Australia / Antarctica News Headlines

Anti-whaling campaigners Sea Shepherd attacked a Japanese whaling ship in the Antarctic Ocean by firing paint bombs at it and trying to jam its propeller with ropes, Japan's whaling body said Thursday.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Thursday called a ballot on the leadership of the ruling Labor party, bringing to a head an increasingly bitter and ugly row with her predecessor Kevin Rudd.

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has dared her political rival, former foreign minister Kevin Rudd, to challenge her in a leadership vote next week, hoping to end infighting that threatens to sink the minority government and its reform agenda. Gillard called on Thursday for the vote to be held …

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Thursday called a ballot on the leadership of the ruling Labor party, bringing to a head an increasingly bitter and ugly row with predecessor Kevin Rudd.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Thursday called a ballot on the leadership of the ruling Labor party, bringing to a head an ugly row with predecessor Kevin Rudd.

CANBERRA, Australia - Prime Minister Julia Gillard is announcing that her party will vote next week on its leadership.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces party leadership ballot next week.

Former Australian foreign minister Kevin Rudd says he is encouraged by support from government colleagues to challenge Prime Minister Julia Gillard for the leadership of their Labor Party.

Former foreign minister Kevin Rudd says he is encouraged by support from government colleagues to challenge Prime Minister Julia Gillard for the leadership of their Labor Party.

Camper led the Volvo Ocean Race fleet through the dangerous "black tide" current of the South China Sea Wednesday, as the six teams made painful progress on the fourth leg to New Zealand.

Mining giant Rio Tinto said Wednesday it has unearthed a "remarkable" 12.76 carat pink diamond in Australia, the largest of the rare and precious stones ever found in the resources-rich nation.

Australia's foreign minister Kevin Rudd resigned Wednesday, saying he was unable to continue without Prime Minister Julia Gillard's support, paving the way for him to make a leadership challenge.

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd resigned on Wednesday, saying he could no longer work with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, igniting a new and bitter leadership crisis for the struggling minority government. Gillard's government has sunk in popularity as Gillard and Rudd, whom she ousted in 2010, …

Australia's foreign minister resigned Wednesday in a bitter rift with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who may poll party lawmakers next week on who should lead the country.

Australia's foreign minister resigned Wednesday in a bitter rift with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who may poll her party's lawmakers next week on who should lead the country.

South Africa battled to a thrilling three-run win over New Zealand to claim the Twenty20 series 2-1 after the Black Caps suffered a dramatic late batting collapse in Auckland on Wednesday.

(Reuters) - South Africa clinched the Twenty20 international series against New Zealand after Marchant de Lange claimed two wickets in an eventful final over to seal a thrilling three-run victory in the third and final match in Auckland on Wednesday. Having restricted South Africa to a modest 165 for seven at Eden Park, …

Australia's foreign minister resigned Wednesday amid an ongoing leadership squabble, saying he could not continue in his role without the support of Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

New Zealand paused for two minutes' silence on Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of the devastating Christchurch earthquake, which left 185 people dead.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and sent South Africa in to bat in the third and final Twenty20 international in Auckland on Wednesday.

SYDNEY - Australia's foreign minister has resigned amid an ongoing leadership squabble, saying he cannot continue in his role without the support of Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Mining giant Rio Tinto said it has unearthed a "remarkable" 12.76 carat pink diamond in Australia, the largest of the rare and precious stones ever found in the resources-rich nation.

Megaupload boss Kim Dotcom was freed on bail in a surprise move, after a New Zealand judge dismissed fears the internet tycoon would flee the country to escape US online piracy charges.