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Iran has warned that it will use weapons “never used before” against Israel if it carries out “any adventure”. “(If Israel) seeks adventure, our next response will be immediate, stronger and more extensive,” Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said while speaking to UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

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US President Joe Biden got some flak from residents of his childhood towns Scranton. He is in Pennsylvania as part of a multi-city tour of the Battleground State. The backlash comes as US lawmakers push for Additional aid to Israel.

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Kazakhstan floods: 117,000 evacuated | UK: Inflation at lowest in 2.5 years

An Israeli airstrike at a refugee camp in central Gaza on Tuesday (Apr 16) claimed the lives of 11 Palestinians, including children.

The airstrike, as per Palestinian health officials and Hamas media, hit the Al-Maghazi refugee camp.

<h2>Horror stories emerge from Al-Maghazi refugee camp</h2>

Crying over the body of her son Mohammad, Wafaa Issa Al-Nouri, whose husband was also killed in the airstrike, said: "My brothers were sitting by the door, my brother was wounded, and his cousin too, and I lost my son, I do not have a house, nor a husband, nor anything anymore".

"He was playing by the door. We didn't do anything. I swear we didn't do anything," she said sobbing.

In another refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, the Al-Nusseirat camp, residents, as per Reuters, said Israeli planes bombed and destroyed four multi-storey residential buildings the same day.

<h2>Rafah trembles in fear</h2>

This comes, as on Tuesday (Apr 16), Israeli tanks pushed into parts of the northern Gaza Strip. Warplanes conducted airstrikes on Rafah, the Palestinians' last refuge in the south of the territory, killing and wounding several people, reports Reuters citing medics and residents.

In Rafah, another Israeli airstrike killed four people and wounded several others, said the health authorities.

Just before midnight, an airstrike on a house in Rafah also claimed the lives of seven people, including children, and wounded many others.

The city which borders Egypt is currently sheltering over half of Gaza's 2.3 million people, who as per reports are bracing for a planned Israeli ground offensive.

<h2>Israel - Hamas peace talks&nbsp;</h2>

Six months into the war between Israel and militant group Hamas, there is still no sign of any breakthrough in the US-backed, Qatar- and Egypt-led talks to clinch a ceasefire deal in Gaza. This is because both Israel and Hamas continue to stick to their mutually irreconcilable conditions.

As per data from the Palestinian health ministry, since the start of the conflict on Oct 7, 2023, more than 33,000 Palestinians, including 46 in the past 24 hours, have been killed by Israeli fire.

&nbsp;

An Israeli airstrike at a refugee camp in central Gaza on Tuesday (Apr 16) claimed the lives of 11 Palestinians, including children. The airstrike, as per Palestinian health officials and Hamas media, hit the Al-Maghazi refugee camp.

An Israeli airstrike at a refugee camp in central Gaza on Tuesday (Apr 16) claimed the lives of 11 Palestinians, including children. The airstrike, as per Palestinian health officials and Hamas media, hit the Al-Maghazi refugee camp. Horror stories emerge from Al-Maghazi refugee camp Crying over the body of her son Mohammad, Wafaa Issa Al-Nouri, whose husband was also killed in the airstrike, said: "My brothers were sitting by the door, my brother was wounded, and his cousin too, and I lost my son, I do not have a house, nor a husband, nor anything anymore". "He was playing by the door. We didn't do anything. I swear we didn't do anything," she said sobbing. In another refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, the Al-Nusseirat camp, residents, as per Reuters, said Israeli planes bombed and destroyed four multi-storey residential buildings the same day. Rafah trembles in fear This comes, as on Tuesday (Apr 16), Israeli tanks pushed into parts of the northern Gaza Strip. Warplanes conducted airstrikes on Rafah, the Palestinians' last refuge in the south of the territory, killing and wounding several people, reports Reuters citing medics and residents. In Rafah, another Israeli airstrike killed four people and wounded several others, said the health authorities. Just before midnight, an airstrike on a house in Rafah also claimed the lives of seven people, including children, and wounded many others. The city which borders Egypt is currently sheltering over half of Gaza's 2.3 million people, who as per reports are bracing for a planned Israeli ground offensive. Israel - Hamas peace talks Six months into the war between Israel and militant group Hamas, there is still no sign of any breakthrough in the US-backed, Qatar- and Egypt-led talks to clinch a ceasefire deal in Gaza. This is because both Israel and Hamas continue to stick to their mutually irreconcilable conditions. As per data from the Palestinian health ministry, since the start of the conflict on Oct 7, 2023, more than 33,000 Palestinians, including 46 in the past 24 hours, have been killed by Israeli fire.

