3 h. ago Hundreds feared dead as massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Myanmar and Thailand

Myanmar’s junta declares state of emergency and makes rare request for international aid

Events

11 h. ago Ilona Maher makes USA rugby squad to face Japan before Pacific Four challenge

Social media influencer, reality TV star, podcaster and center continues chase for place at World Cup in EnglandThe rugby sevens star, social media influencer and reality TV competitor Ilona Maher is included in the US Eagles squad for four 15-a-side games this spring, as her quest for a place at the World Cup later this year moves on from a successful stint with Bristol Bears in England.Listed as a center, having played wing for Bristol, Maher is set to “return to the USA Rugby 15s pitch for the first time since 2021, where she debuted with two caps during the Pacific Four Series”, USA Rugby said in announcing its squad for games against Japan and, in this year’s Pacific Four, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Tsunami fears as huge 6.7 magnitude earthquake strikes between Australia and New Zealand

An earthquake in the Tasman Sea has sparked an emergency warning as authorities assess the risk of related tsunamis.

Events

5 d. ago Ruthless Australia humbles New Zealand by 82 runs in second T20I

Updates from the second match of the series at Bay OvalAnnabel Sutherland grabs record bowling figures of 4-8 Any thoughts? Get in touch by emailing Angus4th over: Australia 43-0 (Mooney 9, Voll 33) Bowling change for New Zealand. It will be Rosemary Mair. First ball is wide down legside and Voll works the second behind square for two. Mair now goes wide outside off and Voll gives it the axeman’s jazz but can’t pierce the field. Again, Mair strays wide down leg and Voll doesn’t miss out, swatting it off the hip for another once-bounce boundary into the fine leg fence. And again! This one is precision mixed with power as the Toowoomba tornado thumps it to the fence between cover and extra cover. Ouch! Australia’s run-rate has rocketed to 10.75.3rd over: Australia 32-0 (Mooney 9, Voll 23) Jess Kerr returns and Mooney greets her with a ripped boundary over mid-on. A quick single brings Voll on strike and she gets down on one knee and thumps it over mid wicket! Georgia Voll is on fire t...

Politics

5 d. ago New Zealand v Australia: second women’s T20 international – live

Updates from the second match of the series at Bay OvalAustralia has set New Zealand a record run-chase of 205Any thoughts? Get in touch by emailing Angus4th over: Australia 43-0 (Mooney 9, Voll 33) Bowling change for New Zealand. It will be Rosemary Mair. First ball is wide down legside and Voll works the second behind square for two. Mair now goes wide outside off and Voll gives it the axeman’s jazz but can’t pierce the field. Again, Mair strays wide down leg and Voll doesn’t miss out, swatting it off the hip for another once-bounce boundary into the fine leg fence. And again! This one is precision mixed with power as the Toowoomba tornado thumps it to the fence between cover and extra cover. Ouch! Australia’s run-rate has rocketed to 10.75.3rd over: Australia 32-0 (Mooney 9, Voll 23) Jess Kerr returns and Mooney greets her with a ripped boundary over mid-on. A quick single brings Voll on strike and she gets down on one knee and thumps it over mid wicket! Georgia Voll is on fire t...

Society

6 d. ago Magical city dubbed hidden gem is built around sinkholes, volcanoes and turquoise lake

Reporter Monica Charsley embarked on a 24-hour adventure to Mount Gambier during her trip to South Australia. The forgotten city is a must-see for thrillseekers, nature enthusiasts and historians

Politics

1 week ago Once named world’s ugliest animal, blobfish wins New Zealand’s fish of the year

Made up of blobby tissue and living deep in the ocean, the distinctive species beat the longfin eel and pygmy pipehorse in the annual contestIt was once crowned the “world’s ugliest animal” and now the disgruntled-looking gelatinous blobfish has a new gong to its name: New Zealand’s fish of the year.The winning species of blobfish, Psychrolutes marcidus, lives in the highly pressurised depths off the coasts of New Zealand and Australia and has developed a unique anatomy to exist. Blobfish do not have a swim bladder, a full skeleton, muscles or scales. Instead, their bodies are made up of blobby tissue with a lower density than water that allows them to float above the seafloor. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago An Australian politician called Trump’s tariffs a ‘dog act’ – but what does it mean and how offensive is it?

