FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) on Thursday reported a 13 per cent increase in consolidated net profit at $ 295 million (Rs 2,190 crore) for the fourth quarter ended March 31, riding on strong volume growth across categories.&nbsp;

The company had posted a consolidated net profit of around $ 261 million (Rs 1,938 crore) in the same period of the previous fiscal, HUL said in a regulatory filing.&nbsp;

Consolidated total income in the fourth quarter stood at $ 1693 million (Rs 12,542 crore), as against $ 1651.5 million (Rs 12,235) crore in the year-ago period.&nbsp;

During the quarter, HUL said it witnessed an "underlying volume growth of 16 per cent". Home care category saw a growth of 15 per cent driven by a robust recovery in fabric wash, while household care continued its strong performance delivering double-digit growth.

Foods and refreshment segment grew by 36 per cent, the company said adding, "all our tea brands continue to grow in high double-digits. Ketchups, soups and ice creams also performed well with double-digit growths".

"Nutrition volumes grew in double digits and we launched Rs 2 sachets in Horlicks and Boost. Our goal remains to drive penetration in this category," HUL said.

In the fourth quarter, beauty and personal care grew by 20 per cent with skin cleansing, hair care and oral care achieving high double-digit growths. Skin cleansing performance was led by 'Lifebuoy' and the premium segment, it added.

On the impact of rising commodity prices, HUL said, "a calibrated approach towards price increase has helped protect our business model even as vegetable oils continue to inflate at record levels."

For the fiscal 2020-21, the company said its consolidated net profit was at $1079.7 million&nbsp;(Rs 7,999 crore), as compared to $ 911.9 million&nbsp;(Rs 6,756 crore) in 2019-20, a growth of 18 per cent.

Consolidated total income for FY21 was at $ 6403.5 million (Rs 47,438 crore), as against $ 5455.5 million&nbsp;(Rs 40,415 crore) in FY20, the company said.

"Our in-quarter performance was strong on both the top-line and bottom-line. Despite challenging times, in FY'21 our business ecosystem has withstood the disruption and demonstrated agility and resilience across the value chain," HUL Chairman and Managing Director Sanjiv Mehta said.

Addressing a virtual press conference, he said despite the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic hitting India, rural growth has managed to keep up its momentum.

"In the last two weeks there has been turbulence but it is not as bad as what we saw last April, because containment has been localised and we have not gone in for a general lockdown (this time)," Mehta said.

All the company's factories are running. The supply chain is still operating but there could be some disruptions because of mobility issues, he added.

Mehta said HUL would continue with its planned investments as it is bullish on India in the long term.

"We have (after what happened last year) built in resilience within our system, so that if there is fluctuation in demand, we can cope with it. Also, there is an organic expansion with the growth that we see. That investment is going to go in as scheduled. We have no plans to pull it back," he said.

Stating that the company has delivered on its multi-stakeholder business model, he said, "our purpose-led brands and capabilities were further strengthened during the year and this positions us well to serve our consumers during this turbulent period."

The company's focus firmly remains behind delivering volume-led competitive growth, Mehta added.

"The recent surge in COVID cases is of serious concern and ensuring safety and wellbeing of people remains our top priority," he said adding HUL would continue to work closely with governments, health authorities and its partners to support the needs of the society and the nation to overcome this adversity.

FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) on Thursday reported a 13 per cent increase in consolidated net profit at $ 295 million (Rs 2,190 crore) for the fourth quarter ended March 31, riding on strong volume growth across categories.

FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) on Thursday reported a 13 per cent increase in consolidated net profit at $ 295 million (Rs 2,190 crore) for the fourth quarter ended March 31, riding on strong volume growth across categories. The company had posted a consolidated net profit of around $ 261 million (Rs 1,938 crore) in the same period of the previous fiscal, HUL said in a regulatory filing. Consolidated total income in the fourth quarter stood at $ 1693 million (Rs 12,542 crore), as against $ 1651.5 million (Rs 12,235) crore in the year-ago period. During the quarter, HUL said it witnessed an "underlying volume growth of 16 per cent". Home care category saw a growth of 15 per cent driven by a robust recovery in fabric wash, while household care continued its strong performance delivering double-digit growth. Foods and refreshment segment grew by 36 per cent, the company said adding, "all our tea brands continue to grow in high double-digits. Ketchups, soups and ice creams also performed well with double-digit growths". "Nutrition volumes grew in double digits and we launched Rs 2 sachets in Horlicks and Boost. Our goal remains to drive penetration in this category," HUL said. In the fourth quarter, beauty and personal care grew by 20 per cent with skin cleansing, hair care and oral care achieving high double-digit growths. Skin cleansing performance was led by 'Lifebuoy' and the premium segment, it added. On the impact of rising commodity prices, HUL said, "a calibrated approach towards price increase has helped protect our business model even as vegetable oils continue to inflate at record levels." For the fiscal 2020-21, the company said its consolidated net profit was at $1079.7 million (Rs 7,999 crore), as compared to $ 911.9 million (Rs 6,756 crore) in 2019-20, a growth of 18 per cent. Consolidated total income for FY21 was at $ 6403.5 million (Rs 47,438 crore), as against $ 5455.5 million (Rs 40,415 crore) in FY20, the company said. "Our in-quarter performance was strong on both the top-line and bottom-line. Despite challenging times, in FY'21 our business ecosystem has withstood the disruption and demonstrated agility and resilience across the value chain," HUL Chairman and Managing Director Sanjiv Mehta said. Addressing a virtual press conference, he said despite the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic hitting India, rural growth has managed to keep up its momentum. "In the last two weeks there has been turbulence but it is not as bad as what we saw last April, because containment has been localised and we have not gone in for a general lockdown (this time)," Mehta said. All the company's factories are running. The supply chain is still operating but there could be some disruptions because of mobility issues, he added. Mehta said HUL would continue with its planned investments as it is bullish on India in the long term. "We have (after what happened last year) built in resilience within our system, so that if there is fluctuation in demand, we can cope with it. Also, there is an organic expansion with the growth that we see. That investment is going to go in as scheduled. We have no plans to pull it back," he said. Stating that the company has delivered on its multi-stakeholder business model, he said, "our purpose-led brands and capabilities were further strengthened during the year and this positions us well to serve our consumers during this turbulent period." The company's focus firmly remains behind delivering volume-led competitive growth, Mehta added. "The recent surge in COVID cases is of serious concern and ensuring safety and wellbeing of people remains our top priority," he said adding HUL would continue to work closely with governments, health authorities and its partners to support the needs of the society and the nation to overcome this adversity.

Hindustan Unilever reports 13 per cent rise in consolidated net profits

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;passed a new immigration law on Wednesday that includes powers to stop people entering or leaving the city, raising fears Chinese mainland-style "exit bans" could be deployed in the international business hub.

The legislation sailed through a legislature now devoid of opposition as Beijing seeks to quash dissent and make the semi-autonomous city more like the authoritarian mainland following huge and often violent democracy protests.

