Saudi Arabian authorities Wednesday announced the convictions of 330 people accused of taking part in terrorist plots, with an unspecified number receiving prison sentences. An Australian, identified by the Australian government as Stern Hu, had been held along with three Chinese co-workers since Sunday, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said. He said the reason for Hu's detention "came as a surprise" to the Australian government. "We've raised our concerns with the Chinese Embassy in Canberra," said opposition leader Malcolm ...

Four employees of the Shanghai office of Australia's Rio Tinto, the world's second-largest mining company, have been arrested over allegedly stealing China's state secrets, the Shanghai state security authority said Thursday, according to Xinhua. An Australian, identified by the Australian government as Stern Hu, had been held along with three Chinese co-workers since Sunday, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said. He said the reason for Hu's detention "came as a surprise" to the Australian government. "We've raised our concerns ...

A deal between mining giant Rio Tinto and Chinalco, a state-owned Chinese aluminum company, was called off after it became a hot-button issue in Australian politics. Meanwhile, Rio Tinto announced it has signed a non-binding agreement with BHP Billiton for iron ore production in Western Australia. BHP will pay $5.8 billion when the deal is closed, a Rio Tinto announcement said. The $19.5 billion deal with Chinalco was signed in February and was awaiting a June review by Australia's Foreign ...