Israel targeting refugee camps? 11, including children, dead in airstrike on Al-Maghazi refugee camp

Airstrikes by Israel in southern Lebanon killed three individuals, including a commander from Hezbollah, as per Lebanese security sources. Watch to know more.

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In an upcoming China visit, US Secrectary of State, Antony Blinken is expected to raise concerns that Beijing is helping Russia build up its defence industrial base to fight the war in Ukraine.

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Ukraine's top commander said on Sunday Russian forces aimed to capture the town of Chasiv Yar by May 9. Watch to know more.

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UK PM Rishi Sunak faces very vocal resistance against his plans to effectively ban smoking for anyone aged 15 and younger as a new bill comes up for a vote in the House of Commons on April 16.

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President Putin has expressed hope that all sides will show reasonable restraint and prevent a confrontation that could have catastrophic consequences for the entire region. How will things pan out in West Asia? Dr. Gilbert Doctorow, political analyst, joins us to discuss.

Iran-Israel: Putin tells West Asia to pull back from a catastrophic clash

Rishi Sunak is planning to deploy RAF Voyager aircraft to deport migrants to Rwanda after the Home Office failed to find an airline that would charter the flights. Watch to know more.

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Russia war: Russian troops advance in Ukraine, after Bakhmut and Avdiivka, Russia targets Chasiv Yar

To monitor its population even more closely, North Korea is placing surveillance cameras in schools and workplaces.

According to a report, North Korea is collecting fingerprints, photographs and other biometric information from its citizens to keep a record of the population.

The surveillance tools&nbsp;and equipment being used by North Korea are being imported from China. These surveillance tools and domestic software are shrinking the limited space for citizens to conduct private business, access foreign media, or express dissent.

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North Korea's ambitions for digital surveillance are hampered by its limitations. Undersupplied electricity and internet infrastructure, and a dependence on human intelligence gathering, make widespread digital monitoring difficult, according to a report by 38 North, a website specialising in North Korean affairs.

New laws and recent information on harsher penalties suggest that the government is cracking down on foreign influence and imported media, likely helped by fences and electronic monitoring systems installed on the border with China during the pandemic.

Martyn Williams, an analyst and co-author of the study with Natalia Slavney said, “Having seen that it’s possible to close the border this firmly, I think they are now devoted to keeping it that way.”

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-hush-money-trial-case-first-7-jurors-selected-judge-warns-against-intimidation-of-jurors-712069">First seven jurors selected in Trump's criminal hush money trial</a>

“While in terms of broader surveillance across the country, the pandemic could have played a part, but I think a much bigger role has been played by the fast-reducing cost of surveillance equipment,” Williams said.

To understand North Korean surveillance, researchers analysed domestic and international media reports, reviewed publicly announced research from North Korean institutions, and interviewed 40 escapees.

Additionally, they partnered with unidentified sources to conduct a 2023 survey of 100 current residents via encrypted phone calls, texts, and other methods to guarantee their safety.

As per the state media reports, video surveillance is becoming very common at schools, workplaces and airports. All these surveillance cameras are mostly from China and range from basic video feeds to more advanced models that include features like face recognition.

Experts have warned that China is exporting the technology that powers its AI-powered surveillance to countries around the world.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inside-irans-attack-weapons-used-in-operation-truthful-promise-against-israel-712105">Inside Iran's attack: Weapons used in 'Operation Truthful Promise' against Israel</a>

Regardless of limitations like power shortages and existing human surveillance networks, North Korea seems to be building for a future with widespread video monitoring.&nbsp;

The report highlights research efforts at North Korean universities focused on movement detection, facial recognition, and license plate recognition technologies.&nbsp;

While they may not be fully utilising collected data yet, these developments suggest a future with more pervasive digital surveillance.

(With inputs from agencies)

To monitor its population even more closely, North Korea is placing surveillance cameras in schools and workplaces. According to a report, North Korea is collecting fingerprints, photographs and other biometric information from its citizens to keep a record of the population.

