Australian cricket fans can breathe a sigh of relief as veteran pace bowler Josh Hazlewood has been declared fit to join the squad for the first Ashes Test against England, despite a recent injury scare. However, the team has suffered a setback with the exclusion of fellow fast bowler Sean Abbott due to a hamstring injury. Both players sustained their injuries during a Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria earlier this week. Scans revealed that Hazlewood, 34, did not suffer a muscle strain, while Abbott, 33, has been diagnosed with a ‘moderate grade’ injury. The absence of Abbott, who is yet to make his Test debut, is unlikely to significantly impact the team’s strategy for the Perth Test, as Hazlewood is expected to partner Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland as the primary seamers. Meanwhile, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins remains sidelined for the opening Test as he recovers from a back injury, with Steve Smith stepping in as interim captain. Cummins is anticipated to return for the second Test in Brisbane. Hazlewood, who had not played a first-class match in over a year prior to this week, experienced tightness in his hamstring during the match against Victoria but opted for precautionary measures. Both he and Abbott refrained from batting in New South Wales’ second innings, which ended in a 300-run defeat. Cummins emphasized the importance of caution, stating, ‘We’re a week away from the Test series – always err on the side of caution.’ He also expressed relief at seeing Hazlewood in good spirits after the injury scare. Abbott, a seasoned white-ball cricketer with 57 caps, will be missed, but uncapped seamer Brendan Doggett has been included in the squad as backup. The Ashes series, set to begin on November 21, promises high stakes as Australia aims to defend its title against a formidable English side.
标签： Oceania
大洋洲
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Australia’s spy chief accuses China of targeting key infrastructure
Australia’s top intelligence official has issued a stark warning about the escalating threat of cyber-attacks linked to China, targeting the nation’s critical infrastructure. Mike Burgess, Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), revealed that hackers associated with the Chinese government and military are actively probing and attempting to breach vital systems, including water, transport, telecommunications, and energy networks. Speaking at a business forum in Melbourne, Burgess emphasized that these activities pose a significant risk of “high-impact sabotage” in the coming years. He specifically identified two Chinese hacking groups, Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon, as key perpetrators. While Salt Typhoon focuses on espionage, Volt Typhoon aims to disrupt critical infrastructure, potentially causing widespread societal and economic damage. Burgess highlighted the potential consequences of such attacks, including the crippling of financial systems, contamination of water supplies, and prolonged power outages. He also noted that foreign espionage has already cost Australia an estimated A$12.5 billion in the past year, with A$2 billion worth of trade secrets and intellectual property stolen. Burgess described the hackers’ methods as highly sophisticated, enabling them to maintain persistent, undetected access to compromised systems. The Chinese embassy has yet to respond to these allegations.
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Evidence of ancient tree-climbing ‘drop crocs’ found in Australia
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have uncovered Australia’s oldest known crocodile eggshells, believed to belong to the enigmatic ‘drop crocs’—tree-climbing crocodiles that once roamed the continent. The 55-million-year-old eggshells were found in a sheep farmer’s backyard in Queensland, with the findings published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. These eggshells are linked to the mekosuchines, an extinct group of crocodiles that thrived in inland waters when Australia was still connected to Antarctica and South America. Co-author Prof. Michael Archer, a palaeontologist at the University of New South Wales, described these creatures as ‘bizarre,’ suggesting they may have hunted like leopards, dropping from trees onto unsuspecting prey. The mekosuchines, which could grow up to five meters in length, were abundant long before their modern counterparts arrived in Australia around 3.8 million years ago. The eggshells were discovered decades ago but were only recently analyzed with the assistance of Spanish scientists. This discovery complements earlier findings of younger mekosuchine fossils in 25-million-year-old deposits elsewhere in Queensland. Prof. Archer has been part of a team excavating a clay pit in Murgon since the early 1980s, a site renowned as one of Australia’s oldest fossil locations. The area, once a lush forest, was home to the world’s oldest-known songbirds, Australia’s earliest frogs and snakes, and a variety of small mammals with South American connections. Prof. Archer recounted how he and a colleague first approached the farmer in 1983, leading to the excavation of this prehistoric treasure trove. He expressed optimism that further digging will reveal even more surprises from this ancient ecosystem.
