Valentinetti, 83, denied he modelled the cherub on the Prime Minister, saying he painted the exact face as the original from 2000. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took to Instagram to distance herself from the work, saying she did "not look like an angel". The diocese said while it was aware the fresco was being restored, it had not approved any additions or changes. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli instructed “technical officials” to visit the basilica to observe the fresco and “ascertain the nature of the intervention”. The Guardian reported the basilica that houses the fresco was consecrated by Pope Sixtus III in 440.

A man has been charged with murder after a woman was found dead and another person was seriously injured following an incident in the Clutha town of Crichton. Man arrested, charged with murder after woman’s death in Clutha, OtagoA man has been charged with murder after a woman was found dead and another person was seriously injured following an incident in the Clutha town of Crichton. A man has been arrested and charged with murder after a serious incident in last month. Detective Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh said a man has now been charged with murder after a bedside hearing today. “We understand this is a distressing event for the small community,” he said.

The Prime Minister says his meeting with Māori leaders ahead of Waitangi Day was "positive and constructive". Minister for Māori Crown Relations Tama Potaka said the meeting was "robust" and "interrogative", but also an "exchange." Christopher Luxon is in Waitangi with a contingent of government ministers ahead of the political pōwhiri taking place on Thursday, which he will attend. Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith said this issue wasn't raised directly. As well, local government and diplomatic corps representatives were welcomed onto the Treaty Grounds with a pōwhiri for the Kiingitanga taking place this afternoon.

An Invercargill councillor has refused to apologise for words spoken during a tense public exchange. The situation unravelled during discussion about a projects report when Pottinger criticised council spending on the town's historic clock. Crackett told Pottinger the matter was not up for discussion that afternoon, and debate would take place when the report came back. The comment drew disapproval from councillor Grant Dermody, who called for a point of order and apology from the councillor. Crackett told Pottinger she would appreciate an apology, leading to a standoff which was finally broken by Crackett saying the pair would talk “offline”.

Dr Jillian Clark. Photo: suppliedA man is facing a murder charge after a veterinarian was found dead at her South Otago home last month. Milton vet Dr Jillian Clark was found dead at her rural home. In a statement, Detective Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh said a man has been charged with murder following a bedside hearing today. • More in tomorrow's ODT and ODT Online- Allied Media

Photo: ODT filesA child has died following a serious crash in a small rural town Canterbury's Selwyn District. In a statement, police said they were called to a collision involving a car and a pedestrian in Leeston Rd, Springston, about 3.30pm today. "Police can confirm that the pedestrian was a child, who, despite best efforts of emergency services, sadly died at the scene." Leeston Rd remains closed between Goulds Rd and Bethels Rd while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination. Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash were continuing.

Officers were able to track the vehicle to nearby Alfriston Rd. “From there a combined effort between the Eagle helicopter and ground units directed our focus to Ellen St in Manurewa,” said Paea. The alleged offenders were found inside the property, where the till and other stolen items were recovered. The 17-year-olds were charged with aggravated robbery, with the 16-year-old facing an additional charge of assault with a blunt instrument. Mahia Superette thanked community members who had checked in on them after the incident.

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Photo: ODT filesA gang member involved in a $200,000 stolen crayfish scam has argued the prison term imposed on him was too harsh. At sentencing, Judge Diedre Orchard acknowledged Faavaoga’s gang ties but she said the rort had no confirmed wider ties to organised crime. The proceeds contributed to the mortgage on Faavaoga’s gang pad, and Nevard also transferred money into separate accounts to pay her mortgage. Ms Saunderson-Warner said 80% of the stolen crayfish went to her client, while Nevard distributed the remainder to other contacts. While the sentencing judge shaved 30% off her starting point, counsel said more should have been subtracted to acknowledge Faavaoga’s good character.

Fears regarding changes to licensing system and major data breach at Mange My Health. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Man dies after driveway crash involving car and pedestrian in Miramar, WellingtonA man has died after an incident involving a car and a pedestrian on a Miramar driveway on Friday afternoon. The Herald understands the man who died lived at the property on Maupuia Road where the incident occurred. The neighbour, who wished to be anonymous, said several police cars attended for hours, as well as two ambulances.

Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues) and Wallace Sititi (Chiefs) pose for a photo with the trophy at the Super Rugby Pacific 2026 Season Launch. Where we are at now is a bit of uncertainty but I know New Zealand Rugby is doing their best to collate everything together and make a decision pretty quick. “I just hope something happens quickly.”With less than two years until the 2027 World Cup in Australia, the next All Blacks coach faces a compressed window to embed their vision and bring the team together. As All Blacks, we’ve got to focus on our performances. Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald.

A Dunedin prisoner coward-punched a fellow inmate leaving him unconscious for three minutes, a court has heard. Romeo Te Hei Williams, 24, appeared in the Dunedin District Court today after earlier pleading guilty to injuring by unlawful act. Judge David Robinson said the attack was “calculated” and Williams had used a "tremendous amount of force”. “You seemed pretty pleased with what you’d achieved,” Judge Robinson said. “This stuff is serious, really serious, you need to reflect on your choice of associates, your gang allegiance and your attitude toward violence.”felicity.dear@odt.co.nz

Photo: Getty ImagesSenior All Blacks have closed ranks around Ardie Savea after the superstar flanker bore the brunt of public backlash for head coach Scott Robertson's sacking. Robertson became head coach of the national side in March 2023 and guided the All Blacks to 20 wins in 27 tests over two seasons. All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor staunchly hit back at the criticism of Savea. Having reached out to Robertson to offer support, Taylor said the enigmatic Robertson was struggling. While a turbulent time for the team, Sititi believes the All Blacks remain a force in world rugby.

Simon Yip faced the Auckland District Licensing Committee (DLC) on Monday, on behalf of Uea Entertainment Limited, which runs the Deluxe karaoke bar in Mt Albert. Two months later, police issued an infringement after they found the bar was selling spirits in measures over 500mls. Police alleged bar staff would sell bottles of spirits to customers, then keep the bottle and decant it out in small amounts. Yip said later that Deluxe had closed for business, but he would await advice on whether the company could still operate the karaoke business without a liquor licence. "If we are able to run the karaoke business, we will change the style and make it more family-oriented, rather than the past, when it was drinking and karaoke rooms."

Transforming seaweed into an ocean-friendly packaging alternative to plastic is a business project being developed by University of Canterbury biochemistry student Olivia Cooper. The University of Canterbury second-year biochemistry student has developed a flexible seaweed film to replace petroleum-based packaging and already had two bakeries showing interest in a prototype. Her PacSea — formerly called GreenShift Packaging — business project was a last-minute entry in a venture accelerator programme at the university. Miss Cooper said the seaweed packaging project was still in its infancy, but had already got a good reception. Through trial and error, she has come up with a pliable packaging film that works.