News | Otago Daily Times Online News

Thursday, Thu, 15 MayMay 2025

Gaza at critical risk of famine amid Israeli blockade

Palestinians at a food charity kitchen, in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza. Photo: Reuters

Gaza at critical risk of famine amid Israeli blockade

Half a million people in the Gaza Strip face starvation, a global hunger monitor says, saying the Israeli-blockaded enclave still confronts a critical risk of famine with a high risk of one occurring by the end of September.

Mushroom murder trial: Mycologist tells court of death cap sightings

Mycologist Tom May gave evidence in the Erin Patterson triple-murder trial. Photo: Getty Images

Mushroom murder trial: Mycologist tells court of death cap sightings

Poisonous mushroom identification is fraught with challenges and toxicity is often determined after they are ingested, an expert has told Erin Patterson's triple-murder trial.

Airport arrest shows tougher stance on student debt

Airport arrest shows tougher stance on student debt

The arrest of a person arriving at the border last month over unpaid student loan debt is an example of Inland Revenue "making up for lost time", one tax expert says.

External review finds firearms registry keeping NZers safe

Firearms that will remain legal, depending on number of rounds and magazine type. (File photo)...

External review finds firearms registry keeping NZers safe

The Firearms Safety Authority says an external review shows that its registry is keeping people safe, but the ACT Party still insists the review was not strong enough.

Police search harbour for missing man

Police search harbour for missing man

Several Coastguard boats and Dunedin police officers searched Otago Harbour and beaches in the Port Otago area today for a missing man.

Chch teacher jailed for grooming, abusing student

The teacher exchanged explicit messages and photos with a teenage girl. File photo: Getty Images

Chch teacher jailed for grooming, abusing student

A woman was in tears today as she confronted the school teacher who groomed her when she was just 13 before going on to sexually abuse her.

Nature my sanctuary during treatment: Princess

The Princess of Wales says nature has been her sanctuary over the last year in which she underwent preventative chemotherapy for cancer.

Stars out to dispel tariff gloom at Cannes

Cannes, in the south of France, is the world's biggest film festival. Photo: Getty Images

Stars out to dispel tariff gloom at Cannes

Movie legends from Tom Cruise to Denzel Washington are in Cannes this week for the 78th incarnation of its film festival, as the industry tries to shake off worries over dwindling audiences and threatened tariffs.

Former NZ Idol judge caught drink driving again

Paul Ellis at a New Zealand music function. Photo: Norrie Montgomery via Open Justice

Former NZ Idol judge caught drink driving again

Paul Ellis, a former prominent figure in the Kiwi music industry, is back in court on more driving charges - this time after being caught nearly seven times the legal alcohol limit.

Luxon, Hipkins clash over pay equity feud

Prime minister Christopher Luxon (left) and opposition leader Chris Hipkins. Photo: RNZ

Luxon, Hipkins clash over pay equity feud

The Prime Minister and Opposition leader are in a political feud over who is lying about the overhaul of the pay equity regime.

Australia's Liberals name first female leader

New Australian Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley. Photo: Getty Images

Australia's Liberals name first female leader

Sussan Ley's elevation as the first female leader of the federal Liberal Party has been hailed as a new beginning for an opposition facing years in the wilderness.

Boy sentenced for starting fire that killed woman

A shopping list in his mother's handwriting is all a grieving son could salvage from the remains of her burnt-down house - a crime committed by a 12-year-old boy.

Family grieving after teen's 'disorder' death

Police are continuing to investigate the incident in Napier. Photo: RNZ

Family grieving after teen's 'disorder' death

Police today remain at the scene where a teenage boy died after a "violent disorder" incident in Napier at the weekend.

$100m boost to govt venture capital fund

$100m boost to govt venture capital fund

The state backed Elevate venture capital fund is to get a $100 million injection in next week's Budget.

Car rolls near Oval

Car rolls near Oval

One person has minor injuries after a car rolled near the Oval in Dunedin.

Russia downed Malaysian plane: UN council rules

A Malaysian investigator inspects the crash site of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in Ukraine....

Russia downed Malaysian plane: UN council rules

Russia was responsible for the downing of a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine, killed all 298 passengers and crew in 2014, the UN's aviation council has ruled.

Driver shoved woman, punched her husband in head

Driver shoved woman, punched her husband in the head: police

A man who was asked to move his car from blocking the road by an older couple responded by pushing the woman and assaulting her husband, police say.

Freed Israeli-American hostage leaves Gaza

Edan Alexander reunites with his parents after being released by Hamas. Photo: GPO/Handout via...

Freed Israeli-American hostage leaves Gaza

An Israeli-American hostage has been released from 19 months of captivity in Gaza during a brief pause in fighting and reunited with his family, but Israeli strikes soon resumed.

Chickens all over road after truck rolls in Canterbury

Multiple chickens have reportedly been killed after a truck and trailer unit crashed near Christchurch this morning.

Combs' girlfriend abused and terrified: witnesses

Warning: sexual content. A male stripper has testified at Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial he had sex with the hip-hop mogul's then-girlfriend for money multiple times while Combs watched.

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