Australia
Australia summons the Russian ambassador over the possible execution of captured Australian Oscar Jenkins, who fought for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Prime Minister Albanese declared his readiness to take the most decisive measures if the information is confirmed.
Czech zoologists have discovered a new species of crayfish, Cherax pulverulentus, which has been living in aquariums around the world for 20 years. The animal comes from New Guinea and has two different colors - purple and blue.
The foreign ministers of Japan, Australia, and India will attend Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025. The diplomats plan to establish contacts with the new administration and confirm their readiness for cooperation.
Australian company Proteomics International has developed the PromarkerEndo blood test for the diagnosis of endometriosis. The test is scheduled to be launched in the second quarter of 2024 in Australia, with a detection accuracy of 99.7% in the late stages and over 85% in the early stages.
The Biden administration plans to impose sanctions on tankers transporting Russian oil at more than $60 per barrel. The measures will also affect those involved in oil trading above the price ceiling.
Fiji police are investigating an attack on two Virgin Australia crew members in the resort of Nadi. The incident involved rape and theft, and the victims were on a layover between flights.
Sydney celebrated New Year's Eve 2025 with a large-scale fireworks display over the harbor and bridge. More than a million spectators were expected to attend the event, which featured a performance by Robbie Williams and indigenous ceremonies.
Auckland marked the start of 2024 with a grand fireworks display near the Sky Tower. New Zealand became one of the first countries to welcome the New Year after Kiribati and the Tonga Islands.
A wildlife shelter keeper rescued 20 young kangaroos from a forest fire in Grampians National Park. The animals found shelter in her living room while the fire threatened the shelter's territory.
Australian actress Rebel Wilson officially married designer Ramona Agruma in Sydney. The ceremony was officiated by the actress's sister, and Wilson's 94-year-old grandmother was a special guest.
Bert the 90-year-old crocodile, who starred in the 1986 movie Dundee Crocodile, has died in an Australian sanctuary. The 5-meter-long reptile weighing 700 kg was known for his independent spirit and became a symbol of Australia's wildlife.
Vasyl Lomachenko, a three-time world champion, has announced the end of his boxing career at the age of 36. The athlete fought his last fight in May 2024, defeating George Kambosos.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the transfer of 120 Bushmaster armored vehicles to Ukraine. Australia also provided 49 Abrams tanks and military aid worth $250 million.
Australia will provide 50 million euros to the EBRD and 6. 39 million dollars for energy support to Ukraine. This was announced by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during a press conference with Andriy Sybiga.
Australia has provided Ukraine with 49 Abrams tanks and 14 boats as part of its military assistance. The total amount of support from Australia exceeded $1 billion, of which $880 million was military aid.
Ukraine's Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko has announced the arrival of Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Kyiv. The high-ranking official will have a busy day of meetings and discussions.
A 7. 3-magnitude earthquake in Vanuatu killed 14 people and injured 200. Embassy buildings were damaged, electricity was cut off, and a state of emergency was declared for 7 days.
“The Porcelain War and Once Upon a Time in Ukraine have been shortlisted for the Academy Awards in the documentary category. Both films were co-produced by Ukraine and the United States.
SoundCloud has introduced a new Artist plan worth $39 per year for musicians. The plan includes monetization, distribution, and AI mastering options with certain limitations.
An Australian study found a negative impact of TikTok on body image among women aged 18-28. Just 10 minutes of viewing content leads to a decrease in self-esteem and comparison with the ideals of thinness.
A powerful earthquake has struck near the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila, causing widespread destruction and at least one death. The main shock was followed by four more aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 4.7 to 5.5.
The foreign ministers of 10 countries and the EU condemned military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including the deployment of North Korean troops. The countries called on Pyongyang to stop helping Moscow and withdraw its troops.
Seven foreigners were hospitalized after drinking a cocktail at the five-star Warwick Fiji resort. Five of the victims were tourists from the United States and Australia, and two were foreign residents of Fiji.
The United Kingdom has joined the Trans-Pacific Trade Pact, which includes 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The country will have access to preferential trade terms with eight parties to the agreement.
Law enforcers exposed criminal groups that organized fixed matches in esports and sports through bookmakers. Among the participants were former world-class athletes who earned millions of hryvnias from fraud.
323 vials of dangerous viruses, including Hendra, Lissavirus and Hantavirus, have gone missing from a laboratory in Queensland. Authorities have launched an investigation into the largest breach of biosecurity protocols, although they claim there is no risk to the public.
“Power outage schedule” became the most popular query for Ukrainians on Google in 2024. Other top searches included Euro 2024, Oleksandr Syrsky, 20 Days in Mariupol, and EcoFlow.
Australia has successfully launched the first US Tomahawk cruise missile from the HMAS Brisbane destroyer. The country plans to purchase more than 200 missiles for $1.3 billion to strengthen its defense capabilities.
The Swedish authorities are considering introducing age restrictions for social media based on the Australian model. The reason for this was a threefold increase in the number of murder suspects among teenagers under 15.
Overfishing has reduced the number of sharks and rays by more than 50% since 1970. More than a third of chondrichthians are now threatened with extinction due to trapping, environmental degradation, and climate change.