A man identified by media as an Australian-Israeli Mossad agent and found hanged in a Tel Aviv jail had passed secrets to Hizbullah before his death, an influential German magazine reported Sunday.

News weekly Der Spiegel said Ben Zygier, a man known as "Prisoner X" who died in 2010 in an allegedly suicide-proof cell, had handed tips to Hizbullah that led to the arrest of at least two people spying for Israel.

Technology giants including Apple and Microsoft on Friday defended their pricing policy in Australia at an official inquiry launched over concerns that they were overcharging customers.

Australians, on average, are forking out 34 percent more for software, 52 percent more for iTunes music, 88 percent more for Wii games and 41 percent more for hardware than U.S. consumers, according to consumer lobby group Choice.

U.S. talk show star Ellen DeGeneres arrived in Australia on Friday, declaring she was happy enough to "kiss the ground" as she began a six-day visit officials are hoping will help boost tourism.

Hundreds of cheering fans greeted the American wit after she touched down in Sydney, a moment she had earlier announced in a tweeted "made it to Australia" message written upside down.

More than 20 people were injured when a tornado tore through communities in Australia, with witnesses Friday saying it felt like a bomb going off.

The fierce storm hit several towns in Victoria state late Thursday.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard faced down a leadership challenge Thursday, emerging victorious from a party vote after former leader Kevin Rudd made a last-minute decision not to run.

In a tense day of political maneuvering, Gillard called the shock ballot as internal unrest reached fever pitch in the ruling Labor party which is floundering ahead of general elections in September.

President Thein Sein on Monday became Myanmar's first head of state to visit Australia since 1974, winning aid and defense concessions as he reaps new fruits of his liberalization policies.

As the once pariah country approaches the second anniversary of a quasi-civilian regime led by the ex-general taking power, Canberra said it was increasing its support to recognize the reforms.

Australia's second-largest city Melbourne could possibly have the tallest building in the southern hemisphere after approval Monday for a new 388-meter (1,280 foot) apartment and hotel complex.

The Victorian state government said Australia 108 would become the world's 19th tallest building on completion and would be "an outstanding addition to Melbourne's skyline".

Australia's largest casino has alerted police to a betting scam in which a high-roller reportedly netted Aus$32 million (US$33 million) in an "Ocean's Eleven" style heist.

Melbourne's Herald-Sun newspaper Friday said a foreigner staying at the Crown Casino was involved in the sting which it believes accessed the venue's own surveillance cameras, which are constantly trained on players and croupiers.

Vandals have damaged the wreck of a Japanese mini submarine that famously attacked Sydney Harbor during World War II, stealing parts and protected relics, authorities said on Thursday.

The crews from two of the three vessels involved in the assault scuttled their boats and committed suicide but the fate of the third was unknown until 2006 when scuba divers discovered it off Sydney's northern beaches.

The son of Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, sought a Aus$15 million (U.S.$15.4 million) "sorry payment" from his mother for how had she treated him over the years, a report said Wednesday.

Iron ore billionaire Rinehart is embroiled in a legal battle with two of her four children, including son John Hancock, over control of a family trust reportedly worth Aus$4 billion.