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France's COVID-19 death toll rises to 21,856The total death toll due to coronavirus has reached 21,856 in France, while hospitalizations and the number of patients in intensive care continued to fall, according to the official data released by the Ministry of Health. A total of 516 people have died in the past 24 hours. At 29,219, the number of hospitalized patients fell for the 15th consecutive day. The number of patients in intensive care also fell to 5,053. A total of 120,804 people infected by COVID-19 have been identified in France since the start of the pandemic on March 1.France placed the public under lockdown on March 17 to stem the spread of the virus. A gradual exit from confinement is scheduled to start on May 11.Meeting with mayors from across the country on Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron said the relaxation schedule of the confinement rules would be specific to each region of the country, based on how hard the coronavirus outbreak had hit them, his office said.In adjusting the confinement measures, the central government will rely on the advice of local authorities. A detailed plan should be announced next Tuesday.Macron also said the reopening of schools from May 11 would be done on a voluntary basis. Minister of National Education Jean-Michel Blanquer had announced earlier that schools would be reopened in several stages and with much smaller classes. But questions over protective equipment and the hygiene protocol to be implemented in education establishments remained unanswered, sparking concerns and criticisms from the unions.Macron told the mayors that citizens will be urged to wear homemade or non-medical grade face masks when using public transport, according to his office.Also on Thursday, the national statistics office INSEE said the lockdown had made the French economy function "like a person placed under anesthesia"."The French economy can now perform only its vital functions," said the official, adding that activity in the private sector, which makes up around three-fourths of total gross domestic product (GDP), had plunged 41 per cent overall.Labor Minister Muriel Penicaud told BFM television that as of Thursday 10.2 million employees -- one out of every two in the private sector -- were partially unemployed, which means that their salaries are being paid by the state under the government's extended indemnity scheme introduced to weather the crisis.Last Sunday, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe warned of an eight per cent GDP contraction this year, while increasing the government's economic relief package to 110 billion euros (US $118.5 billion).(With IANS inputs)Also Read | France's coronavirus fatalities up by 531 to nearly 21,000Also Read | France reports 642 more COVID-19 deaths; toll touches 19,323​

COVID-19: Death toll in France crosses 21,000-mark; 516 fatalities in 24 hours

France placed the public under lockdown on March 17 to stem the spread of the virus. A gradual exit from confinement is scheduled to start on May 11. Meeting with mayors from across the country on Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron said the relaxation schedule of the confinement rules would be specific to each region of the country, based on how hard the coronavirus outbreak had hit them.

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Nepal shuts resort where 8 Indian tourists diedNepal has suspended the licence of a mountainous resort for three months due to poor security management and managerial weakness at the hotel where eight Indian tourists, including four minors, died of possible asphyxiation, according to media reports. Tragedy struck a group of 15 tourists from Kerala when eight of them died on January 21 due to possible asphyxiation after they fell unconscious probably due to a gas leak from a heater in their room at a mountainous resort in Makwanpur district.The tourists were airlifted to HAMS hospital here where they were pronounced dead on arrival. Makwanpur police said the victims might have fallen unconscious due to asphyxiation.The Department of Tourism on Sunday imposed a ban on the operation of Daman-based Everest Panorama Resort for three months based on the report submitted by a probe committee formed to investigate the death of the Indian tourists from Kerala, the Kathmandu Post reported on Tuesday.The department decided to shut down the resort as the report submitted by a probe committee pointed out poor security management and managerial weakness at the resort for the incident, it said.The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation had formed the probe committee under Surendra Thapa, the director of the Department of Tourism. After a field inspection, the committee had submitted its report a few days ago, pointing to the shortcomings of the resort.During the investigation, the committee found the resort had not been following the recommended safety measures and was providing substandard services to its guests, The Himalayan Times reported.Moreover, the committee discovered that the resort had not fulfilled the criteria set by DoT to be categorised a 'resort', it said.Mira Acharya, director of DoT was quoted as saying by the report that the resort's operations have been halted as per Section 15 of Tourism Act-1979."If the resort owner wishes to resume services after three months of suspension, the resort should be upgraded as per the Hotel, Lodge, Restaurant, Bar and Tourist Guide Rules-1981 and also meet the criteria mentioned in a notice published in the Nepal Gazette under the title 'Hotel Classification and Criteria'," Acharya said.She added that the resort would also have to undergo the Environment Impact Assessment to get the permission from DoT to resume operation. Meanwhile, the resort management has said that they will work towards meeting the standards fixed by the department and run the resort efficiently."We will work towards meeting the standards fixed by the department and run the resort efficiently. We are saddened by the tragic incident. We will ensure that such incidents don’t occur in the future,” said Sudesh Gautam, the operator of the resort was quoted as saying by the Kathmandu Post.The group, after travelling to Pokhara -- a popular mountainous tourist destination -- was on their way back home and stayed at Everest Panorama Resort in Daman.Those who were killed were Praveen Krishnan Nair, his wife Saranya Sasi and their three children and Ranjith Kumar Adatholath Punathil, his wife Indu Lakshmi Peethambaran Ragalatha and their son.Everest Panorama Resort was established 28 years ago in Daman Simbhajyang area, a tourist destination in Bagmati Province. The tourist numbers, according to Thaha Hotel Association, have plunged after the tragic accident of January 27.

Nepal shuts resort where 8 Indian tourists died

Nepal has suspended the licence of a mountainous resort for three months due to poor security management and managerial weakness at the hotel where eight Indian tourists, including four minors, died of possible asphyxiation, according to media reports. Tragedy struck a group of 15 tourists from Kerala when eight of them died on January 21 due to possible asphyxiation after they fell unconscious probably due to a gas leak from a heater in their room at a mountainous resort in Makwanpur district.

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Facebook reverses policy, allows posts claiming that COVID-19 was made in a labSocial media giant Facebook has lifted its ban on content claiming about the origins of COVID-19, and theories about its possible lab creation, reports said. "In light of ongoing investigations into the origin of COVID-19 and in consultation with public health experts, we will no longer remove the claim that COVID-19 is man-made from our apps," The Hill stated quoting a Facebook spokesperson.The representatives of Facebook also said: "We're continuing to work with health experts to keep pace with the evolving nature of the pandemic and regularly update our policies as new facts and trends emerge."This shift in policy comes after months of targeting content that the social media site deemed misinformation regarding the pandemic.In December, Facebook announced it would be nixing posts that contained false information about the coronavirus vaccines, it reported further.Posts containing false claims about "safety, efficacy, ingredients or side effects" were added to the list of already banned content, which included more general coronavirus misinformation.Recently, the theory that coronavirus escaped from a laboratory gained some traction in Washington, resulting in President Joe Biden announcing a ramped-up effort to confirm how the virus originated."As part of that report, I have asked for areas of further inquiry that may be required, including specific questions for China," Biden said in a statement."I have also asked that this effort include work by our National Labs and other agencies of our government to augment the Intelligence Community's efforts. And I have asked the Intelligence Community to keep Congress fully apprised of its work."Meanwhile, the former head of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that circumstantial evidence of Covid-19 originating in a lab in China's Wuhan continues to grow as researchers are yet to prove that the virus jumped from an animal to humans, as per a report in The Hill newspaper.US former state secretary Mike Pompeo also claimed that every piece of evidence points to a leak of coronavirus from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). He also said that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) must be held "accountable" for it. (With ANI inputs)ALSO READ: ​'Share response ASAP': Govt to social media platforms on new IT rules 

Facebook reverses policy, allows posts claiming that COVID-19 was made in a lab

This shift in policy comes after months of targeting content that the social media site deemed misinformation regarding the pandemic.

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The death of Amess, who had served in Parliament for almost 40 years and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015, has shocked Britain, especially its politicians, who pride themselves on being accessible to their constituentsBritish authorities said Thursday a man has been charged in the stabbing of a Conservative lawmaker who was killed as he met constituents at a church hall last week.Authorities say a 25-year-old British man with Somali heritage, Ali Harbi Ali, has been charged in the death of David Amess. The Crown Prosecution Service says it will “submit to the court that this murder has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations.''The death of Amess, who had served in Parliament for almost 40 years and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015, has shocked Britain, especially its politicians, who pride themselves on being accessible to their constituents. It has prompted conversations at the highest levels about how the country protects its leaders and grapples with extremism at home.The slaying came five years after Labour Party lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death by a far-right extremist. Cox was the first British lawmaker to be killed since a peace accord ended large-scale Northern Ireland violence almost 30 years earlier.ALSO READ | UK police term lawmaker's stabbing as 'terrorist act'; possible link to Islamist extremism revealedAlso Read | Explosion strikes mosque in southern Afghanistan 

UK police charge 25-year-old man with lawmaker's murder

Authorities say a 25-year-old British man with Somali heritage, Ali Harbi Ali, has been charged in the death of David Amess. The Crown Prosecution Service says it will “submit to the court that this murder has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations.''

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Bilateral trade is likely to be an important topic of discussion during Pompeo's talks with the Indian leadership.The Trump Administration wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lower trade barriers and embrace fair and reciprocal trade, the United States said on Tuesday hours after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in New Delhi on a three-day visit."There is enormous potential to grow our trade relationship and create the high-quality jobs that Prime Minister Modi wants if India lowers trade barriers and embraces fair and reciprocal trade," according to a State Department Fact Sheet.Related Stories US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives in IndiaPompeo visit to India aimed at deepening strategic relationship: USMike Pompeo to meet PM Modi and MEA Jaishankar today; Entire spectrum of relationship will be on tableBilateral trade is likely to be an important topic of discussion during Pompeo's talks with the Indian leadership.US companies see great opportunity in India, and increased economic openness and investment will yield mutual benefit. "The Trump Administration is working to ensure that American companies operating in India have the same level playing field that Indian companies enjoy in the United States," it said.The State Department said as India's number one overseas market, the US purchases close to one-fifth of its exports. India is also the fastest growing major market for US goods.Two-way bilateral goods and services trade with India totalled USD 142 billion in 2018, up 12.6 per cent, or almost USD16 billion, over the previous year.US crude oil exports to India are surging, increasing India's energy security while reducing its bilateral trade deficit. The United States exported nearly 50 million barrels of crude to India in 2018, compared to less than 10 million barrels in 2017, and is on pace to export even greater volumes in 2019, it said.US defense sales to India are estimated to reach approximately USD18 billion by 2019 from near zero in 2008, boosting India's national security capabilities and increasing employment in both countries, it said. 

US wants India to embrace fair and reciprocal trade, lower barriers

"There is enormous potential to grow our trade relationship and create the high-quality jobs that Prime Minister Modi wants if India lowers trade barriers and embraces fair and reciprocal trade," according to a State Department Fact Sheet.

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US terrorism alert warns of politically motivated violenceThe Department of Homeland Security issued a national terrorism bulletin Wednesday warning of the lingering potential for violence from people motivated by anti-government sentiment after President Joe Biden’s election, suggesting the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol may embolden extremists and set the stage for additional attacks.The department did not cite any specific plots, but pointed to “a heightened threat environment across the United States” that it believes “will persist” for weeks after Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration.It is not uncommon for the federal government to warn local law enforcement through bulletins about the prospect for violence tied to a particular event or date, such as July 4.But this particular bulletin, issued through the department’s National Terrorism Advisory System, is notable because it effectively places the Biden administration into the politically charged debate over how to describe or characterize acts motivated by political ideology, and suggests it regards violence like the kind that overwhelmed the Capitol as akin to terrorism.The bulletin is an indication that national security officials see a connective thread between different episodes of violence in the last year motivated by anti-government grievances, including over COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 election results and police use of force. The document singles out crimes motivated by racial or ethnic hatred, such as the 2019 rampage targeting Hispanics in El Paso, Texas, as well as the threat posed by extremists motivated by foreign terror groups.A DHS statement that accompanied the bulletin noted the potential for violence from “a broad range of ideologically-motivated actors.”“Information suggests that some ideologically-motivated violent extremists with objections to the exercise of governmental authority and the presidential transition, as well as other perceived grievances fueled by false narratives, could continue to mobilize to incite or commit violence,” the bulletin said.he alert comes at a tense time following the riot at the Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump seeking to overturn the presidential election. DHS also noted violent riots in “recent days,” an apparent reference to events in Portland, Oregon, linked to anarchist groups.“The domestic terrorism attack on our Capitol earlier this month shined a light on a threat that has been right in front of our faces for years,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat and chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. “I am glad to see that DHS fully recognizes the threat posed by violent, right-wing extremists and is taking efforts to communicate that threat to the American people.”The alert was issued by acting Homeland Security Secretary David Pekoske. Biden’s nominee for the Cabinet post, Alejandro Mayorkas, has not been confirmed by the Senate.Two former homeland security secretaries, Michael Chertoff and Janet Napolitano, called on the Senate to confirm Mayorkas so he can start working with the FBI and other agencies and deal with the threat posed by domestic extremists, among other issues.Chertoff, who served under President George W. Bush, said attacks by far-right, domestic extremists are not new but that deaths attributed to them in recent years in the U.S. have exceeded those linked to jihadists such as al-Qaida. “We have to be candid and face what the real risk is,” he said in a conference call with reporters.Federal authorities have charged more than 150 people in the Capitol siege, including some with links to right-wing extremist groups such as the Three Percenters and the Oath Keepers.The Justice Department announced charges Wednesday against 43-year Ian Rogers, a California man found with five pipe bombs during a search of his business this month who had a sticker associated with the Three Percenters on his vehicle. His lawyer told his hometown newspaper, The Napa Valley Register, that he is a “very well-respected small business owner, father, and family man” who does not belong to any violent organizations.Also Read: America's leadership is needed around the world, says new US Secretary of State Tony Blinken

US terrorism alert warns of politically motivated violence

The department did not cite any specific plots, but pointed to “a heightened threat environment across the United States” that it believes “will persist” for weeks after Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration.

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INS Arihant successfully completed its first deterrence patrol this week, taking India into a club of a handful of countries which have the capability to design, construct and operate such a submarine or SSBN.Pakistan on Thursday expressed concern over the recent deployment  of India’s nuclear submarine INS Arihant, saying there should be no doubt about Islamabad’s resolve and capabilities to meet the challenges in the nuclear and conventional realms in South Asia.“This development marks the first actual deployment of ready-to-fire nuclear warheads in South Asia which is a matter of concern not only for the Indian Ocean littoral states but also for the international community at large,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said.Related Stories INS Arihant to testfire BO-5 missiles in sea trials: DRDOIndia completes its nuclear triad with INS Arihant commissioningIndia completes nuclear triad as INS Arihant finishes first deterrence patrol; PM Modi congratulates crewINS Arihant successfully completed its first deterrence patrol this week, taking India into a club of a handful of countries which have the capability to design, construct and operate such a submarine or SSBN.The spokesperson said the “bellicose” language employed by the top Indian leadership highlights the threats to strategic stability in South Asia and raises questions about responsible nuclear stewardship in India.He said the increased frequency of missile tests by India, aggressive posturing and deployment of nuclear weapons calls for an assessment of the non-proliferation benefits resulting from India’s membership of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).The spokesperson said Pakistan is committed to the objective of strategic stability in South Asia and believes that the only way forward for both countries is to agree on measures for nuclear and missile restraint.“At the same time no one should be in doubt about Pakistan’s resolve and capabilities to meet the challenges posed by the latest developments both in the nuclear and conventional realms in South Asia,” he said.

Pak expresses concern over deployment of India's nuclear submarine INS Arihant, says it highlights threats to strategic stability in South Asia

INS Arihant successfully completed its first deterrence patrol this week, taking India into a club of a handful of countries which have the capability to design, construct and operate such a submarine or SSBN.

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Powerful earthquake shakes Croatia; casualties reportedStrong earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter Scale struck Croatia and its capital on Sunday. The tremors caused widespread damage and panic, while some casualties were also reported. The European seismological agency, EMSC, said the earthquake struck a wide area north of the capital, Zagreb, at 6:23 a.m. (0523 GMT) Sunday. The epicenter was 7 kilometers (4 miles) north of Zagreb at the depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). Many buildings cracked in Zagreb and walls and rooftops were damaged. Downtown streets were littered with debris. Concrete slabs fell on cars and chimneys landed in front of entrances. Inside homes, residents shared photos of belongings falling off shelves, broken bottles and glass. Officials said there were injuries, but gave no other immediate details. The earthquake struck amid a partial lockdown of the capital because of the spread of the coronavirus. People were told to avoid public areas, such as parks and public squares, but had no choice as they ran out of their apartments. Up to five people keeping distance are allowed to be together. Zagreb’s iconic cathedral was also damaged with the top of one of its two spires collapsing. The cathedral was rebuilt after it toppled in the 1880 earthquake.Power was cut as people ran out of their homes. Several fires were also reported. At least two other tremors were recorded later.Also Read | 5.4 magnitude earthquake hits GreeceAlso Read | 5.9 magnitude earthquake hits Tibet near Nepal border

Powerful earthquake shakes Croatia; casualties reported

Croatia earthquake: People were told to avoid public areas, such as parks and public squares, but had no choice as they ran out of their apartments. Up to five people keeping distance are allowed to be together.

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China reports three deaths, 54 new confirmed cases of coronavirusChina has reported 54 new imported coronavirus cases, taking their tally in the last few days to 649, while the death toll in the country has risen to 3,295 with three more fatalities confirmed on Friday, China's National Health Commission said on Saturday. While no new locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 were reported on Friday, the number of coronavirus infections in people returning from abroad has gone up to 649 with 54 new cases reported, it said. A total of three deaths and 29 new suspected cases were reported in the Chinese mainland on Friday. All the deaths were reported in the COVID-19 epicentre Hubei Province and its capital Wuhan, which are now being gradually opened up after kept under lockdown since January 23. The overall confirmed cases in the mainland reached 81,394 by the end of Friday. This included 3,295 people who died due to the disease, 3,128 patients and 74,971 patients discharged after recovery, the National Health Commission said. The commission said that 184 people were still suspected of being infected with the virus. By the end of Friday, 518 confirmed cases, including four deaths, had been reported in Hong Kong, 34 confirmed cases in the Macao SAR and 267 in Taiwan including two deaths. The novel coronavirus, that first originated in Wuhan in December, has wreaked havoc across the globe, upending life and businesses. According to Johns Hopkins University data, 27,333 people have died due to the disease across over 170 countries. Italy has the highest number of deaths at 9,134, followed by Spain 5,138 and China 3,174. The United States leads in the number of COVID-19 with 104,007 infections confirmed so far, followed by Italy (86,498) and China (81,906).Also Read | Pakistan opens borders with China to supply medical equipment as coronavirus cases cross 1,200Also Read | Coronavirus Pandemic: US overtakes China with over 82,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases​

China reports three deaths, 54 new confirmed cases of coronavirus

By the end of Friday, 518 confirmed cases, including four deaths, had been reported in Hong Kong, 34 confirmed cases in the Macao SAR, and 267 in Taiwan including two deaths. The novel coronavirus, that first originated in Wuhan in December, has wreaked havoc across the globe, upending life and businesses.

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Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui on Wednesday said that disputes between the two neighbouring countries were as natural as issues between two brothers of a family staying under one roof.Luo said that China President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi share good chemistry and that he was very touched by their informal meeting in Wuhan last year.Related Stories For first time since Doklam standoff, Chinese military holds high-altitude drill in Tibet to test ‘capabilities’Doklam dispute with China resolved through 'diplomatic maturity without losing any ground': Sushma Swaraj India, China to resume joint military drill after one-year gapYear Ender: From Doklam to Wuhan, 2018 will go down as watershed year in testy India-China tiesIndia, China ties to remain tense in 2019: Spymaster tells US Congress“Something going wrong between the two great neighbouring countries is natural, just like brothers of a family living under one roof have issues, it is very natural,” Luo told news agency ANI on the sidelines of a seminar hosted by Chinese embassy in New Delhi.“If you compare family exchanges of 2,000 years, some minor problems are nothing. Of course, it's not nothing and we didn't ignore that matter. We worked together and resolved the problem, which ensured that bilateral relations were back on normal track,” he added.Luo said that India and China had reached a consensus to make bilateral ties stable and break the cycle of highs and lows in the relations between the two countries.“India-China ties are important for both the countries. We already reached a consensus under the leadership of both sides. We now maintain that China-India relationship will continue to move in a healthy and stable direction,” he added.The Doklam stand-off between India and China in June 2017 resulted in tensions between the two countries. Luo had played a significant role in dousing the tensions.Speaking on unresolved border issues, Luo said it was important to maintain peace and tranquillity and "border disputes are left over by history."“Border issues are a left over by history and it takes a long time to resolve. Before we can resolve the matters, we must maintain peace and tranquillity along the border area. We should also focus on economic cooperation, strengthen our friendship and narrow down the disputes," he said.Speaking on the growing trade deficit between India and China, the Chinese envoy said: "We have made a lot of progress so that is why I am always optimistic on the economic side. The two-way trade last year is over USD 95 billion and of course, it is in favour of China. On economic and trade matters and on regional and global issues we share a lot of similarities.""So this is the whole picture. I am also talking about trade deficit where it is not on direction and we would like to see. I am sure with the progress of the economic development from both sides, this matter will be resolved," Luo added.Luo will be returning to Beijing on the evening of May 27 after he was promoted to the level of a vice-minister. He will be looking after Asian Affairs.Modi and Xi had met during the informal meeting in Wuhan in April last year. The meeting was held without a fixed agenda.The informal summit took place in the backdrop of Doklam stand-off which had strained ties between New Delhi and Beijing.The Chinese President had also visited Gujarat, Modi's home state, after the BJP government came to power in 2014.(With ANI inputs)

Disputes between neighbouring countries are as natural as brothers staying under one roof: Chinese envoy

Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui said that India and China had reached a consensus to make bilateral ties stable and break the cycle of highs and lows in the relations between the two countries.

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Mike Pompeo declines to sign risky peace deal with TalibanUS Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has refused to sign the peace deal that his special representative has inked with the Taliban, mainly because it does not guarantee the continued presence of US forces in the country to defeat al-Qaeda or the existence of the democratically elected government, a media report said Wednesday.Pompeo is "declining to put his name to the deal" that has been hammered out by Special US Representative on Afghan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad after nine round of talks with the representatives of the Taliban in Doha, the Time magazine reported on Wednesday."It doesn’t guarantee the continued presence of US counter terrorism forces to battle al-Qaeda, the survival of the pro-US government in Kabul, or even an end to the fighting in Afghanistan," reported Time magazine, which based its report on unnamed senior Afghan, European Union and Trump Administration officials."No one speaks with certainty. None,” said an Afghan official taking part in briefings on the deal with Khalilzad. “It is all based on hope. There is no trust. There is no history of trust. There is no evidence of honesty and sincerity from the Taliban,” and intercepted communications “show that they think they have fooled the US while the US believes that should the Taliban cheat, they will pay a hefty price.”According to Time magazine, the Taliban has asked for Pompeo to sign an agreement with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the official name of the government founded by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 1996.“Having the Secretary of State sign such a document would amount to de facto recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate political entity, and he declined to do so,” the report said, quoting the Afghan officials.Pompeo’s office declined to comment. If the deal is signed, the US has agreed to withdraw some 5,400 US troops, roughly a third of the present force, from five bases within 135 days.

Mike Pompeo declines to sign risky peace deal with Taliban: Report

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has refused to sign the peace deal that his special representative has inked with the Taliban, mainly because it does not guarantee the continued presence of US forces in the country to defeat al-Qaeda or the existence of the democratically elected government, a media report said Wednesday.

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50 people die as cold spell continues in BangladeshAt least 50 people have died in Bangladesh due to the ongoing cold spell accompanied by chilly wind and drizzles since November. The death toll was reported by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported. Ayesha Akhter, Assistant Director at DGHS, told Xinhua that 17 people died due to Acute Respiratory Infection across Bangladesh from November 1 to December 25.During the same period, 33 others died from diarrhoea and other diseases, she said.Life in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country was severely disrupted for days.The cold spell and inclement weather particularly affected people in the northern region and those living in the open.The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BND) on Thursday recorded the lowest temperature of this year in a border town in Bangladesh's north.AK Nazmul, a meteorologist in Dhaka, told Xinhua Thursday, "Mercury plunged to its lowest 5.7 degrees Celsius in the country's northern most sub-district, Tentulia, within Panchagarh district, 468 km away of Bangladesh's capital Dhaka."It has been cloudy in Dhaka for the last couple of days. BMD recorded Dhaka's temperature at 12.5 degrees Celsius on Thursday.The freezing weather may continue for next few days, Nazmul said.ALSO READ | Bangla border force in India from tomorrow; BSF to take up jawan's killing issueALSO READ | At least 10 dead in Bangladesh factory fire

50 people die as cold spell continues in Bangladesh

At least 50 people have died in Bangladesh due to the ongoing cold spell accompanied by chilly wind and drizzles since November.

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Joe Biden to bring ‘DOTUS-Dogs of the United States’ Major and Champ to White HouseUS President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill will bring two German Shepherds, including a rescue dog, to live with them in the White House, the first time in four years when pets are heading back to the famous Washington DC address.According to NBC News report, Biden and Jill adopted ‘Major’ in 2018 from the Delaware Humane Association after fostering it. The canine will become the first rescue dog to live in the White House where it will be accompanied by the Bidens’ other German Shepherd ‘Champ’.‘Major’ was fostered by the Bidens before adoption.Hundreds of people on social media termed ‘Major’ and ‘Champ’ as “DOTUS -- Dogs of the United States”, a play on the President’s official acronym POTUS --President of the United States.It is believed that ‘Champ’ formerly lived at the vice presidential residence at the US Naval Observatory during Biden’s vice presidency, according to another media report, which added that ‘Champ’ was Biden’s childhood nickname bestowed upon him by his father, Joseph Sr.Both the canines often appear in the social media posts of Bidens, including in various ads.Presidential pets are a tradition in the White House, although it will be the first time in four years when dogs set foot on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as President Donald Trump has no pets.Prior to Trump, former president Barack Obama owned two Portuguese water dogs ‘Bo and Sunny’, during his eight years in the White House. (With inputs from agencies)

Joe Biden to bring ‘DOTUS-Dogs of the United States’ Major and Champ to White House

US President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill will bring two German Shepherds, including a rescue dog, to live with them in the White House, the first time in four years when pets are heading back to the famous Washington DC address.

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Secy of State Antony Blinken testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington.  Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday sought to parry bipartisan congressional criticism of the Biden administration’s Afghanistan withdrawal, as new intelligence estimates warned that al-Qaida could soon again use Afghan soil to plot attacks on the United States.Blinken had mixed results in attempting to face down a second day of tough congressional questioning, this time from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. As a day earlier before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he was assailed by Democratic and Republican lawmakers alike over the administration’s preparation for and handling of the pullout.Even lawmakers sympathetic to President Joe Biden’s decision to end America’s longest-running war by withdrawing from Afghanistan after 20 years expressed disappointment and concern about the large number of Americans, green card holders and at-risk Afghans left behind in the chaotic and hasty evacuation from Kabul.And, as Blinken testified just three days after the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that led to the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, intelligence officials presented a bleak assessment that al-Qaida could begin to use Afghan territory to threaten America within one to two years.“The execution of the U.S. withdrawal was clearly and fatally flawed,” said committee chairman Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., who has been generally supportive of Biden’s foreign policy but has taken issue with several of its aspects, including Afghanistan.“This committee expects to receive a full explanation of this administration’s decisions on Afghanistan since coming into office last January,” he said. “There has to be accountability.”“The withdrawal was a dismal failure,” said Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, the top Republican on the committee. He and virtually all of his Republican colleagues accused the administration of “ineptitude” that has cost the United States international credibility, led to a deadly attack on US troops and Afghan civilians at the Kabul airport and left many in the lurch.“There’s not enough lipstick in the world to put on this pig to make it look any different than what it actually is,” Risch said.Much as he did on Monday at the often contentious hearing in the House, Blinken tried to deflect the criticism and maintained the administration had done the best it could under extremely trying and chaotic circumstances.Blinken again blamed the Trump administration for its February 2020 peace deal with the Taliban that he said had tied Biden’s hands, as well as the quick and unexpected collapse of the Afghan government and security forces that led to the Taliban takeover on Aug. 15.“Even the most pessimistic assessments did not predict that government forces in Kabul would collapse while U.S. forces remained,” he said. “They were focused on what would happen after the United States withdrew, from September onward.”Blinken said the administration would hold the Taliban, which hosted and protected Osama bin Laden and top members of his al-Qaida network as they plotted the 9/11 strikes, to their promises not to allow Afghanistan to be used again as a base for terrorist attacks.But as he spoke, U.S. intelligence officials said al-Qaida may be only 12 to 24 months from reconstituting itself in Afghanistan to pose a significant threat to the United States.Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier, who leads the Defense Intelligence Agency, gave that estimate while speaking at the Intelligence & National Security Summit. Meanwhile, David Cohen, deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency, said the U.S. already had detected “some of the indications of some potential movement of al-Qaida to Afghanistan.Experts have long said the Taliban still maintains ties to al-Qaida, which took sanctuary in Afghanistan prior to 9/11. Although Blinken was not asked directly about the intelligence assessments, he said the Taliban had not fully severed its links with the group.Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, a vehement opponent of numerous Biden policies, called the withdrawal “the worst foreign policy catastrophe in a generation” and accused the administration of being naive in hoping the Taliban live up to their promises of moderation. “They don’t want to be welcomed into the community of civilized nations,” he said.Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., demanded to know how intelligence about the collapse of the Afghan government had been so wrong. He suggested not only that the wrong people were in charge of assessing the situation but that the policy had been incoherent and left the U.S. vulnerable to rivals.“This was a failure of policy and planning,” said Rubio, another frequent critic of Biden’s. “I think China and Russia and Iran, they look at this botched withdrawal and what they see as incompetence that they think they might be able to exploit.”The State Department has come under heavy criticism from both sides for not doing enough and not acting quickly enough to get people out of the country after the Taliban took control of Kabul, cementing its hold on the country before the completion of the U.S. withdrawal on Aug. 30.Blinken defended the withdrawal and the end of America’s longest-running war as “the right thing to do” after 20 years. And, he noted that despite severe difficulties the U.S. and its allies had managed to evacuate some 124,000 people.“The evacuation was an extraordinary effort- under the most difficult conditions imaginable- by our diplomats, military, and intelligence professionals,” he said.Even some Democrats, though, were unswayed.Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the only woman on the committee, who has long fought for the U.S. to protect the advances made by Afghan women and girls, lamented the current situation and said presidents and lawmakers of both parties shared the blame for the situation.“Let’s stop with the hypocrisy of who’s to blame, there are a lot of people to blame and we all share in it,” she said, her voice rising as she took a pointed dig at former President Donald Trump and his second Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who negotiated the 2020 peace deal with the Taliban separate from the Afghan government with no assurance that minority rights would be respected.“I want to know where the outrage was when they were giving away the rights of women and girls,” Shaheen said.In response, Blinken said he would soon be appointing a senior official to oversee U.S. policy toward Afghan women and girls. /* .jw-reset-text, .jw-reset{line-height: 2em;}*/ .jw-time-tip .jw-time-chapter{display:none;} if ('' == comscore_jw_loaded || 'undefined' == comscore_jw_loaded || undefined == comscore_jw_loaded) { var comscore_jw_loaded = 1; 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Antony Blinken defense of Afghan policy clouded by al-Qaida warning

Blinken had mixed results in attempting to face down 2nd day of tough congressional questioning, this time from Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

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Chitetsu WatanabeThe world's oldest man, Chitetsu Watanabe, died at the age of 112 in Japan, a local official said on Tuesday. He died at a nursing home in the Japanese capital city, Tokyo. Watanabe died in less than two weeks after he was officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living man.He was born on March 5, 1907, in Niigata, north of Tokyo and survived by his five children. In an interview, Watanabe revealed that the to longevity is to "not get angry and keep a smile on your face".After Chitetsu Watanabe's demise, another Japanese citizen, Issaku Tomoe became the oldest man, who is 110 years old, according to Japenese media agency. However, it is not yet confirmed that Tomoe globally holds the title of the oldest living man after Watanabe. Meanwhile, Japanese woman Kane Tanaka is the oldest living person. She is 117-year-old.Japan is considered as the country of world's highest life expectancies and several Japanese people were named among the oldest humans to have ever lived. The longest-living man on record, Jiroemon Kimura was also from Japan, who died soon after his 116th birthday in June 2013. While the oldest living human according to Guinness, Jeanne Louise Calment was from France, who died in 1997 at the age of 122.ALSO READ | World's oldest man dies at his home in northern Japan at 113ALSO READ | Oldest Delhi voter Kalitara casts her vote at age of 111

World's oldest man dies at 112 in Japan

The world's oldest man, Chitetsu Watanabe, died at the age of 112 in Japan, a local official said on Tuesday.

