SECRETARY OF STATE RICE HOLDS A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS DOWNER

SYDNEY, March 2 (UPI) -- Australia reportedly must wait at least a decade to pursue a seat on the United Nations Security Council because of a previous administration's decision.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- The dramatic progress posted by nations such as the United States, Russia, Israel, Japan, India and even Iran in ballistic missile defense was balanced by the complacency for loss of political will on the issue in many other countries. For every "hare" nation on BMD in 2007, there was also a "tortoise."

SYDNEY, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- A handful of government ministers is vying to lead Australia's Liberal Party, which lost its two most senior officeholders in last week's elections.

SEATTLE, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The writing had been on the wall for over a year. But even 48 hours ago I did not quite believe that Prime Minister Howard would lose the Australian federal elections. I certainly didn’t believe he would lose his own parliamentary seat; he hasn’t -- yet -- but it is too close to call.

SYDNEY, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard has called for an early return to democracy in Pakistan.

SYDNEY, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- The military leader of Fiji has agreed to have elections in early 2009.

SYDNEY, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush, during his first full day in Australia, signed a defense trade cooperation treaty with Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

PRETORIA, South Africa, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The South African home affairs minister suggested Tuesday that refugees from Zimbabwe be given temporary residence permits.

CANBERRA, Australia, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Australia’s National Security Committee has approved a move to sell uranium to India.

CANBERRA, Australia, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Australia looks set to end its ban on selling uranium to India if New Delhi’s civilian nuclear deal with Washington is approved.