11 months ago
AAP
US Navy to commission new warship in Australia
Story by Dominic Giannini • 2:42 pm - 24-5-2023
The new USS Canberra will be the first American navy warship to be commissioned in an allied country, with the combat vessel set to join the US fleet.
Australian navy chief Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said July's historic event would show the deep ties between the United States and Australia, and provide an opportunity to reflect on their shared history.
"This is a unique demonstration of respect by the US for the officers and sailors of the Royal Australian Navy," the vice admiral said.
Members of the US Navy and USS Canberra crew will be hosted in Sydney to mark the occasion.
It is the second US ship to bear the name Canberra after former president Franklin D Roosevelt renamed a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser in the 1940s after a valiant effort from the Australian navy's HMAS Canberra during the Battle of Savo Island in 1942.
News of the commissioning came as Trade Minister Don Farrell headed to the US to strengthen defence ties with Washington.
Senator Farrell is embarking on a four-day trip in a bid to boost economic ties, including defence technology after the nations agreed to work towards Australia procuring nuclear-powered submarines.
The American, Australian and British defence supply chains and manufacturing sectors are set to intertwine more closely as the three nations work under the AUKUS pact to build submarines.
Senator Farrell will attend Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework meetings, where discussions will also span the transition to clean energy and a safe region amid anxiety over China.
His Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao will also be at the meetings, but a sideline meeting has not been locked in.
It comes weeks after Senator Farrell travelled to Beijing to lobby for the removal of punitive trade sanctions.
He will also meet US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo while in Detroit.
Senator Farrell said the government was committed to diversifying trade relations and "delivering broader and stronger trade agreements for the benefit of Australian businesses and workers".
Negotiations also continue on Australian access to vital defence technology in the context of strong US arms export laws.
Canada is carved out of those laws, an exception Australia is also seeking in a bid to cut red tape and streamline co-operation.
The minister's visit comes against the backdrop of tense negotiations between President Joe Biden and Congress over raising the US debt ceiling to avoid a potentially catastrophic default.
Markets are already dragging due to the uncertainty over negotiations but a default could send destructive ripples through the global economy and further spook investors.
Australia is negotiating for better access to vital US defence technology.
© Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS
US Navy to commission new warship in Australia
Story by Dominic Giannini • 2:42 pm - 24-5-2023
The new USS Canberra will be the first American navy warship to be commissioned in an allied country, with the combat vessel set to join the US fleet.
Australian navy chief Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said July's historic event would show the deep ties between the United States and Australia, and provide an opportunity to reflect on their shared history.
"This is a unique demonstration of respect by the US for the officers and sailors of the Royal Australian Navy," the vice admiral said.
Members of the US Navy and USS Canberra crew will be hosted in Sydney to mark the occasion.
It is the second US ship to bear the name Canberra after former president Franklin D Roosevelt renamed a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser in the 1940s after a valiant effort from the Australian navy's HMAS Canberra during the Battle of Savo Island in 1942.
News of the commissioning came as Trade Minister Don Farrell headed to the US to strengthen defence ties with Washington.
Senator Farrell is embarking on a four-day trip in a bid to boost economic ties, including defence technology after the nations agreed to work towards Australia procuring nuclear-powered submarines.
The American, Australian and British defence supply chains and manufacturing sectors are set to intertwine more closely as the three nations work under the AUKUS pact to build submarines.
Senator Farrell will attend Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework meetings, where discussions will also span the transition to clean energy and a safe region amid anxiety over China.
His Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao will also be at the meetings, but a sideline meeting has not been locked in.
It comes weeks after Senator Farrell travelled to Beijing to lobby for the removal of punitive trade sanctions.
He will also meet US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo while in Detroit.
Senator Farrell said the government was committed to diversifying trade relations and "delivering broader and stronger trade agreements for the benefit of Australian businesses and workers".
Negotiations also continue on Australian access to vital defence technology in the context of strong US arms export laws.
Canada is carved out of those laws, an exception Australia is also seeking in a bid to cut red tape and streamline co-operation.
The minister's visit comes against the backdrop of tense negotiations between President Joe Biden and Congress over raising the US debt ceiling to avoid a potentially catastrophic default.
Markets are already dragging due to the uncertainty over negotiations but a default could send destructive ripples through the global economy and further spook investors.
Australia is negotiating for better access to vital US defence technology.
© Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS
12 months ago
The Jerusalem Post
Ukrainian 'sabotage group' crosses border into Russia's Belogorod
Story by By REUTERS • 10:04 pm - 22-5-2023
The governor of Russia's Belgorod region said on Monday that a Ukrainian army 'sabotage group' had entered Russian territory in the Graivoron district, which borders Ukraine.
In a statement on Telegram, Vyacheslav Gladkov said that the Russian army and security forces were taking measures to repel the incursion.
Earlier, the Telegram channel Baza, which is linked to Russia's security services, had published footage apparently showing a Ukrainian tank attacking a Russian border post.
Reuters was unable to immediately verify the reports.
Ukrainian 'sabotage group' crosses border into Russia's Belogorod
Story by By REUTERS • 10:04 pm - 22-5-2023
The governor of Russia's Belgorod region said on Monday that a Ukrainian army 'sabotage group' had entered Russian territory in the Graivoron district, which borders Ukraine.
In a statement on Telegram, Vyacheslav Gladkov said that the Russian army and security forces were taking measures to repel the incursion.
Earlier, the Telegram channel Baza, which is linked to Russia's security services, had published footage apparently showing a Ukrainian tank attacking a Russian border post.
