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The granite-and-bronze memorial of the British explorer in Melbourne has been a target of vandals previously, with red paint also thrown over it in 2022 (file image)

Australia removes repeatedly vandalised James Cook statue

The Australian city of Melbourne will not replace a damaged monument to British explorer James Cook, a local mayor has said, for fear it will inevitably be vandalised again.

World • 15 May

Police said the teenager entered Avalon Airport through a hole in a perimeter fence

Armed teen tackled by passengers on plane in Australia

Passengers in Australia have overpowered a 17-year-old boy with a shotgun and ammunition as he tried to board a plane.

World • 06 Mar

Debris on Chapel Street in Melbourne after the earthquake

Panic in Melbourne as rare earthquake hits city

A rare earthquake has rattled southeastern Australia, shaking buildings, knocking down walls and sending panicked Melbourne residents running into the streets.

World • 22 Sep 21

More than 1,000 demonstrators wearing work boots and hi-vis jackets marched through the centre of Melbourne

Clashes in Melbourne during anti-vaccine protests

Police in Melbourne used pepper spray, foam baton rounds and rubber ball grenades to disperse a violent protest against mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for construction workers.

Coronavirus • 21 Sep 21

Australia's economy grew 0.7% in the three months from April to June as household spending and government expenditure jumped

Australian growth beats forecasts in second quarter

Australia's economy expanded more than expected in the second quarter, easing concerns that the country could suffer a double-dip recession as it battles a fresh wave of Covid infections thanks to a pick-up in domestic demand.

Business • 01 Sep 21

Melbourne is 'on the right track' to lift its lockdown early on Wednesday

Two Australian cities eye end of virus lockdowns

Coronavirus lockdowns are likely to be lifted in two major Australian cities this week, authorities said today, as outbreaks of the Delta variant were brought under control.

Coronavirus • 26 Jul 21

Some medics in Barcelona have attributed the jump in cases to a lifting of restrictions and a rise in tourism

Barcelona to impose night curfew to fight virus surge

Barcelona and other cities in Spain's northeastern Catalonia region will impose a night-time curfew to fight a surge in virus cases.

World • 16 Jul 21

Melbourne entered its 11th day of a hard lockdown after officials on Friday found the Delta virus variant for the first time among infections

Further Melbourne lockdown 'not off the table'

The Australian state of Victoria has reported its biggest rise in new locally acquired Covid-19 cases in nearly a week as authorities scramble to track the source of the highly infectious Delta (Indian) variant found among infections.

Coronavirus • 07 Jun 21

A person walks along a very quiet Flinders Street in Melbourne

Melbourne extends lockdown as 'Kappa' variant spreads

Melbourne was ordered to remain in lockdown for another week, as Australian authorities try to stamp out a quick-spreading coronavirus strain they described as an "absolute beast".

Coronavirus • 02 Jun 21

Schools, pubs and restaurants are set to close, while gatherings will be banned and mask-wearing made mandatory

Millions in Melbourne ordered into snap Covid lockdown

More than five million people in Australia's second-biggest city of Melbourne have been ordered into a snap week-long lockdown, as officials blamed a slow vaccine roll-out and hotel quarantine failures for another virus outbreak.

Coronavirus • 27 May 21

A man cleans as restaurants and cafes prepare for opening in Melbourne

No new virus cases in Melbourne for second day running

Melbourne has recorded its second consecutive day with no new coronavirus cases, as bars and restaurants in the epicentre of Australia's second-wave outbreak prepare to reopen after a lengthy lockdown.

Coronavirus • 27 Oct 20

Police and army patrols are seen in the Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne today

Australian state to impose fines to compel isolation

Australia's second-most populous state Victoria has said that anyone breaking Covid-19 isolation orders will face hefty fines, as high as $20,000 (€12,150), and that more military personnel will be deployed to fight the spread of the virus.

World • 04 Aug 20

Police and soldiers patrol the docklands in Melbourne as increased restrictions come into effect

Curfew imposed in Melbourne as coronavirus cases rise

Australia's second-largest city has imposed an overnight curfew to halt the spread of coronavirus cases, as South Africa's infection count topped more than half a million.

Coronavirus • 02 Aug 20

The state of Victoria has ordered all residents to wear face-coverings outside

Australia reports record spike in coronavirus cases

Australia recorded its worst day in the Covid-19 pandemic with at least 13 deaths and more than 700 new infections, mainly in Victoria.

Coronavirus • 30 Jul 20

A resident of Epping Gardens nursing home is transferred to a waiting ambulance

Australia deploys disaster teams to nursing homes

Australia is deploying disaster-relief teams to nursing homes in Melbourne overwhelmed by a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths, officials said.

Coronavirus • 29 Jul 20

Police in Victoria state have handed out more than 500 fines in six days, totalling Aus$902,000

Melbourne police fine Pokemon Go fans and KFC diners

Pokemon Go enthusiasts and KFC guests are among hundreds of people fined since Melbourne entered a second Covid-19 lockdown, police have said.

News Lens • 15 Jul 20

Michelle O'Donnell has been living in Australia for 12 years

Irish in Melbourne: 'We have never felt so far away'

Irish people in Melbourne have expressed frustration and worry over a possible second Covid-19 wave in Australia's second biggest city.

Coronavirus • 08 Jul 20

A field hospital has been set up in Lerida

Covid-19 lockdowns imposed in Catalonia and Melbourne

Spain's northeastern Catalonia region has locked down an area with around 200,000 residents near the town of Lerida following a surge in cases of the new coronavirus.

Coronavirus • 04 Jul 20

George Pell arriving at the Supreme Court of Victoria to hear its ruling

Cardinal Pell loses child sex abuse conviction appeal

Convicted paedophile George Pell had his appeal against child sex abuse charges rejected by an Australian court.

World • 21 Aug 19

The surgery did not have any affect on the patients' trunk control

Arm function restored in some paralysed patients: study

Surgeons in Australia have managed to restore arm function in paralysed patients, allowing them to feed themselves, use tools and handle electronic devices, according to the results of a groundbreaking study.

Health • 05 Jul 19

Uber said it will begin test flights of the pilotless aircraft in Melbourne and US cities Dallas and Los Angles in 2020

Uber picks Melbourne as test site for flying taxi

Uber Technologies said it will use Australia's second-largest city, Melbourne, as the first international test site for the group's planned flying taxi service.

Business • 12 Jun 19

Singapore Airlines has apologised to Bradley Button

Australian passenger finds tooth in meal on flight

An Australian passenger discovered a suspected human tooth in a meal on a Singapore Airlines flight, prompting the carrier to apologise and open an investigation.

World • 28 Feb 19

Emergency service personnel leave the building where the Korean consulate is located in Melbourne

Man charged over suspicious packages sent to embassies

Australian police have charged a 49-year-old man for sending as many as 38 packages containing a hazardous material to diplomatic embassies and consulates across the country.

World • 10 Jan 19

Hazmat and fire crews work outside the Indian and French consulates in Melbourne

Suspicious packages sent to embassies in Australia

Police in Australia are investigating suspicious packages sent to a wide range of embassies and consulates, which officials said included the US and British missions in Melbourne, but there were no reports of harm to staff

World • 09 Jan 19

Police said the men had been inspired by Islamic State rather than being directed by the militant group

Three held in Australia over plans for 'mass' attack

Australian police have arrested three men who were allegedly preparing to attack the public in Melbourne, less than two weeks after a man killed one person in Australia's second-largest city.

World • 20 Nov 18