Capital city of New Zealand, at the southwestern tip of the North Island
Wellington has confronted record rainfall and widespread flooding, triggering states of emergency, evacuations, and widespread damage across the capital region. Authorities warn of ongoing hazards as rainfall tracks north and relief efforts ramp up.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has secured support from his caucus in a confidence vote amid declining polls and internal party questions. The vote was held privately, and Luxon has declared his leadership is confirmed, as the country prepares for the upcoming November election.
Severe flooding in Wellington has caused widespread damage, with a man missing after floodwaters swept through his property. Emergency services have been working in affected areas, and the city remains under a state of emergency as heavy rain continues to pose risks of landslides and debris. The search for the missing man is ongoing.
Oil from a Kern County pipeline has flowed into storm drains and the LA River after a contractor struck a 6-inch pipe while laying fiber-optic cables. Containment booms are in place and birds are being cleaned; air monitoring is ongoing as authorities assess the impact.
New Zealand lawmakers who visited Taiwan have been banned for a year from China, Hong Kong and Macau. The move prompts diplomatic friction as Wellington defends parliamentary travel to Taiwan as longstanding practice under its One China policy. Officials say the ban is a China-driven reaction to cross-strait diplomacy.
Wellington faces a forecast of powerful swells and gusts. Authorities have declared a state of emergency in affected areas. Flights are disrupted, ferries are cancelled, and residents are urged to shelter and stay away from coastlines as the weather system approaches.
New Zealand has confirmed its first mainland detection of H5 bird flu after a brown skua found on Petone beach has tested positive. Authorities have said there is no evidence of mass mortality or poultry infection, but surveillance and a targeted vaccination programme for endangered captive birds have been activated as officials monitor wild populations.
Harry Brook has expressed willingness to become England’s Test captain following Ben Stokes’s retirement; he would also captain England across all formats if offered, after prioritising England cricket and forgoing most overseas franchise leagues.
Super Typhoon Bavi has direct-hit Rota with winds over 150 mph, triggering warnings for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Officials warn of catastrophic damage and prolonged outages as the storm tracks westward toward the Philippines and Taiwan amid El Niño-linked warming.