East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Trump singles out Australia as he criticizes allies on Iran war support ABC News (Australia) The US president said he was “surprised” by Australia’s refusal to help the US secure the Strait of Hormuz, while again lashing out at NATO allies for their inaction. He extended a deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and said it would face its “worst nightmare” if it did not agree…
East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Migrants say new laws stopping temporary migration from war-torn countries ‘a slap in the face’ ABC News (Australia) Iranians in Australia have criticized new laws that will let the government block the arrival of temporary visa holders from war-torn countries. The federal government says the laws will protect the “integrity and sustainability” of Australia’s immigration system. Home Affairs officials have flagged that people in Iran with temporary visas for…
East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Australian trade in jeopardy as Middle East ‘war risk’ costs surge ABC News (Australia) Australian exporters are struggling to get products into the Gulf and further into Europe as the war in the Middle East continues. They are facing increased costs due to emergency freight surcharges. Economists say surging shipping costs will be passed onto consumers, pushing inflation further and raising the risk of higher interest rates. Cambodia: Cambodia protests Thailand’s ‘illegal’ constructions…
East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Pauline Hanson issues partial apology for suggesting there are no ‘good’ Muslims ABC (Australia) Pauline Hanson has issued a partial and heavily qualified apology for suggesting that there are no “good” Muslims. The One Nation leader said she would not apologize for speaking out against radical Islam and the threat she believed it posed to Australia. Cambodia: Cambodia-Thailand border spat gains global attention at Board of Peace meeting The…
East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Support firms for Angus Taylor to win Liberal leadership, though Ley expected to achieve ‘good result’ ABC News (Australia) Backers of Angus Taylor and of Sussan Ley acknowledge that support is firming for Mr. Taylor to become Liberal leader. Senator James McGrath, who supported Ley last ballot, declared his intention to support a leadership spill on Wednesday afternoon. Cambodia: 319 more foreigners deported in online scam crackdown – brings total to 1379 in last…
East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Bushfire warning downgraded for blaze in Darlington, Helena Valley in Perth’s eastern suburbs ABC (Australia) Authorities have downgraded a bushfire in Perth’s hills from emergency level to watch and act, with firefighters saying the blaze was stationary. Multiple aerial water bombers were sent to battle the bushfire on Friday afternoon after it had put lives and homes under threat. Cambodia: Police arrest more than 400 in major human trafficking…
East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Coalition splits for second time since election after Nationals quit shadow cabinet ABC (Australia) Nationals Leader David Littleproud says his party’s alliance with the Liberal Party has ended, with no Nationals willing to serve in a shadow cabinet under Sussan Ley. The relationship unraveled this week after the Nationals agreed to vote against hate laws supported by the Liberal Party. Brunei: Stronger ties formed to combat cross-border cybercrime Borneo…
East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Liberal Party formally abandons net zero by 2050 climate target ABC (Australia) The Liberal Party has agreed to formally abandon its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, a day after the majority of members came out in support of scrapping the climate target. A meeting of Liberal shadow ministers on Thursday also decided to repeal Labor’s 2030 emissions reduction legislation but determined to remain in the Paris Agreement…
East Asia & the Pacific Australia: At least three nations ‘willing to kill’ on Australian soil, spy chief says ABC (Australia) At least three nations are willing and capable of carrying out an assassination on Australian soil, the nation’s spy chief has warned. In a major address, Mike Burgess has also spelled out his concerns about the rise of AI, and a plot to steal AUKUS secrets. Cambodia: Thailand says it remains ready to redeploy heavy…
East Asia & the Pacific Australia: ‘Very popular’: Albanese’s glow sends an important message to China SBS News (Australia) Bilateral talks between Australia and the United States are the domestic focus today, but they are also a significant step in the process of shoring up friendships as US President Donald Trump prepares for another one-on-one meeting. A deal struck in Washington to rival China’s critical minerals dominance and the full-throated support for the AUKUS submarines, commissioned to…