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‘Sea legs meant I couldn’t bowl’ – when England travelled to Australia by boat
The Ashes, cricket’s most storied rivalry between Australia and England, has always been more than just a series of matches—it’s a journey steeped in history, tradition, and evolution. As the 2025-26 Ashes series approaches, the contrast between modern-day tours and those of the past couldn’t be more striking.
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New ‘Lucifer’ bee with devil-like horns found in Australia
Australian researchers have unveiled a fascinating new native bee species, distinguished by its tiny, devil-like horns, earning it the name Megachile Lucifer. The discovery was made during a study of a rare wildflower endemic to the Bremer Ranges in Western Australia’s Goldfields region, located 470 kilometers east of Perth. The unique horns, found exclusively on female bees, are believed to serve multiple purposes, including defense, pollen collection, and nest-building material gathering. Dr. Kit Prendergast from Curtin University, the lead scientist of the study, revealed that the name Lucifer was inspired by the Netflix series she was watching at the time. She emphasized that this is the first new addition to this bee group in two decades. The name Lucifer, meaning ‘light bringer’ in Latin, also symbolizes the urgent need for enhanced conservation efforts for native bee species and a deeper understanding of their role in pollinating endangered plants. The findings, published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research, advocate for the formal protection of the area where the bee and wildflower were discovered, highlighting the risks posed by habitat disturbance and climate change. Dr. Prendergast warned that many mining operations overlook native bees in environmental impact assessments, potentially leading to the loss of undiscovered species critical to ecosystem health. ‘Without knowing which native bees exist and their plant dependencies, we risk losing both before we even realize their presence,’ she concluded.
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Once a sure thing, Australia’s bid to host COP31 falters amid deadlock with Turkey
As the COP30 climate summit unfolds in Belém, Brazil, a high-stakes diplomatic standoff is brewing between Australia and Turkey over the hosting rights for COP31 next year. Both nations are steadfast in their ambitions, with neither willing to concede, leaving the decision unresolved as the current summit nears its conclusion. If no agreement is reached by the end of this week, the hosting duties will default to Bonn, Germany, the headquarters of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Australia initially proposed a compelling joint bid with Pacific nations, emphasizing the region’s vulnerability to rising sea levels and the opportunity to showcase the tangible impacts of climate change. This move was seen as both a strategic geopolitical effort to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the Pacific and a demonstration of Australia’s commitment to its neighbors. However, Turkey has remained resolute in its bid, complicating Australia’s plans.
Despite Australia’s confidence in securing support, the negotiations have hit a snag. Critics argue that Australia’s climate leadership credentials are undermined by its status as the world’s largest coal exporter and one of the highest per capita emitters. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged ambitious emissions reduction targets, his administration’s recent extension of the North West Shelf gas project has raised eyebrows.
Turkey, on the other hand, has close ties with Russia and Saudi Arabia, nations historically resistant to climate action. This has led to concerns about the potential direction of COP31 under Turkish leadership. The stakes are high for both countries, with Australia facing domestic criticism over the estimated A$1 billion cost of hosting, while Turkey seeks to bolster its international standing.
As the clock ticks down, the outcome remains uncertain. The decision will not only determine the host of COP31 but also shape the future of global climate negotiations.
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John Laws, veteran Australian talkback radio host nicknamed ‘Golden Tonsils’, dies aged 90
John Laws, the iconic Australian radio host renowned for his distinctive voice and dubbed the ‘Golden Tonsils,’ has died at the age of 90. Laws, whose broadcasting career spanned over seven decades, passed away peacefully at his Sydney home on Sunday, as confirmed by his family. His illustrious career included interviews with 17 Australian prime ministers and numerous celebrities, making him one of the highest-paid commercial radio hosts during his peak. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and actor Russell Crowe were among those who paid tribute, with Crowe describing Laws as a ‘mischievous mate’ and a ‘legend in the most Australian sense.’ Laws’ career was not without controversy, including a ‘cash-for-comment’ scandal in the 1990s and various breaches of broadcasting regulations. Despite these challenges, he remained a dominant figure in Australian radio, particularly in rural New South Wales, where his morning show attracted two million listeners at its height. Laws retired in November 2022 after a final 13-year stint at 2SM, capping off a career that also saw him inducted into the Australian Media Hall of Fame and awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, announced that Laws’ family will be offered a state funeral.
