Australia
Key facts, figures and dates (full story...)

Cane toads aren't quite the bad guys we thought
It's invaded Australia, but the cane toad has not triggered the ecological catastrophe that some predicted (full story...)

Only one Schleck as Luxembourg names worlds team
AFP - Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck has not been selected for the world road race cycling championships to be held in Australia later this month, the national federation said Thursday. (full story...)

Australian mine tax uncertainty to last into 2011
Reuters - Uncertainty over the shape of Australia's controversial mining tax is likely to last well into 2011 after national elections which returned the country's first minority government since World War Two. (full story...)

2 charged in Australia after python wrestling demo
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Two men were arrested after bewildered diners at a McDonald's spotted them wrestling a 5-foot (1.5 meter) python named Boris in the restaurant parking lot, police said Thursday.... (full story...)

Total takes 20 pct stake in Australia gas project
AFP - French energy giant Total has paid a little over 625 million euros for a 20-percent stake in a major liquified natural gas project in Australia, two of the other companies involved announced Thursday. (full story...)

Australia regulator blocks NAB's $12 billion AXA unit bid
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's competition regulator blocked National Australia Bank's $12 billion bid for AXA Asia Pacific for a second time, dashing NAB's efforts to cement its dominance in the world's fourth-largest wealth management market. (full story...)

New 360 controller given the green light in Australia
Microsoft's new gamepad for Xbox 360 comes Down Under on November 9 for A$99.95. (full story...)

Circus Fish-Swallowing Act Dropped in Australia
SYDNEY (AP) -- A Russian circus touring Australia has dropped an act in which a performer swallows a live fish then regurgitates it after complaints that it was in poor taste and inhumane. (full story...)

Australia's new crop of lawmakers meet in Canberra
AP - Among the newly elected legislators congregating for the first time Thursday at Parliament House were Australia's first Muslim lawmaker, its youngest-ever at 20 years old and the first Aboriginal in the House of Representatives. (full story...)