Written by Angelos Delivorias.
Australia is one of the world’s biggest economies, and possesses raw materials reserves that place it at the centre of the green and digital transition. In addition, its geographical position and military capabilities make it a central player in the geostrategic balance of the Indo-Pacific. In the past 70 years, Australia has been mainly governed by the Australian Labor Party and the Coalition (the alliance between the Liberal Party of Australia and the National Party of Australia). In the most recent elections in 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party were re-elected.
The country has had long and strong relations in several sectors with the United States (US). At the same time, the decisions and rhetoric of President Donald Trump’s administration have created tensions in the relationship. Similarly, the country shares strong relations with China, albeit concentrated in fewer areas (mainly trade and migration); nevertheless, these relations have become increasingly strained over the last decade, peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current government has been trying to adopt a firm tone towards the US and diversify its economy and defence, without jeopardising the deep relations between the two countries. It has also adopted a less confrontational tone towards China, while at the same time trying to diminish its reliance on bilateral trade.
In 2026, relations between the EU and Australia reached a new milestone, with the conclusion of a free trade agreement (FTA) and a security and defence partnership (SDP). The FTA eliminates tariffs on almost all Australian goods entering the EU and vice versa. It gives greater access to the respective agricultural markets while protecting several geographical indications. Thanks to the elimination of tariffs on critical minerals, the EU secures greater access to necessary inputs and strengthens the resilience of its supply chain. The SDP – the EU’s 11th (out of 12) since the launch of the Strategic Compass – reflects the bloc’s willingness to play a more active global role, in collaboration with like-minded partners who share converging strategic interests.
Read the complete briefing on ‘Australia: Current landscape and engagement with the EU‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.
Les Ambassadrices de bonnes manières pour le changement de mentalité, en collaboration avec l’ASBL Tosalisana, ont doté dimanche 26 avril l’Hôpital de la Rive, à Kinshasa, d’un important lot de kits de soins destinés à la prise en charge des patients lépreux et d’autres personnes vulnérables.
Ce don est constitué notamment de médicaments, de matériels de pansement, de gants et autres produits médicaux essentiels.
La phase de Play Offs de la XXXe édition du championnat national de football de la RDC (LINAFOOT) démarre ce jeudi 30 avril 2026
Quatre affiches sont prévues pour la première journée les 30 avril et 1 mai à Lubumbashi.
En ouverture, l’AS Simba de Kolwezi, détenteur de la Coupe Congo de football affronte céleste FC et le même jour le champion en titre le FC les Aigles du Congo jouera FC St Eloi Lupopo.
La RDC est désignée pays organisateur de la 41ᵉ édition des Championnats d’Afrique de Lutte en 2027.
La décision a été entérinée lors de l’Assemblée générale de l’Union mondiale de lutte pour l’Afrique (UWW-Africa), tenue dimanche 26 avril à Alexandrie, en Égypte, en présence des représentants de plus de quarante fédérations africaines.