UK, France mull social media bans for youth as debate rages
World 17:01 19/01/2026Countries including France and Britain are considering following Australia's lead by banning children and some teenagers from using social media, but experts are still locked in a debate over the effectiveness of the move.
Australian boy in critical condition after Sydney Harbour shark attack
World 14:23 19/01/2026An Australian boy was in critical condition after being bitten by a shark in Sydney, authorities said on Monday, after heavy rain created ideal conditions for sharks to enter the city's harbour.
Heavy rains in eastern Australia spark flash floods, 20 rescued
World 10:51 18/01/2026SYDNEY - Australian authorities on Sunday said 20 people were rescued from floodwaters in the eastern state of New South Wales after torrential rains sparked warnings for residents to move to higher ground.
Human remains found amid Australia bushfires, police say
World 14:41 11/01/2026SYDNEY - Human remains were found in Australia's southeast where bushfires raging for days have razed buildings, cut power to thousands of homes and burned swathes of bushland, police said on Sunday.
Australian bushfires raze homes, cut power to tens of thousands
World 10:32 10/01/2026SYDNEY -- Thousands of firefighters on Saturday toiled in Australia's Victoria state to get the upper hand on bushfires that have razed homes, cut power to tens of thousands and burned vast swathes of bushland.
3 people missing as bushfires destroy homes in Australia's southeast
World 10:56 09/01/2026SYDNEY -- Three people are unaccounted for as out-of-control bushfires rage in the Australian state of Victoria, destroying homes and burning through vast swathes of bushland, authorities said on Friday.
Australia heatwave stokes risk of catastrophic bushfires
World 12:48 08/01/2026Firefighters warned millions of Australians of "catastrophic" bushfire dangers on Thursday as they battled multiple blazes stoked by a heatwave blanketing the country.
Australia says Bondi review to check if terror attack could have been averted
World 17:12 29/12/2025SYDNEY -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday an independent review into law enforcement agencies set up after the Bondi mass shooting will assess whether authorities could have taken additional steps to prevent the terror attack.
Australia central bank saw risk of rate rise in 2026 to contain inflation
World 10:58 24/12/2025Australia's central bank this month considered whether a rise in interest rates might be needed in 2026 given a recent pick up in inflation, but felt it would take a "little" time to know for sure.
Australia PM says 'Islamic State ideology' drove Bondi Beach shooters
World 11:35 16/12/2025A father and son were likely driven by "Islamic State ideology" when they fired on Bondi Beach in one of Australia's deadliest mass shootings, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday.
Father and son behind Bondi Jewish festival shooting that killed 15, Australian police say
World 10:51 15/12/2025SYDNEY - Two alleged gunmen who killed 15 people at a Jewish celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach were a father and son, police said on Monday, as Australia began mourning victims of its worst gun violence in almost 30 years.
Australia leader defends social media ban as teens brag about staying online
World 13:31 11/12/2025SYDNEY - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday took aim at young people parading themselves on social media a day after a world-first ban on under-16s went live, saying the rollout was always going to be bumpy but would ultimately save lives.
