11:00a.m. The Prime Minister will meet with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, and the Chief Executive Officer of Cohere, Aidan Gomez.
Third Floor Foyer West Block Parliament Hill
Note for media:
Pooled photo opportunity
11:15a.m. The Prime Minister will meet with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer.
Third Floor West Block Parliament Hill
Note for media:
1:00p.m. The Prime Minister will depart for Calgary, Alberta.
Note for media:
Open coverage
Calgary, Alberta
3:30p.m. The Prime Minister will arrive in Calgary, Alberta.
Note for media:
4:30p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese.
Note for media:
5:15p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with thePresident of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Note for media:
Kananaskis, Alberta
7:30p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with representatives of the Treaty 7 First Nations.
Closed to media
8:30p.m. The Prime Minister will meet with the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has assured the public that the provincial government remains committed to ensuring fairness in both hiring and procurement processes in public infrastructure projects.
This comes after concerns raised by local businesses about the perceived exclusion of a preferential procurement clause in the hiring of workers for the rehabilitation works along the Golden Highway (R553) project, amongst others.
The grievances sparked protest action, which temporarily halted construction activities last week.
LoneRock Construction, the main contractor, has since resumed attending to a set of demands by local, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs). The main contractor has since responded positively to their demands.
These latest developments has led to the resumption of roadworks.
“We recognise the frustrations of affected community members, particularly concerning access to employment and subcontracting opportunities in public infrastructure projects. It is for this reason that, upon being made aware of the challenges, we immediately intervened and held engagements with affected parties.
“As the Department of Roads and Transport, we would like to assure the public that we remain fully committed to the principles of inclusive economic transformation, community empowerment, and transparent procurement processes, in accordance with national legislation,” the MEC said on Friday.
Diale-Tlabela urged local businesses and community members to engage concerns through formal channels, including project steering committees, ward councillors, and the project liaison offices, to ensure grievances are addressed and amicable solutions sought.
She also condemned actions of those who disrupt construction sites with the aim to extort, intimidate, and cause violence.
“The department condemns any acts of violence, property damage, or obstruction of public roads and urges all affected parties to operate within the law as we work towards a solution that embodies fairness, transparency, and inclusivity.
“We remain open to engaging all stakeholders to strengthen our collective commitment to transformation, empowerment, and socio-economic development in the communities we serve,” the MEC emphasised.
Notwithstanding the delays, the MEC said the project should be delivered within budget and without unnecessary delays.
She reaffirmed the department’s responsibility to ensure that policies and practices align with legal and ethical standards of empowerment, equity, and social justice.
The department said it is currently reviewing the procurement and employment processes applied in the project in question in order to assess compliance with the legislative requirements.
“If any non-compliance is identified, the department will take corrective actions to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences,” the department said. –SAnews.gov.za
A UK Royal Air Force F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after reportedly running low on fuel during a routine mission over the Indian Ocean.
According to airport and defence sources, the fifth-generation stealth aircraft was operating from a British aircraft carrier deployed in the Indian Ocean region when it experienced difficulty in landing back on the vessel on Saturday night.
Multiple attempts were made by the pilot to land on the carrier, but rough sea conditions and turbulent winds rendered it unsafe for touchdown.
Faced with rapidly depleting fuel levels, the pilot contacted Indian air traffic controllers and sought emergency permission to land at the nearest civilian airfield.
The Thiruvananthapuram airport, located along the southern coast of Kerala, was identified as the most viable option.
Upon receiving the distress communication, airport authorities immediately declared a full-scale emergency as per protocol and activated all standard operating procedures to ensure a safe landing.
Fire and rescue teams, along with medical units, were kept on standby, while one of the runways was cleared for exclusive use by the fighter aircraft.
The F-35 successfully landed at the airport at around 9.30 p.m., drawing attention from aviation staff and security personnel due to the rarity of such high-profile military aircraft using a civilian airport.
Officials confirmed that the aircraft was not armed and did not pose any security risk.
Indian Air Force (IAF) and civil aviation authorities were quickly informed and coordinated ground arrangements, including refuelling and security clearance.
Sources added that a team of UK defence personnel stationed on board the aircraft carrier had been in constant touch with both Indian authorities and the pilot throughout the ordeal.
After refuelling, the aircraft is expected to return to its carrier once sea conditions permit.
The incident marks a rare instance of a foreign military jet making an emergency landing on Indian soil during peacetime.
It also highlights the close coordination between Indian aviation authorities and foreign defence forces operating in the region.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhua) — The People’s Liberation Army’s Southern Zone Combat Command (SZCC) conducted combined patrols of the maritime area and airspace in the South China Sea on Saturday, a SZCC spokesman said Sunday, noting that China’s armed forces are on high alert for any destabilizing action in the region. -0-
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
CHANGCHUN, June 15 (Xinhua) — The opening ceremony of a series of cultural exchange events between Chinese and Russian youth titled “Feel Jilin – Youth with Us” was held in Changchun, capital of northeast China’s Jilin Province, on Saturday.
Around 200 Chinese and Russian teenagers attended the ceremony, which included a rich cultural immersion program and created a platform for communication between young people from the two countries.
