China boosts Pacific ties, flags policing collaboration
China has sought to stamp its authority in the Pacific against Australian wishes, hosting island leaders while searching for a greater security foothold in the region.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrapped up a two-day summit with a clutch of Pacific nations on Thursday with promises on climate and development, and further police cooperation.
Beijing will give $US2 million to prop up clean energy, fisheries, oceans, low-carbon infrastructure and tourism across the region.
Mr Wang also pledged support for 100 "small but beautiful" projects across Pacific nations over the next three years.
Eleven Pacific nations were represented in Xiamen, including the leaders of Kiribati and Niue, and another eight foreign ministers.
The three Pacific nations that hold diplomatic recognition of Taiwan were left out, as were the two France-aligned countries of New Caledonia and French Polynesia.
The joint statement "stressed that there is no political strings attached to China's assistance" and included a veiled swipe at nations like Australia opposing Beijing having a security presence in the region."
China called on all countries to uphold Pacific island countries' autonomy in making decisions, putting development first, and staying open and inclusive when developing relations with Pacific island countries," the readout said.
Australia has said there is no role for China in Pacific policing or security, which should instead be the remit of those in the region, including Australia.
The Chinese readout of the dialogue said all nations agreed to "set co-operation priorities", including police training, with China initiating a ministerial-level dialogue with the Pacific this year.
Some Pacific nations - including Kiribati, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands - already co-operate with or host Chinese police.
Pacific expert Tess Newton Cain said Pacific nations needed to consider the policing model that best suits their country.
Some Chinese practices "are considered not appropriate for countries that consider themselves liberal democracies", she said.
The statement described Taiwan as "an inalienable part of China's territory" and noted China firmly opposed independence in any form in a paragraph "all parties recognise".
"That section of the communique is more pronounced than we've seen previously and that reflects the importance of that issue to the People's Republic of China," Dr Newton Cain said.
But this was largely preaching to the choir as the Pacific nations that attended the meeting already recognised China and had committed to a one-China principle, she said.
The China-Pacific summit wrapped up as global leaders descend on Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogue, a significant regional security forum.
Defence Minister Richard Marles will attend the summit from Friday to Sunday on behalf of Australia and address a session on managing proliferation risk in the Asia-Pacific.
He will also meet with numerous counterparts and leaders, including a tripartite defence ministers meeting with the United States and Japan.
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New coach to give lifeline to forgotten Matilda
Finally on the clock, new Matildas boss Joe Montemurro wants to bring back Vine Time. Two years ago, winger Cortnee Vine catapulted to stardom when she scored the winning spot-kick in the Matildas' epic penalty shootout win over France at the Women's World Cup. Back then, Vine, 27, was also lighting up A-League Women with Sydney FC. But between taking a mental health break, injuries and a difficult start to life in the NWSL with North Carolina Courage, she hasn't played for the Matildas since the Paris Olympics. Montemurro plans to reach out to Vine, along with other players in the wider Matildas selection frame. "Cortnee's definitely on the radar," he told AAP. "And we'll get to the heart of getting her back in the fray and hopefully we can build her into the Asian Cup also." Montemurro watched on in Canberra on Monday night as an array of other attackers made their own cases ahead of the Asian Cup. Comeback kid Amy Sayer scored a well-taken brace against Argentina and can play attacking midfield and both centrally and on the wing. Kahli Johnson notched a goal and an assist across her first two games while ALW golden boot Holly McNamara is also highly rated. "It's interesting that everyone's talking about the next cycle and the ageing squad, but to me it doesn't look too bad with the four names you've just mentioned (Johnson, Sayer, McNamara and Vine)," he said. "It's exciting times and they're all playing at good levels and I still think the A-League has a really important place to play in the sustainability and development. "So for me, the timing's really, really good. "We just have to now solidify the individual development of players and to make sure that they're making right decisions, to make sure that we have enough players for the future." Montemurro has been helped by Tom Sermanni testing and developing more players during his stint as interim coach. "It's actually made my job a little bit easier in terms of profiling players and understanding what level some of the players are at and then thinking about how we can marry the two," he said. Players have long been encouraged to test themselves overseas. While the likes of Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross have gone to new levels by playing in England, others have struggled. Vine has notched just 58 minutes across three appearances this NWSL season. "Playing is the baseline and obviously the more scenarios, the more situations you're exposed to at club football, the better you're going to be equipped