Latest news with #ForeignAffairsDepartment
Metro
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Metro
This country is sinking — and citizens are competing to escape
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Kamchatka earthquake and tsunami in Russia put all the Pacific countries on high alert, but one island nation has already been preparing for an uncertain future. Although Tuvalu is described as an 'unspoiled corner of the Pacific,' its residents are bidding on tickets to escape their sinking homeland before it's too late. Some 2,600 miles west of Hawaii and more than 3,000 miles from mainland Australia, the island faces an uncertain future due to rising water levels, compounded by natural disasters like the 8.8 magnitude earthquake and tsunami yesterday. People on the island were told to be on standby for the worst-case scenario yesterday after the country's disaster management office issued a tsunami alert until the threat passed and Tuvalu was given the all-clear. Scientists at Nasa have predicted that the majority of land and critical infrastructure in Tuvalu will sit below the current high tide level by 2050. The tiny Oceanic enclave is just 10 square miles, and, behind Vatican City, is the second least populated country in the world. But more than a third of residents on the island have now gambled on their future, entering a dystopian ballot for a climate visa, which would allow them to flee and permanently migrate to Australia. Only 280 visas will be awarded from a random ballot each year, distributed among the nation's 10,643 residents. The price of safety? £11.93 per ballot. The visa programme, spearheaded by Australia's Foreign Affairs Department, would provide permanent residency in Australia and the right to travel freely in and out of the country. Visa holders would also have access to Medicare (Australia's state-funded health system), childcare subsidies and the right to study at Aussie schools. Essentially, the visa is a golden ticket to a new life. At the same time, Australia and New Zealand have been funding construction in Tuvalu to fortify land being claimed by the sea and create new raised areas of land to tackle the threat of rising sea levels. The Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project is working to protect the country's rapidly shrinking shorelines, as waters continue to rise. Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment, Dr. Maina Vakafua Talia, said: 'We believe this work can provide valuable lessons for other atoll nations worldwide dealing with the adverse impacts of climate change.' But even as governments are working to save Tuvalu and essentially evacuate residents with ballot visas, the island nation is still being touted to tourists as an 'untouched corner of the Pacific'. The government's tourism board advertises the island as 'timeless', but the clock is ticking for Tuvalu, and other atoll nations. By 2050, scientists warn that around 80% of the Maldives could become uninhabitable. Male, the Maldivian capital which sits in the Indian Ocean, has been aware of the threat of rising sea levels, and has even reportedly begun building a floating city to deal with it. But rising sea levels still pose a serious threat and could submerge the city. The Netherlands is also sinking. It's no surprise – its lowest point is 22ft is below sea level. The Netherlands are part of the Low Countries, as they sit low, flat and close to the North Sea. More Trending But although the Dutch are known for their flood defence techniques, sea levels are currently rising more than twice as fast as they were in the 20th century. And they're in a better position than most of the Pacific nations facing climate change issues – each household in the Netherlands has $248,599 in net wealth, meaning they could easily move if the climate situation worsened. Wealth is a different question in the Pacific island nations, where much of the nation relies on industries like agriculture, fishing and tourism for a livelihood. This article was first published on June 27, 2025. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: How 8.8-magnitude earthquake and tsunamis are causing major flight disruption worldwide MORE: Map shows where tsunami warnings are in place after 8.8-magnitude earthquake MORE: Where is the Kamchatka peninsula and why is it so dangerous?
AU Financial Review
09-07-2025
- Politics
- AU Financial Review
Diplomatic void clouds Labor's climate summit bid
Australia's Foreign Affairs Department is operating without its top climate diplomat as the Albanese government struggles to lock in the international support required to secure its bid to host a major UN summit in Adelaide in 2026. Climate change ambassador Kristin Tilley left her post on June 27, but the government has yet to find a replacement. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is recruiting for the role, but has not set a date for the appointment of a new ambassador.
Metro
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
This country will be underwater by 2050 — and citizens are entering a bleak competition to escape
Residents of an island described as an 'unspoiled corner of the Pacific' are bidding on tickets to escape their sinking homeland before it's too late. Some 2,600 miles west of Hawaii and more than 3,000 miles from mainland Australia, the island nation of Tuvalu faces an uncertain future. Scientists at Nasa have predicted that the majority of land and critical infrastructure in Tuvalu will sit below the current high tide level by 2050. The tiny Oceanic enclave is just 10 square miles, and, behind Vatican City, is the second least populated country in the world. But more than a third of residents on the island have now gambled on their future, entering a dystopian ballot for a climate visa, which would allow them to flee and permanently migrate to Australia. Only 280 visas will be awarded from a random ballot each year, distributed among the nation's 10,643 residents. The price of safety? £11.93 per ballot. The visa programme, spearheaded by Australia's Foreign Affairs Department, would provide permanent residency in Australia and the right to travel freely in and out of the country. Visa holders would also have access to Medicare (Australia's state-funded health system), childcare subsidies and the right to study at Aussie schools. Essentially, the visa is a golden ticket to a new life. At the same time, Australia and New Zealand have been funding construction in Tuvalu to fortify land being claimed by the sea and create new raised areas of land to tackle the threat of rising sea levels. The Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project is working to protect the country's rapidly shrinking shorelines, as waters continue to rise. Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment, Dr. Maina Vakafua Talia, said: 'We believe this work can provide valuable lessons for other atoll nations worldwide dealing with the adverse impacts of climate change.' But even as governments are working to save Tuvalu and essentially evacuate residents with ballot visas, the island nation is still being touted to tourists as an 'untouched corner of the Pacific'. The government's tourism board advertises the island as 'timeless', but the clock is ticking for Tuvalu, and other atoll nations. By 2050, scientists warn that around 80% of the Maldives could become uninhabitable. Male, the Maldivian capital which sits in the Indian Ocean, has been aware of the threat of rising sea levels, and has even reportedly begun building a floating city to deal with it. But rising sea levels still pose a serious threat and could submerge the city. The Netherlands is also sinking. It's no surprise – its lowest point is 22ft is below sea level. The Netherlands are part of the Low Countries, as they sit low, flat and close to the North Sea. But although the Dutch are known for their flood defence techniques, sea levels are currently rising more than twice as fast as they were in the 20th century. And they're in a better position than most of the Pacific nations facing climate change issues – each household in the Netherlands has $248,599 in net wealth, meaning they could easily move if the climate situation worsened. Wealth is a different question in the Pacific island nations, where much of the nation relies on industries like agriculture, fishing and tourism for a livelihood. check our news page.