At the ceremony, Chinese and Russian youth were introduced to traditional Chinese culture together, and a documentary about Jilin Province was shown.
Deputy Director of the Jilin Provincial Department of International Cooperation Zhao Shuxin noted that cooperation between Jilin Province and Russia in the fields of economy, trade, logistics, tourism and culture, etc. is becoming closer and yielding fruitful results.
“Youth is the future of the country and the hope of the nation,” he said, expressing hope that young people from both countries will grow together and form strong friendships during these events.
It should be recalled that in the coming months, various events will be held in various cities of the two countries, including wushu exchanges, an international youth football match in Hunchun, as well as photo expeditions for the media of China and Russia. -0-
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has issued a final call to South Africa’s creative community, including artists, industry bodies, and cultural organisations, to submit their most outstanding work for consideration in the 2025 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA).
The closing date for submissions is 20 June 2025.
Now in its second year, the NACA Awards, previously known as the Cultural and Creative Industry Awards, shine a national spotlight on the creators, innovators, and visionaries who push boundaries and shape South Africa’s cultural identity.
Whether you work as a filmmaker, dancer, designer, curator, musician, writer, or performer, this is your stage.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said the NACA Awards are more than recognition, “they are a reflection of who we are as a people.”
“We urge the sector to submit their finest work, not just to compete, but to inspire. Share your most thoughtful, impactful, and meaningful creations, works that capture the spirit of our nation and contribute to South Africa’s creative landscape.
“If you’ve been waiting for the right moment, this is your time to share your brilliance with the country,” McKenzie said.
The 2025 NACA Awards will feature 30 honours across six major categories, and these include:
Heritage Sites
Visual Arts and Crafts
Literary Works
Audio Visual and Interactive Media
Design and Creative Services
Performing Arts
In addition, the Ministerial (Discretionary) Awards will be conferred at the Minister’s discretion and do not require nominations.
Key eligibility criteria are as follows:
Open to South African citizens, permanent residents, and locally owned entities
Works must be professional and have been created or released between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025
Entries must be submitted online at www.naca.dsac.gov.za. Each submission should include all required documentation and media samples. Incomplete entries will not be considered.-SAnews.gov.za
As India prepares to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, Visakhapatnam — the national host city for this year’s celebrations — witnessed a high-level review and field inspection by senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush and the Andhra Pradesh government.
The review was led by Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha and Andhra Pradesh Special Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand, along with key officials, including Joint Secretary Monalisa Dash and District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad. The delegation visited major venues like RK Beach, Rishikonda Beach, Andhra University, and GITAM University, which will host yoga demonstrations and related cultural and wellness events.
Officials held detailed discussions on inter-departmental coordination, public mobilization, infrastructure readiness, and safety protocols. The review emphasized ensuring a seamless and large-scale public participation in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of yoga as a mass, people-centric movement.
Central to Andhra Pradesh’s preparations is the ambitious “Yogandhra” initiative, which aims to integrate yoga into daily life for over two crore citizens. With plans to host IDY events at one lakh locations across the state and five lakh participants expected in Visakhapatnam alone, the state’s efforts were praised for their scale and inclusivity.
The Ayush Ministry commended Andhra Pradesh’s leadership, noting that the state’s grassroots-driven approach reflects the broader spirit of IDY 2025—promoting “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
BEIJING, June 15 — The Southern Theater Command (STC) of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea on June 14, said Air Force Senior Colonel Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the STC, on Sunday.
The spokesperson pointed out that the Philippines has been courting non-regional countries and organizations to conduct so-called “joint patrols”, which has raised security risks in the South China Sea and undermined regional peace and stability.
He stressed that the troops of Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command will remain on high alert to resolutely safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. “Any military activities that disrupt the South China Sea and create hotspots are all under control,” he added.
The Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Union Ministry of Rural Development, will launch the second batch of Phase 2 of the National Geospatial Knowledge-Based Land Survey of Urban Habitations (NAKSHA) Capacity Building Programme on Monday. The week-long training will be held across four National Centres of Excellence to enhance the skills of Urban Local Body (ULB) and district-level officers in modern land survey techniques.
The programme will be virtually inaugurated by DoLR Secretary Manoj Joshi at 10:00 A.M. A total of 128 officers from 74 ULBs have been nominated for this round of training, which will take place at Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA) Pune, Administrative Training Institute (ATI) Mysuru, Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) Chandigarh, and the Northeast Region Centre of Excellence (Guwahati).
This follows the successful completion of Phase 1 and the first batch of Phase 2, which together trained over 300 Master Trainers and ULB officers. The training will focus on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Electronic Total Station (ETS) based surveying, Web-Geographic Information System (GIS) applications, land parcel mapping, and the legal and administrative frameworks governing urban land records.
The NAKSHA programme is a technology-driven initiative aimed at modernising urban land records. Launched as a pilot in 157 ULBs across 27 States and 3 Union Territories, it is being implemented by DoLR in collaboration with the Survey of India, National Informatics Centre Services (NICSI), Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSeDC), and five Centres of Excellence.
