Wong shares details about 'unsafe and unprofessional' Chinese firing exercises

The foreign affairs minister explains to Senate estimates who knew what, when about recent Chinese live-firing exercises in international waters near Australia. The government asked China for an explanation within hours, Wong says, adding that she made direct representations to her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, and made it clear that the activities 'did not meet our expectations and was of deep concern'

Top Gun and transformers: onboard a US battleship in the South China Sea

 

It might sound like twisted logic, but military forces everywhere argue that the greater the firepower they possess, the greater the chance of maintaining peace. In other words, massive weaponry is the best deterrent to war. Right now the theory is being tested like never before, and much of it is happening in Australia’s backyard, the Indo-Pacific region.

Australia: World’s Worst Gamblers

 

Australians are the world’s biggest gamblers, losing $25bn a year. And poker machines are their preferred choice of poison.

Despite its relatively small population, the country is home to 20 percent of the world’s “pokies”, as the machines are known locally, with most found in community pubs and clubs.

Gambling causes widespread social destruction, but taking on the vested interests behind an industry that generates billions in profits and taxes has proved extremely difficult.

Resurrecting Australia’s Extinct Tasmanian Tiger

 

Australia’s thylacine has been extinct for almost 100 years, but a group of the country’s scientists say they will have it roaming the wilds again in a matter of years.

Having received a $15m funding windfall, they are embarking on a project to bring the so-called Tasmanian tiger back to life and are hoping the technology they develop will also help save endangered species from extinction.

Traffic stopped for koala crossing highway in Australia

 

Katrina Boyle filmed her son-in-law, Will Thornton, as he stepped in to help a marsupial crossing the Gold Coast Highway in Burleigh Heads, Queensland.

Melbourne City vs Melbourne Victory 'Protest'

 

The A-League Melbourne derby has been abandoned after a player and the referee were injured by a spectator during a pitch invasion.

Fans ran on to the pitch in the 22nd minute of the match between between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory.

Referee Alex King was trying to shield City goalkeeper Tom Glover when both suffered cuts to their faces after being hit by a metal bucket.

Glover had several stitches before being taken to hospital for scans.

A City statement said Glover, 24, went for "further follow up checks" after being assessed by the club doctor.

A TV cameraman was also injured by a flare.

Cockatoos in ‘arms race’ against Australians over rubbish bins

A new study says Australia's sulphur-crested cockatoos have entered an "innovation arms race" with humans, as the two species spar over the rubbish in roadside bins.

The Battle to Save Australia’s Ancient Forests

 

What motivates a doctor or an artist to chain themselves to trees and risk jail time?

Hundreds of ordinary citizens are volunteering in a battle to protect an ancient rainforest in the Australian state of Tasmania. They are determined to stop the construction of a tailings dam by a Chinese mining company, saying it threatens endangered wildlife and 500-year-old trees.

Despite tough new penalties for protesters, they are prepared to break the law for their beliefs.

China and Australia to discuss trade barriers at G-20

Foreign ministers from some of world's top economies are meeting today in Indonesia. On the G-20 agenda are Russia's war in Ukraine as well as Chinese trade relations:

Australia climate crisis: Women call for action with photo petition

 

When Australia was devastated by a bushfire crisis two years ago, local photographer Hilary Wardhaugh decided to start a campaign.

She gathered photos from women across the country, documenting Australia's climate crisis.

Australia alarmed over China's security ambitions in the South Pacific

An attempt by China to secure a sweeping security and trade deal with ten South Pacific islands remains elusive.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was hoping to sign such a pact during a stop in Fiji, part of his diplomatic tour of the region. But Wang came away from a virtual meeting with his South Pacific counterparts without a deal. He urged them not to be too anxious about his country's aims in the region and promised to clear the air.

Australia’s new PM Albanese backs climate, defying Murdoch media

 

Climate was a big factor in the Australian elections despite the Murdoch media push. Plus, the taboo of Palestine in Germany.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is out, the outcome also amounts to a rejection of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp – which backed Morrison and ridiculed candidates demanding action on the climate. Murdoch’s used to setting the political agenda down under. No longer.

Racism in Australia - Violence against aboriginal Australians

 

Racism and xenophobia are a structural problem in Australia. There, racism and xenophobia are mainly directed against the indigenous population and people with Asian and Muslim roots.

Solomon Islands: West fears Chinese foothold in South Pacific | DW News

 

Officials from both China and the Solomon Islands have yet to formally sign a security pact that the islands' South Pacific neighbors, as well as the United States, claim could threaten regional stability.

The bitter dispute over wild horses in Australia

In the high mountain plains of Australia’s Snowy Mountains, thousands of wild horses graze the Alpine wilderness. They have inspired poetry, books and films, creating an epic myth about these intelligent creatures and their place in Australian culture.

Djokovic deportation: The fallout in Australia and Serbia

 

Novak Djokovic has left Australia after losing his appeal against his visa cancellation. He was deported after judges upheld a decision by the immigration minister that the unvaccinated tennis star posed a threat to public health. It comes after a 10-day legal battle that began when Djokovic arrived to compete in the Australian Open. He was hoping for an unprecedented 21st men's Grand Slam win.

Novak Djokovic, Tennis Australia and the government of New South Wales really believed that they could just circumvent COVID-19 protocols and no one would notice. Australian Border Force noticed, that not only was his visa information not accurate, that he didn't qualify for COVID-19 medical exemption.

Novak Djokovic: Tennis star to be deported after losing Australia visa appeal

Tennis star Novak Djokovic has lost his last-ditch court bid to stay in Australia and is set to be deported.

The Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel the unvaccinated Serbian player's visa.

The government argued the 34-year-old posed a threat to public health.

Djokovic is now unable to defend his Australian Open title in Melbourne. He was due to play his first match on Monday.

During Sunday's court hearing before a three-judge panel, Djokovic's defence unsuccessfully argued that the grounds given by the government were "invalid and illogical".

Djokovic has been staying at an immigration detention hotel in Melbourne, the same place he was taken after his visa was first revoked following his arrival on 6 January.

Novak Djokovic's Australian visa revoked again

Novak Djokovic's Australian visa has been revoked for a second time, putting in serious doubt the world's No.1 men's tennis player's chances of contesting the Australian Open and winning a record 21st Grand Slam

I'm stick to death of the Novak Djokovic's of the world. Believing, because they are wealthy and famous rules are only for the peasants.

Broome: Diving the remnants of a WW2 attack on Australia

 

During World War Two, a surprise air raid on the remote Australian town of Broome killed scores of people.

But even in Australia it is not widely remembered, historians say.

Australia's lockdowns among harshest in the world

 

During the pandemic, Australia closed its borders and stopped most people, from coming in or going out. As a result, COVID-19 has hardly touched the country - but people there have had to endure long lockdowns that are only now being lifted.