Podcasts about commonwealth heads

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in London, just hours after the death of Pope Francis. Luxon confirmed he spoke to the King about the death of the Pope during his meeting, but would not divulge further details. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said Luxon “enjoyed discussing New Zealand issues with the King”. Luxon said discussions with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in coming days will revolve around the Ukraine-Russia war and trade. He and Starmer will travel to meet New Zealand soldiers who are training Ukrainian troops. “I certainly welcome any efforts around just and lasting peace for Ukraine … we'll keep discussing options about being involved in peacekeeping support once the conflict concludes. “We, as a small country with limited resources a long way away, aren't going to be the ones to end that war, obviously … but, regardless, we stand beside our set of values which we think Ukraine, Zelensky, embodies.” Luxon said trade would also be a hot topic given the UK had recently become NZ's seventh-largest trading partner. “We just need to keep pushing forward on it and keep pushing food and beverage and tourism.” King Charles had a busy few days ahead of Luxon's arrival, with various Easter-related events. Late last week, he attended the annual Maundy Service, during which he awarded gifts to individuals in recognition of outstanding Christian service. Maundy Thursday takes place on the Thursday prior to Easter and commemorates the Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. On Easter Sunday, Charles was joined by other members of the royal family at St George's Chapel in Windsor for a traditional church service. In his Easter message, the King said: “The abiding message of Easter is that God so loved the world – the whole world – that He sent His son to live among us to show us how to love one another, and to lay down His own life for others in a love that proved stronger than death. “There are three virtues that the world still needs – faith, hope and love. ‘And the greatest of these is love'. It is with these timeless truths in my mind, and my heart, that I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Easter.” Luxon met with the King for the first time at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in October. The Prime Minister gave away little about what the pair discussed during that meeting, but said it was obvious King Charles had a “deep, deep affection for New Zealand” and was “very knowledgeable about a number of issues”. “It was a very natural conversation; it was just the two of us sitting outside and having a chat on a couple of seats.” This is Luxon's first visit to the UK as Prime Minister. He touched down late on Sunday night (NZT). Ahead of the trip, Luxon highlighted that trade was likely to be a key talking point. “New Zealand is a champion for free trade, and I look forward to talking to Sir Keir Starmer about what our countries can do together to support the rules-based trading system,” Luxon said. “The UK is one of NZ's closest and most trusted partners, and, for many Kiwis, it is where they base themselves on their OE. The UK is also important to NZ's prosperity. Our exports there grew by more than 20% in 2024 and are still growing.” Two-way trade with the UK, which NZ signed a free-trade agreement with in 2022, was worth $7.27 billion in the year ending December 2024, making it our seventh-largest trading partner. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sonia Randhawa  interviews Radost Stanimirov;a  a geospatial analyst with the World Resources Institute hear about the loss of forest cover related to mining https://www.wri.org/insights/how-mining-impacts-forests Samoan climate justice activist Suluafi Brianna Fruean interviewed by Priya Kunjan speaks with us about centring Pacific climate priorities during this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which was  held in Apia, Samoa, the first time that the gathering has been hosted by a Pacific Island Nation.  Brianna also talks about presenting The Coconet's documentary series 'The Forgotten Pacific', which travels across five Pacific Islands to discover how communities are weaving Indigenous knowledges into their ongoing fight to save their homes from climate change impacts. Brianna launched a report for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative, hosted by government leaders leading the initiative from Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Fiji.

The Prime Minister has returned from the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa declaring the Pacific faces severe challenges from natural disasters. Christopher Luxon spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

On today's episode, the Prime Minister has returned from the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa declaring the Pacific faces severe challenges from natural disasters, Former President Donald Trump has distanced himself from what have been described as "vulgar, racist remarks" made at his Madison Square Garden rally in New York, the Police Association believes rural officers lack resources to manage large-scale boy racer events, the Silver Ferns claimed the Constellation Cup for just the third time in 14 series with a thumping win by 18 goals in Perth, and we cross the Tasman to get the latest from Kerry-Anne Walsh.

The Prime Minister believes a major Commonwealth diplomatic summit does have a future, with certain priorities. Christopher Luxon joined his Commonwealth counterparts for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, held this year in Samoa. King Charles and Queen Camilla also attended. Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking it was a good opportunity to meet leaders from the Caribbean and Africa who he doesn't see as often and build some relationships with them. He says it has to be focused back on development and democracy, building the capacity of public services in developing states, and getting rid of corruption. When it comes to Kiwibank, the Prime Minister says it needs to be fired up as the maverick in the banking sector. Treasury's advised ministers of three options to boost Kiwibank's capital to better compete with the Australian-owned banks. They include borrowing money for Crown investment, third party investment, or an Initial Public Offering on the share market. It comes after the Commerce Commission market study on personal banking. Luxon told Hosking he hasn't seen the advice, so doesn't yet have a view on the best option. He says one of the options is the stock exchange, and they could also seek Super Funds or other funds to invest. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everald Compton and James Morgan talk about the Queensland and the US Elections as well as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

Climate change has been the centre of conversation for leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Chris Luxon has announced the Government will contribute $20 million for the Pacific Resilience Facility while in Samoa for the meeting. The money will be used to encourage spending to prepare the Pacific for natural disasters - and resilience against climate change. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says the Government is committed to reducing the impact of disasters - including hurricanes and cyclones. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A look at some of the people who turned up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, hoping to advance plans for global change

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand should not apologise to Samoa for the environmental impact from the HMNZS Manawanui sinking and ongoing fuel leaks. Mr Peters made the comments in the capital Apia, where he has just arrived for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting - or CHOGM. Questions surrounding Winston Peters' attack on a public servant have followed him all the way to Samoa, political reporter Russell Palmer spoke to Lisa Owen from Apia.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon has apologised to Samoa's Government, over the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui this month. Chris Luxon and Political Editor Jason Walls is at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. Luxon says his meeting with the king went well and that he was “very knowledgeable” about several issues. Walls says that the king expressed his love for New Zealand by the amount of knowledge he had for it and that the Prime Minister said that he was “quite charming”. Walls said that Luxon was very clear yesterday that it has not been as bad as he imagined it was or any of the initial estimates in terms of environmental change. As there is verylimitedenvironmental damage, Walls says that people don't seem too overwhelmingly upset. Walls said that Luxon said that he's “chalking that up to a big, a good win and of course the fact that nobody died”. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we discuss Kamala Harris' change in tone: from asking voters to choose joy, to calling her opponent Donald Trump a ‘fascist'. Adam is joined by BBC News chief presenters, Sumi Somaskanda and Caitríona Perry from Washington to talk about how both campaigns are approaching the final fortnight of the campaign, the latest polling in the crucial swing states and the news Beyonce might make an appearance with Harris in Houston, Texas.And, diplomatic correspondent James Landale chats about Keir Starmer at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference in Samoa, and why other leaders at the summit want Britain - and especially the Labour government - to look at reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhereNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham

