Australian wildfire razes 40 homes, one man dead
A fast-moving wildfire destroyed at least 40 homes in western Australia's Perth, officials said Monday, with one man dying as he prepared for the approaching inferno.
Powerful Cyclone Ian hits Tonga
A state of emergency was declared in parts of Tonga Saturday as powerful Cyclone Ian slammed into the South Pacific island nation, bringing winds estimated at 105 knots (200 kilometres per hour).
Man's cockroach-in-the-ear agony Down Under
A man in Australia endured a painful hospital visit after a large cockroach burrowed into his ear and his efforts to suck it out with a vacuum cleaner failed.
Scientists apologise for failing to make girl a dragon
Australia's national science agency issued a rare apology to a seven-year-old girl for not being able to make her a fire-breathing dragon, blaming a lack of research into the mythical creatures.
Antarctic mission over as ships clear ice field
A complex international operation to free a Russian ship trapped in Antarctica ended Wednesday when the vessel cleared the ice field, as officials released a United States icebreaker from the rescue.
Tennis: Kazakhstan's Voskoboeva reaches Brisbane International finals
Galina Voskoboeva from Kazakhstan paired with Kristina Mladenovic from France reached the final of the Brisbane, but failed to win it.
Sea Shepherd catches Japanese fleet, four whales dead
Militant anti-whaling activists Sea Shepherd said they had zeroed in on a Japanese fleet Monday and captured evidence that four whales had been slaughtered, alleging the ships were found inside a Southern Ocean sanctuary.
Naked Aussie gets stuck in washing machine
A naked Australian man was left red-faced after getting stuck in a washing machine during a game of hide and seek, after police had to grease him up with olive oil to get him out.
Australia endures hottest year on record
Australia experienced its hottest year on record in 2013, the Bureau of Meteorology said Friday, enduring the longest heatwave ever recorded Down Under as well as destructive bushfires.
Australia's WikiLeaks Party under fire for Assad talks
Whistleblowing group WikiLeaks said Tuesday it had no knowledge of and did not approve a delegation to Syria which met President Bashar al-Assad and included members of Australia's WikiLeaks Party.
Strong cyclone hits western Australia
A powerful cyclone lashed Australia's resources-rich west coast Tuesday, bringing torrential rains and destructive gales that ripped up trees and roofs and closed major global iron ore operations.
Sparkling Sydney to kick off glitzy global 2014 party
Sydney promised an unprecedented fireworks spectacular to kick off global new year celebrations Tuesday, the first in a wave of pyrotechnics to usher in 2014 from Hong Kong to world record-chasing Dubai.
New Year on ice as weather stalls Antarctic air-sea rescue
An icebound Russian research vessel prepared to ring in the New Year in remote Antarctica Tuesday as blizzards hampered a helicopter rescue planned after several icebreaking attempts failed.
Rescue of stranded Antarctic ship stalls
A Chinese icebreaker has failed to break through thick ice to free a ship carrying scientists and tourists stranded off Antarctica, forcing Australian authorities to look at other rescue options Saturday.
UN urges Thailand to drop charges against website
The United Nations has urged Thailand to drop defamation charges against two Australian and Thai journalists for a report alleging military involvement in people smuggling, warning of a "chilling effect" on press freedom.
Rescue underway for Russian ship trapped by Antarctic ice
Three icebreaking ships were Thursday hurrying to reach a Russian vessel carrying 74 people on a scientific expedition which is trapped by ice off Antarctica, with Australian authorities coordinating the rescue mission.
Sri Lanka bars Australian luxury hotelier in flag spat
Sri Lankan authorities barred the Australian owner of one of the world's most exclusive hotels from returning to his adopted homeland Tuesday for flying the national flag upside down, officials said.
Anti-whalers dismiss 'sham' Australian surveillance
Militant anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd on Monday dismissed as a "sham" Australian government plans to track Japan's annual whale hunt by air instead of by sea, saying it was a toothless and "cowardly" response.
Australia gives environmental nod to $5.7 bln coal project
Waratah Coal on Saturday welcomed the Australian government's approval of its $6.4 billion (US$5.7 billion) Galilee coal project, as conservationists warned the decision threatened the environment.
Explorers reach Mawson's Huts in Antarctica
Two Australian explorers have battled dangerous sea ice to reach the historic Mawson's Huts in Antarctica which have been isolated for years by a giant iceberg blocking the route in, officials said Friday.
