MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY CONNECT QUEENSLAND
MONTHLY PUBLICATION
June 2026 - Vol 3 Issue 7
Website: mccq.org.au Email: info@mccq.org.au
Australia commits funding to support Ebola response
Five countries elected non-permanent members to UN Security Council
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Canberra, June 4 (IANS) The Australian government on Thursday committed funding to
support the global response to the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa and prevent the spread of the disease. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Minister for International Development Anne Aly said in a joint statement that Australia will provide 5 million Australian dollars (around 3.6 million US dollars) to the initiative.
"Australia's funding, directed through the International Federation of the Red Cross and the World Health Organization (WHO), will provide vital medical care and supplies, water and sanitation services, support outbreak surveillance and preparedness, and strengthen local health systems," the statement read. continued on pg. 3
United Nations, June 4 (IANS) Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe were elected
non-permanent members of the UN Security Council on Wednesday for a two-year term. The election marked the first time Kyrgyzstan would serve on the Security Council. The newly elected members will replace the outgoing non-permanent members -- Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia -- and assume their continued on pg. 3
Israel, Lebanon agree US House passes war powers resolution rebuking Trump’s ‘illegal’ action in Iran to ceasefire deal
Washington, June 4 (IANS) Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire following two days of US-brokered talks in Washington, with both sides committing to continue direct negotiations and advance security arrangements aimed at
preventing the return of armed non-state groups in southern Lebanon. The agreement emerged from the fourth high-level trilateral meeting between representatives of the United States, Israel and Lebanon held on June 2 and 3 at the State Department. Announcing the outcome, State Department Counsellor Dan Holler said: "As a result of US-led negotiations, Israel and Lebanon agreed to the implementation of a ceasefire." continued on pg. 3
Washington, June 4 (IANS) The US House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan War Powers Resolution seeking to end American hostilities against Iran, delivering a political setback to President Donald Trump as criticism grows over a conflict that has stretched into its fourth month.
The resolution, introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks and backed by senior Democrats including Adam Smith and Jim Himes on Wednesday (local time), passed by a narrow 215-208 vote. Calling the outcome a major turning point, Meeks said, “The passage of my War Powers Resolution is a significant bipartisan rebuke of President Trump’s illegal and costly war in Iran, and the first step toward ending it once and for all.” The vote reflects mounting congressional opposition to a
conflict that critics say has failed to achieve its stated objectives while imposing high economic and human costs. “The message from today’s bipartisan Iran War Powers Resolution vote was crystal clear: Trump must immediately end his catastrophic war of choice against Iran,” House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith said. Smith argued that the administration had failed to accomplish its goals, saying Trump had not succeeded in “ending Iran’s continued on pg. 3
US seeking third-country options US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged: Rubio for Afghans in Pakistan
Washington, June 4 (IANS) Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the United States is working to find third-country resettlement options for Afghan allies stranded abroad, including many currently in Pakistan,
as the Trump administration continues to review relocation policies for those who assisted American forces during the Afghanistan war. The issue emerged during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday (local time) when Representative Julie Johnson criticised the administration's handling of Afghan refugees and former allies who worked alongside US military
personnel and diplomats during the two-decade conflict in Afghanistan. Johnson argued that many Afghans who assisted American operations now face uncertainty despite promises made by Washington. “Under your leadership, US State Department dismantled the Office of Coordinator for Afghan Relocation efforts and halted continued on pg. 3
Washington, June 2 (IANS) Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to reassure lawmakers on Tuesday that U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged,
despite concerns raised by President Donald Trump's recent comments that arms sales to Taipei could be used as a negotiating tool in discussions with China. Appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio said Washington continues to support preserving the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and dismissed suggestions that the administration was backing away continued on pg. 2
Africa Day Festival celebrates Five killed in 7.8 magnitude Philippines culture & diversity in Queensland earthquake; tsunami waves up to 1.4 metres
Brisbane, June 1 (MCCQ Newsdesk) Queensland’s African communities came together in a colourful celebration of culture, heritage and unity as the Queensland African Communities Council (QACC) hosted its Africa Day Festival 2026 on May 30. The festival showcased the richness www.mccq.org.au
and diversity of the African continent through a vibrant display of music, dance, art, fashion and traditional cuisine, attracting community members, cultural performers and leaders from across the state. Multicultural Australia Chief Executive Officer Jo Nelson, Chief Client Officer Jo-Ann Cochran and Community Development Manager Kerrie Woodrow joined community leaders and festival-goers in celebrating the contributions of Queensland’s African communities and their growing role in the
continued on pg. 3
Manila, June 8 (IANS) At least five people have been reported dead after a 7.8-magnitude offshore earthquake that hit the southern Philippines, according to a local disaster official. Agripino Dacera, the disaster management chief in General
Santos City, said authorities are still verifying the extent of the fatalities and damage, reports Xinhua news agency. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the tectonic earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. local time at a depth of 33 km, with the epicentre 32 km southwest of the coast of Maasim town in Sarangani Province on Mindanao Island, close to General Santos, with a population of some 700,000. The institute said the highest wave recorded reached 1.4 meters. The local media reported that some buildings collapsed and caused power outages.
Tremors were felt in neighbouring provinces. The institute issued a tsunami warning to nine coastal provinces, strongly advising residents in those areas to immediately evacuate to higher ground or move farther inland following the quake. It is forecast that the first tsunami waves will arrive on Monday morning and continue for hours. Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos ordered disaster response and monitoring efforts across affected areas continued on pg. 2
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