Bainimarama was jailed in May alongside former police chief Sitiveni Qiliho after being convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice in a police investigation linked to the University of the South Pacific.

The FCS confirmed that Bainimarama’s early release was granted under section 46(3) of the Corrections Act, which allows for early release based on specific criteria aimed at protecting community safety and supporting inmate reintegration.

A “comprehensive review” of Bainimarama’s application found that all requirements, including eligibility and supervisory measures, were met.

“The decision to release Mr Bainimarama aligns with the FCS’s commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and reintegration as outlined in the Corrections Act,” the FCS said.

The statement added that FCS will continue to monitor Bainimarama’s reintegration to ensure compliance with all conditions of his release.

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The festivities, organised in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane by the members of Bihar Jharkhand Sabha of Australia and New Zealand, reflected the vibrant and dedicated community that honours this ancient festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

Garima Shrivastav, Secretary of BJSM, shared enthusiasm with The Australia Today, stating,

“With such success, we are confident that next year’s Chhath will be even grander, and we eagerly look forward to the next celebration.”

The dedication of volunteers was instrumental in organising this year’s celebration, underscoring the deep sense of devotion and cultural pride that transcends borders.

Chhath Puja is a significant Hindu Vedic festival, primarily celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh, as well as in Nepal.

Devotees honour Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Mother Goddess) twice a year, during the Indian months of Chaitra (March-April) and Kartika (October-November).

The Kartika celebration, six days after Diwali, is particularly cherished in Bihar.

Over six days, women sing traditional songs, wear colourful attire, and celebrate with abundant joy, symbolising the festival’s central themes of faith, family, and gratitude.

The Bihar Jharkhand Sabha of Australia and New Zealand, which began in Melbourne, has expanded to major cities across Australia and New Zealand, including Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin, Perth, Auckland, and Wellington, generating strong interest among the Indian diaspora.

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Premier Minns also said that the Indian Hindu community is decent, hardworking and love Australia.

NSW Multicultural Minister Steve Kamper said that the light of the sails of the Opera House symbolising Diwali celebrations will shine brightly enough for the whole of Sydney to see.

“The lighting of this iconic symbol is an invitation to all Australians to celebrate Diwali as one community united by our mutual respect and friendship”, said Minister Kamper.

The attendees at the event reflected a slice of multicultural Australia with members of different ethnicities and backgrounds enjoying the festivities. The event included chanting of slokas by children of BAPS Swaminarayan Temple. Shlokas were also chanted prior to the lighting up of the sails of the iconic Opera House.

CEO of Multicultural NSW, Joseph La Posta, and NSW MP from Parramatta, Donna Davies, also shared their feelings about Diwali.

Th event was attended by Consul General of India in Sydney, Dr S. Janakiraman, NSW MP Julia Finn, Director of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Sydney, Niyati Mehta, Parramatta Councillor Sameer Pandey, Ku-ring-gai Councillor Barbara Ward and Australia India Business Council (AIBC) National Associate Chair, Irfan Malik among several other eminent guests.

If you’re found guilty of a crime, it’s a basic principle of Australian law that you have a right to appeal.

But having a right and being able to exercise it are two different things, especially when it comes to fresh evidence casting doubt on your conviction.

In Australia, your ability to challenge a conviction with fresh evidence depends on where you live, because each state and territory has different rules. Too often, it also depends on the resources someone can access, including money and knowledge of the legal system.

Everyone should have the same opportunities to clear their name, so how can we make accessing appeals more equitable?

State by state

Direct pathways to appeal differ between the states and territories.

In all postcodes, it’s difficult to get appeal courts to consider fresh evidence in the first instance.

South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and the ACT allow multiple appeal applications if “fresh and compelling” evidence emerges after your first appeal. Since 2013, six convictions have been quashed this way, including Henry Keogh’s in SA after the state coroner recanted trial evidence.

Tasmania and WA allow subsequent appeals only for serious offences, while SA has no such restriction.

New South Wales and the Northern Territory don’t allow subsequent appeals, so people there have less direct access to the courts if wrongly convicted.

There are, however, indirect ways people can seek an appeal with fresh evidence.

In all states, you can ask the government to refer your case back to an appeal court. For example, the Victorian Attorney-General referred Faruk Orman’s case after evidence emerged about his lawyer’s misconduct. Referral decisions are made in secret and not reviewable.

In the ACT, you can ask the Supreme Court for a judicial inquiry into your conviction. If you get an inquiry, the inquiry officer can refer your case back to the appeal court if they find reasonable doubt. This led to David Eastman’s conviction being quashed.

These inquiries are only available if the issue can’t be properly addressed in an appeal, for example because the time for filing an appeal has lapsed. But, the ACT introduced subsequent appeals in 2024 which have no time limit, so it is unclear whether this pathway is still usable.

In NSW, you can ask the government for an inquiry, but decisions are made in secret and open to political and media influence. This pathway led to Kathleen Folbigg’s acquittal.

You can also ask the NSW Supreme Court for an inquiry or direct referral of your case back to the appeal court. This path is available for all offences and sentences and decisions are public. Since 2014, 59 conviction review applications to the NSW Supreme Court have resulted in one inquiry order and six referrals, with three successful appeals.

The inquiry (currently underway) involves the Croatian Six, convicted in 1981 for conspiracy to bomb sites in Sydney. After many failed attempts, they finally secured an inquiry with fresh evidence casting doubt on police and witnesses’ trial evidence.

These different pathways across the country create an uneven playing field, where some wrongfully convicted people may have more opportunities to clear their name than others.

The right resources

Access to appeals doesn’t just depend on location. It’s also about resources.

To succeed in getting an appeal via any of the above pathways, you need the power to obtain documents and the resources to gather other evidence. You also need the ability to prepare a strong case. That’s before you even get to court.

Judicial inquiries have investigatory powers and resources, but are expensive. For example, the Eastman inquiry cost the ACT government $12 million.

The United Kingdom and New Zealand have independent bodies called Criminal Cases Review Commissions. Scotland has its own version.

These commissions have the power to compel evidence and resources to investigate claims of wrongful conviction at no cost to applicants. They also have the power to refer cases back to the courts. While these commissions don’t refer many cases overall, about 70% of of cases referred in the UK are successful on appeal.

But, even for commissions, a strong initial application is important. In the UK, the Cardiff University Innocence Project engages law students to investigate claims of innocence and prepare applications for claims with merit.

Canada and the United States don’t have criminal case review commissions. Innocence Projects there review claims of innocence and help prepare applications for government or court review.

This is similar to the work of the few innocence clinics in Australia, such as those at RMIT and Griffith universities.

Innocence initiatives around the world work with limited investigatory resources and powers compared with those of a review commission. In the absence of a such a commission in Australia, second appeals are useful, but they are expensive to run, hard to access and don’t address the resource issue.

The free NSW Supreme Court pathway doesn’t address the resource issue either. But it can lead to an inquiry or referral, is open and accountable, and comes with guiding criteria and discretion to make short shrift of baseless applications.

My research suggests free pathways to appeal are important justice mechanisms for the wrongly convicted, but they work best when applicants have legal help to prepare a clear and concise application. Involving law students to help edit applications could make it easier for decision-makers to review cases and help applicants without lawyers get a fairer chance to be heard.

Kylie Lingard, Senior lecturer, University of Wollongong

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Rudd’s move, confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces mounting calls to replace Rudd in Washington.

Rudd’s June 2020 comments, in which he described Trump as “a traitor to the West” who “drags America and democracy through the mud,” were quietly removed in the final stages of the US election campaign.

DFAT Deputy Secretary Elly Lawson told Senate estimates that Rudd’s office issued a statement confirming the deletion was done “out of respect for the office of President of the United States” and to prevent the comments from being “misconstrued as reflecting his positions as ambassador and, by extension, the views of the Australian government.”

Prime Minister Albanese, who had previously been critical of Trump, defended Rudd’s position, calling his ambassadorship “a sign of the importance we place on the US-Australia alliance.”

