Latest Penny Wong News

Japan and Australia agree to increase joint military training

Sep. 05, 2024 06:50 AM EDT

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

Aug. 06, 2024 20:03 PM EDT

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

Aug. 02, 2024 03:33 AM EDT

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'

Jul. 30, 2024 04:44 AM EDT

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

Jul. 29, 2024 09:30 AM EDT

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'

Jul. 25, 2024 01:36 AM EDT

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

Jun. 27, 2024 00:30 AM EDT

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...