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The Loop: Solomon Islands airstrip plans revealed, Kyiv attacked while UN boss visits, meet your Stella Prize winner

Start your day in The Loop with this quick look at the headlines.

ABC News · Apr 28, 2022

Top Australian diplomat Lachlan Strahan absent for five months ahead of Chinese security deal. He was stuck in Canberra with a broken back

Beijing signing a security pact with the Solomon Islands appears to have caught Australia off guard. Now a contributing factor to the diplomatic blindsiding has been revealed — and it's more mundane than you would think.

ABC News · Apr 28, 2022

Leaked documents reveal Chinese company's aviation plans for Solomon Islands to become a 'regional hub'

Documents from 2019 reveal one of China's largest defence and aerospace companies promised to upgrade dozens of airstrips in Solomon Islands as part of a plan to transform the Pacific Island country into an "aeronautical hub" for the region.

ABC News · Apr 28, 2022

Labor ‘gravely concerned’ by Karen Andrews’ claim about potential China election interference

Kristina Keneally says home affairs minister must clarify comments or brief Labor on intelligence reporting of foreign interference

The Guardian - AU · Apr 27, 2022

Australian minister accuses China of election interference

A senior Australian minister is suggesting that China deliberately announced its security pact with the Solomon Islands during an election campaign to undermine her government’s chances of reelection

The Independent UK · Apr 27, 2022

Australia worried China will bring Hong Kong police techniques to Solomons

Australia's spy chief says Canberra is concerned Chinese police deployed to the Solomon Islands under a new security pact could use "ruthless" techniques previously used to quell anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

Reuters · Apr 27, 2022

Minister flags China poll 'interference'

The government is accused of stooping to new lows after a minister suggested China announced the Solomon Islands security deal specifically during the election.

AAP · Apr 27, 2022

Analysis-Solomon Islands pact with China roils Australian PM's election campaign

For the first time in decades, the actions of a foreign state have taken centre stage in an Australian election campaign, analysts said, as China's security pact with the Solomon Islands reverberates into neighbour Australia's domestic politics.

Reuters · Apr 27, 2022

Minister says China timed Solomon Islands security deal to damage Coalition's election chances

The Home Affairs Minister says China intentionally timed a worrying security pact with Solomon Islands to hurt the Coalition's chances at the federal election.

ABC News · Apr 27, 2022

Spy boss denies 'intelligence failure' before Solomon Islands signed security pact with China

One of Australia's top national security figures denies there was a failure by intelligence agencies to stop a military pact being signed between Solomon Islands and China.

ABC News · Apr 26, 2022