California Governor apologises to Native Americans

LOS ANGELES: California Governor Gavin Newsom has apologised to Native Americans for violence and other wrongdoings they suffered during the state’s history and called their mistreatment genocide. The Democratic Governor called for the creation of a Truth and Healing Council to produce a report before the end of 2024 on the historical relationship between the state and Native Americans. Reuters

Voluntary euthanasia becomes legal in Australian state

MELBOURNE: Victoria on Wednesday became the first state in Australia to enact euthanasia laws that would now allow terminally-ill patients suffering from intolerable pain to legally ask their doctor for lethal drugs to end their lives. Terminally-ill Victorian adults in intolerable pain and with less than six months to live, or 12 months for neurodegenerative diseases, and who meet 68 safeguards can request their doctor's help in dying. With 68 safeguards, the bill has been described as the most conservative in the world. PTI

Blackstone chief donates $188 m to Oxford University

LONDON: The head of private equity firm Blackstone has pledged  $188.37 million to Oxford University, the biggest single donation in its history, to fund a centre for humanities that would also house an institute to study the ethics of artificial intelligence. Stephen Schwarzman said the donation would support programmes ranging from history to music. Reuters

Silent tribute

HONG KONG: Pro-democracy lawmakers pay a silent tribute to the man who fell to death after hanging a protest banner on a scaffolding, at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Wednesday. The lawmakers are meeting for the first time in a week after massive protests. AP/PTI