The Pentagon had said Anthropic must agree to comply with its demand by 5.01pm Friday (local time) or face compulsion under the Defence Production Act. The Pentagon also threatened to designate Anthropic a supply chain risk – a label typically reserved for companies from adversary nations. “Anthropic delivered a masterclass in arrogance and betrayal as well as a textbook case of how not to do business with the United States Government or the Pentagon,” Hegseth wrote on X. The Centre for Democracy and Technology (CDT), a Washington-based technology policy NGO, sharply criticised Trump’s move against Anthropic. It chills private companies’ ability to engage frankly with the Government about appropriate uses of their technology,” Givens added.

The US military initiated a series of strikes against targets in Iran, two US officials told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The attack follows a 12-day air war in June between Israel and Iran and repeated US-Israeli warnings that they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. "The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel," Defence Minister Israel Katz said. Israel closed its airspace to civilian flights, and the airports authority asked the public not to go to any of the country's airports. It warned neighbouring countries hosting US troops that it would retaliate against American bases if Washington struck Iran.

Photo / Rocket Lab"That's Not A Knife" on the launchpad at LC-2. Photo / Rocket LabBy RNZNew Zealand-founded company Rocket Lab has successfully launched its latest space mission for the US Department of Defence. The Haste rocket, called “That’s Not A Knife”, lifted off from Wallops Island in Virginia in the US at 1pm today (NZ time) from Launch Complex 2 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. It was Rocket Lab’s second successful launch of a hypersonic test mission for the US Defence Department’s Defence Innovation Unit, and the seventh Haste rocket launch overall. Rocket Lab said its Haste missions to date have achieved 100% success.

Nortessa Montgomerie before she was abducted and assaulted for almost 40 hours by her ex Nathan Boulter. On July 22, Boulter went to a hunting store in Christchurch and purchased a 19cm pig-sticker knife. Her terrified children ran inside the house to safety as Boulter carried out a “frenzied” attack, stabbing McDonald 55 times. “We [women] were all in a lot of danger, and now it is finally over.”Seeing Boulter jailed for life had helped Montgomerie. “I feel really hopeful,” she said.

In an era when many pop-rock stars cultivated images of seductive wildness, Mr. Sedaka exuded an avuncular charm. 1 hit “Laughter in the Rain” as well as “Love Will Keep Us Together.” Mr. Sedaka followed with the No. Until he was 18, all indications were that Mr. Sedaka would pursue a career in classical music. Mr. Sedaka was just becoming interested in pop, mainly as a social defense mechanism. “My father knew about him and accepted him, so after the initial shock, so did I,” Mr. Sedaka told the Daily Express in 2014.

STORY CONTINUES HEREThe Times of Israel reported an unnamed security source told Channel 12 that the operation was jointly planned for months. The source says Israel is going “all-out” in this operation, and the US is “on the same page”. “The State of Israel has launched a pre-emptive strike against Iran. Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the country,” read a statement from his ministry. The Jerusalem Post reported the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) launched a surprise attack on Iran on Saturday morning (local time), with Iranian state media reporting that explosions had been heard in Tehran.

Photo / Mexican Foreign Ministry via AFPUS President Donald Trump today suggested a “friendly takeover” of communist-led Cuba, with tensions high between Washington and Havana after the US toppling of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro. The Trump administration has imposed a strict oil embargo on Cuba since ousting Havana’s key regional backer, bringing the island nation to the brink of economic collapse. But they’re talking with us and maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House. Cuba has been under a US trade embargo since shortly after Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution. Relations thawed in recent years but have plunged again since Trump took office for his second term, with the US President seeking to tighten Washington’s grip on Latin America.

Daniel Hillier eyes up a putt at the New Zealand Open at Millbrook today. Photos: Michael Thomas/PhotosportStar attraction Daniel Hillier is one round away from giving the Millbrook crowd what they want. Tournament favourite Hillier came roaring home to snatch a one-shot lead in the New Zealand Open today. He went birdie, birdie, par, eagle, birdie over the final five holes to card a third round of 7-under 64, taking him to 18-under ahead of tomorrow's final round. Masterton golfer Kerry Mountcastle shares a lighter moment with caddie and fiancee Georgia Brown at the New Zealand Open at Millbrook.

