News

Albanese meets Xi; concerns over military drill dismissed

Xi dismisses Australia’s live fire drill concerns during Albanese meeting, emphasising bilateral ties and mutual respect in regional stability.

Published

6 months ago

July 15, 2025

Ahron Young

Xi dismisses Australia’s live fire drill concerns during Albanese meeting, pushing for bilateral ties and mutual respect in regional stability.

In Short:
– Albanese met Jinping in Beijing, addressing Australia’s concerns about Chinese military exercises.
– He discussed detained Australian citizen Yang Hengjun, advocated for trade collaboration, and sought to improve bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. During their discussions, Jinping appeared to dismiss Australia’s concerns regarding a Chinese military exercise conducted off the Australian coastline earlier this year.The Prime Minister described the meeting as constructive, noting that he addressed the live fire drill in line with his previous statements. Jinping reiterated China’s right to conduct military exercises, stating that such activities are standard for both nations.

Albanese also raised the issue of Australian citizen Yang Hengjun, who is detained in China on espionage charges. He acknowledged the complexity of the situation, explaining that outcomes would require continued advocacy rather than immediate resolutions.

International trade

Topics such as the ownership of the Port of Darwin and US trade tariffs were not discussed. However, both leaders underscored the significance of international trade.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed Jinping’s call for collaboration in upholding fairness and justice, advocating for multilateralism and free trade. Albanese expressed Australia’s willingness to work with China to support these goals.

Albanese’s trip aims to enhance bilateral relations, marking his second visit as Prime Minister. The discussions come after a period of strained ties during the previous administration.

News

UK, Canada and Australia consider banning Elon Musk’s X over AI risks

UK, Canada, Australia discuss banning Elon Musk’s X over AI tool Grok’s potential for misuse; regulatory action may follow.

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

UK, Canada, Australia discuss banning Elon Musk’s X over AI tool Grok’s potential for misuse; regulatory action may follow.

Downing Street has opened talks with Canada and Australia about a possible ban on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X. Concerns are growing over the platform’s AI tool, Grok, which could be misused to generate explicit images.

The scrutiny comes as government officials, including Sir Keir Starmer, voice serious worries about the platform’s impact and the potential for harm. Officials believe coordinated international action could send a clear message to Musk about the urgency of addressing these risks.

Ofcom is expected to release recommendations soon, potentially paving the way for regulatory action. How Musk responds could determine whether X faces restrictions in multiple countries.

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News

Trump weighs options as Iran protests escalate

Trump to discuss US responses to Iran protests with officials, including sanctions and military action options.

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump to discuss US responses to Iran protests with officials, including sanctions and military action options.

President Donald Trump is set to meet with senior US officials to discuss possible responses to the growing protests in Iran. The talks will focus on how Washington should react as unrest continues to spread across the country.

Options on the table reportedly include tougher sanctions and the possibility of military action. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top officials are expected to attend, as concerns mount over how US involvement could impact regional stability.

Iran has warned it will retaliate if the US intervenes, raising fears that any move by Washington could sharply escalate tensions in the Middle East.

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News

Trump declares US ready to support Iranian protesters

Trump pledges US support for Iranian protesters as regime arrests 100 amid escalating crackdown on dissent

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2026

Ahron Young

Trump pledges US support for Iranian protesters as regime arrests 100 amid escalating crackdown on dissent

In Short:
– Trump supports Iranian protesters and promotes their quest for freedom amid government crackdowns.
– Iran reports arrests and increased military threats against protesters, with international demonstrations in solidarity emerging.

Donald Trump has warned Iran’s clerical regime that the US is “ready to help” anti-government protesters facing a crackdown. He stated on his social media platform, Truth, that the nation is witnessing a push for freedom like never before.On Saturday, Iran’s government reported the arrest of 100 “armed rioters” amid ongoing demonstrations. Rights groups claim at least 116 protesters have been killed, with unrest erupting over Iran’s currency collapse and demands for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Iranian military has intensified threats against protesters, warning that anyone participating could be deemed “enemies of God”, carrying a potential death sentence. There have been claims of “terrorist agents” linked to the US and Israel stirring unrest.

Protester Responses

International protests have also emerged in solidarity with Iranian demonstrators.

In London, an individual was seen tearing down the Iranian flag from the embassy, drawing attention to the global dissent. Iranian state media has accused “rioters” of violence and targeting military bases, amidst a climate of increased government scrutiny and restrictions.

With the internet down in Iran, accurate assessment of the situation remains challenging. Reports indicate scattered protests continue, but fear of government retaliation complicates participation.

The Iranian government’s response highlights the volatility of the political situation, and the growing international pressure on Tehran.