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New universal coronavirus vaccine may help prevent future pandemicsScientists have developed a universal vaccine that protected mice not just against COVID-19 but also other coronaviruses while triggering the immune system to fight off a dangerous variant. While no one knows which virus may cause the next outbreak, researchers from the University of North Carolina (UNC) in the US noted that coronaviruses remain a threat after causing the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the global COVID-19 pandemic.To prevent a future coronavirus pandemic, the team designed the vaccine to provide protection from the current SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and a group of coronaviruses known to make the jump from animals to humans.The study, published in the journal Science, looked at a second-generation vaccine: one that targets sarbecoviruses.Sarbecoviruses, part of the large family of coronaviruses, are a priority for virologists after two caused devastating disease in the past two decades: SARS and COVID-19.The team's approach started with mRNA preventive, which is similar to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines used today.However, instead of including the mRNA code for only one virus, they welded together mRNA from multiple coronaviruses.When given to mice, the hybrid vaccine effectively generated neutralising antibodies against multiple spike proteins -- which viruses use to latch onto healthy cells -- including one associated with B.1.351 variant, which was first identified in South Africa."The vaccine has the potential to prevent outbreaks when used as a new variant is detected," said study lead author Ralph Baric, an epidemiologist at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.The research includes data from mice infected with SARS-CoV and related coronaviruses and the vaccine prevented infection and lung damage in mice.Additional testing could lead to human clinical trials next year, the researchers said."Our findings look bright for the future because they suggest we can design more universal pan coronavirus vaccines to proactively guard against viruses we know are at risk for emerging in humans," said another lead author David Martinez, a postdoctoral researcher at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health."With this strategy, perhaps we can prevent a SARS-CoV-3," Martinez said.

New universal coronavirus vaccine may help prevent future pandemics

To prevent a future coronavirus pandemic, the team designed the vaccine to provide protection from the current SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and a group of coronaviruses known to make the jump from animals to humans.

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Taliban expected to announce new govt in Afghanistan todayThe Taliban is expected to announce a new government in Afghanistan within hours amid the UN's warning of the impending food crisis, urging the global community to step up support for the war-ravaged country.Media reports suggest that the cabinet could be presented after morning prayers on Friday and a ceremony was being prepared at the presidential palace in the capital city Kabul.Anamullah Samangani, from the Taliban's cultural commission on Thursday, said that Mullah Hebatullah Akhundzada will be the leader of the new government."Consultations are almost finalised on the new government, and the necessary discussions have also been held about the cabinet. The Islamic government that we will announce will be a ... model for the people. There is no doubt about the presence of the Commander of the Faithful (Akhunzada) in the government. He will be the leader of the government," Samangani said.Earlier on Tuesday, senior Taliban leader Anas Haqqani had said the group has covered about 90 to 95 per cent. The senior member said the new government aims "to maintain and be faithful" to what the group "are fighting for" and "to serve the Afghan people and to serve Islam," Al Jazeera reported.Even as the government is being announced, two weeks after the fall of Kabul, the role of women in government offices is still unclear. Taliban said that women will not be appointed in higher ranking positions despite, TOLO News reported citing one of the group's officials.The Taliban has taken control of war-torn Afghanistan, but there is still an important gap between naming a government and fully taking up its functions.Matthieu Aikins, writing in The New York Times said that two weeks since Kabul fell, the Taliban officials are still attempting to take up the functions of a new government on the eve of its announcement.But there is still an important gap between naming a government and fully taking up its functions, says Aikins. In Kabul, as in much of the country, the most important government departments, apart from street-level security, are not functioning.The Taliban has urged officials with the former government to stay in their roles. But in the face of a looming economic crisis, including a worsening cash shortage that has put strains on the availability of fuel, food and other staples, the past two weeks have been a scramble by the Taliban to establish themselves. (With ANI inputs)ALSO READ | China, Pakistan worry about protecting $60 billion CPEC after Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan

Taliban expected to announce new govt in Afghanistan today

Anamullah Samangani, from the Taliban's cultural commission on Thursday, said that Mullah Hebatullah Akhundzada will be the leader of the new government.

45b4e20f95872cfd7e1409d26e11dff4

Muslims participate in a protest over an alleged insult to Islam, outside the country’s main Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka, BangladeshExtreme tensions between religious groups of Bangladesh continue to persist despite actions by law enforcement officials and local government bodies after days of communal violence in various cities. Social media sites are being flooded with different rumours promoting communal violence as different sects try to foment hatred and draw sympathy to themselves, the local media reported.Tensions have been simmering in Bangladesh as unabated targeted attacks are being carried out against Hindus in the country, that started in Cumilla during Durga Puja have spread to other parts and there are reports of violence, arson and killing from various parts of the country.At least 71 cases have been filed in different parts of the country in connection with the attacks on Hindus and around 450 were arrested for spreading rumours on social media.The latest example is a clash between Buddhists and Muslims of Katakhali in Howaikhyong under Teknaf that resulted in injuries to at least eight people on Sunday afternoon.The two groups blamed each other for the clash as an altercation took place between a Muslim youth named Tofayel Ahmed and some Chakma youths, including Umongi Chakma, in the morning over a trivial matter.Communal violence broke out in several places in Bangladesh after news broke on social media about the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran at a Durga Puja venue on the bank of Nanuar Dighi.Several puja venues were vandalized in the area of Chandpur, Chittagong, Gazipur, Bandarban, Chapainawabganj, and Moulvibazar, the media reported. (With inputs from ANI)Also Read | Bangladesh communal violence: 71 cases filed, over 3,000 unidentified persons booked so far /* .jw-reset-text, .jw-reset{line-height: 2em;}*/ .jw-time-tip .jw-time-chapter{display:none;} if ('' == comscore_jw_loaded || 'undefined' == comscore_jw_loaded || undefined == comscore_jw_loaded) { var comscore_jw_loaded = 1; firstjw = document.getElementsByClassName('jwvidplayer')[0]; cs_jw_script = document.createElement('script'); cs_jw_script.src = 'https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/internal-c2/plugins/streamingtag_plugin_jwplayer.js'; firstjw.parentNode.insertBefore(cs_jw_script, firstjw.nextSibling); } var jwconfig_2962527788 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/10/0_ila54lgg/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_ila54lgg_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Muqabla: Who is propagating hatred towards Hindus in Bangladesh? 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Communal tension continues in Bangladesh; rumours surface on social media sites

At least 71 cases have been filed in different parts of the country in connection with the attacks on Hindus and around 450 were arrested for spreading rumours on social media.

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There is an increasing feeling among American nuclear experts that the focus of India’s  atomic arsenal modernisation is gradually shifting from Pakistan to China.In an article, two top American nuclear experts- Hans M Kristensen and Robert S Norris – have claimed that India is modernising its atomic arsenal with an eye on China and added that New Delhi is now developing a missile which can target all of China from its bases in South India.India is estimated to have produced enough plutonium for 150–200 nuclear warheads but has likely produced only 120–130, wrote Hans M Kristensen and Robert S Norris in the article- "Indian nuclear forces 2017".India's nuclear strategy, which has traditionally focused on Pakistan, now appears to place increased emphasis on China, the two experts claimed.While India has traditionally been focused on deterring Pakistan, its nuclear modernisation indicates that it is putting increased emphasis on its future strategic relationship with China," they wrote."That adjustment will result in significantly new capabilities being deployed over the next decade that may influence how India views nuclear weapons' role against Pakistan," they said.Noting that India continues to modernise its nuclear arsenal with development of several new nuclear weapon systems, the two experts estimate that New Delhi currently operates seven nuclear-capable systems: two aircraft, four land-based ballistic missiles, and one sea-based ballistic missile."At least four more systems are in development. The development program is in a dynamic phase, with long-range land- and sea-based missiles emerging for possible deployment within the next decade," it said.India is estimated to have produced approximately 600 kilograms of weapon-grade plutonium, sufficient for 150–200 nuclear warheads; however, not all the material has been converted into nuclear warheads, it said.Based on available information about its nuclear-capable delivery force structure and strategy, we estimate that India has produced 120–130 nuclear warheads, the article said adding that the country will need more warheads to arm the new missiles it is currently developing.Kristensen and Norris said that the two-stage, solid- fuel, rail-mobile Agni-2, an improvement on the Agni-1, which can deliver a nuclear or conventional warhead more than 2,000 kilometres is probably targeted on western, central, and southern China.Although the Agni-4 will be capable of striking targets in nearly all of China from northeastern India (including Beijing and Shanghai), India is also developing the longer- range Agni-5, a three-stage, solid-fuel, rail-mobile, near- intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a warhead more than 5,000 kilometres (3,100-plus miles), it said."The extra range will allow the Indian military to establish Agni-5 bases in central and southern India, further away from China," the research article said.(With PTI inputs)

India planning missile to target all of China from south bases, claim US experts

Two top American nuclear experts have claimed that India is now developing a missile which can target all of China from its bases in South India.

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 UK's COVID-19 death toll at 19,506 with 684 hospital deathsThe UK's coronavirus death toll stood at 19,506 after 684 hospital deaths were reported on Friday. While the new toll is higher on the previous day's total of 18,738 by 768, the discrepancy of 84 is down to unreported deaths from Thursday by one health board in Wales.UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who led the daily Downing Street briefing to provide the latest figures, said there were some "tentative signs" that Britain is making progress in its efforts to control the spread of the deadly virus as the number of hospitalisations continued their downward trajectory."The main reason is the way Britain has responded to the guidelines to stay at home and maintain social distancing," said the Cabinet minister."It isn't over, we're riding perhaps, we hope, a downward trend but it is by no means, no means established yet," he said.He went on to announce a series of packages related to transport and trade, including a transport support unit dedicated to fighting the pandemic.The measures include a trilateral agreement with France and Ireland committed to keeping freight open throughout the crisis for trade of food, medicines and other essential items, protecting ferry routes with funding of up to GBP 17 million and 26 freight routes with the rest of Europe to be protected.The minister said there is "spare capacity" because of a reduced transport service during the lockdown, with around 9,000 vehicles available to help in the fight against the virus and would be deployed to distribute packages to the vulnerable.There will also be a review into how drones might be used to deliver medical supplies, he said.The minister was questioned by reporters about the government's website set up for key workers to be able to book swab tests for the novel coronavirus, which shut down within hours of going live on Friday.He stressed that the site had not crashed but had reached full capacity when it stopped taking further bookings."It looks like the trajectory for more than 100,000 by the end of April will be met in terms of capacity," he insisted, in reference to the government's target set for testing people for Covid-19 in an effort to gradually ease the lockdown in place to control the spread of the novel coronavirus.ALSO READ | Coronavirus death toll in US crosses 50,000 mark 

UK's COVID-19 death toll at 19,506 with 684 hospital deaths

The UK's coronavirus death toll stood at 19,506 after 684 hospital deaths were reported on Friday. While the new toll is higher on the previous day's total of 18,738 by 768, the discrepancy of 84 is down to unreported deaths from Thursday by one health board in Wales.

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China launches emergency response for typhoon-hit areas. Chinese authorities have launched a level-IV emergency response for disaster relief as typhoon In-Fa hit the coastal province of Zhejiang.The response was co-activated by China National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) for disaster-stricken areas including Zhoushan, Shaoxing and Ningbo, Xinhua news agency reported.Work teams dispatched earlier to the affected regions shall turn into disaster-relief forces on spot to inspect losses and provide guidance to local departments, the Ministry said.Due to severe flooding in the central Henan province, the MEM and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration on Sunday allocated more disaster-relief supplies to the province. /* .jw-reset-text, .jw-reset{line-height: 2em;}*/ .jw-time-tip .jw-time-chapter{display:none;} if ('' == comscore_jw_loaded || 'undefined' == comscore_jw_loaded || undefined == comscore_jw_loaded) { var comscore_jw_loaded = 1; 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China launches emergency response for typhoon-hit areas

The response was co-activated by China National Commission for Disaster Reduction and Ministry of Emergency Management for disaster-stricken areas including Zhoushan, Shaoxing and Ningbo, Xinhua news agency reported.

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Donald Trump via twitter has said that the Korean nuclear threat is overPresident Donald Trump declared on Twitter Wednesday that there was “no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea,” a bold and questionable claim following his summit with leader Kim Jong Un that produced few guarantees on how and when Pyongyang would disarm.“Just landed - a long trip, but everybody can now feel much safer than the day I took office,” he tweeted. “There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea. Meeting with Kim Jong Un was an interesting and very positive experience. North Korea has great potential for the future!”Related Stories India welcomes Trump-Kim summit Kim accepts Trump's invitation to visit US: North Korean mediaWith US-North Korea summit over, US envoy to brief Asia allies Trump and Kim were returning to their respective strongholds following the talks — but to far different receptions.In Pyongyang, North Korean state media heralded claims of a victorious meeting with the U.S. president; photos of him standing side-by-side with Trump on the world stage were splashed across newspapers. Trump, meanwhile, faced questions about whether he gave away too much in return for far too little when he bestowed a new legitimacy on Kim’s rule and agreed, at Pyongyang’s request, to end war games with Seoul that the allies had long portrayed as crucial to Asian safety.There were worries, especially in Tokyo and Seoul, which have huge U.S. military presences, about Trump agreeing to halt U.S. military exercises with South Korea, which the North has long claimed were invasion preparations. That concession to Kim appeared to catch the Pentagon and officials in Seoul off guard, and some South Koreans were alarmed.“The United States is our ally, so the joint military drills are still necessary to maintain our relationship with the U.S.,” said Lee Jae Sung, from Incheon. “I think they will be continued for a while.”U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived at Osan Air Base south of Seoul from Singapore early Wednesday evening. He met for nearly an hour with Gen. Vincent Brooks, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, at the air base before heading by motorcade to Seoul.Pompeo will meet President Moon Jae-in on Thursday morning to discuss the summit. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono is also heading to Seoul and is due to meet with Pompeo and his South Korean counterpart. Pompeo, the former CIA director, then plans to fly to Beijing to update the Chinese government on the talks.On the issue the world has been most fixated on — North Korea’s pursuit of a nuclear arsenal meant to target the entire U.S. mainland — Trump and Kim signed a joint statement that contained a repeat of past vows to work toward a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. The details of how and when the North would denuclearize appear yet to be determined, as are the nature of the unspecified “protections” Trump is pledging to Kim and his government.Despite the confusion and disappointment among some, the summit managed to, for a time at least, reset a relationship that has long been characterized by bloodshed and threats. In agreeing to the summit, Trump risked granting Kim his long-sought recognition on the world stage in hopes of ending the North’s nuclear program.“Before taking office people were assuming that we were going to War with North Korea,” Trump tweeted Wednesday. “President (Barack) Obama said that North Korea was our biggest and most dangerous problem. No longer - sleep well tonight!”Trump’s claim that North Korea no longer poses a nuclear threat is questionable.North Korea is believed to possess more than 50 nuclear warheads, with its atomic program spread across more than 100 sites constructed over decades to evade international inspections. Trump insisted that strong verification of denuclearization would be included in a final agreement, saying it was a detail his team would begin sorting out with the North Koreans next week.Moon has championed engagement with the North, and the agreement’s language on North Korea’s nuclear program was similar to what the leaders of North and South Korea came up with at their own summit in April. Trump and Kim referred back to the so-called Panmunjom Declaration, which contained a weak commitment to denuclearization but no specifics on how to achieve it.As Trump acknowledged that denuclearization would not be accomplished overnight, the North suggested Wednesday that Trump had moved away from his demand for complete denuclearization before U.S. sanctions on the long-isolated country are removed.The state-run Korean Central News Agency said the two leaders “shared recognition to the effect that it is important to abide by the principle of step-by-step and simultaneous action in achieving peace, stability and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.” KCNA also reported that Trump had expressed his intention to lift sanctions “over a period of goodwill dialogue” between the two countries.The Singapore agreement does not detail plans for North Korea to demolish a missile engine testing site, a concession Trump said he’d won, or Trump’s promise to end military exercises in the South while negotiations between the U.S. and the North continue. Trump cast that decision as a cost-saving measure, but also called the exercises “inappropriate” while talks continue.Trump declared he and Kim had developed “a very special bond,” and Kim said the leaders had “decided to leave the past behind” and promised, “The world will see a major change.”The U.S. has stationed combat troops in South Korea since the end of the Korean War in the 1950s and has used them in a variety of drills. The next scheduled major exercise, involving tens of thousands of troops, normally is held in August.The Pentagon said Tuesday it was consulting with the White House and others, but was silent on whether the August exercise would proceed. Defense Secretary James Mattis’ chief spokeswoman, Dana W. White, told reporters he was “in full alignment” with Trump.In Japan, the prospect of canceled U.S.-South Korean drills was met with concern.“The U.S.-South Korea joint exercises and U.S. forces in South Korea play significant roles for the security in East Asia,” Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters Wednesday. He said he planned to continue sharing the view with Washington and Seoul.In South Korea, the liberal Kyunghyang Shinmun newspaper said Trump and Kim have started a “march of peace” to end nearly seven decades of hostility and pave the way for permanent peace and prosperity on the peninsula.The conservative Chosun Ilbo, the country’s biggest paper, was more critical, denouncing Trump for offering the end of military drills while failing to convince the North to commit to verifiably giving up its nukes for good. It called the summit “dumbfounding and nonsensical,” and said it will allow North Korea to permanently maintain its nuclear weapons program. 

Trump declares via Twitter the North Korea nuclear threat is over

"Just landed - a long trip, but everybody can now feel much safer than the day I took office. There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea. Meeting with Kim Jong Un was an interesting and very positive experience. North Korea has great potential for the future!" Trump tweeted.

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Donald Trump and Robert  MuellerUS President Donald Trump has termed the Mueller investigation into the alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US Presidential polls a 'rigged witch hunt'. On Sunday, Trump launched a verbal attack on Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into allegations of the Kremlin meddling in the 2016 presidential election, calling it a "rigged witch hunt" and "illegal", as it was ignited by a "fraudulent" opposition research dossier."There is no collusion! The Robert Mueller Rigged Witch Hunt, headed now by 17 (increased from 13, including an Obama White House lawyer) angry Democrats, was started by a fraudulent Dossier, paid for by Crooked Hillary and the Democratic National Committee. Therefore, the Witch Hunt is an illegal Scam!" Trump said on Sunday in one of a series of scathing Twitter messages."Is Robert Mueller ever going to release his conflicts of interest with respect to President Trump, including the fact that we had a very nasty and contentious business relationship, I turned him down to head the FBI (one day before appointment as Special Counsel) And James Comey (former FBI chief) is his close friend?" Trump continued, referring to Mueller's appointment as in charge of the Russian probe.The verbal assault was the latest Mueller bashing seen on Trump's Twitter timeline, where it is a recurring theme.The tweets came just over a week after the Justice Department released documents related to secret surveillance warrants obtained on Carter Page, a former adviser to Trump's campaign, the Hill magazine reported.Those documents cited allegations in a dossier compiled in 2016 by a former British intelligence agent that Page met two senior Russian representatives during a trip to Moscow that year.The research behind the dossier was funded, in part, by Clinton's presidential campaign. Some Republicans have long argued that the application to obtain the surveillance warrant against Page relied too heavily on the dossier, which contained salacious and controversial claims that were not verified. But Democrats pointed to the fact that the warrant application contained evidence against Page that was unrelated to the dossier, such as efforts by Moscow to recruit Americans as intelligence assets in 2013. Page was reportedly one of those targets.

US Presidential election probe: Trump calls Mueller investigation 'rigged witch hunt'

US President Donald Trump launched a verbal attack on Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into allegations of the Kremlin meddling in the 2016 presidential election

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Porn video shot at Myanmar's best-known tourist hotspot Bagan sparks outrageMyanmar is witnessing outrage over a 12-minute adult video shot in the country's best-known tourist hotspot. The video, which has now surfaced on the internet has been shot in Bagan, Myanmar's best-known tourist hotspot and UNESCO heritage site of thousands of hallowed Buddhist pagodas. The video was posted on PornHub by users "YeeesYeeesYeees", who describe themselves as a 23-year-old Italian couple with piercings and tattoos.According to the site, the pair boasts more than 81,000 subscribers and over 35 million video views since they joined 11 months ago. But the couple's naked antics against one of Bagan's ancient pagodas have been less than well-received in Myanmar, with condemnation spreading online."Our Bagan pagodas are The Holy Land," wrote Mg Khin Gyi on Facebook with multiple angry emojis.The video in question had been viewed nearly a quarter of a million times by Thursday evening but had registered twice as many dislikes as likes.Managing Director of New Fantastic Asia tour company, Tun Tun Naing, questioned what seemed to be "negligent" security at Bagan's sites and called for action.Mandalay Chairman of the Union of Myanmar Travel Association Myo Yee added his voice to the rising clamour, saying the case was bad news for an industry hit hard by coronavirus woes."It's a difficult time for us because not many tourists are coming here," he said.Bagan is an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar. From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, the first kingdom that unified the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar. During the kingdom's height between the 11th and 13th centuries, 4,446 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of 3822 temples and pagodas still survive to the present day. Now Bagan is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. The Bagan Archaeological Zone is a main attraction for the country's nascent tourism industry. It is the largest archaeological site in the world. Also Read | Myanmar installs coronavirus screening device at border with IndiaAlso Read | Rohingya hail UN ruling ordering Myanmar to prevent genocide​

Porn video shot at Myanmar's best-known tourist hotspot Bagan sparks outrage

Bagan is an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar. From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, the first kingdom that unified the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar.

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  Chinese President Xi Jinping China on Tuesday dismissed the view that President Xi Jinping's North Korea visit this week was a signal to the US that Beijing could use its sway over Pyongyang as "leverage" in dealing with the US amid their escalating trade war.China's state media on Monday announced that Xi will be on a two-day visit to North Korea from Thursday, becoming China's first President to visit the reclusive Communist state in 14 years.Related Stories PM Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on SCO Summit sidelines in BishkekState media say Chinese President Xi to visit North KoreaXi's visit to Pyongyang comes ahead of a likely crucial meet with US President Donald Trump later this month on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan.Trump, who has taken his ongoing trade spat with China to the next level, has threatened to raise tariffs on more Chinese goods if Xi fails to meet him.The sudden announcement of Xi's visit to North Korea is being viewed as Beijing's strategy to indicate to the US that it holds considerable sway over its ally Pyongyang whose nuclear weapons programme has long worried Washington."You said 'China may use this visit as leverage on the US. I shall say certain people with such thinking may over-interpret that," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said to a question."China and the DPRK (North Korea) are close neighbours enjoying friendly relations. The two countries always maintained good exchanges. We hope you can get a clear idea about this visit and our firm determination to develop friendly ties with DPRK and do not make unnecessary links or connections," he added.Asked further if the timing of Xi's visit had anything to do with his possible meet with Trump, Lu said: "The timing of Xi's visit has nothing to do with talks with the US.""Trade disputes between the US and China have dragged on for one year or so. I don't see why it is getting more sensitive for the moment," he said.He said Beijing was surprised by the failed summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi this year. This was the second meet between the two leaders after they met the first time in Singapore in June last year.China is North Korea's sole ally and their ties date back to the Korean War in which Mao Zedong's elder son died fighting against the South Koreans. It is also believed that the North pays heed to what Beijing says.The Trump administration has often accused China of not doing enough to push North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programme.While the US seeks to exact complete denuclearisation from North Korea, Kim fears giving up all his nukes may invite an armed invasion by the US.Both North Korea and the US are decades-old arch-enemies. It all began in 1950 when the North invaded South Korea, an event which was followed by the three-year Korean War that ended in a stalemate.While China stood by the North, Seoul was backed by the US which since then has its forces deployed in the South.North Korea says it's nukes are a deterrent to Washington and Seoul as it fears an invasion from them.

Xi Jinping's North Korea visit has nothing to do with US: China

China's state media on Monday announced that Xi will be on a two-day visit to North Korea from Thursday, becoming China's first President to visit the reclusive Communist state in 14 years.

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Donald Trump glad to see Kim Jong-un 'back and well'US President Donald Trump said that he was glad to see North Korean leader Kim Jong-un "back and well" following rumours he the latter was gravely ill, the media reported on Sunday.On Saturday, North Korean posted photos of Kim, ending a 20-day absence from public view that sparked intense speculation about his whereabouts and health, the Soul-based Yonhap News Agency reported."I, for one, am glad to see he is back, and well," Trump wrote in a retweet on Saturday of what appeared to be a scholar's tweet embedded with photos of Kim at a May 1 ceremony marking the completion of a fertilizer plant in Sunchon, north of Pyongyang.Trump declined to comment on Kim's reappearance on Friday, telling reporters he may have something to say about it at the appropriate time.He also refused to say whether Kim was still alive but when asked if he will be talking to the North Korean leader on the weekend, he said: "I may."Trump had previously claimed he knew what was going on with Kim and dismissed a CNN report alleging that the leader was in "grave danger" as "incorrect", Yonhap News Agency reportedTrump and Kim have met three times in a bid to dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons program in exchange for US concessions.The negotiations have ground to a halt since their second summit in Vietnam in February 2019 due to differences.

Donald Trump glad to see Kim Jong-un 'back and well'

US President Donald Trump said that he was glad to see North Korean leader Kim Jong-un "back and well" following rumours he the latter was gravely ill, the media reported on Sunday.

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Three killed in bomb blast in Pakistan's Quetta city (Representational Image)A bomb blast hit the capital city of Pakistan's Balochistan province on Sunday, leaving at least three people dead and injuring seven others. The blast took place in a market in Hazarganji area of Quetta, the provincial capital of southwest Balochistan province.The blast came as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a grand alliance of Pakistan’s major Opposition parties, held its third anti-government rally at the Ayub Ground in Quetta to press for Prime Minister Imran Khan's ouster.The rally site is, however, 35 to 40 minutes away from the blast site.The Balochistan government had appealed to the PDM to postpone the public meeting in view of security threats.

Three killed in bomb blast in Pakistan's Quetta city

A bomb blast hit the capital city of Pakistan's Balochistan province on Sunday, leaving at least three people dead and injuring seven others.

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Apple Card under probe for sex discrimination in credit limitsThe New York Department of Financial Services has opened a probe into allegations of gender discrimination by Apple Card issuer Goldman Sachs while determining credit limits.The investigation into the algorithm used to set credit limits for the Apple Card followed a series of tweets by entrepreneur David Heinemeier Hansson (known as DHH) about Apple Card."The @AppleCard is such a sexist programme. My wife and I filed joint tax returns, live in a community-property state, and have been married for a long time. Yet Apple's black box algorithm thinks I deserve 20x the credit limit she does. No appeals work," Hansson tweeted.The complaint was seconded by none other than Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. "The same thing happened to us. I got 10x the credit limit. We have no separate bank or credit card accounts or any separate assets. Hard to get to a human for a correction though. It's big tech in 2019," said Wozniak.The New York Department of Financial Services confirmed on Saturday that it will investigate Apple Card, reports Market Watch.Though Apple is yet to respond to the investigation into the card, media reports quoted a Goldman Sachs spokesperson saying: "Our credit decisions are based on a customer's creditworthiness and not on factors like gender, race, age, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by law."Earlier, in his series of tweets, Hansson said: "Apple offers a credit card that bases its credit assessment on a black-box algorithm."Apple has handed the customer experience and their reputation as an inclusive organisation over to a biased, sexist algorithm it does not understand, cannot reason with, and is unable to control. When a trillion-dollar company simply accepts the algorithmic overlord like this..."Launched with Goldman Sachs and Mastercard in August, Apple Card is both a digital and physical credit card that requires no number, CVV security code, expiration date or signature on the card.It comes with benefits like instant approval, zero fees on missing deadlines or going over the limit and daily cashback on purchases.Customers can sign up for Apple Card in the Wallet app on their iPhone in minutes and start using it with Apple Pay right away in stores, in apps or online worldwide.ALSO READ | Apple App store hit by bug, removes over 20 million app ratings globallyALSO READ | Apple MacBook with new scissor keyboard to arrive by mid 2020

Apple Card under probe for sex discrimination in credit limits

The New York Department of Financial Services has opened a probe into allegations of gender discrimination by Apple Card issuer Goldman Sachs while determining credit limits.

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US wants to ensure India's data localisation plan doesn't stymie growth in transactions: MnuchinThe US wants India to ensure that its data localisation plan does not "stymie growth” and American financial transaction companies are treated "fairly", Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said. Mnuchin also insisted that America has no problem if countries want to have local data for regulatory purposes as long as they do not eliminate it outside the country.Data localisation is the practice of physically storing data on servers located within a country’s territory. The Reserve Bank of India had, in April last year, asked payment firms to ensure their data were stored exclusively on local servers, setting a tight six-month deadline for compliance.US firms like Google, Mastercard, Visa and Amazon have lobbied against data localisation rules around the world including India, stressing that it would make their operations more complicated and costly. The issue is one of the sticking points between India and the US in their trade negotiations.Mnuchin, who was recently in India, said that this had been an issue of discussion between the two countries. The US has been in conversation with India on the issue of data localisation, Mnuchin told members of the House Financial Services Committee during a Congressional hearing on Thursday."In my recent trip, we've had very specific conversations. We've been dealing with them over the last year on this issue. We want to make sure, one, that US companies are treated fairly and can compete,” he said."We have no issues with if countries want to have local data for regulatory purposes they do that. It's the issue of then eliminating data outside it, and I think, as you know, we're in a global economy,” Mnuchin said."So this is a complicated issue that we continue to work on to make sure that our financial services companies are treated fairly,” said the Treasury Secretary in response to a question from Congressman David Frank Kustoff."We've read the press accounts about how India is trying to raise the bar as it relates to the data localisation, and frankly the restrictions on free trade as it relates to startups and other companies.Can you talk about what the barriers are for US companies operating now in India and what effect that could have?” Kustoff asked. Describing data security as an issue of critical importance, Mnuchin said the US wants to make sure that data localisation “doesn't stymie growth” in transactions.The Indian government on Wednesday approved the Personal Data Protection Bill that will spell out a framework for handling of personal data including its processing by public and private entities.The bill is likely to contain broad guidelines on collection, storage and processing of personal data, consent of individuals, penalties and compensation, code of conduct and an enforcement model.A company's executive in-charge of conduct of the data business would face a jail term of up to three years if found guilty of knowingly matching anonymous data with publicly available information to find out the identity of an individual -- called as 're-identify de-identified data' in technical parlance.Social media companies will be required to come up with a mechanism to identify users on their platform who are willing to be identified on a voluntary basis.ALSO READ | 6-story building collapses in Nairobi, many feared trappedALSO READ | Sajith Premadasa declared Opposition Leader in Sri Lanka

US wants to ensure India's data localisation plan doesn't stymie growth in transactions: Mnuchin

Data localisation is the practice of physically storing data on servers located within a country’s territory. The Reserve Bank of India had, in April last year, asked payment firms to ensure their data were stored exclusively on local servers, setting a tight six-month deadline for compliance.

