Last month, Abu Sitta reported that he had been banned from Germany 'for the month of April', and accused the authorities there of stifling freedom of expression
world2 hours ago
Building on a long tradition of lighting beacons to mark significant royal celebrations, beacons will be lit across the Commonwealth in early June, when major celebrations will begin to mark the record 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth on the British throne.
New details of the beacon celebrations released on Friday show that Gurgaon in India will be one of the sites where the beacons will be lit on June 2. The Queen has also been the head of the Commonwealth for 70 years.
The Platinum Jubilee Weekend, when the celebrations will begin in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, runs from June 2 to June 5.
Starting in Wellington and Canberra, beacons will be lit across the Pacific region, moving through Asia and onto the 19 African Commonwealth member states, to continue in Europe and finish in the Caribbean and Americas.
Beacons lit by Rotary International in the 54 Commonwealth capitals include Accra, Ghana (Africa), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Asia), Ottawa, Canada (the Caribbean and the Americas), Nicosia, Cyprus (Europe), and Canberra, Australia (Pacific).
Young leaders throughout the Commonwealth will be lighting beacons in all 54 Commonwealth countries on the day, through the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, including in Lagos, Nigeria (Africa), Gurgaon, India (Asia), Couva, Point Lisas, Trinidad and Tobago (the Caribbean and the Americas), Essex, United Kingdom (Europe), and Sydney, Australia (Pacific).
There will also be over 1,500 Platinum Jubilee Beacons lit across the UK and a Principal Beacon lit at Buckingham Palace.
Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, said: “The 70th anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty The Queen to the throne marks a special and unprecedented milestone. Through seven decades of the technological, economic, social and cultural transformation which have marked her reign, she has been the epitome of duty, stability and continuity. In a world of extraordinary change, she is a constant”.
Christopher Geidt, Chairman of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, added: “The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust was set up in recognition of Her Majesty The Queen’s lifetime of service and her belief in young people as beacons of hope, the Commonwealth and service to others".
"With over 60% of the population of the Commonwealth being under 30 years of age, I am delighted that young people and young leaders will be represented in the Platinum Jubilee Beacons by beacons lit by members of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust Young Leaders network,” he said.
Last month, Abu Sitta reported that he had been banned from Germany 'for the month of April', and accused the authorities there of stifling freedom of expression
world2 hours ago
Report reveals over 52% of people spend more than seven hours a day on internet
tech3 hours ago
Dubai-based Adrian Meronk is among a quartet of players tied in the runner-up spot as Smash GC leads Team Event by one shot
sports3 hours ago
The prospect of a large-scale invasion of Rafah, where around 1.2 million civilians are sheltering, has sparked intensifying global alarm
world3 hours ago
The festival saw the participation of 120 students in school theatre, Arabic calligraphy, and visual arts
uae3 hours ago
The PTI founder emphasised a deal is made by someone who wants to leave the country or avoid incarceration
asia3 hours ago
The ministry said later that Russian aircraft and air defence systems had downed a total of 15 ATACMS in the past week
world3 hours ago
Judge ordered the police to ensure the appearance of nine suspects in the Jinnah House attack case, and five others in the Askari Tower case on May 15
asia4 hours ago