Latest Australia News

Philippine defense secretary doesn't expect Trump will demand payment for protection

Nov. 12, 2024 03:19 AM EST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Tuesday that he didn't expect President-elect Donald Trump’s next administration would demand that the Philippines pay more for military protection because both allies faced the shared threat of China. ...

First emperor penguin known to reach Australia found on tourist beach

Nov. 11, 2024 13:24 PM EST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An emperor penguin found malnourished far from its Antarctic home on the Australian south coast is being cared for by a wildlife expert, a government department said Monday. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on a popular tourist beach in the town of...

Mali detains top executive and 2 others from an Australian gold mining company over dispute

Nov. 11, 2024 02:57 AM EST

YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — The military junta in Mali has arrested the top executive and two other employees of Australia’s gold mining company Resolute Mining while they were visiting the country for talks over an unspecified dispute, the company said Monday. The three –...

Children's book by chef Jamie Oliver is withdrawn after criticism from Indigenous Australians

Nov. 10, 2024 19:28 PM EST

LONDON (AP) — A children's book written by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been withdrawn from sale after it was criticized for causing offense to Indigenous Australians. The Guardian newspaper reported Saturday that the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander...

Ian Botham saved by Ashes rival from crocodile infested waters after fishing mishap

Nov. 10, 2024 02:24 AM EST

SYDNEY (AP) — England cricketing great Ian Botham was saved by his former Ashes rival Merv Hughes after a fall into crocodile-infested waters while on a fishing trip in northern Australia. Botham, along with Hughes and a group of friends, was on a boat when the accident happened,...

Self-described Nazi becomes first person jailed in Australia for performing outlawed salute

Nov. 08, 2024 02:36 AM EST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A self-described Nazi became the first person in Australia to be sentenced to prison for performing an outlawed salute when he was ordered by a magistrate on Friday to spend one month behind bars. Jacob Hersant, 25, is also the first person in Victoria...

Australian states back national plan to ban children younger than 16 from social media

Nov. 08, 2024 01:23 AM EST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s states and territories on Friday unanimously backed a national plan to require most forms of social media to bar children younger than 16. Leaders of the eight provinces held a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss...

Australia plans a social media ban for children under 16

Nov. 07, 2024 06:32 AM EST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian government announced on Thursday what it described as world-leading legislation that would institute an age limit of 16 years for children to start using social media, and hold platforms responsible for ensuring compliance. “Social media...

Controversial Australian Olympic breaker Rachael Gunn retires from competition

Nov. 06, 2024 21:00 PM EST

SYDNEY (AP) — Australian breaker Rachael Gunn has told a Sydney radio station that she plans to retire from competition just three months after her unconventional routine at the Paris Olympics led to her being ridiculed and spawned conspiracy theories about how she qualified for the Games. ...

Australian High Court overturns law that forced scores of migrants to wear tracking bracelets

Nov. 06, 2024 01:46 AM EST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s highest court ruled Wednesday that migrants can’t be forced by law to wear electronic tracking bracelets or to comply with curfews. The ruling is a blow to the government, whose lawyers have unsuccessfully argued that laws imposing...