Our roving royal reporters are still Down Under, providing insight on how the Royal Visit is going for Charles and Camilla. Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers is once again joined by photographer Ian Vogler, as they chat about the reception the King and Queen have received in Australia: from the heckles in Parliament House to the warm welcome in Samoa. And they preview the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, discussing what issues will be brought up, including Charles' passion to combat climate change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

King Charles and Queen Camilla have touched down in Apia for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, also known as CHOGM. Local villagers have lined the streets with lanterns to welcome the monarch along with delegations from 56 other countries, including our own Prime Minister. But first, while those world leaders gather one side of the island of Upolu, off the coast of the otherside lies the wreck of the HMNZS Manawanui which is still leaking fuel. As a result, the livelihoods of people living along the idyllic coastline hang in the balance as the risk of further contamination from the wreck continues. Susana Lei'ataua has the story.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will officially kick off on Friday in the Pacific Nation of Samoa. It's the first time the biannual meeting is being held in a Pacific nation, with King Charles and Queen Camilla present. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also arrived in Samoa for the meeting, along with Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard share their daily guide to the day ahead in politics in under 20 minutes.         Two important summits this week - one the prime minister is at, one he isn't. Sir Keir Starmer is in Samoa for a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), but Russian President Vladimir Putin has greeted more than 20 heads of state at the BRICS summit of emerging economies, including some of those who should be with Sir Keir.The PM's appearance is underpinned by a row about reparations for the UK's historical role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Sir Keir has insisted the Commonwealth needs to face forward, not look backward, but how will that land?And as Rachel Reeves prepares to tell the IMF about changes to fiscal rules, are we heading towards a "mixed message" budget? Jack and Sam discuss her visit to Washington.You can send a WhatsApp to Jack and Sam on 07511 867 633 or email them: jackandsam@sky.uk    

The Prime Minister's checked out the front-line of the HMNZS Manawanui clean-up in Samoa - as he attends the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Small amounts of oil and debris from the Kiwi Navy ship have littered the waters near Upolu, since it sank more than two weeks ago. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this still isn't a good look for New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 25th of October, there are concerns about safety on public transport following the fatal stabbing of a woman on a bus in Onehunga. Transport Minister Simeon Brown joins the show to discuss the situation. A new UK prostate cancer trial is looking good for patients - it aims to reduce side effects and treat the cancer in a more targeted way. Oncologist Giuseppe Sasso speaks to Ryan about what it could mean for Kiwi patients. The Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting is getting underway in Samoa. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has already held a meeting with the UK's Kier Starmer and is set to meet the King for the first time today. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls joins us live from Samoa. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The issue of the Manawanui sinking is hanging over the Prime Minister as he attends the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. Christopher Luxon met UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last night, and will meet with King Charles and other leaders today. He says it's too early to talk about whether Samoa will get any financial compensation for the Manawanui. But Political Editor Jason Walls —who's on the ground in Samoa with the PM— told Ryan Bridge Luxon has been full of praise for the Kiwi taskforce responding to the situation. He says there was some initial estimates that thousands of litres of diesel could be leaking out into the ocean, but the PM is confident there's been little to no damage to marine life. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Samoa is hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where climate change, ocean protection and the legacy of colonialism will be on the agenda.

In Pacific Waves today: King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla join world leaders who represent member countries of the Commonwealth in Samoa for the 27th Commonwealth Heads of government meeting (CHOGM); A former highlevel worker at the top Pacific political decision-making body argues the Pacific Islands Forum is more relevant than ever; The first Pasifika independent candidate for Auckland's Entrust election calls for change to South Aucklanders energy bills; The Bougainville Government says a joint understanding has been reached with Papua New Guinea to broaden the role of their new independent moderator, former New Zealand Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae.

 Acknowledgement of Country// Headlines// Samoan climate justice activist Suluafi Brianna Fruean speaks with us about centring Pacific climate priorities during this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which is being held this week in Apia, Samoa, the first time that the gathering has been hosted by a Pacific Island Nation. Brianna also talks about presenting The Coconet's documentary series 'The Forgotten Pacific', which travels across five Pacific Islands to discover how communities are weaving Indigenous knowledges into their ongoing fight to save their homes from climate change impacts. Later today, Brianna will be speaking as part of a press conference and report launch for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative, hosted by government leaders leading the initiative from Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Fiji. The event will be livestreamed and begins at 11AM Samoa/1PM Naarm - you can register here to attend.// Freelance journalist, writer and researcher Ann Louise Deslandes spoke with Priya earlier last week about the 10th anniversary of the Ayotzinapa student disappearances from the city of Iguala in Mexico's state of Guerrero. On the night of September 26, 2014, and into the next day, municipal, state, and federal police officers, alongside soldiers from the Mexican Army and members of the criminal syndicate Guerreros Unidos attacked six buses in the city of Iguala, five of which had been had been temporarily commandeered by students of the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers' College to travel to Mexico City in order to commemorate the October 2 anniversary of the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre. Today, you'll hear part 2 of this interview, where Ann continues our conversation to expand on how the AMLO government decided to kill the high-level investigation into the Ayotzinapa case as higher level state and military involvement came into clearer view, and how parents and families of the students marked the 10th anniversary of the disappareance of their children last month. Ann is based in Mexico City, and covers politics and culture in Mexico for international English-language media. She also writes, reports and consults on human rights (especially regarding gender and sexuality), social movements, and community development. Ann has most recently written about the Ayotzinapa student disappearances for The Nation on October 9. You can read her newsletter, The Troubled Region, here, and listen back to part 1 of our interview here.// Tallulah Waterson, PhD student at Swinburne University's Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, joins us in the studio to talk about man-made space debris in the wake of this month's unplanned break-up of the Intelsat 33e communications satellite in geostationary orbit. Tallulah is currently studying resident space objects - including satellites and space debris - with the aim of improving sustainability in the space environment, and earlier this week co-authored an article in The Conversation with colleagues Sara Webb and Christopher Fluke unpacking the scale and potential impacts of increasing orbital space debris.// We hear voices from the Flemington Public Housing Rally held on Saturday 19 October, which was co-hosted by various progressive left political parties and grassroots organisations advocating for public housing. The rally was called in opposition to the Labor Government's plans to demolish and privatise all 44 public housing towers in Victoria, starting with towers on the Flemington and North Melbourne estates.This segment included reflections from current and former public housing residents Beza, Jeannie and Barry, finishing up with a powerful speech from Karen Fletcher from Flat Out Inc about links between housing, incarceration and ongoing colonialism in so-called Australia. Our thanks to Danielle from 3CR's Breadline program for the audio!On Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 October, the public housing class action trial will begin at the Supreme Court of Victoria. Lead plaintiff Barry Berih, represented by Inner Melbourne Community Legal, will be arguing that the human rights of residents were not properly considered by the Victorian Government in its unilateral decision to demolish and redevelop the towers, beginning with 33 Alfred Street, 120 Racecourse Road, and 12 Holland Court. Find out more here.// Songs//Friend - Emily Wurramara// Blak Nation - Emma Donovan// Winter in Gaza//Palestinians in Gaza are approaching winter with very little to survive the season. With the increasing cost of commercial goods, families can't afford to feed or clothe themselves or their children making them vulnerable to illness or fatality. They need support to survive! A group of folks campaigning for different families in Gaza have decided to combine our campaigns to reach a total goal of $45,000 AUD by 25th October.//DONATE HERE:ACC NAME: Metals 4 Mutual AidBSB: 313-140ACC NUMBER: 1250 7209
Reference: Winter Fundraiser for Sudan//Donate to the $1,000,000 AUD appeal for Sudan coordinated by Project Blackseed.From the fundraising page:“The crisis in Sudan is demanding our immediate attention. This is a neglected emergency where for more than 500 days, millions of lives are hanging in the balance. Unlike other crises, aid can reach those in desperate need, making our collective action more crucial than ever as the conflict escalates. Your participation could mean the difference between life and death for millions.Our goalsRaise $1,000,000 for SudanProvide immediate relief to those facing acute malnutrition and food insecurityRaise awareness about Sudan's ongoing humanitarian crisisHighlight global fundraisers on our page to unite people and bring attention to this overlooked humanitarian crisisTo have as many people post about this as possibleFollow Project Blackseed on Instagram for more details.”//

