Daily Archives: July 1, 2024

Officials say at least 11 killed in Russian strikes across Ukraine on Saturday – Euronews

Posted: July 1, 2024 at 1:30 am

Russian officials say at least five people were killed in Ukrainian strikes on Kursk with the Defence Ministry saying six Ukrainian drones had been shot down overnight over four regions, including the Crimean Peninsula which Moscow annexed in 2014.

At least 11 people have been killed in Russian attacks across eastern Ukraine on Saturday, while rescuers in the city of Dnipro dug through rubble after a strike ripped through a nine-story residential building, leaving one person dead.

The attacks came as Russia continues to stretch Ukraines troops in several areas along the 1,000-kilometre frontline.

Moscow has stepped up airstrikes in a bid to drain Ukraines resources, often targeting energy facilities and other vital infrastructure.

In a post on X, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said seven people had been killed in missile strikes on the town of Vilniansk, outside the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia.

"Our cities and communities suffer from such Russian strikes every day," Zelenskyy posted.

"But there are ways to overcome this by destroying the terrorists where they are, eliminating Russian missile launchers, hitting them with long-range weapons and increasing the number of modern air defence systems in Ukraine. I thank all our partners who are helping us."

Zelenskyy repeated his appeal to allies to provideUkrainewith more long-range weapons and enhanced air defences to stop what he said were daily attacks on his country.

"Today the enemy carried out yet another dreadful terrorist act against the civilian population," Zaporizhzhia Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app.

The attack occurred in "the middle of the day, a non-working day, in the town centre, where people were out relaxing, where there were no military targets," he said.

Meanwhile, the governor of the frontline village of Niu-York in Donetsk said Russian forces had shelled populated areas 13 times in the past 24 hours.

The Ukrainian air force said on Saturday that it had downed 10 Russian drones launched in overnight attacks.

"This is why we constantly remind all of our partners: only a sufficient amount of high-quality air defence systems, only a sufficient amount of determination from the world at large can stop Russian terror," Zelenskyy said.

Russian officials reported Ukrainian attacks in the Kursk region which killed five people. Two children were among the victims of the attack in the village of Gorodishche on the Russian-Ukrainian border, Governor Alexey Smirnov said on social media.

In its morning statement, the Russian Defence Ministry said that six Ukrainian drones had been shot down overnight over the countrys Tver, Bryansk and Belgorod regions, as well as over the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

The Ukrainian government also responded on Saturday to a statement from the Belarusian military saying it had increased its forces along Ukraines northern border in response to what it described as security threats.

The announcement came after the Belarus' border agency claimed its troops downed a Ukrainian drone that had flown across the border to gather intelligence.

Kyiv dismissed the accusations, describing them as Russian propaganda.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is working on ‘comprehensive plan’ for peace in Ukraine – Euronews

Posted: at 1:30 am

Zelenskyy met Slovenia's President Nataa Pirc Musar in Kyiv where the two leaders honoured the memory of fallen Ukrainian soldiers by laying wreaths at the Remembrance Wall in the heart of Ukraines capital.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says hes working on a "comprehensive plan" for how Kyiv sees the war with Russia ending.

Speaking to reporters in Kyiv alongside Slovenia's President Nataa Pirc Musar, he said, "We do not want to prolong this war."

"We must come to a just peace as soon as possible. We have talked about the situation on the battlefield, in particular in the Kharkiv region where Russia tried to start a large-scale offensive. The occupiers did not manage this. Our Ukrainian forces have stabilized the situation and stopped the offensive, which was difficult. We will continue to do the same to strip Russia of the illusion that it can achieve something with this war," he said.

The focus of Zelenskyy's meeting with Pirc Musar was to discuss preparations for a second international peace summit, following a two-day event earlier this month in Switzerland.

"I am very happy about the progress at the first peacekeeping conference in Switzerland. And we agreed that there is no politician in Europe who does not want peace. We all understand the risks. But Ukraine is the one that has to decide when and under what conditions it will negotiate. And here we are on your side," she said.

