Page 9 - Australia

No visa ban for UP, Punjab, Gujarat, Kashmiri students, says Australia

The assertion that Indian university student applications from specific Indian states are being banned, or restricted, is incorrect, said the Australian High Commission in New Delhi

Australians begin voting in polls as Pope's death overshadows campaigning

Australians began voting Tuesday at general elections as campaigning was overshadowed by the death of Pope Francis. Polling stations opened to voters who for a variety of reasons will be unable to vote on May 3. Around half the votes are expected to be cast before the election date. Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton cancelled campaign events planned for Tuesday out of respect for the late pontiff. Flags were flown at half staff from government buildings across the country where a 2021 census found 20% of the population were Catholics. Albanese was raised as a Catholic but chose to be sworn in as prime minister when he was elected in 2022 by making a secular affirmation rather than by taking an oath on a Bible. Albanese attended a Mass in honour of the pope in Melbourne's St. Patrick's Cathedral on Tuesday morning. I try not to talk about my faith in public, Albanese told reporters. At times like this, I think what people do is they draw on w

High stakes for Indian diaspora in Canada and Australia elections

With the US administration's crackdown on immigration and questions being asked about the issue of migration in Canada and Australia as well

Tata Steel recognised as Steel Sustainability Champion by WorldSteel

Tata Steel has been recognised as a Steel Sustainability Champion 2025 by World Steel Association (Worldsteel), a company statement said on Tuesday.. The Special General Meeting (SGM) of the Board of Members of Worldsteel held on Tuesday in Sydney, Australia announced the names of 2025 Steel Sustainability Champions, it said. On receiving the recognition, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel, T V Narendran said: "We are honoured to be recognised once again as a steel sustainability champion by the World Steel Association. This achievement reflects our continued commitment to sustainable steelmaking, integrating cutting-edge technologies and responsible business practices to reduce environmental impact. "We remain dedicated to driving innovation, improving resource efficiency, and contributing meaningfully to a greener and more resilient future for the steel industry." To qualify as a sustainability champion, companies must meet stringent criteria including signing the Worldsteel

Coal India eyeing lithium blocks in Australia, Argentina: Chairman Prasad

State-owned CIL is looking at lithium blocks in Australia and Argentina, company's Chairman P M Prasad said on Wednesday. Speaking on the sidelines of the 11th Asian Mining Congress and the 11th International Mining Exhibition, Prasad said Coal India Ltd (CIL) is targetting a production of 875 million tonnes (MT) and offtake of 900 MT in the 2025-26 fiscal year. The company accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal production. Prasad further said the Rs 10 per tonne price hike for both coking and non-coking coal with effect from April 16 will have minor impact on the company's revenue. CIL's pithead stock as on March 31, 2025 was 106 million tonnes, the highest so far. CIL's foray into critical minerals is driven by the need to reduce its reliance on coal and align with global trends prioritising these minerals for clean energy technologies.

Australia visa fee April 2025: 13% hike to hit Indians visiting, studying

Starting April 1, 2025, the Australian government has increased visa application charges by up to 13% across several categories

Key issues in Australia's election: Cost of living, housing, China, energy

Australians will go to the polls on May 3 for general elections with high costs of living and a shortage of housing likely weighing against the government as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labour Party seeks a second three-year term. The elections will be dominated by the soaring cost of living, the economy, energy and China. Affordable housing is in short supply, interest rates remain high and the major parties are starkly divided on how to wean the nation off fossil fuel-generated electricity. The major parties also differ on how to deal with China, which is at once Australia's largest trading partner and its greatest strategic threat. Here's what you need to know about the main issues: Surging inflation Australians have endured one of the sharpest rises in the cost of living in recent history and the current government has been at the helm through the worst of it. Egg prices surged 11 per cent last year and beer rose 4 per cent, according to government ...

Australia to go to polls on May 3, inflation, housing shortage major issues

Australians will go to the polls on May 3 for general elections with high costs of living and a shortage of housing likely weighing against the government as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labour Party seeks a second three-year term. Albanese drove to Governor-General Sam Mostyn's official residence on Friday to trigger the election and announced the date later at a news conference at Parliament House. "Over the last few years, the world has thrown a lot at Australia. In uncertain times, we cannot decide the challenges that we will face, but we can determine how we respond," Albanese said. "Our government has chosen to face global challenges the Australian way: helping people under cost-of-living while building for the future," he added. Many expect opposition leader Peter Dutton's conservative coalition to pick up seats in the House of Representatives. An Australian government has not been ousted after a single term since 1931, when the nation was grappling with th

Trump's chaos a gift to Xi Jinping, says Ex-Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull, who led Australia from 2015 until 2018, said the world is seeing a more undiluted version of Donald Trump in his second term in office

Our govt works very closely with India to reduce trade barriers: Southwell

It's been successful for both countries, not just for Australian exports to India but also for Indian exports to Australia, John Southwell said

Google reports 250+ AI deepfake terrorism content to Australian regulator

The Australian eSafety Commission called Google's disclosure "world-first insight" into how users may be exploiting the technology to produce harmful and illegal content

Chinese envoy Qian criticises Australia's move to limit AI app DeepSeek

Australia's center-left Labour government became one of the first countries in the world to ban DeepSeek from official devices

Australian exporters to save $2 bn in tariffs due to trade pact with India

The ECTA came into force on December 29, 2022. Under the deal, by value, over 85 per cent of Australian goods exported to India are now tariff-free

Australia to invest $16 mn in joint trade and investment fund with India

Australia boosts India trade ties with $16 million investment, aiming for growth in clean energy, education, agribusiness, and tourism while fostering deeper economic links

Airlines warned as Chinese navy to hold live-fire exercises off Australia

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters on Friday afternoon that the time period for the Chinese navy exercises had expired, and it was unclear if live fire had been used

Australia backs Virgin-Qatar Airways tie-up, cites improved air services

Virgin Australia is the biggest domestic rival to Qantas Airways, which has ties with Dubai-based Emirates and an arrangement with Finnair to operate flights between Sydney, Bangkok and Singapore

Australia to ban foreign investors from buying existing homes for two years

Under the government's plan, foreign investors - including temporary residents such as international students and foreign-owned companies - will not be allowed to purchase an established dwelling

Australia to put 2-year restrictions on foreigners purchasing homes

Dissatisfaction with housing in Australia reached an all-time high last year and it is an issue that is expected to dominate a general election due by May

Cyclone Zelia makes landfall on Australia's west coast, hits iron ore hub

Eye of the category five storm, the highest rating on the scale, crossed the coast east of Port Hedland just after 12 p.m. (0400 GMT), sparing the town's population centre

Adani Group signs $207 million private loan for Australia coal port unit

The ability for Adani to secure new debt demonstrates that it is recovering from a fallout after the US indicted Gautam Adani over a bribery plot in November