World
Fatal bear attacks in Japan hit record number
The new total of seven deaths in the current fiscal year "is the largest toll since 2006, when statistics started".
UK facing rising threats from state actors as well as terrorists
The United Kingdom has seen a 35 percent rise in the last year in the number of suspects investigated annually for possibly working for a hostile foreign government.
Trump says great progress made after Putin phone call
US President Donald Trump says "great progress" has been made on a two-hour phone call with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Corin Dann spoke to correspondent Nick Harper in Washington. Audio
Gold smuggling surges in India as price spikes before festivals
Bringing gold into India and liquidating it used to be risky, but with strong demand and limited supply, smugglers can now convert it in just a few hours
Hamas says Palestinians still being killed despite ceasefire
Hamas says more than 20 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire came into effect at the start of this week. Alexander Cornwell, a senior correspondent for Reuters, spoke to… Audio
Pets on planes trial launches in Australia
The first pets to travel inside the passenger cabin on a domestic flight in Australia have touched down in Queensland.
World News Wrap for 17 October 2025
Let's catch up with what's been going on around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins. Audio
New UN data shows global fertility rates are declining
Global fertility rates are declining and a quarter of people now live in a country where the population is estimated to have peaked. Rebecca Zerzan, the senior editor of the UN Population Fund's State… Audio
Last link to Hillary's Everest expedition dies aged 92
Kanchha Sherpa was the last surviving member of the 1953 expedition that saw Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa become the first to summit the world's highest mountain.
Catholic Church is failing abuse victims, Vatican panel says
The Vatican's child protection commission has published an unusually critical internal report on the issue.
US: first of two NYC Mayoral debates to be held
New York's mayoral candidates face off in the first debate, Bevan Hurley has the news from the USA Audio
Will India stop using Russian oil, exports to US drops
Donald Trump says India will give up buying Russian oil, Anas Mallick has the story Audio
Trump details decision to authorize CIA to operate in Venezuela
The remarks are Trump's most expansive comments on his decision to expand the CIA's authority to conduct lethal targeting and carry out covert action in the region.
Diane Keaton's family releases cause of death
Her family has also expressed gratitude for the "extraordinary messages of love and support" they have received.
It's been 50 years since the Balibo 5 were killed in Timor-Leste. No one's been held accountable
On October 16, 1975, five journalists were killed in the remote Timorese town of Balibo. To this day, no one has been charged with their deaths. Known as the "Balibo...
'Bold' new underwear suggests hair down there is back in fashion
"I'm shocked.. But I'm also not shocked," says local body hair expert.
Australian spy plane deployed 45 times during mission to help Ukraine
Its most sophisticated military surveillance plane was used repeatedly in the last three months as part of NATO efforst to monitor Russian activity.
Actor Michael J Fox says he is hoping for an 'undramatic death'
At 64, and more than 30 years after his diagnosis, the actor is acutely aware of his mortality.
Climate change worsening child malnutrition in Pacific
A new study by a global charity indicates a link between climate change and malnutrition in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 16 October 2025
The government has no plans to back down on its proposed card surcharge ban - despite pleas from businesses to pause the move; Parliament's Speaker is planning to bring some higher standards to the… Audio