The Latest: China praises Thai king’s friendship

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Bhumibol worked to strengthen ties between China and Thailand and "made an irreplaceable contribution to cementing the two people's friendship and expanding bilateral cooperation." "China deeply mourns King Bhumibol's passing and expresses sincere condolences to the Thai people and government," the ministry said.

The US presidential election – experienced from Godzone

Americans living in Manawatu say watching Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton face off from afar has been surreal, and they're conscious the eyes of the world are on their home country. Filmmaker Derrick Sims is originally from Arkansas and came to Palmerston North this year.

Labour open to negotiate a more-acceptable TPP if it fails to pass in US

Labour would welcome the chance to negotiate a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact if it did not get United States approval this year, leader Andrew Little said on Tuesday. In a major speech on international affairs in Wellington, Little underscored Labour's continuing "engagement" and his rejection of "isolationism", despite the party's opposition to the TPP in its current form, saying it was proudly a free trade party.