To monitor its population even more closely, North Korea is placing surveillance cameras in schools and workplaces. According to a report, North Korea is collecting fingerprints, photographs and other biometric information from its citizens to keep a record of the population. The surveillance tools and equipment being used by North Korea are being imported from China. These surveillance tools and domestic software are shrinking the limited space for citizens to conduct private business, access foreign media, or express dissent. Also read: US plans new sanctions against Iran, hopes allies will follow suit North Korea's ambitions for digital surveillance are hampered by its limitations. Undersupplied electricity and internet infrastructure, and a dependence on human intelligence gathering, make widespread digital monitoring difficult, according to a report by 38 North, a website specialising in North Korean affairs. New laws and recent information on harsher penalties suggest that the government is cracking down on foreign influence and imported media, likely helped by fences and electronic monitoring systems installed on the border with China during the pandemic. Martyn Williams, an analyst and co-author of the study with Natalia Slavney said, “Having seen that it’s possible to close the border this firmly, I think they are now devoted to keeping it that way.” Also read: First seven jurors selected in Trump's criminal hush money trial “While in terms of broader surveillance across the country, the pandemic could have played a part, but I think a much bigger role has been played by the fast-reducing cost of surveillance equipment,” Williams said. To understand North Korean surveillance, researchers analysed domestic and international media reports, reviewed publicly announced research from North Korean institutions, and interviewed 40 escapees. Additionally, they partnered with unidentified sources to conduct a 2023 survey of 100 current residents via encrypted phone calls, texts, and other methods to guarantee their safety. As per the state media reports, video surveillance is becoming very common at schools, workplaces and airports. All these surveillance cameras are mostly from China and range from basic video feeds to more advanced models that include features like face recognition. Experts have warned that China is exporting the technology that powers its AI-powered surveillance to countries around the world. Also read: Inside Iran's attack: Weapons used in 'Operation Truthful Promise' against Israel Regardless of limitations like power shortages and existing human surveillance networks, North Korea seems to be building for a future with widespread video monitoring. The report highlights research efforts at North Korean universities focused on movement detection, facial recognition, and license plate recognition technologies. While they may not be fully utilising collected data yet, these developments suggest a future with more pervasive digital surveillance. (With inputs from agencies)

North Koreans are under the lens, quite literally. Thanks to Chinese surveillance equipment

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Japan' business sentiment dips | US, EU to up Iran sanctions

The government of the United States on Tuesday (April 16) said that it will impose new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone programme in the wake of its weekend attack on Israel.

Iran Guards in eye of storm? | Washington to hit Iran with fresh sanctions

Iran's 'never before used' weapons threat, West Asian nations seek to stop escalation

Amid Myanmar's escalating crisis, the National Unity Government (NUG) is actively seeking formal engagement with India, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Zaw Kyaw, spokesperson for the Office of the President, NUG, conveyed the NUG's plea in an interview with our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal. Kyaw urged India to reassess its engagement with the military junta and opt for conversation with the NUG.

Myanmar's National Unity Government Seeks Formal engagement with India

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is yet to find time to speak to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, three days after Royal Air Force warplanes helped to protect the Jewish state from an Iranian aerial assault. Downing Street is still working to schedule a conversation between the two leaders. Netanyahu’s office strenuously denied that the Israeli premier was avoiding a call with Sunak, contradicting a report by Kan, the Israeli public broadcaster.

Iran attacks Israel: Netanyahu not taking Sunak's call phone call

A massive fire has broken out at Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange. Firefighters are actively attempting to douse the fire. The building no longer houses the Danish Stock Exchange but serves as headquarters for the Danish Chamber of Commerce. No injuries have been reported in the incident so far.

Massive fire in Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange, no injuries reported

The University of Southern California (USC) cancelled valedictorian Asna Tabassum's commencement speech due to security concerns over her pro-Palestine stance, informed Andrew T. Guzman, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs for the private university in Los Angeles.

This decision was backed by pro-Israel groups but criticised by free speech advocates and Muslim civil rights organisations.

Guzman did not reveal&nbsp;whether there had been threats, but said that “we cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence at other campuses.”

