World News

Passing on their culture to the New Zealand-born generation was all part of Tonga Day celebrations in Timaru. The community day, on Saturday, attracted almost 200 people – mostly children, Tongan Society South Canterbury general manager Sina Latu said. “It was really about the kids, well families and the community as a whole. It was a great day with performances from young people, the women's showcase, and the men's vege garden awards,” she said. “One of the highlights for a lot of people were the performances, especially when it came to the young boys performing a war dance in front of their families. READ MORE: Siaosi Sovaleni returns to his old Timaru high school as Tonga's Prime Minister 'Historic moment' as Parliament votes to allow Ngāi Tahu to choose Environment Canterbury appointees Tongan Language Week hits the road in South Canterbury “Just to see the passion and how they felt doing it was important, a lot of them were born in New Zealand, and it was really … [Read more...] about South Canterbury Tongan Society members celebrate culture

A High Court judge says he would not have wiped the charges against a youth who caused a car crash that killed a Wellington teenager. Police appealed against a Youth Court judge’s decision in August to discharge the now 18-year-old in a type of "clean slate” outcome as if the charges were never filed. The judge had shaken the youth’s hand. But Justice Andru Isac​ said police had not given the Youth Court judge information that might have made a difference. Police were concerned that in the two months leading up to the discharge hearing the youth had been breaching his bail and appeared to have been consistently in the company of Nomads gang members. His supervisor at work was also a gang member. READ MORE: Killer teen driver's discharge with handshake ignored grieving family's feelings: Crown Hours of hard work lets youth charged over stabbing leave court without a criminal record Mother of teen killed in crash heartbroken after driver's charges wiped Teenage … [Read more...] about It’s not what I would have done but it’s not wrong, High Court says of wiping youth’s charges for fatal crash

General Asim Munir will take charge as Pakistan's new Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) shortly after outgoing army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa hands over the "baton of command" to him in the change of command ceremony under way at the General Headquaters (GHQ), Rawalpindi. The passing of the baton from an outgoing COAS to an incoming one conveys a cardinal message to the troops the military leadership continues without a break in command. Gen Asim Munir will be the 17th army chief to assume the command of the Pakistan Army. Former military leaders are also participating in the ceremony at the GHQ. General Asim Munir, a brief overview Gen Munir was commissioned in the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment in 1986. He passed out with the 17th Officers Training course, Mangla and was awarded the coveted sword of honour. He is currently posted as the quartermaster general at the General Headquarters. The army chief-designate graduated from Fuji school Japan, Command and Staff … [Read more...] about Gen Asim Munir to take over as Pakistan’s 17th COAS shortly

Irina Shayk opened up about how she and ex Bradley Cooper are raising their five-year-old daughter, Lea. During an interview with V Magazine , which was published on Saturday, November 26, Shayk, 36, gushed about how having a child changed her life. “Being a mom is one of the most amazing things ever,” she shared. “I’ve never imagined that I would enjoy it and love it so much. I feel like there is no better kind of love for anyone in this world, but the love for your child. It’s just very special.” The model also added hat she has a very hand-on approach when it comes to raising her daughter with Bradley Cooper. Shayk shared that she doesn’t have a nanny for this reason. “You know, we don’t have a nanny, so sometimes [when my friends suggest] dinner or a concert, they always say, ‘We know what Irina is going to say, ‘We have no nanny.’ They say it’s my saving line. But we choose not to have a nanny.” She further added that her priorities have also changed since she came a … [Read more...] about Irina Shayk talks coparenting with ex Bradley Cooper: ‘We don’t have a nanny’

Billie Eilish couldn’t help but gush over her new romance with Jesse Rutherford. As part of her latest Vanity Fair interview, titled Same Interview, Sixth Year , the 20-year-old pop star opened up about dating The Neighbourhood vocalist, 31. The singer, who has done the life update interview with the outlet every year over the past few years, admitted she does have a boyfriend and she’s “really happy” with the relationship “It's really cool and I'm really excited and I'm really happy about it,” Eilish said of her relationship. “I managed to get…to a point in my life… where I not only was known by a person that I thought was the hottest f---ing f---er alive, but pulled his a--!” “Are you kidding me?” she went on to ask rhetorically before miming a bow. “Can we just…round of applause for me? Thank you, Jesse Rutherford, everyone.” Eilish continued, adding that she "locked that motherf---er down," and that she's "really inspired by this person, and, you know, he's inspired … [Read more...] about Billie Eilish talks Jesse Rutherford romance: ‘really inspired by this person’