THE NHS Race and Health Observatory on Wednesday (24) launched a learning and action network designed to address stark disparities in maternal, perinatal and neonatal health outcomes for women from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds.
Data shows alarmingly higher rates of maternal and baby deaths amongst black and Asian women compared to their white counterparts.
Black British mothers face up to four times higher risks of death during pregnancy or within six weeks post-childbirth compared to their white counterparts. Mothers of mixed ethnicity experience a threefold increase in the risk of pregnancy-related mortality, while women of Asian ethnicity face a twofold higher risk than White mothers.
The programme, in partnership with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and supported by the Health Foundation,will study the gaps seen in severe maternal morbidity, perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity between women of different ethnic groups, and will run until June 2025.
Nine NHS trusts and integrated care systems will participate in the initiative across England, a statement said.
The Network will blend quality improvement and anti-racism principles to bring about clinical transformation and promote system-wide change.
Through action, learning, and coaching sessions, participants will utilise quality improvement methods, examine policies, processes, and workforce metrics, exchange insights and case studies, and listen to experiences of mothers, parents, pregnant women, and others.
Prof Habib Naqvi, chief executive, NHS Race and Health Observatory, said, “It’s clear that long-standing racial disparities in maternal and neonatal health outcomes require urgent action. The mission of the Observatory is not just to highlight the scale of disparities, but to also provide practical, evidence-based solutions to those challenges.
"That’s why we’ll be working alongside healthcare providers, from across the country, to make practical progress in addressing these inequalities in a sustained and meaningful way.”
Priority areas under the programme are haemorrhage, preterm birth, post-partum depression and gestational diabetes. It will create a new equitable policy recommendations for maternity providers and build a repository of best practice for potential replication across the country, the statement added.
Pedro Delgado, vice president, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, said, "The aspiration is to accelerate the pace of improvement, partner closely with mothers and families, foster collaboration across the system and use the intensive learning with these teams to inform approaches to scale up and spread impactful changes over time that will reduce harm, suffering, and improve outcomes”.
Dr Malte Gerhold, director of Innovation and Improvement at the Health Foundation, emphasised the importance of successful quality improvement in healthcare.
He stressed the critical aspect of ensuring that improvement efforts benefit everyone, particularly those facing poorer outcomes, access, or quality.
Emergency personnel work at an impacted residential site, following a missile attack from Iran on Israel, amid the Israel-Iran conflict, in Be'er Sheva, Israel June 24, 2025.
ISRAELI defence minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday he had instructed the military to strike targets in Tehran after Iran fired missiles, violating a ceasefire that had come into effect following 12 days of war.
"In light of Iran’s blatant violation of the ceasefire declared by the President of the United States — through the launch of missiles toward Israel — and in accordance with the Israeli government's policy to respond forcefully to any breach, I have instructed the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)... to continue high-intensity operations targeting regime assets and terror infrastructure in Tehran," Katz said.
The Israeli military confirmed it was working to intercept Iranian missiles after detecting a launch. The attack came hours after Israel had announced a ceasefire, stating it had achieved its objectives in the bombing campaign launched against Iran on June 13.
"In light of the achievement of the operation's goals, and in full coordination with President Trump, Israel agreed to the President's proposal for a mutual ceasefire," prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
"Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defence and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat," Netanyahu added.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier that Iran would stop its retaliatory strikes provided Israel ceased attacks by 4:00 a.m. Tehran time.
Trump declares truce, urges both sides to hold fire
US president Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire was in effect, urging both Iran and Israel not to violate the agreement. "THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
The US president had earlier stated that the ceasefire would be a phased 24-hour process starting around 0400 GMT Tuesday. Under the plan, Iran would first halt its operations, with Israel following 12 hours later.
Despite the announcement, Israeli emergency services reported that four people were killed in an Iranian missile strike. State media in Iran had earlier reported that waves of missiles were heading toward Israel.
