In a stunning display of rugby prowess, France triumphed over Australia with a commanding 48-33 victory at the Stade de France, marking a historic low for the Wallabies. This defeat concludes Australia’s European tour without a single win for the first time in 67 years, adding to their string of losses against Italy, England, and Ireland earlier in the autumn. The Wallabies have now suffered their 10th defeat of the year, a record-breaking low for the team.
标签： Oceania
大洋洲
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Why this is England’s worst defeat in Australia in years
In a stunning display of cricketing prowess, Australia handed England a crushing defeat in the first Ashes Test at Perth Stadium, marking England’s worst Test loss in Australia in years. The match, which concluded in just two days, was the shortest Ashes Test since 1921, leaving English supporters reeling. Travis Head’s exceptional innings dismantled England’s attack, turning the tide in Australia’s favor. Despite England’s initial advantage, they collapsed spectacularly, losing by eight wickets. This defeat not only highlights England’s recurring struggles in Australia but also underscores Australia’s dominance in the Ashes series. The hosts now head to Brisbane for the second Test, where their formidable record in day-night matches poses a significant challenge for England. As England contemplates their next steps, questions linger about their ability to recover and compete in the remaining matches.
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Captain Cummins could return for second Ashes Test
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has expressed optimism about his potential return for the second Ashes Test against England, scheduled to begin on December 4 at Brisbane’s Gabba. The 32-year-old fast bowler missed the opening Test in Perth due to a back injury but has been making steady progress in his recovery. Despite his absence, Australia dominated the first Test, dismissing England for 172 and 164 in their two innings, with Mitchell Starc claiming 10 wickets to secure an emphatic eight-wicket victory within two days. Cummins, who was temporarily replaced by Steve Smith as captain and Scott Boland as a fast bowler, hinted at reclaiming both roles for the upcoming day-night Test. ‘It’s feeling good,’ Cummins stated during an interview on Fox Sports TV. ‘I had a couple of good sessions in Perth this week, and I’m on track. I’m half a chance for the next game.’ However, concerns remain over the fitness of top-order batsman Usman Khawaja, who injured his back during the first Test and was unable to open the innings. ‘Unfortunately, Uzzy is not moving too well,’ Cummins added. ‘His back flared up again in the slips, so he was unable to open.’ As Australia prepares for the second Test, Cummins’ potential return could bolster their already formidable lineup.
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Murder of Australian police not an act of religious terrorism, coroner finds
In a tragic incident that shook rural Queensland in December 2022, police constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow were ambushed and killed during a routine property visit. The attack, carried out by Nathaniel, Gareth, and Stacey Train, initially sparked fears of a religious terror attack. However, Queensland State Coroner Terry Ryan has now clarified that the ambush was not an act of terrorism, despite the perpetrators’ extremist beliefs and conspiracy-driven motives. The coroner’s findings, released on Friday, shed light on the events leading to the deadly confrontation. The Trains, described as religious fanatics and conspiracy theorists, had fortified their property and prepared for a lethal encounter, viewing any police intervention as an ‘evil advance.’ The attack unfolded when Arnold, McCrow, and two other officers arrived at the Wieambilla property, approximately 270km west of Brisbane, to investigate a missing person report. Upon approaching the house, the officers were met with a barrage of gunfire. Arnold and McCrow were fatally shot, while a third officer sustained a leg injury. A neighbor, Alan Dare, who arrived at the scene, was also killed. The coroner acknowledged that the responding officers were ill-equipped to handle the situation, emphasizing the Trains’ meticulous preparation for violence. The inquest revealed that Gareth Train’s anti-government and conspiracy theories had intensified over the years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to his increasing isolation and radicalization. The coroner also criticized the failure of New South Wales police to share critical information that could have alerted Queensland authorities to the potential danger. In his recommendations, Ryan called for enhanced police safety measures, including the use of drones for risk assessments in remote areas. The incident has reignited debates over gun control in Australia, with experts warning of the erosion of strict regulations introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
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Streaming platform Twitch added to Australia’s teen social media ban
Australia’s groundbreaking social media ban targeting users under 16 has now extended its reach to include Twitch, the popular livestreaming platform predominantly used by gamers. The ban, set to take effect on December 10, mandates that platforms like Twitch must prevent under-16s from creating new accounts and deactivate existing ones by January 9. Twitch, owned by Amazon, joins other major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat in this regulatory measure.
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Australia is banning social media for kids under 16. How will it work?
Australia has become the first country in the world to implement a comprehensive ban on social media use for individuals under the age of 16, effective from December 10. The groundbreaking policy, widely supported by parents, mandates social media companies to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent under-16s from creating accounts and to deactivate or remove existing ones. The government aims to shield children from the ‘pressures and risks’ associated with social media, including harmful content and behaviors such as cyberbullying, grooming, and exposure to misogynistic or self-harm-promoting material. A recent government study revealed that 96% of children aged 10-15 use social media, with 70% encountering harmful content. The ban currently applies to nine major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, though platforms like YouTube Kids and WhatsApp are exempt. Social media companies face fines of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance, but critics question the effectiveness of age verification technologies and the adequacy of penalties. While some platforms, like Meta, have begun implementing measures, others remain silent on their compliance strategies. The ban has sparked debates about its potential to isolate teens and drive them to unregulated corners of the internet. Despite concerns, the government asserts that the legislation includes robust data protection measures. Australia’s pioneering move is being closely watched by other nations, many of which are exploring similar restrictions to safeguard young users.
