India signs $7.4 billion deal with France for 26 Rafale fighter jets
India has finalized a $7.41 billion agreement with France to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy, a defence ministry official confirmed to Reuters on Monday.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton have both pledged to defend the country’s national interests as the United States signals possible tariffs targeting Australian beef exports.
The United States Trade Representative’s latest report on foreign trade barriers listed Australia’s long-standing ban on U.S. fresh beef—introduced in 2003 after BSE was detected—as a key grievance. It also flagged Australian regulations on pharmaceuticals, digital media, and biosecurity as potential barriers.
Albanese said on Wednesday he would “stand up for Australian interests” and refused to compromise on national standards. He named three areas his government would not yield on: the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, biosecurity protections, and the Media Bargaining Code.
“We won’t compromise because it could do enormous damage to our meat products,” Albanese said, referring to the risk of weakening Australia’s strict biosecurity system.
Peter Dutton echoed the sentiment, telling reporters that he would not hesitate to confront Donald Trump or any world leader if necessary. “My job is to stand up for Australians,” he said. “If I needed to have a fight with Donald Trump, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
Despite the escalating rhetoric, Albanese confirmed his government would not respond to any U.S. tariffs with retaliatory measures. Instead, he signalled a focus on diplomatic efforts and trade diversification.
Australia exported A$4 billion in beef to the U.S. last year—its largest market—thanks in part to a recent slump in U.S. beef production. Both countries are among the top global beef exporters.
The trade barriers report also criticised Australia’s 2021 law requiring U.S. tech giants like Google and Meta to pay local media outlets for news content shared on their platforms. The Albanese government announced in December it would strengthen the law, including penalties for non-compliance.
Albanese noted that less than 5% of Australia’s goods exports go to the U.S., compared to 25% to China. He said Australia is focused on boosting trade with emerging economies in South East Asia and India.
Australia’s beef exports had previously suffered during a diplomatic dispute with China, which was resolved last year. Now, with Washington’s tone hardening, the industry faces another test.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
In an expansive interview marking his first 100 days back in office, President Donald Trump sketched out an agenda that touches everything from punitive tariffs and China policy to cease-fire hopes in Ukraine and an overhaul of domestic programmes. Below are the highlights.
A deadly attack targeting tourists in India’s Jammu and Kashmir territory has left at least 20 feared dead, marking the deadliest incident against civilians in the region for years, according to security sources.
Greece plans to equip its railways with remote control systems and real-time tracking by September, aiming to improve safety after the country’s deadliest train disaster.
SIPRI’s annual report, released Monday, said global military expenditure reached $2.72 trillion in 2024, a 9.4% increase from 2023 and the largest year-on-year rise since the Cold War's end. This marks the tenth straight year of growth.
Roman Catholic cardinals will meet in a secret conclave to elect the new leader of the global Church starting from May 7, a senior Vatican source said on Monday.
An explosion in northwest Pakistan killed six people on Monday, coinciding with intensified security operations against militants along the Afghan border.
Rescue teams in Tunisia recovered the bodies of eight African migrants after their boat sank near Sfax, with search operations continuing for potential missing persons.
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