January in Papakura

More than 28 years after Ben Smart and Olivia Hope disappeared in the Marlborough Sounds, Scott Watson's murder convictions are again before New Zealand's highest court. The Crown insists the case against him was overwhelming, but the Supreme Court must consider a narrower and fundamental question: whether admitting disputed identification evidence created a miscarriage of justice. Report by eLocal · Twenty-Eight Years Later, the Evidence…

Russia says preparations are underway for a possible historic meeting between Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in China next month. Beyond Ukraine, the proposed summit raises a much larger question about the future balance of global power and whether diplomacy between Washington, Moscow and Beijing could begin reshaping international relations INR Report: Based on reporting by RT, 21 October 2026, HERE. · A Meeting That Could Change…

Russia's presidential economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev believes Europe's economic isolation of Moscow cannot last indefinitely, particularly as Washington begins restoring commercial cooperation with Russia. His prediction raises a larger question: could American commercial interests ultimately determine when Europe resumes trading with Russia? INR Report: Based on reporting by RT, 22 October 2026, HERE. · Russian presidential aide Kirill…

Five operational 3D-printed firearms, two cut-down guns and ammunition were among items seized during a police raid in Canterbury. The discovery highlights the challenges facing New Zealand authorities as increasingly accessible manufacturing technology creates new opportunities for illegal firearms production. Major Police Operation in Kaiapoi · A 45-year-old man is facing 12 firearms-related charges after police discovered a substantial…

Could Donald Trump broker a Ukraine peace deal by putting Russian energy back at the centre of Europe's economy? Geopolitical analyst Andrew Korybko examines a potential grand bargain involving US-controlled energy pipelines, sanctions relief, frozen Russian assets and European security guarantees for Ukraine. His analysis explores whether economic interdependence could provide the leverage needed to satisfy Moscow, Kyiv and Washington while…