MCCQ April 2025

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Human Rights chief expresses alarm over extrajudicial killings of civilians in Sudan

Geneva, April 3 (IANS)

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, on Thursday expressed deep concern about reports of widespread extrajudicial killings of civilians in Sudan's

capital Khartoum following its recapture by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on March 26. Calling on Sudan to launch independent, transparent and effective investigations into these incidents in line with relevant international standards, Turk urged to punish those responsible and to ensure victims' rights to truth and justice.

"I am utterly appalled by the credible reports of numerous incidents of summary

WHO faces $2.5 billion funding gap after US’ withdrawal

Geneva, April 3 (IANS) The World Health Organization (WHO) is facing a budget gap of $1.9 billion for 2026 and 2027, along with a 600-million-dollar deficit through 2025, according to media reports.

The 1.9-billion-dollar funding gap accounts for nearly 45 per cent of its already slashed budget

for the two-year period until 2027, Health Policy Watch, a non-profit independent global health news outlet, reported on Wednesday.

The report, citing WHO officials at a Tuesday meeting, said the United States owes WHO 260 million dollars in dues for 2024 and 2025.

Raul Thomas, WHO's assistant director general of business operations, revealed at the meeting that the outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden never paid the US 2024 dues of 130 million dollars owed before leaving office, reports

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executions of civilians in several areas of Khartoum, on apparent suspicions that they were collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). I urge the commanders of the Sudanese Armed Forces to take immediate measures to put an end to arbitrary deprivation of life," said Turk.

"Extrajudicial killings are serious violations of international human

Mistake that benefits no one: World leaders react to Trump’s ‘reciprocal tariffs’

Washington, April 3 (IANS) As US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," the world reacted sharply against the decision, with some calling it a "mistake that benefits no one" while others called it a violation of Washington's

obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO). Amid widespread opposition, Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," imposing a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" and higher rates on certain trading partners, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Brazilian government criticised the US for imposing an additional 10 per cent tariff on

3

Israel orders evacuations in Gaza amid expanded military operations

Jerusalem, April 3 (IANS) The Israeli military has ordered civilians in multiple areas of the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate immediately, citing intercepted rocket fire from Palestinian territory.

Military spokesman Avichay Adraee on Wednesday urged residents to "move immediately west to the shelters in Gaza City," accusing "terrorist organisations" of launching attacks "from among

BIMSTEC finalises key agreements on connectivity and security

Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) concluded on Wednesday in Bangkok, Thailand. This meeting, which precedes the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on April 3 and the 6th BIMSTEC Summit on April 4, finalised key documents and set the agenda for the upcoming discussions at the Ministerial and Summit levels.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Thailand on April 3

to attend the BIMSTEC summit.

After the summit, he will visit Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6.

The major outcomes of the 25th SOM include:

The finalisation of the Draft Declaration of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, which outlines the vision, decisions, and directives to be adopted by the heads of State/Governments during the Summit.

Bulgarian Prez urges global perspective on peace at Sofia security forum

April

strategies

when

Radev said in a doorstep statement ahead of an international meeting in Sofia.

"The great challenge not only for the Balkans and Europe but also for the world today is to free itself from the self-deception that it is possible for peace and security to be guaranteed only for a given country and region or at the expense of someone else," Radev said on Friday.

The one-day event, known as the "Aqaba Process for the Balkans," was organised under the auspices of the Aqaba Process Initiative, which is co-chaired by the Republic of Bulgaria and the

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Launched in 2015 by Jordan's King Abdullah II, the initiative addresses pressing issues related to terrorism, illegal migration, and radicalisation, reports Xinhua news agency.

Friday's event in Sofia marks the third edition of the high-level forum with a focus on the Balkan region, according to the Press Secretariat of the president. In today's world, when security is challenged on a daily basis, it is especially important for state leaders to exchange views and seek joint solutions, Radev

civilians."

Earlier on Wednesday, Israel's military said its air defence systems intercepted two rockets fired from northern Gaza. Air raid sirens sounded in communities near the Palestinian enclave, police said. Israel also tightened its grip on the southern part of the enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a territorial expansion in southern Gaza, declaring troops were seizing land to establish a new security corridor.

In a video statement, Netanyahu said forces had begun taking control of the area between Khan Younis and Rafah, calling it a

"second Philadelphi Corridor" akin to the buffer zone Israel occupies along Gaza's border with Egypt. "We are slicing up the enclave," he said, vowing to continue "striking militants and destroying infrastructure."

Separately, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed airstrikes in Syria targeting military bases in Homs and Hama, as well as infrastructure near Damascus, reports Xinhua news agency. The IDF said the strikes hit "remaining military capabilities" at the T-4 (Tiyas) Air Base and Hama, along with sites in the Damascus area, calling the operation a response to "threats against Israeli civilians."

Pakistan begins major crackdown against Afghan nationals

Islamabad, April 3 (IANS) The government of Pakistan has started a major nationwide crackdown against Afghan nationals, arresting hundreds of "illegal foreigners", including Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, before transferring them to camps for further repatriation to Afghanistan.

Hundreds of Afghan nationals have been taken into custody as law enforcement agencies began deportation process for them along with their families following the Eid holidays and March 31 deadline that was set for the voluntary return of Afghan nationals in Pakistan.

Interestingly, directives issued to the security forces reveal that if any Afghan citizen is implicated in criminal activities, the entire family will face deportation as part of the country's broader punitive approach.

The Afghan Taliban government in Kabul had requested Islamabad to delay the process of repatriation of Afghan nationals in Pakistan but Islamabad is in

no mood to relet and has started conducting raids and arresting Afghan nationals from major cities.

"Notably, Pakistan has announced a renewed crackdown, stating that it will deport individuals without legal residence permits, even as valid cardholders face uncertainty,"

the Afghan government stated.

"Pakistan could not be expected to shoulder the responsibility of hosting Afghan refugees indefinitely. There is a need for humanitarian aid, not just for short-term relief but also to support long-term development initiatives," said Philippa Candler, UNHCR representative in Pakistan.

The decision to not extend the deadline and start a crackdown was taken during a meeting between Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which a briefing about the repatriation process of Afghan nationals was given.

The government authorities had issued a stern warning that it would take action against those who failed to leave the country by March 31.

As per details, at least 43 camps have been established to accommodate Afghan refugees

New Delhi, April 2 (IANS)

The 25th session of the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal

Sofia,

5 (IANS) World leaders should adopt a broader perspective

devising

to safeguard peace in their own countries and region, Bulgarian President Rumen

Publisher Dr. Noel Kannagaraj

Editor

Dr. Ram Mohan & Pushpa Vaghela

Maria Judith Guillergan

Associate Editor

Dr Devashish Chakraborty

Contributors

Rabindra Mukherjee

Deepika Banerjee

Website Design & Updates Cosmos Media (www.cosmosmedia.info)

Designing Cosmos Media (www.cosmosmedia.info)

Editorial secretary@mccq.org.au

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Multicultural Community Connect Qld Unit 49, 391, WICKHAM TERRACE, Ground Floor, Spring Hill, Brisbane, QLD – 4000

UN Human Rights chief expresses alarm over extrajudicial killings of civilians in Sudan

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rights and humanitarian law. Individual perpetrators, as well as those with command responsibility, must be held accountable for such unacceptable actions under international criminal law," he added.

The UN Human Rights chief stated that his office has reviewed multiple horrific videos posted on social media since March 26, all of them apparently filmed in southern and eastern Khartoum. They show armed men – some in uniform and others in civilian clothes – executing civilians in cold blood, often in public settings. In some videos, perpetrators state that they are punishing supporters of RSF.

According to reports, the killings were carried out by the SAF and State security personnel, as well

as by SAF-affiliated militias and fighters. In the Janoub Al Hezam area of southern Khartoum, for instance, at least 20 civilians, including one woman, were allegedly killed by SAF and affiliated militias and fighters. "Our office has also documented a disturbing rise in online hate speech and incitement to violence, with lists of individuals accused of collaborating with the RSF posted online. Ethnic groups from the Darfur and Kordofan regions appear to be disproportionately targeted," the High Commissioner stated. Condemning the horrific incidents, Turk once again called on all parties to take immediate steps to ensure their forces respect the right to life, without distinction, consistent with their obligations under international

human rights law and humanitarian law. Meanwhile, the UN in its report on Wednesday stated that it is nearly two years since the brutal war between the forces of the military government in Khartoum and the Rapid Support Forces militia erupted, sparking one of the world's worst humanitarian crisis. "Human rights abuses have been committed on both sides, and more than 30.4 million Sudanese require urgent assistance, with millions displaced, and tens of thousands killed. Nearly 25 million people face acute hunger,” the report added. The UN stated that since the outbreak of the war in April 2023, the situation has worsened dramatically in Sudan, with almost 13 million people forcibly displaced – nearly one third of the population – and the health system all but obliterated.

WHO faces $2.5 billion funding gap after US’ withdrawal

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Xinhua news agency, citing the Health Policy Watch report.

Speaking to WHO staff via Zoom at the meeting, Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus forecasted staff reductions.

"Starting with senior leadership, but will reflect all levels and regions," he was quoted as saying.

"Everything is on the table, including merging divisions, departments and units, and relocating functions," Tedros added.

Following the US decision to withdraw from the WHO, the organisation reduced its 2026-2027 budget from 5.3 billion dollars to 4.2 billion dollars. WHO data showed that the US share of the organisation's

regular budget for the 2024-2025 period was assessed at 22 per cent, the highest among all members.

On January 20, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order shortly after his inauguration to withdraw the country from the WHO, which will only take effect after a one-year notice period.

BIMSTEC finalises key agreements on connectivity and security

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The finalisation of the Draft Report of the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, which will be considered and adopted by the Foreign Ministers during their meeting.

The consideration of the Report of the Eminent Persons Group on the Future Direction of BIMSTEC. This report includes recommendations to reform and revitalise the regional grouping and will be reviewed by both the Foreign Ministers and the leaders during the Summit.

The consideration of various other reports, including those from meetings held since the 24th SOM, as well as the proceedings of the BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee.

The review of the Panel of Auditors’ Report for the Financial Year 2014-2015, providing an overview of BIMSTEC's financial status.

The finalisation of the Draft Concept Note on the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence on Tropical Medicine, which aims to serve as a framework for establishing the Center in Bangkok, Thailand.

The draft Joint Statement on the Impact of the Myanmar-Thailand Earthquake on March 28, 2025, underscoring the urgency of establishing the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Disaster Management in India. The statement will be adopted by the leaders during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.

The BIMSTEC SOM serves as a key decision-making mechanism for the regional organisation, bringing together foreign secretaries and senior officials from the member states.

The delegations expressed their gratitude to the government of Thailand for successfully hosting the 25th SOM, paving the way for the upcoming Ministerial

Meeting and Summit. BIMSTEC, comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, focuses on cooperation in seven key sectors: Agriculture & Food Security, Connectivity, Environment & Climate Change, People-to-People Contact, Science, Technology & Innovation, Security, and Trade, Investment & Development. It also addresses eight sub-sectors, including the Blue Economy, Mountain Economy, Energy, Disaster Management, Fisheries & Livestock, Poverty Alleviation, Health, and Human Resource Development. With these developments, BIMSTEC member states are positioning themselves for stronger regional cooperation to address pressing challenges and opportunities across the Bay of Bengal region.

Bulgarian Prez urges global perspective on peace at Sofia security forum

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said, calling for the voices of more leaders and experts to be heard and their opinions and suggestions to be respected. He went on to suggest that had this approach been followed earlier, Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive - a move he described as "fatal" - might have been avoided. Many European leaders, he argued, had clung to a naive belief that military support alone

would enable Ukraine to achieve significant military successes and negotiate (a peace deal with Russia) from a position of strength, Radev said.

"The lessons of history are often forgotten, that in times of global conflicts there cannot be isolated islands of peace and tranquillity," Radev said.

He also noted that security is a key issue in the Balkans because countries here are directly

Mistake that benefits no one: World leaders react to Trump’s ‘reciprocal tariffs’

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all Brazilian exports, saying that the move violates Washington's commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The US trade surplus with Brazil in 2024 amounted to approximately $7 billion in goods alone, and the surplus reached $28.6 billion last year when goods and services are combined, Brazil's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, noting that "this represents the third-largest trade surplus for the United States worldwide."

Given that the United States has recorded recurring and significant trade surpluses of 410 billion dollars in goods and services with Brazil over the past 15 years, the unilateral imposition of an additional 10 percent tariff on Brazil under the justification of restoring balance and ensuring "trade reciprocity" does not reflect reality, the ministry said.

"In defending Brazilian workers and businesses, and in line with its strong commitment to the multilateral trading system, the Brazilian government will consult with domestic industries to protect their interests and seek dialogue with the U.S. government," it said.

While the government remains open to advancing the dialogue it has established in recent weeks with the United States, Brazil "is evaluating all possible courses of action to ensure reciprocity in bilateral trade, including resorting to the WTO, in defence of Brazil's legitimate national interests," it added.

Additionally, Brazil's Congress also passed a bill that allows the government to impose reciprocal trade and environmental measures against foreign restrictions, just hours after Trump announced a new 10 per cent tariff on all Brazilian imports.

The bill, approved in the Chamber of Deputies a day after clearing the Senate, now awaits presidential ratification. It was fast-tracked through both houses with support from lawmakers across the political spectrum.

Initially drafted in response to unilateral environmental trade rules from the EU, the legislation was later broadened amid growing concern over escalating trade tensions with the United States.

The final version authorises the government to respond to any country or economic bloc that imposes trade or environmental measures deemed harmful

to Brazilian exports or global competitiveness in agriculture and across industries.

Under the new law, Brazil's Foreign Trade Chamber will be empowered to impose countermeasures, such as trade restrictions, suspension of concessions, or review obligations under-investment and intellectual property agreements. However, automatic retaliation is off the table as the legislation requires a round of diplomatic consultations coordinated by the foreign ministry before any formal action is taken.

The shift signals a firmer posture from Brasilia in the face of mounting protectionist policies abroad, especially from the United States, which has moved to raise tariffs on key imports under the banner of "reciprocal trade."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also on Wednesday night criticised Trump's decision to impose tariffs on the EU, calling it "a mistake that benefits no one."

She said that Italy would work to reach an agreement with the US to prevent a trade war that could weaken the West in favour of other global players.

"We will do everything we can to reach an agreement with the United States to avert a trade war, which would inevitably weaken the West and strengthen other global actors," Meloni said. "In any case, as always, we will act in the interests of Italy and its economy while also coordinating with our European partners," she added.

If the tariffs were imposed, the EU would face a 20-percent tariff, according to Trump's executive order.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also condemned the new US tariffs on imports from the nation as "unwarranted" and "not the act of a friend."

Albanese on Thursday morning said that Trump's announcement of a 10-per cent tariff on all imports from Australia did not come as a "surprise" to the government but said they have "no basis in logic."

"The administration's tariffs have no basis in logic, and they go against the basis of our two nations' partnership," Albanese told reporters in Melbourne. He confirmed that Australia would not impose reciprocal tariffs on the United States, instead threatening to use "dispute resolution mechanisms" contained in the free trade agreement between the nations.

Pakistan begins major crackdown against Afghan nationals

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affected by the consequences of nearby military conflicts. He highlighted human trafficking, illegal migration, terrorism and radicalisation as some of the most devastating consequences. Nearly 30 delegations took part in the meeting, including heads of state, government officials, representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations and heads of diplomatic missions in Bulgaria.

in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. Sources say that the authorities will conduct raids and take into custody illegal Afghans in the country, who will then be transferred to the refugee camps. They will then be enlisted before being transferred to the Landi Kotal area at the Torkham Pak-Afghan border for repatriation.

Statistics reveal that there are at least 1,344,584 Afghan nationals in the county with at least 709,278 Afghan nationals residing in KP

having a Proof of Registration (PoR) with them.

Provincial data reveals that there are at least 317,000 registered Afghans in Balochistan, 74,117 in Sindh, 196,000 in Punjab, 42,718 in capital Islamabad and 4,448 Afghan refugees in other parts of the country.

Pakistan has maintained that its mass deportation drive is to regulate undocumented migration and keep a tab on illegal immigrants, who have, at times, become a security threat to the country.

ECCQ hosts basic rights Queensland leaders to boost community support

Brisbane, March 14 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) recently welcomed James Farrell, CEO of Basic Rights Queensland, and Eloise Dalton, Director of Working Women Queensland, to discuss ways to enhance support for vulnerable communities.

Basic Rights Queensland is a vital community-based organization offering free legal advice and advocacy to refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and other marginalized individuals. Their work includes assisting those facing challenges in accessing Centrelink social welfare payments, advocating for people with disabilities experiencing discrimination, and supporting vulnerable women in the workplace.

The meeting reinforced ECCQ’s commitment to collaboration and ensuring that Queensland’s

diverse communities have access to the resources and legal protections they need. By working together, these organizations aim to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Multicultural Australia empowers UQ students with cultural capability training

Brisbane, March 13 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Multicultural Australia has delivered two Cultural Capability Training sessions for students and leaders at the University of Queensland’s (UQ) International House (ihouseuq), reinforcing its commitment to fostering inclusivity and cross-cultural understanding. In collaboration with International House CEO and Director Helen Jamieson, Multicultural Australia curated training content tailored to support the college’s diverse student community. The sessions aimed to equip participants with essential skills for respectful and effective cross-cultural communication, ensuring an environment of empathy, international friendship, and mutual respect.

Participants explored how cultural perspectives shape

interactions, the impact of unconscious biases on inclusion and exclusion, and the importance of self-awareness. The training also introduced practical strategies to navigate cultural differences with confidence and curiosity.

By partnering with International

House, Multicultural Australia continues to play a vital role in strengthening cultural awareness within academic communities, empowering students to thrive in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.

Indian Community of Gold Coast hosts vibrant Holi celebration

Safer World for All to host dialogue with Federal Election Candidates

The dialogue will be on Australia's Role in Global Development Brisbane, March 28

Safer World for All has extended an invitation to candidates from across the Brisbane, Dickson, Oxley, Ryan, Moreton, Lilley, and Griffith electorates to participate in an upcoming event where Australia's diaspora groups will share their experiences and perspectives on the importance of a safer world. The event will highlight the tangible impacts of Australian aid on these communities.

During the event, candidates from federal parties will present their vision for Australia's role in the world and discuss the significance of international development. The gathering aims to provide an open platform for dialogue between elected officials and Australia's diverse diaspora communities, offering an opportunity to explore how foreign aid can continue to positively influence both global and local communities.

Safer World for All hopes to inspire a meaningful discussion on how Australia can strengthen its international partnerships and contribute to the global effort for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

Credit: eccq.com.au

Brisbane, March 28

The Indian Community of Gold Coast (ICGC), alongside dedicated volunteers, came together to host a joyous Holi Festival this March, bringing people from all backgrounds together in a celebration of colour, unity, and renewal.

Among the attendees was Candice, Community Development Team Leader at the Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC), who shared her enthusiasm for the event. “Holi is one of my favourite events on the

calendar! It’s an inclusive event spanning across cultures, and after the recent cyclone, we all needed a chance to connect and celebrate,” she said. The festival was made possible by the hard work of volunteers, including Manish and the entire ICGC team, whose efforts ensured a successful and memorable event. The celebration served as a reminder of the spirit of togetherness and resilience, providing the community with a much-needed opportunity to come together in joy and festivity.

Credit: MCCGC Newsletter

Multicultural Australia hosts driving workshop for African communities in Townsville

Brisbane, March 12 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

In a bid to enhance road safety and confidence among newly arrived communities, Multicultural Australia recently hosted a driving workshop in Townsville for speakers of Sango, Swahili, and French. The workshop supported 20 participants from Central African, Congolese, and Sudanese backgrounds, providing them with essential skills to navigate

Queensland roads safely. The session included a refresher on road rules and safety, along with practical hands-on training inside a car, covering steering, brakes, mirrors, and other key driving fundamentals. By offering tailored support to diverse communities, Multicultural Australia continues to empower individuals with essential life skills, ensuring greater independence and road safety for all.

Gold Coast workshop empowers women through art

Brisbane, April 2 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC), through its CPC program, recently hosted the "Exploring Self Through Art" workshop at Women's Space. Led by artist Dilbar Pilott, the session provided seven women with an opportunity to focus on

self-awareness and personal development in a safe and supportive environment.

The workshop encouraged participants to express themselves through creative drawing, allowing them to reconnect with their thoughts, emotions, and bodies.

The initiative aimed to foster personal growth, mindfulness, and a deeper understanding

of oneself through artistic expression.

Participants shared positive feedback about their experiences. One attendee remarked, "I loved that the artist introduced very interesting paintings, and we all learned so much from them." Another participant expressed gratitude for the workshop, saying, "It was a

fantastic session. It gave us time to relax and reflect on ourselves."

MCCGC continues to offer programs that promote mental well-being, self-expression, and community connection, reinforcing its commitment to supporting multicultural women on the Gold Coast.

Multicultural Australia CEO Christine Castley appointed Chair of Australian Multicultural Council

Brisbane, March 6 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Multicultural Australia

CEO Christine Castley has been appointed Chair of the Australian Multicultural Council, a role she will hold until 2028. The announcement was made recently by Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural

Affairs, highlighting Castley’s leadership and dedication to fostering inclusion and belonging across Australia. Expressing her gratitude, Castley stated, “I am honoured and delighted to take on the role of Chair of the Australian Multicultural Council and to be part of a Council made up of a very impressive group of individuals from all parts of

Australia.”

She emphasized the Council’s commitment to acting as a voice for diverse communities and working with the government to build bridges, promote understanding, and ensure that all individuals are seen, heard, and valued.

The Australian Multicultural Council plays a crucial role in

advising the government on multicultural affairs, reinforcing Australia's dedication to diversity, inclusion, and social harmony. Castley’s appointment marks a significant step in strengthening these values nationwide.