However, Trump responded pointedly to Rudd’s earlier criticisms. In an interview with British broadcaster Nigel Farage in March, he described Rudd as “nasty” and “not the brightest bulb,” suggesting,

“He won’t be there long if that’s the case.”

Opposition members have questioned the government’s choice of Rudd, arguing his previous criticisms could strain US-Australian relations.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson told SkyNews that it was now on the Albanese government to show “Rudd is still the right choice.”

RNC Co-Chair Lara Trump commented on the tensions, saying it would be “hard” for someone who had “said such nasty things” to represent Australia.

Albanese, who spoke to Trump after his electoral victory, highlighted that security issues, including the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement, remain central to the alliance.

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For millennia, humans had one obvious and reliable source of light – the Sun – and we knew the Sun was essential for our survival.

This might be why ancient religions – such as those in Egypt, Greece, the Middle East, India, Asia, and Central and South America – involved Sun worship.

Early religions were also often tied up with healing. Sick people would turn to the shaman, priest or priestess for help.

While ancient peoples used the Sun to heal, this might not be how you think.

Since then, we’ve used light to heal in a number of ways. Some you might recognise today, others sound more like magic.

From warming ointments to sunbaking

There’s not much evidence around today that ancient peoples believed sunlight itself could cure illness. Instead, there’s more evidence they used the warmth of the Sun to heal.

The Ebers Papyrus is an ancient Egyptian medical scroll from around 1500 BCE. It contains a recipe for an ointment to “make the sinews […] flexible”. The ointment was made of wine, onion, soot, fruit and the tree extracts frankincense and myrrh. Once it was applied, the person was “put in sunlight”.

Other recipes, to treat coughs for example, involved putting ingredients in a vessel and letting it stand in sunlight. This is presumably to warm it up and help it infuse more strongly. The same technique is in the medical writings attributed to Greek physician Hippocrates who lived around 450-380 BCE.

The physician Aretaeus, who was active around 150 CE in what is now modern Turkey, wrote that sunlight could cure chronic cases of what he called “lethargy” but we’d recognise today as depression:

Lethargics are to be laid in the light, and exposed to the rays of the Sun (for the disease is gloom); and in a rather warm place, for the cause is a congelation of the innate heat.

Classical Islamic scholar Ibn Sina (980-1037 CE) described the health effects of sunbathing (at a time when we didn’t know about the link to skin cancer). In Book I of The Canon of Medicine he said the hot Sun helped everything from flatulence and asthma to hysteria. He also said the Sun “invigorates the brain” and is beneficial for “clearing the uterus”.

It was sometimes hard to tell science from magic

All the ways of curing described so far depend more on the Sun’s heat rather than its light. But what about curing with light itself?

English scientist Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) knew you could “split” sunlight into a rainbow spectrum of colours.

This and many other discoveries radically changed ideas about healing in the next 200 years.

But as new ideas flourished, it was sometimes hard to tell science from magic.

For example, German mystic and visionary Jakob Lorber (1800-1864) believed sunlight was the best cure for pretty much anything. His 1851 book The Healing Power of Sunlight was still in print in 1997.

Public health reformer Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) also believed in the power of sunlight. In her famous book Notes on Nursing, she said of her patients:

second only to their need of fresh air is their need for light […] not only light but direct sunlight.

Nightingale also believed sunlight was the natural enemy of bacteria and viruses. She seems at least partially right. Sunlight can kill some, but not all, bacteria and viruses.

Chromotherapy – a way of healing based on colours and light – emerged in this period. While some of its supporters claim using coloured light for healing dates back to ancient Egypt, it’s hard to find evidence of this now.

Modern chromotherapy owes a lot to the fertile mind of physician Edwin Babbitt (1828-1905) from the United States. Babbitt’s 1878 book The Principles of Light and Color was based on experiments with coloured light and his own visions and clairvoyant insights. It’s still in print.

Babbitt invented a portable stained-glass window called the Chromolume, designed to restore the balance of the body’s natural coloured energy. Sitting for set periods under the coloured lights from the window was said to restore your health.

Indian entrepreneur Dinshah Ghadiali (1873-1966) read about this, moved to the US and invented his own instrument, the Spectro-Chrome, in 1920.

The theory behind the Spectro-Chrome was that the human body was made up of four elements – oxygen (blue), hydrogen (red), nitrogen (green) and carbon (yellow). When these colours were out of balance, it caused sickness.

Some hour-long sessions with the Spectro-Chrome would restore balance and health. By using its green light, for example, you could reportedly aid your pituitary gland, while yellow light helped your digestion.

By 1946 Ghadiali had made around a million dollars from sales of this device in the US.

And today?

While some of these treatments sound bizarre, we now know certain coloured lights treat some illnesses and disorders.

Phototherapy with blue light is used to treat newborn babies with jaundice in hospital. People with seasonal affective disorder (sometimes known as winter depression) can be treated with regular exposure to white or blue light. And ultraviolet light is used to treat skin conditions, such as psoriasis.

Today, light therapy has even found its way into the beauty industry. LED face masks, with celebrity endorsements, promise to fight acne and reduce signs of ageing.

But like all forms of light, exposure to it has both risks and benefits. In the case of these LED face masks, they could disrupt your sleep.

This is the final article in our ‘Light and health’ series, where we look at how light affects our physical and mental health in sometimes surprising ways. Read other articles in the series.

Philippa Martyr, Lecturer, Pharmacology, Women’s Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Dr Jaishankar addressed members of the Australia-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, thanking them for their commitment to enhancing political, economic, and people-to-people ties.

In a post on X, he expressed gratitude for their support, emphasising, “Happy to interact with members of Australia-India Parliamentary Friendship Group. Appreciate their warm sentiments for stronger political, economic and people-to-people ties with India.”

Co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of India Julian Leeser MP said, “It was great to see India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar in Parliament this week. Dr Jaishankar is one of the most significant figures in foreign policy around the world and he is a great friend of Australia.”

“The rise of India is an unalloyed good for Australia.”

“Under the Coalition we concluded the comprehensive strategic partnership the defence interoperability agreement and the ECTA trade agreement.”

“The strength of the relationship our two countries is built on shared interests, shared values and is underpinned by our wonderful Indian diaspora,” Mr Leeser added.

Later, Dr Jaishankar met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, expressing appreciation for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, “Delighted to call on PM Anthony Albanese in Canberra today. Value his guidance for deepening India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” to which Albanese responded with equal enthusiasm, noting, “Our growing relationship with India matters to Australia.”

During the visit, Dr Jaishankar also discussed with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, at the “Raisina Down Under” conference, an Australian version of India’s prestigious Raisina Dialogue. The ministers addressed the shared vision and mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific region, reinforcing the importance of collaboration.

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“So much labour, so much pain, finally it’s a boy.” This tweet captured the relief and exhaustion surrounding Trump’s return to the presidency, likening it to the anticipation of a birth.

For many, it’s a hard-won victory; for others, a moment to reflect on what lies ahead. Comparing the outcome to the birth of a “boy” adds a traditional sentiment to the scene, reflecting both change and enduring values in modern politics.

The American political drama has reached its peak, with Trump defeating Kamala Harris in an election that captivated Indian families. For some Indian seniors avidly following political discussions on WhatsApp, it’s a reason to celebrate, while their children in Silicon Valley nervously ponder their H1-B visa futures.

During his first term, Trump advocated for stronger defence ties with India, securing significant agreements that boosted India’s standing in the Indo-Pacific. His stance on China was aligned with India’s concerns about China’s assertive moves in Asia. With Trump’s return, India may once again benefit from U.S. support against regional threats, particularly from China.

However, Trump’s individualistic foreign policy approach adds an element of uncertainty. While supportive of India’s stance on China, his tendency to change direction on a whim can cause concern, as any alliance or promise could be reversed with a tweet.

Trump’s views on the Russia-Ukraine conflict may bring unexpected advantages for India. With a preference for a more pragmatic approach to Russia, he may reduce pressure on India to distance itself from Moscow. India has balanced its relationships with both Russia and the West, and a less confrontational U.S. stance on Russia could allow India to pursue its own interests with less interference from Washington.