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Kiwis and Jillaroos triumph at Pacific Championships
In a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Pacific Championships, New Zealand’s men’s team staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Samoa 36-14, while Australia’s women’s team continued their dominance with a commanding 40-8 victory over New Zealand. The men’s final, held at Parramatta’s Western Sydney Stadium, saw the Kiwis overcome a 12-0 deficit with a stunning second-half performance, scoring 30 unanswered points. This victory marked a fitting farewell for veteran half-back Kieran Foran, who played his 34th and final Test match, capping off a 16-year international career. Foran, who will transition to an assistant coaching role at NRL side Manly Sea Eagles, played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s triumph, their second men’s title in three years. Meanwhile, Australia’s women’s team, the Jillaroos, reaffirmed their status as world number ones with a dominant display. Julia Robinson starred with two tries, contributing to Australia’s seven-try haul. The Jillaroos, who began their year with a resounding 90-4 victory over England in Las Vegas, have now won the past three World Cups and continue to set the standard in women’s rugby league. Samoa, despite their early lead in the men’s final, were unable to sustain their momentum against a resurgent New Zealand side. Key players like Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark, and man of the match Dylan Brown were instrumental in the Kiwis’ comeback. The women’s final saw Australia take control early, leading 24-0 after 33 minutes, and despite New Zealand’s efforts in the second half, the Jillaroos remained untroubled. Olivia Kernick’s early try set the tone, with Robinson’s spectacular leap for her first try highlighting Australia’s attacking prowess. The victories for both New Zealand’s men and Australia’s women underscore the competitive spirit and high standards of rugby league in the Pacific region.
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Australia see off England for Ashes clean sweep
In a stunning display of dominance, Australia secured a historic 3-0 clean sweep in the Rugby League Ashes series against England, cementing their status as the world’s premier team. The final match at Headingley on November 8, 2025, saw the Kangaroos triumph 30-8, showcasing their relentless prowess and tactical brilliance.
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‘Nestflix’: the peregrine falcon livestream that has Australians glued to their screens
Since late August, tens of thousands of Australians have been captivated by ‘Nest-flix,’ a 24-hour reality channel showcasing the dramatic lives of peregrine falcons nesting atop a Melbourne skyscraper. This avian saga, often likened to ‘Game of Thrones,’ features airborne battles, courtship rituals, births, and even the occasional earthquake. The stars of the show are the falcons themselves, whose lives unfold 34 storeys above the bustling city streets. Currently, viewers are eagerly awaiting the moment when this year’s chicks, hatched in late September, take their first flight. Dr. Victor Hurley, founder of the Victorian Peregrine Project, explains that the mother falcon teases her chicks by flying past with prey, encouraging them to take the plunge. ‘She’s essentially saying, ‘You wanna eat? Well, you gotta fly,’ he remarks. This deliberate reduction in food helps the chicks develop the strength and agility needed for their first flight. The story of these falcons began in 1991 when Dr. Hurley discovered their nesting site on an office building at 367 Collins Street. Initially, the falcons struggled due to their eggs being laid in a metal gutter, which acted as a heat sink. Dr. Hurley recommended installing a nest box, which led to the successful hatching of three chicks the following year. In 1993, a CCTV camera was installed to observe the nest, and in 2017, a webcam was added, allowing ‘Nest-flix’ to be broadcast live on YouTube. The falcons’ Facebook fan page has since amassed over 50,000 members, creating a supportive online community. Kylie Humrick, a moderator of the group, notes that the page exploded in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering people a sense of connection to the natural world. Over the years, the nest has been home to six or seven different pairs of falcons, each fiercely territorial. The site is highly prized for its abundant food supply, including pigeons and sparrows. However, this desirability has led to dramatic conflicts, with ‘floaters’—unpaired falcons—attempting to claim the territory. In 2022, a male falcon was replaced by a younger bird after a weeks-long battle, and in 2023, the resident female sustained brain damage after a fight with another female. Despite these challenges, the falcons continue to thrive, symbolizing resilience in the urban environment. The chicks are expected to fledge soon, marking a significant milestone in their lives. Dr. Hurley hopes they take their time, as a rushed first flight could lead to accidents. Once they make their first kill, they will be on their own, potentially chased out of the territory by their parents. With a 60% mortality rate in the first year, life is tough for young peregrine falcons. Yet, those that survive can begin breeding at three years old, continuing the cycle of life. As the fledging approaches, excitement builds among the online community, with many eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this high-flying urban drama.