Tens of thousands of Australians marched across Sydney's iconic Harbor Bridge on Sunday to protest the ongoing war and famine in Gaza.
The protest, organized by advocacy network the Palestine Action Group, went ahead on the afternoon despite heavy rain.
Thousands of protesters carrying the Palestinian flag walked north across the iconic bridge before being stopped by police due to safety concerns.
Organizers had expected around 50,000 people to attend the march, but police said Sunday that it was difficult to estimate the crowd size.
"For him to see this and to be with him, he's my best mate and we are together just to show that this is my family, this is my child - if that was my child in Gaza, I never want to dream of that situation. We are seeing it right in front of us right now and nothing is happening," Salim Moralli, a father who brought his 14-year-old son to the march, told China Global Television Network (CGTN).
The intent of the organizers and many who took part in the protest was to show support for an independent Palestinian State.
"Because it's really important to send a unified message. Disruption, genocide and starving of completely innocent people is not on. I hope that more countries especially our own recognize an independent Palestinian State," said a protester.
A simultaneous protest in Melbourne also attracted thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators.
Thousands join pro-Palestine protest across Sydney Harbor Bridge
Farmers in India, a major agricultural producer and fertilizer importer, are raising concerns over fertilizer availability ahead of the planting season, as the escalating Middle East conflict and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz put global supplies at risk.
The Middle East serves as both a vital energy hub and a major global fertilizer supplier, yet the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has heightened risks of disruption to international supplies.
Chand Singh Yadav, a farmer in Haryana, a northern Indian state, said poor crop yields would be disastrous for the country and called on the government to ensure adequate supplies of fertilizers, agrochemicals and seeds to prevent a food crisis. "Without fertilizers, our crops will not grow well, and this would be disastrous for the entire country. If farmers cannot grow crops, people will not be able to buy food in the market. We urge the government to improve the supply system for fertilizers, agrochemicals and seeds to prevent the country and society as a whole from sliding into a food crisis," he said.
The Indian government is stepping up subsidies for farmers and optimizing fertilizer distribution and allocation to stabilize the supply. Prices have remained broadly stable, but demand is expected to surge ahead of the planting season, potentially exacerbating supply pressures.
"The current situation is worrying for us farmers. Spring sowing has not yet started, and the rainy season has not arrived. Fertilizer prices are temporarily stable, but in two months, demand for agricultural fertilizers will become pressing. Without fertilizers, it will be difficult to properly cultivate various types of crops. Urea and diammonium phosphate are especially critical. Crops can only grow normally when these fertilizers are applied. As these fertilizers are largely imported, if the conflict persists, supplies cannot be guaranteed," said Santosh Mishra, a farmer in India's eastern state of Odisha.
Escalating Middle East conflict strains India’s fertilizer supply
Escalating Middle East conflict strains India’s fertilizer supply
