New Zealand

Lawmakers granted the Whanganui River the rights of legal representation on Wednesday. The vote caps over a century of struggle by the local Maori people, who see the waterway as a sacred ancestor.

After two mass strandings left over 650 pilot whales washed ashore at a remote beach and hundreds died, volunteer rescuers finally got some good news: A large pod swam back to sea overnight.

Volunteers gathered early to send some 100 surviving whales back to sea, after one of the worst mass strandings in New Zealand's history. But just hours later, a new large pod washed ashore nearby.

The country's Department of Conservation says the stranding of more than 400 whales is one of its worst on record. Rescue attempts are underway for the survivors, which number upwards of 100.

In a surprising move, John Key said it was the "right time" to leave politics. Key, who spent eight years as leader of his country and his party, says he will formally step down on Dec. 12.

Nearly 2,000 people in New Zealand are gearing up to spread a little joy by giving a gift to a stranger. The gift exchange is run by the country's postal service and is now in its seventh year.

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake shook New Zealand more than a week ago. Scientists investigating the damage have recorded mesmerizing footage of the cracks in the ground that the quake left behind.

At least two people died in Sunday's powerful quake, which has been followed by a series of aftershocks. Highways and railroads are destroyed; military aircraft are preparing to drop supplies.

"There is a threat of land inundation for the East Coast of New Zealand," the country's emergency agency said Sunday.

It seems every four years, Americans threaten to move to Canada if their chosen candidate isn't elected. Some remote islands are seizing on election-induced panic to grow their populations.