An 84-year-old widow "terrified" at the prospect of being deported to Iran has won an appeal and been granted NZ residency.

The closure of TAHI is part of changes to how the broadcaster covers music, arts and culture.

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.