January 2024 Vol 1 Issue 1

MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY CONNECT QUEENSLAND

MONTHLY PUBLICATION

Fb: /facebook.multiculturalcommunityconnect Phone: 1300 859 066

Over 120 countries back COP28 UAE Climate and Health Declaration

Dubai, Dec 2 (IANS)

Over 120 countries backed the COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health on Saturday, delivering a breakthrough moment for health in climate talks.

The COP28 Presidency joined with the World Health Organization to announce the declaration to accelerate actions to protect people’s health from growing climate impacts.

The declaration was announced at the World Climate Action Summit, where world leaders have gathered for the start of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.

Signed by 123 countries, the declaration is announced

one day ahead of the first ever Health Day at a COP and marks a world first in acknowledging the need for governments to protect communities and prepare healthcare systems to cope with climate-related health impacts such as extreme heat, air pollution and infectious diseases.

The declaration was developed with the support of a number of ‘country champions’, continued on pg. 2

NASA laser message beams video of a cat from deep space Washington, Dec 19 (IANS)

NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications experiment beamed an ultra-high definition streaming video of a cat from a record-setting 31 million kilometres, or about 80 times the Earth-Moon distance.

The milestone, part of NASA technology demonstration aimed at streaming very high-bandwidth video and other data from deep space -- enabling future human missions beyond Earth orbit -- was achieved on December 11.

The the short ultra-high definition video, which was uploaded before launch on

NASA’s Psyche mission on October 13, features an orange tabby cat named Taters, the pet of a JPL employee, chasing a laser pointer, with overlayed graphics.

The graphics illustrate several features from the tech demo, such as Psyche’s orbital path, Palomar’s telescope dome, and technical information about the laser and its data bit rate.

Tater’s heart rate, colour, and breed are also on display.

“This accomplishment underscores our commitment to advancing optical communications as a key element to meeting our future data transmission needs,” said NASA Deputy Administrator

Pam Melroy.

“Increasing our bandwidth is essential to achieving our future exploration and science goals, and we look forward to the continued advancement of this technology and the transformation of how we communicate during future interplanetary missions,” Melroy added.

The demo transmitted the 15-second test video via a cutting-edge instrument called a flight laser transceiver.

The video signal took 101 seconds to reach Earth, sent at the system’s maximum bit rate of 267 megabits per second (Mbps).

Capable of sending and continued on pg. 2

Indonesia’s 1st high-speed railway handles one million passengers

venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese firms that constructs and runs the HSR, to increase the train services to 48 trips per day from the previous 14.

With a design speed of 350 km per hour, the HSR connects Jakarta’s Halim station to Tegalluar station in the fourth largest city Bandung, shortening the journey from over three hours to about 40 minutes.

Jakarta, Dec 26 (IANS)

The Jakarta-Bandung HighSpeed Railway (HSR), the first HSR in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, has handled over 1 million passenger trips since its official operation on October 17.

With the yearend approaching, Halim Station in Jakarta has become increasingly

crowded with passengers taking the high-speed train, locally known as “Whoosh,” for their vacation or family reunions in Bandung, West Java, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The rapidly rising passenger flows have prompted PT Kereta Cepat IndonesiaChina (KCIC), a joint

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JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

The railway, the first overseas high-speed railway project that fully uses Chinese railway systems, technology and industrial components, has made Bandung easily accessible from Jakarta, offering more choices for travelers, commuters, and families living apart, as well as boosting local tourism and unleashing new opportunities.

Severe storms leave thousands in eastern Australia without power

Ankara, Dec 26 (PNA)

Thousands of residents in plan because homes in Logan Australia’s eastern state of and parts of Brisbane could be Queensland were without without power on Christmas power after a “very dangerDay until at least midday. ous” storm swept through the region for the second time in In New South Wales, author12 hours, local media reported ities also warned travelers to on Sunday. be cautious of “widespread unsettled weather.”

Storms are expected to continue along the entire On Sunday afternoon, a Australian east coast until severe thunderstorm warning Boxing Day due to an unwas issued for parts of usual weather pattern, the Victoria’s Central and Mallee Australian Broadcasting districts, including Horsham Corporation said, citing and Warracknabeal. the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

Severe storms were also expected to develop in the A storm cell that stretched west of the state and the from the Darling Downs to Macedon ranges. northern New South Wales brought heavy rain, strong In Melbourne, meteorologists winds, and hail. have forecast up to 40 millimeters of rain on Christmas Thunderstorms have Day, with a possible severe downed 120 power lines, thunderstorm. (Anadolu) leaving approximately 57,000 customers without power, said a spokesman for Energex, a Queensland government-owned electricity company that serves 1.5 million homes and businesses in the southeastern part of the state.

Authorities have warned residents to prepare a backup

Big-time oil price hike set Dec. 26 Manila, Dec 25 (PNA)

Texas Intermediate crude On Christmas Day, oil com- increased by around 1 percent. panies announced a big-time hike in pump prices starting in According to the Department the morning of Dec. 26. of Energy, gasoline prices in Metro Manila ranged between In separate statements, Caltex, PHP52.10 to PHP75.80 Cleanfuel, Jetti, Petro Gazz, per liter, diesel prices from Seaoil and Shell said they PHP51.14 to PHP74.10 will increase gasoline prices per liter and kerosene from

by PHP1.60 per liter and PHP70.30 to PHP82.10 per PHP1.70 per liter on diesel. liter. (PNA) Caltex, Seaoil and Shell will also increase kerosene prices

by PHP1.54 per liter.

Other firms are expected to follow suit.

Shipment disruptions due to a series of attacks on ships in the Red Sea caused the increase in global oil prices, which is the highest increase since October this year.

Before the Christmas holiday weekend, both Brent and West

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Publisher Dr. Ram Mohan Editor Dr. Ram Mohan Associate Editor Amrita Deshpande Contributors Rabindra Mukherjee Deepika Banerjee Website Design & Updates A’s Design Studio Cosmos Media (www.cosmosmedia.info) Designing A’s Design Studio Cosmos Media (www.cosmosmedia.info) Editorial secretary@mccq.org.au Advertising secretary@mccq.org.au Multicultural Community Connect Queensland Unit 49, 391, WICKHAM TERRACE, Ground Floor, Spring Hill, Brisbane, QLD – 4000

Over 120 countries back COP28 UAE Climate and Health Declaration ... continued from page 1

including Brazil, Malawi, the UK, the US, the Netherlands, Kenya, Fiji, India, Egypt, Sierra Leone, and Germany.

This joint action comes as annual deaths from polluted air hit almost nine million and as 189 million people are exposed to extreme weather-related events each year.

“The impacts of climate change are already at our door. They have become one of the greatest threats to human health in the 21st century. Governments have now rightly recognized health as a crucial element of climate action,” said COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber.

He continued “the declaration sends a strong signal that we must reduce global emissions and work together to strengthen our health systems”.

“The climate crisis is a health crisis, but for too long, health

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has been a footnote in climate discussions,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization.

“The WHO thanks the UAE for making health a key priority in its COP28 Presidency, and welcomes this declaration, which emphasises the need to build climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems, to protect the health of both planet and people.

“Climate change is increasingly impacting the health and wellbeing of our communities,” said Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi -- one of the first countries to endorse the declaration. “Malawi has experienced these impacts first-hand --extreme weather events have displaced tens of thousands of our citizens and sparked infectious disease

outbreaks that have killed thousands more. This year, at COP28, we are calling for a bolder path forward that prioritizes investments in health and wellbeing, ensures a just transition away from fossil fuels, and creates a healthier future for all of us.”

The declaration covers a range of action areas at the nexus of climate and health, including building more climate-resilient health systems, strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration to reduce emissions and maximize the health benefits of climate action, and increasing finance for climate and health solutions.

Signatories have also committed to incorporate health targets in their national climate plans and improve international collaboration to address the health risks of climate change, including at future COPs.

NASA laser message beams video of a cat from deep space ... continued from page 1

receiving near-infrared signals, the instrument beamed an encoded near-infrared laser to the Hale Telescope at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California, where it was downloaded.

Each frame from the looping video was then sent “live” to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, where the video was played in real time.

This latest milestone comes after “first light” was achieved on November 14. Since then, the system has demonstrated faster data downlink speeds and increased pointing accuracy during its weekly checkouts.

On the night of December 4, the project demonstrated downlink bit rates of 62.5

Mbps, 100 Mbps, and 267 Mbps, which is comparable to broadband internet download speeds. The team was able to download a total of 1.3 terabits of data during that time.

“Despite transmitting from millions of miles away, it was able to send the video faster than most broadband internet connections,” said Ryan Rogalin, the project’s receiver electronics lead at JPL. As Psyche travels to the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, the technology demonstration will send high-data-rate signals as far out as the Red Planet’s greatest distance from Earth.

In doing so, it paves the way for higher-data-rate communications capable of sending complex scientific information, high-definition imagery, and video in support of humanity’s next giant leap: sending humans to Mars.

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

ADVERTISEMENT

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Dr Noel A. Kanagaraj

MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY CONNECT QUEENSLAND INC.

Multicultural Ambassador

+61 403 799 976 drnoel@noelnetwork.com

National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia Office of Multicultural Affairs, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia... Sharing Our Future Canberra, Australian Government Publication Service, 1989.

•

Sharing our Future

a package of English language measures including:

What is Multiculturalism?

- $3 million per year to extend English as a Second Language Program in schools to students entering the first year of primary schooling who arrived in Australia up to 18 months prior to commencing schooling;

In a descriptive sense multicultural is simply a term which describes the cultural and ethnic diversity of contemporary Australia. We are, and will remain, a multicultural society.

As a public policy multiculturalism encompasses government measures designed to respond to that diversity. It plays no part in migrant selection. It is a policy for managing the consequences of cultural diversity in the interests of the individual and society as a whole.

- substantial additional resources for English language courses for adult immigrants including expanded English by correspondence course; - additional resources, totalling some $2.7 million over three years, for English in the Workplace and a new instructional English television series.

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a firm Government commitment to continued support for second language learning and an examination of the options for the most effective Government support of this area; and

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the coordination of collection and documentation activities undertaken by cultural institutions, such as libraries and museums, in response to their responsibilities in a multicultural Australia.

The Commonwealth Government has identified three dimensions of multicultural policy: •

cultural identity: the right of all Australians, within carefully defined limits, to express and share their individual cultural heritage, including their language and religion;

•

social justice: the right of all Australians to equality of treatment and opportunity and the removal of barriers of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, language, gender or place of birth; and

•

economic efficiency: the need to maintain develop and utilise effectively the

The Agenda also contains commitments to a number of significant reviews which will have an impact in the medium to the longer term. They include: •

a review of ways to improve the linkage between post-school English as a Second Language courses and the rest of theeducation and training system;

•

an examination of existing interpreting provisions in the courts and any unmet needs, to be conducted by the Law Council of Australia in conjunction with the AttorneyGeneral’s Department;

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two reviews - of the law and administrative decision-making - to be undertaken by the Australian Law Reform Commission and the Administrative Review Council respectively, to examine the impact of laws and administrative decision-making on people from different cultural backgrounds; and

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a review of language teaching in higher education to be conducted by the Australian Advisory Council on Languages and Multicultural Education.

skills and talents of all Australians, regardless of background.

These dimensions of multiculturalism are expressed in the eight goals articulated in the National Agenda. They apply equally to all Australians, whether Aboriginal, Anglo-Celtic or non-English speaking background and whether they were born in Australia or overseas.

There are also limits to Australian multiculturalism. These may be summarised as follows: •

multicultural policies are based upon the premise that all Australians should have an overriding and unifying commitment to Australia, to its interests and future first and foremost;

•

multicultural policies require all Australians to accept the basic structures and principles of Australian society - the Constitution and the rule of law, tolerance and equality, Parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and religion, English as the national language and equality of the sexes; and

•

multicultural policies impose obligations as well as conferring rights: the right to express one’s own culture and beliefs involves reciprocal responsibility to accept the right of others to express their views and values.

As a necessary response to the reality of Australia’s cultural diversity, multicultural policies aim to realise a better Australia characterised by an enhanced degree of social justice and economic efficiency.

Executive Summary The National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia defines the Commonwealth Government’s multicultural policies and the goals that underlie them. It includes a series of policy initiatives designed to meet both shortterm needs and long-term objectives.

The major initiatives contained in the Agenda are: •

a major reform strategy to improve processes for recognising overseas qualifications through the establishment of a National Office of Overseas Skills

extension of SBS television at a capital cost of $20 million over eight years to the Latrobe Valley, Bendigo and Ballarat (Victoria), Darwin (NT), Townsville and Cairns (Qld), and the Spencer Gulf (SA);

The Agenda also requires the Office of Multicultural Affairs to examine the desirability of a Multiculturalism Act for Australia. A major objective of such an Act would be to define the principles and, quite explicitly, to set the limits of multiculturalism. It could also provide the means of giving a legislative basis for the Government’s Access and Equity strategy. The necessary process of community consultation and discussion of the merits of such legislation could also include consideration of the desirability of specific legislative measures to curtail racial vilification.

Dr. Noel Profile Dr. Noel is a philosopher, psychologist and an Author of several Books in philosophy, psychology, Biography and metaphysics.

His popular Books are : Flowers of Paradise, Glorious Golden Age, From Mother to Saint (Mother Teresa) Confucius Philosophy on Beauty & The Philosophy of Christianity. He is a public Speaker and his discourses can be viewed on Youtube: Dr. Noel’s Brisbane Talk show which focuses on Youth-Development. He draws his life experience from being an Entrepreneur and businessman from India and as a Road safety consultant to Australia Government for India. He spent all his life time in Championing Road safety in India recommending Australian Road safety strategies and Action plan to various Government bodies in India. He currently lives in Brisbane with his family.

Dr. Noel has a Doctorate in philosophy and won the prestigious Gem of India Award in 2012. He had organized several seminars and International conferences in India.

He is a motivational speaker.

He is member of Australia India Business Council (AIBC), Brisbane Theosophical Society (BTS) Multicultural Community connect, Queensland (MCCQ) and various other multicultural societies in Australia.

Recognition, an expansion of courses for bridging training, improved access to education and training, and significant reforms to procedures for assessing overseas qualifications under the Tradesmen’s Rights Regulation Act (1946); •

a major community relations campaign, at a cost of $5.7 million over three years, to ensure that ethnic diversity goes hand-inhand with social cohesion;

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significant strengthening of the Government’s Access and Equity Strategy, designed to improve access to government services, and to overcome barriers of language, culture and prejudice;

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a range of specific access and equity initiatives costing $2.9 million over three years, in the areas of community services and health, local government, consumer education and immigrant women’s issues;

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legislation to establish the Special Broadcasting Service as an independent corporation and a charter to define its multilingual and multicultural character;

Dr.Noel as a Multicultural Ambassador wishes All the Multicultural Communities in Australia a brand New Year 2024 with Peace and Prosperity!Happy New Year!

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

COMMUNITY NEWS DISASTER MANAGEMENT

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Global crisis unleashed: 2023’s devastating floods report Ankara, Dec 22 (PNA)

ANKARA – Severe natural disasters triggered by climate change marked a calamitous year with thousands tragically killed around the globe.

Considered among the most destructive natural disasters humanity faces, flood catastrophes claimed thousands of lives in 2023.

Nearly every nation suffered fatalities and devastation due to the relentless havoc caused by floods.

Anadolu’s “Disasters of 2023” special series covers the flood disasters during the year.

eastern regions suffered damage.

Ninety-five percent of educational institutions were damaged, leading to a 10-day nationwide suspension of education.

A three-day mourning period was declared for victims.

Derna recorded as worst-hit city The Bumansur Dam (23 million cubic meter capacity) and Al-Bilad Dam (1.5 million cubic meter capacity) were built in Libya between 1973 and 1977 for flood control and irrigation purposes.

The collapse of both dams submerged the city of Derna.

Climate change, carbon emissions, and various environmental factors have influenced changing precipitation patterns, prompting a surge in global flood disasters, Decomposing bodies under affecting numerous countries. debris and mixing sewage water with drinking water raised the risk of a disease In addition to the tragic loss of lives, floods have left a trail outbreak. of extensive damage, wreaking The International havoc on settlements and Organization for Migration agricultural areas.

(IOM) reported that the disaster displaced 40,000 Largest flood disaster of the residents. year happened in Libya The “Daniel Storm” hit eastern Libya on Sept.10 and triggered disasters in cities like Benghazi, Bayda, Marj, Sousse and Derna in the Central Mediterranean.

Libyan National Unity Government spokesman Muhammad Hammude noted the rainfall was the highest in more than 40 years.

of the Congo, 438 victims were killed in a flood disaster caused by heavy rains in May. The country declared a national mourning period after the disaster.

Heavy rains hit Greece Greece has seen heavy rains since Sept. 5, resulting in the loss of 17 lives.

