Archive May 28, 2025

China hosts Pacific Island nations in bid to bolster diplomatic, trade ties

As part of its efforts to “build a closer” community with “a shared future” in the strategic region, China is holding a high-level meeting with 11 Pacific Islanders.

On Wednesday, Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, will preside over the Xiamen meeting.

Top diplomats from Niue, Tonga, Nauru, Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Fiji, and Samoa are also present, along with Kiribati’s president, Taneti Maamau.

The two-day meeting is China’s first such in person gathering, but the third time.

According to Al Jazeera’s correspondent from Beijing, Katrina Yu expects to talk about climate change, sustainable development, infrastructure development, and trade.

At a time when the United States is showing little interest in this area, and we are increasingly aware that many of those nations are more in tune with China on issues like investment, infrastructure, trade, and even security assistance, she said, “for China, this is an opportunity to expand its influence and expand economic ties.”

Global uncertainty

The meeting comes as tariffs and foreign aid cuts are being discussed by US President Donald Trump. According to analysts, this leaves China with the door wide open for entry.

The US is a very difficult partner due to its lack of certainty, according to Tess Newton of the Griffith Asia Institute. While other partners, including China, can offer, “Well, we’re here today, we’re here today, and we’re anticipating being here tomorrow,” the statement reads.

The meeting’s stated goal was to “jointly build an even closer China-Pacific Island countries community with a shared future,” according to the Chinese foreign ministry’s announcement last week.

According to analysts, this would mean more economic aid, diplomatic engagement, and a regional security pact for Beijing.

In 2022, China signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands following a string of riots there.

Beijing wants to bind other island nations in a similar pact and has also sent advisers to Vanuatu and Kiribati.

According to Mihai Sora, director of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute in Australia, “What China is trying to do is to insert itself as a security player and, in some cases, through the lens of contributing to the individual security needs of Pacific countries like policing.”

China has an opportunity to push its goals “in its own space, on its own turf, and on its own terms,” he continued.

Taiwan

This meeting is scheduled to cover Taiwan, the self-governing island off the coast of Xiamen that China claims to own.

China has gradually reduced the number of Pacific nations that still cooperate with Taiwan, and Nauru also switched its recognition to Beijing in January of this year.

Marshall Islands, Palau, and Tuvalu are the only remaining allies Taiwan has left in the area.

According to Yu of Al Jazeera, China holds a strategic, military, and diplomatic significance for the region.

These nations are very small, have small economies, and only one of their populations exceed one million, according to the region. Papua New Guinea, she claimed.

Brooklyn Beckham issued four-word warning after hitting out at David and Victoria

Beckham has publicly reacted to his famous parents, David and Victoria, just days after he publicly shunned them, and made a promise to “always” choose his wife Nicola Peltz.

Brooklyn has spoken out as fans issued a plea to him(Image: Brooklyn Beckahm/Instagram)

After slamming his family, Brooklyn Beckham received a four-word warning. In recent months, tensions have been rife between the Beckham and Peltz families as their relationship has gotten more strained.

Earlier this month, Brooklyn, 26, and his wife, Nicola Peltz, 30, had been set to attend a string of swanky celebrations for his dad, David’s 50th birthday, but the couple decided not to turn up at any. The Beckham family threw a string of celebrations, including a family dinner at their home in the Cotswolds, a trip to Paris and a huge party in London.

Brooklyn and Nicola had specially flown from Los Angeles to London for the occasion. Instead, they made the decision to have dinner with a friend and post pictures of their evening. According to recent reports, David and former Spice Girls star Victoria believe Brooklyn is being held “hostage” in their marriage to Nicola, who is reportedly the decision-maker.

Brooklyn and his wife Nicola are embroiled in a feud with his family
Brooklyn and his wife Nicola are embroiled in a feud with his family(Image: INSTAGRAM)

Earlier this week, the wannabe photographer turned chef stunned fans when he publicly stated he would always choose his wife over anybody else. Now, he has spoken out for the first time. Taking to Instagram, Brooklyn posed for a snap as he promoted his latest business venture, his hot sauce brand.

As he promoted his brand and had hundreds of his tattoos emblazoned his arm, he was seen sipping on a pint of Guinness. Soon after his upload, which has received over 11, 000 likes, his online community was flooded with messages. Reconcile with your family, please! If something goes wrong, you’ll only regret it. My mother passed away suddenly. Imagine my guilt and sadness. One person pleaded with “please do it.”