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Activists, lawyers and some business figures have sounded the alarm over various provisions within the bill, including one that allows the city's immigration chief to bar people from boarding planes to and from the city.&nbsp;

No court order is required and there is no recourse to appeal.

The city's influential Bar Association (HKBA) warned the bill's wording gave "apparently unfettered power" to the immigration director.

Speaking after the bill was passed on Wednesday, labour activists and legal critics said the legislature had ignored concerns about the law's broad wording and said they feared exit bans could now be employed in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kongs-new-immigration-bill-could-give-authorities-arbitrary-control-over-peoples-movement-380646">Hong Kong's new immigration bill could give authorities arbitrary control over people's movement</a>

"When they have this power, absolute power, you don't know who they will use it on," barrister Chow Hang-tung, from the pro-democracy&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Alliance, told reporters after the bill was passed.&nbsp;

Hong&nbsp;Kong's government&nbsp;said the immigration bill was needed to address a backlog of non-refoulement claims and to screen illegal immigrants before they depart for the city.

"It will only apply to flights heading to&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong," the Security Bureau said.

However, the wording of the bill does not limit the power to arriving flights or immigrants and legal experts say it could also be deployed against anyone leaving or arriving in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong.&nbsp;

So-called "exit bans" are often used in mainland China against activists who challenge authorities.&nbsp;They have also impacted business figures.&nbsp;

One recent example is Richard O'Halloran, an Irishman who has been unable to leave Shanghai for two years because of a legal dispute involving the Chinese owner of a Dublin-based company for which he works.

Authoritarian swing

Under Beijing's direction,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's government has swung more authoritarian since 2019's huge protests.&nbsp;

Faith in official assurances that the city is not becoming like the mainland has been rattled by the recent crackdown.

Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;last year, arguing it was needed to return stability and would not impact freedoms.

But its broad wording and subsequent application has criminalised much dissent and radically transformed a once politically pluralistic city.

Many of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's prominent pro-democracy figures have since been arrested, detained or fled overseas.

The city's formerly raucous legislature has been cleared of pro-democracy opponents who resigned en masse late last year after three of their colleagues were disqualified for their political views.

Since then, the government has fast-tracked a number of laws with limited scrutiny and dissent in the legislature.

Wednesday's immigration bill received 39 votes in favour and two against. It was passed shortly after lawmakers approved a budget in record time with just one dissenting vote.

Beijing has also unveiled a new plan&nbsp; dubbed "patriots rule&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong", to politically vet anyone standing for office and reduce the number of directly elected seats in the legislature to a small minority.

Critics of the immigration bill also say it will make it easier to detain and deport refugees.&nbsp;

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;only approves around one percent of refugee claims, one of the lowest rates in the world, and there is a huge backlog.&nbsp;

Refugees are unable to work while their applications are being processed and often live in miserable conditions.

Hong Kong passed a new immigration law on Wednesday that includes powers to stop people entering or leaving the city, raising fears Chinese mainland-style "exit bans" could be deployed in the international business hub.

Hong Kong passed a new immigration law on Wednesday that includes powers to stop people entering or leaving the city, raising fears Chinese mainland-style "exit bans" could be deployed in the international business hub. The legislation sailed through a legislature now devoid of opposition as Beijing seeks to quash dissent and make the semi-autonomous city more like the authoritarian mainland following huge and often violent democracy protests. Activists, lawyers and some business figures have sounded the alarm over various provisions within the bill, including one that allows the city's immigration chief to bar people from boarding planes to and from the city. No court order is required and there is no recourse to appeal. The city's influential Bar Association (HKBA) warned the bill's wording gave "apparently unfettered power" to the immigration director. Speaking after the bill was passed on Wednesday, labour activists and legal critics said the legislature had ignored concerns about the law's broad wording and said they feared exit bans could now be employed in Hong Kong. Also read | Hong Kong's new immigration bill could give authorities arbitrary control over people's movement "When they have this power, absolute power, you don't know who they will use it on," barrister Chow Hang-tung, from the pro-democracy Hong Kong Alliance, told reporters after the bill was passed. Hong Kong's government said the immigration bill was needed to address a backlog of non-refoulement claims and to screen illegal immigrants before they depart for the city. "It will only apply to flights heading to Hong Kong," the Security Bureau said. However, the wording of the bill does not limit the power to arriving flights or immigrants and legal experts say it could also be deployed against anyone leaving or arriving in Hong Kong. So-called "exit bans" are often used in mainland China against activists who challenge authorities. They have also impacted business figures. One recent example is Richard O'Halloran, an Irishman who has been unable to leave Shanghai for two years because of a legal dispute involving the Chinese owner of a Dublin-based company for which he works. Authoritarian swing Under Beijing's direction, Hong Kong's government has swung more authoritarian since 2019's huge protests. Faith in official assurances that the city is not becoming like the mainland has been rattled by the recent crackdown. Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong last year, arguing it was needed to return stability and would not impact freedoms. But its broad wording and subsequent application has criminalised much dissent and radically transformed a once politically pluralistic city. Many of Hong Kong's prominent pro-democracy figures have since been arrested, detained or fled overseas. The city's formerly raucous legislature has been cleared of pro-democracy opponents who resigned en masse late last year after three of their colleagues were disqualified for their political views. Since then, the government has fast-tracked a number of laws with limited scrutiny and dissent in the legislature. Wednesday's immigration bill received 39 votes in favour and two against. It was passed shortly after lawmakers approved a budget in record time with just one dissenting vote. Beijing has also unveiled a new plan dubbed "patriots rule Hong Kong", to politically vet anyone standing for office and reduce the number of directly elected seats in the legislature to a small minority. Critics of the immigration bill also say it will make it easier to detain and deport refugees. Hong Kong only approves around one percent of refugee claims, one of the lowest rates in the world, and there is a huge backlog. Refugees are unable to work while their applications are being processed and often live in miserable conditions.

Hong Kong passes immigration bill empowering govt to ban exit, entry

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia's crown prince on Tuesday struck a conciliatory tone towards the kingdom's arch-nemesis Iran, saying he sought "good" relations, after sources said the rivals held secret talks in Baghdad.

The two countries, locked&nbsp;in a fierce struggle for regional&nbsp;dominance, cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a revered Shiite cleric.

"Iran is a neighbouring country, and all we aspire for is a good and special relationship with Iran,"&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a television interview broadcast late Tuesday.

"We do not want Iran's situation to be difficult. On the contrary, we want Iran to grow... and to push the region and the world towards prosperity."

He added that Riyadh was working with regional and global partners to find solutions to Tehran's "negative behaviour".

That marks a change in tone compared to Prince Mohammed's previous interviews, in which he lashed out at Tehran, accusing it of fuelling regional insecurity.

The prince did not mention any negotiations with Tehran.

The talks in Baghdad, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, remained secret until the Financial Times reported that a first meeting had been held on April 9.

An Iraqi government official confirmed the talks to AFP, while a Western diplomat said he had been "briefed in advance" about the effort to "broker a better relationship and decrease tensions".

Riyadh has officially denied the talks in its state-backed media while Tehran has stayed mum, asserting only that it has "always welcomed" dialogue with&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia.

