The cruise ship Crown Princess with 3,100 passengers was caught in a severe storm near Milford Sound. As a result of the ship's tilting, 16 people were injured, but the liner continued its planned trip.
American actor Adam Sandler broke the dress code at the Oscars 2025 ceremony by wearing a $175,000 Aviator Nation hoodie and basketball shorts. The comedian skipped the red carpet and joked about his look with host Conan O'Brien.
The Irish rock band U2 posted a photo of President Zelensky wearing blue and yellow on Instagram. The musicians added a special message about freedom and supported Ukraine with the words “Glory to Ukraine!”.
The prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand expressed support for Ukraine after the spat between Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office. The leaders reaffirmed their unwavering position on protecting Ukraine's sovereignty.
Avatar director James Cameron is planning to become a New Zealand citizen after 14 years of living in the country. He explains his decision by his unwillingness to return to the United States because of Donald Trump's policies.
American airline pilots received an unexpected warning about China's military exercises near Australia during a flight. The incident occurred in the Tasman Sea, forcing crews to quickly adjust routes through busy air corridors.
On February 26, the world celebrates Thermos Day, Pink Shirt Day, Pistachio Day, Slow Day, and Good Deeds Day. Each holiday has its own unique history and social significance.
The President of Ukraine announced new aid packages from Britain, Norway, Spain and other countries worth billions of dollars. The Baltic and Nordic countries will provide equipment and training for brigade-sized units.
The New Zealand authorities announced sanctions against 27 individuals and 25 legal entities from Russia. The country has also allocated $3 million to the URTF for Ukraine's recovery.
China's Defense Ministry has rejected Australia's accusations of insufficient information about military exercises in international waters. New Zealand confirmed its observation of Chinese naval forces in the region.
The Cook Islands have signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with China in various fields. This decision caused concern in New Zealand, which has constitutional ties with the islands.
The author of The Sandman is accused of forced BDSM relationships and sexual harassment.
Surpluses of raw milk contribute to price stabilization in Ukraine. Butter prices are likely to decline further as stocks of the product accumulate in warehouses.
A police patrol was hit by a car driver, killing the first female police officer in history. A 32-year-old suspect was detained, and three other people were injured in the incident.
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.
The first case of human infection with H5 avian influenza after contact with sick livestock has been detected in Los Angeles County. The patient has mild symptoms and is recovering at home after being treated with antiviral drugs.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
A highly pathogenic h7n6 avian influenza virus has been detected on a poultry farm on the South Island of New Zealand. The country temporarily stops exporting poultry until the end of the 21-day incubation period.
Local residents and conservationists have rescued more than 30 pilot whales stranded in New Zealand. The animals were raised with sheets and returned to the ocean, although four whales died.
The British military is conducting demining training for the Ukrainian military as part of Operation Interflex. Twelve NATO and partner countries have joined the initiative to train the Ukrainian Armed Forces in countering explosive ordnance.
The crew of the SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission unfurled the flag of Ukraine with the UNITED24 logo in space at an altitude of 1400 km.
35-50 thousand people took part in a nine-day protest march to the New Zealand Parliament. The demonstrators oppose a bill that calls into question the rights of the indigenous Maori population.
Opposition MPs performed a haka during a debate on a controversial bill on Maori rights. Thousands of people joined a 10-day protest march against the legislation.
About 200,000 people were victims of physical and sexual abuse in New Zealand's state institutions from 1950 to 1999. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon publicly apologized in parliament for the “national shame”.
Social network X is testing free access to the Grok chatbot in New Zealand. The free version will have a limit of 10-20 searches every two hours on different Grok-2 models.
