World News

Tokyo: Laying a long-term strategic groundwork to further solidify cooperation for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and delving into the implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine are expected to be the central focus of the second in-person summit of Quad leaders in Tokyo on Tuesday. The leaders of the Quad comprising India, the United States, Australia and Japan are set to demonstrate that the grouping is a 'force for global good' and has a unifying commitment to a rules-based international order amid China's increasingly intimidatory behaviour.The summit is taking place at a time when relations between China and the member countries of the Quad have become tense in the last few years with Beijing increasingly challenging democratic values and resorting to coercive trade practices. At the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to delve into India's perspective and vision for the Indo-Pacific as well as ways to boost cooperation in multiple domains including ensuring resilient supply chains.In a statement, before he left for Japan on Sunday, Modi said the summit will provide an opportunity for the leaders to review the progress of the Quad initiatives and exchange views about developments in the Indo-Pacific region and global issues of mutual interest. There have been indications that the four-nation grouping may further resolve to expand cooperation in areas of emerging technologies, supply chain security, clean energy, connectivity, digital trade and infrastructure. US President Joe Biden is likely to use the summit to showcase Washington's strong commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and may call for further revitalising the grouping's framework for cooperation. In line with its long-term vision for the region, Biden is launching on Monday the ambitious Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), which is an initiative aimed at deeper cooperation among like-minded countries in areas like clean energy, supply-chain resilience and digital trade. The rollout of the IPEF is expected to send across a signal that the US is focused on pushing forward a strong economic policy for the region to counter China's aggressive strategy on trade in the region. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Sunday said the IPEF is designed to create 'high-standard approaches' to digital economy, to clean energy transition, diverse and resilient supply chains and open and transparent economic governance. Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra last week said continuing cooperation on COVID-19 response, post-pandemic management of the economy and health infrastructure are also important elements for the Quad summit. "These include last-mile delivery, health security, genomic surveillance, clinical trials, and pandemic preparedness as their important elements," he said. Australia's newly-appointed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will also participate in the summit and it will be interesting to know about his vision for the Indo-Pacific. The Quad leaders are also set to discuss the Russian military offensive in Ukraine and the humanitarian as well as security implications of the conflict.Unlike its Quad partner countries, India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it abstained from the votes at the United Nations platforms on the Russian aggression.India has been pressing for an immediate cessation of violence in Ukraine and seeking a resolution of the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue. In March last year, President Biden hosted the first-ever summit of Quad leaders in the virtual format that was followed by an in-person summit in Washington in September.The Quad leaders also held a virtual meeting in March. The Quad has been focusing on cooperation in areas such as producing vaccines, connectivity projects, facilitating mobility of students, and looking at promoting startups and technology collaboration. The Quad vaccine partnership was announced in March last year with an aim to deliver one billion doses of vaccines to the Indo-Pacific region by the end of 2022. India has always been maintaining that Quad is not aimed at any country. The foreign minister of the four countries held their first meeting under the 'Quad' framework in New York in September 2019. In November 2017, the four countries gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence besides cooperating on other issues. India's approach to the Indo-Pacific was enunciated by Prime Minister Modi in his address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in 2018. Inclusiveness, openness and ASEAN centrality and unity lie at the heart of India's Indo-Pacific vision.The 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a key stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific region.—PTI

Laying a long-term strategic groundwork to further solidify cooperation for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and delving into the implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine are expected to be the central focus of the second in-person summit of Quad leaders in Tokyo on Tuesday.

China, Russia to be the focus of Quad deliberations

Far East

Kyiv: &nbsp;A Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in the first war crimes trial arising from Russia's Feb. 24 invasion.Vadim Shishimarin, a 21-year-old tank commander, had pleaded guilty to killing the 62-year-old man in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28 after being ordered to shoot at him from a car.—REUTERS

 A Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in the first war crimes trial arising from Russia's Feb. 24 invasion.

