Thousands mark Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand
Sydney, Australia Reuters Thousands gathered across Australia and New Zealand on Thursday at Anzac Day services to commemorate those who fought and died in major conflicts in the nations’ history. Anzac Day originally commemorated a battle on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey during World War I. At dawn on 25th April, 1915, thousands of troops […]
UK smoking ban for younger generations passes first parliamentary hurdle
London, UK Reuters British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plan to ban anyone aged 15 and under from ever buying cigarettes passed its first parliamentary vote on Tuesday, although dozens of his own lawmakers voted against it. Sunak’s plan to impose some of the world’s strictest anti-smoking rules has angered some members of his governing Conservative […]
Essay: Gangs, kidnappings, murders – why thousands of Rohingya are desperately trying to escape refugee camps by boats
In an article first published on The Conversation, RUTH WELLS and MAX WILLIAM LOOMES, of UNSW Sydney, look at why so many Rohingya are fleeing Bangladesh and what Australia, New Zealand and regional partners can do to help them…
US, British forces carry out more strikes against Houthis in Yemen
Washington DC, US Reuters US and British forces carried out strikes against more than a dozen Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday, officials said, the latest round of military action against the Iran-linked group that continues to attack shipping in the region. The United States has carried out near daily strikes against the Houthis, who […]
Canada, Australia, NZ call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza ahead of Rafah assault
Sydney, Australia Reuters The leaders of Canada, Australia and New Zealand on Thursday called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, according to a joint statement released in response to reports about Israel’s planned military operation in Rafah. Smoke rises in central Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, […]
Thousands of New Zealand Maori meet to discuss response to government plans
Wellington, New Zealand Reuters More than 10,000 New Zealand Maori congregated in the central North Island on Saturday to discuss how to respond to government plans that are seen by many Indigenous groups as undermining their rights and status. Maori King Tuheitia, who hosted the event, told attendees their voices matter but it was not […]
Analysis – New Zealand’s swing right on Maori issues reveals new fault lines
Wellington, New ZealandReuters Plans by New Zealand’s conservative government to roll back Maori rights reforms have revived race as a hot political issue in the Pacific nation, which was previously lauded globally for its advances on Indigenous matters. Thousands of protesters have taken to New Zealand’s streets this month against proposed legislation and plans that […]
New Zealanders gather across country to protest new policies
Wellington, New Zealand Reuters Thousands of protesters gathered in New Zealand’s city squares, motorway over-bridges and in front of the country’s parliament on Tuesday to protest the new government’s policies that they believe are racist. The protest action was called for by political party Te Pati Maori and coincides with the opening of New Zealand’s […]
New Zealand’s new government sworn in, parliament expected to open next week
Wellington, New ZealandReuters New Zealand’s new right-of-centre government was sworn in on Monday, with parliament expected to sit next week and begin working on new policies including a new central bank mandate and lifting a ban on oil and gas exploration. New Zealand Governor General Cindy Kiro, who represents British monarch King Charles III as […]
New Zealand’s new coalition targets RBNZ mandate, taxes and gun laws
Wellington, New Zealand Reuters New Zealand’s National Party formally signed an agreement to form the country’s next three-party coalition government on Friday, after negotiating for more than a month over ministerial roles and policies. The role of Deputy Prime Minister, a key sticking point in the discussions, will be split between the populist NZ First […]