48 h. ago Defence department chief Greg Moriarty to succeed Kevin Rudd as Australian ambassador to US

Career public servant and former chief of staff to Malcolm Turnbull to represent Australia’s interests with Trump administration from April, including progression of Aukus agreementFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe head of the department of defence, Greg Moriarty, will succeed Kevin Rudd as Australia’s ambassador to the United States.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, announced Moriarty’s appointment to the role on Sunday. A former chief of staff to Malcolm Turnbull and former Australian envoy to Iran and Indonesia, he has led the defence department since 2017. He will take up the posting in Washington from April. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Indonesia takes action against mining firms after floods devastate population of world’s rarest ape

Conservationists hail the ‘desperately needed’ measures and urge greater protection after up to 11% of endangered Tapanuli orangutans wiped outThe floods and landslides that tore through Indonesia’s fragile Batang Toru ecosystem in November 2024 – killing up to 11% of the world’s Tapanuli orangutan population – prompted widespread scrutiny of the extractive companies operating in the area at the time of the ecological catastrophe.For weeks, investigators searched for evidence that the companies may have damaged the Batang Toru and Garoga watersheds before the disaster, which washed torrents of mud and logs into villages, claiming the lives of more than 1,100 people. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Chester Zoo has an adorable ‘special arrival’ and it's a rare glimpse at one of the world's rarest species

The baby was the size of a jellybean when it was born

Politics

2 w. ago Malaysia blocks Elon Musk’s Grok AI over fake, sexualised images

Country follows Indonesia in restricting access after global outcry over X’s AI toolMalaysia has become the second country to temporarily block access to Elon Musk’s Grok AI tool after a global outcry over the AI tool and its ability to produce fake, sexualised images.Malaysia said it would restrict access to Grok until effective safeguards were implemented, a day after similar action was taken by Indonesia. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago One of the world’s rarest whale species is finally having babies – but needs more

The species remains in peril

Politics

3 w. ago A rare whale is having an encouraging season for births. Scientists warn it might still go extinct

One of the world’s rarest whale species is having more babies this year than in some recent seasons, but experts say many more young are needed to help stave off the possibility of extinction

Events

3 w. ago Indonesia’s new penal code takes effect, marking historic break with colonial law

Indonesia has begun enforcing its newly ratified penal code, replacing a Dutch-era criminal law that had governed the country for more than 80 years and marking a major shift in its legal landscape

Politics