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-plans-new-sanctions-against-iran-hopes-allies-will-follow-footsteps-712071">US plans new sanctions against Iran, hopes allies will follow footsteps</a>

“Social media and the ongoing Middle East conflict fueled intense emotions, drawing outside attention and creating a significant risk of disruption and security threats at the ceremony. This dilemma highlights the challenge universities face in balancing free speech with safety, especially as tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict rise with approaching graduation speeches nationwide,” said Guzman.

Zach Greenberg, a lawyer with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, says universities should avoid cancellations that appear like censorship, particularly for prominent events like commencement speeches.&nbsp;

However, if forced to cancel, Greenberg emphasises transparency. Universities must clearly explain security concerns for "both integrity and public safety," allowing attendees to make informed choices.

Asna Tabassum, who is graduating with a degree in biomedical engineering and a minor in resistance to genocide, expressed shock at USC's decision in a statement released by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. She claims university officials acknowledged having security measures in place but prioritised their public image.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hezbollah-commander-killed-in-israeli-drone-strike-712083">Hezbollah commander killed in Israeli drone strike</a>

Tabassum emphasised her commitment to human rights and denied any knowledge of specific threats against her or the university, suggesting the decision stemmed from "anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hatred."

The USC announced its decision the same day pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked roadways in Illinois, California, New York and the Pacific Northwest, temporarily shutting down travel into some of the nation’s most heavily used airports, onto the Golden Gate and Brooklyn bridges and on a busy West Coast highway to demand an immediate ceasefire.

(With inputs from agencies)

The University of Southern California (USC) cancelled valedictorian Asna Tabassum's commencement speech due to security concerns over her pro-Palestine stance, informed Andrew T.

The University of Southern California (USC) cancelled valedictorian Asna Tabassum's commencement speech due to security concerns over her pro-Palestine stance, informed Andrew T. Guzman, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs for the private university in Los Angeles. This decision was backed by pro-Israel groups but criticised by free speech advocates and Muslim civil rights organisations. Guzman did not reveal whether there had been threats, but said that “we cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence at other campuses.” Also read: US plans new sanctions against Iran, hopes allies will follow footsteps “Social media and the ongoing Middle East conflict fueled intense emotions, drawing outside attention and creating a significant risk of disruption and security threats at the ceremony. This dilemma highlights the challenge universities face in balancing free speech with safety, especially as tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict rise with approaching graduation speeches nationwide,” said Guzman. Zach Greenberg, a lawyer with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, says universities should avoid cancellations that appear like censorship, particularly for prominent events like commencement speeches. However, if forced to cancel, Greenberg emphasises transparency. Universities must clearly explain security concerns for "both integrity and public safety," allowing attendees to make informed choices. Asna Tabassum, who is graduating with a degree in biomedical engineering and a minor in resistance to genocide, expressed shock at USC's decision in a statement released by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. She claims university officials acknowledged having security measures in place but prioritised their public image. Also read: Hezbollah commander killed in Israeli drone strike Tabassum emphasised her commitment to human rights and denied any knowledge of specific threats against her or the university, suggesting the decision stemmed from "anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hatred." The USC announced its decision the same day pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked roadways in Illinois, California, New York and the Pacific Northwest, temporarily shutting down travel into some of the nation’s most heavily used airports, onto the Golden Gate and Brooklyn bridges and on a busy West Coast highway to demand an immediate ceasefire. (With inputs from agencies)

USC cancels speech by valedictorian advocating for Palestinians, citing safety concerns

The Israeli war cabinet has reviewed military plans for a potential response against Iran. Talks in Jerusalem are locked on the timing and scale of Israel's response. According to reports, the War Cabinet members are mulling a painful strike that does not cause casualties. The question is--what are the options on Israel's table. Watch in for more details!

Iran attacks Israel: Jordan calls for de-escalation of conflict

Iranian state media has revealed details about the weapons the Middle Eastern nation used in the unprecedented attack on Israel last weekend.&nbsp;

In other news,&nbsp;Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's detained ex-leader,&nbsp;along with the embattled nation's ousted president, U Win Myint, has been moved from prison to house arrest.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-plans-new-sanctions-against-iran-hopes-allies-will-follow-footsteps-712071">US plans new sanctions against Iran, hopes allies will follow footsteps</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/04/17/425573-wion-banners-prisha-56.jpg?imwidth=400" />

