Wellington

Equities retreated on April 15 after Iran ramped up Middle East tensions by launching a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel over the weekend, fuelling fears of a wider conflict in the volatile region.

However, analysts said there was hope among traders that the crisis could be contained.

That sliver of optimism helped drag oil prices lower.

The United States, Britain and New Zealand have accused Beijing-backed cyber groups of being behind a series of attacks against lawmakers and key democratic institutions — allegations that prompted angry Chinese denials.

British supermodel Kate Moss, whose looks embodied "Cool Britannia" in the 1990s, turns 50 tomorrow, and still fascinates the country.

In September last year, the catwalk star told The Times newspaper that she was "in denial" about hitting her half century.

"I'm not turning 50," she said in an interview. "No, I'm not thinking about it. I do not feel 50."

Athens ranks among the world's 20 cities that are most accessible and most attractive to remote workers, according to research by the global human resources platform WorkMotion.

Asian and European markets rose yesterday, tracking a rally on Wall Street fuelled by a strong rebound in U.S. regional banks and forecast-beating jobs data that eased fears over a recession in the world's top economy.    

Hundreds gathered to applaud Jacinda Ardern as she left New Zealand's parliament to resign as prime minister on Wednesday, before Chris Hipkins was swiftly sworn in as her replacement.

Ardern said last week she no longer had "enough in the tank" after steering the country through natural disasters, its worst-ever terror attack and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins is set to become New Zealand's next prime minister after he was the only candidate to enter the contest Saturday to replace Jacinda Ardern.

Hipkins, 44, must still garner an endorsement Sunday from his Labour Party colleagues, but that is just a formality now. An official transfer of power will come in the days to follow.

Oil prices have surpassed 0 per barrel, and stock prices around the world have collapsed after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a "military operation" in Ukraine with a hint of a bigger war.

Exchanges have collapsed since earlier this week after the Kremlin recognized two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine on Monday night and later sent "peacekeepers" to them.

An oil tanker exploded near Sierra Leone's capital, killing at least 92 people and severely injuring dozens of others after large crowds gathered to collect leaking fuel, officials and witnesses said on Nov. 6.

The explosion took place late Friday after a bus struck the tanker in Wellington, a suburb just to the east of Freetown.

Toa, the baby orca who captured hearts after he was found stranded in New Zealand waters, has lost his fight for survival, conservationists confirmed July 24.

The killer whale, less than 2.5 meters long and believed to be four to six months old, became front-page news when he washed ashore near the capital Wellington after becoming separated from his pod nearly two weeks ago.