Another area of potential benefit is Trump’s hands-off approach to other countries’ domestic policies. Unlike some past U.S. administrations, which raised concerns over India’s internal matters—such as the revocation of Article 370 in Kashmir—Trump’s presidency was relatively quiet on these issues. For Modi’s government, this could mean fewer external complications on domestic policies, allowing India more freedom in governance without criticism from the U.S.

Yet Trump’s protectionist stance on trade could be a challenge. His criticism of countries he feels “take advantage” of U.S. markets includes India. High tariffs and a focus on reducing trade imbalances could impact sectors like Indian IT, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, all of which depend heavily on American markets. India may face tough negotiations if Trump pushes for terms that prioritise American industries.

Similarly, Trump’s immigration policies present both challenges and hopes for India. In his previous term, he imposed restrictions on H1-B visas, affecting Indian skilled workers and the Indian IT sector. Trump’s return raises questions about the future of these policies, which could again impact Indian professionals aiming to work in the U.S. and the companies relying on their skills.

Trump’s transactional approach to security alliances also brings potential risks. His ambiguous stance on issues like Taiwan’s security has left some Asian allies uneasy. While Trump’s tough talk on China resonates with India’s concerns, any weakening of U.S. support for its regional allies could create a void, possibly emboldening China. India may need to balance a close partnership with the U.S. while also preparing for scenarios where it stands more independently in Asia.

Ultimately, Trump’s return offers both opportunities and risks for India. Strengthened defence ties, fewer interferences on domestic issues, and potential flexibility with Russia are positives, but Trump’s unpredictability, trade protectionism, and immigration restrictions may complicate India’s path. India’s leaders will need to stay agile, ready to adapt to the shifting dynamics of Trump’s policies while maximising gains and mitigating risks.

In a sense, India’s relationship with Trump’s America will be like a typical Indian joint family—complicated, sometimes turbulent, yet held together by shared interests. New Delhi’s strategy could echo the advice of an Indian grandmother: “adjust a little, stand firm a little.” India will need to navigate Trump’s unpredictable policies while ensuring its own priorities remain clear. As they say in Hindi, “Dosti bhi, business bhi” (Friendship as well as business).

In the Modi-Trump 2.0 era, diplomacy will resemble a lively duet, where India must deftly play both offence and defence. As a seasoned diplomat might muse, “In diplomacy, as in cricket, it’s not just about hitting every ball, but knowing which ones to let pass.” For India, the game with Trump has begun anew.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered his congratulations to President Donald Trump on his historic victory in the US presidential election.

Albnaese posted on X, “Australians and Americans are great friends and true allies. Working together, we can ensure the partnership between our nations and peoples remains strong into the future.”

Opposition leader, Peter Dutton, echoed Albnaese’s sentiment, praising the resilience of the US-Australia alliance and the shared values that underpin it.

On behalf of the Federal Coalition, Dutoon said, “May the years ahead be some of the most defining for our Alliance in which, driven by tests of our times, the necessity of deterrence, and the cause of securing peace through strength, we unleash the defence, industrial and economic opportunities of AUKUS at speed and scale.”

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also among the first world leaders to congratulate Trump on his win. Modi took to X to share his optimism about building on their past successes, tweeting, “Had a great conversation with my friend, President @realDonaldTrump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory. Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sectors.”

Modi later spoke with Trump directly, and sources report that Trump reaffirmed his commitment to the US-India friendship, calling Modi and India “true friends.”

The renewed US administration signals continuity but with the trademark unpredictability Trump brings to the global stage.

Trump previously proposed crippling tariffs on Chinese imports in excess of 60 per cent if re-elected and ending the country’s most-favoured nation trading status. His return could mean further negotiations on trade and immigration, a unified stance against China, and a firm stance on Islamist terrorism.

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The Israel-Iran conflict is showing no signs of de-escalation as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched precise strikes deep within Iranian territory, marking a dramatic turning point in the conflict’s intensity and scale.

On the early morning of 26^th October, Israeli jets and drones surged across Iran’s skies, executing a well-coordinated assault that battered Iranian air defences and obliterated vital missile and drone production facilities. This three-hour barrage targeted the heavily fortified Parchin military complex near Tehran, a key site for Iran’s missile programs.

Experts analysing the damage estimate that these strikes have significantly curtailed Iran’s capacity to mass-produce missiles, thus striking a blow not only to Iran’s immediate military capabilities but also to its long-term deterrent strategies against adversaries in the region. For the first time, Israel openly acknowledged hitting Iran, underlining the attack as a direct response to “relentless attacks” orchestrated by Iran and its proxies—a stark shift from Israel’s previous stance of calculated ambiguity.

As West Asia braces for the reverberations of this escalation, the political and humanitarian costs are glaringly apparent, prompting urgent calls for restraint.

India, a key diplomatic force in the conflict, issued a grave statement on 26^th October, cautioning against the spiralling violence that “benefits nobody” and emphasising the untenable plight of innocent hostages and civilians caught in the crossfire. With a clear-eyed concern for regional stability, India warned of the wider implications for peace, subtly reminding the international community of the fragility that underpins the delicate balance in West Asia.

The above statement underscores India’s longstanding diplomatic stance of non-alignment and prudent restraint, echoing its hopes for de-escalation even as the situation teeters on the brink of a more expansive, unpredictable conflict that could plunge the region—and perhaps even the world—deeper into chaos.

After the heinous October 7 terror attack on Israel, the terror group Hamas has sustained some serious blows in the form of its top leadership being assassinated. Whether the Hamas leadership genuinely miscalculated the intensity of Israeli retaliation or they intentionally sacrificed the lives of countless Palestinian civilians to gain sympathy and funding is a question no one can answer.

The reason is that the October 7 terror attack contributed absolutely nothing constructive for the Palestinian people or, as they themselves put it, their cause. Soon, the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah, too jumped into the conflict and arguably sustained even bigger blows to its foundations.

The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, followed swiftly by the elimination of key operatives like Yahya Sinwar in Gaza and Fatah Sharif in Lebanon, demonstrates that their brazen tactics are leading only to their own undoing. Meanwhile, Hezbollah, with its founder and head Hassan Nasrallah and prominent figures like Ali Karaki and Nabil Kaouk taken out in calculated Israeli strikes, finds its very foundation destabilised.

India’s official position in this complicated scenario is driven both by geo-political pragmatism as well as humanitarian concerns; however, these incidents have given birth to a curious phenomenon within certain sections of Indian intelligentsia: the glorification of terror outfits and their leadership.

This needs to be understood that asking Israel to exercise restraint is completely different from glorifying terrorists on the other side. One can take a humanitarian position for the people of Palestine without branding the likes of Yahya Sinwar as heroes of resistance; in fact, this can be argued that militant outfits like Hamas are the biggest enemies of Palestinian people and their rights. There are documented proofs of Hamas militants using Palestinian civilians as human shields and deliberately constructing their hideouts in heavily populated civilian areas, putting them at risk.

This manipulation is a calculated move, one designed to garner international sympathy by presenting images of devastation without exposing the underlying tactical choices that led to it. The people of Gaza, therefore, become pawns in a propaganda war, their suffering amplified by the very organisation claiming to defend their rights. Moreover, Hamas’ recruitment and indoctrination of minors, training them in militant activities and encouraging martyrdom, further underscores the extent to which the group prioritises its ideological goals over human life.

With significant financial support flowing in from sympathetic nations and organisations, these leaders have settled into lavish residences in places like Qatar and Kuwait, enjoying the fruits of a war economy that thrives on perpetual conflict. Instead of directing resources toward the welfare of the Palestinian people, much of this funding is funnelled into constructing terror tunnels, acquiring weapons, and enhancing military capabilities—priorities that starkly contrast with the urgent needs for education, healthcare, and infrastructure improvements in Gaza.

Given the current circumstances, the remarks from various Indian commentators are profoundly troubling. Journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani made an attempt at wit with her statement: “Why exactly are Indian fascists celebrating the assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar? Begaani shaadi mein ye Abdullah kyun deewane ho rahe hain?” Beyond being utterly un-amusing, her comment reveals a concerning admiration for a terrorist figure.

