WEATHER ALERT
After years of delays, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ties the knot
Read full article: After years of delays, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ties the knotAfter almost five years of engagement and a postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has married longtime partner Clarke Gayford in a private ceremony.
New Zealand elects conservative Christopher Luxon as premier after 6 years of liberal rule
Read full article: New Zealand elects conservative Christopher Luxon as premier after 6 years of liberal ruleConservative former businessman Christopher Luxon will be New Zealand’s next prime minister after winning a decisive election victory.
On the campaign trail, New Zealand leader Chris Hipkins faces an uphill battle wooing voters
Read full article: On the campaign trail, New Zealand leader Chris Hipkins faces an uphill battle wooing votersNew Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is facing an uphill battle to woo voters less than three weeks before an election.
New Zealand, whose pandemic response was closely watched, removes last of COVID-19 restrictions
Read full article: New Zealand, whose pandemic response was closely watched, removes last of COVID-19 restrictionsNew Zealand has removed the last of its remaining COVID-19 restrictions, marking the end of a government response to the pandemic that was watched closely around the world.
New Zealand is partnering with BlackRock in aim to reach 100% renewable electricity
Read full article: New Zealand is partnering with BlackRock in aim to reach 100% renewable electricityNew Zealand’s government says it will partner with U.S. investment giant BlackRock as it aims to become one of the first nations in the world to have its electricity grid run entirely from renewable energy.
New Zealand opens Women's World Cup with a 1-0 upset over Norway on emotional 1st day in host nation
Read full article: New Zealand opens Women's World Cup with a 1-0 upset over Norway on emotional 1st day in host nationHannah Wilkinson has scored to open the second half and New Zealand has upset Norway 1-0 for its first-ever win at the Women’s World Cup just hours after a shooting in downtown Auckland that shocked the host nation.
Women's World Cup security heightened ahead of opening match following deadly shooting in Auckland
Read full article: Women's World Cup security heightened ahead of opening match following deadly shooting in AucklandSecurity was heightened ahead of Thursday night’s opening Women’s World Cup game after a gunman killed two people at a downtown construction site in Auckland, roughly 12 hours ahead of co-host New Zealand’s match against Norway.
Fatal shooting hours before the Women's World Cup began in New Zealand appears to be an isolated act
Read full article: Fatal shooting hours before the Women's World Cup began in New Zealand appears to be an isolated actA gunman opened fire on terrified workers on a construction site in downtown Auckland, killing two people hours before New Zealand hosted the first game of the Women’s World Cup.
Britain officially joins an Asia-Pacific trade group that includes Japan and 10 other nations
Read full article: Britain officially joins an Asia-Pacific trade group that includes Japan and 10 other nationsBritain has officially joined an Asia-Pacific trade group that includes Japan and 10 other nations during a meeting in New Zealand.
New Zealand debates whether ethnicity should be a factor for surgery waitlists
Read full article: New Zealand debates whether ethnicity should be a factor for surgery waitlistsNew Zealanders this week have been debating a thorny health care issue — whether ethnicity should be a factor in determining when patients get surgery.
US signs new security pact with Papua New Guinea amid competition with China
Read full article: US signs new security pact with Papua New Guinea amid competition with ChinaThe United States has signed a new security pact with Papua New Guinea as the U.S. continues to jostle with China for influence in the Pacific.
New Zealand police arrest, charge man in connection with hostel fire that killed at least 6
Read full article: New Zealand police arrest, charge man in connection with hostel fire that killed at least 6New Zealand police have arrested a man and charged him with two counts of arson in connection with the fire at a Wellington hostel that killed at least six people.
New Zealand budget plan offers modest financial relief ahead of election
Read full article: New Zealand budget plan offers modest financial relief ahead of electionMonths before an election, New Zealand’s government is offering some modest financial relief to many people by making most prescription medicines free and increasing subsidies for childcare and public transportation.
New Zealand police to remove bodies from hostel where at least 6 died in fire
Read full article: New Zealand police to remove bodies from hostel where at least 6 died in fireNew Zealand police say they plan to start removing bodies from the Wellington hostel where at least six people were killed in a fire.
Hopes for historic Pacific visit dashed after Biden cancels trip to Papua New Guinea
Read full article: Hopes for historic Pacific visit dashed after Biden cancels trip to Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea had declared next Monday a public holiday in anticipation of an historic visit by U.S. President Joe Biden.
Fire at New Zealand hostel kills at least 6 people, officials say
Read full article: Fire at New Zealand hostel kills at least 6 people, officials sayA fire ripped through a hostel in New Zealand’s capital overnight, killing at least six people and forcing others to flee in their pajamas in what a fire chief called his “worst nightmare.”.
New Zealand fears more fatalities after cyclone kills 4
Read full article: New Zealand fears more fatalities after cyclone kills 4New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says a cyclone that left a devastating wake of extensive flooding and landslides has claimed at least four lives and police have “grave concerns” for other residents who remain unaccounted for.
New Zealand declares emergency as Cyclone Gabrielle eases
Read full article: New Zealand declares emergency as Cyclone Gabrielle easesThe New Zealand government has declared a national state of emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle battered the country’s north, leaving widespread flooding and destruction.