Zelenskyy hosted that summit to rally international support for Ukraine in its two-year war with Russia.

Leaders and senior officials from more than 90 countries attended and the majority agreed to a final communique that said Ukraine's territorial integrity must be respected in any peace settlement.

But not everyone there agreed with the wording of the statement and refused to sign. Some countries such as India and Saudi Arabia said the effectiveness of the summit itself was limited by Russia's absence.

There is currently no official direct negotiation mechanism between Zelenksyy and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, but Ukraine has repeatedly said Russia must withdraw all its forces from within its border, including from the Crimean Peninsula which it annexed in 2014, before serious peace talks can begin.

But Russian troops are making some territorial gains on the battlefield and Zelenskyy has often complained about the slow supply of arms and munitions from Western allies.

On Friday, Zelenksyy posted on X that a Russian strike on a residential apartment block in Dnipro had destroyed four floors and injured three people.

Local authorities said one person was killed in the strike and two have been declared missing. The regional governor said a seven-month-old child was among the injured after inhaling smoke from the strike.

Zelenskyy called on European Union leaders on Thursday to live up to their promises to provide military equipment to his country as the bloc pledged long-term support to Kyiv.

Speaking at an EU Council Summit in Brussels on Thursday, Zelenskyy said he would put forward a "detailed plan" to bring about an end to the war in months.

"All those who really want peace must work together to develop an action plan to address all the security aspects that have been violated by Russia," he told reporters in Kyiv on Friday.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is working on 'comprehensive plan' for peace in Ukraine - Euronews

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Ukraine May Have Lost An M270 MLRS For The First Time – Yahoo! Voices

