Oceania News

A SUICIDE bomber hits a military checkpoint in Donetsk as Tony Abbott describes the MH17 disaster as "evidence tampering on an industrial scale".

The palace is releasing special pictures, the Royal Mint is striking a commemorative coin and newspapers are publishing glowing tributes.

About 80 per cent of Australia's exports will go to Asia by 2020 as the region's growing middle class demands high quality food and education and looks to holiday overseas.

Labour Leader David Cunliffe says a Government he led would invest up to $200 million over four years in development projects aimed at resuscitating flagging regional economies.

IMPORTANT MOVE: Labour spokesman for housing Phil Twyford, left, helps Awarua Synergy underfloor insulation team leader Shannan Kapene make a southern home warmer.

New Zealand's climbing community is in awe of the first solo ascent of a difficult South Island peak in Mt Aspiring National Park.

Dutch experts called Monday for a full forensic sweep of the site where Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 went down and told armed separatists guarding rail cars full of victims' bodies in a nearby town the train must be allowed to leave as soon as possible.

See all those languages up there? We translate Global Voices stories to make the world's citizen media available to everyone.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott speaks alongside foreign minister Julie Bishop at a press conference in Sydney on July 19, 2014.

Migrant numbers are soaring - with annual arrivals to New Zealand topping 100,000 for the first time in the 12 months to June.

SOME of the more macabre elements of the town's history are being showcased at the Smithy Heritage Centre, in Eccleston.

A wife writes: "Yesterday morning, while in a taxi on the way to the airport, Husband sends a message to my work email which is connected to my phone.

Friends remember: Shaliza Dewa, Johannes van den Hende and their children Piers, Marnix and Margaux, who were all killed on flight MH17.

Makeshift memorial ... flowers, candles and plush toys are left by the side of electronic wreckage at the site of the crash of a Malaysia Airlines plane in rebel-held eastern Ukraine.

Australians were on Sunday remembering those killed on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 at church services, as stories emerged of parents losing children, and doctors, teachers and a nun among the dead.

He said police patrols and contractors were out in force, trying to clear the roads and direct traffic in the affected areas, which included Wellsford, Waipu, Ruakaka and Maungatapere.

A Manawatu mum is disappointed she did not insist on telling her story to a coroner after the death of her newborn baby at Palmerston North Hospital just over a year ago.

UPDATE: New information released by the Prime Minister's office says that in addition to the 28 Australians there were also eight permanent residents who were killed on MH17.

G20 trade ministers reaffirmed Saturday their commitment to free trade as a central driver of growth and to streamline the flow of goods through borders.

Scenes of grief and anger have played out on NSW streets as mourners remembered lives lost on flight MH17 and protesters urged swift repercussions for Russian President Vladimir Putin.