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Biggest-ever telescope to look for ETs

Fri, 25 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

South Africa and Australia will be partners in the development of the biggest radio telescope ever built, astronomers meeting in The Netherlands announced yesterday.

Jailing of Maori separatists stirs colonial-era resentment

Thu, 24 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

It began with dawn raids and claims of an IRA-style plot by militant Maori separatists to assassinate politicians and unleash guerrilla warfare. Yesterday, New Zealand's most bizarre – and expensive – criminal case ended with two men jailed, but the public still baffled about events in the remote, mist-shrouded Urewera mountains.

New Zealand announces 40% hike in tobacco taxes

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:44:17 GMT

New Zealand's government has squeezed smokers more than ever by announcing a 40% hike in tobacco taxes over the next four years.

Mining tycoon beats Wal-Mart heiress to title of richest woman

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

In the half-hour it took you to get ready for work this morning, Gina Rinehart earned more than $1m. Her gross pay today will be nearly US$50m (£32m). The Australian mining tycoon is not just seriously rich – she has been crowned the world's wealthiest woman.

Relative of serial killer convicted for murdering friend with axe

Mon, 21 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

The great nephew of the Australian serial killer Ivan Milat was yesterday convicted of a brutal murder in the remote bushland south of Sydney where his relative killed seven young backpackers two decades earlier.

The accidental millionaire finally made to pay

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

It was the banking error that was too good to be true, but that did not stop a New Zealand woman from enjoying the fruits of the multi-million-pound bounty inadvertently credited to her partner's account.

Pre-school children of the world despair as Wiggles trio call time on 21-year career

Fri, 18 May 2012 07:00:01 GMT

To the uninitiated, the four Australian middle-aged men in rollneck sweaters do not look like multimillionaire performers with the capacity to sell out Madison Square Garden 12 nights in a row.

Banksy's 'Parachuting Rat' accidentally ruined by Australian builder

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:09:49 GMT

A work by guerrilla artist Banksy has been accidentally ruined by a Australian builder after he drilled through it to put in a bathroom pipe.

The Wiggles to hand over to next generation

Thu, 17 May 2012 11:42:15 GMT

Greg, Jeff and Murray - who along with Anthony are better known by millions of children around the world as The Wiggles - will hand over their colourful tops to younger replacements, including a woman, the group announced today.

Australia mourns 'Angel of the Gap' Don Ritchie, the man who talked 160 out of suicide

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:30:01 GMT

For nearly five decades he gazed out of his Sydney home overlooking the Pacific Ocean, inspired by one of Australia's most picturesque views. But it was not just a love for the sea that drew him to the dramatic panorama.

Australia mourns 'Angel of the Gap', the man who talked 160 out of suicide

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

The burning issue that divides Australia

Mon, 07 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Leading the way through the charred ruins of his family home near Margaret River, in Western Australia, Tim Moore pauses by a pile of charcoal. "This was a beef curry I'd just made," he says, nudging it with his boot. "It was in the fridge, along with a week's worth of bolognese."

Two Britons fined over Australia penguin theft

Wed, 02 May 2012 06:58:04 GMT

Two British tourists who broke into an Australian theme park and stole a penguin following a drunken night out have each been fined A$1,000 (£637).

Australian billionaire to build Titanic II

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:10:53 GMT

An Australian billionaire has announced plans to build a replica of the Titanic that will make its maiden voyage from England to New York in 2016.

KFC must pay £5m to Australian girl left brain damaged by poisoned chicken

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:07:56 GMT

KFC has been ordered to pay eight million Australian dollars (£5.1 million) to the family of a Sydney girl left brain damaged after eating one of the fast food giant's chicken wraps.

Australia's Speaker Peter Slipper (and ordained priest) hit by sexual harassment claims

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Australia's minority Labour government was embroiled in a crisis last night after the Speaker of the Federal Parliament agreed to step aside, pending an investigation into allegations he sexually harassed a male member of his staff and misused travel entitlements.

Australia's Speaker (and ordained priest) hit by sexual harassment claims

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Men At Work flautist 'devastated by song theft case' is found dead at home

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Greg Ham, musician with Australian band Men At Work, has been found dead at his home in Melbourne.

Men at Work flautist dies

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Greg Ham, the flautist with Men at Work, was found dead at his home in Melbourne yesterday.

Century-old battle over tiny plot of land in the Cook Islands comes to Britain

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:27:28 GMT

Colonel Walter Gudgeon, like most colonials of his time, was a firm believer that prosperity lay in the transfer of land from the “lazy” Maoris to industrious British settlers.

Briton Jason Downie jailed for Australia triple murder

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:45:40 GMT

A jealous Briton who killed a teenager and her parents after she spurned his advances was jailed in Australia today for at least 35 years.

Gillard outlines Afghanistan withdrawal timetable

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 06:16:38 GMT

Australia's prime minister said her country will begin pulling its troops out of Afghanistan earlier than planned.

Quake-hit Christchurch to build 'cardboard cathedral'

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:00:01 GMT

A temporary cathedral built partly of cardboard is to replace the 131-year-old Christchurch landmark left beyond repair by an earthquake in February 2011.

New Zealander declared Mr Gay World

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:00:01 GMT

New Zealand's Andreas Derleth has been crowned Mr Gay World, after a contest in Johannesburg that organisers said aimed to challenge homophobia throughout Africa.

Australia: Snake on a plane forces landing

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:00:01 GMT

A pilot said he was forced to make a harrowing landing reminiscent of a Hollywood thriller after a snake popped out from behind his instrument panel and slithered across his leg during a solo cargo flight.