Widespread power outages disrupted communication for many stranded in disaster areas. Search and rescue teams intervened in inaccessible regions by utilizing inflatable boats.

The floods prompted the suspension of primary and secondary education in the Thessaly region.

In Volos, one of the hardest-hit cities, sheep and goats consumed 300 kilograms (661 pounds) of medical hemp from a flooded greenhouse.

In a mining site landslide in the North Kivu province, at least 100 workers were trapped underground.

Hurricanes, storms left thousands homeless

Typhoon Doksuri triggered devastating floods in August, A report by the World prompting 1.2 million resiWeather Attribution suggested dents to evacuate their homes The flood in the east resulted human-induced climate in China’s Hubei province. in more than 4,300 fatalities, change has made the disaster including at least 17,000 children, and displaced 40,000 in Libya 50 times more likely. Authorities swiftly established 155 reservoirs and eight victims internally.

Hundreds dead in Congo collection basins that were flood strategically positioned to About 70 percent of the mitigate the flooding menace infrastructure in the affected In the South Kivu province

surrounding Beijing and Tianjin.

Bangladesh from floods and landslides.

The Guangdong province in the southern region faced a deluge in September, prompting a search for more than 70 crocodiles that escaped a nearby farm.

At least 1.2 million people in the regions, including Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Bandarban, and Rangamati, were affected.

Cyclone Freddy wreaked havoc in Malawi in April, leaving 537 people missing.

The storm, affecting the southeastern coast of Africa, claimed more than 1,000 lives, caused extensive damage to infrastructure and displaced more than half a million residents.

Peru grappled with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Yaku in March, resulting in flooding that left 2,500 families homeless in Lima, Cieneguilla, Chosica, Chaclacayo, Ate, San Juan de Lurigancho, Carabayllo, and Punta Hermosa. The storm, along with floods and landslides, led to 499 fatalities and 1,332 injuries.

In June, the anticipated Biparjoy storm triggered the evacuation of more than 150,000 residents in India and Pakistan.

In Japan, June’s tropical Typhoon Mawar caused one fatality and forced the temporary evacuation of 2 million residents.

Monsoon rains affect thousands of lives Monsoon rains in August displaced 60,000 in Myanmar and stranded 700,000 in

In Pakistan, 215 lives were lost in disasters and accidents caused by monsoon rains starting at the end of June.

Severe monsoon rains led to flooding in the Punjab province, and 14,000 residents had to leave their homes.

Flood disasters displaced thousands in every region of the world In April, floods in southern Somalia affected 460,000 people, prompting a UN call for urgent assistance.

Flooding along the Shabelle River was deemed the worst in 30 years, submerging 79% of Beledweyne. In November, heavy rainfall forced 500,000 to abandon their homes.

Ghana faced flooding in October, displacing 26,000 due to the overflow of the Akosombo Dam. Following the flood, malaria and typhoid outbreaks affected the region, keeping more than 19,000 children out of school.

In June, severe rainfall in India’s Assam state flooded 108 villages, displacing more than 115,000 residents.

In Yemen’s central city of Marib, heavy rainfall and flooding in March displaced over 9,000 families. (Anadolu)

Villagers rescued from flooded areas in Puerto Princesa City Palawan, Dec 20 (PNA)

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reported that a total of 62 families or 244 individuals were rescued from their homes from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning after continuous rains caused floods reaching as high as six meters deep in some villages.

The non-stop rains were brought about by a low-pressure area located 185

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kilometers south of the city.

CDRRMO Officer Earl Timbancaya on Wednesday told reporters that the majority of evacuees came from Barangay Luzviminda’s Purok Katiwasayan, where floodwaters rose to a depth of five to six meters.

He also said many motorists were stranded as rising flood waters turned the national highway along Sitios

Tagbarungis and Tacduan into during the stormy night. a virtual lake.

Timbancaya also reported that a power outage from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday affected Under Banga Sectionalizing Sta. Lourdes, Sicsican, Don Eduardo Village, and Removille, among other areas.

The municipal official disclosed that the CDRRMO recorded several mishaps

“An electrocution incident occurred in Barangay Milagrosa, but there is still no updated information available on the affected individual’s identity or condition,” he said in Filipino.

Despite the heavy downpour in the city, operations of air and sea transportation continued Tuesday, except for Cebu

Pacific Flight 5J 639, which had to be diverted.

As of this posting, many of the evacuees at the “mini city hall” or satellite city hall in Barangay Luzviminda have returned to their homes as the floodwaters receded.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and advise residents to follow safety guidelines and stay updated on local weather forecasts, Timbancaya said.

(PNA)

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

COMMUNITY NEWS

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Witness to War: A National Telephone hotline to support Affected Australian Comunities Brisbane, December 21 (MCCQ Newsdesk, QPASTT Press Release)

As part of its response to the impact of humanitarian crises and conflicts occurring across the globe, including in Israel/Gaza, Afghanistan and Ukraine, the Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) has launched Witness to War, a national multilingual telephone hotline to support affected Australian communities.

FASSTT’s combined experience, supported by research, shows that global conflicts and crises impact communities in Australia in different ways.

Individuals and families directly exposed to or affected

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by overseas conflicts can experience stress and anxiety, become extremely fearful and present with a range of other health and social needs.

Drawing on the trauma-recovery expertise of the national FASSTT network and staffed by bicultural support workers and mental health practitioners speaking Arabic, Hebrew, Dari, Ukrainian and English, Witness to War provides independent, confidential and trauma-informed support and information and assistance for individuals and families to connect to a range of local services. Witness to War staff can support other language speakers using interpreters.

Based on a pilot program

established in NSW to support communities through the impact of the Afghan Crisis and war in Ukraine, the national roll-out of Witness to War has been funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (DHA).

“The implementation of this program at this point is crucial,” said Jorge Aroche, CEO of STARTTS (the FASSTT member agency in NSW).

“Our experience delivering Witness to War in NSW has shown that providing the space to allow people to talk about the impact of situations overseas, and connecting them with appropriate sources of help, can make a huge difference in terms of how well people are able to cope

as individuals, families and communities. We have also learnt that the sooner we can do this, the better it works.”

Jamila Padhee, National FASSTT Coordinator said “We have been able to coordinate a swift national response to support Australians affected by global humanitarian crises, based on a model that has already proved successful in NSW. The hotline forms part of a joint FASSTT strategy to support individuals and communities affected by the current crises, and that will be implemented in various ways to fit local requirements across Australia.”

Operating from MondayFriday between 10am-4pm AEDT (core times nationally),

Witness to War is open to all people affected by overseas conflict and can be accessed by calling 1800 845 198. Local operating times are as follows for each state and territory: Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory: 10am to 7pm South Australia: 9:30am to 6:30pm Queensland: 9am to 6pm Northern Territory: 8:30am to 5:30pm Western Australia: 7am to 4pm For more information about Witness to War including in-language flyers in Hebrew, Arabic, Dari, and Ukrainian, visit https://www.fasstt.org.au/

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

COMMUNITY NEWS

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Vilagers in Katavu no longer have to rely on rain water or walk long distances for daily needs Kadavu, December 1 (MCCQ Newsdesk) Media Release KADAVU – Villagers of Naqalotu in the district of Yawe in Kadavu no longer have to rely on rainwater or have to walk at least five kilometers to fetch water for their daily needs.

This follows the commissioning of their very own improved water source by the Minister for Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Sakiasi R Ditoka this week.

Villagers of Naqalotu, especially

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women lauded the commissioning of the new project, describing the development as a “relief to many”.

Naqalotu women’s group leader Ms. Makereta Senikabua, 57, was emotional as she recalled the struggles they endured as mothers in the village.

“We faced a lot of difficulties back then. It has been more than 10 years since we’ve been facing these daily struggles. It was a hard time,” recalled Ms Senikabua.

“We used to fetch water from a nearby reservoir for our daily use,

but whenever we run out of water, we have to walk to the river which is located at least five kilometers away from the village. We would walk there with our buckets of clothes for washing and to also get water for cooking at home. At times, there would be an outbreak of diarrhea in the village due to the consumption of untreated water from the river. It was a difficult period especially for us, mothers.”

“But today is a day of celebration. We would like to thank the Government for this much-needed assistance, and

for thinking about us in the rural areas,” she added.

In commissioning the project, Minister Ditoka said the Ministry was pleased to be able to assist the village through this water project, with water being a basic need.

Hon. Ditoka also enlightened the villagers of Naqalotu about assistance available for rural and maritime dwellers through the Ministry’s capital programmes.

Hon. Ditoka visited Naqalotu Village as part of his four-day tour of the

island of Kadavu this week.

Meanwhile, as part of his first day of tour on the island, Hon. Ditoka and his delegation also presented his i-sevusevu to the Vanua-o-Nacolase at Tavuki Village on Wednesday where he was well received by the Tui Tavuki, Ratu Penioni Nacagilevu and village elders.

Minister Ditoka also visited the Yawe District Quarry, the site of the Yawe Crossing, and the Naqalotu-Tawava Community Access Road project site which is nearing completion.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

ECCQ board members wish Merry Christmas and enjoyable holidays Brisbane, (MCCQ Newsdesk) ECCQ Press Release

future that lies ahead for our organization.

As we approach the end of 2023, we reflect on the remarkable progress we have made together at ECCQ. The end of this year marks a pivotal moment in our collective efforts, and we are genuinely excited about the promising

As we venture into 2024 and beyond, ECCQ remains committed to implementing tools and capabilities that will strengthen our communities.

Our overarching goal is to equip future generations with the confidence and resources

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to drive Queensland forward.

The work at ECCQ would not be possible without the unwavering support of our Board, members, Staff, community partners, and sponsors. Your engagement, support, and dedication are the bedrock of our success, and we extend our deepest

gratitude for your continued partnership.

Please note that our office closure dates are: · 25th December 2023 – 5th January. ·

Return to office 8th

January 2024 We will have minimal and essential staff working during this break.

We would like to wish you all a festive season filled with joy, unity, and cherished moments. m.

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JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

COMMUNITY NEWS

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

COMMUNITY NEWS

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

San Cai Celebrates Christmas with Community Leaders in Brisbane Brisbane, December 15 (MCCQ Newsdesk) by Amrita Deshpande

San Cai Arts celebrated their year-end Christmas Party to recognise the significant people helping the arts organisation survive and thrive. It was organised at the Taiwanese Cultural Community Centre Society office. Prominent Taiwanese and Australian leaders were invited to attend this function.

Among the attendees were Cr. Kim Marx, Cr. Steven Huang, Taiwanese Centre Director Charles Qu yang, Director General of Taipei Mr. William

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Fan who gave a positive speech inspiring artists to continue to do the good work creating arts and helping the community.

The Highlights of the celebration was the refreshing Zumba session, soulful music and dances performed by local Taiwanese community.

Everyone was most excited to receive a gift through the raffles. Local shops and businesses generously donated gift items for raising money through the raffle ticket sale.

The smiles on the faces of those who won the raffles was

just amazing to see.

Leanne Wang President of the San Cai fine Arts International put up a well organised event for all young and old to enjoy and feel good about the festivities ahead. Singing and Dancing on Christmas Carols Leanne touched many a heart. In Her speech, she highlights the activities of San Cai over the years which are commendable. Running an arts organisation is always a challenge, small achievements must and should be celebrated. She also hoped the work continues and the support

from government and the local people continues for the year ahead.

San Cai Art gallery advocates the idea of “learning through painting”. The objective is to promote traditional classic arts and crafts, contemporary local art through exhibitions and education. With an excellent team of artists and teachers San Cai has a full schedule of art activities every week engaging local aspiring artists and student to learn from the masters who show their work in the Gallery.

Regardless of the age, skill

levels and the personal characteristics of the artists and the viewers, everyone learns through painting, developing their imagination, enhancing their observation and creative skills. San Cai claims that by exhibiting art at their centre artists naturally become more focused, more peaceful, more patient and more persistent indulging in the various creative process.

If you are interested in the arts and exhibiting at the gallery, contact Leanne Wong at sancaifinearts@gmail.com.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

‘Think of Me’ Art Exhibition: A Tribute to Culture, Diversity, and Encaustic Wax Art Brisbane, December16 (MCCQ Newsdesk) Press Release by Andrea Moser

The vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Brisbane is home to an array of cultures, communities, and heritage.

Among its diverse residents, one artist stands out, capturing the essence of this rich tapestry in a truly unique way. Andrea Moser, an accomplished encaustic wax artist, is a featured artist in the ‘Think of Me’ exhibition at Sunnybank Private Hospital, Andrea presents a selection of paintings from her latest collection, “Brisbane Places of Significance,” This mesmerising journey into the world of encaustic wax art not only pays homage to this fascinating medium but also celebrates Brisbane’s multicultural essence.

A Tale of Art and Intercultural Connections

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Andrea Moser’s journey into the captivating world of encaustic wax art began in Europe, where she was first introduced to this unique medium. The experience was nothing short of transformative, sparking a passion that has since guided her artistic pursuits. “I was instantly captivated by its unique qualities and decided to attend a workshop on encaustic wax techniques. That experience hooked me, and I’ve been exploring and creating encaustic wax art ever since,” said Andrea.

The “Brisbane Places of Significance” Project The “Brisbane Places of Significance” project is a remarkable initiative aimed at fostering intercultural connections and creating meaningful networking opportunities within our community. Andrea said,

“This exhibition is a tribute to the diverse cultures and communities that shape Brisbane and Queensland. Through engaging with culturally and linguistically diverse community groups, I have gathered invaluable insights that have inspired a collection of captivating encaustic wax and mixed-media artworks.”

Exploring the Cultural Significance of Brisbane’s Landmarks The heart of the “Brisbane Places of Significance” Art Exhibition lies in its exploration of the cultural significance of Brisbane’s landmarks, places, and buildings. Each artwork tells a unique story, reflecting the cultural depth of this dynamic city. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Andrea’s collection captures the essence of Brisbane’s diverse cultural landscape. The selection at the

Sunnybank Private Hospital focuses on paintings influenced by migrants of Eastern cultures.

Currently, a selection of paintings from Eastern cultures is featured in the significant art exhibition at The Sunnybank Private Hospital’s entry foyer.

The exhibition, titled ‘Think of Me,’ is a collective showcase featuring artworks from international artists hailing from Germany, New Zealand, and Taiwan. Curated by World Arts& Multi-Culture Inc., the aim is to create an artistic haven within the hospital for patients and their families, offering solace and spirits raised.

Exhibition Details: Exhibition Dates: 16th December – 1st February 2024 Location: Entry foyer of the Sunnybank Private Hospital,

245 McCullough Street, Sunnybank, Brisbane Opening Hours: MondayFriday 8:00 am -5:00 pm

The ‘Think of Me’ exhibition opened on the 16th of December by Nyree Luke from Sunnybank Private Hospital and Susan Yang, President of World Arts & Multi-Culture Inc. The welcome ceremony embraced esteemed guests, including Overseas Community Affairs Council representative Melody Chen, artists, friends of the arts, the media, and hospital staff.

This art exhibition promises to be a celebration of diversity, culture, and the shared experiences of our vibrant community. Don’t miss the chance to explore these captivating artworks and engage in enlightening discussions about culture and art.

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

COMMUNITY NEWS

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Celebrating Unity in Diversity: Grand Finale at Sunnybank Multicultural Gallery

Brisbane, December 7 (MCCQ Newsdesk) Sunnybank Multicultural Gallery, Thursday 7th December 2023

In a grand celebration of cultural richness, the Sunnybank Multicultural Gallery marked the completion of its two-year journey with the opening of the German Festivals & Traditions Exhibition. The event, held on Thursday, 7th December 2023, was not only a showcase of diverse cultures but also a moment to reflect on the collaborative efforts that brought the gallery to life.

Welcoming and Acknowledgement: The evening commenced with the gracious presence of MC Edward Lin, CEO of the Australia Taiwan Culture Foundation Ltd. The acknowledgment of the traditional custodians of the land by Aunty Peggy Tidyman set the stage for an evening filled with appreciation for cultural diversity.

Diverse Attendees:

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The distinguished guests in attendance reflected the broad spectrum of cultures represented in the gallery.

Notable figures included Lisa Smith, Director for International, Multicultural, and Community Affairs for YFG Shopping Centres; Erin Logan, Marketing Manager of Sunnybank Plaza and Sunny Park; executives of the German Australian Community Centre of Queensland Inc. led by Louise Moeller; and the Chief Curator of the Sunnybank Multicultural Gallery, Susan Yang.

Representatives from participating organizations, diplomats, elected representatives, and community leaders from various ethnic backgrounds added a global touch to the event, showcasing the collaborative spirit that the gallery embodies.

Exhibition Opening Ceremony: The German Festivals & Traditions Exhibition opened with a warm welcome from

Erin Logan, followed by a captivating speech by Detlef Sulzer, Former Hon Consul of Germany in QLD. A special highlight was the book presentation of “Queensland’s German Connections” by Louise Moeller, President of the GACCQ, and a traditional bell-ringing music performed by the Alpenrosen Folk Dance Group of the Brisbane German Club.