Involvement in education at a national level included Associate membership of NZEI, Social Studies curriculum development, membership of Catholic Schools Parent Teacher Association, chairman of Dunedin Diocese Catholic Education Council and NZ Catholic Education Council. He was instrumental in negotiating the Private Schools Provisional Integration Agreement 1975 as a member of the Catholic Education working party. Genny and Tony Hanning in 2009, holding an international Lions award awarded to Mrs Hanning. In 1981 he was appointed Manager of Catholic Education Southland and Otago. Tony Hanning died on December 20, aged 87.

It was an emotional moment at Wingatui on Saturday for Vicky Ramhit, with the Timaru trainer rewarding his parents for their support with a big winner’s cheque followingAladdins Jem’s (NZ)(Satono Aladdin) victory in the $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m). Ramhit shares in the ownership of the mare with a small group, including his parents, Jagdish and Pratibha Ramhit, and they have enjoyed a fruitful run with the daughter of Satono Aladdin, including victory over 1400m during New Zealand Cup Week. Her last start win at Wingatui last month qualified her for the ODT Southern Mile Final and Ramhit was hopeful she would continue her good run of form in the rich feature. Bred by Okaharau Station, Aladdins Jem is out of Keepaflight (NZ), a half-sister to Group One performer Cog Hill (NZ) (Star Way). She initially had three starts for Wexford Stables before being offered on gavelhouse.com where she was purchased by Ramhit for $11,500.

Former US president Bill Clinton gestures during the 2025 Clinton Global Initiative in New York City in September 2025. Photo: ReutersBill Clinton has told lawmakers that he "saw nothing that gave me pause" when he spent time with Jeffrey Epstein, as the former president gave closed-door testimony about his relationship with the late sex offender. Clinton flew on Epstein's plane several times in the early 2000s after he left office and before Epstein's 2008 conviction of soliciting prostitution from a minor. "President Clinton's presence here today under oath highlights the Donald Trump-sized gaping hole in Chairman Comer's investigation," said Democratic Representative James Walkinshaw of Virginia. He socialised extensively with Epstein in the 1990s and 2000s and says he broke off ties before Epstein's 2008 conviction.

There was a strong jump in residential auction activity over the last week, particularly in the Bay of Plenty and Canterbury. Interest.co.nz monitored the auctions of 562 residential properties around the country over the week of 21-27 February, well up from 427 the previous week. It was the busiest week for auction activity since the final week of November last year. Unfortunately the increase in auction activity did not result in an increase in the sales rate. Of the 562 properties offered at auction nationwide, 219 were sold under the hammer, giving an overall sales rate of 39% for the week.

A man has been arrested after a serious assault in Auckland's CBD on Friday night that left two people with serious injuries. Detective Senior Sergeant Ash Matthews said emergency crews were called to Lorne Street about 10.20pm. The other sustained serious injuries. Police also recovered a knife at the scene and a 65-year-old man was arrested by responding staff. The man was due to appear in Auckland District Court on Saturday on two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

As Washington mobilises forces, Trump said “nobody knows” if a US attack would bring down the Iranian Government. Iran agreed to restrictions to low-level enrichment in a 2015 deal that Trump ripped up during his first term in office. Rubio heads to IsraelMeanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Israel for talks on Iran on Tuesday, the State Department said. Issues beyond nuclearIn his State of the Union address on Wednesday, Trump alleged Iran was developing missiles that could strike the United States. Increasing pressure, Rubio todaydesignated Iran a state sponsor of wrongful detentions, a new blacklist, over jailings of US citizens.

File photoA weather system hovering over the Australian interior all week is set to move south, delivering badly needed rain to farmers. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has warned residents to prepare for the risk of flooding in the days ahead. "It is not unusual in South Australia or metropolitan Adelaide to see a 10-millimetre rain event," he said. A severe weather warning was already in place for the South Australia's west coast, west pastoral and Eyre Peninsula districts. Flood warnings remain in place for large parts of central Australia, with much of the water flowing into Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre.