104-year-old scientist David Goodall ends life in Switzerland
Bern, May 10: David Goodall, a 104-year-old Australian scientist who had campaigned for the legalisation of assisted dying in his home country, ended his life at a Swiss clinic on Thursday, a representative from the pro-euthanasia group Exit International said.
Goodall, a respected botanist and ecologist, died at the Life Circle clinic in Basel, Switzerland, after administering a lethal drug under the guidance of doctors, ABC News Australia reported.
Exit International, which represented the scientist, said Goodall passed away while listening to Beethoven's "Ode to Joy".
Euthanasia is illegal in Australia, thought the state of Victoria is planning to allow assisted dying from mid-2019. Goodall's home state Perth is currently debating whether to introduce the policy.
The story of the academic, who is one of the first Australians to undertake the procedure due to old age rather than a terminal illness, attracted international headlines and further inflamed a highly divisive debate.
His supporters applauded his decision to take charge of his fate after declaring his life was no longer worth living.
But critics warned his decision solely on the grounds of old age set a "dangerous precedent".
The grandfather of 12 had attracted over $20,000 in donations from the public to help fund his journey to Europe from Australia earlier this month.
Earlier this week, Goodall said he resented having to travel so far to carry out his plan, but was relieved the end was near. "Life stopped being enjoyable five or 10 years ago," he said, in part because of his failing mobility and eyesight.
"I am glad to arrive (in Basel). I'll be even more pleased when further steps of my journey are completed. I have been able to say goodbye. I was a bit sorry to say goodbye to my family in Bordeaux but that's the way it was."
Goodall said he hoped his story would lead to the legalisation of assisted dying in other countries. "I'm looking forward to it," he said of his imminent death.
"What I would like is for other countries to follow Switzerland's lead and make these facilities available to all clients, if they meet the requirements, and the requirements not just of age, but of mental capacity."
Several US states have a form of physician-assisted suicide, as do countries including Japan, Belgium and Switzerland.
Born in London in 1914, just months before the outbreak of World War I, Goodall and his family moved to Australia when he was a child. He went on to hold academic positions across the world, including in the UK, the US and Australia.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Jaishankar holds bilateral talks with U.S. counterpart Rubio, NSA Mike Waltz after Quad ministerial
Washington (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday attended the maiden Quad ministerial of the new Trump administration along with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the United States, besides holding meetings with newly-appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Quad is a grouping of four countries aimed at maintaining peace and law and order in the Indo-Pacific region.
In less than an hour after entering the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department as the secretary of state, Rubio, 53, held his first multilateral with his Quad counterparts Jaishankar, Penny Wong from Australia and Japan's Iwaya Takeshi.
The four leaders posed for a group picture at the State Department towards the end of the hour-long meeting. However, they did not take any questions. A readout of the meeting is expected later.
The meeting was to reaffirm the importance of working with allies across the world on things that are important to America and Americans, Rubio told NBC News earlier in the day.
"Attended a productive Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting today in Washington DC. Thank @secrubio for hosting us and FMs @SenatorWong and Takeshi Iwaya for their participation," Jaishankar posted on X after the ministerial.
He added, "Significant that the Quad FMM took place within hours of the inauguration of the Trump administration. This underlines the priority it has in the foreign policy of its member states. Our wide-ranging discussions addressed different dimensions of ensuring a free, open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
"Agreed on the importance of thinking bigger, deepening the agenda and intensifying our collaboration. The meeting today sends a clear message that in an uncertain and volatile world, the Quad will continue to be a force for global good."
Soon after the Quad ministerial, Rubio had his first bilateral with Jaishankar, which lasted for more than an hour.
India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, was also present in the meeting.
Rubio and Jaishankar appeared before a pooled press for a photo session after the meeting, shaking hands and smiling at the cameras.
"Delighted to meet @secrubio for his first bilateral meeting after assumption of office as Secretary of State. Reviewed our extensive bilateral partnership, of which @secrubio has been a strong advocate.
"Also exchanged views on a wide range of regional and global issues. Look forward to closely working with him to advance our strategic cooperation," Jaishankar said in a post on X.
Jaishankar, 70, who is here at the invitation of the US government to attend the presidential inauguration, also had a meeting with the US National Security Advisor (NSA) Mike Waltz at the White House.
"Great to meet NSA @michaelgwaltz again this afternoon. Discussed strengthening our friendship to ensure mutual benefit and enhance global stability and prosperity. Looking forward to working together on an active and outcome oriented agenda," the external affairs minister said on X after the meeting.
