Australia: News
After Australia, India to buy rare earths from Uzbekistan
India has signed a long-term uranium supply deal with Uzbekistan as part of its global hunt for critical minerals and rare earths.
Shark attacks Australian teacher, she punches it to save herself
Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old teacher and mother from Australia, was attacked by a four-meter great white shark while swimming at Coogee Beach in Sydney on June 13.
Wheat prices hit 3-year high as Russia-Ukraine war escalates
Wheat prices have hit a three-year high, as fears of an escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war continue to grow.
ChatGPT starts showing ads in India: What changes for users
OpenAI has announced the introduction of advertisements on its popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT, in India.
Australia bans AI-generated songs from charts
In a significant move, Australia's recorded music industry has announced that it will bar tracks generated largely or entirely by artificial intelligence (AI) from official charts.
Anaya Bangar gets Cricket Australia clearance after gender transition
Anaya Bangar, a former Mumbai Under-19 cricketer who underwent gender-affirming surgery in March, has been cleared to participate in female Community Cricket in Australia.
New Zealand proposes social media ban for children under 16
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced a plan to introduce a bill in Parliament, aimed at banning social media use for children under the age of 16.
Yung Filly to face retrial over rape charges in Australia
British rapper and YouTuber Yung Filly, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, will face a retrial on three rape charges in Australia.
Australia passes law making Big Tech pay for local news
Australia has passed a new law that will force major tech companies, including Meta and Google's parent company Alphabet, to pay a levy if they don't strike commercial deals with local media outlets.
Report supporting Australia's under-16 social media ban had AI-made errors
A report supporting Australia's ban on under-16s using social media has been found to contain errors, possibly created by artificial intelligence, as per The Guardian.
El Niño headed for record-shattering intensity, weather agency says
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted that the ongoing Super El Niño could be the strongest on record.
Rani Mukerji honored at IFFM; reflects on career, global impact
Bollywood actor Rani Mukerji was recently honored with a special citation for excellence in acting at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM).
Meta removes 750,000 teen accounts in Australia amid looming ban
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced the removal of over 750,000 accounts it suspected belonged to Australians under the age of 16.
India nearly doubles planned coal mining capacity
India has almost doubled its proposed coal mining capacity from 329 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) in 2024 to a whopping 638 mtpa in 2025.
Australia delays world's first work-from-home law
Australia's Victoria state has postponed the implementation of a landmark law that would have given eligible workers a legal right to work from home for two days a week.
Why Australia is probing China-linked rare earth investors
Australia's Economy Minister Jim Chalmers has intensified scrutiny on China-linked investors in a critical minerals project.
AI asked to book gym class hacks the system instead
An artificial intelligence (AI) agent has been involved in a major security breach.
Jetstar and Qatar Airways face near collision at Sydney airport
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into a near-collision between two passenger planes at Sydney Airport.
Natural gas prices facing downward trend: Is recovery possible?
Natural gas prices have been on a downward trend in recent months, despite heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
WhatsApp begins age checks in India
Meta-owned WhatsApp is testing a new feature that allows Indian users to add their date of birth.
Are submarine cables carrying global data vulnerable to drone attacks?
Chinese military researchers have warned that the underwater cables, which are critical to the global digital economy, are increasingly vulnerable to low-cost drone attacks.
When will India introduce plastic notes? RBI Governor shares timeline
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is gearing up to introduce plastic currency notes in the country.
Australia increases levy on Big Tech over local news deals
Australia has increased the rate of a planned levy on tech giants, including Meta, Google, and TikTok.
Why WhatsApp is asking Indian users their date of birth
WhatsApp has started asking some Indian users for their date of birth, according to reports.
Getting an Australian student visa is becoming difficult for Indians
Australia has drastically cut down on student visa approvals, with a 75% decline in grants to Indian applicants in June 2026 from the previous year.
HSBC to stop retail banking services in Australia next year
HSBC, the London-based multinational bank and financial services holding company, has announced its exit from the Australian retail banking sector.
Australia's social media ban for teens has failed, says study
Australia's groundbreaking ban on social media for kids under 16 has largely failed, a recent study by the country's internet regulator, eSafety, revealed.
US may charge $100,000 fee for international students' work permit
The Trump administration in the United States is reportedly considering a $100,000 fee for international students who wish to work in the country after graduation.
'Kantara' actor Rishab Shetty to receive special honor at IFFM
Rishab Shetty, the acclaimed actor-director of Kantara fame, will be honored with the Leadership in Cinema Award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) on August 13.
X says Australia's under-16 social media ban violates international law
Elon Musk's social media platform, X, has accused the Australian government of undermining international law with its strict enforcement of a ban on social media accounts for those under 16.
Pankaj Tripathi to receive special award at IFFM 2026
Acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi will be honored with the Artiste of Distinction award at the 2026 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM).
Qantas's new ultra long-range Airbus just flew over 17,000km
Qantas's new ultra-long-range aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000ULR, has successfully landed on Australian soil for the first time.
First in EU: France bans social media for teens
France has become the first European Union (EU) country to ban social media access for children under 15.
'Mad Max' actor Mike Preston dies at 93
Hollywood actor Mike Preston, best known for his role as Pappagallo in Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and Detective Bob Delaney in Homicide, has passed away at the age of 93.
Software glitch, signal loss: Thrilling moments behind Vikram-1's maiden flight
Skyroot Aerospace co-founder and CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana has revealed the behind-the-scenes challenges of India's first successful private orbital mission.
'Members of Problematic Family': Acclaimed Tamil film to open IFFM
The Tamil-language drama, Members of the Problematic Family, will have its Australian premiere as the opening night film at the 2026 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM).
Catch exclusive 'Dune 3' footage before 'The Odyssey'
Fans of the Dune franchise are in for a treat!
Japan to establish first national intelligence agency since WWII
Japan is establishing its first centralized national intelligence agency since World War II.
Did Australian cricketer Ashleigh Gardner cheat on wife with teammate?
Australia's cricket vice-captain Ashleigh Gardner is embroiled in a personal controversy after her estranged wife, Monica Wright, publicly accused her of infidelity.
'Jurassic Park' actor Sam Neill dies at 78
Sam Neill, the renowned New Zealand actor known for his roles in Oscar-winning films and blockbusters like The Piano and Jurassic Park, has passed away at the age of 78.