Ukraine court jails Russian soldier for life in war crimes trial

Europe

Tokyo: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son met on Monday to discuss more investments by the country's biggest tech backer, as a startup boom appears to cool in India amid worries about the global economy. The Japanese firm has injected more than $14 billion into India's tech industry, including in payments app Paytm whose market value has sunk since listing in Mumbai in November.Fundraising has become much more difficult this year for Indian startups after attracting a record $35 billion in 2021, while Softbank this month posted a record $26.2 billion loss at its Vision Fund investment arm. "Further propelling Japanese investments in India," Indian foreign ministry spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, said on Twitter posting pictures of Modi and Son in a meeting in Tokyo.Bagchi said talks focused on "Softbank's future participation in India in technology, energy, finance, R&amp;D, etc" without giving details. In a video statement shared by New Delhi after the meeting, Son said India was growing "very quickly" and had become the third-biggest generator of startups in the world."India's future is bright," he said, adding Modi was keen to keep supporting the startup sector. Modi also met officials from Suzuki Motor Corp, the majority owner of India's biggest automaker, Maruti Suzuki, and discussed investment in electric vehicles and batteries.In a separate meeting with the chief of Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing Co Ltd, Modi urged the retailer to invest in India's upcoming all-in-one mega textile parks. The prime minister is in Tokyo for a summit of the leaders of the Quad group of countries - India, the United States, Japan, and Australia - and the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity.—IANS

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son met on Monday to discuss more investments by the country's biggest tech backer, as a startup boom appears to cool in India amid worries about the global economy. The Japanese firm has injected more than $14 billion into India's tech industry, including in payments app Paytm whose market value has sunk since listing in Mumbai in November.

PM Modi, Softbank's Son discuss more investments after big tech bets

Washington: United States President Joe Biden said on Monday that Washington is ready to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan in the event of invasion. Biden met with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan on Monday to advance cooperation on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues.During a joint press conference with the Japanese PM, Biden reaffirmed Washington's commitment to ensuring the security of the Taiwan Strait and preventing any change in the status quo unilaterally. When asked whether the US is ready to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan, he replied in the affirmative, adding that this is the commitment that the US has taken on. "We remain committed to supporting peace and stability in Taiwan Strait. The US stands firmly with Japan and other nations not to let that happen (China taking over Taiwan)," he said."After this, US and Japan together with 11 other nations will be launching the Indo-Pacific economic framework. This framework is a commitment to working with our close friends and partners in the region and challenges that matter most to ensuring economic competitiveness," he added.According to the White House statement, Biden commended Prime Minister Kishida's leadership in responding to Russia's war against Ukraine, and his determination to strengthen Japan's defence capabilities, noting that a strong US-Japan alliance is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.The two leaders committed to work closely together to address security challenges, including North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and China's increasingly coercive behaviour that runs counter to international law. They agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as emerging technologies, supply chain security, and clean energy. Addressing a press conference, the Japanese PM said the two leaders discussed the impact of the Ukraine situation on the Indo-Pacific. "For China, we concurred to monitor recent activities of Chinese Navy and joint military exercise of China and strongly oppose the changes caused by force." Ahead of the Quad summit on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi slammed the United States' Indo-Pacific strategy on Sunday, charging that the four-nation grouping was formed in the guise of freedom and openness but with the purpose to contain China.He made these comments while addressing a press conference after talks with visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Guangzhou,&nbsp;Xinhua&nbsp;news agency reported.When asked about the 'Indo-Pacific Strategy', Wang said: "The US' Indo-Pacific Strategy is causing more and more vigilance and concern in the international community, especially in the Asia-Pacific region."—ANI

United States President Joe Biden said on Monday that Washington is ready to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan in the event of invasion.