Taiwanese Australian Art in Harmony Exhibition concludes successfully, showcasing the charm of multicultural art

The Taiwanese Australian Art in Harmony Exhibition, organized by the World Arts & MultiCulture Inc. (WAMCI), concluded successfully with a reception on March 19, 2025, at the Taiwan Centre in Queensland. This exhibition brought together artists from Taiwan, Australia, and the Philippines, showcasing the beauty of cultural fusion through various artistic mediums and styles, offering Brisbane an enriching visual and spiritual feast.

Art without borders: A new milestone in cultural exchange

On the day of the reception, distinguished guests from the arts, politics, business, education, and multicultural communities gathered to witness this vibrant artistic and cultural exchange event.

Guests emphasized that art serves as a bridge that transcends language and cultural barriers, fostering understanding and respect among different communities. This exhibition not only highlighted the creative talents of participating artists but also deepened the connection

between Taiwan and Australia’s multicultural communities.

Exhibiting artists: A showcase of diverse artistic expressions

The exhibition featured a collection of talented artists who used oil paint, watercolors paint, sketch and multi-media creativity to share their unique cultural stories:

• Taiwanese Artists: Hwang Buh-Ching, Hwang Wey-Jeng, Su Chih-Che, Lin Li-Hua, Chuang Tsai-Chin, Wu Chui-Chuan, Chang Chung-Fan

• Brisbane-Based Artists: Ivabelle Bernabe (Philippines), April Giblin (Australia)

• Organizing Founder: Melody Chen, Founding President of WAMCI

The exhibition showcased artworks spanning watercolor, oil painting, sketches, and mixed media, offering diverse cultural perspectives through various artistic styles. Attendees not only appreciated these global creations but also engaged in face-to-face conversations with the artists, gaining insight into their creative inspirations and artistic journeys.

Artistic dialogue: deepening cultural exchange

Throughout the event, art lovers, community members, and Griffith University art students attended and learned from live artist discussions. They gained valuable insights into artistic techniques influenced by different cultural backgrounds, while also experiencing the emotions and values embedded in the artworks.

Additionally, several community media outlets and photographers documented this significant

cultural event, ensuring that the Taiwan-Australia Art Exchange Exhibition reached a broader audience through news coverage and social media.

Art connecting communities: A vision for cultural integration

This exhibition successfully promoted artistic and cultural exchange, enhanced the visibility of Taiwanese art in Australia, and allowed people from diverse backgrounds to find common ground through art.

The World Arts & Multi-Culture Inc. extends heartfelt gratitude to the Overseas Community Affairs Council of Taiwan,

Brisbane City Council, and the Queensland Government for their generous support, which contributed to the event’s success.

Moving forward, WAMCI is committed to organizing more cultural and artistic events, fostering collaboration between Taiwan, Australia, and the global art community. Through art, we aim to build bridges across cultures and make multiculturalism shine even brighter in Australia.

Provided by World Arts & MultiCulture Inc.

Honoured guests in attendance

Hon Leeanne Enoch MP, Shadow Minister for the Arts

James MartinMP, Queensland State Member for Stretton

Cr Kim Marx, Brisbane City Councillor Runcorn Ward

William Fan, Director-General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brisbane

Charles Ouyang , Director of the Taiwan Centre in Queensland

Several Council Members of Overseas Community Affairs Council, Taiwan and Taiwanese community leaders

Multicultural community leaders and artists from Germany, Japan, India, Fiji, Vietnam, Norway, the Philippines, and Brazil

FECCA’s 2025 Federal Budget response

Advancing Social Cohesion and Inclusive Care for Multicultural Australia

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) welcomes the Australian Government's 2025–26 Federal Budget for its targeted investments in social cohesion, women’s safety, reproductive health, aged care, education, housing, and costof-living relief. FECCA calls for bipartisan support and more defined commitments for CALD communities.

FECCA looks forward to seeing investments in implementing an anti-racism framework and a human rights act, both of which are vital for fostering social cohesion and ensuring equal treatment for all Australians, irrespective of background.

Community Support

FECCA acknowledges the $178.4 million investment over five years to strengthen social cohesion, including $10 million for independent multicultural media and $44.8 million in grants for community projects.

Investments to support African Australian organisations, refugee settlement programs, and upgrades to cultural institutions are also significant and timely.

FECCA also acknowledges the importance of bipartisan support

for policies that value diversity and inclusion. A national commitment to multiculturalism, as outlined in the Multicultural Framework Review, should continue to guide these efforts. Migrant Settlement and Refugee Support

FECCA recognises a missed opportunity in the Budget to strengthen Australia’s humanitarian response. While we welcome ongoing support for refugee settlement services, the unchanged humanitarian intake represents a shortfall in leadership at a time of significant global displacement.

Health

FECCA acknowledges the $8.5 billion investment in Medicare to strengthen bulk billing and increase rebates for diagnostic services. These measures may benefit culturally and linguistically diverse communities, many of whom face financial barriers to healthcare access. Ensuring all Australians can access affordable, timely, and culturally safe healthcare is a fundamental aspect of promoting an inclusive society.

FECCA welcomes the Government’s further investment of $2.6 billion to deliver

a pay rise for 60,000 aged care nurses across Australia, many of whom are migrants. This support is an important recognition of the value of aged care workers, but the long-term impact will depend on the broader workforce reforms.

FECCA welcomes the announcement of $573.3 million allocation for women’s health to improve access to healthcare and affordability for women, particularly in areas such as contraception, menopause, perimenopause, and endometriosis care. These measures are a step in the right direction, and FECCA encourages ongoing consultation with CALD communities to ensure that these services are culturally appropriate and accessible.

The Budget also includes $5.4 million for the Health in My Language program, which will continue its essential work with migrant and refugee women, supporting their access to culturally safe health services.

Cost-of-Living Relief

The Government's cost-of-living measures provide essential support to multicultural households, many of which face systemic barriers to securing housing, affordable childcare, and access

to education. Initiatives such as increased Commonwealth Rent Assistance, reduced HECS-HELP indexation, subsidised childcare for three days a week, a $1 billion Building Early Education Fund to establish a universal childcare system in Australia, and energy bill relief will help alleviate the pressures on families juggling multiple financial responsibilities, often across generations. The increase in Medicare levy low-income thresholds, tax cuts, cheaper medicines under the PBS, and housing support measures such as Help to Buy will provide direct financial relief for many culturally diverse households. Relief from rising costs will directly improve living standards and create greater financial stability for multicultural families who are more likely to be on lower incomes, experience housing insecurity, or face barriers to education and employment.

Women

The Budget commits $21.4 million to strengthen support for victim-survivors of sexual violence, which builds on measures already announced to improve access to critical

legal and non-legal support for victim-survivors, including a renewed, five-year Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence National Partnership.

The inclusion of superannuation on Paid Parental Leave is a long-overdue change that will help close the gender retirement savings gap. Culturally responsive legal assistance and family violence services are also crucial in enabling women to navigate complex systems and find long-term security.

Mary Ann Baquero Geronimo, CEO of FECCA, said: "We welcome this Budget’s investment in healthcare, cost-ofliving relief, and women’s health measures, which are certainly valued by all Australians. We look forward, however, to more tailored investments that reflect the government’s commitment to equity and inclusion in Australia’s multicultural society.

Peter Doukas, Chair of the FECCA Board, added: "When people and communities feel connected and recognised as valuable members of our society, social cohesion is strengthened. This Budget offers some steps forward, and we look forward to working alongside the Government to ensure stronger foundations for social cohesion." For more information and continued updates, please visit our website at fecca.org.au and follow us on our social media channels.

ECCQ leads community-driven solutions to tackle racism in schools

Brisbane, March 22 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) has progressed its conversation series on racism in Australian schools in Toowoomba, shifting from discussions on its prevalence and impact to developing actionable solutions through collaborative problem-solving. The latest sessions focused on community perspectives,

providing multicultural community members with a platform to share personal experiences and voice the changes they wish to see in schools. Educators, parents, and students participated in meaningful discussions, identifying key areas for improvement and collective action to combat racism.

Through this initiative, ECCQ continues to foster dialogue and practical strategies aimed

MCCGC joins Shakti Global’s first anniversary celebration

Brisbane, March 26

The Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC) recently participated in Shakti Global’s first anniversary celebration at the Broadbeach Cultural Centre, which featured a meaningful workshop on domestic violence. MCCGC Community Engagement Worker, Ellie, and CPC placement student, Erin, attended the event, reinforcing MCCGC’s commitment to supporting community well-being and addressing important social issues.

Shakti Global, a Gold Coastbased non-profit organization,

is dedicated to enhancing the physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being of its community. Its mission aligns with the five responsibilities of dharma, fostering a holistic approach to empowerment and healing. The celebration also featured artistic expressions, including dance, singing, and writing, creating an engaging and inclusive atmosphere. A delicious lunch was shared among attendees, further strengthening community bonds.

Credit: MCCGC Newsletter

WEN celebrates multicultural women at I-Women’s Day Breakfast 2025

Brisbane, March 21 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Women’s Ethnic Network (WEN) recently hosted its International Women’s Day (I-Women’s Day) Breakfast 2025, bringing together multicultural women to celebrate connection, culture, and community. The event

featured inspiring speeches, vibrant cultural performances, and meaningful recognition of women’s achievements.The day began with a Welcome to Country by Songwoman Baringa Barambah Meeanjinu, setting a respectful and inclusive tone. Keynote speakers, including Hon. Minister Fiona Simpson

and Karina Hogan, delivered powerful messages advocating for equity, empowerment, and positive change for women across all backgrounds. Cultural performances captivated attendees, featuring the Queensland Guangxi Multicultural Communities, Tazamul Salvadoran Dance

Group, and Srikandi Indonesian Dance Group. Adding to the excitement, raffle prizes, including luxury portraits and vouchers, were awarded, with proceeds supporting WEN’s initiatives.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of scholarships to outstanding multicultural women, recognizing their leadership and contributions toward breaking barriers. The breakfast served as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of women from diverse backgrounds, reinforcing WEN’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and opportunity.

FECCA unveils 2025 Election Platform for a fair and inclusive multicultural Australia

Canberra, March 27 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) recently launched its 2025 Election Platform, advocating for a fair, inclusive, and equitable multicultural nation. With over half of Australians either born overseas or having a parent who was, FECCA stresses the need for government policies and services that reflect the country’s diverse reality.

At the heart of FECCA’s platform

are key recommendations aimed at fostering positive election narratives, strengthening human rights protections, adopting a National Anti-Racism Strategy, and implementing the Multicultural Framework Review. The organisation calls for bipartisan support and cross-government coordination to drive practical initiatives, such as improved data collection, intersectional policy design, and comprehensive language services. Encouraging people from diverse cultural

backgrounds to actively participate in decision-making remains a core focus.

FECCA also highlights the pressing issue of rising living costs, which disproportionately impact multicultural communities. The platform proposes targeted measures to address affordable housing, fair employment pathways, and accessible essential services. Additionally, it calls for stronger settlement support and adequate funding to facilitate quicker integration and long-term stability for new arrivals.

Among FECCA’s key priorities are strengthening leadership and accountability, recognizing overseas skills and qualifications, and ensuring that multicultural organisations receive sustainable funding. The organisation also stresses the importance of maintaining culturally appropriate and accessible services to support Australia’s diverse population.

As the nation heads toward the 2025 Federal election, FECCA urges political leaders to prioritize inclusivity and equity in policymaking, ensuring that multicultural communities are fully supported and represented in all aspects of Australian society.

MCCGC hosts Global Waters to support future Japanese international students

Brisbane, March 26

The Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC) recently welcomed representatives from Global Waters, a Japanese organization dedicated to helping young Japanese individuals gain life experience in Australia before moving as international students. MCCGC’s Community Development team, along with other departments, conducted an informative session about the organization’s work, emphasizing its commitment to fostering strong international relationships and supporting multicultural communities. By

engaging with groups like Global Waters, MCCGC aims to better understand the needs of international students and ensure they have the necessary resources to thrive in Australia.

As part of the visit, the students also toured Cura, MCCGC’s aged care brand, where they gained insights into aged care services in Australia. This visit highlighted the importance of cross-cultural exchanges and showcased how MCCGC supports diverse communities through education, settlement assistance, and social integration.

Credit: MCCGC Newsletter

Multicultural Australia trains Toowoomba

Brisbane, March 24 (MCCQNewsdesk)

Primary healthcare practitioners in Toowoomba recently participated in two Cultural Capability training sessions delivered by

Multicultural Australia, aimed at improving their understanding of the Ezidi community and enhancing healthcare accessibility. The sessions explored the cultural background of the

healthcare workers on Ezidicommunity

Ezidi people, the barriers they face in accessing healthcare, and practical approaches to fostering better engagement and support. Rana from Multicultural Australia, a bicultural health worker, shared her lived

experiences, offering valuable insights into the community’s needs.

Refugee Health Officer Elizabeth Laverty led discussions on trauma-informed and culturally responsive care, emphasizing the

needs

importance of compassionate and inclusive healthcare practices. The training provided healthcare workers with essential knowledge and strategies to deliver more effective support to Toowoomba’s Ezidi community.

Indian Consulate hosts Eid dinner in Brisbane

Brisbane, April 4 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Consul General of India in Brisbane, Neetu Bhagotia, recently hosted a warm and festive Eid dinner, bringing together members of the Indian-origin

Muslim community and leaders from various Indian community associations.

Held at the Consulate premises, the event was a vibrant celebration of food, culture, and shared values. Guests enjoyed

traditional Eid dishes and heartfelt conversations, reflecting the spirit of harmony, unity, and brotherhood.Consul General Bhagotia welcomed everyone with a message of inclusivity and peace.

Representatives from various Indian community associations, and other regional Indian groups attended the event, showing solidarity and mutual respect. Many praised the Consulate for organising an event that

honoured the festival while bringing the broader Indian community closer. The evening ended on a high note, with smiles, shared stories, and a renewed sense of belonging among the attendees.

MCCGC celebrates International Women’s Day amid severe weather

Brisbane, March 28

Despite challenging weather conditions, the Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC) came together with Cura staff to celebrate International Women’s Day in a warm and spirited gathering. The event provided an opportunity for staff to connect, enjoy decorated cookies, and reflect on the significance of the day. This year’s theme, "Accelerate Action," underscored the urgency of advancing gender equality and empowering women across all communities.

MCCGC reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a more inclusive society, emphasizing

the power of diverse communities supporting one another. The celebration highlighted the strength and resilience of women, reinforcing the importance of collective action in driving meaningful change. By hosting events like these, MCCGC continues to champion gender equality and community unity, ensuring that the message of International Women’s Day resonates beyond just one day of the year.

Credit: MCCGC Newsletter

MCCGC leaders attend Multicultural Sector Breakfast at Queensland parliament

Brisbane, March 28

Key representatives from the Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC) recently attended the Multicultural Sector Breakfast at Queensland Parliament, engaging in discussions about strengthening opportunities for multicultural communities.

MCCGC’s Head of Business and Stakeholder Development, Emily Clauss, CEO Shane

MCCGC dietitian Fatemeh Haidari shares insights with Japanese Students

Brisbane, March 28

Fatemeh Haidari, an accredited practising dietitian with a PhD in Nutrition and Dietetics from the Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC), recently delivered an insightful

lecture to students from Nagoya Women's University during their short study tour in Australia. The students were accompanied by Associate Professor Michiko Tsuji, PhD, from the Department of Health and Nutrition,

Faculty of Health and Science. The session was organised by International Student Services Pty Ltd Program Coordinator Tomoko Salazar, Mayumi, and Cura Aged Care Service Manager Kathleen Karlovecz, and took place at Griffith University.

Dr. Haidari’s lecture provided a global perspective on the role of dietitians and nutritionists, with a particular focus on Australia’s multicultural dietary landscape. She explored how dietitians contribute to mental health, mood regulation, weight management, and elderly nutrition, addressing key factors such as appetite loss, nutrient absorption, protein intake, and hydration for older adults.

The session provided students with a comprehensive understanding of Australian dietetics and its diverse approaches to nutrition, reinforcing the importance of culturally inclusive dietary practices.

(Credit: MCCGC Newsletter)

Klintworth, and Board Director Dr. Heba Mohtady Ali joined the event alongside Fiona Simpson MP, Minister for Women & Women’s Economic Security, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, and Multiculturalism.

The gathering provided an opportunity to connect with sector leaders, including Lisa Ward, CEO of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ),

and Christine Castley, CEO of Multicultural Australia. Discussions focused on collaborative efforts to enhance economic, social, and cultural opportunities for Queensland’s diverse communities. The event reinforced the importance of partnerships and policy development in creating an inclusive and equitable future for all.

(Credit: MCCGC Newsletter)

MCCGC Cura home care workers begin digital navigator training

Brisbane, March 26

Home care and in-home domestic workers at Cura, the aged care brand of the Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC), have begun digital navigator training to enhance their digital skills. The training, led by Ivan Ujdur, Digital Navigator, is being conducted at MCCGC’s Ashmore office. The program focuses on improving workers’ proficiency in Alayacare, SharePoint, and Xoralia, essential digital tools for

accessing company resources and enhancing efficiency. The eight-week training is structured in small groups, with up to six participants per session, ensuring personalized guidance and hands-on learning. By equipping frontline staff with strong digital skills, MCCGC aims to improve service delivery and streamline daily operations, ultimately benefiting both employees and the clients they support.

(Credit: MCCGC Newsletter)

Brisbane’s best street art recognised at Artforce Awards

Brisbane, March 28 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Brisbane’s most eye-catching electrical boxes have been celebrated at the 26th annual Artforce Awards, which honour the most outstanding murals transforming everyday infrastructure into vibrant public art. Out of 84 entries, nine winners were announced, showcasing the creativity and community spirit behind the city’s evolving street art scene. Lucia Laus was named Overall Winner for her Climbing Kangaroo design, a tribute to the strong culture of climbing sports

Brisbane, March 27 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Brisbane’s river transport has taken another leap forward with the launch of Baneraba II, the latest double-decker CityCat now in service to keep the city moving.

Christened on March 27,

Baneraba II is the ninth double-decker CityCat delivered by the Schrinner Council, with one final vessel set to arrive later this year to complete the upgraded fleet. The new ferry is named after the first-generation Baneraba, which launched in 1998, and means Toowong

at Kangaroo Point. Maddie Field’s Ibis-zilla, a playful homage to Brisbane’s iconic ibis, won the prestigious Lord Mayor’s Award for best design. The Artforce competition, open to artists of all ages and experience levels, encourages community participation in the arts while enhancing Brisbane’s streetscape and deterring vandalism. Each artwork reflects the heritage and identity of the suburb it is placed in, creating a visual connection between residents and their local environment.

in the language of Brisbane’s Indigenous people.

The vessel was officially christened by Ferry Master Nina Moore, who started her career with River City Ferries in 2018 as a Customer Service Officer before working her way up to mastering CityCats across Brisbane’s network.

With Baneraba II joining the fleet, the two oldest first-generation CityCats, Mirbarpa and Tugulawa, will now be retired. These vessels will have their branding and fit-outs removed before being made available for sale, with potential for more first-generation CityCats to be sold depending on demand. This follows a precedent set

For the first time in the program’s history, some designs were applied using digital wrapping rather than traditional paint. This innovation allowed artwork to be featured on electrical boxes in high-traffic areas where painting on-site was not feasible.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner praised the talent on display, saying, “I’ve been so impressed by the creativity displayed and how these designs captured the heritage and incredible lifestyle of our city. I would like to especially acknowledge Lucia

Laus for her best overall design and Maddie Field for winning the Lord Mayor’s award. Artforce is one of the many ways we’re supporting the arts community and ensuring Brisbane suburbs are the most vibrant places to live.”

The winning designs are now on display across the city, brightening Brisbane’s streets while celebrating local stories and artistic expression. Those interested in viewing the Artforce Brisbane winners and their locations can visit www. artforcebrisbane.com.au.

CityCat sets sail

by Brisbane City Council’s sale of retired diesel buses to other Queensland operators. Chair for Transport Ryan Murphy highlighted the value of Brisbane’s ferry network, saying, “Brisbane’s ferry network doesn’t just get passengers where they need to go, it’s a fantastic tourism offering that adds to our incredible lifestyle. As we welcome another new CityCat to the fleet, we’ve identified an opportunity to give our older vessels a second life elsewhere. We will always look for ways to keep costs down for residents while making sure we have the public transport we need to keep Brisbane moving.”

Ferry Master Nina Moore

reflected on her journey and the evolution of Brisbane’s ferry service. “I’m proud to have built my career on the Brisbane River—from starting out as a Customer Service Officer to now stepping into the Ferry Master role. Just as Brisbane has grown stronger through challenges like floods and cyclones, and is now stepping onto the world stage as an Olympic city, our iconic ferry service has continued to evolve and grow with it. It’s amazing to see how far the fleet has come— Baneraba II will help us deliver an even better experience for our passengers, and I’m honoured to be part of this next chapter.” Baneraba II is now officially in service. To

SUNDAY, 3RD OF AUGUST, 2025 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM BRISBANE CITY HALL

Director / MCCQ

ECCQ launches New Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program

Brisbane, March 31 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) has launched another Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW)

program to support the East African community in Slacks Creek. The initiative aims to provide participants with skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to pursue further

education, training, or employment opportunities.

ECCQ is collaborating with Nundah Community Enterprises Cooperative (NCEC) and Amani Community Centre to offer

sewing training for community members. The training will equip participants with practical skills that can lead to employment or self-employment opportunities. Enrolment for the program is

open. Interested individuals can contact ECCQ’s advocacy team at advocacy@eccq.com.au for more information.

ECCQ supports Kenyan community summit & leadership training

Brisbane, March 31 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) recently collaborated with the Kenyan community to deliver a summit aimed at supporting international students through learning, networking, and career development.

The summit featured professionals and experts from various fields who shared career insights, success stories, and personal experiences, providing valuable guidance for attendees.

The event facilitated meaningful connections and offered participants the opportunity to gain practical knowledge and

inspiration for their professional journeys.

In March, ECCQ’s Research, Policy, and Advocacy team continued delivering specialized training sessions for multicultural community leaders. One such session took place at the Amani Community Centre in Slacks Creek, Logan, where members and leaders from the Banyamulenge Congolese Community participated. The training focused on enhancing their understanding of roles and responsibilities as operators of an incorporated association, ensuring they have the necessary skills to manage and lead their community effectively.

