The foreign ministers of India, Japan, Australia and the United States met in New Delhi on 3 March 2023 on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial deliberations in New Delhi. Being a regional “minilateral” grouping of like-minded countries, the Quad, which was raised to the summit-level two years ago, focuses almost all of its attention on various issues pertaining to the Indo-Pacific region. The grouping is characterised by flexibility and functionality, devoid of any binding treaty or institutional framework. The four ministers had met twice in 2022, first in Melbourne and then in New York. From September 2019 to March 2023, the Quad ministers have met five times in person and once in virtual mode.
Less than a year into GE2024, political parties are increasingly active in building political communications. United Development Party (PPP) acting chairman Muhammad Mardiono said his party would focus on legislative election. The party’s performance in 2019 served as an alarm bell that it has to regain the people’s mandate.
“Zoonosis” refers to diseases that are spread from animals to humans, and vice versa. They include diseases like rabies, which infect humans from the bites of dogs, cats, and monkeys; leptospirosis, which infect humans from rodent urine; or the avian flu, which is caused by type A or H5N1 influenza virus. The latter, a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (“HPAI”), infects multiples species, including pigs, horses, and sea mammals. The new 2.3.4.4b strain, which infects through secretions, feces, and close contact with infected fowls, has exploded in the past year.
Nukila Evanty, Executive Director of the Women Working Group (WWG) was born in Bagansiapiapi, Riau, and today is a known gender equality activist. She is an advocate for the rights of minorities, the marginalized and the vulnerable