MCCQ June 2026

CONNECT QUEENSLAND

Australia commits funding to support Ebola response

Canberra, June 4 (IANS) The Australian government on Thursday committed funding to

support the global response to the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa and prevent the spread of the disease.

Foreign Affairs Minister

Penny Wong and Minister for International Development Anne Aly said in a joint statement that Australia will provide 5 million Australian dollars (around 3.6 million US dollars) to the initiative.

Israel, Lebanon agree to ceasefire deal

Washington, June 4 (IANS) Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire following two days of US-brokered talks in Washington, with both sides committing to continue direct negotiations and advance security arrangements aimed at

preventing the return of armed non-state groups in southern Lebanon.

The agreement emerged from the fourth high-level trilateral meeting between representatives of the United States, Israel and Lebanon held on June 2 and 3 at the State Department.

Announcing the outcome, State Department Counsellor Dan Holler said: "As a result of US-led negotiations, Israel and Lebanon agreed to the implementation of a ceasefire."

"Australia's funding, directed through the International Federation of the Red Cross and the World Health Organization (WHO), will provide vital medical care and supplies, water and sanitation services, support outbreak surveillance and preparedness, and strengthen local health systems," the statement read.

Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe were elected

Washington, June 4 (IANS) The US House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan War Powers Resolution seeking to end American hostilities against Iran, delivering a political setback to President Donald Trump as criticism grows over a conflict that has stretched into its fourth month.

US seeking third-country options for Afghans in Pakistan

Washington, June 4 (IANS)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the United States is working to find third-country resettlement options for Afghan allies stranded abroad, including many currently in Pakistan,

as the Trump administration continues to review relocation policies for those who assisted American forces during the Afghanistan war.

The issue emerged during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday (local time) when Representative Julie Johnson criticised the administration's handling of Afghan refugees and former allies who worked alongside US military

Africa Day Festival celebrates culture & diversity in Queensland

Brisbane, June 1 (MCCQ

Queensland’s African communities came together in a colourful celebration of culture, heritage and unity as the Queensland

and diversity of the African continent through a vibrant display of music, dance, art, fashion and traditional cuisine, attracting community members, cultural performers and leaders from across the state.

Multicultural Australia Chief Executive Officer Jo Nelson, Chief Client Officer Jo-Ann Cochran and Community Development Manager Kerrie Woodrow joined community leaders and festival-goers in celebrating the contributions of Queensland’s African communities and their growing role in the

personnel and diplomats during the two-decade conflict in Afghanistan.

Johnson argued that many Afghans who assisted American operations now face uncertainty despite promises made by Washington.

“Under your leadership, US State Department dismantled the Office of Coordinator for Afghan Relocation efforts and halted

Manila, June 8 (IANS) At least five people have been reported dead after a 7.8-magnitude offshore earthquake that hit the southern Philippines, according to a local disaster official.

Agripino Dacera, the disaster management chief in General

The resolution, introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee

Ranking Member Gregory Meeks and backed by senior Democrats including Adam Smith and Jim Himes on Wednesday (local time), passed by a narrow 215-208 vote.

Calling the outcome a major turning point, Meeks said, “The passage of my War Powers Resolution is a significant bipartisan rebuke of President Trump’s illegal and costly war in Iran, and the first step toward ending it once and for all.”

The vote reflects mounting congressional opposition to a

Washington, June 2 (IANS)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to reassure lawmakers on Tuesday that U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged,

non-permanent members of the UN Security Council on Wednesday for a two-year term.

The election marked the first time Kyrgyzstan would serve on the Security Council.

The newly elected members will replace the outgoing non-permanent members -- Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia -- and assume their

conflict that critics say has failed to achieve its stated objectives while imposing high economic and human costs.

“The message from today’s bipartisan Iran War Powers Resolution vote was crystal clear: Trump must immediately end his catastrophic war of choice against Iran,” House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith said. Smith argued that the administration had failed to accomplish its goals, saying Trump had not succeeded in “ending Iran’s

despite concerns raised by President Donald Trump's recent comments that arms sales to Taipei could be used as a negotiating tool in discussions with China.

Appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio said Washington continues to support preserving the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and dismissed suggestions that the administration was backing away

Santos City, said authorities are still verifying the extent of the fatalities and damage, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the tectonic earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. local time at a depth of 33 km, with the epicentre 32 km southwest of the coast of Maasim town in Sarangani Province on Mindanao Island, close to General Santos, with a population of some 700,000.

The institute said the highest wave recorded reached 1.4 meters. The local media reported that some buildings collapsed and caused power outages.

Tremors were felt in neighbouring provinces. The institute issued a tsunami warning to nine coastal provinces, strongly advising residents in those areas to immediately evacuate to higher ground or move farther inland following the quake.

It is forecast that the first tsunami waves will arrive on Monday morning and continue for hours.

Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos ordered disaster response and monitoring efforts across affected areas

United Nations, June 4 (IANS) Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal,

Newsdesk)

African Communities Council (QACC) hosted its Africa Day Festival 2026 on May 30. The festival showcased the richness

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Australia commits funding to support Ebola response

... continued from page 1

There have been 344 confirmed cases of the disease and 60 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as 15 cases and one death in Uganda in the ongoing outbreak, according to the WHO, reports Xinhua news agency.

The WHO said at a press conference in Geneva on Wednesday that with concerted efforts and coordination, the response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is catching up.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who just

returned from a visit to the DRC, said he was very encouraged by the level of commitment he saw in the country. "What I saw gave me hope, although challenges remain."

Tedros said that in the DRC, 344 cases have been confirmed, including 60 deaths, in 24 health zones across three provinces, while the number of suspected cases has been reduced to 116 from over 1,000 last week. Tedros said WHO's risk assessment remains unchanged: very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level. "The outbreak had a big head start, and we're still

behind, but under the leadership of the Government of DRC, we are catching up," he said. Nonetheless, Tedros noted several challenges, which include scaling up laboratory and diagnostic capacity to reduce delays in case confirmation and support faster response decisions, contact tracing in the DRC, travel restrictions that are disrupting supply chains and hindering the response, community mistrust, and the fact that there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific therapeutics for the Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain.

US House passes war powers resolution rebuking Trump’s ‘illegal’ action in Iran

... continued from page 1

nuclear ambitions, removing its highly enriched uranium, or regime change.”

Instead, he said, “Iran has gained greater leverage, continues to destabilise the region, has a younger and more hardline Ayatollah, and we’re looking at having to pay Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which was open before Trump launched his war.”

Meeks also contended that the conflict had weakened prospects for diplomacy.

“Trump’s war has failed to accomplish the Trump administration’s stated goals with respect to Iran. If anything, it has pushed a diplomatic resolution of Iran’s nuclear programme further away,” he said.

He added that the war had “allowed Iran to demonstrate

its leverage over the Strait of Hormuz” while increasing costs for Americans.

“Americans are paying 50 per cent more at the gas pump since the war began and footing the bill for billions per week in costs for a war they overwhelmingly oppose,” Meeks said.

Representative Pramila Jayapal, who was unable to vote because she was in India attending to what she described as an unforeseen health emergency involving her mother, said she would have supported the measure.

“Had I been in Washington, D.C., I would have voted YES on the War Powers Resolution to end Trump’s illegal war in Iran,” Jayapal said.

She argued that Congress alone possesses the constitutional authority to declare war and described the conflict as a “war of choice”.

“This war has had disastrous effects for the American people and for the world,” she said, citing the deaths of US service members, civilian casualties in Iran and Lebanon, displacement of civilians, and rising economic costs.

“The simple truth is that the American people are paying the price for Trump’s lawlessness,” Jayapal said.

She added: “Every day that this war continues is a violation of our Constitution.”

Both Smith and Meeks said the House vote reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the conflict.

“Today’s vote was also a reflection of the American public’s overwhelming rejection of Trump’s staggeringly unpopular and abject failure of a war,” Smith said.

Africa Day Festival celebrates culture & diversity in Queensland

... continued from page 1

state’s multicultural landscape. The event provided an important platform for cultural exchange, community engagement and the sharing of stories and traditions that continue to enrich Queensland’s social fabric.

Multicultural Australia commended QACC for creating an inclusive and empowering

space that promotes belonging, strengthens community connections and highlights the achievements of African-Australians across the state.

Organisers said the festival not only celebrated African heritage but also fostered greater understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, reinforcing the values of inclusion, respect

Five countries elected non-permanent

members to UN Security Council

... continued from page 1

seats on January 1, 2027, and serve until December 31, 2028. A candidate must obtain the support of two-thirds of the UN member states present and voting at the General Assembly session in order to secure a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, regardless of whether the candidacy is contested or not. A minimum of 129 positive votes is required to win a seat if all 193 member states are present and voting. Member states that abstain are considered not voting.

There were seven candidates for the five seats available this year. Austria, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe were elected in the first round of voting, reports Xinhua news

agency. Three more rounds of voting were held before Kyrgyzstan defeated the Philippines in a contested race.

The Security Council has 15 members, five of which are permanent: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The 10 non-permanent seats of the council are allocated by geographic region, with five replaced each year.

The five newly elected countries represent the African, Asia-Pacific, Latin American and Caribbean, and Western European and Other groups. The Eastern European group is not contesting this year, as its seat, currently held by Latvia through 2027, comes up for election every other year.

Israel, Lebanon agree to ceasefire deal

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According to a joint statement released by the three governments, the ceasefire is "contingent on a complete cessation of Hizballah fire and the evacuation of all Hizballah operatives from the South Litani Sector."

The parties also agreed to move quickly on the creation of pilot zones where the Lebanese Armed Forces would exercise exclusive control.

"The two sides agreed, with the guidance of the United States, to swiftly advance the creation of pilot zones in which the Lebanese Armed Forces will take exclusive control of the territory to the exclusion of all non-state actors," Holler said.

and community harmony. The Africa Day Festival has become a significant event on Queensland’s multicultural calendar, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to celebrate the traditions, talents and contributions of African communities while strengthening bonds across the wider community.

Five killed in 7.8 magnitude Philippines earthquake; tsunami waves up to 1.4 metres

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and urged residents to move to higher ground for evacuation. The quake occurred offshore near Mindanao, the

second-largest island in the Philippines, situated in one of the most seismically active areas worldwide, as per local media accounts.

The Philippines experiences

frequent seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone of major tectonic plate boundaries known for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The statement said these measures would help create conditions for "a comprehensive peace and security agreement" between the neighbouring countries.

All three countries stressed that the future relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be determined by their respective

governments and not by outside actors.

"All countries affirmed the future relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the two sovereign governments," Holler said, adding that they rejected attempts by "any state or non-state actor to hold Lebanon's future hostage."

In a statement, Israel and Lebanon also reaffirmed that they had "no hostile intent toward one another" and pledged to continue direct negotiations aimed at building confidence, resolving outstanding disputes and working towards a broader agreement.

The delegations discussed a security framework building on talks held at the Pentagon on May 29. The framework is intended to ensure the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of both countries and includes "the dismantlement of non-state armed groups and the prevention of their re-emergence."

A significant portion of the discussions focused on regional security concerns.

US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged: Rubio

... continued from page 1

from long-standing commitments to the self-governing island.

"There has been no change to U.S. policy towards Taiwan," Rubio told lawmakers. "Our policy on Taiwan is not changing and did not change on this trip."

The issue surfaced repeatedly during the hearing as senators from both parties questioned whether recent U.S.-China diplomacy had altered Washington's approach to Taiwan, one of the most sensitive issues in relations between the world's two largest powers. Referring to Trump's recent remarks that arms sales to Taiwan were "a very good negotiating chip", Senator Jeff Merkley expressed concern that

Beijing could interpret delays in approving additional weapons packages as a weakening of U.S. support for Taiwan's democracy. Rubio pushed back, pointing instead to what he described as the largest U.S. arms package ever approved for Taiwan.

"I know in December of this year we did approve an arms sale, I think, $11 billion. I think it's the single largest arms sale ever," Rubio said. He added that the package was larger than total arms sales approved during the Biden administration and said a separate proposed $14 billion package remained under review.

"We just had a massive arms sale," Rubio said. "It was so big and so noticeable that the Chinese became very aggressive about it."

FECCA rejects Coalition claims linking migration to housing crisis

Canberra, May 15 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has strongly criticised proposals by the Coalition and One Nation to link migration levels to Australia’s housing challenges, arguing that such claims are divisive, unsupported by evidence and overlook the significant contribution migrants make to the nation’s economy and development. In a statement titled

“Diminishing Australia: FECCA Responds to the Coalition’s Budget Reply,” FECCA rejected Opposition Leader Angus Taylor’s assertion that migration is responsible for Australia’s housing crisis. The organisation said housing affordability and supply problems are the result of long-term systemic issues that have remained largely unaddressed for decades and cannot credibly be blamed on migration alone.

FECCA pointed out that net overseas migration has already been declining significantly, falling from 538,000 in 2022-23 to 306,000 in 2024-25 and projected to decrease further to 225,000 by 2028-29. It said these figures demonstrate a substantial reduction in migration levels over time.

The organisation also challenged suggestions that each migrant directly increases housing demand by one dwelling, noting that many migrants live with family members or

within existing households, while international students often share accommodation.

FECCA stressed that skilled migration remains essential to Australia’s productivity and future prosperity. It highlighted the critical role migrants play in addressing workforce shortages across sectors such as healthcare, aged care, construction, engineering and technology. The peak multicultural body argued that migrants are part of the solution to Australia’s housing shortage rather than the cause, pointing out that migrant workers have been vital to the building and construction industry for decades. It noted that the Federal Government’s 2026 Budget recognised this contribution through investments in migrant worker protection programs and measures to fast-track skilled trades workers into the workforce.

FECCA further emphasised the historic contribution of migrants to Australia’s infrastructure and

FECCA Conference 2026 to focus on inclusion, belonging and Australia’s multicultural future

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has announced that its national conference will return to Canberra on October 15-16, 2026, bringing together community leaders, policymakers, advocates and multicultural organisations from across the country. The conference will be held at Parliament House and Old Parliament House in partnership with the ACT Multicultural Council and is expected to

provide a major platform for discussions on social cohesion, multiculturalism and community inclusion.

According to FECCA, the biennial gathering will explore how stronger connections, collaboration and solidarity can help build a more inclusive, resilient and united Australia.

Participants will have opportunities to exchange ideas, share experiences and contribute to conversations shaping the nation’s multicultural future.

The theme for FECCA Conference 2026 is “Navigating Change, Shaping Australia

– Many Stories, One Future.”

Organisers say the theme recognises that Australia’s strength lies in its cultural diversity and encourages a shift from simply managing multiculturalism to leveraging it as a foundation for national growth and prosperity.

FECCA said the conference will create a space where diverse voices can be heard, respected and valued, reinforcing the importance of community participation in public policy and decision-making.

The organisation described the event as a call to strengthen relationships across communities and sectors while addressing the challenges and opportunities facing contemporary Australia.

It emphasised the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to contribute to the nation’s future.

FECCA noted that the conference aims to inspire action and collaboration on issues affecting culturally and linguistically diverse communities while highlighting the vital role multiculturalism plays in Australia’s economic, social and cultural development.

Registration for the conference has opened, with early-bird tickets available until July 31.

As Australia continues to evolve as one of the world’s most multicultural nations, FECCA said the conference will serve as an important forum for advancing dialogue, strengthening partnerships and shaping a shared vision for a more inclusive future.

economic development. It cited major nation-building projects including the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, the Ord River Scheme and the Eildon Dam as examples of achievements made possible through migrant labour and expertise.

The organisation also highlighted the economic value of international students, saying they contribute billions of dollars annually to the Australian economy while supporting universities, research, innovation and local businesses.

On welfare policy, FECCA criticised proposals that would restrict certain support payments to Australian citizens. It argued that temporary visa holders, international students, skilled workers and bridging visa holders contribute to public revenue through income tax and GST and should not be excluded from assistance when needed.

FECCA Chair Peter Doukas OAM called for a balanced and evidence-based national

conversation about migration, housing and economic development.

“Australia needs a balanced and evidence-based conversation about migration, housing, and economic development. Migration has helped build modern Australia. It has strengthened our economy, enriched our communities, and supported our national development,” Doukas said.

FECCA Interim Chief Executive Officer Jill Morgan AM said migrants contribute significantly to productivity, economic growth and community life, but require support during their settlement journey to fully participate and thrive.

The organisation maintained that successful settlement outcomes depend on stability, inclusion and access to appropriate support services, warning against policy approaches that risk undermining social cohesion and Australia’s multicultural success.

Cultural capability training strengthens inclusion in agriculture sector

Multicultural Australia has partnered with Grain Growers Limited to deliver Cultural Capability Training aimed at strengthening workplace inclusion and supporting collaboration across Australia’s grain industry.

The initiative is designed to help build greater cultural awareness and understanding within an industry that works across complex supply chains, regional communities and a diverse range of stakeholders.

As a leading advocate for grain producers, Grain Growers operates in an environment where effective communication, collaboration and workforce diversity play an increasingly important role. The training focuses on enhancing cultural capability to support respectful workplaces, improve teamwork and strengthen engagement across the sector.

Multicultural Australia said the

program reflects the growing recognition that culturally inclusive practices contribute to stronger organisations and more productive working relationships, particularly in industries that rely on diverse workforces and broad community engagement.

The organisation noted that developing cultural capability can help businesses foster safer and more inclusive workplaces while building stronger connections with employees, partners and communities.

The collaboration highlights a shared commitment to promoting inclusion and diversity within Australian agriculture and ensuring workplaces are equipped to meet the needs of an increasingly multicultural society.

Multicultural Australia commended Grain Growers Limited for its leadership in embracing inclusive workplace practices and investing in initiatives that support greater understanding and cooperation across the agricultural sector.

Canberra, May 7 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Brisbane, June 5 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Queensland Chinese Affairs Committee gains momentum ahead of official launch

Brisbane, June 6 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Anewly formed Queensland Chinese Affairs Committee is rapidly gaining support across the state, bringing together Chinese community organisations under a shared platform for collaboration, engagement and advocacy.

The initiative, which began earlier this year through informal discussions among community leaders, has already attracted more than 40 member associations from across Queensland in

less than six months, reflecting strong interest in greater cooperation within the Chinese community.

Representatives of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) recently heard from the committee’s founders, who outlined the organisation’s journey, vision and future plans. Community leaders described the development as a positive example of collaboration and collective leadership aimed at strengthening community connections and representation. The committee is expected to

be officially launched in August and will serve as a forum for dialogue, partnership and engagement among Chinese associations throughout Queensland.

ECCQ welcomed the initiative, noting that it demonstrates the value of communities working together to build stronger networks and create opportunities for shared action on issues of common interest.

Discussions also explored the potential establishment of an Ethnic Peaks Roundtable, which would bring together leaders from Queensland’s diverse multicultural communities to strengthen cooperation and encourage greater cross-cultural engagement.

Community representatives said the growth of the Queensland Chinese Affairs Committee highlights the important role cultural organisations play in fostering inclusion, preserving heritage and contributing to Queensland’s multicultural success story.

The committee’s rapid expansion signals growing momentum for enhanced community collaboration and a stronger collective voice for Chinese Australians across the state.

ECCQ to host elder abuse awareness session on June 18

Brisbane, June 6 (MCCQ

The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) will host a free information and networking session on June 18, 2026, aimed at raising awareness about elder abuse and strengthening the capacity of aged care professionals and community stakeholders to recognise and respond to concerns affecting older people. The event, being organised as part of Elder Abuse Awareness Month, will focus on the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS), which supports the identification, reporting

and management of incidents involving older Australians receiving aged care services.

ECCQ said the session is based on the principle that every older person deserves to feel safe, respected and protected. It will bring together aged care providers, quality and risk professionals, advocacy groups and community representatives to discuss practical strategies for preventing and responding to elder abuse.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the signs and impacts of elder abuse, while building confidence in identifying, assessing and responding to concerns in professional settings.

ECCQ to host financial management workshop for community organisations

within community organisations.

The session will also provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge and strengthen collaboration across the aged care and community sectors.

Organisers said the event will help participants expand their practical knowledge and contribute to safer, more rights-focused outcomes for older people. By fostering greater awareness and understanding, the initiative seeks to support a culture of dignity, respect and accountability in aged care services.

The free session will be held from 8:00am to 10:00am at The Greek Club, 29 Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane.

Interested participants are encouraged to register early as places are limited.

ECCQ said the event forms part of broader efforts during Elder Abuse Awareness Month to promote the rights, wellbeing and safety of older Australians and to encourage a coordinated response to the issue across the community.

The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) will host a practical financial management workshop on June 27, 2026, aimed at helping community organisations strengthen governance, accountability and long-term sustainability.

Designed for community leaders, committee members, board directors, treasurers and volunteers, the workshop will provide participants with practical skills and tools to better manage organisational finances and navigate end-of-financialyear reporting requirements.

ECCQ said strong financial management is essential for building transparent, accountable and sustainable community organisations. With many community groups relying heavily on volunteers, understanding budgeting, financial reporting and governance obligations can often be challenging.

The workshop will focus on developing confidence in key areas including budgeting, financial oversight, reporting responsibilities and sound financial decision-making. Participants will be introduced to practical tools and real-world examples that can be immediately applied

The training is particularly suited to committee and board members as well as treasurers who may not have a formal financial background but are responsible for overseeing organisational finances.

Organisers noted that effective financial management helps community organisations build trust with members, funding bodies and stakeholders while ensuring resources are used responsibly and efficiently.

The initiative forms part of ECCQ’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the capacity of multicultural and community organisations across Queensland through training, education and leadership development opportunities.

By equipping volunteers and community leaders with essential financial skills, ECCQ hopes to support stronger governance practices and help organisations continue delivering valuable services to their communities.

Community organisations from across Queensland are encouraged to participate in the workshop and take advantage of the opportunity to enhance their financial management knowledge and strengthen their organisational foundations for the future.

Brisbane, June 6 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Gold Coast multicultural leaders unite against domestic and family violence

Gold Coast, May 29 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Community leaders, service providers and multicultural organisations came together at the second Gold Coast Multicultural Network Meeting of 2026 to strengthen efforts to prevent domestic and family violence (DFV) across culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

Hosted by the Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC) during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, the meeting embraced this year’s Queensland theme, “Together Queenslanders can prevent domestic and family violence.”

The event brought together key stakeholders to discuss practical strategies for improving awareness, support services and community responses to DFV, while highlighting the importance of collaboration in creating safer communities.

MCCGC acknowledged the contributions of its partner organisations, including the Multicultural Families

Organisation (MFO), the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre (DVPC) and the Queensland Police Service (QPS), which shared expertise and insights on addressing domestic and family violence within multicultural communities.

A key focus of the meeting was the Multicultural Families Organisation’s SARA program, which highlighted the effective use of interpreters and translators in DFV responses.

Participants learned how culturally appropriate communication can improve outcomes for victim-survivors and support best-practice service delivery.

The gathering also received an update on the Domestic Violence Integrated Response Plan, officially launched by the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre. Discussions explored how government agencies, community organisations and individuals can work together to strengthen prevention measures and support those affected by violence.

Representatives from the Queensland Police Service outlined the important role played

by specialised police officers in responding to domestic and family violence cases and ensuring the safety of vulnerable community members.

The meeting reinforced the need for culturally responsive approaches to DFV prevention and highlighted the importance of building trust between communities and support services.

MCCGC thanked members and stakeholders who attended despite challenging weather conditions and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting collective action against domestic and family violence.

Organisers said the event served as a reminder that preventing violence is a shared responsibility and that stronger partnerships between multicultural communities, service providers and government agencies are essential to creating safe, inclusive and respectful communities across Queensland.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued community engagement, encouraging individuals and organisations to recognise, report and help prevent domestic and family violence in all its forms.

Gold Coast, May 28 (MCCGC Newsdesk)

The Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC) has concluded its first Women’s Wellness Creative Circle, a 10-week program designed to support women’s wellbeing, foster connections and create a safe space for personal growth, healing and self-expression. The initiative brought women together to connect, share stories and explore ways of caring for their physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Conducted as part of MCCGC’s participant support programs, the creative circle aimed to promote inclusion, confidence and a sense of belonging among women from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Throughout the 10-week program, participants engaged in art-based activities and group discussions in a warm and welcoming environment that encouraged connection and mutual support. The sessions focused on building relationships, promoting healing and empowering women through creativity. According to MCCGC, the

program provided opportunities for participants to connect with others, feel happy and supported, share personal experiences and emotions, learn self-care strategies and strengthen their confidence and sense of identity.

The initiative also celebrated cultural heritage, traditions and community belonging.

The final session marked the culmination of the program with a celebration of creativity and community. Participants showcased artworks they had created during the course and reflected on their personal journeys, highlighting experiences of growth, courage, healing and self-discovery.

Organisers said the program created a space where every woman’s voice and story was respected and valued. The sharing of artwork and personal reflections allowed participants to celebrate their achievements while recognising the progress they had made throughout the ten weeks.

MCCGC expressed gratitude to the women who participated in the initiative, acknowledging their openness, courage and willingness to contribute to each session. The organisation noted

that the supportive atmosphere created by participants was central to the program’s success. Special recognition was also given to Suheir from the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) team for facilitating the program and helping create an environment of care, encouragement and inclusion.

The Women’s Wellness Creative Circle reflects MCCGC’s ongoing commitment to supporting the wellbeing of multicultural communities through programs that strengthen social connections, reduce isolation and promote positive mental health outcomes.

Community leaders said initiatives such as the Creative Circle play an important role in empowering women, fostering resilience and creating opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to connect and thrive.

Following the success of the inaugural program, MCCGC indicated it looks forward to continuing to deliver initiatives that promote wellness, belonging and community participation for women across the Gold Coast’s multicultural communities.

Women’s Wellness Creative Circle empowers multicultural women on the Gold Coast

Bright Future graduates ready to join aged care workforce

Brisbane, June 6 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Sixteen participants have successfully graduated from the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland’s (ECCQ) Bright Future program, completing a Certificate III in Individual Support and preparing to enter Queensland’s growing aged care workforce.

The graduates received their qualifications after undertaking training designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge required to begin careers in the aged care sector, which is currently experiencing a nationwide shortage of approximately 35,000 workers.

ECCQ said the Bright Future program not only helps address workforce shortages but also creates meaningful employment pathways for people from

multicultural backgrounds seeking to establish careers in Australia.

The organisation delivers two Bright Future programs each year, supporting participants through industry-focused training and practical learning opportunities that prepare them for employment upon graduation.

A key component of the program is hands-on experience through placements at Berlasc0, ECCQ’s residential aged care facility.

The practical placements enable students to develop workplace skills and gain valuable industry experience in a real-world care environment.

ECCQ reported that more than half of the latest graduating cohort had already secured employment by the time they completed the program, highlighting the strong demand for

qualified aged care workers.

The organisation said the success of the program demonstrates the importance of investing in workforce development while creating opportunities for people from diverse cultural backgrounds to contribute to the community. Beyond addressing labour shortages, ECCQ noted that the initiative strengthens multicultural communities by helping participants build sustainable careers and long-term economic security.

The graduation marks another milestone for the Bright Future program, which continues to support workforce growth in the aged care sector while helping individuals develop skills, confidence and brighter futures through education and employment.

FECCA urges stronger support for multicultural communities in Federal Budget

Canberra, May 12

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has welcomed several measures in the 2026-27 Federal Budget but called for greater investment in multicultural communities, social cohesion initiatives and anti-racism programs to ensure that resilience and reform benefit all Australians. In its response to the Federal Budget, FECCA acknowledged the establishment of the Office for Multicultural Affairs and a range of investments that will support culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The organisation welcomed major health spending measures, including investments in public hospitals, expanded bulk billing and women’s health initiatives. It particularly highlighted funding for the Health in My Language program, which provides community-led health literacy education for refugee and migrant women.

FECCA also welcomed the

Federal Government’s response to the Bondi terrorist attack, including funding to combat hate speech, violent extremism and terrorism, as well as disaster recovery and mental health support for affected communities.

The peak multicultural body supported the Government’s decision to expand the skilled migration program, including an $85.2 million investment to fasttrack migrant trades workers into the workforce. It also welcomed funding to extend the Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration program, which aims to improve employment opportunities for refugees.

However, FECCA said the budget did not go far enough in addressing the needs of multicultural communities and warned that investments in care, safety and resilience must be matched by stronger support for social cohesion and settlement services.

The organisation urged the Government to continue investing in programs that help newly arrived Australians establish themselves, strengthen community connections and build a sense of belonging.

FECCA also called for the establishment of a National Anti-Racism Framework and the implementation of recommendations from the Multicultural Framework Review. It argued that anti-racism initiatives, community grants and multicultural programs are essential to strengthening social cohesion at

FECCA appoints Prerana Mehta as new Chief Executive Officer

Canberra, June 6 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has announced the appointment of Prerana Mehta as its new Chief Executive Officer, with her tenure set to commence on June 29, 2026.

Announcing the appointment, FECCA Chair Peter Doukas OAM said Mehta’s extensive experience in advocacy, strategic communications and senior leadership positions made her ideally placed to lead the national multicultural peak body into its next chapter.

Doukas described Mehta as an inclusive and values-driven leader with a strong track record in stakeholder engagement, public policy and organisational leadership. He said her commitment to equity, inclusion and community empowerment aligned closely with FECCA’s mission and vision.

advance inclusion, equity and belonging for all Australians.

Mehta also highlighted the importance of strong leadership at a time when social cohesion faces growing challenges, including racism and debates around identity and inclusion.

She said multicultural voices and experiences matter more than ever and stressed the need for leadership that is both strategic and deeply human.

a time when communities continue to face the impacts of racial and religious discrimination.

FECCA Chair Peter Doukas OAM said multiculturalism and social cohesion were inseparable and should be viewed as fundamental components of Australia’s future success.

“Multiculturalism and social cohesion go hand in hand. You cannot have one without investing in the other. Building social cohesion is not a peripheral concern; it is a key pillar of national resilience and economic productivity,” he said.

FECCA CEO Jill Morgan AM said resilience is built through communities, services and initiatives that help people feel connected and included.

“The Government has called this a budget of resilience and reform. We take that seriously. Resilience is built in communities, through services and initiatives that help people belong. Reform means very little if it leaves a third of the population behind,” Morgan said.

FECCA said it looks forward to working with the Government, multicultural organisations and community stakeholders to ensure Australia’s multicultural communities are fully supported and included in the nation’s future growth and prosperity. The organisation concluded by calling for increased funding for the multicultural affairs portfolio, describing multiculturalism as a vital contributor to Australia’s economic strength, social cohesion and national resilience.

A Zambian-born migrant of Indian heritage, Mehta has built an accomplished career across government, private sector and not-for-profit organisations. Her professional experience spans several countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Australia. Speaking on her appointment, Mehta said she was honoured to take on the leadership role at a significant time for Australia’s multicultural communities. She noted that FECCA has a proud history of advocacy and said she looked forward to working closely with members, community organisations, governments and partners to

FECCA said the appointment followed a competitive national recruitment process that attracted a strong and diverse field of candidates from across Australia.

The organisation expressed confidence that Mehta’s leadership would further strengthen its work advocating for the rights, interests and aspirations of culturally and linguistically diverse communities throughout the country.

As Australia's peak national multicultural organisation, FECCA represents and advocates for the needs of migrant and multicultural communities, working to promote equity, participation and social inclusion across all sectors of society.

Lantern-making workshop highlights inclusion and belonging ahead of LUMINOUS Parade

Brisbane, June 5 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Alantern-making workshop organised during Harmony Week has highlighted the power of creativity, storytelling and shared experiences in fostering inclusion, belonging and community connection.

The initiative saw staff from Carers Queensland participate in a hands-on workshop as they prepared lanterns for the upcoming LUMINOUS Lantern Parade 2026, while also learning about the history and significance of one of Brisbane’s most celebrated community events. Participants heard from Amelia of Carers Queensland, who shared her personal connection to the origins of the parade.

She reflected on how the event began nearly two decades ago as a grassroots effort to raise awareness of community challenges and bring people together through shared stories,

lived experiences and candlelit gatherings.

Over the years, the parade has evolved into one of Brisbane’s most significant annual community events, attracting thousands of participants and spectators in a vibrant celebration of unity, diversity and welcome.

Organisers said workshops such as these demonstrate how creative activities can help build stronger and more connected workplaces while encouraging meaningful conversations about inclusion, cultural understanding and belonging.

With Refugee Week approaching, community groups, workplaces and organisations are being encouraged to host similar workshops that bring people together through creative expression and shared learning experiences.

The lantern-making sessions are facilitated by cultural hosts with lived migration or refugee experience and combine practical lantern-making activities with guided discussions on community, identity and inclusion.

The workshops form part of the lead-up to the LUMINOUS Lantern Parade, which continues to serve as a powerful symbol of welcome, resilience and multicultural connection across Queensland.

(MCCQ Newsdesk)

Community champions graduate to strengthen workplace rights awareness

Brisbane, June 5 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

As many as 12 new community champions have completed Multicultural Australia’s Workplace Rights Education training, marking another milestone in efforts to improve awareness of workplace rights among culturally and linguistically diverse communities across Queensland.

The latest graduates join a growing network of trained community advocates who help share trusted, in-language

information about workplace rights and responsibilities within their communities.

Over the past four years,

Multicultural Australia’s Workplace Rights Education and Support Program (WRESP) has trained 84 Community Champions across Brisbane, Logan, Gatton, Cairns, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast.

Through community outreach and education, the program has reached almost 3,000 people from 33 cultural communities.

The initiative comes amid

ongoing concerns about workplace exploitation affecting migrant workers and international students. According to findings highlighted by the Migrant Justice Institute’s Off the Books report, many migrant workers continue to face challenges in understanding and exercising their workplace rights.

Multicultural Australia said newly arrived migrants and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds often encounter barriers when navigating workplace laws

and employment conditions.

Community Champions play a vital role in bridging that gap by providing accessible information and helping community members gain confidence in seeking fair treatment at work.

The organisation expressed pride in seeing the new cohort take their knowledge back to their respective communities, where they can support others and contribute to positive change.

The Workplace Rights Education and Support Program is

delivered through partnerships with a range of organisations, including the Queensland Human Rights Commission, Basic Rights Queensland, Caxton Community Legal Centre, United Workers Union and Queensland Migrant Workers Centre.

Multicultural Australia said the continued success of the program demonstrates the importance of community-led education in promoting workplace fairness, empowering workers and strengthening social inclusion across Queensland’s multicultural communities.

Language and culture celebration showcases Queensland’s multicultural spirit

colourful showcase of cultural diversity and belonging.

Avibrant celebration of language, culture and community at Indooroopilly State High School has highlighted the important role multiculturalism plays in bringing people together across Queensland.

Hosted by the Ethnic Schools Association of Queensland (ESAQ), the event brought together students, educators, performers, families and community members in a

The celebration featured a rich program of performances, poetry and cultural presentations, reflecting the many languages, traditions and stories that contribute to Queensland’s multicultural identity.

Organisers said the event served as a powerful reminder of how language and culture help strengthen community connections, promote understanding and foster a sense of belonging among people from diverse

backgrounds.

Special recognition was given to ESAQ representatives Irene and Rafiul for their ongoing dedication to promoting cultural diversity and supporting multicultural communities throughout Queensland.

Multicultural Australia welcomed the opportunity to participate in the event, noting that initiatives such as these play a vital role in celebrating heritage while encouraging inclusion and social cohesion.

The gathering highlighted

the contributions of ethnic community schools in preserving languages and cultural traditions for future generations, while also helping young people develop a deeper appreciation of Queensland’s diverse society. Through music, performances, poetry and shared cultural experiences, the event showcased the richness of the many cultures that continue to shape and strengthen communities across the state.

Queensland African Awards celebrate leadership and community achievement

Brisbane, June 5 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Queensland African Awards recently brought together community leaders, achievers and supporters in a vibrant celebration of leadership, culture and excellence, highlighting the significant contributions African communities continue to make across Queensland.

Hosted by the Queensland

African Communities Council (QACC), the awards evening recognised individuals and organisations whose efforts have strengthened communities and enriched the state’s multicultural landscape.

The event showcased inspiring stories of achievement, outstanding community service and cultural pride, while also featuring lively performances that reflected the richness and diversity of African cultures.

Multicultural Australia CEO

Jo Nelson attended the event alongside community leaders and stakeholders from across Queensland. The evening underscored the important role community organisations play in fostering inclusion, opportunity and social cohesion.

A memorable highlight of the celebration saw Jo Nelson join Logan Mayor Jon Raven on stage, reflecting the spirit of friendship,

connection and cultural exchange that characterised the event.

Organisers said the awards not only recognise excellence and achievement but also provide an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, talent and leadership within Queensland’s African communities.

Multicultural Australia congratulated QACC for delivering a successful and meaningful event

and acknowledged the dedication of all award recipients and nominees whose work continues to make a positive difference across the state.

The Queensland African Awards served as a reminder of the value of diversity in building stronger communities and showcased the important contributions African Australians make to Queensland’s social, cultural and economic life.

Brisbane, June 5 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Spanish-language digital skills workshop supports multicultural seniors on the Gold Coast

practical digital skills.

The Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC) has delivered a digital skills workshop through its Digital Sisters program, helping Spanish-speaking seniors improve their digital literacy and build confidence in using online technology.

The workshop was held at the Cura Aged Care Wellness Centre and provided participants with an opportunity to learn about digital technology and online services in their own language, making the information more accessible and easier to understand.

MCCGC said the session was specifically designed for Spanish-speaking participants and highlighted the importance of delivering community education in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways. By providing training in participants’ native language, the organisation aimed to ensure that older members of multicultural communities could engage fully with the material and gain

The training was delivered by student placement Kelly as part of the requirements for certification as a qualified Digital Mentor.

Conducting the workshop in Spanish enabled participants to communicate more comfortably, ask questions and better understand key digital concepts.

According to MCCGC, the approach not only helped deliver valuable information but also strengthened connections with multicultural senior communities by recognising their individual needs, circumstances and language preferences.

The workshop formed part of the council’s broader Digital Sisters program, an initiative focused on improving digital inclusion and empowering women to participate safely and confidently in the digital world.

MCCGC said the program helps participants gain the knowledge and skills needed to use online services, communicate with family and friends, access information and maintain greater independence in everyday life.

The organisation noted that digital literacy has become

increasingly important for older Australians as more services, information and communication platforms move online. Programs such as Digital Sisters play a key role in reducing barriers to digital participation and ensuring that seniors from culturally diverse backgrounds are not left behind.

Participants were introduced to practical aspects of digital technology and online engagement in a supportive environment that encouraged learning and confidence-building. The workshop also provided opportunities for social interaction and community connection.

MCCGC thanked Kelly for delivering the session and acknowledged the contribution of student placements and volunteers who support community programs across the organisation.

The council said initiatives such as the Spanish-language workshop demonstrate the value of culturally responsive community education and help strengthen inclusion across multicultural communities on the Gold Coast.

The Digital Sisters program is funded by the Good Things Foundation Australia and the Be Connected network, which work to improve digital skills and online participation for Australians through community-based learning opportunities.

MCCGC said it remains committed to creating accessible learning opportunities that empower people from diverse cultural backgrounds to navigate the digital world safely, confidently and independently.

Gold Coast dinner celebrates champions of multicultural harmony

Brisbane, June 4/MCCQ

M

ulticultural Australia Chief Executive Officer Jo Nelson attended the 2026 Annual Gold Coast MSN Dinner, joining community leaders, volunteers and multicultural organisations in celebrating the contributions of individuals and groups working to strengthen social cohesion across the Gold Coast. The event recognised the achievements of the

Multicultural Social Network (MSN) and the many community-led organisations that continue to support and empower Queensland’s diverse multicultural communities.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of a number of outstanding award recipients whose dedication and service have made a positive impact within their communities.

Organisers congratulated the award winners for their commitment to promoting inclusion,

community participation and cultural understanding.

The gathering brought together hundreds of attendees and reflected the event’s central theme of fostering social harmony, friendship and meaningful community connections. The atmosphere of warmth and celebration underscored the important role multicultural organisations play in building stronger and more inclusive communities.

Multicultural Australia acknowledged the efforts of Dr Hussain Baba and the MSN team in organising the successful event and creating a platform that recognises community leadership and volunteerism. The annual dinner continues to serve as an important opportunity to celebrate diversity, honour community achievements and reinforce the values of respect, inclusion and unity that contribute to Queensland’s multicultural success story.

MCCGC celebrates volunteers and multicultural contributions during National Volunteer Week

Gold Coast, May 22 (MCCGC Newsdesk)

The Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC) has paid tribute to the dedication and impact of its volunteers and students as part of National Volunteer Week 2026, highlighting the important role they play in strengthening community programs and fostering social inclusion across the Gold Coast.

In a message marking National Volunteer Week, held from May 18 to 24, MCCGC noted that this year’s celebrations carry added significance as 2026 has been declared the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IYV 2026), a United Nations-led initiative supported by Volunteering Australia to promote inclusive and sustainable community participation.

The organisation revealed that over the past three months, 18 participants from 13 countries, speaking 14 different languages, have joined MCCGC through placements, internships and volunteering opportunities. Their contributions have supported a wide range of programs, including NDIS services, Marketing and Communications, Employment and Training, and Community Development initiatives.

MCCGC said volunteers contribute in various ways, from regular weekly commitments to flexible event support, helping strengthen the organisation’s capacity to deliver services and engage with multicultural communities across the region.

As part of National Volunteer Week activities, the organisation brought volunteers together for a special recognition session celebrating their commitment, dedication and the positive impact they make every day.

The event also featured an interactive workshop titled “Goal Setting: Wish it, Plan it, Do it,” where participants created personal vision boards and developed clear goals for the year ahead. Organisers said the workshop was designed to encourage personal growth and empower participants to pursue their aspirations with confidence

and purpose.

Participants also received miniature succulents as a symbol of resilience, growth and perseverance, reinforcing the themes of the workshop and the broader spirit of volunteering.

MCCGC acknowledged the diverse backgrounds and experiences volunteers bring to the organisation, noting that their cultural knowledge, skills and commitment help create stronger and more inclusive communities.

The council also expressed appreciation to its staff and program teams for providing guidance, mentorship and support to volunteers, helping create a welcoming environment where individuals can learn new skills, gain experience and contribute meaningfully to community life.

National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering and provides an opportunity to recognise the millions of Australians who donate their time and expertise to support community organisations and causes.

For MCCGC, the occasion served as a reminder of the important role volunteers play in building social cohesion and supporting multicultural communities. By bringing together people from different countries, cultures and languages, the organisation said volunteering creates pathways for connection, learning and community participation while helping newcomers develop valuable skills and local experience.

The council said it remains committed to supporting volunteers and creating opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to contribute to community life, develop leadership skills and build stronger connections across the Gold Coast.

The recognition event concluded with a message of thanks to all volunteers, interns and students whose dedication continues to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and communities throughout the region.

Gold Coast, May 22 (MCCGC Newsdesk)

Queensland Turkish Chamber strengthens Australia–Türkiye business

has highlighted

Tthe organisation’s

contribution to strengthening economic, professional and cultural ties between Australia and Türkiye.

In a recent member spotlight, MCCGC introduced QTCCI as one of its member organisations, noting its role in fostering long-term relationships between businesses, professionals and communities in both countries.

According to the organisation, QTCCI aims to connect businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, professionals and community leaders through networking events, seminars, partnerships and business support initiatives. The chamber seeks to create opportunities for collaboration while promoting trade, investment and cultural exchange between Australia and Türkiye.

QTCCI supports the community through a range of activities, including business networking events, industry forums and educational seminars designed to help members expand their professional networks and develop new opportunities. The chamber also assists businesses and entrepreneurs by facilitating professional connections, partnerships and collaboration opportunities. Through these initiatives, it aims to support economic growth and

and community ties

strengthen business engagement between the two nations.

Among its key objectives is the promotion of trade and investment links between Australia and Türkiye. The organisation works to connect businesses with relevant contacts and opportunities while helping them navigate new markets and commercial relationships.

QTCCI further provides guidance, referrals and access to business information and resources, supporting both established businesses and emerging entrepreneurs. These services are intended to help members make informed decisions and access opportunities for growth and development.

Beyond its business focus, the organisation plays an active role in promoting multicultural engagement and community participation. Through cultural and community events, QTCCI encourages interaction between diverse communities and contributes to greater social cohesion.

The chamber also supports events that bring people together, helping strengthen cultural understanding and build lasting relationships across different sections of the community. MCCGC noted that

these activities contribute to a more connected and inclusive multicultural society.

In addition, QTCCI creates opportunities for local businesses, professionals, students and community members to connect, exchange ideas and grow both professionally and socially. By bringing together people from different backgrounds and sectors, the organisation seeks to foster innovation, cooperation and mutual understanding. People and organisations can engage with QTCCI through membership, participation in networking events, seminars and community activities, as well as through partnership and sponsorship opportunities.

MCCGC said the work of member organisations such as QTCCI demonstrates the important role multicultural associations play in supporting economic development, strengthening international relationships and enhancing community connections across Queensland.

As Australia continues to deepen its engagement with global markets and diverse communities, organisations like QTCCI are helping to build bridges between cultures while creating opportunities for business growth, community participation and social cohesion.

Queensland Turkish Chamber strengthens Australia–Türkiye business and community ties

Gold Coast, May 12 (MCCGC Newsdesk)

The Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC) participated in the Job Ready & Community Support Day, an event designed to connect community members with employment opportunities, support services and practical resources to assist them on their career journeys.

Organised by Bhartiya Samaj, the event brought together community organisations, service providers and leaders committed to helping individuals

access meaningful employment and build pathways to long-term success.

MCCGC described the event as an important opportunity to engage directly with community members, share information about available services and strengthen connections with people seeking employment, training and support.

Representing the organisation, Employment and Training Coordinator Kyzzy Romano outlined the range of services available through MCCGC and explained how the organisation supports individuals at different stages of their employment journey. The presentation highlighted programs aimed at improving employability, developing skills and helping job seekers navigate pathways into the workforce.

MCCGC’s Public Relations Specialist Maria Camila also

attended the event, engaging with participants and community members. Through conversations and information-sharing, the organisation sought to better understand the needs and aspirations of attendees while connecting them with relevant services and opportunities.

According to MCCGC, events such as the Job Ready & Community Support Day play an important role in bringing together community organisations and individuals in a supportive environment where people can learn, connect and access practical assistance.

The council noted that employment remains one of the key factors supporting successful settlement, economic participation and social inclusion for people from multicultural backgrounds. By providing access to information, training opportunities and community

networks, organisations can help remove barriers to employment and empower individuals to achieve their goals.

MCCGC said collaboration between community groups, service providers and local leaders is essential to creating stronger and more inclusive communities.

The Job Ready & Community Support Day demonstrated the value of working together to support individuals as they pursue education, training and employment opportunities.

The organisation also acknowledged the efforts of Bhartiya Samaj in bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders focused on empowering people through meaningful work and community engagement.

Through its Employment and Training programs, MCCGC continues to assist people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in accessing

employment support, career guidance and skills development opportunities. The organisation works closely with community members to help them build confidence, improve workplace readiness and connect with potential employers.

MCCGC said the event reinforced the importance of community-driven initiatives that support workforce participation and economic inclusion. By listening to community needs and providing practical support, organisations can help individuals overcome challenges and achieve sustainable employment outcomes.

The council concluded that when communities come together to support job seekers and share resources, the result is not only improved opportunities for individuals but also a stronger, more inclusive and prosperous society for all.

Gold Coast, May 18 (MCCGC Newsdesk)

he Multicultural Communities Council Gold

Coast (MCCGC)

the work of the Queensland Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association Incorporated (QTCCI), recognising

Gold Coast honours multicultural volunteers at annual MSN awards dinner

Gold Coast, June 1 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to multicultural communities across Queensland were honoured at the 2026 MSN Volunteer Awards during the Annual Multicultural Social Network (MSN) Dinner held on the Gold Coast.

The awards ceremony brought together around 300 guests, including government representatives, community leaders and members of diverse cultural organisations, to celebrate volunteerism, multiculturalism and community harmony. The awards were presented by Minister Fiona Simpson and Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski, recognising individuals whose dedication and selfless service have strengthened community connections and improved the lives of others.

Hosted by MSN president Dr Hussain Baba, the

annual gathering highlighted the important role volunteers play in fostering social cohesion and supporting multicultural communities throughout Queensland.

Addressing the gathering, speakers acknowledged the commitment of volunteers who devote their time and energy to community service, often working behind the scenes to support vulnerable people, organise cultural initiatives and build stronger, more inclusive communities.

The evening celebrated the values of friendship, cooperation and multicultural understanding, reflecting the diversity that continues to enrich Queensland society. Guests from a wide range of cultural backgrounds attended the event, underscoring the growing contribution of multicultural organisations to community life.

Among those recognised were volunteers from various community sectors whose efforts have promoted inclusion, cultural engagement and support for people

from diverse backgrounds. Their contributions were praised as an example of the spirit of service that strengthens communities and helps create a more connected society.

Dr Baba congratulated the award recipients and thanked volunteers across Queensland for their ongoing commitment to serving others. He noted that volunteers remain at the heart of community organisations and play a crucial role in fostering harmony, understanding and social wellbeing.

The MSN Volunteer Awards have become an important annual event celebrating community service and recognising individuals whose work often goes unnoticed but has a lasting impact on the lives of many people.

The evening concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening multicultural engagement, encouraging volunteer participation and building a more inclusive future for all Queenslanders.

Alluring India 2026: Fashion, culture and the expanding India–Australia creative connection

Fashion has long evolved beyond the boundaries of clothing and glamour. Across the modern world, major fashion showcases increasingly function as platforms for cultural storytelling, artistic diplomacy and international engagement. Runways today are not merely spaces where designers display garments. They have become stages where nations project identity, heritage and creativity before global audiences.

In multicultural societies such as Australia, fashion events carry even deeper significance. They create opportunities for communities to connect beyond language, politics or geography. Through textiles, colours, craftsmanship and performance, people gain insight into traditions, histories and identities different from their own. Fashion becomes a form of dialogue — visual, emotional and cultural.

Against this backdrop, Alluring India 2026 – Australia Edition, scheduled to be held on 16 August 2026 at The Star Brisbane, is steadily emerging as one of the most anticipated Indian fashion and lifestyle showcases in Queensland. Organised as part of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Indian Independence, the event seeks to combine fashion, heritage, lifestyle and multicultural engagement within a single grand platform.

Promotional material associated with the showcase describes the event as an evening bringing together celebrated Indian designers, top models from India, distinguished guests and multicultural audiences for what promises to be an elegant cultural experience. Presented in association with the Consulate General of India, Brisbane, the event also highlights the growing importance of cultural diplomacy within the broader India–Australia relationship. Fashion as a bridge between cultures

Over the past decade, India and Australia have significantly expanded cooperation across trade, education, strategic affairs, technology and migration. Yet beyond formal agreements and diplomatic engagement, cultural connections continue playing a powerful role in strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries. Events such as Alluring India contribute to this growing relationship by creating spaces where communities interact through art, creativity and shared celebration.

The significance of Indian fashion itself extends far beyond contemporary luxury or entertainment. India possesses one of the world’s richest textile and design traditions, shaped

across centuries by regional craftsmanship, weaving cultures, embroidery styles and artisanal knowledge passed through generations. From Banarasi silks and Kanjeevaram sarees to intricate zardozi embroidery, mirror work, chikankari and handloom traditions, Indian fashion reflects an extraordinary civilisational diversity.

Modern Indian designers increasingly reinterpret these traditions through contemporary aesthetics while preserving cultural authenticity. Fashion showcases abroad therefore become important cultural platforms through which international audiences encounter India not merely as an emerging economic power, but also as a civilisation with deep artistic and creative heritage.

The importance of multicultural engagement

In multicultural Australia, such cultural showcases hold particular relevance. Australia’s multicultural identity remains one of the defining characteristics of the nation’s social fabric. Communities from across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Pacific continue contributing to the country’s evolving cultural landscape. Within this environment, fashion events often become powerful instruments for intercultural understanding. Runway showcases expose audiences to traditions they may otherwise never encounter directly. Fabrics, jewellery, music, styling and presentation collectively communicate stories about history, geography and identity. Cultural curiosity frequently begins through such artistic experiences.

This is especially important for younger multicultural generations growing up in increasingly globalised societies. Events like Alluring India create spaces where heritage and contemporary identity coexist naturally.

Younger Indian Australians, many of whom navigate multiple cultural worlds simultaneously, often find in such showcases a meaningful connection to ancestral traditions presented within modern and globally relevant contexts.

At the same time, these events also attract broader multicultural audiences interested in fashion, creativity and cultural diversity. In recent years, Brisbane has witnessed growing interest in multicultural festivals, food events, art showcases and fashion presentations celebrating international cultures. Such developments reflect both demographic change and increasing curiosity among Australians about global traditions and identities.

Vinay Gupta and the creative vision behind the showcase

One of the most significant factors contributing to anticipation surrounding Alluring India 2026 is the involvement of acclaimed show director Vinay Gupta, founder of Gait N Grace Lifestyle Impresario. Within fashion and event circles, Vinay Gupta has built recognition through his work in fashion presentation, creative event curation and lifestyle showcases connecting culture with contemporary design aesthetics.

Fashion insiders frequently emphasise that successful runway events depend upon far more than designers or garments alone. Behind every major showcase lies extensive creative direction involving choreography, visual storytelling, stage presentation, lighting, model coordination, thematic execution and audience engagement. The role of a show director is therefore central in transforming fashion presentations into immersive cultural experiences. Vinay Gupta’s involvement is widely expected to provide Alluring India 2026 with both creative sophistication and international production standards. His approach to event curation reportedly focuses not only on glamour and presentation, but also on preserving cultural identity within contemporary fashion environments. This balance is increasingly important within global fashion itself. International audiences today often seek authenticity alongside luxury and spectacle. They are drawn towards events capable of telling cultural stories rather than simply presenting commercial collections. Indian fashion, with its fusion of heritage craftsmanship and modern design innovation, is uniquely positioned within this global movement.

The role of Gait N Grace Lifestyle Impresario

Gait N Grace Lifestyle Impresario has meanwhile developed a reputation for organising fashion and lifestyle initiatives that integrate elegance with cultural presentation. The organisation’s involvement in fashion, community and lifestyle showcases reflects the growing importance of experiential cultural events within multicultural societies. For large-scale international fashion events, organisational experience becomes critical. Managing designers, models, production schedules, audience expectations and multicultural collaborations requires extensive coordination and creative vision. Observers believe that the combination of Vinay Gupta’s direction and Gait N Grace Lifestyle Impresario’s event experience will significantly strengthen the professional and artistic execution of Alluring

provides a particularly effective medium for expressing India’s diversity because clothing traditions across the country remain extraordinarily varied and historically rich.

From royal-inspired couture and bridal fashion to handloom elegance and contemporary fusion wear, Indian fashion represents multiple Indias simultaneously — traditional and modern, regional and global, artistic and commercial.

The event’s venue, The Star Brisbane, further reinforces the organisers’ ambition to position the showcase as a major cultural and fashion occasion. International-standard venues increasingly shape audience perception of fashion events by enhancing production quality, visual presentation and overall experience. Large-scale multicultural showcases today compete not only through design but also through atmosphere and immersive engagement.

More than a fashion event

Importantly, Alluring India 2026 is not being positioned solely as a community gathering restricted to one demographic. Rather, it seeks to present Indian fashion and culture before a broad Australian and multicultural audience. This wider engagement is precisely what gives such showcases deeper social significance.

Fashion possesses a unique capacity to communicate across communities without requiring translation. Audiences instinctively respond to colour, movement, craftsmanship and visual artistry. Traditional garments often carry historical memories and regional identities embedded within design itself. Through runway presentation, these cultural elements become accessible to diverse audiences. The broader significance of such events also lies in their contribution to multicultural harmony and social inclusion. Cultural showcases help create familiarity between communities. They reduce distance and encourage appreciation through shared participation. In increasingly diverse societies, such interactions become important for strengthening social cohesion and mutual understanding.

For Indian Australians, the event also symbolises the growing visibility and confidence of the Indian diaspora within Australia’s cultural landscape. Over recent decades, the Indian-origin population in Australia has grown rapidly, contributing significantly across education, healthcare, business, information technology and entrepreneurship. Cultural showcases such as Alluring India reflect this growing community confidence and visibility within mainstream public life. Celebrating 80 years of Indian independence

The event’s timing alongside celebrations marking 80 years of Indian Independence adds additional symbolic depth. Independence anniversaries are not only moments of political reflection but also opportunities to celebrate cultural identity, artistic achievement and civilisational continuity. Fashion

Observers believe that under Vinay Gupta’s creative direction, Alluring India 2026 could emerge not simply as another runway presentation, but as a carefully curated cultural experience capable of leaving lasting impressions on audiences across communities.

Fashion, soft power and cultural diplomacy

Such success will depend upon the event’s ability to balance glamour with authenticity. International audiences today increasingly value cultural sincerity over superficial spectacle. Fashion events that successfully communicate heritage, craftsmanship and emotional resonance tend to achieve deeper cultural impact. The role of cultural diplomacy should also not be underestimated. Governments and diplomatic institutions worldwide increasingly recognise the importance of soft power in international relations. Fashion, cinema, music, cuisine and the arts frequently influence public perceptions more effectively than formal diplomacy alone. Events such as Alluring India therefore contribute quietly yet meaningfully to strengthening international cultural relationships.

In many ways, the Brisbane showcase reflects broader global transformations occurring within fashion itself. Modern fashion increasingly intersects with identity, migration, multiculturalism and global cultural exchange. Runways have become spaces where stories about heritage, belonging and contemporary creativity are negotiated before international audiences.

A showcase with lasting significance

As anticipation gradually builds towards August 2026, Alluring India is already generating discussion not only within fashion circles but also among multicultural communities interested in cultural engagement and artistic collaboration.

If the organisers succeed in translating their vision onto the runway, the event may well become one of Brisbane’s landmark multicultural fashion showcases — an evening where elegance, heritage, diplomacy and creativity come together in celebration of both India’s cultural richness and Australia’s multicultural spirit.

And perhaps that is ultimately the deeper significance of events like Alluring India. Beyond fashion, beyond glamour and beyond spectacle, they remind audiences that culture remains one of humanity’s most powerful bridges — capable of connecting people, communities and nations through creativity, beauty and shared human experience.

India 2026.

Fashion gala celebrates creativity, resilience and women’s empowerment

Brisbane, June 2 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Avibrant display of culture, creativity and empowerment

took centre stage at the Women’s Power of Inspiration Inc. (WPI)

Annual Fashion Gala 2026, held on May 30, bringing together community leaders, supporters and advocates to celebrate the achievements of women from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

The colourful event showcased an impressive collection of garments designed and sewn by women participating in WPI programs. The creations were modelled by inspiring women and men who came together to support and highlight the organisation’s mission of empowering women through creativity, skills development and community connection.

Over the years, Women’s Power of Inspiration has grown from a

small gathering of women into a thriving community where participants sew, learn, heal, share stories and support one another. Through its programs, the organisation provides a welcoming environment that helps women build confidence, develop skills and foster meaningful social connections.

Special recognition was given to WPI Founder and president Esperance and her dedicated team of volunteers for their commitment to creating opportunities for women from diverse backgrounds and helping them achieve personal and professional growth.

Multicultural Australia Chief Executive Officer Jo Nelson and Chief Client Officer Jo-Ann Cochran attended the gala and praised the organisation’s impact on the community. They said the event was an inspiring celebration of the strength, talent and diversity that enrich

Queensland’s multicultural society.

The gala also highlighted the importance of community partnerships and volunteer support in sustaining initiatives that empower women and strengthen social inclusion.

Organisers encouraged individuals, businesses and community organisations to support WPI’s ongoing work through partnerships, sponsorships and volunteer involvement.

Guests described the evening as a powerful reminder of how creativity, collaboration and community support can transform lives and create opportunities for women to thrive.

The annual gala continues to be one of WPI’s flagship events, celebrating resilience, cultural diversity and the remarkable achievements of women who are building new lives and brighter futures in Australia.

Quad outcome opens new pathways to enhance India-Australia partnership: Report

Canberra, May 30 (IANS) The outcomes of the Quad meeting in New Delhi have opened new avenues for deepening bilateral cooperation between Australia and India. The joint condemnation of last year's horrific terror attacks at Bondi Beach in Australia and Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir reflected the growing strength of the relationship between the two countries. This groundwork will shape the agenda for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned upcoming visit to Australia, a report has highlighted.

According to a report in Australia-based ‘The Interpreter', the Quad appears to be addressing its earlier limitations by seeking to “institutionalise forms

of cooperation that can outlast individual leaders and electoral cycles”. China’s criticism of the grouping as “cliques” engaged in "exclusionary" geopolitics, it said, underscored the extent to which the grouping unsettled Beijing.

The report noted that many of the initiatives and outcomes emerging from the Quad meeting align closely with the broader India–Australia partnership.

“The Quad Critical Minerals Framework, which explicitly covers mining, processing and recycling, is perhaps the most consequential development for Canberra and New Delhi. China’s suspension of rare earth and semiconductor mineral exports during the recent US-China tensions gave the framework fresh urgency," the report detailed.

“Australia and India had already signed critical minerals agreements, identified projects and convened investment forums.

Yet the processing stage – where China dominates – has remained undeveloped. For the first

time, the framework formally recognises all three stages of the supply chain and introduces private-sector coordination into the architecture. That makes it less declaratory and potentially more operational," it added. Emphasising that defence cooperation remains another area where Quad initiatives align with the agenda for IndiaAustralia ties, the report said that the proposed Quad Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Coordination mechanism builds on these bilateral efforts by incorporating real-time operational information sharing into the existing Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness framework.

“It also expands the role of India’s Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) as the central coordinating node for regional maritime awareness. That falls neatly within the proposed Joint Roadmap for Maritime Security Collaboration announced during the India-Australia Defence Policy Talks earlier this year.

India and Australia bolster defence ties, work on finalising Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap

Canberra/New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) India and Australia on Monday discussed advancements in bilateral maritime security cooperation and efforts to finalise the Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap. During the second India–Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue held in New Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, agreed to progress the collaborative maritime domain awareness activities by maritime patrol aircraft and explore opportunities to enhance undersea domain awareness, a joint statement issued after the meeting detailed. Welcoming the "significant

progress" in the bilateral relationship and enhanced consultation and cooperation since the inaugural Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in October 2025, both ministers advanced the long-term vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese for collaboration between the two countries to enhance collective strength, not only contributing to both countries' security but also making an important contribution to regional peace and security.

"Ministers agreed to progress the collaborative maritime domain awareness activities by maritime patrol aircraft and explore opportunities to enhance undersea domain awareness.

Ministers encouraged further cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard and Australia’s Maritime Border Command," read the joint statement.

"Ministers affirmed the importance of enhancing cooperation with regional partners to help maintain a free, open, peaceful,

stable and prosperous IndoPacific. Ministers underscored the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, and their strong support for unimpeded trade in the region and other lawful uses of the sea consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," it added. It mentioned that India and Australia, as co-leads of the IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association) Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security (WGMSS), look forward to jointly hosting a Search and Rescue (SAR) and tabletop Exercise at Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Chennai later this month to strengthen maritime safety and security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

"Ministers undertook to explore arrangements to enhance procedural interoperability for exercises and operations, building on the 2020 Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement.

Australia unveils major package to tackle serious diphtheria outbreak

Canberra, May 21 (IANS) The Australian government is delivering a 7.2-million-Australian-dollar (about 5.14 million US dollars) package to respond to the biggest diphtheria outbreak since national record-keeping began, the country's Health

Minister, Mark Butler, said on Thursday.

The National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System reports 230 diphtheria cases this year, and around 60 per cent of the cases in this outbreak are in the Northern Territory, with further outbreaks in Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland, according to a media release, Xinhua news agency reported.

The package includes 5.2 million Australian dollars for the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre for promoting booster vaccinations and treatments, and procuring additional vaccines and antibiotics; 2 million Australian dollars to the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health

Australia imposes sanctions on Israeli settlers in West Bank

Canberra, June 2 (IANS) The Australian government on Tuesday imposed sanctions on three Israeli individuals and four entities in response to escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Announcing the sanctions in a statement, Penny Wong, Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, said settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank undermines Israel's security and its standing in the world.

According to Wong, the individuals and entities will be subjected to financial sanctions, making it illegal for Australians to give them money or assets, and the individuals will be banned from entering Australia, reports Xinhua news agency.

"For the first time, designated entities now include farming outposts that serve as hubs for settler violence," Wong said.

Organisation for culturally safe communications, community liaison and other on-the-ground public health supports, it said. "Diphtheria is a serious disease, but it is preventable, and this response is about making sure communities have the support, vaccines and health they need to stay safe," the minister said. Vaccination is the strongest protection against diphtheria, said the release. Diphtheria vaccines are recommended for children at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months, and 4 years of age, and adolescents at 11-13 years of age. A diphtheria vaccine booster is recommended for adults at 50 years of age. Where there is a higher risk of acquiring diphtheria, booster vaccinations are recommended every 5 years.

Wong said that Australia coordinated with partners, including New Zealand, in imposing the sanctions and that the measures reflect Australia's commitment to the security and future of Israel and Palestine.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in May joined the leaders of Britain, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands and New Zealand to call for an end to escalating Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank.

In a joint statement published by the British Prime Minister's Office, the leaders said the situation in the West Bank had "deteriorated significantly," with settler violence at "unprecedented levels."

"Settler violence is used to displace Palestinians and perpetuate the settlement enterprise, through destruction of property, displacement of families, beatings, sexual assault, and torture, resulting in serious injuries and deaths," she added.

They said Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, adding that construction in the E1 area would divide the West Bank in two and mark a serious breach of international law.

The leaders urged businesses not to bid for construction tenders for E1 or other settlement developments, citing legal and reputation risks.

The statement reaffirmed support for a negotiated twostate solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security.

India, Australia review strategic defence cooperation during bilateral talks

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Saturday held bilateral discussions here with his Australian counterpart, Meghan Quinn.

During the meeting, on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, both sides reviewed the progress of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, discussed upcoming high-level engagements, and explored opportunities to further strengthen defence cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

"Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh held bilateral discussions with Defence Secretary Australia Ms Meghan Quinn. Both sides reviewed the progress of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, discussed forthcoming high-level engagements, and explored avenues to further strengthen Defence Cooperation in areas of mutual interest," the Defence Ministry said in a post on X.

On Friday, Singh met Canada's Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence, Kelvin Brosseau, on the sidelines of the

dialogue.

"Both sides discussed ways to strengthen India-Canada defence cooperation and explored opportunities for deeper collaboration across key domains, reflecting the growing convergence of strategic interests between the two nations," the Ministry of Defence's Directorate of Public Relations said in a post on X. Singh also met Seychelles' Chief of Defence Forces Major General Micheal Rosette and discussed ways to further strengthen defence cooperation and maritime security collaboration in the Indian Ocean Region, it said, adding: "...The interaction reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing peace, security and stability with its trusted partners in the region".

The Shangri-La Dialogue, being held in Singapore, features plenary debates led by government ministers and important opportunities for bilateral discussions among delegations. Earlier on Friday, the Defence Secretary held a meeting with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Military Committee's Chair, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, with discussions focused on enhancing strategic dialogue and evolving global security challenges, the Defence Ministry said, adding that the "interaction reaffirmed India’s commitment to constructive engagement with key multilateral defence organisations".

Singapore, May 30 (IANS)

OUR TAKE

Australia’s strength lies in its communities

Nations are often judged by their economic performance, infrastructure or political institutions. Yet the true strength of a country is equally reflected in the quality of its communities and the ability of its people to contribute to a shared national story. Recent events in Queensland celebrating African communities and the achievements of women from refugee and migrant backgrounds offer an important reminder that multiculturalism is not simply a social policy. It is one of Australia’s greatest national assets.

The Queensland African Communities Council’s Africa Day Festival and the Women’s Power of Inspiration Annual Fashion Gala were more than cultural celebrations. They were demonstrations of how migrant communities are actively helping shape a stronger, more confident and more inclusive Australia. Public discussions about migration often focus on numbers, economic indicators or settlement challenges. Far less attention is paid to the enormous social capital that migrant communities bring to their adopted country. Across Australia, communities from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Pacific are contributing not only to economic growth but also to social cohesion, cultural enrichment and civic participation.

The African community provides a particularly compelling example.

Over recent decades, AfricanAustralians have established themselves across a wide range of professions including healthcare, education, engineering, business, public service, sport and community leadership. They have contributed skills, entrepreneurial energy and cultural diversity to a nation increasingly defined by its global outlook.

The Africa Day Festival highlighted these contributions through music, dance, art, fashion and cuisine, but its deeper significance extended beyond cultural expression. Such events create opportunities for understanding, engagement and connection. They help break down stereotypes, foster mutual respect and strengthen the sense of belonging that is essential to a healthy multicultural society. Importantly, they also remind Australians that cultural diversity is not something existing alongside national identity. It has become an integral part of modern Australian identity itself.

The success of Australia’s multicultural model depends upon communities maintaining pride in their heritage while participating fully in national life. Queensland’s African communities have demonstrated precisely that balance. They celebrate their traditions while

contributing meaningfully to the economic and social development of the state and the nation.

The Women’s Power of Inspiration Annual Fashion Gala reflected another dimension of this contribution — resilience transformed into opportunity.

The women whose work was showcased during the event represent stories that are increasingly central to Australia’s multicultural journey. Many arrived from refugee or migrant backgrounds carrying experiences of displacement, hardship and uncertainty. Yet rather than remaining defined by those challenges, they have embraced opportunities to learn new skills, build confidence and contribute positively to their communities.

Their achievements carry significance beyond the fashion designs displayed on the runway.

They demonstrate the power of inclusion. They show how supportive community networks can transform lives. Most importantly, they illustrate how migrants and refugees often become contributors, leaders and innovators when given the opportunity to succeed.

Australia has benefited enormously from such stories throughout its history.

Every generation of migrants has faced obstacles, adaptation and uncertainty. Yet each generation has also strengthened the nation through enterprise, hard work and determination.

The women celebrated by Women’s Power of Inspiration continue that tradition.

Through creativity, entrepreneurship and community engagement, they are helping build a more dynamic and socially connected Australia.

The role of organisations such as the Queensland African Communities Council and Women’s Power of Inspiration therefore deserves wider recognition. These organisations do far more than organise events. They build confidence, create opportunities, strengthen community participation and foster social cohesion.

At a time when many societies around the world are experiencing increasing division and uncertainty, Australia’s multicultural success story should not be underestimated. It has been built not merely through government policy but through countless community organisations, volunteers and leaders who work every day to bring people together.

The Africa Day Festival and the Women’s Power of Inspiration Gala remind us that multicultural communities are not simply beneficiaries of Australia’s success. They are among its architects.

Their contributions enrich neighbourhoods, strengthen institutions, support economic growth and deepen the cultural life of the nation.

Australia’s Ebola response reflects the importance of global health leadership

In an age defined by unprecedented global connectivity, public health challenges in one part of the world can quickly become concerns for the entire international community. Diseases do not recognise national borders, political systems or geographical distance. A health crisis emerging in a remote region today can become an international emergency tomorrow. The lessons of recent decades, from SARS and Ebola to COVID-19, have reinforced a fundamental reality: global health security depends upon international cooperation, shared responsibility and timely intervention.

Against this backdrop, Australia’s decision to commit financial support to the ongoing Ebola response in Central Africa represents far more than a humanitarian contribution. It reflects a broader understanding that protecting vulnerable populations, strengthening health systems and supporting international disease-control efforts are essential components of responsible global citizenship. The Australian Government has announced a commitment of A$5 million to assist efforts aimed at containing the Ebola outbreak currently affecting parts of Central Africa. The funding will be directed through the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of the Red Cross, two organisations that continue playing critical roles in coordinating responses to health emergencies around the world.

The assistance will support a range of measures including medical care, essential supplies, sanitation services, outbreak surveillance, preparedness initiatives and efforts to strengthen local healthcare systems. While the financial commitment may appear modest when compared with the scale of some international aid programs, its significance lies in the timing and purpose of the intervention. The outbreak remains a serious public health concern. According to figures released by the WHO, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded hundreds of confirmed Ebola cases and dozens of deaths. Cases have also been detected in neighbouring Uganda, underlining the regional nature of the challenge and the importance of coordinated cross-border response efforts. Ebola is among the world's most feared infectious diseases because of its high mortality rates and the speed with which outbreaks can escalate when health systems are overwhelmed. Previous outbreaks in Africa demonstrated how quickly localised infections can spread through communities, placing enormous strain on already fragile healthcare infrastructure. Yet the current response also highlights how much has been learned from previous health emergencies. International organisations, governments and health professionals have become increasingly aware that early intervention, community engagement and coordinated action are essential for containing outbreaks before they evolve

into larger crises.

The WHO has reported encouraging signs that response efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are beginning to gain momentum. WHO DirectorGeneral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, following a visit to affected regions, noted that international and local health authorities are gradually catching up with the outbreak after initially facing significant challenges.

Such progress is important, but it should not create complacency. Public health experts continue warning that considerable obstacles remain. Laboratory and diagnostic capacity require further expansion. Contact tracing efforts must continue at scale. Supply chains remain vulnerable to disruption. In some communities, mistrust of authorities and healthcare workers continues to complicate response efforts.

Perhaps most concerning is the fact that the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific therapeutic treatments. This means that traditional public health measures remain the primary tools available for containing transmission.

In such circumstances, international support becomes particularly important. Funding allows healthcare workers to access critical resources. It strengthens surveillance systems capable of identifying infections quickly. It supports sanitation initiatives that reduce transmission risks and helps local communities build resilience against future outbreaks.

Australia’s contribution therefore serves a practical and immediate purpose. However, it also reflects a larger tradition of international engagement that has characterised Australian humanitarian policy for many years.

While Australia’s development assistance is often associated with the Pacific and Southeast Asia, the country has consistently contributed to global efforts addressing humanitarian crises, natural disasters and health emergencies beyond its immediate region. Successive Australian governments have recognised that international stability and wellbeing are closely connected to broader national interests.

The Ebola response demonstrates this principle clearly. Although the outbreak is occurring thousands of kilometres away from Australian shores, its implications extend beyond Central Africa. Infectious diseases have repeatedly shown an ability to exploit weaknesses within interconnected global systems. Air travel, trade networks and human mobility mean that local outbreaks can rapidly acquire international dimensions.

For this reason, many governments increasingly view investments in global health not merely as acts of charity but as contributions to collective security. Preventing disease spread in one region helps reduce risks elsewhere. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure abroad can improve international

resilience against future health emergencies.

Australia’s decision also highlights the continuing importance of multilateral institutions in addressing complex global challenges. Organisations such as the WHO and the International Federation of the Red Cross possess decades of experience, technical expertise and operational capacity. Their ability to coordinate resources, share information and support local health authorities remains vital during emergencies.

In recent years, international institutions have occasionally faced criticism regarding effectiveness, funding and governance. Yet health crises continue demonstrating the value of collaborative frameworks capable of mobilising expertise across national boundaries. Outbreaks require scientific cooperation, logistical coordination and information-sharing on a scale that few countries can manage independently.

The Ebola response is therefore also a reminder of the importance of maintaining strong international health partnerships. Disease surveillance, laboratory networks, emergency response systems and public health research all depend upon sustained cooperation among nations and institutions.

Equally important is the recognition that health security extends beyond hospitals and medical treatment alone.

Effective outbreak control requires functioning sanitation systems, clean water access, community engagement and public trust. These broader social and developmental factors often determine whether disease transmission can be successfully contained.

Australia’s funding commitment acknowledges this reality. By supporting water and sanitation services alongside medical interventions, the assistance recognises that public health depends upon multiple interconnected systems working effectively together.

The emphasis on strengthening local health systems is particularly significant. One of the major lessons from previous outbreaks is that emergency responses alone are not enough. Long-term resilience requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development and institutional capacity.

Strong local health systems serve as the first line of defence against emerging diseases. Communities with trained healthcare workers, functioning clinics and effective surveillance mechanisms are better equipped to identify and respond to outbreaks before they become widespread emergencies.

For developing nations confronting multiple health challenges simultaneously, such support can make a substantial difference. It helps create foundations for future preparedness while addressing immediate humanitarian needs.

The Australian contribution also reflects a broader trend in international development thinking.

Sierra Leone enhances border surveillance after Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, Uganda

Freetown, May 18 (IANS)

Sierra Leone has enhanced surveillance at entry points in response to Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, a senior health official said Monday.

Foday Sahr, executive director of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), told Xinhua that Sierra Leone has no confirmed or suspected Ebola cases, and surveillance at points of entry and health facilities has been strengthened to ensure early detection and rapid response. He disclosed that rapid response teams are on standby in all 16 districts, while isolation

protocols and personal protective equipment supplies are being reviewed and replenished, Xinhua news agency reported.

The NPHA is coordinating with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the Economic Community of West African States health authorities, and the World Health Organisation to monitor developments and share real-time information, he added.

The public was advised to avoid unnecessary travel to affected areas, practise regular handwashing, avoid contact with bodily fluids of infected persons, and immediately report suspected symptoms through the national emergency line, he added.

The African Union (AU) on Monday expressed concern over the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

In a statement, AU Commission

(AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed deep concern over the outbreak's "growing risk of regional spread within our continent."

Youssouf urged all African countries and partners to intensify support for preparedness, surveillance, and rapid response efforts in affected and at-risk countries.

He commended the governments of the DRC and Uganda, as well as national health authorities and frontline workers, for their swift response and continued efforts to contain the outbreaks under difficult circumstances. He also welcomed the preparedness measures being undertaken by neighbouring countries, particularly South Sudan.

The AU also warned that the outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo strain and no strain-specific vaccine is currently available, with a high risk of regional spread.

Zambia to adapt India’s eVIN platform to strengthen medicine supply chain management

Lusaka, May 19 (IANS) The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zambia and UNDP India convened in Lusaka to launch support for adapting India’s Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) platform for Zambia’s essential medicines “Track and Trace" and supply chain management system.

The five-day mission running from May 18–22 is being conducted in collaboration with the Zambian Ministry of Health, the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), and the Smart Zambia Institute.

The initiative brought together technical experts from Zambia

and India under a South-South cooperation framework aimed at strengthening pharmaceutical supply chain visibility, accountability, and data-driven decision-making across the health sector.

“Originally developed in India to strengthen vaccine logistics and stock visibility, the eVIN platform has become a globally recognised digital public health solution capable of enabling real-time inventory management, temperature monitoring, and improved distribution efficiency. Zambia is now exploring the adaptation of the platform to support broader essential medicines management and health commodity tracking,” read a statement issued by the UNDP. “The mission comes at a critical time as Zambia continues to strengthen resilience, transparency, and sustainability in the health sector amid increasing pressure on health financing

systems and growing demand for digital accountability mechanisms. The initiative aligns with Zambia’s national digital transformation agenda, health systems strengthening priorities, and ongoing efforts to modernise medicine supply chain management,” it added. During the mission, the delegation will engage with senior officials from the Ministry of Health, Smart Zambia Institute, ZAMMSA, and UNDP while conducting technical working sessions and field assessments across national, provincial, district, and facility levels. The discussions will focus on interoperability with existing digital health platforms, governance arrangements, workflow adaptation, reporting requirements, metadata architecture, operational bottlenecks, and institutional readiness for pilot implementation.

Over 175 ISIS fighters killed in joint US-led airstrikes in Nigeria

More than "175 ISIS militants were eliminated on the battlefield," Nigeria’s army spokesman Samaila Uba said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The joint strikes destroyed checkpoints, weapons depots, logistics centres, military equipment, and the headquarters of financial networks used to support terrorist operations,"

he added.

Since 2009, the jihadist insurgency led by Boko Haram and subsequently the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced over two million people in the northeast of the country, according to the United Nations, Adnkronos news agency reported.

Military cooperation between Abuja and Washington has been intensifying for several months.

"The Nigerians have played a crucial role over the past few months: they identified the target, helped us gather intelligence, and provided the support necessary to complete this mission," AFRICOM Commander Dagvin Anderson told a congressional hearing in Washington.

Last week, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said that Abu-Bilal

Africa terror threat alarms US lawmakers

Washington, May 20 (IANS)

Senior US military commanders warned Congress that Africa has become the new global centre of terrorism, with extremist groups rapidly expanding across the continent and posing growing threats to American and allied interests.

The warning came during a House Armed Services Committee hearing where General Dagvin Anderson said the threat from ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates in Africa had reached alarming levels.

“Today, the epicentre of global terrorism is in Africa,” Anderson told lawmakers.

Anderson warned that ISIS leadership and al-Qaeda’s financial networks were now deeply rooted in Africa, especially in West Africa and the Sahel region.

“Both groups share the will and intent to strike our homeland,” he said.

The Commander of US Africa Command pointed specifically to the growing instability in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, warning that terrorist groups were increasingly controlling territory and exploiting weak governance structures.

“The capture of a capital city would provide al Qaeda with all the trappings of a nation state to sponsor global terrorism,” Anderson said.

The hearing also revealed deep US concerns over expanding Chinese and Russian influence across Africa.

“China views Africa as its second continent,” Anderson said, accusing Beijing of securing strategic control over critical minerals and infrastructure.

He also described Africa as “Putin’s purse,” saying Russia was exploiting instability to extract resources and manpower for its war machine.

Lawmakers heard that the US military recently conducted a joint operation with Nigerian forces that killed ISIS global operations leader Bilal al-Maliki. According to Anderson, the operation demonstrated the importance of regional partnerships and intelligence cooperation.

“The Nigerians have been instrumental throughout the last several months developing the target, helping us with the intelligence and providing support,” he said. Several lawmakers raised concerns that reduced Western engagement in Africa could create opportunities for China, Russia and extremist groups to expand their influence.

Representative Austin Scott warned that the US had lost important intelligence access in parts of West Africa following military withdrawals from Niger.

Jordan bans entry from Congo, Uganda over Ebola concerns

Amman, May 20 (IANS) Jordan announced a temporary ban on the entry of travelers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda following the spread of the Ebola virus in both countries.

al-Minuki, second-in-command of the Islamic State (IS) globally, was eliminated in an overnight operation jointly carried out by Nigerian and US forces.

In a statement, Tinubu described the joint operation as "a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism," which dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the IS. He said early assessments confirmed the elimination of the wanted senior leader, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin.

On Friday (US time), US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the IS leader had been killed in a joint operation by US and Nigerian forces.

According to a statement by the Jordanian Ministry of Interior, Jordanian citizens are exempted from the ban, which will take effect on Wednesday and last for 30 days.

The statement added that the situation will be closely monitored in line with global health updates.

The World Health Organization on Tuesday voiced "deep concern" over the scale and speed of the Ebola outbreak sweeping the DRC, which has caused 136 deaths, Xinhua news agency reported.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that more than 130 deaths are thought to be linked to the outbreak, with more than 500 suspected cases. Ebola disease is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates.

The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals (such as fruit bats, porcupines and non-human primates) and then spreads in the human population through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.

The average Ebola disease case fatality rate is around 50 per cent. Case fatality rates have varied from 25–90 per cent in past outbreaks.

The first Ebola disease outbreaks occurred in remote villages in Central Africa, near tropical rainforests. The 2014–2016 Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa was the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the virus was first discovered in 1976. There were more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined. It also spread between countries, starting in Guinea then moving across land borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The symptoms of Ebola disease can be sudden and include fever, fatigue, malaise, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. These are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain rash, and symptoms of impaired kidney and liver functions.

Abuja, May 19 (IANS) The death toll among Islamic State fighters in Nigeria has risen to 175 after several days of joint airstrikes between Nigeria and the United States in the country's northeast.

Taiwan’s govt and people committed to maintaining free, democratic constitutional system: William Lai

Taipei, May 18 (IANS) Taiwanese

President William Lai has said that Taiwan's independence means that "Taiwan is not part of the People’s Republic of China [PRC]” and that “the Republic of China [RoC] and the PRC are not subordinate to each other," local media reported on Monday.

Lai made the remarks during a youth forum for the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) 40th anniversary.

He said that sovereignty is the basis of statehood, adding that there would be no RoC without Taiwan, as the RoC and Taiwan have become inseparable. He stated that there would be no democracy without sovereignty, Taiwan's leading daily Taipei Times reported.

The Taiwanese President said that the Resolution on Taiwan’s Future, passed by the DPP National Congress in 1999, is the guiding principle of the party. He said that the resolution declares that Taiwan is an independent

sovereign state which has ROC name and that ROC and the PRC are not subordinate to each other, with any change in the "status quo" to be decided by people of Taiwan.

Lai spoke about four commitments made by former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during her Double Ten National Day speech in 2021. Tsai had said that Taiwan's government and its people are "committed to maintaining a free and democratic constitutional system; ensuring that the ROC and the PRC will not be subordinate to each other; resisting annexation or encroachment upon Taiwan’s sovereignty; and guaranteeing that the future of the ROC is decided by the will of Taiwanese," Taipei Times reported.

He stated that DPP's resolution on Taiwan's future and Tsai's four commitments showcase the policies followed by the DPP and its government.

Later in a post shared on Facebook, Lai outlined the five key points following a national security briefing on US President Donald Trump's meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

The five key points mentioned in the statement shared on

Facebook stated that Taiwan is a guardian of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the wider region; China is the main source of regional instability and is trying to change the “status quo”; defending Taiwan's status does not equate to pursuing “Taiwanese independence;” security cooperation and arms sales with the US are important for regional stability; and Taiwan is a core global interest, with peace in the Taiwan Strait non-negotiable.

He expressed gratitude to the US government for its ongoing support of Taiwan and its commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

William Lai's statement comes after US President Donald Trump warned against Taiwanese independence.

After concluding his visit to China, Trump in an interview with Fox News said that he wants China and Taiwan to cool down.

When asked whether the people of Taiwan should feel more or less secure following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump responded, "Neutral. This has been going on for years," stressing that US policy about Taiwan has not changed.

Thousands rally in Tokyo against Takaichi government’s push to revise pacifist constitution

Tokyo, May 20 (IANS)

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of Japan's National Diet Building in Tokyo to protest the government's attempts to undermine the country's pacifist constitution through constitutional revision and military expansion policies. According to the organisers, about 10,000 people attended the rally, voicing strong opposition to the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and its recent security and defence initiatives.

Protesters held placards reading "Stop constitutional revision and

military expansion" and "Do not destroy Article 9," while chanting slogans such as "Stop missile deployment" and "Takaichi must resign."

Yuki Hoshino, a participant at the rally, told Xinhua that the people do not want constitutional amendments, and that the Takaichi government is pushing the agenda without sufficient public consent.

"So many people have gathered here (to protest), hoping that (the government) will change its mind," Hoshino said.

Another protester, Ryosuke Tanji, said Japan must never again repeat the tragedies of war.

"Absolutely no war should be allowed to happen," he said. "Japan committed terrible acts in the past, and perhaps many Japanese are gradually forgetting that history. But the more I

learn about it, the more strongly I feel that such things must never happen again." Hiroshi Onishi, professor emeritus at Keio University, told Xinhua at the rally that the government's recent military buildup contradicts the pacifist principles enshrined in Japan's constitution and should be stopped. Japanese media reported on Monday that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party had drafted proposals to revise the country's three key national security documents.

The proposals reportedly call for strengthening Japan's air defense systems and sustained combat capabilities, as well as the early deployment of submarines powered by advanced propulsion systems and designed to carry long-range missiles to bolster Japan's so-called "counterstrike capabilities."

South Korea and Japan agree to boost cooperation in supply chains

Seoul, May 19 (IANS) South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday he and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi agreed to further enhance cooperation on supply chains amid the continuing conflict in the Middle East, as well as in securing crude oil and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supplies. Lee made the remarks as he and Takaichi announced the results of their summit held at a hotel in his hometown of Andong, 190

kilometres southeast of Seoul.

"We agreed that close bilateral cooperation is needed more than ever amid the instability in supply chains and energy markets arising from the recent situation in the Middle East," Lee said, adding that they concurred on the need to promptly restore peace in the region, Yonhap news agency reported.

"Based on this shared understanding, our two countries ... resolved to further expand our bilateral supply chain cooperation," the president noted. He said the two countries also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the LNG and crude oil sectors, calling them

Japan rejects China and Russia’s ‘remilitarisation’ claims, terms it ‘unfounded’

Tokyo, May 21 (IANS) A senior Japanese official has rejected the criticism of China and Russia over their claims of Japan's "remilitarisation" on Thursday, terming it "entirely unfounded," local media reported.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said that Tokyo wants China and Russia to "change their behaviour" over issues like Beijing's military activities, which he called a "cause for serious concern for the international community", and Moscow's military action against Ukraine, Japan's leading Kyodo News Agency reported.

Ozaki said, "Japan has consistently upheld the values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law since the end of World War II and contributed to the prosperity not only of Asia but also of the world," adding that Japan's "exclusively defence-oriented" policy remains unchanged.

Japanese official's remarks come after Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin slammed Japan for its "current course toward accelerated remilitarisation", which they said poses "a serious threat" to regional peace and stability, according to the

joint statement released after their meeting.

They also voiced concerns about "extreme provocations" by Japan's "right-wing forces", including pushing for introducing changes to the country's three nuclear principles that prohibit Japan from having, producing or allowing the introduction of nuclear weapons.

Ties between China and Japan have been strained after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in parliament in November 2025 that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a response by Japan's Self-Defence Forces (JSDF).

China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and insists on its reunification with the mainland by force if necessary.

Earlier in February, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi hit back at China's criticism of Tokyo trying to reinforce its defence capabilities. When asked about the Japanese government's push to scrap the limitation on defence equipment transfers for five non-combat purposes, he said, "China appears to have been waging a propaganda campaign against us, as if Japan is becoming militaristic," Kyodo News reported. The five non-combat purposes are rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping. While speaking to reporters, Koizumi stated that the government's decision was largely driven by the rising security threat posed by China, citing data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

China bigger threat than USSR: Ex-US Defence Secy

Washington, May 18 (IANS)

Former US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has warned that the United States is facing one of the most dangerous periods in its modern history, saying that China poses a broader and more formidable challenge than the Soviet Union ever did.

key energy sources for both countries.

"We agreed to expand bilateral LNG cooperation while further strengthening channels for information sharing and communication regarding crude oil supply and stockpiling," he told a live-televised joint press event. Takaichi separately said the two countries agreed to consider a bilateral swap arrangement on crude oil, petroleum products and LNG, adding that she and Lee also reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing "mutually beneficial" cooperation in artificial intelligence, the economy, security and other areas.

Gates told CBS News on Sunday that the US was confronting an unprecedented strategic environment shaped by the combined challenge of China and Russia, both nuclear-armed powers increasingly aligned against Washington.

"For the first time in our history, we face nuclear-armed adversaries in both Europe and Asia," he said.

He warned that China's rapid military modernisation, technological rise and industrial strength had created a strategic challenge unlike any previous American rival.

"We have not faced a country that was as technologically advanced as we are, ahead of us in a few areas, behind us in a few areas, pretty much even with us in a few others," Gates said.

The former Pentagon Chief said China's global reach now extends well beyond military competition.

"So whether it's strategic communications or development assistance or trade or whatever, the Chinese are all over the world dealing with these things," he added.

Gates made the remarks after President Donald Trump returned from a summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump had referred to the US and China as a possible "new G2", suggesting the two countries were the world's dominant powers.

Gates said China was approaching US power levels but had not yet surpassed America economically or militarily.

"I think our military power is greater than theirs, although they're catching up," the former Pentagon Chief said, while noting that China was already ahead in shipbuilding capacity.

Bangladesh: Rights group seeks release of journalists, flags press freedom concerns

Dhaka, May 22 (IANS) A leading international human rights organisation on Friday called on Bangladeshi authorities to drop all charges against journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Haque, alleging that they were targetted for their work as media professionals.

Amnesty International urged the authorities to uphold and protect the right to freedom of expression, including media freedom, in line with Bangladesh’s international human rights obligations.

The appeal came after the

International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on May 14 ordered Bangladeshi media outlet Ekattor

TV journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu, along with former minister Dipu Moni, to be shown arrested in a case linked to the 2013 crackdown on the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka.

The bench headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder issued the order, sending the accused to jail in connection with the case, while setting June 7 as the date for submission of the investigation report.

Responding to the charges brought against the detained journalists by the (ICT), reportedly in relation to a "misleading" report on the deadly crackdown on protesters at the Shapla Square in May 2013, Smriti Singh, South Asia Regional Director of Amnesty International, said,

“Freedom of expression extends to information which some may find offensive, shocking or disturbing." Respect for this right is essential to ensuring healthy public discourse in a rights-respecting society.”

Stressing that journalists must not be targeted for opinions that are disagreeable or for their perceived links to political parties, Singh said that Farzana and Mozammel, who are already in detention, now face “vague new charges” relating to a story that was aired more than a decade ago.

“Their arrest in a case related to crimes against humanity is an affront to fundamental principles of press freedom and sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the right of all journalists to report without fear of retaliation,” she added.

