‘Buy now, pay later’ doesn’t feel like debt. For young people, that can be a big problem 
The ghost of Robodebt – Federal Court rules billions of dollars in welfare debts must be recalculated 
Stuck in a creativity slump at work? Here are some surprising ways to get your spark back 
MI5 Warns of Rising Iran, Russia Threats and AI Bioweapon Risks 
Heritage, desire and diplomacy: why China still values scotch whisky 
The pandemic is still disrupting young people’s careers 
Why a ‘rip-off’ degree might be worth the money after all – research study 
6 simple questions to tell if a ‘finfluencer’ is more flash than cash 
SpaceX Starlink Restrictions Disrupt Ukraine Military Operations 
Most Americans Oppose Election Betting on Prediction Markets, Poll Finds 
Gaza Olive Harvest Collapses as War Destroys Farmland 
Debate over H-1B visas shines spotlight on US tech worker shortages 
Want to cut your energy bills? Here’s how five experts are doing it 
China Resumes US Soybean Purchases After Trump-Xi Summit 
Trump Announces Massive Oil and Mineral Exploration Plans in Greenland 
US Senate Midterms 2026: Key Races That Could Flip Control 
Add as a preferred source on Google
The much-contested South China Sea has had a number of minor conflicts from several countries against China over recent months, and should it escalate further, could lead to a possible world war 3. As Beijing tries to exert its claim over the waters, Australia plans to upgrade its defense spending as a way to respond to China’s provocation.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison had previously announced that spending on the military would be upgraded as a response to China’s increasing attempts to lay complete claim in the South China Sea through the building of bases on many uninhabited islands. Senator Eric Abetz also expressed concern about Beijing’s rhetoric.
“Australia allowed its defense expenditure as a percentage of its GDP to slip to historically low levels, something which the Liberal Government, has been rectifying since its election in 2013,” said Abetz, who represents Tasmania in the Senate and is part of the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Legislation Committee. “Further, there is unease at the aggressive build-up by a major player in our region. The extra outlays are to modernize defense material and preparedness in all spheres of our defenses -- from submarines through to land warfare.”
Abetz also blasted Chinese President Xi Jinping and said that China’s land grab was not only illegal but also expansionist and manipulative.
Beijing has since responded to Abetz’s comments and threatened economic reprisals on exports. Nevertheless, Abetz reiterated that the rhetoric coming from Beijing is seen as a concern in Australia.
Meanwhile, the possibility of a world war 3 would become an increasing concern especially after Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that an alliance between Russia and China could be made. However, the alliance has not been made yet due to the lack of necessity, and Putin shared that the two countries already have some degree of trust and interaction especially in military cooperation.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian responded following Putin’s comments. Zhao said that there is “no limit” to the friendship formed between the two countries and that mutual political trust and strategic coordination has since been enhanced. Should an alliance be made, this would pose a problem for the United States due to Washington’s tensions with Beijing and Moscow.