for it," Montemurro said. "All players have to think about where they can find a good environment, whether it's a good training environment or a good environment that gives them the opportunity to be exposed to many football scenarios as possible." Finally on the clock, new Matildas boss Joe Montemurro wants to bring back Vine Time. Two years ago, winger Cortnee Vine catapulted to stardom when she scored the winning spot-kick in the Matildas' epic penalty shootout win over France at the Women's World Cup. Back then, Vine, 27, was also lighting up A-League Women with Sydney FC. But between taking a mental health break, injuries and a difficult start to life in the NWSL with North Carolina Courage, she hasn't played for the Matildas since the Paris Olympics. Montemurro plans to reach out to Vine, along with other players in the wider Matildas selection frame. "Cortnee's definitely on the radar," he told AAP. "And we'll get to the heart of getting her back in the fray and hopefully we can build her into the Asian Cup also." Montemurro watched on in Canberra on Monday night as an array of other attackers made their own cases ahead of the Asian Cup. Comeback kid Amy Sayer scored a well-taken brace against Argentina and can play attacking midfield and both centrally and on the wing. Kahli Johnson notched a goal and an assist across her first two games while ALW golden boot Holly McNamara is also highly rated. "It's interesting that everyone's talking about the next cycle and the ageing squad, but to me it doesn't look too bad with the four names you've just mentioned (Johnson, Sayer, McNamara and Vine)," he said. "It's exciting times and they're all playing at good levels and I still think the A-League has a really important place to play in the sustainability and development. "So for me, the timing's really, really good. "We just have to now solidify the individual development of players and to make sure that they're making right decisions, to make sure that we have enough players for the future." Montemurro has been helped by Tom Sermanni testing and developing more players during his stint as interim coach. "It's actually made my job a little bit easier in terms of profiling players and understanding what level some of the players are at and then thinking about how we can marry the two," he said. Players have long been encouraged to test themselves overseas. While the likes of Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross have gone to new levels by playing in England, others have struggled. Vine has notched just 58 minutes across three appearances this NWSL season. "Playing is the baseline and obviously the more scenarios, the more situations you're exposed to at club football, the better you're going to be equipped for it," Montemurro said. "All players have to think about where they can find a good environment, whether it's a good training environment or a good environment that gives them the opportunity to be exposed to many football scenarios as possible." Finally on the clock, new Matildas boss Joe Montemurro wants to bring back Vine Time. Two years ago, winger Cortnee Vine catapulted to stardom when she scored the winning spot-kick in the Matildas' epic penalty shootout win over France at the Women's World Cup. Back then, Vine, 27, was also lighting up A-League Women with Sydney FC. But between taking a mental health break, injuries and a difficult start to life in the NWSL with North Carolina Courage, she hasn't played for the Matildas since the Paris Olympics. Montemurro plans to reach out to Vine, along with other players in the wider Matildas selection frame. "Cortnee's definitely on the radar," he told AAP. "And we'll get to the heart of getting her back in the fray and hopefully we can build her into the Asian Cup also." Montemurro watched on in Canberra on Monday night as an array of other attackers made their own cases ahead of the Asian Cup. Comeback kid Amy Sayer scored a well-taken brace against Argentina and can play attacking midfield and both centrally and on the wing. Kahli Johnson notched a goal and an assist across her first two games while ALW golden boot Holly McNamara is also highly rated. "It's interesting that everyone's talking about the next cycle and the ageing squad, but to me it doesn't look too bad with the four names you've just mentioned (Johnson, Sayer, McNamara and Vine)," he said. "It's exciting times and they're all playing at good levels and I still think the A-League has a really important place to play in the sustainability and development. "So for me, the timing's really, really good. "We just have to now solidify the individual development of players and to make sure that they're making right decisions, to make sure that we have enough players for the future." Montemurro has been helped by Tom Sermanni testing and developing more players during his stint as interim coach. "It's actually made my job a little bit easier in terms of profiling players and understanding what level some of the players are at and then thinking about how we can marry the two," he said. Players have long been encouraged to test themselves overseas. While the likes of Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross have gone to new levels by playing in England, others have struggled. Vine has notched just 58 minutes across three appearances this NWSL season. "Playing is the baseline and obviously the more scenarios, the more situations you're exposed to at club football, the better you're going to be equipped for it," Montemurro said. "All players have to think about where they can find a good environment, whether it's a good training environment or a good environment that gives them the opportunity to be exposed to many football scenarios as possible."