US ready to send troops if China invades Taiwan

America

Tehran: The relations between Iran and Gulf Arab states have seen a "breakthrough" since President Ebrahim Raisi assumed office in 2021, an Iranian diplomat said Sunday. Iran and Saudi Arabia have taken "positive and constructive steps" toward resolving their differences, said Iranian Foreign Ministry's Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs Ali Reza Enayati in an interview with official news agency IRNA.He also mentioned the earlier dispatch of Iranian representatives to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) headquartered in Saudi Arabia where their cooperation with the OIC was facilitated by Saudi officials. The Iranian official hoped that further negotiations between the two major regional Muslim states would pave the way for the participation of Iranian pilgrims in the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia.Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Iran in early 2016 in protest against the attacks on its diplomatic missions in Iran following the kingdom's execution of a Shiite cleric. The relations further soured during the Yemeni civil war between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and the internationally-recognized government supported by the Saudi-led coalition.Enayati said Raisi's February visit to Qatar, during which 15 memoranda of understanding were signed, and the president's upcoming trip to Oman are also signs of improvement of Iran's relations with Gulf Arab states.—IANS

 The relations between Iran and Gulf Arab states have seen a "breakthrough" since President Ebrahim Raisi assumed office in 2021, an Iranian diplomat said Sunday.

Iran sees breakthrough in ties with Gulf Arab states: official

Middle East

Peshawar: PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday announced that his party’s long march towards Islamabad for the country’s “battle for real freedom” will begin on May 25, media reported. “Today we held our core committee meeting and made (important) decisions,” Imran Khan, flanked by the who’s who of PTI leadership, said at a press conference in Peshawar. “The biggest (question) was when to begin the long march, and we have decided.“I want to give a little background of how we reached here. There was a foreign conspiracy against Pakistan from the US. In this regime change, they used locals the most corrupt people, who were ready to become part of any conspiracy to save their corruption. “This conspiracy was hatched eight months ago and I was alerted about it in June, and after August, I fully understood what was happening. We did our best that somehow this conspiracy could be voided but unfortunately we couldn’t stop it,” he said.The PTI Chairman explained in detail his allegations of conspiracy as well as the purpose of his march before announcing the date, Dawn reported. “I want people from all (walks of life) to come because this is Jihad, and not politics. I’ve decided and told all my team that we have to be ready to sacrifice our lives.” Imran Khan indicated that the march would convert into a sit-in and continue until his demands are accepted. “We will never under any situation accept them. No matter how long we have to remain in Islamabad, we will remain there.”—IANS

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday announced that his party’s long march towards Islamabad for the country’s “battle for real freedom” will begin on May 25, media reported.

Imran Khan Says Long March To Islamabad From May 25

South Asia

Cannes: &nbsp;The ongoing 75th Cannes Film Festival witnessed yet another disruption on Sunday due to protestors on the Red Carpet, only two days after a naked woman demonstrated against violence towards women in Ukraine.According to Deadline, while raising their fists in the air, a group of women dressed in black unfurled a banner and let off black smoke grenades. They had a banner that featured a long list of women's names interspersed with the words 'A Woman'. The outlet reported that the names on the banner correspond to women killed by men in France in cases of domestic violence.Later, a spokesperson for the film 'Riposte Feministe', a documentary about the feminist collages in France to denounce feminicides, claimed credit for the protest.As per Deadline, the entire incident took place at the premiere of the Competition film 'Holy Spider' and videos of it were shared on Twitter. 'Holy Spider' is a feminist thriller movie about a woman in Iran who tracks down a man who is killing prostitutes.—ANI

The ongoing 75th Cannes Film Festival witnessed yet another disruption on Sunday due to protestors on the Red Carpet, only two days after a naked woman demonstrated against violence towards women in Ukraine.