Similarly, actress Swara Bhasker posted on X: “I didn’t know anything about Yahya Sinwar till I saw the footage of his last moments & assassination by the Zionist State and now I think he’s a revolutionary hero. Listen to his will, his last words and tell me that you are unmoved. #FreePalestine”

The usual suspect, Arundhati Roy, wrote an extremely troubling piece in Dawn wherein she asserted: “I am expected to equivocate to protect myself, my ‘neutrality’, my intellectual standing. This is the part where I am meant to lapse into moral equivalence and condemn Hamas, the other militant groups in Gaza and their ally Hezbollah, in Lebanon, for killing civilians and taking people hostage. And to condemn the people of Gaza who celebrated the Hamas attack… I refuse to play the condemnation game. Let me make myself clear. I do not tell oppressed people how to resist their oppression or who their allies should be.”

This is not just apologia for terror outfits, it’s their glorification. It is allegedly provoking people to get recruited into terror outfits, kill civilians, take people hostage if they can fit themselves into the very vague definition of “oppressed”.

Several politicians, specifically in Kashmir, also gave extremely troubling statements. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti called off her political campaign in “solidarity” with ‘martyrs’ of Lebanon and Gaza. “Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza, especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief & exemplary resistance,” she tweeted.

Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Member of Parliament, Srinagar called Nasrallah a spirit of resistance and expressed complete solidarity with him. Sajad Lone, MLA from Handwara, Kashmir tweeted: “Mourning the supreme martyrdom of Shaheed Syed Hassan Nasrallah. May Allah (SWT) bless his soul & grant us strength to carry forward his legacy against oppressors.”

It is extremely concerning that these observations have been made by individuals on responsible positions; journalists, political commentators and elected representatives that not only influence masses within the national framework but whose words also carry international weight.

We also saw huge masses protesting the killing of Nasrallah in the streets of Lucknow and Kashmir, singing eulogies and expressing condolences for the head of the terror outfit.

Any viable solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict would only begin with the realisation of a two-state framework. Slogans like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” may sound revolutionary but, in reality, carry disturbing genocidal and anti-Semitic undertones.

Organisations like Hamas and Hezbollah have shown no interest in peaceful solutions; rather, their agendas hinge on radicalising Palestinian youth for the sake of sustaining their own power and influence. The Palestinian people deserve leaders who put the future of their children first, choosing dialogue over militancy and channelling resources into Gaza’s development instead of fuelling cycles of violence through terror tunnels and weapon stockpiles.

Palestinian leaders like Mahmoud Abbas, Hanan Ashrawi, and the late Saeb Erekat have long championed a peaceful two-state solution as the viable path forward, envisioning a future where Israel and Palestine coexist side by side.

Abbas, as President of the Palestinian Authority, has consistently advocated for diplomacy over violence, while Erekat, one of the most recognised Palestinian negotiators, dedicated his life to the peace process. Figures like Ashrawi and Mustafa Barghouti, both known for their unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance, have called for international support and human rights as pillars of the Palestinian cause.

Additionally, Salam Fayyad’s pragmatic governance style—focused on state-building and economic stability—offered a blueprint for Palestinian self-sufficiency. Collectively, these leaders embody a vision of Palestinian statehood grounded in diplomacy, rights, and resilience, striving to overcome the barriers of conflict with a focus on long-term coexistence and peace.

Therefore, between Abbas and Ashrawi, who advocate for a peaceful resolution and a two-state solution, and Sinwar and Nasrallah, whose militant ideologies perpetuate violence and conflict, Indian commentators and observers face a clear choice. This decision reflects not only their stance on the Israel-Palestine issue but also their commitment to the broader principles of peace, coexistence, and the protection of human rights.

By aligning with leaders like Abbas and Ashrawi, who prioritize dialogue and diplomacy, commentators can contribute to a narrative that seeks constructive engagement and the betterment of Palestinian lives. Conversely, endorsing figures like Sinwar and Nasrallah only serves to amplify extremism and hinder the prospects for a sustainable peace, further entrenching cycles of violence that have plagued the region for decades.

Contributing Author: Omer Ghazi is a proponent of religious reform and identifies himself as “an Indic Muslim exploring Vedic knowledge and cultural heritage through music”. He extensively writes on geo-politics, history and culture and his book “The Cosmic Dance” is a collection of his poems. When he is not writing columns, he enjoys playing drums and performing raps.

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Welcoming Dr Jaishankar to Australia, Dutton emphasised the importance of collaboration across trade, security, and community links between the two nations.

“It was a great pleasure to meet again with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss our shared progress in trade, security, and people-to-people links,” Dutton said in a statement.

“Australia and India enjoy a strong and enduring partnership built on mutual respect and shared values.”

Dutton highlighted the role of Australia’s Indian community as a “bridge” between the two countries, reinforcing the depth of bilateral relations.

“As we face global challenges, I look forward to deepening our cooperation in key areas to ensure our partnership continues to benefit both our nations and fosters peace and prosperity across the region,” he added.

Dutton shared on social media that his meeting with Dr Jaishankar, focused on advancing cooperation in trade, security, and community connections, emphasising the significant role of Australia’s Indian community in strengthening bilateral ties.

“Australia’s vibrant Indian community continues to be a bridge between our nations, strengthening the special relationship we share.”

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Emergency services were called to Durham Street, Hurstville, around 5:15 p.m. following reports of concern for a person’s welfare. Upon arrival, police found the woman, believed to be in her 40s, deceased in the passenger seat of the vehicle.

The woman has not yet been formally identified, and her cause of death remains unknown. Police have established a crime scene at the location and are treating the incident as suspicious. The typically quiet Durham Street, which connects Hurstville with Carlton, has been partially cordoned off as investigations continue.

Images shared by media outlets show the vehicle taped off by police, with a handbag reportedly visible on top of the car. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The investigation remains ongoing as police work to determine the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.

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AFP officers and technical specialists deployed to Samoa for CHOGM as part of the newly-formed Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG), alongside officers from Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu, funded through Samoa’s Pacific Community for Law Enforcement Cooperation.

AFP Commander Phillipa Connell praised Samoa Police’s extensive operation, calling it “a credit to their capability and planning” in safeguarding VIPs, delegates, and the community. She acknowledged the 15-year partnership with Samoa Police, highlighting the collaborative efforts in capability building, infrastructure support, and training.

Samoa Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo emphasised the Pacific law enforcement community’s unity during CHOGM.

“Bringing the PPSG to Samoa has shown the strength of our regional partnerships,” he said, expressing gratitude to the AFP for its continuous support.

The PPSG, established at the Pacific Islands Forum in August, serves as a rapid-deployment police force to bolster security across the Pacific during major events and crises.

This inaugural deployment brought together over 40 officers from 11 Pacific nations under the guidance of Samoa Police, with leadership from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

Beyond personnel, AFP’s assistance included tactical training, a new Emergency Radio Network, the Safer City CCTV Network, and an Operations Centre, alongside donations of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and first aid kits to Samoa Police’s Traffic Unit.

This ongoing support marks a milestone in the 15-year AFP-Samoa Police Partnership (SAPP), dedicated to fostering regional security and collaboration for the future.

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As Americans vote in one of the most important presidential elections in generations, the country teeters on a knife edge. In the battleground states that will likely decide the result, the polling margins between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are razor thin.

These tiny margins, and the general confusion around American politics today, make it impossible to predict the outcome.

The polls might well be wrong: the electorate may have shifted dramatically since 2020 in ways that will only reveal themselves after the election. The reality is we do not know much of anything for sure, and we may never be able to untangle all of the threads that make up the knot of American politics.

After two assassination attempts on Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden’s dramatic decision to leave the race in August, it is entirely possible this election will throw up more big surprises. But as things stand, there are three broad possibilities for what will happen on Election Day.

All of them throw up their own challenges – for the United States, and for the world.

Possibility 1: the return of Trump

Trump may make history and win back the White House. Only Grover Cleveland has managed to get elected a second time as president (in 1892) after suffering a defeat four years earlier.

