Tag: Sydney

Chinese warships cause surprise in Sydney Harbour

  SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australians enjoying a sunny winter morning were shocked by the sight of three Chinese warships steaming into Sydney Harbour Monday, forcing the prime minister to reassure jittery residents. Amid heightened concern about Beijing’s growing clout and military muscle-flexing, the appearance of a Chinese flagged task group and around 700 sailors came as a surprise. It also came as Prime Minister Scott Morrison was away on a visit to the Solomon […]

Sydney cars pummeled by hail the size of tennis balls

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s largest city was picking up the pieces Friday after a series of lightning and hailstorms pummeled cars with ice blocks the size of tennis balls. The authorities issued a severe storm warning, but that was not enough to prevent damage that is already running into the tens of millions of dollars. “As of 6:30 am we are at 15,000 claims and AUS$80 million (US$57 million) in damages,” the Insurance Council […]

Surfer severely mauled by shark in Australia

sA surfer was severely mauled by a shark off Australia’s east coast, officials said Sunday, the latest in a series of attacks in recent months. The 36-year-old was surfing near Scotts Head Beach some 490 kilometres (300 miles) north of Sydney in the morning when he was bitten, New South Wales state police said. “The man suffered a severe leg injury below his knee on his right leg,” a NSW Ambulance spokesman told AFP. “He […]

Large bushfire burns near homes on Sydney outskirts

  SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Hundreds of firefighters were Monday battling a large bushfire that was raging near Sydney suburbs, with authorities saying it was “miraculous” no houses had been damaged and no-one had been injured. New South Wales state police are investigating the cause of the bushfire in south-western Sydney, which started on Saturday afternoon amid unseasonably warm autumn weather and strong winds, with suspicions it was deliberately lit. The blaze has burnt through more than […]

Outrage after koala found screwed to a pole in Australia

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — A dead koala has been found screwed to a pole in Australia in a “sickening” act that sparked outrage Thursday on social media. Koala Rescue Queensland (KRQ) responded to a report of one of the furry animals climbing a picnic shelter at Brooloo Park Lookout near Gympie, 175 kilometers (around 100 miles) north of Brisbane, on Wednesday. But on closer inspection, it was found to be dead and screwed in place. […]

Sydney-Hobart crown at stake as jury hears protest

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) – The official winner of this year’s dramatic Sydney to Hobart yacht race could be determined as early as Thursday, as an international jury assesses the fate of Supermaxi Wild Oats XI after her record finish. Wild Oats surpassed last year’s record time by several hours when she crossed the finish line late Wednesday, but her ninth line honors victory remains in the balance after second-placed LDV Comanche lodged a protest. The battle between […]

UN calls on Australia to stop ‘humanitarian emergency’ at PNG refugee camp

by Glenda KWEK Agence France-Presse SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) – The United Nations called on Australia to stop a “humanitarian emergency” unfolding at a detention center in Papua New Guinea on Thursday, urging an end to a tense days-long stand-off between refugees and authorities. The Manus Island camp, set up to hold and process asylum-seekers under Australia’s harsh immigration policy, was officially closed Tuesday after it was ruled unconstitutional by PNG’s Supreme Court. But some 600 men have […]

Cricket: Smith out to re-open England’s Ashes ‘scars’

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) – Skipper Steve Smith says Australia plan to reopen old English Ashes scars starting with a morale-shattering blow in the series opener at the Gabba this month. Smith has indelible memories of the shattering effect of the opening Brisbane Test from the last 2013-14 Ashes battle in Australia on the remainder of that series. England were battered by the hostility of paceman Mitchell Johnson, backed up by Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle and the […]

Football: Sydney strike early blow as A-League returns

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) – Sydney FC struck an early blow in the defence of their A-League title on the opening weekend of the season with a hard-fought win over the team they beat in last year’s grand final. Graham Arnold’s side enjoyed a record-breaking season last year, finishing with 66 points from 20 wins and just one defeat in 27 games. It culminated in a gripping shootout win over Melbourne Victory in the grand final, and they rubbed […]

Football: Blockbuster to open A-League season

by Martin Parry Sydney, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s domestic A-League kicks off Friday with dominant Sydney FC defending their title and Western Sydney Wanderers in turmoil, as a host of foreign imports look to make their mark. Graham Arnold’s Sydney FC enjoyed a record-breaking season last year, finishing with 66 points from 20 wins and just one defeat in 27 games. It culminated in a gripping shootout win over Melbourne Victory in the grand final […]

Sydney, Melbourne warned to prepare for 50-degree days

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Sydney and Melbourne could regularly face 50-degree Celsius (122F) days within 25 years even if Australia meets its Paris global warming targets, a new study warned Wednesday. Other areas across the country should also prepare for extreme heat, said the research led by the Australian National University (ANU) and supported by the Center of Excellence for Climate System Science, an international consortium. The study assessed the potential magnitude of future extreme […]

Rugby: Western Force open legal fight against Super axe

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Western Force opened their legal fight to remain a Super Rugby team on Monday as they requested an appeal against the decision to axe them and won an injunction against the Australian Rugby Union. The Perth club’s parent body, Rugby WA, lodged the appeal request with the New South Wales Supreme Court, after the ARU announced their removal from the southern hemisphere competition last week. Western Force have fallen victim to Australia’s decision to […]