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.
International News
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.
Small decline in virus jab efficacy: WHO
The World Health Organisation says 77 countries have reported cases of the coronavirus variant Omicron.
Pirates take hostages off Gulf of Guinea
The Danish military says pirates have taken six hostages during an attack on a Greek-operated container ship in the Gulf of Guinea.
Petrol truck explosion in Haiti kills 50
Officials in Haiti say a truck carrying petrol has exploded and killed at least 50 people.
OJ Simpson a ‘free man’ as parole ends
A lawyer says OJ Simpson has been granted good behaviour credits and discharged from parole.
Assange’s mother describes ‘unending pain’
Julian Assange's mother fears the WikiLeaks founder could be imprisoned "for the rest of his life".
UK Conservative MPs rebel on virus passes
A group of libertarian MPs in UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative party have voted against the introduction of vaccination certification.
Wall St down on inflation, virus concerns
With expectations solidifying that the US Federal Reserve will this week announce a faster wind-down of asset purchases, Wall Street has ended lower.
UN details Taliban human rights breaches
The UN rights body has heard that the Taliban is killing former Afghan national security force members, recruiting boy soldiers and quashing women's rights.
Murdoch emails loom large in Fox lawsuit
Two US voting technology companies have filed defamation lawsuits against Fox over claims they manipulated vote counts in favour of Democrat Joe Biden.
Belarus jails opposition leader’s husband
The husband of Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has been jailed for 18 years for organising mass unrest and inciting social hatred.
Polish teen positive for Omicron in China
Poland's Health ministry says a Polish teenager who flew from Warsaw to China last week is mainland China's first person to test positive for Omicron.
Vietnam dissident gets nine years jail
Vietnamese writer Pham Doan Trang has been convicted of "conducting propaganda against the state" and jailed for nine years.
UK PM faces MP rebellion over virus curbs
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a rebellion from libertarian MPs among his Conservative party on the introduction of vaccination certification.
Duterte quits Philippines senate race
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has withdrawn his bid to become a senator in the latest twist in a election race full of last-minute changes and surprises.
UK cuts all countries from 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.