Through these initiatives, ECCQ remains committed to empowering multicultural communities by providing essential support, education, and leadership training.

ECCQ and Multicultural Australia to host free grant writing workshop

Brisbane, March 31 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) and Multicultural Australia are set to host a free grant writing workshop on April 10, 2025. This online session aims to equip community members with the skills needed to successfully apply for grants.

The workshop will cover key aspects of grant writing, including identifying fundable project ideas, structuring grant applications, locating suitable

grants, and implementing effective strategies for success. Participants will also engage in practical exercises to enhance their grant writing skills. Community members interested in attending can register now to secure their spot. For further inquiries, contact advocacy@ eccq.com.au.

ECCQ to host first multicultural aged care expo in Toowoomba

Brisbane, March 27

The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) is set to host its first-ever Multicultural Aged Care Expo in Toowoomba on May 8, 2025. This no-cost event will bring together aged care service providers, government agencies, and multicultural communities in the Darling Downs Region. The Expo aims to foster meaningful discussions between aged care service providers and key stakeholders, focusing on how to deliver high-quality care, safeguard the rights of older Australians, and create supportive workplaces for multicultural workers. It will provide a platform for multicultural communities to ask questions about caregiving and explore options for in-home services, respite care, or aged care facilities,

giving these communities a voice in the care options available to them. The event will also educate attendees on the recent changes in the Aged Care Act, offering a valuable opportunity for engagement and learning. In addition to the information sessions, the Expo will showcase local community businesses, giving them an opportunity to sell their products. The event will also feature performances by local artists, providing entertainment and helping to foster social cohesion within the community. Through this event, ECCQ seeks to create a more inclusive and informed approach to aged care, ensuring that multicultural communities are well-supported and aware of the services available to them.

Credit: eccq.com.au

Workshops hosted to address alcohol & drug concerns in multicultural communities

Brisbane, March 28

Alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues are becoming an increasing concern within Queensland's multicultural communities, with significant physical and mental health impacts. In response, the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) organized two co-design consultation workshops this month in Brisbane and Logan, in collaboration with the Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN), to develop culturally appropriate educational

resources and reduce barriers to accessing AOD services. A total of 27 participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds and age groups attended the workshops, providing valuable insights and sharing ideas on the specific AOD-related needs within their communities. The feedback collected will be used to create tailored educational resources and refine existing services to ensure they meet the unique needs of multicultural groups. Further community consultations will be conducted to gather

additional feedback.

In addition to the workshops, ECCQ hosted its annual refresher training from March 17 to 19, 2025, ensuring that staff are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills to best serve their communities. The training included a hepatitis quiz to reinforce key information, as well as presentations from experts such as Joe Debattista, Sexual Health & BBV Coordinator at Metro North Public Health Unit, who updated staff on HIV, STIs, and sexuality

topics. Harpreet Kalsi-Smith from Kindness Company also delivered a crucial session on palliative care, addressing the needs of staff supporting clients at the end of life due to chronic hepatitis B, a major cause of liver cancer. Through these initiatives, ECCQ continues its commitment to improving the health and well-being of multicultural communities, providing them with the necessary resources and training to navigate complex health challenges. Credit: eccq.com.au

ECCQ calls for greater inclusion of multicultural communities in Federal Budget

Brisbane, March 26 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) has acknowledged the Australian Government’s 2025–26 Federal Budget for its targeted investments in multicultural initiatives but has expressed concerns over the lack of support for some of the most vulnerable communities. While the budget allocates $10 million in 2025–26 to support independent multicultural

media and $20 million over four years to fund projects benefiting African Australian communities, ECCQ believes this approach overlooks broader multicultural needs. The funding includes $4 million for the African Village initiative in Queensland, which ECCQ Chairperson Elijah Buol OAM describes as a positive step for African youth but insufficient in addressing challenges faced by multicultural youth more generally.

“Multicultural media plays a

significant role in highlighting stories that empower individuals from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds. By facilitating connections through their cherished languages, it promotes a greater understanding and appreciation of Australia’s rich cultural diversity,” said Buol. However, ECCQ has voiced concerns that broader multicultural youth issues, including intergenerational trauma, have been largely ignored. Mr. Buol emphasized that migration journeys often involve trauma, which, if left unaddressed, contributes to disengagement, education and employment barriers, and increased incarceration rates.

“The budget missed an opportunity to invest in programs that change how multicultural youth interact with the police and justice system. Funding should have been directed towards multicultural service providers to develop strategies that engage all multicultural youth, not just those of African background,” Buol stated.

ECCQ also noted the $7.7 million allocated to extend the Economic

Pathways to Refugee Integration program but described it as inadequate given the complexities involved in securing employment for refugee and migrant cohorts. Concerns over healthcare & housing

The budget’s $8.5 billion Medicare investment, $2.6 billion for aged care nurses’ salaries, and $573.3 million for women’s health were welcomed. However, ECCQ CEO Lisa Ward stressed the lack of targeted funding for CALD communities, particularly in mental health services.

“Our recent research shows that by 2050, 32% of the Australian population will be overseas-born. This requires greater planning, particularly in mental health. Despite years of health reforms, CALD mental health issues remain largely ignored, and this budget continues that trend,” Ward said.

ECCQ also raised concerns over the $58.8 million housing support package, arguing that it fails to address the unique challenges faced by migrants and refugees, such as rental barriers, housing stress, and homelessness.

“Finding rental housing is always a struggle for migrants,

especially those on temporary visas. Many lack the required identity documents and Australian rental history, making it difficult to secure housing,” Ward explained.

Call for more inclusive social cohesion funding

ECCQ also questioned the selective nature of social cohesion funding in the budget, noting a lack of significant investments to combat systemic racism.

“The real issue is not the scarcity of resources; it’s the lack of political will. If the government can afford funding for offshore resettlement, it should also provide adequate funding to meet the complex needs of refugees and migrants within Australia,” ECCQ stated.

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to working with all levels of government to develop policies that ensure migrants and refugees can integrate successfully and contribute to society.

ECCQ’s response highlights the need for a more inclusive approach in future budgets to ensure that all multicultural communities receive the support they need to thrive in Australia.

SSI launches Safe Healthy and Empowered Relationships Program for Afghan men

Brisbane, March 28 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Settlement Services International (SSI) has announced the opening of intake for its Safe Healthy and Empowered Relationships program (SHER), a 22-week domestic and family violence (DFV) perpetrator intervention program designed for Afghan men living in Logan, Brisbane, Gold Coast, or Moreton Bay. The program targets men who speak

Dari and have used violence against female family members, including wives, ex-wives, partners, sisters, or mothers, and who wish to identify strategies to prevent such violence in the future.

The SHER program aims to support participants in understanding and addressing the root causes of their violent behavior, helping them develop healthier relationships and avoid future harm. This initiative is a crucial part of SSI's commitment to promoting safer communities and empowering individuals to make positive changes in their lives.

The program's 22-week duration includes education, counseling,

and practical strategies aimed at fostering non-violent, respectful relationships. Participants will work with trained professionals to gain insights into their behavior and learn healthier ways of interacting with family members.

The SHER program represents a step forward in addressing domestic and family violence within the Afghan community in Queensland, providing a culturally sensitive approach to intervention and support. SSI encourages eligible individuals to enroll and take part in this opportunity to make lasting changes in their lives and their communities.

With inputs from eccq.com.au

MCCGC hosts workshop on migration pathways for skilled workers & families

Brisbane, March 31 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC) recently hosted a free workshop, ‘The Migration Pathway,’ aimed

at providing essential information on visa options and English proficiency requirements for migration to Australia.

Organized by MCCGC’s Employment and Training team,

the workshop covered skilled and employment visas, family visas, and English language preparation. The event featured presentations from two experts: Ben Naday, a registered migration agent, who outlined recent government changes to visa policies, and Michele Sanders, a Queensland-registered teacher and expert in IELTS and PTE, who provided insights into English language tests required for Australian visa applications. Over 50 attendees participated in the workshop, engaging with experts and gaining a clearer understanding of migration pathways. The event aimed to equip individuals with relevant information to navigate the migration process effectively.

MCCGC representatives recognized at Latino Women’s Awards

Brisbane, March 31 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Kyzzy and Maria Camila from the Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast’s (MCCGC) Employment and Training team were honoured at the recent Latino Women's Awards, organized by Events by Vivi. The award recognized their contributions to the community through their work at MCCGC.

Laura, MCCGC’s Wellbeing and

Connection team leader, also attended the event to support the honorees. The recognition highlights the impact of their efforts in assisting community members through employment, training, and social connection initiatives.

The award serves as acknowledgment of their commitment to community service and the positive changes they have facilitated within the multicultural community.

MHFA criticizes 2025-26 Federal Budget for failing multicultural communities

Melbourne, March 26 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Australia's oldest community-led multicultural mental health organisation, established in 1930, has expressed deep disappointment with the 2025-26 Federal Budget. In a recent press release, the organisation criticized the government's failure to adequately address the mental health needs of multicultural Australian communities. Despite the Federal Government allocating billions of dollars annually to Australia’s leading mental health organisations, experts like Professor Patrick McGorry have raised concerns about the sufficiency of these funds. Professor McGorry, along with other mental health experts, argues that with two in five Australians facing mental health challenges, the funding provided has proven insufficient.

The government’s focus on top-tier mental health organisations has not led to significant improvements in proactive care, and there is limited evidence that these organisations can effectively support all vulnerable Australians.

In contrast, grassroots organisations such as the Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA) are playing a critical role in filling the gap. These smaller, community-focused organisations are making a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable Australians, especially in the face of rising living costs, housing instability, and a sense of widespread insecurity. These pressures are particularly acute within multicultural communities, where access to mental health resources is limited, and stigma remains a significant barrier to seeking help.

At the MHFA’s Integrated Wellness Hub, counselling

sessions are provided each year for a nominal fee of $20 or free of charge to over 1,800 Australians facing disadvantage. The MHFA also operates 35 support groups that reach more than 6,000 people nationwide annually, offering essential mental health support in communities where it is most urgently needed.

The Wellness Hub model has been successful in addressing mental health challenges, offering a more holistic approach to treatment. By utilizing the talents of provisional psychology and counselling students, the Wellness Hub provides services to marginalised individuals who are often resistant to traditional medical treatment. This focus on lived experience, combined with a non-judgmental and safe environment, distinguishes the Wellness Hub from larger-scale treatment models that may not always meet the specific needs of these clients.

MHFA’s work has proven to be effective, transforming lives and uplifting families and communities. The organisation’s latest initiative, the Supportive Mind App, offers Australians free, holistic mental health support, focusing on early intervention, mental health education, and preventive care.

While the MHFA supports the need for increased mental health services nationwide, it stresses the importance of ensuring that taxpayer funds are used effectively and that services are proven to be successful. The Wellness Hub, with its demonstrated success, is presented as a model for expanding mental health services across Australia. The MHFA recently appealed to the Prime Minister for $5 million in funding per year for the next five years to establish similar hubs in major cities across the country.

It is with disappointment that the MHFA noted the lack of action in the recent Federal Budget on these key requests, including funding for much-needed psychosocial support. The organisation continues to advocate for increased funding and support for community-led, culturally appropriate mental health services, which it believes are crucial for improving the mental health outcomes of all Australians.

Bhartiya Samaj’s workshop empowers migrants with tools for success

Brisbane, March 28 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

A spirit of unity and empowerment filled the African Village in Moorooka recently as Bhartiya Samaj hosted its highly successful business, employment and training workshop. Drawing participants from across Brisbane’s vibrant multicultural communities, the event focused on equipping individuals with the knowledge, resources, and connections essential for

business and employment success.

The workshop featured expert speakers from TAFE Queensland, the Department of Trade, Employment & Training, and the Department of Customer Services, Open Data & Small and Family Business. Practical advice was shared on navigating employment systems, accessing government support, and launching or scaling small businesses.

The gathering was a celebration of diversity, with attendees and community leaders representing cultures from India, Africa, Europe, Turkey, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and beyond. It reflected Bhartiya Samaj’s commitment to building inclusive communities and fostering an environment where multicultural professionals and entrepreneurs can flourish. Distinguished guests included Senator Paul Scarr, Shadow Assistant Minister for

Multicultural Affairs Bisma Asif MP, and Consul General of India in Brisbane Neetu Bhagotia. Leaders from Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, Queensland African Communities Council, and grassroots organizations also joined, highlighting broad support for migrant advancement. With an eye towards the future, Bhartiya Samaj announced the Empowering Migrants Expo to be held on August 3, 2025 at

Brisbane City Hall and King George Square. Expected to attract over 7,000 attendees, the expo will feature the ‘Building Bridges: Multicultural Leaders Networking Lunch’, bringing together community champions and changemakers to strengthen Queensland’s multicultural fabric.

Together, Queensland communities are shaping a future driven by knowledge, inclusion, and empowerment.

GOPIO International Convention 2025 in Brisbane highlights diaspora’s technological impact

Brisbane, March 30 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The GOPIO International Convention 2025, held from March 28 to 30 at the Brisbane Marriott, celebrated the Indian diaspora’s growing role in shaping future technologies and global innovation. The convention, hosted by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), brought together political leaders, technology experts, entrepreneurs, and community leaders from around the world.

Among the high-profile attendees were Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, Consul

General of India in Queensland Neetu Bhagotia, Senator Paul Scarr, and The University of Queensland Chancellor Peter Varghese.

The convention’s theme, "The Diaspora's Role in Shaping Future Technologies," reflected the Indian diaspora’s expanding influence in fields such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, biomedical sciences, and photonics.

GOPIO Founder Dr. Thomas Abraham and GOPIO

International President Prakash Shah led the proceedings, while Convention Convenor Umesh Chandra OAM, also GOPIO’s International executive vice

president, set the tone with his opening address.

One of the standout sessions, “Diaspora Role in Shaping Future Technologies,” featured acclaimed speakers including Professor Rajendra Acharya, who highlighted AI in healthcare, and Dr. Ajay Pandey, who discussed integrated photonic systems. Their presentations demonstrated the diaspora’s impact on revolutionizing global healthcare and innovation.

In a key panel moderated by Professor Rajasekhar Vangapaty, NRIs and PIOs discussed how their unique experiences could unite to address global issues like discrimination, civil rights,

and economic advancement.

Panelists included Rohit Vyas, Kewal Kanda, and Professor Mohan Thite.

The convention also recognized the achievements of diaspora women in a session moderated by Nandini Sen Mehra. Speakers shared personal stories of balancing cultural identity, professional success, and community leadership. Youth were front and centre in a session led by Vasu Pawar, where young leaders and influencers shared their experiences using technology and social media to drive positive social change.

On March 30, GOPIO’s General Body Meeting marked the first

in-person session in years and saw Dr. Thomas Abraham re-elected as Chairperson of GOPIO International.

The final day featured the GOPIO Chamber of Commerce and Industry session, underscoring the importance of global networking for diaspora-owned businesses and SMEs.

The convention ended on a high note, with attendees energized by new partnerships and a renewed sense of purpose.

The 2025 GOPIO International Convention not only celebrated past accomplishments but also set the stage for future collaboration, innovation, and leadership within the global Indian community.

Gold Coast Islamic Community Centre opens with message of unity & inclusion

Brisbane, April 11 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The official opening of the Gold Coast Islamic Community Centre in Arundel on April 9, 2025, marked a significant milestone for the region’s multicultural and multi-faith landscape. More than 160 dignitaries and community leaders gathered to celebrate the launch of the state-of-the-art

facility, which aims to serve as a hub for worship, education, and intercultural engagement.

Among the prominent guests were Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, Queensland’s Minister for Multiculturalism Fiona Simpson MP, Senator Murray Watt, Senator Paul Scarr, Charis Mullen MP, and Lisa Ward, Chief Executive of the

Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland.

The event brought together a vibrant cross-section of Queensland’s multicultural and faith communities. Guests shared stories, experiences, and visions for a harmonious future, reflecting the Centre’s commitment to fostering understanding and unity.

“This is not just a building—it’s a symbol of our shared values and the power of coming together,” said one community representative at the event. A communal lunch offered further opportunity for connection, as guests enjoyed diverse cuisines and engaged in warm conversations.

The new Centre stands as a testament to the Gold Coast’s

growing diversity and the collective spirit that binds its communities. With a focus on dialogue, collaboration, and inclusion, the Gold Coast Islamic Community Centre promises to be a beacon of harmony for generations to come.

Residents airlifted to safety amid record-breaking flooding in Australian outback

Sydney, March 29 (IANS)

Residents have been airlifted to safety amid record-breaking flooding in remote northern Australia.

Over 100 homes have been flooded in a number of small towns over 1,000 kilometres west of Brisbane in the outback of the northeastern state of Queensland following record-breaking rainfall.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said in a major flood warning issued on Saturday that the floodwater peak in the region had surpassed the record-high set in 1974.

Residents of the small towns of Adavale and Jundah, as well as multiple remote properties,

were evacuated by air after the flooding cut off access by road.

Cattle farmer Geoff Lloyd, who was airlifted from his property on Thursday, told Nine Network television on Saturday that the losses in the region have been "horrific."

"I've been boating and living on that river for 30 years, and this is nothing we've ever seen," he said.

According to the industry body Meat and Livestock Australia, the area is one of Australia's most significant cattle farming regions, Xinhua news agency reported.

Lloyd said that local helicopter pilots had been working to save the lives of people and cattle but were running low on aviation fuel.

Speaking on the general election campaign trail in Brisbane on Saturday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that 2.5 million Australian dollars ($1.57 million) in federal and state funding had been allocated to

airdrop fodder for cattle affected by the flooding.

"We will make whatever resources are available, including the Australian Defence Force, it's possible that they might assist in some of the drops," he said.

As of Saturday morning, the BoM had major flood warnings in place for eight rivers and two creeks in the region.

People in the affected area have been urged to contact authorities to organise their evacuation by air.

On Saturday morning, Tropical Cyclone Dianne made landfall on the coast of Western Australia at 5 a.m.. The storm was set to weaken to below cyclone levels throughout the morning.

In the state of New South Wales, the BoM has forecast heavy rain for much of the day around Sydney and in the state's north.

The BoM predicted "widespread rain and the chance of thunderstorms across most areas, contracting to the east and clearing the far west of the state during the day."

Australian ecosystems facing multiple threats, warns report

Canberra, March 20 (IANS)

Record-breaking heat, mass coral bleaching, and biodiversity loss continue to threaten Australia's ecosystems, according to the latest Australia's Environment Report published on Thursday.

The report, produced annually by the Australian National University (ANU) and the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) after analysing extensive satellite, station, and field data, said Australia's environment showed a slight improvement in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of

above-average conditions.

However, Australia experienced its second-hottest year on record after 2019, with sea surface temperatures reaching all-time highs, which led to the fifth mass bleaching event in the Great Barrier Reef in under a decade and severe bleaching in Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef, the report said.

Habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate change continue to endanger native ecosystems. While 41 species were added to the threatened species list in 2024, down from a record 130 in 2023, it remains well above the long-term average of 25 per year, it said.

The Threatened Species Index shows an average 58 per cent decline in threatened species populations since 2000. However, report co-author Tayla Lawrie from the TERN noted a slight recent improvement,

suggesting possible stabilisation for some species, Xinhua news agency reported.

In 2024, Australia's environmental score reached 7.7 out of 10, a significant recovery from the disaster years of 2019 and 2020, when scores ranged from 0.4 to 2 after the Black Summer bushfires damaged the country's biodiversity, the report showed. Despite favourable rainfall improving vegetation and soil health, ANU Prof. Albert Van Dijk, lead author of the report, warns the environmental improvements of the last four years do not negate long-term concerns. As Australia's per capita greenhouse gas emissions remain among the highest in the world, Professor Van Dijk calls for investment in renewable energy, stronger land management policies, and enhanced biodiversity conservation efforts.

Cyclone Alfred exposed critical weaknesses in Australia’s infrastructure: Expert

Sydney, March 11 (IANS) Cyclone Alfred, which caused widespread power outage and flood in Australia's states of Queensland and New South Wales (NSW), has exposed critical weaknesses in the country's infrastructure, an expert has warned.

"We may not be so lucky next time. Australia must use Cyclone Alfred as a serious wake-up call to bolster our essential infrastructure against disasters," said Cheryl Desha, visiting professor of the School of Engineering and Built Environment, Sciences Group, Griffith University, in an article published on Monday in The Conversation. Cyclones are highly complex systems, bringing together

multiple hazards like powerful winds, flooding, storm surges, and coastal erosion, which makes predicting their impacts especially challenging, Desha said, adding Alfred lingered off the coast for nearly two weeks, sustained by the warm waters of the Coral Sea. Its movements became even more unpredictable due to the influence of a new moon, which triggered exceptionally high tides.

"Thousands of residents are mopping up in the wake of ex-Cyclone Alfred, which has damaged homes and cars, flooded roads and gouged out beaches," said Desha who also works for Natural Hazards Research Australia.

Power outages hit record levels, with more than 300,000 homes and businesses affected across both Queensland and NSW. Alfred also flooded and damaged

Proportion of Australian adults with diabetes rises to 6.6 pc

Canberra, March 31 (IANS) The proportion of Australian adults with diabetes has increased by almost one-third in the last decade, official data showed.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics on Monday released the first data from its National Health Measures Survey (NHMS), which was conducted between 2022 and 2024, revealing that 6.6 per cent of Australian adults have diabetes, up from 5.1 per cent in 2011-12.

It represents a 29.4 per cent increase in the prevalence of diabetes among Australian adults over the 12-year span.

The NHMS, which involved the collection of biomedical samples from participants aged 5 years and over from across Australia, found that another 2.7 per cent of Australian adults are at high risk of diabetes.

It found that males were more likely to have diabetes than females across all age groups.

"Adults living in the most disadvantaged areas are more likely to have diabetes than those in the least disadvantaged areas,"

James Mowles, ABS head of health statistics, said in a media release.

According to a World Health Organisation-supported study published in The Lancet in November 2024, global diabetes prevalence in adults rose from 7 per cent to 14 per cent between 1990 and 2022.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at the time that the increase in diabetes is "alarming" and called for countries to urgently take action to "bring the global diabetes epidemic under control".

