Australia

Australia’s High Court says government acted within its rights when it passed a law revoking 99-year lease for planned Russian embassy site.

Russia has lost a legal fight to build a new embassy near Australia’s Parliament, with the nation’s top court ruling that Canberra acted within its rights when it cancelled the lease for the site.

Australia passed legislation in 2023 to mothball the planned embassy building after officials deemed it to pose a security threat.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the time that his government decided to revoke the lease over the “specific risk” posed by the site, located about 300 metres (328 yards) from Parliament House.

Russia, which blasted the move as “Russophobic hysteria”, challenged the legislation in court, arguing that it was not valid under the Australian Constitution.

In a unanimous ruling on Wednesday, the High Court found that the cancellation of the lease had been a “valid exercise of the legislative power” to enact laws related to the acquisition of property.

The court, however, ruled that Russia was entitled to compensation after paying about $2m for the 99-year lease in 2008.

The court previously rejected a bid by Moscow to stop its officials from being evicted from the site.

The government introduced new legislation on June 15 to end the Russian lease on the land after intelligence agencies warned the location was a risk to national security.

In a statement following the ruling, Attorney General Michelle Rowland said, “Australia will always stand up for our values and we will stand up for our national security.”

“The government welcomes the High Court’s decision that found the government acted lawfully in terminating the Russian Embassy’s lease,” Rowland said in a statement.

“The government will closely consider the next steps in light of the court’s decision,” Rowland added.

The Russian embassy said it was studying the judgement, according to Australian broadcaster ABC News.

“The Russian side will carefully study the text of the court ruling, which sets a precedent,” an embassy official said in a statement.

Relations between Australia and Russia have been strained for years.

Ties deteriorated sharply after the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which multiple investigations blamed on pro-Russian separatists, and then plunged further after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

#BREAKING: The lease was granted to Russia in 2008, but was withdrawn when parliament passed a new law citing ASIO advice that the planned embassy could pose a threat to national security. https://t.co/6S6bf37h7m

— ABC News (@abcnews) November 11, 2025

England coach Marcus Trescothick says he has full confidence in Joe Root to perform against Australia in the Ashes, despite the fact the batter has never scored a century down under during an away Ashes series.

READ MORE: Why has Root never made a century down under?

British and Irish Lion Mack Hansen has been recalled to the Ireland squad for the side’s remaining autumn Tests but Jamie Osborne will miss out with a shoulder injury.

Ireland are back in action against Australia on Saturday in Dublin (20:10 GMT) before taking on world champions South Africa at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 22 November (17:40 GMT).

Connacht’s Hansen has rejoined the squad despite initially being considered out for the autumn series because of the foot injury he picked up in his side’s United Rugby Championship loss to the Bulls last month.

Hansen has never started at full-back for Ireland, although his past four Connacht appearances have been in the position, but with usual starter Hugo Keenan also out the former Brumbies player gives head coach Andy Farrell another option in his back three.

Osborne wore the 15 jersey against New Zealand and Japan to start the month but was replaced by Jimmy O’Brien in the second half of the 41-10 win over the latter on Saturday and Farrell said afterwards that his shoulder injury did not “look good”.

Hansen’s club-mate Darragh Murray has also been called into the squad with the second row capped during the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal.

Leinster pair Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier remain doubts for this weekend’s game against the Wallabies with hamstring strains and their progress will be monitored before the team is announced on Thursday.

There is better news on the injury front with centre Stuart McCloskey making progress with a groin injury sustained against the All Blacks and expected to take a full part in training this week.

KELLY Brook touched down in Australia this morning ahead of her I’m A Celebrity appearance.

The model, 46, looked in good spirits as she arrived at Brisbane Airport on Sunday after her 24 hour flight.

Despite the long journey, Kelly looked fresh-faced and raring to go with a full face of makeup and rocking a stunning yellow dress.

However, the star kept tight-lipped about her I’m A Celeb appearance.

Kelly joked as she arrived at Brisbane Airport: “I haven’t seen my auntie Sheila for a long time so I can’t wait to see her, and I’m so excited that you’re all so excited for me.”

Asked about how she is with creepy-crawlies, Kelly quipped there might be some in her “relative’s” garden and added: “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’m visiting a distant cousin.

