Topic: The Australian National University

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China's standoff with the Philippines heats up with travel warnings, oil drilling

Analysts say the oil-rich waters around Scarborough Shoal and the Paracels are but one factor in the increasingly prickly relations between China and the Philippines.
Indonesia's Aceh struggles to integrate former rebels fairly

As Indonesia's Aceh Province works to rebuild from decades of bloody battle - and a devastating tsunami - many analysts say feelings of injustice could wedge a new community divide.
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.
Men not on verge of extinction, report scientists

A new study suggests that the Y chromosome, previously thought to be evolving into oblivion, will persist.
After sodomy acquittal, Malaysia's Anwar pressing for power

In an unexpected conclusion to a two-year trial, a Malaysian court acquitted opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on sodomy charges that he insisted were politically motivated.
Discovery that universe is expanding faster and faster earns physics Nobel

Three astronomers will share the Nobel prize in physics, for their finding that the universe's post-Big Bang expansion is neither slowing nor retreating, but is speeding up.
Terrorism & Security
Karzai visits rival India amid tensions with Pakistan

Afghan President Karzai arrives in India today to discuss economic and security partnerships amid a recent volley of Afghan accusations against Pakistan, India's longtime foe.
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.
Could Indonesia's democracy be Egypt's model?

Abu Bakar Bashir's trial demonstrates the struggles Indonesia faces a decade after transitioning from authoritarian rule to the world's largest Muslim democracy.
US-sized Cyclone Yasi could cost Australia more than $2 billion

Cyclone Yasi flattened properties, overturned luxury yachts, and ripped up plantations. Australia's climate change adviser warns of more such storms to come.
Obama's Asia visit: Do free trade deals really boost economies?

President Obama hopes to ink a US-South Korea free trade agreement Thursday. Trade deals among Asian countries are all the rage, but some say they may not have much impact.
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.
Afghanistan election: How to campaign in a war zone

Parliamentary candidates in the Afghanistan election to be held Saturday say the only way to campaign safely is by telephone.
Julia Gillard wins enough support to rule

Julia Gillard barely retained power on Tuesday when the last two independent legislators ended a tense 17-day standoff and agreed to join her government.
Australia's Julia Gillard forms new government on shaky ground

Australia's Julia Gillard barely squeaked into power. But her slim majority means that passing any legislation will be tricky.
Australia election conundrum: Who won?

Australia’s election is set to result in the first hung parliament for 70 years after all the counting in several closely fought seats concludes later this week. The two major parties are in talks with smaller parties.
Australian election is set to be closest in decades

Australian election analysts are forecasting the closest contest in decades, and say 'grumpy' voters may produce Australia’s first hung parliament since 1940.
Julia Gillard, Australia's new prime minister reassures Obama on Afghanistan

Julia Gillard said she used her first telephone conversation with President Barack Obama on Friday to reassure him of the country's military commitment to Afghanistan.
Liquid water may not be enough for alien life to survive

Scientists try to understand what other factors may promote life.
Rio Tinto employees sentenced to jail in China, then fired

Rio Tinto quickly distanced itself from Stern Hu and three colleagues on Monday after a court in China sentenced them to 7-14 years in jail for bribery and stealing commercial secrets. The Anglo-Australian mining giant vowed to continue building its ‘important relationship’ with China.
As Rio Tinto trial ends, Australian firms eye China with caution

The Rio Tinto trial of four executives from the Australian mining giant on charges of bribery and espionage will have a 'lingering effect on the quality' of relations between Australia and China, analysts say.
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.
Afghanistan war worsening but optimism is up, says new poll

The Afghanistan war has intensified and a fraudulently elected president retaken power, but 70 percent of respondents say the country is moving in the right direction, up 30 points from last year. Some analysts question the jump in positivity.
US ambassador to Afghanistan's criticism adds urgency to curbing Karzai

Influential US ambassador Karl Eikenberry has reportedly argued that Afghanistan is too politically unstable under Karzai to send more troops. Western and Afghan officials are brainstorming ways to check the president's power.