Reuters was unable to immediately verify the reports.
12 months ago
Mirror
Europe's most active volcano erupts and flights cancelled as ash spewed onto airport
Story by Milo Boyd • 7:03 pm - 22-5-2023
A series of deadly floods in the northern region of Emilia Romagna has killed at least 15 people and forced another 36,000 from their homes.
Distressing footage of the aftermath of the floods has been circulating on social media, with one video showing distraught woman crying that her house "no longer exists".
The clip shows Mirella Berardinelli, a resident of Forlì, in the Emilia Romagna region, saying that she has lost everything, including her property and her pets.
The extreme weather saw six months' worth of rain come down in just 36 hours, causing widespread damage and cutting communities off due to the huge amount of mud and water in the streets.
The city with Etna in the distance erupting
© Getty Images
Europe's most active volcano erupts and flights cancelled as ash spewed onto airport
Story by Milo Boyd • 7:03 pm - 22-5-2023
A series of deadly floods in the northern region of Emilia Romagna has killed at least 15 people and forced another 36,000 from their homes.
Distressing footage of the aftermath of the floods has been circulating on social media, with one video showing distraught woman crying that her house "no longer exists".
The clip shows Mirella Berardinelli, a resident of Forlì, in the Emilia Romagna region, saying that she has lost everything, including her property and her pets.
The extreme weather saw six months' worth of rain come down in just 36 hours, causing widespread damage and cutting communities off due to the huge amount of mud and water in the streets.
The city with Etna in the distance erupting
© Getty Images
12 months ago
Mirror
Europe's most active volcano erupts and flights cancelled as ash spewed onto airport
Story by Milo Boyd • 7:03 pm - 22-5-2023
Departure boards from Catania Airport shows many of the flights due to arrive this morning were cancelled or diverted to Comiso Airport.
By 8am, some flights were making it to the airport's runway, although the majority were severely delayed.
The 3,357metre high volcano, the tallest in Europe, has been known to erupt multiple times per year, though the last major blast was in 1992.
It is in a near constant state of activity, causing the nearby soils to become incredibly fertile and support acres of sprawling vineyards and orchards.
Due in part to this lush scenery and the view of the towering volcano, the region has become one of the best loved and most visited in Italy.
The eruption is the latest in a string of natural disasters that Italy has had to deal with this year.
View of some columns in the stage of the greek theater in Taormina and a perspective of snowy mount Etna
© Getty Images/iStockphoto
Europe's most active volcano erupts and flights cancelled as ash spewed onto airport
Story by Milo Boyd • 7:03 pm - 22-5-2023
Departure boards from Catania Airport shows many of the flights due to arrive this morning were cancelled or diverted to Comiso Airport.
By 8am, some flights were making it to the airport's runway, although the majority were severely delayed.
The 3,357metre high volcano, the tallest in Europe, has been known to erupt multiple times per year, though the last major blast was in 1992.
It is in a near constant state of activity, causing the nearby soils to become incredibly fertile and support acres of sprawling vineyards and orchards.
Due in part to this lush scenery and the view of the towering volcano, the region has become one of the best loved and most visited in Italy.
The eruption is the latest in a string of natural disasters that Italy has had to deal with this year.
View of some columns in the stage of the greek theater in Taormina and a perspective of snowy mount Etna
© Getty Images/iStockphoto
12 months ago
Mirror
Europe's most active volcano erupts and flights cancelled as ash spewed onto airport
Story by Milo Boyd • 7:03 pm - 22-5-2023
Planes were grounded and an airport shut last night after Mount Etna erupted.
Europe's most active volcano was spewing a huge dark cloud into the sky on Sunday, raining ash down on Catania, eastern Sicily's largest city, and forcing a suspension of flights at the city's airport.
No injuries have been reported following the blast, which caused a great plume of molten liquid to fire out of the mountain. Ash was seen raining down and covering cars near the volcano.
Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said that ash had fallen on Catania and at least one town on Mount Etna's inhabited slopes.
People in the towns of Adrano and Biancavilla reported hearing loud booms emanating from the volcano on Sunday, the Italian news agency ANSA said.
A video shared on social media shows someone writing 'Grazie Etna' in the layer of ash that covered their car.
While flights have now been restored "with initial limitations", delays are still likely to passengers travelling through the airport are urged to check the status of their flight before departing.
A photographer captured the moment lighting bolts struck the crater of erupting volcano under the night sky
© Emilio Messina Photography / SW
Europe's most active volcano erupts and flights cancelled as ash spewed onto airport
Story by Milo Boyd • 7:03 pm - 22-5-2023
Planes were grounded and an airport shut last night after Mount Etna erupted.
Europe's most active volcano was spewing a huge dark cloud into the sky on Sunday, raining ash down on Catania, eastern Sicily's largest city, and forcing a suspension of flights at the city's airport.
No injuries have been reported following the blast, which caused a great plume of molten liquid to fire out of the mountain. Ash was seen raining down and covering cars near the volcano.
Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said that ash had fallen on Catania and at least one town on Mount Etna's inhabited slopes.
People in the towns of Adrano and Biancavilla reported hearing loud booms emanating from the volcano on Sunday, the Italian news agency ANSA said.
A video shared on social media shows someone writing 'Grazie Etna' in the layer of ash that covered their car.
While flights have now been restored "with initial limitations", delays are still likely to passengers travelling through the airport are urged to check the status of their flight before departing.