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Video has emerged of what may be the first M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) destroyed by Russia. The M270s, which can fire 227mm artillery rockets, as well as Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles, have been a bane to Moscows war efforts. Most recently, they were reportedly involved in a deadly ATACMS strike on Crimea earlier this week. The 69-second video, posted by the Russian The_Wrong_Side Telegram channel on Friday, showed a drone view of the M270 pulling out of a tree line then heading down a road. The drone followed the vehicle as it entered a building located in Shevchkove, a small village in Mikoliav Oblast about 40 miles north of the frontlines. Russian Forces seem to have successfully hit a Ukrainian M270/MARS II FARP(Forward Arming and Refuelling Point). The fires indicate possible fuel and missile reserves being stored there, as for once, we saw the MLRS drive into the facility.However the aftermath is again bad. pic.twitter.com/tzgKYCrXuW WarVehicleTracker (@WarVehicle) June 28, 2024 After cutting to a wider view, the video then showed what was claimed to be an Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile striking the building. A huge ball of flames erupted as a result. The building where the M270 was parked erupted in flames after a Russian missile strike Twitter screencap A superimposed arrow purportedly points to the burning M270, where nearby secondary explosions can be seen. A superimposed arrow claims to show the location of the M270 Twitter screencap The War Zone cannot independently verify the claim that the M270 was destroyed. However, the conflagration caused by the missile certainly seems powerful enough to have ruined whatever was inside the building, which appeared to have been a forward arming and refueling facility. Stored weapons and fuel would certainly add to the intensity of any explosion resulting from such a strike. The footage shows the result of another successful work of Russian intelligence officers, The_Wrong_Side bragged on Telegram Friday. For unknown reasons, the equipment did not carry out launches (probably a technical malfunction occurred), after which it was tracked to its home base. According to the already established tradition, the Iskander sent its greetings to Western equipment, completely destroying it, the escort vehicle, as well as at least 25 Ukrainian Armed Forces specialists working in the hangar, The_Wrong_Side claimed, which we also cannot verify. Iskander-M short-range ballistic missiles are among Russias most valuable precision-guided standoff weapons. They are now being used for fast-reaction strikes for exactly these kinds of time-sensitive targets. Its really the only major precision strike munition Russia has capable of reliably hitting these kinds of high-value targets on very short notice as the Russian Air Forces has not achieved air superiority.We have seen repeated examples, for instance, of air defense systems found by Russian drones behind the front lines that are then struck by an Iskander-M. A Russian Telegram channel claims a building housing an M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) vehicle was destroyed by an Islander-M short-range ballistic missile like this one. Russian MoD Russian MOD There have yet to be any M270 losses recorded by the Oyrx open-source tracking group, however, they only tabulate things they can verify visually so it is possible that this was not the first. These vehicles have proven valuable on the battlefield because they can achieve devastating long-range effects. They are also highly mobile, enabling crews to fire, quickly move away to hide, and return to the battlefield rearmed. A large building like the one seen in the video would be an ideal location, close enough to the front to put GMLRS in range of targets but also away from Russian FPV drones and artillery, for such clandestine activities. The M270s feature a launch system mounted on a tracked chassis derived from the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Like its wheeled cousin the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, it can fire several different munitions. The aforementioned ATACMS can hit targets either 100 or 186 miles away depending on the variant. Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) rockets can strike up to about 50 miles away. It can also fired shorter-range unguided rockets. A single M270 can be loaded with two of the standard ammunition pods at a time, allowing it to fire up to 12 rockets or two ATACMS missiles before needing to be reloaded. Ukraine has received several of these weapons. U.S.-made M270s have been turned over to Ukraine by both the United Kingdom and Norway. The German government has provided five MARS II systems, a country-specific derivative of the M270. France has donated at least a half dozen LRU (Lance-Roquette Unitaire) MLRS, a French version of the M270. Russia claims to have destroyed an M270 MLRS like the one in this photo. Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin The loss of one M270 is a blow to Ukraine. It is likely that GMLRS rockets were stored there and even possibly some of Ukraines limited supply of ATACMS, as well. The video also points to another issue. That a drone could loiter unmolested for so long over such a key piece of equipment and especially a rearming/storage, shows the challenge that Ukraine faces when it comes to air defenses. The drone operating so far from the front lines would have required a relay or a large mast to keep in contact with its controller. Stil, Kyivs forces have so far been very fortunate when it comes to these donated MLRSs. According to information compiled by Oryx, there has only been one HIMARS destroyed and two HIMARS damaged. However, as we noted previously, that figure could be higher. You can read about repair efforts for one damaged HIMARS in our story here. Regardless, some equipment is bound to be lost in such a fierce conflict, even highly valued ones like M270s. Considering how big of a menace these vehicles have been to Russian forces, its impressive that so many have been able to survive for so long, especially as drone operations have expanded significantly beyond the front lines. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com

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Fast and furious: Russia using bikes to stir chaos in Ukraine – The Times of India

Posted: at 1:30 am

They first appeared as a cloud of dust on the horizon. A few seconds later, the motorcycles carrying Russian soldiers sped into view, zigzagging across a field, kicking up dust, attempting a noisy, dangerous run at a Ukrainian trench. "They moved fast, they spread out and they swerved," said Lt. Mykhailo Hubitsky, describing the Russian motorcycle assault he witnessed. It's a type of attack that has been proliferating along the frontline this spring, adding a wild new element to the already violent, chaotic fighting. Russian soldiers riding motorcycles, dirt bikes, quadricycles and dune buggies now account for about half of all attacks in some areas of the front, soldiers and commanders say, as Moscow's forces attempt to use speed to cross exposed open spaces where its lumbering armoured vehicles are easy targets. These nonconventional vehicles have been turning up with such frequency that some Ukrainian trenches now overlook junk yards of abandoned, blown up off-road vehicles, videos from reconnaissance drones show. The new tactic is the latest Russian adaptation for a heavily mined, continually surveilled battlefield, as Moscow's forces work to achieve small tactical gains, often of just a few hundred yards. The Russians' farthest advance in the region is 15 miles from its starting point. "We are fighting a war over every metre," said Captain Yaroslav, an artillery commander with 80th air assault brigade. With reconnaissance drones ubiquitous in the skies over the Donbas, the armoured vehicles of both armies are easy targets. The faster-moving motorcycles and buggies are harder to hit with artillery and they can swerve to avoid mines that armoured vehicle operators might not see. The use of cheap, disposable dirt bikes and buggies also helps conserve Russian armoured vehicles. The drawback is that they provide no protection for Russian soldiers, who are exposed to a hail of machine gun fire as they approach the trenches. If they make it across a field, the riders cast aside their bikes, enter the Ukrainian trench and engage in close combat on foot. "How they find people willing to do this, I don't know," said Volodymyr, a Ukrainian sergeant. "Sometimes, none of them will make it, sometimes all of them." That hasn't deterred Russian commanders from continuing to employ the tactic. "All the tree lines," said Sapsan, a sergeant in the 47th Brigade, "are now full of these buggies and motorcycles."

