Australia and Oceania

An early update on Maui’s wildfire with our Hawaii bureau

In the following video, we are joined by Alfred Acenas, our Hawaii Bureau Chief. Alfred takes us through a detailed update on the wildfire situation in its early aftermath. He sheds valuable insights into the ongoing efforts, challenges, and impact of the wildfire that has captured the attention of communities across the region and the world.  

Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, anger grows

LAHAINA, United States, Aug 13, 2023 (AFP) – The death toll in Hawaii from the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century was expected to cross the 100-mark Sunday, fueling criticism that an inadequate official response contributed to the heavy loss of life. Officials updated the toll to 93 late Saturday, but warned the figure was likely to rise as recovery crews with cadaver dogs continued the grim task of searching burned out homes […]

Hawaii fire death toll hits 55, expected to rise

  KAHULUI, United States, Aug 11, 2023 (AFP) – A terrifying wildfire that left a historic Hawaiian town in charred ruins has killed at least 55 people, authorities said Thursday, making it one of the deadliest disasters in the US state’s history. Brushfires on the west coast of Hawaii’s Maui island — fueled by high winds from a nearby hurricane — broke out Tuesday and rapidly engulfed the seaside town of Lahaina. The flames moved […]

Like a warzone: Hawaii’s fleeing tourists tell of escape

KAHULUI, United States, Aug 11, 2023 (AFP) – Tourists fleeing Hawaii’s deadly wildfire told Thursday how they had been trapped without food and power for days, but felt lucky to be escaping somewhere that “looks like a warzone.” Dozens of people perished when a fast-moving fire tore through the historic settlement of Lahaina, destroying hundreds of buildings on Maui island. Thousands of locals have been left homeless, and tourists have been urged to leave to […]

Hawaii wildfire death toll rises to 36: Maui county government

The death toll from a wildfire that turned a historic Hawaiian town to ashes has risen to 36 people, officials said Wednesday. “As the firefighting efforts continue, 36 total fatalities have been discovered today amid the active Lahaina fire,” the Maui county government said in a statement. The fires began burning early Tuesday, putting homes, businesses and utilities at risk, as well as more than 35,000 people on the island of Maui, the Hawaii Emergency […]

At least 6 dead as wildfire razes Hawaiian town

LOS ANGELES, Aug 9, 2023 (AFP) – At least six people have been killed in a wildfire that has razed a Hawaiian town, officials said Wednesday, with desperate residents jumping into the ocean in a bid to escape the fast-moving flames. US Coast Guard officers plucked at least a dozen people from the water as emergency services were overwhelmed by a disaster that appeared to have erupted almost without warning. “I’m sad to report that […]

Bright flashes over Australia likely Russian rocket: space agency

https://youtu.be/PGDFGieOuGI   SYDNEY, Aug 8, 2023 (AFP) – Flashes of light seen across the sky over south-eastern Australia on Monday night were likely to have been remnants of a Russian rocket, the country’s space agency said. The dazzling display was spotted over the southern states of Victoria and Tasmania, captivating stargazers who thought it might be a meteor. But the Australian Space Agency said it was more likely to have been a Russian Soyuz-2 rocket […]

No hope of survivors from downed Australian military helicopter: govt

SYDNEY, July 31, 2023 (AFP) – Authorities have lost hope of finding survivors after a military helicopter plunged into the sea during war games over the weekend, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said Monday. Rescuers initially clung to slim hopes they would find the four crew members alive, but those were dashed after the discovery of “significant wreckage” from the aircraft, Marles said. The chopper had been taking part in the large-scale Talisman Sabre exercise, […]

Blinken, Austin visit Australia on last leg of Pacific blitz

BRISBANE, Australia, July 28, 2023 (AFP) – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin visited Australia Friday on the final leg of a Pacific tour designed to reinforce Washington’s standing in the region. The United States has been ramping up efforts to re-engage in the South Pacific, where China has emerged as a rising diplomatic and military power. Blinken’s trip to Brisbane caps a diplomatic blitz in which he has also […]

Entire pod of 97 pilot whales dies in Australia beaching

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Nearly 100 pilot whales have died after beaching in Western Australia, wildlife officials said Thursday, following desperate rescue attempts. The pod of 97 long-finned pilot whales gathered in shallow water off Cheynes Beach, about 400 kilometres (250 miles) southeast of Perth, on Tuesday, with scores stranding themselves on the sand. By the next morning, 51 of the cetaceans had died. Some 250 volunteers joined 100 wildlife experts in a vain struggle […]

Police say New Zealand shooter’s death was suicide

WELLINGTON, July 24, 2023 (AFP) – The gunman who slayed two victims during a mass shooting in Auckland on the opening day of the Women’s World Cup killed himself during a shoot-out, New Zealand police said Monday. The tournament’s kickoff in Auckland last Tuesday was overshadowed when a gunman opened fire at a building site on the city’s waterfront. A post-mortem of the 24-year-old gunman showed he was injured when shots were exchanged with armed […]

‘Dangerous’ WWII bomb defused in Pacific nation of Nauru

KOKOPO, Papua New Guinea, July 20, 2023 (AFP) – An “armed and dangerous” World War II bomb was dug up and defused Thursday on the small Pacific island of Nauru, the country’s police force said. Schools were closed and Nauru’s 12,000 residents were urged to stay at home as Australian military specialists worked on the 500-pound (227-kilogram) explosive, which was first discovered almost two weeks ago. Nauru’s government declared a state of emergency across the […]