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Fred Warmbier and Cindy Warmbier, parents of Otto warmbier wait for meeting at United Nation headquartersA federal judge ordered North Korea to pay more than $500 million in a wrongful death suit filed by the parents of Otto Warmbier, an American college student who died shortly after being released from that country.U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell harshly condemned North Korea for “barbaric mistreatment” of Warmbier in agreeing Monday with his family that the isolated nation should be held liable for his death last year. She awarded punitive damages and payments covering medical expenses, economic loss and pain and suffering to Fred and Cindy Warmbier, who alleged that their son had been held hostage and tortured.Warmbier was a University of Virginia student who was visiting North Korea with a tour group when he was arrested and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in March 2016 on suspicion of stealing a propaganda poster. He died in June 2017, shortly after he returned to the U.S. in a coma and showing apparent signs of torture while in custody.In holding North Korean responsible, Howell said the government had seized Warmbier for “use as a pawn in that totalitarian state’s global shenanigans and face-off with the United States.”“Before Otto traveled with a tour group on a five-day trip to North Korea, he was a healthy, athletic student of economics and business in his junior year at the University of Virginia, with ‘big dreams’ and both the smarts and people skills to make him his high school class salutatorian, homecoming king, and prom king,” the judge wrote. “He was blind, deaf, and brain dead when North Korea turned him over to U.S. government officials for his final trip home.”The arrest and death of Warmbier came during a time of heightened tension between the U.S. and North Korea over the country’s nuclear weapons program. President Donald Trump held a first-of-its-kind summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June 2018 and plans another next year.The judgment may be mostly a symbolic victory since North Korea has yet to respond to any of the allegations in court and there’s no practical mechanism to force it do so. But the family may nonetheless be able to recoup damages through a Justice Department-administered fund for victims of state-sponsored acts of terrorism, and may look to seize other assets held by the country outside of North Korea.Fred and Cindy Warmbier, who are from a suburb of Cincinnati, said they were thankful the court found the government of Kim Jong Un “legally and morally” responsible for their son’s death.“We put ourselves and our family through the ordeal of a lawsuit and public trial because we promised Otto that we will never rest until we have justice for him,” they said in a statement. “Today’s thoughtful opinion by Chief Judge Howell is a significant step on our journey.”The lawsuit, filed in April, describes in horrific detail the physical abuse Warmbier endured in North Korean custody, recounting how his parents were “stunned to see his condition” when they boarded a plane to see him upon arrival in the U.S.The 22-year-old was blind and deaf, his arms were curled and mangled and he was jerking violently and howling, completely unresponsive to his family’s attempts to comfort him. His once straight teeth were misaligned, and he had an unexplained scar on his foot. An expert said the injuries suggested he’d been tortured with electric shock, and a neurologist later concluded that the college student suffered brain damage, probably from a loss of blood flow to the brain for five to 20 minutes.North Korea has denied Warmbier was tortured and has said he contracted botulism, though medical experts said there was no evidence of that.The complaint also said Warmbier was pressed to make a televised confession, then convicted of subversion after a short trial. He was denied communication with his family. In June 2017, his parents were informed he was in a coma and had been in that condition for one year.Though foreign nations are generally immune from lawsuits in U.S. courts, Howell cited several exceptions that she said allowed her to hold North Korea liable. Those include the fact that North Korea has been designated by the U.S. as a sponsor of terrorism, that the Warmbiers are U.S. citizens and that the actions of the North Korean government involved torture and hostage taking.The penalty awarded to the Warmbiers and to Otto Warmbier’s estate includes punitive damages as well as damages for economic losses, pain and suffering and medical expenses.The lawsuit was brought on the Warmbiers’ behalf by Richard Cullen, a prominent Virginia lawyer and former U.S. attorney. He told The Associated Press that while “nothing will ever bring Otto back to the Warmbiers or erase their memories of his horrid last 18 months,” the judge’s decision was “very good news for his family and friends.”

North Korea ordered to pay parents, estate of student $500M

A federal judge ordered North Korea to pay more than $500 million in a wrongful death suit filed by the parents of Otto Warmbier, an American college student who died shortly after being released from that country.

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George Floyd's funeral to be held in HoustonGeorge Floyd, the 46-year-old black man whose cold-blooded murder at the hands of a white police officer has sparked protests across the US, will be laid to rest in his hometown of Houston, following a public visitation in Minneapolis. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the funeral plans on Saturday, though there are currently no public details about when it will take place. The mayor broke the news as part of a larger plea for peace amid a weekend where Houston police arrested hundreds of protesters."This is our house. This is the same city that George Floyd grew up, And his body will be returning to this city. To his city," Turner said. Floyd died in Minneapolis on Monday after a white police officer pinned him to the ground. Video footage showed the officer kneeling on Floyd's neck as he gasped for breath. His death has triggered nationwide protests.Officer Derek Chauvin has been fired, and on Friday was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter, the authorities said. Born in North Carolina, Floyd was raised in Houston and stood out as a star athlete at Jack Yates High School in the southeastern part of the city. He moved to Minneapolis in 2014, but most of his family, including his two daughters, are still in Houston.Houston Police Department chief Art Acevedo is seeking to honour Floyd by giving his funeral a police escort. "Give us that honour," Acevedo said during a rally on Sunday. The department will use a high level of security to transport Floyd's body, comparable to when an officer dies in line of duty, the chief said, adding that he will provide more details at a rally reportedly scheduled for Tuesday, June 2 where protesters will march to City Hall. Funeral arrangements are still being planned, said officials at the Fort Bend Memorial Planning Center in Rosharon. It posted a flyer on Facebook with a picture of Floyd, stating funeral arrangements are forthcoming.Details of a funeral have not been released. Floyd's family and attorneys have yet to confirm funeral arrangements. The family has asked for peace in honour of Floyd whose body is coming home tomorrow.Protests against Floyd's death have taken place across the country and one protest, which went on for nearly 11 hours, involved hundreds of people gathered in downtown Houston to demand justice for Floyd.Nearly 200 people were arrested during the rally. Many of those will be charged with obstructing a roadway, according to the Houston Police Department. Eight Houston police officers suffered minor injuries during the protest, and 16 police vehicles were damaged. Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott declared a State of Disaster for all Texas counties following several protests in cities throughout Texas over the death of Floyd.Under this declaration, the governor has the ability to designate federal agents to serve as Texas Peace Officers. "Every Texan and every American has the right to protest and I encourage all Texans to exercise their First Amendment rights. However, violence against others and the destruction of property is unacceptable and counterproductive," said Abbott."As protests have turned violent in various areas across the state, it is crucial that we maintain order, uphold public safety, and protect against property damage or loss. By authorising additional federal agents to serve as Texas Peace Officers we will help protect people's safety while ensuring that peaceful protesters can continue to make their voices heard," he said.Abbott's deceleration comes less than a day after he activated the Texas National Guard and deployed state resources to the cities of Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin in order to maintain public safety.Abbott sent more than 1,500 officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety to assist local police departments. In a statement, he said additional resources would be provided as needed. 

George Floyd's funeral to be held in Houston

George Floyd, the 46-year-old black man whose cold-blooded murder at the hands of a white police officer has sparked protests across the US, will be laid to rest in his hometown of Houston, following a public visitation in Minneapolis.

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China finds COVID-19 virus on imported frozen beef samplesAuthorities in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, found that three frozen beef samples tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, local health authorities have said.The batch of products dispersed in 1,006 boxes, weighing 27 tonne, were imported from Brazil to customs in the east Chinese city of Qingdao on August 7. They arrived in a warehouse in Wuhan on August 17 and have not entered the market.The local authorities have sealed the products, quarantined and conducted tests on relevant personnel and disinfected the area, reports Xinhua news agency.Till Friday, 200 environmental samples gathered from the warehouse and 112 employees working there have tested negative for Covid-19.Previously, Wuhan had ordered a thorough inspection of all the imported frozen food products across the city. China is the world's top beef buyer and Brazil and Argentina its largest suppliers.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the the risk of catching Covid-19 from frozen food is low.China has, however, repeatedly sounded alarms after detecting the virus in imported food products. 

China finds COVID-19 virus on imported frozen beef samples

The batch of products dispersed in 1,006 boxes, weighing 27 tonne, were imported from Brazil to customs in the east Chinese city of Qingdao on August 7.

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Holiday makers wearing face masks visit a pier in Yokohama, near Tokyo.Billionaire business tycoon Elon Musk, whose tweets are known to start debates across the world, in new micro-blog has showed his concerns over a sudden drop in Japan's population and said the country will cease to exist if birth rate doesn't exeed the death rate."At risk of stating the obvious, unless something changes to cause the birth rate to exceed the death rate, Japan will eventually cease to exist. This would be a great loss for the world," Musk, who is also the new owner of Twitter, said.Elon Musk was tagged in an article on Twitter having latest data on Japan's population, following which he tweeted his response.According to a report by Kyodo News quoting Japanese government data, Japan had its largest drop on record, falling by 644,000 to just over 125.5 million in 2021, reflecting a decline in foreign residents amid tighter border controls over the coronavirus pandemic and the rapidly aging society.The population stood at 125,502,000 as of October 1, down 644,000 from a year earlier for the 11th consecutive year of decline. The drop was the biggest since comparable data became available in 1950, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.Expressing concerns over this development, Musk said unless something changes in Japan to maintain a high birth rate over the existing death rate, the country will cease to exit eventually and that would be a great loss for the world.ALSO READ | Japan gears up to confront China as tension escalates in Taiwan Strait: ReportALSO READ | New South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol takes office, briefed on North Korea

'Japan will eventually cease to exist if...': Elon Musk's new tweet

Elon Musk was tagged in an article on Twitter having latest data on Japan's population, following which he tweeted his response.

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Health workers visit an area where a coronavirus patient has been found.Coronavirus worldwide cases have crossed 4.7 million mark taking confirmed patients toll to 4,717,016 including 312,990 deaths while 1,810,119 have recovered, according to Worldometer figures. United States, Spain, Russia, UK, Germany, Brazil, Italy, France are among the worst hit countries having maximum cases of coronavirus and the numbers are increasing every day.The research and development work on the vaccine for coronavirus is taking place across the world as several countries are putting immense efforts to find the cure for this virus which has taken life of lakhs of people and impacted businesses. A couple of weeks ago, US President Donald Trump said that work on vaccine in the US is underway and it will be the end of this year, they will have the vaccine for coronavirus.

Coronavirus worldwide cases cross 4.7 million mark; death toll at 312,990

Coronavirus worldwide cases have crossed 4.7 million mark taking confirmed patients toll to 4,717,016 including 312,990 deaths while 1,810,119 have recovered, according to Worldometer figures.

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President of Iran, Hassan RouhaniIran will partially withdraw from the 2015 landmark nuclear deal signed with six other nations, President Hassan Rouhani announced on Wednesday and warned that his country will resume high level uranium enrichment if global powers fail to keep their commitments within the next 60 days.His announcement comes exactly a year after the US abandoned the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) it had signed with Iran along with Russia, China, France and the UK plus Germany as co-signatories.In a televised speech, Rouhani said Tehran was reducing its own commitments under the agreement and would no longer respect limits on its reserves of low-enriched uranium -- currently limited to 300 kg -- and heavy water.He added that the remaining parties to the deal had been informed in advance of the move.Rouhani issued a 60-day moratorium for rest of the signatories of the pact to fulfil Iran's demands and save the country's banking system and oil trade from international sanctions.He accused "hardliners" in the US of working to undermine the agreement, saying it was "in the interests of the region and the world, but not the enemies of Iran, therefore they spared no effort since 2015 to undermine (the deal)", CNN reported."We have never been the first to violate the commitments or to wage wars, but at the same time we have never surrendered to bullying and will not do so, and we will certainly give appropriate response to any kind of aggression," he said.Rouhani specified that the measure -- which would mean Iran would not abide by the condition to sell its enriched uranium and heavy water beyond given limits -- had a 60-day deadline during which Tehran would wait for response from the remaining JCPOA signatories.The accord is aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions in return for sanctions relief, but Tehran-Washington tensions have risen since the US unilaterally withdrew from the deal. US President Donald Trump later reimposed sanctions on Tehran in August and November, mainly targeting its banking and oil sectors."If the five countries come to the negotiation table to come to terms with Iran's interests, particularly with regard to oil and banking, we would return to the previous position," the Iranian President said.But if this doesn't happen, there would be further two-step response, according to Rouhani. It would include Iran not abiding with the commitment to not enrich uranium beyond the agreed limit of 3.67 per cent and taking steps to complete the Arak Heavy Water Reactor, which was supposed to be built with the help of signatories to the deal, Efe news reported.However, he said that the reduction in the number of nuclear commitments was aimed at saving the deal and that Iran had chosen the path of diplomacy and not war.Rouhani added that Iran had not left the dialogue table and was always ready to negotiate "within the very framework of the JCPOA".Slamming the other signatories to the deal, he said: "The European signatories... were doing well in lip service, but practically they were unable to implement what they vowed."His announcement came after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unscheduled visit to Iraq and a US aircraft carrier was deployed to the Gulf region.

Iran partially withdraws from nuclear deal

In a televised speech, President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran was reducing its own commitments under the agreement and would no longer respect limits on its reserves of low-enriched uranium -- currently limited to 300 kg -- and heavy water.

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South Africa records highest daily COVID infections as easing of lockdown approachesSouth Africa reported its highest daily coronavirus infection in a 24-hour cycle Wednesday, just a day before the countrywide lockdown moves down to the phase-4 of a five-phase plan to combat COVID-19. There had been a 73% daily increase in confirmed COVID-19 infections, with 354 new cases taking the total to 5,350, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said Wednesday evening.There were also 10 deaths overnight, raising the toll toll to 103. The Health Department attributed these large figures to a proportionate increase in the number of tests conducted."The total number of tests conducted to date is 197,127, of which 11,630 were done in the last 24 hours. This is the highest number of tests done in a 24-hour period, representing a 66% increase relative to the previous day's tally. "Additionally, we have also recorded the highest COVID positive result yield from a 24-hour cycle of testing at 3%," the statement said.The department also expressed concern that that the number of new cases in the Western Cape Province had almost doubled from 133 on Tuesday to 264 on Wednesday. "In the past 24 hours, the Western Cape contributed to 75% of the total new cases nationally, while only contributing 30% of total tests over the same period."These concerning trends have prompted us to plan for additional support to be deployed to the province to help contain the spread of COVID-19. The province has been asked to recruit additional personnel and 30 Cuban doctors will also be sent to reinforce the human resource capacity." As many as 200 doctors from Cuba who arrived in South Africa on Monday are currently in quarantine before being deployed to assist local medical personnel across the country.South Africa has been on an extended 45-day national lockdown that ends on April 30. From May 1, the country will be on the phase-4 of the lockdown, during which there will be slight changes, mainly allowing prepared food deliveries and the sale of cigarettes, both of which were previously prohibited. Some industries will be allowed to gradually start operating again, with strict restrictions regarding number of workers, social distancing and PPE availability.A decision which was expected this week on the reopening of schools and other educational institutions has been deferred to an indefinite date amid reports that many schools will not be ready for the required social distancing and sanitisation processes; as well as concerns raised by both parents and teachers about the risks involved. 

South Africa records highest daily COVID infections as easing of lockdown approaches

South Africa reported its highest daily coronavirus infection in a 24-hour cycle Wednesday, just a day before the countrywide lockdown moves down to the phase-4 of a five-phase plan to combat COVID-19.

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Denouncing Pakistan as the “world’s greatest exporter of havoc, death and inhumanity”, External Affairs Minister asked Islamabad on Saturday as to why after gaining Independence together 70 years ago, India was an IT power and produces engineers and doctors wile Pakistan only produces jihadis who are threat to the world. In her address to the 72nd UN General Assembly session, Swaraj accused Pakistan of waging a war against India and said that if it used its resources to stamp out terrorists in its territory the world would get rid of the scourge of terrorism.“There have been many governments under many parties during 70 years of Indian freedom, for we have been a sustained democracy. Every government has done its bit for India’s development,” said Swaraj, highlighting India's achievements in the fields of education, health, space etc.“Whereas we produce IITs and IIMs, you (Pak) have produced LeT and Jaish-e-Muhammed. We have produced doctors and scientists, you have churned out terrorists and jihadis. While a doctor saves lives, jihadis kill,” she added.Swaraj’s remarks were a respond to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi’s charge of “atrocities” in Jammu and Kashmir.Referring to Abbasi's speech, Swaraj said that the Pakistani leader ‘wasted’ too much of his time in making accusations against India."Those listening had only one observation: 'Look who's talking!' A country that has been the world's greatest exporter of havoc, death and inhumanity became a champion of hypocrisy by preaching about humanity from this podium," Swaraj said.Commenting on Abbasi's claim that Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah had bequeathed a foreign policy based on peace and friendship, Swaraj said while it remains open to question whether Jinnah actually advocated such principles, what is beyond doubt is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered the hand of peace and friendship since he assumed office."Pakistan's Prime Minister must answer why his nation spurned this offer," she said.On old UN resolutions mentioned by Abbasi, Swaraj said that the Pakistani leader's memory has conveniently failed him where it matters. "He has forgotten that under the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration India and Pakistan resolved that they would settle all outstanding issues bilaterally. The reality is that Pakistan’s politicians remember everything, manipulate memory into a convenience. They are masters at 'forgetting' facts that destroy their version," Swaraj said in a hard-hitting response to Pakistani PM's speech.Noting that Abbasi spoke of a "Comprehensive Dialogue" between the two countries, Swaraj reminded him that on December 9, 2015, when she was in Islamabad for the Heart of Asia conference, a decision was made by then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that dialogue between India and Pakistan should be renewed and named it a "Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue"."The word 'bilateral' was used consciously to remove any confusion or doubt about the fact that the proposed talks would be between our two nations and only between our two nations, without any third-party present. And he must answer why that proposal withered, because Pakistan is responsible for the aborting that peace process," Swaraj said.In her speech, Swaraj went on to take a dig at the international community too for first failing to recognise terrorism as a global threat and dismissing it as a “law and order” problem and also for continuing to quibble over the definition of terrorism."If we cannot agree to define our enemy, how can we fight together? If we continue to differentiate between good terrorists and bad terrorists, how can we fight together? If even the United Nations Security Council cannot agree on the listing of terrorists, how can we fight together?" she said.Swaraj was apparently referring to China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, which has repeatedly blocked India's move to put a ban on Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar under the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Council. The JeM has already been in the banned list."I would like to request this august assembly to stop seeing this evil with self-defeating and indeed meaningless nuance. Evil is evil. Let us accept that terrorism is an existentialist danger to humankind. There is absolutely no justification for this barbaric violence," she said.Swaraj called on the UN member states to display their new commitment by reaching agreement on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism this year itself. Although India proposed a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) as early as in 1996, yet two decades later the United Nations has not been able to agree upon a definition of terrorism, she rued."We have been the oldest victims of this terrible and even traumatic terrorism. When we began articulating about this menace, many of the world’s big powers dismissed this as a law and order issue. Now they know better. The question is: what do we do about it?" she asked."We must all introspect and ask ourselves whether our talk is anywhere close to the action we take. We all condemn this evil, and piously resolve to fight it in all our declaratory statements. The truth is that these have become rituals," she said."The fact is that when we are required to fight and destroy this enemy, the self-interest of some leads them towards duplicity," Swaraj said.Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Sushma Swaraj for her speech at the UN General Assembly saying she delivered a strong message on the dangers of terrorism. Swaraj in her speech asked Pakistani leaders to introspect as to why India is recognised as a global IT superpower while the neighbour is infamous as the "pre-eminent export factory for terror". In a series of tweets, Modi said, "A strong message was given by Sushma Swaraj ji on the dangers of terrorism and why we have to unite and fight this menace." The prime minister said Swaraj was insightful in identifying global challenges and strongly reiterated India's commitment to create a better planet. "Incredible speech by EAM (external affairs minister) Sushma Swaraj at the UN! She has made India extremely proud at the world stage," he said. Home Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for her “powerful” speech, saying she “exposed” Pakistan’s duplicity on terrorism. "Her (Swaraj's) measured responses in spite of provocations speak volumes of her maturity and tenacity. She has exposed Pakistan's duplicity on terrorism," he said in a tweet. "Congratulations to Smt. @SushmaSwaraj on her powerful, measured and nuanced articulation of India's stand on the issue of terrorism at #UNGA (sic)," Singh said in another tweet.

We made IITs and IIMs, Pakistan produced Lashkar and Jaish: Swaraj at UNGA; asks China to help tag Masood Azhar as 'global terrorist'

Swaraj accused Pakistan of waging a war against India and said that if it used its resources to stamp out terrorists in its territory the world would get rid of the scourge of terrorism

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Coronavirus Pandemic: Israel's former chief rabbi dies of COVID-19Former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, died at age of 79 from the COVID-19, Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem said.According to the hospital announcement, the rabbi was hospitalized a few days ago after tested positive with the virus. On Sunday evening, his condition deteriorated and passed away, reported Xinhua news agency.The hospital noted that he also suffered from other serious diseases.Bakshi-Doron served as Israel's Sephardic chief rabbi between 1993 and 2003.In Israel, two chief rabbis serve simultaneously, as one is the rabbi of the Sephardic Jewish communities who came to Israel mainly from Islamic countries, while the other is the rabbi of the Ashkenazi communities who originated in Europe.The number of coronavirus deaths in Israel has reached 104. A total of 11,145 people tested positive with coronavirus in Israel so far.Also Read: UK coronavirus death toll crosses 10,000 mark

Coronavirus Pandemic: Israel's former chief rabbi dies of COVID-19

Former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, died at age of 79 from the COVID-19, Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem said.

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China, Pakistan back India for non-permanent UNSC seatThe Asia-Pacific Group at the UN has unanimously supported India for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council after India's overwhelming influence forced China and Pakistan to join in the endorsement.The 55-member group decided unanimously on Tuesday to endorse India in next year's contest for the non-permanent Asia seat, assuring New Delhi of its election by the General Assembly to succeed Indonesia on the Council in 2021 for a two-year term.China and Pakistan were forced to join the others in the group to support India because there was no other country willing to contest the Asia seat against India given its influence, making the endorsement unanimous.Thanking the countries which endorsed India's candidature, India's UN Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin tweeted: "A unanimous step. Asia-Pacific Group @UN unanimously endorses India's candidature for a non-permanent seat of the Security Council for a 2-year term in 2021-22."India has served seven times on the Council, most recently from 2011 to 2012 when Hardeep Puri was India's Permanent Representative. He is now the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Civil Aviation portfolios in the Narendra Modi government.India is also pursuing a permanent seat on the Council in the effort to reform it. Pakistan and China oppose it.The ten non-permanent seats are distributed regionally, with Asia-Pacific getting two of them. In most cases, there is no contest for the regional seats if the group has unanimously endorsed a candidate, although upstarts sometime crop up.Usually, countries start lobbying openly for the seat years ahead with trips for diplomats and journalists and media campaigns. But that India did not have to follow these tactics in order to get the group's endorsement is a measure of New Delhi's influence.Vietnam, which was elected last year will serve with India for a year on the Council.Also Read | 55 nations back India for non-permanent UNSC seat 

India's overwhelming influence forces China, Pakistan backing for UNSC seat

The Asia-Pacific Group at the UN has unanimously supported India for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council after India's overwhelming influence forced China and Pakistan to join in the endorsement.

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Australian MH17 crash victims' kin reach settlement with airlineThe relatives of seven Australian passengers who died when the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014 on Wednesday reached a confidential out-of-court settlement with the airline.The five families had joined together for a class action suit against the Malaysian company after the death of seven of their kin. But after negotiations with the airline, they accepted a "reasonable" compensation, their lawyer John Rowe told public broadcaster ABC.Related Stories AN-32 crash: Mortal remains of Flt Lt from Punjab's Samana consigned to flamesArvind Kejriwal announces Rs 1-crore help for kin of IAF personnel killed in AN-32 crash9 killed in Hawaii aircraft crashThe settlement was reached shortly before an eight-day hearing was set to begin at the Federal Court of Australia, where judge Nye Perram approved the terms of the settlement, Efe news reported citing the Australian broadcaster.Last week, the Joint Investigation Team probing the case named three Russian officers with police and military backgrounds and a Ukrainian man as responsible for firing the missile that brought down the plane. On July 17, 2014, the Malaysia Airlines plane was shot down in eastern Ukraine - a region witnessing armed conflict between the Ukrainian Army and pro-Russia separatists - leading to the death of all 298 people on-board, including 193 Dutch citizens. The airplane, going from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was hit by a surface-to-air missile launched from an area controlled by pro-Russia rebels.Dutch investigators concluded that a Russian-made Buk missile had been used in the incident. Moscow categorically rejected the two main arguments of the investigating team. One was that the missile which brought down the plane was fired from an area controlled by pro-Russia separatists and that the launcher had been transported from Russia, where it was carried back after the incident. 

Australian MH17 crash victims' kin reach settlement with airline

The relatives of seven Australian passengers who died when the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014 on Wednesday reached a confidential out-of-court settlement with the airline.

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Trump voices support for abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and KashmirThe Trump administration has said while it supports India's development agenda behind the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370, it was concerned over the current situation in the Valley.It said it was closely monitoring the situation in the state following India's August 5 decision.The Indian government has argued that its decision on Article 370 was driven by a desire to increase economic development, reduce corruption and uniformly apply all national laws in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in regard to women and minorities, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice G Wells told Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee."While we support these objectives, the US State Department remains concerned about the situation in the Kashmir Valley, where daily life for the nearly eight million residents has been severely impacted since August 5," Wells said in a prepared statement submitted to the Congressional subcommittee on the eve of the hearing "Human Rights in South Asia: Views from the State Department and the Region".The US State Department, she said, has closely monitored the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following India's August 5 decision to abrogate Article 370 provisions of the Constitution and bifurcate the state into two Union Territories."While conditions in Jammu and Ladakh have improved, the Valley has not returned to normal," Wells said on Monday, adding the State Department has raised concerns with the Indian government regarding the detentions of local residents and political leaders, including three former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir. "We have urged Indian authorities to respect human rights and restore full access to services, including internet and mobile networks," she said.Postpaid mobile service has been restored in the valley, but internet access remains intermittent, Wells said.She said both foreign and local journalists have extensively covered developments in Kashmir, but many have faced challenges in access and reporting due to security restrictions."While exact figures are difficult to ascertain, we understand several thousand people have been detained over the past two months, although many have subsequently been released," the top US diplomat said.According to government sources, hundreds remain in detention - many without charges - under the Public Safety Act, which allows for administrative detention of up to two years, Wells said.Welcoming actions by the Indian government to improve the situation and address local grievances, she said the Indian Home Ministry recently said the statehood will be restored to Jammu and Kashmir following a period as a Union Territory, reaffirming what Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in his August 15 Independence Day speech.The US, she said, also encourages the Indian government to follow through on its commitment to hold assembly elections in the state at the earliest opportunity.Some local political leaders were released earlier this month, a trend Wells said she hopes will continue.Government offices, primary schools, and colleges are open, although student attendance remains low, she said.The Indian Supreme Court, Wells said, is planning to hear petitions related to Kashmir on November 14 and the Jammu and Kashmir High Court is reviewing habeas corpus cases."While these steps are positive, they are incremental, and we continue to press India to restore everyday services, including SMS and internet communications, as swiftly as possible," she said.

Trump voices support for abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir

"While we support these objectives, the US State Department remains concerned about the situation in the Kashmir Valley, where daily life for the nearly eight million residents has been severely impacted since August 5," Trump said.

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US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was open to a path to citizenship for some younger undocumented immigrants as part of his negotiations with Democrats, provided he gets Congressional funding for a wall across the border with Mexico. "We're going to morph into it. It's going to happen, at some point in the future, over a period of 10 to 12 years," he told reporters during an impromptu news conference at the White House before he left for Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. Related Stories US President Donald Trump defends vulgar immigrant comments, partly denies themDonald Trump's overall health 'is excellent', fit for presidency, says doctorWill make long-term deal on immigration only if good for US: Donald TrumpTrump called this as an "incentive" for the immigrants for the hard work. "Tell them they have nothing to worry about," he said. However, a senior administration official later said no final decision has been reached yet over the issue. Some 6,90,000 undocumented immigrants, who came to the US as minors, are likely to get benefited. Among them include several thousand people of Indian descent. The Democrats and Republicans have agreed to come out with a legislation ahead of the February 6 deadline as a condition to extend the short-term funding of the government, in the absence of which the opposition Senators have threatened to resort to government shutdown as it happened over the weekend for three days. Earlier in the day, the White House said it will roll out its immigration framework on Monday, which would be based on four agreed-upon pillars of securing the border and closing legal loopholes, ending extended-family chain migration, cancelling the visa lottery, and providing a permanent solution on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Trump is seeking USD 20 billion to build a wall along the Mexico border and another USD 5 billion for other border security measures. He said there can be no deal on DACA without funding for the wall. "If you don't have a wall, you don't have DACA," Trump said reiterating his intent to end the chain migration and diversity visa program. "We're talking about probably 800 miles of wall," he said. "That wall is the best return on investment," he said, adding that this will save hundreds and billions of dollars. Senate Minority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer has ruled out any funding for the wall. "It's off the table," he has said. Trump's remarks about a path to citizenship for younger undocumented illegal immigrants was immediately welcomed by a top Senator involved in the immigration negotiations. "This statement represents presidential leadership on immigration that will allow us to solve a difficult problem. "I truly appreciate President Trump making it clear that he supports a path to citizenship for DACA recipients. This will greatly help the Senate efforts to craft a proposal which President Trump can sign into law," said Senator Lindsay Graham. 

Donald Trump has a message for many Indian immigrants in US: 'Tell them they have nothing to worry about'

"We're going to morph into it. It's going to happen, at some point in the future, over a period of 10 to 12 years," the US president said.

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People wearing face masks to protect against COVID-19 wait in line to enter a store at an outdoor shopping center in BeijingChina has confined nearly 1,500 university students to their dormitories and hotels following an outbreak of COVID-19 in the northwestern city of Dalian.The order was issued Sunday after several dozen cases were reported at Zhuanghe University City and hundreds of students were transferred to hotels for observation.Students were attending class remotely and having their meals delivered to their rooms. The lockdown is the latest example of China’s zero-tolerance approach to the outbreak, which has brought considerable disruption to people’s lives and livelihoods.Quarantines, obligatory testing and travel restrictions have become a way of life for much of the population. The country's vaccination rate is among the world's highest and authorities are beginning to administer booster shots as winter descends.While those measures have met little open resistance, the recent killing of a quarantined person’s pet dog by health workers brought a wave of complaints online. The incident in the central city of Shangrao prompted local authorities to issue a statement saying the pet owner and health workers had “reached an understanding."Starting Wednesday, the capital, Beijing, will require all people arriving from other parts of the country by plane, train or car to produce a negative virus test taken over the previous 48 hours.Despite isolated cases in various parts of the country, China has been able to suppress major outbreaks over the past year, with its total number of reported cases standing at 98,315 with 4,636 deaths.On Monday, the National Health Commission announced 32 new cases of local transmission over the previous 24 hours, 25 of them in Dalian.ALSO READ: Joe Biden won't hold back concerns US has with China: White House Press Secretary Jen PsakiALSO READ: EXPLAINER: How power and ideology define Xi’s rise in China

New outbreak prompts China to lock down university campus

The order was issued Sunday after several dozen cases were reported at Zhuanghe University City and hundreds of students were transferred to hotels for observation.