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Poland very likely to sign security deal with Ukraine before NATO summit, says PM – Yahoo! Voices

Posted: at 1:30 am

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland will almost certainly sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine before July's NATO summit in Washington, the Polish prime minister said on Friday.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that before the NATO summit in Washington, which starts on July 9, talks will be held in Warsaw with the president of Ukraine.

"I must, together with the defence minister, determine how we can continue to help Ukraine, but we cannot weaken Poland's defence capabilities," Tusk told reporters.

"There is a 99% chance that we will sign this agreement with President Zelenskiy (before the summit)."

Tusk said that the agreement was practically "finished" and only a few details and wordings needed to be clarified.

The European Union and two of its member countries, Lithuania and Estonia, signed security agreements with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a summit in Brussels on Thursday.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish, Pawel Florkiewicz; editing by Miral Fahmy)

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Oceania Cruises Offers More In-Depth Exploration In Polynesia Than Ever Before – PR Newswire

Posted: at 1:29 am

The 2025 season in the South Pacific will be Oceania Cruises' most expansive to date, with their elegant ships Nautica and Regatta traversing the remote region during both the winter and summer seasons. Both seasons' unique itineraries have been specifically designed to create a memorable and immersive experience for well-traveled, curious guests, allowing them to delve deeper into this fascinating region. Offering an ultra-premium experience, Regatta and Nautica are ideally suited to explorations in the region,featuring more veranda staterooms and more free specialty dining options than any other ship regularly based in Tahiti.

"Our 2025 collection of itineraries spanning Polynesia offers guests the opportunity to discover the astounding nature, rich culinary heritage and deep-rooted cultural traditions of the South Pacific," commented Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. "With only 670 guests on board our ultra-premium ships, there is no doubt that traveling through Polynesia with Oceania Cruises is by far the most relaxing and carefree way to experience the most relaxing and carefree place in the world."

At the heart of this extensive, diverse season are ten-day round-trip Papeete sailings, perfect for inquisitive travelers looking to explore the remote, nature-rich islands that characterize this region.

Wildlife-loving guests can look out for the abundance of spectacular marine life that frequent the sparkling turquoise waters around the islands, including spinner dolphins, whales and stingrays. The region plays host to a spectacular number of ancient archaeological sites, rugged mountains adorned with wild hibiscus and colorful ginger flowers. After a day exploring the untouched natural wonders of Polynesia, what better way to relax than to sit and watch some of the most stunning sunsets in the world from the deck.

The diverse selection of itineraries includes the must-sees in French Polynesia such as vibrant Papeete, the paradise island of Nuku Hiva, and a number of overnight stays in Bora Bora, the most romantic island in the world.

These voyages are perfect for travelers wishing to soak up the laid-back, island atmosphere, where they'll take in iconic views of the mountains and stunning beaches and enjoy only-in-Polynesia adventures such as tours of vanilla and black pearl farms, picturesque lagoon cruises and motu island picnics. Oceania Cruises' extensive range of highly curated shore excursions allows guests to discover the islands for themselves, absorbing the unspoilt, natural beauty that these islands radiate alongside the region's unique cultural traditions.

