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By Tom Balmforth and Alexander Tanas for Reuters With 98 percent of the ballots counted, Sandu led Stoianoglo with 54.3 percent, the Central Election Commission said. Photo: DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP Moldova's pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu claimed victory at Sunday's closely-fought presidential election, defeating Alexandr Stoianoglo, her rival backed by the traditionally pro-Russian Socialist Party. With 98 percent of the ballots counted, Sandu led Stoianoglo with 54.3 percent, the Central Election Commission said at the end of an election and campaign that were marred by persistent allegations of interference denied by Russia. The victory for the 52-year-old ex-World Bank adviser, who has accelerated the nation's push to leave Moscow's orbit and join the European Union, is seen by h...

Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ NICK MONRO The government is looking to tighten controls over exporting weapons or advanced technologies that could be misused in war. They would build on changes made since the controls were found to be too weak three years ago, when a 2021 review concluded they fell short of "contemporary best practice". Globally, exporters of "dual-use" civilian-military goods were facing "increasing scrutiny and regulatory complexity due to rising geopolitical tensions", said local law firm Minter Ellison in a commentary telling clients to prepare for tighter controls. "Export control regimes have struggled to keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies." New Zealand was signed up to four export control regimes. "New Zealand monitors the export control p...

By Georgie Hewson of the ABC James Van Der Beek revealed he has colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer. Photo: FRAZER HARRISON Actor James Van Der Beek, known best for his role in Dawson's Creek, has announced he has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In a statement provided to US media outlet People magazine, the 47-year-old said he had been "privately dealing with this diagnosis". "And I have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family," he said."There's a reason for optimism and I'm feeling good." Despite his diagnosis, Van Der Beek told People Magazine he had been working in film and television as he "navigates his care". Van Der Beek has six children with his wife Kimberly and documents his family life regularly on social media. In Decem...

Mark Zahra riding Without a Fight wins the Lexus Melbourne Cup during Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 07, 2023. Photo: Quinn Rooney There will be three New Zealand trained horses lining up in the 164th running of the Melbourne Cup, but most interest again will be on the northern raiders. The three New Zealand horses are all at long odds. 2023 New Zealand derby winner Sharp 'N' Smart was the best priced at $84 after the field of 24 runners was confirmed, while Positivity and Trust In You were among the longest odds of more and $112. Early favourites Buckaroo from Great Britain has drawn gate 21, while French entry Vauban, who disappointed as favourite last year, will jump from barrier 11. Sixteen of the 24-strong field were bred in the northern hemisphere. The 164t...

By Jennifer Agiesta, CNN Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures as he speaks at a campaign rally at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP Vice President Kamala Harris holds 47 percent to former President Donald Trump's 44 percent among likely voters in the final Iowa Poll before Election Day from the Des Moines Register and Mediacom. That margin falls within the poll's 3.4 point margin of sampling error and suggests no clear leader in the state, which has widely been rated as solidly in the GOP column during this year's campaign. The findings suggest a shift toward Harris compared with the previous Iowa Poll, in September, which found a narrow edge for Trump. In that poll, 47 percent of likely voters backed T...

By Atika Shubert, CNN King Felipe VI of Spain (L) talks with a person as angry residents heckle him during his visit to Paiporta, in the region of Valencia. Photo: MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP Angry residents booed and threw eggs at Spain's King Felipe as he visited the Valencia region, where more than 200 people have died in devastating floods. Some in the crowd shouted "murderers" when Felipe visited Paiporta, just outside of Valencia city, along with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and regional governor Carlos Mazon After they posed for a photo, the crowd began hurling insults at the king and Mazon. The crowd surged towards the king who tried to shield himself with an umbrella. Confronted by one resident, Felipe remained calm and lowered his umbrella to listen to him as police struggled to c...