Australia ditches 'out of date' knights

Australia has removed knights and dames from the national honors system, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Monday, dismissing the ancient titles as "not appropriate" in the modern age.

Knights and dames were unexpectedly revived last year by then-prime minister and ardent monarchist Tony Abbott - prompting accusations he was in a "time warp" and out of touch with voters.

Turnbull, an outspoken republican, had been widely expected to dump the titles ever since he replaced Abbott in a conservative Liberal Party coup in September.