The initiative comes at a time of shifting power dynamics, as US President Joe Biden is seeking to revive the tattered 2015 nuclear deal that was abandoned by Donald Trump.

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;and Iran have backed opposite sides of several regional conflicts, from Syria to Yemen, where a&nbsp;Saudi-led coalition is fighting the Huthi rebels.

Iran supports the Huthi rebels, who are battling the&nbsp;Saudi-led military coalition that intervened in Yemen's war in 2015.

The rebels have also stepped up drone and missile strikes on&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;targets, including its oil facilities.

In his interview, Prince Mohammed renewed calls for a ceasefire and negotiations with the rebels.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince on Tuesday struck a conciliatory tone towards the kingdom's arch-nemesis Iran, saying he sought "good" relations, after sources said the rivals held secret talks in Baghdad.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince on Tuesday struck a conciliatory tone towards the kingdom's arch-nemesis Iran, saying he sought "good" relations, after sources said the rivals held secret talks in Baghdad. The two countries, locked in a fierce struggle for regional dominance, cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a revered Shiite cleric. "Iran is a neighbouring country, and all we aspire for is a good and special relationship with Iran," Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a television interview broadcast late Tuesday. "We do not want Iran's situation to be difficult. On the contrary, we want Iran to grow... and to push the region and the world towards prosperity." He added that Riyadh was working with regional and global partners to find solutions to Tehran's "negative behaviour". That marks a change in tone compared to Prince Mohammed's previous interviews, in which he lashed out at Tehran, accusing it of fuelling regional insecurity. The prince did not mention any negotiations with Tehran. The talks in Baghdad, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, remained secret until the Financial Times reported that a first meeting had been held on April 9. An Iraqi government official confirmed the talks to AFP, while a Western diplomat said he had been "briefed in advance" about the effort to "broker a better relationship and decrease tensions". Riyadh has officially denied the talks in its state-backed media while Tehran has stayed mum, asserting only that it has "always welcomed" dialogue with Saudi Arabia. The initiative comes at a time of shifting power dynamics, as US President Joe Biden is seeking to revive the tattered 2015 nuclear deal that was abandoned by Donald Trump. Saudi Arabia and Iran have backed opposite sides of several regional conflicts, from Syria to Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting the Huthi rebels. Iran supports the Huthi rebels, who are battling the Saudi-led military coalition that intervened in Yemen's war in 2015. The rebels have also stepped up drone and missile strikes on Saudi targets, including its oil facilities. In his interview, Prince Mohammed renewed calls for a ceasefire and negotiations with the rebels.

Saudi prince strikes conciliatory tone with rival Iran

Poorer countries are set to see their access to HIV self-tests increase dramatically following a deal to slash prices in half and boost production, Unitaid said Wednesday.

The international health agency said it had closed a deal with US-based global healthcare company Viatris that will see blood-based HIV self-tests made available for under $2 across 135 low and middle-income countries.

HIV self-tests are seen as vital tools to help people more easily discover their status and move towards the treatment they need, and thus also to reducing the HIV burden globally.

This is particularly relevant in poorer countries, where concerns around stigma and difficulties accessing healthcare can create significant barriers, said Unitaid, which works on innovations on major diseases.

"Access to self-tests has been recognised as a key factor in meeting the global goal of 90 per cent of people knowing their HIV status," Unitaid spokesman Herve Verhoosel said in a statement.

In just the past six years, that rate has nearly doubled, from 45 to 81 per cent, he said.

But achieving broader testing has been hampered by the fact that the market for HIV self-tests in low- and middle-income countries has been dominated by a single affordable oral HIV test, the OraSure.

That test is sold at cost in a limited number of poorer countries for $2, but elsewhere the price is higher, and other options have cost significantly more.

Eight million unaware of status

To try to fix that problem, Unitaid and US non-profit Population Services International (PSI) launched a call for proposals last July on ways to drive forward access to the tests.

The result was the Viatris deal, which Unitaid said should significantly expand the market and give countries more choice when it comes to self-tests.

This, Verhoosel said, would make "it easier to acquire the products and embed them in health systems, with the ultimate aim of helping the eight million people estimated to be unaware of their HIV status know they are infected and get treatment."

Meg Doherty, who heads the World Health Organization's global HIV, hepatitis and STI programmes, hailed "the wider availability of affordable HIV self-testing kits to increase access to testing."

She said Wednesday's announcement was timely at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic had in many places complicated access to a range of HIV services.

Self-testing allows "people to test when other options are difficult to access or restricted," she said.

In addition to Viatris, Unitaid said another recently developed blood-based HIV self-test from US-based health care company Abbott Laboratories, which is currently undergoing regulatory review, would also be part of the expanded Unitaid programme, which would see around one million tests distributed "to stimulate in-country demand".

Poorer countries are set to see their access to HIV self-tests increase dramatically following a deal to slash prices in half and boost production, Unitaid said Wednesday.

Poorer countries are set to see their access to HIV self-tests increase dramatically following a deal to slash prices in half and boost production, Unitaid said Wednesday. The international health agency said it had closed a deal with US-based global healthcare company Viatris that will see blood-based HIV self-tests made available for under $2 across 135 low and middle-income countries. HIV self-tests are seen as vital tools to help people more easily discover their status and move towards the treatment they need, and thus also to reducing the HIV burden globally. This is particularly relevant in poorer countries, where concerns around stigma and difficulties accessing healthcare can create significant barriers, said Unitaid, which works on innovations on major diseases. "Access to self-tests has been recognised as a key factor in meeting the global goal of 90 per cent of people knowing their HIV status," Unitaid spokesman Herve Verhoosel said in a statement. In just the past six years, that rate has nearly doubled, from 45 to 81 per cent, he said. But achieving broader testing has been hampered by the fact that the market for HIV self-tests in low- and middle-income countries has been dominated by a single affordable oral HIV test, the OraSure. That test is sold at cost in a limited number of poorer countries for $2, but elsewhere the price is higher, and other options have cost significantly more. Eight million unaware of status To try to fix that problem, Unitaid and US non-profit Population Services International (PSI) launched a call for proposals last July on ways to drive forward access to the tests. The result was the Viatris deal, which Unitaid said should significantly expand the market and give countries more choice when it comes to self-tests. This, Verhoosel said, would make "it easier to acquire the products and embed them in health systems, with the ultimate aim of helping the eight million people estimated to be unaware of their HIV status know they are infected and get treatment." Meg Doherty, who heads the World Health Organization's global HIV, hepatitis and STI programmes, hailed "the wider availability of affordable HIV self-testing kits to increase access to testing." She said Wednesday's announcement was timely at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic had in many places complicated access to a range of HIV services. Self-testing allows "people to test when other options are difficult to access or restricted," she said. In addition to Viatris, Unitaid said another recently developed blood-based HIV self-test from US-based health care company Abbott Laboratories, which is currently undergoing regulatory review, would also be part of the expanded Unitaid programme, which would see around one million tests distributed "to stimulate in-country demand".