A photographer captured the moment lighting bolts struck the crater of erupting volcano under the night sky
© Emilio Messina Photography / SW
12 months ago
UNBELIEVABLE! China's $13.5 Billion build A Sea City Of 1,500,000 People #project #city #china - YouTube
#china #chinanews #construction #architecture China has a huge population of 1.4 billion. After decades of rapid development, the original usable land in Chi...
12 months ago
Chinese $8.5 billion building Asia's largest train station#china #construction - YouTube
1-Turkey's Mega Project: Build $1.3 Billion High-Speed Rail With China，Shocked The Whole Worldhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgfnM...2-China Spend 7Years To...
12 months ago
The Guardian
China’s war chest: Beijing’s ‘great wall of steel’ faces obstacles to military supremacy
Story by Amy Hawkins senior China correspondent • 15-5-2023
Taiwan’s foreign minister says he is preparing for conflict with China. In an interview this month, Joseph Wu said that “we are taking the Chinese military threat very seriously” and named 2027 as the year to be concerned about.
As relations between China and the US spiral ever lower, many analysts are increasingly worried that a conflict could be on the horizon and that the relationship between Taiwan and the US will be an important factor in influencing if and when China attempts to annex the self-governing island.
The CIA believes that China’s leader, Xi Jinping, has told the military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. At China’s annual parliamentary meetings in March, Xi said he would build China’s military into a “great wall of steel”, but stressed the need for a “peaceful development of cross-strait relations”.
China already has the world’s largest armed forces, with about 2 million active personnel. Its navy is also the world’s biggest, with an estimated 355 active vessels compared with the US’s 296. In 2021, Vice Adm Kay-Achim Schonbach, then the commander of Germany’s navy, said China was expanding its navy by the equivalent of France’s entire navy every four years.
An invasion of Taiwan would probably rely on a naval encirclement of the island, so China’s maritime capabilities will be of particular importance to those trying to glean how capable the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is of achieving its aim.
On 7 April the Pentagon announced a $1.7bn deal with Boeing for 400 anti-ship Harpoon missiles. The buyer is reportedly Taiwan, although this has not been officially confirmed.
Part of China’s push to modernise its armed forces has been a strategy of pursuing “military-civil fusion”, with the aim of developing the PLA into a “world-class military”. The government encourages private businesses to support the development of military technology, in everything from AI to nuclear technology to drones.
This strategy is evident in China’s shipbuilding industry. The China Shipbuilding Group Corporation accounts for a fifth of global ship production and also produces vessels for China’s navy. Such a high level of integration is “relatively uncommon”, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a thinktank.
It also hampers the ability of outside countries to understand or limit China’s military development.
“With little transparency and differentiation between military and civilian operations, it is impossible to determine the extent to which foreign ship orders may be helping to lower the costs” of the PLA’s naval modernisation, CSIS notes.
The PLA navy has also used civilian ferries to conduct military exercises. This hampers the ability of US and Taiwanese intelligence to detect abnormal activity.
Another trend of the past decade has been China’s efforts to become self-sufficient in advanced technology, particularly arms manufacturing. After concerted efforts over a number of years to advance its technological capabilities, China now produces more than 90% of its weaponry domestically, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a thinktank.
China’s war chest: Beijing’s ‘great wall of steel’ faces obstacles to military supremacy
Story by Amy Hawkins senior China correspondent • 15-5-2023
Taiwan’s foreign minister says he is preparing for conflict with China. In an interview this month, Joseph Wu said that “we are taking the Chinese military threat very seriously” and named 2027 as the year to be concerned about.
As relations between China and the US spiral ever lower, many analysts are increasingly worried that a conflict could be on the horizon and that the relationship between Taiwan and the US will be an important factor in influencing if and when China attempts to annex the self-governing island.
The CIA believes that China’s leader, Xi Jinping, has told the military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. At China’s annual parliamentary meetings in March, Xi said he would build China’s military into a “great wall of steel”, but stressed the need for a “peaceful development of cross-strait relations”.
China already has the world’s largest armed forces, with about 2 million active personnel. Its navy is also the world’s biggest, with an estimated 355 active vessels compared with the US’s 296. In 2021, Vice Adm Kay-Achim Schonbach, then the commander of Germany’s navy, said China was expanding its navy by the equivalent of France’s entire navy every four years.
An invasion of Taiwan would probably rely on a naval encirclement of the island, so China’s maritime capabilities will be of particular importance to those trying to glean how capable the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is of achieving its aim.
On 7 April the Pentagon announced a $1.7bn deal with Boeing for 400 anti-ship Harpoon missiles. The buyer is reportedly Taiwan, although this has not been officially confirmed.
Part of China’s push to modernise its armed forces has been a strategy of pursuing “military-civil fusion”, with the aim of developing the PLA into a “world-class military”. The government encourages private businesses to support the development of military technology, in everything from AI to nuclear technology to drones.
This strategy is evident in China’s shipbuilding industry. The China Shipbuilding Group Corporation accounts for a fifth of global ship production and also produces vessels for China’s navy. Such a high level of integration is “relatively uncommon”, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a thinktank.
It also hampers the ability of outside countries to understand or limit China’s military development.
“With little transparency and differentiation between military and civilian operations, it is impossible to determine the extent to which foreign ship orders may be helping to lower the costs” of the PLA’s naval modernisation, CSIS notes.
The PLA navy has also used civilian ferries to conduct military exercises. This hampers the ability of US and Taiwanese intelligence to detect abnormal activity.