A tragic helicopter crash in Uttarakhand on Sunday morning claimed seven lives, including an infant and the pilot. The helicopter operating on the Kedarnath–Guptkashi sector, is believed to have crashed near the Gaurikund area between 5:30 and 5:45 AM due to poor weather conditions.
The aircraft had taken off from Guptkashi at 5:10 AM, landed briefly at Kedarnath at 5:18 AM, and departed again at 5:19 AM. Preliminary findings suggest that the accident may have been caused by Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT), as the helicopter flew into an area with low visibility and heavy cloud cover. A detailed investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is underway.
Rescue operations are being carried out by NDRF and SDRF teams at the crash site. Following the incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a high-level emergency meeting with officials from the state government, DGCA, and Civil Aviation Ministry.
In response, Aryan Aviation’s operations for the Char Dham Yatra have been suspended immediately. Additionally, the licenses of two pilots from TransBharat Aviation, found flying in similarly unsuitable weather conditions, have been suspended for six months.
All helicopter operations in the region have been halted on June 15 and 16 as a precautionary measure. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has been directed to conduct a comprehensive safety review with all operators and establish a Command-and-Control Room for real-time monitoring of flights.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has emphasized that aviation safety is paramount, instructing DGCA to strictly enforce weather-related and operational protocols and ensure full compliance to prevent further tragedies.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
CAIRO, June 15 (Xinhua) — Egypt has postponed the long-awaited grand opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) due to the escalation of military confrontation between Israel and Iran, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference during a tour of the northern province of Beheira, Madbouly said the current regional climate was not conducive to hosting a major international event. The museum’s opening, originally scheduled for July 3, has now been postponed to the fourth quarter of this year.
“Tensions in the region could persist for several weeks,” Madbouly said. “We have concluded that the right decision is to postpone this major event so that it gains the right global momentum and takes place in the right atmosphere.”
He added that a new opening date will be announced depending on future developments in the region.
Madbouly also issued a stark warning about the wider implications of the Israeli-Iranian conflict, noting the growing risk of a wider confrontation in the Middle East.
Situated near the famous Giza pyramids and covering an area of almost 500,000 square meters, the Grand Egyptian Museum is considered the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilization. According to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, it will house some 57,000 artifacts. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
TEHRAN, June 15 (Xinhua) — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a “large-scale combined offensive operation” against Israel late on Saturday, using a large number of missiles and drones, the IRGC’s official Sepah News reported.
The IRGC’s aerospace unit carried out the attack, saying it was in response to Israel’s “repeated aggression” against Iran, Sepah reported.
A rocket hit a residential building in a northern community in Israel, killing one woman and wounding 13 others, the national emergency medical service Magen David Adom reported. Several others were moderately and lightly wounded, and four were treated for anxiety, the service said.
Earlier in the day, Magen David Adom reported that at least three people had been killed and 204 others wounded since the Iranian offensive began.
Following the latest wave of attacks, Israel’s Home Front Command advised residents outside Haifa and areas in the north of the country to leave bomb shelters but remain near secure areas.
The Israeli military said its air defense systems were actively intercepting incoming projectiles while Israeli Air Force units were striking military targets in Tehran.
Iran’s Oil Ministry confirmed that two oil depots in Tehran were damaged in the attacks. Residents reported two powerful explosions in the capital that were felt in both western and northern areas. The ministry said the situation was under control.
Meanwhile, Jordan temporarily closed its airspace late on Saturday as a precaution following a rocket attack from Iran. The country’s Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission said the move was taken to ensure the safety of civil aviation.
The Iranian offensive was in response to Israeli airstrikes early Friday in Tehran and several other cities. Iranian officials said the Israeli strikes killed several senior military commanders, nuclear scientists and dozens of civilians. –0–
His Majesty King Mohammed VI has sent a message of condolence and compassion to the President of the Republic of India, Droupadi Murmu, following the crash of an Air India plane which caused multiple casualties.
In this message, His Majesty the King says that He was deeply saddened by the news of the Air India passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad, in which many people unfortunately lost their lives.
On this sad occasion, the Sovereign expresses His heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to President Murmu, the grieving families and the people of India.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI has sent a congratulatory message to HM King Charles III, Sovereign of the United Kingdom, on his birthday.
In this message, the Sovereign expresses His warmest congratulations and His wishes of good health and happiness to HM King Charles III, Her Majesty Queen Camilla and all members of the Royal Family, and of further progress and prosperity to the British people.
“I should like to thank this opportunity to commend the special, long-standing relations enjoyed by our two countries. I am sure Your Majesty shares my strong desire to consolidate and expand our ties in all sectors, for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” HM the King writes.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated the Proteas on their historic victory in the International Cricket Council’s Test Championship, after five-wicket win over Australia at Lord’s, England, on Saturday.
South Africa beat Australia on the fourth day, through a superb team effort at the home of cricket.
“Your win is a major boost for cricket in South Africa, and you have inspired a new generation of cricketers. I call on the nation to come and greet the Cricket World Champions when they arrive back in the country this week,” the President said in a statement on Saturday.
The President described the win as being built around excellent performances by the batsmen in the second innings.
There was the brilliant batting by Aiden Markram who scored 136 and the captain, Temba Bavuma with his 66 runs.
Their match-winning partnership was pivotal in the team’s success.
The bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada, also kept the pressure on the Australian batsmen and never allowed them to dominate.
“Coach Shukri Conrad, captain Bavuma and the team have done South Africa proud. They started the match as underdogs but that indomitable spirit, that is a characteristic of our nation, carried the team through. The Proteas underlined the importance of being focussed on the field and triumphed,” the President said. –SAnews.gov.za
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, has welcomed the return of 249 South African troops who were deployed to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
The first group of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) heroes and heroines arrived at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria on Friday from Tanzania, following South Africa’s phased withdrawal from the regional peacekeeping mission.
“The idea of seeing our soldiers in good spirits and genuinely excited to be home not only speaks volumes of their unwavering patriotism but is also a powerful expression of their steadfast commitment to defend the territorial integrity of the Republic and support its people – a constitutional mandate every member of the South African National Defence Force lives and serves by,” Motshekga said.
The withdrawal of the soldiers was announced by the Minister in May, following a “high level consultation with several role-players in the peacekeeping efforts within the eastern DRC”.
Earlier this year, 14 troop members lost their lives and others sustained injuries during clashes with the M23 rebel group, as fighting in the Goma region escalated.
The rebel group fought intensely against the Congolese armed forces, resulting in the deaths of soldiers from 23 to 27 January 2025 during M23’s advance on Sake and Goma.
The South African soldiers were part of the SAMIDRC, which aims to help restore peace, security, and stability in Africa’s second-largest country.
Motshekga noted that part of the meticulous withdrawal process includes safe retrieval of all Prime Mission Equipment (PME), which is currently underway.
“As stated by the Chief of the SANDF during our last media briefing on this matter, we shall not leave even a pin behind. All necessary logistical support will continue until the withdrawal is fully completed.
“We are fully aware that half the work is done in terms Prime Mission Equipment movement, hence we are working around the clock with our counterparts in the region to ensure that the process runs expeditiously with minimal logistical risks,” the Minister said.
She assured the people of South Africa that government will continue to provide the latest developments as the process unfolds.
“Our main focus from now on is to prioritise their standard procedure of demobilisation. This will include crucial psychosocial sessions, after which they will return to their respective units and, thereafter, be reunited with their families,” the Minister said.
Motshekga reaffirmed South Africa’s continued commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Southern African region. –SAnews.gov.za
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
SUVA, Fiji (June 12, 2025) U.S. Navy Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, center, mission commander of Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25), and Lt. j.g. Derek Chipmon, left, medical planner of PP-25, sit down with Breakfast at Fiji One broadcast show host Mr. Tevita Nawadra for an interview in Suva, Fiji, June 12, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
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SUVA, Fiji (June 12, 2025) Lt. Corey Day, left, and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Mercedes Loor, both assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness Training Command, collect mosquito larvae for use in insecticide resistance testing in support of Dengue control efforts for the Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services in Suva, Fiji, June 12, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Courtesy Asset)
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
SUVA, Fiji (June 12, 2025) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Mercedes Loor, assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness Training Command, works with an environmental health officer from the Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services to collect mosquito larvae for use in insecticide resistance testing in support of Dengue control efforts in Suva, Fiji, June 12, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Courtesy Asset)
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
NADI, Fiji (June 11, 2025) U.S. Navy Musicians with the Pacific Fleet “Big Wave” Brass Band perform at St. Thomas High School during Pacific Partnership 2025 in Nadi, Fiji, June 11, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
NADI, Fiji (June 11, 2025) U.S. Navy Musicians with the Pacific Fleet “Big Wave” Brass Band perform at St. Thomas High School during Pacific Partnership 2025 in Nadi, Fiji, June 11, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
SUVA, Fiji (June 10, 2025) Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, right, mission commander of Pacific Partnership 2025, and Lt. j.g. Derek Chipmon, medical planner of PP-25, observe the live production process at Breakfast at Fiji One radio show in Suva, Fiji, June 10, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
SUVA, Fiji (June 10, 2025) Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, right, mission commander of Pacific Partnership 2025, and Lt. j.g. Derek Chipmon, medical planner of PP-25, observe the live production process at Breakfast at Fiji One radio show in Suva, Fiji, June 10, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday visited an exhibition of local handicrafts and handloom products by Self Help Groups (SHG) and local entrepreneurs of the Ladakh region.
She interacted with artisans, women-led SHGs and local entrepreneurs showcasing traditional crafts, handloom textiles and sustainable innovations at their stalls.
The Finance Minister appreciated the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of the artisans, highlighting their role in preserving cultural heritage and boosting rural livelihoods in the Union Territory.
The initiative is part of the Centre’s policy of inclusive development to empower women and local entrepreneurs and create more jobs.
The Finance Minister is on a four-day visit to Ladakh. She will chair a credit outreach programme emphasising the vital role of credit in promoting financial inclusion and economic development in the region.
Sitharaman is scheduled to interact with councillors of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and the Ladakh administration. She will also inaugurate various developmental projects during her tour.
