Countries have revived four-way talks to deepen security cooperation, coordinate for regional infrastructure financing 0SHARES Share Tweet Email US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a bilateral meeting alongside the Asean Summit in Manila. PHOTO: REUTERS SYDNEY: Australia, the United States, India and Japan are talking about establishing a joint regional infrastructure scheme as an alternative to China’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative in an attempt to counter Beijing’s spreading influence, the Australian Financial Review reported on Monday, citing a senior US official. The unnamed official was quoted as saying the plan involving the four regional partners was still ”nascent“ and ”won’t be ripe enough to be announced’ during Australian Prime Minister Turnbull’s visit to the United States later this week. The official … [Read more...] about India, US, Australia and Japan in talks to build alternative to China’s Belt and Road
Australia
Australia, U.S., India and Japan in talks to establish Belt and Road alternative
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia, the United States, India and Japan are talking about establishing a joint regional infrastructure scheme as an alternative to China’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative in an attempt to counter Beijing’s spreading influence, the Australian Financial Review reported on Monday, citing a senior U.S. official. The unnamed official was quoted as saying the plan involving the four regional partners was still “nascent” and “won’t be ripe enough to be announced’ during Australian Prime Minister Turnbull’s visit to the United States later this week. The official said, however, that the project was on the agenda for Turnbull’s talks with U.S. President Donald Trump during that trip and was being seriously discussed. The source added that the preferred terminology was to call the plan an “alternative” to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, rather than a “rival.” … [Read more...] about Australia, U.S., India and Japan in talks to establish Belt and Road alternative
Radford keen on return to Australia despite double loss
0 Have your say LEE RADFORD hopes to take his Hull FC side to Australia again but mix up the fixture scheduling next time. They completed their tour of New South Wales with a narrow 24-18 defeat to St George-Illawarra Dragons in front of more than 18,000 fans at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Saturday.It came a week after, beset by injuries, they had fallen to Wigan Warriors in Wollongong in the first-ever Super League game played outside of Europe.Hull, despite missing senior players Danny Houghton, Scott Taylor and Mark Minichiello, then played some thrilling football against the Dragons and only fell to the NRL side in last few minutes.“One thing that has jumped out in the last two games is the willingness to work for one and other,” said Radford.“We could have folded against Wigan with all the grenades that got let off in front of us but we didn’t, and tonight we kept going as well. “Our scramble defence was great. I’d like to come back … [Read more...] about Radford keen on return to Australia despite double loss
Cyclone Kelvin lashes West Australia, no damage reported to mines, gas projects
By Alison Bevege SYDNEY (Reuters) – Tropical Cyclone Kelvin hit the resource-rich north coast of Western Australia on Sunday, lashing it with strong winds and causing floods that could cut the main highway for up to two weeks. The storm crossed the coast 165 km (100 miles) south-southwest of Broome early on Sunday morning with destructive winds that gusted up to 150 km per hour, but the Bureau of Meteorology said it expects the winds to weaken as the system moves inland. Flooding is the main issue for industry and remote communities as Kelvin inundates a poorly drained area, parts of which are still waterlogged from rains a fortnight ago. The Great Northern Highway which links major mining export terminal Port Hedland with the gas-rich Kimberley region and the state capital of Perth has been cut northeast of the port and is expected to remain closed for up to two weeks. “It’s flooded the already saturated highway,” Main Roads WA media manager Dean Roberts told … [Read more...] about Cyclone Kelvin lashes West Australia, no damage reported to mines, gas projects
St George-Illawarra 24 Hull FC 18: Airlie Birds live up to promise and go down fighting in Australia
0 Have your say PROUD Hull FC came so close to ending their New South Wales tour with a famous win over NRL big guns St George Illawarra. Lee Radford’s side had spoken all week about going out with a bang after feeling they didn’t give a true showing of themselves when losing to Wigan Warriors in Wollongong a week earlier, the first-ever Super League game played outside of Europe.They certainly lived up to that promise with a performance full of enterprise, guts and no little character - only to lose out to Kurt Mann’s 75th minute try in a thrilling International Double Header game at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.Electric Australian stand-off Albert Kelly fizzed around like only he can, looking like someone who may well want to be earning an NRL contract in 2019 - or just someone who simply loves the game and these conditions depending on your viewpoint.He caused St George all sorts of problems with his willingness to run and attack their defensive line but he … [Read more...] about St George-Illawarra 24 Hull FC 18: Airlie Birds live up to promise and go down fighting in Australia