UK, France, Germany Urge Immediate Gaza Ceasefire, Demand Humanitarian Access

March 21 (Reuters):

The governments of Germany, France, and Britain—known collectively as the E3—have jointly called for an immediate return to a ceasefire in Gaza and urged Israel to restore full humanitarian access to the war-torn region.

In a joint statement released on Friday, the foreign ministers said:

“We call on Israel to restore humanitarian access, including water and electricity, and ensure access to medical care and temporary medical evacuations in accordance with international humanitarian law.”

The E3 ministers also expressed deep concern over the rising civilian casualties in Gaza:

“We are appalled by the civilian casualties and call on Hamas to release all Israeli hostages immediately.”

They emphasized that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians cannot be solved by military means. Instead, a lasting ceasefire is the only credible path toward achieving peace in the region.

Additionally, the ministers said they were “deeply shocked” by a recent incident involving damage to the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

building in Gaza. They called for a thorough investigation into the event.

The statement reflects growing international pressure on both sides to de-escalate the conflict and prioritize humanitarian aid.

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Google Assistant Is Being Replaced by Gemini: What Does This Mean for You?

Since its launch in 2016, Google Assistant has become a cornerstone of smart technology, seamlessly integrated into smartphones, tablets, smart speakers, smartwatches, cars, and TVs. This AI assistant has powered a wide range of devices, offering users an intuitive, hands-free way to interact with their tech. However, Google is now introducing a new, more advanced voice assistant—Gemini, which will gradually replace Google Assistant.

The Launch of Gemini: A Step Towards the Future of AI

The transition from Google Assistant to Gemini is a significant move in Google’s quest to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence. Gemini, initially released as Google Bard, has evolved over the past two years into an advanced AI system that promises to enhance user experiences across devices. Google’s focus has been clear: Gemini is the future, and Assistant is being phased out in favor of a more sophisticated, AI-driven platform.

What Is Changing?

Google has made an official announcement confirming that Gemini will soon replace Google Assistant on most devices. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes you can expect:

• Mobile Devices: Starting soon, Gemini will become the default voice assistant on phones, meaning Google Assistant will no longer be available on most devices by the end of 2025. If your phone doesn’t meet Gemini’s hardware requirements, you can continue using Google Assistant for now, but this may change soon.

• Other Devices: The transition won’t stop at smartphones. Over time, Gemini will replace Google Assistant on other devices like tablets, smartwatches (Wear OS), smart speakers (Nest Hub), Google-powered TVs, and cars. Google’s commitment to integrating Gemini across all platforms will ensure a more cohesive, AI-first ecosystem.

• Google Assistant Features Being Deprecated: As Google gears up to phase out Assistant, several features of Google Assistant will be discontinued. These include:

• • The ability to favorite, share, or ask about your photos via voice.

  • Changing photo frame and ambient screen settings using voice commands.

  • Using Interpreter Mode for live translation between languages.

  • Getting birthday reminder notifications as part of Routines.

  • Scheduling or hearing Family Bell announcements.

  • Setting daily updates for things like weather notifications.

  • Using Google Assistant on car accessories via Bluetooth or AUX connection.

Why Is Google Making the Switch to Gemini?

The switch to Gemini is part of Google’s broader vision for the future of AI. Gemini is designed to offer smarter, more intuitive interactions, enabling users to perform more complex tasks through conversational AI. Here’s what sets Gemini apart from its predecessor:

• Enhanced Capabilities: Unlike Google Assistant, Gemini can handle more abstract and detailed questions, providing in-depth, conversational responses rather than reading snippets from the web. This makes Gemini ideal for answering nuanced queries.

• Smart Home Integration: While Google Assistant has been able to control smart devices (lights, reminders, etc.), Gemini takes this a step further by offering more sophisticated interactions. Expect a smoother, smarter experience across all smart home devices.

• Improved Knowledge Retrieval: Gemini significantly improves on Assistant’s knowledge capabilities, reducing reliance on web-based sources (like Wikipedia) for providing answers. This will make Gemini a more efficient assistant, capable of delivering precise information with better contextual understanding.

What Devices Will Gemini Be Available On?

• Smartphones: The first devices to receive Gemini will be Android phones, with Google, Samsung, and OnePlus devices already featuring the new assistant. If you own one of these phones, Gemini will soon replace Google Assistant.

• Wear OS Smartwatches and Smart Speakers: Gemini will also be rolled out to smartwatches, Nest speakers, and other smart devices over the next few months, giving users a consistent experience across devices.

• Cars and Smart Displays: Gemini-powered experiences will soon be available in cars (beginning with brands like Mercedes) and smart home devices such as smart speakers and displays, ensuring a seamless integration of AI across your home and car.

When Will the Switch Happen?

While Google has not provided a specific timeline, the transition will begin with mobile devices and is expected to roll out gradually across other platforms:

• Mobile Phones: Gemini will replace Google Assistant on phones starting soon. The transition will continue over the next several months, with full migration expected by the end of 2025.

• Other Devices: Google has promised more updates in the coming months regarding the rollout of Gemini across tablets, Wear OS smartwatches, smart speakers, and more.

• Google Assistant in the Play Store: As Gemini becomes the new default assistant, Google Assistant will no longer be available for download on the Play Store once the transition is complete.

What Should Users Expect?

For users who rely on Google Assistant for everyday tasks, the transition to Gemini may bring some challenges. Some features that were available on Assistant may no longer be supported, and the user interface might change. However, Gemini’s advanced AI capabilities should improve the overall experience. Users can expect:

• Smarter, more personalized interactions with AI.

• Fewer web-sourced snippets in responses.

• A better conversational AI experience for more nuanced questions.

Final Thoughts: Is Gemini the Future of Smart Assistants?

Google’s decision to replace Google Assistant with Gemini marks a significant step forward in AI-driven technology. While there may be some initial frustrations due to missing features and inconsistent device support, the long-term goal is to provide users with a more intelligent, cohesive assistant that can handle a wider range of tasks and provide smarter, more efficient answers.

If you own a Google-powered device, you can expect big changes ahead as Gemini takes over. Stay tuned for further updates from Google, as the full transition is expected over the next few months.

Ukraine Upbeat , Russia in No Rush at Truce Talks in Saudi Arabia

High-stakes negotiations between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia are underway in Riyadh, with Washington pushing for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. While Ukrainian officials express optimism, Moscow appears to be moving cautiously, setting numerous conditions before agreeing to any truce.

Ukraine Upbeat: The U.S. delegation:

led by President Donald Trump’s personal envoy Steve Witkoff, has engaged in separate discussions with Ukrainian and Russian representatives. Kyiv’s delegation, headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, has described the talks as “productive” and remains committed to achieving a “just and lasting peace.”

However, Russia has yet to show urgency in reaching an agreement. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed expectations, stating that negotiations are still in their early stages. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has continued airstrikes on Ukrainian cities, including a devastating drone attack on Kyiv over the weekend that killed three people, including a five-year-old girl.

The talks in Saudi Arabia also include discussions on securing energy infrastructure and reopening Black Sea shipping lanes. While Ukraine swiftly agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal put forth by the U.S. earlier this month, Russia has not committed to the terms, instead adding preconditions to any potential deal.

Despite Trump’s push for a swift resolution to the war—the deadliest in Europe since World War II—his administration has refrained from pressuring Moscow publicly. Some U.S. officials have even suggested a more favorable stance toward Russia, with Witkoff controversially referring to Ukraine as “a false country” in a recent interview.

As the talks continue, the world watches to see whether diplomatic efforts in Riyadh can bring an end to the brutal conflict or if Moscow’s reluctance will prolong the war further.

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