Metro
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
This island will be underwater by 2050 — and locals are competing to escape
Residents of an island described as an 'unspoiled corner of the Pacific' are bidding on tickets to escape their sinking homeland before it's too late. Some 2,600 miles west of Hawaii and more than 3,000 miles from mainland Australia, the island nation of Tuvalu faces an uncertain future. Scientists at Nasa have predicted that the majority of land and critical infrastructure in Tuvalu will sit below the current high tide level by 2050. The tiny Oceanic enclave is just 10 square miles, and, behind Vatican City, is the second least populated country in the world. But more than a third of residents on the island have now gambled on their future, entering a dystopian ballot for a climate visa, which would allow them to flee and permanently migrate to Australia. Only 280 visas will be awarded from a random ballot each year, distributed among the nation's 10,643 residents. The price of safety? £11.93 per ballot. The visa programme, spearheaded by Australia's Foreign Affairs Department, would provide permanent residency in Australia and the right to travel freely in and out of the country. Visa holders would also have access to Medicare (Australia's state-funded health system), childcare subsidies and the right to study at Aussie schools. Essentially, the visa is a golden ticket to a new life. At the same time, Australia and New Zealand have been funding construction in Tuvalu to fortify land being claimed by the sea and create new raised areas of land to tackle the threat of rising sea levels. The Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project is working to protect the country's rapidly shrinking shorelines, as waters continue to rise. Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment, Dr. Maina Vakafua Talia, said: 'We believe this work can provide valuable lessons for other atoll nations worldwide dealing with the adverse impacts of climate change.' But even as governments are working to save Tuvalu and essentially evacuate residents with ballot visas, the island nation is still being touted to tourists as an 'untouched corner of the Pacific'. The government's tourism board advertises the island as 'timeless', but the clock is ticking for Tuvalu, and other atoll nations. By 2050, scientists warn that around 80% of the Maldives could become uninhabitable. Male, the Maldivian capital which sits in the Indian Ocean, has been aware of the threat of rising sea levels, and has even reportedly begun building a floating city to deal with it. But rising sea levels still pose a serious threat and could submerge the city. More Trending The Netherlands is also sinking. It's no surprise – its lowest point is 22ft is below sea level. The Netherlands are part of the Low Countries, as they sit low, flat and close to the North Sea. But although the Dutch are known for their flood defence techniques, sea levels are currently rising more than twice as fast as they were in the 20th century. And they're in a better position than most of the Pacific nations facing climate change issues – each household in the Netherlands has $248,599 in net wealth, meaning they could easily move if the climate situation worsened. Wealth is a different question in the Pacific island nations, where much of the nation relies on industries like agriculture, fishing and tourism for a livelihood. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Keir Starmer: Even in summer, I'm working to bring energy bills down MORE: The UK is now 20 times more likely to see a 40°C summer MORE: I love living in London — but it sucks in the summer
The Journal
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Tánaiste says efforts are being made to evacuate 15 Irish citizens from Israel
EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY to evacuate 15 Irish citizens from Israel as the conflict between the country and its neighbour and longtime foe Iran has soured further. Last night, it was announced by US President Donald Trump that t he US had bombed three nuclear enrichment sites in Iran after Israel had earlier launched attacks on Iran over a week ago. There has been discussion in recent days regarding the potential evacuation of Irish passport holders who are residing in either country. Today, Harris said that his Foreign Affairs Department is also working with a smaller number of citizens in Iran who had requested an evacuation. Around 29 Irish citizens in Iran had registered with the Irish embassy and around 200 in Israel. The government remains in contact with embassies in Israel and Iran. Staff in Tehran left the country on Friday and have since been working remotely. Speaking to RTÉ Radio One this afternoon, Harris confirmed that a civil protection operation with EU member states is taking place in order to extract European citizens from the region. He said while it is an ongoing operation, with further and more significant updates pending, only a small number of Irish citizens are seeking assistance from the joint mission currently. Advertisement Harris said he spoke to Iran's deputy foreign minister today, at their request, who was 'full of anger'. 'He did say to me that it was the view of Iran that the aggressors would have to learn lessons and pay a price,' he told reporters at Government Buildings. 'Of course I articulated in the strongest possible terms that Ireland and the European Union doesn't want to see that, we want to see people step back from the brink and engage in dialogue.' Harris said the US strikes on Iran had made a 'volatile situation even more dangerous' and added an 'extra layer of complexity' to what was already a 'tinderbox'. When asked whether he supported Trump's strikes on Iran, Harris said: 'I think it's resulted in an extraordinarily dangerous escalation of a conflict that already best be described as a tinderbox. 'We're now entering a moment of particular danger, because I think the chances now of a spiral of escalation are more likely than ever before, and there is a real prospect now of the international community losing all control of this very, very volatile conflict.' He said there was only a 'very small' number of Irish citizens, many dual nationals, seeking an evacuation, and they were working with European counterparts. A significant update on this would be available in the hours ahead, he said. With reporting by Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
