South Pacific

Solomon Islands leader visits Beijing, highlighting U.S.-China rivalry in South Pacific

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Solomon Islands leader visits Beijing, highlighting U.S.-China rivalry in South Pacific

Leaders of the Solomon Islands and China promised on Monday to expand relations that have fuelled unease in Washington and Australia about Beijing’s influence in the South Pacific. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare met Chinese leader Xi Jinping and the country’s No. 2 leader, Premier Li Qiang. Mr. Sogavare and Mr. Li presided over the signing … Read more

Australia news live update: deadliest day of pandemic as nation records 74 Covid deaths; Victoria declares ‘code brown’ for hospitals amid staff shortages

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Australia news live update: deadliest day of pandemic as nation records 74 Covid deaths; Victoria declares ‘code brown’ for hospitals amid staff shortages

The real challenge of the impact of staff who have to furlough, staff who are in isolation … it’s averaging around 5,000 healthcare workers every single day alongside the surge in hospitalisation as a result of the Omicron variant wave … We may well be at the peak or reaching the peak, that impact will … Read more