Cannes 2022: Female protestors disrupt Red Carpet event

Tokyo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday arrived in Japan on a two-day visit to attend a summit of the Quad leaders which is aimed at further bolstering cooperation among the member nations of the influential grouping and discussing developments in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. 'Landed in Tokyo. Will be taking part in various programmes during this visit including the Quad Summit, meeting fellow Quad leaders, interacting with Japanese business leaders and the vibrant Indian diaspora,' Modi tweeted in both Japanese and English.'Ohayo, Tokyo! PM @narendramodi arrives to a warm welcome in Tokyo on what is his fifth visit to Japan in the last 8 years,' External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. Prime Minister Modi interacted with children outside the hotel in Tokyo.He also saw the drawing of a young girl and signed an autograph for her during his interaction with the children. He then interacted with a boy who was waiting for him with a drawing of the tricolour. Prime Minister Modi asked him from where he learnt Hindi and praised him for his fluency in the language. Japan's Indian community has made pioneering contributions in different fields. They have also remained connected with their roots in India. I thank the Indian diaspora in Japan for the warm welcome,' Modi said on Twitter after his interaction with the community.Besides Modi, the Quad summit in Tokyo on May 24 will be attended by United States President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian prime minister-elect Anthony Albanese. 'In Japan, I will also participate in the second in-person Quad Leaders' Summit, which will provide an opportunity for the leaders of the four Quad countries to review the progress of Quad initiatives,' Modi said in his departure statement.'We will also exchange views about developments in the Indo-Pacific region and global issues of mutual interest,' said Modi, whose visit to Japan is taking place under the shadow of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Quad or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue comprises India, the US, Japan and Australia. Modi, who is visiting Tokyo at the invitation of his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida, will hold separate bilateral meetings with Biden, Kishida and Albanese on the sidelines of the summit. He had hosted Kishida for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit in March 2022.'During my visit to Tokyo, I look forward to continuing our conversation further, with an aim to strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership,' Modi said ahead of his visit.He said economic cooperation between India and Japan is an important aspect of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership.Modi also said that he is looking forward to a bilateral meeting with newly-elected Australian Prime Minister Albanese during which the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and regional and global issues of mutual interest will be discussed.Noting that Japan is home to nearly 40,000 members of the Indian diaspora, who are an important anchor in India's relations with Japan, Modi said he looks forward to interacting with them.—PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday arrived in Japan on a two-day visit to attend a summit of the Quad leaders which is aimed at further bolstering cooperation among the member nations of the influential grouping and discussing developments in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

Where did you learn Hindi': In Tokyo to attend Quad, Modi meets kids

Dhaka: Amid rising cases of monkeypox across the world, Bangladesh has declared a health alert to curb the latest outbreak of the disease. However, no cases have been reported in the country so far, Xinhua News Agency on Sunday reported citing a health official. "No monkeypox case has been reported in Bangladesh yet, but we've made the declaration in order to check any eventuality," the official from the health ministry said.According to the official, the initial measures will involve monkeypox screening of all incoming passengers from countries where cases have been detected. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 80 cases of monkeypox in 11 countries and said they are working to better understand the extent and cause of the outbreak. In a statement issued on Friday, the WHO said the virus is endemic in some animal populations in a number of countries, leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and travelers. "WHO and partners are working to better understand the extent and cause of an outbreak of monkeypox. The virus is endemic in some animal populations in a number of countries, leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and travelers. The recent outbreaks reported across 11 countries so far are atypical, as they are occurring in non-endemic countries," the WHO said in a statement.Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms very similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. According to WHO, Monkeypox typically presents clinically with fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications. Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks.—ANI

Amid rising cases of monkeypox across the world, Bangladesh has declared a health alert to curb the latest outbreak of the disease.

Bangladesh declares health alert amid monkeypox outbreak

Jeddah: Following the re-outbreak of Covid and the rapid surge in the number of daily Covid infections over the past few weeks, Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens from traveling to sixteen countries, including India. The sixteen countries where the citizens of Saudi Arabia are banned to travel apart from India include Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Indonesia, Vietnam, Armenia, Belarus, and Venezuela, reported Gulf News.Further, the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has assured the public that zero monkeypox cases have been detected in the country. Abdullah Asiri, Deputy Minister of Health for preventive health has said that the Kingdom has the capability to monitor and discover any suspected monkeypox cases and also to fight against the infection if any new case emerges. "Until now, cases of transmission between humans are very limited, and therefore the possibility of any outbreaks occurring from it, even in countries that have detected cases, are very low," he added.Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 80 cases of monkeypox in 11 countries and said they are working to better understand the extent and cause of the outbreak.In a statement issued on Friday, the WHO said the virus is endemic in some animal populations in a number of countries, leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and travelers.—ANI

Following the re-outbreak of Covid and the rapid surge in the number of daily Covid infections over the past few weeks, Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens from traveling to sixteen countries, including India.

