As Helwig appeared before rolling news cameras last month at Sydney's Garden Island naval base, tethered next door was the US Navy's newest vessel, the USS Canberra, which became the first US warship to be commissioned in a foreign port.
Just in case anybody missed the point, the Canberra has a star-spangled kangaroo affixed to its side and the promise of an Australian naval officer always being part of its 80-odd mission crew.
"I can think of no better symbol of this shared future," said the US Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, joining in the back-slapping as Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles, mingled with his US counterparts.
Denne historien er fra August 26, September 1 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra August 26, September 1 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