The government of the United States on Tuesday (April 16) said that it will impose new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone programme in the wake of its weekend attack on Israel.&nbsp;Washington DC further stated it is hoping that its allies and partners will follow with parallel measures.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-hush-money-trial-case-first-7-jurors-selected-judge-warns-against-intimidation-of-jurors-712069">First 7 jurors selected in Trump's criminal hush money trial case</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/04/17/425571-donald-trump-2.png?imwidth=400" />

On the second day of former&nbsp;United States president Donald Trump's hush money trial, seven Manhattan residents were selected as jurors.&nbsp;When the selection process took place, the jury's anonymous members were only identified by letters and numbers like B400 and B280 and their identities remained hidden.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inside-irans-attack-weapons-used-in-operation-truthful-promise-against-israel-712105">Inside Iran's attack: Weapons used in 'Operation Truthful Promise' against Israel</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/04/17/425594-new-wion-2024-04-17t082502785.jpg?imwidth=400" />

Iranian state media has revealed details about the weapons the Middle Eastern nation used in the recent unprecedented attack on Israel.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hezbollah-commander-killed-in-israeli-drone-strike-712083">Myanmar ex-leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint moved from jail to house arrest</a>

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Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's detained ex-leader,&nbsp;along with the embattled nation's ousted president, U Win Myint, has been moved from prison to house arrest, according to a spokesperson of the Junta military government.

Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-attacks-israel-tehran-braces-for-israeli-retaliation-712096">Iran attacks Israel: Tehran braces for Israeli retaliation</a>

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Iranian state media has revealed details about the weapons the Middle Eastern nation used in the unprecedented attack on Israel last weekend. In other news, Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's detained ex-leader, along with the embattled nation's ousted president, U Win Myint, has been moved from prison to house arrest.

Iranian state media has revealed details about the weapons the Middle Eastern nation used in the unprecedented attack on Israel last weekend. In other news, Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's detained ex-leader, along with the embattled nation's ousted president, U Win Myint, has been moved from prison to house arrest. US plans new sanctions against Iran, hopes allies will follow footsteps The government of the United States on Tuesday (April 16) said that it will impose new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone programme in the wake of its weekend attack on Israel. Washington DC further stated it is hoping that its allies and partners will follow with parallel measures. First 7 jurors selected in Trump's criminal hush money trial case On the second day of former United States president Donald Trump's hush money trial, seven Manhattan residents were selected as jurors. When the selection process took place, the jury's anonymous members were only identified by letters and numbers like B400 and B280 and their identities remained hidden. Inside Iran's attack: Weapons used in 'Operation Truthful Promise' against Israel Iranian state media has revealed details about the weapons the Middle Eastern nation used in the recent unprecedented attack on Israel. Myanmar ex-leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint moved from jail to house arrest Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's detained ex-leader, along with the embattled nation's ousted president, U Win Myint, has been moved from prison to house arrest, according to a spokesperson of the Junta military government. Watch: Iran attacks Israel: Tehran braces for Israeli retaliation ×

Morning brief: Weapons used by Iran against Israel; Myanmar's Suu Kyi moved to house arrest; and more

The police and authorities in Brussels sparked a political firestorm, on Tuesday (Apr 16) after the officials in the Belgian capital city ordered the shutdown of a controversial gathering of hard-right European politicians which was also to be attended by Hungarian leader Viktor Orban and former British Home Secretary Suella Braverman.&nbsp;

<h2>What happened at the event?</h2>

The gathering of the hard-right nationalist European politicians called the National Conservatism (NatCon) Conference descended into chaos after the Brussels police tried to shut it down over safety concerns.&nbsp;

The controversial event was also to hear from UK politician Nigel Farage, French right-wing candidate Eric Zemmour and former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki over the next two days, but as per Politico was shut down by the police just two hours after it began at the Claridge venue.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-willing-to-exercise-restraint-and-has-no-intention-to-escalating-situation-tehran-tells-beijing-711945">Iran willing to exercise restraint, has no intention of escalating situation, Tehran tells Beijing</a>

However, the police said that they would only stop new arrivals from entering the venue, but not stop the conference or remove people already inside.