The exhibition showcased the culmination of collaborative efforts, celebrating the connections between cultures and fostering a deeper understanding of German traditions in the local community.

Grand Finale of Sunnybank Multicultural Gallery: The second part of the evening marked the Grand Finale of the Sunnybank Multicultural Gallery, with MC Edward Lin introducing key speakers. Lisa Smith, Director for International, Multicultural, and Community Affairs for YFG Shopping Centres, and Manager for Marketing & Community

Engagement of Sunnybank Plaza and Sunny Park, delivered a heartfelt speech expressing gratitude for the support received throughout the project.

Director-General William Fan of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brisbane, Cr Kim Marx, Councillor for MacGregor Ward, and Susan Yang each shared their thoughts, highlighting the significance of the gallery in promoting cultural exchange.

Susan Yang, in her poignant speech, expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the gallery.

She thanked YFG Group for their continuous support, the Taiwanese community, and a myriad of individuals who played pivotal roles in bringing the vision to fruition.

A momentous occasion followed with the presentation of certificates and gifts to the Sunnybank Multicultural Gallery team by Lisa Smith.

Group photos captured the essence of unity in diversity, symbolizing the rich tapestry

woven by the collaborative efforts of the community.

The evening concluded with light refreshments, allowing attendees to continue their cultural exploration through the gallery’s exhibits.

A Legacy of Unity and Diversity: Susan Yang’s closing speech encapsulated the essence of the gallery’s journey—a beautiful and fulfilling experience that celebrated cultures, fostered connections, and promoted understanding.

As the curtains closed on this chapter, the spirit of unity and appreciation for diversity, which had been the cornerstone of the gallery, resonated as a lasting legacy.

The Sunnybank Multicultural Gallery stands not just as a physical space but as a testament to the power of collaboration, understanding, and the beauty that arises when diverse cultures come together. The Grand Finale was a fitting tribute to this legacy, leaving attendees with a sense of pride and anticipation for the cultural exchanges yet to come.

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

COMMUNITY NEWS

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

MCCQ Celebrates Christmas with members and stakeholders Brisbane,December 18 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

The Multicultural Communities Conect Queensland Inc. (MCCQ) celebrated its first Christmas with the members and partners and stakeholders. Thanks to Viet De lites restaurant for arranging the delicious vitenamese food that was relished by everyone present at the Christmas dinner.

Everyone present shared a bit about their organisation and themselves which helped MCCQ leaders to develop ideas for the strategic plan they should have for the year 2024.

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MCCQ as a media organisation would strive to not just bring multicultural communities together but also organised forums and media events that will benefit the community in having dialogues surrounding issues that affect the multicultural diaspora living in Brisbane and in Queensland.

So far MCCQ has tried to have conversations around the multicultural framework to shape the multicultural policies affecting the communities. They range from establishing a communication platform to education, to sports, and Health. Talking

about health Dr. gave an insightful talk on how one can take care of their heart health as we approach the festive seasons. She highlighted that no binging on Food and eating in moderation along with understanding why after a certain age, we become at risk is an important aspect to keep ourselves healthy. She also highlighted a fact that she researched and now proven that multicultural communities especially the Asian Communities, our bodies have smaller arteries, hence we cannot afford to have cholestrol build ups in our

Arteries. Even a small amount of blockage can become fatal because of our genetic structures of the arteries.

Regular check ups and monitoring will prevent risks, hence screens at early stages are a must after you become 50 years old.

Dr. has agreed to write a health column for MCCQ’s monthly newspaper and we are excited to have her collaborate with MCCQ. We also discussed other collaborations we can have between communities to develop training programs developing important skills needed for the survival of the

multicultural heritage, culture, and traditions. Running a nonprofit is never too easy and members become extrememly important. Hence increasing the membership for MCCQ has become a priority goal which intern will fulfill all the strategic panning that will go into effet in the next year.

Everyone is all excited for a fruitful New Year ahead if us. MCCQ hopes 2024 will not only shape the goals but also establish strong relations with their members and stakeholders.

Merry Chistmas and a Happy News Year.

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

COMMUNITY NEWS

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Brisbane Roma Street Parkland Enchanted Garden a light treat

Brisbane, December 1 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

A spectacle that mesmerises young and old with the eye catching display of lights put up in the gardens of Roma street parkland has become brisbane’s most attrative venue to visit at night.

The Enchanted Garden has a crystal theme this year and it is an extremely creative display of lights, colour,flowers, plants and trees. All

pieces are very eye pleasing however a few definitely catch your eye one of them being the Crystal centrepiece in the Spectacle Garden at Roma Street Parkland.

The starry night paintings on the footpaths makes you feel as though you are walking through the painting and transposing into a different world. The Enchanted Garden trail is almost one kilometre in length and takes about 30-40 minutes to complete but visitors often explore it at their leisure. Although there are no steps throughout the pathways, it is best to wear comfortable shoes for gradual inclines and declines.

Roma Street Parkland is a spectacular oasis in the heart of Brisbane with designer gardens, ornamental lakes, lush lawns and walking trails set within 16 hectares of parklands. A short stroll from Brisbane’s CBD, it is a favourite destination among visitors, residents and nearby city workers for its year-round calendar of events, free barbeques, playgrounds and stunning surrounds.

One of the favorites especially recommended are the Bischoff gelato, Koren Food and poffertjes.

The Enchanted garden Display was open nightly from 6:30pm to 10pm until 20 December. There were lots of multicultural Food trucks located on Celebration Lawn.

The event was produced by the Royal Carrebean International along with Brisbane City Council and the Roma Street Parkland. It was a ticketed event hence getting

Rain did not dampen the spirits of the visitors. Many families with children made this their must go event. It was a place where kids could run around and be amazed by the colors and the spectacle they encountered every step of the way.

Day theme in Australia was ‘Inclusion. Respect. Equity.’, which acknowledged these 3 fundamental principles in the ongoing fight against HIV/ AIDS.

The World’s Aids day awareness meeting was held in the Parliament house in Brisbane on 1 December each year to

Brisbane, December 1 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

World’s Aids day meeting was held at the City Hall in Brisbane. Many community organisations supported the efforts to spread awareness around aids which still prevails and thretens many

www.mccq.org.au

communities in the world. especially the pharmacy industry is most concerned about the supplies of Aids Drugs, the acquisition and sale to the right people at the right time.

keep raising awareness about HIV and AIDS. In 2021, there was an estimated 29,460 people living with HIV in Australia, and there is currently an estimated 39 million cases around the world.

The World AIDS Day is held

This year’s World AIDS

a ticket prior to your arrival was a must. However, many could linger around the food stalls which was a free area and get a brids eye view of the garden spectacle.

This years success has geared the organisers to do this again in 2024. The dates for 2024 will soon be announced. One should definietly not miss the event. Appreciation for the creative artists who put in a lot of efforts to put the technology and creativity together to give visitors the experience of life must and should be acknoledged by visiting the gardens and buying the tickets.

the city council king George square.

In Australia, World AIDS Day is a day for the community to show their support for people living with HIV, raise awareness about HIV prevention, treatment and care eliminate stigma and discrimination around HIV remember people who have died of AIDS-related illnesses.

In Brisbane it was organised by the Queensland Council for LGBTI Health. A candlelight vigil was organised at

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

COMMUNITY NEWS

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

ECCQ Extends Welcome to New State Premier the Hon Steven Miles, MP Brisbane, December 13 (MCCQ Newsdesk) Press Release ECCQ

The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) proudly extends its warmest congratulations to Ms. Annastacia Palaszczuk on her commendable leadership and service as the former premier of Queensland. Her dedication to the people of Queensland has been exemplary, and her commitment to encouraging inclusivity and diversity has played a crucial role in driving a more vibrant and harmonious community.

Ms. Palaszczuk’s tenure has been marked by resilience,

compassion, and a steadfast commitment to the well-being of all Queenslanders. Under her leadership, the state has navigated through challenging times, her efforts to prioritise the needs of the diverse communities within Queensland have not gone unnoticed.

As the Hon Steven Miles MP, Premier of Queensland assumes leadership, ECCQ warmly welcomes him to his new role.

“ECCQ acknowledges that Ms Palaszczuk was the architect of the Multicultural Recognition Act 2016,

and it is our hope that Hon Steven Miles MP, Premier of Queensland will continue to build on this legacy with more resource to the Multicultural Sector in Queensland”, said Elijah Buol OAM, Chairperson.

We further congratulate the Hon Cameron Dick, MP as new Deputy Premier and continuing Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, and the Hon Charis Mullen, MP as Minister for Child Safety, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

We acknowledge the support of both Hon Cameron Dick, MP and Hon Charis Mullen, MP as strong advocates for multicultural communities.

We eagerly anticipate working together to continue driving positive changes for Queensland communities.

ECCQ is looking forward to collaborating with Premier Miles and the Queensland Government to ensure the voices of our diverse communities are heard and considered in the policy-making process. We look to continue building a Queensland that

is stronger, more vibrant, and reflective of the cultural richness that defines our state.

ECCQ acknowledges Ms Annastacia Palaszczuk’s legacy and expresses gratitude for her unwavering dedication to Queensland. We extend our best wishes to Premier Steven Miles as he takes on the responsibilities of leading our state. ECCQ remains committed to working collaboratively with the government to promote the interests of Queensland’s culturally diverse communities.

Improved and Safer place to take refuge during any future disaster Fiji, December 13 (MCCQ Newsdesk) Media Release

KADAVU – More than 500 villagers of Nabukelevu-I-Ra in the district of Nabukelevu in Kadavu now have an improved and safer place to seek refuge in during any future disaster.

This follows the commissioning of the Nabukelevu-I-Ra Evacuation Center Retrofitting project by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster

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Management, Hon. Sakiasi R Ditoka.

Funded under the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management’s Self-Help Programme (SHP) at a cost of more than $10,000, this new development by the Coalition Government is intended to serve as a provisional space that provides basic shelter for people affected by disasters. The newly improved facility also can accommodate

evacuees with special needs.

Nabukelevu-I-Ra villager Ms. Salanieta Caudre was among the many villagers who acknowledged the Government for coming to their aid.

“Before we have to walk down to the school to shelter in, especially during a cyclone.

We would worry about our safety there because the school is situated near the sea,” said the 83-year-old.

“But we are very happy and grateful to the Government

for helping us with the retrofitting of our evacuation center. Now we no longer have to run down to the school, we all just have to come to the village hall, and we can confidently say we feel much safer in here.”

Mr. Filimoni Waqarua thanked the Government for the assistance, saying the villagers were grateful for this aid from the Government.

In commissioning the project, Hon. Ditoka said with the

increase in the intensity and strength of disasters such as cyclones, having evacuation centers to be retrofitted was not only timely but crucial in ensuring the safety of each individual.

“We have been experiencing category 5 cyclones and that is why we need to enhance evacuation centers that serve as provisional space that provide basic shelter for people affected by disasters,” he said.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Solar Power is changing the educational environment in Kadavu Fiji, December 13 (MCCQ Newsdesk) Media Release

KADAVU – The Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management has successfully installed solar power panels at Nabukelevu District School in Kadavu, changing the educational environment and delivering light to over 100 students attending the remote rural school.

Prior to the implementation of the project, the students at Nabukelevu District School faced limitations in their studies, relying on solar lanterns for night studies.

However, this assistance by the Government has changed this reality, opening up new opportunities for education and fostering a brighter future for the students.

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Previously, the school heavily depended on a generator that provided electricity during specific periods in the morning and evening. With the introduction of solar power, this dependency is now a thing of the past.

Nabukelevu District School is now equipped with 24-hour access to clean and renewable energy.

“Before we used to have a really hard time, especially with our night study sessions for our boarding students at the dormitory. Their night studies would depend on whether the solar lanterns were charged or not. Also, the school compound is always dark, but now we have solar security lights that are operational during the night,” Nabukelevu District School Head teacher Mr. Josese Salabiau.

The transformative impact of the solar project extends beyond the students to the teaching staff. Before the implementation of the solar project, teachers faced challenges working late into the night due to the unavailability of power. The introduction of solar energy not only allows them to extend their working hours but also facilitates the use of electrical equipment for educational purposes.

“For teachers, before we’d have to ensure that if we needed to print some lesson notes for the students, we could only do it during the designated times when the generator is on. But through this assistance by the Government, we can do this at any time, and now we can also work into the night to complete some of our tasking as we now have access to solar

power round the clock.”

Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Hon. Sakiasi R Ditoka said he understood the challenges faced by schools located away from the city. He said the project at Nabukelevu District School not only ensured better study conditions for students but also enhanced the working environment for teachers.

In addressing the students during the commissioning of the project, Hon. Ditoka also encouraged the students to work hard in school to become good future leaders.

“This development that we are commissioning here today is the responsibility of the Government. It is the responsibility of all Governments, the past, present and future governments to serve the people. We will see where

and how we can help, and we hope what we have today will help progress the good work already being done by the school.

Funded under the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management’s Self–Help Programme (SHP) at $42,000, the project included the installation of solar power to 7 teachers’ quarters, 1 dormitory, 1 kindergarten, 2 school blocks, and security lights at the school’s playground.

Meanwhile, Minister Ditoka also commissioned two other solar projects at Muani Village in the district of Ravitaki and Muanisolo Village in the district of Naceva in Kadavu.

Both projects were funded

by Australian Aid, to provide lighting systems in the designated evacuation centres in the two villages.

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Solons call for unity, kindness this Christmas season Manila, Dec 25 (PNA)

By Filane Mikee Cervantes

MANILA – Lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Monday called for unity and kindness this Christmas season.

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said Christmas is a season of unity that transcends political divisions.

“As we gather with our loved ones during this joyous season, let us reflect on the true spirit of Christmas that transcends political affiliations and unites us in shared warmth and compassion.

Let Christmas serve as a reminder that beyond political discourse, we are bound by our shared commitment to serve the people and uphold the values that define our great nation,” Dalipe said in a statement.

House Assistant Majority Leader and PBA Party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles said the holiday should be a reminder to continue to spread love amid all the negativity, hate and anger.

“As we spend time with our family and our loved ones, let us not forget the reason we celebrate Christmas: to share the love of Jesus Christ and show our devotion to our faith and our commitment to serve our nation and our people,” Nograles said.

“We should remain generous and kind and act in the likeness of Christ everyday of our lives for He is our Savior and we lift and do all things through Him. Merry, merry Christmas and may everyone have a bigger, more pleasant, fulfilling and brighter 2024!,” she added.

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee said he would continue to advocate for stable jobs, fair wages, adequate food and good health for all.

“Lagi po nating alalahanin at isabuhay ang diwa ng Pasko -- ang pagmamahalan, pagbibigayan, at malasakit para sa isa’t isa (Let’s all remember to live up to the true spirit of Christmas -- love, generosity, and compassion),”

PHILLIPINES

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Lee said.

Close to 60K passengers arrive in Phillipines on Christmas week

Speaker Martin Romualdez, meanwhile, said the “precious gift of family” should be cherished this festive season.

“In every shared laugh, every shared meal, we weave stronger bonds that hold our families together. Let these moments remind us of the love and warmth that family brings into our lives, a love that is our truest treasure,” he said.

Romualdez said Christmas is also a time of giving, not just of material gifts, but of kindness and compassion.

“In every gift shared, a thread of hope is woven into the fabric of our community.

Let us embrace the spirit of Bayanihan, reaching out to our neighbors, and spreading joy to those in need. In doing so, we light up the lives of others, just as the parols light up our sky,” he said.

“Together, let’s carry this spirit of unity and love into the New Year,” he added.

(PNA)

JAMPACKED. Passengers crowd the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 check-in area in Pasay City on Friday (Dec. 22, 2023). The Manila International Airport Authority says there were 141,164 passengers on Dec. 21, breaching the management's estimate of 140,000 daily passengers during the holiday season. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald Alfiler) Manila,Dec 25 (PNA)

By Ferdinand Patinio MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) recorded close to 60,000 arrivals leading to Christmas Day. A total of 51,390 arrivals were recorded on the first day of December in all international airports.

The figure rose to 59,541 on Dec. 22 and 58,993 on Dec. 23.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco noted that more than 85 percent of passengers arrive via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

He said a total of 31,408 departures were recorded on Dec. 23, higher than the 25,759 processed on Dec. 1.

He assured travelers that the BI is

ready to serve the traveling public, deploying rapid response teams and augmentation teams to ensure efficient immigration processing.

Tansingco urged arriving Filipinos to use the e-gates for faster immigration clearance and reminded passengers to register via the etravel portal at etravel.gov.ph at least 72 hours prior to arrival or departure.

He lauded immigration officers who remain on duty during the holiday season.

