Tag Archives: Australia

The Associated Press reports: As the clock struck midnight in Australia, tons of explosives erupted in a 12-minute display that focused on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. More than 1 million people — a number equivalent to one in five of the city’s residents — watched from the shore and from boats in the harbor. “It’s total madness,” said German tourist …

The Guardian reports: Australia’s home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil, has called Donald Trump Jr “a big baby” after his tour of the country was postponed. Trump Jr’s promoter blamed “cancel culture”, even though he was granted a visa to travel to Australia. He was scheduled to speak in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, with the first of the events to be …

The Sydney Morning Herald reports: Donald Trump’s eldest son has cancelled a planned speaking tour of Australia just days before he was due to arrive in the country amid doubts over whether the Albanese government would grant him a visa. Donald Trump Jr was scheduled to make appearances in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne between July 9 and July 11, but …

The Independent reports: By Monday nearly 15,000 people had signed the Change.org petition protesting against the former president’s eldest son attending the “Turning Point Australia” event. The group is affiliated with right-wing provocateur Charlie Kirk’s “Turning Point USA”, which aims to reach the next generation of conservatives. “Donald Trump Junior is a far-right agitator who spreads bigotry wherever he goes,” …

“This Americanisation of our politics has no place here. My message to those people is, very clearly: if you want to behave like the worst elements of the Floridian Republican Party, get to Florida. “Head over there, where your hateful views might be worth something. They are worth nothing here. We will not stand for this sort of ugly behavior. …

The BBC reports: Australian entertainer Barry Humphries, best known for his comic character Dame Edna Everage, has died aged 89. The star had been in hospital in Sydney after suffering complications following hip surgery in March. He had a fall in February. Humphries’ most famous creation became a hit in the UK in the 1970s and landed her own TV …

The New York Post reports: Viagra could soon be getting some very stiff competition. Researchers in Australia claim to have developed a nasal spray to combat erectile dysfunction — and it could be rolled out to American consumers within two years. The spray-to-play product reportedly works in as little as five minutes, meaning it could be a bedroom game changer …

Australia’s News Corp affiliate reports: Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has revealed his government will fly the transgender flag outside its offices in response to rallies against members of the LGBTQIA+ community. An anti-transgender rally held in Melbourne on the weekend has sparked fierce criticism after members of neo-Nazi group performed the Nazi salute. Counter protesters clashed with the demonstrators who …

Australia’s News Corp outlet reports: The Victorian government said it was open to looking at further action against the display of hate symbols after a group of protesters performed Nazi salutes outside parliament on Saturday. Clashes broke out on Saturday between rival protest groups on the steps of Victoria’s parliament after a group of men performed Nazi salutes. The men …

Melbourne’s News Corp affiliate reports: Large crowds of protesters from two competing rallies have clashed in the streets of Melbourne over LGBTQI+ issues as an anti-transgender activist, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, continues her speaking tour of Australia. Ms Keen-Minshull, who goes by the moniker Posie Parker, is a British woman who founded group Standing for Women. She describes herself as a women’s …

The Guardian reports: Amid the rainbow tulle, sequins and sparkles of Sydney’s 45th Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade emerged the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, in a simple open-necked shirt and jeans. Albanese is the first sitting prime minister to join the parade, which celebrates and continues to push for equality for the LGBTQIA+ community. The parade, under the theme …

NPR reports: An Australian pleaded guilty on Thursday to the manslaughter of an American who fell to his death 35 years ago from a Sydney clifftop that was known as a gay meeting place, with the victim’s family welcoming the latest twist in their long campaign for justice. Scott White’s admission in the New South Wales state Supreme Court comes …

From the Reserve Bank of Australia: The Reserve Bank has decided to update the $5 banknote to feature a new design that honours the culture and history of the First Australians. This new design will replace the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The other side of the $5 banknote will continue to feature the Australian Parliament. This decision …

The Guardian reports: Hillsong church founder Pastor Brian Houston allegedly told a man who had been repeatedly raped as a child by Houston’s father “you know this is all your fault, you tempted my father,” Sydney’s Downing Centre local court heard on Monday. The man who was sexually assaulted by Pastor Frank Houston as a child said he was pressured …

The BBC reports: A holiday cruise ship carrying about 800 passengers with Covid-19 has docked in Sydney, Australia. The Majestic Princess cruise ship arrived at Circular Quay, having sailed from New Zealand. About 4,600 passengers and crew were aboard the ship when it docked – meaning around one in five had Covid. The outbreak is reminiscent of the Ruby Princess …

Australia’s Crikey reports: Private Media has filed its defence to the defamation claim made by Lachlan Murdoch [photo] against the company and its journalists. Since the beginning, our intention has been to bring the use of defamation law by the rich and powerful into the light, so we wanted to explain the key points of our legal defence and what …

Reuters reports: King Charles was officially proclaimed head of state of both Australia and New Zealand at ceremonies on Sunday in the nations’ capitals. In New Zealand, the proclamation of Charles as monarch, taking over from Queen Elizabeth who died on Thursday aged 96, took place in the parliament in Wellington. Speaking from parliament’s steps, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said …

The New York Times reports: Lachlan Murdoch, the chief executive of the Fox Corporation, filed a defamation lawsuit against an Australian news site on Tuesday, a day after the outlet challenged him to make good on his threats to sue over a column that claimed links between the Murdoch family and the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Mr. Murdoch, the son …

Australia’s ABC News affiliate reports: Knowingly displaying Nazi flags or memorabilia bearing swastikas has been outlawed in New South Wales, with offenders facing up to a year’s jail time or a possible fine of over $100,000. The Crimes Amendment (Prohibition on display of Nazi symbols) Bill 2022 swiftly passed in the state’s upper house with unanimous support. It followed an …

Sky News Australia reports: Premier Daniel Andrews turned several Melbourne landmarks – including Flinders Street Station, Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Arts Centre – pink on Tuesday night as an acknowledgement of Olivia Newton-John’s “enormous contribution” to the state. “Tonight, landmarks across our city will be lit up pink to remember Olivia Newton-John, and her enormous contribution to cancer awareness, …