World Politics
'I saved TikTok': Why Trump changed tune on Chinese app
Does the new joint venture deal really address Washington's concerns about national security?
Doomsday Clock 2026: 'We are running out of time'
Scientists have now set the timepiece at the closest it's ever been to midnight, in part due to the impact of AI.
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 28 January 2026
Political reporter Russell Palmer spoke to Guyon Espiner as the political year gets underway in Wellington; Waikato University Professor Al Gillespie spoke to Guyon Espiner following comments from… Audio
What is ICE and why does it seem to be tearing the USA apart?
Over the last few months there has been consistently heated debate around the tactics, and indeed presence of, immigration agents in the United States. That debate has reached fever pitch after the… Audio
Calls for PM to reject invite to Trump's 'Board of Peace'
Labour is calling it an "absolute disgrace" the government hasn't ruled out sitting on a committee with Vladimir Putin.
Venezuela's acting president has had 'enough' of US orders
US President Donald Trump had claimed the US was "going to run" Venezuela after abducting its president, but Delcy Rodríguez is pushing back on the superpower.
BBC World Service Lookahead with Rob Hugh-Jones
We cross to the BBC World Service to take a look at some of the events making international headlines. Audio
Minnesota killing sparks rare US gun rights backlash
![This screengrab of video footage shot by @dangjessie, shows Alex Pretti (L) and a federal immigration agent (C) before he was shot dead in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 24, 2026. Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, early January 24 while scuffling with him on an icy roadway in the Midwestern city, less than three weeks after an immigration officer fired on Renee Good, also 37, killing her in her car. (Photo by -UGC / @dangjessie/UGC / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT « AFP PHOTO / @DANGJESSIE » - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS [ NO ARCHIVE ]](https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image/upload/s--qYJd2XWX--/ar_16:10,c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,q_auto,w_288/v1769393952/4JU7084_AFP__20260126__93YE8ZU__v1__HighRes__ProtestsAfterUsImmigrationOfficerKillsWomanInMi_jpg?_a=BACCd2AD)
The fatal shooting of nurse Alex Pretti has flipped the US gun debate, with pro-gun groups and Democrats both criticising Trump officials' justification.
NZ nurses union 'appalled' at US agents' killing of ICU worker
Alex Pretti was pinned to the ground, pepper-sprayed, disarmed and then shot 10 times by federal agents during a protest in Minneapolis.
'Gutless' for Luxon not to rule out Trump's Board of Peace - Goff
Winston Peters says the World Health Organization has forgotten its original mandate, but Phil Goff has rubbished the idea of NZ quitting and says it needs to stand up to Donald Trump. Audio
White House defends second Minneapolis killing, contradicts videos
Trump officials said that Alex Pretti assaulted officers, despite footage showing him lying face down, unarmed, when shot.
OZ Update with Brad Foster
It's an anniversary day for many in the North Island, but today also marks Australia Day so to find out what's happening in OZ to mark it, we're joined by our man on the ground Brad Foster. Brad… Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 26 December 2025
Recovery work has resumed at the site of the Mount Maunganui landslide, where six people are missing; Martin Brook, a Professor of Applied Geology at the University of Auckland spoke to Guyon Espiner… Audio
Goff slams Peters 'deafening' silence following Trump's Afghanistan comments
Phil Goff has accused Foreign Minister Winston Peters of failing to stand up for New Zealand soldiers.
WHO chief says reasons US gave for withdrawing 'untrue'
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says WHO never recommended lockdowns or mandates during the Covid-19 pandemic, disputing US claims.
Iraq majority bloc backs Nouri al-Maliki as next PM
Iraq's main Shiite alliance, which holds a parliamentary majority, endorsed on Saturday former prime minister and powerbroker Nouri al-Maliki as the country's next premier.
Person killed in second ICE Minneapolis shooting was a nurse
Federal authorities insisted 37-year-old Alex Pretti "approached" agents with a pistol and then "violently resisted" being disarmed.
ICE agents fatally shoot second person in Minneapolis
A man shot by federal agents in Minneapolis has died, local and federal officials said, the second fatal shooting in the city involving federal agents this month.
Trump threatens Canada with 100 percent tariff over pending trade deal with China
"China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it," the US president warned his northern neighbour.
Afghan veteran slams Trump's NATO comments
A former NZ army major says Trump's claim that NATO troops "stayed a little back" is sensationalist and disrespects the families of fallen soldiers. Audio
