March 2025

Guyana’s president has triggered a military response and diplomatic action after a Venezuelan coastguard patrol entered its waters and approached an off-shore oil facility, breaching international maritime agreements. President Irfaan Ali issued a strongly worded statement after the Venezuelan vessel transmitted a radio message claiming that it was operating in “disputed international waters”. Dismissing the…

The federal Coalition says it would spend $3bn for 28 fighter jets to add a fourth squadron to the country’s F-35 fleet – but it won’t reveal where the money is coming from. The election pledge means Australia would end up with 100 of the F-35s if the Coalition wins the upcoming poll. The opposition…

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States. The order on Saturday allows government agencies and organisations that receive federal funding to choose whether to continue to offer documents and services in languages other than English. It rescinds a mandate from former president Bill Clinton…

Tropical Cyclone Alfred lingering off the Queensland coast will “likely” turn towards the state’s south-east later this week, the Bureau of Meteorology says. Queensland authorities have begun preparations for the possibility the that slow-moving tropical cyclone hits densely populated urban areas near Brisbane. While tracking maps are frequently changed – particularly over the longer term…

A Royal Australian Navy ship is bound for the Coral Sea after a Lithuanian man attempting to row across the Pacific Ocean from San Diego to Brisbane got into trouble. Aurimas Mockus activated his emergency beacon on Friday night about 740km east of Mackay, Queensland, and 90km west of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. He is travelling…