Preview: King Charles: Colleague Gregory Copley, Australian National, introduces the Commonwealth heads (representing 2.6 billion citizens of the planet) meeting in Samoa with King Charles for the first time. More tonight. 1919 Samoa

World leaders who represent member countries of the Commonwealth have descended into Samoa for the 27th Commonwealth Heads of government meeting or CHOGM. RNZ Pacific's Susana Suisuiki is in Apia.

Republic NZ's Peter Hamilton has long believed New Zealand is ready to have a Kiwi as the head of state. King Charles is set to leave Australia and head to the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa - bypassing New Zealand in his first tour since taking the throne. Hamilton says it makes more sense for New Zealand's head of state to live among New Zealanders. "The whole business of having a foreigner as our head of state - Australia, Canada, New Zealand and a few other countries - it's just overloading the system and the British monarch can't take the role that's required in this modern day and age." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are in Australia on a royal tour. It's the King's 17th visit to Australia, though it's his inaugural visit as monarch. It's also the King's first major foreign trip since being diagnosed with cancer and will be shorter than typical royal tours. The couple are visiting Sydney and Canberra over six days, before travelling to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.

In today's episode, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou will be travelling to Apia, Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting taking place between 21 and 26 October, an announcement said on Sunday. Elsewhere, Cyprus' government portal was the victim of a cyberattack Sunday but the authorities coped with the incident successfully, the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy said in a statement. Also, Firefighters rescued three people stuck in their car at the Larnaca Salt Lake, fire services spokesman Andreas Kettis said on Sunday. All this and much more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by The Cyprus Mail.

The Deputy Chief Minister is taking part in the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa this week. Earlier today King Charles faced shouts of "you are not my King" in Australia. In light of this, we discussed the role of the commonwealth today with Adriana Lopez, who has helped to prepare two young participants for the Commonwealth Youth Forum.Karl Ullger's solo exhibition, 'Echoes Of Legacy', features 3 new series of paintings: a second edition featuring the newest school buildings, another picturing new Gibraltar landscapes and another dedicated to paying tribute to classic paintings. With 60 works on display it's his biggest exhibition to date. We spoke to the artist following the opening of the exhibition over the weekend.Tania Aguilar, CEO of Clubhouse Gibraltar, has been appointed as a member of Clubhouse International's 'Faculty for Clubhouse Development'. With 344 Clubhouses in operation internationally, we asked her what her new role will entail.World Polio Day highlights the global efforts to end poliomyelitis (polio) worldwide. Polio is a life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus, which the World Health Assembly committed to eradicate in 1988. The WHO European Region was declared polio-free in 2002 and has sustained this status every year since then. We spoke to Eric Rowbottom and Ron Wagemakers, who emphasized the importance of the polio vaccine. And, Jose Mari Ruiz brought us up to speed with local sports with success at the triathlon world championships, a 10km round the rock race, the 60th annual endurance swim and the latest football results. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting gets underway today in Samoa. Dr Robert Patman is a Professor of Politics and International Relations at Otago University. He spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss

In Pacific Waves today: Samoa sets the stage for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting - CHOGM; France's new Foreign Affairs Minister arrives in New Caledonia, five months after violent riots broke out in the territory; Employer groups in Fiji sound alarm over new laws which could result in significant job losses; Pacific excellence celebrated at The Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards 2024.

In just one week's time 56 countries will come together for The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. Preparations have been four years in the making, with businesses stock pilling supplies, villages decorated in each country's colours and a huge community effort to be ready to host. It's hoped that the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui earlier this month won't overshadow the event. The Chogm meeting comes off the back of the Lotu Tamaiti White Sunday public holiday, which has for the past two days seen families out celebrating - singing, dancing and of course eating. Reporter Louise Ternouth is in Samoa and filed this report.

In this fortnight's episode, Gyles and Aphra Brandreth take a virtual trip to Samoa where the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be held later this month. They're joined by Audrey Brown-Pereira a Pasifika poet of Cook Islands Maori and Samoan descent, she now lives with her family in Samoa and works for an environmental organisation that serves the Pacific region. Audrey, known for her innovative approach to poetry and her playful use of text on the page, offers unique insights into how poetry can open doors to worlds previously unknown. Poems this episode include: 'They Taking Pictures of Us in the Water'  and 'May she rest in Peace' both by Audrey Brown-Pereira from her book 'A-wake-(e)nd' (2023), and 'a fantastical affair: transistor radio transmission receive' from her book 'Passages in between I(s)lands' (2014).

