Page 14 - Australia

Elon Musk blasts Australia's proposed law to ban social media for children

Australia plans to try an age-verification system to enforce a social media age cut-off, some of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date

India, Australia sign air-to-air refuelling agreement for defence

Australia's minister for defence industry, Pat Conroy, and India's minister for defence, Rajnath Singh, announced the arrangement during bilateral discussions on Thursday

Isro, Australian space agency sign cooperation pact for human space flight

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday said it has signed an Implementation Agreement (IA) with Australian Space Agency (ASA) for further strengthening of cooperation in space activities between the two countries. The IA enables cooperation between both space agencies on crew and crew module recovery for Gaganyaan missions, the country's first crewed spaceflight program, it said. The IA was signed by D K Singh, Director, Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) on ISRO's side at Bengaluru and Jarrod Powell, General Manager, Space Capability Branch, on ASA's side at Canberra on November 20, the space agency said in a statement. ISRO has embarked on the Human Spaceflight ("Gaganyaan") programme with an objective of demonstrating capability to carryout Low Earth Orbit in an Indian Crew Module with up to three crew members onboard, for up to three days and to safely recover the module. The IA enables the Australian authorities to work with Indian authorities to ensure support fo

Australia introduces world-first social media ban for children under 16

Australia's policy sets the highest age restriction on social media globally, surpassing France's recent ban on under-15s, which allowed exceptions with parental consent

Social media giants to pay fines worth $32 million under Australia ban

Australia is following a number of other countries that have attempted to restrict access to social media for children, with mixed success

BGT 2024: Pitch perfect battle Down Under as cricket's heavyweights pad up

Can the Border-Gavaskar Trophy claim the title of cricket's 'premier rivalry'? The jury's still out

India, Australia firm up clean energy partnership; pushing mega trade pact

India and Australia sealed an ambitious renewable energy partnership and set their eyes on a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese vowed to significantly ramp up overall bilateral ties. A raft of issues including ways to boost ties in areas of defence and security ties, mobility, science and technology and education figured prominently at the second India-Australia annual conclave held on the sidelines of the G20 summit late on Tuesday. The two leaders also looked forward to a long-term vision of defence and security collaboration to enhance collective strength, contribute to both countries' security, and make an important contribution to regional peace and security, according to a joint statement. The Renewable Energy Partnership (REP) would provide the framework for practical cooperation in priority areas such as solar energy, green hydrogen, energy storage, investments in related projects and .

New Zealand may charge visitors to tourist sites; govt seeks feedback

The government is seeking feedback on a range of proposals to modernise how it manages these areas, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said Friday in Wellington

India, Australia hold joint military exercise 'AustraHind' in Pune

According to a Defence Ministry release, this two-week training program is designed to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the armed forces of the two nations

Don't expect Trump will demand payment for protection: Philippine def secy

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Tuesday that he didn't expect President-elect Donald Trump's next administration would demand that the Philippines pay more for military protection because both allies faced the shared threat of China. Teodoro was speaking at a news conference with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles following an inaugural bilateral annual meeting aimed at improving security ties. Asked if Trump would expect the Philippines, like Taiwan, to pay for U.S. protection, Teodoro replied: I really don't expect some sort of a statement from Mr. Trump, hopefully not. I really don't have any preconditions or any assumptions as to what will be the outcome of this administration, except on what we are working on on institutional ties, he said. We have an interest, both the United States and the Philippines, in ensuring that our partnership continues because not totally, but principally ... of shared threats. And that is undoubtedly the overreach and

Indian Naval Sailing Vessel 'Tarini' arrives in Australia on its first stop

The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini arrived for its first port of call in Freemantle, Australia on November 9 after a 38-day voyage at the sea.INSV Tarini is undertaking a global circumnavigation expedition under the name, Navika Sagar Parikrama II.The details of the historic expedition were shared on X by the Spokesperson of the Indian Navy.INSV Tarini was flagged off from Goa on October 2 and the duo of Lt Cdr Dilna K & Lt Cdr Roopa A, covered 4900 nautical miles (9074 km) in 38 days, encountering challenging weather conditions & rough seas", the Navy spokesperson noted.The officers were warmly received by dignitaries, including the Consul General of India at Perth, the Defence Advisor from Canberra, the Secretary of the Indian Navy Sailing Association (INSA), representatives from the Royal Australian Navy, along with members of the media and Indian Naval veterans residing in Australia.Indian Navy emphasized that the Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition, ...

