Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Responding to the resumption of the trial of activists who organized Tiananmen vigils in Hong Kong, Amnesty International Hong Kong’s spokesperson Fernando Cheung said:

“As closing arguments begin in this trial, the Hong Kong authorities must confront the basic injustice at its heart: commemorating victims of human rights abuses is compassionate, not criminal. Holding people criminally responsible for peaceful commemoration compounds the injustice suffered by the victims of the Tiananmen crackdown.

“Throughout these trial proceedings, Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan have shown remarkable courage and dignity in the face of prosecution. They did nothing but  legitimately exercise their human rights in their Tiananmen commemorations.”

Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director Sarah Brooks added:

“The prosecution's case relies on vague, overly broad and arbitrary definitions of 'subversion'. The charges against Chow and Lee should be dropped, and the authorities must ensure that people in Hong Kong can freely remember the events of 4 June 1989 without fear of retaliation.

“Chow and Lee are prisoners of conscience, incarcerated simply for exercising their human rights, and they must be immediately and unconditionally released.”

Background
The prosecution and defence are scheduled to deliver their closing statements in the trial of Hong Kong’s Tiananmen activists from 18 May 2026.

Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan were among the members of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (Hong Kong Alliance) charged with “inciting subversion of state power” under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law in September 2021.

They have been held in pre-trial detention ever since, having been repeatedly denied bail, and face up to 10 years’ imprisonment if convicted. Both have been designated prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International.

Authorities said the annual Tiananmen vigil the Hong Kong Alliance had organized since 1990 was evidence of the group “endangering national security”.

Amnesty International has repeatedly raised concerns that Hong Kong’s National Security Law, enacted in June 2020, is being used to target civil society groups, journalists, political activists and academics for actions that are fully protected under international human rights law.

The Tiananmen vigils commemorated the events of 4 June 1989, when Chinese troops opened fire on students and workers who had been peacefully protesting for political reforms in and around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Hundreds – possibly thousands – of people were killed. Tens of thousands more were arrested across China in the suppression that followed.

In the 37 years since the crackdown, all discussion of the incident has been heavily censored in China, and authorities have effectively erased it from their version of history.

While commemorating the Tiananmen crackdown was forbidden in mainland China, in Hong Kong crowds reaching hundreds of thousands of people would gather annually in centrally located Victoria Park to peacefully remember those killed. The vigil participants called on the Chinese authorities to reveal the truth about what happened and accept accountability for the atrocity; local government as a practice did not interfere or object.

The last major vigil organized by the Hong Kong Alliance was held in 2019. The Hong Kong vigil was banned in 2020 and 2021, ostensibly on Covid-19 grounds. Since then, the National Security Law has effectively criminalized peaceful protest in the city – including Tiananmen commemorations.

15 May 2026: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) strongly condemns Israeli forces’ attacks against paramedics in Lebanon, including the recent killing of two Lebanese Civil Defence workers in Nabatiyeh, and reiterates its urgent call for the protection of medical and rescue personnel.

On 12 May 2026, a drone strike hit three paramedics as they were attempting to assist an injured person who survived a previous attack. Two of them were killed on the spot. Another one, wounded. Paramedics from an ambulance that had departed from Najdeh Al-Shaabiyeh hospital to also aid the injured of the first attack witnessed the strike on their colleagues, transferred the injured paramedic to the hospital and later had to return to the site to collect human remains from the scene.

“We are outraged over the killing of paramedics who were simply doing their job, taking huge risks to save lives. Attacks on healthcare are unacceptable and must not be normalised,” said Jeremy Ristord, MSF Head of Mission in Lebanon.

While scaling up support at Najdeh Al-Shaabiyeh hospital to respond to mass casualty incidents in the past months, MSF teams have also worked side by side with paramedics and frontline responders across Nabatiyeh Governorate, including the Lebanese Civil Defence, sharing days and nights of emergency response as they bring patients to facilities, and supporting colleagues who continue working despite profound loss and fear.

