Latest news with #Boardof
The Star
5 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Pioneering autism centre reopens in Sabah
Her Royal Highness YAM Paduka Puteri Tunku Mariamz Al-Marhum Sultan Iskandar officiating the newly renovated Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Training Centre at Seri Mengasih, recently. KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has made a leap in inclusive education and disability support with the launch of the newly-renovated Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Training Centre at Seri Mengasih here. It is the only facility in Malaysia authorised to practise the renowned Kololo Method of educational training from Japan that emphasises group dynamics and structured learning for individuals with autism. The refurbished centre in Tanjung Aru was launched by Yang Amat Mulia Paduka Puteri Tunku Mariamz Sultan Iskandar on Monday (June 16). Her Royal Highness' presence underscored the national significance of the initiative and brought renewed attention to the need for comprehensive support for individuals with autism. Seri Mengasih, which has served the special needs community for 44 years, is the sole centre in the country recognised by Kololo Japan to implement its structured ASD training method. The Kololo Method is a unique form of early intervention, therapy, and vocational skills development for individuals on the autism spectrum. Her Royal Highness YAM Paduka Puteri Tunku Mariamz Al-Marhum Sultan Iskandar posed in a group photo with Seri Mengasih's Board of Trustees chairman, Datuk Suzannah Liaw (second left), Committee of Management chairman Tulip Noorazyze (second right), and others. 'This new centre is more than just a building," Seri Mengasih board of trustees chairman Datuk Suzannah Liaw said at the ceremony. "It is a commitment to empowering individuals with ASD to lead meaningful, independent lives. "We are incredibly honoured to receive the royal support of Yang Amat Mulia Paduka Puteri Tunku Mariamz, which elevates our efforts to the national stage,' she added. The upgraded facility includes therapy rooms, sensory integration spaces, vocational training areas and specialised classrooms tailored to the unique learning styles of children and adults with ASD. It enables the expansion of Seri Mengasih's programmes in early intervention, social skills training and independent living education. Her Royal Highness YAM Paduka Puteri Tunku Mariamz Al-Marhum Sultan Iskandar receiving a bouquet of flowers from one of the Seri Mengasih's Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Training Centre pupils. According to the facility's management committee chairman Tulip Noorazyze, the Kololo Method has shown consistent success in helping students as young as three build essential skills and confidence. 'We have witnessed countless success stories with children who are now able to communicate better, manage themselves, and even hold jobs,' she said. The launch marks a milestone not only for Seri Mengasih but for the broader movement towards disability inclusion in Malaysia, with the centre aiming to be a model for other states to emulate. Tunku Mariamz's involvement is expected to draw national attention and spark greater interest in strengthening autism-related services throughout the country. 'This is a proud moment for Sabah and a hopeful one for every Malaysian family affected by ASD,' said Liaw. The Kololo Method was developed in Japan in 1980 by Ishii Hijiri and Saeko Kubota. Rooted in brain development and behavioural change theories, it prioritises those with severe challenges. The method focuses on group dynamics, recognising that social harmony and cooperation are essential for personal development. The programme also supports home-based training, encouraging parents to play an active and positive role in helping their children live independently.
Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Can Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear assets lead to an explosion or radiation leak?
Israel has struck major nuclear facilities in Iran this morning, including the country's Natanz nuclear-enrichment complex, in what it said was 'pre-emptive military action' aimed at thwarting Iran's attempts to build nuclear weapons. These strikes may be a major setback for Iran's atomic capabilities, and have the potential to trigger a full-blown war in the Middle East. But as of now, the risks of nuclear disaster involving an explosion or a major radioactive leak are very low. Here's why. First, some context Israeli opposition to Iran's nuclear programme is not new. Neither are its attempts to thwart Tehran from developing atomic weapons. The immediate trigger for the attack, however, was an adverse resolution by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which declared that Iran has been non-compliant with its non-proliferation obligations — the first such resolution in two decades. The resolution, moved on Wednesday, comes on the back of an IAEA investigation which found that Iran was conducting 'secret nuclear activities' at three locations. Notably, Israel's escalation also comes ahead of the sixth round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, which were scheduled to take place in Muscat this Sunday. The escalation is likely to tank ongoing N-talks between the two countries which seek a deal that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief. Israel's main target Israel's primary target was the Natanz Nuclear Facility, located in Isfahan province in central Iran. Natanz is the country's main uranium enrichment facility, where Iran has produced the vast majority of its nuclear fuel. Enrichment is the process through which uranium-235, which is used for producing nuclear weapons, is extracted from naturally occurring uranium which is primarily of the uranium-238 variety. Natanz stores nuclear material of different formulations, including both enriched and unenriched uranium, and centrifuges which carry out the enrichment. It is still too early to know how much damage Israel did. The entire Natanz facility, unlike Iran's other major enrichment facility in Fordow in the northern province of Qom, is not deeply buried. But the halls in which the centrifuges are kept, where the uranium is enriched, are said to be deep underground in the Persian desert and protected by highly reinforced concrete. But even if Israel did hit the facility, a major nuclear calamity is unlikely. Simply hittin nuclear material or equipment with conventional weapons does not lead to a nuclear explosion or a widespread radiation leak. What cannot be ruled out, however, are the chances of a localised dispersal of radioactive substances within the facility. 'It all depends on the configuration of nuclear material stored at the facility. If the nuclear material and explosives are kept separately, there isn't much danger of an explosion or leak, even if there is a direct hit on the nuclear material,' Anil Kakodkar, former head of India's Department of Atomic Energy, told The Indian Express. 