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‘I made mistakes on TV, he made his on a field’
As the highly anticipated Ashes series approaches, tensions between former England spinner Monty Panesar and Australian stand-in captain Steve Smith have escalated, with both cricketers trading pointed remarks. The verbal sparring began when Smith, during a pre-match press conference in Perth, mocked Panesar’s 2019 appearance on the BBC quiz show ‘Celebrity Mastermind,’ where the Englishman famously struggled with general knowledge questions. Smith quipped, ‘Anyone who believes Athens is in Germany or Oliver Twist is a season shouldn’t be taken seriously.’ Panesar, however, fired back by referencing Smith’s involvement in the 2018 ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal, which led to his temporary removal as Australia’s captain. ‘I made my mistakes on a quiz show; he made his on a cricket field,’ Panesar remarked in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live. The former England bowler also suggested that Smith’s focus on his quiz show performance might indicate that England is already ‘in his head.’ Panesar, who played 50 Tests for England, expressed surprise at Smith’s decision to bring up the Mastermind episode, expecting a more measured response. He speculated that the Australian’s reaction could open the door for England to exploit psychological vulnerabilities during the series. The first Ashes Test begins on Friday at Perth Stadium, with Smith leading Australia in the absence of Pat Cummins, who is sidelined with a back injury. The exchange has added an extra layer of intrigue to the storied rivalry between the two cricketing nations.
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US congress calls Australia’s internet regulator to testify
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, is under scrutiny from US Republican Congressman Jim Jordan, who has requested her testimony before the US Congress. Jordan, chair of the Committee of the Judiciary, expressed concerns that Australia’s Online Safety Act (OSA) enforcement is impinging on free speech in the United States. In a letter to Inman Grant, Jordan criticized her as a ‘noted zealot for global takedowns’ and accused her of overreaching by applying Australian laws extraterritorially, which he claims threatens American citizens’ speech rights. He has demanded her appearance by December 2, just before Australia’s social media ban for under-16s takes effect. A spokesperson for Inman Grant stated that she is considering the request, emphasizing that her role is to enforce Australian laws and that she is accountable to Australia’s Minister for Communications and Parliament. The spokesperson also clarified that eSafety’s actions do not restrict American companies from displaying content to Americans. Jordan’s letter referenced Inman Grant’s past legal actions against Elon Musk’s X platform, where she sought the removal of videos depicting a Sydney church stabbing, deemed a terrorist incident, from global users. Although X initially refused to comply, it later blocked the videos in Australia. Jordan also accused Inman Grant of collaborating with pro-censorship entities in the US to promote ‘global censorship regimes’ and criticized her speech at Stanford University, labeling it as ‘troubling’ and indicative of efforts to censor lawful American speech. He warned that such global content takedown orders could set a dangerous precedent for other governments to follow.
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Turkey set to host COP31 after reaching compromise with Australia
In a surprising turn of events, Turkey has been selected to host the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, following Australia’s decision to withdraw its bid. The announcement came during the ongoing COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, where negotiations led to an unprecedented compromise. Under UN regulations, the hosting rights for COP31 were to be awarded to a group of countries including Western Europe and Australia, but neither party was initially willing to concede. After intense discussions, Australia agreed to support Turkey’s bid in exchange for its climate minister, Chris Bowen, chairing the talks. This arrangement marks a departure from the traditional practice of the COP president being from the host country, raising questions about how this partnership will function in practice. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the agreement as an ‘outstanding result,’ emphasizing the importance of Pacific issues in the global climate agenda. However, some Pacific leaders, including Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko, expressed disappointment over Australia’s withdrawal. The compromise ensures that a pre-COP meeting will be held on a Pacific island, while the main event takes place in Turkey. The decision has been welcomed by delegates at COP30, who were concerned about the potential embarrassment of failing to reach an agreement. Turkey’s bid was bolstered by its decision to step aside in 2021, allowing the UK to host COP26 in Glasgow. If no compromise had been reached, the event would have been held in Bonn, Germany, the headquarters of the UN’s climate body. The agreement is expected to be ratified by the 190+ countries attending COP30, with no significant objections anticipated.
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Tennis Australia and playersâ association near deal
In a significant development for the world of tennis, Tennis Australia (TA) and the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) are reportedly close to reaching a settlement in a high-profile lawsuit filed earlier this year. The PTPA, co-founded by Novak Djokovic in 2020 to advocate for player rights, initiated legal action against the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, and the four Grand Slam tournaments, accusing them of anti-competitive practices and neglecting player welfare. The lawsuit, lodged in March 2025, seeks to dismantle what the PTPA describes as ‘monopolistic control’ over the sport, particularly concerning prize money caps and tournament scheduling. In September, the case expanded to include the French Tennis Federation, the All England Club, and the US Tennis Association, which oversee the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, respectively. A recent letter to the United States Southern District Court in New York revealed that TA and the PTPA are engaged in ‘substantive and productive bilateral settlement discussions,’ prompting a request to pause proceedings against TA while negotiations continue. However, the lawsuit remains active against the other defendants. The PTPA has emphasized its preference for an out-of-court settlement, aiming to reform the sport rather than prolong litigation. The ATP and WTA have dismissed the lawsuit as ‘baseless’ and ‘without merit,’ arguing that it distracts from their mission to support players and grow the sport. With the Australian Open set to begin on January 12, 2026, the potential settlement could mark a turning point in the ongoing battle for player rights and governance in professional tennis.