Another trend of the past decade has been China’s efforts to become self-sufficient in advanced technology, particularly arms manufacturing. After concerted efforts over a number of years to advance its technological capabilities, China now produces more than 90% of its weaponry domestically, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a thinktank.
12 months ago
The Daily Digest
Trump found guilty of abuse: how will it affect his plans to regain the White House?
Story by Zeleb.es • 15-5-2023
Liable for sexual battery and defamation
A Manhattan jury has found former president Donald Trump liable in the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit accusing him of sexual battery and defamation, several media outlets reported.
Abuse in the 90’s
As reported in Newsweek, the nine-person jury determined that Trump likely abused then-Elle magazine columnist Carroll in a Manhattan department store nearly three decades ago.
Defamation ruling
Moreover, the jury also found Trump had defamed Carroll by calling her claims a “hoax” and a “con job” in an October 2022
$5 million in damages
According to The Hill, the jury decided Trump will have to pay Carroll $5 million in damages for her battery and defamation
The verdict might damage his chances of presidency
While the verdict may not affect Trump’s base of supporters, who view the US legal system with scepticism and have stood by him through worse, it may lower his chances to regain the White House in 2024, according to several Republican
Senators.claims.Truth Social post.
“I Don’t think he could win the presidency”
“The fact is, I do not think he could win the presidency,” Sen. John Cornyn of Texas told reporters at a press conference on Capitol Hill. "Regardless of what you think about him as an individual, to me, electability is the sole criterion."
Unlikely to support someone liable for abuse
In the same way, asked whether he could support someone who has been found liable for sexual misconduct as a candidate for president, Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota told reporters, “I would have a difficult time doing so.”
Republicans concerned
The Washington Post reported on the feelings of several senators regarding the matter: “He’s been found to be civilly liable. How could it do anything else but create concern?” Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said.
An ongoing drumbeat
Sen. John Thune of South Dakota suggested that the verdict would most likely be part of “an ongoing drumbeat” throughout Trump’s candidacy.
Drama surrounding Trump
Thune added that while many voters appear to have adopted the view that prosecutors “are out to get” Trump, “people are gonna have to decide whether they want to deal with all the drama that’s going to surround him.”
“I have absolutely no idea who this woman is”
Trump himself has continued to deny Carroll’s claims. "I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHO THIS WOMAN IS. THIS VERDICT IS A DISGRACE — A CONTINUATION OF THE GREATEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME!" he wrote on Truth Social.
Trump successfully bashing De Santis
Up until now, Trump has been building up grass-roots support in key primary states across the US, with a disciplined campaign, political analysts have said, and has managed to methodically undercut his main rival Ron DeSantis.
An avenue for his opponents to attack
However, the abuse and defamation ruling could now give his Republican opponents an avenue for attack as well.
Another historic first for Trump
Furthermore, the ruling is another historic first for a former president who already faces one criminal indictment and, possibly,
has others to come.
Trump found guilty of abuse: how will it affect his plans to regain the White House?
Story by Zeleb.es • 15-5-2023
Liable for sexual battery and defamation
A Manhattan jury has found former president Donald Trump liable in the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit accusing him of sexual battery and defamation, several media outlets reported.
Abuse in the 90’s
As reported in Newsweek, the nine-person jury determined that Trump likely abused then-Elle magazine columnist Carroll in a Manhattan department store nearly three decades ago.
Defamation ruling
Moreover, the jury also found Trump had defamed Carroll by calling her claims a “hoax” and a “con job” in an October 2022
$5 million in damages
According to The Hill, the jury decided Trump will have to pay Carroll $5 million in damages for her battery and defamation
The verdict might damage his chances of presidency
While the verdict may not affect Trump’s base of supporters, who view the US legal system with scepticism and have stood by him through worse, it may lower his chances to regain the White House in 2024, according to several Republican
Senators.claims.Truth Social post.
“I Don’t think he could win the presidency”
“The fact is, I do not think he could win the presidency,” Sen. John Cornyn of Texas told reporters at a press conference on Capitol Hill. "Regardless of what you think about him as an individual, to me, electability is the sole criterion."
Unlikely to support someone liable for abuse
In the same way, asked whether he could support someone who has been found liable for sexual misconduct as a candidate for president, Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota told reporters, “I would have a difficult time doing so.”
Republicans concerned
The Washington Post reported on the feelings of several senators regarding the matter: “He’s been found to be civilly liable. How could it do anything else but create concern?” Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said.
An ongoing drumbeat
Sen. John Thune of South Dakota suggested that the verdict would most likely be part of “an ongoing drumbeat” throughout Trump’s candidacy.
Drama surrounding Trump
Thune added that while many voters appear to have adopted the view that prosecutors “are out to get” Trump, “people are gonna have to decide whether they want to deal with all the drama that’s going to surround him.”
“I have absolutely no idea who this woman is”
Trump himself has continued to deny Carroll’s claims. "I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHO THIS WOMAN IS. THIS VERDICT IS A DISGRACE — A CONTINUATION OF THE GREATEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME!" he wrote on Truth Social.
Trump successfully bashing De Santis
Up until now, Trump has been building up grass-roots support in key primary states across the US, with a disciplined campaign, political analysts have said, and has managed to methodically undercut his main rival Ron DeSantis.
An avenue for his opponents to attack
However, the abuse and defamation ruling could now give his Republican opponents an avenue for attack as well.