'The strikes are likely to result in a dispersal, or the spread, of nuclear material into the environment. But this is likely to remain restricted within the facility or the place of the attack,' he added. Even if Israel were to have hit assembled nuclear weapons, the result is more likely to be a 'radiation leak' than an 'organised explosion', according to Kakodkar. Why this is the case Triggering a nuclear explosion, the kind atomic weapons are meant to bring about, requires a very precise set of processes to be followed, and a very specific initiation. All nuclear weapons also have inbuilt safety mechanisms to prevent an accidental detonation. The Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, therefore, is unlikely to result in a nuclear explosion or a major radiation leak, but could certainly be a health hazard to people working within the facility and in the localities immediately outside. Similar fears of a nuclear accident have prevailed in the Russia-Ukraine war as well, particularly when Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant had got caught in the fighting. The plant did suffer some damage, but even in that case, a major nuclear accident was unlikely. For latest updates on the situation in the Middle East, click here
The Age
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Why has Israel struck Iran? What we know so far
Israel has launched targeted strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran's capital Tehran. Here's what we know about why Israel launched the attack, and what the United States is saying. Where have Israel struck? An Israeli military official says that his country targeted Iranian nuclear sites, without identifying them, the Associated Press reports. The official spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing operation, which is also targeting military sites. Why is Israel attacking Iran? The attack comes as tensions have reached new heights over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. The Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency for the first time in 20 years on Thursday censured Iran over it not working with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the country and swap out some centrifuges for more-advanced ones. Israel for years has warned it will not allow Iran to build a nuclear weapon, something Tehran insists it doesn't want — though official there have repeatedly warned it could.
Sydney Morning Herald
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why has Israel struck Iran? What we know so far
Israel has launched targeted strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran's capital Tehran. Here's what we know about why Israel launched the attack, and what the United States is saying. Where have Israel struck? An Israeli military official says that his country targeted Iranian nuclear sites, without identifying them, the Associated Press reports. The official spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing operation, which is also targeting military sites. Why is Israel attacking Iran? The attack comes as tensions have reached new heights over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. The Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency for the first time in 20 years on Thursday censured Iran over it not working with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the country and swap out some centrifuges for more-advanced ones. Israel for years has warned it will not allow Iran to build a nuclear weapon, something Tehran insists it doesn't want — though official there have repeatedly warned it could.
Al Manar
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
IAEA Board Labels Iran as 'Non-Compliant,' Tehran Slams Move as Politically Driven
For the first time in nearly two decades, the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors passed a resolution declaring the Islamic Republic of Iran as 'non-compliant' with its nuclear safeguards obligations. The resolution, adopted on Thursday, was supported by 19 member states, opposed by 3, with 11 abstentions. IAEA board of governors just adopted an important Resolution tabled by E3 and US which states that Iran is in non compliance with its obligations under its Safeguards Agreement and calls upon Iran to take steps to remedy its non-compliance. #IAEA #BoG — Germany UN Vienna (@GermanyUNVienna) June 12, 2025 Iran's Foreign Ministry and Atomic Energy Organization condemned the resolution in a letter to the United Nations Security Council, dismissing it as a politically motivated act based on what they described as 'false claims' by the European troika regarding violations of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and the 2015 nuclear deal. In a joint statement, the two bodies announced the activation of a new uranium enrichment facility in response to the vote, adding that Iran had replaced first-generation centrifuges at the Fordow site with more advanced sixth-generation machines. Iran's Permanent Representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, categorically rejected the IAEA's allegations, calling them 'unfounded, misleading, legally baseless, and politically biased.' He accused the agency of deliberately conflating Iran's obligations under the nuclear deal with its commitments under the comprehensive safeguards agreement, describing the approach as 'deceptive and disingenuous.' Iravani reiterated that Iran's nuclear program remains entirely peaceful and continues to operate under strict IAEA monitoring. He warned that any move to trigger the so-called 'snapback mechanism' could lead to 'serious and adverse consequences.' The purpose of the anti-Iranian resolution put forth by the British, French, and German regimes at the IAEA is to help Netanyahu, especially with the ongoing Gaza Holocaust. The real issue was never about nuclear weapons, terrorism, or human rights. Those are their specialties. — Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) June 12, 2025 Mehdi Azizi, director of the New Vision Center for Studies and Media in Iran, told Al-Jazeera Net that Tehran had made it clear during IAEA discussions that any move against its interests would be met with a proportional escalation in its enrichment program. He suggested the possibility of Iran establishing a third enrichment facility and transitioning fully to sixth-generation centrifuges, hinting at upcoming developments in the sector. Azizi also warned that Iran's response to external threats, including potential US military options, 'would be painful,' citing recent statements by Iran's defense minister affirming the full readiness of the country's armed forces. Echoing this sentiment, Emad Abshenas, head of Iran's Association of Research and Study Centers, said Tehran is likely to accelerate uranium enrichment in response to the resolution. He indicated that Iran may further scale back cooperation with the IAEA, particularly concerning inspections and technical coordination. The latest developments highlight Tehran's firm stance in defending its national interests amid Western pressure, reaffirming its commitment to peaceful nuclear advancement while calling for a more balanced and constructive approach to diplomacy.
