in the Black Sea and ensure safe navigation, arguing the continued invasion of Ukraine makes it impossible to grant sanctions relief, be it broad or targeted.The surprising demand was made public earlier this…

Southland’s The Fat Duck has been named New Zealand’s best gastropub. The Te Anau restaurant and bar was named Supreme Champion at the 2025 Estrella Damm Top 50 New Zealand Gastropubs Awards last night.The business, owned by Cam Davies and Selina Wright, was recognised for its “outstanding culinary offerings, service, and commitment to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere”. Hospitality New Zealand said the owners had set a “benchmark in the industry, showcasing innovative cuisine that honours local produce and reflects New Zealand’s rich cultural heritage”.”Winning the Supreme Award at the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs is an incredible honour…

Leaders from nearly 30 countries and NATO and EU chiefs met in the French capital to discuss bolstering aid to Kyiv and deploying European troops to secure long-term peace. ADVERTISEMENT“Europe knows how to defend itself. We must prove it,” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said as European allies gathered in Paris on Thursday to discuss how to strengthen Kyiv’s hand as it pushes for a ceasefire with Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the leaders of nearly 30 countries as well as NATO and EU chiefs. The top leaders considered proposals to deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine in tandem with any peace…

A 27-year-old man has been charged following an alleged series of “indecent acts” aimed at lone female passengers on Wellington buses earlier this month.In a statement, a police spokesperson said officers received reports relating to several incidents in early March where a male passenger had “acted in a sexually inappropriate manner, specifically directing his unwanted behaviour towards lone female passengers”.”This behaviour obviously caused them distress and to feel unsafe,” the spokesperson said.Police launched an investigation and have identified, located and arrested the alleged offender without incident.He has been charged with multiple counts of performing indecent acts, and was due to…

A Russian cargo plane skidded off the runway when it was forced to make an emergency landing at a remote airstrip in Siberia.According to the Transport Prosecutor’s Office, the plane, which was carrying eight crew members, came off the runway on March 26 in Novy Urengoy after suffering a left landing gear issue.No injuries were reported during the incident, according to Reuters.The aftermath of the crash. (Source: Reuters)Transport officials published footage of the landing, which shows the plane tilting to one side once it hits the runway. It then veers off the runway, crashing into snow before finally stopping.According to…

Queenstown Lakes District Council has pushed on with an “emergency powers” proposal to discharge 12 million litres of treated wastewater into the Shotover River daily. The move comes after a concerned Queenstown councillor revealed the confidential plan after a behind closed doors workshop last Thursday. The Otago Regional Council confirmed to 1News it was today formally “notified by QLDC that they are considering the use of emergency works provisions under the Resource Management Act”.Around 75 residents protested against the council proposal yesterday along the Shotover River Bridge.One protester told 1News the move was a “disgrace”.At a media conference, QLDC’s property…