Another historic first for Trump
Furthermore, the ruling is another historic first for a former president who already faces one criminal indictment and, possibly,
has others to come.
12 months ago
The Guardian
UK ministers urged to intervene if Australian bank takes 100% of gas business
Story by Alex Lawson • 10:45 pm - 14-5-2023
Ministers have been urged to intervene if Australian banking powerhouse Macquarie pushes the button on a mooted £3bn deal to take full control of a vital part of the UK’s gas grid.
A consortium comprised of Macquarie Asset Management and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation completed the acquisition of 60% of the equity in National Grid’s gas transmission and meter business in January, in a deal which valued the business at £7.5bn.
The Guardian understands a clause in that deal allows the consortium first refusal to snap up the remaining 40% from this summer.
The transmission business operates more than 4,000 miles of gas pipes in the UK.
If the consortium exercises the call option, it may prompt concerns over the future of a crucial piece of UK infrastructure as officials attempt to rebalance the nation’s energy system towards low-carbon technologies.
Macquarie owns a string of UK infrastructure assets including the gas network Cadent, Glasgow and Southampton airports, and several windfarm projects along the east and north-west coasts of England.
However, it has a chequered reputation in the UK over its ownership of first Thames Water, where it faced political scrutiny for extracting billions in dividends while its debt soared, and now Southern Water, the utility company criticised for repeatedly discharging sewage into the sea.
Gary Carter, GMB national officer, said: “Massive investment is going to be needed to reach net zero and secure the UK’s energy supply for future generations.
“Can Macquarie really be trusted with whole ownership of owning the nation’s gas transmission business?
“Macquarie’s reputation is one of maximising profits and stripping assets, often at the expense of investment as well as employees pay and pensions.
“This government must not sit idly by when energy security is at stake.”
The original 60% investment, agreed in March 2022, was scrutinised under the National Security and Investment Act, which is designed to examine whether any acquisition would put Britain at risk.
Any further deal could also be examined under the act, which was introduced in 2021.
The consortium’s initial investment was examined by the Competition and Markets Authority due to its ownership of Cadent. However, the watchdog did not find the deal would weaken competition. However, it may choose to scrutinise any further investment.
National Grid, the £42bn private company which runs Britain’s energy network, is in the process of rebalancing its assets away from fossil fuels.
During a recent interview with the Guardian, the National Grid chief executive, John Pettigrew, declined to comment on whether the consortium would exercise its option to buy the remaining equity.
Asked whether he’d had any qualms over the original sale given Macquarie’s reputation, he said: “There’s a process that the government goes through with any acquisition to ensure that the potential buyers are appropriate. That process was followed. Macquarie has bought gas [assets] in the past and have always been, as far as I can see, a very reputable operator of those assets.
“There’s a government process for the appropriateness of buyers which we followed.”
Earlier this month Macquarie recorded an annual net profit of A$5.18bn (£2.8bn), up 10% on the previous year.
UK ministers urged to intervene if Australian bank takes 100% of gas business
Story by Alex Lawson • 10:45 pm - 14-5-2023
Ministers have been urged to intervene if Australian banking powerhouse Macquarie pushes the button on a mooted £3bn deal to take full control of a vital part of the UK’s gas grid.
A consortium comprised of Macquarie Asset Management and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation completed the acquisition of 60% of the equity in National Grid’s gas transmission and meter business in January, in a deal which valued the business at £7.5bn.
The Guardian understands a clause in that deal allows the consortium first refusal to snap up the remaining 40% from this summer.
The transmission business operates more than 4,000 miles of gas pipes in the UK.
If the consortium exercises the call option, it may prompt concerns over the future of a crucial piece of UK infrastructure as officials attempt to rebalance the nation’s energy system towards low-carbon technologies.
Macquarie owns a string of UK infrastructure assets including the gas network Cadent, Glasgow and Southampton airports, and several windfarm projects along the east and north-west coasts of England.
However, it has a chequered reputation in the UK over its ownership of first Thames Water, where it faced political scrutiny for extracting billions in dividends while its debt soared, and now Southern Water, the utility company criticised for repeatedly discharging sewage into the sea.
Gary Carter, GMB national officer, said: “Massive investment is going to be needed to reach net zero and secure the UK’s energy supply for future generations.
“Can Macquarie really be trusted with whole ownership of owning the nation’s gas transmission business?
“Macquarie’s reputation is one of maximising profits and stripping assets, often at the expense of investment as well as employees pay and pensions.
“This government must not sit idly by when energy security is at stake.”
The original 60% investment, agreed in March 2022, was scrutinised under the National Security and Investment Act, which is designed to examine whether any acquisition would put Britain at risk.
Any further deal could also be examined under the act, which was introduced in 2021.
The consortium’s initial investment was examined by the Competition and Markets Authority due to its ownership of Cadent. However, the watchdog did not find the deal would weaken competition. However, it may choose to scrutinise any further investment.
National Grid, the £42bn private company which runs Britain’s energy network, is in the process of rebalancing its assets away from fossil fuels.
During a recent interview with the Guardian, the National Grid chief executive, John Pettigrew, declined to comment on whether the consortium would exercise its option to buy the remaining equity.
Asked whether he’d had any qualms over the original sale given Macquarie’s reputation, he said: “There’s a process that the government goes through with any acquisition to ensure that the potential buyers are appropriate. That process was followed. Macquarie has bought gas [assets] in the past and have always been, as far as I can see, a very reputable operator of those assets.
“There’s a government process for the appropriateness of buyers which we followed.”
