Australia to sharply increase defence spending with focus on Indo-Pacific
SYDNEY – Australia will boost defence spending by 40% over the next 10 years, buying long-range military assets that will be focused on the Indo-Pacific region, Prime Minister Scott Morrison…
Koalas may be extinct in Australia’s New South Wales by 2050
SYDNEY – Koalas in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) could become extinct by 2050 unless the government immediately intervenes to protect them and their habitat, a parliamentary…
Australia’s Victoria state introduces suburban lockdowns to curb new outbreaks
The state of Victoria has introduced the country’s first lockdown measures specifically targeted at local suburban areas after a spike in coronavirus cases in Melbourne. The new curbs come even…
Australia to spend nearly $1.35 bln to boost cyber security
SYDNEY – Australia will spend $1.35 billion over the next 10 years to boost its cyber security defences, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says, as Canberra seeks to combat a wave of attacks. The announcement…
South Australia state cancels border reopening after virus spike
SYDNEY – South Australia, one of several states in the country to close domestic borders, has cancelled its scheduled reopening to other parts of the nation, citing a spike in coronavirus…
Australia sees biggest daily rise in COVID-19 cases in two months
SYDNEY – Australia‘s second most populous state says its considering reimposing social distancing restrictions after the country reported its biggest one-day rise in new coronavirus infections in more than two months.…
Virus-free Vietnam not ready to open doors to foreign tourists yet: PM
HANOI – Despite successfully containing its COVID-19 outbreak, Vietnam has no plans to open up to international tourists yet over fears that doing so could lead to a second wave…
Malaysia to detain, charge crew of “illegal” Vietnamese boats
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will detain and charge crew members of Vietnamese vessels caught illegally fishing in its waters instead of turning them away as authorities had done previously, the…
Australian officials warn against travel to new coronavirus hotspots
SYDNEY – Australian officials have tried to contain a fresh outbreak of the novel coronavirus, telling residents in the cluster hotspots to avoid travel outside their suburbs in Melbourne, the…
Victoria extends state of emergency as coronavirus cases surge
MELBOURNE – Australia‘s second most populous state, Victoria, has extended its state of emergency for four more weeks to July 19, as it battles a spike in coronavirus infections with…
