Weird world: A smuggled corpse, a nose for trouble and the leader ‘doing a Donald’
This week's round-up of offbeat stories from around the world.
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Latest fromDonald Trump
Why US government shutdown now seems inevitable
Musk-backed funding bill fails, nearly 875,000 workers face furlough.
Matt Gaetz ethics report to be released after House U-turn
Matt Gaetz denies allegations as House prepares to release ethics report.
Wall Street bets Trump will fuel further dollar gains
Financial Times: Trump unlikely to get his wish of a weaker currency, investors say.
Opinion: The fiscal update is no Xmas present for the Govt – but signs of a slow recovery are there
OPINION: Overall, the signs for 2025 are more positive than negative.
Letters: Kiwis' safety and security have gone backwards
OPINION: 'My insecurity stems from events both overseas and domestically.'
Trump suggests reversing US missile permissions for Ukraine
Trump criticises Ukraine strikes, claims they risk escalating conflict.
Watch: JLo, Trump and other A-listers dissed in brutal SNL monologue
Nobody was safe from Chris Rock, who skewered everyone from Elon Musk to Hollywood celebs.
'Squelch negative coverage': Trump and his cronies' media defamation strategy
New York Times: ABC News settles with Trump for $15m over defamation case.
London Stock Exchange suffers biggest exodus since financial crisis
Financial Times: Allure of New York grows despite planned UK reforms.
Trump calls for end of daylight savings
US President-elect says daylight savings are 'inconvenient and very costly'.
The Silicon Valley billionaires steering Trump’s transition
New York Times: Potentially one of the most conflict-ridden transitions in modern history.
Trump administration keen to re-examine JFK assassination
Robert F Kennedy wants Amaryllis Fox Kennedy to be the spy agency’s second-in-command.
Trump named Time's Person of the Year
The award is in acknowledgement of the mogul's stunning political comeback.
Into the stratosphere: Elon Musk net worth tops $760 billion
SpaceX deal propels another jump in the mogul's personal net wealth.
Trump's admiration for royals could make them a potent diplomatic tool
New York Times: The Windsors could help safeguard the UK's relations with Washington.
US disburses $34 billion Ukraine loan backed by profits from Russian assets
US says funds paid for by the windfall proceeds from Russia’s immobilised assets.
'Fighting very hard': Trump shares details of King Charles' cancer battle
The President-elect's account of a conversation with Prince William is turning heads.
As South Korean investment grows, so do ‘Koreatowns’
Financial Times: Samsung, Hyundai, LG bring Korean culture to unexpected parts of the US.
Trump signals an aggressive opening, threatening 'jail' for political foes
New York Times: He also vowed to pardon January 6 attackers on day one.
Donald Trump says he will not remove Jay Powell from Fed before term ends
Financial Times: President-elect also won’t rule out higher inflation from his tariffs.
YMCA isn’t gay and my wife will sue if you claim it is, says songwriter
Victor Willis says pop hit’s meaning has been misinterpreted.
Niven Winchester: How Trump's trade tariffs will hurt – and help – New Zealand
OPINION: Trump's stated tariffs would reduce NZ exports to the US by two-thirds.
Letters: Beach contamination shameful; what Kiwi cities are lacking
OPINION: 'Nothing but Third-World standards, and an absolute disgrace.'
Simon Bridges: We must act now to fix our broken energy sector
OPINION: To put it simply, the sector is broken, with weak competition.
Tesla loses bid to restore Elon Musk’s record $95 billion pay package
Financial Times: Judge gives world’s most valuable car maker a stinging rebuke.
Israeli-American soldier's death sparks Trump’s fierce Hamas threat
Trump vows to hit Hamas “harder than anybody” if hostages aren’t released by January 20.
How Kennedy has worked abroad to weaken global public health policy
New York Times: He has spent years abroad undermining key international health policies.
Kennedy's inheritance: How addiction and trauma shaped a turbulent life
NY Times: RFK Jr has reached a pinnacle of power after a life of fame and controversy.
Elon Musk is attacking Britain. Former PMs are building ties
Financial Times: 'Far too important to ignore' but what is fuelling Musk's hostility?
Trump nominates father of his son-in-law as French ambassador
Charles Kushner, a multi-millionaire real estate executive, once served jail time.
Zelenskyy willing to give up Ukrainian territory to Russia for peace
President says Ukraine could cede land temporarily for protection of a 'Nato umbrella'.
Mexico President hails 'excellent' Trump talks after US tariff threat
The Mexican leader warns that imposing US tariffs on utes would backfire.
Market Watch: The ‘Trump Bump’ – how long can it last?
Watch: Liam Dann talks to Mike Taylor about the outlook for the share market.