The police arrived at the venue when Farage was addressing the crowd, and as the drama unfolded outside, he continued his speech saying that the decision to cancel the conference was “absolutely outrageous”.&nbsp;

One of the police officers who arrived at the venue of the event that was being held in the capital’s Saint-Josse Ten Noode region told the organisers that the mayor had decided to shut it down and that he had a three-page document outlining the grounds for the closure.&nbsp;

“The authorities decided to shut the event due to possibility of public disorder,” a police officer heard by Politico told one of the organisers.&nbsp;

The law enforcement personnel were ordered by Emir Kir, the mayor of the Saint-Josse Ten Noode, who later took to X and confirmed media reports that he ordered a halt to the event to “guarantee public safety.” He added, “The far right is not welcome.”&nbsp;

According to media reports, NatCon had a hard time securing a venue and had been rejected by two other Brussels venues before they managed to secure Claridge venue. The organisers reportedly said that some 600 attendees were expected to attend the conference.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Unacceptable’</h2>

The move to halt the event garnered criticism from Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo who took to X and called it “unacceptable”.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-will-not-be-invited-to-french-d-day-anniversary-in-june-712047">Vladimir Putin will not be invited to French D-Day anniversary in June</a>

“Municipal autonomy is a cornerstone of our democracy but can never overrule the Belgian constitution guaranteeing the freedom of speech and peaceful assembly since 1830. Banning political meetings is unconstitutional. Full stop,” said De Croo.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson called reports of police action at NatCon “extremely disturbing,” adding that he is a “strong supporter and advocator for free speech”.&nbsp;

Sunak was “very clear that cancelling events or preventing attendance and no-platforming speakers is damaging to free speech and to democracy as a result,” said his spokesperson.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
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The police and authorities in Brussels sparked a political firestorm, on Tuesday (Apr 16) after the officials in the Belgian capital city ordered the shutdown of a controversial gathering of hard-right European politicians which was also to be attended by Hungarian leader Viktor Orban and former British Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

The police and authorities in Brussels sparked a political firestorm, on Tuesday (Apr 16) after the officials in the Belgian capital city ordered the shutdown of a controversial gathering of hard-right European politicians which was also to be attended by Hungarian leader Viktor Orban and former British Home Secretary Suella Braverman. What happened at the event? The gathering of the hard-right nationalist European politicians called the National Conservatism (NatCon) Conference descended into chaos after the Brussels police tried to shut it down over safety concerns. The controversial event was also to hear from UK politician Nigel Farage, French right-wing candidate Eric Zemmour and former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki over the next two days, but as per Politico was shut down by the police just two hours after it began at the Claridge venue. Also Read | Iran willing to exercise restraint, has no intention of escalating situation, Tehran tells Beijing However, the police said that they would only stop new arrivals from entering the venue, but not stop the conference or remove people already inside. The police arrived at the venue when Farage was addressing the crowd, and as the drama unfolded outside, he continued his speech saying that the decision to cancel the conference was “absolutely outrageous”. One of the police officers who arrived at the venue of the event that was being held in the capital’s Saint-Josse Ten Noode region told the organisers that the mayor had decided to shut it down and that he had a three-page document outlining the grounds for the closure. “The authorities decided to shut the event due to possibility of public disorder,” a police officer heard by Politico told one of the organisers. The law enforcement personnel were ordered by Emir Kir, the mayor of the Saint-Josse Ten Noode, who later took to X and confirmed media reports that he ordered a halt to the event to “guarantee public safety.” He added, “The far right is not welcome.” According to media reports, NatCon had a hard time securing a venue and had been rejected by two other Brussels venues before they managed to secure Claridge venue. The organisers reportedly said that some 600 attendees were expected to attend the conference. ‘Unacceptable’ The move to halt the event garnered criticism from Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo who took to X and called it “unacceptable”. Also Read | Vladimir Putin will not be invited to French D-Day anniversary in June “Municipal autonomy is a cornerstone of our democracy but can never overrule the Belgian constitution guaranteeing the freedom of speech and peaceful assembly since 1830. Banning political meetings is unconstitutional. Full stop,” said De Croo. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson called reports of police action at NatCon “extremely disturbing,” adding that he is a “strong supporter and advocator for free speech”. Sunak was “very clear that cancelling events or preventing attendance and no-platforming speakers is damaging to free speech and to democracy as a result,” said his spokesperson. (With inputs from agencies)

Brussels police shut down right-wing event to be attended by Hungary’s Orban, UK’s Braverman

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