Additionally, Oceania Cruises offers a variety of longer voyages, giving guests the chance to explore Polynesia after visiting the spectacular topography of Hawaii or New Zealand, as well as World Voyages of up to 111 days long, ending in Singapore, Cape Town or Barcelona.

Shore Excursion Highlights:

Oceania Cruises has partnered with luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Cond Nast Traveler to bring globetrotters an exclusive collection of itineraries handpicked by the magazine's dedicated editors. Four of Oceania's Polynesia itineraries are included among the 23 Cond Nast Traveler branded itineraries, featuring editorial insights and unique tips in featured ports of call, sharing insider knowledge on what to discover, savor and experience in each destination.

An example of exclusive editor's tips in French Polynesia includes skipping the restaurants and heading to the food trucks, or roulettes as they're called in Papeete, for a cheap and cheerful al fresco dinner featuring local bites; strolling through downtown Papeete getting to know its storied history via its colorful colonial architecture while visiting landmarks like the Notre Dame Cathedral, town hall and the bustling 155-year-old Papeete Market; and swimming with reef sharks during an intimate boat tour aboard a small sailing catamaran with family-run tour operator Voila Moorea.

Additional shore excursion highlights include:

Aito Off-Road Safari:Traveling off-road in a four-wheel drive, soak up the exquisite beauty of Moorea, exploring the verdant mountains, deep valleys and white-sand beaches, stopping at a sacred ancient marae and learning about the pineapple crop on the way.

Vanilla Flavor & Taha'a Motu Picnic: Cruise to the island of Taha'a from Raiatea source of 70% of the vanilla grown in French Polynesia to explore an intoxicatingly fragrant vanilla plantation and visit a tiny islet for a Polynesian picnic lunch and some beach time.

Sail Bora Bora by Catamaran:Discover Bora Bora's famously gorgeous lagoon by catamaran, comfortably watching the views of the magnificent extinct volcanoes and spotting colorful tropical fish above the crystalline reef.

Discover Tahiti's West Coast:From the Robert Wan Pearl Museum and Marche de Papeete to the tranquil Jardins Paofai, observe the surfers on their longboards alongside natural treasures like the thundering Faarumai Waterfalls, Arahoho Blowhole, and the Maraa Fern Grottos, home to the largest underwater cave in Tahiti.

Visit to Taipivai Valley: Set off on a guided adventure in a four-wheel-drive vehicle into the lush valley described in Herman Melville's 1846 novel, Typee. A famously rugged paradise, Taipivai Valley is spectacularly beautiful, rich in archeological sites, and yours to discover during this fascinating excursion.

Shark and Stingray Snorkel Safari in Bora Bora: Explore Bora Bora's turquoise, unspoilt lagoon via boat before slipping into the gin-clear waters to discover the ancient crater rim of Moti To'opua, gliding alongside the island's graceful stingrays and parrotfish.

Ship Highlights:The better-than-new Regatta and Nautica blend sophistication with a contemporary flair to create a casually elegant ambiance that embodies the most treasured elements of our celebrated ships. Both ships feature more free specialty dining options than any other ship regularly based in the region, in addition to offering an array of relaxed yet refined dining experiences. A refreshed color palette of soft earth, sea and sky tones encourages relaxation in suites and staterooms, and guests can indulge in a soothing massage or rejuvenating treatment in the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center on board.

Polynesia Voyage Highlights:

Tahitian &Hawaiian Hues: 18 days from Los Angeles to Papeete aboard Nautica,overnighting in Bora Bora and Papeete and visiting Lahaina, Honolulu, Hilo, Raiatea and Moorea. Departs January 8, 2025.