Fears tonight the sinking of the Manawanui in Samoa could do serious damage to the reef it hit and the delicate ecosytem in the surrounding marine reserve. Locals have reported seeing an oil-like substance in the water around the stricken ship, and a smell of oil. It's not clear what potentially toxic substances were on board the NZ Navy vessell. The reef that the Manawanui struck on Saturday night is home to an array of fish rays and coral - and is famous for its large population of sea turtles. The coast, at the sourthen end of Upolu, is also dotted with seaside resorts, including the Sinalei Reef Resort which is due to host King Charles and other world leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting later this month. We're joined now by the president of the Samoa Conservation Society James Atherton

In two months time, Samoa will be hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

In his first speech as King, Charles III said he would endeavour to serve his subjects, wherever they live “in the UK, the realms and territories across the world”. But following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, several realms – countries other than the UK that have the British Monarch as head of state – say they may become republics. Barbados became a republic in 2021. Antigua, Belize, Jamaica and Grenada may follow. King Charles III has also just become the elected head of the Commonwealth of Nations. But will any new republics leave because of its roots in Empire, or embrace an organisation that represents nearly a third of the people on Earth? This week on the Inquiry, we ask: what's the future of the Commonwealth under King Charles III? Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Ravi Naik Researcher: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Editor: Tara McDermott Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Broadcast Coordinator: Jacqui Johnson (Image: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales speaks during the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Buckingham Palace in London on April 19, 2018. (Photo by DOMINIC LIPINSKI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, is “failing on all of his military strategic objectives”, said Britain's chief of the defence staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Renew Our World podcast, we chat with climate activist and journalist Jessica Bwali from Zambia. Jessica fills us in on her experiences at the recent Commonwealth Heads of State meetings.

Government Pride has been on display at NATO with Airbus AnAl joining in. The end of Roe vs Wade and the Jan 6th hearings have made Ardern expand NZ's terror list. We'll talk about that and the pillage and plunder of the Labor and Labour governments tonight. Join Tim Wilms and Dieuwe de Boer live tonight at 6pm Melbourne time and 8pm Auckland time on Trad Tasman Talk. In covid news we are told cases will rise again with an Omicron BA4 and BA5 wave. Baby MRNA vaccines and Omicron tailored vaccines coming soon. Monkeypox curve could flatten after pride month. Safe monkeypox sex has been promoted. There is now a painful drug-resistant super gonorrhea that an Austrian tourist caught from a Cambodian sex worker. A bee lockdown has been implemented in NSW due to the varroa mite parasite found in hives at the port of Newcastle which is 50% owned by CCP. 6 million bees have been exterminated in an effort to eradicate the mite. The overturning of Roe vs Wade in the US returning legislative authority on abortion to the states saw condemnation from Jacinda Ardern and senior MPs from the Labor Government and Liberal Opposition. National leader Chris Luxon forced pro-life MP Simon O'Connor to delete his post saying “today is a good day” and forcing him to apologize to the partyroom. Dieuwe himself has been in the NZ media for his pro-life traditional views in an effort to smear his New Conservative Party. The Roe vs Wade decision has seen many know the definition of a woman again. However Professor Brendan Murphy AC Head of the Australian Health Department provided a complicated definition of woman to Liberal Senator Alex Antic 3 months after he was asked at Senate Estimates. The American Proud Boys and The Base have been designated terrorist entities by the NZ Police. The justification for listing the American Proud Boys is based on what is being claimed at the January 6 hearings which is low threshold for “terror”. Is the NZ govt worried about a freedom movement repeat? Will they list the Mongrel Mob as terrorists given one of their members was convicted of threatening to kill a National MP? Blockade Australia a climate extremist group terrorising Sydney blocking peak morning traffic. Mali Cooper who blocked the Sydney Harbour tunnel got an interview on The Project. Another blockade member Harley McDonald-Eckersall complained about vegan food not being available in prison. Family First NZ has been deregistered as a charity with the NZ Supreme Court ruling that advocating for family and tradition is not in the public interest. A Christian school Bethlehem College was forced to remove a statement about marriage by the Ministry of Education or they would lose government funding Anthony Albanese is in Madrid for the NATO summit. Indo-Pacific Partners Australia, NZ, Japan and South Korea were all invited. Foreign Minister Penny Wong is visiting her place of birth in Malaysia. She refused to answer questions about her lifestyle being illegal there. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles was at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting 2022 in Rwanda/ Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek was praised by Emmanuel Macron at the Oceans summit in Portugal for Australia's recommitment to climate change. Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls claims Climate Change action will stop domestic violence. Nobody is sure who is back here running Australia. The new Parliament doesn't open until the end of July. The 2021 Australian Census was released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. No religion has become the second most common faith after Christianity. The most common countries of birth not in Australia were England, China, NZ, India and the Philippines. There are more childless couples and millennials overtake boomers as the most populus generation. In state government news fees and fines are increasing for Victorians from today but Dan is giving away a $250 electricity bill subsidy per household. Victoria's Ambulance ramping crisis has proven to predate the pandemic attributed to 70 deaths in 2018. NSW teachers and train drivers striked this week, NSW healthcare have workers already striked. A further political headache for NSW Government this week was former Deputy Premier John Barilio trying to get a plum trade commissioner job in New York he created paying $500,000 per year. The Unshackled Links:Website: https://www.theunshackled.netFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TUnshackledTwitter: https://twitter.com/Un_shackledGab: https://gab.com/theunshackledMinds: https://www.minds.com/The_Unshackled/Telegram: https://t.me/theunshackledMeWe: https://mewe.com/p/theunshackledBitchute: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/theunshackled/Free eBook: http://theunshackledbattlefield.net/ Support Our Work: Membership: http://www.theunshackled.net/membershipDonate: https://www.theunshackled.net/donate/Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/TheUnshackledStore: https://www.theunshackled.net/store/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby is back from reporting on the prime minister's trip to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda. On this episode, she sits down with former prime minister Gordon Brown. He says he believes Britain is "at war with America over Ireland" - as US politicians oppose plans to override the Northern Ireland Protocol.Plus, your emails, with producer Mollie Malone, and a big update for podcast regulars.

