Australia ramped up surveillance of a Chinese naval flotilla to an "unprecedented" level, according to Defense Minister Richard Marles. While details are scarce, the move signals heightened tensions in the region, especially given China's growing military presence in the Pacific. The article also briefly mentions an Australian journalist injured by rubber bullets while covering protests in Los Angeles—though that seems like a separate incident tacked onto a live blog closure.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just routine military posturing—Australia's unusually intense monitoring of Chinese ships suggests things are heating up in the Pacific. With China flexing its naval power and Australia pushing back, it’s another sign that regional tensions could spill over into something bigger. The journalist injury, while unrelated, adds a layer of global unease. Keep an eye on this space.