Rights body flags escalating violence on Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan

Islamabad, May 21 (IANS) A leading international human rights organisation on Thursday wrote to the Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province, expressing grave concerns over the structural and persistent discrimination, harassment and violence against the Ahmadiyya community in the province.

In its letter to CM Maryam Nawaz, Amnesty International said that these violations routinely intensify in periods preceding and during major religious occasions, such as the upcoming Eid ul-Adha. The rights body called on the government to take immediate and preventive measures to

ensure the rights to freedom of religion and belief, peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and equality before the law of Ahmadis are upheld across Punjab.

According to Amnesty International, the incidents of violence and harassment have consistently escalated, both in volume and intensity, during and around religious holidays.

Earlier in 2026, during Eid ul-Fitr, Amnesty International documented reports of unlawful restrictions on Ahmadi religious practices imposed by local administrative and police authorities across several districts in Pakistan's Punjab province.

“The reports indicate that Ahmadi congregations were explicitly prohibited in Gujranwala, and police intervened at six locations in Sialkot to stop all worship activities on Eid day, 21 March 2026. On the same day, worshippers were reportedly removed from a place of worship

during prayers in Faisalabad, and multiple places of worship were sealed in Sargodha," the rights body noted.

“These incidents reflect a recurring pattern that amounts to unlawful interference with the right to freedom of religion and belief,” it added.

In the lead up to Eid ul-Adha, the rights organisation urged the provincial government to take decisive and preemptive measures to respect, protect, promote and guarantee the human rights of the Ahmadiyya community in Punjab.

“This includes effective and urgent action to ensure that officials from police and local administrations refrain from interfering with the right of the Ahmadiyya community to practise their religion, to end arbitrary arrests and detentions, and to prevent raids or attacks on homes and places of worship and sealing of such places,” it stated.

Bangladesh among world’s worst-affected countries for intimate partner violence

Dhaka, May 15 (IANS) Bangladesh continues to face alarming levels of intimate partner violence, with global and national data analyses highlighting it as one of the most persistent and least addressed forms of abuse against women in the country, according to local media reports.

As the world observes the International Day of Families on Friday, the findings from Bangladesh reveal a troubling reality-- violence within intimate relationships remains pervasive, affecting women’s wellbeing and weakening the family structure. Although intimate partner violence has long been a concern in Bangladesh, the country

continues to rank among the world’s worst-affected countries for domestic violence, with rates far higher than those of many neighbouring nations. Bangladesh’s leading newspaper, The Daily Star, reported According to data compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Bangladesh ranks 11th globally for the prevalence of physical and sexual violence against women by intimate partners, making it the second-worst-affected country in South Asia after Afghanistan. As per WHO data in 2025, nearly one in two women in Bangladesh have faced such violence, which has continued at alarmingly high levels over the years.

Additionally, national surveys reviewed by The Daily Star further reflect the severity of the issue. Reports suggest that the latest survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics

Pakistan’s immigration wing under fire over gross negligence, arbitrary offloading of passengers

Islamabad, May 24 (IANS) Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) immigration wing at New Islamabad International Airport is facing allegations of inexperience, negligence, and administrative indifference after two passengers were reportedly offloaded from international flights despite holding valid travel documents and visas, a report has highlighted.

The affected passengers have alleged in their complaints that both junior-level immigration staff and senior administrative officers failed to address the issue properly. The incidents concern two Pakistani citizens travelling separately to South Africa and Turkey, who claim they were prevented from boarding despite having all required legal documents, a report in the Pakistani daily Express Tribune detailed.

The passengers accused FIA immigration officials of humiliating treatment and failing to offer satisfactory explanations for the decisions to offload them.

A video recorded by one of the passengers, identified as Shehzad Gondal, at the airport, went viral on social media. The

footage showed him claiming that he held a valid South African visa for travel from Islamabad to Cape Town, along with confirmed hotel bookings, a return air ticket costing around Pakistani Rs 550,000, and nearly $1,500 for travel expenses.

He claimed that FIA immigration officials offloaded him without offering a clear justification, insisting that South Africa had restricted travel for Pakistani nationals on newly issued visas. Raising questions over the move, the passenger stated that once South Africa had issued a visa after charging the required fee in dollars, matters related to deportation should fall under South African authorities rather than Pakistani immigration officials.

In a separate incident, a businessman identified as Abrar, who reportedly engaged in the metals trade, alleged that he too was denied boarding at Lahore airport. He claimed that immigration staff objected after spotting a social media video from a travel agent on his mobile phone screen.

According to Abrar, he repeatedly offered the immigration officials access to his phone to verify any possible contact or communication with agents involved in illegal immigration, but alleged that his explanation was not considered.

Taliban’s new family law deepens discrimination against women, girls: UNAMA

Kabul, May 21 (IANS) The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed “grave concern” over a new Taliban family law regulation on Thursday.

(BBS) found that 46.7 per cent of women had experienced physical violence by an intimate partner, while 28.5 per cent reported sexual violence. The survey also recorded emotional abuse among 32.7 per cent, economic violence among 9.7 per cent, and controlling behaviour by partners among 50.1 per cent of respondents.

The Violence Against Women Survey 2024, released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics in February 2025, revealed that 70 per cent of women aged 15 and above in Bangladesh faced at least one form of intimate partner violence during their lifetime. Experts warn that such violence not only causes severe physical and psychological harm to women but also destabilises families, affects children’s development, and reinforces cycles of fear, silence, and inequality across generations.

According to UNAMA, the law published by the ruling Taliban’s Ministry of Justice on May 14 codifies laws governing judicial separation grounds for women.

It said that the law operates in a “deeply unequal framework”, where women must pursue complex and restrictive judicial procedures while men retain the unilateral right to divorce.

“Decree No. 18 is part of a broader and deeply concerning trajectory in which the rights of Afghan women and girls are being eroded,” said Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral and Officer-in-Charge of UNAMA.

“The Decree further institutionalises discrimination and, when combined with restrictions on girls’ education and women’s public participation, entrenches a system in which Afghan women and girls are denied autonomy, opportunity, and access to

justice,” Gagnon said.

UNAMA noted that the law should be viewed with a broader context, with measures which are affecting the rights of women since the Taliban government took over in 2021.

It said that the initial decree in December 2021 (Special Decree on Women’s Rights) recognised certain rights for women’s consent to marriage and inheritance, and these protections were undermined by successive decrees restricting women’s autonomy, before, during and after the marriage.

Decree No 18, which devoted a chapter to the separation of girls who reach puberty and who are married, also implies that child marriage is allowed; it highlighted.

The decree also allows a girl's silence to be interpreted as consent to a marriage as she reaches puberty, it added.

UNAMA reiterated that Afghanistan is bound by its international human rights obligations, including commitments to eliminate discrimination against women and protect the rights of the child.

"UNAMA calls on the de facto authorities to align their laws, policies and practices with their international human rights obligations, including safeguarding consent to marriage, eliminating child marriage, ensuring access to justice, and protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals,” it said.

Myanmar vital to India’s Neighbourhood First, Act East and Indo-Pacific policies: PM Modi

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS)

Myanmar is vital to India’s policies of ‘Neighbourhood First’, ‘Act East’, and Indo-Pacific, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday after meeting Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing in New Delhi.

“Had a productive meeting with President U Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar. We in India are honoured that he has chosen India for his first foreign visit as President. Equally gladdening is the fact that he began the visit from Bodh Gaya with the blessings of Lord Buddha. We reviewed the full range of IndiaMyanmar relations. Myanmar is vital to India’s policies of ‘Neighbourhood First’, ‘Act East’

and Indo-Pacific,” PM Modi wrote on X after the meeting.

“Our talks covered ways to deepen cooperation in trade, rare earths, healthcare, connectivity, heritage restoration and capacity building. We also agreed to work closely in areas such as maritime security, cybersecurity and more,” he added.

During the meeting, President U Min Aung Hlaing reiterated his country's assurance that its territory would not be permitted to be used against India’s security interests, the joint statement released following the meeting detailed.

PM Modi reiterated India’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar.

He expressed support for Myanmar-led efforts towards achieving peace, stability, national reconciliation and socio-economic development.

He also offered continued assistance and cooperation, based on mutual respect and

friendly relations between India and Myanmar. President Hlaing expressed appreciation for India's constructive support and cooperation.

President Droupadi Murmu also held a meeting with her counterpart from Myanmar at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, expressing India's steadfast support for Myanmar's pursuit of peace and reconciliation.

Highlighting the shared Buddhist heritage and the centuries-old people-to-people bonds during the meeting, President Murmu stated that Myanmar is India's gateway to Southeast Asia.

"President Droupadi Murmu received President U Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The President said that the shared Buddhist heritage and centuries-old people-to-people bonds lend a unique warmth to India–Myanmar relations," the President's Secretariat posted on X.

India and Malaysia enhance maritime, scientific ties during INS Sagardhwani’s visit

Kuala Lumpur, May 15 (IANS) Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sagardhwani's arrival at Malaysia's Port Klang as part of its South East Asia deployment reaffirms the growing IndiaMalaysia maritime partnership and shared commitment towards regional maritime security and cooperation, the Indian Navy stated on Friday.

INS Sagardhwani, the Indian Navy’s Oceanographic Research Vessel, arrived at Port Klang, Malaysia, on May 13 as part of her South East Asia deployment.

“On arrival, the ship was warmly welcomed by personnel of the Royal Malaysian Navy,” the

Ministry of Defence said on Friday.

During the visit, personnel of the Indian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy engaged in professional interactions, training exchanges, cross-deck visits and Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation, scientific collaboration and interoperability.

“The visit marks INS Sagardhwani’s return to Port Klang following her earlier scientific deployment in 2019. The port call highlights the growing maritime partnership between India and Malaysia, reaffirming the shared commitment towards regional maritime security and cooperation,” the ministry stated.

Earlier, the vessel concluded a successful visit to Cam Ranh, Vietnam, from May 4-8.

During the visit, the Commanding Officer of INS Sagardhwani called on Sr Col Tran Van Cuong, Deputy Head of Khanh Hoa Military Command and Sr Capt Nguyen Huu Minh,

Deputy Political Commissar of Naval Region 4. The discussions highlighted avenues for deeper maritime engagement, professional interactions, training cooperation and scientific endeavours coinciding with a decade of India-Vietnam Strategic Partnership.

According to the Indian Navy, the interactions centred on research collaboration, knowledge sharing and capacity building in the field of oceanographic science and technology.

Scientists from Vietnam's National Oceanographic Institute also visited the ship during the port call.

As part of the professional exchange, the Commanding Officer interacted with Sr Capt Ho Thanh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Naval Academy, Vietnam. Deliberations focused on expanding cooperation in naval training and education. Officers and cadets of the Academy also visited the ship and gained insights into its operational role and onboard capabilities.

Vietnam’s southern hub approves master plan outline with 100-year vision

Hanoi, May 18 (IANS) Vietnam's southern hub Ho Chi Minh City has approved an outline for its 2025-2050 master plan with a 100-year vision to transform itself into a leading sustainable, innovative and livable mega-city in the Asia-Pacific region, local media reported on Monday. Under the outline, which was approved by the municipal People's Committee, the city targets an annual gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth rate of at least 10 per cent between

2025 and 2050. Its total GRDP is projected to reach some 1.2 trillion US dollars by 2050 under favourable conditions, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting local media outlet VnEconomy. The outline envisions Ho Chi Minh City becoming a major regional hub for economy, finance, trade, services, logistics, tourism, education, healthcare, science, technology and innovation, balancing robust economic growth with environmental protection, social equity and cultural preservation. It also aims to develop a multi-centre mega-urban model featuring modern infrastructure, smart governance and enhanced climate resilience, as well as

Singapore playing key role in China’s plan to globalise yuan: Report

New Delhi, May 12 (IANS)

Singapore has emerged as a key hub in China’s strategy to internationalise its currency, the renminbi (RMB), and reduce dependence on the US dollar-dominated global financial system. The city state facilitates China’s monetary and capital flows, across other countries in Southeast Asia, according to a new report.

China’s structural limits, like restricted capital mobility and regulatory uncertainty, constrain the RMB’s global acceptance. Consequently, Singapore acts as a stable external gateway while diversifying financial opportunities and risks, and enabling China to shape a gradual, regionally anchored RMB ecosystem, according to an article published on the website of the Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA).

The article cites the People’s Bank of China’s '2025 RMB Internationalisation Report'

as stating that Singapore now ranks among the top offshore RMB hubs globally, only behind Hong Kong. It accounts for 276 billion RMB worth of deposits, contributing to a growing share of RMB trading and cross-border settlements in Southeast Asia. The recent announcement to designate DBS Bank as Singapore’s second RMB clearing bank further strengthens its role in global offshore RMB markets. Singapore’s emergence as an RMB hub is therefore not accidental. For Beijing, it offers a politically neutral, globally-trusted platform, at a time when Beijing’s security-driven priorities for Hong Kong are increasingly affecting its financial role.

For Singapore, aligning with RMB internationalisation is a strategic bet to embed itself in China–ASEAN economic integration, while diversifying its financial opportunities and risks. The recent initiatives on the expanded access to China’s bond market, now exceeding $25 trillion USD, enable Singapore-based institutions a greater role in facilitating foreign participation in the RMB market, the article by Omkar Bhole points out.

US, Philippines deepen ties amid China tensions

Washington, June 5 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met the Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro on Friday and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to its alliance with Manila, as the two countries marked 80 years of diplomatic relations and 75 years as treaty allies amid continuing security concerns in the South China Sea.

leaders discussed many of the same issues, including economic cooperation, regional security and the South China Sea.

According to a State Department readout issued on May 31, Rubio and Marcos discussed "a range of bilateral economic and security priorities, including efforts to advance peace and security in the South China Sea".

Rubio also reaffirmed US support for the Luzon Economic Corridor and efforts to address regional energy challenges.

The diplomatic engagement coincides with growing Congressional recognition of the long-standing relationship between Washington and Manila.

improve residents' quality of life with income levels and living standards ranking among the highest in Southeast Asia.

The outline covers the city's administrative area of more than 6,700 square kilometres and reserves future land reclamation areas to meet economic development needs. It projects the city's population to reach 20 to 22 million by 2050, according to the report.

In a separate development, the Vietnamese government has approved a list of 70 high technologies prioritised for investment and development, which will take effect on July 1, 2026, Vietnam Television reported on Monday.

Rubio and Lazaro discussed "a range of bilateral economic and security priorities", including the Philippines' role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ongoing efforts to advance peace and security in the South China Sea, the Department of State said in a readout of the call.

"The Secretary reaffirmed the US commitment to developing the Luzon Economic Corridor and exploring ways to address energy challenges in the region," the readout added.

Rubio also "emphasised the strength of the United States-Philippines Alliance and continued close cooperation as the two countries commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations and 75 years as Allies in 2026".

The meeting came less than a week after Rubio held a telephone conversation with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during which the two

Last week, members of the US House of Representatives introduced a resolution honouring the 80th anniversary of United States-Philippine relations.

The measure notes that since July 4, 1946, the two countries have maintained enduring diplomatic relations based on "mutual security and economic interests" and close people-to-people ties.

The resolution, among other things, highlights the contributions of Filipino Americans, noting that there are more than 4.6 million US citizens of Philippine ancestry in the United States and that nearly one in four working Filipino adults are frontline healthcare workers in the country.

It also recognises the service of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the US Armed Forces and reaffirms support for the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

Indian parliamentary delegation visits Norwegian parliament

Oslo, June 2 (IANS) An Indian parliamentary delegation, currently on a knowledge exchange tour to Norway, visited the country's parliament - the Storting (Stortinget) - on Tuesday.

“A quick glimpse inside the Norwegian Parliament - The Storting (Stortinget). Today, on the sidelines of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation Knowledge Exchange Tour, organised by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and UN Women India, I had the distinct privilege and honour of visiting the heart of Norway’s democracy,” Rajya

Sabha MP Sasmit Patra wrote on X.

"It was an incredibly productive day as we gained a deeper understanding of Norway’s parliamentary system and democratic traditions; interacted firsthand with Norwegian Parliamentarians; and, discussed key topics of mutual interest to strengthen our cross-border ties," he added.

Established by the Constitution of 1814 and located in central Oslo on Karl Johans gate, the Storting is the supreme, unicameral legislature of Norway. It consists of 169 elected representatives serving four-year terms, driving the country's legislative and governance framework.

"Grateful for this incredible opportunity to exchange knowledge, explore democratic traditions and strengthen international parliamentary ties,” he added.

The delegation also met Eivind Vad Petersson, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Norway.

“The day began with a welcome meeting at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson, focusing on strengthening India–Norway relations. This was followed by a visit to the University of Oslo, with discussions on public policy, sustainability, and social sciences with Rector Ragnhild Hennum,” Sribharat Mathukumilli, a member of parliament, wrote on X.

The delegation also had an insightful interaction with Vice Mayor for Environment and Transport, Marit Kristine Vea, discussing Oslo’s climate priorities, sustainable mobility, and political leadership in shaping future-ready cities, he noted.

The Indian MPs also visited sustainability initiatives under the Oslo Municipality, exploring innovative practices in waste management, environmental systems, and Oslofjord conservation.

Toll at Hormuz unacceptable, reviewing US military presence in Europe not punitive action: Rubio

Stockholm, May 22 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that Iran imposing tolls for transit in the Strait of Hormuz is "simply unacceptable" and "cannot happen". If this were to occur in the Strait of Hormuz, he said during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Sweden's Helsingborg, then it would also happen in five other places around the world.

"Why shouldn't countries around the world say 'we want to do that too?' Not to mention how vital and crucial that Strait is for every country represented here today, but frankly, also for countries not represented here, particularly

those in the Indo-Pacific," Rubio continued, adding that the Iranians "are trying, among other things, to convince Oman to join them in this toll system."

According to the US Secretary of State, "there is no country in the world that should accept such a claim, and I don't know of any country in the world that declares itself in favour of it - with the exception of Iran, of course - but, in any case, there is no country in the world that should accept it".

Rubio, reported Adnkronos news agency, then highlighted that a resolution promoted by Bahrain is currently under discussion at the United Nations.

"The resolution boasts the highest number of co-sponsors ever recorded for a text submitted to the Security Council. Unfortunately, a couple of Security Council member states are considering vetoing

it. That would be a regrettable outcome. However, we are doing everything possible to build the global consensus needed to prevent that from happening," he continued.

"We will see if the United Nations still works. It is there that we will try to achieve a concrete result. I believe that almost all countries represented here today have joined as co-sponsors of this resolution. And if they haven't yet, I am sure they will do so soon," he added.

Regarding the ongoing negotiations with Iran, "we are awaiting updates on the current talks, but slight progress has been made.

I don't want to exaggerate, but there has been some movement, and that is positive," the US Secretary of State further stated, emphasising: "The fundamental principles remain the same: Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon. It simply cannot.

Belarus protests to Lithuania over drone violation of its airspace

Minsk, May 21 (IANS) Belarus summoned Lithuania's Charge d'Affaires Erikas Vilkanecas to the Foreign Ministry on Thursday after a Ukrainian military drone launched from Lithuanian territory violated Belarusian airspace.

During a meeting with Vilkanecas, Belarusian officials condemned repeated border violations, saying a "Chaika" drone, initially targeting Russian sites, was detected in the country's north near Stanislavtsy in the Vitebsk region on Sunday, Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ruslan Varankov

said.

Despite its origin in Lithuania, no preventive measures or advance notifications were taken, in contrast to Belarus' own practices, said Varankov, noting such actions pose a direct security risk to the country and violate international legal norms, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to Varankov, Minsk demanded that Lithuania conduct an official investigation into the incident and take measures to prevent future violations of Belarusian airspace and border security.

Meanwhile, the Latvian armed forces said at least one foreign drone entered the country's airspace on Thursday, the latest in a series of drone incursions reported across the Baltic States in recent months.

Putin condemns attack on college in Starobilsk

Moscow, May 22 (IANS) Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Friday condemned the Ukrainian armed forces' attack on a college in Starobilsk in Luhansk, local media reported.

During his meeting with graduates of the 'Time of Heroes' programme, Putin said that the “‘Neo-Nazi regime that seized power in Kyiv" conducted a "terrorist attack" on a student dormitory, Russia’s state-owned Tass news agency reported. Putin emphasised that the attack happened at night, when the students were sleeping.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that by "committing atrocities against children in Starobilsk, the Kyiv regime and its handlers are taking full responsibility for the escalation of hostilities and the undermining of political and diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict."

"Unleashing open, inhumane terror against defenceless children," is a new chapter in the armed conflict which is being

opened by the Kyiv regime, which suffered defeat on the battlefield, the ministry added. The ministry said that such strikes are carried out with the long-range weapons supplied by NATO.

It stated that it has reliable information regarding Western capitals proving Armed Forces of Ukraine with intelligence data and assistance with target designation.

“This strike could not have been accidental. It was a deliberate attack on civilians, carried out in the spirit of the German Nazis. None of those inside the building was or could have been taking part in hostilities, and there are no military facilities near the college,” the Russian Foreign Ministry stated. It called on international organisations, national governments and the global public to assess the actions and condemn the attack in Starobelsk.

According to the statement, 86 children aged 14-18 were present inside the five-storey dormitory building of the college of Lugansk State Pedagogical University in Starobelsk. At present, 40 people are known to have been injured, and four people were killed.

Roundup: Europe sizzles as record-breaking May heatwave scorches continent

Brussels, May 26 (IANS) Europe is enduring an unprecedented early-season heatwave, driven by a powerful "heat dome" that has shattered temperature records across multiple countries, raised public health concerns and intensified calls for faster climate action.

around 20 European countries this week.

Authorities issued air alerts in several eastern Latvian regions, while NATO fighter jets participating in the Baltic Air Policing mission were scrambled in response. The alert was lifted later in the day.

The incident came days after Estonia said a NATO fighter jet had shot down a drone over its territory, while Lithuania reported that a military drone carrying explosives had crashed after entering its airspace. On May 7, two drones crashed into an oil storage facility in Latvia's Rezekne.

Baltic authorities believe many of the drones are Ukrainian aircraft intended for strikes on Russian targets that veered off course into neighbouring countries' airspace.

France has been among the hardest-hit countries, recording its hottest May day ever with a national average temperature of 24.4 degrees Celsius on Monday, surpassing a record that had stood since 1944, according to Meteo-France. A total of 352 weather stations reported new monthly highs, including 37.1 degrees Celsius in the southwestern Landes region.

In Britain, London's Kew Gardens reached 34.8 degrees Celsius on Monday, setting a new UK May temperature record and marking the highest May reading since records began in 1944. "The heat is unusual for the United Kingdom even in the middle of summer, let alone in May," said Greg Dewhurst, a forecaster at Britain's Met Office, Xinhua news agency reported.

Austria also experienced exceptional conditions. Meteorologist Marcus Wadsak said temperatures in Lienz climbed to 32.7 degrees Celsius on Monday, making it the country's hottest May day in more than 200 years. Forecasts indicate temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius in

Italy issued its first heatwave warning of the year on Monday. Milan is expected to reach 35.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, roughly 9 degrees above the city's long-term seasonal average. Spain is forecast to see temperatures approach 40 degrees Celsius by the weekend, while persistent nighttime temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius - known as "tropical nights" - are increasing health risks, according to Spain's State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). The heatwave has already resulted in fatalities. French authorities linked seven deaths to the extreme heat, including at least five drownings in unsupervised waters, government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said. In Britain, police confirmed five water-related deaths. Spain also reported casualties, including a two-year-old girl who died after being left in a car in Galicia last week. In the Basque Country, around 30 people sought medical treatment for heat-related illnesses over the weekend, with three hospitalized. Governments across Europe have introduced emergency measures. France placed eight western departments under orange heatwave alert - the first May activation of the country's heat alert system since its creation in 2004. Authorities are considering temporary school closures and cancellations of sporting events. In Italy, the Lazio region surrounding Rome has prohibited prolonged outdoor work in direct sunlight between 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm through September 15.