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Imran Khan- File picPakistan’s election commission on Saturday released final results of the general elections in which cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan’s PTI emerged as the single largest party, winning 116 of the 270 contested seats.The general elections in Pakistan were marred by a tediously slow vote count and resulting in allegations of rigging.Related Stories Recap | Imran Khan in Aap Ki Adalat: Here's what he said on his political party PTI Recap | Imran Khan in Aap ki Adalat: Here's what he said on solving Kashmir issue diplomaticallyCongratulations skipper! Pakistan cricket fraternity to Imran KhanPakistan Elections: After Opposition’s allegations of rigging, EU observers say polls eclipsed by ‘restrictions’Respond positively to Imran Khan's offer for peace talks, Mehbooba Mufti tells Modi govtThe final results were announced more than two days after the conclusion of voting for the 11th general elections held on July 25.According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led the National Assembly tally with 116 seats. Jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with 64 seats and former president Asif Ali Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with 43 seats are placed at number two and three respectively, the ECP said.The PTI is on the top with 16,857,035 votes, followed by the PML-N with 12,894,225 and the PPP with 6,894,296 votes.The party, however, is short of the 137 needed for simple majority.The independent candidates are the fourth largest group in terms of votes cast with a total of 6,011,297 votes received, the ECP said.Muttahida Majlis-e-Aml Pakistan (MMAP) came fourth with 13 seats, it said.Thirteen independent candidates have also won and would play important roles as the PTI needs their support to form the government at the Centre.The Karachi-based Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQMP), which ruled the city for decades, managed to get just six seats.The ECP has also released the total number of votes each political party got in the election.Among the religious parties, the MMAP got 2,530,452 votes, Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan 2,191,679 and Allah-o-Akhbar Tehreek 171,441 votes, the ECP said.The ECP also issued final voters’ turnout in election of both national and provincial assemblies, showing 51.7 per cent turnout for the National Assembly (NA), 55 per cent for Punjab provincial assembly, 47.6 per cent for Sindh, 45.5 per cent for Khyber-Pakhtuakhwa and 45.2 pr cent for Balochistan provincial assembly.The provincial results have been also announced and the PML-N has become the single largest party with 129 seats in Punjab, the PPP with 76 in Sindh, the PTI with 66 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Balochistan Awami Party with 15 in Balochistan.The Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP), a party of hardline Sunni Brailvi sect followers, clinched two seats in Sindh assembly. The TLP participated in elections for the first time after it tasted success and fame during siege of capital Islamabad last year.The election results were marred by delays, causing anger among the leaders of losing parties who cried foul and levelled allegations of fraud.The ECP had earlier attributed the delay in counting of ballot papers to a technical fault in the Result Transmission System (RTS) — a software used to relay results from presiding officers to the commission.The political parties had demanded a re-election by at a multiparty conference yesterday, attended by the PML-N, MMA, PkMAP, ANP and others.The election marks the second democratic transition of power in Pakistan’s 70-year history. The military has ruled Pakistan through various coups for nearly half of the country’s history since independence in 1947.(With PTI inputs)

Pakistan Elections: Official results out, Imran Khan’s PTI emerges as single largest party with 116 seats

The final results were announced more than two days after the conclusion of voting for the 11th general elections held on July 25.

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Nepal PM Oli's 'irritating' remarks against India 'undiplomatic': Nepal communist party leaderNepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has committed three "mistakes" with his recent "undiplomatic" and "irritating" anti-India statements, a senior leader of the ruling communist party has said, amidst mounting pressure on the embattled premier who is facing calls for resignation.Last month, prime minister Oli alleged that India was conspiring with his political rivals to throw him out of power. His remark came over a week after Nepal approved a bill to redraw the country's map demarcating the Lipulekh mountain pass, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura – the area at the centre of the dispute between India and Nepal – under its territory.The embattled prime minister stoked another controversy this month by claiming that the "real" Ayodhya lies not in India but in Nepal and that Lord Ram was born in Thori in southern Nepal.Reacting to Oli's remarks, Spokesperson of Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) and member of the powerful Central Secretariat Narayankaji Shrestha described the prime minister's statements as "undiplomatic."Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has committed a blunder by making irritating remarks against India, at a time when there is a need for resolving the border issue through dialogue(with the southern neighbour," he said."It was a mistake on the part of Prime Minister Oli to make irritating remarks by mentioning India's national symbol while claiming the disputed lands of Kalapani and Lipulekh," the spokesperson told Himalayan TV in an interview.Prime minister Oli has committed three blunders in dealing with India, though the claim made by the government on Kalapani and other territories by issuing a new map was commendable, he said.The first mistake was speaking about India's symbol Satyamev Jayate in an irritant manner, the second mistake is to blame India for hatching conspiracy to topple his government, which is baseless, and thirdly he committed a mistake by claiming that Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram lies near Birgunj of Nepal, Shrestha said.The India-Nepal bilateral ties came under strain after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8.Nepal reacted to the inauguration of the road claiming that it passed through Nepalese territory. India rejected the claim asserting that the road lies completely within its territory and warned the country to not resort to any “artificial enlargement of territorial claims”.Differences have also emerged between Oli and Nepal Communist Party’s Executive Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" over the party’s leadership.The internal feud in the CPN intensified after Prachanda and senior leader Madhav Nepal asked for Oli's resignation following his controversial remarks against India. Oli had accused Prachanda and Nepal of hatching a conspiracy to topple his government after the new map of Nepal was issued by the government with the inclusion of Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh areas.Senior NCP leaders, including Prachanda, have criticised Oli for his baseless anti-India remarks.Oli and Prachanda factions are currently engaged in holding internal consultations, though the date for the formal meeting is yet to be fixed.Oli has turned down the dissident group's demand for resignation. The growing differences between the two factions have led to ideological polarisation in the party, which many observers believe may result in a split in the largest communist party, which was united just one and a half years ago with the merging of CPN-Maoist Centre merging and CPN-UML.Meanwhile, 201 members of the Central Committee of the CPN, close to executive "Prachanda", have asked the leadership to convene the 441-member Central Committee meeting to resolve the internal feud gripping the ruling party, senior leader of the party Ganesh Shah said.The Standing Committee meeting of the party has been repeatedly postponed due to the prime minister's absence.

Nepal PM Oli's 'irritating' remarks against India 'undiplomatic': Nepal communist party leader

Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has committed three "mistakes" with his recent "undiplomatic" and "irritating" anti-India statements, a senior leader of the ruling communist party has said, amidst mounting pressure on the embattled premier who is facing calls for resignation.

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Pakistan coronavirus mortality rate surges by 140 per cent.Pakistan's top body, which oversees response to the coronavirus pandemic, on Wednesday warned that strict measures, including lockdown, could be initiated to contain the infection if people don't stop violating government guidelines, as the country's COVID-19 mortality rate increased by 140 per cent compared to past few weeks."The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) is closely monitoring the situation. If there is no improvement in SOPs compliance observed, NCOC will have no choice but to revert to strict measures leading to re-closures of services," the body said in a statement on Wednesday.During a special session of the NCOC to monitor an increase in cases, the body led by Minister for Planning Asad Umar was informed that there is a clear resurgence of the virus while deaths are also increasing. All chief secretaries were directed to "strictly implement" standard operating procedures (SOPs), Geo TV reported, citing the statement."Strict punitive actions on SOP violations will be initiated," it said, adding that wearing of face masks and social distancing must be ensured. At least 19 people have died of coronavirus in Pakistan in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of fatalities to 6,692.The NCOC statement comes a day after Umar said that the COVID-19 mortality rate in Pakistan has increased by 140 per cent in the last week and warned the public against ignoring the safety protocols."Last week daily COVID mortality was 12. This is a 140 per cent increase vs few weeks back. We are collectively committing a blunder by recklessly ignoring all SoPs & the results have started to show. If we do not change our current path we will lose both lives and livelihoods,” he tweeted on Tuesday.Meanwhile, the Cabinet has expressed serious concern over the increase in coronavirus cases in the country and asked people to take necessary precautions against the expected second wave of the pandemic.Radio Pakistan reported that a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad was informed about the rise in the number of new cases in October as compared to the figures of July and August.It was pointed out that the COVID-19 positivity rate has risen to two per cent, while the number of deaths has also gone up. Positivity rate is the percentage of positive results out of the total number of tests sampled.The Ministry of National Health Services said that the total number of COVID-19 cases has risen to 324,744 after 660 new infections were reported in the last 24 hours.So far, 308,674 people have fully recovered from the disease, while some 559 are in critical condition, according to the ministry.Sindh has reported 142,348 cases, Punjab 101,936, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 38,779, Islamabad 18,309, Balochistan 15,717, Gilgit-Baltistan 4,091 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 3,564 cases.The authorities have performed 26,670 tests in the last 24 hours, taking the number of total tests conducted in the country to 4,148,739.

Pakistan coronavirus mortality rate increases by 140 per cent, govt warns new lockdown

Pakistan's top body, which oversees response to the coronavirus pandemic, on Wednesday warned that strict measures, including lockdown, could be initiated to contain the infection if people don't stop violating government guidelines, as the country's COVID-19 mortality rate increased by 140 per cent compared to past few weeks.

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Zoombombing: 60 kids 'horrified' as hacker streams sex abuse video during Zoom callIn a shocking tale of zoombombing, a hacker streamed child sex abuse footage when about 60 children were participating in a fitness class over video meet app Zoom in Plymouth in southwest England.The incident occurred when the class was being hosted this week by a sports club in Plymouth, Devon, and suddenly, the young participants were exposed to the "extremely distressing" material, reports BBC.According to local police, the hacker which was yet to be identified gained access after the Zoom call's details were published on online forums."We are working closely with Plymouth Safeguarding Children's Partnership and I request that, if you have been affected by this, then you come forward and let us know who you are so we can provide the necessary advice and support," detective officer Lesley Bulley was quoted as saying.The police officers urged people to understand their device's security settings.The NSPCC children's charity told the media there was a worrying pattern of meetings held on Zoom being "bombed" with images of child sexual abuse.According to The Guardian, Other Zoom meetings that have been targeted with similar zoombombing include a wine-tasting event in Manchester that left some participants in tears.Last month, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned people about porn material being popped up during the Zoom video meetings.The Boston branch of the law enforcement agency said it has received multiple reports of conferences being disrupted by pornographic and/or hate images and threatening language.In late March, a Massachusetts-based high school reported that while a teacher was conducting an online class using the teleconferencing software Zoom, an unidentified individual(s) dialed into the classroom.

Zoombombing: 60 kids 'horrified' as hacker streams sex abuse video during Zoom call

In a shocking tale of zoombombing, a hacker streamed child sex abuse footage when about 60 children were participating in a fitness class over video meet app Zoom in Plymouth in southwest England.

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At least 17 people were killed at a Florida school lat night when a former student opened fire. The 19-year-old suspect was taken into custody without a fight about an hour after he left the scene, authorities said.Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said the suspect, who was previously expelled for disciplinary reasons, had at least one rifle and multiple magazines.Expressing grief over the incident, US President Donald Trump said that his office was working closely with law enforcement on the terrible shooting incident. "My prayers and condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible Florida shooting. No child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school," he tweeted."Just spoke to Governor Rick Scott. We are working closely with law enforcement on the terrible Florida school shooting," he said in another tweet. Frantic parents rushed to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to find SWAT team members and ambulances surrounding the campus as classes prepared to dismiss for the day. Live footage showed emergency workers who appeared to be treating the wounded on sidewalks.“It is a horrific situation,” said Robert Runcie, superintendent of the school district in Parkland, about an hour’s drive north of Miami. “It is a horrible day for us.”“It’s catastrophic. There really are no words,” Israel said on Twitter.Most of the fatalities were inside the building, though some victims were found fatally shot outside, the sheriff said.The gunman was identified as Nicolas Cruz by a US official briefed on the investigation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the information publicly.In a cul-de-sac near the school, Michael Nembhard was sitting in his garage when he saw a young man in a burgundy shirt walking down the street. In an instant, a police cruiser pulled up and officers jumped out with guns drawn.Image Source : APIn this frame grab from video provided by WPLG-TV, students from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., evacuate the school following a shooting, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018.“All I heard was ’Get on the ground! Get on the ground!” Nembhard said. He said he could not see the suspect’s face, but that the man got on the ground without incident.The day started normally at the school, which had a morning fire drill, and students were in class around 2:30 p.m. when another alarm sounded.Noah Parness, a 17-year-old junior, said he and the other students calmly went outside to their fire-drill areas when he suddenly heard popping sounds.“We saw a bunch of teachers running down the stairway, and then everybody shifted and broke into a sprint,” Parness said. “I hopped a fence.”Beth Feingold said her daughter, Brittani, sent a text at 2:32 p.m. that said, “We’re on code red. I’m fine,” but sent another text shortly afterwards saying, “Mom, I’m so scared.”Brittani later was able to escape the school, which is one of the largest in the state, with about 3,000 students.Inside the school, students heard loud bangs as the shooter fired. Many of them hid under desks or in closets and barricaded doors.Television footage showed those students who fled leaving in a single-file line with their hands over their heads as officers urged them to evacuate quickly. Parents hurried to the scene.Caesar Figueroa said when he got to the school to check on his 16-year-old daughter, he saw police officers drawing machine guns as they approached the campus.“My wife called me that there was an active shooter, and the school was on lockdown. I got on the road and saw helicopters. ... It was crazy and my daughter wasn’t answering her phone.” She finally texted him that she was inside a closet with friends.Len Murray’s 17-year-old son, a junior at the school, sent his parents a chilling text: “Mom and Dad, there have been shots fired on campus at school. There are police sirens outside. I’m in the auditorium and the doors are locked.”A few minutes later, he texted again: “I’m fine.”Murray said he raced to the school only to be stopped by authorities under a highway overpass within view of the school buildings. He said he told his son to save his battery and stop texting. The boy’s mother told him to turn off his ringer.Authorities told parents to gather at a nearby hotel to get information.“I’m scared for the other parents here. You can see the concern on everybody’s faces. Everybody is asking, ‘Have you heard from your child yet?’” Murray said.Murray said he’s had just one thought running through his mind since he got his son’s text: “All I keep thinking about is when I dropped him off this morning. I usually say, ‘I love you,’ and I didn’t this morning. He’s 17, he’s at that age, and I didn’t say it this morning, and I’m just kicking myself right now over and over and over. Say it early and often, I’m telling you.”(With inputs from AP) /* .jw-reset-text, .jw-reset{line-height: 2em;}*/ .jw-time-tip .jw-time-chapter{display:none;} if ('' == comscore_jw_loaded || 'undefined' == comscore_jw_loaded || undefined == comscore_jw_loaded) { var comscore_jw_loaded = 1; firstjw = document.getElementsByClassName('jwvidplayer')[0]; cs_jw_script = document.createElement('script'); cs_jw_script.src = 'https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/internal-c2/plugins/streamingtag_plugin_jwplayer.js'; firstjw.parentNode.insertBefore(cs_jw_script, firstjw.nextSibling); } var jwconfig_4768418125 = { "file": "https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_3be0h650_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_3be0h650_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "America: 17 killed in Florida school shooting, accused held", "height": "440px", "width": "100%", "aspectratio": "16:9", "autostart": false, "controls": true, "mute": false, "volume": 25, "floating": false, "sharing": { "code": "", "sites": [ "facebook", "twitter", "email" ] }, "stretching": "exactfit", "primary": "html5", "hlshtml": true, "sharing_link": "", "advertising": { "client": "vast", "autoplayadsmuted": true, "skipoffset": 5, "cuetext": "", "skipmessage": "Skip ad in xx", "skiptext": "SKIP", "preloadAds": true, "schedule": [ { "offset": "pre", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_PreRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=", "type": "linear" }, { "offset": "50%", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_MidRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=" }, { "offset": "post", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_PostRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=", "type": "linear" } ] } }; var jwvidplayer_4768418125 = ''; jwsetup_4768418125(); function jwsetup_4768418125() { jwvidplayer_4768418125 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_4768418125").setup(jwconfig_4768418125); jwvidplayer_4768418125.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_4768418125, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_3be0h650\", ns_st_pr=\"America: 17 killed in Florida school shooting, accused held\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"America: 17 killed in Florida school shooting, accused held\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"America: 17 killed in Florida school shooting, accused held\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2018-02-15\", ns_st_tdt=\"2018-02-15\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_3be0h650_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_4768418125.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_4768418125.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_4768418125.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_4768418125.stop(); jwvidplayer_4768418125.remove(); jwvidplayer_4768418125 = ''; jwsetup_4768418125(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_4768418125.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_4768418125.stop(); jwvidplayer_4768418125.remove(); jwvidplayer_4768418125 = ''; jwsetup_4768418125(); return; }); jwvidplayer_4768418125.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4768418125.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4768418125.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4768418125.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4768418125.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4768418125.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

17 killed in Florida school shooting, suspect in custody; Trump says no child should ever feel unsafe in American schools

Expressing grief over the incident, US President Donald Trump said that his office was working closely with law enforcement on the terrible shooting incident.

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13 police personnel killed in suspected IS attack in northern IraqGunmen opened fire at a federal police checkpoint in rural northern Iraq, sparking clashes that killed 13 police, a security official said Sunday. He blamed the attack on Islamic State militants.The attack late Saturday on the checkpoint in Satiha village in Kirkuk province also wounded five police. The security official said the clashes with the militants lasted for nearly an hour.The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.The militant group did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack. But northern Iraq has been a hotspot for IS activity since its territorial defeat in 2017 by Iraqi security forces with assistance from the U.S.-led coalition. Iraqi forces routinely carry out anti-IS operations in the rugged mountainous northern region and the deserts of western Iraq where they are known to be holed up.IS attacks have abated in recent years but continue in these areas where security forces are often the target of ambushes, raids and roadside bombs.READ MORE: Taliban advance into Panjshir's Paryan; intense battle with resistance fighters on

13 police personnel killed in suspected IS attack in northern Iraq

Gunmen opened fire at a federal police checkpoint in rural northern Iraq, sparking clashes that killed 13 police, a security official said Sunday. He blamed the attack on Islamic State militants.

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Pak PM Nawaz Sharif gets 7 years in jail for graftFormer prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif has been sentenced to seven years in jail  in Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case. The accountability court, which acquitted Sharif in the second graft case related to Flagship Investments hill metal case, has also asked him to pay 25 million USD fien for alleged graft in the Al-Aziza matter. Last week, Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik of Islamabad-based accountability court had reserved the judgment after completion of hearing in the Flagship Investment and Al-Azizia cases against 68-year-old Sharif.Related Stories Pak ex-PMs Nawaz, Abbasi appear before Lahore Court in treason case linked to Mumbai attackAvenfield corruption case: Pak SC admits NAB appeal against suspension of prison sentences of Sharif'sWATCH: Ousted Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif's security guards assault cameraman of TV channelPakistan court to deliver judgment in two corruption cases against Nawaz Sharif on MondayThe accountability court had indicted Sharif for holding assets beyond his known sources of income in August 2017.Three cases - Avenfield properties case, Flagship Investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case - were launched by the National Accountability Bureau on September 8, 2017 following a judgment by the apex court that disqualified Sharif.The apex court initially set six month deadline to conclude the cases but it was subsequently increase around eight times on the request of the accountability court.Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case in July, 2017.In July, 2018 Sharif, his daughter Maryam and his son-in-law retired captain Mohammad Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year respectively in prison in the Avenfield properties case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. However, the three were bailed out by the Islamabad High Court in September.His two sons - Hassan and Hussain - were also co-accused in all three cases but they were declared absconders for failing to appear before the court even for a single time.The court decided to hear their cases separately once they returned back.The three-time former prime minister and his family have denied any wrongdoing.Sharif, who religiously followed the proceeding by appearing before the court for at least 78 times, told the media after the court reserved the judgment last week that he not committed any corruption."Not a penny of corruption has been proven against me…I am very happy that I have done my duty, and I think that since I have stepped in politics I have never indulged in corruption nor have misused my power," he said.Veteran politician Javed Hashmi on Saturday predicted that Sharif will be convicted in the Flagship and Al-Azizia case as "the institutions won’t let these (cases) prove false".Talking to the media in Multan, he said that the purpose of the NAB was to make politicians change their political loyalties."I will not accept this decision as Nawaz Sharif will be convicted at any cost," he was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper.

Pak court sentences former PM Nawaz Sharif to 7 years in jail in Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case, acquits in other

Former Pak PM Nawaz Sharif sentenced to 7 years in jail, 25 million USD fine in Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case.

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Not over yet: New US Syria mission after al-Baghdadi deathPivoting from the dramatic killing of the Islamic State’s leader, the Pentagon is increasing U.S. efforts to protect Syria’s oil fields from the extremist group as well as from Syria itself and the country’s Russian allies. It’s a new high-stakes mission even as American troops are withdrawn from other parts of the country.Defense Secretary Mark Esper says the military’s oil field mission also will ensure income for Syrian Kurds who are counted on by Washington to continue guarding Islamic State prisoners and helping American forces combat remnants of the group — even as President Donald Trump continues to insist all U.S. troops will come home.“We don’t want to be a policeman in this case,” Trump said Monday, referring to America’s role after Turkey’s incursion in Syria. In the face of Turkey’s early October warning that it would invade and create a “safe zone” on the Syrian side of its border, Trump ordered U.S. forces to step aside, effectively abandoning a Kurdish militia that had partnered with U.S. troops.Image Source : APLeader of the Islamic State group, Abu Bakr al-BaghdadiLeader of the Islamic State group, Abu Bakr al-BaghdadiEsper and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke at a Pentagon news conference to cheer the successful mission by U.S. special operations forces Saturday that ended with IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi blowing himself up. Esper called al-Baghdadi’s death a “devastating blow” to an organization that already had lost its hold on a wide swath of territory in Syria and Iraq.Milley said the U.S. had disposed of al-Baghdadi’s remains “appropriately” and in line with the laws of armed conflict. He also said U.S. forces retrieved unspecified intelligence information from the site, which he described as a place in northwestern Syria where the IS leader had been “staying on a consistent basis.”A U.S. military dog that was slightly injured in the raid has recovered and is back at work, Milley said.Esper hinted at uncertainty ahead in Syria, even though the Islamic State has lost its inspirational leader, with the Syrian government exploiting support from Russia and Iran.“The security situation in Syria remains complex,” Esper said.A big part of that complexity is the rejiggering of the battlefield since Trump earlier this month ordered a full U.S. troop withdrawal from positions along the Turkish border in northeastern Syria. Even as those troops leave, other U.S. forces are heading to the oil-producing region of eastern Syria, east of the Euphrates River.Trump recently has proposed hiring an American oil company to begin repairing Syria’s oil infrastructure, which has been devastated by years of war. Repeated U.S. airstrikes against facilities for oil storage, transport, processing and refining starting in 2015 inflicted heavy damage.Esper said last week that a “mechanized” force would reinforce U.S. positions in the oil region, meaning a force equipped with tanks or Bradley infancy carriers. On Monday he provided no details about the makeup of the force.He referred to “multiple state and nonstate” forces vying for control of Syrian territory and resources, including the oil. He said that while the main U.S. military mission is to ensure the “enduring defeat” of the Islamic State, that now will include denying oil income for the group.“The United States will retain control of oil fields in northeast Syria,” Esper said, adding that at the height of al-Baghdadi’s rule, those oil fields provided the bulk of his group’s income.Esper’s remarks echoed Trump’s focus on the oil. But whose oil is it?“We’re keeping the oil,” Trump said during a speech to police officers in Chicago. “Remember that, I’ve always said that. Keep the oil. We want to keep the oil — $45 million a month — keep the oil. We’ve secured the oil.”Esper emphasized that the purpose of securing Syria’s oil region is to deny income to the Islamic State. But a reporter asked whether the mission includes preventing Russian and Syrian government forces from entering that area.“The short answer is yes, it presently does,” Esper said, “because in that case we want to make sure” the Syrian Kurdish-led militia known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, “does have access to the resources in order to guard the prisons and arm their own troops, in order to assist us with the defeat-ISIS mission.”Image Source : APWomen residents from former Islamic State-held areas in Syria line up for aid supplies at Al-Hol camp in Hassakeh province, Syria.Women residents from former Islamic State-held areas in Syria line up for aid supplies at Al-Hol camp in Hassakeh province, Syria.This area has been the scene of unusual confrontations with U.S. forces, such as a one-sided battle in February 2018 in which a pro-Syrian government force reported to be mainly private Russian mercenaries unleashed an artillery barrage near a small U.S. military outpost. As then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis recounted the episode in congressional testimony two months later, he ordered the attacking force to be “annihilated - and it was” after Russian authorities insisted the attackers were not their troops.Esper said Monday that he has seen no sign of Syrian or Russian forces challenging U.S. control of the oil fields.In recent days, however, U.S. officials detected what they considered to be a significant massing of Syrian and Russian forces on the western side of the Euphrates River near Deir el-Zour, a U.S. official said Monday. Russian officials were contacted by phone, and the U.S. was given assurances that the staged forces would not move east, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue.Jim Jeffrey, the Trump administration’s special envoy for Syria, seemed to refer to this episode when he said last Friday, “We are currently very concerned about certain developments in the south, in the Deir el-Zour area. I’ve talked to my Russian colleague about that and we’re having other contacts with the Russians concerning that situation. We think it is under control now.”After expelling Islamic State militants from southeastern Syria in 2018, the Kurds seized control of the more profitable oil fields to the south in Deir el-Zour province.A quiet arrangement has existed between the Kurds and the Syrian government, whereby Damascus buys the surplus through middlemen in a profitable smuggling operation that has continued despite political differences. The Kurdish-led administration sells crude oil to private refiners, who use home-made primitive refineries to process fuel and diesel and sell it back to the Kurdish-led administration.The oil was always likely to be a bargaining chip by the Kurds to negotiate a deal with the Syrian government, which unsuccessfully tried to reach the oil fields to retake them from IS. With Trump saying he plans to keep forces to secure the oil, it seems the oil will continue to be used for leverage— with Moscow and Damascus.Also Read: The tip, the raid, the reveal: The takedown of al-BaghdadiAlso Read: Great day for America, says US leaders after Baghdadi's death

Not over yet: New US Syria mission after al-Baghdadi death

Defense Secretary Mark Esper says the military’s oil field mission also will ensure income for Syrian Kurds who are counted on by Washington to continue guarding Islamic State prisoners and helping American forces combat remnants of the group — even as President Donald Trump continues to insist all U.S. troops will come home.

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Pakistani wildlife workers and experts from the international animal welfare organization Four Paws, secure a crate carrying an elephant named Kaavan on a truck before transporting him to a sanctuary in Cambodia, at the Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. Kavaan, the world's loneliest elephant, became a cause celebre in part because America's iconic singer and actress Cher joined the battle to save him from his desperate conditions at the zoo.The pachyderm dubbed the “ world’s loneliest elephant ” after languishing alone for years in a Pakistani zoo was greeted on his arrival in Cambodia on Monday by chanting Buddhist monks and was then sent on his way to a wildlife sanctuary.Like other travelers during these times, Kaavan needed to be tested for COVID-19 before his flight. Once his large metal crate was safely on board, Kaavan was provided with in-flight snacks — 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of them — for the seven-hour journey. Kaavan was not stressed during the flight, eating his food and even getting a little bit of sleep standing in his crate, said Amir Khalil, a veterinarian who accompanied him on the flight and works with Four Paws, the Vienna-headquartered animal rescue group that organized the move.“He behaves like a frequent flier. The flight was uneventful, which is all you can ask for when you transfer an elephant,” Khalil said.The 36-year-old, 4,080 kilogram (9,000 pound) elephant received a warm welcome on arrival in Cambodia from officials, conservationists and the Buddhist monks, who chanted prayers for his harmony and prosperity.Kaavan, a 1985 gift from Sri Lanka to Pakistan, had been living in the Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad with his partner Saheli, who died in 2012. The zoo fell on hard times and conditions got so bad that a court in the Pakistani capital ordered the zoo closed in August.The plight of the male Asian elephant has captured worldwide attention, including from the American singer and actor Cher, who has been closely involved in his rescue and was in Cambodia for Kaavan’s arrival.Cher’s animal welfare group Free the Wild has worked with Four Paws and the American syndicated columnist and philanthropist, Eric Margolis, to relocate Kaavan — a mission that’s cost about $400,000.According to Four Paws, very few adult elephants have ever been relocated by plane, so preparations were arduous.Veterinarians and elephant experts working for Four Paws spent three months in Islamabad, coaching Kaavan three times a day on how to enter and exit safely and without stress his four-ton travel crate, which includes a system that can hold up to 200 liters (53 gallons) of urine.He was also dangerously overweight due to his unsuitable diet of around 250 kilograms (550 pounds) of sugar cane each day. With Khalil’s help, Kaavan lost 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms) over the past three months.Kaavan’s wounds are emotional as well as physical. He would spend his days throwing his head from side to side, a stereotypical sign of boredom and misery in an elephant, said Martin Bauer, a spokesman for Four Paws. Full Coverage: AnimalsThe loss of his mate Saheli took a toll on Kaavan’s mental health. Elephants are social animals that thrive on the company of other elephants, Bauer explained. For Kaavan, the last eight years have been akin to living in quarantine — something the world has come to understand all too well amid the coronavirus pandemic, he said.Late Monday, Kaaven was being driven by truck to a camp in northern Cambodia where he should be able to leave his crate on Tuesday.“Once Kaavan feels at home in a controlled setting, he will be released in a wildlife sanctuary, in Oddar Meanchey province, in the northern section of Cambodia, where some 600 Asian elephants live in peace and tranquility,” said a statement from Neth Pheaktra, a spokesman for the Environment Ministry. “Pachyderms can live for many years and even at 36, we hope that he will contribute to the gene pool.”

Kaavan, world’s loneliest elephant rescued from Pakistan, heads safely to Cambodia park

Like other travelers during these times, Kaavan needed to be tested for COVID-19 before his flight. Once his large metal crate was safely on board, Kaavan was provided with in-flight snacks — 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of them — for the seven-hour journey.

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Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan dies Former United Nations Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kofi Annan passed away on Saturday. He was 80, reported a UN agency. The United Nations Migration Agency confirmed the news on social media."Today we mourn the loss of a great man, a leader, and a visionary," the UN Migration Agency tweeted.The first black African to carry the role of top diplomat across the world, Annan served two terms from 1997 to 2006.He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the UN in 2001 "for their work for a better organized and more peaceful world".Annan later served as the UN special envoy for Syria and lead efforts on finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.Annan is survived by his wife and three children.

Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan passes away

The first black African to carry the role of top diplomat across the world, Annan served two terms from 1997 to 2006.