“All hands on deck for our immigration officers. We commend our frontline personnel who remain on duty and sacrifice time with their families during the holidays to be able to service the traveling public,” he said in a statement. (PNA)

PEZA: Transport modernization lures EV firms to set up factory in PH Manila,DEC 24 (PNA)

By Kris Crismundo

MANILA – The transport modernization program of the government has become an attractive factor to lure foreign companies to establish their electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing in the country, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso Panga said.

Panga told reporters over the weekend that at least four EV manufacturers from the United States, China and Indonesia are looking into investing in the country and establishing their factories within PEZA ecozones.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. Many families bond together for the most joyful occasion of the year at Luneta Park in Manila on Monday (Dec. 25, 2023). Christmas is one of the most sacred days for Christians. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

“We are actually in talks with one American (company), which will be manufacturing e-buses, e-heavy equipment, and even cars. And they want to participate in the modernization of our transport,” Panga said, identifying the American firm as Envirotech Vehicles, Inc. (EVT).

He said PEZA has accompanied EVT in scouting locations for its facility, which may likely be in the Pampanga or Calabarzon area.

He added its planned Philippine factory will be EVT’s first facility in Southeast Asia.

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Once it operates its EV facility in the Philippines, the American firm will be exporting 200 e-buses to Singapore as its initial order.

Aside from the American EV company, two Chinese manufacturers and one from Indonesia expressed their intent to invest in the Philippines, Panga said.

The PEZA chief said that by January 2024, one Chinese EV company will register its two- and three-wheel e-motorcycle assembly activity with the investment promotion agency. The investment value has yet to be determined.

He said the Philippines becomes an attractive location for EV manufacturing as the Marcos administration is committed to the net zero carbon emission goal.

“This is now the perfect time to be shifting from fuel-based to e-vehicle. I think it’s now a growing trend -- the shifting from fossil-based to something electric,” he added.

Earlier, Panga said its planned mega-ecozone in Palawan could be a perfect location for e-vehicle activities, where it can house all the supply chain of the EV industry. (PNA)

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BURMA

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Rohingya exodus largest displacement of people in Asia post Vietnam War New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS)

Tokyo prosecutors on Tuesday The world learnt of the Rohingyas in August 2017 when violence on a large scale, unprecedented human rights violations and armed attacks drove thousands from this ethnic community out of their homes in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

Widely called a genocide, the Rohingya massacre is the ongoing persecution of the Rohingya people that are predominantly Muslim, by Myanmar’s military. This genocide has had two phases: The military crackdown that occurred from October 2016 to January 2017; and the second phase which is going on since August 2017.

When the largest wave of Rohingyas -- 700,000 people, as per UN reports -- fled Myanmar in 2017, this human exodus was the largest in Asia since the Vietnam War. Over 960,000 of them fled to Bangladesh and a majority of them live in the Cox Bazar area, a port city, making it the world’s largest refugee camp.

Several others fled to India, Thailand, Malaysia, and other parts of South and Southeast Asia to escape the ethnic cleansing.

The community, regarded by the UN as among “the most persecuted minorities in the world”, and “amongst the world’s least wanted”, have officially been denied Burmese citizenship since the Burmese nationality law was

enacted in 1982. They have however been persecuted and marginalised since long before this legislation.

retaliation against the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army attacks on Myanmar border posts.

Some of the restrictions on them include signing a document to commit to not having more than two children, not being allowed to travel without official permission, no right to receive higher education nor essential services and means of support.

In late September 2017, a seven-member panel of the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal, an international human rights organisation based in Italy, found the Burmese military and authority guilty of genocide against the Rohingya and the Kachin minority groups (another ethnicity).

The persecution of Rohingya Muslims goes back to at least the 1970s, with their persecution at the hands of Buddhist Nationalists and the Burmese government.

Celebrated political figure and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was criticised for her silence over the issue and for supporting the military’s actions.

The present refugee crisis was spurred by the crackdown by the Myanmar armed forces against the Rohingyas in the northwestern region of the country (Rakhine). This act of the military has been called ethnic cleansing and genocide by different UN agencies, International Criminal Court officials, human rights groups, journalists, governments etc.

In August 2018, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights declared that Burmese military generals should be tried for genocide. On 23 January 2020, the International Court of Justice ordered Myanmar to prevent genocidal violence against its Rohingya minority and to preserve evidence of past attacks.

Evidence against the Myanmar government of carrying out the genocide includes wide-scale violation of human rights, extrajudicial killings, gang rapes, infanticide, committing arson on Rohingya properties and institutions, as stated by the UN. The Burmese government, however, dismissed it and called it “exaggerations’’.

The Rohingyas seek subsistence in the far off places they are moved to, and it is Bangladesh that has the largest concentration of them.

It was in August 2017 when the persecution of the Rohingyas was launched in

The storm impacted 2.3 million people in Bangladesh, which included 930,000 Rohingya refugees. The damage could not be repaired due to the monsoon rains that followed, leaving the refugees without shelter, exposed in the rain.

Arrangements for their food and water supplies, along with reasonable accommodation with proper amenities, remain a major challenge.

The Rohingya refugees continue to lack legal status, livelihood opportunities and with their movement beyond the camps restricted, leaving them entirely dependent

on humanitarian assistance coming from anywhere And until aid arrives and eases their survival a little, weather-related hazards continue to be a danger.

The only way forward is a political dialogue for their voluntary repatriation, but these stateless people living off humanitarian aid will eventually become a burden on their host countries, and there may come a time when they have to choose between their own citizens and these refugees.

(Kavya Dubey may be reached at kavya.d@ians.in)

In May this year, when Cyclone Mocha, a most severe storm in the region in recent times, struck Bangladesh and Myanmar, it caused widespread destruction and had a devastating impact on infrastructure and millions of people across the two countries.

Shop #2, 493, Ipswich Road, Annerley QLD 4103

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

HEALTH

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Scientists find new method Ebola virus uses to infect cells

Global female contraceptives market to grow slightly in next decade: Report past decade. According to New York, Dec 19 (IANS)

New York, Dec 19 (IANS)

A new study has shown that Ebola virus creates and uses intercellular tunnels to move from cell to cell and evade treatments.

The findings by scientists at Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) revealed that Ebola virus creates the very tunnels it uses to hide and move within the human body.

The study, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, may help develop effective drugs and therapies that can stop viruses in their tracks.

“Our findings suggest that the virus can create its hiding place, hide and then move to new cells and replicate,” said Olena Shtanko, Assistant Professor at Texas Biomed.

Specifically, the virus is generating something called tunneling nanotubes -- dynamic connections between

cells that allow the cells to communicate by exchanging particles over relatively long distances, up to 200 microns.

While these structures have been shown to play a prominent role in promoting neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, HIV-1 and influenza, Dr. Shtanko is the first to investigate their role in disseminating Ebola virus.

“When we launched this project a couple of years ago, we thought the general model of spread of Ebola virus infection -- where a viral particle infects a cell, replication begins, new virus particles are made and released into the body to infect neighboring cells --was a bit too simplistic,” Dr. Shtanko said.

Using state-of-the-art technology with live scanning electron and high-resolution 3D-microscopy, Dr. Shtanko

and her team showed that Ebola virus infection in cells enhanced the formation of tunneling nanotubes containing viral particles.

The tunneling nanotubes then promoted the transfer of these particles to other cells.

Notably, the full virus was not required to trigger nanotube formation, only small sections of the virus coding for individual proteins were needed.

This happened even in the presence of treatments meant to stop Ebola virus.

“Importantly, we observed that Ebola virus infection could spread in cultures treated with virus entry inhibitors or therapeutic treatments that stop viruses from entering a cell,” Dr. Shtanko explained.

However, the scientists are yet to learn how exactly Ebola virus particles are transported through tunneling nanotubes.

UK approves non-hormonal menopause drug to prevent hot flashes

London, Dec 18 (IANS)

Health authorities in the UK have approved a menopause drug that can prevent hot flashes, and help scores of women for whom hormone replacement therapy is not suitable.

The once daily prescription-only medicine, known as Veozatm (fezolinetant) 45 mg can aid in the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) associated with menopause.

VMS, also known as hot flashes and/or night sweats, are common symptoms of www.mccq.org.au

menopause. Worldwide, more than half of women 40 to 64 years of age experience. VMS can have a disruptive impact on women’s daily activities and overall quality of life.

Veoza is a non hormonal drug that directly acts on the brain to prevent hot flashes. It works by blocking neurokinin B (NKB) binding on the kisspeptin/neurokinin/dynorphin (KNDy) neuron to modulate neuronal activity in the brain’s temperature control center (the hypothalamus) to reduce the number and intensity of hot flashes and night sweats.

“Hot flushes and night sweats caused by menopause are common, and can have a significant impact on a woman’s daily life. We are therefore pleased to have authorized Veoza (fezolinetant) for hot flushes and night sweats caused by menopause via our reliance procedure,” Julian Beach, the interim executive director of healthcare quality and access at the Medicines

and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), was quoted as saying to the Guardian.

“No medicine would be approved unless it met our expected standards of safety, quality and effectiveness, and we continue to keep the safety of all medicines under close review,” he added.

Veoza has been approved for use in women experiencing hot flashes associated with the menopause with immediate effect. However, it has not been studied for safety and efficacy in women over the age of 65, the MHRA said, so no dose recommendation can yet be made for this age group.

The contraceptives market is forecast to slightly increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.5 per cent to $8.2 billion in 2032 from $7.8 billion in 2022, according to a report.

The slight growth will be particularly seen across the seven major markets such as the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and Japan.

The report by GlobalData, a data and analytics company, revealed that oral contraceptives dominate the contraceptives market, and this trend is not projected to dramatically change over the next 10 years.

GlobalData expects limited pipeline drugs to enter the market, with one late-stage pipeline drug to launch during the forecast period in the US, Spain, and UK, while two marketed drugs are expected to launch in Japan.

Together, these late-stage pipeline products are expected to add approximately $53.1 million in sales to the contraceptives market in 2032.

“The driver of the slight growth will be the growing population in the US and UK as well as the continued success of oral contraceptives.

However, the major barrier to the growth of the contraceptives market is the lack of launches of new contraceptives across the seven major markets,” said Dr Shireen Mohammad, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Analyst at GlobalData, in a statement.

He said that a decrease in the 5EU and Japan populations throughout the forecast period will result in decreased contraceptives market sales.

“Cultural and religious opposition and misconceptions in certain markets, such as Japan and Italy, will also limit sales growth,” Mohammad added.

The contraceptives market has been dominated by intrauterine devices and oral contraceptives over the

key opinion leaders, oral contraceptives are the most commonly prescribed form of contraception.

Some physicians also praised IUDs because they are associated with higher compliance rates. Patients may forget to take oral contraceptives every day and as a result, may get pregnant. Thus, physicians prefer methods that are more efficacious and less burdensome for patients.

“The current unmet needs for the contraceptives market are similar to those that were present 10 years ago. Poor side-effect profiles along with low patient compliance and adherence rates spearhead the list of unmet needs for this market,” Mohammad said.

He said that many women choose not to use contraceptives to avoid side effects such as irregular bleeding patterns, weight gain, or changes in mood.

“These side effects may also cause women to discontinue their form of birth control,” he said.

Additionally, the opinion leaders discussed the need for non-hormonal contraceptives, as many women do not want to take hormonal contraceptives due to side effects.

Access to contraceptive methods also remains a challenge in the majority of the seven markets.

“While contraceptives may be approved and launched in the seven major markets, they may or may not be covered by insurance companies. If they are not covered, many patients are not able to afford them.

“Finally, awareness of different contraceptive methods could be increased since many patients and providers are unaware of many of the currently marketed forms of contraception and how to insert them if they require a device,” he said.

He said that overall the contraceptive market is not expected to change over the next 10 years.

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AFRICA

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Egypt monitoring Red Sea tension as ships Egypt’s Sisi wins avoid Suez Canal presidential election with “serious risks” to the safety of 89.6% of vote on October 7. ships and crew.

Rabie said only 55 ships

Cairo, Dec 18 (IANS)

Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority (SCA) announced it was closely monitoring the impacts of military tensions in the Red Sea, following major carriers taking alternative routes due to safety concerns.

SCA Chairman Osama Rabie said in a statement that maritime traffic was normal in the canal connecting the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, reports Xinhua news agency.

He added that the SCA was closely evaluating the impact of certain shipping lines temporarily shifting their routes to the Cape of Good Hope.

In recent days, at least four major freight firms said to reduce or suspend passage through the Red Sea due to repeated attacks from Yemen’s Houthi militia on commercial vessels in the area since the Israel-Hamas war broke out

have rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope route since November 19, compared with the passage of 2,128 ships through the Suez Canal during the period.

He added that 77 ships crossed the Suez Canal on Sunday, including some ships belonging to shipping lines that announced the temporary diversion.

Rabie affirmed that the Suez Canal would remain the fastest and shortest route for vessels transiting between Asia and Europe, as time saved in sailing could range from nine days to two weeks, depending on ports of departure and arrival.

As the first shipping line alerted by the attacks, Danish logistics giant Maersk on on December 15 advised its fleet to halt all voyages through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a narrow sea passage near Yemen, which holds immense strategic significance, serving as a major artery for global oil shipments and as a crucial gateway to the Suez Canal.

Maersk cited alarm over the “deteriorating situation” and

Its decision will likely impact global supply chains, given that the company owns one of the world’s largest container vessel fleets.

Other shipping leaders, including Switzerland’s MSC, France’s CMA CGM, and Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd, quickly followed suit, expressing similar worries over maritime security in the region.

On December 16, MSC said its container ship MSC PALATIUM III was attacked at 9.37 a.m. a day earlier while transiting the Red Sea under sub charter to Messina Line, prompting it to pause transit through the Suez Canal until the Red Sea passage is safe.

The Iran-backed Houthi militia has claimed responsibility for several cross-border missile attacks towards Israel, as well as the hijacking and attacking of Israel-bound commercial ships in the Red Sea since the Gaza war.

The Suez Canal, which carries 12 per cent of global trade, serves as one of Egypt’s main sources of foreign currency.

Cairo, Dec 19 (IANS) Egypt’s National Election Authority (NEA) has declared that incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi won the 2024 presidential election with nearly 40 million, or 89.6 per cent of valid votes.

At a press conference in Cairo, Chairman of the NEA Hazem Badawy said on Monday that nearly 44.8 million citizens at home and abroad voted in the election, out of around 67 million eligible voters, representing a turnout of 66.8 per cent, which is “the highest turnout in Egypt’s history”.

Hazem Omar, who leads the Republican People’s Party, won 4.5 per cent of the vote, followed by the Egyptian Social Democratic Party’s Farid Zahran, and the Egyptian Wafd Party’s Abdel-Sanad Yamama, Xinhua news agency reported.

Following the announcement of the election’s results, Sisi gave a speech to the nation, in which he said “choosing me for the mission of leading the country is a responsibility that I bear faithfully”.

“The state is grappling with a multitude of challenges across all levels,” on top of which is the conflict in Gaza that threatens “Egypt’s national security,” he added.

“We own the military and economic capabilities for persevering the national security and the people gains,” the Egyptian President said.

Voting in Egypt took place on December 10-12 while Egyptians abroad cast their vote on December 1-3 in 121 countries.

The result is final as the incumbent candidate’s winning a large majority to waive the country of a run-off, according to Egyptian laws.

Wildfire rages on for third day near Cape Town in South Africa Cape Town, Dec 22 (IANS)

South Africa to build new nuclear plants

Johannesburg, Dec 13 (IANS)

A wildfire was burning for a third day on a mountain near Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa.

The wildfire started on Tuesday on the mountain slopes of Simon’s Town, around 40 km south of Cape Town and part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality, Xinhua news agency reported.

So far, the wildfire has burnt nearly 1,140 hectare of land in the area, said a statement issued by South African National Parks on social media on Thursday evening.

According to the statement, the fire erupted under “extreme weather conditions,” including very high www.mccq.org.au

temperatures, low humidity, and strong southeasterly winds.

“These conditions, coupled with dry vegetation, created an ideal environment for rapid fire spread due to the high fire danger index. The increase in wind speed and consistent changes in direction further fuelled the fire to multiple areas,” said the statement.

Hundreds of firefighters were deployed to battle the fire on Wednesday. Five of them were injured and two were taken to hospital.

“Presently, nearly 80 firefighters, aerial resources, and management staff remain on site. An additional 60 firefighters will replace the

day shift crew overnight,” the statement added.

While nearly 40 nearby houses were evacuated in the early hours of Wednesday, the fire also put the Naval Base Simon’s Town -- South Africa’s largest naval base -- under threat, damaging one derelict building on its grounds.

Wildfires often break out on the mountain slopes around Cape Town in the hot, dry months from November to April.

They become dangerous and unpredictable when they are fanned by strong coastal windsICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The South African government will begin the process of adding 2,500 megawatts (MW) to its nuclear capacity, with the first commissioning expected in 2032 or 2033, a senior official said.