The 12 May incident is part of an alarming pattern. Over recent weeks, MSF teams in Lebanon have been witnessing the consequences of airstrikes, drone strikes, and artillery fire, which are damaging hospitals, ambulances, and medical equipment, and killing or injuring civilians, health workers, and first responders. Lebanese health authorities, media and other humanitarian organizations have also reported this kind of violence, including repeated attacks while paramedics are rescuing people.

In Nabatiyeh and across southern Lebanon, rescue and medical teams are increasingly forced to delay or limit life‑saving interventions because of the fear of being targeted. Ambulance crews supported by MSF report spending only minutes at blast sites due to the risk of repeated strikes, avoiding the use of excavation equipment, and delaying evacuations, leaving some people trapped under rubble for hours or days. MSF has treated patients whose conditions were critically worsened by these delays, including severe trauma cases who later died from their injuries.

In total, since MSF started supporting Najdeh Al-Shaabiyeh hospital at the beginning of March, 725 injured patients have been treated, and 232 arrived dead or died in hospital.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 2 March and 12 May, 161 attacks against healthcare were recorded, resulting in 110 deaths and 252 injuries. This included 15 attacks resulting in 12 deaths and 21 injuries that occurred after the start of the ceasefire on 17 April, that has not led to a cessation of hostilities and has not allowed displaced populations to return home or people stranded in heavily-targeted areas to seek safety.

Healthcare workers, first responders, ambulances, and medical facilities are protected under international humanitarian law. Their killing not only devastates families and colleagues, but further weakens already strained emergency response and healthcare systems.

MSF calls for an immediate end to the continuous attacks on medical and rescue personnel, facilities and offices, as well as on the violence that continuously places civilians and those trying to save their lives at risk.

Notes:

MSF is supporting several paramedical and emergency services in the governorates of Nabatiyeh and the South, including the Lebanese Civil Defence team targeted in the 12 May incident, through the provision of ambulance equipment, first aid medication and supplies, fuel, and protective gears.

Our teams in the two southern governorates are also supporting seven hospitals with donations of fuel, supplies and medications. In four of these hospitals, we have teams working with the hospitals' staff in responding to ER needs. In addition, we are running mobile clinics to provide medical services to people there.

MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation.  MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. Every year more than 120 Australians and New Zealanders go on assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières  working as: doctors, midwives, psychologists, laboratory technicians, human resource/finance coordinators, pharmacists, mental health specialists and logisticians. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

15 May 2026 – A study on the future of Australia’s housing market, has revealed that even well-intended housing market interventions could significantly worsen housing affordability and homelessness in the country due to the impacts of climate change.

The research, by Peyman Habibi-Moshfegh and Associate Professor Nader Naderpajouh from the University of Sydney School of Project Management predicted that homelessness could be four times higher in a decade in a climate future with high levels of greenhouse gas emissions.

Home ownership affordability could be twice as expensive and rent would be less affordable, by up to 45 percent.

Even under a low-emissions future climate scenario, homelessness could still double in a decade compared to 2020 levels and rental affordability could still decline by 23 percent.

The researchers say the Government’s recent budget commitment  to invest in social housing  for young people at risk of homelessness, improving housing access for First Nations Australians, and support for renters is a step in the right direction in shifting the trajectory, as they address the increasing gap by climate change.

However there is a need to drastically expand these programs in the face of climate change.

The key is to establish a strong infrastructure to make sure vulnerable people do not fall back into the cycle of homelessness.

Climate change is already reshaping the housing market. In 2021 insurance premiums increased by 5.9 percent as suggested by Global Data, and according to Climate Council by 2030 extreme weather events are expected to cause more than $571 billion in economic losses in the Australian housing market alone.

For example, policies that focus on insurance premiums or mortgage rates could deepen inequality if not carefully designed. Climate change will force up the costs of insurance for weather events and natural disasters, with higher impact on vulnerable households. It also disrupts construction supply chains, and shifts investment behaviours – all of which influence housing supply and demand.