The Modi government has succeeded in mobilising more than 10.04 crore women into over 90.76 lakh self-help groups (SHGs) nationwide to promote financial inclusion under the flagship Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) poverty alleviation scheme.
Over 52 crore loans worth Rs 32.61 lakh crore have been sanctioned under the PM Mudra Yojana for the poor, with the scheme having completed 10 years of its launch this year.
The scheme has led to the empowerment of women in small towns and villages, as nearly 70 per cent of Mudra loans have been availed by women entrepreneurs, enhancing their financial independence and contributing to gender equality.
In the last nine years, while per-woman PMMY disbursement amount increased by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13 per cent to Rs 62,679, the per-woman incremental deposits increased by a CAGR of 14 per cent to Rs 95,269, data compiled by the Finance Ministry shows.
The IMF has also lauded the PM Mudra Yojana (PMMY), with a report of the UN arm stating that the scheme, which extends collateral-free loans with a special focus on women’s entrepreneurship, has helped boost the number of women-owned MSMEs, which now stands at more than 2.8 million.
The report said that an enabling policy environment for entrepreneurship through various programs, such as the PMMY is contributing to increased self-employment and formalisation through credit.
Secretary for Transport ＆ Logistics Mable Chan will begin a two-day duty visit to Shanghai tomorrow to promote Hong Kong’s strengths in maritime services to the Mainland shipping sector.
During the visit, Ms Chan will also inspect an automated port terminal to explore collaboration opportunities, and meet local government officials to exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
Ms Chan will return to Hong Kong on Tuesday afternoon. During her absence, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau will be Acting Secretary for Transport & Logistics.
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
SUVA, Fiji – Pacific Partnership has returned to Fiji to conduct the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster response preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific region, June 8, 2025.
Pacific Partnership fosters collaboration to enhance natural disaster response preparedness and builds lasting relationships between Fiji, the United States, and participating nations. Engagements for this year’s iteration will occur in the cities of Suva and Nadi.
At Fiji’s invitation, Pacific Partnership’s mission is to collaborate in several humanitarian and civic readiness workshops in areas such as engineering, natural disaster response, public health, and Fijian community outreach projects. This year’s mission, featuring about 58 personnel, is primarily a collective effort between Fiji, New Zealand and the United States.
“I am honored to oversee this year’s return of Pacific Partnership to the nation of Fiji,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, mission commander. “The continued opportunity to build upon our enduring relationship with the Fijian community further emphasizes a shared support of a free and resilient Indo-Pacific.”
While in Fiji, the Pacific Partnership 2025 team will focus on subject-matter exchanges and community education in permaculture, spearhead emergency preparedness and disaster response training, and conduct the foundational construction of a local schoolhouse. Additionally, the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, accompanied by members of the Scots Guard, Royal Australian and Royal Canadian navies, will perform during a variety of community outreach engagements.
“We really appreciate Fiji welcoming us for Pacific Partnership 2025,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Gibson, Officer in Charge for the Fiji mission. “It’s awesome to be working alongside our Fijian counterparts, building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient Indo-Pacific together.”
Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
NADI, Fiji (June 11, 2025) U.S. Navy Musician 1st Class Jonathan Starr, trumpetist with the Pacific Fleet “Big Wave” Brass Band, performs at St. Thomas High School during Pacific Partnership 2025 in Nadi, Fiji, June 11, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo- Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)
War is good for business and geopolitical posturing.
Before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington in early February for his first visit to the US following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, he issued a bold statement on the strategic position of Israel.
“The decisions we made in the war [since 7 October 2023] have already changed the face of the Middle East,” he said.
“Our decisions and the courage of our soldiers have redrawn the map. But I believe that working closely with President Trump, we can redraw it even further.”
How should this redrawn map be assessed?
Hamas is bloodied but undefeated in Gaza. The territory lies in ruins, leaving its remaining population with barely any resources to rebuild. Death and starvation stalk everyone.
Hezbollah in Lebanon has suffered military defeats, been infiltrated by Israeli intelligence, and now faces few viable options for projecting power in the near future. Political elites speak of disarming Hezbollah, though whether this is realistic is another question.
Morocco, Bahrain and the UAE accounted for 12 percent of Israel’s record $14.8bn in arms sales in 2024 — up from just 3 percent the year before
In Yemen, the Houthis continue to attack Israel, but pose no existential threat.
Meanwhile, since the overthrow of dictator Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Israel has attacked and threatened Syria, while the new government in Damascus is flirting with Israel in a possible bid for “normalisation“.
The Gulf states remain friendly with Israel, and little has changed in the last 20 months to alter this relationship.
According to Israel’s newly released arms sales figures for 2024, which reached a record $14.8bn, Morocco, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates accounted for 12 percent of total weapons sales — up from just 3 percent in 2023.
It is conceivable that Saudi Arabia will be coerced into signing a deal with Israel in the coming years, in exchange for arms and nuclear technology for the dictatorial kingdom.
An Israeli and US-assisted war against Iran began on Friday.
In the West Bank, Israel’s annexation plans are surging ahead with little more than weak European statements of concern. Israel’s plans for Greater Israel — vastly expanding its territorial reach — are well underway in Syria, Lebanon and beyond.
