WORLD
Australian Defence Force to probe army chopper incident
All 10 personnel on board the army MRH-90 Taipan were rescued from the ocean off the coast of New South Wales (NSW) on Wednesday night and assessed at a nearby naval academy, with two sustaining minor injuries, reports Xinhua news agency. The helicopter was taking part in routine counter-terrorism training when it lost power and ditched into the ocean.
Palestinian Prime Minister urges international measures to end incitement by Israeli officials
Mohammed Ishtaye made the remarks during a meeting with the French Consul General in Jerusalem, Rene Trokaz, at the Prime Minister's office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, according to an official statement. Ishtaye called on France and other countries "to take measures to stop the incitement by extremist Israeli officials against the Palestinian people, and not give them platforms to express their racism", Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying.
Australian PM reveals question for Indigenous Voice referendum
In a press conference, Albanese announced that the Referendum Working Group has landed on a question for the referendum, which is expected to be held in the second half of 2023, reports Xinhua news agency. Australians will be asked whether they approve of an alteration to the nation's constitution to recognize the "First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice".
Lao New Year celebration to resume this year
The Lao New Year is the most important festival in the Lao calendar and it is a time of endless fun for the Laotians, which will be celebrated from April 14 to 16, reports Xinhua news agency. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has instructed the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, central government agencies and provincial government offices to ensure there will be enough food and general consumer goods to meet demand during the festival.
Austerity measures hit Pakistan Day as military parade scaled back
Pakistan Day is celebrated on March 23 every year to commemorate the passage of the Lahore resolution in 1940, which formed the basis of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent, The Express Tribune reported. The main event of the day is the joint military parade of the armed forces of Pakistan. However, this year, the scale of the parade had been cut back.
US allows foreigners on tourist or business visa to apply for jobs, attend interviews
The B-1 and B-2 visas, known collectively as "B visas," are the most commonly issued types of visas for a variety of purposes in the US. The B-1 visa is typically for short-term business trips, while the B-2 visa is for tourism. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced this policy change on March 22, noting that non-immigrant workers who are laid off may not be aware of their options and may wrongly assume they have no option but to leave the country within 60 days.
Boris Johnson apologises in 'Partygate' grilling
Johnson made the apology on Wednesday during a marathon grilling session of the cross-party Committee of Privileges in the House of Commons, the lower house of Parliament, reports Xinhua news agency. With a Bible in his hands, he said: "Hand on heart, I did not lie to the House."
Pak envoy to Saudi Arabia being recalled
The process of recall has started but not finalised yet, The News reported. Rathore was earlier posted as Pakistan's High Commission in Canada and hardly a month after his settlement there, he was asked to get ready for posting in Riyadh. He was flown to Saudi Arabia during Khan's visit, which turned out to be the latter's last one.
Sweden's Parliament endorses country joining NATO
The vote on Wednesday was 269 in favour and 37 against, reports Xinhua news agency. Forty-three lawmakers were absent and two of the eight parties represented in the country's Parliament (Riksdag) -- the Left Party and the Green Party -- voted against the motion. Hungary and Turkey remain the last two hold-outs among NATO's 30.
Finland begins early voting for April election
Voters may cast their ballots either on election day (April 2) or in advance during the early voting period, which will last a week, reports Xinhua news agency. Two hundred members are to be elected to the legislature, which makes new laws and changes existing ones. A total of 2,424 candidates were nominated for this year's elections.
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