Pacific

Rescue workers are seen at the site of a collapsed building after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP)

Holiday hotspot now unrecognisable

Fresh Australian aid crews have arrived in Vanuatu to help the country’s traumatised population through Christmas.

Mr Jenkins' was struck several times in the video of his interrogation. Picture: Screengrab

Warning to Russia over detained Aussie

The Russian government has been urged to “fully adhere” to humanitarian law after reports its forces had captured a Melbourne man in Ukraine.

Banking

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - OCTOBER 27, 2024:Westpac signage, Norton St Leichhardt.Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

Major bank’s huge $6.35m error

A major bank has apologised to thousands of its customers who were impacted by an error that led to them being massively overcharged.

Travel Incidents

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA . NewsWire Photos. 19 DECEMBER 2024. Australian citizens arriving back into Australia at the Brisbane International airport on a defence force flight after leaving Vanuatu due to the earthquake that hit the Island nation a couple of days ago. Picture: NewsWire/ David Clark/ POOL

Update on Aussies fleeing quake-hit Vanuatu

Scores of Australians have been evacuated from earthquake-hit Vanuatu overnight on the final ADF repatriation flights.

Travel Incidents

26/08/2010 WIRE: (FILES) Convicted Australian drug smuggler Scott Rush (C) is escorted by policemen to the court in Denpasar on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on August 26, 2010 to appeal his death sentence for a 2005 attempt to smuggle 8.3 kilogrammes (18.3 pounds) of heroin into Australia. Australian drug smuggler Scott Rush, one of a gang known as the Bali Nine, has won an appeal against his death sentence in Indonesia, his lawyer said on May 10, 2011. AFP PHOTO / SONNY TUMBELAKA / FILES

One call changed everything for Bali Nine

With the five surviving members of the Bali Nine now back home, questions have re-emerged as to how one phone call might have changed their lives forever.

Politics

Chinese and Australian flags are displayed on the table where Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Australian opposition party leader Peter Dutton are due to hold their meeting at Parliament House in Canberra on March 20, 2024. Wang began a whirlwind visit to Australia on his rare trip marking a thaw in relations between the two trading partners. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

Albo deals $190m Pacific blow to China

Anthony Albanese has dealt a massive blow to China’s influence by striking a major deal with a key Pacific country.

Travel Incidents

Emotional moment Aussies escape Vanuatu

More Australians left stranded in Vanuatu after a devastating earthquake rocked the island nation have touched down on home soil.

UPDATEDPolitics

This handout photograph published on December 11, 2024, on the official Telegram channel of the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration Ivan Fedorov, shows rescuers searching for people under the rubble of a medical clinic destroyed by a missile in the city of Zaporizhzhia, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A Russian strike on December 10, 2024, killed eight people and wounded 22 others including a five-year-old girl in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia. (Photo by Handout / Telegram / @ivan_fedorov_zp / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT

‘Unwavering’: Huge Aussie update for Ukraine

Australia is making a major move as the full-scale war in Ukraine nears its third anniversary.

Travel Incidents

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Villiame Gavoka holds a press conference on December 18, 2024. Picture: Supplied

‘No methanol’: Big update on Fiji cocktails

Fiji’s deputy prime minister has revealed fresh details about the cocktails that poisoned four Aussies, claiming methanol was not present.

UPDATEDPolitics

This screengrab taken from handout video footage posted on the Facebook account of Michael Thompson on December 17, 2024 shows people inspecting a damaged car trapped underneath a collapsed building in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila after a powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island. The 7.3-magnitude quake struck on December 17 at a depth of 57 kilometres (35 miles), some 30 kilometres off the coast of Efate, Vanuatu's main island, at 12:47 pm (0147 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey. (Photo by MICHAEL THOMPSON / Facebook account of Michael Thompson / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE â MANDATORY CREDIT Â«AFP PHOTO / FACEBOOK / MICHAEL THOMPSONÂ» - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS â DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS [- NO ARCHIVE ]

‘Plane loads’: Pledge to quake-hit Vanuatu

Australia is sending “plane loads of help” to Vanuatu after a horror earthquake wreaked havoc in the Pacific country’s capital.

Pacific

The death toll from a mammoth earthquake that struck Vanuatu has leapt, as a desperate search-and-rescue mission unfolds.

Aussies stuck in quake-ravaged Vanuatu

Officials are racing to find a number of Aussies stuck in Vanuatu after a deadly earthquake flattened buildings and cut communication links.

Travel Incidents

A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck off a Pacific Island nation, sending locals rushing for higher ground.

Terrifying footage emerges of Pacific quake

Images circulating online have shown immense damage to buildings after a massive 7.3 magnitude struck off a Pacific Island nation.

Asia

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 24: Chinese President Xi Jinping vote at the closing of the 19th Communist Party Congress at the Great Hall of the People on October 24, 2017 in Beijing, China. The 19th CPC National Congress is going to run 7 days and a new central committee of CPC will be produced. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

‘Certain countries’: China’s ominous warning

Beijing has issued a warning to “certain countries that infringe upon its rights” amid soaring tensions in the South China Sea.

Politics

Islamophobic Graffiti seen in Sydney's west in Chester Hill. Picture: The Guardian

The ‘hidden cancer’ undermining Australia

A grim warning has been issued after Islamophobic graffiti appeared in a Western Sydney suburb over the weekend.

