site.news_by_theme Australia
Kazakhstan's Harmony Lessons get special Jury Award for Best Debut at American Festival
It was the first time the festival led by Robert de Niro awarded a Kazakhstan filmmaker with the prize.
06 May 2013
Rising sea levels threaten migratory birds - study
Millions of birds that stop at coastal wetlands during annual migrations could die as rising sea levels and land reclamation wipe out their feeding grounds.
06 May 2013
Australia halts cattle exports to Egypt
Australian cattle exporters said they had suspended live shipments to Egypt Saturday after abattoir footage shot by animal rights activists showed "horrific" mistreatment of cows.
04 May 2013
Penfolds pops cork on 'perfect' 2008 Grange
Nestled in Australia's Adelaide hills, Penfolds Magill Estate has opened its double cellar doors to launch global sales of one of the most hyped "new world" wines in recent history.
04 May 2013
Australia rejects calls to boycott Sri Lanka meet
Australia has vowed not to boycott the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka over allegations of human rights violations, despite mounting calls not to attend.
27 April 2013
Titanic tycoon launches political party in Australia
Australian billionaire Clive Palmer, the tycoon who is building a replica of the ill-fated Titanic, on Friday unveiled his new political party and said he would run in the September 14 elections.
26 April 2013
Prince Harry to spend 'six months with Australian army'
Planning is underway for Britain's Prince Harry to spend six months on secondment to the Australian army.
25 April 2013
Few women opt for frontline combat roles in Australia
Fewer than 20 women have applied for frontline combat roles in Australia since new policies allowing all military positions to be filled on merit rather than gender.
25 April 2013
Original Australians numbered 1,000-3,000: study
Australia was first settled by between 1,000 and 3,000 humans around 50,000 years ago, but the population crashed during the Ice Age.
25 April 2013
Greenpeace activists board coal ship off Australia reef
Six activists from conservation group Greenpeace boarded a coal carrier on the outskirts of Australia's Great Barrier Reef Wednesday calling for an end to exports of the fuel.
24 April 2013
Crowe leads tributes to Aussie rock legend Amphlett
Hollywood star Russell Crowe led tributes Tuesday to Australia's "Queen of Rock" Chrissy Amphlett who died in New York after a long battle with cancer.
23 April 2013
Frenchman fights off crocodile in Australia
A French deckhand survived after a crocodile latched onto his head in northern Australia by punching the reptile repeatedly until it let go.
22 April 2013
Australian troops join S. Korea-US landing drill
Australian combat troops have for the first time taken part in annual South Korea-US joint military drills.
20 April 2013
Sharks dive by the moon: study
The moon and water temperature affect the diving behaviour of sharks, researchers reported Tuesday, in a discovery that could help prevent fishermen from catching the marine predators inadvertently.
17 April 2013
Australians getting fatter, more anxious: survey
Australians are smoking and drinking less than they were five years ago but are fatter and more anxious.
16 April 2013
Swedish Holocaust hero made honorary Australian
Australia paid tribute on Monday to Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who saved thousands of Jews during World War II, by making him the country's first honorary citizen.
16 April 2013
Antarctic summer ice melting 10 times faster: study
Summer ice in the Antarctic is melting 10 times quicker than it was 600 years ago, with the most rapid melt occurring in the last 50 years.
15 April 2013
Assange voices confidence on Australia election
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is holed up in the Ecuador's embassy in London, gave an upbeat assessment late Thursday to his chances of winning a seat in Australia's Senate.
12 April 2013
Australia to tackle Japan on whaling at UN court
Australia is to fire the opening salvoes in a legal battle before the United Nations' highest court in June aimed at stopping Japan's whaling research programme in Antarctica.
12 April 2013
Woodside shelves huge gas project in Australia
Australia's Woodside Petroleum Ltd. on Friday announced it was shelving onshore plans for the controversial multi-billion-dollar Browse liquefied natural gas export project.
12 April 2013