Neither Iran nor Israel confirmed the agreement referenced by Trump. Shortly before his announcement, foreign minister Araghchi had said: "as of now, there is NO 'agreement' on ceasefire or cessation of military operations".
"However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 a.m. Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards," he said on social media.
Sirens were activated in northern Israel around the same time Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported incoming missile waves.
At least four people were killed in a multi-wave Iranian missile attack just before the truce was expected to take effect. The Magen David Adom rescue service said three people were declared dead in Beersheba, while a fourth fatality was later added to its figures.
Explosions were also reported overnight in Tehran, with blasts in the north and central parts of the city described by AFP journalists as some of the most intense since hostilities began.
Iran, Israel trade fire since June 13 strikes
The escalation followed Israel’s strikes on June 13, which targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities. In response, Iran launched missiles at the largest US military facility in the Middle East — Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — just hours before Trump’s truce declaration.
Trump downplayed the attack, calling it “very weak,” and said Tehran had given advance notice. Iran’s National Security Council said the attack was in response to US strikes on its nuclear facilities, calling it proportional.
"The number of missiles launched was the same as the number of bombs that the US had used," Iran’s National Security Council said.
Ali Vaez, a senior advisor at the International Crisis Group, told AFP: "This was calibrated and telegraphed in a way that would not result in any American casualties, so that there is an off ramp for both sides."
The US had joined Israel’s campaign by striking an underground uranium enrichment facility and two other nuclear sites over the weekend.
Qatar calls Iranian strike 'blatant aggression'
Although Iran said its strike on Al Udeid was aimed at the US and not at Qatar, the Qatari government described the action as "blatant aggression" and said it reserved the right to respond proportionally.
Iran's state media quoted the Revolutionary Guard Corps as saying that six missiles had hit the base, which Qatar said had been evacuated in advance.
A US defence official said the attack involved "short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles". AFP journalists in Doha and Lusail reported explosions and saw missiles in the sky on Monday evening.
Images on Iranian state TV showed people gathering in Tehran, waving the national flag and chanting "Death to America" in response to the attack.
Qatar temporarily closed its airspace and the US embassy, along with other foreign missions, advised citizens to shelter in place.
According to Iran's health ministry, Israeli strikes have killed more than 400 people. Official Israeli figures say 24 people have been killed in Iran’s attacks on Israel.
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This year’s Qurbani campaign by Islamic Relief UK spans across the country
Islamic Relief UK partnered with Newham Community Project this Qurbani to distribute food parcels to vulnerable individuals and families affected by the rising cost-of-living crisis in the London Borough of Newham and surrounding areas.
On 20 June 2025, the organisations delivered 300 food packs to support local households, including refugees, migrants, vulnerable women, and people with no access to public funds. The initiative took place during Dhul Hijjah, one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar, when Muslims around the world donate Qurbani — the religious tradition of sacrificing meat and sharing it with those in need.
Community efforts like those in Newham are vitalIslamic Relief UK
This year’s Qurbani campaign by Islamic Relief UK spans across the country in partnership with 39 organisations in cities such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, and Glasgow, working with local food banks, charities, and community centres.
Newham has been hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis, with research from the University of East London showing that nearly half of those supported by Islamic Relief’s local partners are not even in the lowest income bracket, highlighting how widespread the issue has become.
The initiative took place during Dhul HijjahIslamic Relief UK
Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK, said: “Qurbani is a time to reflect on those struggling to meet their basic needs. More and more parents are skipping meals so their children can eat. Community efforts like those in Newham are vital, but we need long-term action from government to reverse cuts and raise support levels.”
Newham Community Project added: “Many families we support are excluded from public help and face housing, income and legal barriers. Distributions like this meet urgent needs but also spotlight the need for real policy change.”
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India's Hardeep Singh Puri, who is leading a 7-member delegation, meets Irish prime minister Micheal Martin. The delegation paid tribute to the victims of the Air India Kanishka bombing at the Ahakista Memorial, on the 40th anniversary of the incident, in County Cork, Ireland. (Photo: PTI Photo)
INDIAN minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday (23) called for ending funding channels to terrorists and separatists and urged collective action to counter global terrorism, as he paid tribute to the victims of the Air India Flight 182 Kanishka bombing on its 40th anniversary.
