The start of the meeting of foreign ministers of the Group of Seven, China and Ukraine is on the agenda

The meeting of the Group of Seven foreign ministers kicked off in Karuizawa, central Japan, where the three-day meeting is expected to conclude with discussions apparently dominated by China's increasing pressure on Taiwan and the conflict in Ukraine, according to the European Euro News Network.

The G7 foreign ministers' meeting kicked off Sunday in Karuizawa, a tourist city in central Japan.

The meeting, which lasts 3 days, aims to discuss a large number of challenges from the Russian-Ukrainian war to China's growing influence in the region.

The foreign ministers of the seven countries are supposed to discuss other international crises, from the Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan to the recent attacks launched by the military junta in Myanmar, through space, internet security and disinformation, according to French media.

East Asia has dominated diplomatic moves in recent days, especially after North Korea launched, Thursday, what it described as a "new type" of solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), as part of its weapons tests, which have multiplied in recent months.

The bullet train journey took an hour to bring the foreign ministers of the seven developed world countries to Karuizawa Resort, according to the local Kyodo agency.

The city is on high alert, with police circling the venue for the meeting, which will host representatives from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States as well as the European Union.

On Sunday, G7 environment and energy ministers pledged to accelerate the phase-out of natural gas and other fossil fuels to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, but failed to set a clear deadline for ending coal power use.

The meeting of foreign ministers paves the way for the G7 heads of state summit to be held from May 19-21 in Hiroshima, and the Japanese prime minister hopes to present his distinctive vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who survived an explosive device attack during his campaign visit to western Japan on Saturday, vowed to ensure that the series of G7 leaders' summit meetings in May will be held "safely".

The foreign ministers will also discuss ways to seek closer alliance with developing countries in the Global South, many of which have remained neutral on the conflict in Ukraine.

The meeting, which will be chaired by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, is expected to conclude with an outcome document.

Kyodo said other items on the agenda include nuclear disarmament, food security and climate change.

Activists call for a fire strike on New Year's Day 

On April 16, 2023, on Thingyan Day, Dawei District Democratic Movement Strike Committee (DDMSC) led a mass strike against the military dictatorship.

 Democracy Movement Strike Committee-Dawei

In opposition to the military dictatorship, anti-military activists have called for a nationwide blackout strike for 5 minutes from 8:00 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. today, New Year's Day.

New Year's Day today is the anniversary of 168 civilians from Pazigyi village who were killed in an airstrike by the military council.

Therefore, Ko Nanglin, one of the leaders of the protest strike in Yangon, urges everyone to dedicate themselves to the dead in every good deed they do on this new year's day.

On that day, the wards, There is a traditional practice of reciting a safe prayer at the crossroad and calling for sharing. As the parents and people of Pazigyi village, we are doing our own traditional activities, which are aimed at the civilian people who have fallen, and are against the military dictatorship. We encourage you to shape it as activities that show your stand for Pazi Gyi Village. In our tradition, there is an idea that playing the iron drum drives away evil. Playing the tambourine on a New Year's Day as a movement to drive away the evil spirits that are causing trouble to the people of Burma. Finally, at 8:00 p.m., our people did not accept the fire strike and civilian casualties. Objection. against. That they will continue to fight against the military dictatorship To show. On the first day of the new year, the good deeds that people do are for Pazi. I would like to strongly urge the parents to portray that the shared voices are for Pazi.

On April 11, the Military Council launched an aerial bombardment when about 800 people gathered to attend the opening ceremony of the office of the People's Administrative Committee of Pazigyi Village, Kangbalu Township, Sagaing Province.

The attack killed 186 people. Among them, up to 40 children under the age of 18 were released by National Unity NUG along with the names of the dead.

Currently, the military council is stationed in the village, so the residents have to hide in the forest for safety.

A resident of Pazi Gyi said

"I feel it. If possible, I want to die and bring them back to life if possible. I'm not satisfied. I'm also scared. I'm also worried for the rest of them. I want to live well, safe and secure. I came with fear and fear, so I didn't have any medicine. Everything from drinking water to drinking water is difficult. We need it."

Currently, more than 300 people are still hiding in the forest because the military council is stationed in Pazigyi village.

A person who is helping the locals said that they will do the almsgiving together in these forests today.

"There is no one in the village. Most of them are staying in the forest where they escaped. There are more than 300 people. Right now, they are living in rain shelters, so they mainly need medicine and food. They cannot return to the village at the moment. The military council has said that they will attack the village in these days, so they will not be able to return to the village. For the more than 100 who have died, they have made a plan to give alms together."

The military council has admitted that they attacked Pazigyi village. The attack was the deadliest since the military coup. The international community has condemned the actions of the military council that resulted in the deaths of civilians.