Tag Archives: Sydney

Sydney And Auckland Ring In 2024 With Fireworks

The Associated Press reports: As the clock struck midnight in Australia, tons of explosives erupted in a 12-minute display that focused on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. More than 1 million people — a number equivalent to one in five of the city’s residents — watched from the shore and from boats in the harbor. “It’s total madness,” said German tourist …

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HISTORY: Australian PM Marches In Sydney Mardi Gras

The Guardian reports: Amid the rainbow tulle, sequins and sparkles of Sydney’s 45th Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade emerged the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, in a simple open-necked shirt and jeans. Albanese is the first sitting prime minister to join the parade, which celebrates and continues to push for equality for the LGBTQIA+ community. The parade, under the theme …

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800 Test COVID+ On Cruise Ship Docked In Sydney

The BBC reports: A holiday cruise ship carrying about 800 passengers with Covid-19 has docked in Sydney, Australia. The Majestic Princess cruise ship arrived at Circular Quay, having sailed from New Zealand. About 4,600 passengers and crew were aboard the ship when it docked – meaning around one in five had Covid. The outbreak is reminiscent of the Ruby Princess …

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Sydney Man Boasted About 1988 Murder Of Gay Man

The Associated Press reports: A man told police he killed American mathematician Scott Johnson in 1988 by pushing the 27-year-old off a Sydney cliff in what prosecutors describe as a gay hate crime, a court heard on Monday. Scott White, 51, appeared in the New South Wales state Supreme Court for a sentencing hearing after he pleaded guilty in January …

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Australia Rings In 2022 In Traditional Style [VIDEO]

Reuters reports: Australians bade farewell to 2021 with a traditional fireworks display over Sydney harbour as good news from South Africa – the first country to pronounce itself past its Omicron wave – brought hope for a joyous New Year. Thanks to Omicron, the New Year began its annual roll from East to West quietly – with no official firework …

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Sydney Exits Strict Lockdown After 106 Days [VIDEO]

The Associated Press reports: Sydney hairdressers, gyms, cafés and bars reopened to fully vaccinated customers on Monday for the first time in more than 100 days after Australia’s largest city achieved a vaccination benchmark. Sydney planned to reopen on the Monday after 70% of the New South Wales state population aged 16 and older were fully vaccinated. By Monday, 73.5% …

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Violent Anti-Lockdown Protests Sweep Australia [Video]

Reuters reports: Australian police clashed with hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters in Melbourne and Sydney on Saturday as officials reported the country’s highest ever single-day rise in Covid-19 cases. Mounted police used pepper spray in Melbourne to break up crowds surging toward police lines, while smaller groups of protesters were prevented from congregating in Sydney by a large contingent of riot …

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Sydney Hikes Lockdown Violation Fines To $5000 AUD

Reuters reports: Australian police hiked fines for people breaking lockdown rules in Sydney and the rest of its home state on Saturday and strict stay-at-home orders were extended statewide amid a record jump in daily new Covid-19 infections. State police will fine up to A$5,000 ($3,700) anyone breaching stay-at-home orders or for lying to contract-tracing officials, said state Premier Gladys …

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Anti-Lockdown Protest Turns Violent In Sydney [VIDEO]

The New York Times reports: Defying a statewide stay-at-home order and a worsening local outbreak driven by the Delta variant, 3,500 mostly maskless protesters clashed with police officers on Saturday in downtown Sydney, Australia’s largest city. The protest, against the city’s month-long lockdown, raised fears of adding to Sydney’s caseload. “You don’t have to be an epidemiologist to work out …

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Delta Variant Surge Forces Sydney Into Hard Lockdown

CNN reports: Sydney will enter a hard two-week lockdown on Saturday night local time as authorities try to contain a fast-spreading outbreak of the highly infectious Delta coronavirus variant in Australia’s largest city, the state leader said. More than a million people in downtown Sydney and the city’s eastern suburbs were already under lockdown due to the outbreak, but health …

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Sydney Rings Out 2020 With Traditional Fireworks

The Victor Harbor Times reports: Sydney has largely banned crowds for its world-renowned pyrotechnic display, while Melbourne’s fireworks are cancelled. NSW restrictions were tightened further on Wednesday as the state battles to control its growing outbreak. Residents in Greater Sydney, including Wollongong, Central Coast and Blue Mountains, will be restricted to hosting five visitors in their homes, including children. And …

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Sydney Rings In 2020 With Controversial Fireworks

The BBC reports: Sydney’s Lord Mayor has defended the decision to press ahead with the city’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display, despite calls it should have been cancelled due to the bushfire crisis. Speaking earlier on Tuesday, Clover Moore said the celebration would “give hope to people”. Parts of Australia have been ravaged by bushfires intensified by high temperatures and …

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Australia: Wildfires Again Spur Emergency Declaration

Reuters reports: Australia’s most populous state declared its second emergency in as many months on Thursday as extreme heat and strong winds stoked more than 100 bushfires, including three major blazes on Sydney’s doorstep. A day after Australia recorded its hottest day on record, thick smoke blanketed the harbor city, shrouded the Opera House and brought many outdoor activities to …

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AUSTRALIA: Emergency Declared Over Many Wildfires

BBC reports: Two Australian states have declared a state of emergency as bushfires bring a “catastrophic” threat to heavily populated areas of the nation’s east. At least three people are dead and thousands have been displaced by three days of dangerous weather conditions in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland. But officials say the worst danger will come on Tuesday …

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Sydney Wins Bidding To Host WorldPride 2023

The Sydney Morning Herald reports: Sydney has won the right to host the international WorldPride event in 2023 after defeating Montreal and Houston in a vote in Athens on Sunday. Members of the worldwide InterPride network voted for Sydney to host the event in 2023, which will coincide with the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham …

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SYDNEY: City To Offer Free Weddings To Gay Couples (But Not Straight Ones) If Equal Marriage Becomes Law

The Sydney Morning Herald reports: Gay couples – but not straight ones – will be able to marry for free in some of the City of Sydney’s most prominent buildings and parks, in a move that will outrage the progressive council’s conservative critics. A motion passed on Monday night will allow same-sex couples to hire community facilities, halls and parks …

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AUSTRALIA: Haters Skywrite “Vote No” Over Sydney

Gay Star News reports: Skywriting appeared over Sydney today to encourage Australians to ‘Vote No’ to marriage equality. Australians are currently voting in a expensive and divisive postal vote on same-sex marriage. They have until 27 October to post their votes back, with results announced 15 November. But the ‘No’ campaign ramped up their attempts to sway people against same-sex …

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At Sydney’s Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras [VIDEOS]

From the Sydney Morning Herald: As 178 floats assembled near Hyde Park and excited revellers made the final touches to their bright, feathered and stiletto-ed outfits, Sydney was ready to party. Thanks to spectacular weather, the 38th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras was especially dazzling, with glitter and sequins reflecting a radiant sun. Thousands lined the streets and …

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AUSTRALIA: Government Apologizes For Mistreatment Of Gay Activists At Historic 1978 March [VIDEO]

From the Sydney Morning Herald: After a wait of nearly 40 years, “78er” Julie McCrossin​ says she was thrilled and emotional to learn that the NSW [New South Wales] government is to apologise for the discrimination and mistreatment that she and other gay rights activists suffered in 1978. The commentator and broadcaster said she understood that she and a group …

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Sydney Rings In 2016 With Fireworks Spectacular

No New Year’s Eve is complete without a look at the fireworks spectacular over Sydney. Watch below. I’m just a little disappointed that they didn’t soundtrack the fireworks with Kylie this year.

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