Pacific

Australia turns down China's overtures to deepen bilateral ties

Sydney [Australia], April 25 (ANI): The ties between two countries have further strained as Australia cancelled agreements to participate in China's Belt and Road Initiative, terming it as "inconsistent with country's foreign policy."

2021-04-25T06:39:46.843634+00:00 IST

Australia says China-linked state deals cancelled on national interest grounds

Canberra [Australia], April 24 (ANI): Australia has said that a decision to cancel two deals between Victoria state and China on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was about ensuring consistency in foreign relations and was not aimed at any country.

2021-04-24T16:46:10.332646+00:00 IST

Opening of travel bubble with New Zealand a "win-win": Aussie PM

Canberra [Australia], April 19 (ANI/Xinhua): Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday welcomed the opening of free travel between his country and New Zealand, saying it is a "win-win" for both countries.

2021-04-19T01:50:50.963505+00:00 IST

Australia's island state to get first direct international flight service in 23 years

Sydney [Australia], April 13 (ANI/Xinhua): The Australian island state of Tasmania is set to get its first regular international flight service in 23 years with the launch of direct flights to New Zealand starting from next week.

2021-04-13T05:30:14.489948+00:00 IST

Red alert for parts of Australia as cyclone Seroja approaches

Canberra [Australia], April 11 (ANI/Sputnik): A red alert is issued on parts of Western Australia by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) as Cyclone Seroja approaches the coastline.

2021-04-11T12:14:32.549093+00:00 IST

Australia unveils 'Road Map for Respect' amid sexual harassment scandals

Canberra [Australia], April 9 (ANI): After two months of sexual harassment and assault scandals, including a claim of rape inside Parliament House, Australia's government agreed on Thursday to accept a series of recommendations that aim to prevent gender-based abuse and increase accountability for misbehavior in the workplace.

2021-04-08T22:09:36.153728+00:00 IST

New Zealand boosts space technology cooperation with Germany

Wellington [New Zealand], April 7 (ANI/Xinhua): New Zealand's aerospace industry is getting a boost through cooperation with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), which is expected to improve its capability and potentially lead to joint space missions, New Zealand's Minister of Research, Science and Innovation Megan Woods said Wednesday.

2021-04-07T05:39:37.193410+00:00 IST

UK PM likely to announce free testing, Covid certificates in post-pandemic plan

London [UK], April 5 (ANI): UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to give the first detailed glimpse of England's post-pandemic society on Monday, announcing free twice-weekly coronavirus testing and COVID-19 certificates to allow people into nightclubs and sporting events.

2021-04-05T16:11:03.518530+00:00 IST

Fiji PM thanks India for COVID-19 vacccines

Suva [Fiji], March 31 (ANI): Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama on Wednesday thanked the Government of India for providing the island country with Made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines.

2021-03-31T16:49:37.566447+00:00 IST

Cabinet reshuffle focused on gender equality brings welcome change: Oz PM

Canberra [Australia], March 29 (ANI): Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared a cabinet reshuffle after backlash against his government was triggered for its poor handling of sexual assault allegations in parliament, local media reported on Monday.

2021-03-29T12:38:31.705413+00:00 IST

New Zealand reports 11 new cases of COVID-19

Wellington [New Zealand], March 29 (ANI/Xinhua): New Zealand reported 11 new border-related COVID-19 cases in managed isolation and no new community cases on Monday, said the Ministry of Health in a statement.

2021-03-29T03:14:49.111801+00:00 IST

New Zealand passes bereavement leave law for miscarriages, stillbirths

Aukland [New Zealand], March 25 (ANI): New Zealand's Parliament has unanimously approved legislation that would give couples -- who suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth -- three days of paid leave, putting the country in the vanguard of those providing such benefits.

2021-03-25T12:58:50.025935+00:00 IST

5.0-magnitude quake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands

New Caledonia [France], March 25 (ANI/Xinhua): An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 jolted southeast of the Loyalty Islands at 07:08:07 GMT on Thursday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

2021-03-25T08:11:37.443615+00:00 IST

Around 20,000 remain stranded by flooding in eastern Australia

Sydney [Australia], March 25 (ANI/Xinhua): Around 20,000 people remained stranded by major flooding in eastern Australia on Thursday, with water levels yet to drop in some parts despite an end to the rain.

2021-03-25T04:44:28.559697+00:00 IST

Mauritius PM thanks India's support for providing COVID-19 vaccines

Port Louis [Mauritius], March 24 (ANI): Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth on Wednesday expressed gratitude towards the government of India for providing COVID-19 vaccines to the country.

2021-03-24T17:21:10.474011+00:00 IST

Australian PM promises to improve treatment of women in politics

Canberra [Australia], March 23 (ANI/Xinhua): Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has promised significant cultural change to improve the treatment of women in the parliament.

2021-03-23T08:32:52.543377+00:00 IST

About 18,000 people evacuated in Australia after floods

New South Wales [Australia], March 22 (ANI/Sputnik): Around 18,000 people have left their homes in New South Wales, South Eastern Australia, due to severe floods caused by heavy rains, Gladys Berejiklian, the state's Prime Minister, said on Monday.

2021-03-22T08:43:17.000986+00:00 IST

Chile reports 6,836 COVID-19 cases, 99 deaths

Santiago [Chile], March 22 (ANI/Xinhua): The Chilean Ministry of Health reported on Sunday 6,836 cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), for a total of 931,939 cases, as well as 99 more deaths, bringing the death toll to 22,279.

2021-03-22T00:53:06.038578+00:00 IST

Australia declares natural disaster after heavy rains cause flooding

Sydney [Australia] March 21 (ANI): The Australian government has declared a natural disaster in New South Wales after heavy rains caused flooding in rivers and a dam and thousands had to evacuate.

2021-03-21T10:38:22.958042+00:00 IST

Indian-made COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Solomon Islands

Honiara, [Soloman Island] March 19 (ANI): Soloman Islands on Friday received Indian-made COVID-19 vaccines under the 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative.

2021-03-19T11:14:23.579704+00:00 IST

Mauritius receives consignment of Made in India COVID-19 vaccines

Port Louis [Mauritius], March 19 (ANI): In a unified attempt to free the world of coronavirus, India on Friday handed over to Mauritius a commercial supply of 200,000 doses of Covaxin vaccines under the 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative.

2021-03-19T10:56:00.365701+00:00 IST