The captain of the Norwegian cargo ship, who was forbidden from landing in Australia with the 400 refugees he rescued, says he was “surprised and disappointed” by Australia’s handling of the crisis.

Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia has pleaded with the Australian Government to accept Afghan asylum seekers stranded aboard a cargo ship.

Elite troops today boarded a Norwegian cargo ship carrying 438 refugees after its captain defied orders banning it from entering Australian territorial waters.

Hundreds of refugees have gone on a hunger strike aboard a Norwegian cargo boat, threatening to jump overboard if Australia continues to refuse them entry.