HIV self-test prices to be slashed in half in 135 countries

The European Parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly ratified the EU's post-Brexit&nbsp;trade&nbsp;deal&nbsp;with Britain, but promised to keep a close eye on London with cross-channel hostility still high.

A big majority of MEPs approved the bare bones trade&nbsp;deal&nbsp;with the bloc's third-biggest trading partner that was sealed on Christmas Eve after nine months of tough negotiations.

The agreement provides the framework for London's new relationship with the 27-member union, five years after British voters shocked the world by voting to end its 47-year membership.

In the final tally, 660 MEPs voted in favour of the trade&nbsp;deal, five against with 32 abstentions, results released Wednesday showed.

"The European Parliament voted on the most far-reaching agreement the EU has ever reached with a third country," said the president of the assembly, David Sassoli.&nbsp;

"This can form the foundation on which we build a new forward-looking EU-UK relationship," he said, warning that MEPs would monitor the implementation of the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;and "not accept any backsliding from the UK government."&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the "final step in a long journey" that brought "stability to our new relationship with the EU as vital trading partners, close allies and sovereign equals."&nbsp;

"Now is the time to look forward to the future and to building a more Global Britain," he added.

'Real teeth'

The vote comes amid multiple feuds over the UK's implementation of&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;agreements and angry finger-pointing about the supply of the Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca.

Deepening tensions further, France has&nbsp;threatened to block UK financial firms doing business in the EU if the London does not respect its commitments on fishing, a key part of the&nbsp;deal.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen "warmly welcomed" the approval, but in a final debate in parliament on Tuesday, assured MEPs that the agreement had "real teeth" and the legal means to keep the UK in check.

"Let me be very clear: We do not want to have to use these tools, but we will not hesitate to use them if necessary."

Britain's&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;minister David Frost said he "hugely" welcomed the vote to approve the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;he helped negotiate during months of fraught talks with EU counterpart Michel Barnier. &nbsp;

"Hope we can now begin a new chapter together as Europeans, characterised by friendly cooperation between sovereign&nbsp;equals," Frost wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

In a tweet, Barnier thanked MEPs for the "big greenlight" and said both sides now had a "joint responsibility" to respect commitments.

Zero tariffs&nbsp;

The vote ends five years of a&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;saga in which Britain and Europe also sealed a divorce&nbsp;deal&nbsp;that bitterly divided the UK and saw the future of peace on the island of Ireland thrust into doubt.

A recent wave of rioting in the British province of Northern Ireland has been blamed on the fallout of&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;arrangements with talks underway in Brussels and London to find a long-term solutions.

Britain left the EU on January 30 2020, but its new life with Europe only really began after a transition period ended on December 31, when London was no longer bound by the bloc's laws and rules.

Officially called a trade and cooperation agreement (TCA), the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;has been provisionally applied since January 1 and provides for zero tariffs and zero quotas on goods traded between the EU and UK.

But it is less ambitious than many Europeans had hoped for, with nothing on foreign policy and defence nor any commitment to close alignment on environment, health and other regulations.

Britain pointedly refused deeper harmonisation with the EU, saying that UK must defend and embrace its newly found sovereignty.

Cross-Channel trade volumes have plummeted this year, with EU imports from the UK down by half in the first two months of the&nbsp;deal's application.

&nbsp;

The European Parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly ratified the EU's post-Brexit trade deal with Britain, but promised to keep a close eye on London with cross-channel hostility still high.

The European Parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly ratified the EU's post-Brexit trade deal with Britain, but promised to keep a close eye on London with cross-channel hostility still high. A big majority of MEPs approved the bare bones trade deal with the bloc's third-biggest trading partner that was sealed on Christmas Eve after nine months of tough negotiations. The agreement provides the framework for London's new relationship with the 27-member union, five years after British voters shocked the world by voting to end its 47-year membership. In the final tally, 660 MEPs voted in favour of the trade deal, five against with 32 abstentions, results released Wednesday showed. "The European Parliament voted on the most far-reaching agreement the EU has ever reached with a third country," said the president of the assembly, David Sassoli. "This can form the foundation on which we build a new forward-looking EU-UK relationship," he said, warning that MEPs would monitor the implementation of the deal and "not accept any backsliding from the UK government." British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the "final step in a long journey" that brought "stability to our new relationship with the EU as vital trading partners, close allies and sovereign equals." "Now is the time to look forward to the future and to building a more Global Britain," he added. 'Real teeth' The vote comes amid multiple feuds over the UK's implementation of Brexit agreements and angry finger-pointing about the supply of the Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca. Deepening tensions further, France has threatened to block UK financial firms doing business in the EU if the London does not respect its commitments on fishing, a key part of the deal. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen "warmly welcomed" the approval, but in a final debate in parliament on Tuesday, assured MEPs that the agreement had "real teeth" and the legal means to keep the UK in check. "Let me be very clear: We do not want to have to use these tools, but we will not hesitate to use them if necessary." Britain's Brexit minister David Frost said he "hugely" welcomed the vote to approve the deal he helped negotiate during months of fraught talks with EU counterpart Michel Barnier. "Hope we can now begin a new chapter together as Europeans, characterised by friendly cooperation between sovereign equals," Frost wrote on Twitter. In a tweet, Barnier thanked MEPs for the "big greenlight" and said both sides now had a "joint responsibility" to respect commitments. Zero tariffs The vote ends five years of a Brexit saga in which Britain and Europe also sealed a divorce deal that bitterly divided the UK and saw the future of peace on the island of Ireland thrust into doubt. A recent wave of rioting in the British province of Northern Ireland has been blamed on the fallout of Brexit arrangements with talks underway in Brussels and London to find a long-term solutions. Britain left the EU on January 30 2020, but its new life with Europe only really began after a transition period ended on December 31, when London was no longer bound by the bloc's laws and rules. Officially called a trade and cooperation agreement (TCA), the deal has been provisionally applied since January 1 and provides for zero tariffs and zero quotas on goods traded between the EU and UK. But it is less ambitious than many Europeans had hoped for, with nothing on foreign policy and defence nor any commitment to close alignment on environment, health and other regulations. Britain pointedly refused deeper harmonisation with the EU, saying that UK must defend and embrace its newly found sovereignty. Cross-Channel trade volumes have plummeted this year, with EU imports from the UK down by half in the first two months of the deal's application.

European Parliament closes Brexit saga with trade deal vote

European Union lawmakers are set to formally ratify the post-Brexit deal between the EU and the United Kingdom amid ongoing tensions between London and Brussels over Northern Ireland trade rules.

The deal, which was finalised on Christmas Eve, already has been ratified by the UK Parliament and conditionally came into force pending the European Parliament's approval.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="COVID-19: Brazil health regulator Anvisa rejects Russia's Sputnik vaccine">COVID-19: Brazil health regulator Anvisa rejects Russia's Sputnik vaccine</a>

Because of disagreement on how to apply trade rules in Northern Ireland, some EU legislators previously threatened to hold back the ratification vote, but a large majority of lawmakers are in favor of the deal.

Results of the vote are set to be announced on Wednesday, almost five years after U.K. Voters decided to withdraw from the bloc.

