logo
Frenemy: why Australia can't live without China

Frenemy: why Australia can't live without China

Telegraph2 days ago
Australia holds a unique position in global geopolitics - on the other side of the world but still very much a 'Western' country.
To that end, Roland Oliphant speaks with former Australian Defence Minister Christopher Pyne about the delicate balancing act his country faces in dealing with an increasingly sharp-elbowed China; and whether President Trump will stand by the AUKUS nuclear submarine pact with Australia.
Also in this episode, Roland looks at developments in Gaza. Nearly 200 journalists have been killed while reporting in the strip, but for the first time, Israel has publicly stated that the death of one on Sunday - Al Jazeera's Anas al-Sharif - was an assassination by its own forces...
The Telegraph's Jerusalem correspondent Henry Bodkin discusses why the strike happened now and what it means for journalists either already in Gaza and those still trying to enter.
battlelines@telegraph.co.uk
@venetiarainey
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Shadow tanker fleet grows more slowly as Western sanctions target Russian oil
Shadow tanker fleet grows more slowly as Western sanctions target Russian oil

Reuters

time10 minutes ago

  • Reuters

Shadow tanker fleet grows more slowly as Western sanctions target Russian oil

LONDON, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Dozens of tankers have joined the shadow fleet this year compared with hundreds in previous years as the harshest Western sanctions yet target Russia's oil exports and add to the difficulty of finding suitable vessels, shipping sources said. The European Union and Britain last month imposed further sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine. Together with U.S. restrictions, they mean more than 440, opens new tab shadow fleet tankers face sanctions, including tankers Moscow needs to ship oil to its biggest buyers, China and India. The shadow fleet of vessels is used by Venezuela and Iran, as well as Russia to evade Western sanctions. Typically, the vessels are old, their ownership is opaque, and they sail without top-tier insurance cover to meet international standards for oil majors and many ports. Since the Ukraine war began in 2022, the shadow fleet has been especially used by Russia, which has relied on oil revenues to help finance its war effort. In addition to the sanctions, the Group of Seven countries has imposed a cap over what price level Russian oil can be sold at, adding to trade complexities. The size of the fleet is between 1,200 and 1,600 tankers, according to estimates from industry sources and analysts, including Lloyd's List Intelligence and shipbroker Gibson. This represents an estimated fifth of the overall global tanker fleet. That compares with a few hundred vessels operating before the Ukraine war, but sources say its growth has slowed year-on-year as the list of sanctions has grown and sales of second-hand ships have been under more scrutiny from authorities and legal compliance teams. The estimate of the shadow fleet's size does not include hundreds of smaller coastal tankers, which are not ocean-going but have transported oil, chiefly for Russia. "Regulators are closing the net," Anna Giacomello, analyst with British maritime cyber defence and risk intelligence company Dryad Global, said in a July report. For all the risks, the potential for profit remains a lure for some. "Operators may still enter the shadow fleet because it can be highly lucrative," said Leigh Hansson, sanctions partner at law firm Reed Smith, who advises shipping and trading companies on oil sanctions compliance. But she said the major established players would stay away and that only those with little experience of the shipping market may be willing to engage in risky operations, with older vessels that major ship insurers will not cover.

Israel says it kills 5 militants posing as U.S. charity personnel
Israel says it kills 5 militants posing as U.S. charity personnel

Reuters

time11 minutes ago

  • Reuters

Israel says it kills 5 militants posing as U.S. charity personnel

JERUSALEM, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Israel's military has said it killed five armed militants in the Gaza Strip pretending to work for the U.S.-based World Central Kitchen charity which condemned anyone posing as humanitarian personnel The military said it confirmed the five were not affiliated with the charity before killing them in an air strike last week while wearing WCK garb and posing a threat to Israeli troops. "The terrorists deliberately affixed the emblem and wore yellow vests in an attempt to conceal their activity and avoid being targeted, cynically exploiting the status and trust afforded to aid organizations," it said. WCK said late on Tuesday that it was contacted by Israeli authorities and confirmed the vehicle and people were not linked. "We strongly condemn anyone posing as WCK or other humanitarians as this endangers civilians and aid workers," it said in a statement on X. In December, WCK fired dozens of Palestinians working for the charity in Gaza, employees told Reuters at the time, after Israel said at least 62 staff were linked to militants. Israel's military did not give any identities of those killed in last week's incident. The WCK did not give more details or say whether the people targeted had been previously affiliated with the organization. An Israeli strike in April of last year hit a convoy of three vehicles and killed seven staff of WCK, including foreign aid workers. Israel apologised for what it said was a mistake. Aid organizations are struggling to meet the needs of Gaza's more than 2 million population after nearly two years of war have devastated the Palestinian enclave, killing tens of thousands of people and causing widespread hunger. Israel has often said Hamas militants infiltrate aid groups, while humanitarian organizations have urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to ease aid restrictions.

Global News Podcast  European leaders meet ahead of Trump's summit with Putin
Global News Podcast  European leaders meet ahead of Trump's summit with Putin

BBC News

time11 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Global News Podcast European leaders meet ahead of Trump's summit with Putin

Europe's leaders warn the US against making concessions to Russia, saying that Ukraine's borders must not be changed by force. Donald Trump joins a virtual meeting with his European counterparts ahead of his Friday summit with Vladimir Putin. Also: there have been intense Israeli strikes in Gaza before a planned offensive to take over the territory's main city. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store