Blog

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks on The Ellipse, Washington, DC, last month. Photo: AFP Both campaigns project optimism and focus on voter mobilisation. Trump gets an endorsement from podcaster Joe Rogan as Harris basks in celebrity support. Both sides will prepare for a challenge if Trump loses. Donald Trump and Kamala Harris both predicted victory as they campaigned across Pennsylvania and other battleground states today in the final, frantic day of an exceptionally close US presidential election. The campaign has seen head-spinning twists: two assassination attempts and a felony conviction for Republican former President Trump, and Democratic Vice President Harris' surprise elevation to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden, 81,...

By Steve Holland and Nandita Bose, Reuters Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris arrives for a campaign rally at Michigan State University's Jenison Field House in East Lansing, Michigan. Photo: JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP A presidential election unlike any other in US history enters its last full day with Donald Trump, Kamala Harris and their campaigns scrambling to get supporters to the polls in a contest each portrays as an existential moment for America. Even after the astonishing blur of events the last few months, the electorate is divided down the middle, both nationally and in the seven battleground states expected to decide the winner on Wednesday NZ time, although the closeness of the contest means it could take days for a winner to emerge. Trump, a 78-year-old Republican, su...

By Kirsty Needham, Reuters A bonus scheme introduced last year will be extended until 2028 and expanded through the middle ranks, offering A$40,000 to defence force members who stay. Photo: DAVID GRAY / AFP Australia will spend A$600 million (NZ$672m) on defence reserve recruitment and extending a cash bonus to retain troops as the centre-left Albanese government seeks to overcome workforce shortages, officials are expected to announce on Tuesday. A review of Australia's defence force last year identified severe workforce pressures as a priority issue, even as the government lifts its defence budget to a record A$51.5 billion annually, revamping its northern military bases and acquiring long range strike capabilities. A defence workforce plan expected to be released on Tuesday cites ...

By Alysia Thomas-Sam and Mike Lorigan, ABC 3D-printed guns come in an array of colours and can resemble children's toys. Photo: ABC News: Michael Nudl The lethal FGC-9 semi-automatic weapon can fire up to 30 rounds without needing to be reloaded and is the most popular 3D-printed gun in Australia, based on seizures in every state and territory over the past 12 months. Police say the gun, branded under the name ''F*** Gun Control", is increasingly being found in the hands of organised crime groups, extremists and teenagers around the world. These guns are deadly and far more advanced than the homemade wood and metal piece that was in 2022 used to kill former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. At the Australian Federal Police forensics headquarters in Canberra, the ballistics team man...

Elizabeth Hurley and Damian Hurley pose for a photo during 2024 Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 05, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Sam Tabone/Getty Images As two New Zealanders vie for the best dressed and best suited titles at Melbourne Cup 2024 Fashions on the Field event, check out some of the amazing looks rolling in as the gates open for racing. Going strong for 62 years and considered one of the highlights, Fashions on the Field includes contests over several days at Flemington Course, where the pool prize offered is more than $A370,000 ($NZ408,000). Even without a competition though, attendees and members at the Melbourne Cup racing itself are known to make an effort to dress up - making a statement with bright coloured outfits and eye-catching head p...