"We are triggering a procurement process. We are going out to ensure that we are able to get that additional 2,500 MW of nuclear capacity to ensure energy security and sovereignty.

This is a significant milestone," said Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister in the Presidency responsible for electricity, at a media briefing, on Tuesday.

"What we know about nuclear is the cheapest, the safest and most reliable.

And we are going this route," he added.

While the country is currently focused on ending load shedding, commonly known as power cuts, the Minister emphasised their intent to secure energy for the future, saying that the new nuclear procurement determination is currently in the process of being gazetted, Xinhua news agency reported.

South Africa currently operates only one nuclear power station, Koeberg, situated in the Western Cape Province, which is undergoing maintenance to extend its operating license and lifespan.

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EAST ASIA

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Tokyo prosecutors search sites related to scandal-hit LDP factions Tokyo, Dec 19 (IANS)

Tokyo prosecutors on Tuesday Secretary-General Toshihiro raided locations related to Nikai, the slush funds are two major factions of Japan’s believed to have amounted to ruling Liberal Democratic 100 million yen.

Party (LDP) over the growing The prosecutors are attemptpolitical fund scandal, local ing to build cases against media reported. accountants from the factions, The Tokyo Prosecutors Office alleging the groups failed to has launched an official declare hundreds of millions investigation into the faction of yen of fundraising party previously led by late Prime revenue in political funding Minister Shinzo Abe, which reports, with the money going was suspected of violating the to faction members, sources Political Funds Control Law said. by failing to report kickbacks Five major factions were allegedly given to the offices suspected of paying kickbacks of lawmakers, Xinhua news to member lawmakers who agency quoted national sold fundraising party tickets broadcaster NHK’s report as above their quota, without saying. recording the amount as The faction, namely revenue in its political fund Seiwaken, or the Seiwa policy reports. study group, was suspected In the wake of the unfolding to have pooled secret funds scandal, over 10 senior amounting to around 500 officials or heavyweight million yen ($3.51 million) lawmakers have stepped over the past five years. down from their positions in For the other searched the cabinet of Prime Minister faction led by former LDP Fumio Kishida or the LDP.

The scandal has pushed the support rate for Kishida’s Cabinet to a fresh low of 22.3 per cent in the latest survey by Kyodo News, signaling that the administration may be in the “danger zone”. of North Korean defectors in China and asked for Beijing’s active cooperation in helping North Koreans move to desired places, instead of being forced to return home, where they may face harsh punishment.

As Pyongyang’s key ally, China does not recognize North Korean defectors as refugees and regularly repatriates them to their home country.

The two top diplomats discussed efforts to promote high-level communications at all levels, including a potential visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Critics say the relations with

6.2-magnitude quake in China kills 111 people

Beijing, Dec 19 (IANS)

At least 111 people were killed after a massive earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck China’s Gansu province, authorities said on Tuesday.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the quake occurred at 11.59 p.m. on Monday night and had a focal depth of 10 km, reports Xinhua news agency.

The epicenter Liugou Township is about 8 km from the county seat of Jishishan Bao’an, Dongxiang, Salar Autonomous County in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu.

The earthquake was also felt strongly in the cities of Xining and Haidong in Qinghai, where some houses collapsed and cracked.

The fatalities were reported from Gansu and neighboring Qinghai.

The provincial fire and rescue department has sent 580 rescuers aided with 88 fire engines, 12 search and rescue dogs, and more than 10,000 sets of equipment to the www.mccq.org.au

in the quake.

President Xi Jinping has ordered full rescue efforts to Gansu.

In a statement, President Xi Jinping said that “all efforts should be made to carry out search and rescue, treat the injured in a timely manner, and minimize casualties”.

Gansu, one of China’s poorest regions, lies between the Tibetan and Loess plateaus and borders Mongolia.

China sits in a region where disaster area. a number of tectonic plates The railway authority has -- notably the Eurasian, Indian suspended passenger and and Pacific plates -- meet, cargo trains passing through the quake zone and ordered a and is particularly prone to earthquakes. safety check of the tracks.

Last September, more than In the Dahejia Township 60 people were killed when where the temperature dropped to 16 degrees Celsius a 6.6-magnitude quake hit the southwestern Sichuan below zero at dawn, more province. than 140 medical staff at A 1920 earthquake in Gansu a local hospital were busy , which killed more than taking care of the injured 200,000 people, is also people, some of whom also have loved ones out of contact recorded as one of the world’s deadliest in the 20th century.

Beijing have recently cooled due to what they describe as President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempts to bring South Korea closer to the US and Japan, a departure from the previous Moon Jae-in administration’s greater emphasis on China.

During Sunday’s talks, Park asked for Beijing’s support for South Korea’s bid to host the

2030 World Expo in Busan, and Wang said China “will seriously consider” it, according to the Ministry official.

Wang and Park last held talks on the sidelines of the Foreign Ministers’ meeting involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Jakarta in July. Wang last visited South Korea in September 2021.

3.0 magnitude quake felt in South Korea

Seoul, Dec 23 (IANS)

A 3.0 magnitude earthquake struck Jangsu in South Korea on Saturday, firefighting authorities said, but no damage has been reported.

The quake struck 17 kilometers north of Jangsu, 216 km south of Seoul, at 4:34 a.m. at a latitude of 38.5 degrees north and a longitude of 127.53 degrees east at a depth of 6 km, Yonhap News

Agency reported.

“There are no reports of damage from the earthquake, no dispatches or any unusual situation,” a firefighting official said.

Still, authorities said they received 16 reports from people who said they felt a slight shaking or an apparent earthquake.

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JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

SOUTH ASIA

Sri Lanka to reduce electricity tariff in Long-term energy pact with Jan 2024 amid increasing hydropower India will be milestone: Nepal PM generation of Nepal in a practical sense, Colombo, Dec 20 (IANS)

The Sri Lankan government will reduce the price of electricity during the next tariff revision in January

2024, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera told journalists.

Addressing a press briefing at the Presidential Media Center, Wijesekera said on

Tuesday that the state-owned electricity producer, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), is producing electricity mostly using hydropower.

He added that there was a tariff hike in October because they were generating electricity using thermal power at that point, and thermal power was very expensive, Xinhua news agency reported.

The weather was dry then, but in the past few months, Sri Lanka has received a lot of rain, he said.

Rainfall is expected to continue for two more weeks, and they will decide on the tariff reduction based on the CEB balance sheet in December, the Minister added.

Sri Lanka is now producing more than 60 per cent of its electricity through hydropower, according to the CEB data.

Bangladesh opposition vows non-cooperation in bid to halt polls Dhaka, Dec 20 (IANS)

After enforcing a series of blockades and strikes since October, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Wednesday vowed “non-cooperation” with the government in a bid to halt the crucial general elections slated for January 7, 2024.

The country’s largest opposition party urged people from all walks of life and the administration not to cooperate with the government and boycott the election, reports Xinhua news agency.

The BNP also urged people not to pay taxes from now on.

During a virtual press briefing on Tuesday, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has announced the movement as its demand for national polls under a non-party

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caretaker government remains unmet.

“The ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party is moving towards holding a dummy election on January 7,” Rizvi said.

Bangladeshi Law Minister Anisul Huq had earlier called the BNP’s demand as “unconstitutional”.

A total of 1,886 candidates are contesting in the general election for 300 constituencies.

Out of the total contesting candidates in the 12th national elections, 1,529 are candidates from 27 parties including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s AL party while 357 are independent candidates.

Since late October, the opposition movement has reportedly led to vandalism of vehicles and arson attacks, with deadly clashes between

police and workers in Dhaka and elsewhere in the South Asian country almost every day.

On Tuesday, unidentified miscreants set fire to three coaches of a passenger train in Dhaka, killing four people.

In a sumular incident on December 13, one person was killed when seven compartments of a train were derailed on an overpass in Gazipur on the outskirts of Dhaka.

The train derailed after a section of the railway line in Gazipur was allegedly severed by saboteurs due to the ongoing opposition movement.

As a result of the continued violence, army personnel will be deployed across Bangladesh to assist the civil administration in ensuring security ahead of the elections.

Kathmandu, Dec 22 (IANS)

A long-term energy deal between Nepal and India, to be signed during the upcoming visit of India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, will be a milestone, said Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.

During Dahal’s India visit in May-June, the two countries agreed to sign a long-term power agreement where India would import 10,000 megawatts from Nepal in ten years. However, the formal agreement could not be signed at that time.

Now, both the countries have formalized the long-term inter-government power trade agreement, which is expected to be signed during Jaishankar’s visit to Nepal.

“Soon, we are going to sign the long-term energy deal with India,” Dahal said on Friday while inaugurating the second largest electricity substation whose purpose is to export electricity to India.

The mid-term and long-term energy trading deal between Nepal and India will be signed in Kathmandu. For this, senior Indian officials are also arriving in Kathmandu, the Prime Minister added.

The 25-year long-term agreement was initiated when Dahal visited India between May 31 and June 3.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced during a joint press meet with Dahal that the southern neighbour would buy 10,000 MW of electricity in 10 years from Nepal under the long-term power trade agreement.

“During my India visit, we have laid a good foundation for energy trade between Nepal and India. To materialize the long-term power trade which was agreed between Nepal and India and to use the abundant water resources

we are going to make a special announcement in Kathmandu,” said Dahal, whose government is battling due to poor governance, service delivery, recession in the economy, poor governance among others.

Dahal inaugurated the electricity substation which was largely built by Indian consultants and Indian construction companies and is largely instrumental in exporting energy from Nepal and India from the eastern part.

He also shared that Nepal has earned over Rs 15 billion (nearly 10 billion Indian rupees) while trading spill energy with India in the last year. After formalizing the agreement in writing, this will ensure India is the primary energy market of Nepal and in the first phase, Nepal will export 10,000 megawatts of energy to India. The agreement will be valid for another 25 years following the day of signing of the agreement.

Besides exporting power to India, there is a sharp increase in Indian investment in Nepal’s energy sector. India’s SJVN Limited, which is developing the 900 MW Arun-3 Hydropower Project, has also been granted a license to develop the 669 MW Lower Arun Hydropower Project and the 490 MW Arun-4.

Arun-4 will be developed as a joint venture by the NEA and SJVN, which will have a majority stake.

Likewise, India’s NHPC Limited is also set to develop the 750 MW West Seti and the 450 MW Seti River-6 project. Similarly, NHPC Limited and Vidyut Utpadan Company Limited signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop the 480 MW Phukot Karnali Project during Dahal’s India visit. Indian firm GMR is also making efforts to develop the 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydropower Project.

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EUROPE COMMUNITY NEWS

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue July 2022 - Vol 1, Issue 1 1

Italy returned 10% of failed asylum requests in 2022: EU data Rome, Dec 19 (IANS)

Italy repatriated almost 10 per cent of asylum seekers last year, data released by the European Commission showed.

The latest edition of the Commission’s Atlas of Migration showed on Monday that Italy repatriated 2,790 out of 28,185 migrants whose asylum requests were turned down. Meanwhile, the average repatriation rate in the EU as a whole was 17 per cent.

Hungary, Turkey elevate bilateral ties to ‘priority strategic’ EU data showed that the bloc (12 per cent) and significantly received a total of 884,985 below 2019 (24 per cent). level new asylum applications for Among the EU member international protection in 2022, up by nearly 65 per cent from the previous year.

More than half of all asylum requests in the bloc were rejected last year, Xinhua news agency reported.

The 2022 repatriation rate in Italy is slightly higher than the previous year (nine per cent), but remains lower than 2020

states, Italy has taken a more hardline stance in curbing the number of migrant arrivals.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has estimated that this year, there were more than 153,530 sea arrivals of migrants to Italy through Sunday, marking the highest total since 2016.

London, Dec 19 (IANS)

Italy’s population drops below 59 million and continues to decline

Rome, Dec 19 (IANS)

Italy’s population continued to decline in 2022, dropping below 59 million people, the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) said.

The 59 million threshold was first exceeded in Italy in 2009, and in the following year the population reached 60.6 million for the first time in the country’s history, reports Xinhua news agency.

The latest census data released on Monday showed that 58,997,201 people resided in the country as of December 31, 2022, 32,932 less than a year earlier.

The number of births broke a “negative record”, ISTAT said.

The country registered 393,000 births in 2022, equaling a birth rate of 6.7 per thousand population. This was

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almost 7,000 below the 2021 figure and 183,000 below the 2008 figure.

Last year, the country registered an increase in births.

The number of babies born to non-Italian parents was 53,000 in 2022, making up 13.5 per cent of all newborns.

“The decrease in population remains contained thanks to the positive dynamics of the foreign population,” ISTAT said.

The census included over 5.1 million foreign residents, with an annual increase of 111,000, or 2.2 per cent.

Overall, foreign-born citizens accounted for 8.7 per cent of the total resident population.

Life expectancy at birth was estimated at 80.5 years for males and 84.8 years for females in 2022.

Some 61.3 per cent of the

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed an agreement here elevating the bilateral ties to “priority strategic” level.

Orban on Monday told a joint press conference following the signing of the agreement that “in the language of diplomacy, this expresses the strongest possible friendly, brotherly and political cooperation”.

Speaking of bilateral economic ties, Orban said that the volume of trade in goods has doubled over the past 10 years, with 500 Turkish companies operating in Hungary and 100 Hungarian companies in Turkey, Xinhua news agency reported.

He added that Turkish investments in Hungary are continuously increasing both in number and value, extending to new areas, such as railway development and

defence industry agreements.

Orban emphasized the importance of Turkey in Hungary’s security, especially in managing migration.

“Turkish-Hungarian relations are friendly, with long-standing roots, and both sides have the intention to expand them,” Erdogan said.

Earlier on Monday, Hungarian President Katalin Novak received Erdogan, and later in the day, they also held talks.

Seventeen agreements covering various areas were signed during the Turkish President’s visit. Beyond commerce, energy security took the forefront, with mutual agreements in natural gas transit and procurement.

Turkey will become a source for Hungary’s natural gas purchases next year.

Erdogan concluded the visit by attending the opening concert of the joint Hungarian-Turkish cultural season.

country’s 7,904 municipalities lost population compared to 2021, ISTAT said.

A slight increase in population, however, was registered in 2,936 larger municipalities, which all together were home to over 28.3 million people.

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EUROPE

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Attacks on commercial ships in Red Volcano eruption in Iceland sparks emergency measures Sea risk pushing up oil price

London, Dec 19 (IANS)

Attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea risk pushing up the price of oil and other goods, analysts have warned, according to a media report.

Several firms have paused shipments through the route after vessels were attacked by Houthi rebels in Yemen, BBC reported.

The world’s second largest shipping line, Maersk, said on Tuesday that it would reroute some of its vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, the report said.

The disruption has led the US to launch an international naval operation to protect ships in the Red Sea route.

Countries joining the security action - named ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian’ - include the UK, Canada, France,

Bahrain, Norway and Spain.

Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin held a virtual meeting with ministers from more than 40 countries on Tuesday, and called on more nations to contribute to the security efforts.

“These reckless Houthi attacks are a serious international problem and they demand a firm international response,” he said.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence said the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond would join the new task force, with the security situation “deteriorating”, BBC reported.

The Red Sea is one of the world’s most important routes for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, as well as for consumer goods.

It is bookended by the Bab al-Mandab Strait - also known as the Gate of Tears - in the south near the coast of Yemen and the Suez Canal in the north.

Houthis have declared their backing for Hamas in the latter’s war with Israel and the rebels based in Yemen said they were targeting vessels which they believe are heading for Israel.

However, some firms, such as Investor Chemical Tankers, whose Swan Atlantic vessel was attacked on Monday, said that its ship had no links to Israel, BBC reported.

Despite the launch of the international operation to ensure safe passage through the Red Sea, Maersk said it was not clear when it would resume journeys along the route.

Serbian President Vucic claims absolute majority at snap polls

Belgrade, Dec 18 (IANS)

Serbian President Alexander Vucic announced that the coalition around the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won over 127 out of 250 seats at the snap parliamentary elections.

“This is an absolute victory that makes me very happy,” Vucic said on Sunday night, noting that the coalition around SNS also won the elections in Serbia’s northern province of Vojvodina.

Vucic said that Serbia will

stay on the path to European Union (EU) accession while defending its territorial integrity in its southern province of Kosovo and Metohija, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to unofficial results of the independent election monitoring organisation CESID, based on 80.2 per cent of their sample, the coalition around SNS “Serbia Must Not Stop” won 46.4 per cent of votes.

The second-ranked is the pro-European opposition coalition “Serbia Against Violence” which won 23.3 per cent.

The SNS has been in power since 2012 but there have been three elections in the past three years.

As well as voting for

parliament, Serbians were deciding on Sunday who would control 65 local authorities.

Turnout nationally was estimated at 59.1 per cent.