Papeete to Honolulu:15 Days from Papeete to Honolulu aboard Regatta,from overnighting in Bora Bora, Raiatea, Rangiroa, Nuku Hiva, Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Lahaina, Nawiliwili and Honolulu. Departs September 15, 2025.

Tahitian Legends:10 days roundtrip from Papeete (Tahiti) aboard Regatta, a Cond Nast Traveler branded itinerary, traveler will overnight in Papeete and Bora Bora and visit Moorea, Fakarava, Nuku Hiva, Rangiroa and Raiatea. Departs August 16, 2025.

All sailings include Oceania Cruises' simply MORE value promise, meaning virtually everything is included in the voyage fare: complimentary vintage Champagnes, premium wines and international beers during lunch and dinner; and a shore excursion credit of up to $1,400 per stateroom (credit varies by voyage length). Created to elevate the guest experience, simply MORE means travelers receive ultimate value on top of an ultra-premium cruise experience.

For additional information on Oceania Cruises' small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call 855-OCEANIA, or speak with a professional travel advisor.

About Oceania CruisesOceania Cruises is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line's eight small, luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,250 guests and feature The Finest Cuisine at Sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences are available aboard the designer-inspired, small ships, which call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on seven continents, on voyages that range from seven to more than 200 days. Oceania Cruises has two additional ships on order scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028 or 2029[1]. Oceania Cruises is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visitwww.nclhltd.com.

[1] Delivery for the second Oceania Cruises ship is contractually scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2028, but may be delayed to 2029.

SOURCE Oceania Cruises

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Draw of the 1st Day of the Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships 2024 | International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) – International Sambo Federation

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The Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships will be held in Macau on June 29-30. Competitions will be heldin Sport and Combat SAMBO among men and women. On the eve of the start of the tournament the draw of the participants was held.

Draw of the 1st Day of the Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships 2024

Sport SAMBO (men): 58 kg, 64 kg, 71 kg, 79 kg, 88 kg, 98 kg, +98 kg

Sport SAMBO (women): 50 kg, 54 kg, 59 kg, 65 kg, 72 kg, 80 kg, +80 kg

[VIDEO] Announcement of the Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships 2024

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Draw of the 1st Day of the Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships 2024 | International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) - International Sambo Federation

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Conference in Rome highlights Pacific islands’ climate peril – Catholic News Agency

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According to a United Nations Development Programme report, approximately 75% of the population of Pacific island nations are affected by natural disasters. The report also states that the impact of climate change in the region is largely overlooked and poses a serious threat, particularly to young people and future generations who face the potential loss of their homelands, cultural identity, and work opportunities resulting from rising sea levels. The report estimates that sea levels will rise between about 10 inches to 23 inches by 2050.

Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has been outspoken on the need for the care of creation as well as the integral human development of all people, particularly the poor and vulnerable. In addition to his encyclical Laudato Si (2015) and apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum (2023), the Holy Father has addressed the issue of climate change and its rising human cost to world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly in 2015 as well at COP, the annual U.N. climate change conference.

At Oceania Speaks, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations Archbishop Paul Gallagher echoed Pope Francis concern for people facing hunger, exploitation, and poverty due to climate change and emphasized the urgent need for a unified global response to the crisis.

In the context of Oceania, the impending threat posed by rising sea levels to many small Pacific islands states is deeply alarming, reaching beyond mere geographical boundaries, Gallagher said at the gathering. Entire villages [are] on the brink of destruction, forcing local communities particularly families into perpetual displacement that erode their distinct identities and cultural heritage. We should also take into consideration the risk of degrading their natural heritage.

Sister Philomena Waira of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea also shared her testimony at Oceania Speaks and highlighted the ecological and social impacts of foreign mining and logging in Papua New Guinea.

In the past, people had no problem with food and water. [People] were able to grow crops without fertilizers, Waira said. As the years went by the governments are allowing foreign investors into our countries. After the mining is done, it has affected climate change, peoples fishing, and animals have also run away.

