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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 ...

Beachfront Fales at Sina PJ resort, Tafitoala Village, Samoa. Photo: RNZ/ Susana Lei'ataua It's a tale of two coastlines. On the north coast of Samoa's island of Upolu, King Charles and Queen Camilla have been welcomed to Apia for the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), with leaders from 56 countries. Their majesties stay at the luxurious Sinalei Resort and Spa at Siumu Village, and the international dignitaries and their delegations are on the P&O cruise ship Pacific Explorer, which is berthed in Apia Harbour while hotel occupancy is maxed in the island capital for the duration of CHOGM. The P&O Pacific Explorer, berthed in Apia Harbour for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Photo: RNZ/ Susana Lei'ataua However, on the idyllic south...

An application has been made to allow the Queen's Building on the royal Balmoral Estate to host weddings and other events. Photo: CC BY-SA 2.0/ Stuart Yates British head of state King Charles III's remote private estate in the Scottish Highlands could become an exclusive location for weddings, if an application to the local council is approved. Documents submitted for consideration next week by the Licensing Board of the local Aberdeenshire Council outline plans to allow "weddings, dinners, meetings and associated events" at the Queen's Building on the royal Balmoral Estate. The Queen's Building lies just north of Balmoral Castle near the estate's office and stables, and was built in the 1980s as staff quarters and a canteen. It was converted last year to accommodate dining for visitors...