Indian Naval Ship INS Kadmatt arrived in Fiji on Monday for a three-day goodwill visit. The anti-submarine warfare corvette’s visit facilitated discussions between India and Fiji on maritime security, capacity building, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief. The Indian High Commission in Fiji shared on X that during the port call, Cdr Kutuhal Limaye, Commanding Officer of INS Kadmatt, met with Mason Smith, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence & Veteran Affairs, accompanied by Capt Rohit Raymond Kattoju, India’s Defence Adviser to Fiji. The discussions focused on cooperation in maritime security, HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief), and capacity development.

Upon arrival, the High Commission welcomed the ship with the post: "#VeilomaniDosti Bula and Welcome to Fiji! The Indian Navy's anti-submarine warfare corvette, INS Kadmatt, arrives at the Port of Suva as part of its three-day goodwill visit." This visit follows Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka’s trip to India in August. During that visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India’s support to enhance Fiji’s maritime security, including training and equipment assistance, under a broader defence and security cooperation action plan. PM Modi stated: “We have decided to strengthen mutual cooperation in defence and security, with an action plan in place. India will support Fiji in training and equipment for maritime security and share expertise in cybersecurity and data protection.”

Highlighting Fiji’s strategic role in the Pacific, PM Modi described the island nation as a hub for regional cooperation, noting that both countries support a free, open, inclusive, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. He welcomed Fiji’s decision to join India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and praised the vision of “Oceans of Peace.”

The two leaders held comprehensive discussions on bilateral, regional, and global issues. They expressed satisfaction with the growth of India-Fiji relations and reaffirmed their commitment to building a broad-based and forward-looking partnership across sectors including defence, health, agriculture, trade and investment, SMEs, cooperatives, culture, sports, education, and skill development.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and killed a man in the Chicago area on Friday during an attempted arrest, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and local officials. Authorities said ICE officers attempted a vehicle stop to arrest Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, who then drove his car at the agents. An officer, who was dragged by the vehicle, opened fire, fatally striking Villegas-Gonzalez. The officer was injured and remains in stable condition.

The Mexican Consulate in Chicago confirmed the man’s identity, describing him as a 38-year-old cook from Mexico. DHS stated Villegas-Gonzalez was living in the U.S. without legal status and had a record of reckless driving. The incident occurred amid Operation Midway Blitz, a Trump administration enforcement campaign targeting immigration violations in Illinois. Local lawmakers, including U.S. Representatives Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Delia Ramirez, and Norma Hernandez, sharply criticized ICE’s methods, calling them aggressive and dangerous. Illinois State Representative Lilian Jimenez said the shooting highlighted the risks of such operations, calling the death “horrific” and warning that the tactics “endanger the entire community.”

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker demanded a full investigation, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. While DHS reported the incident took place in Chicago, local officials said it occurred in the suburb of Franklin Park. The Mexican Consulate said it is assisting Villegas-Gonzalez’s family and has formally requested additional information from ICE. DHS, meanwhile, defended the officer’s actions, stating that “appropriate force” was used.

The shooting comes as President Donald Trump has renewed threats to send National Guard troops and federal agents to Chicago to combat crime and illegal immigration, drawing widespread protests across the city and surrounding suburbs. On Friday, he announced plans to deploy National Guard troops to Memphis, Tennessee.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

On Friday (Sept 12), Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his centre-left government would review the recommendations of an independent report on Islamophobia, which indicates that anti-Muslim sentiment in Australia has reached "unprecedented levels." The report, released the same day by the government’s special envoy to combat Islamophobia, highlighted that Islamophobia has become so normalized that many incidents go unreported.

"Islamophobia in Australia has been persistent—sometimes ignored, sometimes denied—but never fully addressed," said Aftab Malik during a Sydney media briefing alongside Albanese. He added, "We have witnessed public abuse, graffiti, and attacks on Muslim women and children—not because of their actions, but because of who they are and what they wear."

