Latest news with #36th
Newsweek
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
JoJo Siwa Breaks Silence on Dating Chris Hughes, Reveals Truth on Sexuality
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. JoJo Siwa has confirmed her romantic relationship with reality star Chris Hughes, saying the connection that began on the U.K.'s Celebrity Big Brother has turned into something more than friendship. Siwa called their bond "a beautiful development" in an interview with The Guardian published on Monday. She added, "I'm absolutely head over heels for him and he's the same way." The pair met during filming and quickly grew close, with Hughes defending Siwa when fellow contestant Mickey Rourke made comments about her sexuality. Siwa said the emotional intensity of the show fast-tracked their relationship. She added that she and Hughes had clarified with each other, "No, this is a very genuine connection—we're not faking a thing." After some hesitation, she confirmed to The Guardian, "It's not platonic any more." JoJo Siwa at the 36th annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California on March 27. JoJo Siwa at the 36th annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California on March 27. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Their closeness had sparked speculation, especially as Siwa was in a relationship at the time with Australian actor Kath Ebbs. She said in the interview that she and Ebbs had since broken up and described the time after the show as one of self-discovery. "People can see our chemistry, and they got to see it develop," Siwa said of her relationship with Hughes, adding, "I think everyone's just curious, and I can't blame them." The 22-year-old former child star also opened up about her evolving sexual identity. While she initially came out as gay and later identified as a lesbian, she now uses the term queer. "There's a lot of different sexual identities. I think there's nothing more beautiful than somebody discovering themselves," she said. Chris Hughes and Jesy Nelson, his girlfriend at the time, at the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena in London on January 28, 2020. Chris Hughes and Jesy Nelson, his girlfriend at the time, at the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena in London on January 28, 2020. Isabel Infantes/PA Wire Siwa, who rose to fame on Dance Moms and built a business empire in her teens, described the experience of living publicly as complex. "I do live this very, very big public life that has so many eyeballs on it, and it can get really hard to navigate," she said. "But I'm also living a human life. You can't help who you love." Despite the media attention and speculation, Siwa said she was focused on her own happiness. "I was massaging my cheeks," she said, laughing. "I've never been in pain from smiling so much." She discussed waking up next to Hughes, lying in bed and sharing music—including hearing him sing her new single "Bulletproof" in the morning. "It's the first time in my life that it feels like I'm switched off," she said. Before his connection with Siwa, Hughes was in a relationship with former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson. The couple dated for over a year, drawing significant media attention, before splitting in 2020.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Timor Leste urged to accelerate legal compliance for Asean membership
KUALA LUMPUR: Timor Leste must intensify its efforts to become a full Asean member, since it needs to meet numerous legal requirements, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Mohamad stated that Timor Leste must comply with the remaining 66 legal instruments if it wishes to become a full member of Asean. 'We want to help them, but they have to help themselves, too,' said Mohamad during a press conference at the KL Convention Centre (KLCC) on Sunday (May 25). Mohamad spoke to reporters after chairing the 36th Asean Coordinating Council (ACC) meeting. He also said that Asean foreign ministers agreed to establish a special task force for Timor Leste. 'There is already a Timor Leste unit established at the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta, this is to expedite and assist Timor Leste in compliance with all legal instruments,' said Mohamad. He also said the adoption of the draft Addendum to the Treaty on the South-East Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) marks a significant milestone in integrating Timor Leste into Asean policies and security framework. 'Asean member states will now begin undertaking their respective domestic legal procedures to finalise Timor Leste's accession process by the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in October this year, hopefully,' added Mohamad. He also said all recommendations agreed upon at the ministerial level meetings on Sunday (May 25) will be discussed at the leaders' level on Monday (May 26). Mohamad said Asean was exploring a proposal to admit Timor Leste as a full member before it complies with all the legal instruments. 'We are considering a suggestion to give them a timeline. For example, if they can fulfil the legal instruments within five years, then they can be a full member. 'This is how we ensure that we align with our Asean theme this year - inclusivity and sustainability,' he said. 'We must be inclusive, and Timor Leste, as a country in the region, should have been a full Asean member,' added Mohamad. Timor Leste was granted observer status in Asean in 2022 after the Asean Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and it has since participated in meetings and capacity-building programmes in preparation for full membership.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Asean mulling permanent special envoy on Myanmar, says Tok Mat
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean foreign ministers have agreed to explore a proposal to appoint a permanent Special Envoy on Myanmar, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The Foreign Minister said none of his counterparts objected to the proposal of appointing an Asean permanent special envoy for a three-year term. 'The candidate of the permanent special envoy, was discussed at the senior officials meeting (SOM) level and it will be brought to the leaders. 'Basically, the idea of having a permanent special envoy was well received by the respective Asean member states,' said Mohamad during a press conference at the KL Convention Centre (KLCC) on Sunday (May 25). Mohamad was speaking to reporters after chairing the 36th Asean Coordinating Council (ACC) meeting. Presently, the Special Envoy to Myanmar is Tan Sri Othman Hashim, who is the former human rights commission (Suhakam) chairman. Mohamad said he will be heading to Naypyidaw, Myanmar in June to meet with the military junta. 'As chair of Asean, I am going to talk to them further. We have to be patient, because the warring factions have been against each other for decades. 'It is not as simple as what we think,' said Mohamad. Mohamad said Malaysia does not want to interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs, as it is the Asean policy of non-interference. But, Mohamad said the ongoing Myanmar issue has caused transnational crimes and a refugee crisis affecting neighbouring countries. 'That is why, many Asean countries agreed to deal with the Myanmar issue,' added Mohamad. The Myanmar civil war, which was sparked by the coup d'état by its military junta in February 2021, has created lawless border regions that have allowed criminal syndicates to set up 'scam-parks', where foreign nationals are trafficked into the country and force to commit online scams. Leaders in the region will meet during the 46th Asean Summit on May 26 and the summits with the Gulf Cooperation Council and China on May 27.
Barnama
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
ASEAN Ministerial Meetings Endorse Vision 2045 Report Ahead Of 46th Summit -- Wisma Putra
GENERAL By Fatin Umairah Abdul Hamid KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- Ministerial meetings in preparation for the 46th ASEAN Summit have endorsed the Final Report of the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and agreed to submit the Vision document for adoption by ASEAN Leaders, said the Foreign Ministry. In a statement today, Wisma Putra said the 36th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, also noted five substantive reports and endorsed six reports for submission to the leaders. It said these reports underscore the wide-ranging work undertaken across ASEAN's three community pillars. 'The Meeting provided an important platform to review ASEAN's progress under ASEAN 2025 vision and align priorities towards 'ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future'. 'The Meeting also discuss status of reports for submission to the Summit and Timor-Leste's progress toward full ASEAN membership,' Wisma Putra said in a post on X. The ministry said the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045, to be signed by ASEAN Leaders on May 26, 2025, will mark a strategic milestone that will guide the region's next phase of community-building and regional leadership. Meanwhile, Mohamad expressed appreciation to all Member States, the co-chairs of the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community Vision (HLTF-ACV), and the ASEAN Secretariat for their contributions. -- BERNAMA
