56 m. ago Humanitarian officials race to reopen Gaza schools, in photos

With a ceasefire reached last month largely holding, humanitarian officials are working frantically to reopen dozens of makeshift schools in the Gaza Strip. UNICEF estimates that over 630,000 Palestinian children missed out on school during the war.

Culture

3 h. ago Dozens of schools in Australia and New Zealand shut after play sand recalled over asbestos fear

Closures follow laboratory results confirming traces of tremolite and chrysotile asbestos in several sand products widely used in early-learning classrooms

Politics

9 h. ago Schools close in New Zealand after play sand recalled over asbestos fears

Six coloured sand products recalled in New Zealand after testing in Australia found asbestos in similar itemsMultiple schools have temporarily closed in New Zealand and hundreds of education facilities are seeking advice from officials after asbestos was detected in several brands of widely used coloured play sand.Last week, the ministry for business, innovation and employment confirmed a voluntary recall was under way for two brands of coloured sand sold in New Zealand, after testing in Australia found asbestos in similar products. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Stand aside Australia, New Zealand are now England’s No 1 sporting rival | Emma John

Harmonious Kiwi teamwork across various sports should fill us with frustrated envy – if only to annoy some AussiesDo we talk about England and Australia’s sporting rivalry too much? In the past couple of weeks, we haven’t had much choice. The rugby league Kangaroos have been hopping about between London, Liverpool and Leeds, while the Wallabies grazed on the Twickenham turf. In F1, Bristol-born Lando Norris has been getting booed on track during his relentless comeback against his Melburnian McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri. And that personal battle has reached its climax just in time for the much-hyped men’s Ashes – with England kicking off their tour in Perth to already hysterical headlines.This weekend brings a pause in hostilities. One Ashes series has ended, another is yet to begin. A gap in the calendar before back-to-back grands prix leaves Lando quietly teetering at the top of the drivers’ table. And into that small air pocket – if the Pom-bashing and Aussie-baiting has left ...

Politics

4 d. ago Stunning aurora australis lights up sky above New Zealand and Australia after ‘cannibal’ solar storm

The geomagnetic storm, caused by powerful bursts of energy from the sun, also postponed the launch of two Mars-bound Nasa spacecraft in the USFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSkywatchers enjoyed a stunning treat on Wednesday night, with the southern lights visible across large parts of Australia and New Zealand.The aurora australis that lit up the sky resulted from what has been dubbed a “cannibal” solar storm. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Aurora australis: southern lights seen across Australia amid severe solar storm

Phenomenon enjoyed from Victoria to New Zealand after a severe solar storm created perfect conditions Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSkywatchers were treated to a celestial delight on Wednesday evening, with a severe solar storm making it possible to view the southern lights across large parts of Australia and New ZealandAn intense geomagnetic storm, caused by several powerful bursts of energy from the sun, has led the Bureau of Meteorology’s space weather forecasting centre to issue an aurora alert for “mid to southern parts of Australia”. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Southern lights seen across Australia amid severe solar storm

Phenomenon enjoyed from Victoria to New Zealand after a severe solar storm created perfect conditionsStunning aurora australis lights up sky above New Zealand and Australia after ‘cannibal’ solar stormSkywatchers were treated to a celestial delight on Wednesday evening, with a severe solar storm making it possible to view the southern lights across large parts of Australia and New Zealand.A severe solar storm had paved the way for the spectacular display of aurora australis, particularly in Victoria, and as far north as the Blue Mountains where there were reports of the lights over the Three Sisters near Katoomba. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago British & Irish Lions plan ban on R360 players to stop Red Roses jumping ship

Eight of 12 tier-one unions already plan to ban rebelsLions hope to sway stars lured by league’s salary offersThe British & Irish Lions are planning to follow the example of the biggest unions by banning players who join R360 in a move designed primarily to prevent an exodus of England’s Red Roses stars to the rebel league.Eight of the 12 tier-one unions, led by England and New Zealand, announced last month that they would not select R360 players, and the Guardian has learned that the Lions will follow suit. Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa also came out in support of a ban, but Wales and Argentina did not due to smaller player pools and weaker domestic leagues. Continue reading...

