A 70-year-old crime fighting mayor who boasts about his womanising and praises the extrajudicial killings of drug dealers has emerged as a leading contender for the Philippine presidency.

Belgian prosecutors have charged three of 10 people detained earlier on Tuesday on suspicion of operating a recruitment ring for terrorist group Islamic State.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who is facing federal investigations into his travel, political activity and potential conflicts of interest, will leave the administration at year's end, President Donald Trump said on Saturday.

Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, appealed for the Palestinians to consider an economic support plan they have already rejected.

The two remaining refugees Australia sent to Cambodia under a controversial $55 million resettlement scheme feel abandoned and betrayed.

Typhoon Hagupit has now weakened after leaving at least three people dead in its wake, but Philippines authorities have reported no major damage.

Friends of bankrupt tycoon Scot Young, who has died after falling from his fourth storey London apartment, have expressed their utter shock and said they could not accept he had taken his own life.

Hundreds of homes have been evacuated in Southern California as heavy rains and wind lash the drought-stricken area.

While police tore down tents occupied by pro-democracy protesters for 75 days, a curious assembly took place on the roadside at a nearby freeway overpass.

Dark times call for dark humour, especially in Russia, where wags are saying the rouble has now fallen below the psychologically important threshold of "I no longer give a damn".

A woman widowed when her husband was killed at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 is suing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its alleged involvement in the attacks.

Tunisians voted on Sunday in a presidential run-off election that completes the country's transition to full democracy nearly four years after an uprising which ousted autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.

The Herald's picture editors showcase the best images from around the globe.

Australian cyclist Michael Rogers has been awarded his Olympic bronze medal from the 2004 Games, two years after Tyler Hamilton was stripped of gold.

Malcolm Turnbull has arrived in Jakarta as the government continues to melt the diplomatic freeze imposed after the Bali Nine executions.

The rare and flawless "Blue Moon" diamond" has sold for 48.6 million Swiss francs ($48.4 million$67.8 million - to a Hong Kong buyer, setting a world record for a gemstone at auction, Sotheby's said

A South African court has sentenced eight former police officers to 15 years each for killing a Mozambican taxi driver by dragging him handcuffed to a police truck and assaulting him in custody.

19-year-old man in a stable condition in hospital, Xinhua reported.

Australians face life imprisonment for fighting in overseas hostilities unless serving in a government's armed forces.

Off-duty Swedish police officer Mikaela Kellner was sunbathing in a Stockholm park this week when one of her friends' mobile phones went missing.