Latest news with #A500
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
China, US pledge Pacific funds before key meeting
A Chinese corporation has pledged $A1 billion to Nauru, the Pacific Islands nation with a population of 12,000 says, as major powers including the United States push for influence in the region. The announcement comes before a meeting of foreign ministers of the Pacific Islands Forum regional bloc on Thursday and the region's top political meeting in September. The Solomon Islands, which hosts the annual leaders meeting and is China's biggest ally in the region, made the surprise decision to block 21 donor countries, including China and the United States, from attending after pressure from Beijing to exclude Taiwan. The US expressed disappointment with the move but on Tuesday made its own $US60 million ($A92 million) pledge to the region under a 2022 treaty, as news of the Chinese agreement with Nauru was made public. The US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau told Pacific Islands officials in Washington on Monday the long-promised funds would be released by the Trump administration, the State Department said. Meanwhile, Australia, the largest forum member, has sent high-level delegations to Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu for security talks. Nauru said its foreign affairs minister, Lionel Aingimea, had signed the proposal in Beijing worth $A1 billion with the China Rural Revitalisation and Development Corporation for economic development. The deal was signed last week and would develop Nauru's renewable energy, phosphate industry, fisheries, water, agriculture, transport and health sectors, the statement said. A Nauru government official was unable to provide further details. Nauru President David Adeang visited China in July to trace his ancestral roots, China's embassy in Nauru said in July. The Pacific leaders meeting in September will consider regional security, with Australia seeking to block China from forging further security ties in its Pacific neighbourhood. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Defence Minister Richard Marles and Pacific Minister Pat Conroy will hold security talks in Vanuatu on Wednesday, with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reporting a deal worth $A500 million over a decade under consideration. Vanuatu said the two countries expected to sign a deal covering infrastructure and economic development in September. Wong said in a Sky television interview on Tuesday the Pacific was "essential to our stability, to our security". Marles on Tuesday opened the Lombrum Naval Base in Papua New Guinea, which he said was the largest security infrastructure project delivered by Australia in the Pacific. The upgrade to the PNG defence base was funded by the US and Australia.
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
A500 fireball truck kept D-road shut for seven hours
A blaze on the A500 kept the D-road shut for more than seven hours. Fire crews had been sent to the stretch between Audley and Talke at around 12.30pm yesterday where a truck's trailer was engulfed in flames. Footage from the scene shared with StokeonTrentLive showed smoke pouring from the trailer - which had been disconnected from the cab. And during the height of the incident National Highways had been forced to shut off both the northbound and southbound carriageways. As the day wore on the northbound was able to get back open. Meanwhile the southbound, where the blaze occurred remained closed until around 8.10pm last night. READ MORE: Tragedy as Waterworld confirm 'fatal incident' after resort forced to close READ MORE: Live Shelton updates as 'five police cars and two ambulances' shut road Motorists had found themselves in delays on a number of nearby roads as drivers sought out alternative routes. We are awaiting a statement from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Get daily headlines and breaking news emailed to you - it's FREE
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Outback killer dies, taking secret to the grave
Murdoch was given a life sentence for the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio, 28, and the assault and the attempted kidnapping of his girlfriend Joanne Lees on the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek in July 2001. Ms Lees hid in bushland for five hours while Murdoch hunted her with his dog, before she managed to flag down a truck driver. Murdoch is believed to have hidden Mr Falconio's body, which has never been found despite extensive searches. He died without revealing the site of the remains. In June, NT Police announced an $A500,000 ($NZ547,000) reward for information leading to the discovery of Mr Falconio's remains. Murdoch was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2019.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MP urges Reeves to back upgrades to East-West route
A Staffordshire MP has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to back upgrades to a busy East to West Midlands route ahead of the government's spending review. Burton and Uttoxeter MP Jacob Collier said the A50 and A500 corridor between Stoke and Derby needed "urgent" investment to support the Midlands economy, and major employers like JCB, Toyota and Rolls-Royce. Collier stated that the road currently faced "severe congestion at key pinch points", particularly in Staffordshire and Uttoxeter, and decisions around upgrades were needed. "I will continue to push for these essential upgrades to be made," he said. "For our local economy, for local employment opportunities, and for the safety of Uttoxeter residents." Transport organisation Midlands Connect said that upgrades would enhance the current transport links and connectivity. Improvements could create around £12bn in economic growth over the next 60 years, according to its report with Fifty500 Midlands Growth Corridor Commission. "The potential here is vast: 39,000 new jobs, 67,000 homes, and a thriving hub for green transport technology," Collier said. He added that the A50 and A500 must become a "true catalyst" for economic growth. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. 'Clarity needed on HS2 transport investment' Motorists will now face fines for bus lane driving Plans to upgrade busy East-West route revealed Local Democracy Reporting Service Midlands Connect
BBC News
01-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Staffordshire MP urges Reeves to back upgrades to the A50 and A500
A Staffordshire MP has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to back upgrades to a busy East to West Midlands route ahead of the government's spending review. Burton and Uttoxeter MP Jacob Collier said the A50 and A500 corridor between Stoke and Derby needed "urgent" investment to support the Midlands economy, and major employers like JCB, Toyota and stated that the road currently faced "severe congestion at key pinch points", particularly in Staffordshire and Uttoxeter, and decisions around upgrades were needed."I will continue to push for these essential upgrades to be made," he said. "For our local economy, for local employment opportunities, and for the safety of Uttoxeter residents." Transport organisation Midlands Connect said that upgrades would enhance the current transport links and connectivity. Improvements could create around £12bn in economic growth over the next 60 years, according to its report with Fifty500 Midlands Growth Corridor Commission."The potential here is vast: 39,000 new jobs, 67,000 homes, and a thriving hub for green transport technology," Collier added that the A50 and A500 must become a "true catalyst" for economic growth. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