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President Joe Biden speaks about Ukraine in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, in Washington. With the White House calling Russian deployments in eastern Ukraine an invasion, it's expected to follow up with tough sanctions. President Joe Biden has made clear the United States intends to deploy sweeping financial penalties, not American troops, to hit Russia over President Vladimir Putin's moves against Ukraine.The Biden administration says its toughest sanctions package, already worked out in consultation with European allies, would be enough to hit Putin and Russia's elites, cripple Russia's ability to do business internationally, and likely bring on a recession there. Here's a look at some of the tougher possible penalties that U.S. leaders have been holding in abeyance — while watching for new Russian steps against Ukraine, including any possible Russian moves against additional Ukraine territory. The U.S. has yet to fully disclose which of the options it will use. —— NORD STREAM 2: Germany announced Tuesday that it would suspend its certification of the newly built but never operated Russia-to-Germany Nord Stream 2 pipeline. A multibillion-dollar project of Russia's Gazprom energy company and European companies, the pipeline would carry Russia's natural gas to the lucrative markets of Europe. It's been a top target of the Biden administration and Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike, who say the project was a strategic mistake from the start, increasing Putin's political power over Europe by prolonging Europe's dependence on Russia's natural gas. Reluctant to split with ally Germany, Biden has warded off repeated attempts in Congress to impose financial sanctions on any company or person that does business that involves Nord Stream 2, effectively making it financially impossible for the pipeline to operate. It's unclear if the U.S. might still impose its own sanctions on Nord Stream 2, to amplify the actions that Germany just took. Biden made clear in recent weeks that Nord Stream had no chance if Russia invaded Ukraine. 'Then there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it,” Biden said. —- SANCTIONS ON INDIVIDUALS AND INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES AND ENTITIES Overall, the U.S. and its allies aim to impose sanctions that compel Putin to change his ways, while minimizing the harshest impacts on ordinary Russians and any collateral economic damage on the U.S. and European allies. Sanctions are imposed on individuals listed on a Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List through the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control. Also known as SDNs, the list includes individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf of a targeted country. Traditionally, their assets will be blocked and the U.S. is almost completely prohibited from dealing with SDNs. Individuals, groups, companies and even aircraft can be given this designation. Additionally, sectoral sanctions are an option to damage the economy. Sectoral sanctions apply to specific Russian firms — such as energy, finance, technology and defense — to be included on the Sectoral Sanctions Identifications List. Sectoral sanctions will limit some trade but will permit some transactions. Specifically, new sanctions would likely hit Putin, his family and his circle — Republican lawmakers are itching to sanction the former Olympic gymnast that news reports have identified as Putin's romantic partner — along with Russia's privileged oligarchs. Other targets would likely include Russia's banks and financial system at large and Russia's military leaders, military and their funding sources, among others. For historical context, Western sanctions issued when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea in 2014 included limits on trade, the blocking of assets under American jurisdiction and limits on access to the U.S. financial system, which are maintained to this day on at least 735 individuals, entities and vessels, according to the Office of Foreign Assets Control. —- SWIFT For the U.S. and its European allies, cutting Russia out of the SWIFT financial system, which shuffles money from bank to bank around the globe, would be one of the toughest financial steps they could take, damaging Russia's economy immediately and in the long term. The move could cut Russia off from most international financial transactions, including international profits from oil and gas production, which in all accounts for more than 40% of the country's revenue. Allies on both sides of the Atlantic also considered the SWIFT option in 2014, when Russia invaded and annexed Ukraine's Crimea and backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine. Russia declared then that kicking it out of SWIFT would be equivalent to a declaration of war. The allies — criticized ever after for responding too weakly to Russia's 2014 aggression — shelved the idea. Russia since then has tried to develop its own financial transfer system, with limited success. The U.S. has succeeded before in persuading the SWIFT system to kick out a country — Iran, over its nuclear program. But kicking Russia out of SWIFT would also hurt other economies, including those of the U.S. and key ally Germany. —- DOLLAR CLEARING The United States holds one of the most powerful financial weapons to wield against Putin — blocking Russia from access to the U.S. dollar. Dollars still dominate in financial transactions around the world, with trillions of dollars in play daily. Transactions in U.S. dollars ultimately are cleared through the Federal Reserve or through U.S. financial institutions. Crucially for Putin, that means foreign banks have to be able to access the U.S. financial system to settle dollar transactions. The ability to block that access gives the United States the ability to inflict financial pain well beyond its borders. Previously, the U.S. has suspended financial institutions from dollar clearing for allegedly violating sanctions against Iran, Sudan and other countries. Unlike the SWIFT option and the other financial measures, it's one the U.S. could do on its own. Many Russians and Russian companies would be stymied in carrying out even the most routine transactions, like making payroll or buying things, because they would have no access to the U.S. banking system. —- EXPORT CONTROLS U.S. export controls could cut off Russia from the high tech that helps warplanes and passenger jets fly and makes smartphones smart, along with the other software and advanced electronic gear that make the modern world run. That could include adding Russia to the most restrictive group of countries for export control purposes, together with Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria, officials said. That would mean that Russia's ability to obtain integrated circuits, and products containing integrated circuits, would be severely restricted, because of the global dominance of U.S. software, technology and equipment. The impact could extend to aircraft avionics, machine tools, smartphones, game consoles, tablets and televisions. Such sanctions could also target critical Russian industry, including its defense and civil aviation sectors, which would hit Russia's high-tech ambitions, whether in artificial intelligence or quantum computing. Like some of the other penalties under consideration, U.S. export restrictions would risk motivating businesses to look for alternatives in other countries, including China. —- BOND MARKETS The Biden administration limited Russia's ability to borrow money by banning U.S. financial institutions from buying Russian government bonds directly from state institutions last year. But the sanctions didn't target the secondary market, leaving this as a possible next step.Also Read | EXPLAINER: What happens to Europe's energy if Russia acts?Also Read | Russia-Ukraine News: India says 'can't afford military escalation', calls for restraint on all sides Also Read | The story behind Ukraine’s separatist regions | EXPLAINED

EXPLAINER: A look at toughest US sanctions facing Russia

The Biden administration says its toughest sanctions package, already worked out in consultation with European allies, would be enough to hit Putin and Russia's elites, cripple Russia's ability to do business internationally, and likely bring on a recession there.

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Huge explosion rocks St. Vincent as volcano keeps erupting.La Soufriere volcano has fired an enormous amount of ash and hot gas in the biggest explosive eruption yet since volcanic activity began on the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent late last week, with officials worried about the lives of those who have refused to evacuate. Experts called it a "huge explosion" that generated pyroclastic flows down the volcano's south and southwest flanks. "It's destroying everything in its path," Erouscilla Joseph, director of the University of the West Indies' Seismic Research Centre, told The Associated Press. “Anybody who would have not heeded the evacuation, they need to get out immediately." There were no immediate reports of injuries or death, but government officials were scrambling to respond to the Monday eruption, which was even bigger than the first eruption that occurred Friday morning. Roughly 16,000 people who live in communities close to the volcano had been evacuated under government orders on Thursday, but an unknown number have remained behind and refused to move. Richard Robertson, with the seismic research centre, told local station NBC Radio that the volcano's old and new dome have been destroyed and that a new crater has been created. He said that the pyroclastic flows would have razed everything in their way. "Anything that was there, man, animal, anything, they are gone," he said. "And it's a terrible thing to say it." Joseph said the latest explosion is equivalent to the one that occurred in 1902 and killed some 1,600. The volcano last erupted in 1979. Ash from the ongoing explosions has fallen on Barbados and other nearby islands. One government minister who toured the island's northeast region on Sunday said he saw an estimated two or three dozen people still remaining in the community of Sandy Bay alone, prompting Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves to urge people to leave. "It is over time for you to leave," he said. "It is dangerous." Emergency management officials warned they would arrest all those, residents or not, caught inside the red zone without police permission. Communities in the red zone are those closest to the volcano. Two young men, Codrian Simmons and Rashon Charles, have been praised for their bravery as they helped evacuate some 115 people from communities that are in danger. "The monstrous force of this volcano has been an out-of-(this) world experience," Simmons told the AP, adding that the experience has been traumatic and that people in shelters are pleading for help and supplies including water, dry goods, sheets and toiletries. "It is heart wrenching!" The ongoing volcanic activity has threatened water and food supplies, with the government forced to drill for fresh water and distribute it via trucks.La Soufriere volcano has fired an enormous amount of ash and hot gas in the biggest explosive eruption yet since volcanic activity began on the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent late last week, with officials worried about the lives of those who have refused to evacuate. Experts called it a "huge explosion" that generated pyroclastic flows down the volcano's south and southwest flanks."It's destroying everything in its path," Erouscilla Joseph, director of the University of the West Indies' Seismic Research Centre, told The Associated Press. “Anybody who would have not heeded the evacuation, they need to get out immediately."There were no immediate reports of injuries or death, but government officials were scrambling to respond to the Monday eruption, which was even bigger than the first eruption that occurred Friday morning. Roughly 16,000 people who live in communities close to the volcano had been evacuated under government orders on Thursday, but an unknown number have remained behind and refused to move.Richard Robertson, with the seismic research centre, told local station NBC Radio that the volcano's old and new dome have been destroyed and that a new crater has been created. He said that the pyroclastic flows would have razed everything in their way."Anything that was there, man, animal, anything, they are gone," he said. "And it's a terrible thing to say it." Joseph said the latest explosion is equivalent to the one that occurred in 1902 and killed some 1,600. The volcano last erupted in 1979. Ash from the ongoing explosions has fallen on Barbados and other nearby islands.One government minister who toured the island's northeast region on Sunday said he saw an estimated two or three dozen people still remaining in the community of Sandy Bay alone, prompting Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves to urge people to leave."It is over time for you to leave," he said. "It is dangerous." Emergency management officials warned they would arrest all those, residents or not, caught inside the red zone without police permission. Communities in the red zone are those closest to the volcano.Two young men, Codrian Simmons and Rashon Charles, have been praised for their bravery as they helped evacuate some 115 people from communities that are in danger."The monstrous force of this volcano has been an out-of-(this) world experience," Simmons told the AP, adding that the experience has been traumatic and that people in shelters are pleading for help and supplies including water, dry goods, sheets and toiletries. "It is heart wrenching!""We cannot put tarpaulin over a river," said Garth Saunders, minister of the island's water and sewer authority, referring to the impossibility of trying to protect current water sources from ongoing falling ash.He told NBC Radio that officials also are trying to set up water distribution points.Meanwhile, Gonsalves said government officials are meeting Monday afternoon to talk about difficulties with food supplies.Deputy Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel told the radio station that the damage was extensive in the island's northeast region, which he toured on Sunday. Forests and farms were wiped out, with coconut, breadfruit, mango and soursop trees destroyed, as well as plantain and banana crops."What I saw was indeed terrible," he said.Cots, tents, water tanks and other basic supplies were flooding into St. Vincent as nearby nations rushed to help those affected by the eruptions. At least four empty cruise ships floated nearby, waiting to take evacuees to other islands who have agreed to temporarily receive them, including Antigua and Grenada.Gonsalves, however, said he expects his administration might call off the cruise ships since the vast majority of people seem to be staying in St. Vincent for now.The only people evacuated from St. Vincent via cruise ship are 136 farm workers who are part of a seasonal agricultural program and had been stranded on the island. The group was supposed to fly to Canada, but their flight was cancelled as a result of Friday's explosion. They arrived Saturday in St. Lucia and will board a flight to Canada from there.Gonsalves told NBC Radio on Sunday that his government will do everything possible to help those forced to abandon their homes in ash-filled communities."It is a huge operation that is facing us," he said. "It is going to be costly, but I don't want us to penny pinch, this is going to be a long haul." Gonsalves said it could take four months for life to go back to normal in St. Vincent, part of an island chain of that includes the Grenadines. The majority of the 1,00,000 inhabitants live in St. Vincent.Among them is Ranique Chewitt, a 32-year-old salesman who lives in South Rivers, located southeast of the volcano.He hasn't had to evacuate, but said he is worried about his health and water supply and hasn't left home since the first eruption on Friday morning: "I do get shortness of breath from dust, and I am inside."The pandemic also is complicating response efforts. At least 14 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported since the eruptions began on Friday, and all those going to shelters are being tested. Those who test positive are taken to isolation centers. More than 3,700 people are in 84 government shelters.The eastern Caribbean has 19 live volcanoes, 17 of those located on 11 islands. The remaining two are located underwater near Grenada, including one called Kick 'Em Jenny that has been active in recent years. The most active volcano of all is Soufriere Hills in Montserrat, which has erupted continuously since 1995, destroying the capital of Plymouth and killing at least 19 people in 1997. /* .jw-reset-text, .jw-reset{line-height: 2em;}*/ .jw-time-tip .jw-time-chapter{display:none;} if ('' == comscore_jw_loaded || 'undefined' == comscore_jw_loaded || undefined == comscore_jw_loaded) { var comscore_jw_loaded = 1; firstjw = document.getElementsByClassName('jwvidplayer')[0]; cs_jw_script = document.createElement('script'); cs_jw_script.src = 'https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/internal-c2/plugins/streamingtag_plugin_jwplayer.js'; firstjw.parentNode.insertBefore(cs_jw_script, firstjw.nextSibling); } var jwconfig_8771656283 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/03/0_zoh2w55u/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_zoh2w55u_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Iceland volcano erupts after 800 years", "height": "440px", "width": "100%", "aspectratio": "16:9", "autostart": false, "controls": true, "mute": false, "volume": 25, "floating": false, "sharing": { "code": "", "sites": [ "facebook", "twitter", "email" ] }, "stretching": "exactfit", "primary": "html5", "hlshtml": true, "sharing_link": "", "duration": "35", "advertising": { "client": "vast", "autoplayadsmuted": true, "skipoffset": 5, "cuetext": "", "skipmessage": "Skip ad in xx", "skiptext": "SKIP", "preloadAds": true, "schedule": [ { "offset": "pre", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_PreRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=", "type": "linear" }, { "offset": "50%", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_MidRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=" }, { "offset": "post", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_PostRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=", "type": "linear" } ] } }; var jwvidplayer_8771656283 = ''; jwsetup_8771656283(); function jwsetup_8771656283() { jwvidplayer_8771656283 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_8771656283").setup(jwconfig_8771656283); jwvidplayer_8771656283.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_8771656283, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_zoh2w55u\", ns_st_pr=\"Iceland volcano erupts after 800 years\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Iceland volcano erupts after 800 years\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Iceland volcano erupts after 800 years\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-03-22\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-03-22\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/03/0_zoh2w55u/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_8771656283.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_8771656283.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_8771656283.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_8771656283.stop(); jwvidplayer_8771656283.remove(); jwvidplayer_8771656283 = ''; jwsetup_8771656283(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_8771656283.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_8771656283.stop(); jwvidplayer_8771656283.remove(); jwvidplayer_8771656283 = ''; jwsetup_8771656283(); return; }); jwvidplayer_8771656283.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8771656283.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8771656283.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8771656283.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8771656283.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_8771656283.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

'Huge' explosion rocks St. Vincent as volcano keeps erupting

There were no immediate reports of injuries or death, but govt officials were scrambling to respond to the Monday eruption, which was even bigger than the first eruption that occurred on Friday.

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Kuwait is trying to mediate a diplomatic crisis in which Arab countries-led by Saudia Arabia have cut diplomatic ties to Qatar and moved to isolate the energy-rich, travel-hub nation from the outside world, Qatar's foreign minister said early Tuesday. Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said  that Kuwait's ruler had asked Qatar's ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to hold off on giving a speech about the crisis late Tuesday night."He received a call from the emir of Kuwait asking him to postpone it in order to give time to solve the crisis," Sheikh Mohammed said in an interview with Doha-based satellite news network Al-Jazeera.Still, the minister struck a defiant tone, vowing his nation rejected those "trying to impose their will on Qatar or intervene in its internal affairs."The minister said that the move has put a question mark on the future of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). "This brings about real questions about the future of the GCC nations, which are basically one people who share the same language and have extensive family ties among its peoples. That said, however, we reject that some in the GCC are trying to impose their will on Qatar or intervene in its internal affairs. This is rejected. But overall, we think there is a big question mark on this GCC," he told Al-Jazeera.The biggest diplomatic crisis in the Persian Gulf region since the 1991 U.S.-led war against Iraq pits several nations against Qatar. Airlines suspended flights and residents nervous about the peninsula's lone land border closing cleaned out grocery store shelves.There are approximately 6.5 lakh Indians in Qatar, making the largest expatriate community there.Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates announced Monday they would cut diplomatic ties. Yemen's internationally backed government, which has lost the capital and large portions of the war-torn country, also cut relations with Qatar, as did the Maldives and one of conflict-ridden Libya's competing governments.Saudi Arabia said it was cutting ties due to Qatar's "embrace of various terrorist and sectarian groups aimed at destabilizing the region," including the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Qaida, the Islamic State group and militants supported by Iran in the kingdom's restive Eastern Province. Egypt's Foreign Ministry accused Qatar of taking an "antagonist approach" toward Cairo and said "all attempts to stop it from supporting terrorist groups failed."Qatar long has denied funding extremists, though Western officials have accused Qatar of allowing or even encouraging funding of Sunni extremists like al-Qaida's branch in Syria, once known as the Nusra Front.The Gulf countries ordered their citizens out of Qatar and gave Qataris abroad 14 days to return home to their peninsular nation, whose only land border is with Saudi Arabia. The countries also said they would eject Qatar's diplomats.The nations also said they planned to cut air and sea traffic. Doha-based satellite news network Al-Jazeera reported trucks carrying food had begun lining up on the Saudi side of the border, apparently stranded. The Qatar Stock Exchange fell more than 7 percent in trading Monday.Qatar Airways, one of the region's major long-haul carriers, has suspended all flights to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain until further notice. On its website, the carrier said the suspension of its flights would take effect Tuesday and customers are being offered a refund.The route between Doha, Qatar and Dubai is popular among business travelers and both are major transit hubs for travelers between Asia and Europe. FlightRadar24, a popular airplane tracking website, said Qatar Airway flights already had started to be affected."Many of Qatar Airways' flights to southern Europe and Africa pass through Saudi Arabia," the site said. "Flights to Europe will most likely be rerouted through Iran and Turkey."(With agencies) 

Qatar diplomatic crisis: Kuwait trying to mediate to solve rift among Gulf nations

Kuwait is trying to mediate a diplomatic crisis in which Arab countries-led by Saudia Arabia have cut diplomatic ties to Qatar.

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Hong Kong declares Coronavirus emergency, 2-week school closureHong Kong has declared the outbreak of a new virus an emergency and will close primary and secondary schools for two more weeks after the Lunar New Year holiday. City leader Carrie Lam also announced Saturday that trains and flights from the city of Wuhan would be blocked.The outbreak began in Wuhan in central China and has spread to the rest of the country and overseas as people travel for the holiday. Hong Kong has confirmed five cases of the new illness. Most schools are off next week, and Lam said they would not re-open until Feb. 17.The local South China Morning Post newspaper reported that a marathon in Hong Kong that was expected to draw 70,000 participants on Feb. 9 was canceled.Also Read | Chinese doctor becomes first medical casualty to deadly coronavirus: reportAlso Read | First Coronavirus case in Indian-subcontinent confirmed: Nepal student who returned from Wuhan found infectedWatch | AIIMS to increase isolation ward's capacity if required for coronavirus: Director /* .jw-reset-text, .jw-reset{line-height: 2em;}*/ .jw-time-tip .jw-time-chapter{display:none;} if ('' == comscore_jw_loaded || 'undefined' == comscore_jw_loaded || undefined == comscore_jw_loaded) { var comscore_jw_loaded = 1; firstjw = document.getElementsByClassName('jwvidplayer')[0]; cs_jw_script = document.createElement('script'); cs_jw_script.src = 'https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/internal-c2/plugins/streamingtag_plugin_jwplayer.js'; firstjw.parentNode.insertBefore(cs_jw_script, firstjw.nextSibling); } var jwconfig_3222004826 = { "file": "https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_yarupct7_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_yarupct7_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "AIIMS to increase isolation ward's capacity if required for coronavirus: Director", "height": "440px", "width": "100%", "aspectratio": "16:9", "autostart": false, "controls": true, "mute": false, "volume": 25, "floating": false, "sharing": { "code": "", "sites": [ "facebook", "twitter", "email" ] }, "stretching": "exactfit", "primary": "html5", "hlshtml": true, "sharing_link": "", "advertising": { "client": "vast", "autoplayadsmuted": true, "skipoffset": 5, "cuetext": "", "skipmessage": "Skip ad in xx", "skiptext": "SKIP", "preloadAds": true, "schedule": [ { "offset": "pre", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_PreRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=", "type": "linear" }, { "offset": "50%", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_MidRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=" }, { "offset": "post", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_PostRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=", "type": "linear" } ] } }; var jwvidplayer_3222004826 = ''; jwsetup_3222004826(); function jwsetup_3222004826() { jwvidplayer_3222004826 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_3222004826").setup(jwconfig_3222004826); jwvidplayer_3222004826.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_3222004826, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_yarupct7\", ns_st_pr=\"AIIMS to increase isolation ward's capacity if required for coronavirus: Director\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"AIIMS to increase isolation ward's capacity if required for coronavirus: Director\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"AIIMS to increase isolation ward's capacity if required for coronavirus: Director\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2020-01-24\", ns_st_tdt=\"2020-01-24\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://indiatv-vh.akamaihd.net/i/vod/0_yarupct7_,20,21,22,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_3222004826.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_3222004826.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_3222004826.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_3222004826.stop(); jwvidplayer_3222004826.remove(); jwvidplayer_3222004826 = ''; jwsetup_3222004826(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_3222004826.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_3222004826.stop(); jwvidplayer_3222004826.remove(); jwvidplayer_3222004826 = ''; jwsetup_3222004826(); return; }); jwvidplayer_3222004826.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_3222004826.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_3222004826.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_3222004826.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_3222004826.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_3222004826.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Hong Kong declares Coronavirus emergency, 2-week school closure

Hong Kong has declared the outbreak of a new virus an emergency and will close primary and secondary schools for two more weeks after the Lunar New Year holiday. City leader Carrie Lam also announced Saturday that trains and flights from the city of Wuhan would be blocked.

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Narendra ModiPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that India and China will have to work together with trust and confidence for a better future of Asia as well as the entire world.The prime minister made the remark in his keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.Related Stories PM Modi kicks off five-day South-East Asia visit; leaves for Indonesia todayPM Modi in Singapore: 'Technology giving voice to millions around world, breaking social barriers'PM Modi’s statement regarding China came over a month after his first informal summit with President Xi Jinping. Modi said India and China have displayed maturity and wisdom in managing issues and ensuring a peaceful border. He asserted that an Asia of “rivalries” will hold the region back while an Asia of cooperation will shape the century. “It is a world that summons us to rise above divisions and competition to work together,” the prime minister said. Referring to regional maritime issues, Modi said India does not see the Indo-Pacific region as a strategy or as a club of limited members.“India stands for a free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific region, which embraces us all in a common pursuit of progress and prosperity,” he said. He further said, “We believe that our common prosperity and security require us to evolve, through dialogue, a common rules-based order for the region.” On issues relating to trade, Modi said India stands for an open and stable international trade regime. “Competition is normal. But, contests must not turn into conflict; differences must not be allowed to become disputes,” he said. Modi and Xi had held an informal summit in Chinese city of Wuhan in April last week during which they exchanged views on solidifying the relationship between the two Asian powers.(With PTI inputs)

PM Modi at Shangri-La Dialogue: 'India, China must work together with trust and confidence for better future of Asia, World'

In his keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue here, Modi said India and China have displayed maturity and wisdom in managing issues and ensuring a peaceful border.

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The Wuhan Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market, where a number of people related to the market fell ill with a virus, sits closed in Wuhan, China, Tuesday, January 21, 2020Chinese wet markets, one of which in Wuhan is said to be the Ground Zero of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, are back in action. The United Kingdom-based Daily Mail reported from one the markets which re-opened in the southern city of Guilin, hours after the Chinese government declared victory of the coronavirus on March 28. The markets, selling exotic animals for meat consumption, re-opened across China on the same day.The British journalists have recorded seeing even bats being sold in these markets. Significantly, the outbreak of the coronavirus is attributed to SARS-COV2 virus, which is known to reside in horseshoe bats. The Daily Mail journalists reported that they witnessed thousands of shoppers, apparently undisturbed by the recent coronavirus outbreak, flocking to the market in at least two Chinese cities, including Guilin and Dongguan.Daily Mail noticed that the only difference in the way the market functioned was that a security guard was not stationed at the entrance to the Dongguan market, so to avoid people from taking pictures.When a journalist asked a shopper at Guilin market if they were scared of being in the market, in the aftermath of the viral outbreak, he was told that ‘everyone believes that the pandemic is over.’As of March 31, the total number of infected patients due to the coronavirus crossed the 8 lakh-mark, including more than 39,000 deaths. Two-thirds of the deaths have been reported from the European Union, which is the new epicentre of the coronavirus.Also read: Worldwide coronavirus infections cross 8 lakh mark; 38,748 deaths reported so far

After China declares victory over coronavirus, wet markets selling bats back in business: Report

Chinese wet markets, one of which in Wuhan is said to be the Ground Zero of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, are back in action

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Pakistan's Interior Ministry has said that Jamat-ud Dawah (JuD) chief and Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and his four aides have been detained for ‘spreading terrorism in the name of jihad’.Appearing before a judicial review board here on Saturday, Saeed argued that he had been detained by the Pakistani government in order to ‘stop him for raising voice for Kashmiris’.However, the Interior Ministry rejected his arguments and told the three-member board that Saeed and his four aides have been detained for ‘spreading terrorism in the name of jihad’.The board comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan of the Supreme Court (head), Justice Ayesha A Malik of Lahore High Court and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail of Balochistan High Court directed the ministry to submit a complete record regarding detention of Saeed and his aides - Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid, Abdullah Ubaid and Qazi Kashif Niaz on next hearing on May 15.The board also sought personal appearance of the attorney general of Pakistan on next hearing.Police produced Saeed and his four aides before the board at Lahore registry of the apex court amid high security. A large number of Saeed's supporters gathered outside the court.Saeed's counsel advocate AK Dogar was also present but the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chose to plead his case before the court."The allegations levelled by the government against me had never been proved by any state institution. My organisation and I have been victimised for raising voice for freedom of Kashmir and criticising the government's weak policy on the Kashmir issue," Saeed said.He said that he had been placed under house in order to stop him for raising voice for Kashmiri people.Saeed appealed to the board to set aside the Punjab government's detention order."The government detained the JuD leaders on pressure of United Nations and international organisations," an official representing the federal interior ministry told the board.Last Thursday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench had questioned as why Saeed and others were not presented before a review board before the government issued notification for extension to his detention for another 90 days.On April 30, detention of Saeed and his four aides was extended by the Punjab government for another 90 days under preventive detention+ under 11 EEE (I) and 11D of Anti- Terrorism Act 1997.The Punjab government on January 30 had put these five under house arrest in Lahore for their involvement in activities which can be prejudicial to peace and security.The government has also placed JuD and FIF under second schedule of the anti-terrorism act.The Nawaz government had reportedly taken action against Saeed after the US clearly told Islamabad that in case of not taking action against JuD and Saeed it may face sanctions.JuD is said to be the front for the banned Lashkar-e- Taiba (LeT). The organisation has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation' by the US in June 2014.Saeed and his aides said in their petition that the government detained them without any legal justification. They said the UN resolution followed by the government did not seek detention of any citizen."The detention of the JuD leaders is a simple case of mala fide intention and ulterior motive on part of the government as it has been done so to please India and the United States," the petition said.With PTI Inputs

Hafiz Saeed detained for ‘spreading terrorism in name of jihad’: Pakistan

Appearing before a judicial review board here on Saturday, Saeed argued that he had been detained by the Pakistani government in order to ‘stop him for raising voice for Kashmiris’.

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Tanks move during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, facing a sharp spike in violence in and around territory held by Russia-backed rebels and increasingly dire warnings that Russia plans to invade, on Saturday called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet him and seek resolution to the crisis.“I don’t know what the president of the Russian Federation wants, so I am proposing a meeting,” Zelenskyy said at the Munich Security Conference, where he also met with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. Zelinskyy said Russia could pick the location for the talks.“Ukraine will continue to follow only the diplomatic path for the sake of a peaceful settlement.”There was no immediate response from the Kremlin.Zelenskyy spoke hours after separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine ordered a full military mobilization on Saturday while Western leaders made increasingly dire warnings that a Russian invasion of its neighbor appeared imminent.In new signs of fears that a war could start within days, Germany and Austria told their citizens to leave Ukraine. German air carrier Lufthansa canceled flights to the capital, Kyiv, and to Odessa, a Black Sea port that could be a key target in an invasion.NATO’s liaison office in Kyiv said it was relocating staff to Brussels and to the western Ukraine city of Lviv. Meanwhile, top Ukrainian military officials came under a shelling attack during a tour of the front of the nearly eight-year separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine.The officials fled to a bomb shelter before hustling from the area, according to an Associated Press journalist who was on the tour.Violence in eastern Ukraine has spiked in recent days as Ukraine and the two regions held by the rebels each accused the other of escalation. Russia on Saturday said at least two shells fired from a government-held part of eastern Ukraine landed across the border, but Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba dismissed that claim as “a fake statement.”Sporadic violence has broken out for years along the line separating Ukrainian forces from the Russia-backed rebels, but the recent shelling and bombing spike could set off a full-scale war.The United States and many European countries have alleged for months that Russia, which has moved about 150,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, is trying to create pretexts to invade.“They are uncoiling and are now poised to strike,” U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Saturday during a visit to Lithuania.Harris opened her meeting with Zelenskyy by saying the world was at “a decisive moment in history.”ALSO READ | Amid Russian invasion fears, Ukrainian officials come under shelling attack on frontALSO READ | Amid Ukraine tensions, EU says Russia could be cut off from markets, tech goods

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls Putin, seeks resolution to crisis

Zelenskyy spoke hours after separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine ordered a full military mobilization on Saturday while Western leaders made increasingly dire warnings that a Russian invasion of its neighbour appeared imminent.

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CDC may back wearing masks against COVID, even for vaccinated: Anthony Fauci.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is weighing revising its Covid-19 guidelines to recommend that even fully vaccinated people wear masks in public, said Anthony Fauci, White House chief medical advisor, on Sunday.Fauci told CNN that he has taken part in conversations about altering the guidelines, something he described as being "under active consideration", Xinhua news agency reported.He noted that some local areas where infection rates are surging are already urging individuals to wear masks in public regardless of their vaccination status.Covid-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations continue to increase among the unvaccinated across the United States.Health experts have blamed the recent surges on the low vaccination rates and the accelerating Delta variant transmission. 

CDC may back wearing masks against COVID, even for vaccinated: Anthony Fauci

Fauci told CNN that he has taken part in conversations about altering guidelines, something he described as being "under active consideration", Xinhua news agency reported.

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COVID-19: California orders its 40 million people 'to stay at home' California, the most populous state in America with almost 40 million people, has announced complete lockdown ordering its people to stay at home in a desperate attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a “stay at home” order for the entire state. The order was issued during a news conference at the California Office of Emergency Services. It goes into effect Thursday night. California is home to cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and capital Sacramento among others. It is America's largest-subnational economy with gross state product over $3 trillion. California is also home to three out of the world's top 10 companies in market cap with Google and Apple being the prominent names.  "California, California lockdown, California stay at home order," were the most searched words on Google after California Lockdown was announced. "There’s a mutuality and there’s a recognition of our interdependence that requires of this moment that we direct a statewide order for people to stay at home," Newsom said announcing lockdown. The order is set to go into effect at midnight. The order comes on a day when the United States asked all its citizens who were travelling abroad to return home. America has so far detected 13,726 COVID-19 positive cases.  "That directive goes into force and effect (Thursday) evening, and we are confident that the people of the state of California will abide by it, will do the right thing, will meet this moment, they’ll step up. They have, over the course of the last number of weeks, to protect themselves, to protect their families and to protect the broader community in this great state in the world we reside in." Newsom issued the order after there have been 675 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state and 16 deaths, state health officials said. Meanwhile, damage to the world's largest economy kept increasing, with the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits surging by 70,000 last week. On Wall Street, though, stocks rose modestly amid optimism over efforts by the Federal Reserve and other central banks to shore up the economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained almost 200 points, or 1%. California, the most populous state in America with almost 40 million people, has announced complete lockdown ordering its people to stay at home in a desperate attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a “stay at home” order for the entire state. The order was issued during a news conference at the California Office of Emergency Services. It goes into effect Thursday night. California is home to cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and capital Sacramento among others. It is America's largest-subnational economy with gross state product over $3 trillion. California is also home to three out of the world's top 10 companies in market cap with Google and Apple being the prominent names. "California, California lockdown, California stay at home order," were the most searched words on Google after California Lockdown was announced. "There’s a mutuality and there’s a recognition of our interdependence that requires of this moment that we direct a statewide order for people to stay at home," Newsom said announcing lockdown. The order is set to go into effect at midnight. The order comes on a day when the United States asked all its citizens who were travelling abroad to return home. America has so far detected 13,726 COVID-19 positive cases. "That directive goes into force and effect (Thursday) evening, and we are confident that the people of the state of California will abide by it, will do the right thing, will meet this moment, they’ll step up. They have, over the course of the last number of weeks, to protect themselves, to protect their families and to protect the broader community in this great state in the world we reside in."ALSO READ | 'Don't travel abroad, come back if overseas': US warns citizens amid COVID-19 crisis

CALIFORNIA LOCKDOWN: 40 million people asked 'to stay at home' amid coronavirus pandemic

California, the most populous state in America with almost 40 million people, has announced complete lockdown ordering its people to stay at home in a desperate attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a “stay at home” order for the entire state.