“The pressure is already on for Australians in the housing market and we see worsening social inequities in the future. We need to design fairer housing policies or this is the trajectory we’re heading towards,” said Mr Habibi-Moshfegh who did the study as part of his PhD.

“Discussions on the housing crisis often neglect the impact of climate change. The numbers from our study show that future climate-shocks need to be factored in when developing new housing policies and plans.”

The study, published in the journal Cities shows that affordability pressures could escalate even under optimistic climate scenarios unless governments adopt targeted, context‑specific policies.

Mr Habibi-Moshfegh said some housing policies could still backfire and deepen inequality, by shifting the financial pressure onto renters.

“ Housing policies are often generic and priorities need to shift to tailored support for segments of the market, such as low-income households, renters and people at the risk of experiencing homelessness. They are impacted disproportionately by climate change,” said Associate Professor Naderpajouh, Head of School of Project Management in the Faculty of Engineering.

Climate risks push people out of housing affordability

The researchers used nearly two decades of public data to run simulations on how Australia’s future housing market responded to different climate and socioeconomic scenarios,  with high emissions or low emissions.

They used national housing, income and demographic data from the Australian Bureau of statistics, Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey data on household income and affordability and the property price index to run simulations on how climate-driven shocks and policies interact to shape affordability, homelessness and rental pressures.

Their simulation suggest that generic policies create widespread tipping points in the housing market and pushed households into stress.

Under a high-emissions future, even a modest 0.5 percent annual rise in ownership costs could increase homelessness by 16 percent and cut rental affordability by 15 percent compared to the 2020 baseline.

If ownership costs rise by 3 percent a year, homelessness could jump by 69 percent , while rental affordability could fall by 36 percent.

“Our findings show that any new housing policies need to undergo climate-change simulations to make sure they don’t deepen inequality,” Mr Habibi-Moshfegh said.

“For local councils and government, the time is now to make sure our housing market can adapt by designing resilient policies to make sure no one, especially our most vulnerable, is left behind,” said Associate Professor Naderpajouh.

The researchers said policymakers need to make sure any new housing market interventions create resilience against the ups and downs of future climate shocks.

Read the research in the journal Cities. : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2026.107050

In response to reports that former police chief Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa has fled the Philippines Senate building allowing him to evade an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, Ritz Lee Santos III, Executive Director of Amnesty International Philippines, said:

“We are deeply alarmed at the obstruction of justice and chaotic scenes witnessed at the Philippines Senate.

“Ronald dela Rosa’s position as Senator offers him no special protection from an ICC arrest warrant, neither under domestic nor international law. It is hugely concerning that fellow Senators and others appear to have assisted him in evading arrest and in delaying the execution of the arrest warrant – effectively facilitating his escape for now.

“Despite seeking to distance themselves from these events, President Marcos and relevant agencies remain ultimately responsible for ensuring Dela Rosa’s arrest.

“Dela Rosa held a key role in the ‘war on drugs’ under former President Duterte, is a clear flight risk and appears intent on avoiding accountability. He should be promptly located, arrested and surrendered to the ICC to answer allegations of crimes against humanity.

“The place for Dela Rosa to challenge his case and the crimes against humanity he is alleged to have committed is in The Hague, in impartial and independent trial proceedings. Political authority must not place anyone above the law. In the interest of justice for victims, survivors and their families, those alleged to have committed grave crimes must be held to account, no matter how long it takes.”

Background

After a three-day standoff between law enforcement and Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa at the Philippines Senate, reports emerged that Bato left the Senate building at 2.30am local time on Thursday 14 May 2026. His whereabouts are currently unknown.

The night before, gunshots were fired inside Senate premises while some Senators and media were still inside. There remain conflicting reports on what led to the shooting.  Various senior administration representatives, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, denied that there were attempts to execute an arrest warrant.

On 11 May, the ICC confirmed it had issued an arrest warrant for the sitting Senator. The warrant states that the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber found there were “reasonable grounds to believe” Dela Rosa had committed the crime against humanity of murder, citing incidents in which 32 people were killed between 2016 to 2018.

