Latest news with #A1.6
Canberra Times
31-07-2025
- Business
- Canberra Times
Lebanese president calls for Hezbollah to disarm
Aoun said Lebanon's proposal also calls for international donors to contribute $US1 billion ($A1.6 billion) annually for 10 years to beef up the Lebanese army's capabilities and for an international donor conference to raise funds in the fall for reconstruction of Lebanese areas damaged and destroyed during the 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Perth Now
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Lebanese president calls for Hezbollah to disarm
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has repeated calls for the militant group Hezbollah to give up its weapons, a day after the group's chief doubled down on its refusal to disarm. Aoun's comments on Thursday during a speech marking Army Day in Lebanon came as pressure increases from Washington to disarm Hezbollah. The US presented Lebanon with "draft ideas to which we have made fundamental amendments that will be presented to the cabinet early next week", Aoun said. Under the Lebanese proposal, there would be an "immediate cessation of Israeli hostilities" in Lebanon, including air strikes and targeted killing, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, Aoun said. Lebanon, for its part, would implement the "withdrawal of the weapons of all armed forces, including Hezbollah, and their surrender to the Lebanese Army", he said. The comments came after a speech on Wednesday by Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem that called the group's weapons "part of Lebanon's strength" and said "anyone who demands the delivery of weapons is demanding the delivery of weapons to Israel". Hezbollah officials have said they will not discuss giving up the group's remaining arsenal until Israel withdraws from all of Lebanon and stops its strikes. Aoun said Lebanon's proposal also calls for international donors to contribute $US1 billion ($A1.6 billion) annually for 10 years to beef up the Lebanese army's capabilities and for an international donor conference to raise funds in the fall for reconstruction of Lebanese areas damaged and destroyed during the 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The war nominally ended with a US-brokered ceasefire in November calling for Hezbollah and Israeli forces to withdraw from the area south of the Litani River in Lebanon, which would be patrolled by a beefed-up Lebanese army, along with UN peacekeepers. The agreement left vague how Hezbollah's weapons and military facilities north of the Litani River should be treated, saying Lebanese authorities should dismantle unauthorised facilities starting with the area south of the river. Hezbollah maintains the deal only covers the area south of the Litani, while Israel and the US say it mandates disarmament of the group throughout Lebanon. Since the the ceasefire took effect, Israel has continued to occupy five border points in Lebanon and carry out almost daily air strikes that Israel says are aimed at preventing Hezbollah rebuilding its capabilities.
The Advertiser
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Vanuatu, Australia to sign new development pact
A new development pact between Vanuatu and Australia is in the works, with Vanuatu's prime minister urging Anthony Albanese to visit and sign the deal in September. Jotham Napat has revealed discussions on the "Nakamal" agreement, taking in infrastructure planning, economic development and climate planning, are in the final stages, after meeting with Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Port Vila. "We are hoping that we will sign this Nakamal agreement this coming September, and I'm hoping that the prime minister of Australia would fly over so that we can sign this agreement," he said. The agreement takes its name from the Bislama word "nakamal", which means a traditional meeting place, such as a house, in Vanuatu. Mr Napat said the bilateral relationship had "unshakable foundations", a fitting phrase given Vanuatu's attempts to rebound from December's devastating earthquake. Senator Wong announced $6 million towards engineering support and rebuilding schools damaged in the 7.3 magnitude tremor. "Some 45 schools and over 100 classrooms have been damaged and we want to help rebuild them," she said. Australia - which has given financial aid and technical support following that disaster - is Vanuatu's top development assistance partner by a distance. Australia spent $US1 billion ($A1.6 billion) on projects in Vanuatu in the 15 years to 2022 according to the Lowy Institute, more than double the second-most generous nation, China, with $US449 million ($A697 million). Senator Wong foreshadowed talks to take place on the partnership before she left on her three-nation tour of the Pacific this week, including stops in Fiji and Tonga. There was no mention of a stalled security agreement signed between Mr Albanese's government and a prior Vanuatu administration, headed by Ishmael Kalsakau, in late 2022. Vanuatu has opted against ratifying that deal, with subsequent governments believing it compromises its non-aligned strategic outlook. Senator Wong also travelled with the First Nations ambassador Justin Mohamed and met with the National Council of Chiefs. "What I would say to the leader of Vanuatu, to the prime minister and to his cabinet, to the chiefs and to the people, is that 'we are a steadfast partner. You can count on us'," she said. "You can count on us to act on climate change. You can count on us to help rebuild. You can count on us to work with you as we walk together." Mr Albanese already has two Pacific diplomatic engagements this September: the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinean independence, and the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit in Solomon Islands. A new development pact between Vanuatu and Australia is in the works, with Vanuatu's prime minister urging Anthony Albanese to visit and sign the deal in September. Jotham Napat has revealed discussions on the "Nakamal" agreement, taking in infrastructure planning, economic development and climate planning, are in the final stages, after meeting with Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Port Vila. "We are hoping that we will sign this Nakamal agreement this coming September, and I'm hoping that the prime minister of Australia would fly over so that we can sign this agreement," he said. The agreement takes its name from the Bislama word "nakamal", which means a traditional meeting place, such as a house, in Vanuatu. Mr Napat said the bilateral relationship had "unshakable foundations", a fitting phrase given Vanuatu's attempts to rebound from December's devastating earthquake. Senator Wong announced $6 million towards engineering support and rebuilding schools damaged in the 7.3 magnitude tremor. "Some 45 schools and