If Trump does win, it could be via a similar path to the one he took in 2016 – by once again sundering the “blue wall” and winning the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan.

This feat will likely mean his campaign tactic of mobilising men has worked.

A Trump victory would represent the culmination of a generational project of the American right. A second Trump administration would be very different from the first – the movement behind Trump is more organised, focused and cognisant of the mistakes of the first Trump White House. It would also face considerably weakened democratic guardrails.

The implementation of Trump’s radical agenda, alongside some or all of the broader far-right agenda detailed in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, would radically reshape American life and create political and economic chaos.

The rest of the world would have to reorient itself, once again, around Trump.

Possibility 2: Harris makes history

It is entirely possible Harris makes history – not only by beating Trump, but by becoming the first woman and woman of colour to win the US presidency.

Like Trump, if Harris does win, it will likely be through one or more of the battleground states – in particular, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

For Harris, victory will likely come via high turnout by women and voters of colour, particularly African-Americans, or through a combination of turnout by this core Democratic base and swing voters in key states like Pennsylvania.

How Harris wins – and by how much – will be crucial, both to the immediate aftermath of the election and to the shape of a future Harris administration.

A big question: can she win by enough to head off resistance by Trump and the movement behind him? As Australian writer Don Watson has noted, a Harris victory would likely be taken as an existential defeat by the MAGA movement.

How Trump’s supporters react to such a defeat – and how US institutions react to their reaction – will be a critical test for American democracy.

Possibility 3: too close to call

This brings us to the third possibility: the polls are correct, and it’s such a tight race that the margins in the battleground states are in the thousands of votes, or even less.

If it is that close, counting could take days. And there could be recounts after that.

While conspiracies abound, a delay in the result like this would be an entirely predictable and normal outcome. In the United States, there isn’t one system for counting the votes; elections are run by the states on a county-by-county basis, and each state does it differently.

Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, for example, legally can’t start counting mail-in votes until the polls open on Election Day.

Then there is the supposed “blue shift” or “red mirage” that sometimes occurs on election night.

There are now many ways to vote in the US – in person on Election Day, early voting before Election Day or by mail-in ballot. And the time it takes to count these different ballots can vary. So, it may appear as if one candidate is winning early in the night (say, when in-person votes are counted) only for their opponent to slowly turn the tide (when mail-in ballots are counted).

In the 2020 election, this meant early Trump (“red”) leads were gradually lost to the Biden (“blue”) votes. Researchers found that counties won by Biden counted more slowly, on average, than those won by Trump – hence the so-called “blue shift”.

This is an entirely normal – and legal – phenomenon. In Nevada, for instance, state law permits mail-in ballots to be counted four days after Election Day, so long as they were postmarked by Election Day.

Trump and his surrogates like Steve Bannon, however, have exploited the differing times it takes to count votes to peddle baseless conspiracy theories, undermining Americans’ faith in their own democracy, and to incite unrest.

By baselessly declaring victory in 2020 on the early “red mirage” tallies in key states before all the votes were counted, Trump was able to create what Bannon described as a “firestorm” – one that eventually led to the insurrection of January 6 2021.

This could very well happen again. Bannon, in fact, has just been released from prison after serving four months for contempt of Congress, and could once again be a driving force in any post-election challenges by the Trump campaign.

Trump, meanwhile, lied again this week when he said “these elections have to be, they have to be decided by 9 o’clock, 10 o’clock, 11 o’clock on Tuesday night” – laying the groundwork for further election conspiracies.

Delays are normal – but fraught

Trump has made it very clear he will not accept another election loss. If he does lose, he or his surrogates will attempt to weaponise similar conspiracy theories again. They may also use legal challenges to vote counts as they did in 2020 – both to contest the result and to once again mobilise the MAGA movement.

In the event of close margins, it’s also possible some states will go to a recount.

There are different rules for this in different states. To take one example, if the margin is within 0.5% in Georgia, a candidate can request a recount.

In the 2020 presidential election, Biden narrowly defeated Trump in Georgia by 0.25%, which triggered a full hand recount of the votes. The Associated Press declared Biden the winner of the state more than two weeks after Election Day. A second recount was later reconfirmed by Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

Again, this is a normal part of the process. It ensures all votes are counted accurately and the result reflects the democratic will of the American people as best as the (admittedly, deeply flawed) system allows.

Such a delay, legitimate as it would be, would elevate the already very real risk of further political violence and instability in the United States.

None of these outcomes is inevitable. 2024 is not 2020; nor is it 2016. What happens next in America depends on the movement and interplay of so many tangled threads, it is impossible to see where old ones end and new ones might begin.

In all of this, only one thing is certain. Whatever the result – and however long it takes to come through – the divisions and conspiracy theories that have destabilised American politics for so long will not be easily or quickly resolved. That knot may well prove impossible to untangle.

Emma Shortis, Adjunct Senior Fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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This collaboration brings together the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) and Australian cybersecurity leader CyberCX.

The project, titled “Securing the Internet’s Backbone: Developing an Australia-India Framework for Strengthening Submarine Cable Connectivity, Resilience, and Supply Chains,” is spearheaded by AII Research Fellow Samuel Bashfield.

Bashfield is expert on Indo-Pacific security and defence policy with ten years’ experience as an author, researcher, consultant and project manager, delivering insights and dialogue on our most pressing national security challenges.

Bashfield emphasised the crucial role of submarine cables, which handle nearly 99% of global internet traffic and are essential to digital communication.

“Submarine cable networks form the backbone of modern digital information flows,” he added.

“As these networks expand, the need to protect and enhance their resilience has become even more urgent.”

This project was selected in round four of DFAT’s AICCTP funding and underscores Australia and India’s shared dedication to cybersecurity and critical technology.

The initiative will produce policy-focused publications and culminate in a “1.5 Track Dialogue” in Perth in 2025, gathering leaders from government, industry, and academia to strengthen digital infrastructure resilience.

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It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of my dear friend, Prof. Amar Nath Dwivedi, who departed this mortal world on October 29, 2024. Born on January 3, 1943, in the small village of Kothiyahi in Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh, India, he led a life marked by intellectual achievement and dedication.

Prof. Dwivedi pursued his higher education at the University of Allahabad (now Prayagraj). After completing his postgraduate studies, he earned a PhD in English from Meerut University. Following his doctoral work, he taught in Rajasthan and later at Gurukul Kangri University in Haridwar.

Prof. Dwivedi then joined the Department of English at the University of Allahabad, where he taught for over three decades and retired as a senior professor. Later, he served as a Senior Consultant in English at UP Rajarshi Tandon Open University in Prayagraj and also undertook an official assignment in Yemen as Professor and Chairman of the Department of English at Taiz University.

As a teacher, Prof. Dwivedi left a lasting impression on his students. He was widely respected as a literary critic, essayist, and poet of English, garnering recognition from students and scholars in India and abroad.

An author of more than two dozen books and over a hundred research articles, Prof. Dwivedi made commendable contributions to Indian Writing in English and literary theory. His journey, from a rural village to significant academic achievements, reflects his resilience and determination.

Prof. Dwivedi found immense joy in writing poetry, a passion that kept him creatively engaged well into his later years. His poetry collections are the subject of ongoing PhD research, and his work earned admiration from celebrated authors such as Kamala Das, Keki N. Daruwalla, and Tabish Khair.

Poetry, for him, became a bridge between life and death, as he completed and submitted his final poetry collection to the publisher just three hours before his passing. In 2016, he served as a jury member for the Sahitya Akademi Award in English.

Prof. Dwivedi was a steadfast adherent of human values, embodying qualities of humility, simplicity, and sincerity. As his colleague, I was deeply influenced by his gentle and unassuming nature, which reflected the spiritual and human values that defined his character. His passing is an irreplaceable loss to the academic community.

I pray that his soul finds union with the Divine, the Light of lights (“Jyotisaam Jyoti”).

Contributing Author: Prof. O.P. Budholia is a retired Professor of English from Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, Madhya Pradesh, India.

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Addressing the issue, Dr Jaishankar noted that India has raised the matter with Australia, marking it as a shared point of security dialogue.