“I’m looking forward to surfing. Like I said, I’m looking forward to seeing my distant cousin that I’ve not seen for a long, long time… the koalas and the kangaroos.

“So much to look forward to.”

Asked about sleeping under the stars, she replied: “I’m hoping that I’ve got a spare room. I’m not sure about that.”

She said she is an “Australian sunset” in her yellow and orange dress – before being covered by an umbrella from light rain.

She joked: “Is it raining? Wherever I go I take the weather with me.”

Yesterday Kelly appeared in good spirits as she was spotted at Heathrow Airport just days ahead of her I’m A Celebrity stint.

The model tried to keep a low profile with dark sunglasses covering her face.

Kelly is finally set for I’m A Celebrity — years after insisting she would never do it.

She has been wooed with a big-money ITV deal to head into the jungle.

A source said: “Show bosses have been after Kelly as a campmate for years and think she could possibly be their sexiest contestant ever.

“She’s glamorous, witty and a familiar face to ITV audiences, having appeared as a panellist for Loose Women and other shows.

“She’s guaranteed to make perfect TV viewing.”

The insider added of the Heart FM DJ: “Many viewers will be excited to see her strip off for the famous jungle waterfall show too.”

In 2018 Kelly insisted she would never take part in the series.

KELLY’S FEARS

It comes after Kelly revealed the secret fear that could see her struggle in the I’m A Celebrity camp.

Kelly, told Loose Women that she struggled to go anywhere without her husband Jeremy Parisi, 40 – and would even turn down trips if he could not attend. 

She said: “I’m very co-dependent. Jeremy and I just want to be together all the time.

“Well I definitely want to be with him all the time. Not sure if he would say the same!

“We schedule things to make sure we are together.”

Kelly will be facing the challenges of the jungle alone without Jeremy. 

During the programme, Loose Women panelist Jane Moore asked Kelly: “But if you were, say, going abroad for the night or whatever, on a job, would he come with you?”

Kelly replied: “Yeah he would either come with me or I just wouldn’t go.”

In response, Mariella Frostrup joked: “I’m feeling quite suffocated just listening to you!”

The Sun revealed that THREE soap legends, a chat show icon and a TV pin up will be among the twelve stars heading into the camp.

Over the last few months, The Sun has announced a string of names heading down under, and now we can exclusively reveal Celebs Go Dating star Tom Read Wilson will complete the line-up.

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A TV insider said: “I’m a celeb producers are delighted to have Tom complete the line-up, he’s going to bring a lot of fun and energy to the camp.”

EastEnders’ Shona McGarty,  Spandau Ballet‘s Martin Kemp, Football Focus host Alex Scott and Chat show icon Ruby Wax are among the incredible line-up.

Final T20 of the five-match series was abandoned after 4.5 overs as thunderstorm and rain forced players off the field in Brisbane.

India have claimed a 2-1 win in the five-match T20 series against Australia after the final match was abandoned due to rain after just 4.5 overs in Brisbane.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat on Saturday, India’s openers Abhishek Sharma (23) and Shubman Gill (29) took the score to 52 for no loss before a thunderstorm swept across the Gabba cricket ground, forcing the players from the field.

Gill took the early initiative and pummelled six fours in his 29 not out. Abhishek was dropped by Glenn Maxwell and Ben Dwarshuis on his way to an unbeaten 23.

The sellout crowd at the Gabba hung around optimistically, waiting for play to resume, but the stormy weather persisted, and the match was abandoned some two and a half hours after it started.

The opening match in the series in Canberra was also washed out before Australia won the second in Melbourne by four wickets on the back of the bowling of paceman Josh Hazlewood.

Australia withdrew Hazlewood and some other players named in the Ashes squad so they could prepare to face England with the red ball, and India won the third T20 by five wickets in Hobart and the fourth on the Gold Coast by 48 runs.

Abhishek was named Player of the Series for his 163 runs at an average of 40.75.

“The way everybody chipped in in every game and we came back from being one match down, I think credit goes to all the boys; a complete team effort,” India captain Suryakumar Yadav said.