5e2d5bdda633eb45c01d18483b46cbd2

Dreaded terror group ISIS today claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a bus carrying Coptic Christians that left 29 people dead in Egypt, the second major attack on the country's minority community in two months. In a statement posted on its propaganda news agency, Aamaq, the terror group today said one of its unit targeted the bus the previous day and put the death toll at 32. At least eight to 10 attacker wearing military uniforms and masks attacked the bus and other vehicles taking a group of Coptic Christians to Anba Samuel monastery in the Menya Governorate, 250km south of Cairo. The victims had been on a pilgrimage to the St Samuel the Confessor monastery when the attack took place. According to a statement by the Ministry of Interior, the gunmen were riding in three 4x4 vehicles when they opened fire randomly on the bus. The ages of the victims ranged from children to over 60, the bishop of El-Minya told private-owned TV Channel DMC. Many victims were children, only three kids survived the attack. The Egyptian army later launched intensive airstrikes, targeting terrorist hideouts in Libya. The airstrikes came after the Army gathered information that confirms the terrorists' participation in the attack. Egypt's President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi has vowed to strike any training camp in Egypt or outside, where terrorists are trained for carrying out attacks against Egypt. In his televised addresses, the president said that the army has already hit one of these camps following the earlier attack in Menya governorate. 

ISIS claims responsibility of attack on Coptic Christians in Egypt

In a statement posted on its propaganda news agency, Aamaq, the terror group today said one of its unit targeted the bus the previous day and put the death toll at 32.

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COVID: Can boredom lead to breaking public-health rules?. Covid pandemic has brought a drastic change to our lives. It has bound our lives with restrictions, many of which have become heavily politicised.But, people who are more prone to boredom can find it threatening to their identity and are thus more likely to break public-health rules, according to new psychology research.While previous research demonstrated a connection between being highly prone to boredom and breaking social-distancing rules, this study demonstrated the association was more prominent as participants' social conservatism increased."Many public-health measures such as wearing a mask or getting a vaccine have become highly politicised," said James Danckert, Professor of psychology at the University of Waterloo in Canada."People who find these measures a threat to their identity, and who suffer from boredom a lot, find breaking the rules helps them re-establish a sense of meaning and identity. Boredom threatens our need to make meaning out of life and some things such as politics can strengthen our sense of identity and meaning," Danckert added.For the study, researchers asked more than 900 people to respond to questions about boredom, political ideology and adhering to public-health measures such as wearing a mask or not socialising outside one's household. They then applied a variety of statistical analysis techniques to explore the relations that underlie these elements."Many of the restrictions have become heavily politicised and much of the messaging from governments has focused on personal responsibility," Danckert said."But this can become finger pointing and blaming and most of us recoil from that. What we need is to promote our shared values -- the things we all have in common and the positive things we can get back if we all pull together."It can be difficult for some people to cope with boredom and that can have serious consequences for an individual and for society at large. 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COVID impact: Can boredom lead to breaking public-health rules?

But, people who are more prone to boredom can find it threatening to their identity and are thus more likely to break public-health rules, according to new psychology research.

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Armacy technician Hollie Maloney loads a syringe with Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine in PortlandA first death linked to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was reported in New Zealand on Monday, authorities said. According to a report with Reuters, the information was confirmed by the health ministry, which stated a woman died after taking the vaccine. The ministry's report, however, did not specify the deceased woman's age and stated an independent COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring board had conducted a review on the death of the woman. The board considered the woman's death was due to myocarditis, which is known to be a rare side effect of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, the statement said. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle that can limit the organ's ability to pump blood and can cause changes in heartbeat rhythms."This is the first case in New Zealand where a death in the days following vaccination has been linked to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine," the health ministry said.The case has been referred to the coroner and the cause of death has not yet been determined, the health ministry said.The independent board, however, did consider that the myocarditis was probably because of the vaccination.The board also noted that there were other medical issues occurring at the same time that may have influenced the outcome following vaccination."The benefits of vaccination with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine continue to greatly outweigh the risk of both COVID-19 infection and vaccine side effects, including myocarditis," it added.Pfizer vaccine approvalOn August 23 this year, the US gave full approval to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, potentially boosting public confidence in the shots and instantly opening the way for more universities, companies and local governments to make vaccinations mandatory.The Pentagon promptly announced it will press ahead with plans to force members of the military to get vaccinated amid the battle against the extra-contagious delta variant. The University of Minnesota likewise said it will require its students to get the shot, as did Louisiana’s major public universities, including LSU, though state law there allows broad exemptions.More than 200 million Pfizer doses have been administered in the US under emergency provisions — and hundreds of millions more worldwide — since December. In going a step further and granting full approval, the Food and Drug Administration cited months of real-world evidence that serious side effects are extremely rare.President Joe Biden said that for those who hesitated to get the vaccine until it received what he dubbed the “gold standard” of FDA approval, “the moment you’ve been waiting for is here.”COVID-19 situation in New Zealand Meanwhile, the number of new coronavirus cases in New Zealand has fallen significantly for the first time since an outbreak was detected nearly two weeks ago. Officials hope it is an indication that a strict nationwide lockdown might be working to halt the virus’s spread.Health authorities on Monday reported 53 new community cases, down from 83 a day earlier. Some of that decrease may have been attributable to fewer tests being completed.New Zealand’s government is pursuing an elimination strategy in which it tries to stamp out the virus entirely whenever it appears. The government put the country into the toughest form of lockdown after the first case of the current delta-variant outbreak was detected on August 17.Also Read | What does full approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine mean? /* .jw-reset-text, .jw-reset{line-height: 2em;}*/ .jw-time-tip .jw-time-chapter{display:none;} if ('' == comscore_jw_loaded || 'undefined' == comscore_jw_loaded || undefined == comscore_jw_loaded) { var comscore_jw_loaded = 1; firstjw = document.getElementsByClassName('jwvidplayer')[0]; cs_jw_script = document.createElement('script'); cs_jw_script.src = 'https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/internal-c2/plugins/streamingtag_plugin_jwplayer.js'; firstjw.parentNode.insertBefore(cs_jw_script, firstjw.nextSibling); } var jwconfig_2653614994 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/05/0_nslj8qkd/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_nslj8qkd_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Moderna, Pfizer Covid vaccines likely in India next year", "height": "440px", "width": "100%", "aspectratio": "16:9", "autostart": false, "controls": true, "mute": false, "volume": 25, "floating": false, "sharing": { "code": "", "sites": [ "facebook", "twitter", "email" ] }, "stretching": "exactfit", "primary": "html5", "hlshtml": true, "sharing_link": "", "duration": "609", "advertising": { "client": "vast", "autoplayadsmuted": true, "skipoffset": 5, "cuetext": "", "skipmessage": "Skip ad in xx", "skiptext": "SKIP", "preloadAds": true, "schedule": [ { "offset": "pre", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_PreRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=", "type": "linear" }, { "offset": "50%", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_MidRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=" }, { "offset": "post", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_PostRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=", "type": "linear" } ] } }; var jwvidplayer_2653614994 = ''; jwsetup_2653614994(); function jwsetup_2653614994() { jwvidplayer_2653614994 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_2653614994").setup(jwconfig_2653614994); jwvidplayer_2653614994.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_2653614994, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_nslj8qkd\", ns_st_pr=\"Moderna, Pfizer Covid vaccines likely in India next year\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Moderna, Pfizer Covid vaccines likely in India next year\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Moderna, Pfizer Covid vaccines likely in India next year\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-05-26\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-05-26\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/05/0_nslj8qkd/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_2653614994.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_2653614994.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_2653614994.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_2653614994.stop(); jwvidplayer_2653614994.remove(); jwvidplayer_2653614994 = ''; jwsetup_2653614994(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_2653614994.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_2653614994.stop(); jwvidplayer_2653614994.remove(); jwvidplayer_2653614994 = ''; jwsetup_2653614994(); return; }); jwvidplayer_2653614994.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_2653614994.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_2653614994.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_2653614994.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_2653614994.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_2653614994.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

First death due to Pfizer vaccine's 'rare side effect' reported in New Zealand

The case has been referred to the coroner and the cause of death has not yet been determined, the health ministry said.

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US President Donald Trump on Sunday criticised Congress, the FBI and the Department of Justice for not investigating the Barack Obama government's 2016 payment of hundreds of millions of dollars to Iran to resolve an international dispute."Never gotten over the fact that Obama was able to send $1.7 billion in CASH to Iran and nobody in Congress, the FBI or Justice called for an investigation!" Trump wrote on his Twitter account.Related Stories Iran rejects Donald Trump’s demand for changing 2015 nuclear dealIran calls fresh US sanctions illegal, hostileIran rejects US call for allowing foreign inspection of its military sites Iran will adhere to nuclear deal till last breath, says President Hassan RouhaniIn January 2016, the Obama administration sent Iran $400 million in euros, Swiss francs and other currencies, which were transported from Geneva by plane.The payment was the first portion of the $1.7 billion that the US promised to pay to Tehran to resolve an international dispute that arose during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. According to the Obama government, the funds belonged to Iran but had been in US custody for decades.The first payment sparked controversy because the White House did not hand over the money to Iran until an aircraft carrying three US citizens recently released from prison by Tehran left the Middle Eastern country.The Republican opposition accused the Obama government of having paid ransom to Iran for the release of the Americans, something the White House denied, saying that it simply wanted to ensure that Tehran fulfilled its promise to release the prisoners before dispatching the funds that were to be returned to Iran anyway.The payment came as part of the 2015 nuclear deal among the US, Iran and five other world powers and sought to compensate Tehran with $400 million for the Shah government's never-fulfilled purchase of military equipment before the rupture of US-Iranian diplomatic relations, along with $1.3 billion in interest.Trump has threatened to withdraw the US from the nuclear pact with Iran and has given an ultimatum to Washington's European allies to negotiate -- before mid-May -- a revised agreement that corrects the "defects" of the multilateral pact that ostensibly reined in Tehran's nuclear programme.

Donald Trump slams Congress, FBI for not investigating Barack Obama's payment to Iran

In January 2016, the Obama administration sent Iran $400 million in euros, Swiss francs and other currencies, which were transported from Geneva by plane.

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PM Modi, Pak Pres Hussain shake hands at SCO SummitPrime Minister Narendra Modi today shook hands with Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain and had a brief chat with him at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit here. The two leaders, who are here to attend the 18th SCO Summit, shook hands after signing of agreements between the members states of the eight nation bloc. The relations between India and Pakistan had strained after an attack on an army camp in Uri by Pakistan-based terror organisations in 2016. The ties took a severe hit post-sentencing of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav by a military court in April last year. India had also boycotted the 19th SAARC Summit after the Uri attack. The summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad in 2016 was postponed. India has been raising the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in various multilateral forums with an aim to build pressure on Islamabad to dismantle the terror infrastructure operating from that country. Modi held nearly half a dozen bilateral meetings with leaders of other SCO countries. However, there was no bilateral meeting between Modi and Hussain. For live updates on SCO Summit 2018 click here

PM Modi, Pak Pres Hussain shake hands at SCO Summit

The two leaders, who are in China's Qingdao to attend the 18th SCO Summit, shook hands after signing of agreements between the members states of the eight nation bloc.

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Committee to Protect Journalists calls for probe into killing of Danish SiddiquiThe Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Saturday said Afghan authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the killing of Reuters photojournalist Danish Siddiqui.Pulitzer Prize winner Siddiqui was killed while covering a clash between Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters in the town of Spin Boldak, near the border with Pakistan.In a statement posted to Twitter, Reuters President Michael Friedenberg and editor-in-chief Alessandra Galloni wrote that the agency was "urgently seeking more information" about the circumstances surrounding the journalist's death."The death today of Reuters photojournalist Danish Siddiqui is a tragic notice that even as the US and its partners withdraw forces, journalists will continue to work in Afghanistan, documenting whatever comes next at great risk to their lives," said Steven Butler, CPJ's Asia program coordinator, in Washington, DC."Combatants need to take responsibility for safeguarding journalists, as dozens of journalists have been killed in this conflict, with little or no accountability."According to CPJ, Siddiqui was embedded with Afghan special forces at the time of his death and was covering fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban fighters, according to those reports. He told his employer that he had been wounded in the arm by shrapnel earlier today while reporting, and had resumed work after receiving medical treatment.Siddiqui was talking to shopkeepers when the Taliban attacked and was killed in a subsequent crossfire, an Afghan commander told Reuters.Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters that the group had not been aware there was a journalist on the scene and said it was unclear how Siddiqui was killed.Siddiqui was a member of the Reuters photography team that won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for feature photography for "shocking photographs that exposed the world to violence Rohingya refugees faced in fleeing Myanmar."(With ANI inputs)ALSO READ: 'He was our eye': Tributes pour in for photojournalist Danish Siddiqui

Committee to Protect Journalists calls for probe into killing of Danish Siddiqui

Pulitzer Prize winner Siddiqui was killed while covering a clash between Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters in the town of Spin Boldak, near the border with Pakistan.

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Representational ImageA minor collision of two passenger jets at an airport in South Korea is reported on Tuesday. However, there has been no casualty, an airport official said.The collision occurred at about 8 a.m. at the Gimpo airport, outside of Seoul, while the two jets were moving to respective boarding gates. No passengers were aboard, Xinhua news agency reported.\A passenger jet of the Korean Air, a flagship South Korean air carrier, hit its rear against a wing of the Asiana Airlines airliner. 

Passenger jets moving towards boarding gates collide in South Korea

The collision occurred at about 8 in the morning at the Gimpo airport, while the two jets were moving to respective boarding gates.

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Article 370 abrogated to boost economic development, end discrimination: US lawmakerAn influential US lawmaker has said that the Indian government's decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was to support efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost economic development, fight corruption and end caste and religious discrimination. India on August 5 abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated it into union territories.Indian Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla in a tweet thanked Congressman Wilson for his statement at the US House of Representatives expressing strong support "for India-US relations and India's recent initiative to usher in a new paradigm of good governance, development & socio-economic justice in Jammu And Kashmir". Congressman Joe Wilson, while speaking at the US House of Representatives on Thursday, said Indian Parliament, with multi-party support, took the decision, "supporting the prime minister's efforts to boost economic development, fight corruption, and end gender, cast, and religious discrimination"."Americans are grateful, as the world's oldest democracy, to see India succeed as the world's largest democracy," the Republican lawmaker from South Carolina said. Wilson said one of the highlights for this year was his continued association with India as former co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, continuing his family's 75-year appreciation of the country.In August, he visited Mumbai to pay respects at the locations of the 26/11 terror attacks. "The Independence Day address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi was inspiring on August 15," Wilson said."In September, it was extraordinary to be present in Houston for the Howdy Modi welcome of Prime Minister Modi by President Donald Trump. With 52,000 persons attending, it was the largest welcome event in American history for a head of state," he said.Also Read: Game of Thrones finds mention in SC during Art. 370 hearingAlso Read: European delegation that toured Kashmir was on "private visit" to India: Govt

Article 370 abrogated to boost economic development, end discrimination: US lawmaker

An influential US lawmaker has said that the Indian government's decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was to support efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost economic development, fight corruption and end caste and religious discrimination. India on August 5 abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated it into union territories.

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Taliban challenged the credentials of Afghanistan's former UN ambassador and are asking to speak at the UN General Assembly's high-level meeting of world leadersThe ruling emir of Qatar, whose nation has played a pivotal role in Afghanistan in the wake of the US withdrawal, urged world leaders gathered at the United Nations against turning their backs on the country's Taliban rulers. Speaking from the podium of the UN General Assembly Tuesday, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani stressed the necessity of continuing dialogue with Taliban because boycott only leads to polarization and reactions, whereas dialogue could bring in positive results. His warning was directed at the many heads of state worried about engaging with the Taliban and recognizing their takeover of Afghanistan. The Taliban say they want international recognition. The group challenged the credentials of Afghanistan's former UN ambassador and are asking to speak at the UN General Assembly's high-level meeting of world leaders. They say it is the responsibility of the United Nations to recognise their government and for other countries to have diplomatic relations with them. Senior State Department officials said they were aware of the Taliban's request as the US is a member of the UN credentials committee, but they would not predict how that panel might rule. However, one of the officials said the committee ôwould take some time to deliberate, suggesting that the Taliban's envoy would not be able to speak at the General Assembly at this session, at least during the high-level leaders' week. To date, no nation has yet formally recognized the Taliban's ascension by force to power or its all-male Cabinet, which is stacked with senior figures who were previously detained in the US detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba or are on a United Nations sanctions list. The group has said this exclusively Taliban-run Cabinet is only interim, offering hope that a future government could be more inclusive. In the spirit of diplomacy, Sheikh Tamim said Qatar agreed years ago to host the Taliban's political leadership in exile because ôwe were confident that war offers no solution and that there would be dialogue in the end.Qatar is a close US ally and hosts the largest US military base in the Middle East, but the tiny Gulf Arab state also has some sway with the Taliban.  Because of its unique role, Qatar hosted direct US-Taliban talks around the American withdrawal from Afghanistan and helped facilitate evacuations from Kabul.Now, countries like the US and Japan have relocated their diplomatic staff in Afghanistan to Qatar to continue diplomacy from there. Qatar is also assisting with the facilitation of needed humanitarian aid and with operations at Kabul airport. Sheikh Tamim on Tuesday urged against repeating past mistakes in Afghanistan ôto impose a political system from outside.öRegardless of intentions, efforts made and money invested, this experience in Afghanistan has collapsed after 20 years, Sheikh Tamim said. The 41-year-old leader said the international community must continue to support Afghanistan at this critical stage and ôto separate humanitarian aid from political differences. Afghanistan is among the world's poorest countries and receives billions of dollars in foreign aid a year, though that could change with the US-backed government out of power and the Taliban now in charge. Uzbekistan, another neighbouring country to Afghanistan, has resumed the supply of oil and electricity to the war-torn country, according to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.It is impossible to isolate Afghanistan and leave it within the range of its problems, he said in remarks at the UN on Tuesday. He called for a permanent UN Committee on Afghanistan. Earlier this week, Pakistan's foreign minister told reporters at UN headquarters that Taliban rulers should understand that if they want recognition and assistance in rebuilding the war-battered country they have to be more sensitive and more receptive to international opinion and norms. The top leadership of the Taliban for years has operated out of Pakistan, which shares a border with Afghanistan and is home to large numbers of Afghan refugees. Despite their promises of an open and inclusive system, there have been numerous troubling signs that the Taliban are restricting women's rights and targeting activists and those they battled against as they settle into government after taking control of the capital of Kabul last month. During their previous rule of Afghanistan in the 1990s, the Taliban had denied girls and women the right to education and barred them from public life.Sheikh Tamim said it is up to the Afghan people to achieve a comprehensive political settlement and pave the way for stability. He touted Qatar's  outsized role in assisting with the chaotic US-led evacuation of more than 100,000 Afghans and others from Kabul in August. This was our humanitarian duty, he said.READ MORE | Taliban want to address General Assembly: United Nations ALSO READ | SAARC meet cancelled after Pakistan insists on Taliban participation: Report 

Qatar's ruler urges world leaders not to boycott Taliban

Taliban challenged the credentials of Afghanistan's former UN ambassador and are asking to speak at the UN General Assembly's high-level meeting of world leaders. They say it is the responsibility of the United Nations to recognise their government and for other countries to have diplomatic relations with them

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Security guard jailed in deadly shooting at Denver protestsA private security guard working for a local TV station was jailed for investigation of first-degree murder in the deadly shooting of another man during dueling right- and left-wing protests in downtown Denver, police said Sunday.Matthew Dolloff, 30, was taken into custody in connection with a clash that took place Saturday afternoon in Civic Center Park.A man participating in what was billed a “Patriot Rally” slapped and sprayed Mace at a man who appeared to be Dolloff, the Denver Post reported, based on its photographs from the scene. The man identified by the newspaper as Dolloff drew a gun from his waistband and shot the other person, according to the Denver Post journalist who witnessed the episode.The shooting victim was not named by authorities and died at a nearby hospital. But his son identified the man on Sunday to the Denver Post as Lee Keltner, a 49-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who operated a hat-making business in the Denver area.“He wasn’t a part of any group,” Johnathon Keltner told the newspaper. “He was there to rally for the police department and he’d been down there before rallying for the police department.”A woman who said she was the victim’s mother, Carol Keltner, wrote in a social media post that her son was killed after being shot in the head.A decision on any charges will be up to the Denver District Attorney’s Office, police said. A spokesperson for District Attorney Beth McCann said Sunday that the arrest affidavit in the case remained sealed and referred further questions to the police.It was not immediately clear if Dolloff had an attorney.Police Division Chief Joe Montoya said two guns were found at the scene, as well as a Mace can.The shooting occurred beneath a city surveillance camera, and police said they have footage of the incident, KUSA-TV reported.KUSA said it had hired the guard through the Pinkerton security firm. “It has been the practice of 9NEWS for a number of months to hire private security to accompany staff at protests,” the station said.The right-wing Patriot Rally was one of two demonstrations happening at about the same time that drew hundreds of people to the park. Protesters at a left-wing “BLM-Antifa Soup Drive” nearby held up flags and signs railing against Nazis and white supremacists.Security guards in Denver are supposed to be licensed, with additional endorsements needed to carry a firearm or operate in plainclothes, according to rules for the industry adopted by the city in 2018.In photos from Saturday’s shooting, Dolloff did not appear to be in uniform. His name does not show up on a city-run database that lists several thousand licensed security guards.Representatives of Pinkerton did not immediately return email and telephone messages for comment.

Security guard jailed in deadly shooting at Denver protests

​A private security guard working for a local TV station was jailed for investigation of first-degree murder in the deadly shooting of another man during dueling right- and left-wing protests in downtown Denver, police said Sunday.

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Damaged radar arrays and other equipment is seen at Ukrainian military facility outside Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russia has launched a barrage of air and missile strikes on Ukraine early Thursday and Ukrainian officials said that Russian troops have rolled into the country from the north, east and south. The Ukrainian military on Thursday claimed to have downed five Russian planes and a helicopter in the east of the country."According to the Joint Forces Command, today, February 24, in the area of the Joint Forces operation, five planes and a helicopter of the aggressors were shot down," the army general staff said.Shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a "special military operation" in Ukraine, a series of explosions hit Ukraine's largest airport Boryspil and several military objects in eastern and southern regions of the country.Media reports said there were also attacks in Kharkiv city in eastern Ukraine near the Russian border, in Kramatorsk town in the frontline in eastern Ukraine, in Vasylkiv city near Kiev, in Dnipro city in central Ukraine as well as in the southern port city of Odessa.Putin said in a televised address on Thursday morning that in response to a request from the heads of the Donbas Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, he had decided to conduct a special military operation to protect the people "who have been suffering from abuse and genocide by the Ukrainian regime for eight years". The Russian leader reiterated that Moscow had no plans "to occupy Ukrainian territories".Meanwhile, Ukraine’s foreign minister wants the world to stand together against Russia, arguing that Moscow’s aggression toward his country will have wider repercussions for the international order.Dmytro Kuleba told the U.N. General Assembly that the deployment of Russian troops in rebel-held parts of eastern Ukraine and Moscow’s recognition of the rebel regions as independent amounts to an “attack on the United Nations.” He said: “If Russia does not get a severe swift and decisive response now, this will mean a total bankruptcy of the international security system and international institutions.”Kuleba urged countries to use tough economic sanctions, strong messages and “active diplomacy” to get Russia to back off from Ukraine. “We are at a critical juncture of world history, and our actions today define it for years to come,” he said, drawing parallels with the leadups to the last century’s two world wars.ALSO READ | ​'It's too late': Ukrainian Ambassador told emergency UN meet as Putin announced war live on TV

Russia Ukraine War: Ukraine claims 5 Russian jets, helicopter shot down

Shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a "special military operation" in Ukraine, a series of explosions hit Ukraine's largest airport Boryspil and several military objects in eastern and southern regions of the country.

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Biden picks Indian-American Vanita Gupta as associate attorney generalUS President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday nominated Indian-American Vanita Gupta to be the associate attorney general and roped in Judge Merrick Garland for the position of attorney general. He also announced the nominations of Lisa Monaco as deputy attorney general and Kristen Clarke for assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division."Our first-rate nominees to lead the Justice Department are eminently qualified, embody character and judgment that is beyond reproach, and have devoted their careers to serving the American people with honor and integrity,” Biden said."They will restore the independence of the Department so it serves the interests of the people not a presidency, rebuild public trust in the rule of law, and work tirelessly to ensure a more fair and equitable justice system,” he said.Gupta, 46, is currently serving as President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. If confirmed by the US Senate, Gupta would be the highest ranking Indian-American in the Department of Justice.They are among the “most accomplished” legal minds in our country who also reflect the best of America’s full range of talents and background, Biden said.“I am honored they accepted this call to serve at such a critical time in our nation’s history,” he said.A former acting assistant attorney general and one of the best-known and most respected civil rights attorneys in America, Gupta would be the first woman of colour to serve in this role.She has spent her career fighting successfully for greater equity in our justice system and advancing the rights and dignity of every American, Biden’s transition said.Gupta served as acting assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division — the chief civil rights prosecutor for the United States. She is a successful consensus builder on tough issues, with years of experience on managing complex settlements and advocacy experience.Judge Garland is an independent jurist on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. A consensus-building voice, Garland has worked under Democratic and Republican administrations.He led investigations into some of the most high-profile cases and crises in modern history and coordinated the government’s response to the Oklahoma City bombing.Judge Garland’s nomination underscores the President-elect’s commitment to restore integrity and the rule of law, boost morale of the dedicated career professionals at DOJ, and build a more equitable justice system that serves all Americans, the transition said.Monaco, a veteran prosecutor and dedicated public servant, served in the Department of Justice for fifteen years, as assistant attorney general for National Security, a senior official in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General and as a career prosecutor.She has been a trailblazer for women in national security. She was the first woman confirmed as assistant attorney general for National Security and was one of the most senior women on former president Barack Obama’s national security team.Clarke, a veteran of the Department of Justice, has extensive civil rights experience, starting her career in civil rights as a career attorney in the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice where she handled cases of police misconduct, hate crimes, human trafficking, voting rights, and redistricting cases.“Fidelity to the rule of law forms the bedrock of America’s democracy. And in the face of both the damage that has been done to our Justice Department and our country’s long-overdue reckoning on racial injustice, these are the right leaders to meet this moment,” Vice President-elect Kamala Harris said.“These Justice Department veterans will not only help make sure justice is applied equally across our country, they will also restore integrity and independence to the Justice Department, helping rebuild the American people’s trust in the institution,” she said.

Biden picks Indian-American Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general

US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday nominated Indian-American Vanita Gupta to be the associate attorney general and roped in Judge Merrick Garland for the position of attorney general.

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Microsoft CEO Satya NadellaMicrosoft CEO Satya Nadella has said the company is making sweeping changes in its HR practices to address complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination at the workplace.In a letter to the employees obtained by Quartz, Nadella on Monday said the tech giant would create a new "Employee Advocacy Team".The letter came in the wake of an email chain full of sexual harassment claims by women employees.Started on March 20, the email chain contains allegations of sexual harassment ranging from sexist comments during work trips to being told to sit on a co-worker's lap in front of a human resources leader."I'm disappointed to hear about any behaviour in our workplace that falls short of the diverse and inclusive culture we are striving to create. But I'm encouraged that people feel empowered to speak up and demand change. I want all of us to learn and act on this feedback," Nadella wrote.According to an account of one female Microsoft employee in the email chain, an employee of a partner company threatened to kill her if she did not perform implied sexual acts. The employee said she had raised an alarm, but HR and the management did nothing to assuage her concerns.Another employee alleged that while she was working as a "Microsoft Partner" - a senior level person in the organisation - she was asked to sit on a co-worker's lap."As a Microsoft Partner, was asked to sit on someone's lap twice in one meeting in front of HR and other executives," she wrote, adding that no one objected to the demand.Nadella said the company would provide additional support and more information for employees who raise complaints about employee behaviour."HR is also creating a new Employee Advocacy Team that will focus exclusively on assisting employees going through a workplace investigation, including helping employees understand the process, guiding them through investigations and following up after investigations are finished to check in on the employees involved,a the Microsoft CEO informed.Microsoft would develop new company-wide disciplinary guidelines for work-related misbehaviour."When an investigation is finished, we will provide to a manager both a factual conclusion about the findings and the range of expected discipline," Nadella said.This is not the first time Microsoft faced scrutiny for sexual harassment claims.According to a class action lawsuit filed in March 2018, the software giant did not take seriously 238 cases of sexual harassment or discrimination between 2010 and 2016.

Nadella vows to act tough on harassment at Microsoft

In a letter to the employees obtained by Quartz, Nadella on Monday said the tech giant would create a new "Employee Advocacy Team".