over 100 classrooms have been damaged and we want to help rebuild them," she said. Australia - which has given financial aid and technical support following that disaster - is Vanuatu's top development assistance partner by a distance. Australia spent $US1 billion ($A1.6 billion) on projects in Vanuatu in the 15 years to 2022 according to the Lowy Institute, more than double the second-most generous nation, China, with $US449 million ($A697 million). Senator Wong foreshadowed talks to take place on the partnership before she left on her three-nation tour of the Pacific this week, including stops in Fiji and Tonga. There was no mention of a stalled security agreement signed between Mr Albanese's government and a prior Vanuatu administration, headed by Ishmael Kalsakau, in late 2022. Vanuatu has opted against ratifying that deal, with subsequent governments believing it compromises its non-aligned strategic outlook. Senator Wong also travelled with the First Nations ambassador Justin Mohamed and met with the National Council of Chiefs. "What I would say to the leader of Vanuatu, to the prime minister and to his cabinet, to the chiefs and to the people, is that 'we are a steadfast partner. You can count on us'," she said. "You can count on us to act on climate change. You can count on us to help rebuild. You can count on us to work with you as we walk together." Mr Albanese already has two Pacific diplomatic engagements this September: the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinean independence, and the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit in Solomon Islands. A new development pact between Vanuatu and Australia is in the works, with Vanuatu's prime minister urging Anthony Albanese to visit and sign the deal in September. Jotham Napat has revealed discussions on the "Nakamal" agreement, taking in infrastructure planning, economic development and climate planning, are in the final stages, after meeting with Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Port Vila. "We are hoping that we will sign this Nakamal agreement this coming September, and I'm hoping that the prime minister of Australia would fly over so that we can sign this agreement," he said. The agreement takes its name from the Bislama word "nakamal", which means a traditional meeting place, such as a house, in Vanuatu. Mr Napat said the bilateral relationship had "unshakable foundations", a fitting phrase given Vanuatu's attempts to rebound from December's devastating earthquake. Senator Wong announced $6 million towards engineering support and rebuilding schools damaged in the 7.3 magnitude tremor. "Some 45 schools and over 100 classrooms have been damaged and we want to help rebuild them," she said. Australia - which has given financial aid and technical support following that disaster - is Vanuatu's top development assistance partner by a distance. Australia spent $US1 billion ($A1.6 billion) on projects in Vanuatu in the 15 years to 2022 according to the Lowy Institute, more than double the second-most generous nation, China, with $US449 million ($A697 million). Senator Wong foreshadowed talks to take place on the partnership before she left on her three-nation tour of the Pacific this week, including stops in Fiji and Tonga. There was no mention of a stalled security agreement signed between Mr Albanese's government and a prior Vanuatu administration, headed by Ishmael Kalsakau, in late 2022. Vanuatu has opted against ratifying that deal, with subsequent governments believing it compromises its non-aligned strategic outlook. Senator Wong also travelled with the First Nations ambassador Justin Mohamed and met with the National Council of Chiefs. "What I would say to the leader of Vanuatu, to the prime minister and to his cabinet, to the chiefs and to the people, is that 'we are a steadfast partner. You can count on us'," she said. "You can count on us to act on climate change. You can count on us to help rebuild. You can count on us to work with you as we walk together." Mr Albanese already has two Pacific diplomatic engagements this September: the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinean independence, and the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit in Solomon Islands. A new development pact between Vanuatu and Australia is in the works, with Vanuatu's prime minister urging Anthony Albanese to visit and sign the deal in September. Jotham Napat has revealed discussions on the "Nakamal" agreement, taking in infrastructure planning, economic development and climate planning, are in the final stages, after meeting with Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Port Vila. "We are hoping that we will sign this Nakamal agreement this coming September, and I'm hoping that the prime minister of Australia would fly over so that we can sign this agreement," he said. The agreement takes its name from the Bislama word "nakamal", which means a traditional meeting place, such as a house, in Vanuatu. Mr Napat said the bilateral relationship had "unshakable foundations", a fitting phrase given Vanuatu's attempts to rebound from December's devastating earthquake. Senator Wong announced $6 million towards engineering support and rebuilding schools damaged in the 7.3 magnitude tremor. "Some 45 schools and over 100 classrooms have been damaged and we want to help rebuild them," she said. Australia - which has given financial aid and technical support following that disaster - is Vanuatu's top development assistance partner by a distance. Australia spent $US1 billion ($A1.6 billion) on projects in Vanuatu in the 15 years to 2022 according to the Lowy Institute, more than double the second-most generous nation, China, with $US449 million ($A697 million). Senator Wong foreshadowed talks to take place on the partnership before she left on her three-nation tour of the Pacific this week, including stops in Fiji and Tonga. There was no mention of a stalled security agreement signed between Mr Albanese's government and a prior Vanuatu administration, headed by Ishmael Kalsakau, in late 2022. Vanuatu has opted against ratifying that deal, with subsequent governments believing it compromises its non-aligned strategic outlook. Senator Wong also travelled with the First Nations ambassador Justin Mohamed and met with the National Council of Chiefs. "What I would say to the leader of Vanuatu, to the prime minister and to his cabinet, to the chiefs and to the people, is that 'we are a steadfast partner. You can count on us'," she said. "You can count on us to act on climate change. You can count on us to help rebuild. You can count on us to work with you as we walk together." Mr Albanese already has two Pacific diplomatic engagements this September: the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinean independence, and the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit in Solomon Islands.