Australia to ban social media for kids under 16 to protect mental health

Australia introduces new age limits on social media to protect youth mental health, holding platforms accountable for underage access, as part of broader tech regulations

Australia set to impose ban on social media for children under 16, says PM

The long-anticipated age limits for social media are part of a suite of measures from Albanese's center-left Labor government to crack down on technology giants

Jaishankar calls on Australian PM Albanese, discusses ways to bolster ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and discussed ways to deepen the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. During the meeting, Jaishankar also conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's greeting to Albanese. The minister is on an official visit to Australia from November 3-7. "Delighted to call on PM Anthony Albanese in Canberra today. Conveyed warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Value his guidance for deepening India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Jaishankar wrote on X. He later met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters and discussed education, technology, agriculture and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on Indo-Pacific and global issues. He also interacted with members of the Australia-India Parliamentary Friendship Group. "Appreciate their warm sentiments for stronger political, economic and people-to-people ties with India," Jaishankar said in a

EAM Jaishankar calls on Australian PM Albanese, discusses bilateral ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and discussed ways to deepen the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. During the meeting, Jaishankar also conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's greeting to Albanese. The minister is on an official visit to Australia from November 3-7. "Delighted to call on PM Anthony Albanese in Canberra today. Conveyed warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Value his guidance for deepening India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Jaishankar wrote on X. Earlier, Jaishankar met Peter Dutton, the leader of the Liberal Party of Australia. "Shared perspectives on global issues and appreciate his support for our bilateral ties," Jaishankar said after meeting Dutton. He also met New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters in Canberra. "Discussed education, technology, agriculture, technology and people-to-people ties. Also exchanged views on Indo-Pa

Australian HC overturns law that forced migrants to wear tracking bracelets

Australia's highest court ruled Wednesday that migrants can't be forced by law to wear electronic tracking bracelets or to comply with curfews. The ruling is a blow to the government, whose lawyers have unsuccessfully argued that laws imposing curfews and tracking technology are justified to protect the community. Five of the seven High Court judges ruled that the tough restrictions placed on more than 100 migrants, usually because of their criminal records, were unconstitutional because the conditions amounted to punishment. The constitution states that punishment must be imposed by judges, not lawmakers. The restrictions were part of emergency laws hastily passed in December in response to another High Court ruling that non-citizens could no longer be detained indefinitely as an alternative to deportation. That ruling in the case of a stateless Rohingya man reversed a 28-year-old High Court precedent that allowed indefinite detention where there were security concerns. Wednesday'

EAM Jaishankar meets Australian Dy PM & Defence Minister Richard Marles

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday shared perspectives on Indo-Pacific and regional developments with Australian Deputy Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles here. Jaishankar is on a five day visit to Australia and scheduled to have interactions with Australian leadership, parliamentarians, members of the Indian diaspora, business community, media and think tanks. Pleased to meet DPM & Defence Minister @RichardMarlesMP today. Spoke about the strong momentum in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Shared perspectives on Indo-Pacific and regional developments, Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting with Marles. Prior to that, the EAM co-chaired the 15th Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue (FMFD) with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Australia and India along with Japan and the US are part of the QUAD bloc, an important platform vis-a-vis Pacific region.

Jaishankar opens new Indian consulate in Brisbane, pays homage to Gandhi

Jaishankar articulated the importance of these democracies and the significance of Quad

Australian govt plans $10.5 billion in student debt cuts to ease costs

Australians are grappling with rising living costs and sticky inflation, compounded by interest rates that are at a 12-year high

Australia sees 38% drop in student visas in 2024: What's happening?

Filipino, Colombian, and Indian students were among those most affected