Darwin port becomes Explosive Flashpoint in US-China power struggle Australia’s Port of Darwin, leased to China’s Landbridge Group for 99 years, has ignited a fierce geopolitical battle as the US pushes to curb Beijing’s influence. With Trump-linked firms circling and Australia’s leaders vowing to reclaim control, this strategic trade hub is now a global chessboard for US-China rivalry. Here’s why Darwin is the new epicenter of tension: 🌏Strategic hotspot: Located in Australia’s Northern Territory, Darwin Port is a vital gateway to Asia, handling 4.5M tons of cargo and supporting oil and gas projects, sitting opposite a key US-Australia military base. 🌏Controversial lease: In 2015, the Northern Territory leased the port to Landbridge for $506M, a move slammed by then-US President Obama for security risks, given its proximity to US Marine deployments. 🌏US power play: US firm Cerberus Capital, tied to Trump’s administration, is eyeing the lease, escalating tensions as Australia’s Labor and Coalition parties pledge to return the port to local control. 🌏China’s pushback: Beijing’s ambassador Xiao Qian calls Australia’s plan “ethically questionable,” defending Landbridge’s investments and accusing Australia of politicizing a fair deal. 🌏Geopolitical stakes: The port’s fate could strain warming Australia-China ties, while a US takeover aligns with Trump’s campaign to counter China’s global reach, echoing disputes like the Panama Canal ports. 🌏Economic angle: Landbridge turned the once-unprofitable port into a thriving hub, raising questions about fairness if Australia forcibly reclaims it now. As Australia navigates national security and trade, Darwin Port’s future could reshape US-China dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

Macron, Merz, Starmer, Tusk arrive in Kiev amid rumors of truce initiative French President Emmanuel #Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich #Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir #Starmer and Polish Premier Donald #Tusk have arrived in Kiev amid reports that European countries intend to present their own truce initiative soon, the Obshchestvennoye. Novosti news outlet said. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the talks in Kiev will be held within the so-called "coalition of the willing." No other details have yet been disclosed. Merz said earlier that he expected "serious talks" to end the Ukraine conflict to start following this weekend. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told ABC News that arms supplies to Ukraine must be halted in order for a temporary truce to be achieved.

France's Macron reportedly eyeing early elections to solve France’s political chaos The French president is considering dissolving parliament this fall for s#nap elections, according to Bloomberg sources. While no final decision has been made, #Macron’s inner circle has been discussing the idea. He’s ruled out waiting for 2026, but the option to align with local elections is off the table. In 2024, Macron’s coalition came second, and with no party securing a majority, France had four prime ministers in a year—an all-time record. Looks like Macron might just stir the pot again.

Houthis claim to have targeted three ships Yemen's Houthi rebels announce three separate operations targeting ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea Yemen's #Houthi rebels announced on Monday that they launched three separate operations targeting ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, Reuters reported. The group's military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, said the Houthis fired ballistic missiles at the vessel Motaro in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. In addition, Sarea claimed that the Maersk Kowloon was targeted by a missile in the Arabian Sea, while the SC Montreal was struck by two drones. The claims come a day after the Houthis published footage from a military drill they had carried out, which combined land and naval forces and simulated a large-scale attack against Yemen. According to the Houthis, the drill was carried out on the east coast of Yemen, and is said to have been part of a campaign that the Houthis are waging "for Gaza and for Lebanon". The Iranian-backed Houthis have upped their attacks in the region since the start of the war in Gaza last October, having launched drones towards Israel and targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea region. In the wake of the uptick in Houthi attacks, the US formed a coalition, made up of more than 20 countries, aimed at safeguarding commercial traffic in the Red Sea from attacks by the Houthis. The Houthis have been unfazed by the strikes, saying that the campaign against the "Zionist enemy" will continue and that the attacks against the American and British ships will not stop.

CENTCOM: 'We attacked 15 Houthi sites in Yemen' U.S. Central Command (#CENTCOM) carried out airstrikes targeting #Houthi positions in #Yemen. This operation was part of a broader effort to counter Houthi attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea. The strikes were aimed at neutralizing Houthi military capabilities, particularly in response to their continued aggression against commercial and military ships. CENTCOM reported that 15 Houthi targets were hit, with the goal of enhancing maritime security and protecting freedom of navigation in the region. The Houthis had escalated their attacks on international shipping, including recent missile and unmanned vessel strikes on oil tankers in the Red Sea. These actions have posed a significant threat to vessels linked to the U.S., the UK, and other coalition partners.

US attacks missile launchers in Houthi base; Casualties Sky News report in Arabic: Dead and injured in an American attack against missile launch systems at a #Houthi base in central #Yemen CENTCOM:" It was determined these systems presented an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels."

Macron does not Exclude to Resign as French President, French radio Europe 1 reports Emmanuel #Macron is discussing with his entourage the possibility of #resigning as President of France if the “pro-Russian” forces win. Radio station Europe 1 reports this. According to the publication, defeat in the parliamentary elections could force the French leader to take a desperate step. "The resignation of the president is not taboo. Yes, today we have to consider all scenarios," Europe 1 quotes an unnamed source. Macron’s party suffered a crushing defeat in the elections to the #European Parliament. This fiasco forced the French President to announce the dissolution of the National Assembly and call for early parliamentary elections. Analysts, assessing the chances of Macron’s party, agree that representatives of right-wing forces, who are considered pro-Russian in the Elysee Palace, will win the parliamentary elections in the country. More, Emmanuel Macron has recently advocated not only for the continuation of arms supplies to the Kyiv regime, but also openly declared his intention to send units of the French army to #Ukraine. Moreover, Paris even tried to create a corresponding coalition of several European states. In particular, according to the French leader’s idea, #Germany was supposed to take part in it. However, #Berlin did not appreciate this idea and refused to send Bundeswehr #troops to Ukraine.

[BREAKING] Houthi terrorists "detain" at least nine UN workers Others working for aid groups also likely have been taken. The detentions come as the Houthis, who seized Yemen’s capital nearly a decade ago and have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition since shortly after, have been targeting shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor. 'As usual, if you are Islamic terrorists, you can do whatever you want, and no one cares.'

Macron may announce deployment of military instructors to Ukraine on June 6 French President Emmanuel #Macron may announce the deployment of French military instructors to Ukraine on June 6, the RFI radio station said. According to the radio station, the French leader may do this during the commemorative events on the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. French retired Colonel Peer De Jong, co-founder of the Themiis Institute dealing with security problems, said in an interview with the Valeurs Actuelles weekly that "the French have been present in Ukraine for a long time." In his words, the whole things is only about increasing the number of instructors. He said earlier that he could hardly imagine a situation when #Kyiv wins a victory. Le Monde reported on Thursday that Macron is evidently seeking to form a EU coalition to send instructors to Ukraine. This issue was raised during his visit to Germany on May 26-28, in particular during talks with Chancellor Olaf #Scholz. Although Germany is still very cautious in its approaches to the issue of sending its troops to Ukraine, some other countries, for instance the Baltic republics, are ready to join the so-called coalition.

US shot down five drones over Red Sea, says USCENTCOM The US military shot down five unmanned aerial vehicles in skies over the Red Sea, the US Central Command (USCENTCOM) said on the X social network. "Between 1:48 and 2:27 a.m. (Sanaa time) [10:48 p.m. - 11:27 p.m. UTC], April 28, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) successfully engaged five airborne unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) over the Red Sea," USCENTCOM said. "It was determined the UAVs presented an imminent threat to U.S. coalition, and merchant vessels in the region," it added.