Shifting alliances On paper, Israel appears to be riding high, boasting military victories and vanquished enemies. And yet, many Israelis and pro-war Jews in the diaspora do not feel confident or buoyed by success.
Instead, there is an air of defeatism and insecurity, stemming from the belief that the war for Western public opinion has been lost — a sentiment reinforced by daily images of Israel’s campaign of deliberate mass destruction across the Gaza Strip.
What Israel craves and desperately needs is not simply military prowess, but legitimacy in the public domain. And this is sorely lacking across virtually every demographic worldwide.
It is why Israel is spending at least $150 million this year alone on “public diplomacy”.
Get ready for an army of influencers, wined and dined in Tel Aviv’s restaurants and bars, to sell the virtues of Israeli democracy. Even pro-Israel journalists are beginning to question how this money is being spent, wishing Israeli PR were more responsive and effective.
Today, Israeli Jews proudly back ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza in astoundingly high numbers. This reflects a Jewish supremacist mindset that is being fed a daily diet of extremist rhetoric in mainstream media.
There is arguably no other Western country with such a high proportion of racist, genocidal mania permeating public discourse.
According to a recent poll of Western European populations, Israel is viewed unfavourably in Germany, Denmark, France, Italy and Spain.
Very few in these countries support Israeli actions. Only between 13 and 21 percent hold a positive view of Israel, compared to 63-70 percent who do not.
The US-backed Pew Research Centre also released a global survey asking people in 24 countries about their views on Israel and Palestine. In 20 of the 24 nations, at least half of adults expressed a negative opinion of the Jewish state.
A deeper reckoning Beyond Israel’s image problems lies a deeper question: can it ever expect full acceptance in the Middle East?
Apart from kings, monarchs and elites from Dubai to Riyadh and Manama to Rabat, Israel’s vicious and genocidal actions since 7 October 2023 have rendered “normalisation” impossible with a state intent on building a Jewish theocracy that subjugates millions of Arabs indefinitely.
While it is true that most states in the region are undemocratic, with gross human rights abuses a daily reality, Israel has long claimed to be different — “the only democracy in the Middle East”.
But Israel’s entire political system, built with massive Western support and grounded in an unsustainable racial hierarchy, precludes it from ever being fully and formally integrated into the region.
The American journalist Murtaza Hussain, writing for the US outlet Drop Site News, recently published a perceptive essay on this very subject.
He argues that Israeli actions have been so vile and historically grave — comparable to other modern holocausts — that they cannot be forgotten or excused, especially as they are publicly carried out with the explicit goal of ethnically cleansing Palestine:
“This genocide has been a political and cultural turning point beyond which we cannot continue as before. I express that with resignation rather than satisfaction, as it means that many generations of suffering are ahead on all sides.
“Ultimately, the goal of Israel’s opponents must not be to replicate its crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, nor to indulge in nihilistic hatred for its own sake.
“People in the region and beyond should work to build connections with those Israelis who are committed opponents of their regime, and who are ready to cooperate in the generational task of building a new political architecture.”
The issue is not just Netanyahu and his government. All his likely successors hold similarly hardline views on Palestinian rights and self-determination.
The monumental task ahead lies in crafting an alternative to today’s toxic Jewish theocracy.
But this rebuilding must also take place in the West. Far too many Jews, conservatives and evangelical Christians continue to cling to the fantasy of eradicating, silencing or expelling Arabs from their land entirely.
Pushing back against this fascism is one of the most urgent generational tasks of our time.
War is good for business and geopolitical posturing.
Before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington in early February for his first visit to the US following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, he issued a bold statement on the strategic position of Israel.
“The decisions we made in the war [since 7 October 2023] have already changed the face of the Middle East,” he said.
“Our decisions and the courage of our soldiers have redrawn the map. But I believe that working closely with President Trump, we can redraw it even further.”
How should this redrawn map be assessed?
Hamas is bloodied but undefeated in Gaza. The territory lies in ruins, leaving its remaining population with barely any resources to rebuild. Death and starvation stalk everyone.
Hezbollah in Lebanon has suffered military defeats, been infiltrated by Israeli intelligence, and now faces few viable options for projecting power in the near future. Political elites speak of disarming Hezbollah, though whether this is realistic is another question.
Morocco, Bahrain and the UAE accounted for 12 percent of Israel’s record $14.8bn in arms sales in 2024 — up from just 3 percent the year before
In Yemen, the Houthis continue to attack Israel, but pose no existential threat.
Meanwhile, since the overthrow of dictator Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Israel has attacked and threatened Syria, while the new government in Damascus is flirting with Israel in a possible bid for “normalisation“.
The Gulf states remain friendly with Israel, and little has changed in the last 20 months to alter this relationship.
According to Israel’s newly released arms sales figures for 2024, which reached a record $14.8bn, Morocco, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates accounted for 12 percent of total weapons sales — up from just 3 percent in 2023.
It is conceivable that Saudi Arabia will be coerced into signing a deal with Israel in the coming years, in exchange for arms and nuclear technology for the dictatorial kingdom.
An Israeli and US-assisted war against Iran began on Friday.
