CANBERRA, 24 AUGUST 2026 (AAP) — Commercial deep-sea mining in the Pacific could begin in months without policy guardrails due to increasing rivalry between the U.S and China over critical minerals, a new report warns. Analysis by the Lowy Institute has found mining could start as early as 2027, with the floor of the Pacific […]
Tag: Australia
Posted inPacific News
Australia joins U.S-led rebuke of Chinese missile launch
CANBERRA/WASHINGTON, 12 AUGUST 2026 (AAP)—Australia has joined a US-led push for nations to provide advance notice of missile launches, in a direct rebuke of China’s test firing in the South Pacific. Within hours of Australia’s signing of a mutual-defence pact with Fiji in July, China confirmed a nuclear-capable missile had been launched from a submarine […]
Posted inSports
PALAU SWIMMERS JOIN OCEANIA AQUATICS’ FIRST DEVELOPMENT CAMP IN AUSTRALIA.
Pacific athletes are gathering in Sydney for Oceania Aquatics’ first Competition Development Camp. From 11–20 December 2025, the camp is hosting up to 45 athletes and coaches from 10 National Federations across Oceania. Participants are taking part in train-ing sessions and competitions, including entry into the NSW Senior State Age Championships at Sydney Olympic Park […]
Posted inWorld News
Defence briefs Pacific nations on China’s naval flotilla but ‘final destination’ unknown
By Stephen Dziedzic In short: (ABC-Australia) Defence officials have briefed Pacific nations on the offensive capabilities of China’s naval task group in the Indo-Pacific. Analysts believe the naval flotilla is likely to sail further east into the Pacific rather than south-east towards Australia. What’s next? ADF continues to monitor the four navy vessels but would […]
Posted inIn Focus
Social media: Age-related bans won’t keep kids safe, UNICEF warns
NEW YORK/GENEVA, 11 DECEMBER 2025 (UN NEWS CENTRE) —A social media ban for children under 16 came into effect in Australia on Wednesday, marking a global first. After months of anticipation and debate over the government’s controversial move, under 16s woke up to find themselves locked out of popular platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and […]
Posted inWorld News
Japan and Australia urge calm after Chinese radar locks onto Japanese jets
In short: (ABC-Australia) The defence ministers of Japan and Australia have expressed concern during their scheduled talks in Tokyo on Sunday after Chinese military aircraft locked radar onto Japanese fighter jets. The incident occurred a month after the Japanese leader’s recent remarks on Taiwan that stirred tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. What’s next? Australia and […]