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U.S. praises Australia for standing up to “Chinese aggression”

Published

3 years ago

December 7, 2022

U.S. and Australian diplomats meet in Washington, agree to stand up to what leaders call “ongoing Chinese aggression”

Top U.S. and Australian diplomats have met in Washington and it seems relations between the two nations have never been stronger.

Following today’s talks, it’s been confirmed America will have a greater military presence in Australia. This is in response to what leaders are calling “ongoing Chinese aggression”.

Australia’s Defence Minister, Richard Marles, and Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, are in Washington. The pair are meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin.

I joined @SecBlinken today in hosting @RichardMarlesMP and @SenatorWong for #AUSMIN2022. Our Alliance is prepared to meet any challenge, grounded in democratic values, and committed to strengthening the rules-based international order. https://t.co/vsyME7Aj6A

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) December 7, 2022

Blinken praised Australia for standing up to Beijing, while pledging to support the country thorough thick and thin.

“We’re increasingly weaving together our alliances in Europe and Asia, in the Atlantic and across the Pacific because the challenges and threats those alliances face are increasingly interconnected, and we’re more effective when we stand and work together,” Blinken said.

It’s the 32nd annual Australia – U.S. Ministerial meeting, also known as AUSMIN.

Leaders are looking to strengthen peace across the Taiwan Strait and address any attempts by China to intimidate other countries through economic coercion.

Defence Secretary Austin believes China is engaging in “dangerous actions throughout the Indo Pacific”.

Austin says Australia and America stand united and determined to be a force for stability.

Following agreements made at today’s meeting, the U.S. will increase the presence of its forces in Australia.

This includes rotations of bomber task forces, fighters, and future rotations of U.S. Navy and Army capability. It will also fill the so-called “capability gap” that will be created when Australia’s current Collins-class submarines are retired.

“We recognise where Australia is and where its capability begins to diminish and of course we will address that in the pathway we create,” Austin said.

News

NASA’s Artemis II launch: Argentina joins first crewed moon mission in 50 years

NASA’s Artemis II rocket is ready for its first crewed Moon mission in over 50 years, featuring Argentina’s ATENEA microsatellite.

Published

13 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Harvey Vargas

NASA’s Artemis II rocket is ready for its first crewed Moon mission in over 50 years, featuring Argentina’s ATENEA microsatellite.

NASA’s Artemis II rocket has arrived at Kennedy Space Center, marking the first crewed Moon mission in more than five decades.

The mission will carry a crew of four astronauts on a ten-day journey around the Moon, with a wet dress rehearsal scheduled for February 2 to test all systems.

In a historic moment for Latin America, Argentina’s ATENEA microsatellite will join the Artemis II mission as secondary cargo. Developed through a collaboration of Argentine institutions, ATENEA will collect crucial data on radiation and communications systems in space, making Argentina the only Latin American country contributing to this milestone mission.

The Artemis II mission will also validate life support and spacecraft systems ahead of Artemis III, NASA’s planned crewed lunar landing in 2027. With the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft now on Launch Pad 39B, excitement is building for this next giant leap in space exploration.

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#ArtemisII #MoonMission #NASA #ATENEA #SpaceExploration #ArgentinaInSpace #SLSRocket #OrionSpacecraft

News

Iran warns U.S. retaliation as protest death toll soars — executions feared, nationwide unrest

Iran warns of severe retaliation against U.S. strikes, amid escalating tensions and internal unrest.

Published

14 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Iran warns of severe retaliation against U.S. strikes, amid escalating tensions and internal unrest.

Iran has issued a stark warning of a severe response to any U.S. military strike, with leaders stressing that military action would be treated as an act of war.

President Masoud Pezeshkian cautioned that attacks on strategic sites or leadership figures could trigger retaliation against U.S. and allied forces in the region — including potential targets in Israel and American bases. These warnings come as tensions between Tehran and Washington escalate amid sustained unrest across Iran.

The backdrop for this diplomatic brinkmanship is a bitter standoff between Tehran and the U.S., with U.S. President Donald Trump publicly debating options for intervention and criticising Iran’s leadership.

Tehran, for its part, has blamed external forces for stoking internal dissent and insists it will fiercely defend its sovereignty.

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#IranProtests #IranUSConflict #MiddleEastTensions #HumanRights #IranDeathToll #ProtestCrackdown #GlobalNews

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EU condemns Trump’s Greenland tariff threats: Trade tensions escalate

Major EU nations criticize Trump’s Greenland tariffs as “blackmail,” risking trade agreements and raising tensions across the Atlantic.

Published

14 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Major EU nations criticize Trump’s Greenland tariffs as “blackmail,” risking trade agreements and raising tensions across the Atlantic.

Major EU nations are pushing back against President Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland, calling them “blackmail” and raising tensions across the Atlantic. Germany and France are reportedly considering economic countermeasures to respond to the U.S. stance.

Trade agreements with the UK and the EU could be at risk, as these threats put key negotiations in jeopardy. The European Parliament is also expected to pause discussions on the EU-U.S. trade deal, signaling a growing rift.

Meanwhile, British officials insist their position on Greenland is non-negotiable, adding complexity to an already tense situation.

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#TrumpTariffs #Greenland #EUTensions #TradeWars #USPolitics #GlobalEconomy #EUTrade #NationalSecurity