Saudi bans travel to 16 countries including India over Covid outbreaks

Islamabad: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan once again praised India for buying discounted oil from Russia despite being a key member of a US-led Quad alliance. "Despite being part of the Quad, India sustained pressure from the US and bought discounted Russian oil to provide relief to the masses," Dawn news quoted Khan as saying in a tweet. "This is what our government was working to achieve with the help of an independent foreign policy," he added. In a second tweet, Khan claimed that for his government, "Pakistan's interest was supreme but unfortunately the local Mir Jafars &amp; Mir Sadiqs bowed to external pressure, forcing a regime change and are now running around like a headless chicken with the economy in a tailspin".The former premier also tagged to his tweet a South Asia Index report, saying: "After buying discounted oil from Russia, the Indian government reduced petrol price by 9.5 rupees per litre, Diesel price has also been reduced by 7 rupees per litre." Michael Kugelman, a scholar of South Asian affairs at the Wilson Centre, Washington, also referred to this report, saying: "This is why Khan was praising India during his final days as Prime Minister." He pointed out that Khan wanted to import wheat and eventually gas from Russia, Dawn reported.—IANS

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan once again praised India for buying discounted oil from Russia despite being a key member of a US-led Quad alliance.

Imran again praises India for buying discounted oil from Russia

Colombo: Police in Sri Lanka on Sunday started a nationwide raid on those hoarding diesel or petrol for resale amid the ongoing economic crisis. Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said they had received information that a large number of those queuing at gas stations are buying fuel to resell at higher prices, reports Xinhua news agency. This was causing great inconvenience for the people as long queues persist despite availability of fuel, said Thalduwa.Meanwhile, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said that a ship carrying petrol started unloading in Colombo on Saturday night. Another ship carrying petrol will arrive on May 25, the Minister said. The island nation's economy has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, rising energy prices, and populist tax cuts. A chronic shortage of foreign currency and soaring inflation had led to a severe shortage of medicines, fuel and other essentials. In recent weeks, there have been large, violent, protests against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his family.—IANS

Police in Sri Lanka on Sunday started a nationwide raid on those hoarding diesel or petrol for resale amid the ongoing economic crisis.