Serbia is a candidate to become a member of the EU, and President Vucic is under pressure from both the bloc and the US to normalise relations with Kosovo.

Kosovo declared unilateral independence from Serbia in 2008, and while it is recognised by more than 100 UN members, Serbia has refused to do so - backed by allies like Russia, China and five EU members.

Some 95,000 ethnic Serbs live in Kosovo and those who wanted to vote had to cross into Serbia to cast their ballot.

Reykjavik, Dec 19 (IANS)

Reykjavik area and Keflavik A volcano has erupted on the International Airport.

Reykjanes Peninsula of south- The eruption can be seen from capital Reykjavik, which is west Iceland after weeks of about 42 km north-east of intense earthquake activity, Grindavik. the national meteorological The defensive fortifications office said on Tuesday.

“The eruption is located close that began construction recently will make a signifito Sundhnukagigar, about 4 cant difference to the handling km northeast of Grindavik, and it can be seen on nearby of volcanic eruption, Prime web cameras,” Xinhua news Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir was quoted by local news agency quoted the Icelandic outlet RUV as saying.

Meteorological Office as She said her thoughts were saying. with the local community It added that the eruption and she was hoping for the began at 10.17 p.m. on best despite the “significant Monday night following the earthquake swarm that started event”.

President Gudni Johannesson at around 9 p.m. said safeguarding lives was The length of the crack in the volcano is about 3.5 km, the main priority but that with the lava flowing at a rate every effort would be made to protect structures too. of around 100 to 200 cubic metres per second, the Office Since October 24, Icelandic meteorologists have been noted. monitoring a rise in seismic It said that this was many activity on the Reykjanes times more than in previous Peninsula, which may eruptions on the Reykjanes signal an impending volcanic Peninsula in recent years. eruption.

A coastguard helicopter As a precautionary measure, has been sent to the area to confirm the exact location and authorities completed the evacuation of nearly 4,000 size of the eruption. residents from the town of The National Police Grindavik on the Reykjanes Commissioner of Iceland Peninsula on November 10. raised the Civil Protection In April 2010, the Service Level from Alert to Emergency in response to the Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruption caused the largest eruption. closure of European airspace The Civil Defense Coordination Centre has been since World War Two, as a result of an extensive ash activated. cloud.

Authorities have asked the Losses were estimated at public not to go to the erupbetween 1.5 billion and 2.5 tion site, and the emergency billion euros. personnel are assessing the eruption caused the largest situation. closure of European airspace All roads to the town of since World War Two, as a Grindavik are closed and traffic is prohibited, including result of an extensive ash cloud.

Highway 41, the main road Losses were estimated at along the north side of between 1.5 billion and 2.5 the Reykjanes Peninsula billion euros. which connects the greater

EU institutions reach a deal on migration policy reform deadlock New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANSlife)

of the puzzle,” said Spanish Interior Minister Fernando The Council of the EU and the European Parliament have Grande-Marlaska Gomez, whose country currently holds reached a provisional agreethe rotating presidency of the ment that will thoroughly reform the bloc’s asylum and Council, on Wednesday. migration policy, breaking “Citizens across the EU want years of deadlock on the their governments to deal issue. with the migration challenge “This reform is a crucial piece and today is a big step in this www.mccq.org.au

direction,” he added.

Under the deal, irregular migrants arriving in the EU will be screened, their biometric data will be taken, and their destination will be determined through a set of EU rules, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, they are liable

to faster deportation if their cases are considered to be “instrumentalisation of migrants,” the Council said.

The new regulations aim to increase the effectiveness of the asylum system, and enhance solidarity between EU member states by lightening the load for those dealing with the highest number of

migrant arrivals.

The provisional agreement will be submitted to EU member states after technical work.

The Council and the European Parliament have been negotiating the pact since October.

The EU has recently faced several waves of migration.

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

NORTH AMERICA

Pilot for domestic renewal of H-1B visa clears Trump ruled unfit to run for White House review presidential office (Ld)

Washington, Dec 20 (IANS)

New York, Dec 19 (IANS) The

In a move likely to benefit Indian professionals, a pilot program allowing H-1B holders to renew visas without leaving the US, has cleared a review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

To begin with, 20,000 H-1B specialty occupation workers will be able to renew their visas in the US beginning from January next year.

However, the full details of eligibility and operation of the pilot will emerge when a notice is published in the Federal Register, Bloomberg Law reported.

The pilot cleared the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs review on December

15, the final regulatory hurdle before publication.

This development comes months after the White House announced a pilot programme for domestic renewal of certain categories of H-1B visas during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June this year.

It would allow H-1B holders to renew their visas by mailing them to the State Department rather than travel outside the US and face uncertain wait times to secure an appointment at an American consular office before returning.

In countries like India, the largest source of H-1B workers, high visa wait times have added uncertainty to

travel plans for those workers and their employers.

An estimated 75 per cent of the H-1B visa granted in a year are known to go to workers from India, hired by some of the largest US tech giant such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Facebook.

Due to heavy visa backlogs, some H-1B workers have pursued work-arounds such as traveling to nearby countries with fewer backlogs to secure appointments.

The average wait time to secure a visa appointment for travel to the US fell to 130 days last year, a drop of 70 days from fiscal year 2022.

The State Department considers acceptable wait times to be closer to 90 days.

US, Finland sign defence cooperation agreement

Washington, Dec 19 (IANS)

The US and Finland signed a defence cooperation agreement (DCA), enhancing military collaboration between the two countries by obligating Helsinki to open its military bases to US forces and allowing the two militaries to conduct joint training, among other measures.

During a signing ceremony at the US State Department, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that the agreement, when becoming effective, will enable US and Finnish militaries to collaborate more efficiently and effectively, provide the troops with more opportunities to train together, and bolster NATO’s interoperability.

Finland officially became a NATO member in April, Xinhua news agency reported.

The two countries have had security cooperation over the last three decades in areas like counter-terrorism, Blinken said, adding that such cooperation has also boosted Finland’s defence capabilities, including through the recent purchase of F-35 fighter jets

by Finland from the US. Also attending the signing www.mccq.org.au

ceremony, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said the signing of the agreement marked “a great milestone” in bilateral relations between the two countries, and “strengthens the security of Nordic and Baltic regions”.

For his part, Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said the DCA “is a strong sign of US commitment to the defence of Finland and the whole Northern Europe”.

But the Finnish side does not “expect the US to take care of the defence of Finland,” and Finland will “continue to invest in our defence and shared burden in our area and beyond,” he added.

“However, this agreement significantly enhances our ability to act together in all situations in military, security, defence fields,” Hakkanen said.

According to the text of the DCA published by the Finnish government on Thursday, the deal will grant US soldiers access to Finland’s air force bases, naval bases, garrison areas, training areas, storage areas and Border Guard barracks.

In addition, the DCA would enable US forces to preposition defence equipment, supplies and material in the territory of Finland, and would allow for the entry and movement of US aircraft, vessels and vehicles.

Since the DCA contains provisions of a legislative

nature, it is subject to approval by Finland’s Parliament.

In August 2022, Finland opened negotiations with the US on a DCA which were concluded in October 2023.

In the wake of the RussiaUkraine war that broke out in February 2022, the US moved to significantly enhance bilateral defence cooperation with Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, which, plus Iceland, are collectively known as Nordic countries.

Washington amended an existing DCA with Oslo in 2022, signed a new defence agreement with Stockholm earlier in December, and will ink a similar pact with Copenhagen later this week, Blinken said at Monday’s ceremony.

Donald Trump became the first former or incumbent American President to be struck off the re-election ballot for insurrection. In other words he is not fit to run for election.

This is yet another first for the former President who has notched up several ignoble firsts: only US President -- once in office and then out -- to be impeached twice, criminally charged with mishandling classified papers, trying to overturn an electoral outcome.

In a decision that’s being historic, the Colorado Supreme Court barred Trump from running in the state’s presidential primary ruling he had engaged in insurrection on January 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters invaded the US Congress -- at this urging and direction -- to prevent lawmakers from certifying Joe Biden as the next President, which is a procedural formality of the presidential election process. He is facing upwards of 90 charges in a medley of cases brought against him by federal and state authorities.

“A majority of the court holds that President Trump is disqualified from holding

the office of President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution,” the court ruling read.

“Because he is disqualified, it would be a wrongful act under the Election Code for the Colorado Secretary of State to list him as a candidate on the presidential primary ballot.”

The ruling came under Amendment 14 of the US constitution that bars people engaging in insurrection from running for president.

“No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the US, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the US, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the US, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability, says Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Three of the seven members of the bench dissented and the case for disqualifying Trump on this very ground has been rejected by two states.

The Trump campaign has said it will appeal the ruling.

Mexican president to challenge US new anti-immigrant law Mexico City, Dec 20 (IANS)

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said that his government plans to challenge a law recently approved by the US state of Texas that allows authorities to arrest migrants suspected of illegally crossing the border.

“We are always going to be against these measures,” Lopez Obrador said on Tuesday at a press conference, noting that the Foreign Affairs Ministry was in the process of legally challenging the law.

According to the President, Texas Governor Greg Abbott aims to

rouse support with his anti-immigrant stance as he pursues the vice- presidential nomination of the Republican Party, Xinhua news agency reported.

Lopez Obrador described the Governor as “inhumane” and “cruel” for enacting the new law, known as Senate Bill 4, which criminalizes illegal entry or re-entry into the state by classifying it as a state crime, with penalties ranging from 180 days to 20 years in prison.

The Mexican government estimates that more than 40 million Mexicans reside in the US.

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

Palestinian death toll in Gaza climbs to 20,258: Ministry Gaza, Dec 24 (IANS)

The death toll of Palestinians from Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has so far risen to 20,258 since October 7, with 53,688 others being injured, the Gaza-based Health Ministry has said in a statement.

The ministry on Saturday said that at least 201 Palestinians were killed and 368 injured in Israeli attacks in the past 24 hours, Xinhua news agency reported.

Medical and security sources told the news agency that at least 18 people were killed, and several others wounded

on Saturday following an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza’s al-Bureij refugee camp.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that the Israeli offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza.

Many people are measuring the effectiveness of the humanitarian operation in Gaza based on the number of trucks allowed to unload aid across the Egyptian-Gaza border. This is a mistake, Guterres added on Friday.

“The real problem is that the way Israel is conducting this offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza,” he told reporters as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

Meanwhile, another Israeli airstrike targeting the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries, the sources added.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage.

An effective aid operation in Gaza requires security, staff who can work in safety, logistical capacity, and the resumption of commercial activity. These four elements do not exist, he said.

Security for aid delivery is absent. The intense Israeli bombardment and active combat in densely populated urban areas throughout Gaza threaten the lives of civilians and humanitarian aid workers alike. The UN waited 71 days for Israel finally to allow aid to enter Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing. The crossing was then hit while aid trucks were in the area, he added.

The humanitarian operation www.mccq.org.au

requires staff who can live and work in safety. Nearly 136 Over the last weeks and days, UN staff members in Gaza there has been no significant have been killed in 75 days change in the way the war has -- something unprecedented been unfolding in Gaza. There in the history of the United is no effective protection Nations. Nowhere is safe in of civilians. Intense Israeli Gaza, said Guterres. bombardment and ground operations continue. More Every truck that arrives at than 20,000 Palestinians have Kerem Shalom and Rafah reportedly been killed, and border crossings must be the vast majority of them unloaded, and its cargo were women and children. re-loaded for distribution Meanwhile, Hamas and other across Gaza. The United Palestinian factions continue Nations has a limited and to fire rockets from Gaza into insufficient number of trucks Israel, the UN Chief added. available for this. Many of the UN vehicles and trucks Nearly 1.9 million people were destroyed or left behind -- 85 per cent of Gaza’s following forced, hurried population -- have been evacuation from northern forced from their homes.

Gaza. But the Israeli author- The health system is on its ities have not allowed any knees. Hospitals in southern additional trucks to operate Gaza are dealing with at least in Gaza. This is massively three times their capacity. hampering the aid operation, In the north, they are barely he added. operational.

Delivering in the north is extremely dangerous due to active conflict, unexploded ordnance, and heavily damaged roads. Everywhere, frequent communications blackouts make it virtually impossible to coordinate the distribution of aid, and to let people know how to access it, the UN Chief added.

Israeli army turns hospital in northern Gaza into ‘military barracks’: Health ministry Gaza, Dec 20 (IANS)

Israel creates massive obstacles to aid distribution in Gaza: UN chief

United Nations, Dec 23 (IANS)

ISREAL /GAZA

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

According to the World Food Programme, widespread famine looms. More than half a million people, a quarter of the population, are facing what experts classify as catastrophic levels of hunger.

Four out of five of the hungriest people anywhere in the world are in Gaza. And clean water is at a trickle, Guterres said.

The resumption of commercial activities is essential.

“In these desperate condiShelves are empty, wallets are tions, it is little wonder that empty, stomachs are empty. many people cannot wait for Just one bakery is operating humanitarian distributions in the whole of Gaza, said and are grabbing whatever Guterres. they can from aid trucks. As I warned, public order is at risk “I urge the Israeli authorities of breaking down,” he added. to lift restrictions on commercial activity immediately. We Israel began its military are ready to scale up our cash operation in response to grant support to vulnerable the horrific terror attacks families -- the most effective launched by Hamas on form of humanitarian aid. But October 7. Nothing can posin Gaza, there is very little to sibly justify those attacks or buy.” the brutal abduction of nearly

The Health Ministry in Gaza has said that the Israeli army transformed the “Al Awda” hospital in the northern Gaza Strip into a “military barracks” and grounded 240 people inside it.

Ashraf Al-Qedra, the Ministry spokesman, said on Tuesday in a press statement that 80 medical staff, 40 patients and 120 displaced people are being forced to stay inside the hospital without water, food or medicine.

Al-Qedra added that the Israeli forces arrested six hospital staff, including its director Ahmed Muhanna in addition to a patient and a companion, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the WHO, only

eight out of the 36 hospitals throughout Gaza are operational and able to accept new patients, and the services are limited.

The two main hospitals in southern Gaza are operating at three times their clinical capacity while facing severe shortages of basic supplies and fuel. In addition, these hospitals provide shelter to thousands of displaced people.

Since October 7, Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip after the latter’s unprecedented attack on southern Israel, which claimed the lives of about 1,200 Israelis, according to the Israeli authorities.

250 hostages. But at the same time, these violations of international humanitarian law can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, and they do not free Israel from its own legal obligations under international law, he said.

added.

A humanitarian cease-fire is the only way to begin to meet the desperate needs of people in Gaza and end their ongoing nightmare, he added.

The spillover of the war in Gaza is already happening, he warned.

Guterres expressed the hope that Friday’s Security Council resolution that calls for the immediate acceleration of aid deliveries in Gaza, may help a humanitarian cease-fire finally to happen.

“I hope that today’s resolution will make people understand that a humanitarian cease-fire is indeed something that is needed if we want humanitarian aid to be effectively delivered,” he said.

The UN chief stressed the importance of the two-state solution.

“Looking at the longer term, I am extremely disappointed by comments from senior Israeli officials that put the two-state solution into question. As difficult as it might appear today, the two-state solution, in line with UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements, is the only path to sustainable peace,” Guterres

“Any suggestion otherwise denies human rights, dignity and hope to the Palestinian people, fueling rage that reverberates far beyond Gaza.

It also denies a safe future for Israel.”

The occupied West Bank is at boiling point. Daily exchanges of fire across the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel pose a grave risk to regional stability. Attacks and threats to shipping on the Red Sea by the Houthis in Yemen are impacting shipping with the potential to affect global supply chains, he said.

Beyond the immediate region, the conflict is polarising communities, feeding hate speech and fueling extremism.

All this poses a significant and growing threat to global peace and security, he warned.

“As the conflict intensifies and the horror grows, we will continue to do our part.

We will not give up. But at the same time, it is imperative that the international community speak with one voice -- for peace, for the protection of civilians, for an end to suffering, and for a commitment to the two-state solution, backed with action,” he added.

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

FASHION

Reverence and urgency

Redefining Fashion

Mumbai, Dec 6 (IANS) New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANSlife)

New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANSlife)

Indian homegrown fashion labels are forging ahead, seamlessly blending tradition, innovation, and sustainability.

They adeptly encapsulate millennial preferences and the surging interest in streetwear while staying attuned to global trends. In this league, five standout brands directly challenge international fashion powerhouses.

These local brands present a direct challenge by showcasing unique styles, ethical methods, and individual brand personas. While international brands focus on fast fashion, these Indian labels establish their niche through craftsmanship, streetwear designs, affordability, and a deep rapport with their audience. They symbolise an emerging wave of native talent that competes directly with international giants while remaining steadfast in their heritage and principles.

The Bear House The Bear House leads the charge; the brand serves as a symbol of clean and sleek aesthetics, meeting the contemporary man’s craving

for sophisticated urban attire.

