February 3, 2017 Fiji forces Iranian refugee back to Papua New Guinea Fiji has outraged rights groups by forcing an Iranian refugee back to Papua New Guinea where he had spent more than three years under Australia's tough asylum seeker policies and where he said he fears persecution.
February 1, 2017 New Zealand's new leader sets September date for election New Zealand's recently appointed Prime Minister Bill English announced the country will hold its national election on Sept. 23 in what will become a test of his popularity following the surprise December resignation of former leader John Key.
January 31, 2017 Premier: Trump ban doesn't affect Australia passport holders The White House had assured Australia that its passport holders won't be affected by President Donald Trump's executive order suspending immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries, the Australian prime minister said Tuesday as he resisted pressure to join other Western leaders in publicly denouncing the travel ban.
January 30, 2017 Officials tell conference US will remain a Pacific power U.S. officials have told an Australian conference that the United States will stay committed to remaining a Pacific power despite potential policy changes under President Donald Trump.
January 29, 2017 Federer beats Nadal in Australian final to win 18th major Roger Federer has won his 18th Grand Slam title and put some extra distance on the all-time list between himself and Rafael Nadal, the man he beat 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in a vintage Australian Open final on Sunday.
January 28, 2017 Serena Williams wins record 23rd major with win over Venus Serena Williams has won her record 23rd Grand Slam singles title with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over her older sister Venus in Saturday's Australian Open final.
January 27, 2017 Nadal sets up Australian Open classic final vs Federer Rafael Nadal has fended off Grigor Dimitrov in five long sets to set up a vintage title match against Roger Federer at the Australian Open, where every singles finalist is aged 30 or over.
January 27, 2017 American basketball player OK after eye pops out of socket An American basketball player's eye popped out of its socket after he was poked in the face while going for a rebound during a game in New Zealand.
January 27, 2017 Serena, Venus say all-Williams Aussie final is a win-win When a euphoric Venus Williams picked up the pace of her celebratory pirouette and the crowd responded with thunderous applause, Serena Williams waited quietly in the adjacent corridor for the buzz to subside.
January 27, 2017 Stunt plane crashes into Australian river, killing 2 A stunt plane stalled and plunged into a river in western Australia on Thursday as thousands of people were gathering for an annual Australia Day fireworks display, killing the pilot and the only passenger, police said.