Free Republic

(AUSTRALIA'S) PRIME Minister John Howard has urged the United States to become more involved in international affairs, saying it is the only way to ensure world peace. Mr Howard made the plea to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during an official lunch at the State Department in Washington, a day after a private dinner with President George W. Bush. The prime minister has powered through a series of meetings with senior US officials, including Ms Rice, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Energy Secretary Sam Bodman and the new chairman of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke. Ms Rice opened the lunch...

PRIME Minister John Howard has regained popularity lost after pushing through his industrial relations reforms, the first Newspoll of 2006 shows. Meanwhile, Labor has lost the narrow lead it had at the end of last year, although Opposition Leader Kim Beazley is now in a personally stronger position, today's Australian newspaper reports. The poll revealed 52 per cent support for the Coalition with Mr Howard as leader on a two-party preferred basis, up three points since the end of 2005. Labor trails on 48 per cent, down three points from the end of last year. When it came to the...