PAPEETE, France: France’s navy has intercepted a fishing vessel in the South Pacific, seizing 4.87 tonnes of cocaine believed to be bound for Australia, officials said on Monday. Read More: Over 1.2m Pakistanis now using vaping devices: survey The vessel, which originated from Central America, was stopped on January 16. France’s High Commission in French […]
Australia
Sydney beaches shut after third shark attack in 48 hours
SYDNEY: Authorities closed beaches across northern Sydney on Tuesday after a man in his 20s was critically injured in a shark attack, marking the city’s third such incident in two days. Read More: Shark mauls boy in Sydney Harbour Police said emergency crews were called to Manly on Monday evening after reports that a surfer had been […]
UK and France consider social media restrictions for youth
PARIS: The United Kingdom (UK) and France are exploring measures to restrict children and some teenagers from using social media, following Australia’s recent ban on users under 16. The move has sparked a heated debate among experts over its effectiveness and potential consequences. Read More: UK, France strike suspected ISIS arms cache Supporters of the proposed bans […]
Australia moves India to ‘highest risk’ category for student visas
Australia has tightened checks for student visa applicants from India, moving it to the ‘highest risk’ category along with Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, according to Australian and Indian media. The Times of India reported on Sunday that the re-rating of the countries was out of cycle, quoting Australian media, while the administration said this was […]
Australia raises India, 3 others to highest-risk student visa category
SYDNEY: Australia has reclassified India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan as “highest risk” countries for student visa applications, citing emerging integrity concerns, according to Australian and Indian media reports. Read More: Australia simplifies visa process for Pakistanis The move, described as out-of-cycle, comes amid reports of fraudulent academic and financial documentation from certain South Asian countries. India alone accounts […]
Australia, India invited to G7 meeting on critical minerals: US Treasury
WASHINGTON: Australia, India, and several other countries have been invited to a G7 finance ministers’ meeting on critical minerals, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, amid growing Western efforts to reduce dependence on China for rare earths and other strategic resources. Read More: Modi unlikely to attend G7 summit in Canada amid ongoing diplomatic tension The […]
Australia win final Test to seal 4-1 Ashes triumph over England
Australia won the final Ashes Test against England by five wickets on Thursday to seal a dominant 4-1 victory after a gruelling series, sending the retiring Usman Khawaja out on a high. The nervy hosts saw wickets tumble as they chased their 160 target, which they reached after lunch on day five with Cameron Green […]
Elvis themed train kicks off journey to Parkes festival
SYDNEY: Elvis Presley fans and tribute artists set off on Wednesday for the annual Elvis Festival in the regional town of Parkes, Australia. Participants, many dressed in Elvis-style outfits, gathered at Central Station in Sydney to board the Elvis Express, a special train organised for the event. Read More: Role of parks and horticulture authority The 357km […]
Head and Smith centuries put Australia in charge of final Ashes Test
Run-machine Travis Head hit a swashbuckling 163 and Steve Smith a composed unbeaten 129 as Australia built a 134-run lead over England to seize control on day three of the fifth and final Ashes Test on Tuesday. It was destructive opener Head’s third ton of the series, to go with the phenomenal match-winning 123 he […]
Australia’s Head hopes Ashes rivals meet for post-series drinks
Opening batsman Travis Head hopes Australia and England will share a drink after the Ashes winds up in Sydney to revive a tradition that fell by the wayside after the 2023 series. Players and staff from both teams routinely meet for drinks at the end of an Ashes series but extended farewells for several England […]