Australia

Australia Immigration Minister Peter Dutton attacks media

Mr Dutton has accused The Guardian and Australian Broadcasting Corp. (ABC) of "trivialising" allegations relating to treatment of asylum seekers.

The Guardian last week published more than 2,000 leaked reports from the immigration centre on Nauru.

These revealed widespread abuse and trauma among asylum seekers.

Australia to close Manus Island refugee detention center

The announcement came less than a day after more than 100 former and current staff members at Australia's offshore detention camps called for all refugees to be moved immediately, saying children's lives are being "destroyed."

"Both Papua New Guinea and Australia are in agreement that the center is to be closed," Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said on Facebook.

Australia blocks Chinese firm from stake in electricity grid

In a statement to the media, the Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison has said the foreign investment proposals from Chinese and Hong Kong bidders "were contrary to the national interest."

China's State Grid Corp and Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings (CKI) were attempting to buy a 50.4% controlling stake in Ausgrid, which is New South Wales's electricity distribution network - the largest in the country.

'Malicious attack': China wants apology for drug cheat remarks

Horton was the target of online abuse just hours after taking home the gold medal in the men's 400m freestyle final over comments he made calling Chinese runner-up Sun Yang a "drug cheat".

The Chinese swim team issued a statement, calling Horton's claims a "malicious personal attack" on Yang.

Put cameras in mosques: Aus. senator

These are the words of the woman who is now one of Australia's most powerful politicians, newly-elected senator Pauline Hanson.

Hanson was confirmed elected to the Australian Senate last week, along with three other members of her One Nation party, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.

Hundreds rally in Australia over juvenile 'torture' footage

Demonstrators gathered in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to express shock at footage showing indigenous boys being tear-gassed.

The video also shows a boy wearing a "split hood" while cuffed to a chair.

Australia's Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has called for an investigation.

However, he rejected calls for a broader national inquiry.

Around 700 people rallied in Melbourne and 300 in Sydney, according to Reuters.

Footage of the abuse first emerged on national broadcaster ABC's Four Corners programme.

UK offered Brexit free trade deal with Australia

Theresa May described the move as "very encouraging" and insisted it showed Brexit can work for Britain.

In a phone call to the new PM, her Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull said he urgently wanted to open up trading between the two countries.

Liam Fox, the new international trade secretary, said he was already "scoping about a dozen free trade deals".

But Britain cannot sign any deals while it is still an EU member.

Mrs May said: "I have been very clear that this government will make a success of our exit from the European Union.

Vanuatu Tourism Roadshow a Success in Australia

Kicking off in Brisbane, agents came together to meet with industry partners and test their Vanuatu knowledge during a relaxed, fun and informative evening while being entertained by vibrant traditional Vanuatu dancers.

Australian storm moves south

RNZI reports the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) cancelled a severe weather warning for New South Wales, but flood warnings remained in place for many rivers around the state.

The wild weather prompted evacuation notices for Northern Lismore, Chipping Norton, Billinudgel, Ocean Shores, Golden Beach, New Brighton and Coffs Creek last night.

State officials said emergency services had received more than 8000 calls for help and carried out more than 250 flood rescues over 48 hours.

Vietnam jails four asylum seekers over voyage to Australia

According to Voice Australia — a group helping Vietnamese asylum seekers — 42-year-old Nguyen Dinh Quy was sentenced to 24 months in jail and his 39-year-old wife Huynh Thi Kieu was jailed for 27 months for leaving Vietnam without official approval.

Their fellow accused Tran Thi Lua, 37, and 35-year-old Nguyen Minh Quyet were also convicted and jailed for 30 and 24 months respectively.