Speaking briefly with reporters in Kigali, Rwanda, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly react to the United States Supreme Court's decision overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion rights. Trudeau and Joly are in Kigali attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Trade and the future of the organisation were among key topics as Rwanda hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting last week, several months after Barbados removed the Queen as head of state and recent controversies surrounding William and Kate's royal Caribbean tour. On the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson dissects the debate with Yolande Makolo, Rwanda Government spokesperson; Philip Murphy, professor of British and Commonwealth history at the University of London's School of Advanced Study; Professor Rosalea Hamilton, civil rights campaigner based in Kingston and Lord David Howell, former Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Senior podcast producer - Annie Joyce Interviews producer - Madeleine DrurySocial producer - Casey MagloireEditor - Philly Beaumont

The Prime Minister has told BBC Radio 4's Today a ‘psychological transformation' in his character ‘is not going to happen.' Speaking from the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kigali in Rwanda, Boris Johnson told Mishal Husain he had to distinguish between what he described as ‘criticism that matters and what doesn't' after the resignation of his party chairman yesterday and the loss of two by-elections. The only example of a matter of principle over which he'd consider resigning, Mr Johnson said, was if he were asked to give up supporting Ukraine. (Photo: Boris Johnson. Credit: Reuters)

Olivier Knox discusses the mostly Republican witness testimony on the January 6th attack on the US Capitol building. Cindy McCreery looks at CHOGM — the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda and the organisation's purpose, place and priorities. Steve Ratuva explains why Australia, and other big powers, are guilty of overlooking and under estimating Pacific Island nation's agency, ability and autonomy.

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting officially opens in Kigali+++Malawi's Vice-President Saulos Klaus Chilima denies corruption allegations +++Sierra Leone: Outrage over treatment of detained musician+++ Pro bono legal help in Zambia+++Portrait: Harmony Wanjiku, East African speed demon

Government Notebook (June 23, 2022) In today's headlines:  The Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, the Hon. Philip J. Pierre and the National Council of Persons with Disabilities, advocate for Saint Lucia's differently-abled at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting; and the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly affairs remains vigilant against the COVID-19 pandemic and other communicable diseases. For details on these updates and more, visit: www.govt.lc/news www.facebook.com/SaintLuciaGovernment www.youtube.com/SaintLuciaGovernment www.twitter.com/SaintLuciaGov www.instagram.com/saintluciagovernment/

Belgium returns a tooth belonging to the Congolese independence hero, Patrice Lumumba, more than 60 years after his brutal murder. Also, one of Sierra Leone's most popular musicians has his dreadlocks shaved by the police - the Inspector General defends the action. And the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) has opened in Kigali. Focus on Africa's Bola Mosuro is there.

Matt Chorley explores the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, taking place in Rwanda. He hears from Valentine Low, who writes on the Royals for The Times, Sue Onslow, Director at the Institute for Commonwealth Studies, Sir Simon McDonald, who was Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service at the Foreign Office between 2015 and 2020 and Henry Zeffman, The Times Associate political editor.PLUS Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester discuss strike action and gymnastics. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rwanda hosts Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting+++ Belgium returns Patrice Lumumba's remains +++ How to shape the future of journalism +++ World Refugee Day +++ Sports

Rwanda is gearing up host the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting from June 20-25 in the capital Kigali. The East African country, which has dropped French in favour of English in schools, wants to use the summit to promote its tourism and hospitality sector. But NGOs that are highly critical of Rwanda's human rights record hope to put this aspect in the spotlight during the event. Our correspondents report.

  James Chen has dedicated the last 20 years to addressing the issue of poor vision. He founded Clearly, a global campaign to educate the public and world leaders and raise the profile of the issue — championing innovation and spreading best practices that help make sight tests and affordable glasses available to all, as well as connecting people committed to tackling this issue so we can all be a catalyst for change.  As part of this work, James convinced 52 countries at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to pledge affordable eye care for all, created the first UN working group on poor vision and completed research which found glasses had the largest productivity increase of any other health intervention.  He is creating a tipping point in how poor vision is viewed on the global health agenda, culminating in the unanimous UN ‘Vision for All by 2030' resolution in the summer of 2021. In this episode, James also explains his passion for moonshot philanthropy and why it's important to think big, take calculated risks and, in his words, privatise failure and socialise success, whereby philanthropists absorb the costs when things don't quite work out and they share with the wider world when interventions succeed. Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Please visit our website at Lidji.org for information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.  

Samantha Cohen is CEO of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, the business network of the Commonwealth. Prior to this Sam served in the Royal Household for nearly two decades as Assistant and Deputy Private Secretary to Her Majesty The Queen, having held a previous role as Head of Royal Communications for The Queen's Household. After working on the delivery of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London in 2018, Sam served as Private Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, for 18 months. Sam previously held positions with the Minister for Mining and Energy and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs in the Australian Government, the country of her birth. Sam currently also serves as Co-Chair of the climate change charity Cool Earth and is a Trustee of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust. In 2016, Samantha was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, which recognises distinguished personal service to the monarch. She is also a proud judge for the Women of the Future Programme awards. ------- For more details on how you can enter or nominate someone for the 'Kindness & Leadership 50 Leading Lights' list, part of the Women of the Future Programme, please visit: https://www.kindnessrules.co.uk For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

