China test fires missile in Pacific as alliance struck
China has confirmed it fired a sea-based missile in the Pacific, just hours after Australia signed a landmark defence alliance with Fiji.
diplomacy
‘Meet common danger’: Australia, Fiji seal new alliance
Fiji has become Australia's newest ally under a mutual defence pact that leaves the door open to including other Pacific nations as China jostles for influence.
Albanese touches down in Fiji ahead of new Pacific deal
The prime minister has reached the first stop of his Pacific tour, receiving a warm welcome in Fiji after arriving to ink a major security deal.
Foreign bases ruled out as Vanuatu signs security deal
A security deal struck between Australia and Vanuatu after fragmented negotiations has ramifications for China's interests in the Pacific.
Iran and US agree to halt attacks and renew talks
The US and Iran have agreed to stop tit-for-tat strikes against each other, amid plans for a meeting to resolve their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.
Record defence export deal puts Australia on the radar
A major partner will buy Australia's world-leading radar system under a multibillion-dollar deal, making it the nation's largest defence export agreement.
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diplomacy
international relations
peace negotiations
politics
unrest, conflicts and war
Iran talks make ‘encouraging progress’ despite tensions
Tense high-level negotiations in Switzerland seeking a permanent end to the Iran war have ended with lower-level talks planned for the rest of the week.
Leaders open G7 summit with Ukraine, Middle East talks
Leaders at the G7 summit are discussing Russia's war in Ukraine along with the tentative deal struck by US President Donald Trump to end the conflict with Iran.
Historic Kyiv monastery damaged, 10 killed in Ukraine
European leaders have sharply criticised Russia's latest attacks on Ukraine, which sparked a fire at a UNESCO world heritage site in Kiev.
US-Iran peace memorandum could be signed within days
A memorandum to halt the US-Iran conflict is being finalised and could be signed as soon as Sunday, a source says, in a breakthrough for the months-long war.
Zelenskiy at regional summit as drone friction hovers
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is in Estonia for a summit of Baltic and Nordic leaders as a spate of stray Ukrainian drones in the region causes concern.
‘Someone else’s knife fight’: AUKUS doubts resurface
Australia should re-examine whether it needs a fleet of crewed submarines at all or could just rely on underwater drones, says Greens senator David Shoebridge.
US hits Hormuz radar sites after Iran launches drones
US strikes have targeted Iranian radar sites after drone attacks on maritime traffic, US Central Command says.
Trans-Tasman ties never better despite tax jibe: PM
The diplomatic relationship between Australia and New Zealand has never been stronger, both leaders insist, despite commentary over recent budget announcements.
‘Fig leaf’ tariffs blasted as US fires fresh tax salvo
A new round of US tariffs has generated a rare moment of political unity in Australia, with the government and opposition pushing back on the proposed changes.
Solomon Islands PM pledges ‘reset’ with Australia
After being elected on a promise of change, Solomon Islands' prime minister has signalled reversing his predecessors' pro-China stance on a visit to Canberra.
Australia digs at China’s low-key showing at Asia forum
For the second year running, China's Defence Minister Dong Jun has skipped the three-day Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Forensic experts sift through drone hit dormitory
The final death toll from a drone attack on a teacher training college in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian Luhansk region stands at 21.
defence
diplomacy
economy, business and finance
energy resources
military equipment
peace negotiations
politics
unrest, conflicts and war
Rubio says US will find another way if Iran talks fail
US President Donald Trump is hosing down expectations of an imminent breakthrough in the three-month-old war with Iran.
Israel free to act against threats Netanyahu told Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US President Donald Trump that Israel would remain free to act against threats in Lebanon.
Trump says Iran peace deal ‘largely negotiated’
The US and Iran are reportedly close to signing a deal involving a 60-day ceasefire extension, during which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened.
Russia hits Ukraine with hypersonic missile in attacks
Russia has confirmed the third use of its new intermediate-range Oreshnik ballistic missile to target Ukraine during a massive attack on Kyiv and nearby areas..
France bans Israeli minister after detainee taunts
France has banned Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, citing his unspeakable behaviour toward activists from a flotilla to Gaza.
Bowen to back electrification at UN climate summit
Australia and Turkey have revealed that the global oil crisis will prompt a major focus on electrification at the United Nations climate talks in November.
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imperial and royal matters
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Queen was ‘very keen’ for Andrew to become trade envoy
The UK government has released documents on the hiring of former prince Andrew as a trade envoy, saying it found no evidence of proper vetting for the role.
Taiwan presses case for US arms, Trump undecided
President Donald Trump says he's not decided whether to proceed with a major weapons sale, adding to uncertainty about US support for Taiwan.
China confirms Xi visit to US after Trump invite
China's Xi Jinping has accepted Donald Trump's invitation of a state visit to the US, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed.
Trump leaves Beijing with few wins, but praise for Xi
President Donald Trump has hailed his "incredible visit" to Beijing despite clinching major deals, while his hosts made their feelings known on Iran and Taiwan.
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diplomacy
economy, business and finance
international (foreign) trade
military equipment
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politics
Iran war looms over Trump’s China visit
US President Donald Trump is expected to ask for China's help to resolve the costly and unpopular conflict with Iran, which he launched in late February.
Russia pounds Ukraine’s capital in massive air attack
Russia has pummelled Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in a massive aerial attack, killing at least one person and wounding dozens more.
crisis
diplomacy
energy and resource
peace negotiations
unrest, conflicts and war
waterway and maritime transport
Trump insists no need for Xi’s help on Iran war
US and Iranian demands to end the war remain far apart, but President Donald Trump has played down the role China could have in resolving the conflict.