The wait to identify the Australians and others caught up in New Zealand's volcano disaster continues, as anxious families and loved ones seek news following Whakaari's eruption.

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Trump won't defend impeachment in House

US President Donald Trump will address the impeachment charges during the Senate trial phase of the proceedings, the White House says, continuing to opt not to argue the merits of the charges ahead of an expected vote by the Democratic-led House.

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UK's Johnson pushes his Brexit message

With two days until Britain's election, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's final push to drive home his key message about Brexit has been overshadowed by criticism of his ham-fisted response to the image of a sick child sleeping on a hospital floor and allegations that he exploited a terrorist knife attack for political gain.

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Hopes for survivors on Chile plane fade

Chile's air force says one of its cargo planes has crashed with 38 people on board after going missing in an isolated area between South America and the Antarctic, with the chance of finding survivors looking "difficult".

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Cosby loses appeal to overturn conviction

Disgraced comedian Bill Cosby lost his appeal to overturn his 2018 sexual assault conviction when a Pennsylvania appeals court rejected his lawyers' argument that the trial judge had deprived him of a fair trial, a court filing shows.

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Roxette singer Marie Frederiksson dies

Swedish singer Marie Frederiksson, the female half of the top-selling duo Roxette, has died aged 61, her manager says.

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Australian Associated Press