TORCH Goes Digital! presents a series of weekly live events Big Tent - Live Events! Humanities and Policy Week Part of the Humanities Cultural Programme, one of the founding stones for the future Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. The World After COVID: In conversation with Professor Peter Frankopan (Stavros Niarchos Foundation Director of the Oxford Centre for Byzantine Research) and Professor Ngaire Woods (Dean of Blavatnik School of Government). Biographies: Professor Peter Frankopan Peter Frankopan is Professor of Global History, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Director of the Oxford Centre for Byzantine Research, and Senior Research Fellow at Worcester College. Peter works on the history of the Mediterranean, Russia, the Middle East, Persia, Central and Southern Asia, and on relations between Christianity and Islam. He is particularly interested in exchanges and connections between regions and peoples. Peter specialises in the history of the Byzantine Empire in the 11th Century, and in the history of Asia Minor, Russia and the Balkans. Peter works on medieval Greek literature and rhetoric, and on diplomatic and cultrual exchange between Constantinople and the islamic world, western Europe and the principalities of southern Russia. Professor Ngaire Woods Professor Ngaire Woods is the founding Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government and Professor of Global Economic Governance at Oxford University. Her research focuses on how to enhance the governance of organizations, the challenges of globalization, global development, and the role of international institutions and global economic governance. She founded the Global Economic Governance Programme at Oxford University, and co-founded (with Robert O. Keohane) the Oxford-Princeton Global Leaders Fellowship programme. She led the creation of the Blavatnik School of Government. Ngaire Woods serves as a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s International Advisory Panel, and on the Boards of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and the Stephen A. Schwarzman Education Foundation. She is an Independent Non-Executive Director at Rio Tinto (effective September 2020). She sits on the advisory boards of the Centre for Global Development, the African Leadership Institute, the School of Management and Public Policy at Tsinghua University, and the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy at Cape Town University. She is Chair of the Harvard University Visiting Committee on International Engagement and sits on the Harvard Kennedy School Visiting Committee. She is a member of the UK Government National Leadership Centre's Expert Advisory Panel, and of the Department for International Trade’s Trade and Economy Panel. She is an honorary governor of the Ditchley Foundation. Previously, she served as a Non-Executive Director on the Arup Global Group Board and on the Board of the Center for International Governance Innovation. From 2016-2018, she was Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Values, Technology and Governance.She has also served as a member of the IMF European Regional Advisory Group, and as an Advisor to the IMF Board, to the Government of Oman’s Vision 2040, to the African Development Bank, to the UNDP’s Human Development Report, and to the Commonwealth Heads of Government. Ngaire Woods has published extensively on international institutions, the global economy, globalization, and governance, including the following books: The Politics of Global Regulation (with Walter Mattli, Oxford University Press, 2009), Networks of Influence? Developing Countries in a Networked Global Order (with Leonardo Martinez-Diaz, Oxford University Press, 2009), The Globalizers: the IMF, the World Bank and their Borrowers (Cornell University Press, 2006), Exporting Good Governance: Temptations and Challenges in Canada’s Aid Program (with Jennifer Welsh, Laurier University Press, 2007), and Making Self-Regulation Effective in Developing Countries (with Dana Brown, Oxford University Press, 2007). She has previously published The Political Economy of Globalization (Macmillan, 2000), Inequality, Globalization and World Politics (with Andrew Hurrell: Oxford University Press, 1999), Explaining International Relations since 1945 (Oxford University Press, 1986). She has published numerous articles on international institutions, globalization, and governance. She has also presented numerous documentaries for BBC Radio 4 and BBC TV2. She was educated at Auckland University (BA in economics, LLB Hons in law). She studied at Balliol College, Oxford as a New Zealand Rhodes Scholar, completing an MPhil (with Distinction) and then DPhil (in 1992) in International Relations. She won a Junior Research Fellowship at New College, Oxford (1990-1992) and subsequently taught at Harvard University (Government Department) before taking up her Fellowship at University College, Oxford and academic roles at Oxford University. Ngaire Woods was appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2018 New Year's Honours for services to Higher Education and Public Policy. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and an International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

A Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, that was postponed in April due to the coronavirus pandemic, will now be held in June next year in Rwanda's capital, Kigali. The bi-ennial meeting is the Commonwealth’s highest consultative and policy-making gathering. It will be held in the week of 21 June 2021. The Commonwealth secretariat said member countries had agreed on the new date. In a statement, Commonwealth secretary-general, Patricia Scotland, said the meeting in Rwanda will provide a real opportunity to focus on post Covid recovery. --- This episode is sponsored by · Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support

PEG Interviews Australian Concert Violinist Courtenay Cleary Courtenay completed her scholarship at The Juilliard School in New York where she earned her Master of Music degree with violin professor Naoko Tanaka. She received her Bachelor of Music degree with first-class honours from the Royal Academy of Music in London where she studied with professor Maureen Smith. In 2017 Courtenay performed as a soloist for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and other distinguished guests at Westminster Abbey for the Royal Commonwealth Service. This was broadcast live on BBC television. In 2018 Courtenay again performed for the HM the Queen at Buckingham Palace for the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. She has also performed as a soloist at prestigious venues including the Wigmore Hall, St James’ Piccadilly, the Regent Hall, Colston Hall and the Lincoln Centre. She recently performed Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra in Sydney and gave the Australian premiere of David Lang’s Mystery Sonatas. She is a Tait Memorial Trust and ABRSM scholar, and was recently awarded second prize at the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition as well as the Dame Joan Sutherland Award from the American Australian Association and the Guy Parsons Award from the Portland House and Australian Music Foundations. She was also a finalist in the 2018 Freedman Fellowship awards. She is a member of the Patronus Quartet who in 2015 progressed to the semi-final of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition. She has performed at many international festivals including Tallinn Music Week and the Melbourne Festival. She has performed in many masterclasses for esteemed artists including Julian Rachlin, Daniel Hope, the St Lawrence String Quartet, and the Borodin Quartet, from whom her own quartet received a letter of recommendation for the MICMC. Courtenay is a core member of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra and also plays casually with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria. She studied at the Australian National Academy of Music from 2012-2014 with William Hennessy. During her time at the academy she played alongside many visiting artists including the Brodsky Quartet, Brett Dean, Michael Collins, The Australian Chamber Orchestra, The Aurora Orchestra, Anthony Marwood, Dale Barltrop and was concertmaster of the ANAM orchestra under the direction of Simone Young, James Judd and Nicholas Carter. In 2011 Courtenay studied under the direction of Associate Professor Patricia Pollett at the University of Queensland. During this time, she was concertmaster of the University of Queensland Chamber and Symphony Orchestras and was finalist in the university’s Bach Prize and The Howard and Gladys Sleath Prize for Strings. She was the recipient of the Sleath String Scholarship for outstanding students and was a winner of the Sid Paige & Musica Viva/4MBS Chamber Music Prize. Artist Website: https://www.courtenaycleary.com/ Watch and Listen: https://www.courtenaycleary.com/watchlisten Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtenaycleary/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CourtenayCleary --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/phantom-electric/message

Elaine McCarthy and Orla Pearson are the creators and directors of MyClearText Ltd, a captioning service offering high-quality subtitles directly to deaf and hard of hearing people. The company has grown from strength-to-strength with a client list including, Google, Barclays Bank, The Cabinet Office, NHS England, Business Disability Forum, Department of Work and Pensions, Atos, Channel 4 Events and many others.  The company is known for its high-quality writers and expertise in delivering live subtitles at events and meetings, most recently providing the live subtitles for the coverage of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings in London. Today you get to hear from friends and business partners Elaine McCarthy and Orla Pearson, who reflect on a difficult time in their business. Elaine and Orla were living in a perpetual state of stress and exhaustion and their business looked like a colossal burden that could fail at any moment. They were bogged down by thought and limited by fear, but unable to see it. Together they share how a simple understanding completely transformed their business, restored their partnership, and helped them uncover their joy, courage and confidence.

