Australia
Latest stories
Indonesia Issues Execution Orders for Australians, Filipino

Two Australian drug traffickers and a Filipino woman were on Saturday given official notification by Indonesia that they will be executed, but with no given date, reports and a lawyer said.

They include Australians Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, ringleaders of the "Bali Nine" heroin trafficking gang, and mother-of-two Mary Jane Veloso.

W140 Full Story
Turkey Hosts Gallipoli Ceremonies 100 Years On

Turkey hosted leaders from World War I's former Allied powers Friday to honor the tens of thousands killed at the Battle of Gallipoli 100 years ago in one of the most futile yet emblematic campaigns of the conflict.

The ceremonies were being held the same day as centenary commemorations for the mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire and several world leaders had opted to attend the events in Yerevan instead.

W140 Full Story
Families of Death Row Inmates, Fearing Worst, Head to Indonesia

Relatives and diplomats rushed to an Indonesian prison island on Friday ahead of the looming executions of nine foreign drug convicts who are set to be shot in defiance of international anger. 

Indonesia advised consular officials to go to Nusakambangan, the high-security prison island where its executions are carried out, and where all of the death row convicts are now congregated. 

W140 Full Story
Islamic Center Tied to Australian Terror Accused Shuts Down

An Islamic center in Australia linked with several men accused of terrorism-related offences shut down Thursday, citing harassment and "insidious campaigns" against it.

The Al-Furqan Islamic Center in Melbourne came under increased scrutiny after five men were arrested last weekend over an alleged plot to attack Anzac Day commemorations on April 25 -- when Australia honors its war dead.

W140 Full Story
Death toll Rises as Wild Weather Smashes Australian State

The death toll from a severe storm hitting Sydney and surrounding regions rose to four late Wednesday, while a ship stuck outside the city's harbor with 2,500 passengers on a "cruise from hell" was finally able to dock.

Australia's biggest city and regions to the north and south, including the Central Coast and Hunter Valley, have been battling cyclonic wind gusts and non-stop downpours since Monday, with emergency services dealing with nearly 10,000 calls for help.

W140 Full Story
Another Australian Charged with Terror-Related Offenses

Australian police Tuesday charged a second man with terrorism-related offences, as Prime Minister Tony Abbott urged the public not to be deterred by fears of an alleged plot inspired by Islamic State.

It follows police in Britain arresting a 14-year-old boy in connection with the purported plan to attack Anzac Day commemorations on April 25 -- when Australia honours its war dead.

W140 Full Story
Three Dead as Wild Weather Lashes Australian State

Three people died as the Australian state of New South Wales was lashed by a "once-in-a-decade" storm Tuesday with homes washed away, thousands hit by power cuts and sand drifts sweeping inland off Sydney's iconic Bondi beach.

Sea swells also hampered shipping as the region around Australia's biggest city suffered its second day of gale-force winds of up to 135 kilometers per hour (83 mph) and torrential rain.

W140 Full Story
Australia: EU Needs Tough Border Control after Boat Tragedy

Australia's prime minister urged European leaders on Tuesday to adopt tougher border control measures in the wake of the feared drowning of as many as 900 asylum seekers whose boat capsized off the coast of Libya.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, whose government implemented a strict policy of turning back asylum seekers' boats in a bid to discourage them from trying to reach Australia, called the latest Mediterranean crisis a "terrible, terrible tragedy" and suggested Europe follow Australia's lead to ensure it's not repeated.

W140 Full Story
UK Police Arrest Boy over Alleged Australia IS Attack Plan

Police in Britain said Monday they have arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection with an alleged Islamic State-inspired attack plan in Australia.

The boy was arrested Saturday "on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism and remains in police custody for questioning," Greater Manchester Police in northwest England said in a statement.

W140 Full Story
New Zealand PM Happy to Talk to China about Spy Claims

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Monday invited Chinese officials to quiz him about reports that Wellington worked with U.S. intelligence on a plan to hack Chinese diplomatic communications.

Beijing expressed concern at the claims, which are based on documents from U.S. whistleblower Edward Snowden obtained by Auckland's Herald on Sunday newspaper.

W140 Full Story