Crowds of Australians and New Zealanders came together just before dawn on Friday to remember Anzac Day. The ceremonies were peaceful and respectful across both countries, but one event in Melbourne was briefly interrupted by booing, according to AFP Anzac Day first started to remember the World War I landing of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, troops at Gallipoli, in Turkey, in 1915. The soldiers faced strong Ottoman forces supported by Germany. More than 10,000 Australian and New Zealand troops died during that battle. This year marks the 110th anniversary of the landing. Now, Anzac

  Crowds of Australians and New Zealanders came together just before dawn on Friday to remember Anzac Day. The ceremonies were peaceful and respectful across both countries, but one event in Melbourne was briefly interrupted by booing, according to AFP Anzac Day first started to remember the World War I landing of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, troops at Gallipoli, in Turkey, in 1915. The soldiers faced strong Ottoman forces supported by Germany. More than 10,000 Australian and New Zealand troops died during that battle. This year marks the 110th anniversary of the landing. Now, Anzac Day is also used to honour all Australians and New Zealanders who have served in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions. At a service in Canberra, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, "We who are gathered here, think of those who went out to the battlefields of all wars, but did not return."He added, "We feel them still near us in spirit. We wish to be worthy of their great sacrifice." In Melbourne, during the Welcome to Country ceremony , a traditional blessing given by a local Indigenous elder, some booing interrupted the service. The Welcome to Country is an important and respectful part of Australian events. Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said the booing was "led by someone who is a known neo-Nazi." He added, "Frankly, when we come together to commemorate on Anzac Day, we're commemorating some of those soldiers who fell in a war that was fought against that sort of hateful ideology." He called the behaviour "completely disrespectful, and is not something that's welcome at Anzac Day commemorations ever." When asked how he knew who the person was, Keogh said, "I’ve seen the public reporting of at least one of the names of one of the people that was involved." Defence Minister Richard Marles also spoke about the incident. He said it was "terrible"and "deplorable," but that people should focus on honouring the soldiers. "This is a day to acknowledge those who have worn our nation's uniform,"he told Channel Nine. Police in Victoria told one man to leave the ceremony and interviewed him for "offensive behaviour." They have not released his name. In Gallipoli, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attended a service to mark the event. Britain’s King Charles III also sent a message, thanking Anzac troops for their "selfless service in those most difficult and dangerous times." This year’s Anzac Day also comes just before a national election in Australia on May 3. The big issues in the election are the cost of living, clean energy, and international relations, especially with the United States. The current left-leaning government is leading in opinion polls.

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