Sport

1 week ago Autumn internationals 2025: Results, fixtures and schedule in full

England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy will face South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and more in the autumn Tests

Politics

2 w. ago As record numbers leave New Zealand, why are most people choosing Australia?

A weak economy is pushing more New Zealanders across the ‘ditch’ in hope of a better life – and higher wagesWhen Hayden Fisher moved to Sydney from Wellington a year ago, the financial gains were immediate.In New Zealand, Fisher was “putting groceries on Afterpay” and would regularly spend half of his wages on the weekly food shop. In Australia, he’s spending about a quarter of that amount. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Abbi Church shines on debut for Jillaroos in gruelling win over New Zealand

Australia beat Kiwi Ferns 10-4 at Auckland’s Eden ParkChurch scores crucial try and sets up another on Test debutAustralia fullback Abbi Church has produced a spectacular Test debut in a hard fought 10-4 Pacific Championships win over New Zealand.Church, 27, came into the starting side when No 1 Tamika Upton was ruled out with a calf strain, and set up a try before scoring one herself at Eden Park. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Brendon McCullum dismisses Ashes fear for England batters after series whitewash

The tourists were humbled 3-0 by New Zealand in the one-day international series

Events

2 w. ago England batters not scarred by series loss ahead of Ashes, says Brendon McCullum

The tourists were humbled 3-0 by New Zealand in the one-day international series.

Politics

2 w. ago Man finds surfboard that drifted 2,400km from Australia to New Zealand

The board was found covered in barnacles and mussels in Raglan, nearly 18 months after it was lost during a boat trip near TasmaniaA surfboard lost off Australia’s coast nearly 18 months ago has washed up on one of New Zealand’s most famed surf beaches, thousands of kilometres from where it was last seen.New Zealand-based French surfer Alvaro Bon was kite surfing in Raglan on the North Island’s west coast on 15 October, when his kite caught in the water and he began drifting out to sea. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Man finds surfboard that drifted 2,400km from Australia to New Zealand – and tracks down owner

Board was found covered in barnacles and mussels in Raglan, nearly 18 months after it was lost during a boat trip near TasmaniaA surfboard lost off Australia’s coast nearly 18 months ago has washed up on one of New Zealand’s most famed surf beaches, thousands of kilometres from where it was last seen.New Zealand-based French surfer Alvaro Bon was kite surfing in Raglan on the North Island’s west coast on 15 October, when his kite caught in the water and he began drifting out to sea. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Rejuvenated Joe Root all revved up to end Ashes century drought in Australia

Root is yet to score century in Australia in three seriesEngland begin ODI series against New Zealand on SundayJoe Root has declared himself ready to thrive in this winter’s Ashes, having changed his approach to focus more on getting himself in the ideal frame of mind rather than fixating on his technique.Root goes into the one-day international series against New Zealand having not played since early September, since when his only batting has come in the indoor nets in Sheffield. “It’s been nice to have a break,” Root said. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Tammy Beaumont looking at bigger picture with World Cup semi

England face New Zealand in their final group game seeking momentum for the final stages.

Politics

3 w. ago Warning issued over ‘very contagious’ disease spreading across dozens of schools and childcare centers in Tennessee

An ongoing outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease has affected more than 30 schools and childcare centers in the state, according to officials

Events

3 w. ago Australia and New Zealand issue extreme fire danger warnings as heat records tumble

New South Wales and Queensland on Tuesday recorded their hottest October temperatures since records began in 1910

Events

3 w. ago More than 1,000 guns and parts seized in illicit weapon crackdown in Australia and New Zealand

Police make more than 180 arrests and capture 281 privately manufactured weapons and parts, including those made by 3D printersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAuthorities have seized more than 1,000 firearms and gun parts in a crackdown on the spread of illicit weapons in Australia and New Zealand.The week-long transnational operation led to more than 180 arrests, according to Australian Border Force, and the seizure of 281 privately manufactured firearms and parts, including those made by 3D printers. Continue reading...

Events