Australia

UN leader asks Australia to reconsider asylum seeker policies

The secretary-general, Ban Ki-Moon, met Malcolm Turnbull on the sidelines of the Asean summit in Malaysia on Sunday.

Ban also raised concerns about conditions in Australia's detention centres in Nauru and on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island.

Japan, Australia seen boosting support for Pacific nations

The aim of the strategy is to check China’s advances in the region through infrastructure and other improvements.

Tonga Police Development Programme receives assistance from Australian Government

The Tongan Government will receive AUD $725,728.30 as the Australian Government’s contribution for the 2015- 16 financial year to the Tonga Police Deve

Australia set for scorching temperatures

Temperatures are predicted to rise from today in all states except Tasmania, caused by a large high pressure system moving east across the country from Western Australia.

Severe heatwave conditions are first predicted for the western Top End on Tuesday, rising to severe in some parts on Wednesday.

Australia under fire over offshore processing at UN

Australia has come under global fire for its boat turnback and offshore detention policies at a UN Human Rights Council performance review in Geneva.

Country after country at the review session raised the issue of Canberra's controversial asylum seeker policies.

Many like Germany highlighted the detention of children as a main issue.

"To remove children and their families and other individuals at risk in particular survivors of torture and trauma from immigration detention centres."

Australia to support Pacific at COP 21 in Paris

Australia has announced that it will support the Pacific in its quest to have a legally binding agreement at the United Nations Climate Change (COP21) talks in France later this month.

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Steven Ciobo, made the revelation while launching the Tide Gauge system in Niue Wednesday.

The announcement is good news for the region as pleas from Pacific Islands to Australia in the past to reduce its greenhouse emissions fell on deaf ears.

New Zealand beat Australia to retain Rugby World Cup

Wonderful tries from Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ma'a Nonu had given the All Blacks a 21-3 lead early in the second half before David Pocock and Tevita Kuridrani struck back.

With 15 minutes to go there were just four points in it, but a nerveless long-distance drop-goal and penalty from Dan Carter snatched back control.

And when replacement Beauden Barrett sprinted away on to Ben Smith's clearing kick at the death history was made, with New Zealand also becoming the first three-time champions of the world.

Craig Joubert treatment unfair - Cheika

The governing body issued a statement on Monday saying the South African had not made the "appropriate decision".

Cheika, whose side won Sunday's match 35-34, said: "No other referee has had this stuff put out there like that.

"I would have liked my mates to back me up a little more."

Former top referee Jonathan Kaplan, who has mentored Joubert during his career, questioned whether World Rugby should be "criticising one if its own assets".

Australia defeat Wales 15-6

Wales paid a high price for failing to make their extra numbers count when the Wallabies were reduced to 13 men for seven minutes in the second half.

Fly-half Bernard Foley kicked all Australia's points, with Dan Bigger twice on target for Wales.

Australia now face Scotland in the quarter-final on 18 October, with Wales against South Africa the day before.

It was Wales' 11th consecutive defeat against the Australians, a run going back to 2008.

Australia delay team announcement

Coach Michael Cheika was due to announce the line-up at 08:00 BST.

But the former Leinster boss will wait until after their Thursday training session to do so - with Wales naming their team at 11:00 BST.

Australia's Israel Folau (ankle) and wing Rob Horne (shoulder) are doubts while Michael Hooper is suspended.

Waratahs full-back Folau came off in the 66th minute of the 33-13 win over England last weekend.