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This file photo taken on November 9, 2016 shows President-elect Donald Trump with son-in-law Jared Kushner (R) during an election night party at a hotel in New York. Photo: AFP By Aram Roston and Alexandra Ulmer, Reuters The Democratic chair of the US Senate Finance Committee and a prominent Democratic congressman asked the US attorney general to appoint a special counsel to investigate whether Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump's son-in-law, was functioning as an unregistered foreign agent for Saudi Arabia, according to a letter from the lawmakers. The letter from US Senator Ron Wyden and US Representative Jamie Raskin cited an 4 October Reuters report that revealed that Kushner on multiple occasions had discussed US-Saudi diplomacy concerning Israel with Saudi Arabia's de fa...

By Michael Kabuni A PNG enumerator collects census data on paper in one of Port Moresby’s largest suburbs, Gerehu on 28 June 2024. Photo: BenarNews / Harlyne Joku Opinion - More than three months behind schedule, millions in new high-tech equipment wasted, and many workers left unpaid, these are the statistical outcomes so far from Papua New Guinea's census. While this case study in PNG administrative failure continues to unfold, ministers are heading overseas to learn about implementing a new counting system to underpin the county's democracy. The 2024 census started late on 16 June, missed the count reporting deadline of 30 June, and in any case included only six questions, failing to meet the benchmark UN census standards, which emphasises reliable data. Without timely and accura...

By Katri Uibu, ABC Australian billionaire Tim Heath survived a kidnapping in Estonia. Photo: Supplied/Yolo Australian billionaire Tim Heath survived a kidnapping attempt by fighting off his alleged abductors who had pretended to be tradies painting the hallway of his apartment building. The Victorian business mogul has been living in Estonia since the early 2000s, setting up one of the country's most successful startups Yolo Group estimated to be worth 814 million euros (NZ$1.49 billion). Heath has made his wealth through launching betting platforms and online casinos that accept cryptocurrency. Prosecutor Lauri Jõgi told the ABC it is alleged more than one foreign national was involved in the attempt to abduct Heath from his home in the capital city of Tallinn on 29 July. He confirm...

King Charles is expected to deliver an address to the 56 member nations at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting's official opening. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was greeted by High Commissioner Si'alei van Toor and Second Secretary Jonathan Lee after the Defence Force 757 successfully completed its journey from Wellington, just in time for a heavy downpour in Apia. Immediately afterwards, Luxon was taken to the headquarters of the Operation Resolution team dealing with the sinking of the navy ship Manawanui. He praised the team's efforts and said it was valuable to be on the ground and speaking to those - including the Samoans providing support - who were pushing ahead with the cleanup and potential salvage of the wreck. Luxon committed to supporting an oceans declaration from ...