NATO head eyes ‘strong message’ on Ukraine membership
NATO allies will make clear at their summit in Vilnius how Ukraine can become a member of the alliance in the future, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says.
international relations
Aussie democracy activist Kham freed from Vietnam jail
Chau Van Kham, a retired baker and pro-democracy activist from Sydney, has been released after spending four years in jail in Vietnam.
Albanese lays down the bottom line for EU trade deal
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insists he won't sign a European Union trade agreement without improved access to the common market for Australian farmers.
Lack of NATO timetable for Ukraine ‘absurd’: Zelenskiy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has criticised the absence of a timetable for his country's bid to join NATO as "unprecedented and absurd".
Activist to break silence after Vietnam jail release
Chau Van Kham will speak about his four years inside a prison in Vietnam following his release and return to Australia.
Vietnamese democracy activist grateful after release
During his four years in a Vietnamese prison Chau Van Kham was buoyed by supporters in Australia, who he knew would never stop advocating for his release.
Freed democracy activist knew family would not give up
As retired Sydney baker Chau Van Kham passed time watching lizards in a Vietnamese prison, he knew people back home were fighting tirelessly for his release.
Australia told to call out China corruption in Pacific
Western nations need to boost intelligence gathering in the Pacific and expose Chinese corruption to protect democracy in the region, a leading academic says.
New Zealand pushes back on Pacific-wide free movement
Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni says New Zealand is currently unable to consider pleas from the Pacific for free movement in the region.
Australia to ease visa rules to boost Indonesian ties
Visa rules have been loosened for Indonesian business travellers, following talks between Anthony Albanese and Joko Widodo in Sydney.
Citizenship door opens for Kiwis in Australia
New Zealanders living in Australia have plenty of reasons to take up pathways to citizenship; including job opportunities, disability support, or to vote.
Ghost flight accompanies New Zealand PM to China
A second, unused New Zealand Royal Air Force plane has shadowed Chris Hipkins to Asia to ensure the visiting Kiwi Prime Minister and delegation to China.
China lashes back as Biden labels Xi a ‘dictator’
US President Joe Biden's inflammatory comments calling his Chinese counterpart a "dictator" have been blasted by China and Russia.
Taiwan war would dwarf Ukraine conflict, says Morrison
As a new poll shows Australians remain concerned about China in the region amid rising tensions, Scott Morrison has again entered the debate.
Xi, Blinken agree to stabilise US-China relations
Both US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping said their talks showed 'progress' and a desire to stabilise relations.
Blinken to meet Xi during pivotal China trip
There are hopes US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping will help facilitate a meeting with President Joe Biden.
NZ PM Hipkins to meet Chinese president Xi
A New Zealand delegation of political and business leaders will depart for China on Sunday, with Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to meet with President Xi Jinping.
Security fears leave Russian embassy plans in ruins
Russia will not be allowed to build an embassy near Canberra's Parliament House over security concerns, with parliament quickly approving the ban.
PM hails ‘trust’ with Vietnam as China looms over Asia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met with top officials in Vietnam to discuss a climate change action package and relations with Beijing.
Calls for tougher punishment after Iran executions
Australia's Iranian community are calling for tougher action from the government and more support as their family members are executed and interrogated.
US Navy to commission new warship in Australia
The US is celebrating the first warship commissioned in an allied country, as Australia's trade minister visits America to boost investment and collaboration.
Australia determined to boost defence, clean power
Australia will work with its Quadrilateral Security Dialogue partners to strengthen security and shore up clean energy supply chains, the prime minister says.
Human rights abuses in spotlight during Indian PM visit
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is being urged to raise human rights abuses in India when he hosts his counterpart Narendra Modi.
PM announces Australia-India centre at Modi rally
Thousands of people at Sydney's Olympic Park have given the Australian and Indian prime ministers a rapturous welcome ahead of further talks between the pair.
Trade minister clears the air after China snub claims
Trade Minister Don Farrell says Australia will deal with Britain's application to a Pacific trade agreement before turning to China as Beijing pushes for entry.
Zelenskiy joins G7 as leaders take aim at Russia, China
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has arrived in Japan to attend the Group of Seven summit as leaders turn their attention to Russia and China.
Australia leads Quad partners meet on sidelines of G7
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is meeting with his Quad counterparts on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Japan.
PM calls out China coercion after trade ban movement
Australia has supported a statement by G7 nations expressing concerns over China's use of economic coercion and militarisation of the South China Sea.
Chinese envoy slams Quad, G7 as Canberra backs Biden
Beijing has hit out at the G7 and Quad forums for stoking anti-China sentiment as Australian ministers work to allay concerns over Washington's reliability.
G7 tackles Russia and China as Albanese lands in Japan
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Japan for the G7 summit, where Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's militarisation will be the focus of discussions.
G7 tackles Ukraine conflict against Hiroshima legacy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will reportedly travel to Japan to join the leaders of the world's advanced democracies at the G7 summit in Hiroshima.