Australia Condemns Chinese Missile Test in Pacific

Good afternoon.

The Australian government has joined growing international condemnation of a Chinese missile test in the Pacific that did not comply with international law and was conducted with “insufficient notice” to nearby countries.

A Chinese government spokesperson claimed the test was “safe” and part of “routine” military training, telling critics to “not over-interpret it”.

The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said China’s weapons test in the Pacific risks fuelling dangerous nuclear proliferation, with the intercontinental ballistic missile fired on Monday capable of causing “considerable damage” if weaponised.

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World Cup 2026

Belgium has secured a place in the World Cup quarter-finals after beating the US 4–1 in the last-16 match.

The defeat brings the co-hosts’ tournament to an end. After the match, US coach Mauricio Pochettino congratulated the winners, saying “they were better than us. We didn’t show what this team can show.”

The buildup to the match had been tinged with controversy after Fifa had suspended the red card US striker Folarin Balogun was given in the last 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Belgium’s captain, Youri Tielemans, said the incident had helped motivate his team.

“We held a meeting when we heard the news … we needed to do our talking on the pitch. That’s what we did today.”

In pictures

The man allegedly behind the notorious Pam the Bird graffiti has been arrested after he allegedly climbed and vandalised a major bridge, sparking an hours-long police standoff and traffic chaos.

What they said …

“Nathan was deeply loved, valued and respected by all of us” – Mernda Central College

A school community has paid tribute to a Melbourne teacher who died after a horror head clash during an Australian football game. Nathan Fitzgerald, 27, is remembered for the many ways he touched the lives of those who loved him.

Today in Focus

Farage under pressure over gifts from convicted fraudster – The Latest

As Nigel Farage awaits the findings of a standards watchdog investigation into a £5m gift he received from the cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne, fresh allegations about his finances have emerged related to benefits received from the crypto entrepreneur George Cottrell, who has previously been convicted of fraud.

The Reform UK leader says he is the victim of an “establishment hit job” and that he has “done no wrongdoing”.

Lucy Hough speaks to senior political correspondent Peter Walker.

Listen to the episode here

Before bed read

Writer Mina Tavakoli joined Marilyn Monroe, Walter White, Ozzy Osbourne and other tribute artists as they boarded a cruise ship for the Sunburst Convention of Celebrity Impersonators, setting sail alongside an estimated 4,000 other non-impersonating passengers.

Daily word game

Today’s starter word is: PREP. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.

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