This deal is not good because Brexit is not good. The situation is also complicated because we cannot be sure how trustworthy the UK government really is," said Terry Reintke, the vice-president of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament.

Still, this agreement can be a starting point reconstructing what we lost due to Brexit."

Top European Union officials and their British counterparts have so far failed to find common ground on implementing the so-called Northern Ireland protocol, which were designed to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, and to guarantee the integrity of the bloc's single market.

In March, the U.K. Government unilaterally extended until October a grace period for not conducting checks on goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K., a decision that led the EU to start legal action against its former member nation.

In an address to EU lawmakers ahead of Tuesday's ratification vote, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she shared their concerns on ?unilateral actions taken by (the) United Kingdom" but noted some progress in the talks with British officials.

In recent days and weeks, we have seen a new constructive dynamic, and we will continue to work closely with the U.K. To find constructive solutions that respect what was agreed,&nbsp;she said.

Northern Ireland is part of the U.K. But remained part of the EU's single market for goods after Brexit to avoid customs checks at the territory's border with EU member Ireland. An open Irish border helped underpin the peace process that ended decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.

But tensions and violence have escalated in recent weeks, with unionists saying the arrangement the British government and the EU worked out has amounted to the creation of a border between the territory and the rest of the U.K.

The sensitivity of Northern Ireland's status also was in September when the U.K. Parliament considered legislation that would have given Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government the power to override part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement relating to Northern Ireland.

The tension increased in January when the EU threatened to ban shipments of coronavirus vaccines to Northern Ireland as part of moves to shore up the bloc's supply. That would have drawn a hard border on the island of Ireland - exactly the scenario the Brexit deal was crafted to avoid.

Relations between the EU and the U.K. Have been strained since a Brexit transition period ended on Jan. 1.

The two sides have argued so far this year over issues ranging from COVID-19 vaccine supplies to the full diplomatic recognition of the EU in Britain.

European Union lawmakers are set to formally ratify the post-Brexit deal between the EU and the United Kingdom amid ongoing tensions between London and Brussels over Northern Ireland trade rules.

European Union lawmakers are set to formally ratify the post-Brexit deal between the EU and the United Kingdom amid ongoing tensions between London and Brussels over Northern Ireland trade rules. The deal, which was finalised on Christmas Eve, already has been ratified by the UK Parliament and conditionally came into force pending the European Parliament's approval. Also read: COVID-19: Brazil health regulator Anvisa rejects Russia's Sputnik vaccine Because of disagreement on how to apply trade rules in Northern Ireland, some EU legislators previously threatened to hold back the ratification vote, but a large majority of lawmakers are in favor of the deal. Results of the vote are set to be announced on Wednesday, almost five years after U.K. Voters decided to withdraw from the bloc. This deal is not good because Brexit is not good. The situation is also complicated because we cannot be sure how trustworthy the UK government really is," said Terry Reintke, the vice-president of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament. Still, this agreement can be a starting point reconstructing what we lost due to Brexit." Top European Union officials and their British counterparts have so far failed to find common ground on implementing the so-called Northern Ireland protocol, which were designed to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, and to guarantee the integrity of the bloc's single market. In March, the U.K. Government unilaterally extended until October a grace period for not conducting checks on goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K., a decision that led the EU to start legal action against its former member nation. In an address to EU lawmakers ahead of Tuesday's ratification vote, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she shared their concerns on ?unilateral actions taken by (the) United Kingdom" but noted some progress in the talks with British officials. In recent days and weeks, we have seen a new constructive dynamic, and we will continue to work closely with the U.K. To find constructive solutions that respect what was agreed, she said. Northern Ireland is part of the U.K. But remained part of the EU's single market for goods after Brexit to avoid customs checks at the territory's border with EU member Ireland. An open Irish border helped underpin the peace process that ended decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. But tensions and violence have escalated in recent weeks, with unionists saying the arrangement the British government and the EU worked out has amounted to the creation of a border between the territory and the rest of the U.K. The sensitivity of Northern Ireland's status also was in September when the U.K. Parliament considered legislation that would have given Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government the power to override part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement relating to Northern Ireland. The tension increased in January when the EU threatened to ban shipments of coronavirus vaccines to Northern Ireland as part of moves to shore up the bloc's supply. That would have drawn a hard border on the island of Ireland - exactly the scenario the Brexit deal was crafted to avoid. Relations between the EU and the U.K. Have been strained since a Brexit transition period ended on Jan. 1. The two sides have argued so far this year over issues ranging from COVID-19 vaccine supplies to the full diplomatic recognition of the EU in Britain.

European Parliament set to greenlight post-Brexit trade deal

The developers of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday criticised Brazil's refusal to import the jab as politically motivated.

Brazilian health regulator Anvisa on Monday denied requests from several states to receive batches of Sputnik V, saying it did not have the data needed to verify the jab's safety and efficacy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="COVID-19: Brazil health regulator Anvisa rejects Russia's Sputnik vaccine">COVID-19: Brazil health regulator Anvisa rejects Russia's Sputnik vaccine</a>

"Anvisa's delays in approving Sputnik V are unfortunately of a political nature and have nothing to do with access to information or science," the official Sputnik V Twitter account said.

It pointed to a recent US government report that said Washington had tried to persuade Brazil not to use Sputnik.

"The United States Department of Health, in its 2020 annual report several months ago, publicly stated that the United States health attache 'persuaded Brazil to reject the Russian vaccine against COVID-19,'" the account added.

Anvisa said its experts had flagged "uncertainties" about the jab, which has not yet been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Russian vaccine has so far been approved for use in at least 60 countries, including more than 10 in Latin and Central America.

Argentina signed a deal with Russia earlier this month to become the first Latin American country to produce Sputnik V shots, and will aim for full-scale production to start in June.

The Kremlin said Tuesday it needed more information about the Brazilian decision before commenting, adding that it was not in touch with Brazilian authorities on the issue.

But in general, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "We are against the use of vaccines as a political tool."

Some Western countries have been wary of Sputnik V -- named after the Soviet-era satellite -- over concerns the Kremlin would use it as a soft power tool to advance its interests.

Moscow registered the jab in August before large-scale clinical trials, but leading medical journal The Lancet has since said it is safe and more than 90 percent effective.

The developers of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday criticised Brazil's refusal to import the jab as politically motivated. Brazilian health regulator Anvisa on Monday denied requests from several states to receive batches of Sputnik V, saying it did not have the data needed to verify the jab's safety and efficacy.

