Headlines from the Associated Press

Australia praised for new refugee policy

Wed, 14 May 2008 09:36:02 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- Australia's new government won praise from the United Nations and human rights groups Wednesday for offering refugees permanent sanctuary rather than temporary visas....

Australian fined for buckling in beer, not child

Tue, 13 May 2008 18:57:23 GMT

DARWIN, Australia (AP) -- An Australian man has been fined after buckling in a case of beer with a seat belt but leaving a 5-year-old child to sit on the car's floor, police said Tuesday....

Australian pokes shark in eye to survive mauling

Mon, 12 May 2008 21:12:58 GMT

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- An Australian swimmer says he survived a mauling by a 16-foot shark by wrestling with the beast, finally getting free by poking it in the eye. The shark, believed to be a great white, seized Jason Cull by the left leg as he was swimming at Middleton Beach in southwestern Australia on Saturday....

Australia probes claims soldiers abused Afghan prisoners

Fri, 09 May 2008 06:21:10 GMT

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Australia is investigating allegations that its soldiers mistreated suspected insurgents in prison in Afghanistan, the military said Friday....

Doctor: Australia boat collision claims 6th victim

By ROHAN SULLIVAN — Fri, 02 May 2008 05:10:17 GMT

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- A sixth person died of injuries suffered when a fishing trawler collided with an overcrowded boat in Sydney Harbor, authorities said Friday....

Fiji deports second newspaper publisher

By PITA LIGAIULA — Fri, 02 May 2008 04:25:06 GMT

SUVA, Fiji (AP) -- Fiji's military government defied a High Court order and deported the Australian publisher of the South Pacific country's leading newspaper Friday, continuing a campaign of media intimidation it began within days of seizing power....

Giant squid has world's largest eyes

By RAY LILLEY — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:08:05 GMT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- Marine scientists studying the carcass of a rare colossal squid said Wednesday they had measured its eye at about 11 inches across - bigger than a dinner plate - making it the largest animal eye on Earth....