Afternoon Update: China conducts Pacific missile test; Albanese apologises for Kylie comments; and England’s epic win in Mexico

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Good afternoon.

China has conducted https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/06/china-missile-test-south-pacific">a long-range missile test in the Pacific, in a move the Australian government has condemned as “destabilising to the region”.

A ⁠test missile topped with ‌a ‌dummy warhead landed ‌in “designated waters” of the Pacific, China’s state news agency Xinhua ‌reported on Monday.

The missile test was a “routine arrangement” of China’s annual ⁠military training, with prior notification to relevant countries, Xinhua said.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/06/mysterious-space-balls-queensland-beaches-origin-source-australia">Australian Space Agency reveals likely origin of mysterious ‘space balls’ found on Queensland beaches

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/06/anthony-albanese-apologises-kylie-minogue-podcast-comment">Anthony Albanese apologises ‘unequivocally’ for podcast comment about Kylie Minogue

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/06/australia-fiji-defence-alliance-china-pacific-influence">Australia and Fiji sign surprise defence alliance amid push to limit China’s influence in the Pacific

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/06/nsw-opposition-demands-child-protection-review-as-cannibalism-investigated-in-alleged-preschooler-ntwnfb">Independent review announced as police probe if cannibalism involved in four-year-old’s alleged murder

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jul/06/nathan-fitzgerald-epping-footballer-victoria-head-injury-aussie-rules-football-game">Melbourne teacher receiving end-of-life care after horror head clash during suburban football game

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/06/ukraine-drone-deals-seven-nato-countries-end-of-year">Ukraine hopes to sign ‘drone deals’ with seven Nato countries by end of year