Global power protection specialist CyberPower Systems has enhanced its Power Distribution Units (PDUs) range in Australia with new models designed to meet growing demand for reliable, high‑density rack power distribution in today’s data‑driven environments.

The new PDU41004, PDU41005, PDU44004 and PDU44005 models extend CyberPower’s rack power portfolio providing practical, scalable solutions for IT managers, systems integrators, managed service providers and data centre operators looking for dependable and cost‑effective rack power that integrates seamlessly alongside CyberPower UPS infrastructure.

CyberPower PDUs are designed for today’s high‑density, high‑demand environments. As server racks become more densely populated and edge computing deployments expand, modern IT environments need dependable, space‑efficient power delivery that minimises complexity. The new PDU models address this directly, offering reliable rack power for comms rooms, network cabinets and data‑centre racks.

CyberPower Systems Oceania GM ANZ Robert Hartvigsen said, “Our new PDU models deliver dependable, consistent rack power that just works. They are engineered for simplicity, reliability and seamless integration with UPS systems, giving IT teams confidence in their rack infrastructure.”

The four new PDU models provide a trusted solution for growing equipment density, pairing compact design with single‑phase input support and durable metal construction.

For scalable operations, new 32‑amp variants offer higher load capacities across wider network deployments.

Key features and advantages
The PDU41004, PDU41005, PDU44004 and PDU44005 are suited for professional rack installations from SMB through to enterprise systems.

Core specifications include:

• Rack‑mountable design optimised for space efficiency

• Multiple IEC output sockets for server and network hardware

• Robust metal housing for durability

• Reliable single‑phase power distribution

• Compatibility with the CyberPower UPS ecosystem

• Support for higher‑capacity 32‑amp configurations for scaling environments.

Product features and highlights include:

• Seamless pairing with CyberPower UPS solutions

• Reliable distribution for business‑critical equipment

• Compact and rugged rack design

• Strong value without compromising quality

• Ideal for comms cabinets, data centres and edge sites.

Customers across professional IT, MSP and enterprise environments are facing increasing rack equipment density and tighter turnaround expectations. These PDUs provide simple, dependable power distribution which is ideal when intelligent switching is unnecessary but quality and operational reliability are critical. Also, by aligning with CyberPower’s UPS range, the new models enable standardised, end‑to‑end rack power infrastructure, simplifying procurement and long‑term maintenance.

For systems integrators and resellers, the family also broadens the ability to offer complete rack power packages under a single, trusted brand, strengthening CyberPower’s position in the power ecosystem.

For CyberPower, the new models strengthen its reputation as a complete rack power infrastructure provider, not just a UPS vendor.

In short, for customers, the new PDUs mean more consistent, reliable rack power distribution, simplified sourcing and deployment, scalable 32‑amp options for higher‑load environments and confidence in globally recognised power protection technology.

Robert Hartvigsen concluded, “By combining trusted reliability with scalable design, our PDUs help partners and customers build better‑performing, more consistent infrastructure.”

The new CyberPower PDU41004, PDU41005, PDU44004, and PDU44005 are available now through authorised CyberPower distributors and resellers.

To read the CyberPower PDU Buying Guide go to:

https://www.cyberpower.com/au/en/knowledge/buying-guide/pdu

About CyberPower

Founded in 1997, CyberPower has followed a path to success through engineering excellence and quality standards in power protection and computer accessories. At our advanced technology manufacturing facilities, we build a comprehensive line of power protection products, including Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Racks, Power Distribution Units (PDUs), Power Inverters, Surge Protectors, Mobile Chargers, power management software and computer peripheral accessories. After years of implementation of a global branding strategy, what we’ve provided to millions of satisfied customers are not only award-winning products, but a sense of security. Whether you are an IT professional working in a Corporate Data Centre, an owner of a small-to-medium business, or a consumer using electronic devices at home, CyberPower has a wide range of power solutions to safeguard your critical equipment and valued data.

https://www.cyberpower.com/au

Launching during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, the initiative will deliver culturally safe education and raise awareness of domestic and financial abuse in First Nations communities.

