Blog

A man walks with a flag as a ship passes by behind him on Pingtan island, the closest point to Taiwan, in China’s southeast Fujian province on 8 April, 2023. Photo: Greg Baker / AFP Taiwan says it has dispatched "appropriate forces" in response to China's announcement that it had launched military drills around the island, which Beijing claims as part of its territory. In a statement, Taiwan's defence ministry condemned the "irrational and provocative behaviour" and said it had "dispatched appropriate forces to respond accordingly to protect freedom and democracy, and defend the sovereignty" of Taiwan. "In the face of enemy threats, all officers and soldiers of the country are in full readiness," the ministry said in a statement. "We are determined and confident to ensure national defen...

By Jackie Wattles and Ashley Strickland, CNN Photo: Twitter/SpaceX SpaceX has successfully launched the latest test flight of Starship on Sunday morning (Monday NZ time), the most powerful rocket system ever constructed, which could one day be used to carry humans to the moon and Mars. Liftoff of the Super Heavy rocket booster, topped with the uncrewed Starship spacecraft, occurred at 8.25am ET during a 30-minute launch window that opened at 8am ET from SpaceX's Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. For the first time, this demonstration mission included an ambitious attempt to manoeuvre the 232-foot-tall (71-metre) rocket booster to a gargantuan landing structure after it burned through most of its fuel and broke away from the upper Starship spacecraft. The Super Heavy was succes...

By James Mackenzie, Maayan Lubell and Michelle Nichols, Reuters The UNIFIL peacekeeping force said two Israeli Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate of a base and forcibly entered before dawn on Sunday morning (file image). Photo: AFP / JALAA MAREY The United Nations said on Sunday Israeli tanks had burst through the gates of a base of its peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, the latest accusation of Israeli violations and attacks denounced by its own allies. The UNIFIL peacekeeping force said two Israeli Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate of a base and forcibly entered before dawn on Sunday morning. After the tanks left, shells exploded 100 metres away, releasing smoke which blew across the base and sickened UN personnel, it said in a statement. In its version of events, the I...

By Amarachi Orie, CNN American rock guitarist and singer Jimi Hendrix is seen performing at London's Royal Albert Hall on February 18, 1969. Photo: David Redfern / Redferns / Getty Images / File via CNN Newsource Unreleased Jimi Hendrix songs are among an array of memorabilia belonging to the late musician that is set to go up for auction next month. For the first time, fans will have the opportunity to bid for various personal items that reveal more about Hendrix's musical endeavors and off-stage life, according to entertainment memorabilia vendor Propstore, which is hosting the auction. Among the items are 50 rare tapes including master recordings with unheard tracks, as well as personal paperwork such as payslips for him and his bandmates, a handwritten form in which Hendrix reque...

Photo: Supplied The leader of the rebel group who took New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens hostage has denied a bribe was involved in his release, offering an explanation on the motive behind the kidnapping. General Egianus Kogoya, regional commander of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), claims the group achieved their mission to raise international awareness for West Papua's independence from Indonesia. Philip Mehrtens was abducted by rebel group TPNPB in February 2023 and held hostage for over a year and a half before being freed on 21 September. Originally from Christchurch, Mehrtens has since reunited with his wife and son, who live in Bali. His older brother Chris has since set up Givealittle page to support him. "It has been a traumatic time for Phil and his wife and so...

Donald Trump. Photo: AFP A man found illegally in possession of a shotgun and a loaded handgun was arrested by sheriff's deputies assigned to protect a Donald Trump rally in Coachella, California, the Riverside County sheriff's office says. It said the deputies, manning a checkpoint near the rally, arrested 49-year-old Vem Miller of Las Vegas as he drove up in a black SUV. They later booked him at a local detention centre on charges of possessing a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine. "This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event," the statement said. The sheriff's office offered no immediate information on Miller's intentions. He was released on bail and faces a court hearing on 2 January. But coming on the heels of two assassinati...