THE UNSIGNED, UNDELIVERED LETTER: PINDLING LEFT FREE...MANDELA SET FREE by Philip Rahming In the dying months of my seventy-eighth birthday in the year 2011, something clicked within me. I was remembering a historic undelivered letter and the private and painful burden I bore for a time to keep this letter undelivered. My reflections took me back to the 1985 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Nassau, Bahamas. The Commission of Inquiry was looking into whether or not the first prime minister, Sir Lynden Pindling, had any involvement in drug-trafficking proceeds and was over in late 1983, and its outcome was almost and probably forgotten by the general population. https://www.amazon.com/Unsigned-Undelivered-Letter-Pindling-Mandela/dp/1543467156 http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/

The High Commissioner for the Republic of Rwanda to the UK, and non-resident Ambassador to Ireland, Her Excellency Yamina Karitanyi, speaks to Cumberland Lodge Chief Executive, Edmund Newell, as part of the Cumberland Lodge 'Commonwealth Futures: Youth Perspectives' symposium held on 1-3 December 2019. Her Excellency discusses the important role of young people in the Commonwealth, and the particular importance of ICT innovation and the rule of law for Commonwealth futures. This podcast was recorded at Cumberland Lodge on 3 December, as part of a meeting of young leaders and students from across the Commonwealth, organised in partnership with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the British Council and the Commonwealth Secretariat. The conference gave young participants the opportunity to contribute thoughts and ideas on policy documents prepared by a youth-led task force for the 12th Commonwealth Youth Forum that will run alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda in June 2020.

Hello Everyone and welcome to Episode #32 of the podcast. Even though the PQ is coming up in a few days and I’ve been crazy busy preparing a PQ FlashTalk, I couldn’t let a week go bye without bringing you another interview. It just took a little bit longer than I had planned This week my guest is Mr. Ed De Shae Mr. Ed De Shae is an exceptional person who I’m grateful to have known since our paths first crossed here in Trinidad in 2009 during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. He was the Production Stage Manager and I was assisting with the lighting design. It was quite the experience and we briefly touch on it during the interview. Later, he became a mentor to me as I began teaching here at the University of Trinidad and Tobago’s Academy for the Performing Arts, guiding me through some of the doubts that I encountered being a first time university professor. Even today, he offers advice, insight and counsel forged from the many roles and life experience he has had both in and out of the theater as a Production Stage Manager, Director, Educator, Grandad and as a member of the United States Air Force Pararescue. I look forward to sitting with him again and listening to his stories. Everyone working in theater should know Ed De Shae. Without further a do, Mr. Ed De Shae

Keith Stokes-Smith, president of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, talks to Dan Harrison about the region's relationship with the Commonwealth. Keith also discusses representing Birmingham at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London and being part of the second city's delegation at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.

With the closing ceremonial of the 2018 London Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting barely over, BBC radio's Royal Correspondent Jonny Dymond excavates the Commonwealth of Nation's 19th Century origins in the British Empire and its formal institution in 1949 as a post-colonial worldwide network of states ‘free and equal' within the organisation. Some have joked that the long shadow of its colonial origins has made it the ‘after-care service of Empire'. And with Her Majesty the Queen as its Head, the Commonwealth in the 1980s and 1990s became a powerful tool in the pursuit of majority rule in Zimbabwe and South Africa. But since then it has struggled to clearly define itself for the closely interconnected 21st Century. Jonny Dymond samples the colour and the conversation of the London summit, visits the institution's palatial London home, Marlborough House, and talks to Secretary General Patricia Scotland about the Commonwealth's value in the modern world. (Photo: Prime Minister Theresa May chairs a meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) in London, 2018. Credit: Getty Images)

Can President Barrow live up to people’s expectations? HARDtalk’s Zeinab Badawi speaks to President Adama Barrow of The Gambia who has been attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London. He came to office in January 2017 after his electoral victory over the incumbent Yahya Jammeh who ruled over The Gambia with an iron first for more than 20 years. President Barrow found a bankrupt nation, scarred by years of living under fear and intimidation. With nearly half the population living in poverty, things may have improved but not fast enough.

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London last week the issue of human rights wasn't on the agenda. That didn't surprise rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, because it never is. And homosexuality remains illegal in the majority of Commonwealth countries.

Can President Barrow live up to people’s expectations? HARDtalk’s Zeinab Badawi speaks to President Adama Barrow of The Gambia who has been attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London. He came to office in January 2017 after his electoral victory over the incumbent Yahya Jammeh who ruled over The Gambia with an iron first for more than 20 years. President Barrow found a bankrupt nation, scarred by years of living under fear and intimidation. With nearly half the population living in poverty, things may have improved but not fast enough.

In the Balance asks whether the 53 countries of the Commonwealth could become a new force in global trade. With rising trade protectionism around the world, and the UK splitting off from the European Union, how important could this grouping of diverse nations be to the future of international trade? Ed Butler talks to business leaders and politicians at the Commonwealth Business forum, organised by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council. The programme comes from the historic royal palace of Marlborough House in London, headquarters of the Commonwealth movement. Contributors: Amy Jadesimi, CEO of LADOL, Nigeria Christian Cardona, Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business, Malta Rahul Mirchandani, founder of the Commonwealth-Asia Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs Sir Kenneth Olisa, OBE, Founder and Chairman of Restoration Partners Producer: Audrey Tinline (Picture: Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Patricia Scotland and Theresa May at Buckingham Palace in London during The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), April 19, 2018. Credit: VICTORIA JONES/AFP/Getty Images)

A report on the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London and a review of the week's world news  #Commonwealth #Brexit #trade #Prince Charles #Queen Elizabeth II #climate change #plastic pollution  #cyberwarfare #GCHQ #FBI #Russia  #Putin  #Syria #Iran #Jamescomey #Michaelcohen #muellerinquiry #chineseeconomy #worldeconomy #londoncrime #wifecarryingchampionships #immigration #windrush #corbyn #macron #france #germany

The Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) has been ceremonially opened in London. - Nữ hoàng Elizabeth đệ nhị ủng hộ con trai cả của bà là Thái Tử Charles sẽ là người kế vị của bà tại Khối Thịnh Vượng Chung, vốn là một vấn đề gặp nhiều tranh luận.

Sermon given by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Evensong marking the 25th Meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government at Westminster Abbey at 3.00pm on Sunday 15th April 2018 #CHOGM2018 #westminsterabbey

What can be done to counter the spread of false and misleading information on social media? Sir David Spiegelhalter, Professor of the Public Understanding of Risk at Cambridge University, has been travelling to classrooms around the world for a World Service documentary examining new strategies to combat the phenomenon. Ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London in April 2018, David talks to a group of the Commonwealth's brightest young minds about the challenges of assessing the truthfulness of claims in the news today. The six participants, drawn from the Commonwealth's affiliated youth organisations, discuss the issues affecting social media in their home countries and how they work to distinguish fact from fiction.

