Marles

Australia, Japan and the U.S. have committed to closer military cooperation in training their forces as the countries deepened their ties in a bid to counter China's military strength.

Australia will allow non-citizens to join its armed forces, the government said on Tuesday, as the sparsely populated nation struggles to meet recruitment targets.

Defense Minister Richard Marles said that from July, looser eligibility criteria would allow "permanent residents who have been living in Australia for 12 months" to serve.

Australia detailed its first National Defense Strategy on Wednesday, a document that signals greater regional focus in the face of China's "coercive tactics" and the rising risk of conflict in the Pacific.

Australia and China's defence ministers met for the first time in three years on Sunday, with the talks described as "an important first step" following a period of strained ties.

Maribor – A dozen Slovenian companies have developed an innovative net zero-energy house that can serve as a home and a workplace. With the smart appliances and fittings linked into a cloud it can be monitored and managed remotely.