They recognize that personal style varies for each person, prompting ‘The Bear House’ to provide an extensive array of designs and color schemes to cater to diverse preferences.

Snitch If you are looking for an edgy yet elegant, Snitch is a brand to go for. The brand primarily focuses on contemporary and street- inspired fashion bringing a fresh perspective to clothing. Their attention grabbing designs make it easier to create statement looks. The brand offers a variety of bold patterns and prints which could be mixed and matched to create a balanced outfit. While Snitch is Known for its streetwear influence their products can also be incorporated into smart casual outfits Rare Rabbit Rare Rabbit reigns supreme when it comes to timeless classics with a twist. Their contemporary designs bring out a sophisticated yet refined touch of fashion. The brand offers various options that are

perfect for both formal and casual occasions. Wardrobe staples like classic white shirts, a well fitted pair of trousers and a classic blazer is a must have to start with as these classics can help create a wide range of outfits. The brand ensures quality and attention to detail making it one of the most loved brands.

FabIndia FabIndia seamlessly blends traditional Indian techniques with contemporary designs, celebrating the country’s cultural richness. With a global presence, it competes by offering a unique taste of Indian culture to an international audience.

Celebrated Indian Designer duo Shantanu & Nikhil, renowned for their distinct take on Indian fashion, showcase their latest collection Indra at The United Nations COP28 Sustainable Fashion Summit 2023.

The collection, Indra, a name that resonates with reverence and urgency, is more than just fashion; it’s a heartfelt plea. It’s a tapestry woven

with threads of the divine, the earthly, and the fervent appeal for help in the shadow of the climate crisis.

The exclusive fashion event featured talented designer labels from all over the world including Stella McCartney, LVMH, Rami Kadi, Gelareh Designs and Shantanu & Nikhil the only designers from India showcasing at this esteemed event.

Sonam Kapoor: Will always champion an Indian designer on international platforms Mumbai, Dec 6 (IANS)

Wrogn by Virat Kohli

Actress and style icon Sonam Kapoor revealed her reason to go local at international events which has led to India having major fashion moments globally.

Wrogn, endorsed by a popular celebrity, captures the essence of youth with its casual yet trendy clothing line. Leveraging celebrity influence, it has successfully connected with a young demographic seeking relatable and fashionable attire.

She said: “For me, I remember it was my first Cannes appearance. I was working with an international brand and they were taking me to Cannes. I know Masaba since we were kids, we were in kathak class together.”

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in

“But my sister Rhea and I discussed and we were like ‘we should wear an Indian designer on a global platform’ and we wanted to wear a designer who was young and someone who represented the modern and young India.”

for me was the fact that I was 23 years old, that an Indian designer featured on a global magazine, and I felt very proud of it as an Indian!”

“After that time, Rhea and I decided that every time there is an international platform, we will always champion an Indian designer, and we have done that.”

On the work front, Sonam will be seen in ‘Battle for Bittora’.

Recalling the time she wore a saree, Sonam added: “I remember, I wore her (Masaba) saree and at that time, I draped the saree myself. We had one make-up artist that was being shared by all young girls representing the global brand that I was endorsing.”

“I remember going there and suddenly there was this one photographer who comes and takes a picture of me and the next thing I know is that I am on the cover of a leading fashion magazine in America!”

The actress said: “I cannot tell you how excited Masaba was!

But what was very exciting

www.mccq.org.au

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

OUR TAKE Keeping Healthy during Christmas- a Challenge!

Every household has a tradition at Christmas, and many follow it from generations together. No matter if the food that is consumed during Christmas is healthy or not it is a must to be made because of these family traditions. Festive food all over the world are often set in stone and if those dishes aren’t made many will say it is not Christmas. Foods also are memories hence there is a high emotional quotient attached to it. It is also frowned upon in certain countries if the traditional Christmas lunch/ dinner is not made by families who are Christians.

It is also a time when the entire family comes together to celebrate and be together for those couple of days.

Hence food becomes central to the festival. Families cook a meal that lasts them for the two days. It is also a tradition to eat leftovers the next day.

Many will often say the leftovers taste better than the previous day.

In North America, Christmas food often contains a roasted turkey with stuffing and gravy, boiled potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pies, roasted chestnuts, savory smoked ham, fruity cakes, specialty cookies, and eggnog is also popular. Before Turkey became a popular Christmas bird Geese was chosen festive food. Later the turkey became popular which was a cheaper option. Roasted turkey recipes include lots of butter and the meat itself is very heavy on the stomach to digest. One whole turkey is good for a family of 10 to finish in one day. Hence the leftovers tradition to finish the delicious turkey the next day may cost your arteries to work extra hard not to fill itself with the depositing cholesterol and calcium.

A boar’s head was the choicest centrepiece on the wealthiest English tables during Christmas. It is a pagan tradition that honours Freyr, a Norse god of the harvest and fertility who was associated with boars. A Yule ham took the place of the expensive boar’s head, as it became more affordable and equally delicious. However, it does not get any nutritional plus points on the health index.

Today, Christmas ham remains one of the holiday menus in many parts of the world; most people choose to eat a ham during year end celebrations and leave the turkey to shine during Thanksgiving. Eating rich, like a King is generally the trend during Christmas. That www.mccq.org.au

is evident in many legends that surround the Christmas food.

Legends narrate the story on how panettone became associated with Christmas.

One of the stories, says the sweet Milanese bread was developed in the 1400s by the Duke’s falconer and his love Adalgisa, a poor baker’s daughter. Secretly working together at night, the two created a rich bread that revived their bakery business.

At Christmas, they modified the recipe by adding dried fruit and citron. This gave them a resounding success making them wealthy which ended into the couple to marry. Another less exotic romantic story is that as a “Pane di Tono” or luxury bread, the lofty loaf with its expensive ingredients and long proofing and preparation time was often reserved to be made during the Christmas time. When you prepare the bread, you need 3 hours to cook, lots of candied fruit and plenty of patience, as the dough needs to rise multiple times. A rich food that takes care to be prepared.

Gingerbread is also seen at Christmas. It is a tradition that started in 16th century in Russia and Germany.

Gingerbread ornaments were often made to decorate the trees. In parts of Europe in the 17th century, only professional gingerbread makers were allowed to bake the bread year-round.

That restriction was lifted during Christmas and Easter, which explain the Christmasgingerbread connection. Later of course the legend of the Gingerbread boy that outruns everyone who wants to eat it, giving the message to be careful of whom you trust, and the Hensel and Gretal Brothers Grimm story made the Gingerbread house a tradition for many families, especially those with younger children. It was also said that if you ate a Gingerbread man, unmarried women would get a good husband. Hence consumption of the gingerbread starts from young to old and every year. Although the gingerbread has ginger in it, it is ladened with sugar.

Children often put extra sugar.

No matter what traditions you follow, it is often difficult to keep healthy during festivals. The only solution to this dilemma is to eat in moderation and enjoy the real meaning of Christmas that being to be together creating memories.

(Written by Amrita Deshpande, Associate Editor MCNA)

OPINION

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Here’s how your Christmas dinner can help fight off cancer, diabetes the body in fighting chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cancer, the researchers found.

London, Dec 25(IANS)

While festive season is often a time of overindulgence, Christmas dinner can actually be healthy, and help ward off risk of cancer and diabetes, according to a study.

Experts at Newcastle University have been researching the different characteristics and compounds of festive trimmings and have found that some of the side-dishes offer significant benefits.

In the research, published in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, the team said soggy sprouts should be off the menu, and instead include steamed Brussels sprouts -- cruciferous vegetable like broccoli, cabbage, collard greens and kale.

Steaming brussels sprouts can help the vegetable retain its glucosinolates, which may aid

In particular, they have a high content of glucosinolates - an important molecule that interacts with proteins associated with repairing damaged DNA and promoting cell death in cancer tumours.

Whilst glucosinolates are highest in raw Brussels sprouts, cooking affects their contents.

“If you boil the Brussels sprouts, then you lose a lot of the important compounds into the water,” said Dr Kirsten Brandt, Senior Lecturer in Food and Human Nutrition at Newcastle University, UK. “If you roast them, they are being broken down during the cooking, so steaming is the one that gives most of these tasty and healthy compounds in the final product,” Brandt said.

Researchers also found that the popular festive side-dish of carrots could help reduce the risk of cancer by almost a quarter.

The team found five servings of the vegetable per week was

linked to a 20 per cent reduction in developing all types of cancer.

In addition, eating just one serving per week still gives a significant reduction, with a 4 per cent lower chance of the disease compared to those who never eat the vegetable.

For the research, scientists carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of nearly 200 studies and 4.7 million participants.

They showed that the whole carrot, rather than carotenes, provides an anti-cancer effect when consumed in enough quantity.

The scientists also studied more than 250 varieties of potatoes, looking at different qualities from tuber characteristics to their ability to resist disease and climate stress.

Potatoes are rich in fibre and ideal for popping in the air fryer as the healthiest way to cook the festive trimming to a golden crisp.

They found that rooster potatoes are perfect for making the best roast potato.

DOH: Eat healthy this holiday season

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor Manila, Dec 15 (PNA)

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday reminded Filipinos to consume healthful food and drinks during the holidays to avoid non-communicable illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

“Eat a balanced, well-moderated and varied diet. Let’s limit ‘ma’ foods -- maalat, mataba at matamis (salty, fatty, and sweet),” Health Secretary Teodora Herbosa said in a media forum.

Processed foods such as junk foods, sweetened beverages, and oily dishes must be eaten in moderation if they cannot be avoided, he added.

Vegetable salads and fruits are the best replacements of such foods, he said.

Latest data from Philippine Statistics Authority show that ischemic heart disease remained the leading cause of death among Filipinos from January to November 2022 with a total of 121,558 cases, or 18.3 percent of the death toll for that period.

It was followed by cerebrovascular diseases with 57,411 deaths and neoplasms with 57,354 deaths.

Meanwhile, diabetes ranked as the fourth leading cause of death among Filipinos for the same period with 32,339 deaths recorded.

In its "Ligtas (Safe) Christmas" campaign, the DOH advised the public to avoid alcohol consumption, drink lots of water, have

enough sleep, and exercise at least 30 minutes a day amid holiday celebrations.

“We’re encouraging the public to wear masks if you’re experiencing symptoms or stay at home if you have acute respiratory illnesses, coughs, colds even if you are [Covid-19] negative,” Herbosa said.

The DOH also opted for safe and age-appropriate gifts that are suitable to the child’s capabilities for their overall development.

“Please avoid giving toys containing harmful chemicals.

Some of the cheaper toys use lead-containing paint.

Always check the labels and packaging of the gifts you’re buying,” Herbosa added.

(PNA)

A Christmas tree along United Street in Pasig City (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

SPORTS

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

INDW v AUSW: ‘One bad day cost us the England looking to bring in Kieron Pollard as consultant for 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup: match’, says Alyssa Healy after first-ever aReport loss to India first innings. The hosts then rode on half-centuries by Deepti Sharma (789), Smriti Mandhana (74), Jemimah Rodrigues (73) and debutante Richa Ghosh (52) to post 406 and take a 187-run lead in the first innings.

Mumbai, Dec 24 (IANS)

Getting bundled out for 219 after electing to bat and allowing India to score 91/1 at the end of the first day of the match pushed Australia Women on the back foot, Australia captain Alyssa Healy said on Sunday.

India defeated Australia by eight wickets on the fourth and final day of the match reaching 75/2 in their second innings after bowling out the visitors for 261 in 15.4 overs on the fourth morning, with off-spinner Sneh Rana bagging 4-63 and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Rajeshwari Gayakwad claiming a couple each.

“We knew it was going to be a tough ask but I’m really proud of our group and the fight that we showed. At the end of the day, I think we had probably 1 bad day of cricket which will cost you in a four-day game of cricket. But All in all a really enjoyable experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it,” Healy said in the post-match press conference on Sunday.

India had bundled out the top team in women’s cricket for 219 with pacer Pooja Vastrakar making the early impact with 4-53 and Sneh Rana contributing 3-56 in the

The Australian skipper said the Australians believed that they could win the match even on the final day with just 46 runs ahead with five wickets in hand.

“I don’t think at any point (that the match has gone out of hand), probably only when Smriti Mandahana hit a six on the last ball.

“I think even coming in today, all results were possible. I think we truly believe that in the changeroom. I think if we had batted for about 30-40 overs this morning and even put, you know, over 100, maybe 150 on the board, things could have been really interesting this afternoon.”

Healy said her team went on the back foot after the first day itself as they batted and bowled poorly to concede an advantage to India.

“So look at the end of the day, like I said, I think we had one bad day. I think when we won the toss, we batted and got bowled out on that first day and then probably leaked 90 runs in the afternoon, it makes things really challenging for us. We’re almost on the back foot on the first day.

The 33-year-old from Queensland, who was leading

the team in her first Test since taking over from Meg Lanning and coming back from an injury break, said she was happy with the way her team fought back in the match.

“So from my point of view, the fact that we fought for the next 2 1/2 days and got the game to the position that it was this afternoon, I think it was a huge effort from our group and one that we can take a big, big lot of confidence out of,” she added.

Asked whether they went wrong with their bowling after being bowled out cheaply in the first innings, Healy said they probably did not bowl the right lengths against the Indian openers on the first day.

“Oh yeah, like I said, I think getting bowled out in the afternoon of that first day and then letting them get to a none-for-90 start was obviously not ideal. I think we probably just didn’t adjust to our lengths quickly enough.

We probably gave them a bit too much to hit early on that first day, which put us on the back foot quite early.

“So in terms of the captaincy side of thing, yeah, I’m, still coming to grips with it.

I mean I myself have only played seven Test matches I think, so you wouldn’t see too many captains sitting here that have played that little Test matches in the men’s game,” said Healy.

London, Dec 23 (IANS)

England are apparently looking to bring in former West Indies cricketer Kieron Pollard as their consultant for the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, happening in the Caribbean and the USA from June 4-30.

England are the defending champions ahead of the mega event in the shortest format and had brought former Australia batter Mike Hussey in the same role during their title triumph in 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup. “Pollard, who is 36 and remains an active player, has enjoyed an extraordinary T20 career, winning five Indian Premier League titles and the 2012 T20 World Cup. He is the most experienced player in T20 history, playing 637 matches in the format and is renowned as one of the shrewdest thinkers in the game.”

“Pollard also brings intimate knowledge of conditions in West Indies. The Trinidadian will help England to assess the pitches in the T20 World Cup, which begins on June 4,” said a report in The Telegraph on Saturday.

During England’s woeful ODI World Cup defence in India, where they failed to reach the

semi-finals, they did not hire any former cricketer from the country as a consultant. Rob Key, the managing director, later blamed himself for not appointing such a figure for the mega event.

The report added that Pollard, who won 2012 T20 World Cup with the West Indies, was seen in the England team hotel in Trinidad in recent days as the visitors’ played the final two matches of their five-game T20I series against the hosts’, which they lost 3-2.

Pollard had also shared the dressing room with current captain Jos Buttler in Somerset during 2010-11 seasons and at Mumbai Indians in the 2016-17 seasons with the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Pollard has won five IPL trophies with Mumbai Indians and though has retired from the IPL and become the batting coach of the franchise, he is still actively playing in some franchise T20 leagues.

“Pollard’s involvement with England is initially expected to be just for the T20 World Cup. But if the partnership proves fruitful, he might yet be enlisted to work with the side again in the future,” added the report.

Medvedev still expects Nadal to be ‘great challenge’ in 2024 season upon injury comeback Ricky Ponting International, before competing at the 2024 Australian Open.

New Delhi, Dec 24 (IANS)

World no 3 tennis player Daniil Medvedev admitted that Rafael Nadal is still expected to be a “great challenge” for him in the next season when the Spaniard returns from a long injury layoff.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion will make his comeback after a year-long absence from the competition due to an iliopsoas injury in his left leg at the Brisbane www.mccq.org.au

The 37-year-old Nadal is undoubtedly coming towards the end of his career, but Medvedev, while discussing the return of the Spaniard with The National admitted he was still a daunting prospect.

“It’s just that all the seasons that he played he wins a lot of matches and doesn’t lose many. It’s very tough to beat him,” Medvedev told The National.

“Actually, with Rafa maybe I even had even less success than with Novak in a way. But we had some tight matches where I felt like I could win and maybe he got the edge in the end. So, for me it’s going

to be a great challenge if I have to face him.

“I don’t know at the moment his shape, no one knows, and how he’s going to handle. But from what I saw, he seems to be doing good and that’s great for tennis,” he added.

Medvedev had won four ATP titles but failed to win a Grand Slam title in 2023. He came close to the US Open but lost to Djokovic in the final.

Medvedev had faced off with Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner a combined 12 times in 2023, winning four of those encounters.

Besides Djokovic, Alcaraz was the other player to win the major this year, but Medvedev and Sinner are considered best of the rest.

