THE White House pushed back on Sunday against any attempt to link President Donald Trump to the accused shooter who killed 50 people in two New Zealand mosques, saying the act of a disturbed individual cannot be blamed on any one politician. “The president is not a white supremacist. I’m not sure how many times […]

THE Canterbury Crusaders are open to discussing a potential name change following mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch that killed 50 people. The Crusaders adopted their name 23 years ago when rugby went professional but questions have been raised over its associations with the medieval religious wars between Christians and Muslims since the attacks. […]

Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant (28), a suspected white supremacist, was charged with murder on Saturday after 49 people were killed and dozens wounded in mass shootings at two New Zealand mosques. Tarrant, handcuffed and wearing a white prison suit, stood silently in the Christchurch District Court where he was remanded without a plea. He is […]

A man charged with murder in relation to attacks on New Zealand mosques has appeared before a court in Christchurch. The appearance comes after 49 people were killed and more than 40 others were injured in attacks on the mosques on Friday. Brenton Tarrant, 28, appeared before Christchurch District Court and if convicted faces life […]

Forty-nine people have been killed at two mosques after a right-wing extremist went on a shooting spree in New Zealand. Brenton Tarrant (28) from Australia, appeared to have live-streamed the terror attack in Christchurch and outlined his anti-immigrant motives in a manifesto posted online. The country’s police commissioner, Mike Bush, said 49 people were confirmed […]

Former Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell has been jailed for six years for sexually abusing two choirboys. “In my view, your conduct was permeated by staggering arrogance,” Victoria state County Court chief judge Peter Kidd told the 77-year-old as he ordered that he serve a minimum of three years, eight months before he is eligible […]

Global hotel chain Accor is investigating claims that staff at one of its Australian hotels have been racially segregating guests. Aboriginal guests at the Ibis Styles hotel in Alice Springs were purposely put in inferior rooms after a directive last June, the ABC reported on Friday. They were charged the same price as guests placed […]

On Wednesday, a nine-year-old girl reignited debate about Australia’s national anthem by explaining why she had refused to rise for it at a school assembly. Harper Nielsen, from Brisbane, argued the lyrics of “Advance Australia Fair” disregarded the country’s indigenous history. That led some lawmakers to criticise her for “disrespect”, but other Australians praised her […]

The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. Sign up to get it by email. ___ When you work at The New York Times, you’re spoiled for expert opinions. Need a wine tip? Ask Eric Asimov, our chief wine critic, who was just roaming Australia earlier this month. For restaurants in Australia, […]

An Airbnb host has admitted killing a guest at his home near Melbourne, Australia, who couldn’t afford to pay. Jason Colton, 42, denies murder but has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Ramis Jonuzi in October 2017. A court heard two housemates held the 36-year-old man down, while Colton beat and strangled him for not […]