Earlier this month Macquarie recorded an annual net profit of A$5.18bn (£2.8bn), up 10% on the previous year.
12 months ago
Daily Mail
Russia loses four aircraft shot out of the sky on Putin's side of the Ukraine border
Story by Will Stewart • 14-5-2023
Russian Telegram channel Military Informer said: 'According to preliminary information, the helicopters lost in the sky of the Bryansk region were Mi-8MTPR-1 electronic warfare helicopters with Rychag-AV active jamming stations installed on board.
'The Rychag-AV complexes were created to interfere with the guidance of air defence systems and enemy aircraft, preventing the use of anti-aircraft and aircraft missiles at a distance of more than 100 kilometres [62 miles].
'However, today the Mi-8MTPR-1s turned out to be too close to the border.'
The helicopters were assisting the Su-34 bomber for an operation over Chernihiv region in Ukraine, while the Su-35 fighter was providing cover.
The Russian warplanes and helicopters were shot down from Chernihiv region, reported Readovka.
Ukrainian official Anton Gerashchenko suggested that the four aircraft were downed by Russia's own air defence systems in a friendly fire incident.
Russian Telegram channel VChK also cited a source saying the planes may have been downed by air defences on the border.
There was no official statement from Russia clarifying what had happened.
This comes just a day after another Russian military helicopter crashed in Moscow-annexed Crimea during a training exercise.
Russia's defence ministry announced that the two pilots in the aircraft were killed following the incident on Friday.
The preliminary finding was it was due to mechanical failure, the statement said.
'During a scheduled training flight in the Djankoi district in Crimea, an Mi-28 helicopter crashed,' it said, adding that the helicopter had not been carrying ammunition and there had been no damage on the ground.
'The two pilots are dead,' it said.
The Mi-28 is a multi-task military helicopter capable of staging devastating attacks.
Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and used it as a launchpad for military operation in Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia says it has repelled several drone or missile attacks in Crimea in recent days.
In August 2022, the Djankoi military base was devastated after explosions at a munitions depot that Russia said was due to sabotage.
Ukraine said in March that an explosion there had destroyed Russian Kalibr cruise missiles, a claim denied by Moscow.
Russia loses four aircraft shot out of the sky on Putin's side of the Ukraine border
Story by Will Stewart • 14-5-2023
Russian Telegram channel Military Informer said: 'According to preliminary information, the helicopters lost in the sky of the Bryansk region were Mi-8MTPR-1 electronic warfare helicopters with Rychag-AV active jamming stations installed on board.
'The Rychag-AV complexes were created to interfere with the guidance of air defence systems and enemy aircraft, preventing the use of anti-aircraft and aircraft missiles at a distance of more than 100 kilometres [62 miles].
'However, today the Mi-8MTPR-1s turned out to be too close to the border.'
The helicopters were assisting the Su-34 bomber for an operation over Chernihiv region in Ukraine, while the Su-35 fighter was providing cover.
The Russian warplanes and helicopters were shot down from Chernihiv region, reported Readovka.
Ukrainian official Anton Gerashchenko suggested that the four aircraft were downed by Russia's own air defence systems in a friendly fire incident.
Russian Telegram channel VChK also cited a source saying the planes may have been downed by air defences on the border.
There was no official statement from Russia clarifying what had happened.
This comes just a day after another Russian military helicopter crashed in Moscow-annexed Crimea during a training exercise.
Russia's defence ministry announced that the two pilots in the aircraft were killed following the incident on Friday.
The preliminary finding was it was due to mechanical failure, the statement said.
'During a scheduled training flight in the Djankoi district in Crimea, an Mi-28 helicopter crashed,' it said, adding that the helicopter had not been carrying ammunition and there had been no damage on the ground.
'The two pilots are dead,' it said.
The Mi-28 is a multi-task military helicopter capable of staging devastating attacks.
Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and used it as a launchpad for military operation in Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia says it has repelled several drone or missile attacks in Crimea in recent days.
In August 2022, the Djankoi military base was devastated after explosions at a munitions depot that Russia said was due to sabotage.
Ukraine said in March that an explosion there had destroyed Russian Kalibr cruise missiles, a claim denied by Moscow.
12 months ago
Daily Mail
Russia loses four aircraft shot out of the sky on Putin's side of the Ukraine border
Story by Will Stewart • 14-5-2023
The helicopters and fighter jets were said to be flying near Bryansk, Russia
Reports indicated a Su-34 and Su-35 jet and two Mi-8 helicopters were downed
Two Russian warplanes and two military helicopters appear to have been shot out of the sky today close to the border with Ukraine in suspected missile strikes.
Videos posted on Russian social media on Saturday appeared to show the fighter jets and helicopters being downed over the Bryansk region, bordering Ukraine.
Reports indicated a Su-34 supersonic fighter-bomber and a Su-35 single-seater fighter were downed.
Two Mi-8 helicopters were shot down, one over Klintsy, a town in Bryansk region, and the other close to Volkustichi village in Unechsky district, it was reported.
While some reports have disputed the number of planes and helicopters downed - instead saying there were three in total - the Mash and Baza media outlets, with links to the authorities, said that the total number of downed aircraft was four. They added that all had been returning from a combat mission.
War channels reported two warplanes and two helicopters, with at least four crew killed.
Russian reports say the pilot and navigator in the Su-34, which crashed in the village of Istrovka near Starodub, failed to eject and were killed.
Videos showed a missile hitting one Mi-8 helicopter which exploded, plunging to the earth in flames.