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Top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci responds to accusations by Senator Rand Paul as he testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee about the origin of COVID-19, on Capitol Hill in Washington.Having a debate on Covid virus origin, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United State's top infectious disease expert, angrily confronted Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul on Tuesday in testimony on Capitol Hill, rejecting Paul’s insinuation that 'America helped fund research at a Chinese lab' that could have sparked the 'COVID-19 outbreak'.Paul suggested that Fauci had lied before Congress when in May he denied that the National Institutes of Health funded so-called “gain of function” research — the practice of enhancing a virus in a lab to study its potential impact in the real world — at a Wuhan virology lab. US intelligence agencies are currently exploring theories that an accidental leak from that lab could have led to the global pandemic.ALSO READ | Nightmare for Los Angeles, sees 10-fold increase in Covid cases, hospitalisations spike“I have not lied before Congress. I have never lied. Certainly not before Congress. Case closed,” Fauci told Paul before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, saying a study the senator mentioned referenced a different sort of virus entirely from the one responsible for the coronavirus outbreak.“Senator Paul, you do not know what you’re talking about, quite frankly,” Fauci said. “And I want to say that officially. You do not know what you’re talking about.”He added, “If anybody is lying here, senator, it is you."It was the latest in a series of clashes between Paul and Fauci over the origins of the virus that caused the global pandemic.ALSO READ | 1,19,000 Indian children lost caregivers to Covid during first 14 months of pandemic: Report /* .jw-reset-text, .jw-reset{line-height: 2em;}*/ .jw-time-tip .jw-time-chapter{display:none;} if ('' == comscore_jw_loaded || 'undefined' == comscore_jw_loaded || undefined == comscore_jw_loaded) { var comscore_jw_loaded = 1; firstjw = document.getElementsByClassName('jwvidplayer')[0]; cs_jw_script = document.createElement('script'); cs_jw_script.src = 'https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/internal-c2/plugins/streamingtag_plugin_jwplayer.js'; firstjw.parentNode.insertBefore(cs_jw_script, firstjw.nextSibling); } var jwconfig_6021112143 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/07/0_f10sxze4/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_f10sxze4_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "Centre and states to work together as a team to combat the Covid-19 pandemic: PM Modi", "height": "440px", "width": "100%", "aspectratio": "16:9", "autostart": false, "controls": true, "mute": false, "volume": 25, "floating": false, "sharing": { "code": "", "sites": [ "facebook", "twitter", "email" ] }, "stretching": "exactfit", "primary": "html5", "hlshtml": true, "sharing_link": "", "duration": "470", "advertising": { "client": "vast", "autoplayadsmuted": true, "skipoffset": 5, "cuetext": "", "skipmessage": "Skip ad in xx", "skiptext": "SKIP", "preloadAds": true, "schedule": [ { "offset": "pre", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_PreRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=", "type": "linear" }, { "offset": "50%", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_MidRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=" }, { "offset": "post", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_PostRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=", "type": "linear" } ] } }; var jwvidplayer_6021112143 = ''; jwsetup_6021112143(); function jwsetup_6021112143() { jwvidplayer_6021112143 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_6021112143").setup(jwconfig_6021112143); jwvidplayer_6021112143.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_6021112143, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_f10sxze4\", ns_st_pr=\"Centre and states to work together as a team to combat the Covid-19 pandemic: PM Modi\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"Centre and states to work together as a team to combat the Covid-19 pandemic: PM Modi\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"Centre and states to work together as a team to combat the Covid-19 pandemic: PM Modi\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-07-21\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-07-21\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/07/0_f10sxze4/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_6021112143.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_6021112143.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_6021112143.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_6021112143.stop(); jwvidplayer_6021112143.remove(); jwvidplayer_6021112143 = ''; jwsetup_6021112143(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_6021112143.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_6021112143.stop(); jwvidplayer_6021112143.remove(); jwvidplayer_6021112143 = ''; jwsetup_6021112143(); return; }); jwvidplayer_6021112143.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6021112143.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6021112143.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6021112143.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6021112143.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_6021112143.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Did US help fund research at Chinese lab likely behind COVID-19 outbreak? Anthony Fauci, Senator Paul argue

Senator Paul suggested that Dr Fauci had lied before Congress when in May he denied that the National Institutes of Health funded so-called “gain of function” research — the practice of enhancing a virus in a lab to study its potential impact in the real world — at a Wuhan virology lab.

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An electronic road sign that was hacked asked drivers on Highway 92 in Pine Knot to send nudesDrivers traveling along a Kentucky highway didn’t have to check their direct messages to receive the infamous sexting request: send nudes. An electronic road sign that was hacked early Thursday morning asked drivers on Highway 92 in Pine Knot to “send nudes,” news outlets reported.Officials with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said someone had hacked through the password-protected system. The sign belonged to a contractor doing construction work on the Ky. 92 realignment project through McCreary and Whitley counties, near the Tennessee border.Driver Tevon Stephens told news outlets he noticed the “clearly hacked” sign while going to work.“But seriously, we needed to bring awareness to it so the road departments would add cameras or add locks to the equipment to keep from distracting the drivers,” Stephens said.It’s unclear how long the message was on the screen. The contractor said none of their employees were involved in the prank.ALSO READ | Hate crime: Sikh taxi driver brutally assaulted in USALSO READ | Sikh Uber driver racially abused, strangulated by passenger in US

‘Send Nudes’: Drivers shocked by road sign’s racy request

Drivers traveling along a Kentucky highway didn’t have to check their direct messages to receive the infamous sexting request: send nudes.

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Iran blacklists US forces in West AsiaThe US Central Command forces in West Asia were announced as 'terrorist group' by the Supreme National Security Council of Iran on Monday. A statement released by the council said the US government is considered as the 'sponsor of terrorism' by Iran's Supreme National Security Council, which has also announced the US Central Command and its affiliated forces in West Asia as a 'terrorist group'."Iran strongly condemns the illegal and dangerous move by the US to designate the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) a foreign terrorist organisation," the statement said.Related Stories Government allows Iranian bank Pasargad to open branch in Mumbai, confirms GadkariSushma Swaraj holds talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif on key bilateral, regional issuesBoeing 707 Kyrgyz cargo plane crashes west of Tehran, 15 crew feared killed, 1 survives Iran satellite fails to reach orbit in US-criticised launchIsrael strikes Iranian targets in SyriaIran: At least 20 paramilitary Revolutionary Guard personnel killed in bombingUS to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guards as terror organisationThis "baseless" US measure vis-a-vis the IRGC endangers peace and security in the region and the world, and "it is an ostensible violation of international law and the UN charter," it noted."While the US and its allies supported the extremist and terrorist groups in West Asia, the IRGC has been in the forefront of battle against terrorism and extremism in the region," it said.Washington should be blamed for "all the dangerous consequences of its adventurous measure" by blacklisting the IRGC, the statement added.Earlier on Monday, US President Donald Trump had said that the US designates the IRGC as a "foreign terrorist organisation," a move that will further worsen US-Iran relations and is expected to further complicate the Middle East situation."Today, I am formally announcing my Administration's plan to designate IRGC, including its Qods Force, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act," Trump said in a statement issued by the White House.

After US designated IRGC as 'foreign terrorist organisation', Iran blacklists US forces in West Asia as 'terrorist group'

Earlier on Monday, Trump had said that the US designates the IRGC as a "foreign terrorist organisation," a move that will further worsen US-Iran relations and is expected to further complicate the Middle East situation.

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President Joe Biden speaks during a virtual COVID-19 summit during the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus.The Quad partnership is on track to produce at least a billion vaccine doses in India by 2022, US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday, asserting that nothing is more urgent than working together to defeat COVID-19 so the world is much better prepared for future pandemics.The United States and its international partners are working quickly to scale up vaccine manufacturing in other countries around the world so they can manufacture as well, Biden said in his virtual address to the Global Summit to End COVID-19.“We're working with partner nations, pharmaceutical companies, and other manufacturers to increase their own capacity and capability to produce and manufacture safe and highly effective vaccines in their own countries,” Biden said.“For example, our Quad partnership with India, Japan, and Australia is on track to help produce at least 1 billion vaccine doses in India to boost the global supply by the end of 2022. And we're providing financing and helping strengthen manufacturing in South Africa, and produce more than 500 million doses of J&J in Africa for Africa next year,” he said.The Quad grouping comprises Australia, India, Japan and the United States.Asserting that nothing is more urgent than all of them working together to defeat COVID-19 and that the world is going to be much better prepared for future pandemics, Biden said that he is keeping the promise that America will become the arsenal of vaccines as it was the arsenal for democracy during World War II.The US has already shipped nearly 160 million doses to 100 countries, more than every other country has donated combined. America's donations of a half a billion Pfizer vaccines through COVAX, that he announced before the G-7 summit in June, have already begun to ship, Biden told the virtual summit from the White House.ALSO READ | Joe Biden doubles US global donation of COVID-19 vaccine shots“Today, I'm announcing another historic commitment. The United States is buying another half billion doses of Pfizer to donate to low and middle-income countries around the world. This is another half billion doses that will all be shipped by this time next year, and it brings our total commitment to a donation -- of donated vaccines to over 1.1 billion vaccines to be donated,” Biden said.“Put another way, for every one shot we've administered to date in America, we have now committed to do three shots to the rest of the world,” he said and thanked Pfizer and its CEO and chairman, Albert Bourla for being helpful in this regard.“They've been and continue to be partners and the leader of this fight. The United States is leading the world on vaccination donations. As we are doing that, we need other high-income countries to deliver on their own ambitious vaccine donations and pledges. That's why today, we're launching the EU-US vaccine partnership to work more closely together and with our partners and expanding global vaccinations,” Biden said.ALSO READ | International travel should be made easier via mutual recognition of vaccine certificates: PM at COVID Summit /* .jw-reset-text, .jw-reset{line-height: 2em;}*/ .jw-time-tip .jw-time-chapter{display:none;} if ('' == comscore_jw_loaded || 'undefined' == comscore_jw_loaded || undefined == comscore_jw_loaded) { var comscore_jw_loaded = 1; firstjw = document.getElementsByClassName('jwvidplayer')[0]; cs_jw_script = document.createElement('script'); cs_jw_script.src = 'https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/internal-c2/plugins/streamingtag_plugin_jwplayer.js'; firstjw.parentNode.insertBefore(cs_jw_script, firstjw.nextSibling); } var jwconfig_4192461763 = { "file": "https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/09/0_0z09ed6i/master.m3u8", "image": "https://thumbs.indiatvnews.com/vod/0_0z09ed6i_big_thumb.jpg", "title": "PM Modi's US visit strategically important", "height": "440px", "width": "100%", "aspectratio": "16:9", "autostart": false, "controls": true, "mute": false, "volume": 25, "floating": false, "sharing": { "code": "", "sites": [ "facebook", "twitter", "email" ] }, "stretching": "exactfit", "primary": "html5", "hlshtml": true, "sharing_link": "", "duration": "2277", "advertising": { "client": "vast", "autoplayadsmuted": true, "skipoffset": 5, "cuetext": "", "skipmessage": "Skip ad in xx", "skiptext": "SKIP", "preloadAds": true, "schedule": [ { "offset": "pre", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_PreRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=", "type": "linear" }, { "offset": "50%", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_MidRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=" }, { "offset": "post", "tag": "https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?iu=/8323530/Eng_Video_Desktop_PostRoll&description_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatvnews.com&tfcd=0&npa=0&sz=640x480&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&env=vp&impl=s&correlator=", "type": "linear" } ] } }; var jwvidplayer_4192461763 = ''; jwsetup_4192461763(); function jwsetup_4192461763() { jwvidplayer_4192461763 = jwplayer("jwvidplayer_4192461763").setup(jwconfig_4192461763); jwvidplayer_4192461763.on('ready', function () { ns_.StreamingAnalytics.JWPlayer(jwvidplayer_4192461763, { publisherId: "20465327", labelmapping: "c2=\"20465327\", c3=\"IndiaTV News\", c4=\"null\", c6=\"null\", ns_st_mp=\"jwplayer\", ns_st_cl=\"0\", ns_st_ci=\"0_0z09ed6i\", ns_st_pr=\"PM Modi's US visit strategically important\", ns_st_sn=\"0\", ns_st_en=\"0\", ns_st_ep=\"PM Modi's US visit strategically important\", ns_st_ct=\"null\", ns_st_ge=\"News\", ns_st_st=\"PM Modi's US visit strategically important\", ns_st_ce=\"0\", ns_st_ia=\"0\", ns_st_ddt=\"2021-09-22\", ns_st_tdt=\"2021-09-22\", ns_st_pu=\"IndiaTV News\", ns_st_cu=\"https://vod-indiatv.akamaized.net/hls/2021/09/0_0z09ed6i/master.m3u8\", ns_st_ty=\"video\"" }); }); jwvidplayer_4192461763.on('all', function (r) { if (jwvidplayer_4192461763.getState() == 'error' || jwvidplayer_4192461763.getState() == 'setupError') { jwvidplayer_4192461763.stop(); jwvidplayer_4192461763.remove(); jwvidplayer_4192461763 = ''; jwsetup_4192461763(); return; } }); jwvidplayer_4192461763.on('error', function (t) { jwvidplayer_4192461763.stop(); jwvidplayer_4192461763.remove(); jwvidplayer_4192461763 = ''; jwsetup_4192461763(); return; }); jwvidplayer_4192461763.on('mute', function () { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4192461763.on('adPlay', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4192461763.on('adPause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4192461763.on('pause', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4192461763.on('error', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); jwvidplayer_4192461763.on('adBlock', function (event) { ga('send', 'event', 'JW Player Events', 'Errors', event.message); }); }

Quad partnership on track to produce at least a billion vaccine doses in India by 2022: Joe Biden

The United States and its international partners are working quickly to scale up vaccine manufacturing in other countries around the world so they can manufacture as well, Biden said in his virtual address to the Global Summit to End COVID-19.

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Trump says will announce his Supreme Court Nominee on SaturdayUS President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he will announce his nominee to fill the vacancy in the Supreme Court created by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Saturday evening. "I am getting very close to having a final decision made. Very, very close. I am going to make it, I believe that 5 o'clock on Saturday (September 26), I will be having a (news) conference," Trump told reporters at the White House.A day earlier, he said he will nominate a woman for this position. At an election rally in Pennsylvania soon thereafter, Trump told his cheering supporters that he will pick "a great woman" from one of the five women he has interviewed. "We are going to pick an incredible woman," Trump said.The Democratic party has said it will oppose the nomination and its presidential candidate Joe Biden has demanded that the nomination be done by the winner of the November 3 election.Trump asserted that it is his constitutional duty to fill up vacancies of the nine-judge bench in the Supreme Court. "I have a constitutional obligation to put in nine justices," he said. "We need nine justices. You need that. With the unsolicited millions of ballots that they are sending, it is a scam, it is a hoax. Everybody knows that. The Democrats know it better than anybody else. So you are going to need nine justices up there," Trump asserted."I think it is going to be very important. Because what they are doing is a hoax, with the ballots. They are sending out tens of millions of ballots...not where they are being asked, but unsolicited. And that is a hoax, and you are going to need to have nine justices," he said. As such, having all the nine benches on the Supreme Court before the election, he said, would be a very good thing."Because you are going to probably see it, because what they are doing is trying to sow confusion and everything else. And when they talk about Russia, China and all these others, they will be able to do something here because paper ballots are very simple -- whether they counterfeit them, forge them, do whatever you want. It is a very serious problem," Trump said.He alleged that the Democrats know what they are doing is wrong. "All they want to do is go forward with it. So I think you are going to need the nine justices," the president said. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany alleged that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have officially shown their blatant disregard for the United States Constitution."Apparently, it is now a high crime and misdemeanour worthy of impeachment for a lawfully elected president of the United States to exercise his constitutional duty," she said, adding that the president has already appointed two strong, conservative justices to the Supreme Court and now he will nominate a third."Pelosi has vowed to attack the president with 'arrows'. Pelosi will not rule out impeaching this president for doing his job, for fulfilling his constitutional obligation. AOC said impeachment is an option 'on the table', while Chuck Schumer stood by, nodding approvingly," McEnany said. "The plan of House Democrats is so rabidly radical that even Democrat Senator Tim Kaine has rebuked the idea, calling the idea of using impeachment to delay a Supreme Court vote 'foolish'. Some Democrats already have a backup plan if they do not get their way on this nomination. Congressman Joe Kennedy said, 'If he holds a vote in 2020, we pack the court in 2021. It is that simple'," McEnany said. 

Trump says will announce his Supreme Court Nominee on Saturday

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he will announce his nominee to fill the vacancy in the Supreme Court created by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Saturday evening.

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Trump likely to add two more countries to US travel banThe White House is considering dramatically expanding its much-litigated travel ban to additional countries amid a renewed election-year focus on immigration by President Donald Trump, according to six people familiar with the deliberations. A document outlining the plans — timed to coincide with the third anniversary of Trump’s January 2017 executive order — has been circulating the White House. But the countries that would be affected if it moves forward are blacked out, according to two of the people, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the measure has yet to be finalized.It’s unclear exactly how many countries would be included in the expansion if it proceeds, but two of the people said that seven countries — a majority of them Muslim — would be added to the list. The most recent iteration of the ban includes restrictions on five majority-Muslim nations: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, as well as Venezuela and North Korea.A different person said the expansion could include several countries that were covered in the first iteration of Trump’s ban but later removed amid rounds of contentious litigation. Iraq, Sudan, and Chad, for instance, had originally been affected by the order, which the Supreme Court upheld in a 5-4 vote after the administration released a watered-down version intended to withstand legal scrutiny.Trump, who had floated a banning all Muslims from entering the country during his 2016 campaign, criticized his Justice Department for the changes, tweeting that DOJ “should have stayed with the original Travel Ban, not the watered-down, the politically correct version they submitted to S.C.”The countries on the proposed expansion list include allies that fall short on certain security measures. The additional restrictions were proposed by the Department of Homeland Security officials following a review of security protocols and “identity management” for about 200 countries, according to the person.White House House spokesman Hogan Gidley declined to confirm the plan but praised the travel ban for making the country safer.“The Travel Ban has been very successful in protecting our Country and raising the security baseline around the world,” he said in a statement. “While there are no new announcements at this time, common-sense and national security both dictate that if a country wants to fully participate in U.S. immigration programs, they should also comply with all security and counter-terrorism measures -- because we do not want to import terrorism or any other national security threat into the United States.”Several of the people said they expected the announcement to be timed to coincide with the third anniversary of Trump’s first, explosive travel ban, which was announced without warning on Jan. 27, 2017 — days after Trump took office. That order sparked an uproar, with massive protests across the nation and chaos at airports where passengers were detained.The current ban suspends immigrant and non-immigrant visas to applicants from the affected countries, but it allows exceptions, including for students and those who have established “significant contacts” in the U.S. And it represents a significant softening from Trump’s initial order, which had suspended travel from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen for 90 days, blocked refugee admissions for 120 days and suspended travel from Syria.That order was immediately blocked by the courts, prompting a months-long effort by the administration to develop clear standards and federal review processes to try to withstand legal muster. Under the current system, restrictions are targeted at countries the Department of Homeland Security says fail to share sufficient information with the U.S. or haven’t taken necessary security precautions, such as issuing electronic passports with biometric information and sharing information about travelers’ terror-related and criminal histories.The new proposal was also quickly drawing sharp criticism.“Different Muslim Ban – same xenophobic Administration,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. “An expanded Muslim Ban will worsen our relationships with countries around the world. It won’t do anything to make our country safer. It will harm refugees, alienate our allies and give extremists propaganda for recruitment.”An official with Refugees International, a nonprofit that advocates for the displaced worldwide, said the news was very disappointing.“The news that President Trump is planning to add countries to his travel ban should be heartbreaking to all Americans,” said U.S. Senior Advocate Yael Schacher. “Thousands of people have been cruelly and unreasonably separated from relatives because of the already existing ban. They have been stranded in conflict zones like Syria, Yemen, and Somalia. This is a shameful attempt by the President to misuse his power to expand a ban that principally impacts individuals from the Muslim world.”Under the existing order, Cabinet secretaries are also required to update the president regularly on whether countries are abiding by the new immigration security benchmarks. Countries that fail to comply risk new restrictions and limitations, while countries that comply can have their restrictions lifted.The discussions come as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi prepares to transmit to the Senate the articles of impeachment the Democratic-led House passed against Trump late last year, launching a formal impeachment trial just as the 2020 election year gets underway. Trump in December became just the third president in history to be impeached by the House. The Republican-controlled Senate is not expected to remove him from office.Trump ran his 2016 campaign promising to crack down on illegal immigration and spent much of his first term fighting lawsuits trying to halt his push to build a wall along the southern border, prohibit the entry of citizens from several majority-Muslim countries and crack down on migrants seeking asylum in the U.S., amid other measures. He is expected to press those efforts again this year as he ramps up his reelection campaign and works to energize his base with his signature issue, inevitably stoking Democratic anger.Just this week, a coalition of leading civil rights organizations urged House leaders to take up the No Ban Act, legislation to end Trump’s travel ban and prevent a new one.The bill introduced last year by Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., with Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., in the Senate, would impose limits on the president’s ability to restrict entry to the U.S. It would require the administration to spell out its reasons for the restrictions and specifically prohibit religious discrimination.Also Read: Six dead in Croatia nursing home fire

Trump likely to add two more countries to US travel ban

The White House is considering dramatically expanding its much-litigated travel ban to additional countries amid a renewed election-year focus on immigration by President Donald Trump, according to six people familiar with the deliberations.

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Israelis vote in unprecedented third general elections in less than a yearIsraelis voted on Monday in an unprecedented third parliamentary election in less than a year to break the deadlock on government formation, with the country's longest-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fighting for his political survival amid indictments on graft charges. The voter turnout at 8 pm was 65.5 percent, a 1.8 percent increase from the September elections and the highest turnout rate at this hour since the 1999 elections, the Jerusalem Post reported.In 1999 polls, incumbent Netanyahu lost to Ehud Barak in a direct contest.Neither Netanyahu, who heads the right-wing Likud party nor his main challenger, Benny Gantz -- leader of the Blue and White alliance -- were able to put together majority coalitions following the last two elections.The final opinion polls suggested the latest round is too close to call.Some 10,631 polling stations opened at 7 AM Israel time to enable about 6,45 million eligible voters to cast their ballots.Amid high turnout in Israeli elections in years, some 2,000 voters cast ballots at special polling stations meant for those under home quarantine for fear of exposure to the coronavirus till 3 PM.Some 5,600 eligible voters are said to be under quarantine for whom the Central Elections Committee has made special polling stations at 16 locations, Channel 12 reported.President Reuven Rivlin expressed a feeling of "deep shame" while voting.“This is normally a festive day, but the truth is that I don't feel like celebrating. I only feel a sense of deep shame when I face you, my fellow citizens,” Rivlin said after casting his vote at the Yefe Nof school in Jerusalem."We just don't deserve this. We don't deserve another awful and grubby election campaign like the one that ends today and we don't deserve this never-ending instability. We deserve a government that works for us,” the Israeli President said.Exit polls will be released immediately after 10 PM, with final results expected on Tuesday morning.Israel's highly divided polity threw two inconclusive elections result in April 9 and September 17 polls with nobody managing to muster the support of 61 Knesset members.If the results of the third round of polls are aligned with current predictions, the stalemate is likely to linger which complicates the pitch for the Israeli prime minister who will go on trial in just two weeks after Monday's vote.Netanyahu, 70, stands trial over a series of corruption allegations, which he has denied.He claimed on Sunday that his party’s internal polling showed that he was a hair's breadth away from a Knesset (Israeli Parliament) majority that would allow the formation of a right-wing government, an announcement that led to charges of breaking election laws against him.Opinion polls in the final days leading up to Monday’s elections showed Netanyahu holding on to his support base, and even a slight surge, which could help him garner more seats than rival Blue and White party.However, the surveys indicated that his right-wing coalition was still well short of achieving a 61 seat Knesset (Israeli parliament) majority in the house of 120 with some analysts talking about the spectacle of the fourth round of elections.Netanyahu's high-decibel campaign has focussed on his personal credentials as a world leader with personal rapport with leading politicians around the globe, success in keeping Israel's economy steady, turning the country into a world leader in hi-tech and dismissing his main rival Gantz, a former Chief of Staff, as a political lightweight who has been conspiring with Arab parties to dethrone him.The Israeli prime minister's campaign was also boosted by regular favours from US President Donald Trump who first recognised undivided Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel, then Israeli control over the Golan Heights and most recently his tumultuous 'deal of the century' giving Israel the go-ahead to annex large settlements in the West Bank.Netanyahu has vowed to start annexing the controversial territory shortly after the elections if voted to power.Netanyahu's close personal chemistry with other world leaders, including India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, has also been often touted as his strength to lead the country which is still not formally recognised by most of the Islamic countries.Putin has in his own way tried to help Netanyahu's re-election, but not as boisterously as Trump.In short, Monday's election can be seen as another referendum on Netanyahu, who became the country's longest-serving Prime Minister in July of last year. Gantz, 60, has focused his campaign on Netanyahu's character painting him as an egomaniac obsessed with remaining in power and escaping justice at all costs.He has portrayed himself as a moderate alternative to the polarising prime minister in whose leadership Israel's polity and society stand completely divided.Former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who was crowned the kingmaker, in September 17 elections, is likely to be the key deciding factor again in breaking the logjam on government formation.He had pushed for a unity government, with or without him, the last time and has largely remained consistent in his position.While unity government seems to be the easiest solution to the current deadlock, talks didn't bear fruit last time because of a lack of consensus as to who would lead the government first.ALSO READ | Same old political stakeholders as Israel goes to poll for the third time in a yearALSO READ | Just hours before his meet with Trump, Israel PM Netanyahu formally indicted on corruption charges

Israelis vote in unprecedented third general elections in less than a year

Israelis voted on Monday in an unprecedented third parliamentary election in less than a year to break the deadlock on government formation, with the country's longest-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fighting for his political survival amid indictments on graft charges.

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China hails 3-year extension of Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Bajwa's termChina on Wednesday welcomed the extension of Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa's term for another three years, saying he is an "old friend" of the Chinese government who has made "robust” contributions to the bilateral relations.General Bajwa, 58, who was appointed as the Chief of Army Staff by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in November 2016, was to retire in November, but Prime Minister Imran Khan extended his term for another three years in view of the "regional security environment". The decision was taken amid fresh tension in India-Pakistan relations and the ongoing Afghan peace talks between the US and the Taliban militants, facilitated by Islamabad.Asked about the extension of Gen Bajwa's term, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing here that the Pakistan Army chief has made “robust” contribution to China and Pakistan relations.“We noticed the decision by the Pakistan government. Gen Bajwa is an extraordinary leader of the Pakistani army. He is also an old friend of Chinese government and the army," he said.“He has also made robust contributions to China Pakistan relations. We believe under his leadership, the Pakistan Army will continue to make contributions to upholding Pakistan’s sovereignty, security interests and regional peace and stability," Geng said in response to a question from Chinese official media. Gen Bajwa has promised Beijing to safeguard China's interests in Pakistan under the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which will connect China's largest province Xinjiang with Pakistan's Gwadar port in Balochistan.The Pakistan Army has already raised a battalion and has announced plans to form another battalion to protect Chinese citizens and installations under the CPEC. Geng’s comments backing Khan’s decision to extend Gen Bajwa’s term came as a surprise as it is rare for Beijing to publicly comment on the appointments of officials by foreign governments, though China and Pakistan are all-weather friends.Bajwa’s extension was sharply criticised by Pakistan’s opposition parties which said that it would send a wrong message that the Army is dependent on "one or two individuals".Observers say that Geng’s comments hailing Gen Bajwa’s extension was also aimed at reinforcing China’s special relationship with Pakistan military establishment.Gen Bajwa like his predecessors is a frequent visitor to China. But he was the rare Pakistan Army chief who during his visit to Beijing in September last year met Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China hails 3-year extension of Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Bajwa's term

General Bajwa, 58, who was appointed as the Chief of Army Staff by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in November 2016, was to retire in November, but Prime Minister Imran Khan extended his term for another three years in view of the "regional security environment". The decision was taken amid fresh tension in India-Pakistan relations and the ongoing Afghan peace talks between the US and the Taliban militants, facilitated by Islamabad.

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 The United States has traditionally welcomed any talks between India and Pakistan, the pace of which, it has noted, depends on the leadership of the two countries.The United States on Friday hailed the upcoming India-Pakistan foreign ministers' meet on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly session in New York and described it as 'terrific news'."We saw that (reports of meetings between Indian and Pak leaders). I think that's a terrific news for the Indians and Pakistanis to be able to sit down and have a conversation together," State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at her daily news conference.Related Stories India-US statement violates diplomatic norms, says PakistanPrepared to take 'strongest action' against countries, entities not complying with Iranian sanctions: USUS warns countries including India engaging in economic activities with Iran after Nov 4Earlier on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar announced that India has agreed to a meeting between Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Pakistan's request. He, however, made it clear that it was not the resumption of the Indo-Pak dialogue.Nauert also welcomed the exchange of messages between Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi."We saw the reports about the positive messages being exchanged between Prime Minister Khan and also Prime Minister Modi. And we hope that the conditions will be set for a good strong relationship, a good strong bilateral relationship in the future," she saidThe United States has traditionally welcomed any talks between India and Pakistan, the pace of which, it has noted, depends on the leadership of the two countries."In general, the United States supports dialogue between India and Pakistan that can reduce tensions, and we understand and had frequent conversations with the Indian partners on the expectations that there would be demonstrable reduction in cross-border terrorism or infiltration that will help create the confidence for dialogue to take place," Alice Wells, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, had told reporters during a conference call last week.

'Terrific news': US hails upcoming India-Pak foreign ministers' meet in New York

Earlier on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar announced that India has agreed to a meeting between Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Pakistan's request.

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Trump issues memorandum to protect US investors from Chinese companiesIt is wrong and dangerous for China to benefit from US capital markets without complying with critical protections that investors rightfully deserve, President Donald Trump said on Thursday as he issued a memorandum to protect American investors from Chinese companies. For decades, Chinese companies have availed themselves of the benefits of US financial markets, and capital raised in the US has helped fuel China’s rapid economic growth, Trump said.The memorandum was issued to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other members of the top national security leadership.While China reaps advantages from US markets, the Chinese government has consistently prevented Chinese companies and companies with significant operations in China from abiding by the investor protections that apply to all companies listing on US stock exchanges, Trump alleged."It is both wrong and dangerous for China to benefit from our capital markets without complying with critical protections that investors in those markets rightfully expect and deserve," he said."China’s actions to thwart our transparency laws raise significant risks for investors. The time has come to take firm action in an orderly fashion to put an end to the practice that has tacitly permitted companies with significant Chinese operations to flout protections United States law requires for investors in United States markets," Trump said.The president said for example, the Chinese government refuses to allow audit firms registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) to provide audit working papers to the board.Recently, the Chinese government enacted a statute that expressly prevents audit firms from providing this information without prior consent of Chinese financial regulators, he said. Preventing the PCAOB from complying with its statutory mandate means that investors cannot have confidence in the financial reports of audited companies and this creates significant risks to investors in the securities listed on US stock exchanges, Trump said.The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the PCAOB have pressed China for years to allow companies to provide greater transparency in financial information, to no avail, he rued.Concerns about China's efforts to thwart transparency requirements suggest significant risks even for investors in Chinese companies listed on US stock exchanges, the president said. Such companies may not provide appropriate and safe investments for investors, including pension funds, which owe fiduciary duties to their beneficiaries, Trump said."For these reasons, we must take firm, orderly action to end the Chinese practice of flouting American transparency requirements without negatively affecting American investors and financial markets."We must ensure that laws providing protections for investors in American financial markets are fully enforced for companies listed on United States stock exchanges,” he said.In his memorandum, Trump asked the treasury secretary to convene the President's Working Group on Financial Markets.The group will discuss the risks to investors and financial markets posed by the Chinese government's alleged failure to uphold its international commitments to transparency and accountability and its refusal to permit companies to comply with US law, according to the memorandum.The group has been asked to submit its memorandum in the next 60 days. 

Trump issues memorandum to protect US investors from Chinese companies

For decades, Chinese companies have availed themselves of the benefits of US financial markets, and capital raised in the US has helped fuel China’s rapid economic growth, Trump said.

