A man visits the web page of the newly formed Cockroach Janta Party on a laptop in Dharamshala, India.

Frustrated Indian youth flock to political party led by cockroach

The Cockroach Janta Party has exploded across India’s social media by turning absurdist humour into protest.

7:00pm

President Donald Trump participates in a welcome ceremony with China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, May 14, 2026, in Beijing.

Trump and Putin visiting China shows Xi's now in the driver’s seat

It’s been quite a week for Beijing, with back-to-back visits by the leaders of the US and Russia.

6:00am

Air New Zealand has announced three new non-stop international flights from Christchurch to launch later this year.

Air NZ announces three new international routes from Christchurch

The new routes from Christchurch to Singapore, Tokyo and Perth are part of an agreement with Christchurch Airport to boost the South Island's international connectivity.

Wed, May 20

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping greet each other in Tianjin, China, on August 31, 2025.

Putin visits China to reaffirm ties as Xi seeks stable US relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin is travelling to China to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping less than a week after US President Donald Trump wrapped up his own trip to Beijing.

Tue, May 19

Turkish police (file image).

Police hunt gunman after at least six killed in Türkiye

Police were searching for the assailant who remained at large after opening fire in several locations in the southern city of Tarsus.

Tue, May 19

US President Donald Trump participates in a welcome ceremony with China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Beijing.

The band played in China but a 'dumpster fire' awaits Trump at home

The US president returned from the spectacle of a Chinese state visit to a less-than-welcoming American economy.

Tue, May 19

Police divert traffic near the scene of a double-fatal crash in Selwyn.

Hong Kong tourists killed in double fatal Rakaia crash

The three-vehicle crash just north of New Zealand's longest road bridge over the Rakaia River closed State Highway 1 for several hours on Friday.

Mon, May 18

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te.

Taiwan defends US arms purchases that Trump called 'bargaining chip'

"Taiwan will not provoke or escalate conflict, but it will also not relinquish its national sovereignty and dignity, or its democratic and free way of life, under pressure," President Lai said in his statement.

Mon, May 18

This image released by the Maldives President's Media Division, shows divers preparing to search for the four missing Italian divers near Alimathaa Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, Saturday, May 15, 2026.

Maldives military diver dies in search for bodies in underwater cave

The military diver died of underwater decompression sickness during the search for the bodies of the four Italian divers.

Sun, May 17

Rescuers work at a train crash site near an airport rail link station in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Train collides with bus at Bangkok rail crossing, killing at least 8

"I saw the train pass, dragging the bus with it," a witness to the incident said.

Sun, May 17

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, shakes hands with US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Key takeaways from Trump's trip to China

The US president spent the trip overtly flattering China's leader, despite Xi Jinping not reciprocating.

Sat, May 16

The MV Hondius cruise ship is anchored at a port in Praia, Cape Verde

Kiwi who disembarked from hantavirus-hit cruise quarantines in Taiwan

The passenger would undergo a "enhanced self-health management” in a single hospital room, until June 6, Taiwanese health officials said.

Sat, May 16

This undated handout picture released by Greenpeace Italia on Friday, May 15, 2026 shows Monica Montefalcone one of the five Italian scuba divers who died near Alimathaa in the Maldives archipelago while exploring an underwater cave.

Search suspended after five die in Maldives cave dive tragedy

Italy’s Foreign Ministry said the dive group had “apparently died while attempting to explore caves at a depth of 50 metres” in the Vaavu Atoll.

Sat, May 16

US President Donald Trump, left, speaks as he is greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping at Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing, China, Friday, May 15, 2026.

Trump weighs Taiwan arms package after summit with China's Xi

"I think the last thing we need right now is a war that’s 9500 miles away,” Trump said.

Sat, May 16

Stable US-China relations could damage Russia's influence on global issues.

Why Putin will have been watching the Trump‑Xi summit nervously

The summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing signal an openness on the Chinese side towards stabilising relations with the US.

Sat, May 16

President Donald Trump, left, stands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Temple of Heaven on Thursday May 14, 2026, in Beijing.

He said, Xi said: US offers platitudes as China warns of conflict

The contrast underscored just how far apart the leaders remain on thorny issues including the war in Iran and Washington’s relationship with Taiwan.

Thu, May 14

Japan head coach Eddie Jones.

Eddie Jones suspended for verbally abusing match officials

Jones said he accepted the sanctions given by the Japan Rugby Football Union, acknowledging his “inappropriate remarks".

Thu, May 14

President Donald Trump walks during a welcome ceremony as he arrives on Air Force One, Wednesday, May 13 (local time), 2026, at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing.

Trump arrives in Beijing for talks with China's Xi

The talks are expected to cover the Iran war, trade and US arms sales to Taiwan.

Thu, May 14

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he leaves the White House for travel to Beijing, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Washington, to meet with China's President Xi Jinping.

Trump due to meet Xi as war, inflation weigh on his presidency

Donald Trump is seeking a win by signing deals with China to buy more American food and aircraft, saying he'll be talking with Xi about trade “more than anything else".

Wed, May 13

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One for a trip to China.

Trump departs for Beijing, downplays differences with Xi on Iran

“We have a lot of things to discuss. I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control," the President told reporters.

Wed, May 13

The South Korean-operated vessel HMM NAMU is docked after being damaged from a fire following an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran responds to US ceasefire proposal, Trump rejects it as 'unacceptable'

Iran wants negotiations to focus on permanently ending the war, but US President Donald Trump quickly rejected it as “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!”

Mon, May 11

Myanmar's newly discovered ruby is displayed at president office in Naypyitaw, Myanmar.

Massive 11,000-carat ruby unearthed by miners in Myanmar

While it weighs roughly half the weight of a 21,450-carat (4.29kg) stone found in 1996, the new discovery is considered more valuable due to its superior color and quality.

Sun, May 10

US Senator Steve Daines, left, is greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a U.S. congressional delegation visit at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Ahead of Trump-Xi meeting, China signals that Taiwan is a priority

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi said he hopes the US would make the “right choices” relating to the self-ruled island when he spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Sun, May 10

People play games at a RedClaw AI promotion booth set up outside a shopping mall in Beijing

China's rapid embrace of AI may shape how it's used globally

AI models built in the United States still dominate in raw computing firepower, but Chinese people and businesses have rapidly embraced the technology.

Sun, May 10

Aerial view of new vehicles waiting for shipment to overseas market at a port in Shanghai, China Saturday, May 9, 2026.

China says April exports jump 14.1% from a year ago

The data were released just days ahead of a planned meeting next week between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Sat, May 9