Crew on the helicopters were also killed, reports said.
In one of the pieces of footage, the helicopter appears to have been struck side-on as a gush of flames erupts through the rotorcraft leaving a trail of black smoke.
Some reports claimed the incident - which was said to have occurred around 40 miles (around 64km) from the Ukraine border - was a result of friendly fire after being struck by a Kremlin missile.
Earlier TASS cited an emergency services source saying: 'The Su-34 crashed near the Ukrainian border. The fate of those on board is being established..'
Telegram account Rybar claimed that two Russian helicopters and one Su-34 fighter jet had crashed in Bryansk region.
But channel Ostorozhno Novosti reported that the second 'crashed helicopter' was in fact the Su-34.
One woman was injured on the ground.
It is not known what missiles were used.
But Ukraine has started deploying British-supplied Storm Shadow air to ground cruise missiles, with strikes in Russian-occupied Luhansk region on Friday, which were reported today.
The Russian media initially claimed that the downed helicopter in footage had suffered engine fire rather than being hit by a missile.
The strikes triggered fury from Russian pro-war pundits who allege Putin's high command has failed to properly prosecute the war.
Igor 'Strelkov Girkin - long a campaigner for all mobilisation and martial law - said sarcastically: 'Today's heavy losses by our aviation in the Bryansk region as a result of the actions of the enemy prompted some bloggers to a brilliant and completely unexpected idea that we must fight the enemy.
'Well, who would have thought?'
He blames the Kremlin for not declaring a full-scale war or putting Russian on a war footing.
Russia loses four aircraft shot out of the sky on Putin's side of the Ukraine border
Story by Will Stewart • 14-5-2023
The helicopters and fighter jets were said to be flying near Bryansk, Russia
Reports indicated a Su-34 and Su-35 jet and two Mi-8 helicopters were downed
Two Russian warplanes and two military helicopters appear to have been shot out of the sky today close to the border with Ukraine in suspected missile strikes.
Videos posted on Russian social media on Saturday appeared to show the fighter jets and helicopters being downed over the Bryansk region, bordering Ukraine.
Reports indicated a Su-34 supersonic fighter-bomber and a Su-35 single-seater fighter were downed.
Two Mi-8 helicopters were shot down, one over Klintsy, a town in Bryansk region, and the other close to Volkustichi village in Unechsky district, it was reported.
While some reports have disputed the number of planes and helicopters downed - instead saying there were three in total - the Mash and Baza media outlets, with links to the authorities, said that the total number of downed aircraft was four. They added that all had been returning from a combat mission.
War channels reported two warplanes and two helicopters, with at least four crew killed.
Russian reports say the pilot and navigator in the Su-34, which crashed in the village of Istrovka near Starodub, failed to eject and were killed.
Videos showed a missile hitting one Mi-8 helicopter which exploded, plunging to the earth in flames.
Crew on the helicopters were also killed, reports said.
In one of the pieces of footage, the helicopter appears to have been struck side-on as a gush of flames erupts through the rotorcraft leaving a trail of black smoke.
Some reports claimed the incident - which was said to have occurred around 40 miles (around 64km) from the Ukraine border - was a result of friendly fire after being struck by a Kremlin missile.
Earlier TASS cited an emergency services source saying: 'The Su-34 crashed near the Ukrainian border. The fate of those on board is being established..'
Telegram account Rybar claimed that two Russian helicopters and one Su-34 fighter jet had crashed in Bryansk region.
But channel Ostorozhno Novosti reported that the second 'crashed helicopter' was in fact the Su-34.
One woman was injured on the ground.
It is not known what missiles were used.
But Ukraine has started deploying British-supplied Storm Shadow air to ground cruise missiles, with strikes in Russian-occupied Luhansk region on Friday, which were reported today.
The Russian media initially claimed that the downed helicopter in footage had suffered engine fire rather than being hit by a missile.
The strikes triggered fury from Russian pro-war pundits who allege Putin's high command has failed to properly prosecute the war.
Igor 'Strelkov Girkin - long a campaigner for all mobilisation and martial law - said sarcastically: 'Today's heavy losses by our aviation in the Bryansk region as a result of the actions of the enemy prompted some bloggers to a brilliant and completely unexpected idea that we must fight the enemy.
'Well, who would have thought?'
He blames the Kremlin for not declaring a full-scale war or putting Russian on a war footing.
12 months ago
Sky News Australia
Good news for Australians seeking UK working holiday visa
Story by Sky News Australia • 2:56 pm - 9-5-2023
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has highlighted changes to the UK working holiday visa for Australians as the countries’ new free trade agreement comes into force on May 31.
Mr Albanese said the age limit for the UK working holiday visa will be raised to 35, with the maximum stay extended to three years.
“The relationships we are building with countries around the world are vital to Australia’s strategic interest and to a thriving economy at heart,” he said during Question Time on Tuesday.
Good news for Australians seeking UK working holiday visa
© Provided by Sky News Australia
Good news for Australians seeking UK working holiday visa
Story by Sky News Australia • 2:56 pm - 9-5-2023
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has highlighted changes to the UK working holiday visa for Australians as the countries’ new free trade agreement comes into force on May 31.
Mr Albanese said the age limit for the UK working holiday visa will be raised to 35, with the maximum stay extended to three years.
“The relationships we are building with countries around the world are vital to Australia’s strategic interest and to a thriving economy at heart,” he said during Question Time on Tuesday.
