US Senate Blocks Biden’s Vaccine Mandate
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted to block President Joe Biden’s COVID vaccine and testing mandate for large employers in a warning to the White House ahead of turbulent mid-term elections next year.
Australia
Pacific chief says China’s military buildup largest since World War II
China’s buildup of military forces is the largest the world has seen since World War II and has driven Australia and other nations around the world to seek closer security ties to the United States, according to the commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Australia labels all of Hezbollah a terrorist organization
Australia on Wednesday listed all of Hezbollah as a “terrorist organization,” extending an existing ban on armed units to the entire organization, which wields considerable power in Lebanon.
More than 10,000 Australians have filed coronavirus vaccine injury claims
Taxpayers are facing a hefty bill for rare but significant coronavirus vaccine injuries, with at least 10,000 people planning to claim under the federal government’s no-fault indemnity scheme.
Australia, France In Verbal War Over Submarines
A war of words has broken out between France and Australia over a scrapped submarine deal that cost the French government tens of billions of dollars.
Biden Claims Pope Calls Him ‘Good Catholic’ Despite Abortion Row
U.S. President Joe Biden announced Friday that Pope Francis had called him a “good Catholic” despite the president’s support for abortion.
‘Thousands Turn To Christ In Malawi’
Tens of thousands of people in Malawi indicated their decision to follow Jesus Christ at a massive evangelism campaign by preachers Andrew and Wendy Palau, organizers say.
Britain hopes to join transatlantic trade agreement next year, no date for US-UK deal yet
While it is not known when post-Brexit Britain will be able to sign a full and comprehensive free trade deal with the United States, Boris Johnson hopes to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) partnership in 2022, Reuters reports.
Damage control: U.S., NATO officials scramble to patch up trans-Atlantic rifts
U.S. and NATO officials worked overtime on both sides of the Atlantic on Tuesday to patch up rifts in the alliance and to tamp down tensions between key members on Afghanistan, a controversial submarine deal, China and other fronts.
Biden Hosts In-Person ‘Quad’ Leaders Summit
Leaders of the United States, Japan, India and Australia proclaimed Friday a shared commitment to safeguarding democracy in the Indo-Pacific region, leaving unspoken their common concern about China’s growing power.
Australia struck by 5.5 earthquake, no injuries
Australia was shaken by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday, with some slight damage being caused outside the city of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, the Washington Times reports. The quake was the largest to affect Australia since a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the town of Broome in Western Australia in 2019.
France Recalls Ambassador From US, White House Upset
The United States said Friday it regrets France’s decision to recall its ambassador from Washington after a row over submarines caused their worst diplomatic tensions in years.
China Threatens US With Warships To Protest Pact
China has condemned a new nuclear submarine pact between Britain, the United States, and Australia shows “a Cold War mentality” and warned it could send warships to Hawaii.
Japan Warns China With Largest Military Drills In Decades
Japan’s army has begun its largest exercises in decades after warning China it will defend disputed islands that Tokyo views as Japanese territory.
France is furious at Australia’s submarine deal with US and UK
France has reacted angrily to Australia’s announcement Wednesday that it will be working with the US and the UK to acquire nuclear-powered submarines for use by the Australian navy, the Washington Times reports.
US and UK to help Australia obtain nuclear submarines in landmark partnership
The UK, the US, and Australia on Wednesday announced a landmark “partnership” agreement, under which the two nuclear nations will help non-nuclear Australia to obtain a multibillion-dollar fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, Sky News Australia reports. The collaboration on the project is the most significant to have taken place between the three countries in decades.
US, Britain, and Australia Ink Defense Pact To Counter China
The United States, Britain, and Australia announced a special security pact Wednesday, just hours after the European Union’s chief hinted at setting up an EU army operating outside the U.S.-led NATO military alliance.
Australia: Over 2,700 Church Leaders sign declaration against COVID-19 ‘vaccine passports’
More than 2,700 Church leaders in Australia have signed a declaration addressed to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, expressing their opposition to the proposed introduction of a COVID-19 ‘vaccine passport’ into Australian society. Titled, the Ezekiel Declaration, the letter attests that the passport policy is “untenable” and would “inflict terrible consequences” on Australia.
Australian Victorian Premier says the state is heading for a ‘vaccine economy’
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has sent a clear message as to what the future of the economy looks like in the state, saying proof of double vaccination will now be the price of entry.
Australia: Surveillance bill that gives authorities unprecedented powers comes into law
A new bill that is posed to give law enforcement unprecedented powers to “identify and disrupt serious criminal activity occurring online” has passed through both houses within 24 hours on August 26, 2021.