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The bond between the Beckhams and Peltz family has become strained in recent months
The bond between the Beckhams and Peltz family has become strained in recent months(Image: Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/WireImage)

Another phrase was added: “Brooklyn, put the games aside, and get in touch with your Dad andamp; Mum! You are aware of their love for you. Another person criticized “Real men don’t treat their families like he does.” According to sources close to the Beckham’s, the family is anticipating Harper Seven’s upcoming birthday as a positive one.

A source told The Sun that the Beckham family hopes to have the rift resolved by July 10. Some people don’t believe this will actually happen. At the moment, they told the outlet, “It doesn’t seem likely.”

Meanwhile, a source close to Brooklyn’s and his wife’s said that she has finally been able to “see the emotional abuse and toxic behavior within his family” ().

He recently stated that he would always pick his wife.
He recently stated that he would always pick his wife.

However, a source close to the Beckhams said it was “bit rich” for Nicola’s friends to give lectures on toxic behavior, adding that the accusations were “deeply unpleasant and patently untrue.”

“Brooklyn is now being referred to as ‘the hostage,’ he is in a situation where those who love Brooklyn fear that he is being controlled by Nicola, and it is heartbreaking,” one insider told Mail Online. They added: “Videos like this are just not what he does. He will be dying inside. He’s soppy and he’s a romantic, but that video just isn’t him. He hates all of that stuff so you have to wonder if Nicola was behind it.”

It came after Brooklyn shared a video of himself and Nicola riding a motorbike down a road surrounded by sprawling mansions. Making a dig at his family, he captioned his upload: “My whole world x I will love you forever x I always choose you baby x you’re the most amazing person i know xx me and you forever baby.”

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Ambika Mod says ‘doors are starting to open’ as she reflects on One Day success

Ambika Mod has shared her personal experiences and insights about being a brown woman in the film industry a year after the enormous success of her lead role in Netflix’s One Day.

Ambika Mod and Nisha Ganatra, both of whom are film directors, joined Beatrice Cornacchia EVP Marketing and Communications APEMEA at Mastercard on a panel discussion about women in film.

Netflix’s One Day star Ambika Mod has opened up about her experience navigating the film industry as a woman and those who compare her career trajectory to her former co-star Leo Woodall. The actress shared her candid thoughts after new survey research from Mastercard revealed that women in film feel progress is reversing, but that younger generations are best poised to affect positive change.

Speaking at a panel event alongside film director Nisha Ganatra (Freakier Friday), Mod said: “It’s great to see such a positive shift on screen, as the new research from Mastercard reflects. There’s a real sense that change is taking hold, and that people are starting to believe in a more equal future for women in film.”

“I’ve seen this in my own experience, and doors are opening,” she continued. The findings serve as a reminder that we are still in the dark, especially in the back-up roles. We must ensure opportunities exist across all branches of the industry if we want lasting change.

Following the success of the Netflix miniseries, Mod has gone on to star in the television series The Stolen Girl and hit movie Black Bag, alongside Cate Blanchett, BAFTA award winner Marisa Abela and fellow Netflix alum Regé-Jean Page, and was also named on the 2024 Time100 Next list recognising rising influential leaders.

Image of characters Emma and Dexter from One Day
Mod and Woodall took on the roles of Emma and Dexter in the 2024 Netflix miniseries(Image: AP)

READ MORE: A-list actors bring stories to life for International Booker Prize video series

But despite her incredible success, her career trajectory is often compared to her former One Day co-star. Woodall’s career has skyrocketed since the series, starring as the lead in Prime Target for Apple TV+ and recently earning a role in the upcoming Anthony Bourdain biopic, Tony.

Continue reading the article.

Speaking to British GQ, Mod shared she doesn’t have access to the same “privilege” as Woodall, though their careers are often compared. She said: “It’s mad because we wouldn’t be going for the same roles at all, and we’re very different people. I think we’re going to have very different careers. If I compare myself to someone like Leo, I’m always going to come up short, because there’s a privilege there that I don’t have access to.”

In the interview, she revealed that she still struggles to avoid being compared to white peers. In this sector, being brown is not very simple. The opportunities are different for you. You are not granted the same ascension.

Despite her success on One Day and BBC’s This is Going to Hurt, Mod says she still feels she has to prove herself in a way white actors do not. “I’ve been the lead of two very successful, critically-acclaimed TV shows and I still feel like I have to keep on proving myself. A lot of my white peers don’t really have to tackle that.”