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Pacific media face reckoning after US aid cuts
America's retreat from foreign aid is being felt deeply in Pacific media, where pivotal outlets are being shuttered and journalists work unpaid. The result is fewer investigations into dubiously motivated politicians, glimpses into conflicts otherwise unseen and a less diverse media in a region which desperately needs it. "It is a huge disappointment ... a senseless waste," Benar News' Australian head of Pacific news, Stefan Armbruster, told AAP after seeing his outlet go under. Benar News, In-depth Solomons and Inside PNG are three digital outlets which enjoyed US support but have been cruelled by President Donald Trump's about-face on aid. Benar closed its doors in April after an executive order disestablishing Voice of America, which the Unitd States created during World War II to combat Nazi propaganda. An offshoot of Radio Free Asia (RFA) focused on Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Benar kept a close eye on abuses in West Papua, massacres and gender-based violence in Papua New Guinea and more. The Pacific arm quickly became indispensable to many, with a team of reporters and freelancers working in 15 countries on a budget under $A1 million. "Our coverage of decolonisation in the Pacific received huge interest, as did our coverage of the lack women's representation in parliaments, human rights, media freedom, deep sea mining and more," Mr Armbruster said. In-depth Solomons, a Honiara-based digital outlet, is another facing an existential threat despite a proud record of investigative and award-winning reporting. Last week, it was honoured with a peer-nominated award from the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan for a year-long probe into former prime minister Manasseh Sogavare's property holdings. "We're just holding on," editor and co-founder Ofani Eremae told AAP. A US-centred think tank continues to pay the wage of one journalist, while others haven't drawn a salary since January. "It has had an impact on our operations. We used to travel out to do stories across the provinces. That has not been done since early this year," Mr Eremae said. A private donor came forward after learning of the cuts with a one-off grant that was used for rent to secure the office, he said. Its funding shortfall - like Port Moresby-based outlet Inside PNG - is linked to USAID, the world's biggest single funder of development assistance, until Mr Trump axed its multi-billion dollar budget. Much of USAID's funding was spent on humanitarian causes - such as vaccines, clean water supplies and food security - but some was also earmarked for media in developing nations, with the aim of bolstering fragile democracies. Inside PNG used its support to build an audience of tens of thousands with incisive reports on PNG politics: not just Port Moresby, but in the regions including wantaway province Bougainville that has a long history of conflict. "The current lack of funding has unfortunately had a dual impact, affecting both our dedicated staff, whom we're currently unable to pay, and our day-to-day operations," Inside PNG managing director Kila Wani, told AAP. "We've had to let off 80 per cent of staff from payroll which is a big hit because we're not a very big team. "Logistically, it's become challenging to carry out our work as we normally would." AAP has confirmed a number of other media entities in the region which have suffered hits, but declined to share their stories. The funding hits are all the more damaging given the challenges faced by the Pacific, as outlined in the Pacific Islands Media Freedom Index. The latest report listed a string of challenges, notably weak legal protections for free speech, political interference on editorial independence, and a lack of funding underpinning high-quality media, in the region. The burning question for these outlets - and their audiences - is do other sources of funding exist to fill the gap? Inside PNG is refocusing energy on attracting new donors, as is In-depth Solomons, which has also turned to crowdfunding. The Australian and New Zealand governments have also provided targeted support for the media sector across the region, including ABC International Development (ABCID), which has enjoyed a budget increase from Anthony Albanese's government. Inside PNG and In-depth Solomons both receive training and content-focused grants from ABCID, which helps, but doesn't fund the underpinning costs for a media business or keep on the lights. Both Mr Eremae, who edited two major newspapers before founding the investigative outlet, and Mr Armbruster, a long-time SBS Correspondent, expressed their dismay at the US pivot away from the Pacific. "It's a huge mistake on the part of the US ... the world's leading democracy. The media is one of the pillars of democracy," Mr Eremae said. "It is, I believe, in the interests of the US and other democratic countries to give funding to media in countries like the Solomon Islands where we cannot survive due to lack of advertising (budgets). As a veteran of Pacific reporting, Mr Armbruster said he had witnessed US disinterest in the region contribute to the wider geopolitical struggle for influence. "The US government was trying to re-establish its presence after vacating the space decades ago. It had promised to re-engage, dedicating funding largely driven by its efforts to counter China, only to now betray those expectations," he said. "The US government has senselessly destroyed a highly valued news service in the Pacific. An own goal." America's retreat from foreign aid is being felt deeply in Pacific media, where pivotal outlets are being shuttered and journalists work unpaid. The result is fewer investigations into dubiously motivated politicians, glimpses into conflicts otherwise unseen and a less diverse media in a region which desperately needs it. "It is a huge disappointment ... a senseless waste," Benar News' Australian head of Pacific news, Stefan Armbruster, told AAP after seeing his outlet go under. Benar News, In-depth Solomons and Inside PNG are three digital outlets which enjoyed US support but have been cruelled by President Donald Trump's about-face on aid. Benar closed its doors in April after an executive order disestablishing Voice of America, which the Unitd States created during World War II to combat Nazi propaganda. An offshoot of Radio Free Asia (RFA) focused on Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Benar kept a close eye on abuses in West Papua, massacres and gender-based violence in Papua New Guinea and more. The Pacific arm quickly became indispensable to many, with a team of reporters and freelancers working in 15 countries on a budget under $A1 million. "Our coverage of decolonisation in the Pacific received huge interest, as did our coverage of the lack women's representation in parliaments, human rights, media freedom, deep sea mining and more," Mr Armbruster said. In-depth Solomons, a Honiara-based digital outlet, is another facing an existential threat despite a proud record of investigative and award-winning reporting. Last week, it was honoured with a peer-nominated award from the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan for a year-long probe into former prime minister Manasseh Sogavare's property holdings. "We're just