1) His week that was- Kevin Healy 2) Massacre of Palestinians on Gaza/Israel border- Dr Bassam Dale from the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network 3) The connection between the giant hydrogen bomb test in the Pacific 60 years ago and the 25th Meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government- journalist and researcher Nic Maclellan 4) Western Suburbs  Environment group taking the EPA to VCAT over the Werribee tip Epansion 5) Timor Letse Permaculture Ego Lemas talking about the history of agriculture prior and following the Portuguese occupation and Indonesian occupation

At 12,40 am on 13 February 1978, a bomb exploded outside the Hilton Hotel in Sydney. The bomb killed two garbage collectors and a police officer. The Hilton Hotel was the site of the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting. Two members of the Ananda Marga Hindu religious sect, Tim Anderson and Evan Pederick were convicted of the bombing. Anderson was subsequently acquitted. Controversy and conspiracy theories have surrounded the incident and some have claimed that ASIO was responsible. Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/ Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says despite the terrorist attacks in Paris two weeks ago, the Climate Change summit starting in the French capital today, will succeed. He was addressing the media on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malta. In 2011 world leaders agreed to have a universally legally binding Climate Change agreement by the end of 2015. And Ban says they cannot afford to postpone that commitment any longer. Our Political Correspondent Ntebo Mokobo reports…

Joseph Wakim OAM is an independent writer on human rights issues. While completing his Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Melbourne, he became one of the original volunteer street workers in the Open Family Foundation in 1984. He then established a similar street work project for homeless youth in Adelaide and is known for exposing child prostitution in the church city. He was a social worker for the Arabic-speaking community at the time of the first Gulf War in 1991. After conducting hundreds of media interviews and writing letters to the editor, Joseph was invited to write opinion columns. He has been a prolific writer ever since and his body of work is highlighted on this site. His anti-racism campaigns  and initaitives earned the Commonwealth Heads of Government Violence Prevention Award in 1996. As a widowed father of three children, his writing is enriched by his personal experience with the big questions in life. His second book 'What my Daughters Taught Me' is a story of triumph and how the human spirit stays strong when life goes wrong. His story deals with the need for men to be ‘emancipated’ by being nurtured to be nurturers. It links with current debates about domestic violence and our male definition of strength. It also argues that it is the quality of the parenting, not the gender, that matters most. Gender differences are exaggerated and exploited, resulting in men missing out on so much. His book has been described as a ‘brilliantly honest memoir, hilariously so’, The book not only deals candidly with father-daughter relationships but additionally with resilience, hope, faith, masculinity, strength, grief and the ‘humour hormone’.

Joseph Wakim OAM is an independent writer on human rights issues. While completing his Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Melbourne, he became one of the original volunteer street workers in the Open Family Foundation in 1984. He then established a similar street work project for homeless youth in Adelaide and is known for exposing child prostitution in the church city. He was a social worker for the Arabic-speaking community at the time of the first Gulf War in 1991. After conducting hundreds of media interviews and writing letters to the editor, Joseph was invited to write opinion columns. He has been a prolific writer ever since and his body of work is highlighted on this site. His anti-racism campaigns  and initaitives earned the Commonwealth Heads of Government Violence Prevention Award in 1996. As a widowed father of three children, his writing is enriched by his personal experience with the big questions in life. His second book 'What my Daughters Taught Me' is a story of triumph and how the human spirit stays strong when life goes wrong. His story deals with the need for men to be ‘emancipated’ by being nurtured to be nurturers. It links with current debates about domestic violence and our male definition of strength. It also argues that it is the quality of the parenting, not the gender, that matters most. Gender differences are exaggerated and exploited, resulting in men missing out on so much. His book has been described as a ‘brilliantly honest memoir, hilariously so’, The book not only deals candidly with father-daughter relationships but additionally with resilience, hope, faith, masculinity, strength, grief and the ‘humour hormone’.

Jane Patterson returns from Sri Lanka and asks if NZ was right to attend the Commonwealth Heads meeting.

The noise and devastation of Hurricane Haiyan: Andrew Harding on the first town in the Philippines to feel the force of the storm; Charles Haviland on how the furore surrounding the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Sri Lanka has pushed the Tamil north of the country into the news spotlight; Nicholas Wade travels to Jerusalem to hear people's views about the latest attempts to reach a Middle East peace settlement; Moldova and other former Soviet satellites are due to sign a trade deal with the EU and Tessa Dunlop's been finding out that not everyone there feels it's a good idea to turn their backs on Russia and Will Ross has been taking time off from the hard news of Nigeria to take a look at its thriving arts scene -- and a novel use for the xylophone! From Our Own Correspondent is produced by Tony Grant

WARNING: this podcast contains some upsetting scenes. As David Cameron attends the controversial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka, Dominic Laurie looks in depth at the country's human rights record. He speaks to the country's government and hears from a woman who says she was raped and tortured by Sri Lankan troops

Institute of Commonwealth Studies Commonwealth controversies: lessons from the past? Past CHOGMs and their Past Controversies Dr Ruth Craggs, Co-Investigator, Commonwealth Oral History Project The decision to hold the 2013 Commonwealth Heads...

Institute of Commonwealth Studies Commonwealth controversies: lessons from the past? Lessons from managing past Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings Sir Sir Shridath 'Sonny' Ramphal in conversation with Professor Philip Murphy, Director, I...

Institute of Commonwealth Studies Commonwealth controversies: lessons from the past? Lessons from managing past Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings Sir Sir Shridath 'Sonny' Ramphal in conversation with Professor Philip Murphy, Director, I...

Institute of Commonwealth Studies Commonwealth controversies: lessons from the past? Past CHOGMs and their Past Controversies Dr Ruth Craggs, Co-Investigator, Commonwealth Oral History Project The decision to hold the 2013 Commonwealth Heads...

Andrew Marr is in Perth in Australia for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, to discuss mining, money and the monarchy. He talks to the Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, Danny Sriskandarajah, about the future of an organisation, headed by the Queen, that's been criticised for being impotent and irrelevant. Compared to many Commonwealth nations, Australia is going through an economic boom time. At its heart is the mineral-rich land of Western Australia, and ABC's morning show presenter Geoff Hutchison explains how the growth in mining has affected the lives of his listeners. The Minister for Mines and Petroleum in WA, Norman Moore, lambasts the federal government over its plans for a carbon tax. And the economic advisor to the former Labor leader, Andrew Charlton, says the debate about the environment has become so vicious and polarised that it has the power to bring down party leaders.Producer: Katy Hickman.