In the West Bank, Israel’s annexation plans are surging ahead with little more than weak European statements of concern. Israel’s plans for Greater Israel — vastly expanding its territorial reach — are well underway in Syria, Lebanon and beyond.
Shifting alliances On paper, Israel appears to be riding high, boasting military victories and vanquished enemies. And yet, many Israelis and pro-war Jews in the diaspora do not feel confident or buoyed by success.
Instead, there is an air of defeatism and insecurity, stemming from the belief that the war for Western public opinion has been lost — a sentiment reinforced by daily images of Israel’s campaign of deliberate mass destruction across the Gaza Strip.
What Israel craves and desperately needs is not simply military prowess, but legitimacy in the public domain. And this is sorely lacking across virtually every demographic worldwide.
It is why Israel is spending at least $150 million this year alone on “public diplomacy”.
Get ready for an army of influencers, wined and dined in Tel Aviv’s restaurants and bars, to sell the virtues of Israeli democracy. Even pro-Israel journalists are beginning to question how this money is being spent, wishing Israeli PR were more responsive and effective.
Today, Israeli Jews proudly back ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza in astoundingly high numbers. This reflects a Jewish supremacist mindset that is being fed a daily diet of extremist rhetoric in mainstream media.
There is arguably no other Western country with such a high proportion of racist, genocidal mania permeating public discourse.
According to a recent poll of Western European populations, Israel is viewed unfavourably in Germany, Denmark, France, Italy and Spain.
Very few in these countries support Israeli actions. Only between 13 and 21 percent hold a positive view of Israel, compared to 63-70 percent who do not.
The US-backed Pew Research Centre also released a global survey asking people in 24 countries about their views on Israel and Palestine. In 20 of the 24 nations, at least half of adults expressed a negative opinion of the Jewish state.
A deeper reckoning Beyond Israel’s image problems lies a deeper question: can it ever expect full acceptance in the Middle East?
Apart from kings, monarchs and elites from Dubai to Riyadh and Manama to Rabat, Israel’s vicious and genocidal actions since 7 October 2023 have rendered “normalisation” impossible with a state intent on building a Jewish theocracy that subjugates millions of Arabs indefinitely.
While it is true that most states in the region are undemocratic, with gross human rights abuses a daily reality, Israel has long claimed to be different — “the only democracy in the Middle East”.
But Israel’s entire political system, built with massive Western support and grounded in an unsustainable racial hierarchy, precludes it from ever being fully and formally integrated into the region.
The American journalist Murtaza Hussain, writing for the US outlet Drop Site News, recently published a perceptive essay on this very subject.
He argues that Israeli actions have been so vile and historically grave — comparable to other modern holocausts — that they cannot be forgotten or excused, especially as they are publicly carried out with the explicit goal of ethnically cleansing Palestine:
“This genocide has been a political and cultural turning point beyond which we cannot continue as before. I express that with resignation rather than satisfaction, as it means that many generations of suffering are ahead on all sides.
“Ultimately, the goal of Israel’s opponents must not be to replicate its crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, nor to indulge in nihilistic hatred for its own sake.
“People in the region and beyond should work to build connections with those Israelis who are committed opponents of their regime, and who are ready to cooperate in the generational task of building a new political architecture.”
The issue is not just Netanyahu and his government. All his likely successors hold similarly hardline views on Palestinian rights and self-determination.
The monumental task ahead lies in crafting an alternative to today’s toxic Jewish theocracy.
But this rebuilding must also take place in the West. Far too many Jews, conservatives and evangelical Christians continue to cling to the fantasy of eradicating, silencing or expelling Arabs from their land entirely.
Pushing back against this fascism is one of the most urgent generational tasks of our time.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kim Gurney, Senior Researcher, Centre for Humanities Research — Platform: SA-UK Bilateral Digital Humanities Chair in Culture & Technics, University of the Western Cape
Independent art spaces are collectives of artists (and others) who club together to set up a communal space – often in former industrial sites and more affordable parts of the city – to further their practice. These spaces are DIY art institutions, if you like, that operate largely under the radar. In art world lingo, “offspaces”.
Designed for purpose over profit, they encourage experimental work and creative risk-taking. They also favour art in public space, which provides an intriguing lens on the city.
My Africa-wideresearch took me to five such spaces, each at least 10 years old, so that I could learn their secret sauce of sustainability. I found it’s largely about shapeshifting, a capacity for constant reinvention. The key ingredient is artistic thinking, made up of five key principles highlighted in the examples below.
Offspaces are found everywhere but have notably grown across Africa over the past couple of decades, along with fast-changing cities and a resurgent art scene. One big picture point is crucial, and that’s about urbanisation. Globally, more and more people are moving to cities and most of them are young – by 2050, one in three young people in the world will be of African origin and the continent will be largely urban.
There can be a lack of imagination about what all this means and that’s where artists come in. They offer new ideas to help build the world we want to live in, rather than reinforce the one we already have.
Offspaces in Africa have to navigate prevailing uncertainty, which is a daily reality for most people living in cities. In response, artists band together to build their own pseudo institutions, bit by bit. These self-made pathways offer useful navigational tactics for others – or “panya routes”, as Kenyans call the trails that motorbike taxis invent.