holding on," editor and co-founder Ofani Eremae told AAP. A US-centred think tank continues to pay the wage of one journalist, while others haven't drawn a salary since January. "It has had an impact on our operations. We used to travel out to do stories across the provinces. That has not been done since early this year," Mr Eremae said. A private donor came forward after learning of the cuts with a one-off grant that was used for rent to secure the office, he said. Its funding shortfall - like Port Moresby-based outlet Inside PNG - is linked to USAID, the world's biggest single funder of development assistance, until Mr Trump axed its multi-billion dollar budget. Much of USAID's funding was spent on humanitarian causes - such as vaccines, clean water supplies and food security - but some was also earmarked for media in developing nations, with the aim of bolstering fragile democracies. Inside PNG used its support to build an audience of tens of thousands with incisive reports on PNG politics: not just Port Moresby, but in the regions including wantaway province Bougainville that has a long history of conflict. "The current lack of funding has unfortunately had a dual impact, affecting both our dedicated staff, whom we're currently unable to pay, and our day-to-day operations," Inside PNG managing director Kila Wani, told AAP. "We've had to let off 80 per cent of staff from payroll which is a big hit because we're not a very big team. "Logistically, it's become challenging to carry out our work as we normally would." AAP has confirmed a number of other media entities in the region which have suffered hits, but declined to share their stories. The funding hits are all the more damaging given the challenges faced by the Pacific, as outlined in the Pacific Islands Media Freedom Index. The latest report listed a string of challenges, notably weak legal protections for free speech, political interference on editorial independence, and a lack of funding underpinning high-quality media, in the region. The burning question for these outlets - and their audiences - is do other sources of funding exist to fill the gap? Inside PNG is refocusing energy on attracting new donors, as is In-depth Solomons, which has also turned to crowdfunding. The Australian and New Zealand governments have also provided targeted support for the media sector across the region, including ABC International Development (ABCID), which has enjoyed a budget increase from Anthony Albanese's government. Inside PNG and In-depth Solomons both receive training and content-focused grants from ABCID, which helps, but doesn't fund the underpinning costs for a media business or keep on the lights. Both Mr Eremae, who edited two major newspapers before founding the investigative outlet, and Mr Armbruster, a long-time SBS Correspondent, expressed their dismay at the US pivot away from the Pacific. "It's a huge mistake on the part of the US ... the world's leading democracy. The media is one of the pillars of democracy," Mr Eremae said. "It is, I believe, in the interests of the US and other democratic countries to give funding to media in countries like the Solomon Islands where we cannot survive due to lack of advertising (budgets). As a veteran of Pacific reporting, Mr Armbruster said he had witnessed US disinterest in the region contribute to the wider geopolitical struggle for influence. "The US government was trying to re-establish its presence after vacating the space decades ago. It had promised to re-engage, dedicating funding largely driven by its efforts to counter China, only to now betray those expectations," he said. "The US government has senselessly destroyed a highly valued news service in the Pacific. An own goal." America's retreat from foreign aid is being felt deeply in Pacific media, where pivotal outlets are being shuttered and journalists work unpaid. The result is fewer investigations into dubiously motivated politicians, glimpses into conflicts otherwise unseen and a less diverse media in a region which desperately needs it. "It is a huge disappointment ... a senseless waste," Benar News' Australian head of Pacific news, Stefan Armbruster, told AAP after seeing his outlet go under. Benar News, In-depth Solomons and Inside PNG are three digital outlets which enjoyed US support but have been cruelled by President Donald Trump's about-face on aid. Benar closed its doors in April after an executive order disestablishing Voice of America, which the Unitd States created during World War II to combat Nazi propaganda. An offshoot of Radio Free Asia (RFA) focused on Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Benar kept a close eye on abuses in West Papua, massacres and gender-based violence in Papua New Guinea and more. The Pacific arm quickly became indispensable to many, with a team of reporters and freelancers working in 15 countries on a budget under $A1 million. "Our coverage of decolonisation in the Pacific received huge interest, as did our coverage of the lack women's representation in parliaments, human rights, media freedom, deep sea mining and more," Mr Armbruster said. In-depth Solomons, a Honiara-based digital outlet, is another facing an existential threat despite a proud record of investigative and award-winning reporting. Last week, it was honoured with a peer-nominated award from the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan for a year-long probe into former prime minister Manasseh Sogavare's property holdings. "We're just holding on," editor and co-founder Ofani Eremae told AAP. A US-centred think tank continues to pay the wage of one journalist, while others haven't drawn a salary since January. "It has had an impact on our operations. We used to travel out to do stories across the provinces. That has not been done since early this year," Mr Eremae said. A private donor came forward after learning of the cuts with a one-off grant that was used for rent to secure the office, he said. Its funding shortfall - like Port Moresby-based outlet Inside PNG - is linked to USAID, the world's biggest single funder of development assistance, until Mr Trump axed its multi-billion dollar budget. Much of USAID's funding was spent on humanitarian causes - such as vaccines, clean water supplies and food security - but some was also earmarked for media in developing nations, with the aim of bolstering fragile democracies. Inside PNG used its support to build an audience of tens of thousands with incisive reports on PNG politics: not just Port Moresby, but in the regions including wantaway province Bougainville that has a long history of conflict. "The current lack of funding has unfortunately had a dual impact, affecting both our dedicated staff, whom we're currently unable to pay, and our day-to-day operations," Inside PNG managing director Kila Wani, told AAP. "We've had to let off 80 per cent of staff from payroll which is a big hit because we're not a very big team. "Logistically, it's become challenging to carry out our work as we normally would." AAP has confirmed a number of other media entities in the region which have suffered hits, but declined to share their stories. The funding hits are all the more damaging given the challenges faced by the Pacific, as outlined in the Pacific Islands Media Freedom Index. The latest report listed a string of challenges, notably weak