THE former prime minister John Howard believes China will move towards democracy as its affluence grows and has stressed there is no cause for alarm over its growing…
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Hobbit Returns to Find Middle Earth Has Become Expensive
In a fake cave in a Wellington suburb, tourists pose by a statue of Gandalf, a hero of the “Lord of the Rings” films that boosted New Zealand’s…
Caltex plant closure set in stone
After discussions with staff and unions Caltex Australia has confirmed it will proceed with plans to close its Kurnell refinery in Sydney. The company announced on July 26…
New ambasador appointed to Croatia
Career diplomat Susan Cox will be Australia’s next ambassador to Croatia. Ms Cox is expected to take up the post in December, replacing current ambassador Beverly Mercer. She…
Australian minister warns of republican ‘crazies’
Australia's deputy prime minister warned Friday that the greatest threat to the U.S. economy are the "cranks and crazies" in the Republican Party, a rare foray into American…
Gillard to woo Africa in final stage of UN bid
THE Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, will focus heavily on African nations while in New York this week as she leads the final concerted push for Australia to win…
Irishman convicted after kicking politician for a bet
An Irishman who kicked an Australian politician for a bet has been convicted and fined. Darren Heraty, 24, said he kicked Northern Territory CLP politician John Elferink –…
Abbott’s defence plan: less manpower, more firepower
TONY ABBOTT would spend more on defence hardware partly paid for by cuts to defence bureaucracy, but will not put a time frame on his promise to restore…
Asian focus is vital for economy’s future, says Carr
The Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, has had to deliver a major speech on behalf of Julia Gillard in New York last night after the Prime Minister fell ill.
Australia counters Chinese threat
AUSTRALIA has been quietly building a regional defence coalition to restrain China's increasingly ''aggressive'' and ''autistic'' international behaviour, an influential adviser to the Pentagon says.