New Zealand's new leader Hipkins cuts many contentious plans
Read full article: New Zealand's new leader Hipkins cuts many contentious plansNew Zealand’s new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says he is axing or delaying many of his government’s more contentious policy plans as he looks to refocus on priorities like the rising cost of living.
Jacinda Ardern makes final appearance as New Zealand leader
Read full article: Jacinda Ardern makes final appearance as New Zealand leaderJacinda Ardern has made her final public appearance as New Zealand’s prime minister, saying the thing she would miss most was the people, because they had been the “joy of the job.”.
Chris Hipkins confirmed as New Zealand leader, picks deputy
Read full article: Chris Hipkins confirmed as New Zealand leader, picks deputyChris Hipkins has been confirmed as New Zealand’s next prime minister and he chose Carmel Sepuloni as his deputy, marking the first time a person with Pacific Island heritage has risen to that rank.
New Zealand designates Proud Boys a terrorist organization
Read full article: New Zealand designates Proud Boys a terrorist organizationNew Zealand’s government has declared American far-right groups the Proud Boys and The Base are terrorist organizations, making it illegal in New Zealand to fund, recruit or participate in them.
Quarantine lottery breached rights, New Zealand court rules
Read full article: Quarantine lottery breached rights, New Zealand court rulesDuring the height of pandemic restrictions, thousands of New Zealanders desperate to return home essentially had to roll the dice month after month as they tried to secure a coveted bed in a quarantine hotel run by the military.
New Zealand city enters 3-day lockdown after virus found
Read full article: New Zealand city enters 3-day lockdown after virus foundNew Zealands largest city of Auckland is being placed into a three-day lockdown Sunday following the discovery of three unexplained virus cases. (AP Photo/Nick Perry)WELLINGTON – New Zealand's largest city of Auckland has begun a three-day lockdown following the discovery of three unexplained coronavirus cases in the community. It has also forced a delay in the America's Cup sailing regatta. AdThe country has been hosting the America's Cup sailing regatta. The winner will then take on Emirates Team New Zealand for the America's Cup.
Dangerous Liaison: New Zealand virus quarantine flaw exposed
Read full article: Dangerous Liaison: New Zealand virus quarantine flaw exposedThe Grand Millenium hotel, a managed isolation facility is seen in central Auckland, New Zealand, July, 16, 2020. A traveler and a worker at the quarantine hotel started passing each other notes, including one written on the back of a face mask. The man working at the quarantine hotel was supposed to be the last line of defense. Brigadier Jim Bliss, the head of managed isolation and quarantine, said the worker was immediately sent home and told to self-isolate. New Zealand's successful response has resulted in just 25 people dying from the virus in a nation of 5 million.
Asia Today: India starts shipping COVID-19 vaccine to cities
Read full article: Asia Today: India starts shipping COVID-19 vaccine to citiesHealth workers shift a box containing COVID-19 vaccine from a vehicle to a cold storage at Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. WELLINGTON – India has started shipping COVID-19 vaccines to multiple cities, four days ahead of a nationwide inoculation drive. The first vaccine shipments contain the COVISHIELD vaccine made by the Serum Institute and developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. — Indonesia has received the raw materials to begin making 15 million doses of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine. Another Indian, HS Prannoy, an unidentified German and an Egyptian also tested positive on Monday, but their retests were found to be negative.
Asia Today: New Zealand imposes new mask rules as precaution
Read full article: Asia Today: New Zealand imposes new mask rules as precautionThomasBach, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President,puts on his mask before speaking during the joint press conference between IOC and Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) in Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 16, 2020. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Virus Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced the new rules on Monday after meeting with senior lawmakers. — South Korea’s daily coronavirus tally has stayed above 200 for a third consecutive day, as authorities consider raising the country’s social distancing rules. The 223 additional cases recorded Monday by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency raised the country’s total to 28,769, including 494 deaths. The agency says 193 of them are locally transmitted cases while the rest was associated with international arrivals.
Asia Today: Sri Lanka bans public gatherings amid sharp rise
Read full article: Asia Today: Sri Lanka bans public gatherings amid sharp riseSri Lankan health officials take swab samples from employees of the Colombo municipal council to test for COVID-19 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. The health ministry ordered the public not to conduct public gatherings such as exhibitions, parties, conferences, indoor or outdoor events, carnivals, musical shows and processions. — Australia’s economic leader says the country’s conservative prime minister and its health minister would not liken coronavirus to influenza as U.S. President Donald Trump had done. — Australia’s prime minister on Wednesday refused to comment on U.S. President Donald Trump’s behavior since he contracted COVID-19. “As prime minister, it’s my job to work with every world leader in Australia’s national interest,” Morrison replied.
The Latest: Indian virus surge continues with 78,000 cases
Read full article: The Latest: Indian virus surge continues with 78,000 cases(AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)NEW DELHI India has registered 78,512 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, maintaining an upward surge. The surge has raised the countrys total reported virus cases since the pandemic began to more than 3.6 million. New Zealand reported nine new virus infections Monday, including four among recently returned travelers who are in quarantine. ___SEOUL, South Korea South Korea has counted its 18th straight day of triple-digit daily jumps in coronavirus cases as its health minister warned about an increase in transmissions gone untraced. The 248 new cases reported by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday brought the total reported cases since the pandemic began to 19,947, including 324 deaths.