Latest news with #CommonwealthDayServiceofCelebration
Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Samoa dissolves parliament after leader unable to pass budget
FILE PHOTO: Samoan Prime Minister Afioga Fiame Naomi Mata'afa speaking at the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey, in London. March 10, 2025. Aaron Chown/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo SYDNEY - Samoa's parliament will dissolve on June 3 and the Pacific Island nation will hold an election at an unspecified date, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said on Wednesday. Fiame was unable to gain enough support to pass budget legislation in parliament on Monday and said in a statement that she had advised Samoa's head of state, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, that parliament should be dissolved. A dissolution notice was signed and gazetted on Wednesday. Fiame was elected in 2021, one of the Pacific's few female leaders, and faced a months-long court battle when the incumbent who had held power for two decades disputed the result. Unlike her predecessor, Fiame was sceptical of Chinese investment, and raised the international profile of the nation of 200,000 people by hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting last year. Fiame was expelled from her political party, FAST, in January in a factional dispute. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Samoa dissolves parliament after leader unable to pass budget
FILE PHOTO: Samoan Prime Minister Afioga Fiame Naomi Mata'afa speaking at the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey, in London. March 10, 2025. Aaron Chown/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo SYDNEY (Reuters) -Samoa's parliament will dissolve on June 3 and the Pacific Island nation will hold an election at an unspecified date, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said on Wednesday. Fiame was unable to gain enough support to pass budget legislation in parliament on Monday and said in a statement that she had advised Samoa's head of state, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, that parliament should be dissolved. A dissolution notice was signed and gazetted on Wednesday. Fiame was elected in 2021, one of the Pacific's few female leaders, and faced a months-long court battle when the incumbent who had held power for two decades disputed the result. Unlike her predecessor, Fiame was sceptical of Chinese investment, and raised the international profile of the nation of 200,000 people by hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting last year. Fiame was expelled from her political party, FAST, in January in a factional dispute. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Editing by Michael Perry)
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kate Middleton celebrates UK Mother's Day with a touching message 1 year after Photoshop controversy
A lot changes in a year. Kate Middleton celebrated Mother's Day in the UK on Sunday with a heartfelt Instagram post one year after her Photoshop debacle made headlines before she announced she had cancer. The Princess of Wales, 43, shared a video honoring Mother Nature with shots of her touching a tree and walking through a field. 'Over the past year, nature has been our sanctuary,' Middleton wrote. 'This Mother's Day, let us celebrate Mother Nature and recognise how our bond with the natural world can help not only nurture our inner selves, but remind us too of the role we play within the rich tapestry of life.' On the holiday last year, Middleton shared a photo with her and Prince William's kids Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, after spending weeks out of the spotlight following her abdominal surgery in Jan. 2024. 'Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,' Middleton wrote alongside the family photo last year. 'Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day.' But the image was perforated with a multitude of editing errors — with several photo agencies such as the Associated Press retracting the pic and urging media outlets not to use it as it was 'manipulated.' The agencies even asked Kensington Palace to send them an unaltered version of the graphic, but they refused. Middleton spoke out and admitted she was behind the photo editing fail. 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused,' she wrote on X at the time. The future queen later announced that she was diagnosed with cancer in a video message on March 22, 2024. Following her diagnosis, she mostly stayed out of the spotlight while she was going through chemo. In Sept. 2024, Middleton announced she was 'cancer free.' Four months later, she confirmed that she was in remission. 'As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal,' she wrote in a statement on Instagram in January. 'I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.' Middleton has since returned to her public royal duties. She attended the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey in London earlier this month, after skipping the event last year. King Charles, 76, was also diagnosed with cancer last year. On Thursday, the monarch was hospitalized after experiencing 'temporary' side effects from his treatment, leading him to cancel all his commitments on Friday.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The sentimental history behind the Princess of Wales' pearl necklace pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
The Princess of Wales gave a subtle nod to the late Queen Elizabeth II with her sentimental jewellery choice on Monday (10 March), choosing to wear an heirloom pearl necklace which was once owned by the former monarch. Attending a special service in honour of Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey, Kate was radiant in a red monochrome ensemble, including a co-ordinating hat. The Princess' long coat featured a statement oversized bow fastening, while her round hat was finished with a felt flower at the base. But it was Kate's jewellery which caught our attention, in particular her pearl necklace. The royal chose to wear the four-strand Japanese pearl choker which was previously owned by Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen was thought to have been gifted the pearls during a visit to Japan, and commissioned them to be made into a choker with a statement diamond clasp at the centre. Queen Elizabeth II wore the necklace on many occasions throughout her life and it is one of the most recognisable pieces in her collection. She also lent the necklace to Kate's late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, while the current Princess of Wales appears to have inherited it since the Queen's passing, wearing it on a number of occasions including the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II's husband, Prince Philip. The Princess of Wales arrived at Westminster Abbey in London for her latest outing alongside Prince William. The Prince of Wales wore a navy suit for the occasion, adding a deep red tie to loosely co-ordinate with his wife's monochrome look. Photographs of the event show the pair smiling and walking hand in hand together before joining The King and Queen as well as Princess Anne inside the Abbey for the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration. You Might Also Like The anti-ageing wonder ingredient you're missing in your skincare routine 15 dresses perfect for a summer wedding 6 items our fashion team always take on a beach holiday
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Princess Kate Rewears a Favorite Red Dress for Commonwealth Day Service With William
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Princess Catherine was an absolute vision in red this morning as she made her way to Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration. The Princess of Wales rewore a favorite dress of hers for the occasion, a stunning candy apple-red coat dress by Catherine Walker with a big, pretty bow adorning the collar and large buttons running down the front. It was the same piece that she wore to the carol service at Westminster Abbey in December of 2021. Kate made the sophisticated look monochrome with her accessories, which included bright-red suede Gianvito Rossi pumps, a matching silky, rectangular clutch, and a circular fascinator with a rose detail. She also gave a nod to the late Queen Elizabeth II by way of her jewelry: a four-strand pearl necklace with a diamond-embellished clasp at the center, and pearl drop earrings. Next to her, William was his dapper self in a navy suit, white shirt, and navy-and-burgundy patterned tie, to coordinate with his wife's ensemble. He finished his look with black dress shoes, and brought back his scruff. In photos from inside the church service, Kate and William look so in love as they share smiles and laughs. As Harper's Bazaar has reported, Kate is slowly returning to her royal duties after getting confirmation that she is now in remission from cancer. The princess spent much of last year being treated for a form of cancer, and therefore stepped away from the spotlight as she recovered. 'It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support,' she said in a statement this January. You Might Also Like 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine
