Topic: John Howard

Could the US learn from Australia's gun-control laws?

As the US debates its gun laws in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., shooting, some Australians are urging the US to consider modeling its laws after Australia's.

Australia plans to deport asylum seekers to Pacific islands

Australia's government announced a plan to deter refugee boats from reaching its shores as it hopes to reopen refugee detention centers in the Pacific islands nations of Nauru and Papua New Guinea. 964 asylum seekers had died since 2001 while making the dangerous sea journey to Australia.

Why Australia just toughened its tough immigration stance

Riots at Australia’s immigration detention centers have pushed Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s government to take new measures on asylum-seekers. But critics say they don't target the fundamental reasons for the unrest.

Australia signals harder line on asylum seekers following Christmas Island tragedy

Refugee advocates fear Australia will get even tougher on asylum seekers following the Christmas Island shipwreck, which killed at least 30 refugees – many from Iran and Iraq.

Terrorism & Security
Christmas Island boat tragedy fuels debate over Australian policy on asylum seekers

Australia is struggling to balance humanitarian responsibilities to asylum seekers with national concerns about the economic impact of their migration.

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.

Sagging in polls, Australia's government toughens stance on asylum seekers

Australia's Labor government, which recently fell behind in the polls for the first time since taking power, has imposed a freeze on asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

Rising tide of asylum-seekers: Will Australia let them in?

Australian Prime Minister Rudd faces twin crises as he weighs how to handle Sri Lankan Tamil refugees picked up at sea by Australian and Indonesian ships and taken to Indonesian ports. The "boat people" are refusing to disembark.

Global News Blog
Sri Lanka boat people test Australia

The latest boat people are Sri Lankan refugees caught in Indonesia while fleeing to Australia highlights the tricky waters countries must navigate between offering asylum and stopping human traffickers.

The Obama family on the move

Discoveries
Obama, science, and a new team in Washington

World

Terrorism & Security
Australia no longer to detain asylum seekers

As immigrants from Iraq and Afghanistan pour into the country, human rights groups praise the new policy. But critics say it will undermine national security.

Tighter Australia-China ties worry Asian neighbors

India and Japan are wary as political, economic links strengthen amid a mining boom.

Tighter Australia-China ties worry Asian neighbors

India and Japan are wary as political, economic links strengthen amid a mining boom.

Why Australia is leaving Iraq

Prime Minister Rudd criticized the US justification for the 2003 invasion of Iraq as 550 Australian troops packed up to leave.

Nauru scrambles as Australia closes island's detention center

The tiny Pacific island is losing a key source of income.

Australia to apologize to Aborigines for injustice: how helpful?

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the gesture will remove a "blight on the nation's soul."

World

Opinion: A tale of two allies

The Polish lesson: America must give something in return for support.