insert_link Opinion Pieces ‘Politically neutral’ Russian athletes can now enter the Olympics – but don’t expect many to compete By Keith Rathbone, Macquarie University Earlier this month, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Russian and Belarussian athletes will be able to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics if they are politically neutral. The decision from the committee’s executive board reversed an earlier ban. The IOC made this change even though the Russian National Olympic Committee remains suspended from competition for its violation of “the territorial integrity of the […] todayDecember 20, 2023 10
insert_link Opinion Pieces What we don’t understand about China’s actions and ambitions in the South China Sea By Edward Sing Yue Chan, Australian National University In recent weeks, China’s activities in the South China Sea have raised more concerns in the region. Its ships have collided with Filipino vessels, fired water cannon at others and used sonar pulses close to an Australian ship, injuring its divers. The United States and its allies view this increasingly assertive behaviour as evidence China seeks to challenge the established maritime […] todayDecember 20, 2023 6
insert_link World Survivors brave freezing cold after China quake kills 131 By Sébastien RICCI Survivors of China's deadliest earthquake in years huddled in makeshift aid tents despite freezing temperatures on Wednesday, too scared to return to homes made dangerous by the disaster. State broadcaster CCTV said at least 131 people were killed in northwestern Gansu province and neighbouring Qinghai after a shallow tremor on Monday night damaged thousands of buildings. Almost 1,000 were injured across the two provinces, according to […] todayDecember 20, 2023 4
insert_link World First legal challenges to Texas immigration law roll in The legal challenges are already rolling in - less than 24 hours after Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law one of the strictest immigration enforcement bills in the country. It gives police the power to arrest anyone they believe is in the state illegally - even if they're nowhere near the border. Toni Waterman has more. todayDecember 20, 2023 5
insert_link World UNSC holds briefing following North Korea missile launches United Nations officials have called on North Korea to comply with international law after it launched ballistic missiles over the weekend. At a briefing on Tuesday, members of the UN Security Council urged Pyongyang to commit to denuclearization. But Russia and China criticised their fellow members for being 'one-sided'. Sally Patterson reports from New York, where the UN is headquartered. todayDecember 20, 2023 6
insert_link World Sandra Day O’Connor, first female Supreme Court Justice, hailed as “American Pioneer” Sandra Day O'Connor - the first woman to sit on the US Supreme Court - was remembered as a "force of nature" during a funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday. O'Connor died earlier this month, aged 93. Toni Waterman reports. todayDecember 20, 2023 2
insert_link World Google to pay out more than one million U.S. customers over high app prices Google has struck a deal to pay out a total of 700 million dollars to consumers to settle a case over the high fees it charged app developers. Consumers affected are those in the United States and U.S. territories. Caroline Malone reports from Washington. todayDecember 20, 2023 23
insert_link World US VP announces ‘fight for reproductive freedoms’ tour US Vice President Kamala Harris is set to begin a nationwide tour focused on abortion rights in January, her office has announced. The "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour will include events across the country, beginning in the state of Wisconsin. Abortion access is set to become a key issue in next year's general election. Sally Patterson has more. todayDecember 20, 2023 39
insert_link Environment Iceland volcano errupts Fountains of lava have erupted into the sky above south-west Iceland, after weeks of seismic activity. Authorities and residents have long been anticipating the eruption and had preemptively evacuated residents from the fishing town of Grindavik earlier in December. Stuart Smith reports. todayDecember 19, 2023 18