14 May 2026 – First Nations-led organisation Strong Women Talking has launched a new mobile education van to expand its outreach across Queensland, bringing its programs directly to First Nations communities.

The Strong Women Talking mobile van will be used to deliver education and awareness sessions focused on domestic and financial abuse, and economic empowerment, in a way that is trauma informed and culturally grounded. The bespoke mobile van features beautifully designed features along with Strong Women Talking’s branding on the exterior and is equipped with resources and facilities to support conversations about financial abuse.  

This project was supported through CommBank Next Chapter Innovation, which provides selected organisations with grants of up to $200,000, alongside non-financial support including executive mentoring and strategic guidance. This program is helping to address financial abuse in First Nations communities and forms a commitment in CommBank’s FY26-28 Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan.

Launching during Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, the Queensland initiative aims to make support and education more accessible, particularly in communities where services can be harder to reach.

Founder and CEO Sono Weatherall, a Butchulla and Garrawa woman, established Strong Women Talking to support First Nations women impacted by domestic and family violence. Its model brings together elders, aunties and peer support to create culturally safe spaces where women can connect, learn and rebuild connection to culture, community and identity.

Sono Weatherall, CEO and founder of Strong Women Talking, said: “The mobile van will help extend our reach and meet women where they are. It’s about taking support and education into community in a way that feels safe and culturally grounded. For many women, it starts with being able to have a yarn. This will help us reach more women and communities and continue building that connection.”

Angela MacMillan, CommBank Group Customer Advocate, said: “This innovative project reflects the importance of locally led, culturally centred support. Strong Women Talking is a strong example of a community-led approach shaped by the needs of First Nations women and families. Through CommBank Next Chapter Innovation, we’re proud to support the work of Strong Women Talking to help extend their reach into more communities. Access to safe, local support can play an important role in financial abuse recovery.”

Throughout 2026 CommBank continues to work with its other Next Chapter Innovation partners, Council of Aboriginal Services Western Australia, Mudgin-gal Aboriginal Corporation and Mookai Rosie-Bi-Bayan.

In the coming months, Strong Women Talking’s mobile van will visit various local communities in Brisbane before travelling to regional areas in Queensland later this year:

14 May, May 10.00am to 12.00pm, Nalingu Day Respite Centre, Zillmere
21 May, 10.00am – 12.00pm – COOEE Indigenous Family and Community Education Centre, Cleveland
22 May, 10.00am to 12.00pm – Gunya Meta, Logan
2 June and 16 June, 10.00am – 12.00pm: Sisters Connect, Hendra  
11 June, 10.00am to 12.00pm, Numula Family Safety Response Program, Zillmere
12 June 11.00am to 1.00pm – Yarning Circle for Murri Court, Brisbane

Financial abuse is one of the most common forms of domestic and family violence and can have lasting impacts on a person’s independence and financial security. Through CommBank Next Chapter, the bank provides support to people impacted by financial abuse and domestic and family violence, helping them rebuild financial independence.

Anyone worried about their finances because of domestic or family violence or coercive control can contact the Next Chapter Team on 1800 222 387 or visit commbank.com.au/nextchapter for support – even if you don’t bank with us.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au) or 13 YARN (13 92 76 or www.13yarn.org.au).

In an emergency or if you’re not feeling safe, always call 000.

Australians’ spending dropped in April after a fuel-driven surge in March, with transport and recreation leading the pullback, CommBank’s latest Household Spending Insights data shows.

• 14 May 2026 – Household spending fell by 1.2% in April, driven by lower spending on petrol and public transport. 
• The transport category saw the biggest fall as the fuel excise cut reduced petrol prices and free public transport came into effect in Victoria and Tasmania. 
• Falls in consumer sentiment due to the conflict in Iran and higher interest rates have not yet translated into a sharp pullback in discretionary spending. 