India, who top the ICC rankings in the shortest format, will head home with confidence and plenty of player options, hoping to defend their T20 World Cup title on home soil early next year.

“I thought all in all it was a good series, two teams really going at it,” said Australia captain Mitch Marsh.

“India won the games when it mattered, so congratulations to them.”

India claimed a 2-1 win in their T20 series against Australia after the fifth and final match in Brisbane was washed out.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat, openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill steered India to 52-0 after 4.5 overs before a thunderstorm forced the players from the field.

Though the storm moved on, heavy rain persisted and the umpires decided no further play was possible.

It is the second match of the series to be washed out after the opener in Canberra on 29 October.

Australia won the second game in Melbourne, but victories in Hobart and the Gold Coast secured the series for the tourists.

India will defend their T20 World Cup title as co-hosts with Sri Lanka in February.

The Ashes returns on 21 November and plenty of batters will be dreaming of runs before the opening Test in Perth.

Just 10 England players have scored a century in a men’s Ashes Tests in Australia since 2005, can you name them all?

There’s no timer on this quiz. Good luck!

Australia’s upcoming social media ban for children under 16 years old will include the online forum Reddit and livestreaming platform Kick in addition to seven other well-known sites, according to the country’s online safety commissioner.

The social media ban will go into effect on December 10 and will also restrict access to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube, Communications Minister Anika Wells said on Wednesday.

“Online platforms use technology to target children with chilling control. We are merely asking that they use that same technology to keep children safe online,” Wells said.

“We have met with several of the social media platforms in the past month so that they understand there is no excuse for failure to implement this law,” Wells told reporters in Canberra.

“We want children to have a childhood, and we want parents to have peace of mind,” she said.

Social media platforms have had 12 months to prepare for the ban since Australia passed its landmark online safety legislation in November last year.

Initial discussions focused primarily around Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube, but the list was later expanded, and Wells said the list could continue to change.

While more than 140 Australian and international academics signed an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last year opposing the age limit ban as a “blunt” instrument, Canberra’s move is being closely watched by countries that share concerns about the impacts of online platforms on children.

“Delaying children’s access to social media accounts gives them valuable time to learn and grow, free of the powerful, unseen forces of harmful and deceptive design features such as opaque algorithms and endless scroll,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.

Inman Grant said she would work with academics to evaluate the impact of the ban, including whether children sleep or interact more or become more physically active as a result of the restrictions on using social media.

“We’ll also look for unintended consequences, and we’ll be gathering evidence” so others can learn from Australia’s ban, Inman Grant said.

Critics have questioned how the restrictions will be enforced because users cannot be “compelled” to submit government IDs for an age check, according to a government fact sheet.

Discussions are under way with platforms about how to comply with the new rules, the commissioner said, while failure to comply could lead to civil fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (US$32.1m).

TikTok investigated over youth suicide

News that Australia would add more names to the list of banned platforms came as French authorities said they had opened an investigation into the social media platform TikTok and the risks of its algorithms pushing young people into suicide.

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said the probe was in response to a parliamentary committee’s request to open a criminal inquiry into TikTok’s possible responsibility for endangering the lives of its young users.

Beccuau said a report by the committee had noted “insufficient moderation of TikTok, its ease of access by minors and its sophisticated algorithm, which could push vulnerable individuals towards suicide by quickly trapping them in a loop of dedicated content”.

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Paris police cybercrime unit will look into the offence of providing a platform for “propaganda in favour of products, objects, or methods recommended as means of committing suicide”, which is punishable by three years in prison.

The unit will also look into the offence of enabling “illegal transactions by an organised gang”, punishable by 10 years in prison and a fine of 1 million euros ($1.2m).

With more than 1.5 billion users worldwide, TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, has come under fire from governments in Europe and the United States in recent years.

Concerns raised over the platform have included content encouraging suicide, self-harm or an unhealthy body image as well as its potential use for foreign political interference.

A TikTok spokesman told the French news agency AFP in September that the company “categorically rejects the deceptive presentation” by French MPs, saying it was being made a “scapegoat” for broader societal issues.

Police in Australia broke up a protest against Israeli companies taking part in a defence show in Sydney. At least one pro-Palestinian protester was seen dragged along the ground by officers.