Tag: Australia

Future uncertain for Australia’s unique platypus: researchers

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s unique platypus population is shrinking under pressure from agriculture and pollution, putting the egg-laying mammals’ future in doubt, researchers said in a report published Thursday. A three-year survey of the duck-billed animal suggested its numbers had fallen by 30 percent, to around 200,000, since Europeans settled the continent two centuries ago. “We have great concerns about the future survival of this unique species,” said Richard Kingsford, director of the University […]

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Thousands evacuated as Australian bushfires rage

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Thousands of people were being evacuated from their homes in northeast Australia late Wednesday, as bushfires raged across Queensland state amid a scorching heatwave. Some 8,000 people were told to leave the town of Gracemere, south of the central coast area of Rockhampton, as a fast-moving blaze threatened homes. The Bureau of Meteorology declared a “catastrophic” fire danger — the highest possible risk rating — in some central areas, while firefighters […]

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Pence says US to partner in Papua New Guinea military base

  PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (AFP) — The United States said Saturday it will join forces with Australia in the development of a new naval base in Papua New Guinea, a project seen as a move to curb China’s influence in the Pacific. Australia, which has long-standing military ties with the US, has already announced plans to redevelop PNG’s Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island. China’s desire to build a military facility on Fiji’s […]

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Woman charged over Australia strawberry needle scare

  SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — A woman has been charged after a “complex” investigation into an Australian strawberry scare where needles were found stuck into the fruit, police said Sunday, in a crisis that sparked nationwide panic. Queensland state authorities offered a large reward and the national government raised jail terms for such crimes after sewing needles were found in plastic boxes of the fruit sold in supermarkets in September. Since the first case came […]

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One dead in stabbing rampage in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — One person was killed and two others were injured in a rush hour stabbing rampage in downtown Melbourne Friday, that saw police shoot a knife-wielding suspect near a burning vehicle. Police said officers “initially responded to a report of a car on fire” in the city center at 4:20 pm local time, but discovered at the scene that members of the public had been stabbed. Media showed video footage of police […]

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“Reign of strict enforcement of laws”- Palace refutes Fox’s “reign of terror” allegation on Duterte gov’t

  (Eagle News) — Malacanang refuted allegations made by Australian elderly missionary nun Patricia Fox that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte was a “reign of terror,” saying what is present is a “reign of strict enforcement of the laws. “There is no reign of terror and tyranny in the Philippines. There is only a reign of fear in the minds and hearts of those who violated the law. They are terrified that the law […]

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Australian PM gives national apology to child sex abuse victims

CANBERRA, Australia (AFP) — Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison Monday issued an emotive apology to children who suffered sexual abuse, saying the state had failed to protect them from “evil dark” crimes committed over decades. “This was done by Australians to Australians, enemies in our midst, enemies in our midst,” Morrison told a parliamentary chamber in a televised speech, his voice trembling with emotion. “As a nation, we failed them, we forsook them, and that will […]

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Royals Harry and Meghan go barefoot on Bondi

  by Andrew BEATTY Agence France Presse SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — British royals Harry and Meghan kicked off their shoes and donned tropical garlands Friday as they hit Sydney’s famed Bondi beach for the latest stop on their Australian tour. Expectant Meghan put on a summer dress and set aside her high heels, while Harry ditched his usual suit for chinos as the couple lapped up cheers from Australian fans and enjoyed Bondi’s surf. Despite […]

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Australia mulling embassy move to Jerusalem: PM

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia is considering moving its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Tuesday, following the lead of US President Donald Trump. Morrison called a press conference to say he was “open-minded” to proposals to formally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move his nation’s embassy to the holy city, a sharp break with the policy of successive Australian governments for decades. “We’re committed […]

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Gold Coast’s Light Rail System, changing the scene of Australia’s public transport

  By Patricia Madronio, Diego Madronio, Xelinne Ryan-Andrews and Mark Calaguas EBC Australia Bureau, Eagle News Service (Eagle News) — Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia and with population growth comes increased travel demands. In order to counter congestion, maintain the great lifestyle in the city, and turn Gold Coast into a mature and world-class destination, the Australian government launched a light rail master plan. Now almost a $2 billion investment, […]

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Australia central bank holds rates with inflation soft

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s central bank held interest rates at a record low on Tuesday even as the economy grows strongly, with officials taking into account soft inflation figures and weak wages growth. The cash rate has been unchanged at 1.50 percent since the Reserve Bank of Australia last cut it in August 2016, to support non-mining industries as an unprecedented investment in resources waned. “The low level of interest rates is continuing to […]

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