Annika Burgess

4 days ago | abc.net.au | Annika Burgess

India and Pakistan have significantly upgraded their military capabilities since the South Asian neighbours faced off in a military confrontation in 2019. Both sides have acquired more sophisticated aircraft, missiles and drones. And they have stockpiles of nuclear warheads, but defence experts stress it is unlikely either side will consider using them. But with both boasting powerful conventional weapons, even a limited conflict would carry high risks of escalation.

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Annika Burgess

When it comes to predicting who will succeed Pope Francis, expect the unexpected. Since the Catholic Church began selecting popes in a highly secretive conclave, rarely have the rumoured front-runners prevailed. Popes John XXIII, John Paul II and Francis were once considered long shots. This year is also the most diverse conclave in history, with the 133 cardinal-electors representing 72 different countries.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Annika Burgess |Ahmed Yussuf

The global rules-based order is shifting in a way not seen for decades, with some experts saying the next government inherits a "world in disarray". There are concerns Australia has wasted time prepping its defence capabilities at a time when China seeks to become a dominant force in the Indo-Pacific. The next federal government faces a world with drastic US policy changes, trade disputes, and ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle East.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Annika Burgess |Lucy Cooper

Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Jackson, and then Pope Francis. Gary Seddon has come across a few famous faces as CEO of Air Niugini, Papua New Guinea's national airline. But interacting with the pope when he visited the Pacific Island nation last year was "particularly memorable and remarkable". "There was an opportunity for the crew and I to spend a few precious moments with the pope during the flight," Mr Seddon told the ABC.

4 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Stephen Dziedzic |Annika Burgess

It's understandable that many Australians might have felt confused when the news broke that Russia might be angling to base their long-range bombers and surveillance planes in the north-eastern reaches of Indonesia. The defence intelligence publication Janes first broke the story on Tuesday, saying that Moscow had launched an official request to base Russian aircraft at the Manuhua Air Force Base at Biak Numfor in the Indonesian province of Papua.