Australia

Recent record-breaking floods in eastern Australia have tragically claimed at least four lives, leaving a trail of destruction that has affected countless homes and communities. The deluge has impacted around 50,000 residents, cutting them off from critical assistance. In northern New South Wales, an area rich in rivers and valleys situated approximately 400km north of Sydney, rescue teams have recovered four bodies from the vast seas of floodwater. As the waters slowly begin to recede, salvage crews are gearing up for a…

In eastern Australia, fast-moving floodwaters have surged, inundating homes and leaving residents stranded on their rooftops overnight. Authorities are warning that more rain is on the horizon. Recent storms have unleashed over four months' worth of rain in just two days across parts of New South Wales, engulfing homes, businesses, and roads in muddy waters. As the state’s emergency minister, Jihad Dib, explained, “We have a situation where the rain has been falling quite heavily and hard and it has not been moving away.…

In a dramatic turn of events, Augustin Matata Ponyo, the former Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been handed a ten-year sentence of forced labor for his role in the embezzlement of approximately $245 million in public funds. Joining him in this legal debacle is Deogratias Mutombo, the former governor of the central bank, who has received a five-year sentence. The echoes of this case reverberate through the halls of Congolese politics, raising questions about accountability and governance. The…

As the countdown begins for the upcoming Australian federal election, first-time voters are expressing their concerns about pressing issues like the cost of living, climate action, and student debt, alongside growing worries about the rising influence of far-right ideologies. The 2025 election presents a unique opportunity for younger generations, as millennials and Generation Z now outnumber baby boomers. This demographic shift has the potential to significantly reshape Australia’s political landscape. Approximately 18…

The number of residents in Australia born in Ireland has now surpassed 100,000, according to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). As of June, there were 103,080 individuals born in Ireland living in Australia, a significant increase from 94,540 just a year prior. This growth reflects an increase of over 8,500 people. Remarkably, the Irish-born population in Australia has nearly doubled in the last two decades, showcasing a remarkable growth rate of 87% since 2004, when only 55,020 were residing there.…

The trial of a woman accused of murdering three elderly individuals following a lunch of poisonous mushrooms has commenced in Australia. Notably, prosecutors have dropped additional charges of attempted murder against her husband. Erin Patterson faces allegations concerning the tragic deaths of her mother-in-law, Gail Patterson, her father-in-law, Donald Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, along with the attempted murder of Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson. This case has captivated the nation and drawn…

The African Union (AU) remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering peace and stability in Somalia, even as it grapples with significant financial hurdles impacting its peacekeeping mission in the Horn of Africa. This dedication is not merely a bureaucratic obligation; it's a pressing moral imperative driven by the multi-layered struggles of the Somali people. Can we truly imagine a future where these challenges are met with unwavering resolve? At the forefront of this initiative is the Chairperson of the African Union…

As South Africa prepares to step onto the world stage, it has officially assumed the Presidency of the G20, paving the way for the highly anticipated Johannesburg Summit, set for November 22-23, 2025. This event promises to be pivotal, not just for the nation, but for the broader global community as well. President Cyril Ramaphosa, during the inaugural gathering of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, eloquently articulated a vision for progress: "For nations to flourish, equality and prosperity must be available to…

This weekend, as St. Patrick's Day celebrations light up worldwide, Irish flags will be flying high in every corner of the globe. However, one daring Irishman has gone above and beyond, proudly waving the tricolour every single day for the past year while cycling from Ireland to Australia. Meet Fergal Guihen, a dedicated nurse from Roscommon, who has been chronicling his incredible journey and the challenges he's faced along the way on social media. So far, he has pedaled through 20 countries, traversing the diverse…

The remnants of Cyclone Alfred have unleashed torrential rain across Australia's east coast, leading to significant flooding as emergency workers strive to restore power to over 190,000 homes and businesses. Despite the weather system losing its strength, authorities continue to issue a range of flood and severe weather warnings along a 400 km stretch of coastline that spans Queensland and New South Wales. The Bureau of Meteorology reported that Brisbane, Queensland's capital, received an alarming 30 cm of rain within just…