A separate report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) in December estimated that 5.1 per cent of Australians, or just over 1.3 million people, were living with diagnosed diabetes in 2021, Xinhua news agency reported. The report said that the number of people living with diabetes in Australia increased almost 2.8-fold between 2000 and 2021.

According to the WHO, about 830 million people worldwide have diabetes, the majority living in low- and middle-income countries. More than half of the people living with diabetes are not receiving treatment. Both the number of people with diabetes and the number of people with untreated diabetes have been steadily increasing over the past decades.

Dengue fever kills three in Fiji

Suva, March 31 (IANS) A total of 3,671 dengue cases have been reported in Fiji from January 1 to March 9 this year, with three confirmed dengue fever deaths.

roads, causing scores of road closures and traffic signal outages.

As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events will become more frequent and severe. It is crucial to reduce the risk of infrastructure failure during these disasters, Desha said, stressing the role of connected vegetation, such as rows of mature trees, wetlands, and mangroves, which can help slow and retain water, and reduce its erosive force, lowering the risk of land degradation and infrastructure damage. Such vegetation allows water to seep into the ground, naturally filtering out debris and improving water quality, she wrote, adding city parks can be modified or upgraded to serve as detention basins, capturing water until it can safely drain away, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Western Division, where the outbreak was declared early last month, continues to lead the trend, with 2,077 laboratory-confirmed cases, the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation reported on Monday.

There have been more than 950 dengue hospital admissions so far this year, with more cases expected as health facilities continue to report new cases, the report said.

Cases of dengue fever are expected every year in Fiji during the rainy season, from October to April, and after heavy, unfavorable weather events.

The Health Ministry continues to urge the public to learn about dengue fever, take precautions to prevent infection, and seek medical attention early if they develop symptoms, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the World Health Organisation, dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection common in warm, tropical

climates. It is caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses (called serotypes), which can lead to a broad spectrum of symptoms, including some that are extremely mild (unnoticeable) to those who may require medical intervention and hospitalisation. In severe cases, fatalities can occur.

There is no treatment for the infection itself, but the symptoms that a patient experiences can be managed. In 2023, the WHO graded dengue as a Grade 3 emergency after outbreaks increased in several countries. Dengue epidemics tend to have seasonal patterns, with transmission often peaking during and after rainy seasons. Several factors contribute to this increase, including high mosquito population levels, susceptibility to circulating serotypes, favourable air temperatures, precipitation and humidity, all of which affect the reproduction and feeding patterns of mosquito populations, as well as the dengue virus incubation period.

Unplanned urbanisation and climatic factors such as heat waves and high temperatures have increased the intensity, frequency, duration and distribution of dengue in recent years. Lack of sustained surveillance and control interventions, as well as staff shortage, are some of the other challenges. The absence of an integrated programmatic approach continues to affect countries.

OUR TAKE

Remembering the Holocaust

Lessons

from Myanmar’s

earthquake:

A call for peace, cooperation & Humanity

Natural disasters have an unparalleled ability to strip away the superficial divides that humans have constructed over centuries. The recent earthquake in Myanmar is yet another stark reminder that, in the face of destruction, human suffering knows no ethnic, religious, or political boundaries. For a nation long plagued by internal conflicts and authoritarian rule, this catastrophe has exposed both the fragility of human existence and the necessity for unity. The tragedy should not just be an occasion for mourning; it should serve as a wake-up call to reimagine a Myanmar—and a world—where peace, cooperation, and humanity triumph over division and discord.

Myanmar’s recent earthquake left behind a trail of death, destruction, and despair. Towns and villages were reduced to rubble, homes crumbled, and thousands were displaced in a matter of minutes. The disaster did not differentiate between Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, or Hindu, nor did it spare the dominant Bamar ethnicity over the Rohingya, Karen, or Shan communities. It was a catastrophe that affected all indiscriminately, compelling different communities to come together in rescue and relief efforts.

The most striking images from the aftermath were not of people clinging to their religious or ethnic identities, but of individuals helping one another without concern for these differences. Volunteers from different backgrounds dug through debris together, medical teams treated victims without asking about their affiliations, and international aid organizations, often criticized for their selectiveness, rushed in to provide relief. The unity witnessed in the aftermath should serve as a powerful lesson: if people can set aside their differences during times of crisis, they must also learn to do so in times of normalcy. Myanmar’s history is riddled with ethnic and religious tensions, many of which have been exacerbated by its political regimes. The country’s military rulers have long exploited these divisions to maintain their grip on power, systematically suppressing minority groups while promoting policies that deepen sectarian strife. The Rohingya crisis, which saw thousands of Muslims driven from their homes, remains one of the most glaring examples of state-sponsored persecution.

The Karen and Kachin ethnic conflicts, among others, have also resulted in significant bloodshed and displacement.

For years, Myanmar has been a nation where divisions have been deliberately maintained for political advantage. The government’s policies have often favored the dominant Bamar

ethnicity and Buddhist majority, marginalizing ethnic and religious minorities. Even as the country attempted a transition to democracy, the deep-seated prejudices and systemic inequalities persisted, preventing true national unity. Yet, when the earthquake struck, none of those divisions mattered. In that moment, the need for food, shelter, and medical assistance transcended political ideologies and historical grievances. What did matter was that people were suffering—and suffering in the same way. This reality should not fade away once the debris is cleared and normal life resumes.

Myanmar’s people and its leadership must recognize that the divisions they have sustained for decades are artificial barriers that serve no purpose in a just and humane society.

The world’s response to Myanmar’s earthquake was swift. Nations that may have once held political differences with Myanmar offered aid, showing that in times of dire need, human empathy outweighs geopolitical conflicts. International organizations, including those from Western and Islamic nations, worked alongside local charities to provide immediate relief, demonstrating that humanity is indeed borderless. This response should be a lesson for global diplomacy. Just as nations come together to provide relief in the wake of natural disasters, they must also cooperate to prevent conflicts and uphold human rights. The humanitarian approach seen in the aftermath of the earthquake should be applied to resolving Myanmar’s long-standing conflicts. Instead of imposing sanctions that often hurt the most vulnerable, the international community should encourage dialogue, promote inclusive policies, and push for a governance model that values all ethnicities and religions equally.

If Myanmar is to rebuild—not just its infrastructure but also its national identity—it must recognize the futility of division and the strength in unity.

Political leaders, civil society, and ordinary citizens must acknowledge that the same hands that cleared rubble together can also work together to build a peaceful society. The lesson from this tragedy is simple: all people, regardless of their backgrounds, deserve dignity, security, and the right to coexist peacefully. First, Myanmar’s political system must undergo reforms that genuinely embrace inclusivity. The military and civilian leadership must work to dismantle discriminatory policies and ensure equal rights for all. Laws that marginalize ethnic minorities should be repealed, and efforts should be made to promote interethnic and interfaith understanding.

Second, the media and education systems must play a role in ... continued on next page

Nepal’s political crisis

Why a Constitutional Monarchy with Parliamentary Democracy is the path forward

Nepal is once again facing political turmoil as pro-monarchy activists and supporters of the current republican system clash over the country’s future. The protests, demonstrations, and increasing polarization indicate a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the existing political system. The republican model adopted in 2008 was supposed to bring stability, progress, and democratic governance, yet the country continues to struggle with corruption, inefficiency, and administrative failure. The ongoing crisis demonstrates that neither complete monarchy nor absolute republicanism can provide a sustainable solution. Instead, Nepal must consider reinstating a constitutional monarchy alongside a parliamentary democracy to ensure political stability, effective governance, and national unity.

The roots of the crisis

The current crisis stems from the dissatisfaction of a significant portion of the Nepalese population with the performance of the republican system. The abolition of the monarchy in 2008 was driven by the desire to establish a more democratic governance structure. However, the transition to a federal democratic republic has not yielded the expected results. Instead, Nepal has faced frequent changes in government, political instability, and a governance system plagued by inefficiency and corruption.

Pro-monarchy activists argue that the removal of the monarchy has weakened Nepal’s cultural identity and political stability.

The former King Gyanendra, despite his controversial reign, still holds a symbolic place in the hearts of many Nepalese citizens who see the monarchy as a unifying institution. Meanwhile, those in favor of the current regime argue that Nepal’s transition to a republic was a necessary step toward modernization and democratic values. However, the lack of governance efficiency and increasing discontent among the people suggest that a middle path—constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy—might be the most viable solution.

Why Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy is the solution

A constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy provides the balance Nepal needs between tradition and modern governance. This system has worked effectively in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan, and Sweden, allowing for both stability and democratic participation.

One of the biggest challenges Nepal has faced since becoming a republic is political instability. Frequent government changes, infighting among political parties, and the failure to establish long-term policies have hindered national development. A constitutional monarchy provides a stable institution that remains above party politics, offering that often have regional or ideological loyalties, a king, under a constitutional framework, could act

as a neutral figure representing all Nepalese people. This unity is crucial in a country with diverse communities and deep-rooted historical divisions.continuity even as governments change. The monarchy has historically played a role in uniting Nepal’s diverse ethnic, linguistic, and regional groups. Unlike political parties

The parliamentary system, when combined with a constitutional monarchy, ensures that elected officials remain accountable to the people while maintaining a stable national identity. In countries like the UK and Japan, constitutional monarchies function effectively by keeping the monarchy out of direct governance while allowing elected representatives to handle administration. Nepal can adopt a similar model, where the monarch plays a ceremonial role while the prime minister and parliament handle governance. One of the major criticisms of Nepal’s republican system is its failure to curb corruption and mismanagement. Successive governments have been accused of nepotism, inefficient policymaking, and a lack of accountability. A constitutional monarchy, with its symbolic authority, can serve as a moral check on the political system, discouraging unchecked corruption and power struggles. Nepal has a rich history and cultural identity that is deeply intertwined with its monarchy. The removal of the monarchy has created a sense of loss among many Nepalese who see the institution as a symbol of national pride. Reinstating the monarchy under a constitutional framework would restore this cultural heritage while ensuring that governance remains democratic.

Addressing the concerns of republican supporters

While the idea of restoring a constitutional monarchy is gaining traction, many republican supporters argue that doing so would be a step backward. Their concerns include fears of authoritarian rule, loss of democratic rights, and a return to feudalism. However, these concerns can be addressed by ensuring that the monarchy is strictly limited to a ceremonial role, with no direct influence over governance. The parliamentary democracy would continue to function independently, with elected representatives holding actual power. Countries such as the UK, Canada, and Japan have successfully maintained constitutional monarchies without compromising democratic values. Nepal can learn from these examples and adopt a system where the king acts as a symbol of national unity without interfering in political affairs. The way forward

For Nepal to successfully transition to a constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy, several steps must be taken: A nationwide referendum should be held to allow the people to decide whether they support the reinstatement of a constitutional

monarchy. A democratic approach to the issue will ensure that the decision reflects the will of the people. If the people vote in favour of restoring the monarchy, necessary amendments must be made to the constitution to define the role of the monarch strictly as a ceremonial head of state. This will prevent any possibility of authoritarian rule while maintaining the democratic structure. Regardless of whether Nepal adopts a constitutional monarchy, it is crucial to strengthen democratic institutions, promote transparency, and ensure the rule of law. Political parties must commit to governance that prioritizes national interest over personal gains.

Engaging all political stakeholders, including monarchy supporters, republicans, and civil society groups, in open discussions can help find common ground and ease tensions. A collective decision-making process will reduce resistance to change.

The Nepalese people must be well-informed about the benefits and limitations of a constitutional monarchy. Public discussions, media campaigns, and educational programs should be conducted to ensure a well-informed decision.

Conclusion Nepal stands at a crossroads, facing a political crisis that threatens its stability and progress. The current republican system has struggled to deliver effective governance, while the outright restoration of an absolute monarchy would be a step backward. The best solution lies in a middle path: a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. This system would provide political stability, restore national unity, and uphold democratic values while maintaining Nepal’s cultural heritage. The monarchy, with its historical significance, could act as a unifying force, while a democratically elected government ensures accountability and progress. The success of this model in other nations proves that Nepal, too, can benefit from such a system. The ongoing protests and divisions should serve as a reminder that Nepal needs a governance model that works for all its people, not just a select few. A constitutional monarchy, alongside a parliamentary democracy, is the key to ensuring Nepal’s long-term peace, stability, and development. The time for political leaders and citizens alike to seriously consider this path is now.

Ethiopia launches cholera vaccination for 1 million at-risk people

Addis Ababa, April 1 (IANS)

The Ethiopian government has launched a cholera vaccination campaign in the southwestern part of the country, targeting about one million people at risk. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health said the vaccination will be conducted in all zones of the country's Gambella Region and refugee camps during the coming week.

It came as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and various other humanitarian agencies

called for concerted efforts to contain the "rapidly spreading" cholera outbreak across the Gambella Region, bordering South Sudan.

Ethiopian Minister of Health Mekdes Daba, addressing the launch event, said that in addition to expanding access to cholera vaccines, maintaining environmental and personal hygiene are essential proactive measures to prevent cholera outbreaks.

On Monday, the international medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) warned that the humanitarian crisis is "rapidly unfolding" on both sides of the South Sudan-Ethiopia border, as escalating violence, displacement and "a widespread cholera outbreak" are pushing communities to the brink.

Noting that South Sudan has been grappling with cholera outbreaks since last year, the MSF said the latest wave, which

began in Upper Nile State, is now spreading further in the country and across the border into Ethiopia's Gambella Region.

The WHO also raised the alarm over the rapid spread of the disease, warning that the outbreak, which was first detected in Gambella's Akobo District early last month, has since spread to eight districts and four refugee camps, Xinhua news agency reported.

Humanitarian agencies have called for urgent support to health facilities and the provision of safe water, as unsafe water and inadequate hygiene and sanitation are fueling the spread of cholera.

They said that the escalating clashes between the government forces and armed groups in South Sudan's Upper Nile State have led to increased cross-border movements, with refugees and injured people fleeing to Ethiopia, further exacerbating the cholera outbreak in Ethiopia's Gambella Region.

South Africa to uphold diplomacy while sticking to principled positions, says minister

Johannesburg, April 1 (IANS)

South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola reaffirmed the country's commitment to diplomacy, emphasising that it will remain firm on its principled positions. Speaking on Monday at the opening of the inaugural Annual Aziz Pahad Peace, Security, and Human Rights Dialogue in Pretoria, the country's administrative capital, Lamola noted that South Africa will not engage in "trading insults" with any country, Xinhua news agency

reported.

"We're practicing diplomacy. We're not in the business of trading insults with anyone in the world. We will remain firm on our principled positions. We will continue to pursue our national interest in line with diplomatic decorum," Lamola said. "If we disagree with any country, it should not be on the basis of insults but the substance of the matter."

He further noted that South Africa valued its "mutually beneficial trade relations" with the United States, and the government remained committed to extending a "hand to bridge our recently challenging relationship with the US."

While Pretoria was open to mending its strained ties with Washington, it remained firm on its policies, including taking the Israeli government to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2023 over alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip. Addressing international relations matters at the African National Congress media briefing on Sunday, Lamola said

South Africa is not prepared to withdraw its case at The Hague. "This is a matter that we will not withdraw from the court, which we have already put. This is a matter that we will not compromise. There are issues of progressive internationalism that we cannot compromise on, including the issue of the ICJ. This is an issue of international law, which has to be respected by everyone," he said.

Speaking at the Monday dialogue, Lamola also asserted that South Africa would continue to pursue its redress policies, including the Expropriation Act, despite its role in recent tensions with Washington.

He said these policies were enshrined in the country's constitution. "The foundational elements of redress are powerfully articulated in the preamble of the Constitution. As a sovereign state, we will continue to pursue the transformative objective as recently outlined in the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, the National Health Insurance Act, and the Expropriation Act."

Uganda to start next phase of mpox vaccination with 100,000 additional doses

Kampala, March 31 (IANS)

Uganda has received an additional 100,000 doses of the mpox vaccine from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to support the next phase of its prevention campaign, said a senior health official on Monday. Henry Kyobe Bosa, incident commander at the Ministry of Health, told Xinhua via telephone that the vaccines will be distributed to areas with the highest

transmission rates of the mpox virus, with young adults aged 25 to 35 being prioritised in the next round of vaccination.

According to the Ministry of Health, the upcoming phase of the vaccination campaign will focus on high-risk areas in the capital of Kampala, including Rubaga, Nakawa, and Central divisions. The campaign will also cover key districts in central Uganda, such as Mukono, Wakiso, Buvuma, Nakasongola, and Masaka, as well as the western districts of Mbarara and Hoima.

Uganda launched its first round of mpox vaccination campaign in February, targeting high-risk populations, including individuals engaged in commercial sex

Uganda engages Congo following attack on humanitarian aircraft

Kampala, April 1 (IANS) Uganda is engaging with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after militants fired at a humanitarian aircraft in eastern DRC, killing one person, a military spokesperson said.

Chris Magezi, a Ugandan military spokesperson, said in a statement issued late Monday that the International Committee of the Red Cross had contracted the

Ocean Heights Aviation Training Centre in Uganda to evacuate its humanitarian staff caught in the conflict in South Kivu province in eastern DRC.

As the aircraft, a Cessna Caravan flying from Uganda's Entebbe International Airport to Kavumu Airport in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, approached its destination on Thursday, it came under attack, Magezi said. "They (the pilots) flew there but landed when the security situation had dramatically changed. Reports suggest that one person on the aircraft was shot and succumbed to the injuries. The government of Uganda, through relevant diplomatic channels, is following up on this matter," Magezi said.

Ugandan military tightens border security after deadly clashes in neighbouring Congo

Kampala, March 27 (IANS) The Ugandan military has intensified screening and surveillance along its border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following last week's clashes that left 242 Congolese militiamen dead.

Chris Magezi, acting spokesperson for the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF), told Xinhua by phone on Thursday that the army, police,

internal security agencies, and local councils are on high alert to prevent armed groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), from infiltrating Uganda and launching retaliatory attacks. Last week, the Ugandan military announced it had killed 242 armed Lendu militants under the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO), who are reportedly allied with the ADF. "The UPDF and all sister security agencies are working together. We are constantly vigilant. We trust our systems to receive those who seek safety and security, treat them humanely, and provide support while identifying any wrong elements," said Magezi. "We are closely monitoring for any wrong elements attempting to enter Uganda.

Lessons from Myanmar’s earthquake: A call for peace, cooperation & Humanity

... continued from previous page

work, bar attendants, commuter taxi drivers, commercial motorcyclists, and roadside vendors in the Kawempe and Makindye divisions of Kampala.

During this initial phase, the country vaccinated 10,000 individuals in the most affected districts, according to the Ministry of Health.

Uganda confirmed the outbreak of mpox last August and has since recorded 4,810 laboratory-confirmed cases and 37 deaths. Most of the deceased had underlying health conditions, such as HIV/ AIDS, malnutrition, and diabetes. Last week, the World Health Organisation warned that Uganda currently has the highest number of community-transmitted mpox cases globally.

shaping a new narrative—one that does not reinforce old prejudices but instead fosters a sense of national unity. Young generations must be taught that their fellow citizens are not enemies because of their religious or ethnic identities, but rather partners in building a better future.

Finally, Myanmar’s religious and community leaders must take responsibility for promoting messages of harmony rather than division. The earthquake has shown that people of different faiths can come together for a common cause. That spirit should not dissipate once the immediate crisis subsides. Religious leaders must actively discourage sectarianism and instead preach the values of compassion, cooperation, and shared humanity.

The earthquake in Myanmar has been a tragedy, but it has also provided an opportunity—a moment for reflection on the deeper issues that have long

plagued the nation. It has exposed the artificiality of divisions and demonstrated the power of collective humanity. The challenge now is to ensure that the lessons learned in crisis do not fade with time.

Myanmar has a choice: it can either return to its old ways of ethnic strife and political oppression, or it can seize this moment to forge a new path— one built on unity, cooperation, and human dignity. The world, too, has a role to play in supporting this transformation, not just with aid but with sustained efforts to promote peace and reconciliation. If disaster can bring people together, then humanity has no excuse to remain divided when there is no crisis. The earthquake has shaken Myanmar, but it has also shaken the very foundations of its long-standing divisions. It is now up to the people and leaders of Myanmar to decide whether they will rebuild the same fractured society or construct a new, united future.

South Korean police to deploy 14,000 personnel in Seoul as court poised to rule on Yoon’s impeachment

Seoul, April 1 (IANS) South Korean police have decided to deploy some 14,000 personnel in Seoul, according to sources familiar with the matter on Tuesday, as the Constitutional Court is poised to rule on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment case later this week.

The court said it will deliver its verdict on whether to dismiss or reinstate Yoon over his failed martial law bid on Friday. For months, political polarisation has deepened between supporters and opponents of Yoon's impeachment over his failed martial law bid.

The National Police Agency placed police forces on the

"Gapho" alert, the highest level that puts all available police forces on emergency standby, starting Thursday midnight.

In addition, police will immediately arrest those who attempt to break into the Constitutional Court compound and have beefed up security services for all Constitutional Court justices. Should Yoon decide to attend the court for the verdict, police will take measures to secure the pathway from the Presidential residence to the Constitutional Court, and separate the protesters calling for or against Yoon's impeachment on the way.

Yoon's legal representatives said a decision was yet to be made on whether Yoon will attend the court on Friday, Yonhap news agency reported.

Shortly after the court's announcement of a date for Yoon's impeachment ruling, anti-Yoon protesters near Gwanghwamun

Square, where they were holding an overnight sit-in, welcomed it and shouted "immediate ouster" of the suspended President.

Yoon Bok-nam, the President of Lawyers for a Democratic Society, also known as Minbyun, told reporters that the date for Yoon's impeachment ruling "came much too late, but it is still a relief".

However, pro-Yoon protesters near the Constitutional Court chanted "dismiss impeachment" while waving Korean and American flags.

Police had reportedly mobilised some 3,200 personnel near the Constitutional Court as of Tuesday afternoon following the court's announcement.

They plan to turn the area around the court into a "vacuum state" by blocking access by the public, prompting pro-Yoon groups to remove tents installed near the court.

