Leading 1-0 in the five-test Ashes series after a stunning two-day win in the first test at Perth, Australia has named an unchanged squad for the day-night second match at the Gabba in Brisbane starting Dec.

Australia captain Pat Cummins and fellow paceman Josh Hazlewood will sit out another Ashes test with injury while opening batter Usman Khawaja, who suffered back spasms in Perth, has been retained in an unchanged squad for the second match in Brisbane.

Australia is set to pass a landmark bill that will overhaul its environmental laws after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government secured support from the left-wing Greens party on the last sitting day of parliament for the year.

The government has said the three Meta platforms plus Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube must take reasonable steps to exclude Australian account holders younger than 16 or face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($32 million). Malaysia has also announced plans to ban social media accounts for children under 16 starting in 2026.

Australia has named an unchanged squad for the second Ashes Test, opting against rushing back premier fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Cum

Iran condemns Australia’s decision to label the IRGC a “state sponsor of terrorism,” calling it “unlawful” and “Israel-driven.”

Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane with the Test team but Steve Smith is listed as the squad’s skipper for next week’s pink ball game at the Gabba.

Australian home prices will rise more than previously expected in 2026, thanks to tight supply and resilient demand, according to a Reuters poll of analysts who said a lack of entry-level homes is still among the biggest barriers for first-time buyers.

Australia has a reputation for taking on tech giants, but experts worry about the impact of its world-first social media ban on privacy and shrinking spaces for youths.

Basketball Australia and its men's and women's professional leagues announced on Wednesday an online safety platform to help athletes and teams protect themselves from social media abuse. The move couldn't come any sooner for Scott Roth,

More and more Americans are eyeing Australia as their next home. Whether it's the promise of adventure, a change of scenery, or a better quality of life, there are plenty of reasons why the Land Down Under is becoming a popular destination for expats.