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PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES TO THRIVE IN THE NORTH PACIFIC – Badminton Oceania

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As he is affectionally know in the Northern Mariania Islands, Coach Robbie Badminton Ocenanas Coaching & Development Manager, is on his fourth visit to Northern Marianas, working with 20 local players plus two from neighbouring Island Guam, facilitating the National Junior training camp. Assisting with this camp is current Oceania Mens Singles Champion and participant in the upcoming Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2024 and Dove Saipan International 2024 tournaments, Edward Lau.

The players train twice a day from 9am-12pm and then again from 2pm-4pm. The sessions cover all aspects of badminton including physical, tactical and technical. Coach, Robbie Thackham believes the players have been working hard since his last visit saying Theres been a big improvement in the players since the last training camp which was held in October 2023.

Two of the participants, LIna Tsukagoshi (NMI) and Allan Zeng (GUM) are part of the Tier 2 Badminton Oceania development programme that will be training in Thailand at the end of 2024.

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Major Changes Are Apparently Afoot to King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Planned Oceania Tour This Fall Amid the … – Marie Claire

Posted: at 1:29 am

The good news? It seems that King Charles planned tour to Oceania will continue this fallbut, in some less great news (especially for those countries who were looking forward to seeing the King visit them), it seems the trip has been scaled back significantly in light of Charles cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

The King has been encouraged by his wife, the Queen, to slow down his work as he continues to receive cancer treatment; it remains unknown whether he's been listening to her advice.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Following a routine prostate procedure in late January, cancer was detected, and the King announced his diagnosis publicly on February 5, the same day he began receiving treatment. He returned to public duty on April 30, after about three months away.

According to The Daily Mail, the King and Queen Camilla were expected to visit Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji in October, but both the New Zealand and the Fiji legs of the Oceania tour will likely be dropped imminently as the Kings medical team orders Charles to pace himself as he continues his cancer recovery.

In addition to visiting Australia, the couple is also reportedly still expected to visit Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that same month.

Officials first decided to drop Fiji and then New Zealand, because a trip like that is quite strenuous, a source speaking to The Daily Mail said. The tour will probably last around 10 days, covering Australia and Samoa.

Charles and Camilla are still planning to visit Oceania in the fall, but it will be a heavily scaled back visit and subject to scale back even more, depending on Charles' ongoing treatment.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The tour is reportedly being referred to as the autumn tour by courtiers, and The Daily Mail writes that, while planning is still very much underway for it, it continues to be subject to medical advice and any necessary modifications.

Back in March, Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Charles and Camilla would be visiting come October, depending on the Kings health and cancer treatment, and when Charles returned to public duty in late April, sources said he was hopeful that the visit would go ahead. On Friday, reports emerged that the scaled-back plans would be a bitter disappointment on both sides, as Charles is keen to make up for lost time. New Zealands opposition MP Adrian Rurawhe said of the Kings potentially canceled plans to visit the country that I was in Samoa recently, and the organization for the visit is quite advanced, Rarawhe said. There is a lot of excitement in the country and a huge operation in preparation. Nothing has been announced so far over here, but if the royal visit is canceled, New Zealanders will be typically reasonable about it.

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The King and Queen are in the middle of a busy month, including hosting a Japanese state visit this week.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The King was honored earlier this month at Trooping the Colour, the monarch's annual birthday parade, on June 15.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Charles is a known (and lifelong) workaholic, and his busy summer schedule has raised eyebrows and concerns about how his doctors feel about it. The Court Circular suggests that the King has taken only three days off over the past two weeks, cramming in audiences, receptions, and key events such as Royal Ascotwhere he missed only one day, The Daily Mail reports. Palace sources say the Kings diary is adapted on medical advice, but the full schedule echoes the words of friends who told The Sunday Times in May that Charles was a bloody caged lion.

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Major Changes Are Apparently Afoot to King Charles and Queen Camilla's Planned Oceania Tour This Fall Amid the ... - Marie Claire

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