Thousands of Yazidi refugees who have fled a jihadist onslaught in Iraq have pleaded for international assistance, as Australia prepares to deliver humanitarian supplies to Iraq within days. Read more: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2014-08-14/iraq-crisis-yazidis-plead-for-international-assistance-as-australia-prepares-for-humanitarian-role/1356418

The Australian government’s power to detain asylum seekers on the high seas and send them to other countries still needs to be determined, a High Court judge says. Lawyers for 157 asylum seekers who were detained on an Australian Customs…

AN Iranian asylum seeker has been flown to an Australian hospital after reportedly attempting suicide at the Manus Island detention centre. The incident and medical evacuation occurred last week, director of refugee advocacy group Humanitarian Research Partners Ben Pynt told…

The Australian government may be considering the acceptance of as much as 4000 Iraqis and Syrians as refugees after the Anglican Bishop of Melbourne called for their protection. The new Anglican Primate of Australia, Philip Freier, wrote to Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Immigration Minister Scott Morrison…

Whether it is the classical work of Chopin, or the hard rock of ACDC music has the ability to convey raw human emotion across the world, regardless of race, religion or language. But what happens if you are an artist…

A young woman who fled war-torn Sudan just three years ago with little English and almost no schooling is now on her way to realising her dream of becoming a chef. After completing the AMES Youth Program, Nyanthuk Chol has…

Children’s books published in Britain still don’t reflect the cultural diversity of the country’s children and would-be authors, according to leading children’s writer Malorie Blackman. Ms Blackman’s own best-known books, the Noughts and Crosses trilogy, tackle racism, teenage sex and…

Migrants and refugees from India and the Middle East feel most welcome in Australia while people from China are the most eager to start a business. Chinese migrants cited their children’s future as the most important reason for coming to…

Sick asylum seekers on Christmas Island are being offered videoconference appointments with specialists on the Australian mainland after damning evidence showed the deplorable state of medical services in immigration detention. Fairfax Media understands at least one young woman on Christmas…

Twelve months ago no Hazara lived in the south-east Queensland town of Toowoomba but now there are 200 women and their dependents starting a new life in Australia. Read more: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/08/10/regional-australia-opens-its-arms-risk-women-refugees

People with Asian backgrounds are significantly under-represented at the higher reaches of corporate Australia, and the “bamboo ceiling” is hurting business in the Asian Century, according to a new report by Diversity Council Australia. The council found that while 9.3 per…

Refugees in Australia are adequately housed – with none actually homeless – but they struggle with private rental costs and most find home ownership beyond their reach, according to new research. A new study also found that while almost all…