Senate passes voting reforms, paves way for early election
CANBERRA – The Senate has passed voting reforms after a marathon session lasting over 28 hours, clearing the way for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to dissolve both houses of parliament…
Defiant N.Korea fires ballistic missile into sea, Japan protests
SEOUL – North Korea has fired at least one ballistic missile on Friday, which flew about 800 kilometres before hitting the sea off its east coast, South Korea’s military said,…
Answers elusive for team investigating Malaysia’s missing MH370
KUALA LUMPUR – Two years after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared, answers remain elusive, with international investigators yet to arrive at a conclusion over what happened to the jet. The…
US strikes Islamist group in Somalia, at least 150 dead
SYDNEY/ WASHINGTON – The pentagon says a US air strike in Somalia has killed more than 150 fighters from the Islamist group al-Shabaab. The attack followed US intelligence on preparations…
China says South China Sea among world’s freest shipping lanes
BEIJING – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says the South China Sea is one of the world’s freest and safest shipping lanes, arguing that Beijing’s control over the disputed waters…
Nike suspends contract with tennis star Maria Sharapova after she fails drug test
Global sportswear brand Nike has suspended its relationsionship with Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova after it was revealed she failed a drug test at this year’s Australian Open. Nike, one…
Defiant N.Korea fires ballistic missile into sea, Japan protests
SEOUL – North Korea has fired at least one ballistic missile on Friday, which flew about 800 kilometres before hitting the sea off its east coast, South Korea’s military said,…
FIRB to have oversight of state asset sales: Treasurer
CANBERRA – The Foreign Investment Review Board will be given oversight of the proposed sale by state governments of critical infrastructure assets to foreign firms, Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison says.…
Telstra’s second massive outage in two months; CEO apologises
Telstra Chief executive Andy Penn has publicly apologised for the latest nationwide interruption to the company’s mobile services that affected about eight million customers for up to four hours. Reports…
Aid agencies call for full access in Syria as conflict enters 6th year
LONDON – Humanitarian agencies demanded unconditional access to all communities in Syria as Russia continued on Wednesday to withdraw its military forces from the country. In a joint statement signed…