The developers of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday criticised Brazil's refusal to import the jab as politically motivated. Brazilian health regulator Anvisa on Monday denied requests from several states to receive batches of Sputnik V, saying it did not have the data needed to verify the jab's safety and efficacy. Also read: COVID-19: Brazil health regulator Anvisa rejects Russia's Sputnik vaccine "Anvisa's delays in approving Sputnik V are unfortunately of a political nature and have nothing to do with access to information or science," the official Sputnik V Twitter account said. It pointed to a recent US government report that said Washington had tried to persuade Brazil not to use Sputnik. "The United States Department of Health, in its 2020 annual report several months ago, publicly stated that the United States health attache 'persuaded Brazil to reject the Russian vaccine against COVID-19,'" the account added. Anvisa said its experts had flagged "uncertainties" about the jab, which has not yet been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Russian vaccine has so far been approved for use in at least 60 countries, including more than 10 in Latin and Central America. Argentina signed a deal with Russia earlier this month to become the first Latin American country to produce Sputnik V shots, and will aim for full-scale production to start in June. The Kremlin said Tuesday it needed more information about the Brazilian decision before commenting, adding that it was not in touch with Brazilian authorities on the issue. But in general, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "We are against the use of vaccines as a political tool." Some Western countries have been wary of Sputnik V -- named after the Soviet-era satellite -- over concerns the Kremlin would use it as a soft power tool to advance its interests. Moscow registered the jab in August before large-scale clinical trials, but leading medical journal The Lancet has since said it is safe and more than 90 percent effective.

Russia says Brazil's refusal to import Sputnik V is 'political'

Anthony Hopkins created history at this year's Oscars. Hopkins, 83 become the oldest actor to win the Best Actor trophy for his outstanding performance in 'The Father'.

See:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-oscars-2021-complete-list-of-winners-380269" hreflang="en">Complete list of winners</a> 
 
Hopkins took the trophy by beating out Chadwick Boseman, who was also up for best actor for his final film role in 'Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom' and was one of the most predicted wins of the evening.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-oscars-2021-chloe-zhao-emerald-fennel-ann-roth-women-create-history-on-sunday-380286" hreflang="en">Oscars 2021: Chloe Zhao, Emerald Fennel, Ann Roth; women create history on Sunday</a> 
 
After his shocking win, Hopkins, who didn't attended the event, released a statement. The actor also took a moment to remember the late Chadwick Boseman, who died of cancer last year.

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First, Hopkins' agent has released a statement for the actor, “Tony was in Wales, where he grew up, and he was asleep at 4 in the morning when I woke him up to tell him the news,” his agent told People. “He was so happy and so grateful.”

The statement added, “After a year in quarantine, and being double-vaccinated, he was finally able to return to Wales, and age 83, it was a great relief after such a difficult year. But he loved the role in The Father – it’s his proudest performance – and to be the oldest living actor to win in the category means so much to him.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chloe-zhao-to-daniel-kaluuya-history-making-wins-at-this-years-oscars-380488" hreflang="en">From Chloe Zhao to Daniel Kaluuya: History making wins at this year’s Oscars</a> 
 
Later, he also released an acceptance speech on Instagram. ''Good morning. Here I am in my homeland in Wales, and at 83 I did not expect to get this award. I really didn’t''. 
 
''Very grateful to the Academy and thank you, and I want to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman who was taken from us far too early. ‘And again thank you all very much. really did not expect this, so I feel very privileged and honoured. Thank you.'' he said.&nbsp; 
 
This is Hopkins'&nbsp;second win for Best Actor after previously winning the award nearly 30 years ago for 'Silence of the Lambs' in 1992.&nbsp;

Anthony Hopkins created history at this year's Oscars. Hopkins, 83 become the oldest actor to win the Best Actor trophy for his outstanding performance in 'The Father'.

Anthony Hopkins created history at this year's Oscars. Hopkins, 83 become the oldest actor to win the Best Actor trophy for his outstanding performance in 'The Father'. See: Complete list of winners Hopkins took the trophy by beating out Chadwick Boseman, who was also up for best actor for his final film role in 'Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom' and was one of the most predicted wins of the evening. Oscars 2021: Chloe Zhao, Emerald Fennel, Ann Roth; women create history on Sunday After his shocking win, Hopkins, who didn't attended the event, released a statement. The actor also took a moment to remember the late Chadwick Boseman, who died of cancer last year. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anthony Hopkins (@anthonyhopkins) × First, Hopkins' agent has released a statement for the actor, “Tony was in Wales, where he grew up, and he was asleep at 4 in the morning when I woke him up to tell him the news,” his agent told People. “He was so happy and so grateful.” The statement added, “After a year in quarantine, and being double-vaccinated, he was finally able to return to Wales, and age 83, it was a great relief after such a difficult year. But he loved the role in The Father – it’s his proudest performance – and to be the oldest living actor to win in the category means so much to him.” From Chloe Zhao to Daniel Kaluuya: History making wins at this year’s Oscars Later, he also released an acceptance speech on Instagram. ''Good morning. Here I am in my homeland in Wales, and at 83 I did not expect to get this award. I really didn’t''. ''Very grateful to the Academy and thank you, and I want to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman who was taken from us far too early. ‘And again thank you all very much. really did not expect this, so I feel very privileged and honoured. Thank you.'' he said. This is Hopkins' second win for Best Actor after previously winning the award nearly 30 years ago for 'Silence of the Lambs' in 1992.

Anthony Hopkins reacts to his surprise Oscar win, was 'asleep' when he won

Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn was locked out of the embassy in UK by Myanmar's junta earlier this month. In an exclusive online interview to WION, he shares the prognosis for the crisis created by the military coup in February.

He said the country will see a civil war and total destruction if negotiations are not held. Pointing out that China is arming both the military and ethnic armed groups, he said Beijing should ask the junta to stop the violence and killing its own people.

The ambassador also expressed support for the newly formed national unity government, saying it should be allowed at the ASEAN summit on the Myanmar crisis on April 24, which is to be attended by the military junta's chief.

Here is the interview:

WION: As we speak, the brutal crackdown against the coup continues. You were unceremoniously ousted from the embassy.&nbsp;&nbsp;What is your current status in the UK?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;UK government allows me to stay here for 31 days (starting&nbsp;8th April) with P&amp;Is&nbsp;(Privileges and immunities). During the 31 days, I need to keep my stuff and prepare for leaving.

WION: Along with the UK, you are also the ambassador to Ireland, Sweden and Denmark. What is currently your diplomatic status in those countries?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;I am sure that the military regime already sent official letters to these countries for eliminating my ambassador status.Till now, I don't see any announcements about me from these foreign ministries. I wish I&nbsp;could be still recognised as ambassador.&nbsp;

WION: You have said that your friends and relatives at home have been forced into hiding fearing reprisals from the military regime. When did you speak to them last, and could you share with us how they are now?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;I don't want to talk about this.The less I talk, the more safe they are.&nbsp;

WION: Since the February 1 coup, more than 3,100 people -- the bulk of them anti-coup protesters and activists -- have been detained. Over 700 people have been killed. How do you plan to continue raising your voice?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;&nbsp;I believe that we have only one peaceful resolution, that is at the negotiation table. As I am a diplomat and an ambassador, I would like to see a peaceful resolution. Stop killing&nbsp;people and release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp;president etc. Some people&nbsp;don't agree with my way. They would like to fight back military Regime. If fighting keeps going, we will have "Civil War" and total destruction.

WION: The EU, US and Britain have already imposed sanctions on the junta. Do you think that enough is being done to pressurise the regime?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;The military regime has been receiving so many sanctions since 1962. They also have a lot of "strongly condemned" messages from the [United Nations] Security Council. They have learnt many many lessons.I don't think&nbsp;sanction is enough but I believe it is one of the tools for pressurising the regime.

