Labour bets big on an infrastructure-led recovery

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed strong support for the AUKUS pact amid a Pentagon review, asserting its significance for global peace and stability. He emphasized confidence in the agreement’s benefits for Australia, the US, and the UK, while facing calls for increased defense spending and a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS from opposition and crossbench MPs concerned about transparency and implications for national security. More Context

SINGAPORE National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat, chair of the Chinese Community Liaison Group, emphasized the importance of integrating new immigrants to enhance Singapore's social cohesion, advocating for a shared identity that embraces diverse cultural contributions. He noted that maintaining community resilience against foreign interference is crucial for social stability, highlighting the need for strong community bonds to withstand external challenges. More Context

The sole survivor of the Air India flight A171, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, recounted the harrowing moments before the crash, which killed at least 265 people, including medical students on the ground. As investigations continue into the cause, concerns about aircraft safety have emerged, particularly as one black box has been recovered but the second remains missing. More Context

The chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran. A close ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, Salami was known for his hostility towards Israel and the U.S., having played a prominent role in Iran's military operations and foreign policy, particularly in support of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. More Context

US President Donald Trump acknowledged awareness of recent attacks on Iran but asserted that the United States was not militarily involved. He cautioned that the US would retaliate if Iran targeted Israel, as reported by Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher. More Context

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, recently returned to the U.S. after being detained in El Salvador, is set to be arraigned in Tennessee on human smuggling charges, following a complex legal battle over his deportation linked to alleged MS-13 gang ties. Federal prosecutors seek pre-trial detention, citing flight risk and potential witness intimidation, while his attorneys dispute these claims, arguing he poses no risk of flight or obstruction. More Context