China’s provocations threaten regional peace, says Taiwan after Beijing’s military drills

Taipei, April 1 (IANS) Strongly condemning China's joint military drill around Taiwan, Taipei on Tuesday said that Beijing's provocations are threatening regional peace.

This comes after 19 Chinese Navy ships operating around Taiwan were detected on Tuesday morning.

The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defence condemned the move, which it called a disruption to the status quo, and said it had deployed military vessels and aircraft in response to the threats.

"19 Chinese Navy ships operating around Taiwan were detected on Tuesday morning. Taiwan's Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities," the defence

ministry stated. The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded China stop destabilising the status quo and Indo-Pacific peace and stability through "reckless behaviour."

Taking to X, the ministry posted, "We strongly condemn China's joint military drills near Taiwan. CCP's provocations from the East & South China Seas to Oceania threaten regional peace. We urge Beijing to stop destabilising the status quo & Indo-Pacific peace & stability through reckless behaviour."

Meanwhile, the defence ministry said that Taiwan adheres to the principle of "no escalation of conflict, no provocation of disputes, responding prudently to grey-zone harassment to safeguard national sovereignty and the security of the people."

The drills took place after US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth left Taiwan following visits to Japan and the

Philippines. During his visit, he criticised China and said Japan was "indispensable" for tackling Chinese aggression.

"Taiwan is their best excuse. That's why they chose to launch such military drills as soon as the US defence secretary left Asia," Taiwan's leading newspaper, Taipei Times, reported, quoting an official.

The defence ministry, earlier on Tuesday, said that the PLA Navy vessels, led by the aircraft carrier, Shandong, were detected from March 29 and entered into Taiwan's response zone. It said that Taiwanese forces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly."

The ministry statement read that China continues to escalate military activities in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region, like intensifying military threats and challenging the international order and regional stability, thereby becoming the greatest "troublemaker" in the eyes of the international community.

South Korea: Parties give mixed response to court’s imminent verdict on Yoon’s impeachment

Seoul, April 1 (IANS) The South Korean rival political parties gave mixed responses on Tuesday to an imminent ruling by the Constitutional Court on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, with the ruling party voicing hope that the case would be dismissed, and the main Opposition party saying Yoon should be removed from office.

At 11 a.m. on Friday, the court will decide whether to reinstate or dismiss Yoon, who was impeached by the National Assembly on charges of violating the Constitution and laws

through his brief imposition of martial law on December 3.

"We expect every justice of the Constitutional Court to make a neutral and impartial decision in consideration of national interests," the ruling People Power Party (PPP)'s interim leader, Kwon Young-se, told reporters.

Kwon expressed hope that Yoon's impeachment motion would be dismissed, stressing that the Opposition parties should respect whatever outcome is ultimately reached.

The main Opposition Democratic Party (DP), meanwhile, welcomed the court's decision to deliver the ruling this week, stressing that the court should formally remove Yoon from office.

"It's at least a relief that the ruling is scheduled for Friday,"

DP floor leader Park Chan-dae said. "The best verdict to quell

Seoul, March 27 (IANS) South Korea's financial regulator on Thursday asked Hanwha Aerospace to submit a revised filing over its plan to raise 3.6 trillion won (US$2.5 billion) in capital through a stock sale, citing insufficient information for investors.

The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) said it found the filing by the South Korean defence equipment manufacturer lacking in key areas, including the rationale for the rights offering, communication with shareholders and the intended use of the proceeds.

The FSS said it will thoroughly assess the revised registration once submitted to ensure the requested changes are fully reflected, reports Yonhap news agency.

In a regulatory filing a week ago, the company said the stock sale was part of its broader global investment plans in future growth sectors. The announcement triggered a sharp decline in the company's share price

due to concerns over dilution of existing shareholders' stakes. Market observers have noted that Hanwha Aerospace's investment direction is promising but criticized its choice of capital increase amid the company's already strong financial position.

Hanwha Aerospace said it intends to fully cooperate with the authorities' request, adding that it understands it as being a procedure for a capital increase.

Hanwha Aerospace’s abrupt decision to raise $2.5 billion through a stock sale sent shock waves through the local financial market, sparking criticism over its funding strategy for future investments. In a regulatory filing the previous day, the company said the stock sale was part of its broader global investment plans in future growth sectors. The proceeds will be used to acquire strategic production bases in Europe, the Middle East, Australia and the United States as it expects more opportunities amid a rearmament push in Europe and U.S. efforts to bolster its shipbuilding industry, it said. Despite the company's growth prospects, investors reacted negatively to the announcement. Experts said Hanwha Aerospace's investment direction is promising but criticised its choice of capital increase despite the company's strong financial position.

Trade chiefs of S. Korea, China, Japan discuss advancing cooperation

Seoul, March 30 (IANS) The top trade officials of South Korea, China and Japan on Sunday discussed bolstering trade cooperation among the three countries in their first trilateral ministerial meeting in six years, held amid growing protectionism and tensions in the global trade market.

and end the current situation surrounding the insurrection is without a doubt to dismiss Yoon -- the mastermind behind the insurrection."

Park expressed confidence that the court would rule unanimously in favour of Yoon's impeachment, Yonhap news agency reported. Currently, the court has an eight-member Bench, and consent by at least six standing judges is necessary to uphold Yoon's impeachment. Yoon was impeached on December 14 over his failed bid to impose martial law.

It took 63 days for former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun to be reinstated and 92 days for former President Park Geun-hye to be removed from office from the passage of their impeachment motions.

The 13th Trilateral Economic and Trade Ministers' Meeting among the Republic of Korea, Japan and the People's Republic of China took place in Seoul, involving South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Japanese Trade Minister Yoji Muto, reports Yonhap news agency.

It marked the first time since December 2019 that the industry ministers of the three nations held a trilateral meeting, as well as the first such meeting taking place in Seoul in 10 years.

The 2019 meeting was held in Beijing. Sunday's meeting was a follow-up to the summit of the three countries' leaders held in Seoul last year.

"Amid the rapidly changing global economic and trade environment, the meeting of the three countries' trade ministers for the first time in six years carries significant resonance not only for the three nations but also for the international community," Ahn said in his

opening remarks.

He called for efforts to create a "stable" environment for global trade by restoring the role of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Ahn also urged the three countries to join hands to respond to current issues in the global trade market, such as the rise of new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation of economies and supply chain cooperation on critical minerals.

In a joint statement released after the meeting, the three ministers said they support the "rules-based, open, inclusive, transparent, non-discriminatory multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core."

The ministers called for the reform of the WTO to strengthen its functions, including negotiations, monitoring, deliberation and dispute settlement, as part of efforts to help the organisation better respond to current trade challenges.

In Sunday's meeting, the three ministers agreed to speed up negotiations for the proposed trilateral free trade agreement (FTA) to realize a high-quality and mutually beneficial FTA while advancing the regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP), the joint statement read. RCEP is one of the world's biggest free trade agreements, which South Korea, China and Japan have signed. The 15 member nations of RCEP account for around 30 percent of the global gross domestic product, population and trade volume.

Pakistan to begin deportation of Afghan refugees as deadline ends

Islamabad, April 1 (IANS)

Pakistan will begin deportation of Afghan refugees from Tuesday as the deadline for voluntary return ended on March 31.

A report published in state-run Radio Pakistan said that “strict legal action would be initiated against the concerned individuals” since the specified date has passed. The report also stated that so far, 878,972 Afghan refugees have voluntarily returned to Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the Afghan Taliban government called upon Islamabad not to start the deportation of Afghan nationals. Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, Afghanistan’s Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, has urged neighboring countries, Pakistan and Iran, to halt these

deportations and allow Afghans to return home voluntarily.

“He emphasised the importance of humane treatment for refugees, especially in light of reports of mistreatment of Afghans by border nations, including instances where individuals holding legal visas were also deported,” Afghan government-run Bakhtar News Agency reported.

A day before, the Pakistan law enforcement agencies in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were ordered to arrest and deport Afghan refugees as the government’s deadline for Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders to leave the country ended on Monday.

The Rawalpindi Police chief has directed the superintendents of the Rawal, Potohar, and Saddar divisions to take legal action against illegal Afghan nationals residing or working in the district, Pakistan's leading newspaper Dawn reported, quoting sources.

“We have received directions that all Afghan nationals holding

ACC cards must be expelled from Rawalpindi and Islamabad,” a police official told Dawn. Additionally, the directives state that Afghans holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards who are residing in the twin cities have to leave Pakistan in line with the government policy. The deadline set for PoR cardholders to leave the country is June 30, 2025. Pakistan’s deportation policy has come under scrutiny with several international organisations condemning the act. They have raised concern over the grave risks faced by the refugees upon their return amid uncertainties in Afghanistan.

Earlier, US-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch slammed Pakistan for the “forced” deportation of Afghan refugees.

“Pakistani officials should immediately stop coercing Afghans to return home and give those facing expulsion the opportunity to seek protection,” said Elaine Pearson, Asia Director at the Human Rights Watch.

Nepal: PM Oli warns of legal actions against pro-monarchy protestors, former king

Kathmandu, April 1 (IANS)

Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli warns of legal action against pro-monarchy supporters for leading the violent protests that engulfed the South Asian nation.

Oli stated that even former king Gyanendra Shah would not be spared if found guilty in the March 28 violence, local media reported.

Addressing a meeting of the House of Representatives on Monday, the Prime Minister accused Shah of inciting protesters through a video statement. Oli said that those involved in criminal activities, including the former king, would not be exempted from punishment. "Shouldn't those who aspire to

reclaim the throne publicly state their position on the protest and its outcomes?" Oli questioned.

"He (ex-king) will not be granted impunity. Those attempting to overthrow the current system and reinstate the monarchy must clarify their stance on the events of March 28. The perpetrators of these horrific acts must face stringent legal action," Oli said in Parliament.

While addressing the Parliament, he warned lawmakers from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) to desist from destroying the Constitution, pointing out that they were oath-bound to protect the charter.

Meanwhile, Oli's speech triggered protests in the Parliament from lawmakers of the RPP.

The party chief Rajendra Lingden accused republican parties of fostering corruption since the monarchy's abolition in 2008, reports the leading Nepalese daily, The Kathmandu Post.

Speaking in the House meeting after the Prime Minister's address, RPP leader Lingden warned that if the people wished, the republican system could be overturned.

"Were only protesters responsible for the riots? Was it not the government's duty to take the situation under control?" he said.

Lingden further alleged that security forces used expired tear gas from rooftops, exacerbating tensions. Additionally, he called for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the incident at Tinkune in Kathmandu.

Earlier, two leaders of the RPP -- senior vice president Rabindra Mishra and General Secretary Dhawal Sumsher Rana -- were arrested for being involved in the protest.

The two leaders were charged with treason by the Kathmandu District Court (KDC), which also extended their remand till Tuesday.

Bangladesh: Several injured, vehicles torched in clash between BNP and Jamaat

Dhaka, April 1 (IANS) Several people were injured, and vehicles were torched in a violent clash between two major political parties in Bangladesh -- Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami. A total of four shops were vandalised, five motorcycles and a van were set ablaze, and dozens were injured during the conflict. The conflict erupted in the Bausa union of Rajshahi's Bagha upazila centering on an earlier dispute over alleged corruption in distributing Vulnerable Group

Development (VGD) cards, local media reported. Local witnesses stated that the violence began when the student wing of BNP, Chhatra Dal activists, allegedly attacked Jamaat's student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir.

In retaliation, Shibir activists later assaulted BNP men. Following these incidents, BNP supporters allegedly ransacked shops and torched vehicles belonging to Jamaat sympathisers, the leading Bangladeshi newspaper, The Daily Star, reported. Both BNP and Jamaat blamed each other for initiating the clash. Following a police-mediated resolution between both parties recently, Jamaat claimed that BNP supporters targeted their members,

Villages in Bangladesh’s Satkhira inundated amid Eid celebrations as embankments collapse

Dhaka, March 31 (IANS) It was an unhappy Eid for residents of Bangladesh's Satkhira district as at least 10 villages were flooded as the embankment in Khulpetua River collapsed on Monday during the festival celebrations. An area resident said that water had already inundated Bichat, Ballavpur, Nayakhali, Anulia, and six nearby villages, submerging homes and fish farms. He stated that if immediate action was not taken, several surrounding areas could also face severe flooding, according to media reports.

including an attempted murder of a student leader on March 30. Additionally, Jamaat reported attacks on their activists' homes and businesses, leading to injuries and financial losses. They demanded justice and urged authorities to take action against those responsible. However, BNP leader Rejaul, refuting the Jamaat's allegation, claimed that their Chhatra Dal leader Rajib Ahmed was having tea after iftar when a group of Shibir activists launched an unprovoked attack on him. "Rajib is currently undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in a critical condition. No legal action has been taken yet. We will proceed once Rajib recovers," he said.

A local journalist stated that the embankment had shown signs of erosion a month earlier. He said that repair work began, but the embankment collapsed before completion, causing significant damage to the area, local media reported.

Meanwhile, a leader of the Union Parishad stated that the Bangladesh Water Development Board officials were on holiday and had not visited the area yet. Reports suggest that several embankments have collapsed in recent times in Bangladesh, leaving thousands of families stranded.

Last month, around 1200 bighas of Boro paddy fields were submerged after the Harina canal embankment collapsed in Jashore district in Bangladesh. Locals claimed flood waters entered fish enclosures, washing away fish worth 1 crore Bangladeshi taka. Bangladesh has been grappling with several crises since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus came to power after the Sheikh Hasina government fell suddenly amidst widespread protests.

"Around 150 feet of the embankment near Abdur Rahim Sardar’s shrimp enclosure suddenly collapsed into the Khulpetua River. The matter was immediately announced over the mosque’s loudspeaker, urging villagers to rush to the breach site. The villagers attempted to construct an alternative ring embankment through voluntary efforts," Ziarul Islam, a former Union Parishad member from Bishchot village, was quoted as saying by Bangladesh’s leading newspaper, the Dhaka Tribune. "However, despite trying for over three and a half hours, we could not prevent the disaster. By 11.30 a.m., the remnants of the embankment gave way under the force of the strong tidal surge, allowing water to enter the locality,” Islam added.

Unprecedented militancy: Deadly Ramadan in Pakistan with record attacks

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS)

During this year's (2025) Ramadan, Pakistan experienced a surge in militant violence, marking the highest number of attacks in a decade. This was disclosed in a new report released by a think tank on Monday.

Interestingly, the militant groups which had previously observed ceasefires during Ramadan continued to target people frequently during this holy period. As a result, the country saw a steady rise in violence, with extremist factions continuing their offensive actions.

Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) revealed “a troubling increase in militant activity, recording a total of 84 attacks throughout the month of Ramadan”, which concluded on Sunday. This was a significant rise compared to last year's figure of 26 attacks during the same period.

One of the primary contributors to the escalation in violence is the Pakistani Taliban, which ended a ceasefire with the government in November 2022. However, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, this year on March 29 announced a three-day ceasefire during Eid-ul-Fitr.

In addition, Baloch Liberation

Army (BLA) has grown in strength, increasingly carrying out sophisticated attacks across the country.

A particularly brutal incident occurred on March 11, when the BLA hijacked a train in the southwestern province of Balochistan, resulting in at least 25 fatalities. Another think tank, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, recorded 61 militant attacks within the first three weeks of Ramadan, a slight increase from the 60 attacks recorded in the same period last year. This was the deadliest Ramadan in a decade for security personnel, with 56 killed between March 2 and March 20, according to this institute’s findings.

The uptick in violence is being attributed by experts to a general escalation in militant activity, including a unification of various groups. According to them, factions of the Baloch militants were collaborating more closely. Moreover, groups like the Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction had become more lethal, even competing with the Pakistani Taliban in some regions as well. Revival of banned outfits such as Lashkare-Islam, operating from the northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is also one of the reasons behind the increasing militant attacks. Pakistan has long accused the Taliban-led government in neighbouring Afghanistan of providing refuge to these militant groups. Kabul has, however, been denying such claims of Pakistan. However, the resurgence of these factions has raised concerns about the spillover of militancy from Afghanistan into Pakistan.

Myanmar mourns earthquake victims, observes a minute’s silence

Naypyidaw, April 1 (IANS)

Myanmar on Tuesday observed a one-minute silence to honour the victims of the devastating earthquake that has claimed over 2,000 lives.

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock minutes later, struck Myanmar’s Mandalay region on Friday, causing massive casualties and damage.

Myanmar announced on Monday a week-long mourning period following the earthquake that struck Myanmar, which wrought widespread destruction, Xinhua News Agency reported.

As the earthquake left entire communities in ruins, reports

suggest that concerns have arisen about the potential for Myanmar’s military junta to direct humanitarian funds to affected areas. It is stated that supplies are driven to the areas the junta favours rather than those most in need of help.

Meanwhile, the United Nations and international aid organisations are struggling to respond to the devastating earthquake, which destroyed several cities such as Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyitaw, and displaced tens of thousands of people. The hospitals are trying to cope with the high influx of patients.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has begun to organise relief efforts, deploying emergency teams to assess damage and facilitate aid distribution, a statement from the office said.

“Following the earthquake that hit Myanmar and the region,

we are seeing massive impacts across multiple states and regions across the country,” said Annette Hearns, UNOCHA’s Deputy Head of Office in Yangon. She added that time is running out for those still trapped, making rescue efforts more urgent by the hour. She further said that people are growing desperate, with some even sleeping on the streets with nowhere safe to go while essential supplies run dangerously low.

However, the United Nations, the US, India, the European Union, and several other nations and international organisations have sent aid and rescue efforts for earthquake victims in Myanmar. The Indian Army and Navy mobilised their resources with unwavering resolve, providing both immediate rescue support and long-term aid to the affected communities.

Myanmar: Healthcare system struggles to cope with rising casualties after massive quake

Naypyidaw, March 31 (IANS)

Myanmar's health care system is struggling to deal with the mass casualties as the death toll jumped to 2,056 on Monday after a massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake devastated several regions of the country.

The two largest urban areas, Mandalay and Naypyidaw, are trying to cope with the high influx of patients, according to media reports.

“The hospital is always packed with patients, even under normal circumstances. During this time of emergency, there is hardly enough space or supplies to treat everyone coming in. But the staff keep doing their jobs, despite the lack of manpower,” said a woman in her 50s living in Naypyidaw speaking to the media. Reports suggest that the four

years of military junta rule have left the healthcare system in an abysmal situation. Before last Friday’s devastating earthquake that hit Myanmar, several hospitals were already under siege.

In Mandalay, an estimated 80 per cent of all medical staff joined the Civil Disobedience Movement against the military junta. The region has been especially hard hit as seven private hospitals in the city lost their licenses for hiring former government hospital staff in the last month.

“Some private hospitals in Mandalay had already ceased operations before the earthquake due to the junta’s orders. Most of the remaining private hospitals have been damaged and are unable to function, forcing nearly all of them to shut down,” a doctor based in Yangon told media outlet Myanmar Now. Witnesses at the regime-run Mandalay General Hospital hours described scenes of chaos after the quake struck, with patients

lying on the ground due to a lack of beds.

“From the entrance to the hospital, all I could see was patients scattered everywhere, covered in blood. Some doctors were sitting, overwhelmed and unable to assist,” a witness told Myanmar Now.

Meanwhile, the death toll from Friday's earthquake in Myanmar has risen to 2,056, with approximately 3,900 people injured and nearly 270 reported missing, according to the country's State Administration Council Information Team on Monday, Xinhua News Agency reported. Myanmar's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported that 36 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 7.5, had occurred as of Monday morning.

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock minutes later, struck Myanmar's Mandalay region on Friday, causing massive casualties and damage in multiple countries.

Myanmar Junta blocks entry of international journalists to cover quake-affected

Naypyidaw, March 31 (IANS)

Myanmar's military junta has banned entry of foreign media seeking to cover the earthquake-devastated areas in the country as the death toll jumps to 1700.

The junta has put the restriction, citing difficulties with accommodation, power outages, and water shortages.

"It is not possible for (foreign journalists) to come, stay, find

shelter, or move around here.

We want everyone to understand this," said Zaw Min Tun, the regime's spokesperson, in an audio statement issued on Sunday.

As local reporters face severe restrictions in Myanmar, the denial of entry to foreign media raises grave concerns about the transparency of the junta's response to the catastrophe.

Several others have accused the junta of hindering humanitarian aid from reaching certain affected areas not under its direct control.

Since a 2021 coup, when the military overthrew the elected government of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has been locked in a civil war with multiple armed opposition groups.

Young boy in Cambodia contracts H5N1 bird flu

Phnom Penh, March 23 (IANS)

A three-year-and-six-month boy from northeast Cambodia's Kratie province has been confirmed positive for H5N1 human avian influenza, raising the number of cases to three so far this year, said a Ministry of Health's statement on Sunday.

The boy had been brought to the hospital in a critical condition with fever, cough, and dyspnea, it said, adding that he is receiving medical treatment with the utmost care from a team of doctors.

"According to queries, the patient's family raised chickens and about five chickens had died, as some others were sick. His family members cooked the dead poultry for food," the statement said.

Health authorities are looking into the source of the infection and are examining any suspected cases or people who have been in contact with the patient in order to prevent an outbreak in the community, it added.

Among the three human cases

of H5N1 so far this year, two had died, and all patients reportedly had a history of recent exposure to sick or dead poultry prior to their illness, Xinhua news agency reported.

Avian influenza A(H5N1) is a subtype of influenza virus that infects birds and mammals, including humans in rare instances. The goose/Guangdong lineage of H5N1 avian influenza viruses first emerged in 1996 and has been causing outbreaks in birds since then. Since 2020, a variant of these viruses belonging to the H5 clade 2.3.4.4b has led to an unprecedented number of deaths in wild birds and poultry in many countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. In 2021, the virus spread to North America, and in 2022, to Central and South America.

From 2003 to date, there were 75 cases of human infection with H5N1 influenza, including 45 deaths in the Southeast Asian country, according to the ministry.