“For sure if we take last year and many, many different tournaments, we did separate a little bit from the rest at one point of the season and especially at the end, regarding the points,” said Medvedev.

“But I do think that this also shows that every season can be different. Stefanos (Tsitsipas) made a final in Australian Open; for different reasons had a tougher end of the season, but he can come back there and pass me, Sinner or Carlos or Novak, anyone.

“The only thing we’re sure is Novak is always there. I could be out of 10, Novak is always there. So hopefully I can be part of this top four and whoever the other three guys and I’m going to try to do it,” added the world no. 3 Medvedev.

“So, I would be still careful with something like this. I myself was out of top 10 last year, in the beginning of the season.

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

TRAVEL

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

What’s new in luxury travel in California New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANSlife)

Vacation is the time to Silverado Resort will pull splurge. From staying at that back the curtain on such chef fancy hotel you’ve always secrets. Led by Chef Patrick dreamed of to dining at that Prager or a culinary team Michelin-star restaurant member, guests are taken on you’ve seen all over a culinary journey from roots Instagram, California is the to glass during a tour of the place to live out your luxury resort’s culinary gardens. fantasy. Throughout the state, You’ll also enjoy a cocktail new luxury experiences await. and small bites inspired by the garden’s bounty.

Imperial Renovation Laid-back Luxury If your idea of luxury is an intimate, boutique hotel Life is laid-back in SLO CAL, nestled in California’s Sierra but that doesn’t mean it can’t Gold Country, the newly have touches of luxury, too. renovated Imperial Hotel in The area has some outstandAmador is waiting to charm ing wineries, and it’s hard to you. The six-room property beat a helicopter wine-tasting brings modern style and tour of the beautiful Paso creature comforts to the Robles wine region. If water delightful red brick hotel that is more your speed, get out dates to the 1870s. on the Pacific Ocean with a luxury yacht excursion Bravo Charlie embarking from Morro Bay Harbor.

Food and wine are the perfect pairing in Napa, and Charlie’s Hotel Highs is the year’s hottest new restaurant. Chef Elliot Bell With its many art galleries, is an alum of the venerable storybook architecture and French Laundry, so expect proximity to the ocean, exquisitely crafted seasonal Carmel-by-the-Sea is eats featuring the area’s a perennial favorite for bounty. luxury lovers. With two new boutique hotels, travelers have Garden Goodness even more to love. In the heart of the village, Le Petit Pali is If you wonder how chefs an elegant 58-room property create such amazing flavors, serving champagne breakfast, Garden Hour at Napa’s

www.mccq.org.au

complimentary bicycles and Diptyque amenities.

Located near Carmel Beach, the Carmel Beach Hotel has 26 rooms spread over seven historic buildings. With Michelin-star Chef Justin Cogley helming the kitchen, dinner here is a must.

Historic Hotels with Luxury Amenities The Kirkwood Collection, known for reimagining the bed and breakfast concept, recently acquired three historic hotels in downtown Palm Springs. La Serena Villas is an 18-bungalow Spanish hacienda-style property with a great rooftop bar. The 17-room Del Marcos Hotel has garnered numerous architectural awards and became an official historic site in 2012. The Three Fifty Hotel gives its ten rooms a mid-century modern spin that Palm Springs is known for.

European Sophistication If time doesn’t allow a trip to Italy, head to Temecula Valley instead. Opening in late 2023, Vienza at Europa Village is set to wow wine country. Joining the French and Spanish winery and hotel already on property, Vienza brings la dolce vita with a

winery opening this year and a hotel, restaurant and luxury spa opening in 2024.

90210 Eats Beverly Hills is in the midst of a culinary renaissance.

Later this year, Chef Daniel Boulud will open his first West Coast restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Residences. The restaurant joins other new openings, including legendary restaurant and aperitivo bar Dante at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, Sinatra-loved La Dolce Vita, Funke, Sushi Note Omakase and Sur Le Vert wine bar.

Los Angeles Luxury Relaxation awaits in the bustling city at Fairmont Miramar’s new wellness suite.

The Serenity Suite features calming earth tones, Somnify technology that provides sound therapy and a Bryte Balance mattress for bespoke comfort. If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, you’ll find it on The Georgian Hotel’s new 65-foot Riva Virtus yacht. It can be booked for half-day or full-day excursions.

RV Glamping If you like the great outdoors

and creature comforts, Orange County’s altCamp is for you.

Explore the California coast in a luxuriously appointed Mercedes-Benz Sprinter outfitted with Parachute bedding, Williams-Sonoma cookware and Apple iPad Pros loaded with your favorite streaming services.

Beach Village The historic Hotel Del Coronado kicks up the wow factor even higher at its exclusive Beach Village in San Diego. The oceanfront enclave boasts 78 renovated one-to-three-bedroom beachfront cottages and villas. Guests have access to secluded pools, beach beds, cabanas and a private chef and concierge.

Regal Renovation Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa in La Jolla recently completed a $13.9 million renovation that reimagined its guest rooms and outdoor spaces. A new apiary and chef’s garden joined the luxury property that also boasts a full-service spa, an expansive pool deck with cabanas and three restaurants.

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

Samantha Ruth Prabhu turns producer with production house Tralala Moving Pictures

Mumbai, Dec 10 (IANS)

Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu on Sunday announced that she’s now venturing in production and announced her production house, Tralala Moving Pictures, in collaboration with Hyderabad-based entertainment company Mandoa Media Works.

Samantha expressed her vision for Tralala, stating, “Our aim is to provide a platform for filmmakers to tell stories that are meaningful, authentic, and universal.”

Tralala Moving Pictures, born out of the creative

synergy between Samantha and Mandoa Media Works, envisions itself as a platform that goes beyond conventional storytelling.

“Tralala’s main focus is to produce content representative of new age, expression, and thought. It’s a nurturing space that invites and encourages stories reflecting the strength and complexity of our social fabric,” she added.

Her partner and founder of Mandoa Media Works, Himank Duvurru, added: “We are stoked to have partnered with someone with such immense experience in the

Singer Cher has put out her first ever festive LP titled ‘Christmas’ and includes collaborations with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Michael Buble, and Cyndi Lauper. She isn’t concerned about how well the record sells as she just knows she’s very proud of it.

“Even if no one ever listened to it, or no one ever bought it, it’s still one of the best albums I’ve ever made and I would be proud,” she told Britain’s OK! magazine.

The album features covers of classic tracks and some new uptempo tracks because Cher was determined to keep things upbeat, reports aceshowbiz. com.

www.mccq.org.au

She said: “There are only two sad songs on the album. It’s not your mother’s Christmas album, you know? I didn’t want to sing ‘Silent Night’ or all the songs that had been sung in better ways by better singers than me.”

Meanwhile, the ‘Believe’ hitmaker is happy society has stopped viewing women as having a “sell-by date” and doesn’t think older females are seen to have “lost their value” in the way they used to.

She said: “With men, it doesn’t seem to matter nearly as much as it does for women.”

“You see men in films and they’re craggy-faced and

Matthew Perry was ‘still thinking about taking drugs’ despite sobriety

world of entertainment and showbiz.

“We will be looking at content around film, web & TV, and various formats, both fiction and non-fiction. What’s really getting us excited about this new beginning is to be able to bring forth concepts that are new, unique, thought provoking and entertaining. This partnership strives to bring an inclusive and efficient approach to filmmaking.”

On the work front, Samantha is gearing up for the release of her show, ‘Citadel,’ where she shares the screen with Varun Dhawan.

Cher doesn’t care if no one buys her Christmas album

Los Angeles, Dec 25 (IANS)

ENTERTAINMENT

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

they’re old, but no one seems to mind it, but you didn’t see women like that. But now women are able to get older and still be relevant.”

“You just had this sell-by date it really didn’t matter what kind of person you were. I mean, it helped if you looked better, but women lost their value starting at a certain age, which is kind of bulls***.”he said.

“If I can’t continue doing shows on a regular basis, I just want to be well enough to do one show where I can say, ‘Hi guys, thanks so much for my life.’ That’s what I’m working towards, and if I drop dead at the end of it, I’ll die a happy man,” he added. make progress in negotiations.

Los Angeles, Dec 24 (IANS))

Late star Matthew Perry’s ex-girlfriend said he “always had major drug problems.”

Perry, who battled addiction to alcohol and drugs for a number of years, was found dead in his hot tub towards the end of October at the age of 54.

His former flame Kayti Edwards has alleged that when they were together, his addiction was always on his mind even after he had got clean as she recalled some of the drastic things she had done to help him.

“I was at Matthew’s place in the Hollywood Hills. He was in a bad way. He had been getting high all night on a plethora of drugs, most likely crack cocaine and other substances,” she told The Sun on Sunday, reports aceshowbiz.com, “I found Matthew on the couch with his hands superglued to his legs - it was desperately sad. I had to use nail polish remover and olive oil to free him.

We were literally ripping the hair from his legs and he had red, raw patches left behind, it was pretty horrific.

Matthew always had major drug problems. Even when he was clean and going through rehab, he was still thinking about taking drugs.”

Kayti previously claimed that even though it was thought that Matthew had drowned in his hot tub, she remained uncertain that that was the full story.

She said: “There are a lot of things that aren’t adding up for me. I don’t believe he just drowned in his Jacuzzi, that doesn’t sound right. I know Matthew and I know that he wouldn’t have just drowned.

I think he might have taken pills in the week leading up to

this.”

“They said there were no prescription painkillers at the scene, which doesn’t surprise me, because he didn’t leave drugs lying around. He was paranoid and would take them all, so there wasn’t any evidence, and then go out for more when he was ready to.”

According to police, no drugs were found at the scene or any evidence of foul play, but Kayti felt suspicious when she saw what became his last social media post.

Just days before the tragedy, the ‘17 Again’ star had referred to himself as ‘Mattman’ - an alter ego he developed based on his obsession with Batman - and Kayti alleged that this character would only come out when Matthew was intoxicated.

She said: “That Mattman thing was not something he did when he was sober.

Mattman would come out when he was not sober and he felt kind of invincible.

I was around when he was getting high, although I was not getting high with him, and when I would say maybe he should cool it a little bit with the drugs, he would say, ‘No, I’m Mattman’.”

Kayti, who dated Matthew in the late 2000s but remained in touch with him and last spoke to him shortly before he released his memoir ‘Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing’ in November 2022 also claimed that the TV star always yearned to be in the water when he was high.

She said: “One time, his neighbour in Hollywood Hills found Matthew naked and high in his swimming pool. I had to go over there and get him out of his neighbour’s pool. He had a thing with water when he was doing drugs. He always wanted to be in the pool or the Jacuzzi.”

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MULTICULTURAL NEWS AUSTRALIA

ENTERTAINMENT

JAN 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Film Industry hits magic; They Call It Marketing! filmmaker does or tries to do something different, others follow him and make it a trend.

New Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS)

What we need in the film industry is writers who can turn out a decent script that appeals to all classes of the audience. That has not happened, so the makers have to keep devising new gimmicks to promote a film. Isn’t the star power good enough?

Really speaking, films never needed marketing because they have a ready and keen viewership and, still, new-generation whizkids try to deviate from the traditional and foolproof promotion strategies and come up with complicated ideas to promote a film that serve no purpose.

The recent one is about how the promos or trailers are released on digital platforms before a film’s release.

As if calling these trailers promos or trailers was not enough, now they are named in a manner that they coincide with a film’s theme or title!

Oh, yes, they were also called teasers for some time.

The trailers of ‘Dunki’

starring Shah Rukh Khan, for instance, are titled Drop 1, Drop 2 and so on! It seems the film is about illegal migration in countries such as the UK and the US and the activity is described as ‘donkey flights’ in the North. This is also known as ‘kabutarbazi’ in some sections.

‘Dunki’ is yet to release and the connection of naming or ranking the trailers as a series of ‘Drops’ with the film’s story remains unclear so far.

The tragedy is that those unaware of this bright idea but searching for promos of ‘Dunki’ on YouTube will still have to type in the keywords ‘Dunki promo’!

I don’t know who thought of this idea because you may publicise a film, but how will you tell people that when you look for ‘Dunki’ promos, kook for Drop 1 and so on!

‘Dunki’, though, is not the only one to have people with such grand ideas. There are quite a few other films being promoted this way. I have often mentioned ‘bhed chaal’ in the film industry. If one

The ‘Jawan’ trailer was launched as a Prevue. The ‘Pathan’ trailer as ‘Pathan ka conversation’ and Tiger 3 as ‘Tiger ka message’; for the ‘Dream Girl’ trailer the name was ‘Pooja ka kiss’. Films such as ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’, ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar’ and ‘Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani’, all followed and dubbed their promos as something or the other. Did it help?

The thing is that the number of hits on promos released on YouTube are seen by many more people than those who watch the movie. So, hits on an online promo are not a measure of viewers attracted to the cinemas and, hence, nothing to gloat about.

What worked when there was no Internet and no social media? They relied on street publicity. Posters of varied sizes -- 30”x40” or six sheeters (5’x10’) and so on -- were plastered all over the cities. There were no radio jingles yet, forget television.

The big attractions in those days, though, were trailers played in the cinemas. These promos were so exciting that people going for a movie made sure they reached in time so as not to miss the trailer of the forthcoming film. They just about summed up an upcoming film in three minutes with onscreen captions such as Drama, Romance, Music, Emotions, Comedy and Action. The

prospective viewers instantly decided if they were going to catch that film.

The Internet and social media are not devised to spread lies or deceive. What good are these hits on an X post or YouTube promo because it is common knowledge that an army of bots are engaged to produce these hits.

Suppose a young lad had somehow put together Rs 300 for two tickets to take his girlfriend out on a movie date, but comes to the cinema to learn that he cannot afford the revised rates. It would be awkward for him and a real letdown!

What are the cinema chains doing in the name of marketing?

Now, PVR’s newly acquired property at the Jio World Plaza in BKC, Mumbai, boasts of being India’s “first cinema with bar and lounge”.

So what?

On Monday, the fourth day after the release of ‘Animal’, they took prospective spectators who came to the booking window by surprise when the admission rates were hiked suddenly and arbitrarily from for Rs 150 to Rs 300 out of the blue in a matter of minutes.

Multiplexes have food plazas and, if you order, the snacks are delivered to your seat.

And they are located within the cinema lobby. As for the lounge and bar, it is not the same as a food plaza and can’t serve alcohol at your seat. It is just another facility attached to the property.

By the way, the online booking site still claimed that Rs 150 was the rate and the booking chart showed an almost empty house. There were some unhappy people at the booking window and they made sure the video went viral. This was contrary to the normal practice of reducing admission rates on the Monday or Tuesday after a film’s release.

Publicising it as a multiplex with a bar is misleading.

Airports have bars and lounges, but you cannot carry your drink to the flight. At least not in India.

Now, is this any way of attaining the set target, which nowadays is anything between Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,000 crore? I think it is easier to fake figures on social media like it is done with the figures of all the major films lately, instead of cheating people with ad hoc admission rate hikes.

BKC is a purely commercial area with few residential buildings. More residential properties are still in the development stage and the present population of the area would not be more than 80,000. The area gets so deserted post office hours that even transport is hard to find.

Being in a commercial area, lounges and bars may still attract patrons who wish to discuss business or unwind over an after-office drink or two! The same cannot be assured for this six-screen multiplex.

Saif was my first choice for ‘Merry Christmas’, says Sriram Raghavan Mumbai, Dec 28 (IANS)

Sriram Raghavan, previously known for films such as ‘Badlapur’ and ‘Andhadhun’, is all set for the January 2024 release of his next film ‘Merry Christmas’ starring Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi.

after ‘Andhadhun’ and we were discussing doing something together,” Raghavan said. “I had a story and when she listened to it, she really liked it and asked me who the guy was.

He revealed how initially he had Saif Ali Khan in his mind for the role which is now being played by Vijay Sethupathi, most recently seen in action in the blockbusters ‘Jawan’ and ‘Vikram’.

“At that time I had some other actor in my mind. I had spoken to Saif Ali Khan and he liked the story, but then I had to say ‘no’ to him. I wanted a unique pairing. That is the story requirement.

The ‘Merry Christmas’ trailer has been released and is getting a lot of attention, especially for its unique casting. In a candid conversation, the director opened up on the casting of the film.

“I did not want any baggage from either of them. I wanted to have someone fresh who has not done any work with Katrina. Soon after, I was going to Melbourne for a film festival and on my way there, I watched the film ‘96’

“I had met Katrina casually www.mccq.org.au

of Vijay. I also met him there and asked him if he spoke Hindi. He told me he had worked in Dubai for three years. This is how this oddball combination came about. It got me excited to work on this film.”

‘Merry Christmas’ is a romantic thriller film made simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on January 12, 2024.

Radhika Apte and Ashwini Khalsekar have done a cameo role in the film. Vinay Pathak casted in Hindi version and Radhika Sarathkumar for tamil version. While the story revolves round Kathrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupati.

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