legal protections for free speech, political interference on editorial independence, and a lack of funding underpinning high-quality media, in the region. The burning question for these outlets - and their audiences - is do other sources of funding exist to fill the gap? Inside PNG is refocusing energy on attracting new donors, as is In-depth Solomons, which has also turned to crowdfunding. The Australian and New Zealand governments have also provided targeted support for the media sector across the region, including ABC International Development (ABCID), which has enjoyed a budget increase from Anthony Albanese's government. Inside PNG and In-depth Solomons both receive training and content-focused grants from ABCID, which helps, but doesn't fund the underpinning costs for a media business or keep on the lights. Both Mr Eremae, who edited two major newspapers before founding the investigative outlet, and Mr Armbruster, a long-time SBS Correspondent, expressed their dismay at the US pivot away from the Pacific. "It's a huge mistake on the part of the US ... the world's leading democracy. The media is one of the pillars of democracy," Mr Eremae said. "It is, I believe, in the interests of the US and other democratic countries to give funding to media in countries like the Solomon Islands where we cannot survive due to lack of advertising (budgets). As a veteran of Pacific reporting, Mr Armbruster said he had witnessed US disinterest in the region contribute to the wider geopolitical struggle for influence. "The US government was trying to re-establish its presence after vacating the space decades ago. It had promised to re-engage, dedicating funding largely driven by its efforts to counter China, only to now betray those expectations," he said. "The US government has senselessly destroyed a highly valued news service in the Pacific. An own goal." America's retreat from foreign aid is being felt deeply in Pacific media, where pivotal outlets are being shuttered and journalists work unpaid. The result is fewer investigations into dubiously motivated politicians, glimpses into conflicts otherwise unseen and a less diverse media in a region which desperately needs it. "It is a huge disappointment ... a senseless waste," Benar News' Australian head of Pacific news, Stefan Armbruster, told AAP after seeing his outlet go under. Benar News, In-depth Solomons and Inside PNG are three digital outlets which enjoyed US support but have been cruelled by President Donald Trump's about-face on aid. Benar closed its doors in April after an executive order disestablishing Voice of America, which the Unitd States created during World War II to combat Nazi propaganda. An offshoot of Radio Free Asia (RFA) focused on Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Benar kept a close eye on abuses in West Papua, massacres and gender-based violence in Papua New Guinea and more. The Pacific arm quickly became indispensable to many, with a team of reporters and freelancers working in 15 countries on a budget under $A1 million. "Our coverage of decolonisation in the Pacific received huge interest, as did our coverage of the lack women's representation in parliaments, human rights, media freedom, deep sea mining and more," Mr Armbruster said. In-depth Solomons, a Honiara-based digital outlet, is another facing an existential threat despite a proud record of investigative and award-winning reporting. Last week, it was honoured with a peer-nominated award from the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan for a year-long probe into former prime minister Manasseh Sogavare's property holdings. "We're just holding on," editor and co-founder Ofani Eremae told AAP. A US-centred think tank continues to pay the wage of one journalist, while others haven't drawn a salary since January. "It has had an impact on our operations. We used to travel out to do stories across the provinces. That has not been done since early this year," Mr Eremae said. A private donor came forward after learning of the cuts with a one-off grant that was used for rent to secure the office, he said. Its funding shortfall - like Port Moresby-based outlet Inside PNG - is linked to USAID, the world's biggest single funder of development assistance, until Mr Trump axed its multi-billion dollar budget. Much of USAID's funding was spent on humanitarian causes - such as vaccines, clean water supplies and food security - but some was also earmarked for media in developing nations, with the aim of bolstering fragile democracies. Inside PNG used its support to build an audience of tens of thousands with incisive reports on PNG politics: not just Port Moresby, but in the regions including wantaway province Bougainville that has a long history of conflict. "The current lack of funding has unfortunately had a dual impact, affecting both our dedicated staff, whom we're currently unable to pay, and our day-to-day operations," Inside PNG managing director Kila Wani, told AAP. "We've had to let off 80 per cent of staff from payroll which is a big hit because we're not a very big team. "Logistically, it's become challenging to carry out our work as we normally would." AAP has confirmed a number of other media entities in the region which have suffered hits, but declined to share their stories. The funding hits are all the more damaging given the challenges faced by the Pacific, as outlined in the Pacific Islands Media Freedom Index. The latest report listed a string of challenges, notably weak legal protections for free speech, political interference on editorial independence, and a lack of funding underpinning high-quality media, in the region. The burning question for these outlets - and their audiences - is do other sources of funding exist to fill the gap? Inside PNG is refocusing energy on attracting new donors, as is In-depth Solomons, which has also turned to crowdfunding. The Australian and New Zealand governments have also provided targeted support for the media sector across the region, including ABC International Development (ABCID), which has enjoyed a budget increase from Anthony Albanese's government. Inside PNG and In-depth Solomons both receive training and content-focused grants from ABCID, which helps, but doesn't fund the underpinning costs for a media business or keep on the lights. Both Mr Eremae, who edited two major newspapers before founding the investigative outlet, and Mr Armbruster, a long-time SBS Correspondent, expressed their dismay at the US pivot away from the Pacific. "It's a huge mistake on the part of the US ... the world's leading democracy. The media is one of the pillars of democracy," Mr Eremae said. "It is, I believe, in the interests of the US and other democratic countries to give funding to media in countries like the Solomon Islands where we cannot survive due to lack of advertising (budgets). As a veteran of Pacific reporting, Mr Armbruster said he had witnessed US disinterest in the region contribute to the wider geopolitical struggle for influence. "The US government was trying to re-establish its presence after vacating the space decades ago. It had promised to re-engage, dedicating funding largely driven by its efforts to counter China, only to now betray those expectations," he said. "The US government has senselessly destroyed a highly valued news service in the Pacific. An own goal."