This Is Going to Hurt
Mod was widely praised for her heartbreaking performance in This is Going to Hurt alongside Ben Whishaw(Image: BBC/Sister/AMC/Anika Molnar)

Women in Film research from Mastercard also found that despite improved screen representation of women, women are more under pressure to “prove themselves” than their male counterparts, particularly in in-house roles.

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The future is still promising for Mod, with a number of exciting projects afoot, including two large theater productions. Every Brilliant Thing, Mod’s one-woman show, will soon begin in the West End, with a performance in Porn Play at the Royal Court in the coming weeks.

Paul Danan’s tragic regret that saw him spiral from Hollyoaks fame to retail job

After appearing in Love Island, Paul Danan, who played Sol Patrick in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, spoke about the devastating effect his reality fame had had on his acting career.

Paul Danan’s inquest will be heard today(Image: PA)

Paul Danan made a name for himself after starring in the original Love Island, but it had a knock-on effect on his career.

The Hollyoaks star, whose inquest is today, tragically died at the age of 46 on January 15. A statement by his management read: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of @pauldanan at just 46 years old. Known for his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness, Paul was a beacon of light to so many.

“His untimely departure will leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him. During this difficult time, we kindly request respect and privacy for Paul’s family, friends, and colleagues. No further comments will be made at this time.” The actor rose to fame playing Sol Patrick in the Channel 4 soap between 1997 and 2001.

Paul
Paul appeared on a podcast discussing the height of his fame last year(Image: Youtube/LiamTuffs)

As he tried to carve a new identity away from the soap, Paul went on to appear on reality TV shows Celebrity Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother. In 2005, he was an islander alongside the likes of Calum Best and Rebecca Loos. The series was won by Jayne Middlemiss and Fran Cosgrave. But while it did well for some stars, it only set Paul back in acting.

While on an episode of the Dozen podcast in November 2024, he reflected on his career choices. Speaking about life after being in the villa, he said: “I’ve never known fame like it. I’ve never seen people go so mental. Four years on a soap opera – that was nothing compared to these six weeks [in terms] of the stature of fame.”

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According to host Liam Tuffs, “So Love Island was the one that skyrocketed you into fame”? Like ridiculously, Paul, who made a second series of appearances in 2006, said. He claimed that it was “mental” that he was appearing on magazines’ covers and that it had become excessive, claiming that he had never wanted to be famous. He continued, “I just want to be respected as an actor.”

Paul
Celebrity Love Island star Paul Danan tragically died aged 46(Image: Ana M. Wiggins / BACKGRID)

However, he realized that his Hollywood acting dreams were unfulfilled by his success on reality TV. He claimed that it had no bearing on my acting career because people suddenly said, “Oh, we don’t want to hire a reality star! “

The casting directors were a little snobby, and they don’t want people to see me on a TV show because they thought, “Isn’t that the guy from Love Island?” It took a long time to recover that which my acting career had been lacking. Even so long ago, I’m not sure if it has been fully redeemed.

According to the actor, reality TV stars from 2005 through 2007 were cast in a negative light rather than reflecting on their careers in movies, theater, and soaps. And as a result, he began looking for work outside the business to help make ends meet. He even held positions in retail clothing stores as well as phone repair shops.

He said: “I worked in a place called I Smashed It, which is where if you if you drop your iPhone or your phone and the screen smashes, then we’ll fix the screen for you. I was working there for a bit, probably about 10 years ago. And that was just to get a bit of money on the side.” Paul added: “I probably didn’t want to do a reality show did I? I should have just stuck to my acting.”

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‘She’s the queen’: Sri Lanka bids farewell to film legend Malini Fonseka

When a man on the screen plays the character played by superstar Malini Fonseka in a movie with Srimathi Mallika Kaluarachchi as a girl, Kaluarachchi would cry.

In desperation, she would then turn to her father. Kaluarachchi, 68, recalls that “we used to scream at the screen, telling our father to save her.” We adored her, they said.

Fonseka passed away on May 24 at the age of 78 while receiving treatment in a hospital, joining thousands of fans on Monday to bid her final farewell. The nature of Fonseka’s illness has not been made public by either her family or the hospital. Fonseka, one of the country’s most well-known actresses, was regarded as the queen of Sri Lankan cinema.

Fans flocked to Colombo’s Independence Square to view her coffin before she was cremated with full state honors as they admired her in full state tutelage. A projector drone flew above the crowd, playing songs from Fonseka’s films, displaying a montage of scenes from her career.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, president of Sri Lanka, described Fonseka as a “true icon of Sri Lankan cinema whose grace and talent inspired generations” and that “her legacy will forever shine in our hearts and on our screens.”

