Latest Australia government News
Secretary of State Rubio on Day 1 meets with Quad countries focused on countering China’s influence
BANGKOK (AP) — On his first full day as secretary of state, Marco Rubio is meeting with his counterparts from a group of countries known as the Quad, which is made up of the United States plus India, Japan and Australia, representing nearly 2 billion people and more than a third of global GDP....
Rubio will meet with peers from India, Japan, Australia after expected confirmation, officials say
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration would begin formal international engagements this week when Marco Rubio — expected to be confirmed soon as secretary of state — meets with the foreign ministers of India, Japan and Australia, U.S. officials say. The so-called Quad...
Australia's prime minister demands Russia explain what happened to Australian POW
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday his government will take the “strongest action possible” if Russia has harmed an Australian who was taken prisoner while fighting for Ukraine. Video posted on social media in December...
Wildfires latest: New evacuation order issued as Archer Fire sparks in San Fernando Valley
Firefighters are hoping for a break Friday from the fierce winds that have fueled massive blazes in the Los Angeles area, killing 10 people, obliterating whole neighborhoods and setting the nation’s second-largest city on edge. On Thursday afternoon, the Kenneth Fire started in the...
Australian woman who says she is the Philippine president's half-sister appears in a Sydney court
SYDNEY (AP) — An Australian woman who says she is the half-sister of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appeared in a Sydney court on Friday on charges of causing a drunken disturbance on an airliner and pledged not to drink alcohol at airports or on planes while she is on bail. ...
A seaplane crashes off an Australian tourist island, killing 3 and injuring 3 others
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A seaplane crashed during takeoff from an Australian tourist island, killing three people including Swiss and Danish tourists and injuring three others. Only one of the seven people aboard the Cessna 208 Caravan was rescued without injury after the crash...
Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU
BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke said the inexpensive e-cigarettes had turned into a health threat...
Japan Cabinet OKs record defense budget as it pushes strike-back capability to deter regional threat
TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese Cabinet on Friday approved a record 8.7 trillion yen ($55 billion) defense budget for 2025 as Japan accelerates building up its strike-back capability with long-range cruise missiles and starts deploying Tomahawks to fortify itself against growing threats from China,...
Australia approves extradition of former US Marine over alleged training of Chinese military pilots
NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) — Former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Duggan will be extradited from Australia to the United States over allegations that he illegally trained Chinese aviators. Australia’s Attorney General Mark Dreyfus approved the extradition on Monday, ending the...
Australia announces $118 million deal to enhance policing in Solomon Islands
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia announced on Friday it will pay for more police in Solomon Islands and create a police training center in the South Pacific island nation’s capital Honiara, where Chinese law enforcement instructors are already based under a bilateral security pact with...
