The Ministry of Finance (MOF) yesterday expressed disapproval over Taishin Financial's attempt to have Chang Hwa Bank acquire its banking subsidiary, saying that the deal is against the public's interest.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange regards his bid to become an Australian senator as a defense against potential criminal prosecution in the United States and Britain, a news website reported on Monday.

Israel's parliament is to conduct what it called an “intensive” inquiry into the arrest and death of a jailed Australian-Israeli with Mossad links, a parliamentary spokesman said on Sunday.

Australia is seeking further explanation from Malaysia about why an Australian senator, who went to politically sensitive Malaysia to discuss electoral reform, was denied entry and deported, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Sunday.

Australia has asked Israel to explain the mysterious death of an Australian-Israeli citizen and alleged Israeli spy in an Israeli prison two years ago, the foreign minister said on Sunday.

One of the Australian radio hosts at the center of a royal hoax call controversy in which a nurse was found hanged returned to the airwaves Monday.

New Zealand is to accept 150 refugees a year from Australia, Prime Minister John Key said Saturday to ease pressure on Canberra which is grappling with a surge in boat people heading to the region.

A young mother accused of sorcery was stripped naked, doused with gasoline and burned alive in front of a crowd including schoolchildren in Papua New Guinea, reports said Thursday.

Fighter jets from the U.S. and two key allies roared into western Pacific skies Thursday in the combat phase of annual exercises that have gained importance as the region responds to the rise of China and other potential threats.

Two senior Australian ministers have been dragged into a snowballing ruling party corruption scandal, admitting accepting hospitality from a former powerbroker at the center of an explosive inquiry.