World News

Peter Mitchell's world map through Melbourne. Photo: Supplied/ Peter Mitchell A Kiwi runner has been creating art with digital GPS maps and creative running routes - his designs have caught on, with others joining in to trace his designs across Melbourne. Peter Mitchell uses GPS to map the outlines of designs onto a digital map of Melbourne. He then traces the perimeter of the lines with his running path which the app tracks as he goes - think of his footprints as a paintbrush, drawing digital lines as he runs. The outline of the routes are then saved to the app he uses to record runs - and others can see them, and also do the same run too. His latest creation, to mark his 50th birthday - a giant world map. "It took me the best part of a couple of nights ... the previous ones were noth...

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...

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'...

Members of the Lebanese civil defence battle a fire at the site of an Israeli strike on Beirut's Basta neighbourhood. Photo: AFP At least 15 killed in Israeli strikes, Lebanese ministry says Israel military orders evacuation of 23 Lebanese villages US Defense Secretary Austin urges Israel to ensure safety of UN peacekeepers Lebanese health ministry reports significant damage to hospitals from Israeli strikes Israel says Hezbollah fires nearly 320 projectiles into Israel Israel ordered more evacuations and targeted a new location in northern Lebanon, as a third UN peacekeeper was wounded in Israel's escalating conflict with Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah. At least 15 people were killed and 37 wounded in Israeli strikes across three different areas in Lebanon, the Lebanese h...