Turnball unveiled a "defense white paper" in Canberra on Thursday that included a doubling of Australia's submarine fleet to 24, nine new frigates and - for the first time - the purchase of seven US-made unmanned surveillance drones. "Fragility" in western Asia, including … [Read more...] about Australia boosts defense spending, cites Asia-Pacific ‘tension’
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Australia shutters Papua New Guinea detention center
Hundreds of asylum seekers barricaded inside the controversial Manus Island center were without electricity and drinking water on Wednesday, as the Australian government urged them to leave. The center was declared closed on Tuesday following the Papua New … [Read more...] about Australia shutters Papua New Guinea detention center
Manus Island: UN urges Australia to end ‘humanitarian emergency’
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Thursday urged Australia to "stop a humanitarian emergency unfolding" at a controversial offshore detention center on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island. In compliance with a ruling by Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court, … [Read more...] about Manus Island: UN urges Australia to end ‘humanitarian emergency’
Australia begins Manus resettlements to US
The US embassy in Port Moresby said 24 asylum seekers held on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island would fly to Manila Tuesday and then to an undisclosed American location. The first group included men from Bangladesh and Sudan as well as Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar. A … [Read more...] about Australia begins Manus resettlements to US
Australia agrees to pay A$70 million to Manus Island refugees
The Australian government has offered A$70 million ($53 million, 47 million euros) in compensation after asylum seekers sued after allegedly suffering harm at a camp on Manus Island between 2012 and 2016. The trial had been scheduled to begin on Wednesday in the Victoria … [Read more...] about Australia agrees to pay A$70 million to Manus Island refugees