Summary Auckland in New Zealand has just greeted in 2024 with its annual vibrant fireworks display at the city’s iconic Sky Tower. Happy New Year! New Zealand’s two main islands – North Island and South Island – are both in the same time zone. The Chatham Islands, which lie to the east, have a different…
Category: Australia & New Zealand News
Commonwealth Games: 2026 event in doubt after Victoria cancels
The 2026 Commonwealth Games are in doubt after the Australian state of Victoria cancelled its plans to host due to budget blowouts. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) struggled to find a host city before Victoria volunteered in April 2022. But the premier said the projected cost had now tripled and become “well and truly too…
Australia’s offshore detention policy is being wound down, campaigners say ‘dark chapter’ will not end until last refugees leave Papua New Guinea
Last refugee held on Nauru arrives in Australia The last refugee held on the Pacific island of Nauru under Australia’s notorious offshore detention policy has been evacuated to Australia, according to refugee advocacy groups. The man arrived in Australia on Saturday night, after the government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, which was elected in 2022, said it…
Ten people killed in wedding bus crash in Australia
By Aoife Walsh At least 10 people have died and more than 20 others are in hospital after a wedding bus crashed in an Australian wine region. The passengers were returning from a wedding at a winery on Sunday night when their coach overturned on Wine County Drive near Greta in Hunter Valley, New South…
Melbourne bus crash: School children suffer traumatic injuries
By Tiffanie Turnbull updated at 0720 EAT Time Sydney A group of primary school children has suffered traumatic injuries after a “horrific” bus crash in Melbourne, Australia. The bus was carrying 45 students when police say it was hit by a truck from behind and rolled on Tuesday afternoon. Nine children – aged 5 to…
Solar eclipse: Thousands flock to remote Australian town for rare celestial event
Updated by E K Benj and Tiffanie Turnbull at 0657 EAT on Thursday 20th April 2023 Thousands of tourists and scientists have flocked to a small Australian town offering one of the best vantage points on Earth for a rare solar eclipse. SYDNEY- The sky over Exmouth in Western Australia will turn dark for about…
Australia plans referendum on becoming a Republic
The vote, to test Australia’s appetite for a republic, will take place after the referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament. Melbourne, Australia – The recent death of Queen Elizabeth II has reignited a simmering republican debate in Australia, where the United Kingdom’s monarch is head of state, with Anthony Albanese’s government planning to put the…
Opposition ahead in polls as Australian election campaign kicks off
By Renju Jose Updated at 1717 EAT on Monday 11 April 2022 SYDNEY – Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government could lose the federal election to be held on May 21, according to polls on Monday, even as they showed him consolidating his position as the country’s preferred leader on the first day of campaigning….
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