Pacific

European nations signal united opposition against China's intimidation in South China Sea

Canberra [Australia], March 19 (ANI): In a united opposition against China's intimidation in the South China Sea, the UK, France and Germany are sending warships to the South China Sea to pushback Beijing's assertiveness in the region.

2021-03-19T05:56:20.794470+00:00 IST

Australia to ask AstraZeneca, EU for 1 million vaccine doses for Papua New Guinea

Canberra [Australia], March 17 (ANI/Sputnik): Australia will ask AstraZeneca and the European authorities to divert 1 million contracted COVID-19 vaccine doses to Papua New Guinea (PNG) amid worsening epidemiological situation in the southwestern Pacific nation, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

2021-03-17T08:05:15.157947+00:00 IST

US, India together stand ready to aid, defend

Washington [US], March 10 (ANI): Advancing India-American ties, both sides have till now conducted several joint exercises, including last month's Yudh Abhyas missions.

2021-03-10T06:40:24.404245+00:00 IST

Australian health minister in hospital with suspected infection

Canberra [Australia], March 9 (ANI/Xinhua): Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt was admitted to hospital due to suspected infection, according to the federal government on Tuesday.

2021-03-09T09:38:51.531514+00:00 IST

6.3 magnitude earthquake registered off New Zealand

Auckland [New Zealand], March 6 (ANI/Sputnik): A new 6.3 magnitude earthquake stroke off New Zealand on Saturday following a series of powerful tremors recorded earlier this week, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

2021-03-06T05:08:33.543882+00:00 IST

Australia extends border closure until June

Canberra [Australia], March 3 (ANI/Xinhua): The Australian government has extended the nation's international border ban until June.

2021-03-03T07:00:37.506976+00:00 IST

Regulators keep close eye on Facebook's deal with Australia

Canberra [Australia], February 24 (ANI): Facebook and the Australian government's agreement on Monday enabling users to share news links on the platform is being closely watched by regulators around the world as a possible model for requiring the social media giant to pay for news content on its site.

2021-02-24T13:44:42.151418+00:00 IST

Australia begins coronavirus vaccinations

Canberra [Australia], February 21 (ANI/Xinhua): Prime Minister Scott Morrison has become one of the first Australians to receive a coronavirus vaccine.

2021-02-21T04:35:16.679425+00:00 IST

Facebook in talks with Oz government after news ban

Canberra [Australia], February 20 (ANI): Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday said Facebook is back in negotiations with the government after the tech platform decided to restrict users in Australia from sharing news content.

2021-02-20T12:45:00.569472+00:00 IST

Australia reiterates commitment to deepen cooperation at 3rd Quad foreign ministers' meeting

Canberra [Australia], February 19 (ANI): Australia on Friday reiterated their commitment to deepen Quad cooperation on regional priorities ranging from the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, maritime security, infrastructure, supply chain resilience, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, cyber and critical technologies to countering disinformation, in a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade press release.

2021-02-19T04:37:09.984156+00:00 IST

Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting: Quad partners are strong supporters of ASEAN centrality, says Australia

Canberra [Australia], February 18 (ANI): Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad partners are strong supporters of ASEAN centrality within a region in which all countries are sovereign, independent and resilient, said the Australian government on Thursday in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade press release.

2021-02-18T05:53:11.644152+00:00 IST

Oz PM apologises to former staffer allegedly raped in Parliament office

Canberra [Australia], February 16 (ANI): Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday apologised to a former government staffer who alleged that she was raped by a colleague in Parliament House two years ago.

2021-02-16T11:52:48.118424+00:00 IST

New Zealand receives 1st batch of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine: PM Jacinda Ardern

Auckland [New Zealand], February 15 (ANI/Sputnik): The first 60,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine arrived in New Zealand on Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

2021-02-15T09:16:23.576756+00:00 IST

6.0-magnitude quake hits southeast of Loyalty Islands: USGS

New Caledonia [France], February 11 (ANI/Xinhua): An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 jolted southeast of the Loyalty Islands at 06:52:30 GMT on Thursday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

2021-02-11T08:05:14.751876+00:00 IST

Fiji stops all maritime transport as precautionary measure for tropical depression

Suva [Fiji], February 9 (ANI/Xinhua): The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) has directed that all maritime transport ceases from midday Tuesday due to damaging winds caused by tropical depression TD09F which brings heavy rain and flash flooding in low lying areas likely to affect visibility.

2021-02-09T05:05:57.431505+00:00 IST

Australian govt confirms digital vaccine certificate system

Canberra [Australia], February 7 (ANI/Xinhua): The Australian government has revealed its plans for digital coronavirus vaccine certificates.

2021-02-07T09:42:39.968185+00:00 IST

New Zealand holds events to celebrate Waitangi Day

Wellington [New Zealand], February 6 (ANI/Xinhua): New Zealanders celebrated their National Day, the 181st anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, on Saturday with services and performances across the country.

2021-02-06T08:47:19.078915+00:00 IST

South Australia State urged to bring international students back on charter flights

Canberra [Australia], February 5 (ANI/Xinhua): The government of South Australia (SA) has been urged to bring international students back to the state on charter flights.

2021-02-05T02:26:36.261540+00:00 IST

Vaccine efficacy to determine when Australia re-opens borders: PM

Canberra [Australia], February 4 (ANI/Xinhua): Australia's borders could be opened sooner than expected if COVID-19 vaccines effectively prevent transmission, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

2021-02-04T07:25:26.529028+00:00 IST

US demands China end pressure on Taiwan, engage in dialogue

Washington [US], February 3 (ANI): The United States has urged China to end its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.

2021-02-03T01:00:40.699800+00:00 IST

Australian govt, opposition deadlocked: poll

Canberra [Australia], February 1 (ANI/Xinhua): Australia's opposition has drawn level with the government ahead of a likely election later in 2021 expected by local media, an opinion poll has found.

2021-02-01T05:31:12.915058+00:00 IST