Tag: International

Vietnamese-Born MP Criticizes Major Parties for Lockdown and Forgetting Migrant Communities

Australian independent MP Dai Le has given a powerful maiden speech in which she recounted her journey of fleeing Vietnam, expressed gratitude for Australian values, criticised pandemic lockdowns and urged the government to unlock the potential of the migrant workforce. The Vietnamese-born MP was known for having defeated high-profile Labor senator Kristina Keneally for the…


‘Communist Dictatorship’: Vietnamese-Born MP Pans Major Parties for Lockdowns in Maiden Speech

In her maiden speech to Parliament, Independent MP Dai Le recounted her journey of fleeing Vietnam, expressed gratitude for Australian values, and criticised pandemic lockdowns while urging the government to unlock the potential of the country’s large migrant workforce. The Vietnamese-born MP managed to defeat high-profile candidate Kristina Keneally in the traditionally safe Labor Party…


Kiribati Drought Reaches Critical Levels: UNICEF

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) is warning that children in Kiribati are at risk of bacterial contamination as drought in the Pacific nation worsens. Rice Chudeau, head of UNICEF Kiribati, told Radio New Zealand (RNZ) that current rainfall levels were at historic lows. “From the rainfall and well monitoring data, we know that the…


Australia Orders Review of TikTok’s Data Collection

Australia’s Home Affairs Minister has ordered cybersecurity authorities to investigate social media giant TikTok’s data collection security. Clare O’Neil, who is also the cybersecurity minister, called on Australians who use TikTok to be cautious of data collection by the app. “I’d say to Australians: if you’re using TikTok, think about what data of yours might…


NZ Government to Target Rampant Youth Crime, Denies Being ‘Soft on Crime’

The New Zealand government has announced another crime package aimed at tackling intensifying youth crime by expanding youth engagement and employment programmes, which has been met with renewed accusations of Labour being “soft on crime.” Police Minister Chris Hipkins and Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni revealed that the government would be supporting thousands more participants…


Russia Sanctions 25 More Americans, Including Penn, Stiller

Russia imposed personal sanctions Monday on 25 Americans, including actors Sean Penn and Ben Stiller, in response to U.S. sanctions against Russians stemming from the conflict in Ukraine. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was on the new sanctions list, as were several American senators: Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Kevin Cramer of North…


Russia Sanctions 25 More Americans, Including Actors Sean Penn, Ben Stiller

Russia imposed personal sanctions Monday on 25 Americans, including actors Sean Penn and Ben Stiller, in response to U.S. sanctions against Russians stemming from the conflict in Ukraine. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was on the new sanctions list, as were several American senators: Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike…


Japan Protests to Russia Over Military Exercises With China

TOKYO—Japan has protested to Russia over multinational military exercises being conducted on Russian-held islands claimed by Japan, and is seriously concerned about shooting drills by Russian and Chinese warships off Japan’s northern coast, an official said Monday. Beijing has been increasing its military cooperation with Moscow, and has been taking part in the multinational “Vostok…


US Hospital Ship a Pawn in Solomons Prime Minister Power Play: Expert

South Pacific expert Cleo Paskal has said the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is steadily moving all his chips into place before a sudden move to solidify his hold on power with the backing of Beijing. Her comments come in response to the recent decision by the Solomons to allow U.S. Navy hospital ship,…


US Hospital Ship a Pawn in Solomons PM’s China Power Play: Expert

South Pacific expert Cleo Paskal has said the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is steadily moving all his chips into place before a sudden move to solidify his hold on power with the backing of Beijing. Her comments come in response to the recent decision by the Solomons to allow U.S. Navy hospital ship,…