Biden visits tornado-stricken US districts
US President Joe Biden has received a briefing from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear after the region was hit by a deadly tornado outbreak.
International News
UK man who abused bodies jailed for life
A man who sexually abused more than 100 corpses in two UK hospital mortuaries has been sentenced to life in prison.
UK appoints ex-judge to lead virus inquiry
The UK government says a public inquiry into the country's handling of the coronavirus pandemic will be led by a retired judge and start next year.
Maxwell lawyers to focus on ‘manipulation’
Court filings indicate Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers will focus on portraying the socialite's accusers as untrustworthy and motivated by money.
English told to scale back Christmas plans
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty says people in England should "prioritise what matters to them" when considering attending events during Christmas.
Delta still 99 per cent of cases: Italy
Italian health experts say data suggests the Delta variant of the coronavirus is still predominant in the country, with very few Omicron cases recorded.
Canadians told to stay put amid COVID fear
Canada has advised its citizens to avoid non-essential international travel to help reduce the threat from the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Wall St higher, Fed to end bond purchases
The US Fed will end pandemic-era bond purchases as it exits from policies enacted at the start of the health crisis. Wall Street reacted to end sharply higher.
Fed to tighten credit, hike rates in 2022
The US Federal Reserve has announced quicker than expected withdrawal of support for the economy and an anticipation of three interest-rate rises in 2022.
New Zealand GDP down by 3.7 per cent
Stats NZ say New Zealand's economy contracted by 3.7 per cent in the September quarter as COVID-19 restrictions bit.
Scholz vows progress and a modern Germany
New Chancellor Olaf Scholz has told parliament the country must embrace technical progress to modernise Germany.
Vaccines may be weaker against Omicron
The WHO says preliminary evidence indicates COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective against infection and transmission linked to the Omicron variant.
UK top court rejects ‘X’ gender passport
The UK Supreme Court has rejected gender-neutral passports, saying there is a need to maintain "a coherent approach to issues of gender across the law".
Blinken ends Asia trip after virus case
US officials say Secretary of State Antony Blinken will not meet Thai officials due to a COVID-19 case among his travelling party.
Karzai says he invited Taliban to Kabul
Ex-Afghan leader Hamid Karzai says the Taliban, who had already reached the gates of Kabul, were invited inside the city to stop chaos after Ashraf Ghani left.
Japan overstated construction data: PM
The Japanese government overstated the value of some construction orders received from builders for years, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says.
UK PM defends virus record after revolt
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says MPs will be given a say over any further restrictions needed to tackle the spread of COVID-19.
Bravery awards to NZ’s terrorism heroes
New Zealand has awarded two men with the country's top bravery award for lifesaving acts during the Christchurch Mosques terror attacks.
Trump’s son urged end to Capitol riot
A US congressional committee has revealed Donald Trump's eldest son urged the White House chief of staff to tell his father to end the riot at the US Capitol.
Fire at Hong Kong’s World Trade Centre
A fire that broke out in Hong Kong's World Trade Centre building, trapping about 150 people on the roof, has been put out.
Putin and Xi hail Russia-China ties
Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have held a video call to discuss bilateral relations and international affairs.
South Africa’s Zuma ordered back to jail
Former South African president Jacob Zuma has been ordered back to jail after the High Court set aside the decision to release him on medical parole.
German police foil anti-vaxxer murder plot
A plot by anti-vaccination activists in Saxony to murder the eastern German state's premier has been foiled, police say.
After 176 years, NYPD gets female leader
Keechant Sewell, a 23-year policing veteran and "proven crime fighter", is to become the first female head of the New York Police Department.
New rules as S.Korea hits COVID-19 peaks
A record-breaking surge of COVID-19 infections has led to a spike in hospitalisations and deaths and caused South Korea to toughen up social restrictions.
NZ 90 per cent vaxxed as parliament wraps
On the last day of the parliamentary year, Jacinda Ardern has announced 89.82 per cent of eligible New Zealanders are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Ex-Trump aide Meadows on contempt charge
For the first time since the 1830s, the US House of Representatives has voted to hold a former member in contempt.
UK PM Johnson faces virus pass rebellion
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under increasing pressure after a group of MPs from his own party voted against the introduction of new COVID regulations.
WTO backs Australia, others on India sugar
A WTO panel says India provided domestic support to its sugarcane producers in excess of the maximum level of 10 per cent permitted by a world agriculture deal.
UK takes all countries off travel red list
Hotel quarantine for some travellers arriving in England will be scrapped as Omicron is now prevalent in the UK, Health Secretary Sajid Javid says.
Pfizer says pill prevents hospitalisations
Pfizer's antiviral COVID-19 pill shows almost 90 per cent efficacy in preventing hospitalisations and deaths in high-risk patients, the US drug maker says.