Infections in humans can cause severe disease with a high mortality rate. The human cases detected thus far are mostly linked to close contact with infected birds and other animals and contaminated environments. This virus does not appear to transmit easily from person to person, and sustained human-to-human transmission has not been reported.

Thailand detains

4 Chinese for removing docs from collapsed building site

areas

Meanwhile, several media reports also suggest that the junta has continued to conduct airstrikes in various parts of the violence and disaster-hit nation. Many in the international community are demanding unrestricted access for aid workers and independent media as the humanitarian crisis grows amid the massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake that has wrought widespread destruction across the nation, media outlet Myanmar now reported.

Claiming that the military junta's crackdown on media is well documented, Myanmar Now reported that back in 2023, its photojournalist Sai Zaw Thaike was arrested while reporting on the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha. He was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Bangkok, March 31 (IANS) Thai authorities have detained four Chinese nationals for unlawfully entering the site of a collapsed high-rise under construction in Bangkok following the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar.

Police stated that the individuals were attempting to retrieve documents from the site, which is now under investigation due to its connection to a Chinesebacked construction firm.

The 30-story building crumbled within seconds during the 7.7-magnitude earthquake on Friday, sending debris into the air and trapping dozens beneath the rubble.

Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Major General Nopasin Poolswat, revealed that the four Chinese men were caught illegally removing 32 files of documents from the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building without permission, as reported by National Thailand.

Following the earthquake, the Bangkok Governor declared the site a disaster zone and restricted unauthorised access. However, police received reports on Saturday about individuals retrieving documents from the area.

Upon investigation, authorities apprehended one Chinese man near the scene, who claimed to be a project manager for the construction. His documents confirmed he had a valid work permit and was associated with a joint venture involving Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, the contractor for the project. Further inquiry led to the detention of three more men, along with 32 documents, including blueprints and other paperwork. The Chinese nationals asserted they were subcontractors working under the main contractor and had entered the restricted area to retrieve essential documents for an insurance claim.

Marine Le Pen banned from running for French Prez; far-right leaders slam decision

Paris, April 1 (IANS) Far-right leaders slammed the decision of the Paris court concerning Marine Le Pen, leader of National Rally, being banned from running in the 2027 presidential election.

A Paris court on Monday ruled that Le Pen, who has been a three-time presidential candidate, will be barred from running in the next presidential race following her conviction for embezzlement of European Union funds.

Le Pen, who was the frontrunner for the next election, received a four-year prison sentence with two years suspended, to be served under house arrest, and a €100,000 ($108,000) fine. Her party, National Rally, was also fined €2 million. The party denounced the trial as politically motivated, according to media reports.

In her first reaction to the verdict, Le Pen called the ruling a "political decision" aimed at preventing her from running in the 2027 presidential election.

"It was a political decision that was made. The magistrate took it upon herself to implement

the provisional execution of the ineligibility, to render my appeal on this matter useless in order to prevent me from standing and being elected President of the Republic," said Le Pen in an interview clip shared by her on X.

"The rule of law has been completely violated by the decision that has been made. It prevents an effective remedy, it justifies provisional execution by the fact of defending oneself, and it applies the spirit of a law subsequent to the facts with which we are accused," she wrote in an X post.

She stated she would not let herself be eliminated and would pursue all legal remedies. She assured to stand by the French people to defend them because she said that there are millions of French people who trust her. Meanwhile, reacting to Le Pen's conviction for fraud and ban on her running for office, US President Donald Trump compared it to his own legal battles.

"She was banned from running for five years, and she was the leading candidate. That sounds like this country, that sounds very much like this country," Trump said, describing the court ruling as "a very big deal."

US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce stated that the exclusion of people from the political process is particularly concerning given the aggressive and corrupt lawfare also waged against President Trump in the United States.

Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini denounced "a declaration of war by Brussels" as the source of Le Pen's conviction.

"Those who fear the judgment of the voters are often reassured by the judgment of the courts.

In Paris, they have condemned Marine Le Pen and would like to exclude her from political life. A bad film that we are also seeing in other countries like Romania," said Salvini, leader of the far-right Lega party, in a statement.

Donald Trump Jr., the son of US President Donald Trump, also took to X to comment on the court decision.

"France is sending Le Pen to jail and barring her from running?! Are they just trying to prove J.D. Vance was right about everything?" he posted.

In a speech in Munich in February, Vice President Vance had lambasted European democracies for, he said, censoring free speech.

Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders expressed shock at the court ruling against Le Pen, pledging his "100 per cent" support.

"I am shocked by the incredibly tough verdict against (Le Pen). I support and believe in her for the full 100 per cent, and I trust she will win the appeal and become President of France," Wilders posted on X.

Russia condemned the French court's decision to bar far-right leader Marine Le Pen from running for office for five years, calling it a politically motivated attack on democratic norms.

"More and more European capitals are going down the path of violating democratic norms. We do not want to interfere in France's internal affairs, and we have never done so," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"But our observation of European capitals shows that they do not shy away from stepping outside the bounds of democracy in the political process," he added.

EU citizens prioritise security, unity, record-high support for membership: survey

Brussels, March 25 (IANS) A survey published on Tuesday by the European Parliament reveals that EU citizens see protection against global crises and security risks, along with unity among member states, as top priorities.

The European Parliament's Winter 2025 Eurobarometer survey was conducted across all 27 EU member states in January and February of this year.

According to the survey, 66 per cent of EU citizens want the EU to play a greater role in protecting them against global crises and security risks; and 89 per cent call for EU member states to act more united to face current global challenges.

"This is a clear call for action

which we will answer. Europe needs to be stronger so that our citizens feel safer," said Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament.

"The European Parliament will ensure that every proposal put forward is bold and ambitious enough to match the serious level of threat Europe faces. Europe must step up today, or it risks being stepped over tomorrow," she added.

Historical levels of approval were reached, with 74 per cent of EU citizens thinking that their country benefits from being a member of the union. It is the first time since 1983, when the question was first asked, that such a high level of approval is

Explosion in Spanish mine kills at least five, injures several others

Madrid, March 31 (IANS) At least five people were confirmed dead and several others injured following an explosion in a mine in the Spanish region of Asturias on Monday morning.

Spanish Civil Guards said the incident happened at approximately 9:40 local time (0840 GMT) when a machine exploded at the Cerredo mine near Degana town.

The blast took place on the third level of the mine, causing burns and trauma injuries, according to the Spanish government delegate in the region. Three of the injured have been transferred to a hospital in the city of Leon, Xinhua news agency reported. Emergency services, including Civil Guard officers, firefighters, and members of the mine rescue team, have been deployed to the site, the regional government of Asturias said.

Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, offered his condolences to the relatives of the deceased

and thanked emergency workers.

"My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the mine accident in Degana, Asturias. And I wish a speedy recovery to those injured. Thanks to the emergency services working on the rescue efforts," Sanchez said. An investigation into the cause of the explosion is currently underway.

Local media, citing an Asturian spokesperson, reported that the workers were operating at the mine under a permit for mineral extraction to produce graphite. According to ABC Espana, the site had been a major mining operation before its closure in 2018 and had since been intermittently used by private companies for extracting the mineral anthracite.

The exact number of people present at the mine during the explosion remains unknown. Asturias' President, Adrian Barbon, has declared two days of mourning for the region.

The region’s civil protection plan, designed to manage emergencies, was activated at its lowest level, indicating that the situation is localized and can be managed with the resources currently available. An investigation into the cause of the explosion is currently underway.

Putin calls for peaceful resolution of Russia-Ukraine war

reached.

The main benefit of being an EU member, according to the survey, is maintaining peace and strengthening security, with 35 per cent of respondents. Fifty per cent of respondents recognise that the protective role of the EU has already grown in recent years.

Previously, improved cooperation between the member states was seen as the main benefit of being a member state of the EU.

Areas on which the EU should focus, according to the survey, include defence and security with 36 per cent of respondents, stable compared to a year ago, and competitive economy and industry with 32 per cent of respondents, or an increase of five points compared with a year ago.

Energy independence (27 per cent), food security and agriculture (25 per cent), and education and research (23 per cent) follow closely.

Topics that EU citizens want the European Parliament to tackle include rising prices and the cost of living (43 per cent), defence and security (31 per cent), fighting poverty and social exclusion (31 per cent), as well as support to the economy and creating new jobs (29 per cent), Xinhua news agency reported.

Moscow, March 28 (IANS)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the Kremlin stands for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict on the condition that its root causes are removed, describing the conflict as complex and demanding a "careful approach."

"We are for resolving all these issues by peaceful means. Yet with removing the original causes that triggered the current situation," Putin said during a meeting with the Russian Navy. Putin further stated that Moscow is ready to work on the Ukrainian settlement with Europe as well but will not make any mistakes in excessively trusting the West, local media reported.

"We are also ready to work with Europe, it is just that they are acting inconsistently, constantly trying to fool us. But it's ok, we have gotten used to it already. I hope we will make no mistakes based on excessive trust in our so-called partners," Russian state-run news agency TASS reported on Friday, quoting Putin as saying.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a range of initiatives to support Ukraine on Thursday at a summit in Paris amid growing

uncertainty over continued US assistance.

At a press conference following the summit of the "Coalition of the Willing," Macron announced a joint Franco-British plan to send a team to Ukraine to help shape the future structure of the Ukrainian army.

The French President said that he and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer would "jointly lead" the coordination efforts of Ukraine's international coalition of allies, Xinhua news agency reported.

Following the "Coalition of the Willing" summit on providing security guarantees for Ukraine, held in Paris, Starmer said the time to lift sanctions against Russia has not yet come. The French President reiterated that it is too early to lift sanctions on Russia.

The announcement comes after the US said on Tuesday that it would start lifting some sanctions on Moscow, particularly on agricultural trade.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that Moscow is "categorically against" the possible deployment of Western peacekeepers in Ukraine.

Such a scenario could lead to a direct clash between Russia and NATO, Zakharova said, adding that London and Paris are hatching plans for "a military intervention in Ukraine" under the guise of a peacekeeping operation.

Increased defence spending won’t affect welfare state: Spanish PM

Madrid, March 26 (IANS)

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday pledged that increases in defence spending would not mean cuts to social services or the Welfare State.

Speaking in the Spanish Congress, Sanchez addressed the need for Europe to raise its spending on defence due to doubts over the United States' commitment to European defense under a Trump Presidency. He explained that "the development of global peace is more necessary than ever," insisting that "the leadership of the EU is vital," while lamenting that at the moment "Europe lacks a common policy for defence and

security."

The Spanish leader believes it is vital to "establish the basis for a European army," an "armed forces with the same flag and interests," which is able to deal with military and cyber threats, as well as the consequences of climate change, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We aren't going to attack any territory, but we are going to protect our way of life," said the Spanish leader, adding that this also meant defending the Welfare State.

"I want our citizens to be clear that while I am Prime Minister, this effort in security will not be made to the detriment of our Welfare State," said Sanchez, who also made an appeal for the US government to change its mind over defense and tariffs.

"We ask for the United States to reconsider and to talk. Europe is a World power and will respond like a power. We don't want a trade war, but we are negotiating

an intelligent joint response," he said.

Meanwhile, Hungary is currently hosting a major military exercise of the European Union, involving more than 900 troops from 11 member states.

The exercise, dubbed 'MILEX 2025', runs from March 25 to April 10 and aims to test the EU Battlegroups' land-based operational capabilities under real-life conditions. Hungary's media described it as "the largest" of the bloc.

Training is taking place at the Papa Air Base and Hungary's Central Shooting and Training Range, where soldiers conduct live-fire drills and tactical operations using advanced technology and procedures.

The exercise is overseen by the multinational EUROCORPS command. Participating troops come from Hungary, Poland, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Spain, France, Croatia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Essar Energy Transition Fuels expands UK aviation network with two new deals, reaching milestone of nine Airports

Stanlow (UK), March 26 (IANS) Essar Energy Transition’s EET Fuels (the trading name of Essar Oil, UK, Ltd), a leading force in the UK’s energy transition and aviation fuel supply, is pleased to announce the signing of agreements to supply jet fuel to two additional major UK airports. This expansion elevates EET Fuels’ total network to nine airports across the UK, marking a significant milestone in its mission to bolster energy security and support the aviation industry’s growth.

Deepak Maheshwari, Chief Executive Officer at EET Fuels, said: “This milestone underscores EET Fuels’ commitment to strengthening the UK’s aviation fuel network while advancing our energy transition strategy. By expanding our supply footprint to nine key airports, we are not only enhancing fuel security and reliability for our airline partners but also reinforcing our role as a leader in the UK’s journey towards a low-carbon future.”

Ellese Munnerley, Aviation Account Manager of EET Fuels,

said: “We’re delighted to have secured two new airport customers. This expansion brings our EET Fuels supply network of UK airports to nine, reinforcing our commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality fuel solutions to our airline partners. It allows us to extend our network coverage to our valuable airline customers while the positioning of the airports also shows our ability to deliver a resilient fuel supply across the UK.”

Operating from the Stanlow Refinery in Ellesmere Port, EET Fuels is one of the UK’s largest producers of jet fuel, also supplying approximately 16 per cent of the nation’s road transport fuels and playing a pivotal role in the North West’s aviation industry.

This latest achievement builds on previous successes, including supply agreements with Manchester, Birmingham, London Stansted, Newcastle, Liverpool, Cardiff, and Leeds airports, bringing the company closer to its vision of a comprehensive and resilient UK aviation fuel network. With a legacy of reliability and innovation, EET Fuels continues to strengthen its partnerships

with leading commercial airlines, ensuring seamless wing-tip supply and operational excellence.

EET Fuels serves some of the most prominent names in global aviation -- from short-haul trips to Europe to large international carriers, and some of the largest cargo carriers in the world. This expansion is in line with EET Fuels’ strategy to integrate across the value chain by placing refined jet molecules produced at its Stanlow refinery directly into the demand centres where these are consumed. It also aligns with EET’s broader ambitions to lead the UK’s energy transition.

Essar Energy Transition is investing heavily in low-carbon solutions. These efforts are part of a 2.4 billion dollar investment in the Stanlow site, with plans to become the leading low carbon process refinery, through the delivery of a 95 per cent reduction in carbon emissions, and to develop Stanlow into an energy transition hub, including industrial carbon capture, low carbon hydrogen production and Europe’s first hydrogen-fuelled combined heat and power plant.

Macron unveils Ukraine support plans at Paris summit

Paris, March 28 (IANS) French

President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a range of initiatives to support Ukraine at a summit in Paris, amid growing uncertainty over continued US assistance. At a press conference following the summit of the "coalition of the willing," Macron announced

a joint Franco-British plan to send a team to Ukraine to help shape the future structure of the Ukrainian army.

The French President said that he and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer would "jointly lead" the coordination efforts of Ukraine's international coalition of allies, Xinhua news agency reported.

He also raised the idea of deploying "reassurance forces" from a few willing European Union member states to strategic locations in Ukraine should a peace agreement be reached with Russia.

Ukraine conflict brings EU-US ties to historic low: Italian expert

Rome, March 25 (IANS) The recent US-brokered RussiaUkraine peace talks highlighted growing divisions between Washington and Brussels, bringing trans-Atlantic relations to a historic low, an Italian geopolitical analyst has said.

Sergio Fabbrini, a political science professor at Rome's LUISS University, told Xinhua news agency that the exclusion of Europe from the talks underscores the EU's declining influence in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, due in large part to the bloc's lack of unified foreign policy coordination.

"This episode reveals the European Union's structural weakness," he said during a university conference on Monday. "Without a central authority to speak for all members, the bloc struggles to assert itself on the global stage, particularly when the US chooses to act unilaterally."

This institutional fragmentation, he said, coincides with the skeptical view of US President Donald Trump's administration of the EU. The US president has repeatedly characterized the EU as "an institution designed to undermine American interests rather than bolster global

security."

Fabbrini emphasised the fundamental divergence in how both sides perceive the Ukraine crisis.

"For Europe, this is an existential security threat happening on our doorstep. For Washington, it's a geopolitical calculation involving great powers," he said.

The professor warned that the current tensions mark "one of the worst crises in trans-Atlantic history," urging Europe to develop more independent diplomatic capacity.

"Geographical reality demands that Europe take greater responsibility for its own security architecture while maintaining equilibrium between national interests and collective European stability," he said.

Meanwhile, a new round of US-Ukraine talks began Tuesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, local media Al Arabiya News reported, citing a Ukrainian official.

The talks came after the USRussia negotiations were held Monday regarding a ceasefire proposal between Kyiv and Moscow.

The separate US-Russia and USUkraine negotiations addressed technical issues, including the protection of energy facilities and critical infrastructure, the fate of separated Ukrainian children, and a partial ceasefire.

The US delegation discussed the Black Sea ceasefire and the end of strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days with Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Riyadh respectively, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

India-EU ties in focus: Ambassador Saurabh Kumar meets MEP Angelika Niebler

Brussels, March 26 (IANS)

However, "There is no consensus on this point," Macron acknowledged. He underscored the importance of continued American support for any potential European deployment but said Europe must prepare for a scenario in which the US is no longer involved.

Following the summit, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed that British Defence Secretary John Healey will chair the next Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting on April 11, where efforts will focus on coordinating additional military aid to support Ukraine's defence.

Focussing on enhancing India-European Union ties, Ambassador of India to the EU, Saurabh Kumar on Wednesday met Angelika Niebler, Member of European Parliament (MEP) and Chair of Delegation for Relations with India, following her visit to India for Raisina Dialogue.

During their meeting, they discussed opportunities to strengthen parliamentary cooperation through high-level interactions after the European Commission visited India last month. They exchanged views on the latest political developments in Europe and across the globe.

“Ambassador Saurabh Kumar met MEP & Chair of Delegation for Relations with India, Angelika Niebler following her visit to India for Raisina

Dialogue. Discussed strengthening parliamentary cooperation through high-level interactions, positive momentum in India-EU ties following the visit of College of Commissioners, and political developments in Europe and the world,” Embassy of India to EU posted on X.

The relationship between India and the EU is based on shared values and principles such as democracy, the rule of law, a rules-based international order, and multilateralism.

Regular parliamentary exchanges are an important facet of the strategic partnership and pave the way for continuous dialogue between the two sides. The relationship between both democracies was upgraded to a ‘Strategic Partnershipʼ' in 2004. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by the European Union College of Commissioners visited India from February 27 to February 28. This was the first-ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners together to India. The EU and India reinforced strategic ties during the landmark visit of the European Commission delegation to India, last month.

Von der Leyen emphasised stronger EU-India ties in an increasingly complex world, stressing that both sides’ interests coincide more often than not.

Trump administration launches federal review of Harvard over ‘anti-Semitism’

Washington, April 1 (IANS) In a major escalation of its efforts to combat campus anti-Semitism, the Trump administration has announced a "comprehensive review" of federal contracts and grants at Harvard University and its affiliates.

The decision, revealed on Monday by the Departments of Education (ED), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the US General Services Administration (GSA), is part of an ongoing initiative led by the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism.

The task force will examine over $255.6 million in federal contracts with Harvard, along with more than $8.7 billion in multi-year grant commitments, to ensure compliance with federal regulations, including civil rights obligations, according to a statement from the US Department of State (DoS).

"Harvard has served as a symbol of the American Dream for generations -- the pinnacle aspiration for students all over the world to work hard and earn admission to the storied institution," said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.

Taking aim at the Ivy League university, she added, "Harvard's failure to protect students on campus from anti-Semitic

US

discrimination -- all while promoting divisive ideologies over free inquiry -- has put its reputation in serious jeopardy.

Harvard can right these wrongs and restore itself to a campus dedicated to academic excellence and truth-seeking, where all students feel safe."

The review follows a similar ongoing investigation into Columbia University, which resulted in the institution agreeing to comply with nine preconditions to regain access to cancelled federal funds. This initiative strengthens enforcement of President Trump's Executive Order titled 'Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism.'

"The Task Force ensures that federally funded institutions uphold their legal and ethical responsibilities to prevent anti-Semitic harassment," the statement read.

The same task force previously cut $400 million in funding from Columbia University and warned that billions more could be at risk unless specific demands were met.

Columbia recently agreed to several of the federal government's conditions, drawing praise from Jewish advocacy groups while raising concerns among free speech organisations about government overreach. Harvard and Columbia are not alone in facing scrutiny.

The Trump administration has reportedly placed dozens of other universities on notice, signalling they could face similar reviews over allegations of anti-Semitism.

Given the federal government's role as a major source of research funding for American universities, these reviews carry significant financial implications.

According to the US DoS, the administration will collaborate with relevant contracting agencies to assess whether Stop Work Orders should be issued for any contracts under review. Additionally, Harvard has been directed to submit a comprehensive list of all its contracts -- both direct and through affiliates -- that were not initially included in the investigation.

HHS Acting General Counsel and Task Force member Sean Keveney reaffirmed the administration's commitment, stating, "The Task Force will continue its efforts to root out anti-Semitism and to refocus our institutions of higher learning on the core values that undergird a liberal education. We are pleased that Harvard is willing to engage with us on these goals."

Any institution found to be in violation of federal compliance standards could face severe administrative actions, including contract terminations. The review will be facilitated by GSA, which will oversee grant and contract evaluations across the federal government.

"Hate in any form goes against the foundational principles of America. While Harvard's recent actions to curb institutionalised anti-Semitism -- though long overdue -- are welcome, there is much more that the university must do to retain the privilege of receiving federal taxpayer's hard-earned dollars," said FAS Commissioner and Task Force member Josh Gruenbaum.

"This administration has proven that we will take swift action to hold institutions accountable if they allow anti-Semitism to fester. We will not hesitate to act if Harvard fails to do so," he added.

sanctions Chinese officials for undermining autonomy

Washington, April 1 (IANS)

The US Department of State has imposed sanctions on six individuals from Beijing and Hong Kong, accusing them of undermining the autonomy of Hong Kong and engaging in transnational repression.

The sanctions are a response to actions that have been seen as a violation of Hong Kong’s freedoms and its people’s rights, with particular focus on the enforcement of the National Security Law (NSL) and the international targeting of individuals, including those in the United States.

The Department of State released a statement saying, “This includes five individuals for their role as leaders or

USTR submits annual report on global tariffs to President Trump

Washington, April 1 (IANS) The office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) submitted the 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) to President Donald Trump and the Congress on Tuesday.