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India demands annulment of Jadhav's sentence by Pak army court | 10 arguments presented by Harish Salve at ICJIndia on Monday urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to annul Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence by a Pakistani military court and order his immediate release. India's counsel, Harish Salve, argued that Jadhav's verdict was based on a "farcical case", which hopelessly fails to satisfy even the minimum standards of due process.Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by the military court on charges of "espionage and terrorism" after a closed trial in April 2017. His sentencing evoked a sharp reaction in India.India moved the ICJ in May the same year for the "egregious violation" of the provisions of the Vienna Convention by Pakistan by repeatedly denying New Delhi consular access to the 48-year-old Indian national.The four-day trial opened Monday at the ICJ headquarters in The Hague amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following one of the worst terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group that killed at least 41 CRPF soldiers.Highlights of India's arguments at ICJ on Monday (As it Happened)1) Invalidity of Pak army courts: "Military courts of Pakistan cannot command the confidence of this court and should not be sanctify by a direction to them to review and reconsider the case. India seeks annulment of Jadhav's conviction and directions that he be released forthwith."2) Unfair trial: "India seeks relief in declaring that the trial by the military court in Pakistan hopelessly fails to satisfy even the minimum standards of due process... and should be declared unlawful." 3) Annul judgement by biased court: Noting that military courts in Pakistan are not independent, Salve said the working of such courts have been censured by the European Parliament. "A foreign detainee has the right to life, the right to a fair trial and an impartial judiciary. However, Pakistan has sentenced 161 civilians to death in their military courts in opaque proceedings in the last two years," Salve said. He urged the ICJ to grant relief to Jadhav in the backdrop of fact that his trial has been done by a military court.Also read | Timeline of Kulbhushan Jadhav case in International Court of JusticeImage Source : UN WEB TVEx-solicitor general of India, Harish Salve, presenting Kulbhushan Jadhav's case at ICJEx-solicitor general of India, Harish Salve, presenting Kulbhushan Jadhav's case at ICJ4) Immediate release in the name of human rights: "Considering the trauma he (Jadhav) has been subjected to over the past three years, it would be in the interest of justice of making human rights a reality, to direct his release," Salve said on the first day of the hearing.5) Pak using case as propaganda tool: Salve said Pakistan's conduct doesn't inspire confidence that Jadhav can get justice there. "Pakistan has in custody an Indian national who has been publicly portrayed to be a terrorist and Indian agent creating unrest in Balochistan...," he said, adding that there is no doubt that Pakistan was using this as a propaganda tool.6) Lack of evidence: No "credible evidence" was provided by Pakistan to show his involvement in any act of terrorism and Jadhav's purported confession clearly appeared to be "coerced", Salve said.Also read | This photo taken ahead of Kulbhushan Jadhav hearing at ICJ tells you the mood of the nationImage Source : UN WEB TVThe empty chair at Pakistan's table belongs to the country's ad hoc judge  Tassaduq Hussain Gillani, who reportedly had a heart attack during the proceedings. He was rushed to the hospital, where he is said to be in a stable condition. The empty chair at Pakistan's table belongs to the country's ad hoc judge  Tassaduq Hussain Gillani, who reportedly had a heart attack during the proceedings. He was rushed to the hospital, where he is said to be in a stable condition. 7) Denial of consular access: Noting that under the international law Pakistan was bound to grant consular access to Jadhav without delay, Salve said India sent 13 reminders to Pakistan for consular access to Jadhav, but Islamabad is yet to accede. "Pakistan knowingly, brazenly and willingly" violated the international law, Salve told the judges. He said Jadhav's continued custody without consular access should be declared "unlawful." "The Vienna Convention is a powerful tool that ensures the facility of consular access to foreign nationals who have been put on trial in foreign trial," he said.8) Violation of  Vienna Convention: Salve argued that Pakistan did not uphold the Article 36 of the Vienna Convention that states consular access applies all nationals, regardless of espionage claims in Jadhav’s case. "Article 36 of the Vienna Convention says that a country must be informed about the detention of its citizens but Pakistan did not inform India about his arrest." Without consular access, he said, "India has no information on what happened to Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistan." This quite plainly, is an egregious violation of Pakistan's obligations under Article 36 of the Vienna Convention, said Salve.9) No due process: Salve said Pakistan filed the FIR almost a month after the arrest of Jadhav. He said Pakistan was embarrassed to disclose charges against Jadhav. Pakistan didn't send any details of the probe conducted by the Joint Investigation Team before informing the Indian side about the death sentence handed over to him. Jadhav did not get any lawyer during his trial, he added.Also read | Pakistan ad hoc judge at ICJ suffers cardiac arrest during Jadhav hearing: Report10) Pak treatment towards with Jadhav family: He said Pakistan offered to allow Jadhav's family to visit him, the terms were agreed and the meeting was held on 25 December, 2017. "India was dismayed at the manner the meeting with Jadhav's family was conducted and wrote a letter on 27 December marking its protest," he said.The ICJ adjourned the hearing till Tuesday when Pakistan will get the opportunity to present its case. Pakistan claims that its security forces arrested Jadhav from restive Balochistan province on March 3, 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.(With inputs from agencies)Also read | Pakistan claims India did not provide answers to key questions in Jadhav case

India demands annulment of Jadhav's sentence by Pak army court | 10 arguments presented by Harish Salve at ICJ

The four-day trial opened Monday at the ICJ headquarters in The Hague amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following Pulwama terror attacks.

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United States congratulates new Pakistan PM Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The United States has congratulated the newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif and hoped to keep cooperating with the new government, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement."The United States congratulates newly-elected Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and we look forward to continuing our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan's government," Blinken said in the statement on Wednesday (April 13).The United States values its relationship with Pakistan and recognizes its role as an important partner on a wide array of mutual interests for nearly 75 years, the statement said, adding that a strong, prosperous and democratic Pakistan is essential for the interests of both countries.Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif took oath as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday (April 11) after being elected by the National Assembly of the country.Prime Minister-elect Shehbaz Sharif was administered the oath by the Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani after President Arif Alvi fell ill.Shehbaz Sharif, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former leader of the Opposition, was elected the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan by the National Assembly of the country earlier today."Mian Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif has secured 174 votes," announced PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq, who was chairing the session after the resignation of Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri ahead of the vote.(With agencies inputs) Also Read: Days after becoming Pakistan PM, Shehbaz orders renewal of brother Nawaz Sharif's passportAlso Read: Pakistan's newly elected PM Shehbaz Sharif likely to visit Saudi Arabia, China in first foreign trip

United States congratulates new Pakistan PM Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif

Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif took oath as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday after being elected by the National Assembly of the country.

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Mass blackout in California amid raging wildfiresMore than two million experienced mass power outages across California as massive wildfires have continued to surge, it was reported on Sunday.Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) initiated the precautionary blackout on Saturday - expected to be the largest in state history - due to forecasts of extreme winds, which it said could damage facilities and cause new fires, the BBC reported.PG&E said the powercuts would affect 940,000 households and businesses across 36 counties in northern California - hitting an estimated two million people. The outages were expected to last until Monday."We have begun implementing the public safety power shutoff", a PG&E official told the media on Saturday evening.In a statement the previous day, PG&E warned customers that they could be affected by a mass blackout, citing forecasts of potential extreme weather.The warning came as the company faced scrutiny over its possible role in the fires.The Kincade Fire in Northern California began seven minutes after a nearby power line was damaged, but PG&E has not yet confirmed if the power glitch started the blaze.Meanwhile, 90,000 people have been ordered to evacuate towns in northern California due to the Kincade Fire.The new evacuation order encompasses a huge area of Sonoma County, where the blaze has already burned through 25,455 acres of land.A state of emergency has been declared in Los Angeles and Sonoma counties, and thousands of firefighters were battling to contain the blazes.As of Saturday evening, the Kincade Fire was about 10 per cent contained, the BBC said.The National Weather Service issued a "red flag" warning for areas around the Kincade Fire.A second massive blaze in suburban Los Angeles termed the Tick Fire had charred 4,615 acres and was 55 per cent contained as of Saturday evening.All residents who were told to evacuate have returned home.Firefighters have also been battling several other blazes in the state.ALSO READ | More than 50,000 evacuated due to wild fire in CaliforniaALSO READ | Millions in California facing fire danger, more blackouts

Mass blackout in California amid raging wildfires

A second massive blaze in suburban Los Angeles termed the Tick Fire had charred 4,615 acres and was 55 per cent contained as of Saturday evening.

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The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will meet on Friday to discuss the threats emanating from the North Korean ballistic missile and nuclear programmes.According to Efe news, the Friday meeting was originally called to study the situation in Ivory Coast, but later decided to add the North Korean issue to the agenda.The provided official information does not specify whether there will be any voting session on a new UN resolution over the Stalinist state.The UN Security Council has been negotiating a possible resolution to impose new sanctions on the Pyongyang regime for weeks.The decision has to be endorsed by the five major world powers, including Russia, who could exercise its right to veto the proposed resolution.The Friday meeting session will be headed by Bolivia, who is set to preside over the Security Council in June.Bolivian ambassador to the UN, Sacha Llorenti, said Thursday afternoon as he announced the monthly programme of the Security Council that no meeting had been held to discuss the possible resolution.However, the North Korean nuclear threats were added to the discussion table after Llorenti gave out the monthly programme in the press conference.The Security Council has repeatedly condemned the nuclear and ballistic missile tests carried out by the Kim Jong-un regime in violation of UN regulations.In May, UN representatives revealed that the Security Council was considering adding new sanctions to those already put in force after the North Korean nuclear tests that began in 2006.The proposal to be discussed during the council meeting on Friday is part of the efforts by the US and China, the two countries leading this initiative. However, it is unknown what decision Russia will adopt if the draft resolution is approved.On Thursday, the US government imposed new economic sanctions on North Korea, affecting three individuals and six companies who are reported to have funded the Pyongyang regime.Among the companies sanctioned are Ardis-Bearings LLC, a Moscow-based company allegedly linked to Pyongyang's nuclear program, and the Independent Petroleum Company (IPC), which was accused by Washington of supplying oil to North Korea.(With IANS inputs)

UNSC to discuss North Korean missile threat on Friday

The Friday meeting was originally called to study the situation in Ivory Coast, but later decided to add the North Korean issue to the agenda.

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Image Iran’s oil minister said on Monday that France’s oil giant Total SA has officially pulled out of Iran after cancelling its $5 billion, 20-year agreement to develop the country’s massive South Pars offshore natural gas field over renewed U.S. sanctions.The parliament’s website ICANA.ir quoted Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh as saying that since Total first announced its decision a while ago, Iran has been in the process of “looking for an alternative” to Total. He didn’t elaborate.There was no immediate comment from TotaI.Earlier this month, Iran said China’s state-owned petroleum corporation took a majority 80 percent share of the project. CNPC originally had some 30 percent of shares in the project.The renewed U.S. sanctions took effect in August, after America’s pullout from the nuclear deal in May. The re-instatement of the sanctions exacerbated a financial crisis in Iran, which has sent its currency, the rial, tumbling.Catch all the latest news about Lok Sabha elections 2019 HERETotal announced in May its decision to cancel the multi-billion-dollar project in Iran because of U.S. sanctions. The group said at the time it couldn’t “afford to be exposed to any secondary sanction,” including the loss of financing by American banks.The 2017, $5 billion contract for new development at the massive South Pars offshore natural gas field was the first major gas deal signed with Iran following the 2015 nuclear deal. Total said in May that its actual spending to date with respect to this contract was less than 40 million euros.Total had pulled out of Iran already once before, in 2008, as Western sanctions over its nuclear program began to ramp up. The 2015 landmark nuclear deal — which curbed the Iranian nuclear enrichment program in return for the lifting of international sanctions — marked a rush for Western businesses to access Iran’s largely untapped market of 80 million people. Most prominently, airplane manufacturers rushed in to replace the country’s dangerously dilapidated civilian fleet.South Pars is the world’s largest natural gas filed and is shared by Iran and Qatar, where it’s called North Dome. Qatar produces more than 590 million cubic meters per day from the shared field and plans to increase production by 10 percent by 2022.Iran’s total gas production stands at 750 million cubic meters per day, of which 550 million is consumed domestically.Iran exports gas to neighboring Turkey and Iraq, and pipelines to Pakistan and Oman are in the works. Iran also imports some 12 million cubic meters per day from neighboring Turkmenistan.

Iran oil minister: French oil giant Total pulls out of Iran

South Pars is the world’s largest natural gas filed and is shared by Iran and Qatar, where it’s called North Dome. Qatar produces more than 590 million cubic meters per day from the shared field and plans to increase production by 10 percent by 2022.

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WHO concerned about COVID-19 impact on women, children, adolescentsThe World Health Organization (WHO) said it is "especially concerned" about the impact of COVID-19 on women, children and adolescents. Speaking at a virtual press conference from Geneva on Friday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the indirect effects of COVID-19 on these groups may be greater than the number of deaths due to the virus itself, Xinhua news agency reported."Because the pandemic has overwhelmed health systems in many places, women may have a heightened risk of dying from complications of pregnancy and childbirth," he said.The WHO chief added that WHO has developed guidance for health facilities and community activities on maintaining essential services, including for women, newborns, children and adolescents.As for the risks of women transmitting COVID-19 to their babies during breastfeeding, Tedros told reporters that based on the available evidence, WHO's advice is that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of COVID-19."Mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be encouraged to initiate and continue breastfeeding and not be separated from their infants, unless the mother is too unwell," he said.Saying that early evidence suggests people in their teens and 20s are at greater risk of depression and anxiety, online harassment, physical and sexual violence and unintended pregnancies, Tedros also highlighted the "dramatic impact" of the virus on adolescents, as school and university closures may limit their access to preventive services.

WHO concerned about COVID-19 impact on women, children, adolescents

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it is "especially concerned" about the impact of COVID-19 on women, children and adolescents.

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Bus with 16 Indians onboard crashes in EgyptA bus with 16 Indian tourists crashed into a truck near Egypt's Ain Sokhna on Saturday. Six people were killed in the crash and one Indian national is among the dead. The buses were heading to beach-resort town Hurghada when one of them hit the truck on Sokhna-Zafarana Road, followed by the second bus also crashing in, the Egypt Independent reported.Indian Embassy in Cairo tweeted, "Bus accident with 16 Indian tourists on board occurred today near Ain Sokhna in Egypt. Embassy officials are at hospitals in Suez city and Cairo. Helpline numbers +20-1211299905 and +20-1283487779 are available."Ambulances were deployed to move the injured to nearby hospitals.The deceased include an Indian man, two Malaysians and three Egyptians. More than 20 people were injured and rushed to the hospital, the report said.(With inputs from PTI and ANI)ALSO READ | Egypt to host new round of talks on Nile dam issueALSO READ | 6 killed in fire caused by oil spill in northern Egypt

Bus with 16 Indians onboard crashes in Egypt

A bus with 16 Indian tourists crashed into a truck near Egypt's Ain Sokhna on Saturday. Six people were killed in the crash and one Indian national is among the dead.

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Coronavirus in Nepal: With 2 new cases, country's tally rises to 245After five fresh cases of coronavirus were reported, the total number of cases in the country rose to 250 on Thursday.  Nepal, which is under nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of deadly coronavirus, is among the nations that has the least number of cases of the deadly COVID-19 with no deaths.The country on Wednesday reported 24 new cases, all of them from India-Nepal border. Earlier the health authorities reported 85 new cases overnight, including 26 from India-Nepal border area, the highest number of confirmation of virus transmission in a single day.Many of the new cases were from Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Parsa, Rupandehi, Kapilavastu and other areas situated in the Nepal-India border area.As most of the COVID-19 cases were reported from the Indo-Nepal border area, the government has decided to further tighten security in the southern border with the deployment of more security personnel and inter-district travel has also been restricted to stop internal transmission of the disease, officials said.In March, the Nepal government closed its borders with India and China in a bid to prevent a possible outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the Himalayan nation.Although the cross-border human movement was halted, the supply of goods from the countries was as usual, Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada said in March.Nepal, which shares a 1,800-km open border with India, has a total of 37 motorable land entry points with it, while with China it has four such entry points. Meanwhile, eight Indian nationals, who were staying in a quarantine facility in Bardiya district, have run away, according to the state-run Nepal Television.(With inputs from agencies)

Coronavirus in Nepal: With 5 new cases, country's tally rises to 250

After five fresh cases of coronavirus were reported, the total number of cases in the country rose to 250 on Thursday. Nepal, which is under nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of deadly coronavirus, is among the nations that have the least number of cases of the deadly COVID-19 with no deaths.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Monday cancelled a joint cultural event with South Korea ahead of the Winter Olympics, after complaining about "biased" media reports.The two countries had been due to stage the event at North Korea's Mount Kumgang on February 4 - just days before the Games in Pyeongchang get underway.Related Stories Nuclear button always on my table, North Korea's Kim Jong-Un warns US in New Year’s addressKim Jong-un ready to send athletes to South Korea for Olympics 2018Donald Trump rubbishes report on his 'good relationship' with North Korea’s Kim Jong-unBut Pyongyang, which has agreed to send a delegation to the sports extravaganza, has now called the meeting off blaming "biased" coverage in the media, according to Seoul's unification ministry, reports Daily Mail.Seoul and Pyongyang had also pledged to hold joint training sessions at North Korea's Masik Pass ski resort. A team of South Korean officials inspected the facilities last week.The decision followed a surprise proposal by Kim in his annual New Year's address for the North to send a delegation to the Games.

North Korea cancels joint event with South ahead of Winter Olympics

The two countries had been due to stage the event at North Korea's Mount Kumgang on February 4 - just days before the Games in Pyeongchang get underway.

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Israel president tasks Netanyahu with forming govtIsraeli president has tasked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with forming a new unity government after Parliament passed legislation approving details of a power-sharing deal between his Likud and centrist rival Benny Gantz’s Blue and White parties, ending more than a year of political impasse.Netanyahu, the longest-serving Prime Minister in Israel's history, will continue at the helm of Israeli politics for at least another 18 months while he fights charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases."I hope Israel will soon have a government that will deal successfully with the complex challenges that stand before us," President Reuven Rivlin said on Thursday, noting the dual crises of the political stalemate and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.Rivlin granted Netanyahu a two-week mandate on Thursday night to form the government, which would keep the 70-year-old leader in power until November 13, 2021.Earlier on Thursday, Israel's Parliament approved amendments to the two basic laws by a hefty majority, paving the way for Netanyahu to form a fully functioning unity government for the first time since December 2018.The Knesset or Parliament voted by 71 votes to 37 to back the power-sharing deal between Netanyahu's Likud and his main rival former military chief Gantz's Blue and White parties.The next government is likely to be sworn in next week with Netanyahu succeeding to forge a power sharing agreement with rival turned ally Gantz, a former Chief of Staff and leader of the Blue and White party, who split his faction to enter into a rotational deal with the Prime Minister.Netanyahu would hand over the baton to him after leading the government for the first 18 months.The bills were supported by the lawmakers in Netanyahu's Center-Right bloc, except for the lawmakers of Yamina, who absented themselves, because it is still unknown whether it will enter the coalition. Blue and White and Labor lawmakers voted in favour, except for Labor lawmaker Merav Michaeli, who opposes the government, The Jerusalem Post reported.The bills were necessary for Blue and White to be able to recommend Prime Minister Netanyahu to form a government by Thursday night's deadline to prevent a fourth election, the paper said.Later, representatives of Likud and Blue and White submitted 72 signatures of lawmakers recommending that Netanyahu form the next government to President Reuven Rivlin, it added.Once approved by Rivlin, Netanyahu will have two weeks to form the next government.The development came a day after Israeli High Court ruled on Wednesday that Netanyahu may form a new government while under indictment for corruption charges.In their ruling, the 11 justices said there was no legal cause to intervene in the coalition agreement between the two parties.The petitions against Netanyahu were filed by advocacy groups that have asked the court to ban any indicted politician, including Netanyahu, from being allowed to form a new government.Netanyahu was indicted earlier this year on charges of accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust.He has denied any wrongdoing. His trial was postponed due to restrictions his hand-picked interim justice minister placed on the courts after the coronavirus crisis erupted and is scheduled to commence later this month.Netanyahu had signed the agreement with Gantz to form a national government last month after an unprecedented third round of polls which again did not give anybody a clear verdict to form the government.The deal allows Netanyahu to serve the first 18 months as Prime Minister after which Gantz would assume power for the next 18 months.Netanyahu has held onto power as a caretaker leader for more than a year as political stalemate prevented the creation of a government and triggered successive elections.His ruling Likud party emerged as the single largest party with 36 seats in the 120-member Knesset after the third round of polls but the right-wing bloc led by him could garner only 58 seats, falling short of the simple majority of 61.Gantz won the backing of 61 Knesset members and was mandated by President Rivlin to form the next government but he chose to cut a deal with Netanyahu, even at the cost of splitting his Blue and White party given the difficulties of putting together a government in a highly divided Israeli polity.ALSO READ | Israel’s first COVID-19 vaccine factory to come up in ‘very near future’ALSO READ | Israel's biological institute claims to have found antidote to coronavirus

Israel president tasks Netanyahu with forming govt

Israeli president has tasked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with forming a new unity government after Parliament passed legislation approving details of a power-sharing deal between his Likud and centrist rival Benny Gantz’s Blue and White parties, ending more than a year of political impasse.

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Men charged in Daniel Pearl's murder case to be released on SaturdayBritish-born al-Qaeda leader Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and his three aides, whose release in the abduction and murder case of US journalist Daniel Pearl was ordered by a court here, would walk out of the prison on Saturday as their release orders were received very late.A Pakistani court on Thursday ordered the release of Sheikh and his three aides– Fahad Naseem, Salman Saqib and Sheikh Adil– who were convicted and sentenced in the case.A two-judge bench of the Sindh High Court, presided over by Justice K K Agha, directed security agencies not to keep Sheikh and other accused under “any sort of detention” and declared all notifications of the Sindh government related to their detention “null and void”.The court observed that the four men’s detention was “illegal”.According to the Jail Superintendent, the four men could not be released from Karachi’s Central Jail on Thursday as the prison authorities received orders from the Sindh High Court for their release very late.According to the legal counsel for the four men, they would now be released on Saturday as Friday is a public holiday in the country.In April, a two-judge Sindh High Court bench commuted the death sentence of 46-year-old Sheikh to seven years imprisonment. The court also acquitted his three aides who were serving life terms in the case, almost two decades after they were found guilty and jailed.However, the Sindh government refused to release them and kept them in detention under the Maintenance of Public Order.Their continuous detention was challenged in the Sindh High Court, which ordered their release. However, it asked to place their names on the no-fly list so that they could not leave the country. It also directed them to appear before the court whenever summoned.Pearl, the 38-year-old South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, was abducted and beheaded while he was in Pakistan investigating a story in 2002 on the links between the country’s powerful spy agency ISI and al-Qaeda.A three-judge apex court bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam is hearing the appeal by the Sindh government and the family of the slain journalist against the acquittal of Sheikh.The US has been mounting pressure on Pakistan, demanding justice for Pearl.Pearl’s murder took place three years after Sheikh, along with Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, was released by India in 1999 and given safe passage to Afghanistan in exchange for the nearly 150 passengers of hijacked Indian Airlines Flight 814.He was serving a prison term in India for kidnappings of Western tourists in the country.

Men charged in Daniel Pearl's murder case to be released on Saturday

Pearl, the 38-year-old South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, was abducted and beheaded while he was in Pakistan investigating a story in 2002.

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Max Versluys stands outside the Richard H. Austin state office building during a rally in Lansing, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. Michigan's elections board is meeting to certify the state's presidential election results.US President Donald Trump on Monday asked officials to begin the transition process for President-elect Joe Biden after the head of the federal agency responsible for this said she would provide him with the necessary government resources to move into the White House. This comes after the federal government recognized President-elect Joe Biden as the “apparent winner” of the Nov. 3 election on Monday and gave the green light for cooperation on a transition of power. Trump has time and again suffered legal and procedural defeats in his seemingly futile effort to overturn the election with baseless claims of fraud.Trump, who has still refused to concede the election — and may never — followed up with a tweet that he was directing his team to cooperate on the transition. The president had grown increasingly frustrated with the flailing tactics of his legal team.General Services Administrator Emily Murphy, explaining her decision, cited “recent developments involving legal challenges and certifications of election results.”She acted after Michigan on Monday certified Biden’s victory in the battleground state, and a federal judge in Pennsylvania tossed a Trump campaign lawsuit on Saturday seeking to prevent certification in that state.It also comes as an increasing number of Republicans were publicly acknowledging Biden’s victory, after weeks of tolerating Trump’s baseless claims of fraud.“With Michigan’s certifying (its) results, Joe Biden has over 270 electoral college votes,” tweeted Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy. “President Trump’s legal team has not presented evidence of the massive fraud which would have had to be present to overturn the election. I voted for President Trump but Joe Biden won.”Yohannes Abraham, executive director of the Biden transition, said in a statement that the decision “is a needed step to begin tackling the challenges facing our nation, including getting the pandemic under control and our economy back on track.”He added: “In the days ahead, transition officials will begin meeting with federal officials to discuss the pandemic response, have a full accounting of our national security interests, and gain a complete understanding of the Trump administration’s efforts to hollow out government agencies.”Murphy, a Trump appointee, has faced bipartisan criticism for failing to begin the transition process sooner, preventing Biden’s team from working with career agency officials on plans for his administration. The delay denied Biden access to receive highly classified national security briefings and hindered his team’s ability to begin drawing up its own plans to respond to the raging coronavirus pandemic.Murphy insisted she acted on her own.“Please know that I came to my decision independently, based on the law and available facts. I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any Executive Branch official—including those who work at the White House or GSA—with regard to the substance or timing of my decision,” she wrote in a letter to Biden.Trump tweeted moments after Murphy’s decision: “We will keep up the good fight and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same.”Max Stier, president and CEO of the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, criticized the delay but said Biden’s team would be able to overcome it.“Unfortunately, every day lost to the delayed ascertainment was a missed opportunity for the outgoing administration to help President-elect Joe Biden prepare to meet our country’s greatest challenges,” he said. “The good news is that the president-elect and his team are the most prepared and best equipped of any incoming administration in recent memory.”Murphy’s action came just 90 minutes after Michigan election officials on Monday certified Democrat Joe Biden’s 154,000-vote victory in the state. The Board of State Canvassers, which has two Republicans and two Democrats, confirmed the results on a 3-0 vote with one GOP abstention. Trump and his allies had hoped to block the vote to allow time for an audit of ballots in Wayne County, where Trump has claimed without evidence that he was the victim of fraud. Biden crushed the president by more than 330,000 votes there.Under Michigan law, Biden claims all 16 electoral votes. Biden won by 2.8 percentage points — a larger margin than in other states where Trump is contesting the results like Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.Some Trump allies had expressed hope that state lawmakers could intervene in selecting Republican electors in states that do not certify. That longshot bid is no longer possible in Michigan.“The people of Michigan have spoken. President-elect Biden won the State of Michigan by more than 154,000 votes, and he will be our next president on January 20th,” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, said in a statement, saying it’s “time to put this election behind us.”The Trump legal team dismissed the certification as “simply a procedural step” and insisted it would continue to mount legal challenges.Trump’s efforts to stave off the inevitable — formal recognition of his defeat — have faced increasingly stiff resistance from the courts and fellow Republicans with just three weeks to go until the Electoral College meets to certify Biden’s victory. Time and again, Trump’s challenges and baseless allegations of widespread conspiracy and fraud have been met with rejection as states move forward with confirming their results.In Pennsylvania, a conservative Republican judge shot down the Trump campaign’s biggest legal effort in Pennsylvania with a scathing ruling that questioned why he was supposed to disenfranchise 7 million voters with no evidence to back their claims and an inept legal argument at best.But the lawyers still hope to block the state’s certification, quickly appealing to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, which ordered lawyers to file a brief Monday but did not agree to hear oral arguments.The campaign, in its filings, asked for urgent consideration so they could challenge the state election results before they are certified next month. If not, they will seek to decertify them, the filings said.Biden won Pennsylvania by more than 80,000 votes.Pennsylvania county election boards were voting on Monday, the state deadline, about whether to certify election results to the Department of State. The boards in two populous counties split along party lines, with majority Democrats in both places voting to certify. After all counties have sent certified results to Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, she must then tabulate, compute and canvass votes for all races. The law requires her to perform that task quickly but does not set a specific deadline.In Wisconsin, a recount in the state’s two largest liberal counties moved into its fourth day at a slow pace, with election officials in Milwaukee County complaining that Trump observers were hanging up the process with frequent challenges. Trump’s hope of reversing Biden’s victory there depends on disqualifying thousands of absentee ballots -- including the in-person absentee ballot cast by one of Trump’s own campaign attorneys in Dane County.(With inputs from AP and PTI)

Donald Trump asks officials to begin transition for President-elect Joe Biden; says will keep fighting

Trump, who has still refused to concede the election — and may never — followed up with a tweet that he was directing his team to cooperate on the transition. The president had grown increasingly frustrated with the flailing tactics of his legal team.

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Trump's India visit aimed at deepening strategic ties: White HouseHours after President Donald Trump concluded his whirlwind 36-hour tour of India, the White House on Tuesday said the visit aimed at deepening the strategic partnership between both nations."The United States and India benefit from strong economic ties that advance prosperity, investment and job creation in both countries," the White House said in a statement titled "President Donald J Trump is strengthening our strategic partnership with India".Underlining that it was the first official visit of the president to India, the White House said both countries enjoyed a long-standing trade relationship, exceeding USD 142 billion in 2018 alone.India is a growing destination for American energy exports, it said, adding that during President Trump's tenure, energy exports to India have grown substantially, generating billions of dollars in revenue.In India, ExxonMobil signed a deal to further improve India's natural gas distribution network so that the country can accept even more American LNG exports, it said.The White House said the US president and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are working towards a trade pact that reflects the full potential of the economic partnership between both nation."The United States and India are committed to investing in sustainable, transparent, quality infrastructure in the region," it said. According to the White House, the two nations are deepening their security relationship and helping to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region."The United States is working closely with India to combat terrorism, confront global drug trafficking and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific," it said. "President Trump and Prime Minister Modi are calling on other countries in the region to take steps to counter-terrorism. The United States–India defence cooperation contributes to the prosperity and security of the entire Indo-Pacific region," it said.During his visit, Trump spoke about the importance of the United States-India relationship before a crowd of more than 110,000 people at the Ahmedabad's Motera stadium, the White House said, adding that he had the privilege of visiting some of India's cherished cultural sites, including the Taj Mahal in Agra.During the US president's visit, India announced it will procure military equipment, including Apache and MH-60R helicopters, worth over USD3 billion. Trump and Modi also discussed the importance of building secure 5G systems to promote a trusted networking future, the White House said. 

Trump's India visit aimed at deepening strategic ties: White House

Hours after President Donald Trump concluded his whirlwind 36-hour tour of India, the White House on Tuesday said the visit aimed at deepening the strategic partnership between both nations.

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Over 100,000 New Yorkers suffer from power loss on ChristmasMore than 100,000 New Yorkers spent Christmas without electricity after a powerful storm lashed the northeast of the United States overnight. Westchester, Rockland, Ulster, Orange and Dutchess counties were particularly hard hit, with 73,926 outages reported as of 10 am on Friday, according to PowerOutage.US, a service that tracks electricity disruptions nationwide.New York City fared much better with less than 17,000 outages reported across the five boroughs. Staten Island made up the bulk of the Big Apple's outages, with some 3,500 reported disruptions, according to ConEd.ConEd, which supplies electricity for the city and most parts of Westchester, urged customers to report outages for faster service resumption. The company also warned customers against touching or attempting to move downed electrical wires.Fuelled by heavy rain and winds of up to 65 miles (105 km) per hour, the Christmas storm also knocked out power for more than 49,000 New Jersey residents. Across the northeast, more than 275,000 customers lost power, according to PowerOutage.US.The New York State Governor's Office said the state deployed rescue teams to strategic locations across the state in advance. The teams stocked up on water pumps, power generators and even blankets and pillows in case of emergency."Everything is being done to prepare for any potential impacts and the state stands ready to support any of our local partners who may need assistance," Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement."In the meantime, I urge everyone to celebrate smart and use caution if travelling over the next 48 hours," he added.(With IANS inputs)

Power outage leaves over 1,00,000 New Yorkers in dark on Christmas

New York City fared much better with less than 17,000 outages reported across the five boroughs. Staten Island made up the bulk of the Big Apple's outages, with some 3,500 reported disruptions, according to ConEd.