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‘Andrew should testify in Congress’ o Epstein victims come first, says Starmer

pound lawsuit she had filed without making any admission of guilt. US lawmakers and investigators have for years repeatedly requested that the former prince face questions about his association with Epstein. Last November, 16 Democratic members of Congress signed a letter asking him to take part in a “transcribed interview” with the House of Representatives oversight committee investigating Epstein. But he has given no public indication in recent years that he would be willing to do so. Starmer was also asked on whether the former duke should apologise for his Epstein friendship, and replied that it was “a matter for Andrew”. – AFP benefit Iran, the US or the region. Stressing that Iran insists on the necessity of diplomatic processes and pursuing dignified diplomacy from an equal footing and away from threats to allow dialogues to take place in a calm and constructive atmosphere, Pezeshkian said, “For Iran, resolving issues through diplomacy has always been prioritised over war. “We hope the other side has understood that Iran cannot be compelled to negotiate through force and threats. Obviously, any aggression or attack on the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be met with a decisive and powerful response; nevertheless, Iran continues to pursue the resolution of issues through diplomacy,” he said. During this telephone call, the Egyptian president also expressed his pleasure in speaking with Pezeshkian, wishing peace, stability, and security for the people of the ancient and historical land of Iran and all nations in the region, emphasising that there is no military solution to the issues. Saying that any increase in tension and conflict would have negative consequences not only for Iran but for the entire region, Abdel Fattah declared that Egypt will continue its efforts to reduce tensions and stands ready to back and support diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving issues and strengthening stability. – Bernama

and when they were taken. Emails dating from 2010 show the ex-duke and Epstein discussing the the former having dinner with a “beautiful, trustworthy” 26-year-old Russian woman. It is unclear if any meeting subsequently took place. Mountbatten-Windsor, 65, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing stemming from his friendship with Epstein. But Virginia Giuffre, a US and Australian citizen who took her own life last year, has alleged she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with the ex-prince three times, including twice when she was 17. In 2022, the ex-prince settled a multi-million TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says that Iran emphasises the necessity of establishing diplomatic processes and pursuing dignified diplomacy from a position of equality and free from threats, the Islamic Republic News Agency (Irna) reported. Pezeshkian said that for Iran, resolving issues through diplomacy has always taken priority over war, and he hopes that the opposing side has also realised that Iran cannot be forced into negotiations through threats and coercion. In a telephone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi, while expressing appreciation for the compassionate, responsible, and brotherly efforts of Islamic countries toward reducing regional tensions and supporting Iran, Pezeshkian emphasised Iran’s principled policy of strengthening internal convergence and synergy, as well as continuous efforts to consolidate and expand cordial relations with neighbouring and Islamic countries within the framework of foreign policy. Referring to the actions and efforts of the United States and the Israeli regime aimed at escalating hostilities, instigating and imposing war, applying pressures and sanctions, and ultimately directly provoking unrest within Iran, the president clarified that Iran has never sought and does not seek war and deeply believes that war will not

ratchet up the pressure on the ex-Duke of York, who was stripped of his royal titles and honours by the king late last year amid his role in the Epstein scandal. The comments come after the US Justice Department on Friday dumped more Epstein files, including newly embarrassing photos of the ex duke and emails between him and the disgraced financier, who took his own life in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges. The several pictures show the former duke kneeling on all fours over an unidentified woman lying on the floor. No context is provided for the images, in which both in the picture are clothed. It is also unclear where

TOKYO: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday that disgraced former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should testify in the US Congress over what he knows about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. Asked on the final day of a visit this week to China and Japan whether King Charles III’s brother should answer US lawmakers’ questions about his knowledge of the American financier’s wrongdoing, Starmer replied “yes”. “I’ve always said anybody that

(has) got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they are asked to do that,” he told reporters. “Because you can’t be victims centred if you are not prepared to do that,” Starmer said, noting Epstein’s victims “have to be the first priority”. Starmer had previously only encouraged “anybody who has got relevant information” in such cases to testify and had said in November that “Andrew doing so was a decision for him”. His tougher stance was likely to

Iran prefers diplomacy

A reader picks a title at a store in Mumbai. – AFPPIC

Indian comics keep up with changing times BENGALURU: When India’s comic book series Amar Chitra Katha was launched in 1967, its mission was simple: introduce children to the country’s gods, legends and history. Nearly six decades later, the comic, known simply as ACK and meaning “immortal illustrated Still, the publisher marches on – powered not just by nostalgic adults, but by their children too. “The largest number of readers for Amar Chitra Katha are between 25 and 45,” said executive editor Reena I. Puri.

pack abs and muscles.” Not all fans love the makeover, but Puri said times change. “Children today are not used to that old kind of art,” Puri said. “We have to adapt to what the children want.” The Covid-19 pandemic forced ACK to confront the digital age head on, making its app free for a month, sparking a surge in readers. More than a quarter stayed on, and today, digital earns nearly as much as print. “We realised that here was something that we could really develop,” said Puri. But one frontier is firmly off-limits: artificial intelligence. “Art is to be respected, a writer’s work is to be respected,” Puri said. Comic designer Srinath Malolan, 24, who grew up reading ACK in his school library, said the human-made process ensures content remains safe for children. “The internet can create whatever it wants ... we have looked at what we are giving the kids,” Malolan said. – AFP

“They are the ones who’ve been brought up with Amar Chitra Katha ... and give it to their children to read.” ACK fan Aarav Vedhanayagam said his favourite was about an air force pilot who won India’s highest military medal. “I love how they narrate the stories, and also the drawings,” the 13-year-old said. “From the smallest child to the oldest grandfather, it is suitable for all ages.” Production depends on the same painstaking research, writing and colouring, although some images of deities have evolved. “We used to have a very slender Ram, a very slender Shiva, drawn lovingly by artists who drew by hand,” said Puri, 68, who has been with ACK for 34 years. “Today the artists ... give them six

stories”, is still holding its ground in an era ruled by smartphones and streaming television. Founded by storyteller Anant Pai after he noticed children on a quiz show knew more about Greek gods than their own ancient heroes, ACK quickly became a cultural touchstone. Its titles, from tales of Hindu deities to biographies of freedom fighters, sold in the millions and were translated into regional languages. The journey has faced turbulence. The arrival of the Cartoon Network in India and a blockbuster television adaptation of the Hindu epic Mahabharata dented sales. Last year, a fire at their Mumbai warehouse destroyed part of the company’s precious archive.

Pezeshkian called for calm dialogue. – AFPPIC/ IRANIAN PRESIDENCY HANDOUT