The US government has shut down much of its operations, as deep partisan divisions prevented Congress and the White House from reaching a funding deal, which could lead to job losses for thousands.

The country's newest fire trucks can not be used at rescues because they are too small to fit all the lifesaving gear they need to carry.

The Dunedin family of a woman who went missing in Auckland more than a month ago say there's been no sightings and no bank movements since she disappeared.

At least 20 people were killed and dozens injured following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake in the Philippines.