Australia & Pacifics

SUVA, Dec 26 (NNN-RNZ) – The Samoan government confirmed, one more death, in the island nation’s measles epidemic on Thursday, bringing the death toll to 81, since the measles outbreak started in mid-Oct.

According to Samoa Observer newspaper on Thursday (today), the Samoan Ministry of Health said, the death of a child under five years old was reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the total death of measles to 81, mostly of children under five years old.

PERTH, Australia (AP) — Firefighters battling wildfires in Australia’s most populous state attempted to make headway Thursday amid favorable conditions, before an “extreme heatwave” hits embattled areas on the weekend.

Thousands of firefighters in New South Wales took advantage of cooler weather and continued to strengthen containment lines. More than 70 fires, however, were still burning across the state with areas in the south coast currently at the “watch and act” level issued by fire services.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Calls for Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to resign have littered social media platforms after it was revealed he was holidaying in Hawaii while the country battled a bushfire emergency and his return has failed to douse the criticism.

Voters have taken to social media calling for leadership at a time of crisis, and along with some of the country’s political editors, have criticized Morrison’s refusal to take tougher action on climate change.

PERTH, Australia (AP) — Australia’s beleaguered prime minister announced Tuesday that volunteer firefighters from the federal public sector will receive paid leave entitlements in a move to help contain wildfires that have ravaged parts of the country.

About 5 million hectares (12.35 million acres) of land have burned nationwide over the past few months, with nine people killed and more than 950 homes destroyed. New South Wales, the country’s most populous state, has received the brunt of the damage, with around 850 homes razed in the state.

SYDNEY, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Five people have been taken to hospital after a pre-Christmas balloon drop at a Sydney shopping centre caused a dangerous crowd crush.

Police say a number of people were knocked over and injured when the crowd surged as the prize-filled balloons were released during Westfield Parramatta’s “mega balloon drop” at midnight.

CANBERRA, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has warned that the dark web has led to widespread violent child abuse.

Reece Kershaw, who was named the head of the AFP in July, on Monday told News Corp Australia that Australia has not uncovered the full extent of online child pornography.

His comments came days after police officers arrested Ron Brierley, a prominent Sydney businessman, on his way out of the country and charged him with multiple counts of possessing child pornography.

Sydney, Dec 22 (AP) Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday apologised for taking a family vacation in Hawaii as deadly bushfires raged across several states, destroying homes and claiming the lives of two volunteer firefighters.

Morrison cut short a vacation with his wife and adult children amid public anger at his absence from Australia at a time of national crisis. He arrived home Saturday and on Sunday morning spoke to reporters while visiting the headquarters of the Rural Fire Service in Sydney.

PERTH, Australia (AP) — Australia’s most populous state was paralyzed by “catastrophic” fire conditions Saturday amid souring temperatures, while one person died as wildfires also ravaged the country’s southeast.

“Catastrophic fire conditions are as bad as it gets,” New South Wales Rural Fire Services Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told reporters. “Given we have a landscape with so much active fire burning, you have a recipe for very serious concern and a very dangerous day.”

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand authorities said Saturday their country will be a safer place after owners handed in more than 50,000 guns during a buyback program following a ban on assault weapons. But critics say the process was flawed and many owners have illegally stashed their firearms.

The government banned the most lethal types of semi-automatic weapons less than a month after a lone gunman in March killed 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques. The police then launched a six-month program to buy the newly banned weapons from owners.

SYDNEY, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two Australian firefighters were killed and three injured when their truck crashed as they battled out-of-control blazes in New South Wales state, officials said.

The accident occurred when the truck crashed into a tree then rolled off the road during an operation late on Thursday at Buxton, about 100km southwest of Sydney, the NSW Rural Fire Service said.

“This is an absolutely devastating event in what has already been an incredibly difficult day and fire season,” the RFS said in a statement.