Sri Lanka starts nationwide raid on those hoarding fuel

Cannes: "Squid Game" star and seasoned South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae has broken into the big league as a director with his debut film "Hunt", which premiered at the ongoing 75th Cannes Film Festival's Midnight Screenings section."Hunt", an action-packed spy thriller set in the early 1980s, revolves around two agents of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) who differ drastically in their approaches to the job of protecting the nation. The film, written and directed by Lee, also features the star in one of the two lead roles. The other protagonist is played by Lee's longtime friend and business partner Jung Woo-sung. Lee and Jung first worked together in 1999's "City of the Rising Sun". This is the "Squid Game" lead actor's second trip to the Cannes Film Festival. He was here in 2010 as the male lead of Im Sang-soo's "The Housemaid". The film competed for the Palme d'Or. Despite being set 40 years ago, "Hunt" has clear contemporary relevance. That, Lee insists, isn't a coincidence. The contemporary relevance of the story was, of course, in my mind when I wrote and directed Hunt, he says. When I bought the rights for the original screenplay, it had a different subject matter and spin, says the actor-turned-director. The character played by Jung was much smaller and the focus was solely on the role (of Park Pyong-ho) that I play, he says. I decided to work on it. In the times that we live in there is so much fake information going around and I wanted to weave that into the film. I retained the 1980s setting because that was a period in which not only Korea but also many other countries saw information being routinely manipulated by those in power. This, says Lee, happens now as well. So, we have to question ourselves: will we allow all the misinformation to shape our values? Once I decided what 'Hunt' will be about, I developed the parallel character of Kim Jung-do (played by Jung) as a person with his own values and convictions. He is a man with a strong will to right what he thinks is wrong. That is how 'Hunt' became a two-character story. Lee agrees that writing and directing a film while also acting in it is no cakewalk.Initially, I only wanted to produce 'Hunt'. I did not think about writing and directing it. I took on those responsibilities because I could not find the right director and scriptwriter. But once Lee had locked the scenario, he knew he had to wear the director's hat, too. I felt I was the best person to helm the project, but writing a screenplay takes a lot out of you. So, I am not confident that I will be writing and directing another one soon. About Park Pyong-ho, the character that he embodies on the screen in his directorial debut, Lee says: He is instigated to become a part of the spy ring operated by North Korea aimed at reunification. Pyong-ho's KCIA colleague Kim Jung-do, on the other hand, is loyal to the authoritarian regime. He is a soldier. He decides he has to suppress the enemies of the state in a very brutal way. It is apparent that both men are pawns in a larger game, explains Lee. To what extent has the international success of "Squid Game" changed his life?I wouldn't say my life has changed so much, says Lee. It is just that I am now known to a global audience. Career-wise, he is on an undeniably exciting new curve.I can now also work in overseas productions. Global projects are reaching me and they want me to be on board. I am open to these opportunities. Therefore, the principal change that has occurred is that I now have more projects to choose from, says the actor. He adds: I am looking forward to the future. I have been in this business for quite some time but this feels like an all-new start.Trying to put a finger on the increasing popularity of Korean films and web series, Lee says: I think it is all about the story. We have a lot of fun, novel and unique stories. That is why audiences are drawn to K-dramas and overseas producers are enthused to remake Korean content. Although the budget of "Hunt" was a fraction of that of a Hollywood espionage drama, it is the passion and flair with which it is made that lends it an appeal that is universal. Lee says he made "Hunt" even as he was shooting for "Squid Game".Asked if it was tough switching between two dissimilar characters in two dissimilar projects, the actor-director quips: Do not forget, I have 30 years' experience in this field.—PTI

 "Squid Game" star and seasoned South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae has broken into the big league as a director with his debut film "Hunt", which premiered at the ongoing 75th Cannes Film Festival's Midnight Screenings section.

