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A damaged building after a strike in the city of Zaporizhzhia on 10 December, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photo: HANDOUT Far from their homes in one of the world's most isolated and secretive states, about 11,000 North Korean soldiers find themselves at the centre of Europe's biggest conflict since World War II. Little is known about the North Korean troops deployed to support Russia in its devastating yearslong war in Ukraine - or what exactly they will be ordered to do - and their presence hasn't even been officially acknowledged by Moscow or Pyongyang. US, Ukrainian and South Korean intelligence says the North Koreans have already engaged in combat operations, joining a Russian force of tens of thousands to carry out an assault on Ukrainian positions in Russia's western Kur...

As the search for those feared trapped continues, New Zealand Defence Force is among those from several countries being sent to assist. Photo: AFP / NZ Defence Force / Sgt Maria Eves New Zealand emergency workers from both the Defence Force and Fire and Emergency are joining the race to save those trapped under buildings that have collapsed in Port Vila after a 7.3 earthquake hit Vanuatu. There are fears some remain trapped under landslides also. The death toll climbed to 14 on Wednesday while at least 200 are being treated for injuries. Two Chinese nationals were among the fatalities, the Chinese ambassador told Reuters. There were concerns for two New Zealand embassy staff who were unaccounted for overnight but they were safe, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced this mor...

By Maki Shiraki and Norihiko Shirouzu, Reuters A combined Honda and Nissan would create a $54 billion company. Photo: 123RF Honda and Nissan face competition from Tesla and Chinese EV makers. Merger would create $54 billion company, world's number 3 auto group by vehicle sales. Honda, Nissan also exploring ways to cooperate with Mitsubishi - source. Honda and Nissan are in talks to deepen ties, two people said on Wednesday, including a possible merger, the clearest sign yet of how Japan's once seemingly unbeatable auto industry is being reshaped by challenges from Tesla and Chinese rivals. A combined Honda and Nissan would create a $54 billion company with annual output of 7.4 million vehicles, making it the world's third-largest auto group by vehicle sales after Toyota and Volkswa...

By Holly Tregenza and Ethan Rix for ABC Alan Jones arrives at court in Sydney where he faced another eight charges. Photo: ABC / Ethan Rix Alan Jones's lawyer has told a Sydney court the veteran broadcaster will plead not guilty to a total of 34 charges relating to alleged indecent assault and sexual touching incidents spanning two decades. Eight new assault with act of indecency charges relating to a tenth complainant were laid against Jones in court on Wednesday. The charges now include 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault, 19 counts of assault with act of indecency, two counts of sexually touching another person without consent and two counts of common assault. Last month the 83-year-old was charged by the Child Abuse Squad with a total of 26 offences against nine victims. Fac...

The series creator, Joe Brumm, also announced his decision to step away from the popular children's animated show. Source link

Photo: 123RF The sanctions are being applied to 12 individuals and eight entities by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury. Its aim is to protect international trade - both in the United States and abroad - against the threat of terrorist activities and drug and arms trafficking. OFAC also sanctions individuals, companies and organisations and prescribes them as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs). Of those being sanctioned today, three people and two of the entities have direct ties to New Zealand, OFAC said. It is the first time people connected to New Zealand have appeared on the list, police said. They include Rokas Karpavicius, a Lithuanian national who was charged with conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to supply methamphetamine as par...