Australian household spending eased back in April as volatile petrol prices and cautious spending in the recreation category reversed the lift seen in March, the latest CommBank Household Spending Insights (HSI) shows.

But the oil shock resulting from the current Middle East conflict has not had the size of impact that was initially expected, Commonwealth Bank Head of Australian Economics Belinda Allen said.

“We have been expecting household spending to slow. But to date, weakness in sentiment due to the conflict in Iran and higher interest rates is not yet translating into a sharp pullback in discretionary spending,” Allen said.

Nevertheless, broad measures of spending showed some cooling in April.

CommBank data shows total household spending fell by 1.2 per cent over the month, with a sharp pullback of 12.1 per cent in transport as petrol prices dropped following the fuel excise tax on 1 April, as well as free public transport in Victoria and Tasmania.

Of the 12 spending categories, six recorded a fall and six recorded gains in April, including rare falls in insurance and health, with health recording the first monthly decline since March last year.

Even after stripping out transport, overall spending was still down 0.2 per cent in April, indicating a softer month for spending, following the 2.9 per cent lift recorded in March.

“Petrol price movements continue to have a big impact on the month-to-month swing in household spending, and we expect households to do much of the heavy lifting over coming months in slowing spending and cooling inflation,” Allen said.

“The April data was softer. But it's too early to judge whether this marks a broader trend,” Allen said. “The key will be seeing if some of the weakness in recreation spending is recycled into other categories or pushed into savings.”

CommBank data also shows the pace of annual growth in spending slipped back to 5.5 per cent in April, dropping from an 8.5 per cent spike in March. With 17.6 per cent annual growth, the utilities category claimed the biggest growth in spending in April after the end of the energy rebates, followed by transport (+9.8 per cent) due to petrol prices.

“It was this time in 2025 where we saw spending in the HSI really start to show momentum after the cumulative impact of interest rate cuts and income tax cuts at that time,” Allen said.

“We can see the step down in pace of growth most clearly in some of the discretionary categories, in particular recreation. The pace of annual growth now sits in negative territory at 0.4 per cent, the weakest since February 2021.”

Discretionary spending mixed in recreation and hospitality

Recreation spending declined sharply by 2.6 per cent in April in seasonally- adjusted terms, recording the second-weakest result out of any category, behind only transport.

Through the year, recreation was the only category with an annual contraction in growth.

“It appears households may be lowering their travel related consumption in the face of higher costs and uncertainty from the conflict in Iran. This is picked up in the broader recreation category,” Allen said.

“Declines in annual spending growth were recorded in travel related categories such as online travel bookings, ticketing services, travel agencies, commercial airlines and accommodation.”

Yet while spending on recreation went backwards in April, spending on hospitality lifted by 0.2 per cent, with the annual growth rate for the category rising to 6.2 per cent in April from 5.5 per cent in March.  

Stronger spending over the year to April was driven by gains in food delivery services, fast food outlets, restaurants, pubs, taverns and bars and takeaway food.

Spending muted across states in April

At a state level, Tasmania was the only jurisdiction to record spending growth in April with a lift of 0.2 per cent. South Australia and Victoria recorded flat results, while Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory all saw a 0.2 per cent monthly decline.  

Over the year, spending growth remained strongest in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.  

“The conflict in Iran presents asymmetric risks to Australia’s state economies,” Allen said.

“Those states more heavily reliant on diesel intensive industries such as mining, agriculture and freight, are more exposed to the direct shock of higher fuel prices. WA, the NT, Tasmania and Qld are more exposed.”

Source: University of East Anglia (UEA)

Peer reviewed – survey – humans

From relentless cycles of intrusive memories to loneliness and physical pain – a new study from the University of East Anglia reveals the struggles of refugees who entered the UK as unaccompanied minors.

Researchers interviewed refugees who fled Afghanistan as children and endured family separation, human rights abuses, and violence.

Their stories show years of silent suffering, human resilience, and the need for social connection.