The Montreal–London–New Delhi Air India ‘Kanishka’ Flight 182 exploded mid-air on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board. The flight was 45 minutes away from landing at London’s Heathrow Airport. Most of those killed were Canadians of Indian origin.
Commemoration held at Ahakista Memorial
Puri, who is the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, attended the memorial event at the Ahakista Memorial in County Cork, Ireland. He was joined by Irish prime minister Micheál Martin and Canada’s Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree. County Cork is about 260 kilometres from Dublin.
“On behalf of the people and Government of India, a 7-member delegation led by Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas @HardeepSPuri paid tributes to the victims at the Ahakista Memorial in County Cork, Ireland,” said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X.
‘Need to be united against terrorism’
In his speech, Puri thanked the “wonderful community of Ahakista and the people of Ireland,” saying they had responded with compassion when the tragedy occurred 40 years ago.
“This memorial stands testimony to the tragedy of that crash on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean not far from here,” Puri said.
He added, “Irrespective of the differences in ideologies and political differences, we need to be vigilant about terrorism and united in combating the menace.”
Calling for an end to terrorism financing, Puri said in another post on X, “We need to double our efforts to ensure that what happened on June 23, 1985 is not repeated anywhere in the world in future.”
329 lives lost in mid-air explosion
Irish prime minister Micheál Martin wrote on X, “It was a privilege to attend the commemoration to mark 40 years since the Air India disaster in West Cork. 329 innocent people lost their lives over the skies of Ireland that morning, and the passing of time does not dim the scale of loss and of this atrocity.”
According to The Air India Flight 182 Archive, maintained by McMaster University, the Ahakista Memorial was unveiled on June 23, 1986, during the first anniversary of the bombing. The site includes a garden, a sundial, and a curved stone wall bearing the names of all those who died.
Relatives of victims attend memorial
Every year, families of the passengers and crew gather at various memorials dedicated to the victims.
According to Irish public broadcaster RTÉ, about 60 relatives of the victims attended the annual ceremony in Ahakista, which is the closest point on land to the crash site.
“The ceremony at the memorial monument began with a minute’s silence at 8.13 am, the exact time the explosion occurred on Air India Flight 182. It was followed by tributes from the families and Hindu and Christian readings,” RTÉ reported.
(With inputs from PTI)
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International Day of Yoga stood as a powerful reminder of yoga’s enduring role in personal and collective transformation
The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh
Ambassadors, high commissioners, and guests from over 25 countries participated
The event followed the global theme: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”
The Common Yoga Protocol was conducted by trained instructors with government audio
Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji led the spiritual programme
Celebrations concluded with a World Peace Yajna and the national anthem
A global gathering on the banks of the Ganga
Rishikesh, 21 June – The 11th International Day of Yoga was marked by a large-scale, spiritually uplifting gathering at Parmarth Niketan Ashram on the banks of the River Ganga. Diplomats, dignitaries, and yoga enthusiasts from over 25 countries participated in the celebration, which followed the global theme of “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”.
The event began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and the recitation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The session featured the Common Yoga Protocol conducted by trained instructors to the government-issued audio guide.
Parmarth Niketan’s President, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji, and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji presided over the gathering and delivered spiritual discourses on the deeper significance of yoga.
The message of harmony and global health
This year’s theme highlights the link between individual well-being and planetary health. Addressing the participants, Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji remarked, “When we take care of ourselves, we begin to care for the Earth. This is the divine message of Indian culture — Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the whole world is one family.”
Many of the guests shared their appreciation for India’s leadership in promoting wellness through yoga Parmarth Niketan
He described yoga as a gift from India to the world, bringing together the body, mind and consciousness through ancient physical, mental and spiritual disciplines.