EU faces scrutiny over GSP-plus benefits to Pakistan amid human right violations

Washington, June 5 (IANS) The European Union (EU) has faced growing criticism for allegedly enabling Pakistan's severe abuses of human rights standards since at least 2014, with observers repeatedly warning of the consequences and calling for significant change. Brussels-based organisation 'Human Rights Without Frontiers' (HRWF), for example, described the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP-plus) status granted to Pakistan as "the bad deal between the EU and Pakistan", adding that "The GSP-plus should be suspended as long as there is no substantial human rights progress," a report has stated.

Pakistan has failed to demonstrate meaningful progress in implementing international human rights standards since the agreement came into effect in 2014. The country's Christian community also continues to face serious human rights abuses and is most adversely impacted by the resulting failure, Uzay Bulut, a Turkish journalist, wrote in American media outlet PJ Media.

“Christians compose less than two per cent of Pakistan's population, enduring severe systemic and societal persecution. They frequently face mob violence, deadly blasphemy laws, economic exclusion or exploitation, abductions, rapes, and forced conversions. The EU, however, keeps rewarding the country with a massive economic lifeline,” Bulut highlighted.

“Pakistan has been a significant beneficiary of the European Union's GSP-plus since 2014.

They are granted duty-free or preferential tariff access to the EU market for over 66 per cent of its tariff lines. However, Pakistan's government continues to abuse the EU's generosity as well as the basic human rights of its minority citizens,” she added. Highlighting the plight of religious minorities across Pakistan, Bulut cited the case of a 14-year-old girl who was abducted on May 12 by a married Muslim man. Her father and legal counsel alleged that the man forcibly converted her to Islam and married her, while exploiting her mental health vulnerabilities to sexually abuse her.

Her father, Abbas Masih, a daily wage labourer and member of a local Brethren church in Lahore’s Gulbahar Colony, told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News that his daughter, Nisha Bibi, went missing while working as a domestic helper in a Muslim household.

India, Greece reiterate commitment to fight against cross-border terrorism

New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) India and Greece on Friday reiterated their commitment to fight against cross-border terrorism during the Foreign Office

Consultations held in New Delhi.

“14th Round of India-Greece Foreign Office Consultations were held in New Delhi on 05 June 2026, co-chaired by Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West) and Ambassador Andreas Fryganas, Director General for Political Affairs,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) wrote on X.

According to MEA, both sides reiterated their commitment to fight against cross-border terrorism.

“Both sides reviewed the entire gamut of the bilateral relations with focus on political and defence relations, trade

and investment, cultural and people-to-people cooperation, which will further strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Greece,” the MEA noted. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

In February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis held a meeting on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, also holding discussions on boosting connectivity, especially through the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Austria to advocate for multilateralism as UNSC member: President

Vienna, June 4 (IANS) Austrian

President Alexander Van der Bellen has said that the country will uphold multilateralism as a member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

Austria was elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council on Wednesday for a two-year term and will assume its seat on January 1, 2027 and serve until December 31, 2028.

"Austria will steadfastly advocate in the UN Security Council for multilateralism based on international law and human rights," Van der Bellen said on social platform X.

Calling for efforts to strengthen the UN, he warned that peaceful cooperation between countries is being threatened by "arbitrary

exercise of power by the 'stronger' parties and ruthless, shortsighted interest politics."

In addition to Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe were also elected non-permanent members on the same day.

The newly elected members will replace the outgoing non-permanent members -- Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia -- and assume their seats on January 1, 2027, and serve until December 31, 2028.

A candidate must obtain the support of two-thirds of the UN member states present and voting at the General Assembly session in order to secure a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, regardless of whether the candidacy is contested or not. A minimum of 129 positive votes is required to win a seat if all 193 member states are present and voting. Member states that abstain are considered not voting. There were seven candidates for the five seats available this year. Austria, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe were elected in the first round

Putin receives

letter, open to dialogue with West: Kremlin

Moscow, June 5 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin received and read an "open letter" from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky overnight, Dmitry Peskov, the Russian President's Press Secretary has revealed, the country's leading Tass news agency reported.

Peskov confirmed this in an interview with Izvestia on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

"Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us - and you. I am proposing a meeting," Zelensky stated in his open letter.

"It would be wrong to simply wait until the war in Europe returns to the centre of its attention," he added.

He proposed that Switzerland, Turkey and countries of the Arab world host the meetings and resolve issues.

He said many are able and willing to host such a meeting and proposed to set a clear date

for such a meeting.

“Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations. This is standard practice, and current developments around Iran only reinforce that point. An attempt to establish real silence is the best way to begin talking to one another. We believe it would not simply be an attempt, but a real ceasefire — if that is what you want,” Zelensky noted.

According to Peskov, Putin was also informed about the different reactions of world leaders to the open letter.

The Presidential Press Secretary noted that Russia wants to resume negotiations.

"We still hope that the current pause will eventually be broken. And some contacts will be initiated. Especially since we continue to communicate with the Americans through existing channels," he said.

"We are not the initiators of this silence. Putin is open to dialogue. Therefore, if Europeans abandon their paradigm of non-communication with Russia, they just need to pick up the phone and dial the number," he said, noting that the conflict with Ukraine is too complex and would not be resolved easily, Tass reported.

Germany announces visa free transit for Indian travellers

Berlin/New Delhi, June 2 (IANS)

of voting, reports Xinhua news agency.

Three more rounds of voting were held before Kyrgyzstan defeated the Philippines in a contested race.

The Security Council has 15 members, five of which are permanent: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The 10 non-permanent seats of the council are allocated by geographic region, with five replaced each year.

The five newly elected countries represent the African, Asia-Pacific, Latin American and Caribbean, and Western European and Other groups. The Eastern European group is not contesting this year, as its seat, currently held by Latvia through 2027, comes up for election every other year.

The Security Council is considered the most powerful body of the United Nations. The council, tasked with maintaining international peace and security, can make legally binding decisions and has the power to impose sanctions and authorise the use of force.

The German Embassy in New Delhi on Tuesday announced that Indian nationals will no longer require a transit visa when travelling to another country with a layover at a German airport.

“The lifting of the so-called airport transit visa requirement for Indian citizens was announced in the Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt) on June 2, 2026, and takes effect on June 3, 2026,” the German Embassy in New Delhi stated.

“This implements a result of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz's trip to India in January of this year. It underlines the Federal Government's commitment to deepening German Indian relations, facilitating the movement of people, and further strengthening economic ties,” it added.

During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Federal Chancellor Merz welcomed the sustained growth in bilateral trade and investment and noted that bilateral trade reached a record high in 2024, with the positive trend continuing through 2025.

India and Germany had signed a slew of agreements across sectors such as trade, technology, health and renewable energy. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two sides concluded 19 agreements and made several policy announcements aimed at deepening cooperation across strategic, economic and people-to-people domains.

The two leaders had reaffirmed their strong support for the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and emphasised its transformational potential in reshaping and promoting global commerce, connectivity and prosperity. The two leaders also looked forward to the first IMEC ministerial meeting to take concrete steps for advancing this initiative.

"The Leaders welcomed the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent to develop a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap to promote long-term industry-level collaboration, including technology partnerships, co-development and co-production of defence platforms and equipment.

Cuban president says US using ‘empty rhetoric’ to justify military aggression

Havana, May 23 (IANS) Cuban

President Miguel Diaz-Canel has accused the United States of using "empty rhetoric" to label the island country as a "sponsor of terrorism" without evidence, saying Washington is promoting a narrative in the media to justify military aggression.

In a post on X on Friday (local time), Diaz-Canel said claims that Cuba represents a threat to the United States "can only exist in the sick minds" of some officials in the current US administration, reports Xinhua news agency.

He said those officials have hijacked Washington's Cuba policy and are lying to the American people and the world to justify "a new irrational war with a high potential cost in human lives for both countries."

Diaz-Canel said Cuba has sought to live in peace since the triumph of its Revolution, while successive US administrations have threatened that right "time and again."

"Now they do so at extreme levels, combining absurd lies with military intimidation and deprivation of the Cuban people of the most basic resources and services for their daily survival," said the president.

The United States, as a country "that has harboured the most infamous terrorists of this continent," is labelling Cuba as a sponsor of terrorism "without presenting a single piece of evidence and in the face of majority repudiation from the international community," he

said.

The president stressed that Cuba, as a nation of peace, "neither threatens, challenges, nor provokes" the United States or any other country.

He reiterated that Cuba has the right to legitimate self-defence under international law, while reaffirming Havana's commitment to "reason, dialogue and peace."

The United States has recently indicted Cuban Revolution leader Raul Castro in connection with the Cuban military's fatal downing of two planes 30 years ago, and sent the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group to the Caribbean, moves seen as part of a broader pressure campaign against Cuba. Diaz-Canel has warned that any US military attack on Cuba would cause "a bloodbath with incalculable consequences" and a devastating impact on peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Mexican Prez Sheinbaum defends self-determination after US charges against Cuba’s Raul Castro

Mexico City, May 23 (IANS)

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has defended the principle of self-determination and voiced disagreement with the US decision to bring criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raul Castro.

"What is the point of accusing someone now for something that happened 30 years ago?" Sheinbaum said at her daily press conference on Friday (local time).

The US Department of Justice has recently filed an indictment against Castro, accusing him of playing an alleged role in the 1996 downing of two aircraft operated by the CubanAmerican exile group Brothers to the Rescue, reports Xinhua news

agency. Castro, 94, was Cuba's minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces at the time.

According to the Cuban government, the aircraft had repeatedly violated Cuban airspace and ignored prior warnings, leaving Cuba no choice but to exercise what it described as its right to self-defence.

Sheinbaum said the United States has always used the issue of drug trafficking as a pretext for interference, adding that Mexico does not share that approach.

She also said Mexico should remain mindful of history while continuing to cooperate with the United States where possible.

"We do not want to fight with them," she said, adding that Mexico seeks cooperation while prioritising the interests of both peoples and maintaining constructive relationships between the two governments.

Separately, Sheinbaum reaffirmed the collaboration between

the United States and Mexico on security, but stressed that it must comply with Mexican law and respect national sovereignty.

At her daily press conference, Sheinbaum said she discussed key security issues during a meeting on Thursday with US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

"I explained to him with complete transparency what our laws and Constitution are. The framework in which cooperation must take place," she said, adding that Mexican law does not allow joint operations by foreign agents on national territory.

Sheinbaum said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working under the principles of mutual respect and coordination.

"It was very clear ... that the cooperation between the United States and Mexico is that -- cooperation and coordination, not subordination," she said, adding that the next meeting under the security framework is expected to take place in June.

Mexico to analyse impact on remittances of US restrictions on undocumented migrants: President Sheinbaum

Mexico City, May 22 (IANS) Mexico will analyse the potential impact on remittances of a new US executive order that would restrict undocumented migrants' access to US financial services, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said.

At her daily press conference, reporters asked Sheinbaum whether the US measure would affect the flow of remittances -- the money that Mexicans working in the United States

send to their families back home, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to Sheinbaum, the finance ministry and Mexico's newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Roberto Lazzeri, are analysing the measure jointly, but so far they have concluded there is "no major risk."

The US executive order tightens oversight of cross-border transfers and of identifications used to open bank accounts or apply for other banking services.

US President Donald Trump’s latest immigration move could now bring banks and financial records into the centre of US immigration enforcement, potentially increasing scrutiny for some immigrants.

Trump on May 19 signed an executive order directing banks

Trump, Marco Rubio intensify pressure on Cuba

Washington, May 22 (IANS) US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio intensified pressure on Cuba, describing the island nation as a failed state and a continuing national security threat to the United States.

Speaking separately in Florida and at the White House, both officials signalled a tougher posture towards Havana while also leaving open the possibility of a negotiated settlement. Trump, responding to questions about Cuba during an Oval Office event on deregulation, said the United States wanted to help the Cuban people and Cuban Americans reconnect with the island.

“It's a failed country. Everybody knows it. They don't have electricity. They don't have money. They don't have really anything they don't have food,” Trump said.

“We're going to help them along and we're going to help them because the people — because,

number one, I want to help them, you know, on a humanitarian basis,” he added.

Trump said Cuban Americans in Florida wanted to invest in and rebuild Cuba.

“They want to go back to their country. They want to help their country. I hope they're going to stay here, but they want to go back,” he said.

He added: “Other presidents have looked at this for 50, 60 years, doing something, and it looks like I'll be the one that does it.”

Hours earlier, Rubio had delivered a far sharper assessment during remarks to reporters at Miami Homestead Airport before departing for India.

“Cuba has consistently posed a threat to the national security of the United States,” Rubio said.

“The other thing that poses a threat to the national security of the United States is to have a failed state 90 miles from our shores run by friends of our adversaries.”

Rubio said Cuba hosted “Russian and Chinese intelligence presence” and had acquired weapons systems from both countries over the years. He also accused Havana of supporting destabilising groups in Latin America.

Biotech bill targets US edge over China

Washington, May 22 (IANS)

Two bipartisan lawmakers have introduced legislation seeking a federal assessment of America’s biotechnology workforce as Washington sharpens its competition with China in critical emerging technologies.

The two Congressmen said the proposal follows an April 2025 assessment by the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), which concluded that a properly trained biotechnology workforce within the US government was essential for maintaining American leadership in emerging technologies.

and financial regulators to examine “red flags” linked to customers’ immigration and citizenship status as part of a broader crackdown on undocumented immigration, according to the White House.

"Many of those borrowers face the possibility of the loss of wages due to removal or their employers’ decisions to comply with immigration law. Lending to aliens without legal work authorization or who face a substantial loss-of-wage risk creates a structural “ability to repay” deficiency that undermines the safety and soundness of the national banking system," Trump said in a press release. Meanwhile, the US Congress is considering a proposal to impose a 5 per cent tax on remittances.

Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna and Representative Rich McCormick on Thursday unveiled the Federal Biotechnology Workforce Assessment Act, aimed at evaluating whether the US government has enough skilled personnel to support the fast-growing biotechnology sector.

The legislation directs the Office of Personnel Management and Budget (OPM) to work with federal agencies to define the biotechnology workforce and assess current and future staffing needs for “bio-literate” employees across the government.

According to the lawmakers, the report would then be submitted to Congress to help shape future hiring and workforce development policies tied to biotechnology, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.

The move comes amid growing concern in Washington that the United States could lose ground to China in emerging strategic sectors, including biotechnology, AI and quantum technologies.

The bill is part of a broader legislative package paired with McCormick’s Biotechnology Workforce Alignment Act. Together, the measures are designed to identify workforce gaps and align federal research priorities with industry needs.

“Investments into bolstering America’s federal biotechnology workforce will pave a path toward economic and scientific leadership for the US the 21st-century economy,” Khanna said.

“I’m proud to lead the Federal Biotechnology Workforce Assessment Act alongside Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-06) that will assess America’s preparedness to beat China in biotechnology discovery, invention, and entrepreneurship,” he added.

McCormick framed the legislation as both an economic and national security initiative.

“America leads the world in biotechnology, and we need to keep it that way,” McCormick said.

“Right now, we're making historic investments in biotech research and biomanufacturing. Still, we're leaving talent on the table because we don't have a coordinated strategy to build the workforce that industry actually needs,” he said.

India-UAE partnership — flexible alliance without treaty obligations

Abu Dhabi, June 5 (IANS) India’s traditional nonalignment strategic autonomy is being redefined into proactive engagement and power projection for an era of competitive multipolarity, a report has stated. The recentering of force in Indian foreign policy in the Defence Force vision 2047

document released by the Defence Ministry indicates that strategic autonomy is not merely a defensive plan but is becoming proactive and power projective, a report in Modern Diplomacy mentioned.

“This shift is reinforced by PM Modi’s evolving Middle East policy, which no longer treats the regions merely as a source of energy security and remittances, but as a theatre for strategic projection and security partnerships,” it noted.

India and the UAE signed a strategic defence partnership in May 2026, which aims at deepening defence industrial collaboration.

“The importance of the India-UAE partnership extends beyond bilateral relations. It increasingly complements the broader strategic logic of the I2U2 framework, which links India, the UAE, Israel, and the US through cooperation in technology, connectivity, and logistics,” the report highlighted. Even though I2U2 is not a military pact, it shows the minilateral architecture that is linking economic integration with strategic coordination. The strategic petroleum reserves are another important aspect of this partnership, which will enable India to store its oil reserves in UAE's Fujairah.

Iran won’t agree to deal with US until its rights are secured: Parliament Speaker

Tehran, May 31 (IANS) Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said on Sunday that Tehran would not agree to any deal with the United States until the rights of the Iranian people were secured.

Addressing an online parliamentary session, Ghalibaf stressed that Iranian negotiators had no trust in the "enemy's" words and promises, according to the official news agency IRNA. "Our criterion is tangible

achievements that we must attain in order to fulfil our commitments in return," he said. "We will not approve any agreement until we are sure that we have secured the Iranian nation's rights," Xinhua news agency reported.

The Speaker referred to Iran's "achievements" on the battlefield and said the task of diplomacy was to transform "these victories into political and legal achievements".

He warned that in a new phase of the conflict, the "enemies" were seeking to sow internal discord through economic pressure and media propaganda to force Iran to surrender, and expressed confidence that the Iranian people would resist such efforts.

In a post on social media platform X on Friday, Ghalibaf said: "We obtain concessions not through dialogue, but with missiles; in negotiations we merely make them understandable."

Separately, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Sunday that 28 vessels, including oil tankers, container ships and commercial vessels, had passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours after obtaining permission and receiving protection from its Navy.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the United States was close to reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran but warned that military action remained an option if negotiations failed.

Qatari PM, Iranian FM discuss mediation efforts, regional developments

Doha, June 2 (IANS) Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss regional developments, according to Qatar's Foreign Ministry.

The ministry said in a statement on Monday (local time) that the two officials reviewed Pakistani mediation efforts between the United States and Iran, as well as the latest developments in Lebanon.

Al-Thani reaffirmed Qatar's support for reaching a comprehensive agreement to resolve the crisis, urging all parties to engage constructively with mediation initiatives to achieve lasting peace and regional stability, reports Xinhua news agency. He also stressed that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle that must not be

compromised, warning that closing the Strait of Hormuz or using it as a tool of pressure would only deepen the crisis and jeopardise the vital interests of regional countries.

The Qatari prime minister reiterated the importance of pursuing diplomatic solutions and dialogue to address regional challenges and prevent further escalation, according to the statement.

The phone call came as regional and international efforts continue to support mediation between the United States and Iran and ease tensions in the Gulf. Concerns have persisted over maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.

Meanwhile, Iran's main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, on Monday warned Israel against bombing the Lebanese capital city of Beirut and its southern district of Dahieh, the official news agency IRNA reported.

In a statement, the command warned citizens in northern Israel and military settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories to evacuate if the Israeli attacks continue.

It accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor seen as path to prosperous future

New Delhi, June 4 (IANS) The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a proposed multinational infrastructure initiative aimed at upgrading connectivity between the three regions through integrated trade, energy, and digital networks, is envisioned partially as a counterweight to China’s international infrastructure project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to an article.

Announced at the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, IMEC is designed to create a resilient supply chain network connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe, according to the article published by the Middle East Institute.

It aims to transport goods, energy, and data, bypassing the Bab al-Mandab and Suez Canal. The corridor’s proposed infrastructure would include upgraded ports, integrated grids, rail links, and subsea cables, leading to a more efficient alternative trade, energy, and data route that advances the long-term interests of the United States in the region, it said.

The main signatories to IMEC are India, the US, the UAE,

Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union. Notably absent are Qatar, Oman, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran.

The article observes that while the IMEC initiative is currently on hold due to the conflict in the Middle East, two and a half years after the initiative was unveiled, the reasons for the corridor’s creation have become more urgent for all parties.

Whether through IMEC or another competing trans-Middle Eastern transportation project, regional stakeholders are likely to continue working to build out infrastructure that will enable a more interconnected and prosperous future.

The article also contends that the proposed corridor would address vulnerabilities in global trade routes exposed by events such as the 2021 Suez Canal blockage and Red Sea disruptions from Houthi militants starting in late 2023. It could cut transit times from India to Europe significantly and thus reduce costs by 30 per cent. Although multimodal transportation connections form the corridor’s core, the lasting impacts from IMEC likely lie in the energy and technology sectors. Fibre-optic lines laid along the route would bypass the vulnerable data chokepoint at the Bab al-Mandab and offer expanded capacity for the Indian private sector with an increasing demand for data.

Algerian law criminalising French colonisation takes effect

of continuing his "malicious actions" in the West Asia region by threatening to bomb Beirut and Dahieh.

Also on Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed concern over Israel's frequent ceasefire violations in Lebanon, the continued displacement of Lebanese citizens, and the US political and military support for Israel.

In a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the Iranian president said the United States' failure to fulfil its commitments and Israel's destabilising actions have posed challenges to the diplomatic process. He noted that Iran is committed to resolving regional tensions through dialogue and diplomacy.

Netanyahu and Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, on Monday said in a joint statement that they had ordered the military to strike Beirut's southern suburbs, in response to repeated Hezbollah "violations" of the ceasefire in Lebanon by launching attacks on northern Israeli cities.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Monday that Tehran has halted talks and exchanges of draft proposals with the United States via mediation in protest against Israel's actions in Lebanon.

Algiers, May 22 (IANS) An Algerian law criminalising French colonisation has officially entered into force following its publication in the country's Official Gazette, according to local media.

The law declares France's colonisation of Algeria from 1830 to 1962 and its "direct and indirect effects that persisted beyond this period" a "state crime," and lists 31 "imprescriptible" colonisation crimes, including intentional homicide, deliberately directing military attacks against civilians, and the use of unconventional and internationally-prohibited weapons.

The law was described by officials as "a step to preserve national memory and honour the sacrifices made during the colonial period," Xinhua news agency reported.

It states that Algeria will pursue all legal and judicial means to ensure France's "official recognition" of its colonial past, including proper handling of matters related to the nuclear explosion and the restitution of "stolen" Treasury assets.

It states that anyone promoting colonisation through various means with the aim of justifying

French colonisation or denying its criminal nature will be punished with imprisonment and a fine.

Algeria's upper house of parliament adopted in April a draft law criminalising French colonisation, a month after the lower house passed the same legislation.

In December, the lower house unanimously adopted the draft law calling for an official apology from France and affirming Algeria's right to reparations. However, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune later clarified that Algeria seeks France's recognition of its crimes rather than financial compensation. To this end, a joint parliamentary committee was established to resolve differences between the two houses and produce a unified text.

The final version adopted by both houses reportedly removed broad reparations clauses and apologies from France, while retaining provisions related to victims of French nuclear tests in the Sahara.

The diplomatic rift between Algeria and France has deepened recently, fueled by disputes over immigration, historical grievances, and France's backing of Morocco regarding Western Sahara. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has maintained that direct talks with French President Emmanuel Macron are the only path to resolving these bilateral issues.

