Topic: The Sydney Morning Herald

Assange gets surprise chance to fight another day (+video)

Julian Assange's lawyer won a two-week reprieve to review today's decision by Britain's Supreme Court to deport the WikiLeaks boss to Sweden.

Why Israel is even less likely to strike Iran now

Obama appears to be hemming in Israel at every turn. Case in point: A report in which unnamed US officials allege that Israel has obtained access to bases in Azerbaijan, on Iran's border.

No jail for marine? Haditha massacre verdict stuns Iraqis.

Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich will receive only a demotion to the rank of private for involvement in the 2005 killings of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha.

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.

Australia takes on the last frontier of cigarette packaging

Australia is proposing the most drastic government attempt yet to reduce smoking, requiring cigarette companies to package their brands in an unappealing drab olive wrapper.

Australia floods pose a political test not all pass

While Prime Minister Gillard has been criticized for her response to the Australia floods, Queensland Premier Bligh has struck the right note of strength and emotion.

After the Australia flooding, talk of how to rebuild Queensland begins

For a country that only recently passed through a decade-long drought, talk of flooding management has long seemed a little out of place. Not anymore.

Australia braces for fresh wave of flooding in Brisbane

Brisbane prepares for fresh flooding and another town recovers from an 'inland tsunami,' as Australia waits for a reprieve from weeks of rain and flooding.

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.

14-year-old Dutch sailor Laura Dekker sets sail – despite growing controversy

Laura Dekker set sail from Portugal Saturday in a bid to become the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the globe.

A good example of Obama's warning about the media focusing on 'sexier' stories

The media do damage by playing up every hint of conflict to produce “sexier” stories. Recent coverage of a Southern Poverty Law Center report on 'hate groups' proves the point.

Kenya police mistakenly release Australia terror suspect

Kenya police say they have 'mistakenly' released an alleged member of Somalia insurgent group Al Shabaab who is wanted on terrorism charges in Australia.

Australia opens war crimes probe into Indonesia killings

It is revisiting the 1975 deaths of the 'Balibo Five' journalists as a film about them is released across Australia. Indonesia has long said they died in a cross-fire.

Twitter users first to break news of Jakarta bombings

The quick response underlines the rising profile of the social media site as it becomes a breaking news source.

Best job in the world filled? No worries, mate.

A British charity worker will earn $112,000 to babysit and blog about a tropical Australian island for six months.

Australia cites China, India, as reasons for a major military buildup

Prime Minister Rudd proposes $72 billion in new spending. US military can't protect it, say analysts.

Turn out the lights? Not everyone's on board Earth Hour

Report: Climate protests rising

The Worldwatch Institute reports that climate protests are escalating worldwide, as more and more people join movements to block the construction of coal-fired power plants and pressure their governments to mandate greenhouse-gas-emission caps.

Warnings issued ahead of Bali bombers' execution

The Indonesian men who were convicted of killing 202 nightclubgoers have called for revenge attacks against Westerners.

Researchers: CO2 threatening koalas

Olympic torch security row stresses Australian-Chinese ties

Thursday's tour in Canberra saw some fights and a dispute over China's tough "torch attendants."

Olympic torch security row stresses Australian-Chinese ties

Thursday's tour in Canberra saw some fights and a dispute over China's tough "torch attendants."

Australian-led peacekeepers hunt for rebels in East Timor

Questions about new nation's security and the effectiveness of international peacekeepers surface after two recent assassination attempts.