Dr Kenny Chiu, clinical lecturer from UEA’s Norwich Medical School. said: “Unaccompanied child refugees have lost family, safety and a sense of home, and many have been exposed to traumatic events on their journey.

“Compared to children who arrive with relatives, these young people tend to have gone through more trauma and are more likely to struggle with things like PTSD or depression.

“Until now, there has been very little research on how former unaccompanied child refugees from the same cultural background cope with a new life in the UK.

“We wanted to change that, so we sat down with them, listened to their stories, and let their own words guide the research.”

How the research happened

Lead author Dr Rebecca Lane carried out the study while she was a trainee clinical psychologist at UEA’s Norwich Medical School.

She interviewed 12 refugees who had arrived in the UK from Afghanistan as unaccompanied children.

They were recruited through a therapeutic community organisation supporting young survivors of exile, and most interviews were conducted with the help of an interpreter.

“We wanted to better understand, in their own words, their resilience and coping strategies, and how these strategies changed over time,” said Dr Lane.

Haunted by memories they can’t escape

“Their difficulties often overlapped or built on one another. In many cases, one challenge got in the way of coping with another, which made it harder for people to find strategies that really helped. This tended to create difficult cycles that were hard to break.

“For example, mental and physical pain often occurred together. Physical pain would stop people leaving the house, exercising or spending time with friends – which then made their mental health and feelings of isolation worse,” she said.

Coping with distress

To cope, most kept busy to distract their minds from the past. A small minority described using alcohol and engaging in self‑harm – signs, the researchers say, that indicate the depth of distress that many carry.

Social connection emerged as the single most powerful buffer against distress.

Activities like cricket, praying, or having conversations with friends eased the relentless churn of anxiety and distressing thoughts or memories.

However, some described deep loneliness and faced barriers to connecting with others, such as difficulties with trust, hypervigilance, or not having the social skills to develop friendships.

Participants also often described feeling isolated while growing up, recalling early years when parents were consumed with worry about the family’s safety, mistrustful of others, or simply preoccupied by caring for a large family.

They also spoke about keeping challenges to themselves, often because emotional vulnerability was discouraged by cultural expectations of boys, alongside feelings of shame and strong values around pride and honour.

The team found that this emotional “shutdown” often continued as they settled down in the UK, leaving young refugees socially isolated at the very time they most needed support.

Therapists step in as substitute families

Dr Lane said: “Services and professionals were often identified as a foundation to coping.

“For example, therapy offered a safe space where young refugees could learn to talk about their feelings and be more open.

“They positioned professionals as pseudo parental figures, who cared for them and taught them key skills to build relationships and navigate life independently, on top of the practical support they received to help them access education, housing and asylum.

“We also found that religion brought comfort to many participants. Their coping strategies reflected the mix of cultural influences around them and the way their sense of identity was developing as they became adults.”

Sheila Melzak, former director of the Baobab Centre for Young Survivors in Exile and a consultant child and adolescent psychotherapist, said: “This study shows that young refugees arrived unaccompanied as children all show vulnerabilities and resilience.

“Resilience was most likely to develop and be sustained when opportunities to learn were combined with relationships with adults and peers.

“Alongside this, young refugees needed space to reflect on experiences that were, for psychological and cultural reasons, initially unspeakable. These included grief at the loss of parents, experiences of violence, corruption, and human rights abuses.

“They also faced big differences between their home culture and the culture of exile, including expectations about what it means to be a young person.”

This research was led by UEA in collaboration with Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, The Baobab Centre for Young Survivors in Exile, and Beigi & Chiu Clinical Psychology.

‘Coping among Afghan former unaccompanied refugee children in the UK: A qualitative study exploring barriers and influences over time’ is published in Transcultural Psychiatry.