Perth Now
22-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Vanuatu, Australia to sign new development pact
A new development pact between Vanuatu and Australia is in the works, with Vanuatu's prime minister urging Anthony Albanese to visit and sign the deal in September. Jotham Napat has revealed discussions on the "Nakamal" agreement, taking in infrastructure planning, economic development and climate planning, are in the final stages, after meeting with Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Port Vila. "We are hoping that we will sign this Nakamal agreement this coming September, and I'm hoping that the prime minister of Australia would fly over so that we can sign this agreement," he said. The agreement takes its name from the Bislama word "nakamal", which means a traditional meeting place, such as a house, in Vanuatu. Mr Napat said the bilateral relationship had "unshakable foundations", a fitting phrase given Vanuatu's attempts to rebound from December's devastating earthquake. Senator Wong announced $6 million towards engineering support and rebuilding schools damaged in the 7.3 magnitude tremor. "Some 45 schools and over 100 classrooms have been damaged and we want to help rebuild them," she said. Australia - which has given financial aid and technical support following that disaster - is Vanuatu's top development assistance partner by a distance. Australia spent $US1 billion ($A1.6 billion) on projects in Vanuatu in the 15 years to 2022 according to the Lowy Institute, more than double the second-most generous nation, China, with $US449 million ($A697 million). Senator Wong foreshadowed talks to take place on the partnership before she left on her three-nation tour of the Pacific this week, including stops in Fiji and Tonga. There was no mention of a stalled security agreement signed between Mr Albanese's government and a prior Vanuatu administration, headed by Ishmael Kalsakau, in late 2022. Vanuatu has opted against ratifying that deal, with subsequent governments believing it compromises its non-aligned strategic outlook. Senator Wong also travelled with the First Nations ambassador Justin Mohamed and met with the National Council of Chiefs. "What I would say to the leader of Vanuatu, to the prime minister and to his cabinet, to the chiefs and to the people, is that 'we are a steadfast partner. You can count on us'," she said. "You can count on us to act on climate change. You can count on us to help rebuild. You can count on us to work with you as we walk together." Mr Albanese already has two Pacific diplomatic engagements this September: the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinean independence, and the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit in Solomon Islands.
Perth Now
29-04-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Trump holds rally to mark his first 100 days in office
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Michigan to kick off a pair of events commemorating his first 100 days in office. Speaking briefly at a National Guard base, Trump touted his administration's investments in defence and praised the foreign policy record of his first administration, from 2017 to 2021. He said Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was doing a "great job", without mentioning recent disclosures that he discussed highly sensitive military information with several personal acquaintances. And, in a relatively rare moment of bipartisanship, the president lavished praise on Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat. He said she had played a key role in "saving" the Selfridge Air National Guard Base northeast of Detroit, where local media reported concerns about the base's future last year. "I'll be supporting a record-setting $US1 trillion ($A1.6 trillion) investment in our national defence," said Trump, speaking before dozens of troops, as well as Whitmer and Hegseth. During the speech, he said the base in Selfridge would be receiving 21 Boeing F-15X jets. Whitmer said in a statement the move secured the base's mission and was a "huge, bipartisan win for Michigan" that will protect jobs. On Air Force One earlier on Tuesday, US time, Trump signed an order to soften the blow of his auto tariffs with a mix of credits and relief from other levies. Meanwhile, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC he had reached one deal with a foreign power, which he declined to name, that should permanently ease the "reciprocal" tariffs Trump plans to impose. Trump later spoke at an evening rally in Warren, near Detroit. That event, his biggest since assuming office on January 20, was an opportunity for him to tout what his administration sees as his core achievements in the opening months of his second non-consecutive term. The event will likely also be an opportunity for the president to reassure voters in the politically competitive automaking state that he is a good economic steward. A three-day Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Sunday showed that 42 per cent of respondents approved of Trump's performance so far, while 53 per cent disapproved. That is down from 47 per cent approval in the Reuters/Ipsos poll in January. The share of respondents who approved of Trump's economic stewardship was only 36 per cent in the latest survey, the lowest level in his current term or in his 2017-2021 presidency. Fears of a recession have surged in recent weeks as Trump has launched a global trade war, hiking tariffs so high that economists warn that trade with some nations - notably China - could grind nearly to a halt.
