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Solomon Islands leader rules out Chinese military base

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The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands has ruled out a Chinese military base on the Pacific archipelago

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has confirmed he has no intentions of a Chinese military base in the Solomon Islands, after signing an historic security pact with Beijing.

In an interview with The Guardian, Sogavare says a military base with Beijing would make Solomon Islands an “enemy” and “put our country and our people as targets for potential military strikes”.

Sogavare met with Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum, which is taking place in Fiji.

“We are family, there are issues [but] that makes family strong.”

PRIME MINISTER Manasseh Sogavare

The meeting reportedly lasted 15 minutes, where Albanese said the pair spoke about “our common interests that we have of climate change, dealing with the challenge but also regional security issues”.

Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum gather in Fiji.

It follows Australia’s Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison opting out of talking to Sogavare because of advice from “security and intelligence agencies”.

Sogavare has previously branded threats as an “invasion” following its tightened security arrangements with China.

Placing a pulse on the Pacific

China was denied an invitation at this year’s Pacific Islands Forum. However, U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris gave a virtual address.

The Biden Administration will commit USD $600 million to support an envoy to the forum, infrastructure in local fisheries, and brining peace corps volunteers back to the region.

Harris conceded the U.S. has been missing when it comes to the Pacific but has vowed to “change that”. She says the U.S. wants to “significantly deepen our presence in the Pacific region”.

As part of its Pacific push, the U.S. will open embassies in Tonga and Kiribati. The latter is the closest Pacific island nation to the U.S.

However, Kiribati itself is not attending this week’s forum because of tensions over the secretary-general position. But opposition leaders believe China has also influenced this decision, something that Beijing denies.

TICKER NEWS spoke to Ebony Bennett from The Australia Institute, who says the U.S. is “going to re-engage strongly in the Pacific region”.

“The Prime Minister [Manasseh Sogavare] is making the point that they would ever only call on China if Australia can’t fill that security gap, and that Australia remains the security partner of choice for the Solomon Islands.”

Ebony bennett, the australia institute

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently toured the region, where he failed to reach a security and trade deal with 10 Pacific nations.

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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AUKUS praised as a win-win for international security

AUKUS envoy affirms Australia’s key role in security cooperation, highlighting nuclear submarine capabilities amid US defense partnership.

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AUKUS envoy affirms Australia’s key role in security cooperation, highlighting nuclear submarine capabilities amid US defense partnership.


The UK’s top AUKUS envoy is in Australia, calling the trilateral pact a win-win for international security and defence cooperation.

The visit shines a light on Australia’s strategic role in the alliance, particularly its commitment to building nuclear submarine capabilities.

This moment marks a key test of the Australia–US defence partnership, as both nations prepare for long-term strategic coordination.

#AUKUS #DefenceNews #AustraliaUSAlliance #NuclearSubmarines #TickerNews

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Trump pivots West Africa talks to trade

Trump hosts West African leaders at the White House to discuss security, migration, and trade, seeking acceptance of deported migrants.

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Trump hosts West African leaders at the White House to discuss security, migration, and trade, seeking acceptance of deported migrants.


President Donald Trump has hosted leaders from five West African nations at the White House, with discussions centred on security, migration, and trade.

The US is asking these nations to accept deported migrants, particularly where their home countries have refused re-entry.

#Trump #WestAfrica #MigrationPolicy #USAfricaRelations #TickerNews

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Air India crash investigation focuses on fuel switches

Preliminary Air India crash report to focus on fuel switches after deadly June incident; 241 fatalities reported.

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Preliminary Air India crash report to focus on fuel switches after deadly June incident; 241 fatalities reported.

In Short:
A report on the June Air India jetliner crash, which killed 241 on board and 29 on the ground, is imminent, focusing on fuel control switches and multiple contributing factors. The investigation is led by India’s authority, facing scrutiny over information access, while the government plans to enhance civil aviation safety and improve Air India’s reputation.

A preliminary report on the Air India jetliner crash in June is expected soon. The crash resulted in 241 deaths out of the 242 on board, in addition to at least 29 fatalities on the ground.

Investigators are focusing on the plane’s fuel control switches following an analysis of flight data recorders. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost altitude shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, India. Family members continue to mourn victims, highlighting the tragedy’s impact.

Investigations have found no immediate concerns regarding mechanical failure, and airlines have not been advised to change 787 operations. The focus on fuel switches relates to their role in engine power.

Specific actions

However, details about specific actions being investigated remain unclear.

Experts indicate fuel switches cannot be moved accidently, and any shutdown would instantly affect engine power. Reports suggest that multiple factors likely contributed to the crash. The Indian investigation authority, under international rules, leads the probe but has faced scrutiny over information accessibility, taking weeks to retrieve flight data.

The Indian government has only held one press conference regarding the incident. Recently, U.N.’s International Civil Aviation Organization was granted observer status in the investigation. The event poses challenges for the Tata Group in revamping Air India’s reputation.

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