The 60-page report includes 54 recommendations for the government, such as establishing an inquiry into religious discrimination and assessing the effects of Islamophobia on social cohesion and democracy. Malik, appointed last year to advise on measures to prevent anti-Muslim hatred, noted that Australia had experienced a rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents following Israel’s retaliatory actions against a Hamas attack nearly two years ago. "The October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel marked a turning point, with Islamophobia since reaching unprecedented levels," the report states. The Islamophobia Register recorded a 150% increase in hate incidents by November 2024.

Albanese emphasized that targeting Australians based on religion undermines the nation’s core values and said he would "carefully consider" the report’s recommendations. "Australians should feel safe in any community… we must eliminate the hate, fear, and prejudice that fuel Islamophobia and division in our society," he said. Albanese had also appointed an antisemitism envoy, whose report released in July recommended cutting funding for universities that fail to protect Jewish students and screening visa applicants and non-citizens for extremist views.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

UK Business and Trade Minister Peter Kyle, on his first visit to Beijing for trade talks since 2018, said China’s economic power makes it “unignorable,” though progress on trade depends on resolving a long-standing embassy dispute. Kyle aims to restart discussions under the UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) and hopes to lift trade barriers worth £1 billion over five years, focusing on agriculture, automobiles, and professional services. However, a decision next month on China’s plan to build Europe’s largest embassy in London could threaten these goals, as critics worry it might be used for spying.

Kyle emphasized that China’s opportunities outweigh the risks and should motivate engagement rather than deter it. The Labour government, in office since last July, is keen to strengthen economic ties beyond the EU, attract Chinese investment, and create jobs, especially in northern industrial regions.

Tensions persist over China’s “mega” embassy near the Tower of London and the UK’s plans for a new embassy in Beijing, with officials concerned about potential surveillance due to proximity to key financial districts. Kyle noted that the embassy applications are separate from government control, and stressed the need for modern diplomatic facilities to support 21st-century trade relations.

China, the UK’s third-largest trading partner and fifth-largest export market, imported £42 billion of UK goods last year. Despite challenges, the China-Britain Business Council said both sides remain committed to constructive dialogue and improving market access in sectors such as whisky, automobiles, and agriculture.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

On Wednesday evening, Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist and ally of Donald Trump, was fatally shot on a Utah university campus. The US president quickly blamed the “radical left” but did not address the growing attacks on Democrats. This week, Jonathan Freedland talks with the Guardian’s Washington DC bureau chief, David Smith, about the surge in political violence across the country.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Hamas reports that its top leaders survived an Israeli strike in Gaza while discussing a US ceasefire proposal, though five lower-ranking members were killed. Qatar condemned the attack as “cowardly” and denied any prior US involvement. Andrea Heng and Genevieve Woo analyze the situation with Mouin Rabbani, a non-resident senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

At 17, Hyun-Seung Lee was drafted into the North Korean army, where he faced poor conditions and minimal meals. “Most soldiers wash their clothes and bathe in streams or rivers… They must collect firewood from nearby mountains for heating and cooking,” he recalls. Reports surfaced in October last year that North Korean soldiers were fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Now living in the US as a defector, Hyun-Seung Lee believes the soldiers are gaining valuable combat experience from the conflict. Journalist Jean Lee, who spent years reporting from North Korea, told Helen Pidd that the deployment of North Korean troops in Ukraine represents the latest chapter in the longstanding ties between Russia and the “hermit kingdom.” They discuss Pyongyang’s rapidly growing arms production, the implications for Kim Jong-un’s nuclear ambitions, and how this development reinforces a wider autocratic alliance.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Internships provide organizations with a chance to cultivate fresh talent while giving students meaningful hands-on experience, but effective management requires structure and intention. Setting clear expectations, assigning impactful projects, and maintaining regular feedback ensure interns remain engaged and confident in their roles. Creating mentorship opportunities further supports their professional development while helping supervisors evaluate potential future hires. By recognizing contributions and fostering ongoing connections, companies not only enhance the intern experience but also build a sustainable pipeline of motivated talent.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.