Australia

01:51 PM
Australia to invest $680 million in dams for drought-stricken region

Australia will invest A$1 billion ($678.70 million) to revamp water infrastructure in rural and regional communities in the drought-stricken New South Wales.

11:08 AM
Australia, Fiji to send peacekeeping mission to Middle East

Australia and Fiji will send a joint United Nations peacekeeping mission to a disputed region in the Middle East as soon as next week, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said over the weekend.

10:27 AM
Netherlands, Australia vow to pursue convictions for downing of MH17

Australia and the Netherlands said on Wednesday they will pursue criminal prosecutions for those responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 that killed 298 people even if it takes many years.

10:52 AM
Australia mortgages point to 'mini-boom' in housing but signs bleak elsewhere in economy

Approvals for new home loans in Australia jumped again in August with lending to investors rising the most in three years, in yet another sign that recent rate cuts and easing of lending rules was boosting activity in the housing market.

11:35 AM
Australian regulator to require annual declarations on governance from banks

Australia’s banking regulator said on Wednesday it will ask financial institutions for annual declarations on governance and corporate culture, and will conduct “deep dive” reviews if concerns arise.

04:21 PM
Anumula Gitesh Sarma to be next High Commissioner of India to Australia

Anumula Gitesh Sarma has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Australia on Monday.

11:23 AM
Australia's former central bank head warns of limited power of rate cuts

Further interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia would do little to boost the economy as the power of monetary policy easing is limited, a former governor of the bank told the Weekend Australian on Saturday.

11:08 AM
Fish-hunting 'iron dragon' soared over Australia in age of dinosaurs

A winged beast dubbed the “iron dragon” soared above Australia during the age of dinosaurs, hunting fish in rivers and lakes, according to scientists who found that continent’s most complete fossil representing the flying reptiles called pterosaurs.

01:32 PM
Australian PM to visit India next year, to deliver inaugural address at Raisina Dialogue

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is slated to visit India in January next year at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and will deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue 2020 in New Delhi.

11:36 AM
Facebook's Zuckerberg defends encryption, despite child safety concerns

Facebook Inc Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg defended his decision to encrypt the company’s messaging services, despite concerns about its impact on child exploitation and other criminal activity.

04:14 PM
Scientists find toxic fungus near Australia's Great Barrier Reef

A highly poisonous fungus, with toxins that can be absorbed through the skin, has been identified for the first time in the rain forest near the Great Barrier Reef, Australian scientists said on Thursday.

11:36 AM
Australian government says prosecutors must seek approval before charging journalists

Australian prosecutors need government permission before they can file charges against local journalists, Attorney General Christian Porter said on Monday.

11:21 AM
Australia offered help in May for White House probe of Mueller inquiry

Australia offered assistance in May for U.S. President Donald Trump’s investigation of the origins of a damning report about Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

11:06 AM
RPT-Australia's AMP under pressure as pension clients exit

Australia’s AMP Ltd has lost at least one major pension contract while other companies are reviewing their relationship with the wealth manager, which has struggled to stem a client exodus following revelations of serious misconduct.

11:16 AM
Drought-hit Australian towns prepare for 'unimaginable' water crisis

The little town of Guyra in eastern Australia lies next to a freshwater lagoon just half a day’s drive from Sydney, but its drinking water is due to run dry in 400 days’ time.

10:56 AM
Stephanie Rice predicts improved Australia display in Tokyo pool

Australian swimmers may not be able to knock great rivals United States off the perch in Tokyo next year but will definitely better their own hauls from the last two Olympic Games, triple Olympic champion Stephanie Rice has told Reuters.

10:53 AM
Australia's consumer watchdog plans to beef up banking code amendments

Australia’s consumer regulator said on Friday it planned to strengthen banking code amendment proposals given by a banking sector body, as it sought to adopt suggestions from an inquiry into misconduct in the country’s financial sector.

10:41 AM
Amazon helps deliver crocodile-spotting drones in Australia

An Australian maker of drones used to spot sharks near surf beaches has partnered with online retailer Amazon.com Inc and other firms to create a drone service that could protect tourists from crocodiles in holiday destinations.

11:10 AM
Australia's most populous state revamps law on abortions

Legislators in Australia’s most populous state voted on Thursday to decriminalize abortion after a fractious debate that threatened to divide the conservative government of New South Wales.

10:50 AM
Australia shares set to open higher on Sino-U.S. trade talk optimism

Australian shares are poised to open higher on Thursday, tracking an upbeat Wall Street session, after U.S. President Donald Trump said a trade deal with China could happen sooner than expected.

10:48 AM
Australia shares set to open lower as political uncertainty, falling commodity prices loom

Australian shares are likely to open lower on Wednesday, tracking a dismal Wall Street session as a push for the impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump heightens political risks, while falling iron ore and oil prices are set to hurt index heavywe

10:35 AM
Australia PM joins Trump calling for China to drop 'developing economy' status

Global trade rules are “no longer fit for purpose” and must be changed to accommodate China’s new status as a developed economy, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a major foreign policy speech in the United States.

11:11 AM
Australia orders audit of Paypal to ensure local unit complying with money laundering, terror laws

Australia’s financial intelligence agency on Tuesday ordered the appointment of an external auditor to examine Paypal Australia’s compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism laws.

01:14 PM
After strikes, youth climate activists keep pressure on leaders

Young climate change activists delivered a strong message to United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday: If elected officials do not take strong actions to combat climate change, they will be voted out of office.