Squid Game' star hunts down fresh glory in Cannes

Sydney: &nbsp;Australians awoke on Sunday to a new prime minister in Anthony Albanese, the centre-left Labour Party leader whose ascension to the nation's top job from being raised in social housing by a single mother on a disability pension was said to reflect the changed fabric of the country today. The 59-year-old career politician, who has described himself as the only candidate with a “non-Anglo Celtic name” to run for prime minister in the 121 years the office has existed, referred to his humble upbringing in the inner-Sydney suburb of Camperdown while thanking electors for making him the country's 31st leader.“It says a lot about our great country that a son of a single mom who was a disability pensioner, who grew up in public housing down the road in Camperdown, can stand before you tonight as Australia's prime minister,” Albanese told jubilant supporters after tipping Scott Morrison out of office to end nine years of conservative rule. “Every parent wants more for the next generation than they had. My mother dreamt of a better life for me. And I hope that my journey in life inspires Australians to reach for the stars,” he said.But it remained unclear whether Albanese's party could form a majority government or have to rely on the support of an increased number of independents and minor party lawmakers who won seats in Saturday's election, in results analysts described as extremely complicated, and which also mirrored the face of modern Australia. With counting set to continue for many days as postal votes are tallied, one prospect that emerged was that Albanese may need to be sworn in as acting prime minister to attend Tuesday's Quad summit in Tokyo with US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The election delivered a clear rebuke to Australia's traditional two-party system, both to Labour and the heavily defeated conservative coalition led by the Liberal party's outgoing Prime Minister Morrison. The major parties bled votes to fringe parties and independents, including in many seats considered Labour or coalition strongholds. Needing 76 seats in the lower Parliamentary chamber, the House of Representatives, to govern in its own right, Labour on Sunday afternoon was being called the winner in 71, with 67% of votes counted, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp. The Liberal-National coalition was ahead in just 52 — drastically down from its bare-majority 76 in the 2019 poll, in what analysts called a fierce rejection of Morrison and his team's handling of many issues in its three-year term including climate, COVID-19, women's rights, political integrity and natural disasters such as bushfires and floods. A total of 15 seats had been declared for independents or minor party candidates. Of these, three were from the environment-centric Green party and 12 were non-aligned politicians, with up to nine of those so-called teal independents. In a new wave in Australian politics, the teal independents are marketed as a greener shade than the Liberal Party's traditional blue colour and want stronger government action on reducing Australia's greenhouse gas emissions than either the government or Labour are proposing. Most of their successful candidates are women, their success seen partly as a repudiation of Morrison for his handling of gender issues including sex scandals that have rocked Parliament during his latest three-year term. While Labour will form either a majority or minority government, both major parties lost ground, with support for the coalition dropping by more than 6% from the 2019 election, and Labour's vote falling by around 1.2% as of Sunday morning. Albanese vowed to bring Australians together, increase investment in social services and “end the climate wars”.Speaking to reporters while walking his dog in his electorate on Sunday morning, Albanese evoked a more cooperative approach to Parliamentary business — possibly unavoidable if Labour cannot form a majority government — and described his victory as “a really big moment”. “It's something that's a big moment in my life, but what I want it to be is a big moment for the country,” he said. “I do want to change the country. I want to change the way that politics operates in this country.” Greens leader Adam Bandt concurred, saying his party wanted to work with the next government to “tackle the climate crisis” and an “inequality crisis” he said was threatening Australia. “The Liberal vote went backwards, the Labour vote went backwards,” he told reporters. “More people turned to the Greens than ever before...because we said that politics needs to be done differently.” Albanese, who revealed in a 2016 interview he had tracked down his biological father in Italy in 2009, four years before his death, said his surname and that of new government Senate leader Penny Wong, who is of Chinese ancestry, reflected modern, multi-cultural Australia. “I think it's good...someone with a non-Anglo Celtic surname is the leader in the House of Representatives and that someone with a surname like Wong is the leader of the government in the Senate,” he said.With a time imperative ahead of Tuesday's Quad summit, Australian National University constitutional law expert Professor Donald Rothwell predicted Albanese could be sworn in as acting prime minister in order to represent the country at the Tokyo meeting.Rothwell said in a press release that Australia's Governor General, the representative of Australia's ultimate head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, would “only be prepared to swear in Albanese as Acting PM' until such time as the results are much clearer.” Albanese, speaking to reporters on Sunday morning, merely said he would be among “five people who'll be sworn in tomorrow (Monday)” before attending the Quad meeting, then returning to Australia on Wednesday when “we'll get down to business.” The four colleagues he mentioned included lawmakers set to step into key financial portfolios and his deputy leader. Labour has promised more financial assistance and a robust social safety net as Australia grapples with the highest inflation since 2001 and soaring housing prices.The party also plans to increase minimum wages, and on the foreign policy front it proposed to establish a Pacific defence school to train neighbouring armies in response to China's potential military presence on the Solomon Islands on Australia's doorstep.It also wants to tackle climate change with a more ambitious 43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.Morrison, who became prime minister after an internal party coup in 2018, said he would stand down as Liberal leader. His popularity had waned dramatically since his surprise 2019 election victory, including after taking a vacation in Hawaii during Australia's ravaging bushfires in the summer of 2019-20 and more lately amid the Solomon Islands' strategic alliance with China.—PTI

Australians awoke on Sunday to a new prime minister in Anthony Albanese, the centre-left Labour Party leader whose ascension to the nation's top job from being raised in social housing by a single mother on a disability pension was said to reflect the changed fabric of the country today.

