RAAF repatriation flights end as commercial services resume

RAAF brings home 118 Australians from Vanuatu; commercial flights resume as crisis crews aid earthquake recovery efforts.

Published

12 months ago

December 23, 2024

ticker NEWS

The last two Royal Australian Air Force repatriation flights have returned 118 Australians from earthquake-affected Vanuatu, bringing the total evacuees to 686.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) announced no further RAAF flights would occur due to the resumption of commercial services.

The DFAT-run Smartraveller website provided an update indicating a cessation of scheduled Australian Defence Force flights.

Crisis teams from Australia have arrived in Vanuatu, as local authorities work urgently to rescue individuals trapped under rubble.

Massive quake

Vanuatu’s international airport reopened on Sunday, following the deadly 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the region almost a week prior.

Australian airlines have commenced flights to Port Vila, with 284 people using commercial flights to return to Australia on Sunday.

Qantas and Virgin were the first to resume operations, while Jetstar is set to restart flights on Monday.

DFAT’s travel advice cautioned Australians remaining in Vanuatu to follow local authorities’ guidance, as efforts continue to restore critical infrastructure in Port Vila.

Widespread damage to roads and buildings has been reported, posing significant challenges for recovery efforts.

Netflix’s $72B Warner Bros. deal faces backlash

Netflix’s $72 billion Warner Bros. acquisition faces backlash from lawmakers and industry groups over competition and consumer choice concerns.

Published

19 minutes ago

December 8, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Netflix’s $72 billion Warner Bros. acquisition faces backlash from lawmakers and industry groups over competition and consumer choice concerns.

Netflix’s $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. has sparked major controversy, drawing sharp criticism from lawmakers and industry groups. The mega-merger is under scrutiny for potentially reshaping the entertainment landscape.

Senator Elizabeth Warren has voiced strong opposition, calling the deal a threat to competitive markets. Republican lawmakers also expressed concerns over Netflix’s growing market power, warning that the merger could limit consumer choice.

The Writers Guild of America has urged regulators to block the deal, citing risks to jobs and content diversity. Cinema United also warned that the acquisition could harm the cinema industry. Regulatory approval could take up to 18 months.

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#Netflix #WarnerBros #Merger #ElizabethWarren #WritersGuild #CinemaIndustry #EntertainmentNews #StreamingWars

News

Lando Norris claims first F1 world title after dramatic Abu Dhabi showdown

Lando Norris secures his first F1 championship at Abu Dhabi, becoming Britain’s 11th world champion with 423 points.

Published

23 minutes ago

December 8, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Lando Norris secures his first F1 World Championship at Abu Dhabi, becoming Britain’s 11th world champion with 423 points.

Lando Norris has clinched his maiden Formula 1 World Championship after an electrifying finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In a race packed with tension, Norris held onto third place — the exact result he needed to secure the title.

His performance not only sealed his first championship but also cemented him as Britain’s 11th F1 world champion, marking a historic moment for McLaren and the sport.

Norris closed out the season with 423 points, marking a defining milestone in his career.

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#Formula1 #F1News #LandoNorris #MaxVerstappen #OscarPiastri #AbuDhabiGP #McLarenF1 #TickerNews

News

Ukraine peace deal ‘close’ as Russia pushes for major changes

U.S. envoy says peace deal with Ukraine is closer, but Russia demands changes amid unresolved key issues.

Published

27 minutes ago

December 8, 2025

Harvey Vargas

U.S. envoy says peace deal with Ukraine is closer, but Russia demands changes amid unresolved key issues.

The U.S. President’s envoy for Ukraine says a long-awaited peace deal is edging closer, but Russia is demanding major changes to Washington’s proposals. The comments suggest the diplomatic landscape is shifting faster than expected.

Key sticking points remain unresolved, including the disputed Donbas region and the fate of a major nuclear power plant. U.S. officials say progress on these issues would unlock the next phase of negotiations.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has confirmed territorial claims are firmly on the table, and Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy insists any territorial adjustments would require a national referendum.

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#Ukraine #Russia #PeaceTalks #Diplomacy #Geopolitics #Zelenskiy #BreakingNews #TickerNews