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Wall Street stocks end higher on Nvidia, trade hopes
US stock indexes have closed higher, helped by gains in Nvidia and other chipmakers, as investors awaited possible negotiations between the United States and its trading partners for more clarity on Washington's tariff plans. US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are due to speak this week, the White House said on Monday, days after Trump accused China of violating a Geneva agreement to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions. Beijing said it would safeguard its interests and that the accusation was groundless. The Trump administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks, according to a draft letter to negotiating partners seen by Reuters. "The most important thing for investors is that the administration wasn't going to impose those much-larger-than-expected tariffs and just leave them on, which would have almost certainly led to a recession," said Chris Zaccarelli, Chief Investment Officer at Northlight Asset Management. "The fact that the US is actively engaged with so many trading partners – China, the UK, Japan, the EU, etc. – has investors feeling more optimistic that we will avoid a recession." In May, a softening of Trump's harsh trade stance allowed a recovery in risky assets, with the benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq posting their biggest monthly percentage gain since November 2023. The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Tuesday rose 214.16 points, or 0.51 per cent, to 42,519.64, the S&P 500 gained 34.43 points, or 0.58 per cent, to 5,970.37 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 156.34 points, or 0.81 per cent, to 19,398.96. Information technology stocks rose 1.5 per cent, boosted by 2.9 per cent gains in Nvidia. Chipmaker Broadcom hit a fresh record high after the company said it has begun to ship its latest networking chip that aims to speed AI. It rose 3.2 per cent "Commentary that Trump and Xi will speak started getting discussed yesterday and chips are likely a topic on the table," said Angelo Zino, a senior equity analyst at CFRA Research. "Given Nvidia is essentially currently locked out of China, any discussion is prone to favour Nvidia and chips rather than hurt the story." A US Labor Department report showed job openings increased in April, but layoffs picked up, signaling a slowing labor market as tariffs impact the economic outlook. Factory orders dropped sharply in April, as the boost from front-loading of purchases ahead of tariffs faded. Data from the Commerce Department's Census Bureau showed a 3.7 per cent fall, after an unrevised 3.4 per cent jump in March. Monthly jobs data on Friday will offer more signs on how trade uncertainty is affecting the world's biggest economy. Shares of Wells Fargo were trading higher in post market trading after the US Federal Reserve announced that the bank will no longer have to operate under a $US1.95 trillion asset cap the regulator imposed on the bank in 2018 following its long-running sales practices scandal. Wells Fargo shares ended the day 1.2 per cent higher, but were trading two per cent higher after the bell. Shares of Kenvue dropped 6 per cent, leading declines on the benchmark S&P 500 index. The company, which makes consumer health products, said at a Deutsche Bank conference that retailers in the US and China are destocking products due to uncertainty over tariffs. Dollar General surged 15.8 per cent as the discount retailer raised its annual sales forecast after surpassing quarterly sales expectations. Shares of image-sharing platform Pinterest rose 3.8 per cent after JPMorgan raised the stock to overweight from neutral. Shares of Reddit fell 1.1 per cent after the social media platform was down for over 29,000 users on Tuesday, according to outage tracking website Volume on US exchanges was 15.69 billion shares, compared with the 17.8 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 2.32-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. There were 171 new highs and 53 new lows on the NYSE. On the Nasdaq, advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 2.07-to-1 ratio. The S&P 500 posted 31 new 52-week highs and four new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 99 new highs and 60 new lows. US stock indexes have closed higher, helped by gains in Nvidia and other chipmakers, as investors awaited possible negotiations between the United States and its trading partners for more clarity on Washington's tariff plans. US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are due to speak this week, the White House said on Monday, days after Trump accused China of violating a Geneva agreement to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions. Beijing said it would safeguard its interests and that the accusation was groundless. The Trump administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks, according to a draft letter to negotiating partners seen by Reuters. "The most important thing for investors is that the administration wasn't going to impose those much-larger-than-expected tariffs and just leave them on, which would have almost certainly led to a recession," said Chris Zaccarelli, Chief Investment Officer at Northlight Asset Management. "The fact that the US is actively engaged with so many trading partners – China, the UK, Japan, the EU, etc. – has investors feeling more optimistic that we will avoid a recession." In May, a softening of Trump's harsh trade stance allowed a recovery in risky assets, with the benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq posting their biggest monthly