UPDATEDTravel Warnings

ESCAPE READERPicture taken at the Warwick Resort in Fiji.Diane Thompson15 Piccadilly CrtNarre Warren SthVic 3805Ph 03 87694576Mob 0407 097 965Diane Thompson [dianethompson15@bigpond.com]

‘Extreme’ theory after Fiji poisonings

Methanol poisoning has not been ruled out as the cause of seven tourists being hospitalised after drinking at the same resort bar in Fiji.

updatedTravel Warnings

Sunday Mail Only Coral Coast Resorts during covid pic Masada Vuikadavu Sunday Mail Only Coral Coast Resorts during covid pic Masada Vuikadavu Warwick Resort

‘Very concerning’: Plea to Aussies on Fiji tragedy

Australians have been warned to exercise caution at a popular holiday hotspot after seven tourists were hospitalised with suspected alcohol poisoning.

Pacific

NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND - MARCH 01: Commentator Candace Owens speaks during CPAC 2019 on March 1, 2019 in National Harbor, Maryland. The American Conservative Union hosts the annual Conservative Political Action Conference to discuss conservative agenda. Mark Wilson/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Firebrand US pundit scores big visa win

Free speech advocates are celebrating a visa win for controversial right-wing American firebrand Candace Owens.

UPDATEDPolitics

--PHOTO TAKEN DURING A CONTROLLED TOUR AND SUBSEQUENTLY EDITED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE ISRAELI MILITARY-- This picture taken during a media tour organised by the Israeli army on February 8, 2024, shows Israeli soldiers inside a compound of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip, amid ongoing fighting between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)

Wong doubles down on Israel UN snub

Penny Wong has again called for a ceasefire in Gaza amid intense friction between Australia and Israel.

Politics

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - 16 JUNE, 2024: Supporters of Chinese Premier Li Qiang hold Australian and Chinese flags as they wait for his arrival at Magill Estate winery in Adelaide on June 16, 2024. Picture: NewsWire / Kelly Barnes / POOL

$400m Australian move that trumps China

Australia has officially launched a $400m scheme that’s designed to support our neighbours “in times of need” in a major win over a key rival.

Politics

08/12/2024 Internal image of the damage to Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea after it was firebombed on Friday. picture : Yumi Rosenbaum

Labor under fire after firebombing

The Coalition is attacking Labor after it launched an anti-Semitism taskforce following the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue.

Politics

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos DECEMBER 08, 2024: People gather for a vigil near the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne after it was destroyed by fire on Friday. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

‘Games’: Concerning claim against Dutton

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has been accused of playing “partisan games” after the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue.

Politics

Albo deals fresh blow to Beijing’s influence

Anthony Albanese has signed a new deal with a key Pacific Islands nation to counter China’s ambitions in the strategically important region.

Pacific

UPSCALED A rescue operation is under way after a Royal New Zealand navy ship ran aground off the Samoan island of Upolu, with all 78 on board in life rafts., HMNZS Manawanui, the Navy’s specialist dive and hydrographic vessel, regularly conducts tasks across the Pacific. The incident occurred while it was conducting a reef survey.

Bombshell finding in $130m ship sinking

A New Zealand Navy inquiry has found that a $133m naval ship sank off the coast of Samoa because of human error.

Pacific

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Candace Owens speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at The Rosen Shingle Creek on February 25, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. CPAC, which began in 1974, is an annual political conference attended by conservative activists and elected officials. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Far-right US firebrand cops new visa blow

Controversial American firebrand Candace Owens has copped another blow to her speaking tour ambitions, this time from another country.

Politics

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - 18 MAY 2024: Pro-Palestine students protest at La Trobe University in Boondora. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Embattled uni head’s Hamas admission

A university vice-chancellor has been grilled on his response to the brutal October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel amid rising anti-Semitism on campuses.

Politics

TOPSHOT - Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirutâs southern suburbs on November 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel's security cabinet was due to meet on November 26 to vote on a proposed ceasefire in its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, an official said, while the White House voiced optimism that a deal was close. (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO / AFP)

‘Catalyst’: Hope after Middle East breakthrough

A major breakthrough is sparking fresh hopes for the casualty-heavy conflict raging in the Middle East.

Environment

US President-elect Donald Trump gestures as he attends a meeting with House Republicans at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Washington, DC on November 13, 2024. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)

Uncertainty over key Aussie climate target

Events abroad are hanging over Australia’s climate change targets, the Climate Change and Energy Minister says.

Pacific

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - November 26, 2024: H.E. Ambassador Xiao Qian holds a press briefing to commemorating the 10th anniversary of President Xi's state visit to Australia and the establishment of China Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the Chinese Embassy in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

China’s stern call to Australia on Taiwan

China’s ambassador Xiao Qian has made clear what Beijing expects of Australia if his country invades Taiwan.

US Politics

CANBERRA, Australia - NewsWire Photos - October 17, 2024: eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant appears at the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 hearing at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

eSafety chief reacts to Musk’s White House gig

Australia’s eSafety commissioner says she will enforce rules on social media “without fear or favour”.

Politics

‘Ready’: Rudd defiant amid ousting threat

Kevin Rudd says Australia is “ready” to deal with Donald Trump amid questions over the former Labor prime minister’s future as Australia’s ambassador in Washington.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/world/pacific/page/4