WION: The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a political solution for the crisis. But with leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi behind bars and multiple charges slapped on them, do you think a political solution can be found in near future?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;I don't think they (regime) are going to step back. But a political solution could be to stop Myanmar people dying inside.&nbsp;

WION: The Myanmar military says that the elections were fraudulent and hence it detained the political leadership. In your view, what is the real reason for the actions of the junta?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;Well, they would like to purge Daw ASSK from the future of Myanmar political' stage. They have so many reasons and propaganda: 'because she married a British citizen, she is close with Western&nbsp;countries, she is a&nbsp;puppet of UK and USA etc.'

WION: How do you view China's role in the Myanmar crisis, as we have seen many Chinese factories being targeted by angry protesters?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;China has a vital role for Myanmar History.&nbsp;We had fought three wars with the Chinese in our Kings' era. Our country was affected by Chinese Culture Revolution. Chinese troops supported the Myanmar Communist Party.&nbsp; When China's transition from a planned economy to a market economy began at the end of 1978, the Chinese stopped supporting Myanmar communist party. After that, military regime has good relationship with&nbsp;Chinese again.

Chinese used&nbsp;&nbsp;so many vetoes for Myanmar at Security Council and at the same time is selling arms to Myanmar Army as well as to ethnic armed groups, and investing in multi-billion dollar projects including Kyauk&nbsp;Phyu sea port and gas&nbsp;pipeline from&nbsp;Myanmar to Yunnan&nbsp;province. People of Myanmar understand the Chinese and regime are very close and that's why they attacked Chinese infrastructure.&nbsp;

The Myanmar issue is very important for Chinese as well. They need to convince the regime to stop violence and stop killing their own&nbsp;people. Otherwise they will face a lose -lose situation in Myanmar.

WION: Despite the crackdown, the protests show no sign of ebbing. What have sources from the ground back home told you? What is the mood in Myanmar?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;Most of the protesters have no arms. Some created handmade weapons. Even they don't have enough weapons. As you mentioned, there is no sign of ebbing. I always pay my respect for their bravery and salute the&nbsp;people who died&nbsp;&nbsp;for democracy.

WION: Now that the junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is set to attend the ASEAN summit&nbsp;on April 24, do you think the regional grouping can play a role in bringing about a solution to the crisis? Also, do you agree that the newly formed National Unity Government (NUG) should be allowed to attend the summit talks as it had demanded?

Kyaw Zwar Minn:&nbsp;First of all, I would like to say I support NUG.&nbsp;NUG deserves to attend the summit and to be recognised as a legitimate government by a whole world.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn was locked out of the embassy in UK by Myanmar's junta earlier this month. In an exclusive online interview to WION, he shares the prognosis for the crisis created by the military coup in February.

Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn was locked out of the embassy in UK by Myanmar's junta earlier this month. In an exclusive online interview to WION, he shares the prognosis for the crisis created by the military coup in February. He said the country will see a civil war and total destruction if negotiations are not held. Pointing out that China is arming both the military and ethnic armed groups, he said Beijing should ask the junta to stop the violence and killing its own people. The ambassador also expressed support for the newly formed national unity government, saying it should be allowed at the ASEAN summit on the Myanmar crisis on April 24, which is to be attended by the military junta's chief. Here is the interview: WION: As we speak, the brutal crackdown against the coup continues. You were unceremoniously ousted from the embassy. What is your current status in the UK? Kyaw Zwar Minn: UK government allows me to stay here for 31 days (starting 8th April) with P&Is (Privileges and immunities). During the 31 days, I need to keep my stuff and prepare for leaving. WION: Along with the UK, you are also the ambassador to Ireland, Sweden and Denmark. What is currently your diplomatic status in those countries? Kyaw Zwar Minn: I am sure that the military regime already sent official letters to these countries for eliminating my ambassador status.Till now, I don't see any announcements about me from these foreign ministries. I wish I could be still recognised as ambassador. WION: You have said that your friends and relatives at home have been forced into hiding fearing reprisals from the military regime. When did you speak to them last, and could you share with us how they are now? Kyaw Zwar Minn: I don't want to talk about this.The less I talk, the more safe they are. WION: Since the February 1 coup, more than 3,100 people -- the bulk of them anti-coup protesters and activists -- have been detained. Over 700 people have been killed. How do you plan to continue raising your voice? Kyaw Zwar Minn: I believe that we have only one peaceful resolution, that is at the negotiation table. As I am a diplomat and an ambassador, I would like to see a peaceful resolution. Stop killing people and release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and president etc. Some people don't agree with my way. They would like to fight back military Regime. If fighting keeps going, we will have "Civil War" and total destruction. WION: The EU, US and Britain have already imposed sanctions on the junta. Do you think that enough is being done to pressurise the regime? Kyaw Zwar Minn: The military regime has been receiving so many sanctions since 1962. They also have a lot of "strongly condemned" messages from the [United Nations] Security Council. They have learnt many many lessons.I don't think sanction is enough but I believe it is one of the tools for pressurising the regime. WION: The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a political solution for the crisis. But with leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi behind bars and multiple charges slapped on them, do you think a political solution can be found in near future? Kyaw Zwar Minn: I don't think they (regime) are going to step back. But a political solution could be to stop Myanmar people dying inside. WION: The Myanmar military says that the elections were fraudulent and hence it detained the political leadership. In your view, what is the real reason for the actions of the junta? Kyaw Zwar Minn: Well, they would like to purge Daw ASSK from the future of Myanmar political' stage. They have so many reasons and propaganda: 'because she married a British citizen, she is close with Western countries, she is a puppet of UK and USA etc.' WION: How do you view China's role in the Myanmar crisis, as we have seen many Chinese factories being targeted by angry protesters? Kyaw Zwar Minn: China has a vital role for Myanmar History. We had fought three wars with the Chinese in our Kings' era. Our country was affected by Chinese Culture Revolution. Chinese troops supported the Myanmar Communist Party. When China's transition from a planned economy to a market economy began at the end of 1978, the Chinese stopped supporting Myanmar communist party. After that, military regime has good relationship with Chinese again. Chinese used so many vetoes for Myanmar at Security Council and at the same time is selling arms to Myanmar Army as well as to ethnic armed groups, and investing in multi-billion dollar projects including Kyauk Phyu sea port and gas pipeline from Myanmar to Yunnan province. People of Myanmar understand the Chinese and regime are very close and that's why they attacked Chinese infrastructure. The Myanmar issue is very important for Chinese as well. They need to convince the regime to stop violence and stop killing their own people. Otherwise they will face a lose -lose situation in Myanmar. WION: Despite the crackdown, the protests show no sign of ebbing. What have sources from the ground back home told you? What is the mood in Myanmar? Kyaw Zwar Minn: Most of the protesters have no arms. Some created handmade weapons. Even they don't have enough weapons. As you mentioned, there is no sign of ebbing. I always pay my respect for their bravery and salute the people who died for democracy. WION: Now that the junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is set to attend the ASEAN summit on April 24, do you think the regional grouping can play a role in bringing about a solution to the crisis? Also, do you agree that the newly formed National Unity Government (NUG) should be allowed to attend the summit talks as it had demanded? Kyaw Zwar Minn: First of all, I would like to say I support NUG. NUG deserves to attend the summit and to be recognised as a legitimate government by a whole world.

