World

Beijing warned that "external forces" arming Taipei would "push the Taiwan Strait into a perilous situation of imminent war", but did not mention any countries by name.

There was no shortage of strange news filed by RNZ reporters and our international partners in the past 12 months - here's the year in review.

Residents can also expect to see more heavily armed police in the weeks ahead, the New South Wales Premier says.

There has been an "absolute explosion" in illegal use of steroids in recent years, according to University of Queensland researcher Dr Tim Piatkowski.

Voters in Myanmar are casting their ballots in a general election, the first since a military coup toppled the last civilian government in 2021.

People have been advised to stay off the roads, and states of emergency have been declared in New York and New Jersey.

Ukraine's president says the latest Russian onslaught shows Moscow has no intention of ending the invasion.

The crash occurred in an area known for dense fog that reduces visibility for drivers.

Kyiv has come under a massive Russian attack, with air defences in operation and the military warning of missiles.

"Both sides agree to maintain current troop deployments without further movement," their defence ministers said.

"Both sides agree to maintain current troop deployments without further movement," their defence ministers said

The suspected gunman entered the lobby of the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office in Wallace and opened fire.

Zelensky says "a lot can be decided before the New Year", as Washington drives efforts to end Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine.

French police on Friday arrested a man suspected of stabbing three women in the Paris metro.

The suspect is a Palestinian from the occupied West Bank, according to police.

Of the 15 injuries, eight were the result of stabbing and seven due to the liquid.

Eight people were killed in an explosion at a mosque of the Alawite minority sect in the Syrian city of Homs on Friday.

It is a decision that could reshape regional dynamics and test Somalia's longstanding opposition to its secession.

The judge said Najib's contention that he was deceived by others was implausible and to believe that would "stretch the imagination into the realms of pure fantasy".

A Melbourne Rabbi's car, adorned with a "Happy Chanukah" sign, was destroyed.