Aurora Energy's Otago consumers are in line to be hit with a price increase as the powerco looks to catch up on spending on assets.

Giving back to the community and educating more people in basic Te Reo was the goal of the winners of Otago's Young Enterprise Scheme awards this year - and they have won the competition for a brilliant but simple idea.

SKY WATCH: There's a celestial treat in store for Oamaruvians on Saturday night - but be quick, writes Ian Griffin.

Afghans have begun voting in parliamentary elections overshadowed by chaotic organisation, allegations of corruption and violence that has forced a postponement of the vote in the strategic southern province of Kandahar.

A commuter train travelling at high speed has ploughed through a crowd of people on the tracks in India, killing dozens of festival-goers who couldn't hear it coming.

Saudi Arabia has confirmed missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi has died, and it has fired two senior officials over the incident that's provoked an international outcry.