China and Australia pushing the Pacific’s pulse

Published

4 years ago

June 2, 2022

China’s Foreign Minister is on his seventh stop in Pacific, as tensions continue to rise

Wang Yi has travelled to Papua New Guinea, which is the seventh stop in his diplomatic push in the Pacific.

PNG is heading into a national election, and local media is reporting Beijing’s plans for a regional security deal are causing conflict in the island-nation.

The nation’s former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is on the campaign trail and has criticised the timing of Wang’s visit.

O’Neill believes no agreements should be signed with China before the election.

Meanwhile, Yi has been on a diplomatic tour of the Pacific, as he seeks to drum up support for greater security cooperation among island states.

The Chinese foreign minister will travel to eight countries, with Timor-Leste next on his list.

His tour has sparked concern among the U.S., New Zealand and Australia, who are fearful of China’s growing dominance in the region.

Allan Behm from The Australia Institute describes China’s strategy as “noticeable, big [and] highly theatrical”.

Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong, who recently returned from Fiji, is visiting Samoa and Tonga.

Australia is focussing on humanitarian support, and action on climate change.

Senator Wong has laid out an eight-year deal with Samoa to address human development and maritime support.

“China is focussed on security, and I think in the circumstances in which the Pacific countries find themselves, they’re more likely to be attracted to the options that Senator Wong is putting forward.”
ALLAN Behm, THE AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE

China is seeking a security and trade deal with 10 Pacific nations. Its foreign minister has so far signed a dozen bilateral agreements.

But Senator Wong says Australia is also seeking greater relations with its close neighbours.

“We understand that we need to work together like never before, for our peoples and for generations to come.”

“We want to make a uniquely Australian contribution to help build a stronger Pacific family,” she says.

Big Tech earnings spark investor unease over AI spending

Investors monitor Big Tech’s AI investments, with Meta thriving while Microsoft and Tesla face uncertainty over growth and returns.

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Investors monitor Big Tech’s AI investments, with Meta thriving while Microsoft and Tesla face uncertainty over growth and returns.

Investors are reacting sharply to Big Tech earnings this week, sending a clear signal that massive spending must translate into real growth. Markets are becoming less forgiving as companies pour billions into artificial intelligence, data centres and future tech while returns remain uncertain.

Meta has delivered a standout performance, posting a 24 percent jump in revenue for the December quarter, fuelled by AI-powered advertising. The company is doubling down on its strategy, with aggressive investment in AI and infrastructure expected to drive a further 33 percent growth this quarter.

Microsoft and Tesla tell a more cautious story. Microsoft reported only modest growth in its Azure cloud business, raising questions about its exposure to OpenAI, while Tesla plans to double spending on AI and autonomous driving. Analysts warn of a widening gap between bold AI ambitions and what investors expect in returns.

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News

Federal Reserve holds interest rates amid economic uncertainty

Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, balancing inflation and jobs, as some governors advocate for a cut. #FederalReserve #InterestRates #Economy

Published

4 days ago

January 29, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, balancing inflation and jobs, as some governors advocate for a cut.

The Federal Reserve has opted to keep interest rates unchanged, marking the first pause since July. Officials are showing little urgency to resume cuts, even after previous rate reductions.

Two Fed governors opposed the decision, calling for a quarter-point cut, highlighting ongoing debates within the rate-setting committee, which includes both appointed governors and regional bank presidents.

Concerns over the job market and persistent inflation continue to weigh heavily on the Fed’s policy decisions, leaving economists and investors closely watching the next moves.

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#FederalReserve #InterestRates #Economy

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Trump warns Iran as U.S. naval forces approach amid rising tensions

Trump urges Iran to resume nuclear talks or face stronger U.S. military response amid economic struggles and tensions rise.

Published

4 days ago

January 29, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump urges Iran to resume nuclear talks or face stronger U.S. military response amid economic struggles and rising tensions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Iran to return to nuclear negotiations, warning that failure to do so could result in a far more severe military response. Posting on Truth Social, Trump signalled a hardening stance as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise.

Trump confirmed that a U.S. naval strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln is moving towards Iran, as protests grow inside the country over alleged government repression.

The show of force comes amid heightened regional instability and mounting pressure on the Iranian leadership.

#Trump #Iran #USForeignPolicy