Multiculturalism is being placed firmly at the heart of Australia’s national story as the federal government enters 2026 with a clear message:

Australia has begun a major reset of its skilled migration system, phasing out the long-running Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa and rolling in a new “Skills in Demand” visa that promises faster, fairer and more flexible routes to long-term work and permanent residency.

The Walk for Peace 2026 in the United States has become an extraordinary grassroots spiritual pilgrimage, led by roughly two dozen Buddhist monks and their rescue dog Aloka, walking more than 2,300 miles from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C. Their journey is drawing massive crowds, viral social media support, and a growing sense that communities across the country are hungry for a more peaceful and compassionate national conversation.

Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard has redesigned what business success looks like, turning a multibillion-dollar outdoor brand into a permanent engine for climate action rather than personal wealth.