The spaces I visited were all moving away from reliance on foreign donor funding (given little or no state support) towards a hybrid model that blends with local philanthropy, collaborative economies and self-generated income schemes. They also want to own their own land and hold assets so that they can think about the future.
1. The GoDown Arts Centre – Nairobi, Kenya
Murals at the former GoDown (2010), currently being rebuilt. Katy Fentress/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA
The GoDown Arts Centre was established in 2003. Previously a large compound of repurposed warehouses (“godowns”) in Nairobi’s industrial area, right now it’s a construction site as it morphs into an iconic cultural hub. GoDown 2.0 is a multipurpose vision that works at different scales, like a fractal. There will be a large, welcoming facade leading into a semi-public section for music and dance, with artist studios at the heart. Plus galleries, library, museum, auditorium, offices, hotel, a restaurant, conference facilities and parking.
Its rebuild is a great example of how artists create public space: in phases. It follows a radical “design-with-people” approach, starting with years of input from all directions to reconsider the building and its relationship to the city.
This ground-up ethos of horizontality, the first key principle, also shapes its signature event, an annual public arts festival called Nai Ni Who? (Who is Nairobi?). Local residents are the curators, and the everyday city is the artwork. Participants are taken around neighbourhoods on foot to experience the good, the bad, and the possibilities. These grounded insights also inform ongoing engagements GoDown has with policymakers about the shape of a future Nairobi.
2. ANO Institute – Accra, Ghana
ANO, established in 2002, repurposed a former workshop for car repairs into a gallery, after starting life in a public park. On the other side of the road, opposite the gallery, stood its office, residency space and growing library.
Most intriguingly, a striking rectilinear structure was positioned alongside. This Mobile Museum mimics the trading kiosks that line every street. Many are also shapeshifters: kindergarten by day, church by night, for example.
ANO’s empty museum, collapsible and see-through, went on a countrywide adventure in 2018 and 2019, asking people to imagine its contents, and later revisited with the results. It signalled a larger and ongoing effort, Future Museum, to find a more relevant exhibition form that’s alive to the fluid way culture is threaded here into everyday life.
ANO demonstrates the second principle of performativity – that is, not only saying things with art but doing things too. More recently, it rebuilt on a new site in central Accra, designed by 87-year-old Ophelia Akiwumi, entirely from raffia palm in a focus on indigenous knowledge systems.
3. Townhouse Gallery – Cairo, Egypt
I visited Townhouse just after it reclaimed its inner-city premises following a partial physical collapse. But this turned out to be a false restart. It closed for good not long after, citing a complex brew of factors that ended 21 years of various battles and resurrections. That it survived so long – from 1998 until 2019 – is remarkable for an offspace.
Part of the reason was its solidarity networks, including with neighbourhood communities – mostly mechanic shops and other artisanal trades who even helped Townhouse rebuild. In its heyday, Townhouse comprised an art gallery, library, theatre and performance venue, and notably hatched other spaces.
The latest rose like a phoenix from its ashes – Access Art Space, which reanimates the same physical space with visual art exhibitions. The legacy of Townhouse is the third principle of elasticity – responding nimbly to constant flux but also being able to refuse impossible conditions with “the right no” (a necessary response in certain situations).
4. ZOMA Museum – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
ZOMA Museum has also lived many lives. Starting small, its roots were in a three-day public arts festival called Giziawi #1 (Temporary). It comprised performances and exhibitions across the city but focused on Meskel Square, a key public space.
Zoma Contemporary Art Centre grew out of that in 2002, followed in 2019 by Zoma Museum when its co-founders bought a plot of polluted land. Its rehabilitation into an ecological haven has become a case study in sustainable architecture.
Zoma is built by local artisans from mud and straw using indigenous technologies going back centuries. Yet its elegant buildings look futuristic. Zoma is all about the fourth principle of convergence – the past, present and future all happening at once. It’s also about doing multiple things, like running Zoma School, an inherited kindergarten. The land is part of the curriculum.
Just a year after it opened, Zoma spawned yet another life, an offshoot in a newly opened park blending nature with culture and recreation.
5. Nafasi Art Space – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Nafasi is Swahili for opportunity or chance, which fittingly describes the workings of Nafasi Art Space, established in 2008 – that is, second chance. This fifth and final principle of artistic thinking means giving materials, people and situations another go.
A good example of this is Nafasi’s new art school, built using repurposed shipping containers, like the rest of its premises – artist studios, a spacious gallery and performance arena. In the 2022 academy cohort, a general practice lawyer and an accountant were learning alongside artists, with a biologist at the helm.
Nafasi Art Academy cites the city’s biggest local market, Kariakoo, as design reference, particularly its distinctive elevated canopy and swirling stairwell. The curriculum also takes local context as a starting point, structured in themes to answer community-led questions. Its key function, like all the other offspaces, is storytelling. And the story it tells best is about institution-building as art.
The research behind this article was supported by the South African Research Chair in Urban Policy at UCT’s African Centre for Cities, where the author was previously affiliated.