The NTE is an annual report detailing foreign trade barriers faced by US exporters and the USTR’s efforts to reduce those barriers. The report lists the details of tariffs being imposed by the countries trading with the US.

"No American President in modern history has recognised the wide-ranging and harmful foreign trade barriers American exporters face more than President Trump," said Ambassador Jamieson Greer. "Under his leadership, this administration is working diligently to address these unfair and non-reciprocal practices, helping restore fairness and put hardworking American businesses and workers first in the global market."

The findings of the 2025 NTE underscore President Trump’s America First Trade Policy and the President’s 2025 Trade Policy Agenda, an official statement said.

The report states that "India’s average Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) applied tariff rate was 17.0 per cent in 2023 (latest data

of Hong Kong

officials of the Hong Kong government that have engaged in actions or policies that have degraded the autonomy of Hong Kong, including in connection with transnational repression targeting individuals residing in the United States, and one individual for their role in implementing the National Security Law.”

These sanctions, according to the statement, are in alignment with several US laws, including the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, and the Hong Kong Autonomy Act of 2020.

The actions come amid ongoing US efforts to hold accountable those responsible for depriving Hong Kong residents of their protected rights and freedoms.

In addition to imposing sanctions, the US Department of State also highlighted the extraterritorial use of Hong Kong's National Security Law. The law has been used to intimidate, silence, and harasspro-democracy activists, some of whom were forced to flee overseas, including a US citizen and several other US

residents.

The Department stressed that these actions exemplify China’s ongoing violation of international commitments and its systematic repression of dissent.

The Department’s press release also stated that the Hong Kong Policy Act Report, published alongside this announcement, serves as further proof of the United States’ commitment to holding individuals accountable for such actions.

This report has certified that Hong Kong no longer warrants differential treatment under US laws, a shift that came after the territory’s handover to China in 1997. As a result of these sanctions, the assets and property of the designated individuals within the United States or under US control are blocked, and US persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them unless authorised by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). These prohibitions aim to limit the ability of those responsible for repression to access or use US-based assets and resources.

available), which was the highest of any major world economy, with an average applied tariff rate of 13.5 per cent for non-agricultural goods and 39.0 per cent for agricultural goods. India maintains high applied tariffs on a wide range of goods, including vegetable oils, apples, corn, and motorcycles (50 per cent); automobiles and flowers (60 per cent); and alcoholic beverages (150 per cent)".

The report does not take into account the latest reductions in Indian tariffs that have been announced for US goods in the Budget 2025-26. The duty on bikes, for instance, has been reduced to 40 per cent while the duty on bourbon whiskey has been cut to 100 per cent from 150 per cent earlier.

"In addition, India maintains very high basic customs duties (in some cases exceeding 20 percent) on drug formulations, including life-saving drugs and finished medicines listed on the World Health Organisation’s list of essential medicines. High tariff rates also present a significant barrier to trade in other agricultural goods and processed foods (e.g., poultry, potatoes, citrus, almonds, pecans, apples, grapes, canned peaches, chocolate, cookies, frozen french fries, and other prepared foods used in fast-food restaurants)," the report states.

The NTE is an annual report due to the President and Congress by March 31 of each year. USTR works closely with other government agencies and US embassies and solicits comments from the public through a Federal Register Notice to prepare the NTE.

China poses ‘most comprehensive and robust military threat’ to national security: US intel report

Washington, March 26 (IANS)

China presents the most comprehensive and robust military threat to the national security of the United States, a US intelligence report revealed on Tuesday. The report spotlighted that China poses an active and persistent cyber threat to the US government, private sector, and critical infrastructure networks with Beijing's nuclear weapons and advanced delivery systems - capable of delivering catastrophic damage - posing a direct threat to the US and threatening its military forces at home and abroad. The Annual Threat Assessment done by the intelligence authority cites that a major portion of China's military modernisation efforts is focused on developing counter-intervention capabilities tailored against all aspects of US and allied military operations in the Pacific. "President Xi Jinping and the People's Republic of China (PRC) want to achieve 'the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation' by 2049. The PRC will seek to increase its power and influence to shape world events

to create an environment favorable to PRC interests, obtain greater US deference to China's interests, and fend off challenges to its reputation, legitimacy, and capabilities at home and abroad," the report highlights. It mentions that China has developed a range of ballistic and cruise missiles with conventional payloads that can be delivered from its mainland as well as by air and sea, including by nuclear-powered submarines. "It may also be exploring the development of conventionally-armed intercontinental range missile systems, which, if developed and fielded, would allow China to threaten conventional strikes against targets in the continental United States," the report states. The annual report of worldwide threats to the national security of the United States reflects the collective insights of the Intelligence Community (IC), which is committed to providing the nuanced, independent, and unvarnished intelligence that policymakers, warfighters, and domestic law enforcement personnel need to protect American lives and America’s interests anywhere in the world.

Hamas continues

to

push for war, refuses to release our hostages: Israel

New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) Israel on Tuesday claimed that Hamas continues to push for war while also refusing to release the hostages.

“Hamas continues to push for the renewal of the war, refusing to release our hostages, and refusing to disarm,” said Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel Gideon Sa’ar during a media briefing. He added that Hamas ignores the will and the rage of the citizens of Gaza, claiming that their interest is the “end of the war”.

“But instead of listening to its

citizens, Hamas oppressed them brutally. Hamas murdered, after torturing, demonstrators from the Gaza Strip this week,” he claimed.

Sa’ar claimed that recently, the British Parliament published the most complete report in the UK on the October 7th massacre, revealing chilling details: among them, about the horrifying sexual crimes committed by Hamas on October 7th.

“This is not a report from Israel. It is a report from the British Parliament. I recommend reading it,” he said.

He also said that Israel expects that Lebanon will take action to uproot terrorist organisations acting within its borders against Israel

“What we saw here is cooperation between Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas on the soil of Lebanon,

in order to initiate terrorist attacks against Israelis. Early this morning, IDF fighter jets struck a Hezbollah terrorist in Beirut. Lebanon has been directing Hamas terrorists and assisting them in an attempt to carry out a major imminent attack against Israeli civilians,” he claimed.

Sa’ar further said that the terrorist posed a real and immediate threat to Israel. “What we call a ticking bomb. Therefore, we had to eliminate the threat. Israel will continue to remove any threat to our citizens,” he said.

Sa’ar said that he will also visit Paris to discuss the challenges and threats of the radical axis in this region, mainly Iran.

“Once again, its leader, only yesterday, declared his will to eliminate the State of Israel,” he said.

Netanyahu cancels appointment of new Shin Bet chief amid investigation of aides

Jerusalem, April 1 (IANS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has withdrawn his decision to appoint Vice-Admiral Eli Sharvit as the new head of Shin Bet, the Israeli security agency, following opposition from political allies and mounting investigations involving his aides.

Initially, Netanyahu announced the appointment of Sharvit after conducting interviews with seven candidates, ultimately selecting the former Israel Navy Commander for the prestigious role. However, recent developments

have forced Netanyahu to cancel the appointment.

The controversy stems from the ongoing "Qatargate" investigation, which has ensnared two of Netanyahu’s close aides, Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein. Both were questioned by the police as suspects in the case.

The investigation revolves around an alleged network of business figures and officials facilitating payments from Doha to Israeli business interests, covering up the source of these funds.

The investigation began after revelations that Feldstein, Netanyahu’s former spokesman, worked for an international firm contracted by Qatar to promote pro-Qatar narratives among Israeli journalists while employed in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Feldstein is also facing charges

for leaking classified IDF documents. Urich is suspected of playing a role in facilitating the transfer of payments from Qatar in a covert manner.

The police have requested that the Rishon Lezion Magistrates Court extend the remand of Urich and Feldstein by nine days as part of their ongoing investigation. Although Netanyahu was asked to provide testimony, he is not currently a suspect in the case.

Earlier, the Prime Minister's official X account had shared a post stating: "After conducting in-depth interviews with seven worthy candidates, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to appoint former Israel Navy Commander, Vice-Admiral Eli Sharvit as the next Director of the ISA."

However, this appointment has now been withdrawn in light of the evolving investigation.

EU delegation visits imprisoned Istanbul Mayor in a show of solidarity

Istanbul, March 29 (IANS) The European Union delegation visited jailed Istanbul Mayor and Turkey’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu in a show of solidarity after he was arrested.

Imamoglu is considered to be a strong contender in the Turkish Presidential elections for 2028. The delegation included Vice President of the European Parliament Katarina Barley, who

met Imamoglu in Istanbul’s Marmara Prison. The delegation expressed support for the jailed mayor and protesters who are protesting against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Following the visit, an official statement of the Party of European Socialists (PES) stated that the arrest has sent shockwaves in Turkey, leading to thousands of protests across the country condemning this

shameful act.

It claimed that around 1800 people have been allegedly detained by the authorities.

“The imprisonment of Ekrem Imamoglu has shocked us. We remain deeply concerned by the backsliding of the rule of law and threats to democracy in Turkey. We reiterate our call to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to immediately release Imamoglu and to cease attacks on the media and protestors,” said PES President Stefan Lofven.

Vice President of the European Parliament Katarina Barley alleged that President Erdogan disregards the laws in his own country or changes them to secure his endless rulership.

The PES delegation visited the CHP office in Istanbul and met with the party leader, Ozgur Ozel. PES President Stefan Lofven and Ozgul agreed that Erdogan is “weaponising” the judiciary, the prisons, and the police to silence any opposition to his regime.

MIDDLE EAST AND

Israeli PM testifies in ‘Qatargate’ probe

Jerusalem, April 1 (IANS) Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified for about two hours before investigators at his office in Jerusalem, Israel's media reported.

The open testimony is part of an investigation known as "Qatargate," which examines alleged business ties between associates of Netanyahu and the Qatari government, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to Channel 12 tv, the prime minister was questioned as someone with knowledge of the affair, rather than as a suspect. The open testimony followed a directive of Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli police arrested two suspects in the case --Yonatan Urich, a senior adviser to Netanyahu, and Eli Feldstein, the prime minister's former military affairs spokesman. The probe focuses on suspected improper business dealings between the two close associates of Netanyahu and Qatar, a Gulf state that does not have formal diplomatic ties with Israel but has played a key role in mediating ceasefire talks in the Gaza Strip and negotiating hostage releases.

According to Channel 12, Feldstein and Urich are suspected of contact with a foreign agent, bribery, fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering in the case.

In his video statement after the testimony, Netanyahu said the probe is "a political hunt designed to prevent the dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet and also to bring about the overthrow of a right-wing prime minister."

Houthis report dozens of fresh US airstrikes in Yemen

Aden, April 1 (IANS) The Houthi group reported on Tuesday that US forces have carried out 22 airstrikes on its targets in Yemen's northern Sanaa and Saada provinces over the past several hours.

According to a brief statement broadcast by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, five airstrikes at dawn targeted the Jarban area in the Sanhan district southeast of Sanaa, while two others hit the Bani Matar district west of the capital.

The statement further indicated that Saada, a stronghold of the group, was subjected to 15 US airstrikes overnight, but did

Iran

not disclose specific locations targeted.

The attacks came one day after US airstrikes killed two people and injured a child in Bani Qa'is in Yemen's northwestern province of Hajjah on Monday, according to residents and local health authorities, Xinhua news agency reported.

The US military has resumed airstrikes on Houthi-held areas in northern Yemen since March 15 in a bid to deter the group from attacking Israeli targets, the US Navy, and international shipping lanes in the region. However, the Houthi group responded by affirming its unwavering support for Gaza. It has resumed attacks on Israeli targets and US military vessels in the Red Sea, as Israel ended a January ceasefire with Hamas and restarted military operations in Gaza.

threatens to develop nuke weapons should US

Tehran, April 1 (IANS) An adviser to Iran's supreme leader warned that if the US or Israel were to attack Iran under the pretext of nuclear concerns, the country would be compelled to pursue the development of nuclear weapons.

Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, made the remarks in response to recent anti-Tehran threats made by US President Donald Trump and Israel, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the official news agency IRNA. Larijani noted that Iran had been prohibited from acquiring nuclear weapons under a religious directive issued by

attack

Khamenei. However, he added, "If the United States makes any mistake, Iran will be forced to pursue nuclear weapons due to pressure from its people."

Larijani stressed that taking military actions against Iran would have consequences, saying Iran's nuclear program would not be destroyed through bombing.

Larijani said any potential indirect negotiation with the United States would be aimed at understanding each other's demands and winning mutual concessions regarding the nuclear issue. Trump, in an interview with NBC News on Sunday, threatened to launch "unprecedented military strikes" on Iran if it refused to negotiate over its nuclear program. "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing like they've never seen before," he said, claiming US and Iranian officials are "talking," without offering details.

Premier League: Manchester United coach Amorim dismisses Fernandes exit rumours

London, April 2 (IANS)

Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim has said that Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes is "not going anywhere" after recent reports suggesting that Real Madrid are interested in signing the 30-year-old playmaker. Fernandes has been United's standout player in a difficult season, with 14 goals and 14

assists in all competitions where he has been one of the club's few consistent performers, reports Xinhua.

That has seen him linked with Real Madrid, who are on the lookout for a creative midfielder to replace 39-year-old Luka Modric, but when asked about a possible sale to Madrid, Amorim was clear in his reply.

"No, it's not going to happen," replied the coach, who insisted Fernandes was vital for the club's rebuilding. "I want Bruno here because we want to win the Premier League again, so we want the best players," continued Amorim, who insisted that United would be able to keep their star player.

"We are in control of the situation and I feel that he is really happy here," he said, adding that the signs of frustration Fernandes sometimes shows are "because he wants success so badly."

"He's not going anywhere because I've already told him,"

concluded Amorim. Meanwhile, archrivals

Manchester City face being without top scorer Erling Haaland for several weeks after the striker suffered an ankle injury in their 2-1 FA Cup win away to Bournemouth on Sunday.

The 24-year-old, who has 30 goals in 40 matches, was seen leaving the Vitality Stadium wearing a protective boot and using crutches after a game where he missed an early penalty, but then scored City's equalizer. The club confirmed that on Monday, he had undergone tests and "will now seek specialist consultation to confirm the full extent of the injury."

"Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain a full prognosis. The expectation is that Erling will be fit in time to play a further part in the remainder of this season, including this summer's FIFA Club World Cup," read a statement from Manchester City.

Man City manager Guardiola confirms Haaland is out for up to seven weeks

New Delhi, April 1 (IANS)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that star striker Erling Haaland is expected to be sidelined for "five, six, seven weeks" due to an ankle injury. If Haaland returns after five weeks, he could be fit in time for City's Premier League fixture against Southampton on May 10. However, if his recovery takes the full seven weeks, he could be in danger of missing the FA Cup final on May 17—should City overcome Nottingham Forest in the semi-final.

"Sometimes we are used to this in this country. It has happened all season. They told me the doctors were between five to

seven weeks. So hopefully the end of the season and by the Club World Cup, he will be ready," Guardiola was quoted by BBC Sport as saying when asked about Haaland's return.

"Sometimes there are years when these kinds of things happen. It happened all season. I would say that it could have been different if it were the end of the season [before the Club World Cup]. So with all the injuries we have had this season, I'm so sorry for them and for Erling as well. So [I wish him] a good recovery, as speedy as possible, then come back."

The Norwegian is targeting a return for the final league game of the season against Fulham on May 25 before the highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup in June and July.

Haaland sustained the injury to his left ankle and is currently undergoing further tests to assess its severity. The club has confirmed that despite the setback, he will be available for

the final stretch of the season, including the Club World Cup, where City will compete as the reigning European champions. With Haaland sidelined, Guardiola will have to look for alternative options in the striking role. When asked if Omar Marmoush could step in as a number nine, Guardiola remained non-committal but confident in his squad’s adaptability.

"We will find a solution from the players that we have. They all have different skills and qualities. We will have another one [striker]. We don't have another player with his skills or his specific qualities. We know that. But we have to adapt. For many years, we have played in different ways up front. It depends on the quality of the players. We are going to try to find a solution."

Haaland’s absence comes at a crucial stage in the season, with Manchester City currently sitting fifth in the Premier League table.

Niharika Singhania wins gold in international equestrian event in Belgium

New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) In a remarkable display of skill and dedication, young Indian equestrian player Niharika Singhania has brought immense pride to the nation by clinching first position in the prestigious Azelhof CSI Lier equestrian competition held in Belgium. Competing against international participants, Niharika – the eldest daughter of industrialist and Raymond CMD Gautam Singhania – demonstrated

exceptional talent and composure to bring home gold.

Starting on March 25 in the CSI event, Niharika participated in the Two Phases special event in the CSI2*-1*- YH - LIERSpring Tour. Riding on Hotese Charboniere, owned by Sabine Locquet, she performed superbly in the two-stage event to finish with 40.72 and 40.34 penalty points.

On March 29, Niharika participated in the show jumping event and ended with 61.94 points. On March 30, the final day of the competition, Niharika excelled in the Two-Phase Special and finished first with penalty points of 34.48 and 31.95.

"This victory is not just a personal triumph for Niharika but also serves as a powerful inspiration for students across India. It underscores the importance

Ex-captain Charlotte Edwards appointed England women’s team head coach

London, April 1 (IANS) Charlotte Edwards has been announced as the new head coach of the England women's team by the England and Wales Cricket Board on Tuesday. Edwards is a former England captain who represented her country over 300 times, winning two World Cups and lifting the Ashes five times across a 20-year playing career.

The 45-year-old, England's all-time leading run-scorer, replaces Jon Lewis, who was sacked in March after the 16-0 Ashes hammering in Australia. Since retiring from playing in 2017, Edwards has coached across English domestic cricket and global T20 leagues, enjoying success with Southern Vipers in regional cricket, Southern Brave in The Hundred, Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League, and Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League.

“I am so delighted to once again be part of the leadership of the England Women’s cricket team, and I cannot wait to take this team forward and drive us to success," Edwards said in a statement.

“It means the world to me to have the three lions on my chest once again. Leading England as captain was my life for 10 years,

and I will forever be passionate about this team and our legacy. We have such a talented group of players, and I am excited about working with them and improving them both as individuals and as a team.

“We have the immediate challenge of two home summer series, and then it’s straight into the ICC Women’s World Cup in India this autumn, with a home ICC Women’s T20 World Cup next summer. There’s also the mouth-watering prospect of the first-ever Olympics for women’s cricket in LA 2028. I’m relishing the prospect of winning trophies and taking this team forward.”

ECB Deputy CEO and Managing Director England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said:

“When we drew up the criteria for the job, it became apparent very quickly that Charlotte was the outstanding candidate.

“She has the experience, passion, and expertise to lead this team to success. The results she has achieved as a Head Coach in multiple environments, since retiring as one of the greatest ever England players, are a testament to her relentless drive and the standards she sets for those around her.

“She is a proven winner; she has won repeatedly as a player and now as a coach. She possesses a deep knowledge of the game, both in England and across the world, and she understands the importance of creating an environment that is both challenging and supportive.

ICC Women’s WC Qualifier plays a huge role for countries like Bangladesh and Ireland, says Sana Mir

of nurturing diverse talents alongside academic pursuits and exemplifies how dedication, rigorous training, and unwavering passion can lead to success at the highest level," the young rider's connections said in a statement on Tuesday. Niharika's achievement is a testament to the values of perseverance, discipline, and hard work – principles often emphasized within the K-12 education system. The win throws a spotlight on the growing capabilities of young Indians in specialized international arenas and reinforces the idea that with the right support and determination, students can achieve excellence beyond traditional academic boundaries, contributing to India's growing presence on the world stage, the statement claimed.

Dubai, April 1 (IANS) Former Pakistan captain Sana Mir feels that the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier in Pakistan will benefit teams like Bangladesh, Ireland and West Indies and welcomed the approach taken by the ICC to grow the game.

The qualifier tournament set to take place in Pakistan from April 9, featuring six teams, will finalise the remaining teams for the eight-team tournament later this year in India.

Hosts Pakistan will be joined by ICC Full Members Bangladesh, Ireland and West Indies along with Associate Members Thailand and Scotland, for the Qualifier.

“One of the great things about the ICC Women's Championship, which I benefited from hugely in my career, is that it has been expanded to 10 teams. I feel that plays a huge role, especially for countries like Bangladesh and Ireland now that they have been part of that," ICC quoted Sana as saying in a release.

“It is a very exciting time in women’s cricket and if we keep

doing things right, there will be more than four or five teams who people want to see playing against each other.

“In the last World Cup, a lot of matches went down to the last couple of overs and that’s what you want to see as an audience. Women’s cricket is providing that," she added.

That jeopardy is on the up at all levels, and the hope now is that fans will see plenty of it in Pakistan over the next few weeks.

Bismah Maroof, who succeeded Sana as Pakistan captain, added, “Women’s cricket has improved massively in the past few years and it’s going from strength to strength. The associate countries are playing really well, Scotland and Thailand have come a long way and as a full member country, Ireland have grown a lot.

ICC Manager - Women’s Cricket and former India international cricketer, Snehal Pradhan, is looking forward to the event in Pakistan where six teams will compete for two spots at the Women’s Cricket World Cup in India later this year.

Pradhan believes that with the standard rising across the board, predicting who will come through qualifying is almost impossible.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar with his Thailand counterpart Maris Sangiampongsa, Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Foreign Ministers from the BIMSTEC Member States participate in the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, in Bangkok on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Party General Secretary (Organization) KC Venugopal and other senior Congress leaders attend the DCC Presidents’ Meet at Indira Bhawan in New

on Thursday, April 03,

Bangkok: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad players greet each other at the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

Bangkok :

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis meets the President of the Republic of Chile, Gabriel Boric Font, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on Thursday, April 03, 2025.

Bangkok: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on Friday, April 04, 2025.

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attends the Sarhul festival organized at the residence of MoS Sanjay Seth in New Delhi on Thursday, April 3, 2025

New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun

Delhi

2025.

Madurai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the CPI(M) 24th All India Conference in Madurai on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

New Delhi: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse present the National Youth Award to a recipient at the Parliament in New Delhi on Thursday, April 03, 2025.

Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma meets Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar at the Chief Minister’s residence in Jaipur on Wednesday, April 02, 2025.

New Delhi: JK Tyre CMD Raghupati Singhania and JK Paper CMD Harsh Pati Singhania call on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Bangkok: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli, Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra and other leaders at the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok on Friday, April 04, 2025.

New Delhi: Actors Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday pose for photos at the press conference for the upcoming film Kesari Chapter 2 in New Delhi on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

New highly accurate blood test to measure progress of Alzheimer’s

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) US researchers have developed a new blood test that not only aids in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease but also indicates how far it has progressed.

While currently available blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease can diagnose the disease, they do not indicate the clinical stage of the disease symptoms – that is, the degree of impairment in thinking or memory due to Alzheimer’s dementia.

The new test can help doctors determine which patients are likely to benefit from drug treatment and to what extent.

It can also provide insight on whether a person’s symptoms are likely due to Alzheimer’s versus some other cause, said

the researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, US and Lund University in Sweden.

In the study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, the researchers found that levels of a protein called MTBR-tau243 in the blood accurately reflect the amount of toxic accumulation of tau aggregates in the brain and correlate with the severity of Alzheimer’s disease.

Analysing blood levels of MTBR-tau243 from a group of people with cognitive decline, the researchers were able to distinguish between people with early- or later-stage Alzheimer’s disease and separate both groups of patients from people whose symptoms were caused by something other than Alzheimer’s.

“This blood test clearly identifies Alzheimer’s tau tangles, which is our best biomarker measure of Alzheimer’s symptoms and dementia,” said co-senior author Randall J. Bateman, Professor of Neurology at Washington

University. “In clinical practice right now, we don’t have easy or accessible measures of Alzheimer’s tangles and dementia, and so a tangle blood test like this can provide a much better indication if the symptoms are due to Alzheimer’s and may also help doctors decide which treatments are best for their patients,” he added. The researchers developed a technique to measure MTBRtau243 levels in people’s blood and compared it to the amount of tau tangles in their brains as measured by brain scans.

They piloted the approach on data from two cohorts: 108 people from the US, and a subset of 55 people from Sweden. To assess whether the approach was generalisable, they validated it in an independent dataset consisting of the remaining 739 people in Sweden.

The researchers’ analysis showed that blood MTBR-tau243 levels reflected the amount of tau tangles in the brain with 92 per cent accuracy.

Reel mania puts Indian kids’ eye health in danger, warn leading ophthalmologists

New Delhi, April 1 (IANS)

Leading ophthalmologists on Tuesday warned that they are witnessing a sharp increase in cases of dry eye syndrome, myopia progression, eye strain and even early-onset squinting in children who spend hours watching reels on various social media platforms.

After raising the alarm bell about the impact of short-form videos on mental health, doctors are now concerned about a new, growing crisis — ‘Reel-Induced Eye Damage.’

Excessive screen time, particularly binge-watching reels on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, is leading to a

spike in eye disorders across all age groups, especially among children and young adults, said healthcare experts during the joint meeting of Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and All India Ophthalmological Society in the national capital.

“A student recently visited us complaining of persistent eye irritation and blurry vision.

After examination, we found his eyes were not producing enough tears due to prolonged screen time at home watching reels,” said Dr Lalit Verma, President, Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology.

“He was immediately put on eye drops and advised to follow the 20-20-20 rule — taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away,” said Verma.

Studies show that an increasing number of people, especially students and working professionals, are struggling with digital eye strain, squinting, and worsening

eyesight due to prolonged exposure to high-speed, visually stimulating content.

Doctors also note a troubling trend of social isolation, mental fatigue and cognitive overload associated with constant reel consumption.

Dr Harbansh Lal, Chairman of Organising committee and Past President of All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), explained the severity of the issue at the event.

“Short, engaging reels are designed to capture and hold attention for long periods. However, this constant screen fixation reduces blink rates by 50 per cent, leading to dry-eye syndrome and accommodation spasms (difficulty in shifting focus between near and distant objects),” he noted.

Experts warn that if this habit continues unchecked, it could result in long-term vision problems and even permanent eye strain”.

New AI algorithm to predict risk of cardiovascular events, heart-related death

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) A team of researchers in South Korea has developed a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm that uses electrocardiograph (ECG)2 data to predict the risk of cardiovascular events, and heart-related death.

To create the algorithm, the team from Inha University Hospital analysed standard 12-lead electrocardiograph (ECG)2 data taken from almost half a million cases. The novel algorithm can identify people most at risk of

cardiovascular events and mortality by predicting the biological age of the heart, which is based on how the heart functions.

For example, a person who is 50 but has poor heart health could have a biological heart age of 60, while someone aged 50 with optimal heart health could have a biological heart age of 40.

“Our research showed that when the biological age of the heart exceeded its chronological age by seven years, the risk of all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events increased sharply,” said Yong-Soo Baek, Associate Professor at Inha University Hospital. “Conversely, if the algorithm estimated the biological heart as seven years

Prolonged use of antidepressants linked to risk of sudden cardiac death: Study

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS)

People with prolonged use of antidepressants may be at an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, which varies based on age and time of exposure, finds a study.

Sudden cardiac death refers to an unexpected death of a person, believed to be caused by a heart-related issue.

It occurs within one hour of the onset of symptoms in witnessed cases or within 24 hours of the person being last seen alive in unwitnessed cases.

The study, on 4.3 million residents in Denmark, showed that people exposed to antidepressants for 1 to 5 years had a 56 per cent higher risk of sudden cardiac death. On the other hand, those exposed to antidepressants for six or more years experienced a 2.2 times higher risk.

Among individuals aged 30-39 years, compared with the unexposed general population, those with one to five years of antidepressant exposure were around three times more likely to suffer sudden cardiac death.

This risk increased to five times higher for those with six or more years of antidepressant exposure.

In individuals aged 50-59 years, those exposed to antidepressants for one to five years saw their

risk of sudden cardiac death doubled. Among individuals exposed to antidepressants for six or more years, the risk of sudden cardiac death was four times higher.

“Exposure time to antidepressants was associated with a higher risk of sudden cardiac death, and linked to how long the person had been exposed to antidepressants,” said Dr Jasmin Mujkanovic from the Rigshospitalet Hjertecentret, Copenhagen, Denmark.

“Those exposed for six years, or more were at even more increased risk than those exposed for one to five years, when compared with people unexposed to antidepressants in the general population,” Mujkanovic added.

The causes in people under the age of 39 are often a thickening of the heart muscle or an electrical problem with the heart. In older people, it is more likely to be caused by a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the heart, said the researchers, presenting the study at EHRA 2025, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology. Mujkanovic explained that the risk of sudden cardiac death may be caused by the potential adverse effects of the antidepressants as well as exposure time.

In addition, "the increase could be influenced by behavioural or lifestyle factors associated with depression, such as delayed healthcare seeking, and poor cardiovascular health,” she added, calling for further research.

Screen use during bedtime may raise your risk of insomnia by 59pc: Study

younger than the chronological age, that reduced the risk of death and major adverse cardiovascular events,” Baek added. The study showed that the integration of AI into clinical diagnostics presents novel opportunities for enhancing predictive accuracy in cardiology.

“Using AI to develop algorithms in this way introduces a potential paradigm shift in cardiovascular risk assessment,” said Baek. For the study, the team developed a deep neural network and trained on a substantial dataset of 425,051 on 12-lead ECGs collected over fifteen years. It was subsequently validated and tested on an independent cohort of 97,058 ECGs.

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Love to scroll your phone while in bed? Scientists have found that using a screen in bed can drive your risk of insomnia by 59 per cent.

While sleep is critical to mental and physical health, an increasing number of people are accustomed to using screens in bed. The study by researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Norway showed it may be associated with poor sleep.

While social media is seen to be more associated with poorer sleep because of its interactive nature and potential for emotional stimulation, a survey of 45,202 young adults, aged between 18-28 years old, in Norway showed that the type of screen activity did not matter.

"We found no significant differences between social media

and other screen activities, suggesting that screen use itself is the key factor in sleep disruption -- likely due to time displacement, where screen use delays sleep by taking up time that would otherwise be spent resting," said lead author Dr. Gunnhild Johnsen Hjetland, from the Institute.

The study showed that screen use in bed can reduce sleep time by 24 minutes. Notably, sleep problems were found to be highly prevalent among students.

This may "have significant implications for mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being", said Hjetland. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, screens reduce sleep time because they displace rest, not because they increase wakefulness: different activities would be expected to affect wakefulness differently.

"If you struggle with sleep and suspect that screen time may be a factor, try to reduce screen use in bed, ideally stopping at least 30-60 minutes before sleep," Hjetland said.

Jennifer Lawrence welcomes second child with Cooke Maroney

Hollywood star Jennifer Lawrence has embraced motherhood once again. The actress is now officially a mom of two.

The ‘No Hard Feelings’ actress, 34, has welcomed her second baby with husband Cooke Maroney, reports ‘People’ magazine.

The actress and Maroney were

spotted out for a stroll together in New York City following the birth of their little one. Lawrence and Cookie, 40, who married in October 2019, are also parents to their 3-year-old son Cy.

As per ‘People’, Lawrence announced she was expecting her second baby with Maroney via a Vogue Instagram postand article in October 2024.

"Congratulations are in order for Jennifer Lawrence. The Oscar-winning actor will be welcoming her second child with art gallerist husband Cooke Maroney”, the magazine wrote in the post's caption, adding that representatives for Lawrence had confirmed the happy news to the outlet.

The following day, a source confirmed the news with ‘People’ exclusively sharing that Lawrence was "thrilled to be pregnant again”.

"She loves being a mom”, the insider said. "She's thrilled to be pregnant again. It feels like the perfect timing to her. Her son will be 3 when the new baby arrives”.

Since the birth of her first son, Lawrence has shared that she's been approaching her career differently.

The ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ actress told Cameron Diaz in a 2023 conversation for Interview magazine that having a baby caused her to be more selective with the projects she agrees to do.

"There’s no squeezing when you have a baby", Lawrence said. "There’s just home, and it’s the best. It definitely helps weed out projects, 'Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. No. Is this worth being away from my child for half the day?'”.

Hailey Bieber issues clarification over her unfollowing hubby Justin Bieber

Bieber, the wife of singer-songwriter Justin Bieber, has issued clarification on the reports of her unfollowing her husband on the photo-sharing app Instagram.

has responded to all the

chatter around her recent social media activity, reports ‘People’ magazine. Her husband Justin Bieber's Instagram account got deactivated (then reactivated) after going live on the app, and in the

‘Black Mirror’ star Paul Giamatti says he has a secret Instagram account

Hollywood actor Paul Giamatti has confirmed that he does use social media albeit very carefully.

The actor has said the he has a secret Instagram account but he refuses to join TikTok because it's "terrifying", reports 'Female First UK'.

wake of that, Hailey appeared to unfollow the singer from her own profile.

As per ‘People’, the mom of one, 28, commented on a viral TikTok video, which has garnered over 1 million views as of this writing, that included a screenshot of Hailey's "Following" list without the 31-year-old Grammy winner's profile on it.

A source recently revealed that Hailey and Justin are "doing their thing" and "they are not concerned about what people think”.

On Friday, March 21, they were spotted heading to Sushi Park in West Hollywood, California, while taking a break from parenting duties.

Earlier, Justin shed light on the importance of being his authentic self, and how he doesn’t like how he feels when he changes to “please people”.

Tom Holland and Zendaya’s fourth installment of the Spider-Man film is officially titled “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.”

The fourquel will begin filming this summer, according to director Destin Daniel Cretton, who announced the production timeline at CinemaCon, reports variety.com.

Holland wasn’t at the annual convention for movie theater owners, which is currently taking place in Las Vegas, the actor sent a video to tease the upcoming superhero adventure.

“I am so sorry I can’t be with you. I am halfway around the

'The Holdovers' star, 57, has admitted he dabbles with social media and has set up an account on the image-sharing platform, but he's decided to use a pseudonym to keep his posts private.

He told Radio Times magazine, "I am on Instagram, although only my friends know it’s me".

As per 'Female First UK', Paul refuses to join video platform TikTok because he finds the concept of its never-ending loop to be "strange and troubling".

He said, "My girlfriend is heavily into TikTok but I don’t want to engage in that. That endless scroll and loop is terrifying. The second that you’re confronted with algorithms and nudges, you feel coerced. It’s strange and troubling".

The actor's next big project is a starring role in the new series of Netflix show 'Black Mirror' alongside big names including Peter Capaldi, Rashida Jones and Chris O’Dowd.

Paul's episode is titled 'Eulogy' and a synopsis reads, "An isolated

world shooting a movie,” said Holland, who will be seen next in Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” with Matt Damon, Zendaya and Anne Hathaway.

“I know we left you with a massive clip hanger at the end of ‘No Way Home,’ so ‘Spider Man: Brand New Day’ is a fresh start. It is exactly that. That’s all I can say.”

“That’s all I’ve been allowed to say,” Holland said.

“And I’m well over the hump of giving away spoilers, so don’t be worried. I’m not going to do that today.”

As Holland alluded, the prior entry 2021’s “Spider-Man: No

man is introduced to a groundbreaking system that allows its users to literally step inside old photographs, stirring powerful emotions in the process".

However, Paul went on to admit in the interview that he doesn't embrace nostalgia and hasn't kept many pictures or mementos from his past, and he's starting to regret getting rid of so much stuff over the years.

He added, "I’m not a big nostalgia guy and I don’t have a ton of photos. I regret that now. I wish I had kept a lot of things, photographs, but also letters, school papers, tests, reports. I never kept anything. I was always just thinking, 'What’s next?'".

'Black Mirror' returns on April 10 with six new episodes.

Creator Charlie Brooker said in a statement published by Netflix, "It’s back to basics in many ways. They’re all sci-fi stories, there’s definitely some horrifying things that occur, but maybe not in an overt horror-movie way. There’s definitely some disturbing content in it".

The new series will also feature a sequel to a previous episode.

Brooker added, "Fans of the show will recognise the cast of a certain spaceship from one of our episodes reappearing. We’ve done a sequel for the first time in Black Mirror history.

Way Home” ends with Peter Parker, having accidentally broken open the multiverse, making the difficult decision to erase his identity from the world.

Plot details on the fourth installment, which swings into theaters on July 31, 2026, haven’t been revealed.

“I’m spending my time exploring the next stage of this amazing character with a team of the most incredible artists in the world,” Cretton hinted.

“We’re all, just daily, nerding out over the suit, how to swing, how to create an event, an emotional story, and a ride that we haven’t really seen before.”

Hailey

Hailey

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sexual assault lawsuit dismissed after victim chooses not to reveal identity

Disgraced

rapper Sean

“Diddy” Combs seems to have lucked out as a New York judge dismissed one of the many sexual assault lawsuits against him.

The lawsuit was dismissed after a victim, who uses the proxy name, ‘Jane Doe’, chose not to reveal her identity by pursuing the case, reports ‘Variety’.

In the lawsuit, originally filed by attorney Tony Buzbee in October 2024, Jane claimed that Combs attempted to sexually assault her at a New York City party in 1995 and violently struck her when she refused his advances.

As per ‘Variety’, in January,

Buzbee filed a motion for Jane to proceed anonymously, which the court denied, stating that the “very gravity of the charges” combined with “no evidence of specific and concrete harm… undermin(ed) her claim to proceed anonymously”.

After the court ordered Jane to file a complaint under her name by March 20, the judge dismissed the case on Monday as she chose not to pursue the case further.

Buzbee explained in a statement that she did not feel comfortable revealing her identity and ultimately decided not to refile.

“In this particular case, Jane Doe opted not to proceed”,

he said. “There is a lot of fear amongst these plaintiffs. I thus can’t blame her. These are tough cases and they are many times re-traumatizing for those who pursue them. Each case stands on its own merit. This woman chose not to proceed and subject herself to the media circus and the perceived danger she felt. We have to respect that”.

The rapper’s legal team shared with ‘Variety’ that this dismissal is a sign of what’s to come with other pending cases.

“Today a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against Mr. Combs by Texas attorney Anthony Buzbee and his local counsel Antigone Curis on behalf of an anonymized plaintiff”, reads the statement. “This is now the second case brought by these attorneys against Mr. Combs that has been dismissed in its entirety. It will not be the last. For months, we have seen case after case filed by individuals hiding behind anonymity, pushed forward by attorneys more focused on media headlines than legal merit. The other claims, like the one dismissed today, also will not hold up in a court of law”.

Four biopics on legendary band ‘The

starring Paul Mescal lock April

Beatles’

2028 for

Director Sam Mendes is in the process of making four movies based on the legendary rock band ‘The Beatles’.

What’s even more thrilling is that all four of them will be released theatrically in April 2028, reports ‘Variety’.

The filmmaker, who announced the news at CinemaCon, also confirmed the much-speculated casting. Paul Mescal is playing Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn will portray George Harrison, Barry Keoghan will star as Ringo Starr and Harris Dickinson will

put his spin on John Lennon.

As per ‘Variety’, the four stars came out on stage and bowed in the style that the band popularized in their heyday.

Sam Mendes promised that the multi-part biopic, officially titled ‘The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event’, will be the “first binge-able theatrical experience”. It’s unclear whether that means the movies will be released all at once or one per week.

“We need big cinematic events to get people out of the house”, the

release

director told theater owners on Monday at Sony’s presentation. The director, whose credits include ‘American Beauty’ and ‘Skyfall’, had dreamed of bringing the Fab Four to screens for years. But he didn’t want to make a mini-series and he worried that “the story was too huge to fit into a single movie”. So he came up with a plan to tell the story of “the greatest band in history” from the perspective of each of its members, to try to capture their improbable journey from Liverpool to the center of global culture. That meant four standalone features and one of the biggest bets in movie history. “It’s a chance to understand them more deeply”, Sam Mendes promised. The film is also the first narrative feature to be granted music rights to the Beatles’ extensive catalog of hits such as ‘Strawberry Fields’, ‘Let It Be’, ‘I Am the Walrus’, ‘Yellow Submarine’ and others.

Daniel Craig reveals why he wasn’t embar -

rassed filming gay love scenes for

to

He appeared on the Italian television show ‘Che Tempo Che Fa’ and said: “There are so many things that embarrass me, sex is not one of them... we all do it!

Those scenes were important, to show these people physically together. Without that, the film would have been emptier.”

‘Queer’, based on the novel by William S Burroughs, follows American expatriate Lee, played by Daniel, who becomes infatuated with an emotionally distant ex-US Navy serviceman, portrayed by Drew Starkey.

The film explores Lee's obsession and his attempts to determine whether his acquaintance is “queer” through drunken

Olivia Munn talks about pressures of being a mother: It’s like I just landed on Mars

Actress

Olivia Munn, known for her work in films such as ‘The Babymakers’, compared the pressures of being a mother to landing on Mars.

She was speaking on ‘Today with Jenna and Friends’ about how drastically her life has changed since welcoming her second child, daughter Méi, with her comedian husband John Mulaney. She said: “It is so much fun every single day. (But) it's like I just landed on Mars. This is insane. How does anyone do this?” Munn also spoke about how the adjustments of motherhood led her to a moment of vulnerability. She said: “We have the baby, who’s born in September. John was on Broadway. He was rehearsing all day long and then doing his previews at night for two weeks and… my three-yearold was like hitting his limit.”

The strain caused some tension at home, especially when her son Malcolm Hiep began to express jealousy towards his new sister. She added: “It was like screaming and crying, and like saying things to where my feelings were getting hurt. I broke down crying – a cry I have never cried.”

Despite the challenging moment, Munn said about how it ultimately led to a powerful wake-up: “I was so distraught, but then this realisation, and I said, ‘God willing, we get to work as much as we are working now forever, and God willing we're shifting and jumping around and moving everywhere, and we're so lucky’.”

She also said her difficult family moments often ended with laughter, which make it easier for her to cope, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Munn and John, 41, had their son Malcolm in November 2021. The ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ actress, who had a double mastectomy following a breast cancer diagnosis, had a daughter via surrogate. Earlier this month, the actress posted a heartwarming moment on Instagram of her daughter standing on her own, as she proudly cheered: “Good job!” In April 2023, Olivia was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, despite a recent clean mammogram and negative genetic tests. She underwent a double mastectomy and additional surgeries.

Zack Snyder

onboards

‘Brawler’ as director

‘Queer’

nights out and a journey to the South American jungle, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Craig, appearing in a beige double-breasted suit with a white shirt and patterned brown tie the Italian show, also spoke about his decision to take on the role.

He acknowledged starring in ‘Queer’ while still playing James Bond would have been difficult. The actor said: “I couldn’t have done it during Bond. Not because I wouldn’t have wanted to, but because I would have felt really self-conscious with people thinking I was trying too hard to be a good actor.”

Hollywood filmmaker Zack Snyder, who is known for ‘Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole’, ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’, ‘Justice League’ and others, has been signed to direct ‘Brawler’.

The new feature is about a Los Angeles man, who rises in the world of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), reports ‘Variety’.

The filmmaker, who will also co-write and produce, is teaming with Dana White’s UFC for the film, as well as His Excellency Turki Alashikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority

of Saudi Arabia and owner of boxing magazine ‘The Ring’. “I’ve been a fan of Zack’s work for years, his unique style, from his iconic action sequences to his sweeping visuals and intensely emotional storytelling, coupled with his humanized portrayal of deeply-flawed characters is singular”, Alashikh said in a statement. “I couldn’t think of a better person to partner with to bring the UFC to the big screen.

The Ring Magazine, with its 103-year legacy, will support to ensure the project’s success”.

“His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and Zack Snyder have a shared vision to create a film about UFC”, said White, CEO of UFC.

“They are both very passionate about this project to show fans what it takes to become a UFC champion. It’s an incredibly ambitious project and I look forward to seeing it come to life”.

As per ‘Variety’, Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad will also serve as co-writers. Producers alongside Zack Snyder include Deborah Snyder and Wesley Coller for their banner Stone Quarry.

Hollywood star Daniel Carig, best known for playing James Bond in five films, described its intimate homosexual moments as essential

the story of “Queer”.