Israeli strikes pound Gaza as Hamas rejects new truce
The fate of an Israeli soldier believed to be the last American held captive in Gaza remains unknown after Hamas said it recovered the body of his captor.
International News
Attacks in Ukraine, Russia, during Easter ‘ceasefire’
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Russian attacks have not stopped during the Easter ceasefire declared by Vladimir Putin.
Iran, US agree on third round of talks after ‘progress’
Iranian officials say indirect talks with the United States have been held in a "constructive atmosphere" and that further expert-level discussions are planned.
US top court blocks deportations under old wartime law
The US Supreme Court has paused the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan men in immigration custody following an emergency appeal by rights activists.
Almost 150 dead after boat catches fire in DR Congo
A boat carrying as many as 500 passengers in Democratic Republic of Congo has caught fire, killing almost 150 people, the country's media report.
Mediators trying to revive Gaza ceasefire talks
A Gaza ceasefire offer that reached Egyptian mediators includes talks on a final settlement to the war but no firm agreement.
Russia, Ukraine ‘to swap POWs’ after bodies exchanged
Ukrainian authorities says the bodies of 909 troops have been received from Russia after mediation from the International Red Cross.
Thousands join Stations of the Cross route in Jerusalem
Thousands of pilgrims have marked Good Friday in Jerusalem by joining a Stations of the Cross procession.
US senator meets wrongly deported man in El Salvador
US senator Chris Van Hollen has met Kilmar Abrego Garcia, coming face-to-face with the wrongly deported man after visiting El Salvador to push for his release.
Trump signals tit-for-tat China tariffs may be near end
"I don't want them to go higher because at a certain point you make it where people don't buy," Donald Trump says of the tariffs he has imposed on China.
Hamas ‘ready to release all hostages’ to end Gaza war
Hamas says they are ready to return all remaining Israeli hostages as part of a broader deal for peace in Gaza, and will no longer agree to interim deals.
Deputy sheriff’s son shoots two dead at US university
Two people have been killed and four injured in a shooting at Florida State University, with the shooter identified as a deputy sheriff's son.
US will drop Russia-Ukraine deal if no progress: Rubio
The US may be ready to "move on" from efforts for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal if there's not progress in the coming days, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns.
Europe and Ukraine make case as Rubio visits Paris
The US's Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff are meeting Ukrainian and European officials worried about America's overtures towards Russia in talks to end the war.
UK’s top court rules ‘woman’ refers to biological sex
Britain's Supreme Court has ruled that trans women are not "women" under equalities law, but says the decision "does not remove protection from trans people".
Ukraine, US make ‘substantial progress’ on mineral deal
Talks on a minerals deal between the US and Ukraine are reportedly advancing, and it is likely a provisional memorandum could be signed very soon.
Truce bid stalls as Israel eyes Gaza Strip buffer zone
Israel's defence minister says the army will remain in occupied "security zones" to act as a buffer between hostile fighters and Israel.
Trump hails ‘big progress’ in tariffs talks with Japan
Donald Trump and Japanese officials have taken part in talks on tariffs, as the US president's trade war continues to spook global markets.
‘Woman’ refers to biological sex, top UK court rules
Britain's Supreme Court has ruled that trans women are not "women" under equalities law, but says the decision "does not remove protection from trans people".
Global pact to shore up world’s future pandemic defence
A global supply chain and logistic network features in a proposed pact to fight future pandemics that has been agreed by World Health Organisation members.
Frugal Kiwi government takes axe to central bank budget
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is "redesigning" its operations after the government announced funding cuts of 25 per cent from July.
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Trump plays critical minerals card in tariff trade war
A national security review of critical minerals imports has been ordered by President Donald Trump in an escalation of his dispute with global trading partners.
Israel to keep Gaza buffer zone, as truce efforts stall
Troops will remain in so-called security zones in the Gaza Strip indefinitely, Israel's defence minister says, as a ceasefire deal with Hamas remains elusive.
Visiting NATO chief says support for Ukraine unwavering
The head of the NATO military alliance says its support for Ukraine is unwavering while visiting the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa.
NYC helicopter tour company grounded after deadly crash
US federal aviation regulators have grounded the helicopter tour company involved in a deadly New York crash that killed five tourists from Spain and the pilot.
New Gaza ceasefire proposal but prospects appear slim
Hamas looks set to reject a new proposal for a Gaza ceasefire, with the militant group saying Israel must agree to a complete halt of hostilities.
Iran says nuclear talks with US to continue in Oman
Donald Trump has reiterated his threat of drastic consequences for Iran over its nuclear program as plans are made to resume negotiations in Oman.
Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Kursk kills woman
The Russian city of Kursk near the Ukraine border has been hit with an overnight drone attack that killed an elderly woman and injured nine others.
Leaders meet about ‘world’s worst humanitarian crisis’
Diplomats and aid officials from around the world are meeting in London to try to ease the suffering from the two-year-old war in Sudan that's killed 24,000.
Meta’s landmark trial could dismantle huge tech empire
Meta faces a historic antitrust trial which may force it to break off Instagram and WhatsApp, startups it bought that have become social media powerhouses.
Spat? What spat? Luxon denies trade tensions in NZ
Winston Peters, the wily veteran of New Zealand politics, appears to be dialling up pressure on his boss Chris Luxon ahead of a leadership handover.