Albanese elected Australia's leader in complex poll result

Dhaka: The Bangladesh Muktijoddha Mancha on Saturday staged a protest against the Pakistan High Commission for allegedly sending agents in the guise of a media delegation to Bangladesh. This protest was held in front of the National Museum in Shahbag between 3 and 4:30 pm on Saturday. According to the Press release, the Muktijoddha Mancha members including Muktijoddha Ruhul Amin accused PHC of sending the Jama'at-e-Islami (JeI)-ICS Islami Chhatra Shibir agents in the name of a media delegation to Pakistan.Apart from promoting the terrorism and fake currency racket in Bangladesh, Pakistan has also done mass killings in the 1971 war, killing Bangabandhu, a grenade attack on August 21, involvement in a PHC diplomat in undiplomatic practices in 2015, and, the Pakistan cricket team's audacity of hoisting Pak flag in Bangladesh during a practice session last year. Around 200 participated in the protest human chain, while it was attended by around 1000 passers-by and onlookers, near Dhaka University. This demonstration was covered widely by local media.—ANI

The Bangladesh Muktijoddha Mancha on Saturday staged a protest against the Pakistan High Commission for allegedly sending agents in the guise of a media delegation to Bangladesh.

Bangladesh group protests Pak sending 'agents as media delegation'

Manila: An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.1 jolted Batangas province on the main Philippine island of Luzon on Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The institute said the quake, which occurred at 5:50 am, hit at a depth of 132 km, about 21-km northwest of Calatagan town. The tremor was also felt in Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro, Xinhua news agency reported. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The institute added that the tectonic quake will trigger aftershocks and can cause damage. The Philippines has frequent seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire".—IANS

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.1 jolted Batangas province on the main Philippine island of Luzon on Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

Magnitude 6.1 earthquake jolts Philippines

Southeast Asia

Bamiyan: Two children lost their lives in a landslide that allegedly hit a village in Waras district of central Bamiyan province of Afghanistan, provincial administration spokesman Sabour Sighani said. The landslide occurred on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported. According to the official on Saturday, the natural disaster hit Kaftar Khan village in Waras district on Friday afternoon, killing two sisters on the spot.It is the second incident of its kind over the past week in the war-torn country. Earlier on Monday, four people were killed and two others injured in a landslide that hit Sholar-e-Payan district of northern Badakhshan province.—IANS

Two children lost their lives in a landslide that allegedly hit a village in Waras district of central Bamiyan province of Afghanistan, provincial administration spokesman Sabour Sighani said.

Landslide kills 2 children in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan

Paris: &nbsp;A tourist plane crashed near the town of Les Adrets in southeast France, officials said. Five dead bodies, including a child, were discovered at the site of the crash on Saturday afternoon, French news channel BFMTV reported.Local media reported that four people were of the same family, Xinhua news agency reported.According to BFMTV, eyewitnesses to the crash tipped off local authorities, and nearly 60 firefighters were deployed to the site to douse the fire. The plane, which belonged to an aero club, was conducting its first flight. It took off from Versoud airdrome near the city of Grenoble, BFMTV reported. An investigation has been underway, according to local officials.—IANS

  A tourist plane crashed near the town of Les Adrets in southeast France, officials said.

Tourist plane crashes in France, 5 dead

Islamabad: At the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will pay an official visit to China from May 21 to 22, according to a press release by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry.This would be the Minister's first bilateral visit abroad since assuming office in April, the Ministry said, adding that it is "part of the high-level exchanges between the two sides". The visit coincides with the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, it added. It said the two sides will have extensive discussions over the development of bilateral relations and cooperation, Xinhua news agency reported.In a letter addressing a ceremony on Saturday to celebrate the 71st anniversary of bilateral ties between Pakistan and China, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said it is the constant desire of Pakistan to elevate the friendship and mutual trust with China to new heights.—IANS

At the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will pay an official visit to China from May 21 to 22, according to a press release by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry.

Pakistani FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to visit China

Helsinki: Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said on Saturday he had held "open and direct" talks with Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan to discuss Finland's bid for NATO membership. Erdogan has publicly questioned whether Finland and Sweden should be allowed to join the military alliance. "I stated that as NATO allies Finland and Turkey will commit to each other's security and our relationship will thus grow stronger," Niinisto tweeted after the call. "Finland condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Close dialogue continues."—REUTERS

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said on Saturday he had held "open and direct" talks with Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan to discuss Finland's bid for NATO membership.