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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...

By Veronica Stracqualursi, CNN Photo: Brandon Bell / Getty Images via AFP Former President Donald Trump suggested using the military to handle what he called "the enemy from within" on Election Day, saying that he isn't worried about chaos from his supporters or foreign actors, but instead from "radical left lunatics." "I think the bigger problem are the people from within. We have some very bad people. We have some sick people. Radical left lunatics," Trump said told Fox News' Maria Bartiromo in an interview on Sunday Morning Futures. "I think it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military, because they can't let that happen," he added. The former president, whose supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in...

By Trevor Hunnicutt, Reuters US President Joe Biden walks with Pinellas County emergency director Cathie Perkins and Deanne Criswell (R), administrator of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, during a tour of the damage caused by Hurricane Milton on 13 October 2024 in St Pete Beach, Florida. Photo: JOE RAEDLE / Getty Images via AFP US President Joe Biden has surveyed the damage from Florida's Hurricane Milton, the second storm to batter the low-lying state in recent weeks as rising floodwaters, fuel shortages and power outages further impacted cleanup efforts. Milton, which led to at least 17 reported deaths, has added to piles of debris following Hurricane Helene, with electricity and fuel still unavailable in many areas. Biden's Marine One helicopter thundered along Florida'...