Latest Penny Wong News
Middle East latest: Netanyahu says Israel has ‘settled its account’ with Sinwar
Israel says the top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been killed in a battle with Israeli forces in Gaza. Foreign Minister Katz called Sinwar’s killing a “military and moral achievement for the Israeli army.” Sinwar was a chief architect of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel...
Middle East latest: Israel faces mounting criticism over attacks on UN peacekeepers
Criticism mounted Monday over attacks on United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated the warning for them to temporarily leave the area where the military is operating against Hezbollah militants. The U.N. Security Council...
Middle East latest: UN ponders how to calm the conflict as Israel battles militants on two fronts
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting Wednesday to address the spiraling conflict in the Middle East. Iran’s ambassador to the U.N. said his country launched nearly 200 missiles at Israel on Tuesday as a deterrent to further Israeli violence, while his...
Japan and Australia agree to increase joint military training
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Japan and Australia agreed on Thursday to increase joint military training exercises as their government ministers shared concerns over China’s recent incursions into Japanese airspace and territorial waters. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and...
US leaders call for calm in the Middle East, even as more American forces head to the region
WASHINGTON (AP) — Calling for calm in the Middle East, top U.S. national security leaders said Tuesday that they and allies are directly pressing Israel, Iran and others to avoid escalating the conflict, even as the U.S. moved more troops to the region and threatened retaliation if American...
An Australian inquiry blames Israeli military failings for a fatal drone attack on a Gaza aid convoy
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Israeli military’s attack on an aid convoy in Gaza in April that killed seven people was the result of serious failures of defense procedures, mistaken identification and errors in decision-making, according to an Australian investigation that was made public...
Australia's foreign minister says Russia-North Korea defense deal is 'risky for the world'
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Australia’s foreign minister said Tuesday the recent defense deal between North Korea and Russia was “destabilizing” and “risky for the world,” after she visited the tense border village shared by North and South Korea on Tuesday. In June, North...
Blinken and envoys from Japan, Australia and India work to improve maritime safety in Asia-Pacific
TOKYO (AP) — Top diplomats from Japan, the U.S., Australia and India meeting Monday in Tokyo compiled a set of measures to reinforce maritime safety and cybersecurity and to support other Asia-Pacific countries in improving their defenses during growing tensions in the regional seas. ...
Israel-Hamas war latest: Netanyahu addresses Congress and vows to achieve 'total victory'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress in Washington on Wednesday as he sought to bolster the United States' support for his country’s fight against Hamas and other Iran-backed armed groups. Netanyahu has signaled that a cease-fire deal could be taking shape...