percentage gain since November 2023. The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Tuesday rose 214.16 points, or 0.51 per cent, to 42,519.64, the S&P 500 gained 34.43 points, or 0.58 per cent, to 5,970.37 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 156.34 points, or 0.81 per cent, to 19,398.96. Information technology stocks rose 1.5 per cent, boosted by 2.9 per cent gains in Nvidia. Chipmaker Broadcom hit a fresh record high after the company said it has begun to ship its latest networking chip that aims to speed AI. It rose 3.2 per cent "Commentary that Trump and Xi will speak started getting discussed yesterday and chips are likely a topic on the table," said Angelo Zino, a senior equity analyst at CFRA Research. "Given Nvidia is essentially currently locked out of China, any discussion is prone to favour Nvidia and chips rather than hurt the story." A US Labor Department report showed job openings increased in April, but layoffs picked up, signaling a slowing labor market as tariffs impact the economic outlook. Factory orders dropped sharply in April, as the boost from front-loading of purchases ahead of tariffs faded. Data from the Commerce Department's Census Bureau showed a 3.7 per cent fall, after an unrevised 3.4 per cent jump in March. Monthly jobs data on Friday will offer more signs on how trade uncertainty is affecting the world's biggest economy. Shares of Wells Fargo were trading higher in post market trading after the US Federal Reserve announced that the bank will no longer have to operate under a $US1.95 trillion asset cap the regulator imposed on the bank in 2018 following its long-running sales practices scandal. Wells Fargo shares ended the day 1.2 per cent higher, but were trading two per cent higher after the bell. Shares of Kenvue dropped 6 per cent, leading declines on the benchmark S&P 500 index. The company, which makes consumer health products, said at a Deutsche Bank conference that retailers in the US and China are destocking products due to uncertainty over tariffs. Dollar General surged 15.8 per cent as the discount retailer raised its annual sales forecast after surpassing quarterly sales expectations. Shares of image-sharing platform Pinterest rose 3.8 per cent after JPMorgan raised the stock to overweight from neutral. Shares of Reddit fell 1.1 per cent after the social media platform was down for over 29,000 users on Tuesday, according to outage tracking website Volume on US exchanges was 15.69 billion shares, compared with the 17.8 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 2.32-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. There were 171 new highs and 53 new lows on the NYSE. On the Nasdaq, advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 2.07-to-1 ratio. The S&P 500 posted 31 new 52-week highs and four new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 99 new highs and 60 new lows. US stock indexes have closed higher, helped by gains in Nvidia and other chipmakers, as investors awaited possible negotiations between the United States and its trading partners for more clarity on Washington's tariff plans. US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are due to speak this week, the White House said on Monday, days after Trump accused China of violating a Geneva agreement to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions. Beijing said it would safeguard its interests and that the accusation was groundless. The Trump administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks, according to a draft letter to negotiating partners seen by Reuters. "The most important thing for investors is that the administration wasn't going to impose those much-larger-than-expected tariffs and just leave them on, which would have almost certainly led to a recession," said Chris Zaccarelli, Chief Investment Officer at Northlight Asset Management. "The fact that the US is actively engaged with so many trading partners – China, the UK, Japan, the EU, etc. – has investors feeling more optimistic that we will avoid a recession." In May, a softening of Trump's harsh trade stance allowed a recovery in risky assets, with the benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq posting their biggest monthly percentage gain since November 2023. The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Tuesday rose 214.16 points, or 0.51 per cent, to 42,519.64, the S&P 500 gained 34.43 points, or 0.58 per cent, to 5,970.37 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 156.34 points, or 0.81 per cent, to 19,398.96. Information technology stocks rose 1.5 per cent, boosted by 2.9 per cent gains in Nvidia. Chipmaker Broadcom hit a fresh record high after the company said it has begun to ship its latest networking chip that aims to speed AI. It rose 3.2 per cent "Commentary that Trump and Xi will speak started getting discussed yesterday and chips are likely a topic on the table," said Angelo Zino, a senior equity analyst at CFRA Research. "Given Nvidia is essentially currently locked out of China, any discussion is prone to favour Nvidia and chips rather than hurt the story." A US Labor Department report showed job openings increased in April, but layoffs picked up, signaling a slowing labor market as tariffs impact the economic outlook. Factory orders dropped sharply in April, as the boost from front-loading of purchases ahead of tariffs faded. Data from the Commerce Department's Census Bureau showed a 3.7 per cent fall, after an unrevised 3.4 per cent jump in March. Monthly jobs data on Friday will offer more signs on how trade uncertainty is affecting the world's biggest economy. Shares of Wells Fargo were trading higher in post market trading