Latest Penny Wong News
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...
Australian leaders cautiously welcome expected plea that could bring WikiLeaks founder Assange home
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian leaders cautiously welcomed an expected plea agreement that could set free Julian Assange, who was pursued for years over WikiLeaks' publication of a trove of classified documents. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday there was...
Australia boosting aid to Papua New Guinea for landslide recovery and security
NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) — Australia will provide a further 2 million Australian dollars ($1.3 million) to support reconstruction efforts in Papua New Guinea after last month's deadly landslide, the government said Thursday. The South Pacific island nation off Australia's northern...
Chinese premier promises more pandas and urges Australia to put aside differences
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday promised a new pair of giant pandas to a zoo and urged Australia to set aside its differences with Beijing at the outset of the first visit to the country by China's second-highest ranking leader in seven years. ...
Chinese premier lands in Australia on first such visit in 7 years
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Australia on Saturday on a relations-mending mission with panda diplomacy, rock lobsters and China’s global dominance in the critical minerals sector high on the agenda. His visit is the first by a Chinese premier in...