Earlier Senator Wong, welcoming Dr Jaishankar to Canberra for the 15th Australia-India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, highlighted the strong, strategic, and community ties between the two nations.

With close to one million Australians tracing their heritage to India, Senator Wong described the partnership as a keystone for stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

The dialogue offers both countries an opportunity to review advancements made in their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2020.

Senator Wong and Dr Jaishankar also discussed pathways for further collaboration in fields such as science, technology, clean energy, trade, investment, defence, and maritime security.

“India is an essential partner as we diversify our trade links and secure our supply chains,” Senator Wong observed, noting India’s trajectory as the fastest-growing major economy and its expected rise to the world’s third-largest economy by the end of the decade.

Highlighting new initiatives, Senator Wong announced government funding for six projects under the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership and revealed plans to send Australia’s first-ever First Nations Business Mission to India next year, aiming to expand commercial opportunities and promote First Nations businesses on an international scale.

“This week, Minister Jaishankar and I will advance our cooperation in science, technology, agriculture, education, and tourism, building on our strong strategic partnership,” Senator Wong said, emphasising a shared commitment to a secure, stable, and thriving Indo-Pacific region.

The ministers will also participate in ‘Raisina Down Under,’ Australia’s edition of India’s Raisina Dialogue, to exchange insights on regional dynamics shaping the Indo-Pacific.

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On election eve in the United States, the presidential race is deadlocked. The polls are exceptionally close across the country and in all the swing states – Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin in the industrial midwest; Nevada and Arizona in the west; and Georgia and North Carolina in the south.

The final New York Times/Siena poll shows Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris leading by a very small margin or tied with Republican former President Donald Trump in all the swing states. The exception is Arizona, where Trump leads by a few percentage points.

While there is no clear favourite to win, there are several critical factors that will driving voters’ decisions on Election Day. This is what to watch.

Republicans turning against Trump

Trump’s favourability is stuck around 43% in nationwide polling. In the past two presidential elections, he fell short of taking 50% of the national popular vote. As president, he never achieved over 50% favourability. And he has never topped 50% since leaving office.

This means he has hit a ceiling in his support and is highly unlikely to win the national popular vote on Tuesday.

This also reflects what happened to Trump in the Republican primaries to win the nomination. He dominated the field, defeating Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, and several others. But in most of those primaries, 15-20% of Republican voters did not vote for Trump.

Where will these Republican voters ultimately land on Tuesday? Probably half want to vote Republican and will go with Trump. Others will not being able to bring themselves to vote for Harris and will simply not vote for president.

Others will switch their support to Harris. Indeed, there has never been such a swelling of support from members of one party to support the other party’s presidential candidate.

Harris needs those “Republicans for Harris” votes. In addition, she’ll need to replicate the coalition of young voters, voters of colour and women who backed current President Joe Biden against Trump in 2020 in those same swing states and nationally.

Her favourability ratings are higher than Trump, at around 46%. The closer a presidential candidate is to 50% approval ratings, the better their chance of winning the election.

It’s the economy, stupid

At the same time, the country is in a bad mood. There is a classic polling question asked at elections: is the country on the right track, or moving in the wrong direction? Between 60–70% of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track.

That is a signal this election is about change. Historically, that sentiment has not favoured the incumbent in the White House. As Biden’s vice president, Harris is directly facing this headwind.

There are four key issues in this election. The most important is the hip pocket issue: household budgets, cost of living pressures and voters’ concerns about their future economic security.

Since Biden and Harris took office nearly four years ago, the cost of groceries, household items, utilities and services such as insurance have risen between 10–40%. Petrol prices have gone up even more.

Though interest rates have fallen, American households are hurting. When asked who is best to manage the economy, voters in swing states say Trump by a 15-point margin.

The next-biggest issue is immigration. Since Trump first became a presidential candidate in 2015, he has relentlessly pushed the immigration button, declaring the border with Mexico is out of control, with crime and pillage rising in its wake.

The first three years of Biden’s term were also marked by big surges of immigrants crossing the border, though rates have fallen dramatically in 2024.

Voters view Trump as best placed to manage this issue, too, by nearly 15 points.

So, Trump is seen as a more effective leader on the two most important policy issues in this election.

A surge in support from women

Abortion rights and reproductive health services are the third major issue. Many women across America are repelled by the Supreme Court’s decision to take away their long-held constitutional right to an abortion. Now, this policy is decided at the state level. And several conservative Republican states – including Ohio and Kansas – have voted to restore abortion rights.

Harris is seen as the champion of these issues. Multiple polls show voters trust her more than Trump on reproductive rights, by wide margins.

As a result, polling shows Harris is leading Trump with women voters in the swing states, by 15 points or more.

Abortion rights are also on the ballot in two swing states, Nevada and Arizona, which should help Harris in both.

The future of American democracy is the fourth major issue facing voters. According to a new poll, half the country sees Trump as a profound threat to America’s democracy who will wield authoritarian power to enforce his policies and programs.

Harris has pledged to turn the page, heal divisions and get Republicans and Democrats working together again.

In these closing days, Trump continues to make provocative statements with violent imagery. At a rally in Arizona last week, for instance, he again attacked Liz Cheney, the former Republican congresswoman who advocated for the prosecution of Trump over the January 6 insurrection:

She’s a radical war hawk. Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Let’s see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face.

This may have provided Harris with a final cut-through moment on Trump’s fitness for office in the final days of the campaign. She said in response:

Anyone who wants to be president of the United States who uses that kind of violent rhetoric is clearly disqualified and unqualified to be president. […] Trump is increasingly, however, someone who considers his political opponents the enemy, is permanently out for revenge and is increasingly unstable and unhinged.

So, who is going to win?

Trump’s team sees victory in all the polls. His chief pollster wrote late last week:

President Trump’s position nationally and in every single battleground state is significantly better than it was four years ago.

The polls may also be undercounting the full measure of Trump’s support, as was the case in 2016 and 2020. And the polls may not be reflecting the extent of antipathy towards Harris as a Black and south Asian woman.

Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris’ campaign director, and who headed the 2020 Biden campaign that defeated Trump, has told her troops, meanwhile, that undecided voters are “gettable”, adding:

We have multiple pathways to victory […] Our folks are voting at levels we need them to vote in order for us to win.

Harris has built a US$1 billion (A$1.5 billion) machine designed to reach voters in the swing states – through personal contact. This machine made three million phone calls and door knocks on homes in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin alone on Saturday. If this machine delivers, it could be the boost Harris needs on election night.

Harris’ campaign also signalled over the weekend that late-deciding voters, and especially women, are breaking their way by double digits. There is a sense among Democrats that Harris is now peaking as the campaign concludes.

The final analysis

If Harris wins, it will be because she has successfully sealed the deal with those voters and made the election a referendum on Trump – that on balance the country has had enough of him after eight years. It also means her ground game delivered the votes.

If Trump wins, it will mean voters trusted him to manage inflation and the cost-of-living squeeze on households, as well as what they see as out-of-control immigration and crime. These messages would also have been further embellished by unease about Harris, a Black and south Asian woman, as president.

Bruce Wolpe, Non-resident Senior Fellow, United States Study Centre, University of Sydney

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Sgt. Harinder Sohi’s alleged action of joining pro-Khalistan violent protest were captured in a widely circulated video that has prompted an internal investigation by Peel Police.

Media Relations Officer Richard Chin confirmed the suspension, noting,

“The officer has been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act. We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the video and will refrain from further comment until the investigation is complete.”

The demonstration occurred as Indian consular officials were visiting the Hindu temple. Tensions escalated, with protesters seen displaying Khalistani flags.

The protest eventually turned violent, with reports of fistfights and individuals wielding flagpoles attacking Hindu worshippers.

Allegations have also surfaced suggesting this is not the first protest attended by Sgt. Harinder Sohi.

Donald Best, a former Canadian senior police officer, claims that suspended police sergeant Sohi also participated in a pro-Khalistan protest in Toronto on 18 October 2024. According to Best, Sohi was seen holding a sign calling for the shutdown of the High Commission of India in Ottawa.