Good news for Australians seeking UK working holiday visa
© Provided by Sky News Australia
12 months ago
The Guardian
Australia’s post-pandemic surge in net overseas migration temporary, federal budget predicts
Story by Anne Davies • 7h ago - 10-5-2023
Australia’s surge in net overseas migration, forecast to be 400,000 in 2022–23, is a catchup from the pandemic and is expected to be temporary, the budget papers reveal.
The forecast for 2024–25 is 260,000, broadly in line with the long-term historical average of 235,000.
The budget papers say: “The pandemic resulted in the first net outflow of overseas migration from Australia since World War II. The rebound in temporary migration following the reopening of Australia’s international borders was initially slow but has recently started to recover at a faster rate.
“This has resulted in an upgrade in the forecast level of population, even though the total number of temporary migrants arriving in Australia is not expected to make up for the loss in migration during the pandemic for some time.
Population growth is now expected to be 2% in 2022–23 and 1.7% in 2023–24, up from the forecast of 1.4% for both years in the October budget.
Most of the increase is attributed to the return of overseas students, skilled temporary visa holders.
As well as new students starting their courses, those who were in the second and third years of their study and who were studying online have arrived, boosting the numbers, Treasury says.
The strong economy and changes to temporary visa eligibility have also added to arrivals.
The level of departures – the other side of net migration numbers – will take more time to return to normal because of the low number of arrivals during the pandemic, Treasury says.
The elevated forecast for net overseas migration in 2023–24 of 315,000 is largely driven by fewer temporary migrants departing Australia than usual, rather than a greater number of people arriving, it says.
So what does this mean for Australia’s population forecasts?
Related: Federal budget 2023: winners and losers summary
Even with this stronger near-term outlook, total net overseas migration is not expected to catch up to the level forecast before the pandemic until 2029–30.
The country’s population is expected to be 750,000 people (2.5%) smaller in June 2031 compared with pre-pandemic forecasts. The decline in the birthrate is accounted for in this figure.
The budget also included further details of the streamlined skilled migration program, which was announced by the home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil, in April.
The government will provide an extra two years of post-study work rights for temporary graduate visa holders with selected degrees, which will improve the pipeline of skilled labour in key sectors, the budget papers say.
As previously announced, the temporary skilled migration income threshold will increase from $53,000 to $70,000 from 1 July 2023 to ensure settings are better targeted towards truly skilled workers.
The budget also allocates $50m over four years from 2023–24 for additional enforcement and compliance activities to protect migrant workers, after unions raised concerns about exploitation.
A range of visa fees will increase above the usual CPI increase, yielding $655m over five years in extra revenue.
Most will increase by 6%, but business, innovation and investment visas will increase by an additional 40% and select visitor and temporary visas will increase by an additional 15 percentage points from 1 July 2023.
Pacific
Australia’s post-pandemic surge in net overseas migration temporary, federal budget predicts
Story by Anne Davies • 7h ago - 10-5-2023
Australia’s surge in net overseas migration, forecast to be 400,000 in 2022–23, is a catchup from the pandemic and is expected to be temporary, the budget papers reveal.
The forecast for 2024–25 is 260,000, broadly in line with the long-term historical average of 235,000.
The budget papers say: “The pandemic resulted in the first net outflow of overseas migration from Australia since World War II. The rebound in temporary migration following the reopening of Australia’s international borders was initially slow but has recently started to recover at a faster rate.
“This has resulted in an upgrade in the forecast level of population, even though the total number of temporary migrants arriving in Australia is not expected to make up for the loss in migration during the pandemic for some time.
Population growth is now expected to be 2% in 2022–23 and 1.7% in 2023–24, up from the forecast of 1.4% for both years in the October budget.
Most of the increase is attributed to the return of overseas students, skilled temporary visa holders.
As well as new students starting their courses, those who were in the second and third years of their study and who were studying online have arrived, boosting the numbers, Treasury says.
The strong economy and changes to temporary visa eligibility have also added to arrivals.
The level of departures – the other side of net migration numbers – will take more time to return to normal because of the low number of arrivals during the pandemic, Treasury says.
The elevated forecast for net overseas migration in 2023–24 of 315,000 is largely driven by fewer temporary migrants departing Australia than usual, rather than a greater number of people arriving, it says.
So what does this mean for Australia’s population forecasts?
Related: Federal budget 2023: winners and losers summary
Even with this stronger near-term outlook, total net overseas migration is not expected to catch up to the level forecast before the pandemic until 2029–30.
The country’s population is expected to be 750,000 people (2.5%) smaller in June 2031 compared with pre-pandemic forecasts. The decline in the birthrate is accounted for in this figure.
The budget also included further details of the streamlined skilled migration program, which was announced by the home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil, in April.
The government will provide an extra two years of post-study work rights for temporary graduate visa holders with selected degrees, which will improve the pipeline of skilled labour in key sectors, the budget papers say.
As previously announced, the temporary skilled migration income threshold will increase from $53,000 to $70,000 from 1 July 2023 to ensure settings are better targeted towards truly skilled workers.
The budget also allocates $50m over four years from 2023–24 for additional enforcement and compliance activities to protect migrant workers, after unions raised concerns about exploitation.
A range of visa fees will increase above the usual CPI increase, yielding $655m over five years in extra revenue.
Most will increase by 6%, but business, innovation and investment visas will increase by an additional 40% and select visitor and temporary visas will increase by an additional 15 percentage points from 1 July 2023.
Pacific