WION Exclusive: Myanmar will have civil war if fighting goes on, warns envoy to UK ousted by junta

A Japanese journalist covering the coup in Myanmar has been arrested for the second time, leading Tokyo to call for his immediate release on Monday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters in Tokyo&nbsp;that Japan is asking Myanmar authorities to explain the arrest and provide other details while asking for his release as soon as possible.

Kato did not give the joruinalist's identity, but media reports identified him as Yuki Kitazumi, who runs a media production company, Yangon Media Professionals. He was arrested previously in February while covering protests against the February&nbsp;1 coup but was released soon after.

Myanmar authorities again detained him on Sunday after picking him up from his home in Yangon, the reports said.

Kitazumi, a former Nikkei business newspaper reporter, is&nbsp;currently based in Yangon as a freelance journalist. 
"We will continue asking the Myanmar side for his early release, while doing our utmost for the protection of the Japanese citizens in that country," Kato said. 
Japan's NHK public television quoted witnesses as saying that they saw Kitazumi being arrested and taken from his home. 
Japan has stepped up its criticism of Myanmar's deadly crackdown on opposition but has taken a milder approach than the US and some other countries that imposed sanctions against members of the military junta.

(with inputs from agencies)

A Japanese journalist covering the coup in Myanmar has been arrested for the second time, leading Tokyo to call for his immediate release on Monday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters in Tokyo that Japan is asking Myanmar authorities to explain the arrest and provide other details while asking for his release as soon as possible.

A Japanese journalist covering the coup in Myanmar has been arrested for the second time, leading Tokyo to call for his immediate release on Monday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters in Tokyo that Japan is asking Myanmar authorities to explain the arrest and provide other details while asking for his release as soon as possible. Kato did not give the joruinalist's identity, but media reports identified him as Yuki Kitazumi, who runs a media production company, Yangon Media Professionals. He was arrested previously in February while covering protests against the February 1 coup but was released soon after. Myanmar authorities again detained him on Sunday after picking him up from his home in Yangon, the reports said. Kitazumi, a former Nikkei business newspaper reporter, is currently based in Yangon as a freelance journalist. "We will continue asking the Myanmar side for his early release, while doing our utmost for the protection of the Japanese citizens in that country," Kato said. Japan's NHK public television quoted witnesses as saying that they saw Kitazumi being arrested and taken from his home. Japan has stepped up its criticism of Myanmar's deadly crackdown on opposition but has taken a milder approach than the US and some other countries that imposed sanctions against members of the military junta. (with inputs from agencies)

Japan seeks release of journalist arrested in Myanmar for second time

A monintoring group called for international action after Myanmar's military junta aired images of anti-coup protesters that appeared to show them having been tortured and bruised.

The images were tweeted by The Asistancce Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a human rights organisation working to secure the release of prisoners in the country.

"Emboldened through impunity. This junta uses torture as its policy. AAPP is concerned for all those detained particularly in undisclosed locations If international community does not act. Torture, and to death, will clearly continue," AAPP said in a tweet.

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Emboldened through impunity 
 
This junta uses torture as its policy 
 
AAPP is concerned for all those detained particularly in undisclosed locations 
 
If international community does not act. Torture, and to death, will clearly continue <a href="https://t.co/6pGU3tSVT3">pic.twitter.com/6pGU3tSVT3</a>
— AAPP (Burma) (@aapp_burma) <a href="https://twitter.com/aapp_burma/status/1383843295088898058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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According to AAPP, as of Sunday, 3,229 protesters have been&nbsp;detained or sentenced, and&nbsp;930 have been issued arrest warrants. The monitoring group said&nbsp;737 people have been killed since the coup ousted the government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in February.

Images carried on Sunday by&nbsp;junta-owned MRTV showed six detainees, including two women. Their faces appeared&nbsp;engorged, bloodied or bruised.&nbsp;The jaw of one of the women was swollen and she appeared to have a black eye.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Myanmar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Myanmar</a>’s military screened the pictures on the right - young women they had detained, bearing harrowing signs of abuse - on the nightly news today. They fact they felt free to show these images - and wanted to - speaks volumes. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhatsHappeningInMyanmar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar</a> <a href="https://t.co/lt5CeNc06B">pic.twitter.com/lt5CeNc06B</a>
— Poppy McPherson (@poppymcp) <a href="https://twitter.com/poppymcp/status/1383836051551121424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The MRTV report said the protesters were&nbsp;arrested on Sunday in Yankin, a suburb of Yangon, the country's biggest city.

Kim Jolliffe, a researcher on Myanmar, said in a tweet: "The Myanmar&nbsp;junta's strategy from start to finish is based on the same gambit: "We can be more brutal than you... We can be more shockingly hurtful and terrifying than you" That is all they have. But it knows no bounds."

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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A monintoring group called for international action after Myanmar's military junta aired images of anti-coup protesters that appeared to show them having been tortured and bruised.

A monintoring group called for international action after Myanmar's military junta aired images of anti-coup protesters that appeared to show them having been tortured and bruised. The images were tweeted by The Asistancce Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a human rights organisation working to secure the release of prisoners in the country. "Emboldened through impunity. This junta uses torture as its policy. AAPP is concerned for all those detained particularly in undisclosed locations If international community does not act. Torture, and to death, will clearly continue," AAPP said in a tweet. Emboldened through impunity This junta uses torture as its policy AAPP is concerned for all those detained particularly in undisclosed locations If international community does not act. Torture, and to death, will clearly continue pic.twitter.com/6pGU3tSVT3 — AAPP (Burma) (@aapp_burma) April 18, 2021 × According to AAPP, as of Sunday, 3,229 protesters have been detained or sentenced, and 930 have been issued arrest warrants. The monitoring group said 737 people have been killed since the coup ousted the government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in February. Images carried on Sunday by junta-owned MRTV showed six detainees, including two women. Their faces appeared engorged, bloodied or bruised. The jaw of one of the women was swollen and she appeared to have a black eye. #Myanmar’s military screened the pictures on the right - young women they had detained, bearing harrowing signs of abuse - on the nightly news today. They fact they felt free to show these images - and wanted to - speaks volumes. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/lt5CeNc06B — Poppy McPherson (@poppymcp) April 18, 2021 × The MRTV report said the protesters were arrested on Sunday in Yankin, a suburb of Yangon, the country's biggest city. Kim Jolliffe, a researcher on Myanmar, said in a tweet: "The Myanmar junta's strategy from start to finish is based on the same gambit: "We can be more brutal than you... We can be more shockingly hurtful and terrifying than you" That is all they have. But it knows no bounds." (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar military TV shows bruised protesters, leading to outcry

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Covid vaccines face blood clot concerns

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