By Middle East correspondent Matthew Doran In short: Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu says Hamas’s proposed plan for disarming is “unacceptable”, rejecting the Trump administration’s plans to end fighting in the Palestinian territory. Announcing the deal last week, US President Donald Trump claimed Israel was “very happy” about it. But the deal has been sharply […]
Category: World News
Posted inWorld News
Top U.S admiral warns against coercion, says no nation will dominate Indo-Pacific
KUALA LUMPUR, 04 AUGUST 2026 (AP) — The head of U.S Pacific Command said Monday that coercive actions by China and other actors are challenging regional stability, warning the United States will not allow any nation to dominate the Indo-Pacific. Admiral Samuel Paparo said some actors were using “false claims of legitimacy” to justify intimidation […]
Posted inWorld News
Strait of Hormuz disruption hits energy, fertiliser and industrial trade
GENEVA, 05 AUGUST 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) —Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has exposed the vulnerability of global trade to a single maritime chokepoint, with early data showing sharp falls in exports of energy, fertilisers and industrial products. Exports of natural gas dropped by a staggering 95 percent. The finding comes in analysis published […]
Posted inWorld News
Taiwan launches annual war games as pressure from China grows
TAIPEI, 06 AUGUST 2026 (AFP)—Taiwan’s largest military drills of the year began Wednesday as the island democracy attempts to prepare its population for a potential Chinese invasion. The annual “Han Kuang” exercise, which runs from 05-14 August, stages combat scenarios for troops and reservists to practise responding to an attack on the island, defence officials […]
Posted inWorld News
Taiwan to stop buying PNG gas on spot market over ‘One China’ spat
By foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic and Papua New Guinea correspondent Marian Faa In short: Taiwan has suspended some imports of Papua New Guinea’s liquid natural gas worth an estimated $800 million amid a diplomatic dispute. PNG’s foreign minister announced earlier this month Taiwan’s de-facto embassy in Port Moresby would be shut down in “recognition” of his country’s […]
Posted inWorld News
Japan’s earthquake death toll rises amid ongoing search for survivors
By North Asia correspondent Natalie Whiting and Akane Saiki in Kumamoto In short: (ABC-Australia) At least 23 people have died following the earthquake, according to the Kumamoto prefectural government, with local authorities reporting several others are in a critical condition. More than 100 aftershocks have been detected in the region since the 7.1-magnitude quake struck. […]