Political leaders in both Canada and India have denounced the violence. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the “unacceptable” acts, underscoring Canadians’ rights to practise faith freely and safely.

In response, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as a “deliberate attack,” urging the Canadian government to uphold the rule of law.

Following the altercations, Peel police increased their presence around the Hindu Sabha Mandir to maintain order. Chief Nishan Duraiappah addressed the incident, emphasising that while peaceful protests are permitted, violence and criminal activities will not be tolerated. “Those who participate in violence will be pursued, arrested, and charged,” Duraiappah stated.

Peel Police confirmed that four individuals were arrested, including Dilpreet Singh Bouns, a 43-year-old man from Mississauga, was charged with causing a disturbance and assault peace officer; Vikas, a 23-year-old man from Brampton, was charged with assault with a weapon; and Amritpal Singh, a 31-year-old man from Mississauga, was charged with mischief over $5,000. All three men will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date. A fourth individual was arrested on an outstanding unrelated warrant and subsequently released.

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The arrests were made in Yass, a town on the periphery of the Southern Tablelands and South West Slopes of New South Wales, after the suspects were stopped by officers; however, no charges have yet been laid by ACT Policing following the incidents.

ACT Police said in an email statement to The Australia Today:

“NSW Police arrested four people in relation to this incident after they were stopped in Yass….At this time, no charges have been laid by ACT Policing following the two burglary incidents.”

The community was stunned on 26 October 2024, as two Hindu temples in Canberra were desecrated in a brazen daylight crime spree.

CCTV footage from the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre in Florey captured four masked individuals in a black Honda van ramming through the temple’s front door around 1:30 pm.

Once inside, the perpetrators stole three small donation boxes and a massive 200 kg box containing thousands of dollars. Using a wheelbarrow found on-site, they loaded the heavy box into their van and fled, all in just 15 minutes.

“We are deeply saddened and disturbed by this senseless act,” Temple Vice President Shree Tarun Agasti told The Australia Today.

“This vandalism affects not only our community but challenges the values of respect and inclusivity in Canberra.”

Shortly after, the same individuals allegedly targeted the Vishnu Shiva Temple, arriving at 2 pm when the temple was closed for a lunch break.

Armed with a crowbar, they forced their way inside, vandalising the reception area and stealing cash-filled safes.

Their assault on the temple grew even more destructive as they ripped out concrete-embedded donation boxes with sledgehammers, violated sacred areas, and shattered the revered Shiva Lingam, a sacred symbol of Lord Shiva.

Temple President Thamo Sritharan described the community’s distress, noting,

“It’s heartbreaking to witness such desecration of our place of worship. Targeting temples in this way is unacceptable.”

He urged the newly elected government to take swift action to protect Canberra’s Hindu community from further attacks.

NSW Police told The Australia Today that on Saturday, 26 October 2024, around 6 pm, Hume Police District officers attempted to stop a black SUV in Murrumbateman. The vehicle failed to stop, prompting a police pursuit that was soon terminated for safety reasons. The pursuit was briefly reinitiated before being stopped again.

At approximately 8:45 pm, the SUV was located on Westbourne Road, Jugiong, where police arrested the driver, a 29-year-old man, and three passengers aged 39, 37, and 33. A search of the SUV uncovered cash boxes, guitars, jewellery, and power tools.

The driver was charged with multiple offences, including dangerous driving, driving without a licence, possession of stolen property, and participating in a criminal group, as well as two outstanding warrants. He was denied bail and is set to appear at Goulburn Local Court on 13 November 2024.

The three passengers were charged with receiving stolen property, failure to wear seatbelts, and involvement in criminal activity. They were granted conditional bail to appear at Yass Local Court on 14 November 2024.

Note: This story has been updated with further information received from NSW Police.

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“The opening of India’s 4th consulate in Australia is a step forward in our friendship,” said Jaishankar in a post on X, following his address to the Indian diaspora.

The new consulate in Brisbane, which was formally inaugurated by Dr Jaishankar, aims to strengthen India’s ties with Queensland, promote trade, foster educational linkages, and serve the Indian diaspora in the region.

“Delighted to formally inaugurate new Consulate General of India in Brisbane today. It will contribute to strengthening India’s ties with Queensland state, promoting trade, fostering educational linkages and serving the diaspora,” Jaishankar remarked.

He also extended his gratitude to H.E Dr. Jeannette Young, Governor of Queensland, and Ministers Ros Bates and Fiona Simpson for joining the inauguration ceremony, highlighting the support from Australian leadership in enhancing India-Australia relations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the establishment of this new consulate during his visit to Australia in May 2023. The new consulate in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, fulfills a long-standing request from the Indian diaspora and highlights the growing relationship between Queensland and India, both in trade and community growth.

Currently, India maintains a High Commission in Canberra and has consulates in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, along with an honorary consulate in Brisbane. Queensland is home to a rapidly growing Indian community, and the upcoming consulate is expected to further support this vibrant group.

While addressing members of the Indian diaspora at the University of Queensland in Brisbane on Sunday, Jaishankar noted the presence of around 125,000 individuals of Indian origin in Queensland. This underscores the significance of the community in strengthening the ties between the two nations.

“About 125,000 people of Indian origin live here. I’m told roughly 15,000-16,000 students are living in this state. What impressed me was that 75 per cent of Australia’s exports to India come from this state.”

“In the last 10 years, we should not treat it as an achievement but as a glimpse of what is possible. What we have done is put in place a framework in which this relationship will grow and foster in the times to come. Today, as India looks out at the world and say which are our really crucial foreign policy and platforms,” said Jaishankar.

He highlighted that 75 per cent of Australia’s exports to India originate from Queensland, urging stakeholders not to see recent successes as mere milestones but rather as indicators of future potential. He elaborated on the strategic framework that has been set in place to strengthen bilateral relations, stating that India is building an environment in which the partnership will grow in the coming years.

Jaishankar also touched on educational collaborations between the two countries, pointing out the recent visit of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to Australia.

“We have just had the visit of our Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to Australia and I do believe that education and research will play a disproportionate role in the knowledge economy and the era of AI,” he said.

This highlights the significant role education will play in deepening connections between the two nations, particularly in the context of a growing knowledge economy.

He went on to discuss the strong India-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, emphasising the leadership and vision of both countries in energising bilateral ties and expanding areas of cooperation.

Jaishankar’s visit to Australia, which spans five days, includes multiple engagements. While in Brisbane, he is scheduled to inaugurate India’s 4th consulate in Australia and will also co-chair the 15th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue (FMFD) with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra.

The External Affairs Minister will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session of the 2nd Raisina Down Under conference, to be held at the Australian Parliament House. In addition to formal meetings, Jaishankar is set to engage with Australian leaders, parliamentarians, the business community, members of the Indian diaspora, as well as media representatives and think tanks.

Following his visit to Australia, Jaishankar will travel to Singapore on November 8, 2024, where he will attend the 8th Roundtable of ASEAN – India Network of Think Tanks. He is also scheduled to meet with Singaporean leadership to review and discuss the strong partnership between India and Singapore, exploring opportunities to enhance bilateral ties further.

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More than 1,000 students and staff gathered to take part in the festival of lights, marking one of the most important and culturally significant events on the Indian calendar. The event served as a joyous opportunity for cultural exchange and brought a diverse group of participants together, celebrating the spirit of community.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is celebrated as the Hindu festival of lights and symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. While Diwali has its roots in Hinduism, it has become a cultural phenomenon celebrated not only in India but also in countries like Australia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and United Kingdom, as well as by the Indian diaspora across the globe.

For the University of Melbourne, the event held a special significance as it brought international and local students together in a shared celebration.

The festivities at the Parkville campus featured a dazzling mix of performances, traditional Indian food, and music, creating an atmosphere of joy and unity. Students gathered to watch and participate in vibrant cultural showcases, including performances by the Indian dance and entertainment organisation, Ignite Bollywood, which captivated the audience with its energetic routines and intricate choreography. The event also highlighted student-led performances, showcasing the talents of the university’s diverse community.