A ‘dog act’ isn’t simply ruffling someone’s feathers – it’s an act of betrayal. Caitlin Cassidy explains the meaning of the Australian phrase to Julia Hollingsworth.Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCaitlin, this week Australia’s industry minister, Ed Husic, called US president Donald Trump’s tariffs on aluminium and steel a “dog act”. I grew up in New Zealand, a country so close to Australia and yet so free from the phrase “dog act”. Please tell me – what does it mean, and does it have anything to do with dogs?Your nation has missed out on a truly scathing critique. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago The seven countries worldwide with the cleanest air – and those with the dirtiest

Most of the world has dirty air, with just 17 per cent of global cities meeting WHO air pollution guidelines

Politics

2 w. ago The Lions should break their outdated, tiresome traditions and tour new countries

CHRIS FOY'S WORLD OF RUGBY: The Lions is based around history and tradition, old colonial ties, nostalgia and the established routine of visiting three far-flung locations.

Politics

2 w. ago Floodwaters still threaten parts of Australia's east coast as tropical storm cleanup begins

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has cautioned that the fallout from a vicious tropical storm over the weekend was “far from over.”

Events

2 w. ago Gladys Knight, 80, forced to cancel concert after falling ill and needing treatment

Gladys Knight played a string of gigs in the UK, Australia and New Zealand as part of her Farewell Tour last year, and has been performing her greatest hits from her lengthy career in the US

Politics

3 w. ago Wetherspoon announces huge change to menus across 900 UK pubs from today

The festival sees a range of never-before-seen real ales from countries across the world sold at Spoons, which includes beer from brewers in Australia, Canada, Italy, New Zealand, and the USA

Politics

3 w. ago Cyclone Alfred: Flights cancelled as several airports shut due to threat of Category 2 storm in Australia

Strong winds have caused some airports to shut even before the cyclone has made landfall

Events

3 w. ago India beat Australia to reach Champions Trophy final against South Africa or New Zealand

Rohit Sharma’s side triumph by four wickets in Dubai as strong form continues

Sport

3 w. ago Mental health crisis ‘means youth is no longer one of happiest times of life’

UN-commissioned study in UK, US, Ireland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand finds satisfaction rises with ageFor more than half a century, the midlife crisis has been a feature of western society. Fast cars, impulsive decisions, and peak misery between the age of 40 and 50. But all that is changing, according to experts.In a new paper commissioned by the UN, the leading academics Jean Twenge and David Blanchflower warn that a burgeoning youth mental health crisis in six English-speaking countries worldwide is upending the traditional pattern of happiness across our lifetimes. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Rugby League in Las Vegas: Penrith Panthers defeat Cronulla Sharks in NRL thriller

Updates from the rugby league at Allegiant StadiumPanthers defeat Sharks 28-22; Australia thrash England 90-4Canberra Raiders beat New Zealand Warriors 30-8Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has taken inspiration from the poker tables at his hotel and reshuffled his pack for today’s game against the Warriors. Josh Papalii will start, and Morgan Smithies revert to the bench. Smart move to unleash big Papa from the get-go. Vegas won’t know what hit it Ethan Strange and Jamal Fogarty will run the side from the halves. Corey Horsburgh and Joseph Tapine will bring muscle up the middle. There are a couple of fresh faces in the lime green line-up. Owen Pattie will debut from the bench and Savelio Tamale plays his second NRL game on the wing. Continue reading...

Sport

last month A small group of tourists has been allowed into North Korea for the first time in years

The group included travellers from the UK, New Zealand, Australia and Canada

Politics

last month New Zealand's foreign minister holds talks in China as concern grows over military drills

New Zealand’s foreign minister is meeting senior officials in China just days after New Zealand and Australia said that Chinese warships should have given more warning before live-fire exercises in waters between their countries

Politics