Topic: Canberra

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The Oscars 2011: How real are the reality-based Best Picture nominees?

Four of the 10 features on the Best Picture slate are based on real characters and events: The King’s Speech, The Fighter, The Social Network, and 127 Hours. Here are some facts behind the true-life stories contending for this year’s Best Picture Academy Award.

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After Houla massacre, Syrian diplomats expelled around the world

France, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Australia are expelling Syrian diplomatic envoys. The response to the Houla civilian massacre is increasing Syria's isolation.
A decade after independence, East Timor's surprising best friend? Indonesia.

Ten years ago, East Timor was reeling from Indonesia's scorched-earth withdrawal after two-plus decades of occupation. Today it sees its huge neighbor as a crucial partner.
Australia's first female prime minister keeps her job, for now

Some analysts believe that sexism is at least partly to blame for the difficulties Australia's first female prime minister, Julia Gillard, has had to battle while in office.
Seven Syrian embassies attacked by anti-Assad protesters

From London to Australia, mobs attacked Syrian embassies to protest the reported killing of civilians in Homs by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.
Australia Prime Minister Gillard rescued amid rowdy aboriginal rights protests

Some 200 supporters of indigenous rights had surrounded a Canberra restaurant while Gillard and opposition leader Tony Abbott were inside, prompting the secret service to whisk them away.
Global News Blog
Whale wars victory: Japan to release three activist stowaways

The promised release of three activists who boarded a Japanese whaling ship a few days ago signals a victory for behind-the-scenes diplomacy with Australia.
Obama in Australia: US reasserts Pacific role with eye on rising China

President Obama in Australia today pledged to boost the US military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The significant strategic shift is popular with regional governments wary of China's rise.
Qantas flights: Why the Australia airline abruptly grounded all flights

Qantas Airways grounded all flights Saturday, stranding thousands of passengers, including 17 world leaders. What's behind the Qantas labor union dispute?
Bond market crumbling? No, world still hopeful on US debt deal.

Bond market debacle seems unlikely, many foreign officials say. But bond market could see loss of America's Triple A rating if there are no big budget cuts long term.
Global News Blog
Australia's ash cloud woes, by the numbers

The ash cloud from the June 4 eruption of a Chilean volcano is drifting over Australia for a second time, grounding flights and further choking tourism and airline industries that are already suffering.
The Oscars 2011: How real are the reality-based Best Picture nominees?

Four of the 10 features on the Best Picture slate are based on real characters and events: The King’s Speech, The Fighter, The Social Network, and 127 Hours. Here are some facts behind the true-life stories contending for this year’s Best Picture Academy Award.
Vietnam Communists' new challenge: managing capitalism

As inflation rises and currency weakens, observers will be watching the Communist Party Congress for clearer signs about the government’s determination to stabilize Vietnam's economy.
Iran is not a rogue state, says Australia in WikiLeaks cable

In cables published today, Australia says the US should not see Iran as a rogue state, rather that Australian officials believe that Tehran sees a "grand bargain" with America as its best way to ensure national security.
Cyberattacks persist as MasterCard slogs through WikiLeaks protest

Cyberattacks sent MasterCard's website into a tailspin. The page has been up-again, down-again as hackers stage a cyberattack protest in support of WikiLeaks.
Afghanistan election: Why the next parliament won't check Karzai's power

The results of Saturday's Afghanistan election aren't expected for days, but because the parliamentary candidates ran as individuals, not as party members, they are unlikely to unite in opposition to President Hamid Karzai.
Australia election: Independents could be key to forming new government

Independents may play a key role in forming a functioning government after Australia's election ended Saturday without a clear winner.
Julia Gillard takes helm in Australia after Kevin Rudd ouster

Julia Gillard became Australia's first female prime minister Thursday after the once unassailable Kevin Rudd lost favor over mining disputes and his shelving of climate change initiatives.
Australia UFO: What the heck was it?

Despite claims of otherworldly origins, the Australia UFO was likely created by the new Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral.
Rough weather delays teen sailor Abby Sunderland rescue

Rough weather will delay Abby Sunderland's rescue.
Australia UFO sightings: Was that the Falcon 9 rocket?

Eerie spiral light show in the pre-dawn sky over Australia on Saturday prompted a flood of UFO reports. The phenomenon was likely the privately launched Falcon 9 rocket, which lifted off from Cape Canaveral Friday.
Mother's Day: Why Australia is the second-best place to be a mom

A Save the Children report timed for Mother's Day names Australia as the second-best place to be a mom. Norway won the top honor.
Terrorism & Security
China's military spending slows, on paper

After more than two decades of double-digit annual growth in defense spending, Beijing announced its budget would grow 7.5 percent in 2010. But analysts say China's military spending is only slowing on paper.
Australia sends police to Israel over Dubai assassination

Australian police arrived in Israel on Wednesday to investigate identity theft of dual nationals in connection with the Dubai assassination widely blamed on Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The use of forged passports has provoked a stern response, but is unlikely to jeopardize relations.
Global News Blog
Hamas assassination: Australia outraged at identity theft, Israel ambassador summoned

The Hamas assassination investigation widened on Wednesday, when Dubai added 15 suspects to the list of those accused of arranging the murder of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh. On Thursday, Australia summoned Israel's ambassador and delivered a stark warning.
Australia's Rudd apologizes to forced child migrants

Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologized to the thousands of institutionalized children and child migrants shipped from Britain to rebuild Australia after World War II. Many were abused.