after the US Federal Reserve announced that the bank will no longer have to operate under a $US1.95 trillion asset cap the regulator imposed on the bank in 2018 following its long-running sales practices scandal. Wells Fargo shares ended the day 1.2 per cent higher, but were trading two per cent higher after the bell. Shares of Kenvue dropped 6 per cent, leading declines on the benchmark S&P 500 index. The company, which makes consumer health products, said at a Deutsche Bank conference that retailers in the US and China are destocking products due to uncertainty over tariffs. Dollar General surged 15.8 per cent as the discount retailer raised its annual sales forecast after surpassing quarterly sales expectations. Shares of image-sharing platform Pinterest rose 3.8 per cent after JPMorgan raised the stock to overweight from neutral. Shares of Reddit fell 1.1 per cent after the social media platform was down for over 29,000 users on Tuesday, according to outage tracking website Volume on US exchanges was 15.69 billion shares, compared with the 17.8 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 2.32-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. There were 171 new highs and 53 new lows on the NYSE. On the Nasdaq, advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 2.07-to-1 ratio. The S&P 500 posted 31 new 52-week highs and four new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 99 new highs and 60 new lows. US stock indexes have closed higher, helped by gains in Nvidia and other chipmakers, as investors awaited possible negotiations between the United States and its trading partners for more clarity on Washington's tariff plans. US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are due to speak this week, the White House said on Monday, days after Trump accused China of violating a Geneva agreement to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions. Beijing said it would safeguard its interests and that the accusation was groundless. The Trump administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks, according to a draft letter to negotiating partners seen by Reuters. "The most important thing for investors is that the administration wasn't going to impose those much-larger-than-expected tariffs and just leave them on, which would have almost certainly led to a recession," said Chris Zaccarelli, Chief Investment Officer at Northlight Asset Management. "The fact that the US is actively engaged with so many trading partners – China, the UK, Japan, the EU, etc. – has investors feeling more optimistic that we will avoid a recession." In May, a softening of Trump's harsh trade stance allowed a recovery in risky assets, with the benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq posting their biggest monthly percentage gain since November 2023. The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Tuesday rose 214.16 points, or 0.51 per cent, to 42,519.64, the S&P 500 gained 34.43 points, or 0.58 per cent, to 5,970.37 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 156.34 points, or 0.81 per cent, to 19,398.96. Information technology stocks rose 1.5 per cent, boosted by 2.9 per cent gains in Nvidia. Chipmaker Broadcom hit a fresh record high after the company said it has begun to ship its latest networking chip that aims to speed AI. It rose 3.2 per cent "Commentary that Trump and Xi will speak started getting discussed yesterday and chips are likely a topic on the table," said Angelo Zino, a senior equity analyst at CFRA Research. "Given Nvidia is essentially currently locked out of China, any discussion is prone to favour Nvidia and chips rather than hurt the story." A US Labor Department report showed job openings increased in April, but layoffs picked up, signaling a slowing labor market as tariffs impact the economic outlook. Factory orders dropped sharply in April, as the boost from front-loading of purchases ahead of tariffs faded. Data from the Commerce Department's Census Bureau showed a 3.7 per cent fall, after an unrevised 3.4 per cent jump in March. Monthly jobs data on Friday will offer more signs on how trade uncertainty is affecting the world's biggest economy. Shares of Wells Fargo were trading higher in post market trading after the US Federal Reserve announced that the bank will no longer have to operate under a $US1.95 trillion asset cap the regulator imposed on the bank in 2018 following its long-running sales practices scandal. Wells Fargo shares ended the day 1.2 per cent higher, but were trading two per cent higher after the bell. Shares of Kenvue dropped 6 per cent, leading declines on the benchmark S&P 500 index. The company, which makes consumer health products, said at a Deutsche Bank conference that retailers in the US and China are destocking products due to uncertainty over tariffs. Dollar General surged 15.8 per cent as the discount retailer raised its annual sales forecast after surpassing quarterly sales expectations. Shares of image-sharing platform Pinterest rose 3.8 per cent after JPMorgan raised the stock to overweight from neutral. Shares of Reddit fell 1.1 per cent after the social media platform was down for over 29,000 users on Tuesday, according to outage tracking website Volume on US exchanges was 15.69 billion shares, compared with the 17.8 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 2.32-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. There were 171 new highs and 53 new lows on the NYSE. On the Nasdaq, advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 2.07-to-1 ratio. The S&P 500 posted 31 new 52-week highs and four new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 99 new highs and 60 new lows.