At the filmstar’s cremation ceremony, which was attended by countless Sri Lankans on May 26 in Colombo, Srimathi Mallika Kaluarachchi holds a photo of Malini Fonseka.

a pioneer

Fonseka had a more than 50-year career in Sinhala cinema, where she starred in more than 140 movies.

We would forget how hurt we had in our hearts if we saw her, Kaluarachchi said, wiping away tears. “We know that movies aren’t real, but when we were kids, we didn’t.”

Because of how she represented how common people experience love, Fonseka, according to Kaluarachchi, was special.

Before making her film debut in 1968’s Punchi Baba, she began her acting career as a stage actress.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Lester James Peries and Dharmasena Pathiraja were among Lester James Peries and Dharmasena Pathiraja, her popularity grew.

In many of her most well-known roles, the struggles of women in a society predominated by men were a common theme. In the movie Nidhanaya (1972), she portrays a wife who was killed by her husband, a college student who was involved in a difficult relationship in Thushara (1973), a village girl who was hounded by men in Eya Dan Loku Lamayek (1975), and a girl from a rural fishing village who was drawn to the big city lifestyle in Bambaru Avith (1978).

She also expanded into directorial work, including the 1987 movies Sasara Chethana and Ahimsa, which helped her continue to succeed into the 1980s.

Thousands of Sri Lankans gathered at Fonseka's cremation on Monday, May 25, 2025 [Jeevan Ravindran/Al Jazeera]
On May 26, 2025, thousands of Sri Lankans gathered at Fonseka’s cremation. [Jeevan Ravindran/Al Jazeera]

“A bridge” between generations

In 1978, she and legendary Indian Tamil actor Sivaji Ganesan co-starred in the first Indian-Sri Lankan co-production Pilot Premnath.

She never had a category to fit into. She worked in arthouse and commercial cinema, according to 27-year-old teacher Prabuddhika Kannagara. She played a grandmother, a married woman, a young woman, a mother, and even a grandmother. She made a diverse range of female statements.

According to Buddhist customs, Kannagara was one of the final mourners at the funeral, sitting and watching as sparks emitted from the white cloth tower in the square for Fonseka’s cremation.

She claimed to Al Jazeera that Fonseka had acted as a “bridge” between various eras of film, from black and white to digital, and that she had remained a star for both her mother’s generation and her own.

At Sri Lanka’s Presidential Film Awards, Fonseka won five times for Best Actress. Her most recent success came in 2006 with her directorial debut in the movie Ammawarune. At both the New Delhi Film Festival and the Moscow International Film Festival, she also received numerous awards.

In the 1980s, when women’s roles in front of the camera were uncommon, she became Sri Lanka’s first female television drama director. Additionally, Finseka made a brief foray into politics by serving in the parliament of Sri Lanka from 2010 to 2015 while under the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Anuradha Kodagoda, a journalist and critic of movies in Sri Lanka, described Fonseka as “rare and unique in Sri Lankan cinema” for the range of characters she portrayed.

Fonseka “represented the beauty idol for Sri Lankan women” and was “petite and fair, with an oval face and soft features.”

She “portrayed her characters with a lot of organic and realty in them.” That is, in my opinion, the magic of it,” Kodagoda said.

People carrying Fonseka's coffin to a specially erected cremation tower at Colombo’s Independence Square on Monday, May 25, 2025 [Jeevan Ravindran/Al Jazeera]
On May 26, 2025, people [Jeevan Ravindran/Al Jazeera] transported Fonseka’s body to a specially constructed cremation tower in Colombo’s Independence Square.

There will be no more queens, the saying goes.

Many mourners recall conversations or conversations with Fonseka, some of whom traveled far away for the funeral.

She served as our role model. Pushpa Hemalatha, a 56-year-old jam factory worker, said, “We saw her as an example when we went to the cinema. She exhibited no arrogance. When we were younger, we had a crush on her.

In the song Eya Wasanathaya Nowe, Fonseka reprised her role as an elderly woman remembering her late husband in the 2024 music video.

Ivanka Peiris, an actress and musician who co-starred with her in the TV series Hithuwakkara, claimed that Fonseka was “very empowering” as a role model for women and “everything” for younger actresses in the field.

And, she continued, Fonseka would never be a replacement.

She is the queen, she says. That is it, according to Peiris. No other queens will exist in Sri Lanka. She will be both the first and last.

