Blast kills dozens at Afghan president’s election rally
An explosion near an election rally attended by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani killed 24 people and injured 31 others, a health official said, but Ghani was unhurt according to an aide.
Asia Pacific
Jacinda Ardern to meet Donald Trump for first formal meeting
New Zealand prime minister says relationship with US counterpart is strong despite previous run-insNew Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern will hold her first ever formal meeting with Donald Trump next week, the first time the two leaders have sat do…
Hong Kong: eight injured as train derails during rush hour
Three carriages left the tracks and zigzagged across the rails near Hung Hom station in KowloonA passenger train has derailed during the morning rush hour in Hong Kong, forcing the evacuation of 500 passengers and leaving eight people injured.Images fr…
‘He’s a barbarian’: Māori tribe bans replica of Captain Cook’s ship from port
New Zealand village complains to ministry of culture and heritage over planned visit by a replica of the EndeavourA village in New Zealand has banned a replica of Captain Cook’s ship from docking there to mark 250 years since the explorer’s arrival aft…
Hong Kong protests: government fails to find PR firm to rescue battered image
Eight companies turned down opportunity because it would harm their reputationsThe Hong Kong government has tried but failed to secure help from any of the global public relations firms it has approached to salvage the financial hub’s tarnished reputat…
Essential poll: majority of Australians support medevac or better asylum care
Voters continue to back Scott Morrison post-election and are still coming to terms with Anthony Albanese, survey showsA majority of Australians either approve of the medevac procedures, or think more needs to be done to protect the health and welfare o…
China’s industrial growth slumps to weakest rate in over 17 years
Interest rate cuts may be necessary on top of central bank’s recent move to ease lending restrictionsGrowth in China’s industrial production slumped last month to its weakest rate in more than 17 years as US import tariffs and softening domestic demand…
China extends influence in Pacific as Solomon Islands break with Taiwan
Blow for Taipei as largest remaining ally in region switches relations to Beijing The Solomon Islands’ government has voted to sever its longstanding ties with Taiwan and take up diplomatic relations with Beijing.The move is a huge blow to self-ruled T…
Half of tigers rescued from Thai temple have died, officials say
Inbreeding blamed as only 61 of 147 big cats survive after removal from tourist attractionMore than half of the 147 tigers confiscated from a Thai temple have died, park officials have said, blaming genetic problems linked to inbreeding at the once mon…
Hong Kong anti-government protesters take to the hills – in pictures
Thousands of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists used torches, lanterns and laser pens to light up Lion Hill on 13 September. Pro-democracy protesters have continued demonstrations across Hong Kong, calling for the city’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, to…