South Korea has used a political meeting with Australia to show a sign of “comprehensive strategic partnership”
South Korean President Moon Jae-in is in Australia’s capital of Canberra, as the two nations upgrade their ties to “comprehensive strategic partnership” status.
High on the agenda was a new $1 billion deal – under which Korean defence company Hanwha will provide 30 self-propelled howitzer artillery weapons to Australia as well as 15 ammunition supply vehicles and radars to detect enemy artillery.
South Korea and Australia sign $1 billion defence deal / Image: File
It’s the largest defence contract struck between Australia and an Asian nation
The new vehicles will be able to quickly fire and move to avoid enemy counterattacks.
Australia’s Defence Minister Peter Dutton touted the deal as a boost for Australian firepower and security in the Indo-Pacific.
“It is one of several projects that will modernise the Australian Army, ensuring it continues to maintain a capability advantage now, and into the future,” the minister said.
“We are committed to keeping our region safe while protecting our interests in a rapidly changing global environment.”
South Korea will supply Australia with 15 ammunition supply vehicles / Image: AMR
This week’s visit, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, will see Australian and Korean ties elevated to the status of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
The new deal shows a sign of increasing tensions from China, which is becoming an increasing threat to Western Nations, typically surrounding Taiwan.
Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own and has threatened to use force if necessary to unify the two sides.
The country’s claim has held since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s, when Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist government reestablished on the island after losing to Mao Zedong’s Communists. Most Taiwanese prefer to maintain the status quo, according to a National Chengchi University poll.
A straight-up military invasion would cost lives and activate U.S. forces for Taiwan’s defence
Anthony Lucas is reporter, presenter and social media producer with ticker News. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Professional Communication, with a major in Journalism from RMIT University as well as a Diploma of Arts and Entertainment journalism from Collarts. He’s previously worked for 9 News, ONE FM Radio and Southern Cross Austerio’s Hit Radio Network.
Spotify’s 2023 Wrapped has dropped prompting listeners to review their top artists, genres, and songs of the year.
Many are taking to social media platforms to share their listening trends with family, friends, coworkers, and even other fans on the internet.
While Apple Music, a rival platform, has its own year-end campaign—it hasn’t quite ignited the same online response.
Seth Schachner, the Managing Director at StratAmericas and a former Sony Music Executive joins Veronica Dudo to discuss. #Spotify #music #Apple #AppleMusic #SpotifyWrapped #streaming #featured #IN AMERICA TODAY
Coles and Woolworths, two of Australia’s largest supermarket chains, are about to face a Senate inquiry that aims to scrutinise their market dominance and business practices.
The inquiry’s parallels with a past New Zealand investigation highlight the growing concern over the duopoly’s impact on consumers and smaller businesses.
The Senate inquiry, set to begin next month, comes as a response to mounting public pressure and allegations of anti-competitive behavior in the grocery sector.
New Zealand example
Similar concerns led New Zealand to conduct its own inquiry into the supermarket industry back in 2019, resulting in recommendations for increased regulation and transparency.
The central question here is whether Coles and Woolworths wield too much power in the Australian market, potentially stifling competition and limiting choices for consumers.
With the New Zealand example as a cautionary tale, many are wondering if this inquiry will result in meaningful changes to the Australian grocery landscape.
Elon Musk has thrown a verbal jab at former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, declaring her political campaign as “dead” on X.
The unexpected comment from the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has ignited a new wave of discussion within the political sphere, leaving many wondering about the implications for Haley’s political future.
In a tweet that garnered significant attention, Musk criticized Haley’s recent policy stance, writing, “Nikki Haley’s campaign is dead on arrival if she continues to ignore the urgency of climate change.
We need leaders who prioritize the planet’s future.” The tech mogul’s remarks come as Haley, a prominent Republican figure, has been exploring the possibility of running for president in the upcoming election cycle.
Musk’s statement has reignited the debate over climate change within the Republican Party, with many conservatives emphasizing economic interests over environmental concerns.
This raises questions about whether Musk’s endorsement or critique could influence the GOP’s stance on climate issues and potentially impact the 2024 presidential race.