Why does Cunha want Man Utd move and where does he fit?

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In March, Matheus Cunha told the Guardian, “I’ve made it clear that I need to take the next step.” I want to compete for titles and power positions. I possess potential.

In a £62 million transfer from Wolves to Manchester United, the Brazilian international is now gearing up for the next step, which involves converting one team from the bottom six to another.

Cunha will join a team that has endured its worst top-flight season since 1973-74 and has gone 12 years without winning a league title.

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United “lucky” to receive Cunha

United are unable to offer new recruits any European football, let alone a place in Europe’s elite club competition, while Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Tottenham are all planning for the Champions League next season.

Indeed, more than three years have passed since United last reached a Champions League knockout match.

Cunha still believes United is a big club despite a poor league record and a lack of European football for the following season, according to BBC Sport, who understands Cunha.

Instead, Cunha, who turned 26 on Tuesday and is in excellent form, is excited about the enormous challenge of revitalizing United’s fortunes.

The move seems to make sense to all parties, in our opinion.

Wolves receive more than £60 million in reinvestment, while Cunha wants to move to a supposedly bigger club.

In addition, Wolves have already demonstrated that they can win games without Cunha, who was suspended for four Premier League games after receiving a red card for Bournemouth in the FA Cup in March. He has already earned 10 points from those games.

The options that are available to Ruben Amorim must be increased as United are set to allow England’s Marcus Rashford and Argentina’s Alejandro Garnacho to depart this summer.

In the Premier League era, his team managed only 44 top-flight goals in 2024-25, a club record. Liam Delap of Ipswich Town and Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford have also been linked.

Cunha is regarded at United as a player who can immediately impact a team while also bringing experience to the team with his 27 goals in 65 Premier League games over the past two years.

Former England international Fara Williams told BBC Sport, “United are fortunate they still have their historic appeal and reputation as a club,” adding that players of the Brazilian’s quality and potential would want to relocate there.

Cunha has everything United needs, according to Cunha.

Opta

Cunha’s flair and drive have frequently helped him create creativity, movement, and sharp finishing in tight games.

He has scored crucial goals, connected play, and unpicking defenses in moments of individual brilliance, serving as the heartbeat of Wolves’ attacking threat.

Additionally, he and Roberto Firmino (2017-18) and Gabriel Martinelli (2010-223) set the record for the most goals scored by a Brazilian player in a Premier League season with 2024-25.

Williams remarked, “Cunha has everything a United team would want.”

You can’t dispute the traits he possesses and the way he plays the game, which is that he wants to win everything.

A graphic showing how Cunha created chances for WolvesOpta
His best position was as a number nine at Wolves, according to those who have followed him frequently over the past few years.

His strengths include running at defenders and finishing, and his natural inclination is to go deep and get the ball.

His 2024-25 numbers correspond to Bruno Fernandes, arguably United’s best player, in terms of numbers.

Fernandes managed six goals from outside the box in every competition, which is the same total as Cunha’s. In all competitions, Cunha also managed 51 attempts on target, which is also a record number Fernandes managed.

Biggest walkers in the Premier League graphic

Have a few options when throwing tantrums?

Some Wolves sources will be closely monitoring Cunha’s performance at United, some of whom have questioned his attitude.

Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth was hit three times by Cunha in March, fighting and kicking him before aiming a headbutt when the Hungary full-back recovered.

After arguing with a staff member of Ipswich Town and snatching his glasses off his face, the Football Association had previously sent him two games.

Has Cunha’s temperament slowed down clubs interested in him if he plays in Europe next season?

In January, other clubs, including Arsenal, turned down his move, and top-seven Premier League clubs also showed an interest.

However, this summer saw fewer options for the forward, with some arguing that it had to be between United and joining a Saudi club.

Rory Smith, the football correspondent for The Observer, stated on The Monday Night Club in April that “there have been a couple of incidents around Matheus Cunha’s character this season that would make you pause.”

Is the word “tantrums” the correct word to use when referring to “two fairly spectacular tantrums”?

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Chris Sutton, who won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in 1994-1995, was against him.

He said on the same show, “It’s not a question mark.” It’s similar to saying, “Don’t sign Wayne Rooney back then.”

Williams believes that “being in a relegation battle for a long time and playing alongside players you are better than” is what caused Cunha’s frustrations.

Cunha, she continued, “would give United a huge boost.”

You’d probably notice less of his frustration if they were to add players like them, in my opinion.

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