Author: Darren Leonard

A Chinese minesweeper is taking part in a military exercise with Singapore for the first time, a move that could signal greater attention in Beijing to the strategically important Strait of Malacca, according to a defence analyst. The exercise also reflects Singapore’s efforts to chart a course between China and the United States as the two powers jostle for geopolitical influence, the analyst said. The minesweeper, the Chibi, is one of two Chinese vessels taking part in “China-Singapore Exercise Maritime Cooperation 2023” – the other is the guided-missile frigate Yulin. Both are from the Southern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).…

On 24 April, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles released the public version of the Defence Strategic Review, as well as the Government’s response to the Review, and the National Defence Statement for 2023. In response to the Review’s recommendations, the Government has “agreed, or agreed in-principle with further work required” to all recommendations, and has also identified six priority areas for “immediate action”. The priority areas identified in the Review are: “acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines through AUKUS to improve our deterrence capabilities”, “developing the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) ability to precisely strike targets at longer-range and manufacture…

WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday was essential in advancing his country’s national interest and strengthening the “very important alliance” between Manila and Washington. Before leaving for his four-day official visit to Washington, Marcos said on Sunday he would convey to Biden his determination to forge “an even stronger relationship” with the United States to “address the concerns of our times,” including issues related to the economy. “During this visit, we will reaffirm our commitment to fostering our long standing alliance as an instrument of peace and…

The US has announced plans to open new migrant processing centres in Colombia and Guatemala as part of efforts to reduce undocumented immigration. The regional facilities will process thousands of claims a month, with pathways for legal migration expanded. The number of deportations for those ineligible to be in the US will also be doubled or tripled. The US is bracing for a spike in undocumented immigration when Covid-era processing rules end in May. The processing centres will allow successful applicants to enter the US legally and improve their access to assistance such as refugee resettlement processing and family reunification.…

While flashes of the aurora borealis could be seen in parts of Colorado last month, the phenomenon is nothing new to residents and visitors in Alaska. An intensely bright display of the northern lights was caught on video by an enthusiast and photographer in Fairbanks, Alaska on March 24. He called it “the most insane aurora of my life.” Colorado ski resort predicts long spring ski season Vincent Ledvina, whose Twitter says he is “The Aurora Guy” and an “aurora chaser and astrophotographer.” His page lists him as a first-year space physics graduate student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. The video…

FIFA has postponed the men’s Under-20 World Cup finals draw because of host nation Indonesia’s issues with Israel having qualified GENEVA — FIFA postponed the men’s Under-20 World Cup finals draw because of host nation Indonesia’s issues with Israel’s qualification, the Indonesian soccer federation said Sunday. The decision was announced five days before FIFA was due to make the 24-nation draw Friday on the island of Bali for the May 20-June 11 tournament, that includes debutant Israel. Doubt was cast on the draw event last week when the governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, called for a ban on Israel playing there because of Indonesia’s diplomatic…

PLA says the USS Milius’s intrusion into its territorial waters undermined regional peace and stability. China’s military says it tracked and warned away a United States warship that had illegally entered waters it claims in the South China Sea. The US Navy denied China’s claims, stating that the ship was on a routine operation and left the area of its own accord. In a statement on Thursday, the Southern Theatre Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said the USS Milius, a guided missile destroyer, intruded into waters around the disputed Paracel Islands. The PLA “organised sea and air forces to track…

The US Senate has passed a $1.7tr (£1.4tr) government funding bill – most likely avoiding a partial government shutdown during the holiday season. The House of Representatives now needs to pass it so President Joe Biden can sign it before midnight on Friday. The package will fund the US government all through the next fiscal year, to 30 September. The 4,155-page budget contains measures to help Ukraine, bolster US defence, and funds for US domestic priorities. The Senate passed the bill on Thursday afternoon by 68 to 29 in a cross-party vote. The bumper package contains $772bn for domestic programmes…