* A copy of the paper is available via this link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/8z5a86tco5vkrxdnfps0s/AEna_ewqIMgfqjxz9a5Qht4?rlkey=dt36vgff72z9sy2t8u0y3nez5&e=1&st=eiwfnpuf&dl=0

* The University of East Anglia (UEA) is a UK Top 25 university for research quality (Times Higher Education Rankings 2026) and UK 26th in the Complete University Guide. It also ranks in the World Top 60 (QS World Rankings for Sustainability 2025) and the World Top 20 for reduced inequalities and World Top 200 (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025). Known for its world-leading research and good student experience, its 360-acre campus has won nine Green Flag awards in a row for its high environmental standards. The University is a leading member of Norwich Research Park, one of Europe’s biggest concentrations of researchers in the fields of environment, health and plant science. www.uea.ac.uk.  

May 13 2026 – Gilts and the pound could be plunged into crisis territory should Wes Streeting resign from the UK cabinet tomorrow to mount a leadership challenge against the Prime Minister, warns the CEO of one of the world's largest independent financial advisory and asset management organisations.

The stark warning from Nigel Green of deVere Group comes as speculation intensifies that Streeting could quit as Health Secretary and trigger a contest against Keir Starmer, opening the door to a prolonged struggle for power inside government at the precise moment markets are already punishing Britain.

He says: “Should Wes Streeting resign tomorrow and launch a leadership challenge, gilts and sterling could move rapidly into crisis territory.

“The markets hate uncertainty, but they hate political vacuum even more.

“A cabinet resignation followed by a leadership fight would signal that the government is losing control of itself while investors are already questioning the country's fiscal direction.”

UK assets are already flashing warning signs. The benchmark 10-year gilt yield climbed to 5.13% this week, the highest since 2008, while 30-year gilt yields pushed above 5.8%, levels last seen in 1998. Sterling has slipped toward $1.35 against the dollar as traders trim exposure to UK risk.

Higher gilt yields mean higher borrowing costs for the government, greater pressure on mortgage pricing, and a more expensive funding environment across the economy.

The deVere CEO continues: “If gilts sell off harder, the cost crashes through the economy system. The Treasury pays more, households feel it, businesses delay decisions, and confidence weakens.

“A Streeting resignation would be interpreted as the start of something bigger. Markets would immediately ask who is next, how many ministers move, and whether the administration can survive in its current form.”

He warns that once one senior figure moves, others could follow, with former Deputy PM Angela Rayner likely to become central to the next phase of internal power dynamics.

“If Streeting jumps, the pressure multiplies. Others then have to choose sides. Angela Rayner's position becomes critical, and investors would start pricing the possibility of a government pulled further left on tax, spending and labour policy.

“That is where the real anxiety begins. Markets can cope with ideology of any stripe if it is disciplined and coherent. They recoil from programmes that imply materially higher borrowing without a credible growth engine.”

Investors still remember the 2022 gilt turmoil, when a loss of confidence in fiscal credibility triggered a violent bond selloff and forced emergency intervention by the Bank of England. Nigel Green says the current backdrop is different, but memories remain powerful.

“The UK does not need a repeat of 2022 to suffer damage. It only needs investors to suspect that discipline is weakening again. Once that suspicion takes hold, the risk premium rises quickly.

“This week's gilt moves show that confidence is already fragile. Add a leadership war and the reaction could be severe.”

He notes that Britain is also contending with sticky inflation risks, elevated global bond yields and geopolitical energy pressures, leaving little room for domestic political mistakes.

“The timing could hardly be worse. Global borrowing costs are high, inflation concerns have not vanished, and capital is highly selective. In that environment, countries that look unstable are punished first.”

Nigel Green says markets will watch three immediate indicators if Streeting resigns: the 10-year gilt yield, long-end gilt liquidity, and sterling against the dollar.

“If the 10-year yield breaks decisively above recent highs, if long-dated gilts come under heavy pressure again, and if sterling drops sharply through support levels, that would be the market delivering a blunt verdict.”

He adds that clarity could still prevent escalation.

“The remedy is political authority and fiscal credibility. Investors need to know who is in charge, what the economic framework is, and whether it will hold.”

“If tomorrow brings resignations, rebellion and competing promises, the UK risks turning a political drama into a major market event.  It would likely be costly, avoidable, and immediate.”

deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.