FIFA World Cup: Switzerland star Embolo blocked from entering the

Zurich, June 2 (IANS)

Switzerland have been dealt a big blow ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after striker Breel Embolo was refused entry to the United States for the event being co-hosted by the USA along with Canada and Mexico. Switzerland will be playing their first two group games in the United States.

According to reports in the local media, the Swiss squad left for Los Angeles on Tuesday without Embolo, who was not allowed to board the flight as his ESTA (Electronic System for

United States

Travel Authorisation, the system that determines someone’s eligibility to enter the US) status was placed under review.

The decision to change his ESTA status was related to his 2023 conviction in a case about making multiple threats and was given a suspended fine following an altercation back in 2018, reports said. Embolo, who has scored 23 goals in 85 caps for Switzerland, ultimately appealed the conviction to no avail.

The Swiss Football Association explained the situation in a statement and said it was in touch with the US authorities concerned to get his status changed.

“Unfortunately, Breel Embolo is currently unable to travel to the United States with the team," it read. “His ESTA authorisation had been approved until this morning. However, at 10:30 a.m.,

we were informed that his ESTA application had been placed under further review.”

Switzerland, though, are hopeful that Embolo will be able to link up with the rest of the squad for the World Cup.

They added: "We are currently in contact with the relevant authorities and expect that Breel will either join the team later today or travel tomorrow and join the squad then.”

Born in Cameroon but spending most of his childhood in Switzerland, Embolo has represented the country since the Under-16 level. The former Basel and Monaco man went to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, scoring twice at the latter – including the winning goal against Cameroon - making him only the second player in World Cup history to find the net against their country of birth.

Afghanistan refugee women’s cricket team set to embark on landmark England tour

London, May 21 (IANS) The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday announced it will host the Afghanistan refugee women’s team for a ground-breaking tour of England starting on June 22, with the players also set to attend the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s on July 5. The itinerary includes high-quality training sessions and T20 matches for the side, as per a partnership between the MCC and the MCC Foundation. The tour carries significant cultural and sporting importance, given the exclusion of women from sport in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in

2021.

More than 20 members of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team have resettled in Australia since 2021, and played their first competitive match in Melbourne in January 2025. The Afghanistan women’s squad members were also present in India during last year’s ODI World Cup.

“Since being displaced from Afghanistan in 2021, these players have shown extraordinary resilience in continuing their cricket journeys, in incredibly challenging circumstances. We have worked with It’s Game On to build an itinerary and a set of experiences that we hope will be enjoyable and memorable.

“We are also delighted that the squad will attend the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Cricket has a responsibility to stand for inclusion and

opportunity, and we are proud to be hosting this tour and supporting the players in deepening their connection to the game,” said Clare Connor, ECB Deputy CEO and Managing Director of England Women.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) last year announced a dedicated task force to support displaced Afghan female cricketers, assisted by the ECB, Cricket Australia, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). A fund was set up to provide direct monetary assistance, though its long-term future remains uncertain.

“This tour is a major step forward, but also highlights how much work remains. These players have shown extraordinary courage and commitment to the game, despite everything that has been taken from them.

‘One of the best feelings I’ve ever had’: Arteta on Arsenal’s Premier League triumph

London, May 21 (IANS) Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described the club’s Premier League triumph as one of the best feelings of his life after the Gunners secured their first league title in 22 years. Arsenal were officially confirmed champions after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by AFC Bournemouth, leaving City four points behind the North London side with only one game remaining in the season.

The title win ended Arsenal’s long wait for a league crown since the famous 2003/04 “Invincibles” campaign and came

after three straight runner-up finishes under Arteta, including the 2023/24 season when City edged them by just two points.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s final league game against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Arteta revealed he could not bring himself to watch City’s match live.

“You probably don't realise it. It's one of the best feelings I've ever had. I was supposed to be here, at the training ground, watching the game with the boys and the staff because that's what they wanted - but I couldn't,” Arteta said.

“I think 20 minutes before the game, I had to leave. I couldn't bring the energy that I wanted, and ultimately it was their moment to watch it together and be themselves,” he added.

The Spaniard said he instead spent the evening at home with his family and only realised Arsenal had become champions when his son ran out to tell him.

“I went home, I went outside to the garden and had a BBQ, and

FIFA World Cup 2026: President Ramaphosa urges South Africans to unite behind national team

Johannesburg, June 2 (IANS)

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to rally behind the country's national team as it prepares for its first FIFA World Cup appearance since 2010, with an opening match against Mexico on June 11.

In his weekly newsletter published on Monday, Ramaphosa said Bafana Bafana, the nickname of the country's men's football team, carries the hopes and aspirations of more than 62 million South Africans as it heads to the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

The team departed for Mexico on Monday after all players and staff, except one assistant coach, received their visas.

I didn't watch any of it. I was just hearing some noises in the living room, and suddenly the magic happened,” he said. “My eldest son opened the garden door, started to run towards me, gave me a hug, and said: ‘We are Champions, daddy!’ It was beautiful.”

Arteta also thanked Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola for his side’s result against City. “He nearly took the Premier League away from us, and then he helped us win it,” Arteta said while praising Iraola for the “incredible job” he has done at Bournemouth. Meanwhile, with this win, Mikel Arteta became the first former Premier League player to win the trophy as a manager. He took charge of the Gunners in December 2019, having played for the club between 2011 and 2016.

Arsenal have now won four Premier League titles, putting them two clear of Liverpool and only one behind Chelsea.

"Regardless of how Bafana Bafana fare in the tournament, their participation is as rich with meaning as the 1995 Rugby World Cup," he wrote.

The president linked the team's return to the World Cup with what he described as a broader national renewal, citing democratic progress, the strength of the Constitution, the launch of the National Dialogue process, and signs of economic recovery. He called on South Africans to celebrate both the team's achievement and the country's progress toward a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.

"For 90 minutes, as they play for our country, we will not be divided by language, race, province, club or circumstance," Ramaphosa wrote. "One Team. One Nation. Behind Bafana. Behind South Africa. United by our Flag, inspired by our Team. 62 million cheering voices. One Dream."

Ramaphosa described the squad as ambassadors of a diverse nation, saying its composition reflects South Africa's unity across many races, languages, and cultures. He added that the transformation of sport in the country embodies constitutional values, including respect, fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity, reports Xinhua. Drawing on sport's role in uniting the country since the end of apartheid, Ramaphosa recalled the image of former President Nelson Mandela wearing a Springbok jersey at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final. While expressing hope that Bafana Bafana could bring home the trophy, Ramaphosa said the team's participation itself held profound national significance.

Debutants Gay, Baker in England squad for first New Zealand Test

London, June 2 (IANS) England have named uncapped batter Emilio Gay and fast bowler Sonny Baker for their 12-man squad for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's. The opening Test of the English home summer, which commences on Thursday, marks the beginning of a crucial rebuilding phase following England’s dismal 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia. England men have named a 12-player squad for the first Test against New Zealand, which begins on Thursday at Lord's. "Durham top-order batter Emilio Gay and Hampshire pace bowler Sonny Baker, who are yet to be capped, are included. Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson returns to the England Test squad for the first time since February 2024," England Cricket Board said in a statement. The debutants in the squad are Durham top-order batsman Gay and Hampshire pacer Baker, and Ollie Robinson of Sussex returns to the Test setup for the first time since February 2024. Archer will not feature as he currently has a time out following six months on the road, is currently in Barbados, and will not be arriving in England until after the first Test match. He may be available for the second match of the series starting June 17. England head coach Brendon McCullum insisted a cautious approach would be taken with

the paceman. "Jofra, we need to assess," McCullum told BBC Sport. "He's having a little bit of a break at the moment. "We've seen in the past that we can leave Jof to his own devices, work on his game, and follow a plan that has been set. He turns up having followed that plan to a tee. "When we see him, we'll work out where he sits and if he's available for the second Test. If not, we'll look at the third Test." Archer spent six months at the Rajasthan Royals' IPL campaign, until they lost in the playoff stages. Archer is one of many to be impacted by the tournament in terms of his preparation for the Test summer. Despite Archer's absence, Jacob Bethell was withdrawn from the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to a finger complaint. Bethell withdrew early from the 2026 edition of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad due to his finger injury. He is in line to play at the Lord's. In the squad announcement, it was noted that Brydon Carse suffered a fractured wrist during the IPL. He attended the Loughborough training camp with England and will not be appearing in the New Zealand series. The squad has been shortened from 15 members to 12 for the opening match of the series against the Kiwis. England spinner Shoaib Bashir is back in the fold after missing out during the Ashes campaign, and Robinson provides extra experience in the pace attack alongside Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue.

Pollutant releases triple in Germany in 2023

Berlin, Nov 15 (IANS) Around 21 million litres of pollutants were released into the environment in Germany last year due to accidents, nearly tripling the amount recorded the previous year, the Federal Statistical

Office (Destatis) reported on Friday.

This marks the highest level of pollution since 2019, when 31.2 million litres were reported, Destatis said, adding that of the total pollutants released last year, about 3.3 million litres, or 15.9 per cent, were unrecoverable, leaving long-term contamination in the environment.

According to the office, the sharp fluctuations in pollution levels are not uncommon, as they often

depend on the scale and severity of individual incidents, Xinhua news agency reported. Around half of the pollutants released in 2023 were linked to just four major accidents, it said. Despite the surge in pollution, the total number of accidents involving water-polluting substances remained nearly unchanged from the previous year, with 1,876 incidents recorded a marginal drop of 0.1 per cent, it added.

WMO says El Nino increases risk of extreme weather

Geneva, June 2 (IANS) Fueled by unusually warm ocean waters in the tropical Pacific, El Nino conditions are developing and are set to influence global temperature and rainfall patterns, increasing the risk of extreme weather over the coming months, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said on Tuesday. "We need to prepare for a potentially strong El Nino event, which will exacerbate drought and heavy rainfall and increase the risk of heatwaves both on land and in the ocean," WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said at a press conference in

UN

warns AI

Geneva.

The most recent El Nino, in 2023-2024, was one of the five strongest on record, and it played a role in the record global temperatures in 2024, Saulo noted as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The WMO community will be carefully monitoring conditions in the coming months to inform governments, humanitarian agencies and climate-sensitive sectors, Saulo said, adding that advance seasonal forecasts and early warnings are vital to save lives and cushion the impact of El Nino.

Meanwhile, UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres, in a video statement at the conference, said that El Nino conditions "will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world".

"The only effective response is climate action equal to the crisis -- ending the addiction to

fossil fuels, accelerating the shift to renewables, protecting the most vulnerable, and delivering early warning systems for all," Guterres added.

Last week, WMO said Global average temperatures are likely to continue at or near record levels in the next five years, with Arctic temperature anomalies expected to continue to be higher than the global mean.

The conclusion was drawn from the WMO report 'Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update 20262035', produced by Britain's Met Office and the WMO Lead Centre for Annual to Decadal Climate Prediction, which synthesised predictions contributed by 13 institutes.

The update report also takes a look at the observed climate over the past five years and gives regional predictions for temperatures and precipitation over the next five years.

could double electricity use by 2030, deplete water level

New Delhi, June 5 (IANS)

Contrary to popular beliefs, artificial intelligence could double its electricity consumption by 2030 to about 3 per cent of the world’s power use and produce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the United Kingdom, a report has said. The report from the United Nations also warned that AI could deplete more water for cooling than the annual drinking water needs of the global population.

It mentioned that the use of AI will lead to “Jevons paradox”, which entails that as technological improvements increase the efficiency of a resource, the total consumption of that resource will only surge rather than fall.

Economist William Stanley Jevons, observed this effect with the use of coal in 19th-century England when efficiency gains lowered costs resulting in expanded use and higher overall demand for coal.

Similarly new use cases and higher volumes of usage will emerge as AI models become cheaper and more attractive, eroding any savings from efficiency advances, the report stated.

To stay clear of this trap, the report laid out a roadmap for responsible AI use based on

guiding principles of transparency, efficiency by design, equity and justice, lifecycle responsibility, global cooperation, and sustainable use.

Data centres consumed as much electricity as Saudi Arabia last year and that, if electricity use doubles by 2030, the associated carbon footprint would require 6.7 billion trees grown over ten years to offset the demand.

It estimated data centres would require about 9.3 trillion litres of water and land nearly ten times the size of Mexico City to support that growth.

The report also warned of an emerging digital and environmental divide as only 32 nations host AI-specific cloud infrastructure with 90 per cent of that capacity located in the US and China.

Singapore’s public sector sees decline in carbon emissions

Singapore, Nov 18 (IANS)

Singapore's public sector emitted 3.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for the fiscal year (FY) 2023, a 0.2-per cent decrease from FY2022, according to an official report issued on Monday.

The 'Greengovsg Report' released by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment detailed the public sector's environmental sustainability performance

from April 1, 2023, to March 31 this year, Xinhua news agency reported.

The public sector's total electricity use in FY2023 was 5,449 GWh, up 1.5 per cent from FY2022. Meanwhile, the water use dropped 0.4 per cent to 33.4 billion litres.

Singapore's public sector produced 218.7 million kg of waste in FY2023, a 1.3-per cent increase from the previous fiscal year, due to more activities and higher footfall at public sector facilities after COVID-19. The public sector sets a net-zero target around 2045, five years ahead of Singapore's national target by 2050.

PM Modi positions Gujarat at centre of India’s green energy push

Modi said on Friday that Gujarat has emerged as a foundation of India's energy transition, highlighting the state's contribution to renewable power generation and its expected role in emerging sectors such as green hydrogen, green ammonia and green steel.

Addressing a gathering in Surat on the World Environment Day, Prime Minister Modi added that Gujarat currently accounts for one-fifth of India's renewable energy capacity and is helping shape the country's long-term energy security strategy.

"Today, India's renewable energy capacity is 250 gigawatts. Out of this, Gujarat alone contributes 50 gigawatts. In other words, one-fifth of the country's green energy is produced by Gujarat," he said.

The Prime Minister contrasted the country's current renewable energy capacity with the situation a decade ago, when India's solar generation remained limited.

"Twelve years ago, solar energy production in India was negligible. Today, we are among the top five countries in the world," he said.

Prime Minister Modi added that recent global disruptions, including the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts and energy market instability, had reinforced the importance of domestic energy production.

"Petrol prices have been fluctuating continuously. Gas supply chains are collapsing," he said, adding that India had responded by diversifying energy supplies while simultaneously investing heavily in renewable energy infrastructure.

The Prime Minister cited several initiatives undertaken over the past decade, including expansion of solar power, railway electrification, ethanol blending, nuclear energy development, transmission network upgrades and gas pipeline expansion.

He also highlighted Gujarat's historical role in India's renewable energy journey, noting that the state established a dedicated Climate Change Department more than two decades ago and hosted the country's first major solar park at Charanka in Patan district.

Looking ahead, Prime Minister Modi said Surat and the Hazira industrial region would play an important role in the next phase of industrial decarbonisation. "In the coming years, the Hazira industrial area will also be known for the production of green steel. This means that green energy will be used in steel production," he added.

He also pointed to Surat's wastewater recycling model and electric mobility initiatives as examples of how urban centres can contribute to environmental goals while maintaining economic growth.

The Prime Minister said India's development strategy was increasingly guided by the principle of balancing economic expansion with ecological responsibility, describing it as "development alongside nature".

India showcases carbon credit trading scheme at WTO Trade and Environment Week

New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) On the occasion of World Environment Day, India organised a special event titled "Showcase of India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme and Standardisation in Renewable Energy" during the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade and Environment Week 2026 in Geneva, according to a Commerce Ministry statement

issued on Friday.

The event highlighted India's efforts towards sustainable development, clean energy transition and achievement of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

The session showcased key policy and regulatory initiatives aimed at supporting India's transition to a low-carbon economy.

The event featured presentations by experts and senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate

Change, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) as well as the Ministry of Power and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The programme commenced with a presentation on India's climate action and environmental sustainability initiatives.

The presentation highlighted India's achievements under its NDCs, carbon market mechanisms and major environmental and climate change initiatives.

It also underscored the principles of equity, Common but

Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), and multilateral cooperation that guide India's approach towards climate action and sustainable development. It was highlighted that India has been consistently achieving its climate commitments ahead of schedule.

As of March 2026, the share of non-fossil fuel-based installed electricity generation capacity had reached 53.21 per cent against the target of 50 per cent by 2030, thereby achieving

the target nearly five years in advance.

Similarly, India's emissions intensity of GDP declined by 37.38 per cent between 2005 and 2022, surpassing the NDC target of a 33–35 per cent reduction by 2030 well ahead of the stipulated timeline.

The session also highlighted India's evolving carbon market architecture and efforts to establish standards and certification frameworks in emerging renewable energy sectors.

Surat, June 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra

Iran to respond if Israel attacks Beirut, talks with US still ongoing: Araghchi

Tehran, June 4 (IANS) Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas

Araghchi has warned that Iran would respond if Israel attacks Beirut, saying Tehran has informed all parties that it will not tolerate an assault on the Lebanese capital and that such a move could trigger a return to war.

In an interview broadcast by Lebanese broadcaster Al Mayadeen on Wednesday (local time), Araghchi said Iran's armed forces are prepared to respond and remain ready to strike Israel if Beirut comes under attack.

Araghchi accused Israel of violating the ceasefire in both Iran and

Lebanon in recent days, adding that Iran considers the fate of Lebanon and Iran inseparable in the current conflict, and that any ceasefire or settlement must encompass both countries, reports Xinhua news agency.

He said communications between Tehran and Washington have continued through exchanged messages, though no major progress has been made.

He added that both sides are reviewing texts that have been exchanged and working toward a final formulation.

He reiterated that Iran seeks "peace and security based on dignity and honour" and does not seek war, stressing that Tehran has responded positively to requests for negotiations. However, he said Iran's armed forces are ready to resume military operations at any moment and possess the capability to sustain a long war.

Iran and the United States have,

over the past weeks, reportedly exchanged several proposed plans outlining conditions for peace through Pakistan's mediation, and are working to finalise a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war.

However, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Monday that Tehran had halted the exchange of messages with Washington via mediation in protest against Israel's latest actions in Lebanon. Hours later, US President Donald Trump denied the report, saying US-Iran talks "are continuing at a rapid pace."

Earlier on Wednesday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had carried out missile and drone attacks on US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, in retaliation for the overnight US attack on an IRGC communications tower on Iran's southern Qeshm Island.

Qatar condemns Iranian attacks on civilian targets in Bahrain, Kuwait

Doha, June 3 (IANS) Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday condemned Iranian attacks on civilian targets in Bahrain and Kuwait, including the attack on Kuwait International Airport, terming them as a "grave violation" of the sovereignty of both countries. The ministry expressed Qatar's rejection of targeting civilian targets and infrastructure and stressed the need to protect from the consequences of unprovoked attacks and de-escalating tensions to restore regional and global security and stability.

In a statement on X, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "The State of Qatar

strongly condemns the Iranian attacks on civilian targets in the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bahrain, including the attack on Kuwait International Airport, which resulted in significant damage to several of its facilities and injuries. The State considers these attacks a grave violation of the sovereignty of both countries and a blatant breach of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, as well as the principles of international humanitarian law, specifically the principle of distinction, the prohibition against targeting civilians and civilian targets in armed conflicts, and the prohibition against indiscriminate attacks."

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms the State of Qatar's complete rejection of targeting civilian targets and vital infrastructure, emphasizing the necessity of shielding the region from the consequences

of unprovoked attacks and de-escalating tensions to restore regional and global security and stability," it added.

The ministry reiterated Qatar's solidarity with Kuwait and Bahrain and its support for all measures they take to protect their sovereignty and security. The ministry prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the attack.

Earlier in the day, the Kuwait Army said that several Iranian drones targeted the passenger building (T1) at Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday, leaving dozens injured and causing damage to the building.

In a statement, Kuwait's Ministry of Defence official spokesman Brigadier General Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi stated that armed forces are monitoring the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities and expressed readiness to deal with any developments.

Trump says Iran threat largely neutralised

Washington, June 8 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said that Iran's military capabilities have been severely degraded and insisted the conflict would not become an "endless war", arguing that the United States is close to either securing a nuclear agreement with Tehran or achieving its objectives through military means.

In an interview with NBC's Meet the Press, Trump said Iran retains only a fraction of its missile

arsenal and maintained that the threat posed by the country has been significantly reduced after months of US military action.

"I would say, percentage-wise, maybe 21, 22 per cent of their missiles. It's a lot of missiles.

But it's not what it was when we first attacked," Trump said when asked about Iran's remaining military capability.

Pressed on whether the United States risks becoming trapped in another prolonged Middle East conflict, Trump rejected the comparison and said the campaign against Iran bears little resemblance to previous US wars in the region.

"I don't like these endless wars. This is not an endless war," he said.

The interview came as the conflict reached its 100-day mark, with questions mounting over the administration's long-term

Israel strikes Hezbollah HQ in Beirut in retaliatory firing

Jerusalem, June 7 (IANS) The Israel Defense Force (IDF) on Sunday struck a 'terrorist headquarters' in the Dahieh district of Beirut, in response to Hezbollah's firing at Israeli territory.

"In accordance with the directive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, the IDF has just struck terrorist headquarters in the Dahieh district of Beirut, in response to Hezbollah's firing at Israeli territory," the Israeli Prime Minister's office said on social media platform X.

The Israeli military also warned the residents of the city of Tyre to evacuate their homes and move north of the Zahrani River.

"In light of the terrorist Hezbollah party breaching the ceasefire agreement, the Defence Army is compelled to act against it forcefully. The Defence Army does not intend to harm you," an IDF spokesperson said on X.

"We are addressing specifically those present in the city of Tyre and the camps: Al-Bass and Zakuk Al-Mufdi. Everyone present near Hezbollah elements, their facilities, and their combat means is endangering their life!" he added.

On Friday, the IDF said that it

detected surface-to-air missile launches by Hezbollah, targeting Israeli Air Force aircraft.

The IDF added that the incident concluded with no injuries or damage to the aircraft.

The launch activated air raid sirens in the city of Kiryat Shmona and eight villages in northeast Israel, close to the Lebanese border, sending thousands of residents rushing to shelters.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States has been in direct contact with Hezbollah as part of efforts to stabilise Lebanon and reduce tensions across the Middle East, offering a rare public acknowledgement of engagement with the Iran-backed group.

Trump told a reporter at the White House that progress had been made in discussions aimed at reducing violence in Lebanon, which he described as closely linked to broader regional developments involving Iran. The comments came after a reporter noted that Hezbollah had reportedly rejected a US-backed peace proposal in Lebanon and asked about the status of negotiations.

"Yeah, what does reject mean? They didn't reject," Trump said.

The US President then disclosed direct communication between Washington and Hezbollah.

"Look, they're looking. I think Hezbollah -- I will tell you, they called us and they said, how about stopping?" Trump said.

"And I think you're going to see things happen over there."

Iran launches missiles at Israel for first time since April ceasefire

Jerusalem/Tehran, June 8 (IANS)

Iran on Sunday evening launched several waves of missiles against Israel and warned the latter not to retaliate, in the first such strikes since a ceasefire was reached in April.

strategy and prospects for a negotiated settlement.

Trump argued that US military operations had already achieved major objectives.

"We have totally destroyed their military," he said, adding that most of Iran's drone factories, launch sites and missile production facilities had been knocked out.

The President also claimed the United States had effectively eliminated Iran's ability to quickly rebuild its military infrastructure.

"It'll take them 15 or 20 years to rebuild back," Trump said. "But I'm not going to give them even that chance."

Throughout the interview, Trump repeatedly returned to what he described as the central objective of the campaign: preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

The missiles triggered sirens across northern Israel. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said the military "will strike the enemy with determination as soon as the order is given."

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps confirmed in a statement that it targeted Israel's Ramat David Airbase with ballistic missiles in response to its "widespread crimes" in Lebanon. According to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, Chief Commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Ali Abdollahi said Sunday night that if Israel expands its attacks on southern Lebanon and the Dahieh district south of Beirut, or responds to Iran's actions, it will face more "crushing and regret-inducing blows."

In a statement released in the wee hours of Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry said that the Iranian armed forces struck a

number of targets inside Israel the night before within the framework of the country's legitimate right to self-defense, following Israel's repeated "aggressive actions" against Lebanon and Iran and frequent violations of the April ceasefire, Xinhua news agency reported.

IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said that Iran has made "a grave mistake" by firing missiles at Israel, adding that the military is prepared for more possible missiles.

Following the Iranian attacks, Israel's Home Front Command tightened civil defense restrictions across the country, banning gatherings of more than 200 people in open areas.

Indoor gatherings are limited to up to 500 people in venues with a standard protected space, while schools and beaches are also closed, it said, noting that the instructions took effect immediately.

Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories announced later that several crossings into Gaza have been closed until further notice following the Iranian missile attacks.

Also on Sunday evening, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi discussed the latest developments in the region with his counterparts in Britain, France, and Türkiye, as well as with Qatar's leader and Pakistani mediators, according to Iran's IRNA news agency.

Riley Barnes (5th from R), assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor (DRL), and Julie Turner (4th from L), acting deputy assistant secretary of state for DRL, along with other U.S. officials, pose for a photo during their visit to Segero Church in Busan, led by Pastor Son Hyun-bo (5th from L), on June 7, 2026,

Indian NDC delegation visits Royal Thai Marine Corps Headquarters, discusses bilateral naval engagements,

Xi arrives in North Korea on first visit in 7 years

Nakuru: A view of Utumishi Girls Academy after a fire broke out at the school dormitory in Gilgil, Nakuru County, Kenya, on Thursday, May 28, 2026. At least 16 students were killed and over 70 injured in the incident.

India reiterates travel advisory for Iran, urges nationals to avoid travel and leave country

This image, posted on June 6, 2026, shows Indian Army officer Major Abhilasha Barak, who is serving as an Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Abu Dhabi: Brahmavihari Swami receives the Tolerance Award 2026 on behalf of the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi during the 3rd International Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance Conference (IDCT 2026) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday, June 04, 2026.

Northern Israel: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits troops of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) 36th Division near the Lebanon border on Friday, May 29, 2026.

New Delhi: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor meets Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra in New Delhi on Thursday, June 04, 2026.

Oxford: Chief Justice of India Justice B.R. Gavai poses for a photograph with students during an event organised by the Oxford Law Society and the Oxford Union at Oxford University, in Oxford on Sunday, June 07, 2026.

Budapest: Members of PSG celebrate their victory during the awarding ceremony after the UEFA Champions League final match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal in Budapest, Hungary, May 30, 2026.

Houthis express support for Iranian attack on Israel, warn against escalation

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump during a welcome ceremony hosted for the latter in Beijing on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

DR Congo’s Ebola cases hit 363, as Uganda reports four recoveries

Kinshasa,

June 4 (IANS)

Confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have risen to 363, including 62 deaths, according to figures released by the DRC government, while Uganda on Thursday reported four recoveries.

The latest developments were discussed on Thursday during an online press briefing organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, which brought together senior WHO officials and government representatives from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, was declared in the DRC and Uganda on May 15. The WHO later designated it a public health emergency of international concern, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The virus initially moved ahead of us. But we are catching up.

We are already seeing progress,"

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, addressed the briefing.

Janabi said six patients had been successfully treated and discharged in the DRC, while recoveries had also been recorded in Uganda.

Uganda's Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Diana Atwine said the country had so far confirmed 15 Ebola cases, including 11 imported cases and four infections among health

workers who treated the first patient. "Out of those, we have also discharged four."

All the patients who later tested positive had already been placed in quarantine as identified contacts, allowing health authorities to monitor them before and after diagnosis, Atwine said.

Uganda has monitored 620 contacts, of whom 270 have completed the required 21-day observation period and been discharged from follow-up, while the remainder are still under monitoring, she said.

The country has strengthened its contact tracing, laboratory testing and emergency response systems through previous Ebola outbreaks, Atwine said, adding that laboratory results could be obtained within about four hours.

Measles outbreak in Bangladesh claims five more lives; death toll rises to 610

Dhaka, June 5 (IANS) At least five more children have died from the measles outbreak in Bangladesh on Friday, raising the total number of confirmed and suspected deaths to 610 since March 15 this year, amid an escalating health crisis in the country, local media reported.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the deaths were reported in the 24 hours leading up to Friday morning.

Among the latest fatalities, all were identified as suspected measles deaths, Bangladeshi media outlet UNB reported.

Reports suggest that while the number of confirmed deaths remained at 91, the total number of suspected deaths climbed to 519.

The DGHS also recorded 1,168

new suspected cases over the last 24 hours, increasing the total to 76,876.

Additionally, 243 new confirmed cases were reported, taking the total tally of confirmed cases to 9,503 during the same period.

According to an editorial in Bangladesh’s Daily Star newspaper, the country is facing a disturbing rise in measles infections with increasing complications and mortality among children.

It added that the outbreak has placed significant pressure on healthcare facilities nationwide, particularly in pediatric ICU support, isolation wards, ventilatory care, and infection-control systems.

Meanwhile, expressing grave concern over the worsening measles outbreak across the country, the Awami League said that the crisis was not a “natural disaster” but a “man-made failure of governance” that began during the tenure of the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration and

has continued under the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government.

The Awami League alleged that the roots of this tragedy lie in “catastrophic decisions” taken during the interim government.

In September 2025, under the interim regime, officials reportedly abandoned the reliable vaccine procurement system through the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and switched to a “cumbersome” open tender process, despite repeated warnings from UNICEF, including multiple formal letters and high-level meetings.

“The outcome was predictable and devastating: a massive immunity gap among millions of children, particularly those under five, who now constitute the vast majority of victims. Independent investigations have rightly described this as a 'man-made massacre' rooted in administrative arrogance and incompetence,” the Awami League stated.

US steps up Ebola fight in Africa

Washington, June 3 (IANS) The United States has expanded its response to the Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa, announcing more than $162 million in assistance and a series of measures aimed at containing the disease while preventing its spread to the United States.

In an update issued on Wednesday, the US State Department said it was working closely with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, to mount what it described as a "rapid and comprehensive response" to the outbreak.

"The Department's highest priority remains protecting the health

of the American people and preventing this Ebola outbreak from reaching our shores," the State Department said.

As part of that effort, the Department, in coordination with the CDC and other US agencies, has issued guidance outlining a voluntary process for assisting US citizens who may have been exposed to Ebola or who seek help departing the DRC, South Sudan or Uganda during the outbreak.

The Department said US citizens would continue to be subject to relevant health, travel and screening requirements imposed by US and foreign authorities.

Americans in the region were also urged to enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive location-specific updates.

Beyond measures aimed at protecting US citizens, Washington said it was significantly

WHO chief says Ebola response in DR Congo catching up

Geneva, June 4 (IANS) The World Health Organization (WHO) said at a press conference in Geneva that with concerted efforts and coordination, the response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is catching up.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who just returned from a visit to the DRC, said on Wednesday (local time) that he was very encouraged by the level of commitment he saw in the country. "What I saw gave me hope, although challenges remain."

Tedros said that in the DRC, 344 cases have been confirmed, including 60 deaths, in 24 health zones across three provinces, while the number of suspected cases has been reduced to 116 from over 1,000 last week, reports Xinhua news agency. Tedros said WHO's risk assessment remains unchanged: very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level. "The outbreak had a big head start, and we're still behind, but under the leadership of the Government of DRC, we are catching up," he said. Nonetheless, Tedros noted several challenges, which include scaling up laboratory and diagnostic capacity to reduce delays in case confirmation and support faster response decisions, contact tracing in the DRC, travel restrictions that are disrupting supply chains and

hindering the response, community mistrust, and the fact that there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific therapeutics for the Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain.

Meanwhile, a patient infected with Ebola virus disease was discharged on Wednesday in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), after being declared recovered by medical teams. The recovery brought relief to the patient's family, who said they had gone through days of anxiety and uncertainty.

"We are very happy. Her illness worried us deeply. Since she was hospitalised, none of us could go to work. We were all anxious," said Kavira Kazadi, a family member of the patient.

The DRC government said on Tuesday that, as of Monday, six patients have recovered from Ebola, with 344 confirmed cases, including 60 deaths. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders said on Monday that the Ebola response in North Kivu is being organised around systems already put in place during previous epidemics. In Goma, an Ebola treatment centre with 80 beds has been set up, and the first patients have been admitted, according to the organisation. Goma, a major city in eastern DRC, has been under the control of the March 23 Movement rebel group since early 2025.

Ebola risk upgraded to ‘very high’ in Congo: WHO chief

Addis Ababa, May 22 (IANS) The public health risk from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been upgraded from high to very high, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

increasing support for affected countries.

According to the update, US foreign assistance commitments related to the Ebola response now exceed $162 million. The funding has helped establish six dedicated Ebola response facilities and supports dozens of health clinics involved in screening, transportation and treatment efforts.

The State Department said USfunded programmes were active across several fronts, including border screening, laboratory testing, community outreach and food assistance.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), supported by US funding, has established health screening and surveillance operations at border crossings and control points in Burundi, the DRC, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda.

"We are revising our risk assessment of Ebola to very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at global level," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference.

Meanwhile, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) called for enhanced solidarity to rapidly contain the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, Xinhua News Agency reported.

In a statement released on Thursday, the African Union's specialised healthcare agency stressed that containing outbreaks "requires speed, coordination, and sustained support for the frontline responders and communities bearing the greatest burden."

The agency further announced that it has committed an immediate financial support of 1 million U.S. dollars to strengthen emergency operations and deployed an eight-member multidisciplinary team to Bunia

in the DRC's Ituri Province. Urging for robust African solidarity in action, the agency welcomed South Africa's contribution of 2.5 million US dollars to support Ebola response efforts. It also recognized the dedication of frontline health workers for their "commitment to ending the outbreak and protecting communities."

Meanwhile, the agency announced that, at the request of the Ugandan government, it is convening a high-level cross-border coordination meeting from Friday to Saturday, bringing together Uganda, the DRC, and South Sudan to strengthen regional preparedness and response.

According to the figures released Thursday by DRC Health Minister Roger Kamba, 626 suspected cases and 159 probable deaths have been recorded since the country declared its 17th outbreak on May 15.

The outbreak, initially reported in Ituri Province, has now affected North Kivu and South Kivu, while two confirmed cases have also been reported in the neighboring country of Uganda. Ebola virus is highly contagious and can cause symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, generalized pain or malaise, and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding. According to the World Health Organization, Ebola fatality rates range from 50 percent to 89 percent, depending on the viral subtype.

Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman pull off a ‘shoey’, sip beer from a shoe

Hugh shared a reel video, where he first drank out of a sneaker and Ryan followed suit in an outdoor setting with members of their team saying “Chug”. The clip concluded with Hugh saying, “Drink responsibly”, which was

marked by laughter.

Hugh captioned the post: “I would say it’s been a good 35 years since my last shoey!!!”

A "shoey" is often performed as a symbol of triumph or camaraderie.

Talking about Deadpool & Wolverine, the film is the 34th part in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the sequel to Deadpool and Deadpool 2. The film was directed by Shawn Levy. It stars Hugh and Ryan alongside Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Aaron Stanford, and Matthew Macfadyen.

In the film, Deadpool works with a reluctant Wolverine from another universe to stop the Time Variance Authority (TVA) from destroying his own universe.

Deadpool was first released in 2016. It is based on the Marvel Comics character Wade Wilson/ Deadpool and directed by Tim Miller. It is a spin-off of the X-Men film series and the eighth installment overall. Ryan Reynolds stars as the titular character, alongside Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano, and Brianna Hildebrand. In the film, Wade Wilson hunts the man who gave him mutant abilities and left him scarred, becoming the anti-hero Deadpool. The second installment was released in 2018, and it followed the titular character, who forms the X-Force to protect a young mutant from the time-traveling soldier Cable.

Sydney Sweeney insisted ‘Euphoria’ to keep her steamy scenes in the show

Glen Powell speaks about weird encounter with fan who eats photos of his face

Hollywood actor Glen Powell has shared a disturbing encounter he had with a woman who eats pictures of his face.

The 37-year-old actor was stunned to learn about the antics of TikTok creator @mynameismonique, who has vowed to munch on pictures of him every day until she is cast in one of his films or TV shows as an extra, and couldn't believe such a "liability" had found her way onto the red carpet for the premiere of his movie ‘The Running Man’, reports ‘Female First UK’.

know this was a thing until it was described to me while I was on the red carpet. They’re like, 'Hey, the girl that eats your face is on the red carpet’. I go, 'What are you talking about?'”.

Zach asked, "How did she get red carpet access?!" Glen replied, "That’s what I was like. 'Guys, come on, this is a real liability’”. As per ‘Female First UK’, and that wasn't the Chad Powers star's only unsettling experience with a fan.

Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney was very clear in her head about her ‘Euphoria’ character, and knew her world at the back of your hand. The actress was determined to keep her NSFW scenes in the third and final season of the superhit series ‘Euphoria’, reports ‘People’ magazine. Creator Sam Levinson recently made the revelation. ‘Euphoria’ ended on May 31, after a season in which Sydney Sweeney's character, Cassie, became an OnlyFans model in order to save money for her dream wedding to Nate (played by Jacob Elordi). Throughout the season, Sweeney featured in multiple nude scenes, which have caused controversy in some quarters, but they almost didn't happen. Sam Levinson told ‘The New York Times’, "Well, it's funny. When I first wrote it, I was like, ‘Maybe we shoot all of this, and we don't have any nudity. Maybe there's ways to shoot around certain things?'”. He explained that the actress told him, "Are you kidding? I'm playing an OnlyFans model. You're telling me you're going to, like, skirt around it?" Levinson said, "I was like, ‘Yeah, OK, that's a fair point’”.As per ‘People’, he called the actress "totally fearless" and "won- derfully profes- sional".

He added, "Look, we're tackling this world of OnlyFans where women are being paid to, like, whisper into an ear-shaped microphone. There is a level of absurdity to it that is just fun and we're always trying to come up with ways to make it feel authentic and humorous and dramatic and also speak to the larger wants and wishes of the character”. Levinson added that Cassie's OnlyFans storyline made sense for her character, who "just wants to be loved" and "adored”.

He said, "It feels to me like the natural progression of social media, whether it's Instagram or any of these things, you're the product, you're the brand. It's based around external validation”.

The actor told fellow actors Harrison Ford, Riz Ahmed, Owen Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Zach Braff on The Hollywood Reporter roundtable, "There’s a woman in London who has been printing out pictures of my face for the last 80 days and has eaten my face every day. Literally will eat my face until I give her a role in a movie”. He further mentioned, “I didn’t

He said, "I did have somebody ask me to sign a photo that was like a family photo that there’s no way they would have access to. So, I’m sitting there like, “Where did you get that?”. Riz said, "That’s scary”. Owen added, "Whoa, you’ve had some really chilling encounters”. Elsewhere during the discussion, Glen opened up about how freeing it was to go out in public wearing his Chad Powers prosthetics, but insisted it won't become a "lifestyle" for him.

Jason Sudeikis: ‘I like being in relation to people’

Actor-filmmaker Jason

Sudeikis says he finds the idea of dating "daunting and overwhelming", particularly because he needs to consider the needs of his children.

The 50-year-old actor split from fiancee Olivia Wilde in 2020 after a seven-year engagement, He also has son Otis, 12, and daughter Daisy, nine, with his former partner, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Speaking to Benny Blanco, Lil Dicky and Kristin Batalucco on the Friends Keep Secrets podcast, Sudeikis was asked if

he was a "single man" and, after confirming he is, added: “I like being in relation to people.

“I'm not at a point in my life where, you know, where it feels good or fulfilling to date numerous people all at once.

Yeah, that feels daunting and overwhelming, especially with being a parent.”

Sudeikis knows any potential new partner will always come second to his children.

He said: “There's also a new thing of anybody I'm dating that they are never number one on the call sheet, as the showbiz saying would go, like the kids are.

“Even probably more so than myself. And so then there's that little bit as you get older, you're like, ‘Oh God, I got to make sure my cup's full in order for other people to get the overflow.’ ”

The Horrible Bosses actor is open to settling down and having more children in the future.

Asked if he wants more kids, he replied: “I would if, yeah, if I fell in love."

Ryan Reynolds joined his “Deadpool & Wolverine” co-star Ryan Reynolds in embracing the popular Australian celebratory tradition “shoey”, where they drank beer from a shoe.

Charli XCX reveals she sleeps in her make-up

She told Coveteur.com, "I just like the things that come to me naturally. I've always just loved a black eye. Sometimes I sleep in it and I wake up and I still have the black eye”.

She further mentioned, “I actually feel like it looks better the next day. If you've been out partying and then you come home and you take it off but you leave a little bit on. I feel like it always creates really nice lines and shadows the next day”. She went on to share more beauty tips, revealing she often depends on multi-use products, explaining, "A lip on the go is the best kind of a lip. Also (choosing) products that you can use multiple ways. A blush you can use as eyeshadow or lip you can use as blush”.

As per ‘Female First UK’, Charli shared more of her top beauty tips in an interview with W magazine, revealing she likes to put hairspray on her eyebrows to help keep them tidy. She said, "Sometimes I'll hairspray my brows, which I think is a really good one. It's probably not very good for you, but they really stay. And I guess I still don't know how to curl my eyelashes with an eyelash curler, so hopefully one day I'll learn how to do that”.

Olivia Rodrigo recollects her wild night out with Charli xcx

Singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo once had a wild night out with "the ultimate party girl", Charli xcx, and has now shared the details of the same.

The singer once found herself at what she thinks was a rave with the ‘365’ singer, and was completely out of her depth, reports ‘Female First UK’. Speaking on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge this week, the singer laughed as she recalled the surreal evening with the 33-yearold raver.

She said, “I actually went to a rave with her, I don’t even know if it’s a rave. I’m not like a party girl, she’s the ultimate party girl, obviously. I was a little out of my element, but I had the best time, and she was very lovely”.

As per ‘Female First UK’, Olivia

was on the show to perform a stripped-back cover of CMAT’s When A Good Man Cries, which she put together with her father.

She said, “I think that song is epic, and me and my dad had so much fun putting it together. It’s kind of twangy and country, and the lyrics are super, super awesome and unique”.

The 23-year-old pop star is currently in the middle of her world tour, and she used the appearance to shout out her support acts, Wolf Alice and The Last Dinner Party, two bands she says she feels lucky to share a bill with.

She said, “I think that they’re amazing, and all of them are kind of my friends too. I think they’re really incredible girls, and I just love surrounding myself with

Mick Jagger to star in ‘Three Incestuous Sisters’ alongside Josh O’Connor, Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley

The Rolling Stones legend Mick Jagger is set to share the screen with Dakota Johnson, Josh O’Connor, Saoirse Ronan, Jessie Buckley and Isabella Rossellini in the upcoming film helmed by Italian director Alice Rohrwacher.

The film is a screen adaptation of U.S. author Audrey Niffenegger’s novel ‘Three Incestuous Sisters’, reports ‘Variety’.

The Rolling Stones frontman touched down in a helicopter earlier this week on the volcanic island of Stromboli, off the coast of Sicily, where Rohrwacher’s gothic drama is shooting, according to an inside source who confirmed Italian press reports.

musicians who inspire me, and all of those artists totally inspire me and push me to want to be better”.

Meanwhile, Olivia recently admitted she wants to prove she doesn't "have to be miserable" to write a good song.

As per ‘Variety’, he is staying in a villa on the island where Isabella Rossellini’s father, Roberto Rossellini, famously began his scandalous affair with her mother Ingrid Bergman on the set of his film by the same title in 1949.

As per ‘Variety’, ‘Three Incestuous Sisters’ marks the first English-language feature by

Rohrwacher who is a two-time Cannes prizewinner with ‘The Wonders’ and ‘Happy as Lazzaro’. The film is based on Niffenegger’s illustrated gothic novel about three sisters living in isolation, whose relationship is disrupted by the arrival of a lighthouse keeper’s son. Other plot details are being kept under wraps.

Mick Jagger’s standout acting roles comprise his debut in Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg’s ‘Performance’, in which he toyed with his public persona playing a burned-out, decadent rock star; a ruthless corporate mercenary in Geoff Murphy’s 1992 sci-fi flop ‘Freejack’, which is now a cult-classic, a drag queen in Sean Mathias’s 2015 ‘Bent’, a jaded business exec running an escort agency in George Hickenlooper’s ‘The Man From Elysian Fields’, and, more recently, a reclusive art collector in Italian director Giuseppe Capotondi’s 2019 noir ‘The Burnt Orange Heresy’ that bowed from Venice.

Jennifer Aniston makes rare comment on ex-husband Brad Pitt 2 decade after divorce

Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston has spoken up about her ex-husband Brad Pitt 20 years after they parted ways.

The actress made a rare comment on the ‘Fight Club’ actor. Speaking to Lisa Kudrow, the ‘Friends’ actress opened up about working with her former partner, reports ‘Mirror.co.uk’.

Both Jennifer and Lisa starred on the hit sitcom together from 1994 to 2004. The pair played two of the core six main characters,

Rachel and Phoebe, and were joined by many famous co-stars, including Brad, who was in a Thanksgiving episode.

As per ‘Mirror.co.uk’, in the episode, he played Will, a former classmate of Ross (played by David Schwimmer), Monica (played by Courtney Cox) and Rachel. He and Ross had formed an "I hate Rachel Green" club, which she only discovered after he joined them for Thanksgiving dinner.

Rami Malek was reluctant to work in gay drama ‘The Man I Love’

Hollywood actor Rami Malek wanted to collaborate with Ira Sachs for some time. The actor even went as far as asking his representatives to get him a meeting with the filmmaker. However, when he got the script for Sachs’ next movie, ‘The Man I Love’, about a New York theater performer navigating life, love and his devotion to his art after being diagnosed with AIDS, Malek admits he hesitated at first, because he was fresh from his Oscar-winning portrayal of Freddie Mercury in ‘Bohemian

Rhapsody’, reports ‘Variety’. “When I read the script, I said, ‘I can’t do this. There’s too many similarities. It could be problematic’”,the actor said at a press conference following the film’s world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. He continued, “There was a certain sense of fear. I started to really think about what I was afraid of. Was it the similarities? Was it the singing? Was it what was going on in the period? I knew I had to address the fear. If there’s anything Freddie taught

me, it was [to] address the fear”. As per ‘Variety’, the actor contemplated what to do but, he kept in mind that Sachs “makes unique cinema unlike any other”.

British actress-singer Charli XCX’s night time skincare routine is the absence of it. The actress-singer has shared that she sleeps in her make-up. The actress-singer, 33, has

confessed she doesn't bother washing her face thoroughly at night because she thinks her make-up "actually looks better" when she wakes up the next day, reports ‘Female First UK’.