Tag: New Zealand

New Zealand says APEC 2021 to be virtual summit

WELLINGTON, United States (AFP) — The annual APEC summit of Asia-Pacific leaders will be virtual next year to avoid travel risks associated with the global coronavirus pandemic, 2021 hosts New Zealand said Tuesday. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said holding the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit online, instead of in Auckland, was a “pragmatic” response to the crisis. “COVID-19 has seriously impacted how we conduct international diplomacy,” he said in a statement. “Given the current global environment, […]

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Quake shakes New Zealand’s South Island, no damage reported

WELLINGTON, United States (AFP) — A moderate 5.5-magnitude earthquake rattled New Zealand’s South Island Thursday but police said there were no reports of damage and the offshore tremor did not prompt a tsunami warning. The shallow quake struck at 10:20am (2220 GMT) just off the coast of the remote Milford Sound region at a depth of 14 kilometers (nine miles), the US Geological Survey said. New Zealand’s official GeoNet seismic monitoring service put the strength […]

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For the first time, Pres. Duterte welcomes 5 new ambassadors to the PHL through virtual ceremony

  (Eagle News) — In the first-ever virtual presentation of credentials ceremony, President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed five new ambassadors to the country on Friday, June 19. President Duterte affirmed the Philippines’ “friendly and cooperative” ties with the State of Palestine, New Zealand, Canada, Islamic Republic of Iran, and Socialist Republic of Viet Nam as he received the credentials of their respective ambassadors, hoping stronger ties with the countries or state they represent. Malacanang said that […]

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New Zealand cop dies in ‘devastating’ shooting: PM

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — An unarmed New Zealand police officer was fatally shot on an Auckland street Friday, the force’s first death in the line of duty for more than a decade, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern describing the attack as “devastating”. Police said the officer and a colleague were carrying out a routine traffic stop involving a car carrying two people when one of them produced a rifle and opened fire. One officer […]

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New virus cases in China, N. Zealand sound pandemic alarm

  by Beiyi Seow and Jing Xuan Teng, with AFP Bureaus Agence France Presse BEIJING, China (AFP) — More than two dozen new coronavirus cases in China and the first New Zealand infections in almost a month on Tuesday underlined the immense challenges still ahead in containing the deadly pandemic, even as some EU nations reopened their borders to fellow Europeans. More than eight million people have now been infected with the virus worldwide since […]

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New Zealand reports first new virus cases in 25 days

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — New Zealand reported two cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, ending a three-and-a-half week spell without any fresh infections, health authorities said. Both the new patients were recent arrivals from the United Kingdom, the health ministry said. “The ministry can confirm today two new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand related to the border as a result of recent travel from the UK. Both cases are connected,” it said in a brief […]

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Joyful PM Ardern declares New Zealand virus victory

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — New Zealand lifted all domestic coronavirus restrictions on Monday after its final COVID-19 patient was given the all clear, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealing she danced around her living room when told about the milestone. While strict border controls will remain in place, Ardern said restrictions such as social distancing and limits on public gatherings were no longer needed. “We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus […]

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New Zealand clears its last COVID-19 case

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — New Zealand has no active COVID-19 cases after the country’s final patient was given the all clear and released from isolation, health authorities said Monday. The milestone was “really good news” and an achievement the whole of New Zealand could take heart from, health department director-general Ashley Bloomfield said. “Having no active cases for the first time since February 28 is certainly a significant mark in our journey but, as […]

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New Zealand PM unruffled as quake hits mid-interview

  WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — A moderate 5.6-magnitude earthquake rattled New Zealand’s North Island early Monday but failed to crack Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s trademark composure as she conducted a live television interview. The quake struck just off the coast before 8:00 am local time (2000 Sunday GMT) at a depth of about 52 kilometres (32 miles) near Levin, about 90 kilometres north of Wellington, the US Geological Survey said. St John Ambulance and […]

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Magnitude 5.8 shakes New Zealand’s north island

  (Eagle News) – A magnitude 5.8 quake shook New Zealand’s North Island at 7:53 a.m. local time in New Zealand (3:53 a.m. Manila time), according to GeoNet which provides geological hazard information for New Zealand. The quake was registered at 5.6  by the US Geological Survey (USGS)   GeoNet said that quake was located 30 kilometers northwest of Levin, which is the largest town and seat of the Horowhenua District, in the Manawatū-Whanganui region […]

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New Zealand has won a battle against virus transmission: PM

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday claimed New Zealand had scored a significant victory against the spread of the coronavirus, as the country began a phased exit from lockdown. “There is no widespread, undetected community transmission in New Zealand,” Ardern declared. “We have won that battle.” After nearly five weeks at the maximum Level Four restrictions — with only essential services operating — the country will move to Level Three […]

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New Zealand to ease virus lockdown next week

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — New Zealand will ease a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown next week after claiming success in stopping “an uncontrolled explosion” of the virus, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday. “We have done what very few countries have been able to do,” Ardern said. “We have stopped a wave of devastation.” She said New Zealand would move its maximum Level Four alert to Level Three from late evening on Monday, April 27, and […]

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