Blinken tells Australia that WikiLeaks founder is accused of 'very serious' crime
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has pushed back against Australian demands for an end to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assangeโs prosecution, saying the Australian citizen was accused of โvery serious criminal conductโ in publishing a trove of classified documents more than a decade ago.
Blinken says US economic support for Niger is at risk as military takeover threatens stability
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken says political instability in Niger resulting from a military takeover that deposed the country's president this week threatens Washington's economic support to the African nation.
Correction: Australia-Israel story
In a story published October 18, 2022, about Australia dropping its former recognition of west Jerusalem as Israel's capital, The Associated Press erroneously reported that Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government would again recognize Tel Aviv as the capital.
China's foreign minister starts Pacific tour in the Solomons
Chinaโs Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a 20-strong delegation have arrived in the Solomon Islands at the start of an eight-nation tour that comes amid growing concerns about Beijingโs military and financial ambitions in the South Pacific region.
Albanese elected Australia's leader in complex poll result
Australians awoke to a new prime minister in Anthony Albanese, the center-left Labor Party leader whose ascension to the nationโs top job from being raised in social housing by a single mother on a disability pension was said to reflect the country's changed fabric.
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Australian prime minister stands by minister accused of rape
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media in Sydney, Monday, March 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday stood by an unidentified Cabinet minister against calls for him to step down over an allegation he raped a 16-year-old girl more than 30 years ago. The allegation was contained in an anonymous letter sent to the prime ministerโs office and to three female lawmakers last week. The letter contained a statement from a complainant that detailed her allegation of a rape she said occurred in New South Wales state in 1988. Hammond and opposition Labor Party Sen. Penny Wong also received anonymous letters about the 1988 rape allegation.