World News

This video grab from AFPTV taken on 14 April, 2024 shows explosions lighting up Jerusalem sky during Iranian attack on Israel. Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed early April 14, 2024 that a drone and missile attack was under way against Israel in retaliation for a deadly 1 April drone strike on its Damascus consulate. Photo: AFPTV / AFP Israel's Iron Dome air defence system has intercepted thousands of rockets since it went into operation in 2011, providing the country with crucial cover during times of conflict. It has been heavily relied upon to protect military and civilian sites from frequent barrages of rockets fired from Gaza and Lebanon in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Israel's air defences were in operation on Tuesday night, when Iran fired missiles at Israel in w...

New Caledonia's controversial constitutional reform, which triggered violent unrest after a vote in the French National Assembly, will not go ahead, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier says. Delivering his inaugural speech on his government's roadmap, Barnier said the controversial text, which had already been endorsed by both Houses of Parliament, the Senate (in March 2024) and the National Assembly (in May 2024) "will not be submitted to the Congress". The Congress (a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament) was necessary before the constitutional reform on New Caledonia's electoral roll for provincial elections could become valid. The amendment intended to modify the conditions of eligibility for voters at New Caledonia's local elections. It was supposed to "unfreeze" the electoral...

By Steven Scheer, Parisa Hafezi and Timour Azhari for Reuters Smoke billows at the site of Israeli airstrikes in a south Beirut suburb, early on 2 October 2024. Photo: ETIENNE TORBEY / AFP Israeli retaliation could hit Iran oil facilities Iran says targeted military facilities US promises 'severe consequences' for Iran Israel renews bombing of Beirut suburbs France mobilises military in Middle East, South Korea urges measured response Iran said on Wednesday its missile attack on Israel, its biggest military assault on the country, was over, barring further provocation, while Israel and the United States promised to hit back as fears of a wider war intensified. Israel will launch a "significant retaliation" within days that could target oil production facilities inside Iran and othe...

By Bernie Woodall and Karl Plume, Reuters Men walk along North Carolina Route 9 in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on 1 October 2024 in Bat Cave, North Carolina. Photo: SEAN RAYFORD / AFP Recovery will cost billions over several years, DHS says At least 162 dead in six states, CNN reports Some 1.5 million homes and businesses without power Search-and-rescue teams who have already saved hundreds of people scoured the mountains of western North Carolina for more survivors on Tuesday local time, working amid washed-out roads, smashed bridges and felled power lines following Hurricane Helene. The storm has killed at least 162 people in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia, CNN reported, citing state and local officials, and the death toll is ...

JD Vance and Tim Walz at the vice presidential debate in New York City, 1 October 2024. Photo: AFP / Chip Somodevilla Candidates defend their running mates, attack the other's Walz targets Vance's past comments, false claims on immigrants Vance challenges Biden-Harris policies Political analysts say VP debates rarely alter election outcomes Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance clashed over the Middle East crisis, immigration, taxes, abortion, climate change and the economy today at a vice presidential debate that was heavy on policy disagreements but light on personal attacks. The two rivals, who have savaged each other on the campaign trail, struck a cordial tone, instead saving their fire for the candidates at the top of their tickets, Democratic Vice President Kamala H...

A screen displays the CBS vice presidential debate between US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance and Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz in Times Square in New York. Photo: KENA BETANCUR / AFP Analysis - Vice-presidential debates are the under-card of US election discussions. Except, with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris running so close in the presidential elections, every debate could have significance. So, it was when Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris' running mate, met Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump's pick, this afternoon in a surprisingly cordial debate, focused mainly on the issues, but one which also revealed differences between the two camps. Here's seven things to know. Policy debate This was a debate where policy issues...

The vice presidential candidates in the US election are set for their first and only debate before the November election. Republican JD Vance, a US Senator from Ohio, will face off against Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in a debate in New York City hosted by CBS News. The race between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris remains close a little over a month before the 5 November (US Time) election. While vice presidential debates have historically rarely moved the needle much in past elections, there's always the chance for a big surprise or gaffe that US political tragics will be talking about for the next several news cycles. And with no other debate scheduled between Trump and Harris after their first one last month, this might be one of the last...

Why do millions of Americans vote for Donald Trump? In the latest episode of 30 with Guyon Espiner, author Mark Manson takes a stab at it. The US presidential election race is close - it's very close. Latest modelling suggests an almost even possibility of either Democract Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump winning the White House on 5 November. Just as in New Zealand, a cost of living crisis fuelled by high inflation has made the current administration unpopular with many people. And as in Europe, a lot of voters are worried about immigration - the pressure it places on public services and the cultural changes that come along with it. There are other reasons voters have for wanting a change from the status quo, which vice-president Harris more-or-less represents. But for many people...

By Napat Wesshasartar and Panarat Thepgumpanat, Reuters The remnants of the school bus which caught fire in Bangkok. Photo: AFP / Manan Vatsyayana At least 23 people died in Thailand when a school bus carrying more than 40 students and teachers on a field trip caught fire in the outskirts of the capital Bangkok, police said on Tuesday. Twenty-three bodies have been identified, Trairong Phiwpan, forensic science commissioner told reporters, with an investigation on the causes underway. Sixteen students and three teachers were sent to a hospital for treatment, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said. Images posted on social media and carried by local news outlets showed thick grey smoke pouring out of the bus, parts of which were still on fire. The blaze was later extinguishe...

The vice presidential candidates in the US election are set for their first and only debate before the November election. Republican JD Vance, a US Senator from Ohio, will face off against Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in a debate in New York City hosted by CBS News. The race between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris remains close a little over a month before the 5 November (US Time) election. While vice presidential debates have historically rarely moved the needle much in past elections, there's always the chance for a big surprise or gaffe that US political tragics will be talking about for the next several news cycles. And with no other debate scheduled between Trump and Harris after their first one last month, this might be one of the last...