Cook Islands election: PM Mark Brown speaks on the diplomatic crises that defined his year
The prime minister tells the Guardian that last year’s diplomatic rift with ally New Zealand could be on voters’ minds as they head to the polls As voters in the…
Trump’s Air Force One deception faces scrutiny over ‘decoy’ passengers
Journalists and others were allowed to fly on presidential jet despite security threat while Trump was spirited away Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email Democrats called on…
Ukraine war briefing: North Korean missiles hit Zaporizhzhia in deadly attack
Zelenskyy warns Putin will use Russian election, in which opposition to the war is banned, as pretext for major call-up of troops. What we know on day 1,631 Russian forces…
Coalition to back Hanson’s migration policy despite pledging to fight One Nation
Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan to support bill barring overseas Australians with terrorist links from returning home Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news…
Male redback spiders invite cannibalism through a ‘self-sacrificial somersault’ during sex – but why?
New research sheds light on the genetic basis of the venomous arachnid’s ‘weird mating behaviour’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free…
Passenger jet billed as China’s answer to Boeing and Airbus prepares to make first international flight
The Comac C919 will fly from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, although experts say it could take generations for it to challenge the west’s dominance of the industry China hopes…
ICE to spend up to $20m on gloves that can deliver painful electric shocks
According to manufacturer, shock ‘is usually effective in bringing individuals into compliance in less than three seconds’ ICE plans to spend up to $20m (£15m) to purchase thousands of gloves…
A ‘body’ found in a suitcase was actually a sex doll. How did NSW police get it so wrong?
Officers – correctly – may not have fully unzipped the bag containing the lifelike doll to avoid destroying evidence, one expert says Follow our Australia news live blog for latest…
Victoria’s voice to parliament asks government to axe bill that will scrap prisoners’ ‘open air’ rights
Gellung Warl, which was established as part of the treaty process, says bill would erode the basic rights of people in prison Follow our Australia news live blog for latest…
Australia politics live: teals don ‘Sportsdebt’ t-shirts as Wilkie accuses Labor of being ‘improperly influenced’ by gambling lobby
The independent MP made the allegations in a letter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Education…