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Australia lowers its terrorism threat level for the first time in nearly a decade

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Australia’s national terrorism threat level has been lowered but ASIO has warned an attack could still happen

Australia’s national terrorism threat level has been lowered from ‘probable’ to ‘possible’.

However, ASIO has warned a deadly attack could still occur on Australian soil in the next 12 months.

“A decision of this nature is not taken lightly or made casually,” said Mike Burgess, who is the Director General of ASIO.

It is the first time the warning has been lowered since 2014 when radicalised foreign fighters begun travelling to Syria and Iraq to join ISIS and other Islamic terrorist organisations.

Burgess said the threat of terrorism has not been eradicated, and Australia remains a target for terrorist organisations—even within the next 12 months.

“We keep the terrorism threat level under constant review. There can be no set and forget in security intelligence,” he said.

How common is terrorism in Australia?

There have been 11 terrorist attacks on Australian soil since 2014. In addition, 21 plots have been detected and disrupted.

“Thankfully, there have been no attacks or major disruptions this year,” Burgess said.

However, ASIO remains on alert for violent extremists despite “fewer” operating with the intention to conduct an onshore attack.

“Ideologically motivated violent extremism—particularly nationalist and racist violent extremism—remains a threat and its adherents will continue to engage in offensive behaviours.”

MIKE BURGESS, ASIO DIRECTOR GENERAL

ASIO maintains these extremists are likely to focus their attention on recruitment and radicalisation, rather than attacking.

Authorities believe the most likely terrorist attack to occur in Australia will see a lone actor using a basic weapon, like a knife or vehicle.

These attacks can be difficult to detect ahead of time and can occur with little or no warning entirely.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he has confidence in the nation’s security agencies.

“I won’t second-guess them and I won’t comment on their behalf,” he said.

Mr Albanese’s government has led the repatriation effort of Australian women and children linked to ISIS from Syria.

The women and children were assessed by ASIO before they arrived in Australia. The decision to lower the terrorism threat level also considered the unfolding situation.

ASIO said foreign fighters may return from the Middle Eastern conflict zone and could bring “dangerous ideologies and capabilities with them”.

Costa is a news producer at ticker NEWS. He has previously worked as a regional journalist at the Southern Highlands Express newspaper. He also has several years' experience in the fire and emergency services sector, where he has worked with researchers, policymakers and local communities. He has also worked at the Seven Network during their Olympic Games coverage and in the ABC Melbourne newsroom. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Professional), with expertise in journalism, politics and international relations. His other interests include colonial legacies in the Pacific, counter-terrorism, aviation and travel.

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Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing immediately

Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety

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Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety

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In Short:
– Trump ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, risking global tensions and retaliation from other nations.
– Proliferation concerns are rising as nuclear states modernise arsenals and the New START Treaty nears expiration.
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately, aiming to align with testing programs from other countries according to the conversation.Resuming explosive nuclear tests would likely trigger retaliatory responses from nuclear-armed nations like Russia and China, worsening the arms race and increasing global risks.

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The potential for worldwide radioactive fallout remains high, even for underground tests. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, signed by 187 states, prohibits such testing, yet the US remains a signatory without ratification, bound not to violate the treaty’s intent.

Nuclear weapon testing, once crucial for understanding weapon effects and military planning, has diminished. Since World War II, nuclear tests have largely focused on developing new designs. Significant environmental and health concerns led to a moratorium on atmospheric testing in the early 1960s and the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963.

Many countries, including the US, stopped explosive testing in the 1990s. Technological advancements allowed nations to develop nuclear weapons without the need for actual explosions.

Proliferation Risks

Nuclear proliferation continues, with all nine nuclear-armed states investing heavily in modernising their arsenals. This raises concerns about lowered thresholds for using such weapons.

Recent conflicts involving nuclear threats have escalated, and the number of nuclear weapons operationally available has begun to rise again. Russia has tested advanced nuclear weapons, while China is rapidly expanding its military capabilities.

The New START Treaty, which confines the nuclear capabilities of the US and Russia, is set to expire soon, with no successor treaty negotiations underway.

The Doomsday Clock has moved closer to midnight this year, highlighting the heightened dangers facing the world today.

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US–China trade talks are a handshake, not a deal

Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.

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Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.


Presidents Trump and Xi extend their tariff truce in an informal meeting, with US cuts and Chinese promises on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.

Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX cautions this is unofficial and deeper issues between the two super powers remain.

#USChina #TradeTruce #Tariffs #GlobalMarkets #Soybeans #RareEarths #UnofficialDeal #TickerNews


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Markets cautious as rate cut hopes fade

Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.

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Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.


Central banks pull back on rate cut expectations as tech stocks wobble and inflation pressures persist. Markets adjust cautiously to the Fed’s new tone.

#Markets #Fed #InterestRates #Inflation #TechStocks #CapitalMarkets #TickerNews #Economy #FinancialUpdate


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