Australia and Oceania

Hostages being held inside central Sydney cafe by suspected Islamic State militants

Hostages were being held inside a central Sydney cafe where a black flag with white Arabic writing could be seen in the window, local television showed on Monday (December 15), raising fears of an attack linked to Islamic militants. Australia, which is backing the United States and its escalating action against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, is on high alert for attacks by radicalized Muslims or by home-grown fighters returning from fighting in the Middle East. Part of Martin Place, home to […]

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Putin plans to leave G20 early after West blasts Russia over Ukraine

(Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to leave the G20 summit early, a member of his delegation said, after Western leaders blasted Moscow on Saturday for the crisis in Ukraine and threatened more sanctions. The Russian official told Reuters that Putin planned to skip a working session on Sunday at the two-day summit in Brisbane and bring forward his departure because he needed to attend meetings in Moscow. Russia denied it was involved in a recent escalation of military […]

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Australian nurse is under observation in hospital with suspected Ebola

(Reuters) — Health officials in Queensland on Thursday (October 9) said they are testing a 57-year-old nurse who recently returned from Sierra Leone for the Ebola virus. The nurse was a volunteer with the Red Cross in West Africa, treating patients with the deadly virus, Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said. “She came back into the country, she was perfectly well at that time, she did not have any symptoms, she did not have a fever. So, it’s only since this morning that she’s […]

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Australia defense chief apologizes after race-based assault claim withdrawn

SYDNEY Fri Sep 26, 2014 12:32am EDT (Reuters) – The head of Australia‘s Defense Force apologized on Friday after an officer withdraw allegations he had been attacked by two men “of Middle Eastern appearance”, allegations that had fueled tensions during a crackdown by counter-terrorism authorities. The officer had claimed he was approached on Thursday by two men who assaulted him, causing minor bruising, according to police. But Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin said the 41-year-old […]

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U.S. to bolster air, navy activity in northern Australia: source

SYDNEY Mon Aug 11, 2014 9:29pm EDT (Reuters) – The United States will bolster its air and navy presence in northern Australia, a source said on Tuesday, under a plan to strengthen defense ties with its regional ally and project more power into the Asia-Pacific, where China’s influence is growing. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Secretary of State John Kerry are in Sydney to finalize an agreement reached between U.S. President Barack Obama and […]

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Australia increases support for poverty reduction

Australia is increasing its support to the Philippines to ensure that poor Filipinos can access essential social services. Deputy Secretary Ewen McDonald of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)’s and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Secretary Corazon ‘Dinky’ Soliman today launched Australia’s support for improving access of poor municipalities to early learning and education through community-led approach by providing Php 487 million (A$12.2 million) to the Philippines National Community […]

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