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji added, “Yoga is not just a physical practice to increase flexibility, but a complete lifestyle. It allows us to remain balanced in the face of challenges, and helps us live with more focus, patience, and peace.”
A tradition recognised by the United Nations
International Yoga Day was first adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 11 December 2014, following a proposal from India that was co-sponsored by 177 countries. At the time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called yoga “an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition,” highlighting its holistic approach to well-being.
The Rishikesh event featured a special video message from Prime Minister Modi, along with a musical performance on the flute, guided yoga demonstrations, and reflections from various spiritual and yogic leaders.
A diplomatic and cultural moment
Dignitaries in attendance included representatives from Mexico, Peru, Japan, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Nepal, Botswana, Uzbekistan, Namibia, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ethiopia, and several other nations. Their participation underlined yoga’s growing international appeal and its role in diplomacy and cultural exchange.
Many of the guests shared their appreciation for India’s leadership in promoting wellness through yoga and called the celebration a symbol of shared human values and interconnectedness.
Participation from schools and yoga institutions
The event also saw active participation from students, teachers, and instructors from educational institutions, yoga schools, and local associations across Uttarakhand. Parmarth’s own Yogacharya Ganga Nandini led the Common Yoga Protocol, which was performed with devotion by hundreds on the ghats.
The session featured the Common Yoga Protocol conducted by trained instructors Parmarth Niketan
Groups such as the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Komaleshwar Yoga School, and the Yoga Association of Uttarakhand also contributed to the successful conduct of the session.
Concluding with a prayer for peace
The celebration concluded with a World Peace Yajna, bringing together participants in a traditional fire ritual aimed at spreading harmony and spiritual upliftment. The national anthem was sung collectively to close the event on a patriotic and unifying note.
As the sun rose over the River Ganga, the 11th International Day of Yoga stood as a powerful reminder of yoga’s enduring role in personal and collective transformation.
FILE PHOTO: Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina addresses the media at a vandalized metro station in Mirpur, after the anti-quota protests. (Photo by -/Bangladesh Prime Minister's Office/AFP via Getty Images)
BANGLADESH's former chief election commissioner K M Nurul Huda has been arrested on charges of manipulating elections during his tenure, police said.
Dhaka metropolitan police’s deputy commissioner Mohidul Islam said Huda was arrested in the case filed by former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) against the former election commission chief and 18 others, including deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Election Commission officials said this was probably the first time that a former CEC has been detained over issues related to elections, the Daily Star newspaper reported.
Earlier in the day, the 77-year-old, who oversaw the elections in 2014, 2018 and 2024, was assaulted by a mob outside his Uttara residence.
Uttara West police station chief Hafizur Rahman said, "We went to the scene after being informed" that a mob has surrounded Huda. We have brought him into our custody.”
Another police officer said the mob raided Huda’s residence located at Uttara area in Dhaka and dragged him out of his house before the arrival of police.
Videos circulating on social media show a group of people thrashing Huda with shoes, garlanding him with footwear, and throwing eggs at him from close proximity.
In the videos, the mob was seen abusing him with filthy language and continuing to beat him even after the police arrived at the scene.
Huda would spend the night at the police’s detective branch office and would be produced before a court for consequent legal actions, he said.
The BNP filed a case against 19 people, including Huda, for conducting general elections in 2014, 2018 and 2024 under Hasina regime "without people's mandate". Hasina had won all these elections.
The assault of Huda triggered an uproar on social media, prompting chief advisor Muhammad Yunus’ interim government to issue a statement around midnight.
“The mob-created unruly situation and the physical assault on the accused has drawn the government's attention. The government urges citizens not to take the law into their hands," the statement said.
It also warned of appropriate actions against such people.
Most senior leaders of the Awami League and ministers and senior officials of the ousted regime were arrested or fled the country after the fall of the then government.
Several of these leaders, including ministers, in the past several months have come under mob attack, particularly on court premises.
Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's residence at 32 Dhanmandi in Dhaka, which was turned into a memorial museum, was demolished by a mob using bulldozers in February this year.