WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — Fiji’s Meteorological Service warned of intense rain and “damaging gale force winds” to outer areas of the island nation Thursday, as the first tropical cyclone of the New Year formed in the South Pacific. Tropical Cyclone Mona was moving in southeast and expected to cross outlying islands. “There’s a risk of flash flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Therefore, all communities living in the flood-prone and landslide areas are requested […]
Australia and Oceania
Sydney to kick off global New Year parties with dazzling spectacle
by Glenda KWEK Agence France Presse SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s largest city Sydney will put on its biggest-ever fireworks display to welcome the New Year and kick off a wave of celebrations for billions around the world. A record amount of pyrotechnics, as well as new fireworks effects and colours, will light up the harbor city’s skyline for 12 minutes and dazzle the more than 1.5 million spectators expected to crowd foreshores and parks. […]
Australia swelters in record-breaking heatwave
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s vast continent is sizzling through extreme heatwave conditions this week, with temperatures reaching record highs and emergency services on high alert for bush-fires. The mercury is up to 16 degree Celsius (29 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than usual for this time of the year for southern Australia, with numerous towns setting new December records, the Bureau of Meteorology said Friday. “Heatwave conditions are being experienced across large parts of the country,” […]
6.4-magnitude earthquake hits off coast of Tonga: USGS
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — A 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit in waters off the Pacific island nation of Tonga on Monday, the US Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued. The quake struck at a moderate depth of 100 kilometers (62 miles) with the epicenter some 85 kilometers north of the Tongan capital Nuku’alofa. There were no immediate reports of damage. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat. Baea Filimoehala from […]
Sydney cars pummeled by hail the size of tennis balls
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s largest city was picking up the pieces Friday after a series of lightning and hailstorms pummeled cars with ice blocks the size of tennis balls. The authorities issued a severe storm warning, but that was not enough to prevent damage that is already running into the tens of millions of dollars. “As of 6:30 am we are at 15,000 claims and AUS$80 million (US$57 million) in damages,” the Insurance Council […]
Australia recognizes west Jerusalem as capital of Israel
by Daniel DE CARTERET Agence France Presse SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia now recognizes west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Saturday, but a contentious embassy shift from Tel Aviv will not occur until a peace settlement is achieved. Canberra became one of just a few governments around the world to follow US President Donald Trump’s lead and recognize the contested city as Israel’s capital, but Morrison also committed to recognizing […]
Severe tropical cyclone bears down on north Australia coast
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australians in the north east of the country are bracing for a severe tropical cyclone, with authorities warning of flash flooding and destructive winds. Cyclone Owen has been strengthening off the north coast of Queensland state, in warm waters in the Gulf of Carpentaria, and is expected to reach category four — defined as a severe tropical cyclone with very destructive winds — when it makes landfall early Saturday morning. […]
Media reports on sex offense conviction of former Catholic Pope’s adviser Cardinal Pell despite gag order
(Eagle News) — Cardinal George Pell of Australia who was a member of the Catholic Church’s Pope Francis’ circle of cardinal advisers until recently, had been found guilty of charges related to sexual abuse by an Australian court, according to various media reports that emerged despite a gag order. According to Washington Post and the Catholic News Agency, news about Pell’s conviction on Tuesday, December 11, for sexual offenses came out despite a news […]
102-year-old great-granny becomes ‘oldest’ skydiver
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — A 102-year-old great-grandmother is believed to have become the world’s oldest skydiver after plunging 14,000 feet (4,300 meters) through the South Australian sky. Centenarian adrenaline junkie Irene O’Shea said she “felt normal” after a 220 kilometer per hour (140 mph) dive that sent her cheeks flapping wildly. She completed her first skydive to mark her 100th birthday in 2016, but organizers claimed it was Sunday’s successful tandem dive at the age […]
Surfer severely mauled by shark in Australia
sA surfer was severely mauled by a shark off Australia’s east coast, officials said Sunday, the latest in a series of attacks in recent months. The 36-year-old was surfing near Scotts Head Beach some 490 kilometres (300 miles) north of Sydney in the morning when he was bitten, New South Wales state police said. “The man suffered a severe leg injury below his knee on his right leg,” a NSW Ambulance spokesman told AFP. “He […]
Fresh 6.6 earthquake hits off New Caledonia: monitors
NOUMEA, France (AFP) — A powerful new earthquake hit off New Caledonia Wednesday just hours after a strong tremor hit the Pacific region, but there was no new tsunami alert, authorities said. The quake struck at 5:43pm local time (0643 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) some 192 kilometers east-southeast of Tadine in New Caledonia, an overseas French territory north of New Zealand. The US Geological Survey revised it to magnitude 6.6 […]
New Caledonians ordered to shelters in tsunami alert after big quake
NOUMEA, France (AFP) — A shallow and powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off New Caledonia Wednesday prompting a tsunami alert and evacuations on the Pacific island, authorities said. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that tsunami waves had been “observed” in the region but did not say where. Residents of New Caledonia, which lies north of New Zealand, received text messages directing them to go to refuges immediately, with waves of up to three meters possible, according to the warning center. […]