Attendees were also treated to a feast of traditional Indian food, which played a key role in immersing participants in the cultural experience. Fragrant curries, freshly made naan, samosas, and a variety of sweets like gulab jamun and jalebi offered attendees a taste of Indian culinary traditions, encouraging everyone to come together over a shared meal. The aroma of spices filled the air, adding to the lively, warm atmosphere of the celebration.

The highlight of the evening was the lighting of diyas—small oil lamps that symbolize the triumph of light over darkness. The campus courtyard was transformed into a glowing landscape, with hundreds of diyas illuminating the area, creating a breathtaking visual representation of Diwali’s central message. Students and staff joined hands to light these diyas, symbolizing the unity that transcends cultural and geographic boundaries.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement) Professor Michael Wesley expressed his delight at seeing the festival’s success. “Diwali is a special occasion at our University and it brings a fantastic energy of cultural exchange to our campus,” Professor Wesley said.

“It is one of the most anticipated days of the cultural calendar and the event attracts people from all backgrounds, celebrating with our international student community, learning, and sharing experiences with each other.”

Professor Wesley further noted how the Diwali celebrations have grown in size and significance each year, reflecting the university’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.

“Events like these showcase the importance of cultural diversity at our institution and highlight the contributions that international students make to the broader university community,” he added.

For many students, the Diwali celebration offered a sense of belonging, especially for those spending the festival away from home. Pranav Soman, a Master of International Business student and President of the Bollywood Club, emphasised the value of having a place to celebrate the festival within the university community.

“This is my first time celebrating Diwali away from family,” Soman said.

“The University of Melbourne and all the clubs and activities organised during festivals like these have definitely helped in making Melbourne my home away from home.”

The cultural exchange fostered by the Diwali celebration went beyond just performances and food. Workshops were also held on traditional art forms, such as rangoli—intricate designs made on the ground using coloured powders—which allowed participants to learn more about the cultural significance of these practices. This hands-on experience gave students and staff an opportunity to not only observe but also actively participate in the cultural traditions of Diwali.

The event concluded with an open dance floor, where attendees of all backgrounds came together to dance to popular Bollywood tracks. The lively beats and joyful atmosphere highlighted the unifying power of music and dance, providing a perfect end to an evening dedicated to celebrating diversity and fostering connections within the university.

As the diyas continued to burn late into the evening, the Diwali celebrations at the University of Melbourne proved to be more than just an event—it was a symbol of unity, inclusivity, and the beauty of cultural exchange. The festival brought together people from different walks of life, bridging gaps through shared experiences and creating lasting memories.

With each year, the Diwali celebration at Parkville grows, solidifying its place as one of the most cherished events on the university’s cultural calendar.

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With the series now expanded to match the stature of The Ashes, both teams are eager to claim a trophy that has eluded Australia since the 2014-15 series.

The Australian squad has enjoyed significant success recently, winning the ICC World Championship final against India, retaining The Ashes, and clinching the ICC ODI World Cup.

The atmosphere at the venues is expected to be electric, with passionate Aussie crowds rallying behind Cummins’ side, while travelling Indian fans and local diaspora communities ensure the grandstands are filled to the brim.

The series kicks off at Perth Stadium, where fireworks are anticipated on the fast-paced West Australian pitch. Following this, Adelaide Oval will host a day-night Test, a fan favourite, promising a festive atmosphere filled with local hospitality. The Brisbane Test takes place just before Christmas, with families flocking to the Gabba for what could be a pivotal match in the series.

The festive highlight of Australia vs India series comes with the traditional Boxing Day Test at the iconic MCG, followed by the New Year’s Test at the historic SCG.

As Australia seeks to reassert itself as the dominant force in world cricket, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed that he may miss the first Test due to personal reasons, casting a shadow over the team’s preparations.

Nevertheless, the Indian management has opted for match simulation training to maximise player readiness, acknowledging that traditional practice games may not provide the same benefit.

With India enjoying recent dominance in the series—having won the last four, including two wins on Australian soil—Virat Kohli has acknowledged the high skill level of the Australian side, which only motivates him to elevate his game.

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The Australian Federal Police (AFP) apprehended the woman on 15 September 2024, after security personnel at Cairns Airport alerted authorities during a routine screening process. Upon inspection, AFP officers discovered 2,598 $50 notes and 150 $100 notes concealed in bundles taped to her body beneath her dress.

The woman had intended to fly to Sydney at the time of her arrest. She faces one charge of possession of property suspected of being tainted property, in violation of section 252(1) of the Criminal Proceeds Confiscation Act 2002 (Qld). This charge carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment or a $16,130 fine.

Detective Superintendent Melissa Northam of the AFP commented on the situation, stating that significant amounts of cash are often indicative of criminal activities. “The AFP collaborates with staff at all major Australian airports to identify individuals who may be travelling to engage in criminal activities,” she said. “Anyone with unexplained sources of cash can be put before the courts to justify that wealth.”

Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious activities at Australian airports by calling Airport Watch at 131 237 (131 AFP) or alerting Airport Uniformed Police officers on site.

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Videos circulating on social media appears to show demonstrators wielding Khalistan flags and striking Hindu worshippers with poles, sparking public outcry and prompting a response from federal and local leaders.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Canadian Hindu MP Chandra Arya expressed grave concern, calling the event a “red line” and warning that Khalistani extremism has infiltrated Canadian institutions. He also urged Hindu-Canadians to stand up for their rights and hold officials accountable.

“The attack by Khalistanis on the Hindu-Canadian devotees inside the premises of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton shows how deep and brazen has Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the violence at the temple as “completely unacceptable,” emphasising that no one should feel unsafe in their place of worship. He also expressed gratitude to the police for their swift response.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre have all condemned the violence.

Trudeau described the incident as “unacceptable,” affirming that all Canadians should worship freely and safely.

In an additional statement, Poilievre called the incident “completely unacceptable.”

“All Canadians should be free to practice their faith in peace. Conservatives condemn this violence unequivocally. I will unite our people and end the chaos.”

Amid rising reports of violence linked to Khalistani supporters, Maxime Bernier, leader of the People’s Party of Canada (PPC), posted a sarcastic message on social media:

“Khalistani Sikhs attacking worshippers at Brampton Hindu temple. Nothing to worry about though because DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH!!!”

CoHNA Canada vehemently condemned this brazen attack by Khalistanis on Hindu-Canadian worshippers within the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, revealing just how unchecked Khalistani extremism has become in Canada.

“Under the guise of “freedom of expression,” Canada continues to hand extremists a free pass, while Hindu Canadians are left to fend for themselves.”

Last year, similar violence erupted at Melbourne’s Federation Square, where Khalistan supporters allegedly attacked peaceful Indian-Australians during a Khalistan Referendum event. Police were on scene when the confrontations reportedly escalated around 12:45 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., with attackers using flag poles as weapons, resulting in physical injuries to multiple individuals. Paramedics treated two victims on-site: one suffered a head laceration, and another sustained a hand injury. Several others required further medical attention.

Highlighting the potential risks posed by Khalistani supporters, Australian Hindu Media posted on X:

“A salutary lesson for Australia. If you allow Khalistani fanatics to infiltrate the political system and you do not carry out competent investigations into Khalistani attacks on temples and on Hindus, this is the next step in their strategy.”

Balraj Deol, former Editor and Publisher of Khabarnama (Punjabi Weekly), noted in a post on X that the recent violence stems from alleged open threats made by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) Counsellor Pannun against Hindus.

“Such threats and promotions are part of freedom of expression in Canada and USA If person uttering this is Khalisatni and asset of both countries. Insanity has no limits even in diplomatic sense. Today violent khalisatnis attacked Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton. Any charges?”

Peel Regional Police, aware of the demonstration, assured the public that they were on-site to maintain order, increasing their visible presence and warning that any violence or vandalism would be fully investigated.

Despite the lack of arrests in connection with the Brampton’s Hindu Sabha temple violence, Peel Police maintained a visible presence, with dozens of officers stationed outside the temple on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, across the country in Surrey, B.C.—another hub of Khalistani activity—videos and news have emerged of police being deployed at a Hindu temple there as well.

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